BEAR VALLEY RESIDENTS, INC.
MEETING MINUTES, GENERAL MEETING JULY 3, 2000
President Bob Schulz Presiding
Board Members Present: Bill Webb, Brian Neth, Liz Protell, Terry Woodrow, Jeff Sibley, Suzanne Blumenthal, Eric Jung
Picnic: Schulz reported that the picnic was a success, with 175 adults and 24 children buying tickets. The raffle raised $711 for the Bear Valley Search & Rescue boat fund, and another $500 donation was received toward that fund. He thanked Liz Protell for her hard work in making it a great event.
Website: Schulz announced the new BVRI website, www.bvri.org. He said it would improve BVRI communications by making it a two way street between Board and members. It includes a directory of services and other BVRI information. He asked that members send in their e-mail addresses.
Pool: Schulz announced that the efforts of Jeff Sibley paid off, and BVRI members may now use the Lodge pool by paying $50. Go to the front desk at the Lodge for information or to join.
Ruch: Schulz thanked past President Marilyn Ruch for her faithful service during trying times.
Board Vacancies: Schulz said there are vacancies on the Board. Interested parties should contact Bill Webb.
Supervisor’s Report: County Supervisor Tom Ward apologized for the low temperature in the Perry Walther Building. He said his Board has allocated money for a new heating system. He will look into why it hasn’t been installed yet.
He said there’s a new health clinic in Markleeville. The County has hired a new doctor and nurse. The County is still recruiting for a Librarian, and will offer a higher salary. The county is also recruiting for a new Probation Officer.
He said the County is participating in a new Joint Powers Authority to buy a Mokelumne River hydro project, to control water allocations and recreation facilities and possibly make a profit.
He said his Board just passed a new bear ordinance, making it illegal to leave out food or other bear attractants. His Board will also fund the startup of Alpine County chapters of the Bear Preservation League.
He reported that the CSA and a local committee have studied Bear Valley’s fire protection, concluding that we should discontinue the CDF contract and institute a Public Safety Officer system, whereby a third deputy will be hired and all three Bear Valley deputies cross-trained for fire protection. This is expected to afford more local control and allow for 2-deputy coverage round-the-clock.
Jeff Sibley asked about deteriorating signs at the dumpster. Ward said he would look into it.
Fire Study: Phil Coffman gave a brief history of Bear Valley’s fire protection, leading up to the recent fire study and the recommendation for a Public Safety Officer system. He said the PSO system may afford a 35% savings in the fire assessment after startup costs.
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Phil Hagar asked whether we would hire a fire person and cross-train them to law enforcement. Coffman said that was possible, and noted that our newest deputy, Paul Long, had experience as a PSO.
Gloria Dralla asked who responds to fires in surrounding areas. Coffman said the surrounding forest is a Forest Service responsibility.
Liz Protell asked how soon the new system would be implemented. Coffman said we must give CDF at least 90 day notice of contract termination.
Gloria Dralla asked about staffing levels of the sheriff’s and fire departments. Coffman said we are down to about 7 volunteers in the fire department, and we now have 2 deputies and a CDF Fire Chief.
Architectural Review Committee: Ron Murphy reported that the ARC has approved 7 new homes, with 2 more in final review. The ARC has approved 4 remodels. He said BVRI will put the CC&R’s and Design Standards on the new website.
He said the BVRI Board recently made the first ever changes to the Design Standards. Cultured rock is now allowable. Stucco is prohibited. And the ARC now has discretion to disapprove designs if it would result in very similar homes too close together.
Goran Berglund asked about CC&R enforcement regarding deteriorating homes and large equipment parked outside. Murphy said CC&R enforcement is triggered by a complaint filed with the BVRI Board or the ARC, and said complaints could now be filed through the website.
Don Ruch asked about the effect of the sewer moratorium on the ARC process. Murphy said the ARC process is independent of moratorium considerations.
Jean Bissell asked where people could park trailers and RV’s if not in the subdivision. Murphy said they could be parked in the downtown parking lots, but not occupied.
Bill Irwin asked about rules on exterior lighting. Murphy said exterior lights shouldn’t shine onto neighboring property. Gloria Dralla asked about walkway lighting. Murphy said one solution is to put a light on a tree facing back toward the house.
Murphy noted that changes to home exteriors usually require ARC approval, as does proposed tree removal. John Dralla asked about turnaround time for approval. Murphy said it can be days to weeks, depending on the nature of the request.
Sewer: Eric Jung gave an update on the sewer situation, noting that the annual user fee will probably increase from $288 to $432.
Tennis etc.: Morley Singer asked whether BVRI is working to get tennis courts for Bear Valley. Bob Schulz responded that there is no campaign at the moment, but he suggested that BVRI become more active in developing common facilities like tennis courts or a clubhouse.
Ed Diekmann asked about the sand on the beaches. Schulz said the Board would look into it.
Dave Morley asked about the VIP program and the community burn pile. Brian Neth said the VIP program was about to get underway. Tom Ward said the County School District won’t allow the burn pile in its old location. Owners can burn on their own property or hire Jason Comfort to haul yard waste to a private burn pile.
Marilyn Diekmann asked whether increased assessments for a clubhouse could be imposed on everyone by a few advocates. Schulz said it would be political suicide to
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attempt that, and the way to explore the clubhouse proposal would be an inclusive dialogue between Board and members.
Ed Hoffman asked about design standards for commercial areas, especially as applied to unfinished buildings. It was suggested that this is the County’s bailiwick, and he should express his concerns to Supe. Ward.
Gloria Dralla asked about the status of the village chairlift. Ward said Bear Valley Mt. Resort is not willing to take on the maintenance and operation of a lift, so that project is dormant.
Lura Francis made a pitch for Arts of Bear Valley. Eric Jung made a pitch for the Bear Valley Music Festival.
Gloria Dralla asked about Bear Valley’s community access channel 9. Jung said the Business Association is working with the CSA to get it up and running.
The meeting was adjourned.