Ridgewood Neighborhood Association
Minutes of the regular meeting of the Board of Directors on September 15, 2008
The regular meeting of the Board of Directors was called to order at 3:05 PM at the home of Dave and Judy Palmer. Board members in attendance were President Don Nester, Vice-president Dave Palmer, Secretary Forrest Dobbs, Treasurer Ralph Legg, Member-at-Large Sandy Piercey, Carole Pfoutz (CC&R Committee Chairperson), and Joyce Dobbs (Ridgettes Chairperson). Others in attendance were Joan Bergsund and Richard Robinson.
Minutes of the last regular meeting of July 7, 208 were approved without corrections or amendments.
Treasurer Ralph Legg reported a positive balance. A total of 96 resident families have joined the association.
No activity was reported by the Neighborhood Watch/Block Captain Committee. The Architectural Control Committee reported that plans for Lot 120 and the LaTorre outbuilding have been finished. John Tiraschi has hired an architect to complete plans for their home on Lot 68. Richard Robinson expressed a concern about dirt driveways remaining even after the homes have been built. Joyce Dobbs reported that the Ridgettes’ meeting in August at the home of Carole and Ray Pfoutz was enjoyed by all. Thanks to Carole for hosting this gathering. The September meeting was cancelled for lack of response in time to secure the reservation at Villa d’Oro. The October 22 Games Day/Pot Luck will be at the home of Margaret Addison and the November 19 Games Day/Pot Luck will be at the home of Nancy Hoffman. Ms. Dobbs reiterated that her term is up after December and that a replacement chairperson would be needed. Don Nester indicated that Larry Bramblett is the new Website Master. He will only be responsible for maintaining the website and all information, including any changes, should be forwarded to him by Board members.
Our guest, Sharon Mikesell, the county Engineering Technician, spoke on the topic of the CSA of Ridgewood. Ms. Mikesell gave a brief history of the Ridgewood CSA from its inception in 1989. CSA monies are collected yearly from Ridgewood II and III property owners for the purposes of road repaving, snow removal, fixing potholes, brushing (removing brush for road integrity and road safety), and vegetation control. Brushing has not been done for the last two years because the RNA Board instructed the county to stop brushing without the necessary 51% support of the Ridgewood residents. Vegetation control has not occurred for the last several years as it was not in the county budget. However, the monies for these projects are in the Ridgewood CSA account and could be resumed at will. Ms. Mikesell, joined by Gary Taylor, Deputy Director of Engineering, entertained questions regarding individual liabilities as well as county liability, customizing the work done by the county on our CSA roads, and continuing the contract as originally stated in our CSA. The possibility of our own brushing and vegetation control contractor, county personnel’s expertise in securing the road infrastructure, and cost savings if the maintenance is done on a partial scale rather than Ridgewood as a whole were also discussed.
After discussion the Board decided that the President Nester would notify Sharon Mikesell (county administrator for CSA 32) via e-mail to reinitiate the brushing functions which reflects the current intent of the Ridgewood residents. Also President Nester shall write a letter to property owners in Ridgewood II and III encouraging their own responsibility for fire control as well as beautification and requesting them to maintain their property with regard to brushing and vegetation control. This letter will indicate the savings by our CSA when the county doesn’t have to expend our monies for brushing and vegetation maintenance.
If there is a need, the Board will follow up with a letter to specific offending property owners. The Board verbally requested the county to reinstate the maintenance schedule. It was agreed that the county would contract to service specific properties we designate as well as the ones the county deems necessary. The county CSA 32 contact person is Sharon Mikesell and the RNA President is to be the contact for CSA 32 county interface.
Owners of property on Ridgewood Drive and Ridgewood I are not covered in our CSA and should contact Barry Bynum, Road Superintendent, directly to resolve brushing and vegetation maintenance problems.
The fire department was called to a fire caused by a malfunctioning transformer on Ridgewood Drive. PG&E restored power soon after. The problem of barking dogs has been partially resolved with letters to the owner. The sheriff department checked on a suspicious car that had been reported in the neighborhood. A host for the Christmas party is needed. Carole Pfoutz has volunteered if no one else does.
The next Board meeting is scheduled for November 3, 2008 at 3:00 PM at the home of Sandy and Lee Piercey.
The meeting was adjourned at 4:45 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Forrest Dobbs, Secretary