A/GVWC Board of Directors Meeting Minutes, May 3, 2008

AGV Watershed Council

Board of Directors Meeting Minutes

Minutes of May 3, 2008

A meeting of the board of directors of the Atascadero / Green Valley Watershed Council was held on May 3, 2008, at 345 Montgomery Drive in Sebastopol. Stephen Fuller-Rowell, Zeno Swijtink and Bob Burke were present. Zeno called the meeting to order at 10:00.
Vision for the Council. The directors had met at a special meeting on April 20 to develop and refine goals and objectives for the Council, but because Jean and John were absent, it was decided to discuss this matter at the next board meeting.

Potential for Day-Lighting Creeks in Sebastopol. The directors discussed the letter Larry Hanson has submitted to the Sonoma County Water Coalition that encourages the Sebastopol City Council to take no action in connection with the Northeast Area Specific Plan that would make it difficult in the future to day-light Calder and Zimpher Creeks. The board members expressed their support for the general concept of day-lighting creeks and agreed to propose some clarifications to the draft letter so that it would clearly encourage the City Council to: (1) adopt the reduced development alternatives in the Specific Plan, (2) zone McKinley Street as the creek channel of Zimpher Creek, and, (3) commission feasibility studies for day-lighting Zimpher Creek and Calder Creek. The directors authorized Stephen, as the Council’s representative at the Water Coalition, to vote in favor of the letter, as so modified, if he could obtain adequate explanation of the meaning of the term “creek channel zoning.”

Potential Re-Organization of Water Agency. The directors discussed the paper entitled “More Yet to Do: Sonoma County Water Agency’s Role in a Sustainable Regional Future” dated October 31, 2007, that apparently has been discussed at several closed meetings held by representatives of the Agency and other public officials. The directors expressed support for the general concept of a regional/watershed approach to water matters rather than an approach that is strictly limited by municipal boundaries, but they also expressed concerns about (i) too much authority being vested in an agency (ii) the need for any agency with authority over water matters to be very responsive and responsible to tax payers and rate payers. The directors agreed that no action need be taken by the Council at this time.

Bodega Avenue Bridge over the Atascadero. The directors discussed the information Cindy Albers had submitted regarding car, bicycle and pedestrian traffic on Bodega Avenue where it crosses the Atascadero. After discussion, the board voted to support Cindy’s proposal to the Sebastopol City Council that, among other things, it (i) construct a pedestrian path from Watertrough Road east on Bodega Highway to connect with the pedestrian path on the Atascadero Bridge and (ii) construct a path to accommodate pedestrians and baby strollers on the raised “greenway” where non-profit organizations post event signs. Zeno agreed to draft a letter of support and present it to the City Council either at or before the relevant meeting scheduled for May 6.

Roadside Trash. Bob reported on his conversations with the staff of Mike Reilly’s office regarding what County agency a concerned resident could call upon regarding trash dumped along County roads. A division of the Public Works Department is responsible for such matters, and Bob agreed to draft an article on the subject for publication in the West County Gazette and other interested local newspapers.

Wetlands in the Watershed. Zeno suggested that the directors should become more knowledgeable about the state of wetlands within the watershed. It was agreed that this subject will be considered in connection with the agenda item scheduled for next month’s meeting on objectives and goals for the Council.

The meeting adjourned at 11:40

Respectfully submitted,

Bob Burke
Secretary

AGV Watershed Council	Board of Directors Meeting Minutes
Minutes of May 3, 2008


A meeting of the board of directors of the Atascadero / Green Valley Watershed Council was held on May 3, 2008, at 345 Montgomery Drive in Sebastopol. Stephen Fuller-Rowell, Zeno Swijtink and Bob Burke were present. Zeno called the meeting to order at 10:00. Vision for the Council. The directors had met at a special meeting on April 20 to develop and refine goals and objectives for the Council, but because Jean and John were absent, it was decided to discuss this matter at the next board meeting. Potential for Day-Lighting Creeks in Sebastopol. The directors discussed the letter Larry Hanson has submitted to the Sonoma County Water Coalition that encourages the Sebastopol City Council to take no action in connection with the Northeast Area Specific Plan that would make it difficult in the future to day-light Calder and Zimpher Creeks. The board members expressed their support for the general concept of day-lighting creeks and agreed to propose some clarifications to the draft letter so that it would clearly encourage the City Council to: (1) adopt the reduced development alternatives in the Specific Plan, (2) zone McKinley Street as the creek channel of Zimpher Creek, and, (3) commission feasibility studies for day-lighting Zimpher Creek and Calder Creek. The directors authorized Stephen, as the Council’s representative at the Water Coalition, to vote in favor of the letter, as so modified, if he could obtain adequate explanation of the meaning of the term “creek channel zoning.” Potential Re-Organization of Water Agency. The directors discussed the paper entitled “More Yet to Do: Sonoma County Water Agency’s Role in a Sustainable Regional Future” dated October 31, 2007, that apparently has been discussed at several closed meetings held by representatives of the Agency and other public officials. The directors expressed support for the general concept of a regional/watershed approach to water matters rather than an approach that is strictly limited by municipal boundaries, but they also expressed concerns about (i) too much authority being vested in an agency (ii) the need for any agency with authority over water matters to be very responsive and responsible to tax payers and rate payers. The directors agreed that no action need be taken by the Council at this time. Bodega Avenue Bridge over the Atascadero. The directors discussed the information Cindy Albers had submitted regarding car, bicycle and pedestrian traffic on Bodega Avenue where it crosses the Atascadero. After discussion, the board voted to support Cindy’s proposal to the Sebastopol City Council that, among other things, it (i) construct a pedestrian path from Watertrough Road east on Bodega Highway to connect with the pedestrian path on the Atascadero Bridge and (ii) construct a path to accommodate pedestrians and baby strollers on the raised “greenway” where non-profit organizations post event signs. Zeno agreed to draft a letter of support and present it to the City Council either at or before the relevant meeting scheduled for May 6. Roadside Trash. Bob reported on his conversations with the staff of Mike Reilly’s office regarding what County agency a concerned resident could call upon regarding trash dumped along County roads. A division of the Public Works Department is responsible for such matters, and Bob agreed to draft an article on the subject for publication in the West County Gazette and other interested local newspapers. Wetlands in the Watershed. Zeno suggested that the directors should become more knowledgeable about the state of wetlands within the watershed. It was agreed that this subject will be considered in connection with the agenda item scheduled for next month’s meeting on objectives and goals for the Council. The meeting adjourned at 11:40 Respectfully submitted, Bob Burke Secretary