Bennett Valley Voice

Bennett Valley VOICE

Volume 24, Number 6

Bennett Valley Homeowner's Association (BVHA) Inside This Issue BV Water Committee Vineyard Water Usage BVHA Web Site Matanzas Creek Watershed BV Clean-up Day New BHA Board BHA 31st Anniversary Report on BHA Board Mtgs. BV 2002 Calendars Nov. BVHA Agenda

November 2001

Can you believe our BV Firefighters only get $8.90/hr! At their September meeting the Bennett Valley Fire saving a considerable amount of money on Protection District Board of Directors agreed to give administrative services and equipment purchases. their firefighting engineers a 10% pay increase, Again, per Joe Stans, "This Agreement has saved bringing their starting salaries up to $8.90 per hour.

the BV Fire District thousand of dollars and will This is just slightly more than one-half of the continue to do so. However, it is impossible to starting salaries for the following Fire Protection realize sufficient future savings to meet the State and Districts: Cloverdale, Gold Ridge, Healdsburg, Federal mandates and ongoing financial needs." Rancho Adobe, Rincon Valley, Valley of the Moon Besides staffing and salaries, fiscal problems at the and Windsor. As a comparison, someone answering Bennett Valley Fire Station include building and the phone at a McDonald's restaurant is paid equipment maintenance (for the thirty year old $6.35/hr. Our Fire District is also one of few building), ongoing equipment replacement and the volunteer firefighting districts that currently does cash reserves necessary to avoid borrowing from the not give their volunteers any subsidy for meals when County (with interest) between tax collections.

they spend the night on duty at the Fire Station. This These fiscal difficulties could also end up usually includes two to four volunteers every night. significantly increasing our homeowner insurance rates in Bennett Valley. Why do we pay our valuable firefighters so little? As Joe Stans, the Bennett Valley Assistant Fire Chief puts it, "We are currently struggling to operate a $500,000 fire district on about $300,000 and find ourselves falling farther and farther behind." In the last issue of the VOICE Joe Stans and the Bennett Valley Volunteer Firefighters Association expressed gratitude for all the contributions received from the Community through Community Day and the Silent Auction; however these funds are being used for the new fire engine and can't begin to pay such necessary operating costs as staffing salaries and volunteer subsidies.

Does our Administrative Agreement with the Gold Ridge Fire District save us money? Yes! The budgets of the Bennett Valley Fire Protection District and the Gold Ridge Fire Protection District are completely separate, but Bennett Valley is What is the best answer to these fiscal dilemmas?

The Bennett Valley Fire Protection District serves Bennett Valley as well as some other outlying areas, such as Holland Heights and parcels off Petaluma Hill Rd. and Warrington Rd. Residents in areas served by the Bennett Valley Fire Station need to get together during this next year to learn more about possible alternatives and reach mutual decisions about what we all are willing to support.

The Bennett Valley 2002 Community Forum, scheduled for Saturday, 2/02/02 (8:30 am to 12 noon at the Bennett Valley Grange Hall) will discuss this local fire funding issue in-depth. In February and March of 2002, there will also be a number of smaller neighborhood meetings or contacts to discuss Bennett Valley Fire District funding. Your input will be welcome.

Bennett Valley 2002 Community Forum Water Committee Requests Your Help! Bennett Valley zoning density was implemented partially in response to concerns about limited availability of water in the Valley. The Valley has seen steady growth in residences and agriculture (mainly vineyards). Valley residents have a diverse range of views regarding the effect of additional vineyards on the supply of water.

Information on Vineyard Water Usage 1.) Almost all of the mature vineyards in Sonoma county are dry farmed; that is, they are not regularly watered. Questions continue regarding how much water the Valley has in its aquifers and from rainfall. A number of people express this concern each year at the Bennett Valley Community Forum. This year the Water Committee wants to create a Valley water record, but needs your help to do it.

2.) New vineyards, or vineyards which are replanted to replace diseased rootstocks, are irrigated for the first four or five years. The irrigation is usually during the months of May through September. The rule of thumb is 6 gallons per vine per week. There are about 1,000 vines per acre, so the yearly water usage per acre is roughly 6 gallons times 1000 vines times 21 weeks, or 126,000 gallons. That is roughly the same as one household.

1.) If you have your well's original well drilling log, we'd like to use it to create a record of well depth and water levels throughout the Valley. 2.) If your well has a water level sounding tube, please let us know. 3.) If you've had a change in your well's water level or water yield, please give us the details.

3.) Most vineyards in Sonoma County are set up for water spray frost protection. It is seldom used because the only frosts which are harmful are those which take place in the spring after the plants have started budding. For all except the smallest vineyards, this requires a pond, because the rate of flow is greater than well pumps can handle. Some of these ponds are fed by natural creeks, others are filled by wells, and many of the ones which are fed by creeks are replenished by wells. The rule of thumb here is 55 gallons per minute per acre, and the sprayers usually run for about four hours a night, or 13,200 gallons per night per acre.

4.) If you'd like to participate in measuring rainfall this winter with your rain gauge, give us a call. What impact this water usage has on the surrounding water tables in Bennett Valley is unknown, at this time. We'll use this information to create a Valley Water Record and include it in the presentation at the Bennett Valley 2002 Community Forum. Please Grange Road Oak Trees/P.G.&E.

help us: we need your personal information in On 11/5/01 there was a meeting between PG&E order to gather the facts on the Valley water staff and four Bennett Valley residents about the 125 supply. This will help give all residents a better Grange Road oak trees marked for possible understanding of Bennett Valley water concerns and removal. Under a mandatory tree removal program, how we can best plan for the future.

PG&E has removed 9,000 trees in the North Bay, so far, and 2 million trees statewide. They are Ken Mesches 545-3684 generally removing fast-growing trees, such as Bay and Eucalyptus trees, which have to be pruned Patty Gundry 576-7092 frequently to keep them four feet away from the power lines. PG&E staff agreed that the oak trees Marty McDonough 526-2638 on Grange Road are not fast-growing but they were considering removing them before they were identified with "Sudden Oak Death" and couldn't be moved away. They are reconsidering this approach and will examine it in greater detail with us.

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Check out the BVHA Web Site. Matanzas Creek Watershed Group For a long time Bennett Valley residents There will be a fall quarterly meeting of the requested a BHA Web Site for improved Matanzas Creek Community Stewardship group on communication in the Valley. This year David Thursday, November 8th, from 7:00 to 8:30 pm at Phillips did a great job of setting it up at the Bennett Valley Grange Hall. By the time you < Bennettvalleyhomeowners.org>. While he is no read this, the meeting will have already occurred, longer on the BHA Board of Directors, he is as described in the September VOICE. Also, post continuing as our coordinator for the web site.

cards have been sent out by Sotoyome Resource This web site has a number of lovely pictures Conservation District (SRD) to people who have of Bennett Valley as well as information about the requested to be kept on the active list. On the Bennett Valley Homeowners' Association, meetings, postcards it states that Steve Brady, Environmental community events, local information, a forum, a Specialist for the City of Santa Rosa Public Works copy of the Bennett Valley Area Plan, and copies of Department, will give a presentation on monitoring our bimonthly newsletter, the VOICE. In the section and restoration activities occurring in Matanzas on "About Us" ', you can find our mission statement, Creek. Winter monitoring activities including how to become a member including a printable form reading rain gauges and creek flow stations will also and Bennett Valley history. There is a community be discussed and rain gauges will be provided to calendar with event descriptions and dates, board interested parties. If you are interested in being meeting dates, and phone numbers and addresses for notified about future meetings, be sure to get your a bounty of commonly used services. There are name on the active list by calling Sierra Cantor at sections where you can put in questions or 569-1448.

comments you might have about local issues, such We're still having a problem getting access as about the Grange Road oak trees or the Bennett permission from landowners along Matanzas Creek Valley Fire Protection District funding. Also, if in the Bennett Valley area for the three possible you're interested in having an item included on the "study reach" areas which have been identified.

Agenda for the next Board meeting you can put that Some of the landowners have responded to the on the web site, under Agenda Items. If you have "Landowner Access Authorization Agreement" any questions about the BHA web site, please call which was sent to them, but most of them have not.

one of the Board members. If you have any ideas or questions about this, please contact Marilee Jensen at 576-0405. Street Naming/Address Signs On Friday, October 19th, the Sotoyome In the September VOICE, Joe Stans, the Assistant Resource Conservation District held an "Awareness BV Fire Chief, discussed the County requirement Day" luncheon meeting and a tour of some of their concerning street-naming should a new residential restoration sites. Attending this meeting were a unit be added to an existing driveway. In that number of the volunteers who have worked with the article, he concluded that the Bennett Valley Fire Conservation District and legislative representatives District would be willing to request a variance to from the offices of Wes Chesbro, Lynn Woolsey this ordinance if county standard address signs were and Mike Cale. The program included information used, both on the street, with all the addresses about the Russian River Creek Stewardship located along that driveway and then also at the Program, fish friendly farming and the Gualala particular driveway for each residence. He and River Watershed. There was a special recognition Chief Kent Reynolds have since found out this is not for two cooperators, Simi Vineyards & Winery and possible. The system for naming driveways and the Gualala Redwoods, Inc. Also a number of streets is intended to allow the county to provide volunteers were recognized, including Marilee accurate information to all county agencies as well Jensen from BHA. The tour of restoration sites as State and Federal agencies in the event of a included the bank stabilization along Turtle Creek disaster. Fire Districts, after initial input some years and Simi Vineyards to see the removal of invasive ago, cannot request a variance to mitigate the species and revegetation with native plants— good conditions of this ordinance.

example of some of the work SRCD has been doing. Page Three

Bennett Valley Clean-Up Day On Saturday, October 27th, Bennett Valley was cleaned up! We want to especially thank the twentyone volunteers who did the work: Bill & Patty Allen Lee Babineux Bobbie Blair Norm & Eve Boling Don D'Avanzo & Deborah Salomon Nancy Dell'Ergo Marilee Jensen & Frank Nye Deborah Myers Dave & Sandy Sandine Deborah Sandine Lu Schultz Ron Simpson Bob & Sharon Sorani Bill Sullivan Chris Wills After previewing the Valley, it was determined that the litter needed to be picked up in the following areas; Bennett Valley Road, Grange Rd./Crane Canyon and Sonoma Mountain Rd. up to LaGrande Ave. People worked at picking up litter from 8:30 am until about noon, with coffee and donuts available in the BV Fire Station Parking lot. The Sonoma Co. Public Works litter crew has agreed to do the precarious parts of Bennett Valley Rd., from the oak trees up to Warm Springs Rd., by 11/16/01, New BHA Board of Directors As described in the "Report on the BHA Board Meetings", on page 5, we have three new Directors on the Board of Directors, as of the last meeting on October 17th.

Bill Sullivan was on the BHA Board of Directors since June 1994, when he was one of two appointees to replace two directors who had resigned. Bill was on the Board for over seven years and was President for five of those years - probably the longest span of any BVHA President. He felt that he had "stood up and taken his turn" for Bennett Valley and did not choose to run for another three-year term. We certainly appreciate all that Bill has contributed to the Bennett Valley community.

Nancy Dell'Ergo, the Treasurer, served on the BHA Board of Directors for two terms and didn't choose to run for another three-years. We very much appreciate her significant contributions to BHA and as well as her willingness to serve for six years. Michael Friedenberg was appointed to the BHA Board about one year ago but didn't feel he had the available time to make another three-year commitment. Nevertheless he was willing to serve for one more year; so, he agreed to complete the Included with the 20 to 30 bags of trash which were one year term of David Phillips, who had resigned picked up, there were (as usual many tires, lots of in August. Michael has been another very valuable footage of drip system hose, hub caps, numerous BVHA Board Member who has now been recans of whipped cream, dead raccoons and one live appointed as Vice-President for a second year.

dog. The dog was running loose on Bennett Valley Road for at least 30 minutes, almost causing a number of accidents as well as endangering his own life, so he was delivered by two volunteers to his fenced-in backyard in Woodside. Thanks to all the volunteers for making Bennett Valley a little cleaner. We only have four pick-up sticks now, but we're exploring ways to have enough for all the volunteers by next time. It makes the job a lot easier and even safer.

We're tentatively planning the Spring Clean-Up Day for Saturday, April 20th, so watch for more information in the March VOICE. We can always use more help! One of the directors who had resigned when Bill Sullivan was appointed, in June, 1994, was Michael Bates. Helen Bates, his wife, is one of the new appointments who was willing to accept a three-year term. She has a lot of valuable experiences including some with accounting, and was willing to also accept the position of Treasurer. The other two new appointments are Jennifer Combs and Tim Murphy, both of whom are from Woodside and have been active on the Woodside water board over the years.

It's nice to have three new members on the BHA Board of Directors. We really want to express our appreciation to these new Board members who were willing to join us as we move into 2002. Page Four

31st Anniversary for the BHA On December 6th, 1970 the first Board of Directors appeared before a notary public to sign the Articles of Incorporation for the Bennett Valley Homeowner's Association; Walter Benson, Ash Cuchin, Paul Hamilton, William Jacobs, Bradford W. Lundborg, Paul Mowbray, Charles Nunnemaker, William Pisenti and David Sandine.

In 1970 a possible mobile home park in Woodside and ¼ acre home lots near the fire house were threatening the rural atmosphere of the area. Could Bennett Valley be saved? A group of residents held meetings at the Grange to discuss the future of the Valley and formed the Bennett Valley Homeowner's Association in order to protect and preserve the rural scenic character of Bennett Valley. The Articles of Incorporation were signed by the Secretary of State, Edmond G. Brown, on 6/1/71.

In 1972, at the behest of the BHA, a first attempt was made at the county level to reduce the impacts of residential development in Bennett Valley. An initial plan was drawn up with provisions reducing growth and protecting the environment for agricultural and residential land use. By 1977 it was clear that this first attempt at a plan, although a great stride forward, was inadequate. The Board of Supervisors then established a 15,5000 acre Bennett Valley Study district and appointed an eleven-person BV Citizens' Committee. Their goal was to develop a policy framework to provide residential opportunities and protect agriculture while retaining the rural character and natural environment of Bennett Valley. Through this process the 1978 Bennett Valley Specific Plan came into being.

In 1989, the Board of Supervisors adopted an update of the above plan, to reduce any redundancy or conflict with the Sonoma County General Plan, but the revision preserved the full spirit and intent of the original plan of 1978, now referred to as the Bennett Valley Area Plan. As stated in this revision, "Should there be any future questions regarding the intent or basis of the policies in the revised plan, the Planning Department shall keep copies of the copies tet original plan on file for reference." The key elements of this Plan can be found in the Bennett Valley pamphlet (recently mailed to you). You may also receive a copy of the Bennett Valley Plan through the web-page or the BHA President.

Following is a review of the Presidents and some other members of the Board of Directors over the past 31 years, as gleaned through the available copies of the Bennett Valley VOICE, which was first started in January 1978. If you have different information, please be sure to let the Editor know..

Of the original founding directors, Brad Lundborg and Paul Mowbray both served as President, with Brad Lundborg being the first President. Paul continued to serve on the Board for 15 years (until 10/86). Although Bill Jacobs was never President of BHA, he served on the Board from 1970-1988. In between Brad Lundborg and Paul Mowbray, Cindy Lyddell was President for a period of time.

Max Moberly was President around 1978, until Tamara Boultbee became President in 10/79. She was President for four years (until 10/83) and she also stayed on the BHA Board for 15 years (until 10/94). The Presidents between 1983 and 1992 were Warren Watkins, David Steiner (twice), Bill MacIver, Terry Babineaux, Bill Wright and Kevin McCarthy, for one or two years each. After being the Editor of the VOICE for three years, Lois Brown was President from 1992 until 1995. Bill Sullivan was then President of BHA for five years (10/95 until 10/00) - the longest serving President, it seems.

Other people who've served on the Board recently for a significant period of time include Nancy Batson, who was on the Board for two decades, from 1974 until 1994, Ray Longman from 10/95 until 9/00 and Eve Boling, who served as co-Editor and/or Editor of the VOICE during her two terms on the Board, from 10/93 until 10/99. Marilyn Stocks was elected to the Board in 10/94 and is now serving her third term (until 10/93). There were many more Board members who. have not been named, but thanks so much to each and every one of them. It is hoped that looking back on the 31 years will inspire all of us to continue to work to maintain Bennett Valley as this very special community.

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Report on the BHA Board Meetings The Board of Directors Agenda for each meeting is posted on a bulletin board at the BV Fire Station at least 72 hours prior to the meeting. The agenda includes a brief description of items for proposed action or discussion, and information on the scope of the proposed action. Please note that the November BHA meeting is on the second Wednesday of the month, November 14th and there will be no meeting in December.

September 19th, 2001: Board members present at this meeting were Bobbie Blair, Nancy Dell-Ergo, Michael Friedenberg, Marilee Jensen, Lolly Mesches, Marilyn Stocks and Bill Sullivan, plus six other Bennett Valley residents. During Public Input, Michael Cronin suggested that BVHA donate the money needed for the cost of an election to increase the parcel tax allocated to the BV Fire District.

Marilee then mentioned a Citizens' Committee meeting regarding the fire funding issue planned for Oct. 4th; those in attendance were encouraged to attend. The Treasurer's report was presented and minutes were approved. The Bennett Valley calendar is ready to go to the printer. Eighty-five calendars have already been ordered and 300 calendars are being printed (see page 7). Three positions on the BHA Board of Directors came up for re-election in September, as they do every year, but none of the incumbents were willing to run for another three-year term and no new candidates came forward. Also another Board member, David Phillips, had resigned from the Board at the August 15th meeting.

As reported in the last issue of the VOICE, PG&E had marked 125 oak trees with blue paint along Grange Road, for possible removal, "so they wouldn't be a continuous problem". Two engineers who had been asked to look at the oak trees couldn't believe that PG&E had anything to do with it, as these trees seemed to present no threat to the PG&E lines or the transmission of power to Bennett Valley.

Sonoma County discovered that this tree removal on their County easement had been approved erroneously and they withdrew their approval on August 17th, 2001. PG&E will be re-evaluating the situation in November. (See page 2) Michael Friedenberg ended the meeting with a question about when he would be able to receive the VOICE on the BHA web-page. The November VOICE will be on < bennettvalleyhomeowners.org>.

October 17th, 2001: All of the current Board members were present at this meeting which Page Six included Bobbie Blair, Nancy Dell-Ergo, Michael Friedenberg, Marilee Jensen, Jim Katon, Lolly Mesches, Marilyn Stocks and Bill Sullivan, plus nine other Bennett Valley residents. Nancy DellErgo gave her Treasurer's Report and turned over all of the pertinent records, as this was her last meeting as a Board member.

Michael reported on the Citizens' Committee Meeting held on the 4th of October to discuss local fire funding (see page 1). Marilee brought up all the improved road markings which Public Works had recently placed along Bennett Valley Road, including both the center markers and newly-painted lines in various places from Warm Springs Road to Galvin Park. The Board agreed that we would write a thank-you letter to John Maitland, the Road Maintenance Supervisor, for making the road so much safer. The BV 2002 Community Forum meeting is scheduled for 2/02/02 and the next planning meeting will be at 7 pm, on Thurs., Nov.

15th at the BV Grange Hall. Phil Temko mentioned his concerns about a well being drilled and was asked to relay his concerns to Ken Mesches, who was holding a water committee meeting on October 18th, in preparation for the BV 2002 Community Forum. Compliments and requests continue to come in for the Bennett Valley pamphlets, which have also now been mailed to forty prominent real estate brokers identified by Michael Friedenberg.

The last order of business on the agenda was the appointment of four candidates to the BHA Board of Directors by the President, which required the approval of the majority of the Board, per the Bylaws. Michael Friedenberg was appointed to the one-year term vacated by David Phillips. Helen Bates, Jennifer Combs and Tim Murphy were all BHA voting members who had expressed strong commitment to promoting and preserving the rural character and natural environment of Bennett Valley and agreed to a three-year appointment to the BHA Board. The Board approved all four appointments unanimously. After the meeting was adjourned, the BHA officers were selected by the Board, with Helen Bates as Treasurer. All the other officers stayed the same. (See page 7) Michael Friedenberg and Jim Katon then each suggested a different item for the November agenda; the Grange Road oak trees and the number of BHA directors, respectively.

BV 2002 Calendars Are Here! The third edition of the Bennett Valley Calendar is now available at Long's and Ace Hardware on Yulupa Ave., and Copperfield's Bookstore in Montgomery Village. Calendars will be available at the BV Fire Station on three different dates; Monday, November 26th, from 3:30 pm to 6 pm; Saturday, December 1st and Saturday, December 10th, from 10 am until noon. They will also be at Yulupa Safeway on December 15th, 11 am to 1 pm, or you can call Suzanne Dougherty (542-1608), Marilee Jensen (576-0405), Judy Temko (544-0234) or Leanore Mesches (545-8684) to purchase the calendars. This year's calendars contain both photographs and paintings by local artists. The cost remains fifteen dollars ($15) and all profits will, once again, go to the Bennett Valley Volunteer Firefighters Association.

Bennett Valley Homeowner'S

Association (Bha) Board Of

DIRECTORS P.O. Box 2666, Santa Rosa, CA 95405 Marilee Jensen, President & VOICE Editor, (576-0405 - phone # and FAX #) Michael Friedenberg, Vice-President (579-5310) Helen Bates, Treasurer (695-8760) Bobbie Blair, Recording Secretary & Mailing List/Membership Coordinator (542-1608) Leanore (Lolly) Mesches, Corresponding Secretary, (545-8684) Jennifer Combs, Director, (546-1190) Jim Katon, Director, (528-9487) Tim Murphy, Director, (542-7114) Marilyn Stocks, Director (528-2458) Welcome to the three new Board members! And thanks for all the help provided by so many other Bennett Valley residents in a number of different projects, including editing and mailing out the VOICE, identifying BV real estate for sale, sending out the BV pamphlets to real estate agents for potential buyers, and working on fire and water issues in Bennett Valley in preparation for the Bennett Valley 2002 Community Forum.

BHA Board of Directors Tentative Agenda for the Next Meeting, 11/14/01 • Call to Order, Public Input, Approval of Minutes and Treasurer's Report • Monthly Reports: Board of Supervisors, BV Fire District, Sonoma County Public Works & PRMD land-use applications • Old Business • BV 2002 Community Forum Scheduled for Saturday, 2/02/02, BV Grange Hall, 8:30 am to noon. Next planning meeting, Thursday, Nov.

15th, 7pm, BV Grange Hall. • Fire Committee • Water Committee Disaster Committee • Bennett Valley 2002 Calendar • Grange Road Oak Tree Update • Number of BHA Directors? • New Business • Annual Board Orientation, Review of Documents & Conflict of Interest • Purchase of "pick-up sticks" -Bennett Valley Clean-Up Days

Bennett Valley Fire Protection

District Board Of Directors

6161 Bennett Valley Rd., Santa Rosa 95404 *Wells Wagner, Chairman Lee O. Liddell *Marie Nottingham Matt Phillips Nola Stans Contact Kent Reynolds, Bennett Valley.Fire Chief at 578-7761 for any input or questions. *These two positions were up for re-election in 2001. Wells Wagner decided to not run for the Board for this next year. Gil Moreno, a Bennett Valley resident who was with San Francisco Fire for 30 years and retired as a captain, will be filling his position as of January, 2002. Marie Nottingham decided to continue on the Board of Directors.

Great appreciation is extended to all these Directors for their work on this crucial service. Page Seven

9997 0 O° Bennett Valley Community Calendar 1.) Bennett Valley Homeowner's Association -The BHA Board usually meets the third Wednesday of each month, 7:30 pm, at the Bennett Valley Fire Station; but because of Thanksgiving, the November meeting will be on the second Wednesday of the month, which is November 14th. There will be no meeting in December. Bennett Valley residents are encouraged to attend these informal, open forum meetings.

2.) Bennett Valley Fire Protection District -The Board of Directors meets the second Tuesday of each month, 7:00 pm, Bennett Valley Fire Station. The next three meetings are on November 13th, December 11th and January 8th. Bennett Valley residents are encouraged to attend. 3.) Bennett Valley Grange The Bennett Valley Grange is having another Bennett Valley History Night, open to the public, on Friday, December 7th, at 7 pm. There will be refreshments served and everyone in the community is invited to attend. If you have any questions, please call Bill & Patty Allen, 544-3721.

4.) Bennett Valley 2002 Community Forum, to be held on Saturday, February 2nd, 8:30 am until 12 noon, BV Grange Hall - You're welcome to attend the next planning mtg., 11/15, 7pm, BV Grange Hall. 5.) Sonoma County Board Of Supervisors meets every Tuesday (except on weeks when there is a holiday) at 575 Administration Drive, Santa Rosa. You can call Supervisor Cale at 565-2241 for further information.