MEETING

December 9, 2004

A. Gary Temple brought the meeting to order at 7 p.m.

1. Meeting minutes from 10-26-04 to be approved at January meeting.

B. BOARD OF SUPERVISORS MEETING(S)

1. The Board of Supervisors have become aware of the water situation facing the Sierra and Foothill residents, as well as the entire Fresno county and neighboring communities. Bob Waterston has been an advocate for us.Suggestions to be brought up for resolution at upcoming meetings included:

a. Disallowing air pump tests on wells

b. County staff requiring more stringent requirements on landscape ordinances.

c. No more building permits issued where water has to be trucked in.

2. County staff was to return with G.P.M. (gallon per minute) figures to see if establishing more stringent requirements should be implemented. Studies were to be conducted.

3. The S&FCA has offered to assist the county to have people willing to monitor (not meter) wells, to determine the actual water situation with hard data, and to help establish land use possibilities.

C. REPORT ON MEETINGS

1. Planning Commission Meeting – Nov. 4, 2004: Howard Hendrix was pleased with the outcome of the 11/04 Planning Commission decision, but not pleased by the fact that only 5 out of 9 of the members of the Commission stayed for the meeting. The results of the meeting were in favor of the residents of Pine Ridge.

2. Local Meeting with Bob Waterston in Auberry – Dec. 2, 2004: A list of questions and ideas were presented by the S&FCA to Bob Waterston and were well received. The meeting was upbeat and Bob acknowledged that we were a professionally run organization and were doing things right and were off to a good start. It was suggested that the Fresno County Water Advisory Committee include lay or public people to represent a broader sampling of our community.

D. UPDATES

1. Media Coverage: Coverage by the Mountain Press and the Fresno Bee have been astounding and supportive.

2. Changes to Current Ordinances: The full Board of Supervisors has backed trying to create enlightened policies that mitigate unsustainable water problems here in our area. Most people are aware of the water issues in the San Joaquin, but don’t necessarily think of the foothills or lower Sierras as having problems. The county has applied for a $250,000 grant for water studies.

3. E-Newsletter: The S&FCA is attempting to start a periodic e-newsletter to those on the roster and we want people to be aware of it.

4. Great Opportunity: Waterston has accepted an invitation to attend our next general meeting on Jan. 26, 2005. It is a great opportunity to pose questions to support issues that pertain to the Sierra and Foothill residents.

E. COMMITTEE REPORTS

1. Long Term Strategy Committee: We are making progress on our strategy list. The S&FCA attended the Water Advisory Meeting. Supervisor Larson was there and focused on handling the water issues now. He recommended actions to have in 2005 included: 1) regional water issues, 2) well yield minimum requirements increased, 3) a grant for ground water monitoring, and 4) limitations on landscaping. Todd says that we are doing well.

2. Website: Margaret Jones volunteered to put together and host our website. Suggested names were distributed to meeting attendees and each person was to select their top two choices. Votes would be tallied to determine the website domain name.

3. Data Collection Committee: Well surveys were made available at the Auberry library. This committee will move forward as the county moves forward and gets more data.

4. Database of Attendees: Jim Macy is currently establishing a database so he can disseminate information. Phoning and snail mail is much more time consuming, so attendees are encouraged to provide Jim with email addresses. It’s important the emails are legible and correct. Jim can be emailed with email address information at jmacy@myway.com. Only about half of our current roster are getting regular emails.

F. OLD BUSINESS

1. Tax Status: Board recommended the 501(c)3. Lis Bundli explained this is the most common non-profit organization. If someone donates to this type of organization, it is tax deductible. This type of organization is also fine as long as it is not heavily involved in politics. Grants are also ok with a 501(c)3. The main distinction between the 501(c)3 and the 501(c)4 is that the latter allows the organization to endorse political candidates; this is prohibited with a 501(c)3. As an educational organization, we can influence politics as long as it is educational (such as educating the Board of Supervisors; this is ok. It is not ok to endorse candidates.) Funding a 501(c)3 is easier. Donations from individuals to a 501(c)4 are not tax deductible to the giver. We need an attorney to refer to if we ever have questions as to what our limits are. Todd Babarovich made a motion to form a 501(c)3. This was seconded by Jim Macy. A vote showed none opposed, and it passed unanimously; a 501(c)3 will be pursued.

2. By-Laws: The S&FCA board will be preparing preliminary by-laws.

3. M.E.R.T. (Mobile Emergency Response Team): People who have time to attend meetings on an on-call or standing basis are very important and helpful. Howard Hendrix spoke in support of that idea, explaining that many people showed up at the Board of Supervisors meeting and that this has an impact. In addition, he explained that showing different faces is extremely meaningful as well. We all have our own stories to tell and we want to take away the “spokespeople” perception. It is wise to have written notes to bring if one plans on speaking, as well as copies for the Board of Supervisors and staff members that are present. Our supervisors are aware of who shows up at these meetings, so our attendance is very meaningful and crucial. Individuals should contact Jim Macy via email, putting M.E.R.T. in the subject line. If you can’t always make it, that is ok! Just come when you can.

4. Howard Hendrix, President of the Pineridge Property Owners Association, explained that with all our efforts, that developers are now paying attention. Residents are appealing a recent Planning Commission decision regarding the Wildflower development. Developers are as tenacious about defending their investments as we are in protecting our homes. We can’t let the developers say we are in a drought in California – we are almost always in a drought in California. It is the nature of our weather – 10 inches average rainfall is almost a desert! We want more responsible development, not to ruin someone’s dream home. We are more hard-hearted to developers who put in high density housing and then move on. Developers may have money invested, but it is our job to make sure it is responsible development. Rules and regulations should be fair to small landowners.

G. NEW BUSINESS:

1. Watch Items: Volunteers are needed to track watch items. Wendy Lucas will pursue any updates on 168 development near Canyon Fork. Mallard Meadows is trying to buy more property. Gary Temple will inquire to see who the developer is on the new development near the Mt. Ararat mobile home park.

2. Gary Temple will make an agenda, with organized topic areas for Bob Waterston for our January meeting, with water and land-use the primary focus. He plans to stay away from staged questions.

3. Casino Issue: Elizabeth Beatty is the spokesperson regarding the Caesar casino opposition. She has gathered many names and emails of those concerned about the pending casino. Things are quiet right now, but some easement issues are being worked out. No public statements have been made from Table Mountain Casino as of yet regarding agreements on easements. The proposed location is near Auberry Rd. about ½ mile back behind the Millerton Store. An environmental review is required and the steps they must go through – the public can speak up at that time. To contact Elizabeth Beatty: 325-8911 or email casinoopposition@yahoo.com . She was asked to notify the S&FCA of upcoming environmental review meetings. Some casinos have been stopped. It was suggested that individuals write our politicians: 1) casino is very close to existing casinos, 2) easement issues, 3) traffic and infrastructure issues, 4) water issues. Elizabeth has a list of names which you can request by email. Because this is an “off-reservation” casino, they do have to meet certain requirements.

H. NEXT MEETING: Meetings were changed to Wednesday nights because of a conflict with the Sierra Oaks custodial service schedule. Generally, meetings will be on the 4^th Wednesday of each month, same place and time. Bob Waterston will be the guest of honor at our next meeting on Wednesday, January 26^th, 2005 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Senior Center.

Prepared by Lauren Insco

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