Summaries of MERG Minutes

July 3, 2006

The meeting was called to order by Chairman Pro Tem, Len McKenzie at 9:10 a.m.

Board of Supervisors

• The Board did not respond to our request for discussion on whether the AK firm hired by them as land use consultants is friendly to CEQA laws or not.
• Certificates of Compliance seem to be used to get around subdivision law (Map Act) on developable parcels.
• Next week we will meet with County Counsel, Tom Guarino, at the government center at 10:00 a.m., with our regular meeting preceding it.  It was moved, seconded and passed that we invite Tom Infusino, our attorney, to participate in this meeting.

Fire, water and roads

• Rita Kidd had new information on water and fire.  A county cannot reduce a state's fire requirements. When asking the temporary CAO about a public hearing on the Reddington Ranch, she was told that we needed to ask a BOS member to put it on the agenda. Also the BOS must act one way or the other.  They cannot avoid a decision.  They can agree to the moratorium, or decide on an Urgency Ordinance, or approve a project using the current General Plan, unless an updated version is on the horizon.  In that case, the county would follow the General Plan Update according to the California Office of Planning and Research. 
• Research has shown that the latest Mariposa water study is outdated and that well water must by tested for nitrates, which isn't automatically done.  Fresno County has water issues and has reverted to 10 acre minimum lots, from two acre minimums, in low water areas.  There are low water areas in numerous parts of our county.

Educating our Community

• The Mariposa Gazette has agreed to prepare a weekly series of articles.  They will deal with informing the public about the importance of the General Plan in their lives, i.e., fire, water, septic problems, infrastructure and economic Development.  Rita Kidd is working with Jill Ballinger on this project, providing pertinent research and other information.

Announcements

• Our regular meetings will move to Bart Brown's home starting July 17.  MERG hopes to get representatives from the Northside of the county to bring us up to date on development activities and any other pertinent events in their area.
• Trudy Williams announced her resignation from the Board and will be staying on as an advisory member.  She has taken a job in Yosemite National Park.
• There is a proposed development of 350 houses at Las Mariposas.
• There is a Planning Commission meeting this Friday.

July 10, 2006


The meeting was called to order by Chair Pro-Tem, Len McKenzie, at 9:10 a.m. at the Sierra Nevada Conservancy office for the purpose of meeting with our attorney, Tom Infusino, in preparation for a meeting at 10:00 a.m. with Tom Guarino, County Counsel. Our meeting was also to plan the steps necessary to agendize the request for a Public Hearing by the Board of Supervisors on this issue.

• Members of MERG believe that the BOS does not have an adequate understanding of roads and water issues. The Fresno Water Board has recommended 10 acre minimum Home sites in water short areas and a 20 acre minimum to plan for two houses.
  It was suggested that we give the Planning Department copies of our documents, to develop a "library" to prove the Administrative record and ask the county for a copy of our documents, stamped with the date of presentation.
• Regarding Certificates of Compliance, our attorney said that the intent of CoC's is to examine the validity of properties when originally recognized. If old lots were never acquired or lived on, no CoC's are issued. The lawyer for the Reddington Ranch property has said that CoC's are immune from CEQA. That is not entirely true as certain requirements have to be met including following the subdivision map act, according to our attorney.
  
  
   

Meeting with Guarino

• The purpose is to explain our reasons for asking for a moratorium and to have the BOS place a Public Hearing on the agenda as soon as possible.

• Guarino is familiar with water issues and wants to assemble information so that he can respond to the Board’s questions.

• He foresees the GPU being completed and ready for hearings in September, 2006.
  Existing zoning is not being changed. If change is wanted it must be consistent with the new plan. Guarino added that it will have to be sorted out after adoption.
   

The meeting ended with the close of this session at noon.


 
July 17, 2006

The meeting was called to order by Bart Brown at 9:05 a.m.

Board of Supervisors, 7/18/06

• Approve $175,000 for Mariposa Creek Parkway
• Fred Solomon hired as consultant to supervise work on Don Pedro Wastewater Treatment Plant Construction.
• Update on slide on Highway 140
• Mariposa Town Planning Area water and wastewater plan

Certificates of Compliance

• Adjudication of Certificates of Compliance was discussed.
• Reddington Ranch's lawyer has said that APN numbers are not important. Cases have shown that they are a viable source.
• An injunction can be brought if Williamson Act parcels are attempted to be sold.

Other Information

• Discussion of the legality of "ex parte", (information from one side only) being allowed at a public meeting.
• Regarding the newspaper series on the Mariposa General Plan, materials have been sent to Jill Ballinger, who will edit and publish them.
• Supervisor Bibby agreed to put our request for a moratorium on the BOS's agenda for the 25th, if possible.
• The Technical Background portion of the GPU is inadequate and needs additional work.
• We need to emphasize "the best interests of the county" and "common good" as opposed to private interests when in discussions about the GPU.

The meeting was adjourned at 11:00 a.m.

August 15,2006
 

Information Summary

The meeting was called to order by Chair, Bart Brown, at 9:10 a.m.

Economic Development Committee
 

• Ed Johnson is now President of the EDC.

Cathey's Valley/Hornitos Committee
 

• Plans for speakers at future meetings:
  Ed Johnson, on the need for planned development
  Al Steele, on water issues, particularly ground water
  Gary Patton of PCL, Conservation League on AG Preservation
  Gary Temple, retired architect, on the citizen sponsored Eastern Fresno water survey
  Bob Johnson, retired UC Davis professor, on land use planning
  Sara Rose has been suggested as a speaker on Proposition 90. The Sierra Nevada Alliance is opposing Prop 90.

• Find speakers who will appeal to other groups and advertise speakers-posters around town.
   

MERG Action

• Board members will attend the 2:00 p.m. BOS meeting today where the hearing on Certificates of Compliance for the Reddington Ranch will be continued.

• MERG members voted to have a booth at the County Fair to get out our "Keep Mariposa Rural" message.
  
   

The meeting was adjourned at 11:45 a.m.




August 21, 2006
 

Information Summary

The meeting was called to order by Chair, Bart Brown, at 9:05 a.m.

Board of Supervisors Meeting, August 22

At 2:00 p.m. the continuance of the Reddington Ranch appeal on Certificates of Compliance will begin.

Mariposa County Fair Booth
 

• Board reviewed requirements of contract.

• Ideas for the booth were discussed: "Keep Mariposa Rural" should be our emphasis and a banner made stating this; have posters calling attention to important issues such as water, sustainability and open space ag preservation.

• Emphasize the positive results of our work over almost 20 years.

• Have information on Proposition 90 and water recharge limits to discuss with those interested.

• Have TV showing relevant slide show presentations. Mock setup on August 25 at 9:00 a.m.
  
   

Cathey's Valley/Hornitos Committee

On August 17 a meeting was held with 40 people in attendance. Supervisors Bibby and Turpin were there and Planning Commissioner to answer questions raised by the problems of development. There was a general discussion on development trends around the county.

The meeting was adjourned at 11:50 a.m.