The ad hoc election committee will be suggestion the following changes to the council and the election process at the January 28, 2010 meeting.  Please feel free to comment here or at the meeting on these changes. Because the suggestions require revision of the bylaws, no final decision will be made at this week’s meeting. Any changes approved by a majority of the council will become part of the resolution to revise the bylaws and will be up for discussion and approval at the February 2010 meeting.

NCAC Elections

Summary of Suggested Changes:

9 members and 3 alternates. One seat reserved for a San Simeon representative.  5 seats this year, 4 seats next year. Top 5 (or 4) vote-getters are seated as voting members. After all voting member seats are filled, next vote-getter is 1^st alternate and so on for alternates 2 and 3.  (One seat reserved for rural.)

Required to be a candidate: Live full-time in NCAC represented area, over 18, submit signatures of at least 10 residents by the end of the April meeting.

Requirements for voters: Over age 18 All residents, property owners, business licensees and nonprofit organizations located (or performing a significant part of their services) within the boundaries of NCAC. (Supervisor District 2 north of Villa Creek)

Elections: Voting will take place during the 2^nd and 3^rd weeks of May. Ballots will be available and people can vote at Farmer’s Market, online and ballots can be returned by mail or in person at the May NCAC meeting. Voting for San Simeon and rural representatives will be done by petition.

Draft of Bylaws changes.

Article III   Members

SECTION 1.      Council  Membership: The Community will be represented by at least 5 and no more than nine (9) regular members and three (3) alternate members.  Alternates shall sit as a regular voting member in the absence of a regular member.

SECTION 2.      A qualified candidate for election must be over 18 and reside in Cambria, San Simeon or the rural areas of County Supervisor’s District 2 north of Villa Creek

Diversity: The election committee shall make a deliberate effort to ensure that a diversity of ethnic, economic, and social interests are represented on the council.

The council shall have as a goal that at least one  member shall reside in each of the following areas:

San Simeon

the rural areas outside the SS and Cambria URLs

Lodge Hill

Park Hill

Business District

Park Hill

Happy Hill

However, if adhering to these criteria would prevent filling all seats,  the criteria may be waived.

i.        Elections. An election shall be held annually in  May and shall be governed by the Election Committee and NCAC election code.

SECTION 3.      Nomination of  Candidates for Election:  Any candidate eligible for election must submit a signed “Conditions of Service” form and an official letter of support with signatures of at least ten (10) eligible voters,  no later than the regular March meeting of an election year. The Council will accept the nominated candidates and approve the official ballot at the regular Council meeting in April and submit the names of the candidates in the Cambrian for publication the third week of April. Additional details of nominating process are in the election code.

SECTION 4.      The NCAC Council Chairperson shall receive the election results and provide for the seating of newly elected and appointed members, the election of new officers, and the naming of new subcommittee chairpersons as the last items of business at the June meeting. The out-going Chairperson shall be responsible for a smooth transition of information to the new Council.

SECTION 5.      Terms of Office. Terms of office for elected regular members are two years. Alternate members serve terms of one year.

SECTION 6.      Commitment of  Council members:   Members of the council volunteer their time to achieving the mission of the council. All members of NCAC, by virtue of their commitment to NCAC and the acceptance of the responsibility of representing their constituents, agree to:

i.        reading, understanding and abiding by the NCAC bylaws, policies and procedures,  Rosenberg’s Rules of Order and the San Luis Obispo County Community Advisory Council handbook.

ii.      serve as an officer (if elected) or committee member during their tenure in office

iii.    take advantage of the annual community advisory council training provided by San Luis Obispo County at least once, if feasible.

iv.     regularly attending  meetings prepared to do business.

SECTION 7.      Recall of an elected Council member may be held by eligible voters.  Upon validation of a petition bearing the signature of at least 75 of the registered voters  requesting the recall, the Council shall schedule a special election. This special election will determine if that representative shall be recalled. This recall election shall be within sixty (60) days of validation of the petition/s. Council will determine form and procedure appropriate at the time. If a Council member is successfully recalled, the ranking alternate shall serve the remainder of the original term.

SECTION 8.      Any elected Council member or alternate may be removed from office by two-thirds (2/3) vote of the NCAC for  non-compliance with the signed “Condition of Service” or for any conduct that is deemed inappropriate.

Elections

SECTION 1.                 

1.    To oversee the election, the North Coast Advisory Council (herein after referred to as “NCAC”) shall appoint a committee of volunteers to be known as: Community Election Committee (herein after referred to as “CEC”). No one whose name appears on the NCAC official ballot may serve on the CEC.

2.    The purpose of the CEC is to conduct the NCAC election in a fair, impartial and orderly manner and encourage broad representation, including members from San Simeon and the rural areas.  Members of the CEC shall conduct the election according to NCAC’s Election Procedure outline, attached

Distribution

1. The voting members of the advisory council shall include at least one member  representing San Simeon and one (1) representing rural/agricultural interests. All other members shall serve at-large.

SECTION 2.                  Eligible Candidates

Any current resident of Cambria and San Simeon and the surrounding rural areas  over the age of 18 may seek office (Article 3 section 2)

To have their name placed on the official ballot, prospective members must collect at least ten (10) signatures from people eligible to vote in the NCAC election and sign a letter of interest and conditions of service form.

SECTION 3.        Eligible Voters.

All residents, property owners, business licensees and nonprofit organizations located (or performing a significant part of their services) within the boundaries of NCAC  as defined in Article of these bylaws, regardless of race, religion, color, sex, disability, national origin, income, sexual orientation, or political affiliation.

Section 2 Any qualified resident may vote for any candidate on the official ballot.

SECTION 4.                 Voting and Election Procedures (At Large Members)

1. Voters may vote for up to 4 candidates in even years and 3 candidates in odd years.  Ballots where more than the number of vacant seats are selected will be disqualified.
2. The CEC chair shall conduct a lottery to determine the randomly selected ballot position for each candidate. In addition, all election proceedings shall be supervised by the CEC Chair.
3. There shall be no proxies or write-ins.
4. If the number of declared candidates received is fewer than the number of elected positions to be filled, then those candidates shall be acclaimed and no election shall be held. Also, the alternate positions shall remain unfilled. Acclaimed candidates shall have the same standing as elected candidates.
5. In the event there are fewer than seven members, voting members shall seek out and appoint members to ensure seven member minimum at the first opportunity.

Voting In Person

1. Voters may be issued and/or cast a ballot on the 2^nd and 3^rd Fridays in May between 1:00pm and 5:30pm at the Veterans Hall and the 3^rd Wednesday at the NCAC regular May meeting.
2. No campaigning shall be allowed within 300 feet of a polling place.
3. Voters shall print their full-time residence addresses and sign their names on the voters’ sign-in sheet, affirming that they meet the age and full-time residency requirements specified in the NCAC Bylaws. Each voter shall be asked to verify full-time residence address by one of the following: a driver’s license, voter registration card, or other photo ID. Voter registration sheets shall include the voter’s contact preference (phone, email, address, none)  The sign-in process shall not in any way connect a specific voter with a specific ballot.

4. Ballots may be returned to the NCAC by US mail or in person at the polling place. Mailed ballots must be RECEIVED in PO Box 533 no later than 5:00 PM on the 3^rd Friday of May.

5. The CEC chair shall take care to secure all ballots  collected  in person in a tamperproof box and no counting shall be done until the deadline for voting has passed.

6.    After 5:30 on the 3^rd Friday in May, mailed in ballots and other collected ballots shall be counted in a  private area by only members of the CEC.  Ballots shall be disqualified if they are wrongly or illegally marked, or, if they are not official ballots. A majority of the CEC present must agree in order to disqualify a ballot. Disqualified ballots shall be marked as such and held separately.

7.    Upon completion of the count, the CEC Chair shall give the summary of the election results, including count of disqualified ballots, to the Vice Chair of the CEC.  The Vice Chair shall dismiss the CEC members and post the results . The Vice Chair shall forward the election results to the Chair of the NCAC. The NCAC Chair, or CEC Chair, shall notify the candidates and the news media of the results in a timely manner.

8.    The NCAC Chair shall store all ballots in sealed envelopes

9.    Voter registration sheets shall be stored in sealed envelopes. Sealing of the envelopes shall be verified by the signatures of at least two NCAC members, across the back envelope flap. The stored materials shall be presented to Council Chair at the next regular meeting. No one shall have access to these materials until that time.

10. Challenges to the election results (including requests for recount), shall be heard at  the next regular Council meeting. Neither the Chair, nor Vice Chair, nor any CEC member shall accept such challenges at the time the results are posted.

11. Voter Registration Sheets shall be held for a minimum of three months following the election date, after which they may be destroyed.

12. In transition year 2010, (x 5) regular members and (x 3) alternates will be chosen. In subsequent odd number years (x 3) seats will be open, in even years (x 4) will be elected.  Thereby, some experienced council members will provide  continuity for the Council each year.

13.  At least one seat shall be reserved for a representative from San Simeon and one seat for a representative of the rural areas. To serve as the representative for San Simeon or rural areas, a candidate must be eligible to serve and provide signatures of at least 10 residents of San Simeon or rural areas. In the event there is more than one interested, qualified candidate, the candidate with the most verifiable signatures shall serve as the voting member and all San Simeon candidates will be included on the ballot for the at large positions. Every effort shall be made to ensure San Simeon and the rural communities are represented.

14. The Community Election Committee Chairperson shall present the election results to the Council at the next regularly scheduled meeting following the election.

15. The three alternates shall be ranked on the basis of the number of votes each received and shall substitute in rank order whenever feasible.   No regular voting privileges are to be bestowed upon alternates unless sitting as a substitute for a voting  member.  In the event of a vacancy caused by the loss of a regular elected member, the senior alternate will fill the vacancy. The first alternate vacancy is filled by the second alternate and second by third, if not already vacant. The remaining alternate vacancy remains unfilled until the next election. In the event there are not enough qualified candidates to fill the alternate positions such positions will remain vacant until the next election.

SECTION 5.                  Time line and Minimum Media requirements

Announce upcoming elections:  1^st week March (submit to Cambrian 4^th week February)

Candidates must submit declaration and signatures : Before April meeting adjourns

Finalize ballot and provide list of qualified candidates to Cambrian & publish online: 4^th week April

Printed Ballots available online and at selected locations: Monday of 2^nd week of May through Friday of 3^rd week of May 5:30pm

Sample ballot describing residency and sample “Conditions of  Service ” form with a section for Citizen endorsements is needed.

        NORTH COAST ADVISORY COUNCIL

        MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING

        WEDNESDAY, NOV. 18, 2009

        RABOBANK COMMUNITY ROOM CAMBRIA, CALIFORNIA

 I  Call to Order-by Chair Amanda Rice at 6:39 PM

II  Roll Call-Marty Main

Present: Bob McLaughlin, Gary Gall, Jim Bahringer, John Lamb, Amanda Rice,Marty Munoz-Main, Joyce Renshaw, Mary Giacoletti, Marjorie Ott, Debby Mix, Erwin Ohannesian, Bambi Fields, Sigrid Castaneda, Neil Cohen

Excused:  Leslie Richards, Lou Fedor, Mike Thompson, Jeff Miller, Dawn Dunlap

 III  Consent Agenda

1. Treasurer's Report: Balance of $925.11

2. Minutes of last meeting-approved

3. Traffic/Transportation Committee

4. Calendar for 2010 

Motion to approve all of the above; no discussion except Bambi Fields re. grammar school lighting.

Approved.

 IV  Public Comment-none

 V  Council Member Items

1. Gary Gall-comments re. the beauty of Cambria and its well-known reputation.

2. Bob McLaughlin-comments re. clean-up-save for later.

 VI  Amanda Rice-needs nominations for Cambria Citizen of the Year.  Please e-mail the NCAC or call Marty Main

VII  Public Agency Reports

 1. Ben Hall-186 cases this month. 32 reports, include vehicle thefts, probation violations, homeless victim stabbed, various other incidents.

SAVP- volunteer patrol RECRUITING is now in progress.  Academy starts April 10 for 5 consecutive Saturdays.

Interviews begin on Jan. 10, 2010. 

Wise Owl Wine Bar-submission of application for wine bar/alcohol license.  If too many beer and wine establilshments near each other, then may be problematic.

 Bahringer-comment re. acquisition of license

Mary Giacoletti-79,000 licenses in State of California.Also, 973 retail in SLO County and 400 wholesale.

Ben Hall-Wine and Beer licenses do not cause problems for law enforcement.

 VIII  CCSD/De Micco

last CCSD meeting was Monday. Cal-Fire-gave information at meeting to offer its services to district.  A presentation was given. Committee set up to discuss at length.

EIR-Fiscalini Ranch-Noise Ordinance; parking; and the park as recreational, including dog park and children's area.

West Ranch-lots of walkers, parking, less tranquil generally.

Consensus: study and workshops may be in order; also, traffic studies, etc. including long term development.

John Lamb: comment re. fire services and operations. Possiblility of contracting for a one year trial. See CCSD Website for Presentation details.

Lengthy discussion of services available through Cal Fire Co.

Joyce Renshaw-comment re. salaries and hiring of our local employees.

DeMicco-workshops/studies/communication outreach would be included.

J. Bahringer-Environmental Reviews necessary for any disturbance of ranch, including parking.

 IX  Supervisor's Report-Gibson, absent

 X  Project/Land Use Report-Joyce Renshaw, Chair 

Airlin Singewald-Planning Department Liaison

1. Gupta Project-San Semeon.  Oceanside Inn-Grand Jury investigation

2. Library- new building all in order.

3. Cell Site Project-Bell tower of Santa Rosa Church. Verizon.

John Lamb-no plan to put another cell tower in Tin City.

 Additional structure(shed) required to be built next to proposed cell tower at church.  Passes out Monthly Status Report for Nov. 2009 and reads/reviews. 

John Lamb-status of vacation rental ordinance

Joyce Renshaw-

1. Noise Ordinance Review-states thatSup. Gibson in looking into Disturbing the Peace issue. 

Sylvia Hanna-rep for Advocates for Quiet. Is arranging meetings to address citizens 'complaints re. noise.

 Renshaw-proposes that NCAC write a letter of support for the Disturbing the Peace Ordinance.

Calls for motion. No motion, so issue is tabled.

Erwin Ohannesian-for Singewald re. #5: Resource Management System, Growth Management Ordinance, improvements, etc.

Mary Giacoletti-Mary addresses No Motion for above issue, but still no motion and action dies.

Sigrid Castaneda- asks why is motion needed?

Joyce Renshaw- 2551 Sherwood Drive Remodel-Committee comments-concerns require NCAC approval.

North Coast Area Plan-bluff setback-issue on this project not conforming to regulations.'

Amanda Rice-Bluff-top lot in Marine Terrace.  Sea wall exists now. Project as designed does comply with setback standards, etc.

 John Lamb-states massiveness of structure compared to other homes on street. Structure does not blend into neighborhood as do other homes in the area.

Main-any complaints yet from the  neighbors?  Not in that process yet. Amanda-nothing holding up this project. Seawall built in the 60's, grandfathered in.

G. Gall-because of a seawall, less setback required.

 XI  Old Business

Gary Gall, called grammar School re. lighting issue. Maintenance person states that timers will be used to alternate lights on site.

Bambi Fields-lights are dimmer now.

S. Cole-lights are not shielded.

Gary Gall- will follow up with a phone call.

DeMicco-a lighting site plan exists. 

XII  Environmental Report-Mary Giacoletti

Improving your existing fireplace.

Cell phone tower-increase incidents of brain tumors with increased use of cell phones.

Climate Change anxiety in children.

Black carbon emissions.

 XIII  Chair’s Report-Amanda Rice

 Bicycle plans for County.

Trash cans-Main St. planters-who will clean on a regular basis?

E. Ohannesian-most business owners should clean.

M. Main-Cambria Chamber of Commerce members are unknown to Cambrians.  Perhaps a list of Chamber business members is needed for distribution to residents of our town.

Discussion of subject of cleaning streets and trash cans

County Public Works Website-street sweeping schedules are listed.

deMicco-proposes a Clean Cambria Award of the Month…

Bob McLaughlin-walks San Simeon everyday and states that trash is taken care of daily….

Byways Update-12 new interpretive signs in the future.

Monument Sign- no money?

Javier Veliz- Cambria being adversely effected by other communities?

Santa Rosa Creek Watershed Plan-public meeting in January of 2010.

Census: Presentation including 5 key steps in the process. See NCAC website.

XIV  Adjournment of Meeting-at 8:43 PM

 Respectfully submitted,

Marty Munoz-Main, Recording Secretary

> 

All meetings at Rabobank Community Room, 1070 Main Street

Next meeting: Wednesday, January 20, 2010

NCAC meets third Wednesday of month, except December, 6:30 PM

No Standing Committee Meetings in December.

Election Revision Ad Hoc Committee will meet on Monday, Dec 7, 2009 3:00pm

North Coast Advisory Council, P.O. Box 533, Cambria, CA 93428   (805) 927-4191

www.NorthCoastAdvisoryCouncil.org

North Coast Advisory Council
Minutes of Regular Meeting
Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2009
Rabobank  Community  Room
Main Street and Cambria Drive
Cambria, California

I Call to Order-Chair Amanda Rice at 6:35 P.M.

II Roll Call
Present:  Erwin Ohannesian, Dawn Dunlap, Marjorie Ott, Joyce Renshaw, Mary Giacoletti, Marty Munoz-Main, Amanda Rice, Jeff Miller, Michael Thompson,   Sigrid Castaneda, Jim Bahringer, Gary Gall.  Bambi Fields and Bob McLaughlin also arrived minutes after roll call.
Excused:  Neil Cohen, Debby Mix, Javier Veliz, John Lamb, Brad Hale, Lou Fedor
Brad Hale has resigned, acc. to Amanda Rice.

III Consent Agenda  Items

Last month’s minutes: diesel/desal
$50/.50

IV Public Comment Period-limited to items not on the agenda

1. Steve Rosenlind-Cambria 350 Committee Event on  Sat.  Oct. 24, 2009 at Shamel Park@ 12 noon. A Climate Change Organization.  See www.350.org or Cambria350.org.
Flyers presented.

2. Gary Gall-questions why such bright lights at Grammar School. K. Tanner-some lights required until 10 pm for student/teacher safety.
Supervisor Bruce Gibson-call school for possibility of motion detector installation.

3. Dawn Dunlap-East Village Trash cans badly need cleaning on a regular basis. This issue is still a problem, not only for tourists but for residents. Includes area of sidewalk in front of Sow’s Ear, Cambria Drug and Gift, Among Friends, French Corner Bakery and Bob and Jan’s. No one apparently in charge of regular cleaning of trash cans. Comments from others in attendance at meeting.
L. Richards-also West Village parking lot needs attention.
Dawn Dunlap-ownership of Proctor Lane behind Sow’s Ear?  The alley is in bad shape.
Mike Thompson-ownership belongs to all owners of adjacent properties.

4. Dawn Dunlap-reports rain received along Santa Rosa Creek areas= 10-12 inches. Storm also brought lots of wind to areas along both areas:  Santa Rosa and San Simeon Areas.

V  Ben Hall- Commander, Sheriff’s Department
Reports last month’s total of 240 calls received, with 34 reports written.

VI  CCSD Report:  Al McKinnon

San Simeon and Santa Rosa aquifers are full…good new re. Al’s remodel project.
CCSD-progress on funds with interest from State.
EIR-Fiscalini Ranch Preserve
Sharing of paramedics and equipment.
Army Corp of Engineers(ACE)-now involved with desalination, which is apparently becoming more competitive.
CCSD lobbyist-paid $6 thousand per month for the first 6 months.
S.Cole-will desalination goals continue even with the objections of groups in Cambria?  McKinnon: all alternatives will be considered.
All board members are in agreement-in favor of desalination for Cambria’s future.

VII Supervisor’s Report-Bruce Gibson

County also employs lobbyists, both federal and state.  Los Osos- $80 million from federal funds rec’d, partially through lobbyists’ efforts.

Oct. 20-Main Street Bridge Replacement monies appropriated.
King Property purchased by County for new Cambria Library on Main St. and Cambria Drive.
San Simeon Inn-conversion project goes forward.
SLO County Budget-For year 2010-2011:  also a $24 million deficit (again). Cuts expected.
M. Clift: Main Street resurfacing now underway after the “Pinedorado Pause”.  Thank you to County decision makers.

VIII  Special Presentation-Cory Marsalek /Topic: Main Street Bridge Replacement and Road Realignment

Bridge on Main Steet (East end) over San Simeon Creek.  Construction –begins in 2011 or 2012.
Center Pier catches debris-new one will remove center pier so creek is able to freely flow. Also will be higher since reinforced concrete will be thicker than presently.

Project will take 2 seasons (2 years)
Architectural treatment to rails of new bridge.
5 foot shoulders for walkers and bikers.

VIII  Traffic Committee-Erwin Ohannesian, Chair
Other members reviewing issues:  Jeff Miller, Amanda Rice, Noel Schmidt, Bob McLaughlin

Issue:  Delivery trucks between Main and Center Streets.  Possible solution discussed at TC meeting:  a delivery truck zone next to Bob and Jan’s-trucks only parking between 7-10 am.
Council members comment on time allotted, location, etc. also number of trucks which will potentially use the zone(#5?)
Suggestions for earlier times for deliveries?
Motion:  Traffic committee should go ahead with planning to relieve traffic congestion in that area.
Motion seconded.
Vote taken: unanimously passes.

Issue: new Motel on Moonstone  and Winsor (El Culibri ?)  cars parking in front of hotel, blocking walkers on the trail .  Request for cars to be prohibited from parking in that area so as not to obstruct walkers and bikers.
Area is where the boardwalk meets the hotel, in the lot between both.
J. Miller –hotel is responsible for the trail to go through, without obstructions.
Sup. Gibson-his staff will check on the issue.
Issue: resident living on Bridge Street wants stop sign at 3 locations in town which are apparently dangerous intersections. Investigation is continuing.

Issue: Cambria Village Sign in front of new library, is hidden by parked cars.  Should curb adjacent be painted red?
Javier Veliz quoted as stating that the Cambria Chamber supports red marking in order for signage to be seen.
Issue of enforcement-D. Dunlap-most people “don’t know we have no enforcement.”
Marjorie Ott-potholes in front of the Cambrian news office, in bad need of repair.

IX  Project-Land Use Committee Report-Joyce Renshaw, Chair
Members reviewing projects: John Lamb, Neil Cohen, Steve Cole, Jim Bahringer, Amanda Rice.
Land Use/Project Review Report

1.DRC2009-00011 Sansom (Sittig) APN:022-321-026 MUP Owner wants to add deck and stair 181.6 SQ Ft. at 410 Lancaster Street. Total size of the site is 5,250 sf. Lots 2,3,4 (E) house 1314 sf. (E )garage 528 sf. (N) deck and stair 181.6 sf. No trees to be removed.
Comments: 1. There is adequate space for the deck.
2. No trees to be removed.
3.Proposed deck is not outlandish in size for the neighborhood.
Recommendation: support
Motion made to support
Vote taken
Unanimously passes.

 Nov. 2, (First Monday of each Month) Sylvia Hanna’s Noise Ordinance will be revisited.  All interested in Issue please attend next meeting of Land Use Committee on that date.
Letter sent to Planning Department (Ryan) for their support of library building outside modifications.
All projects for consideration by Planning /Land Use of NCAC should be in their hands by the Tuesday before the regularly scheduled meeting…

X  Environmental Report-Mary Giacoletti, Chair

The full report of 2 issues read by Mary will be posted on the NCAC Website.
Issue :  Tourist groups –negative effect on ecosystems.  Sites Venice, Italy as an example.
Issue: Pesticide Report-many gardeners in violation of pesticide use. Ex. Round-UP

XI  Treasurer’s Report-Gary Gall, Chair

Balance: $41.15
County check deposited.

XII  Chair’s Report-Amanda Rice

Reminder of 350.org. event on Saturday. Shamel Park 

Day of Census: April 1, 2010 Count Occurs.
Complete count Committee for each community.
Gibson: loss of 1% of count in SLO county equals approx. 5 million in funds based on population numbers. Issue on agenda for next month.

XIII  Adjournment-meeting adjourned at 8:12 PM

Respectfully submitted,
Marty Munoz-Main, Recording Secretary

Next regular meeting:  Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2009    6:30 PM

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