I Want To Departments & Agencies
News Events Employment Language

Board of Supervisors Department

Mark West Area Municipal Advisory Council
County Of Sonoma › Administrative Support & Fiscal Services › Board of Supervisors › Boards Commissions Committees & Task Forces › List of Boards, Commissions, Committees & Task Forces › Mark West Area Municipal Advisory Council › Minutes for March 11 2019
Mark West Area Municipal Advisory Council

Minutes for March 11 2019

  1. Call to Order:
    • Chairman Brian Molsberry called to order, the regular meeting of the Mark West Citizens Advisory Council at 6:00 pm.
    • Roll Call: Councilmembers present: Brian Molsberry, Roni Berg, Tim Preston, Brad Sherwood
    • Approval of Minutes: On a motion by Council Vice Chair Berg, seconded by Councilmember Preston, minutes of the reg- ular MWCAC meeting, February, 2019, were approved. The motion carried on a voice vote (4-0).
  2. Ex parte Communications: None
    • Councilmember Preston spoke with someone, concerning the new sewer line coming in to Larkfield. The sign up date for sewer connection has been postponed. Not all properties have been included, several, due to they being part of an existing sewer line. The map is in process of correction concerning which houses are being connected. He received a follow up email from Barry Dugan
  3. Public Comments on Non Agenda Items: This time is set aside for comments from the public regarding matters of general Interest, not on the agenda, but related to MWCAC business. Pursuant to the Brown Act, however, the MWCAC cannot con- sider any issues or take action on any requests during this comment period. Each person is usually granted three minutes to speak; time limitations are at the discretion of the Chair.
    • Michael Fargo, resident of Wikiup, shared a map of homes showing how many residents signed petitions opposing the zoning change at Wikiup Commons.
    • Evan Jacobs, California American Water (CAW), spoke about the ongoing process of ground water management.
      • Most meters are in the ground. CAW is working with block captains.
      • The 2018 rate case is finalized by Commission. Will come back with more details, if any.
      • Consolidation with Sacramento will happen in May.
      • Larkfield will see a leveling off of rates and in time, a sharing of costs.
      • Costs of Tubbs fire will be recovered by insurance and CAW will propose that any extra be spread out state wide. That discussion is at least two years out.
      Ground water management: In 2014 every area managed their own area.
      New law: Santa Rosa Plain Groundwater Sustainability Agency created. It has a nine member board of directors.
      The various districts all share with other small water boards. Evan is the local representative. Not a lot of impact for any customers unless you also have a well on your property.
      The base for CAW is basically in good shape.
      About 50 to 60 % of local CAW water is ground water. They purchase surface water from Sonoma County Water Agency.
      CA American meets state and water standards. Water quality is good. Any issues are naturally occurring vs man made.
      Three items with more details, supplied by Evan are attached to the minutes, A groundwater Sustainability Fee Fact Sheet, a presentation about the Groundwater Sustainability Agency and a letter to Sonoma County PRMD, responding to requests for new water services within the Larkfield service district of CAW. It has attachments with explanations.
  4. Correspondence:
    • Letter from Bert Whitaker explaining the reason for the Department of Parks and Recreation not accepting the land gift, for a park, from Wikiup Commons. Attached to the minutes.
    • Councilmember Preston received a mailing about an opportunity to participate in getting free trees for properties in the burned out areas.
  5. Council Member Announcements and Disclosures, Information only: None
  6. Referrals from PRMD:
    • Referral LLA19-0001, Line Adjustment, 5150 -5152 Wikiup Bridgeway. All council members agreed there was no need for comment on this referral.
  7. Presentations Other than Referrals from PRMD: None
  8. Subcommittee Reports and Following Discussions:
    • Franchise Report Berg: Neighborhood Improvement Funding Program (NIFP) for the Mark West Estates Homeowners As- sociation application has a “fiscal sponsor” - United Way. A contract is being drawn up by County Counsel. When Unit- ed Way signs the contact the funds will be issued. United Way will then issue a check to the Mark West Homeowners As- sociation.
    • Funding for Community Soils Foundation will be a little slower. Public Works and Transportation still has to review it. They are delayed for a time due to flooding in Guerneville. It still looks like it will go thru.
    • Going forward: Larkfield Resilience Fund, Inc. (upon receiving their 501(c)3) will serve as “fiscal sponsor” for future ap- plications.
  9. Discussion Items: Action ItemS – Action if indicated
    • Set time limit for presentations as proposed, two per meeting and 20 minutes per presentation/discussion. Presentation time can be extended at the discretion of the Chair. The secretary will inform presenters of these parameters.
    • Council Vice Chair Roni Berg reported on her findings regarding the status of road and sidewalk repair in the Mark West/ Wikiup/Larkfield burn areas.
      • Road and Sidewalk repair was declined by FEMA. The County is appealing.
      • Another source of funding could come from County permit fees required by utility companies running new equip- ment.
      • If that isn’t enough, the County will have to wait until all houses are rebuilt so that money can be allocated in the fiscal budget for repairs. This will have to be allocated over a number of years.
      • Any questions should be directed to Jen Mendoza, District Aide Representing, Supervisor James Gore, 4th District, County of Sonoma, email: jennifer.mendoza@sonoma-county.org Phone: (707) 565-2865.
      Comments:
      40 homes have been built. There are 414 requesting permits. It would be a shame for people to have to wait that long for repaving roads. There needs to be reprioritizing, based on recent current events.
      How will they resolve this? It’s not just a cosmetic issue.
      Residents are hoping not to get a reassessment of taxes.
      County board is having a recovery discussion and several block captains will attend.
  10. Future agenda Items: Potential projects and suggestions for the next (or future) MWCAC meetings a) Future planning for Mark West Area. Last plan was in 1978.
  11. Adjournment: Action Item
    • There being no other Council business to discuss, on a motion by Council Vice Chair Berg, seconded by Councilmember Preston, the meeting was adjourned at 6:30 pm.