Los Trancos Woods Community Association

Minutes of the Meeting of the Board

Wednesday, July 12, 2006

 

The meeting took place at Nelson Dake’s residence. It was called to order at 7:10 P.M.

 

In attendance were Nelson Dake, Jamie Sovereign, Linda Drey-Nightingale, Julie Duncan and Arthur Nielsen (who took the minutes). Also in attendance was Claudia Mazzetti, Secretary of the Vista Verde Community Association and a member of the Vista Verde Board.

Local Traffic. Jamie raised an issue of concern to both Los Trancos Woods and Vista Verde: aggressive and occasionally reckless driving on Los Trancos Road. Jamie noted several occasions when she saw cars passing over double-yellow lines, and described one incident in which she followed a particularly egregious driver to her house. Claudia, a guest from Vista Verde, noted that she had seen similar problems on Ramona also, particularly with people passing on blind curves. The Board resolved to consider the issue in more depth and arrive at a joint action plan with Vista Verde. Initial ideas included inviting a law enforcement officer to speak about the issue at each neighborhood’s summer picnic, and emulating Redwood City’s vivid signs cautioning against reckless driving.

Dogs. The Board recognized a general problem in the neighborhood with certain dogs wandering the streets off leash, and a noticeable accumulation of dog waste at certain spots along the roads and at trail-heads.  (Claudia noted that this is not as big a problem in Vista Verde because of the larger spaces between houses.) The board recognized that dog waste is becoming not only a sanitation and aesthetics problem, but a wildlife protection problem as well.

Linda presented a prototype of a "poop bag holder" that could be installed strategically throughout the neighborhood to provide convenient access to plastic bags that dog-owners could use to collect dog droppings. Linda also presented some suggestions for signs to publicize the plastic bag program. After discussion, the Board approved the device (to be painted brown), and the signs (with comments)

The Board then approved initial placement of the devices, on or around August 5-6, at three sites:  (i) the trail head by the frog pond, (ii) at the STOP sign at the junction of Los Trancos Circle and Los Trancos Road, and (iii) near the bulletin board by the Hunners’ residence at the entrance to Los Trancos Circle.

After discussion, the Board approved a volunteer event at 10 AM on Saturday, August 20 to sweep the neighborhood for dog waste.

Emergency Preparedness. Arthur suggested that August 20 be a dual-purpose event in which volunteers and residents would also attempt to identify the neighborhood’s low-reception areas for two-way radios. After discussion, the Board approved the event.

 

Arthur informed the Board that the Woodside Fire District has allocated a third emergency response kit for LTW. After discussion, the Board agreed that after perishable items have been replaced, the kit should be permanently placed at a household in District 1, ideally with Gale Smith.

 

Directory. The Board set a deadline of July 21 for updates to the LTW Directory. All updates should go to Gale Smith.

 

LTW Picnic. The picnic has been scheduled for September 17 at Armin Stapran’s lot on 179 Los Trancos Circle. Julie moved to increase this year’s budget to $250, and after discussion, the Board approved. The Board discussed possible presenters. Arthur suggested an officer from the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Department, and the Board authorized him to contact the department for a speaker.

 

Treasurer’s Report. Julie Duncan delivered the Treasurer’s Report. The Board noted that, as in past years, the LTW community is invited to the Vista Verde Community Picnic on August 26. After discussion, the Board approved the Vista Verde Community Association’s request for a $100 donation toward their picnic.

 

Next meeting. The Board scheduled its next meeting for Wednesday, September 13 at 7:00 P.M. at 1074 Los Trancos Road.

 

The Board adjourned the meeting at 8:38 P.M.

 

Respectfully submitted, Arthur Nielsen, acting Secretary.