Meetings of the members and of the board of directors of the Atascadero / Green Valley
Watershed Council were held on July 12, 2008, at 345 Montgomery Drive in Sebastopol,
beginning at 10:00AM.
A. Annual Meeting of Members
Election of Directors. The members unanimously elected Jean Redus, John Roberts,
Stephen Fuller-Rowell, Zeno Swijtink and Bob Burke as the directors for the upcoming
fiscal year, all of whom agreed to so serve.
Increasing Membership. There was a general discussion on what actions could be taken to
increase the membership of the Council. The directors agreed to continue that discussion
at the special meeting of directors that will be held on July 20.
B. Regular Meeting of Board of Directors
All of the newly elected directors were present, and accepted their positions. Jean called
the board meeting to order at 10:25.
Financial Report. John reported that the Council has $608.09 of unrestricted funds in its
account, plus approximately $1400 restricted for use on specified projects. Richard Miller
described the continuing efforts by himself, John Roberts, Larry Hanson, Kimberly Burr and
others in maintaining the restoration work on Green Valley Creek at the Martinelli Ranch
on Martinelli Road. Richard described generally a proposal whereby water from his
property, sourced from his well and from the water district serving his property, could be
piped to the Martinelli Ranch to irrigate the trees that have been planted as part of the
restoration. After discussion the board approved the expenditure of up to $120 from the
Council's restricted funds for such irrigation project, subject to more complete details
being established.
Pending Action Items. Jean went down the list of pending items requiring further action by
directors, which included the following:
Zeno will follow up with the Russian River Watershed Council and its project to identify for
priority action certain subwatersheds of the Russian River Watershed.
John has spoken with Richard Flasher regarding the status of the creek on his property,
and Zeno suggested that this status of this creek be addressed by the watershed
assessment project by the Gold Ridge RCD, discussed below.
Bob will draft an article for publication in a local newspaper regarding trash dumped
illegally by the roads and in the creeks.
Endorsement of Candidates. The board discussed whether the Council should endorse
candidates for public office. Advantages and disadvantages of doing so were discussed.
After extended discussion, the board decided that, because the mission of the Council is
to "bring together" people who live, work or own property in the watershed, the policy of
the Council should be to not endorse candidates for public office because any such
endorsement might serve to divide rather than "bring together" the occupants of the
watershed.
With respect to the upcoming election for Supervisors for the Fifth District, which includes
the watershed, the board decided to invite candidates Efren Carrillo and Rue Furch to
appear, separately, at a board meeting prior to the November election, in order for the
board members to meet the candidates and for the candidates to meet the board
members. Jean agreed to extend such invitations.
In addition, the board thought it would be a good idea to invite the two candidates to
appear jointly before a larger group of interested voters, perhaps with the West County
Watershed Network. Zeno agreed to organize this effort.
Gravel Mining in Russian River Zone. John reported on the recent meeting of the County
Board of Supervisors that considered the request by Syar Industries, Inc., to extend their
permit to mine gravel from the banks of the Russian River. As a result of a compromise
reached in 1996, such mining was allowed to continue for ten years, until 2006, later
extended until 2008. Syar would like to further extend its permit. Details can be found at
http://www.ncriverwatch.org/wordpress/2008/07/04/regarding-the-syar-gravel-permit-extension/.
The Board of Supervisors will allow further public comment until August 1, and expects to
render a decision by August 18.
Trenching in Atascadero. Zeno reported on the trenching that took place on June 27 in a
blue line tributary of the Atascadero just north of Occidental Road and west of the Joe
Rodato Trail, and on the subsequent press reports and bulleting board communications,
including the discussion here and here. The board commended Zeno for his initiative
and responsiveness in dealing with the situation when it arose. By the time the relevant
government authorities responded, several hours after the first complaints, the work was
largely completed. One of the objectives of the Board is for the Watershed Council is to
be seen as the "go to" organization when issues affecting the watershed arise and action is
required that the government agencies are unlikely to be able to provide.
Sebastopol North East Area Rezoning Plan. Jean offered to speak with the mayor of
Sebastopol to offer support from the Council if the City were to decide to take any action
in furtherance of day-lighting of Calder and Zimpher Creeks in connection with the North
East Area Rezoning Plan. Jean was encouraged to do so.
Gold Ridge RCD Watershed Assessment Project. Bob reported on the meeting of
stakeholders of the Gold Ridge Resource Conservation District proposal to conduct an
assessment of the Green Valley Creek Watershed, exclusive of the Atascadero drainage,
which meeting was attended by Zeno, Larry Hanson and Bob. Zeno also reported on such
meeting.
Proposed Project at 3860 Ross Road. Zeno will be contacting the person who lives near
the site of a proposed building project at 3860 Ross Road, on a parcel that apparently is
adjacent to the Atascadero, near Green Valley Road to determine the nature of such
person's concerns.
Urban Water Management Plan. Stephen reported on the recent ruling by the court in the
litigation with the Sonoma County Water Agency on the 2005 Urban Water Management
Plan. The court rejected the Water Agency's request to be able to introduce oral testimony
as evidence, and ruled in favor of the petitioners regarding the introduction of a letter
from the Water Agency to the City of Santa Rosa. The court also conditionally ruled that all
petitioners have standing to bring the petition.
A discussion of the merits of the litigation is scheduled to begin on September 11.
Appointment of Officers. After discussion, the board appointed the following officers of
the Council for the upcoming year:
President - Jean Redus
Secretary - Bob Burke
Treasurer - John Roberts
Web Masters - Zeno Swijtink and Stephen Fuller-Rowell (pro tem)
List Serve Moderators - Jean Redus, Stephen Fuller-Rowell and
Dave Erickson
In addition, Stephen and John were re-appointed as liaison from the Council to the
Sonoma County Water Coalition.
The meeting adjourned at 12:35
Respectfully submitted,
Bob Burke
Secretary
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