November 2005 Newsletter

Miller Creek Restoration Project Progresses
First Meeting a Successful Beginning
11-7-5

On October 26 several interested people gathered in the Civic Center Rug Room to discuss, and begin the planning for, the restoration of the Miller Creek watershed and the Miller Creek itself.

Representatives (stake holders) from the Miller Creek neighborhoods came together to exchange ideas concerning the planning phase for the restoration project.
Some of those who attend the kick-off meeting were representatives from the Marinwood CSD; Miller Creek School; Las Gallinas Valley Sanitary District; Skywalker Ranch; the Bay Institute; Lucas Valley Home Owners Association; the Marinwood Homeowner’s Association; St. Vincent’s School; and the California Regional Water Quality Control Board.

Naturally, there were several representatives from various departments of the County of Marin, such as: Department of Public Works; Community Development; County Counsel; Parks and Open Space; County Administrator; Liz Lewis, Creek Naturalist for the Dept. of Public Works and of course, Supervisor Susan Adams.

Several positive statements and ideas were expressed. The stakeholders provided the commitment to begin the planning process for the restoration project. It will be a complicated undertaking that will require the cooperation and understanding from a great many people. However, if this first meeting is any indication of things to come, Miller Creek will be restored to its former glory with a variety of fish, fauna and stream banks that are designed to better resist erosion. A special genetically different type of steelhead trout, an endangered species, currently swims the waters of Miller Creek. With some effort, Miller Creek can become a safe haven for steelhead, and other aquatic and terrestrial species.
Several participants at the meeting were given various assignments to complete before the next meeting, which will be in January of 2006.

If you have any questions or are interested in participating in this noble cause, please contact Supervisor Adams’ legislative assistant, Rick Fraites at 499-7354, or by email: rfraites@co.marin.ca.us

Marin Telecommunications Franchise Update

The Marin Telecommunications Agency (MTA) met on November 2 and conducted a 3 hour workshop about the conceptual provisions for the new cable franchise agreement. Ten cities and towns in Marin and the County of Marin are part of this Joint Powers Authority (JPA). Novato contracts for its own cable franchise.

Important elements of a cable franchise agreement include:

1. The rental charges (or franchise fees) for a private cable company to use the public rights of way. These dollars are divided among the participating cities, towns and the county into the general funds. These general fund dollars have historically helped to support local services such as fire and police protection and public works projects.

2. The provision of one or more stations solely for the use of public local broadcasting. These stations are commonly referred to as PEG stations (Public-Education-Government) and provide programs developed by the public, by educators for educational purposes and by the government to show public meetings and to provide public information related to the operations of the local governments. Channel 26 is the Marin local station.

3. The provisions of funds to build PEG studio facilities and provide the equipment needed to operate the facilities. In the past, the franchise agreements have provided funding for the operation of the PEG facilities.

4. The protection of customer services and the delineation of certain low income discounts for services.

These are just a few of the issues addressed in a cable franchise. More recently, the MTA argued for the return of FM radio cable service, a service viewed as very important to many of the residents of Marin’s hills and valleys where reception can often be challenging via the normal airways.

Some of the key provisions are available for public review at the web site for the Marin Telecommunications Agency (http://mta.marin.org). Click onto the “minutes and agenda” link for the November 2nd meeting to review the franchise highlights. Future workshops and meetings will also be posted on the web for anyone who is interested in weighing in on this very important community asset. For more information, contact Suki Sennet at 415-331-3639.

Safety Building at Marin Civic Center & Levees of Flood Zone #7

Community meetings are the soul of Democracy. On November 1st we met with the community on two issues. The proposed Safety Building to be built at the Civic Center and assessment of the condition of the levee systems in Flood Zone #7, Santa Venetia.

Public Safety Building

David Speer, County of Marin Facilities Planning and Development Manager, led the Safety Building portion of the meeting with Beverly Prior of Beverly Prior Architects. They presented a power point presentation on four proposed locations for the Safety Building and answered questions on the proposals. Saving the Patanque courts and the Field of Dogs was the primary concern of many in attendance.

This was the first of many meetings to be held on this issue. The Board of Supervisors will be viewing the presentation and receiving information about the community response at a future workshop. Board meetings with the attached agenda can be viewed on the county web at http://www.co.marin.ca.us/depts/BS/Archive/Meetings.cfm. Board meetings occur on most Tuesdays and the agenda items can be viewed the Thursday afternoons prior to the Tuesday meetings. Contact information for this issue is PublicSafetyBld@co.marin.ca.us .

Flood Zone 7 Levees

Flood Zone staff and the District 1 office are working toward conducting an assessment of the condition of the levee system in Flood Zone #7 and to develop a unified plan for a comprehensive repair and maintenance program. A high functioning and well maintained levee system helps to protect the most valuable asset of most residents…their homes.
Tracy Clay and Tim Hampton, engineers from the County of Marin Department of Public Works, presented a history of Flood Zone #7 in Santa Venetia and the history of the creation of the levees. They discussed the prospects of an assessment of the condition of the levees by the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers and the challenges in terms of funding and regulatory obstacles. An initial study is needed to determine the condition and the possible remedies for repair.

Issues related to FEMA recommendations and the relationships to reducing flood insurance were discussed. Funding for the study and ownership of the levees was also discussed. The community and the Flood Zone will need to work together to formulate and implement the best plan for the residents. The District 1 office will work with the community and the Flood Zone to help find a solution to this complex challenge.

Flood Zone #7 has an opening on its five-member Board. Tim Ribble, Jeff Krupnick, Art Reichert and Evan Marks are the current members. If you live in the Zone you qualify to be on this Board. You may contact Patrice Stancato at the clerk’s office at 415-499-7332 (email: pstancato@co.marin.ca.us) Or call Tim Hampton (Department of Public Works) @ 499-7850.