Cambria Forest Committee
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
OF
August 26,2009
LOCATION
Cambria CSD Suite #204
131 6 Tamson Drive
Cambria, CA 93428
DIRECTORS PRESENT: Grea Saenz. Brad Seek. Bill Schassberaer. Galen Rathbun. Rick Hawlev. Pat Bouldin. JoEllen Butler. Mark Miller.
GUESTS PRESENT: Muril Clift. Mike Rice. Amanda Rice. Crosby Swartz. Laura Swartz. Joiie Martinez. Alan Peters, Phil Veneris.
1.0 Meeting called to order 6:06 pm
2.0 May 27th minutes approved (No Quorum June and July)
Public Comment: PG&E reps. Greg Saenz and Jojie Martinez discussed the new Reliability program and how it was implemented in Cambria during August. The program implemented tree removal and limb cutting primarily to reduce potential outages, which is different from the ongoing Compliance program.
Dir. Rathbun and Mr. Clift explained that the community should have been informed before the project began, not after. Mr. Clift, Mr. Rice, the Swartz’s, Dir. Miller, and Dir. Hawley complained about the problems being created by leaving an excessive amount of the trees on the around (increased expenses for program /owners, a broodery for bark beetles, roadhazards, damage to healthy trees,
increased fire hazards, logging, and an investigation by the Coastal Commission
for CEQA violations.) Mr. Clift and Dir. Hawley expressed a need to mitigate the
problem which would include removing much bf the downed trees at the utility’s
expense, and planting trees to replace the ones that were taken out. Mr. Clift and
Dir Rathbun asked if the Reliability program is subject to existing tree removal
procedures.
Dir. Saenz and Mr. Martinez recognize the problems. They explained that an audit of the contractor (Mountain Firewood) was being conducted. Saenz stated that homeowners signed an agreement to have trees removed. Those agreements will be reviewed. PG&E received a Permits(s) from County Code Enforcement (signed by Art Trinidade) The CCSD, Land Conservancy, and local newspaper were not contacted prior to work. PG&E will report back to the community as early as in a couple of weeks.
3.0 Treasurer Report. Treasurer was not present
4.0 Sub Committee Reports
4.1 Cambria Forest Mgt. Plan (FMP). Dir. Schassberger suggested that each director come up with 3 or 4 ideas on how the FMP can benefit the community. Dir. Hawley reminded that the committee discussed having a symposium/workshop earlier. The symposium could have a series of speakers who would discuss community benefits such as clean water, shading, soil conservation, flood control, effective interface with agencies, effective carbon
cycle.
4.2 Annual Lot Clearing. Dir. Schassberger discussed the need for the subcommittee to meet concerning contractor specifications. Dir. Miller asked members if they had any observations regarding this years lot clearing program. Dir. Hawley stated that some of the contractors improved their methods but others had not. Dir. Rathbun expressed the need to coordinate the RFP. All directors agreed that it would better to extend the deadline for fire clearance but administrative problems prevent that at this time. Cal Fire reps. stated that their vegetation removal policy is now being implemented on a year round basis.
4.3. Tree Planting and Education. Dir. Schassberger said that the Monterey Pines that were planted at the grammar school are being tended and doing well. Dir. Hawley stated that Greenspace could provide more trees for further planting at the school. He also said that there may be more trees available to plant in Fern Canyon. In addition Greenspace will be planting another 500 trees in the San Simeon Creek area.
Dir. Rathbun stated that he adopted a pocket park near his home and is planting trees. He suggested to the Swartz’s that they do the same near their Fern Canyon home.
4.4 Membership Outreach Dir. Bouldin stated that the list is complete with the exception of a contact for APCD.
5.0 Old Business
5.1 Compilation of state codes pertaining to the Forest will be distributed5.0 Old Business
5.1 Compilation of state codes pertaining to the Forest will be distributed in the October meeting to the directors. Mr. Clift suggested that the codes could be presented to CCSD staff and the public at the next CCSD Director meeting on October 1st. Dir. Rathbun will make the presentation. Amanda Rice invited the committee to send a representative to speak to NCAC.
5.2 Revision of Mission Statement. Dir. Bouldin Suggested that the current statement remain as is in the By Laws but be abbreviated in the Directory. Dir. Miller agreed to draft the abbreviated version for the next meeting.
6.0 Public comment.
7.0 The Cambria Forest committee thanks County Code Enforcement (Art Trinidade) for printing the compendium of regulations pertaining to the Forest.
8.0 Meeting adjourned at 7:45pm
Next meeting September 23rd
