- We discussed a renewal of a noise abatement agreement with Oakhurst Country Club. Due to the nature of golf course operations, several maintenance activities occur daily and at early hours in the day. Things like mowing the grass and resetting tee boxes and greens take place before play begins, which is typically at sunrise.
Current City ordinances prohibit certain noise creating activities like mowing lawns prior to 7am each day. Because time of use for the golf course starts at 7am, maintenance has always happened prior to that time. Historically there has existed a noise abatement agreement which granted Oakhurst permission to operate certain equipment at earlier times in the day - with the focus on areas away from homes, though not entirely.
The noise abatement renewal did not change any of the existing provisions substantively. We later determined that the wrong version of the agreement was included in the agenda packet. In addition, there was feedback provided by residents regarding Oakhurst maintenance operations, alleging operations outside the time permitted per the noise agreement. As such, the Council tabled this until a later date and asked our City Manager to approach Oakhurst to see if there were other provisions that could be adjusted.
- We discussed the salary schedule of the Police Chief position which is currently vacant and being filled on an interim basis. The Council agreed to increase the salary schedule by 4% consistent with the agreement that was in place with the prior Police Chief. When the recruitment period ends, we will discuss with the City Manager whether any additional changes need to be made to attract qualified candidates.
The Oakhurst Geological Hazard Abatement District (GHAD) Board also met and discussed a few significant items:
- We selected a new Chair (myself) and Vice Chair (Boardmember Enea)
- We received the annual engineer's report which indicated several areas where maintenance was recommended. Without adequate maintenance, the risk of damage due to Earth movement increases. Without additional funding however, the GHAD would need to use between 2-3 years worth of funding from the future to cover the cost. Without additional funding, I did not think it was prudent to spend all of the remaining GHAD funds on maintenance that may not add value, and would need to be performed on a repeated basis. Rather, I thought it was more important to take steps to increase the revenues so as to make the GHAD more solvent.
- We discussed the process for a ballot measure to increase GHAD assessments. A notice would be sent to all residents in the GHAD, and ask them to approve a rate increase. The amount of the increased assessment would vary based on the type of residence. Votes are counted on a per residence basis, with a greater weight going towards those residences of higher value or at higher risk of being impacted.
The Board gave direction to pursue the rate increase, including the establishing of a reserve, and determine whether a citizen oversight committee was possible with this type of assessment. If the voters of the GHAD approve the rate increase (towards the May/June timeframe), then the GHAD would be funded sufficiently to perform the operations it was intended to. If the voters reject the rate increase, that would cause nearly all GHAD activities to cease.
