Posted by: thepinetree on 06/10/2008 10:04 AM
Updated by: Kim_Hamilton on 06/13/2008 07:44 PM
Expires: 01/01/2013 12:00 AM
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The Gallery was PACKED for the Board of Supervisors Meeting as Lake Tulloch Vacation Rentals Drive the Discussion...Summary and over 5 hours of Video are Enclosed
San Andreas, CA...The Lake Tulloch item packed the gallery for today's meeting. Even New10 from Sacramento was here for the festivities. There was a couple of hours of back and forth from both side of this issue. Some of the property owners had numerous stories about overcrowded vacation rentals clogging the the tightly packed neighborhoods in the Poker Flat area with people, boats & SUVs. They would like to see short term rentals banned from their area. An even larger number of citizens testified at the meeting about the vital nature of the vacation rental business to our local economy. Testifying were not only real estate and property professionals from the Copperopolis area but Don Fry, Doug Shinn, Dan Sieder, Anna Gutierrez and others from around the county weighed in on the topic.... Meeting Video Enclosed...
The outcome mirrored what was expected if not welcomed by many in the room. The Board passed minute orders directing the CDA draw up changes in existing ordinances to specifically allow short term rentals. This language is conspicuously absent from the current land use documents.
Going forward however property owners wishing to use their properties as vacation rentals will have to obtain a license from the county to do so. This was a close 3-2 vote with supervisors Tryon & Callaway not wanting to ad another layer of regulation to the process.
There was unanimous approval that some form of a noise and nuisance ordinance needs to be crafted for the county. Many in the audience including yours truly were unaware that the county currently does not have such an ordinance on the books. Currently all that law enforcement agencies can do is issue warnings. With an ordinance they can issue citations with real fiscal penalties for those making a nuisance of themselves. Some on the board felt that a noise ordinance alone would be a remedy enough.
It was also voted to use the existing code compliance remedies to address the current issues. CDA Directer Stephanie Moreno responded that the CDA should be able to have the necessary work completed within 90 days.
SUMMARY OF THE MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
COUNTY OF CALAVERAS, STATE OF CALIFORNIA
HELD ON June 10, 2008
PRESENT: Steve Wilensky, Chair; Russ Thomas, Vice-Chair; Bill Claudino, Merita Callaway and Thomas Tryon, Supervisors; James Jones, County Counsel; Robert Lawton, County Administrative Officer; and Madaline Krska, Deputy Clerk
ABSENT: None
C O N S E N T A G E N D A
1.Minutes of a regular Board of Supervisors meeting held on May 27, 2008 - Board action: approved 5-0
2.CORRESPONDENCE: May 23-29, 2008 - Board action: approved 5-0
3.MINUTE ORDER accepting bid and authorizing purchase of a 2008 Ford F150 4x4 pickup from Hillier Ford, in the amount of $20,168.41; Public Works - Board action: approved 5-0
4.MINUTE ORDER authorizing the Community Development Agency to issue a refund, in the amount of $10,220, to applicants Randy and Sammye Lacy for outside consulting fees that are no longer needed; Community Development Agency - Board action: approved 5-0
4a. ADDENDUM – RESOLUTION authorizing the Auditor-Controller to adjust the book of record for the purchase of a flatbed truck for the Department of Agriculture, along with a budget transfer, in the amount of $4,119.47, in conjunction therewith; Dept. of Agriculture – Board action: approved 5-0
R E G U L A R A G E N D A
5.PUBLIC COMMENTS: a) Gary Caldwell, Valley Springs, spoke referencing the Board of Supervisors meeting of June 3, 2008. Caldwell asked for reconsideration of Board action for the agenda item regarding a Code Compliance decision for John B. Overton. Photos were submitted into the record depicting the Overton project and the adjacent Caldwell property.
Caldwell stated neither he nor other neighbors were notified of the hearing for the two years of activity on this location. Reference was made to the significant staff time that has been expended. Support was given for the fines of the serious breach of violations. Caldwell expressed concerns for the quality of the grading project. Reference was made to areas of concern for the construction of the pool and the stability of the surrounding areas. Caldwell asked to have this hearing re-opened.
Chair Wilensky stated that the Board does not have the authority to reconsider this matter.
County Counsel Jones will research the concern for the noticing of property owners and advise the Board at the next meeting if this is cause to reopen the hearing.
6/10/2008 SUMMARY
b) Larry Cornish, Mark Twain St. Joseph Hospital, updated the Board on current community projects involving the hospital as follows: 1) Recent successful Doris Barger Golf Tournament on June 2 that supports the digital mammography campaign. 2) The hospital board of trustees gave staff direction to work with developers in Angels Camp and Valley Springs for new facilities to replace current ones being used. 3) Mini health fairs will be conducted this summer at the farmers market in Angels Camp where the public can avail themselves of: Blood pressure tests, general information, raffle items and being available for questions. 4) A mini health fair will be held at the Calaveras County Arts Councils Music in the Park, June 25th in Valley Springs. The hospital is sponsoring this and the concert in Arnold on August 20th. 5) A mini health fair will be held at the First Friday’s concert in Murphys in August. 6) On Monday the hospital will conduct a Table Top Exercise, Emergency Preparedness Exercise which will involve many other County departments. 7) June 23-June 27th the hospital will be conducting a Summer Heath Career Camp for high school students that will include mentoring.
c) Evelyn McKleskey, Diamond 20 resident, spoke with many concerns about the dirt bike tracks that are being made on property adjacent to her home. Noise, dirt issues and safety for riders and home residents were listed. Ms. McKleskey asked for an ordinance to address these matters. These bikes are also being ridden on the road which is a major safety concern. A request was made for signage stating that it is illegal to ride dirt bikes on the road.
d) Al Soto, Poker Flat, spoke with concerns regarding the roads issues and dirt bikes.
e) Zerrall McDaniel, spoke representing Calaveras Unified School District, and referred to an invitation in the Board agenda correspondence . A dedication will be held this Thursday in Valley Springs for the new community use library.
f) Terry Baker, Railroad Flat, spoke on behalf of his entire neighborhood. Reference was made to an issue that was discussed on November 27, 2006 regarding birds and noise in his neighborhood. A nuisance animals guide referencing Title 6, 6.10.110 of Calaveras County Code was submitted into the record. Pertinent information was highlighted along with itemized dates with the increasing bird count noted. The issue has gone to court with direction given that for the bird numbers were to be addressed.
Mr. Baker submitted photos depicting the areas involving the birds. Various County departments have visited the area with direction given. The numbers have increased to 100 which he feels has impacted the area. Mr. Baker would like to have the rules governing this situation enforced and accountable.
County Counsel Jones will research the two court rulings to determine what authority the County has in relation to the rulings.
6/10/2008 SUMMARY
g) Karen Varni, County Clerk-Recorder, reported on the recent election process on June 3, 2008. The efficient proceedings of this day were due to the assistance of many individuals in the public sector, County department heads and their staffs. Acknowledgment was given to the various ways this was accomplished with specific departments. Appreciation was given to the availability of the many polling place sites that are made available. The willingness of 150 precinct workers to attend training meetings and to work on election day is vital.
6.Discussion and possible action re: RESOLUTION establishing new planning fees for Administrative Use Permits; Community Development Agency - Board action: Board approved 5-0, fees as amended to read no fee for historical events, $100 for new start up events and $1528 for other Administrative Use Permits.
7.Discussion and possible action re: use of residential dwelling units for transient occupancy (short-term rentals); Community Development Agency - Board action: Direction given by the Board for staff to return with a resolution of intent to amend the residential zoning codes to allow short term rentals, develop a permit process, compose an ordinance regarding regulations on noise and nuisance and for the Code Compliance Department to process current code complaints until the code is amended.
8.Discussion and possible action re: proposed ordinance to establish regulations for activities on Tulloch Reservoir to ensure the quality of the reservoir as a resource for homeowners, public recreation, fisheries, power generation and drinking supply is maintained. (ordinance to be introduced at a future date); Community Development Agency - Board action: approved 5-0 to return with an ordinance for approval on August 12, 2008
9.Review of correspondence, reports and various matters of concern.
Supervisor Tryon had nothing to bring before the Board at this time.
Supervisor Thomas, on Thursday will attend the reception for the opening of the Valley Springs public library at the Valley Springs Elementary school; on Friday will be attending the Mountain County Water Resources meeting in Nevada City.
Supervisor Callaway reported that the Assembly Sub-Committee approved the Governor’s proposal on the 10% cut in the Williamson Act funding. The Senate Sub-Committee reduced the Williamson Act from 39 million dollars to $1,000. This reduction will assure that this will go to the Budget Conference Committee for discussion.
CAO Lawton responded that due to the County’s status, this will not affect the County as there were no anticipated revenues from the Williamson Act.
6/10/2008 SUMMARY
Supervisor Claudino, on Wednesday, will attend the Mountain Valley Emergency Medical Services Board meeting; on Friday, with Supervisor Wilensky will attend the Calaveras Mariposa Community Action Agency meeting in Coulterville; on Saturday will attend the annual Calaveras Quarterback Club dinner.
Supervisor Wilensky, tonight will attend a CHIPS meeting; on Wednesday a community safety meeting in West Point and grad night at Calaveras High School; on Friday with Supervisor Claudino will attend the Calaveras Mariposa Community Action Agency meeting in Coulterville;
CAO Lawton spoke regarding the proposed 2008/2009 budget that has been provided to the Board. The suggested hearing dates are scheduled for June 24th and 25th and if necessary June 26th with a proposed vote on the proposed budget on July 1, 2008.
Lawton stated that the County is a financial bind with increasing costs and declining revenues like other counties throughout the state. Lawton expressed appreciation to the elected and appointed department heads who have accepted this challenge and have submitted budgets with the necessary financial solutions.
County Counsel Jones had nothing to report.
10.CLOSED SESSION: pursuant to Government Code section 54956.9(b)(1); conference with legal counsel; anticipated litigation - significant exposure to litigation (one case); County Counsel; Board action: nothing to report
10a. ADDENDUM – CLOSED SESSION: pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9; conference with legal counsel re: existing litigation; County of Calaveras v. Teton Fly Reels, Inc. Calaveras Superior Court Case No. CV33770; County Counsel – Board action: nothing to report
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