Minutes of
Monday, June 9, 2008
7:05 P.M. Call to order/Roll Call Sherri Danoff/Jayne Morton The meeting was called to order after President Sherri Danoff shared that we are looking forward to working with Jerry Lenthall for the next six months and expressed gratitude for putting himself out there to help as he has. She also welcomed Adam Hill, the newly elected supervisor. A quorum was established. Present: Anne Brown, Lisa Newton, Rick Rowe, John Salisbury, Jan Taylor, Boyd Horne, Sherri Danoff, Ted Ivarie, Jayne Morton, Bob Pusanik, Ken Thompson, Sandy Keller, Steve Johnson, John Schug, Karin Argano. Excused: Julie Scott, Ted Ivarie, Lynn Walter, Darryl Armstrong, Bill Tickell , Jack Biesek, Public Comment Jayne Morton, a long time resident of Avila Beach, distributed a letter expressing concerns about several disturbing incidents in Avila since the Memorial Day Beer Festival disturbance to a June 8th incident outside of Mr. Rick’s Bar. The question was since summer hasn’t formally begun, what is it going to be like if there isn’t something done to curb this kind of disruptive activity on the promenade and in the Community? Should we look more closely at the impact on having an outdoor bar in the middle of the promenade and what is needed when an event includes serving alcohol? There was a short discussion by Rob Rossi stating they are looking at how they can improve the way the events are handled so that there is not a repeat of the Memorial Day problem. Leonard Cohen of the ABA had received a copy of the letter earlier and said they had held and emergency Board meeting to discuss the problem and what needs to be done to solve it. The AVAC chair said that AVAC would convene a committee to address preventing future problems that includes representatives from the golf course, business association, Mr. Rick’s and the Sheriff. Approval of Minutes Sherri Danoff
Minutes for May 12 were approved as presented. Treasurer’s Report Anne Brown The current balance is the same as last month $1117.13. No bills were presented. County Reports 2.1 Sheriff’s Department Lt. Ben Hall There were 107 service calls and 25 reports – various thefts, vandalism, robbery at cave landing, and an arrest for indecent exposure. Even though it is starting to pick up there isn’t’ any dramatic increase yet. Lt. Hall addressed the current problems in Avila. He does not think we have a major issue at this point with the current problem and it is obvious we don’t want it to get out of hand. He made a request to be given a list of the up and coming special events so they can arrange for added patrol if necessary. Regarding more response to emergency calls and coverage at events. When 911 is called it goes to the Highway Patrol and are dispatched from there. He said they are very efficient and very busy. It has been his experience that there is always a response to every call. If someone has not received satisfactory help he asked that they send the facts to him by e-mail or phone . It was also pointed out that the event managers may look into having their own security. It is possible to contract with the Sheriff’s Dept. for added coverage, however, it has been rarely done. He said they hope to have bicycle officers in Avila on July 4th. 2.2 County Supervisor Jerry Lenthall The landscaping at the entrance to SLBE was partially done but the plants died. There are trees on back order and they hope to have it completed by the end of July. He has not been able to get together with Julie Scott regarding the traffic problem in front of the Charter School. He wants them to submit the proposed grant they discussed. He said the CHP has been out in force by the school and believes it is helping. He reiterated that 911 is often hard to get because of being very busy and it causes delays. He said to be sure to make calls when there is an emergency or commotion. You can’t always depend someone else will make the call and it needs to go on record even if response is not necessary. The Sheriffs Dispatch Center numbers are – 781-4553, 4554, or 4555. 2.3 Planning Ryan Hostetter The addition to Travalini’s residents and the Custom House projects are being discussed. The Colony project is under environmental review. 2.4 Public Works Ryan Chapman He still checking on getting an answer regarding the school signage on San Luis Bay Drive. The Circulation Study model is still making the changes and when it is completed it will be given back to us for review. Bay Laurel Drive sign should be done with landscaping and he is till looking into it. There have not been any changes to the Level of Service Standards since it was adopted 15 years ago. A Board member pointed out that there seems to be a problem with delays at the Avila signal. Ryan said he will check it out. 3.0 Old Business Sherrie Danoff The Events Ordinance hearing has been postponed until October 23rd. 3.1 See Canyon Intersection Julie Scott Refer to Jerry Lenthall’s report. New Member A motion was made and passed to accept Steve Johnson as a new AVAC Board Member. MSP . 4.0 Community Liaisons - 4.1 Avila Business Assoc., Avila Beach Civic Assoc., Avila Beach Foundation, Port, Diablo ABA- Leonard Cohen/Karin Argano Leonard received an e-mail regarding the incidents on the promenade and had an emergency Board meeting. The ABA encourages events such as Farmers Market, Art on the Promenade, and music, which brings people to Avila and helps businesses. If such things as the music does not bring out a positive response from the public and help the businesses it will be cancelled. He assured us that now that they are aware of these problems they will be looking for solutions such as internal security to resolve the issues and that the Custom House is very receptive to the ABA’s concern. The ABA’s Golf Tournament was a big success. They raised enough funds to make Farmers Market self-sufficient which was the purpose of the event.. They are still working on getting a real nice Welcome to Avila sign. There has been a large trash problem in Avila and arrangements have been made with The Achievement House to come four days a week to pick it up. If anyone has trash issues please let them know. They have phone numbers to call. The Pali Kai Pineapple express is June 21st and is an excellent event. The Chumash Tomaul celebration where they launch an ancient craft will also be there. Civic Assoc.- Lisa Newton The grant for the Avila Project was granted. Wednesday Bingo is offered at 10:00 in the morning with free potluck. ABCF - Boyd Horne The grant process will be explained in August. Port San Luis – Darryll Armstrong No report. PGE Diablo – Patricia Wilmore They had a group of representative from throughout the state that was very successful. Don’t forget to sign up for the tour in August. 5.0 New Business- 5.1 Harbor District Background Commissioner Carolyn Moffat Commissioner Moffat gave a very informative Power Point presentation of the history of the Port San Luis Harbor District which is state not county. Became an independent district in 1954 which has a 3 mile limit out at sea. There are five elected commissioners, 24 full time employees and a $4,000,000 plus budget. 1954 the District was formed, 1966 put in land fill forming harbor landing, 1975 Harbor Terrace, 1983 Avila Pier, the beach and the parking lot ; 1986 Free title from the State, 1992 received Port San Luis Light Station, 2007 District Master Plan adopted as an amendment to County Local Coastal Program. The District operates from grants in addition to taxes from the two South County supervisorial districts. They are responsible for marine safety in the bay, checking moorings, handling dry-docking and storage of boats, restoring and repairing the piers, RV parking, cleaning the beaches and keeping the peace. Harbor Terrace is slowly being converted to public use. The Boat storage area will remain the same and all RV parking will be there and there will be an area for public camping. There will be a recreation center and food service. The plan is to have it completed within 3 to 5 years. It is critical to get the RV’s off the road. There will eventually be a landing at the lighthouse for small boats. The commercial fishing industry is in pretty severe transition due to environmental distress. They are working with Cal Poly to develop a healthy fishing area – a fishing industry that is environmentally approved. 6.0 Executive Committee Communications 6.1 Policy: A new policy for ‘Presentations to AVAC on Proposed Projects’ was presented to the Board. It was agreed the guidelines will stand as presented and tried for awhile and see how it works before being adopted. 7.0 AVAC Committees Land Use Committee – Needs a Chairman. No report 7.2 Diablo Committee – Sandy Keller/Lynn Walter They are still collecting names of people interested in the Aug. 15 tour. 7.3 Port Committee – No report Darryl Armstong No report. 7.4 Avila Beach Committee Lisa Newton A motion was made and passed to approve the 137 First St. – Travlini project. MSP 7.5 San Luis Bay Estates Committee- Ted Ivarie No report 7.6 Avila Valley Committee – No report Boyd Horne 7.7 See Canyon Committee – Bill Tickell No report. 7.8 Squire Canyon – Karin Argano Weed abatement id in process and removal of poles. 8.0 Meeting Adjourned at 9.07 p.m. Respectfully submitted by Jayne Morton, Secretary |