NORTH FORK COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL
MINUTES OF AUGUST 22, 2011 BOARD MEETING
Came to Order: 5:35 pm
Board Members Present: Dan Rosenberg, Sandy Chailler, Diann Miller, Sarah Rah, Tom Burdette, Julie Konno, Steve Mitchell, Maryann McGorvran. Guests: Elissa Brown, Connie Popelish, Michael Olwyler, Geno Herzog, Joan Constable.
Public Comment: Elissa Brown announced events and progress for the Collaborative Planning Process for Willow Creek Watershed. Public participation invited during September through March, with kickoff meeting September 12 at the North Fork Rancheria Community Building from noon to 3:00 pm. Day-long field trips for the public are scheduled September 24 and October 14 — contact Aimee Smith at US Forest Service. Connie Popelish and Michael Olwyler presented ideas for using the “yellow bricks” from the Mill’s old kiln buildings, which will be discussed further with the History Project group.
Approve Minutes: Minutes of July 25 meeting were approved (moved by Sandy Chaille, seconded by Diann Miller).
Treasurer’s Report: The month’s financial report was distributed and approved. July 2011 expenses were $1,564.34 against income of $1,970.44, for $1,406.10 in net revenue. Tenants at Mill Site are current on their rent, with two exceptions:
- After a warning letter sent in August, Alpine Sierra failed to pay any further rent. They have now shut down their biomass processing business, due financial difficulties and to owner Erik Robertson’s health problems. They owe $3,200.00 on back rent, against a $1,400.00 deposit. to Alpine Sierra’s rental default, Dan Rosenberg said attorney Greg Chappel advised that court action to put a lien on the company’s tractor would likely be more expensive than worthwhile.
- On the Tire Shed building, O’Dell has not paid $300.00 for August rent, so a reminder letter was sent. He now uses the Name Crystal Lake Grinders at the Crossroads Lumber address.
OLD BUSINESS
- Crossroads Lumber’s fire suppression system: The Board approved the estimated cost of $1,400 to bring the system compliant. In future years, Crossroads will be asked to cover costs of annual inspections — moved by Steve Mitchell, seconded by Tom Burdette, passed unanimously.
- Rooms below the conference room: The Board approved moving forward with the bid from Novell Construction to correct drainage problems.
- Brownfield Revolving Loan Fund: NFCDC is making the first three payments to Madera County. Board members discussed setting aside $1,500 a month in a savings account as a reserve for future loan payments Board members. The motion to open that savings account was stated as a Resolution: “NFCDC shall create a new savings account reserving $1,500 per month toward future repayment of the Brownfield Revolving Loan Fund at Yosemite Bank, with current signers to be the same as on the other NFCDC accounts at that bank” — moved by Sandy Chaille, seconded by Sarah Rah, passed unanimously.
- NFCDC’s large copy machine: The equipment is close to being beyond repair. Board suggested asking Yosemite-Sequoia RC&D about sharing their copier.
- Star Party: This summer’s was announced for viewing the upcoming meteor shower, similar to last year’s successful event.
Committee Reports
- Real Estate: No progress to report on the Integrated Engineers Letter of Intent to purchase a parcel at the Mill Site. They are having difficulties on overseas projects that interfere with local plans for a new facility.
- Energy: Committee should be activated to deal with reducing use of on-site utilities.
- Facilities: Repairs to heating and cooling system in the office building are underway by Steve Sims, at a modest expense.
- Emergency Preparedness: Next emergency planning meeting will be held in early October.
- No reports from Signage, Recreational Trail, Finance or Membership Committees.
NEW BUSINESS
RV park: Geno Herzog announced plans he and his partners have for a 74-space RV park to be located on the five acre knoll above North Fork Supermarket, on Amber Lane. The developers have applied for a Conditional Use Permit, with the Planning Commission hearing scheduled for September 6. The project must resolve several infrastructure issues, including their lack of sufficient sewer and water units in Maintenance District 8-A which serves North Fork’s downtown-village area. Sarah Rah announced that the MD8A Sewer-Water Steering Committee is holding a community meeting on August 25 to discuss sewer-water issues generally and the RV park’s impact on the District. NFCDC board members asked questions and discussed the project’s potential economic development advantages. Maryann McGovran asked that Rancheria email addresses not be used to distribute information about the project by community members as the Rancheria is taking no position on the RV Park. But the Board took no action to support or oppose the project.
Crossroads Lumber & Alpine Sierra: Marc Mandel has sent a letter to the Editor of the Sierra Star explaining that his company has no connection with, or responsibility for, the financial problems of Alpine Sierra’s biomass recycling business. Dan Roseberg reports that NFCDC has been receiving similar complaints that Alpine Sierra failed to deliver on pre-paid firewood orders (more than $20,000.00 owed to two dozen customers, based on reports to date). At this time, NFCDC has are no plans for dealing with extensive debris piles Alpine Sierra has left behind. Diann Miller said the Resource Conservation Foundation is looking into options for grinding and disposing of the debris. Sarah Rah suggested researching legal steps so NFCDC can take title to Alpine Sierra’s abandoned property and dispose of it. Board members also discussed being more cautious in the future before signing contracts with industrial tenants that may leave behind unwanted and possibly hazardous inventory or equipment.
Mural graffiti: Artist Joan Constable discussed her past efforts to establish an independent Mural Committee for North Fork. Early efforts by her and several others have resulted in a variety of murals now gracing buildings in the downtown-village area. She recommends the Mural Committee should be free-standing from other organizations, responsible for approving and caring for North Fork’s outdoor murals. A current problem is new graffiti on the mural at North Fork Market. She explained that the mural at the Stage Stop building was a project by Bob Costa, who is recently deceased. Board members discussed the issue and suggested contacting Sierra Scenic Byway Committee for financial assistance.
ORGANIZATIONAL REPORTS
Maryann McGovran says the Rancheria is hiring a new Housing Authority Director.
North Fork Arts Council has dissolved as an organization, as of September 1. Young Masters Art Show has been taken over by Joan Constable and moved to Oakhurst.
Adjournment: 8:20 pm.
Committee reports: Joan Constable gave a report on mural activities, with the suggestion of a free-standing mural committee. That idea will be put on the next NFCDC agenda, to deal with issues like the graffiti on North Fork Supermarket and other mural-related matters. Now that Bob Costa has died, it’s unclear if or how the Stage Stop mural will be finished. Suggestion was made to approach the Scenic Byway Committee for funds to deal with mural repairs and projects. Joan also reported on relocating Young Masters Art Show from the now-closed NF Arts Council to a private event in Oakhurst, which was well received this year.
Adjorned: 8:20 pm.