IRISH BEACH IMPROVEMENT CLUB

43rd ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING

Saturday, May 1, 2010 – 1:00 P.M.

Greenwood Community Center

DRAFT MINUTES

 

I           CALL TO ORDER

President Drolet called the meeting to order at 1:05pm.

Directors present:  President Leon Drolet, Secretary Pam Harley and Director Gene Cady.  Treasurer Paula Gann arrived at the end of the NEST report.  Directors RJ Dial, Ginger Rodgers and Jerry Trujillo were absent.

Director Harley reported that IBIC has 160 current members.  Fifty-two members are registered either in person or by proxy and a quorum is present.

 

II         POMO LAKE STUDY PROPOSAL

Director Drolet reported that the Board has hired William Maslach and Tina Fabula to assess the state of Pomo Lake and recommend a maintenance plan.  Mr. Maslach presented an explanation of the scope of the study and answered questions.  Mr. Maslach explained that 40 year old Pomo Lake is slowly becoming a wetland due to the accumulation of sediment and decayed vegetation from cattails.  If the cattails are not kept at their current level, they will continue to increase around the sides, resulting in more vegetative accumulation at the bottom and eventual transition into a wetland.  Pomo Lake is designated as an Environmentally Sensitive Habitat Area (ESHA) which means that permits are needed from various agencies, including the Army Corps of Engineers and the Department of Fish & Game, for major vegetative removal.  The goal of the study is to assess the lake by getting a baseline sounding of the bottom, conducting a vegetative inventory of the park including native and invasive species, and then listing the options for vegetative removal and the cost of each.  Options include hand removal, which is the method favored by most agencies, herbicides and the use of heavy equipment.  The options and their costs will be presented to the Board of Directors.  There was discussion of the merits of maintaining the lake versus allowing it to revert to a wet land, which would happen over the course of decades. 

 

III        REPORTS    

Maintenance:  Director Cady reported that he has repaired or built 7 picnic tables in the past year, including three that he made out of recycled lumber from a deck replacement project.  Anyone who would like to donate recyclable lumber for picnic tables and benches can contact Gene Cady.  Francisco Gonzalez continues to maintain the trail around the lake and mow the parks, highway and beach road.  IBIC has a new and cheaper source for redwood posts and rails for the Highway 1 fence.  In response to a question about the no trespassing sign at the beach road, Director Drolet explained that because it is a private road there is no requirement to provide public access and the IBIC Board believes the signs are needed for liability protection.  Director Cady will move the existing No Fire sign at the beach parking lot so it is more visible and a red fire danger sign will be posted.  IBIC will also create and send out a fire safety flier to all property owners and will ask rental property owners to post them in their houses. 

Membership:  Director Harley reported that IBIC has 160 members.  26 people have not renewed their membership from last year, but most are expected to do so. There were 6 new members in the past year:  Joe and June Andrade, Mark and Carol Ciraulo, IBProp, LLC, Linda Janssen, Dale and Gini Miller and Dave and Lynn Vierra.   There are 459 lots in Irish Beach and 192 have been developed.

Architectural Design Committee:  Director Drolet reported that there have been few construction applications this past year.  The Committee is working on revising the fee schedule in order to address problems with construction projects that are not completed within the terms of the permit.  He explained that the Committee has been remiss in collecting extension fees for construction permits that are out of compliance and that the ADC has little power to collect the fees without going to court.  Because some of the violations go back five years, the Committee proposes writing off the existing extension fee debts and requiring a Performance Deposit (PD) of $10,000 for new projects to encourage compliance.  The PD would be used to pay the cost of a surveyor, hired by the ADC, to verify building location and height, and the balance would be refunded when the project is satisfactorily completed within the time allowed by the terms of the permit.  Some members stated that the amount is too high.  Director Drolet emphasized that the proposal is still under consideration and will be discussed at the next ADC meeting on May 15.  The Committee is sending letters to several property owners regarding outside storage of a boat, trailer and vehicles that violates the CC&Rs.  There was a discussion of CC&R violations in regard to tree height, which was continued under item VI below. 

Road Improvement Ad Hoc Committee:   Director Drolet reported that the County has cleaned culverts in Irish Beach and is addressing the drainage problems on Irish Beach Drive.  Cypress Parkway and Sea Cypress Drive will be resurfaced this year if there is money left in the County budget. 

Irish Beach Water District:  Steve Whitaker reminded everyone that meetings are held on the second Saturday of every odd month beginning at 10:00am at the Fire Station on Forest View Road.  He explained that the Mallo Pass permit was revoked by the State for lack of development and that the Irish Gulch permit was denied and will now go to license.  There may be more restrictions on water diversion from Irish Gulch in the future and it is possible that there would be periods during the year when no water can be drawn.  The district will pursue the option of drilling wells but does not own much land and therefore may need to negotiate with the Moores to drill on their property.  Mr. Whitaker stated that there is enough water for the existing houses but that future development is in question unless wells can be drilled.  The situation is further complicated by two lawsuits filed against the Water District by William Moores. 

NEST:  Vera-Lee Carter explained that the purpose of the Neighborhood Emergency Service Team is to assist in response to a major emergency such as an earthquake.  NEST does not replace fire and police responders.  NEST has enough money at this time but is seeking more active members.

Treasurer’s Report 2009-10 Fiscal Year: Director Gann reported that IBIC did better than budgeted for the year.  The board anticipated a loss of $7,000 in the Operating Fund, but due to the higher than expected number of memberships IBIC was able to put $1700 in the reserve account.  Capital Fund expenditures were also less than expected, partly due to savings on picnic tables.

Elephant Seal pup update:  Patrick Robards reported that an elephant seal pup was rescued by the Marine Mammal Center in Marine from Manchester Beach on March 15th.  The pup, named Patty, gained 30 kilos before its release on April 15th.  Seal and seal lions pups found on the beach should be left alone.  If a marine mammal appears to be in distress, make a note of the animal’s size, color, condition, behavior, injuries, location, etc. and call the Marine Mammal Center at 415-289-SEAL.  

 

IV        APPROVE MINUTES

Director Drolet moved to approve the minutes of last year’s Annual Meeting held on May 2, 2009.  Director Gann seconded and the motion passed unanimously.

 

V         NEW BUSINESS

Budget for 2010-11 Fiscal Year:  Director Gann reported that the board anticipates an Operating Fund deficit of $1400, which will be drawn from reserves.  The primary Capital Fund expenditure is $6,000 for the Pomo Lake study.  She explained that the Architectural Design Committee budget is included in the overall IBIC budget and will be tracked separately, as are the Operating and Capital funds. 

Election of Board of Directors:  Four director’s seats are up for election and three current board members are running for re-election.  Su Whitaker nominated Pam Harley and Barbara Tonningsen seconded.  Jim Vickery nominated Leon Drolet and Walt Rush seconded.  Lu Vickery nominated Richard Sequest and Don Harley seconded.  Walt Rush nominated Gerry Trujillo and Bettye Winters seconded.  A voice vote was taken and the slate was elected with one vote opposed and no abstentions. 

                       

VI        ANY OTHER BUSINESS TO COME BEFORE THE MEETING

There was a discussion of CC&R violations in regard to tree height during which several members expressed a desire for the Architectural Design Committee to take a more active role in enforcement.  Some suggested that the ADC continually remind people of the tree height restriction.   John McGehee suggested that the fire safety mailing include a notice reminding renters to properly dispose of their dog’s droppings instead of leaving it on the beach and roadside.  Diane Heinzer suggested installing a “doggy bag” station in the beach parking area, like those found in many parks, to make it easy for visitors to do the right thing.   

VII      ADJOURNMENT

Director Drolet adjourned the meeting at 2:55pm.  Lu Vickery seconded and none were opposed.

 

The next Annual Membership Meeting is scheduled for May 7, 2011.

Board meetings are held on the 4th Saturdays of January, April, March, July and October.

Architectural Design Committee meetings are scheduled for the 3rd Saturdays of every odd month.  Meetings may be cancelled due to a lack of new business.  Check the IBIC web site for updated meeting information.  www.ibiclub.com

 

 

Minutes respectively submitted by Jean Selk

 

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