Pictures

At 7 PM, the social half-hour took place with cookies and refreshments thanks to the coordination of John and Marlene Eastman. We accepted dues contributions for 2006.

Anne Seasons called the meeting to order at 7:30 PM Anne introduced Councilmember Jane Brunner (and Justin Horner from her office later in the meeting), Andy Katz from Alameda Supervisor Keith Carson’s office, and Public Works Director, Raul Godinez II. She also introduced NHPA officers, Judy Proller, Vice President; Vallery Feldman, Membership Secretary and Newsletter Editor; Aileen Frankel, Recording Secretary; mentioned Howard Matis, Webmaster and Treasurer, and introduced others on the Steering Committee including David Kessler, Nancy Mennel, Jan Young, John Eastman, and Richard Grassetti.

President’s Remarks: Anne Seasons thanked active members for their participation to implement urgent improvements and address planning issues, and mentioned that wise development controls continue to be a priority as are long-term projects such as planning the 4^th bore of the Caldecott Tunnel, implementing a development plan for the entire north Oakland Hills area, eliminating unsafe parking, maintaining safe bicycle and pedestrian trails and routes, and reducing erosion hazards. More residents are needed to actively participate on these endeavors.

Three persons were recognized for outstanding service and given gift certificates

Judy Proller presented the award for outstanding public service to Public Works Director, Raul Godinez II, for his continued support of the installation of better street markings and guardrails. Underway is a safety guard along the edge of Lookout Point along Grizzly Peak Road where over 30 cars have been pulled out of the ravine. Public Works staff has also repaired roadway edges to stop several slides in the hills. Raul thanked NHPA for this first plaque and award for his service with the City of Oakland. He said he shares this award with his excellent staff. Raul recounted the reorganization and strengthening that he has guided over the second largest City department. With inlet cleaning and timely road clearing after the New Year’s eve rains staff has lessened damage from flooding and lowered its overtime expenditures compared to past rainy periods.
David Kessler recognized Susan Mattman, an active member of the Vicente Canyon Homeowners’ Association, who has compiled a series of earthquake and disaster preparedness bulletins with the Open Forum NHPA website.
Anne Seasons presented a certificate and gift to Judy Proller, VP and Chair of the Traffic Safety Committee for her on-going effective leadership to identify the need for road safety measures and coordinate the installation of emergency and accident prevention improvements with City staff. David Kessler presented a gift certificate to Anne Seasons for photographic services and supplies, in recognition of her dedicated contributions and extensive work as President in 2005.

Anne presented the slate of officers for 2006. New candidates are David Kessler for President (a role he has graciously held before) and Theresa Ferguson for Vice President. Agreeing to continue are Aileen Frankel, Recording Secretary; Howard Matis, Treasurer, and Vallery Feldman, Membership Chair. A motion was made and seconded and approved by acclamation.

David announced that the June Election is anticipated for Oakland Mayor and Alameda County positions; he invites volunteers to help plan a candidates’ night.

Guest Speakers were:

Kathleen Crawford, Coastal Counties’ Manager, California Office of Emergency Service. Kathleen introduced herself as an Oakland resident since 1972 and an Oakland school board member for five years. When an emergency occurs, the local government takes the lead response; after the County provides a secondary response and if needed, the California will arrange for mutual aid. Despite the State’s experience with natural disasters, individuals should try to have adequate insurance, and earthquake insurance if possible. Major damage may result in low-cost federal loans for replacement and repairs, but as in the Katrina disaster, most homeowners still have mortgages to pay on their uninhabitable homes. She welcomed persons to share the brochures available on “10 ways you can be disaster prepared” and to have a three-day supply of water, food and medicines for the family. In Katrina many families had to wait even longer for outside help. Katrina is the most destructive and expensive disaster that the US has endured. California ,with help from the Red Cross and other residents, has received 17,000 “self-evacuees”. This event highlighted the need for better “interoperability” – the capability of various responders (including police and fire departments and emergency crews) to communicate even when telephone and cellular phone service are not working. Evidently, journalist and broadcasting crews had the best communication systems during that disaster.
The 2004 Tsunami has brought that hazard to public attention and OES has arranged for signage around low-lying areas and warning systems along the coast. Kathleen answered several questions. Roadways in California metropolitan areas badly handle commute traffic and could not handle a mass evacuation. So, in an event such as an earthquake, people should expect to stay in their homes (or schools or offices) for some time. Raul Godinez II explained that the threshold for the City of Oakland to declare a disaster is $1.3 million in damage. This last rain/flooding period was greater in northern counties, but the estimated damage in Oakland was approximately $1.6 million. When such an event occurs, Oakland must keep track of its costs to respond and repair infrastructure to seek state or federal (FEMA) reimbursement.
Amy Bach, Executive Director, United Policy Holders – Amy Back explained there is power and strength in consumers uniting for action. Larry Ginsberg, NHPA member, was recognized for his service on the board of United Policy Holders (UPH). It is a not-for-profit organization that provides public information through a website and a quarterly newsletter. It garnered the attention of California’s insurance commissioner John Garimendi to insist that major insurers provide more responsive service to Firestorm victims after the 1991 Oakland-Berkeley Fire. UPH continues to work with other civic organizations to help convey “lessons learned” from Oakland and promote collective efforts to resolve claims from fires, slides, and other community disasters. She emphasized that property owners should seriously reassess their current insurance and obtain earthquake insurance from a private insurer or a quasi-private California agency. Answering questions, Amy confirmed that most policies exclude earth movement and mud damage.

Julie Nachtwey was applauded for bringing raffle prizes for those individuals who already paid their $40 NHPA dues. Winners received Claremont Hotel note cards or gifts from Bittersweet Chocolate, the College Avenue chocolate and coffee shop owned by a pair of North Hill neighbors. Please send your dues to Vallery Feldman.

Open Forum

Russ Aubrey announced that the Fire Department and the Kiwanis club are accepting donations to continue giving athletic and computer equipment to schools. You or your business is encouraged to provide more donations to Firehouse 7.
Gordon Piper, key public works volunteer, invited folks to join him on Saturday morning around 9 am, January 21 to plant bulbs as part of the Keep Oakland Beautiful campaign. In the spring, on Earth Day, April 22^nd, volunteers will be needed to remove French broom near the entrance to the North Oakland Sports Field to continue the wildfire prevention work that must be done yearly. He thanked the City for suing Caltrans to actively remove wildfire hazards from Caltrans property. Gordon explained the need to start a community promotion of the extension of the Landscape and Lighting Assessment District to maintain street lights, trees, parks and medians in Oakland. Councilmember Jane Bruner is hosting a meeting to explain the challenge on January 25^th at 7 PM at the Lakeside Park Garden Center.
David Kessler reminded individuals to take advantage of Open Forum at the website www.nhphoenix.org.
John Eastman thanked Katie McClain for providing the Kaiser School auditorium for this meeting.

The meeting was adjourned at 9 PM The next NHPA Steering Committee meeting is scheduled for Monday evening, February 13, 2006; location not yet identified.

Aileen Frankel