Minutes of
Monday, January 14, 2008
7:00 P.M.
Call to order/Roll Call Sherri Danoff/Jayne Morton
Present: Anne Brown, John Salisbury, Rick Rowe, Jan Taylor, Boyd Horne, Sherri Gooding, Ted Ivarie, Jayne Morton, Bob Pusanik, Ken Thompson, Lynn Walter, Sandy Keller, Mary Anddrews, Bill Tickell, Jack Biesek, Karn Argano.
Introduction of the New Members Sherri Danoff
The President introduced and welcomed Mary Andrews, See Canyon; Ken Thompson, San Luis Bay Estates; Rick Rowe Avila Beach and Sandy Keller, San Luis Bay Estates to the Board.
Public Comment
John Lindsey who is with PGE as their Marine Meteorologist gave us a one-time weekly weather report so we would be aware this service is available. He left business cards with his information and explained that anyone who is interested in receiving weather reports can requests them by e-mail JCL5@pge.com.
Approval of Minutes Sherri Danoff
The November 12th minutes were approved as presented.
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Treasurer’s Report Anne Brown
As of 12/31/07 the balance was $234.26 and there aren’t any outstanding bills. The total cost of the Forum was $906.94. Ann is once again submitting the paper work for the grant money from our Supervisor.
County Reports
2.1 Sheriff’s Department Lt. Ben Hall
Reported that Avila Valley had 24 calls – on burglary of a construction trailer and traffic. Avila Beach had 40 calls and 7 reports – shop lifting, credit card fraud and theft. Port San Luis 8 calls no reports. It took quite awhile to be able to report that they have 10 new employees, which are currently in 15 weeks of training. This means that there will be 4 more sheriffs for the area and they will be able to have a lot more on patrol.
2.2 County Supervisor Jerry Lenthall
He reported that they had a great “Bridge” dedication. He had a chance to talk to some of the CHP Officers that were there and was told that they have been ticketing in the area like crazy and are going to continue to do so. Because we have asked for more coverage we can’t complain when we get a ticket because we are getting what we asked for.
Cal Trans is starting the acceleration lane on 101. The same contractor that did such a good job on the bridge will be doing the work and feels it will go well. The timing will depend on the weather. If you have any questions or complaints about the project he said to contact his office.
He presented certificates of appreciation to Karla Bittner and Marylou Goodin for their many years of dedicated service for AVAC. Karla expressed her appreciation for all the people she has met and worked with for what she has gained from being with AVAC. Marylou’s certificate will be given to her later as she was not present. They recently resigned and certainly will be missed.
He reported that Rosemary Gaglione sent her best to the group. She was at the bridge dedication and was very pleased with the fast way everything went. She also expressed that even though she likes being in Santa Barbara she misses everyone here. .
2.3 Planning, AVAC Representative Ryan Hostetter
Currently there weren’t any new projects. The on going projects are – The old RR Right of Way; the Schoolhouse which is waiting on 3rd party review, and Sycamore Mineral Springs project has the building permit to start the foundations and will be doing the buildings one at a time. No update on Spuire or See Canyon.
2.4 Public Works Mike Britton
The bridge has been open since Dec. 27th. The signs were left up because there was still some work to be done that was not visible to drivers and road delays were possible. Two more weeks and it should be fully completed.
He apologized for not having the Circulation Study. It is still not available. As soon as he gets it and can review it he will then distribute it to us for review.
There will be a speed study for the area, however, it will not start until February. This will help to determine what the speed should be in the area. He has turned the question of changing the speed limit around the school to Traffic because it does not come under his Dept. He explained that the speed signs around the school are a problem. They only intermittently work because of a manufacturer defect and are being addressed.
A member expressed his personal gratitude for a job well done on the bridge and everyone concurred. He gave a great deal of credit to Rosie because he only got into the construction part she did all the important preliminary work.
He assured us that everyone is being informed that the bridge is now open. All the hotels and local businesses in the area have been informed and post cards have gone out and they have taken an ad out in the newspaper.
Construction signs on the freeway will be removed immediately. It is a private contractor and they have been notified.
Old Business
3.1 Events Ordinance Amendments Land Use Committee
Committee sent AVAC Board members a draft letter of their recommendation for the Proposed Events Ordinance Amendments. The issues in question were non-profit status and permits, traffic control for all events, and property setbacks of property lines and residences including multi-family residences along with single families.
A motion was made and seconded to accept the letter making recommendation to improve the slate. There was an Events Comparison Chart that given to Board members and a request was made to include it with the letter. A member felt that more time was needed to review the Ordinance and didn’t feel we had to act right away. After more discussion regarding what the deadline is for making the recommendations, Supervisor Lenthall clarified that we have until around the first of March to submit comments. Since everyone agreed that there was more time to review the Ordinance a motion was made and approved to table the motion until the February meeting.
It was pointed out that the Proposed Ordinance has taken four years to get to this point because of the problem of getting information from all parties effected. It was suggested that a letter should be sent that only incorporates the questions from the draft letter. The Board agreed.
A question was asked as to why does the county require and ordinance for events. Answer was we can’t control traffic without it.
The president said that we really need a chairman of the Land Use Committee and asked for volunteers. There wasn’t any response. The Committee meets the first Monday of every month. The next meeting is Feb. 4th at the PG&E Center and everyone is invited.
3.2 District 3 Candidate Forum Ken Thompson
The Committee used the 2004 Historical Data provided by Karla Bittner as Baseline Information. The filing period for Candidates is 2/11 through 3/7 with elections on 6/3. But the Absentee Ballots will be mailed around the first of May. This gives us a 6-week Window to conduct this Forum, from Mid-March through M/E April. The committee is looking at the 3rd or 4th week in April. It is a Forum not a debate.
Terry Eberhardt at the Community Center said he will work with us and Sarah Horne (League of Women Voters) will support us by providing a Moderator, Timekeeper & Question Taker. They will also help with notices in the Newspaper. If there is a need for Media Recording we will ask the candidates to work together on that decision and share the funding requirements. The SLBE Master Board will help by getting the word out to the community.
The committee would like approval to proceed with an AVAC sponsored ONE Candidate Forum. A motion was made and approved to adopt the committee’s report and to proceed. MSP
4.0 Community Liaisons -
4.1 Avila Business Assoc., Avila Beach Civic Assoc., Avila Beach Foundation
ABA- Leonard Cohen
Leonard expressed his feelings about not having a good communication between AVAC and the other Avila community groups. It was agreed that we need to have liaisons for the ABA and Ann Brown volunteered to help. He also said that the ABA was very instrumental in getting the shark advisory changed.
ABCA- Ann Brown
They are currently campaigning for funds for the Community Center, membership and capital.
ABF – No report
4.2 Port San Luis; PGE Diablo
Port San Luis – no report
PGE Diablo - They have been improving their Community Center with new lighting which takes 1/3 less energy. Employees hired during the outages have temporary parking and are bussed to and from the facility that helps with traffic. There will be tours available to see the dry cask storage facility. We need to make appointments.
5.0 New Business-
4.1 Nominating Committee Bob Pusanik
The Committee nominated Sherri Danoff for President, the Office of Vice Chair/Treasurer has been split and Rick Rowe was nominated for Vice Chair, Ann Brown for Treasurer, and Jayne Morton for Secretary. A motion was made and passed to accept the Boar as nominated. MSP
4.2 Revise Bylaws Ted Ivarie
The Bylaws are being reviewed for revision and it appears we do not have a Conflict of Interest Bylaw. A vote to amend will be agendized for February.
6.0 Executive Committee Communications
6.1 Proposed Event – Pale Kai Sherri Danoff
Pale Kai has asked for AVAC support for the June 21st fifth Pineapple Express Race. It will not be in conflict with any other even and will have off street parking at the golf course. A motion was made and approved to write a letter of support for their event. MSP
7.0 AVAC Committees
7.1 Land Use Committee – see 3.1
Diablo Committee
Sandy Keller volunteered to fill the vacancy on the committee
7.3 Avila Beach Committee – Promenade Recommendations Archie McLaren
We are concerned about the privatization of the Avila Promenade by Mr. Ricks and the Custom House. Archie explained that originally the promenade was designed to be free flowing, accessible to all people and aesthetically pleasing. The main goal was to get the town back into a good space and to regenerate business. It is understood that the ABC required Mr. Ricks to cordon off the area. The Board was shown pictures of the problem, which is not acceptable. The committee recommends that the Custom House & ABA look at how other similar areas have been able to design this type of thing aesthetically that does not allow these things to happen and that they need to design an acceptable way of doing the promenade that meets the criteria of the ABC and specific plan. Jerry Lenthall said that they are working on this problem and will be in communication with all the parties and hopefully will have a resolve in the next few months.
7.4 San Luis Bay Estates Committee- No report Ted Ivarie
7.5 Avila Valley Committee – No report Jan Taylor/Boyd Horne
7.6 See Canyon Committee Bill Tickell
Will ask Julie Scott to be their alternate
7.7 Squire Canyon – No report Karin Argano
8.0 Meeting Adjourned at 9:25 p.m.
Respectfully submitted by
Jayne Morton
