Aug-Sep 2009 - Bel Marin Keys

Neighbor to Neighbor
August/September 2009
News, events and resources for Bel Marin
4 Montego Key ● Novato, CA 94949 ● Tel: (415) 883-4222 ● Fax: (415) 883-3683 ● www.bmkcsd.us
South Lagoon Levee Repairs
The Compass Rose
BMKCSD Waterways Manager update
The CSD has awarded a contract to Maggiora & Ghilotti
to repair the south levee section adjacent to the culverts
by Bel Marin Keys Blvd. Work will also include the
installation of a new tide gate and improvements near
the south lock (end moat closest to Novato Creek), and
also an acceleration lane which will enable truck traffic
to access the Bel Marin Keys Dredge Material Management Site. As forcasted, the south lagoon water levels
WILL BE LOWERED during the levee work. Notices
will be provided to residents on the South Lagoon once
we have received a project schedule from Maggiora &
Ghilotti. We are excited to have this project underway
and appreciate everyone’s patience!
Catheryne DiPrete
English Channel Swim
Congratulations to Catheryne for successfully completing the English
Channel swim on August 17, 2009.
Her first attempt across the Channel
was in 2008, and I did not make it
across for a multiple of reasons. This
year she swam across the Channel in
12 hours and 12 minutes. She stated,
“I had a great support crew and an excellent pilot to
thank for helping me across;
but most importantly, it was
my husband Peter who piloted countless training
swims and who believed in
me that made it all possible”.
Bel Marin Keys CSD
Board of Directors
Ernie Ganas, President
Darrick Chase, Vice- President
Susan Leidy, Director
Vince Lattanzio, Director
Mark Montobbio, Director
I would like to thank the community for the ongoing
support and your awareness, responsibility and preservation of the lagoons and waterways. As fall approaches there will be several construction projects in
the community to be aware of when making plans.
Please contact the office for more information and be
on the lookout for published schedule of events.
Flushing Schedule
October 5-8
October 18-21
November 2-5
November 16-19
VHF Channel 16 is monitored
during flushing events
Please be cautious and avoid the Navigation locks the
South Culvert during flushing events posted above. If
you have plans to during these dates, please contact
the office for exact times, location and coordination
to ensure no disruption to any boating excursions.
If you encounter any debris that may be deemed a
navigation hazard please do not hesitate to call the
district office (833-4222) with an approximate location so we can keep our waterways clean.
There is a new Shoal sign located just outside the
North Lock heading east on Novato Creek. Please be
aware and leave yourself room to avoid running
aground.
I am pleased to announce that we have made more
dock space at the CSD by relocating the boatlift and
work boat to the South Lock area. This will enable
the district to have a vessel in both lagoons at all
times and will cut response time for any issues that
may arise.
August/September
1
Water Safety
Montego Park Upgrades
We are truly a unique waterfront community. We have made
water sports and recreation an integral part of our lives, which
is why we call Bel Marin Keys home. Water is a very powerful natural force which also must be treated with respect. Over
the past month, three incidents have occurred in which people
placed themselves in harms way by just not using common
sense.
As part of the continuing program to update and
“spruce” up our parks, Montego Park will receive new front fence pilings and chain, signage,
landscape improvements along with more efficient water conservation sprinklers, paid for with
money expectantly contributed by the North
Marin Water District. Work should begin in late
October or early November.
On two separate occasions an individual was paddling in the
Novato Creek while flushing was occurring (after 10 p.m).
The CSD posts flushing notices on the website, in “Neighbor
to Neighbor”, and on the marquee as you enter the Community. For eight months of the year flushing occurs twice a
month. During the winter season (4 months) flushing is
done once a month. Mariners are alerted to this action by the
posted notices. The CSD pushes millions of gallons of water in
and out of the lagoons from the Novato Creek. If you are not
sure, or have questions on flushing operations, please call the
CSD (883-4222) or email your questions to [email protected].
Another incident occurred where swimmers entered the South
Lagoon and were swimming near the culverts; that run under
Bel Marin Keys Boulevard out to the Novato Creek. Again,
during flushing operations, water is moving rapidly, and being
in and around structures with moving the water is simply unsafe. In all incidents, there were no injuries as the Waterways
Manager was on site and able to shut down operations. Please
use common sense and be aware of what is going on with
the water before you head out.
Novato Creek Survey
An updated Novato Creek survey will be posted on the CSD
website in early November as part of our annual tracking of
material, infilling, and shoaling of the creek. There is an
ever expanding shoal by the North Lock which mariners
should take note of. (signs are going up!)
Park Benches
As part of the continuance to
upgrade the CSD’s parks and
open space. Cavalla Cay and
Del Oro Lagoon parks have
received a total of six (6)
refurbished benches. If you
have a chance, please stop by
and enjoy the parks.
Calypso Shores boat ramp
Design work is underway for improvement at the
Calypso Shores Boat Ramp and parking area.
Improvements will include a more defined boat
wash out area; new parking area pavement along
with drainage, and signage along with landscape
improvements. Work should be underway in
November. The ramp will be intermittently closed
during construction. The CSD’s Waterways Manager will work with any concerned or effected
residents who need access into or out of the North
Lagoon,. During construction they will be detoured into the South Lagoon and will access the
North Lagoon via the locks.
Submittals for the Architectural
Control Sub Committee
Do you have a project that needs to be submitted
to the Architectural Control Sub Committee
(ACSC)? If so, please note that the ASCS is a
volunteer committee and usually meets the first
Thursday of every month, unless there are no
submittals for review. Applications are available
at the District office (office hours Monday to Friday 8:30 am to 5pm) and must be turned in two
weeks before the meeting to allow ample of time
for site visits.
Once the ASCS meets, their recommendations
will be submitted to the Board of Directors acting
as the Architectural Control Committee for approval. The Board of Directors meets the third
Thursday of every month. Any questions please
contact the office 883-4222.
August/September
2
What is that smell?
CSD MINUTES SUMMARY
The CSD office has been receiving calls with notice that
there is a strong odor once again appearing given the
weather/heat along Bel Marin Keys Blvd. The
BMKCSD Board of Directors tasked the District Engineer to find some long term solution to the moat/odor
issue. The moats (especially moat across from BMK
Blvd house number 1104 -1176) have a high propensity
to produce algae, and thusly, supports the growth of
other water vegetation which dies off when the water
evaporates. This cycle, year after year, leaves a rather
anaerobic environment. Lab samples last year basically
confirmed that fact. Water was recently added to diminish the odor.
** For full version of the minutes please see the District
Office**
The CSD will be replacing the gate at the most easterly
moat (closest to the South Lock) with a new larger gate,
and mucking some of the material from the basin of the
moat with a goal towards increasing the tidal flow in and
out of this moat. This will improve water quality within
this moat and allow some improvement to tidal prism,
which we are sorely lacking. Also, it will increase some
flow in and out of the Novato Creek. How does this tie
into the next moat where we have the odor issue?
We will look over the next wet season to see how the
altered moat performs, how much siltation we experience, the need for water level maintenance, and if things
perform as planned. We are looking into the possibility
of tying the next moat (the one with which we are experiencing the odor issue) to the tidal moat to increase
flows in a future project. Our goal for this would be two
fold: 1) to increase the tidal prism and flows in and out
of the Novato Creek to allow and entry to increase water
flow/velocity in the creek by utilizing the moats, and 2)
allow water to flow in and out of the moat which will
significantly reduce the biological plant decay odor experience for the three or so “hot” months. There are, of
course, issues that have to be worked out with respect to
permits, sediment modeling/disposal, etc. before anything can be expanded but at least the community should
be aware that this issue has not been forgotten. It may
take some patience and time to work things through, and
we are confident that the results will be long lasting for
the community. Along with the moat issue as discussed
above, access in and out of the BMK Dredge Material
Management Site needs to be installed. As such we
would have some place to take any material from the
moats for disposal as this is site is owned and operated
by the CSD.
CSD Regular Board Meeting August 20, 2009
Board members present: Ganas, Lattanzio, Chase, Leidy
Absent: Montobbio
1.MOTION: To approve minutes from meeting of July 16,
2009. Vote: Ayes– Ganas, Chase, Lattanzio, Leidy.
Absent: Montobbio
2.MOTION: To approve the contract documents for the
2009 Levee, Storm water and Roadway Improvements as
presented. Vote: Ayes– Ganas, Chase, Leidy, Lattanzio
Absent: Montobbio
3.MOTION: To the Consent Calendar. Vote: Ayes- Ganas,
Chase, Leidy, Lattanzio
Absent: Montobbio
4.MOTION: To adjourn the August 20, 2009 Board meeting. Vote: Ayes– Ganas, Chase, Leidy, Lattanzio
Absent: Montobbio
District Manager’s Report
The District will extend the landscaping contract one
more year with East Bay Construction Company.
A total of fourteen (14) unclaimed 1996 Dredge refunds were returned.
The cameras are doing a good job and the license plate
camera will be relocated to the first median. The locks
will be looked at next.
The sheriff has informed the office that they will be
making more of a presence in the community, both on
the water and the streets.
Pet Waste Disposal Stations
The six (6) pet waste disposal stations
recently purchased have been installed at
Cavalla Cay Park, Bahama Reef east
ramp, Sunset Park, State Coastal Conservancy gate, Montego Park, and the District office in an effort to keep the comWe know that all of this can be frustrating as things
munity clean.
never seem to move along as fast as many would
like. The regulations, permits, and the necessity to keep If, the units installed are well received
within the community, additional units may be installed.
solutions within a cost range that is obtainable for the
Your use of the bags provide for pet waste pick-up would
District are all factors that we have to work within to
be greatly appreciated by the non-dog owning neighbors.
provide a solid solution to the problem.
August/September
3
Tiboni, Oscar E.
Left this earth to be with his wives,
Helen, Mary and Patti on August 21st,
10:10pm. At the age of 94, born and
raised in San Francisco, he lived a full
life. Born on Sept. 23rd, 1914 to father
Germano Tiboni and mother Delfina
Merli. He had two sisters, Val and
Amy.
He served our country in the Navy and
after being honorably discharged, he
began his career working on the structure of the Golden Gate Bridge. He
entered the San Francisco Police Department and retired after thirty years
of service. He then decided to go to
work for the Golden Gate Bridge District as a security officer. He then retired after
five years. He is survived by his sister Amy Hegarty and family, his step-sons Don
Taylor and John (Tad) Thompson; his grandchildren Debbie Powell and family,
David Taylor, Linda Bjormnberg and family, Sandy Johnson and family, Laureen
Maul and family, Terri Fredrickson and family, Tobi Giannone and family, Tim
Taylor, Jeff Taylor and family, Gina Trisciuzzi and family, Michael Taylor, and Lisa
Cole and family. He outlived his father Germano Tiboni, mother Delfina Merli, sister Valerie, wives Helen, Mary, and Patti, and step-son Richard Carosella (Dick).
You can visit and share your memories of Oscar at his website, www.tributes.com/
oscartiboni. Please join the celebration of Oscar’s life with friends and family on
October 11th from 1 to 5 pm at the Community Center. RSVP to Debbie at (707)
217-9629 or [email protected].
Verchiani, Tina
Passed away on August
4th. Verchiani was the
CSD secretary at the time
Home Savings and Loans
was getting ready to build
Unit 4 and the construction of the South Lock.
She was also very helpful
with the Bond Issue for
dredging the creek. She
retired to Lake Havasu,
Arizona with her husband
and two children. She
was a delight and a pleasure to work with. She will
be missed.
Wholesale
to the
Public!
August/September
4
BMK Statistics
Jul
Aug
Total
2009
Vehicle Abatements
11
8
19
Alarm Complaints
3
1
4
Suspicious Persons
0
0
0
Prowler
1
0
1
Suspicious Vehicles
1
0
0
Stolen Vehicle
0
0
0
Assault on Person
0
0
0
Noise Complaint
8
4
12
Burglaries
0
2
2
Grand Theft
1
1
2
Petty Theft
0
1
1
Vandalism
0
0
0
Trespassing
0
0
0
ANNOUNCEMENT
EXECUTIVE PERSONAL
ASSISTANT
Excellent Organizational Skills
Financial/Officer/Personal
Local References
(415) 487-7434
[email protected]
Great time to invest in
the stock market?
Moneybags of Bel Marin
Keys invites the community to investigate the
possibilities. We are a
group that has met for
over 20 years. Meetings
held the second Wednesda6y of the month. Call
Joan Clark at 883-0872
for further information.
August/September
5
Community Calendar 2009
Mark Your Calendars!
*District Manager, Beverly James, of the Novato Sanitary District will be attending the CSD Board meeting October 15th (7:15PM), to addresses the private lateral program, which is sponsored by the North Bay Watershed Association (NBWA).
*Game Mondays from 1 to 4 pm. Games are held at the Community Center. For more information please call the
office at 883-4222.
OCTOBER
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
.
4
FLUSHING
11
5
6
FLUSHING
12
19
FLUSHING
25
26
8
9
10
15
7:15p.m. CSD Board
Meeting
16
17
22
23
24
30
31
Women’s Club 11:30am
14
20
FLUSHING
3
Concert in the Keys
FLUSHING
Dance Club 7-9pm
18
2
7
FLUSHING
Men’s Club 11:30am
Dance Club 7-9pm
13
Tiboni Memorial
21
FLUSHING
Men’s Club 11:30 am
Dance Club 7-9pm
27
Saturday
1
FLUSHING
28
29
YC Dinner
”Holloween Party”
Dance Club 7-9 pm
NOVEMBER
Sunday
Monday
.1
Tuesday
2
Wednesday
Thursday
4
3
5
FLUSHING
FLUSHING
Men’s Club 11:30am
FLUSHING
Friday
FLUSHING
Saturday
6
7
13
14
Dance Club 7-9pm
8
9
10
11
11 am Men’s Club
Dance Club 7-9pm
15
16
FLUSHING
22
17
23
24
11 am Men’s Club
Dance Club 7-9pm
29
30
YC Commodores
Ball
18
19
FLUSHING
7:15p.m. CSD Board
Meeting
20
21
25
26
THANKSGIVING DAY
OFFICE CLOSED
27
28
FLUSHING
Men’s Club 11:30am
Dance Club 7-9pm
FLUSHING
12
11am Women’s Club
31
August/September
6
Date: 10/3/2009
Time: 3 p.m. to 7p.m.
Concert in the Keys
Enjoy a beautiful afternoon of boating, music and
on-the-water entertainment with your friends and neighbors
on OCTOBER 3, 2009 from 3pm to 7pm on Laguna Bel
Marin [north lagoon] right behind the Yacht Club.
This year’s event will feature the band playing from
our new deck and the Club open to the community for those
who cannot boat in and raft off. The bar will be open and hot
dogs [$3] and hamburgers [$5] with all the trimmings.
Mark Copland is providing a great raft to tie up to
and we’ll raft off as many boats as we can. Mark is a great
guy to contact [415-408-8152] if you need dock or gangway
work done.
The entertainment this year is by Doc Kraft whose
band plays at all the major Yacht Clubs and music venues in
the Bay Area. You can check out the band and listen to their
music by Googling his name.
See you on the water OCTOBER 33d.
August/September
7
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
PAGE
South Lagoon Levee Repairs
1
The Compass Rose
1
Catherune DiPetre
1
Water Safety
2
Novato Creek Survey
2
Calypso Shores boat ramp
2
Submittals to ACSC
2
Park Benches
2
Montego Park Upgrades
2
What is that Smell?
3
Pet Waste Disposal Stations
3
CSD Minutes/ District Manager Report
3
Oscar Tiboni Memorial
4
BMK Statistics/ Advertisement
4/5
Community Calendar
6
Concert in the Keys
7
August/September
8
Bel Marin Keys CSD
Neighbor to Neighbor
Photo courtesy of Deborah Sonntag
Waterway Ordinance Reminder
11.36.060 Water skiing.
The following regulations and limitations shall apply in waters within the territory of the Bel Marin Keys Community Services
District to water skiing:
(1) No more than three boats shall tow water skiers on Sunrise Lagoon, and no more than four boats shall tow water skiers on
Sunset Lagoon, at any time.
(2) Boats towing water skiers shall be limited to twenty-two feet overall length, measured from to stem to transom, in all lagoons where water skiing is allowed.
(3) Water skiing is prohibited in the water surrounding the street of Cavella Cay, the waters bordered by the streets Caribe Isle,
Bel Marin Keys Boulevard, and Del Oro Lagoon, and that portion of Laguna Bel Marin south of a line from the west end of the
dock at 145 Caribe Isle and the east end of the dock at 60 Montego Key, as indicated on the water safety map which was attached to Ordinance 3028.
All water skiing shall follow a counter clockwise pattern, and shall be limited to the designated ski areas; as shown on the Water Safety Map, attached as Exhibit A to Ordinance 3028, in Laguna Bel Marin, Sunrise and Sunset Lagoons; except that beginner double ski skiing shall be allowed in Unit 4 lagoons designated as Lagoons 4A and 4B on the water safety map attached to
Ordinance 3028.
(Ord. 3302 § 2 (part), 1999)
11.36.065 Wake surfing prohibited.
No vessel operator shall intentionally engage in any water sport in which the sport participant is propelled entirely or substantially by the force of the vessel's wake alone within the Bel Marin Keys Community Services District and its waters, including,
but not limited to, the North and South lagoon. No person shall intentionally engage in propelling themselves in any manner
entirely or substantially by the force of a vessel's wake alone within the Bel Marin Keys Community Services District and its
waters, including, but not limited to, the North and South lagoon.
(Ord. 3438 § 2, 2006)
11.36.070 Swimmers.
Swimmers in waters within the territory of the Bel Marin Keys Community Services District shall wear international orange
swim caps when swimming beyond twenty-five feet from the dock face, or beyond fifty feet from the shoreline. Swimming
shall not be allowed in areas which have been designated ski areas.
(Ord. 3302 § 2 (part), 1999)