Minutes of General Meeting
June 28, 2006
 
The meeting, held in the City of Concord’s Permit Center Conference Room, was called to order by Chair Phil Schafer at 6:38 p.m. Copies of the agenda were distributed.

Phil introduced the guests and DENA officers to the assembly. The scheduled guests were Lt. Gary Norvell, Concord Police Department; Leslye Asera, Community Relations Manager, City of Concord; Michael Wright, CNWS Reuse Plan Project Director; and Andrew Pierce, Public Affairs, Contra Costa Mosquito and Vector Control District. 		 
 
  1. Reading of Minutes – Francie Price, Secretary
    An overview of the March, 2006, general meeting was given. Copies of the minutes were provided.
  2. Dana Estates Web Page – Suzi Peek, Webmaster
    The minutes from board meetings have been added to the web page.
  3. Treasurer’s Report – Ken Weis, Treasurer
    The ending balance as of June 28 is $4,834.13. The large balance is due to the City giving DENA the second part of the “graduation” grant of $2,500. Annual donations range from $300 to $500. Average annual expenses run about $1,100. At the current rate of donations/expenses, DENA has about 3 years of solvency.
  4. Newsletter Distribution – Phil Schafer, Chairman
    Some residents on Lynwood Drive reported that they had not received their quarterly newsletter. Some newsletters were seen on residents’ driveways. It is preferable that the area reps and volunteers who are distributing the newsletters place them under the front door mat, if there is one, as this will prevent the wind from blowing them away.
  5. Bylaws Amendment for California Nonprofit Status – Phil Schafer
    DENA attained federal nonprofit status earlier. Phil has been working on the application for California nonprofit status. An amendment to the DENA bylaws is necessary for the CA application. CA requires that a statement be in the bylaws stating that the focus of DENA is not political. We can discuss issues affecting our neighborhoods, but we will not, as an organization, support a specific person for office. After a group discussion, it was approved by all residents.
  6. National Night Out – Nancy Bolcerek, Area Representative
    The National Night Out is scheduled for August 1, from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. There will be a Jumpy House for children, as well as a fire truck and a police car. Loard’s Ice cream and DENA are providing free ice cream. This is a great time to come out and visit with your neighbors.
  7. Neighborhood Crime Report – Lt. Norvell
    The Valley field office has moved to the Dianda Plaza, on Clayton Road, between Food Maxx and Dairy Queen.

    If you have a specific crime question, it is requested that you contact Phil before the quarterly meeting, so that Lt. Norvell has time to research the situation. Or contact the Valley field office for information.

    There is a new ordinance regarding door-to-door sales. From now on, all solicitors must have both a city permit and a business license. The police can issue warnings and citations to all selling without both items. If you have a “No Solicitors” sign posted on your property, they are not allowed to come to your door. There are some exemptions, including religious organizations, non profit groups, and Boy Scouts/Girl Scouts.

    Street sellers in the neighborhood, most often selling fruit, are being given a card by police telling them that by selling on the street they are in violation of the law and can by cited.

    There were 3 house burglaries, 7 vehicle burglaries, 5 stolen cars (4 of which were Hondas, the #1 stolen car), 17 vandalisms (9 of which involved car windows).

    Miscellaneous issues discussed:
    • Fire crackers are illegal in Contra Costa County. The police will cite anyone caught setting them off.
    • Semi trucks owned by residents are not allowed to be parked on residential streets for more than 72 hours.
    • It is illegal to ride mini motorcycles on a public street. They may only be ridden on private property.
  8. Concord Naval Weapons Station Status Report – Leslye Asera, Michael Wright
    CNWS was approved by Congress for closure in November 2005. Although the area is within the city limits, the Navy owns the land. The City is charged with planning the reuse plan. Phase 1 was the idea phase. There was a 600 person telephone survey, as well as open house meetings. Phase 2 is the concept stage. Whatever is planned for the area must be financially and environmentally sustainable. Below is an estimated time table of events:

    October 2006
    The Navy will officially notify the transfer of the land. Department of Urban Housing will need to complete a homeless survey, a 6 month process, to see if Concord can help the homeless situation.

    Fall 2006 to January or February 2007
    The City will inventory the site, documenting environmentally sensitive areas and animals are, and verifying if the Navy has cleaned up contaminated sites.

    March or April 2007
    Areas of possible liquefaction due to earthquakes will be identified, as these areas cannot be built on. Traffic analysis dependent on possible housing locations will be studied. Afterwards, the City will show residents what the development might look like.

    Summer 2007
    2 or 3 alternatives will be offered to the City Council.

    Early 2008
    The Navy will process the concepts. An Environmental Impact Study will be completed. Public hearings will be held. This may take 7 to 10 months.
  9. Dana Estates Resident Input on CNWS – Ken Weis
    Different neighborhood groups will want different streets developed if there is to be a new housing development or a business park built on CNWS land. Pittsburg owns some of the hill tops that can be seen from Dana Estates. They may decide to build on this area.
  10. 10. “Fight the Bite!” Mosquito Control – Andrew Pierce
    West Nile Virus is a mosquito disease that affects other animals, most especially birds. In 1999, New York saw the first case of WNV. There are 55 types of mosquitoes in California; 23 types in Contra Costa County; two types are the most likely to carry WNV. In California so far in 2006, there have been 24 dead birds found with WNV and eight mosquitoes. However, one mosquito fish can eat up to 500 mosquito larvae a day!!

    Human infection
    • In 80 of 100 cases there will be mild symptoms, if any, and no long term affects.
    • In 20 of 100 cases there will be flu like symptoms, and the person may not fully recover.
    • In 1 out of 150 cases there will be severe brain inflammation, causing permanent fatigue, memory loss or muscle paralysis. 5% to 14% of severe cases result in death.
    Animal infection
    • Dogs and cats appear to be resistant to WNV, unless they are already sick.
    • Horses are very susceptible to WNV, 44% of cases result in death. However, there is a vaccination for horses, and horse owners are strongly urged to vaccinate their horses.
    • Birds who contact WNV have a 100% death rate. It is recommended that bird owners place mosquito netting over their bird cages.
    If you find a dead bird, call 1-877-WNV-BIRD. They will let you know if they will pick it up for testing.

    Chickens do not get sick, but will show antibodies in their blood if they have been bitten by an infected mosquito. There are flocks of chickens throughout California that are called Sentinel Chickens. These chickens have regular blood tests to see if they have been bitten by an infected mosquito. There are 206 Sentinel flocks in California and 5 flocks in Contra Costa County.

    Mosquitoes lay eggs in water and the eggs can hatch in as little as 7 days in warm weather. Dirty swimming pools, backyard ponds, old tires, clogged rain gutters, pool and boat covers, even cans and buckets can be a breeding ground for mosquitoes. Mosquitoes can breed in 1 tablespoon of water. If you think a neighbor is creating a breeding place, you can call the Mosquito and Vector Control and they will distribute informational flyers over the entire neighborhood, so no one knows they were reported.

    Children should be protected with a mosquito repellant containing 10% or less of DEET. Adults should use a repellant using 30% DEET. WNV can be contracted many times; unfortunately antibodies in the blood do not prevent a person from contracting the disease again.

    Contact the Mosquito and Vector Control District at 925-685-9301 or at