AVILA  VALLEY  ADVISORY  COUNCIL

MINUTES

JANUARY 9, 2012

Members present: Anne Brown, Boyd Horne, Julia Hartzell, Sherri Danoff, Ken Thompson, Bob Pusanik, Bill Ziegler, Bill Tickell, Karin Argano, Jan Taylor (Alternate). Excused: Lynn Walter, Lynn Helenius.

1. Meeting called to order and quorum established by Anne.
2. December Meeting Minutes: Deferred to February as they were unavailable until the day of the meeting.
3. Chair’s Comments:

- Anne reported on the stakeholder meeting sponsored by the City of SLO to explore possibility of it being subject to reduced wastewater discharge standards to SLO Creek. Those downstream from the City expressed substantial concerns.

- She announced that the Board of Supervisors hearing to adopt the Vacation Rental Ordinance is scheduled for February 7.

- She established an ad hoc committee for issues related to a bridge across Highway 101 for the Bob Jones Trail. The bridge is being evaluated in an EIR.  Julia was appointed Chair.

4. Public Comment:  None
5. Treasurer’s Report: In place of Jayne, who resigned from AVAC, Julia gave the report.  $819.04 remains in AVAC’s account with no bills outstanding.
6. Election of Officers:  No nominations were made from the floor and the Nominating Committee’s slate was unanimously voted into office- Anne Brown as Chair, Sherri Danoff as V. Chair, Lynn Helenius as Secretary and Julia Hartzell as Treasurer.  
7. County Reports

1. Sheriff: Commander Nefores reported a “quiet month” with three calls for service- one each for EMS, traffic stop and petty theft.
2. Planning: Ryan Hostetter reported that a letter from Planning concerning the permit status of golf course events had been emailed to the Chair but could not be opened. Ryan provided copies to AVAC members.
3. Public Works: No report
4. CAL Fire: Chief Reeder reported a “slow month” with 41 calls for service to Station 41 for December, 15 for medical. Two rescue calls involved a hiker on Ontario Ridge and a boater; CAL Fire has an arrangement with the Harbor District to provide certain emergency services. Other calls included five for traffic, six for fire, five for public assistance. Total calls for 2011 were 2,476, of which 70% were for medical.
5. County Supervisor: Supervisor Hill reported that not much occurred in the past month. Lots of awards and recognitions were conferred. He mentioned that County parks will not be allowing tobacco and that signs will be posted.  His expectation is that self-enforcement will be the norm.  In response to an AVAC member’s question, he recalled that the recommendation of AVAC for revision to the AVAC boundary map had been addressed at a meeting last year.

8. Old Business

• A status update on CAL Fire/County Fire providing paramedic service for Avila was given by Karla Bittner.  Fire has reviewed data and submitted statistics to County Public Health for further determination of the status of Avila as either rural, its existing designation, or urban.  The urban designation would gain Avila faster response times for paramedics.

9. Community Liaisons

1. Avila Business Association: Karin reported that ABA is working with County agencies for increased trash receptacles on Front Street.
2. Avila Civic Association: Anne reported on a successful holiday party and election of a new board.  She mentioned a spaghetti feed - bingo night planned for February 10 for which the $10 tickets will support the Community Center.
3. Avila Beach Foundation: Rick Cohen reported that the town hall forum planned for February 24 has only 30 tickets left.  The free admission is due to a grant from Supervisor Hill’s “slush fund”
4. Port San Luis: Steve McGrath reported on a “quiet month” in which there were more tourists than usual due to warm weather. In response to an AVAC member’s question, he mentioned being unaware of any problems related to personal watercraft.  A Coastal Commission staff determination is still awaited concerning whether the existing Master Plan for the Harbor satisfies the “umbrella permit” requirement for a Coastal Development Permit.  He also mentioned that information about marine vessels in local waters is available from marinetrafic.com.
5. PG&E/Diablo Canyon: John Shoals reported that the seismic survey is continuing. He provided background information about dry cask storage for spent fuel and mentioned that the current construction at the facility is for approved longterm storage. He will respond to Bob’s question about PG&E’s high electricity rates at a future meeting.

10. New  Business

- Fossil Point renaming/relocation: Supervisor Hill informed AVAC that a County staff report is forthcoming. The item was tabled until AVAC has the staff report for additional information and clarifications.

11. AVAC Committees

1. Land Use: Sherri had no report.
2. Diablo: Ken reported on an upcoming public meeting on January 18 with the NRC – PG&E and Westinghouse to review enhancements to the Diablo Canyon’s Reactor Security System.  He also mentioned upcoming public meetings of the Independent Safety Council on February 8 and 9 at the Avila Lighthouse Suites and the Council’s public tour of Diablo on February 8.  Reservations are necessary for the tour.
3. Port: No report
4. Avila Beach:  Anne had no report.
5. San Luis Bay Estates: Sherri suggested that AVAC support County enforcement or revision of its San Luis Bay Estates Master Plan and its open space easement on the golf course related to events. AVAC directed the Committee to provide a draft letter and supporting documentation to AVAC members in advance of its February meeting for a February agenda item.
6. Avila Valley: Boyd reported “no big deals”.
7. See Canyon: Bill reported “everything’s fine; very cold”.
8. Squire Canyon: Karin had no report.

12. Next meeting is February 13.
13. Adjourned

By Sherri & with substantial input from Julia