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Home My WebLink AboutMINUTES - 03251986 - X.13 'TJ: BOARD OF SUPERVISORS FROM: Contra Supervisor Tom Torlakson Costa DATE: March 25 , 1986 County SUBJECT: CONCERNS OF THE BETHEL ISLAND MUNICIPAL IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT REGARDING SANITATION DISTRICT NO. 15 SPECIFIC REQUEST(S) OR RECOMMENDATIONS) & BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION RECOMMENDED ACTION: , Request the County_. Administrator', the Community Development Department and the Public Works Department to immediately investigate the concerns expressed by BIMID in the past and through the most recent correspondences attached. BACKGROUND INFORMATION: The Bethel Island Municipal Improvement District has repeatedly referred to the county violations they believe are occurring in land use permits and violations regarding non-connections to the Sanitation District No. 15 . I believe these are serious complaints that should be investigated immediately. Attached are correspondence which specifically outline the nature of these complaints. TT:gro (BIMIDLTR.PEI ) CONTINUED ON ATTACHMENT: YES SIGNATURE: RECOMMENDATION OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE APPROVE OTHER SIGNATURE(S) ACTION OF BOARD ON March 25, 1 9861 APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED Y— OTHER VOTE OF SUPERVISORS UNANIMOUS (ABSENT ) I HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THIS IS A TRUE AYES: NOES: AND CORRECT COPY OF AN ACTION TAKEN ABSENT: ABSTAIN: AND ENTERED ON THE MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS ON THE DATE SHOWN. CC. County Administrator ATTESTED March 25, 1986 Community Development rhol Mhelm, Public Works Director SveMm ad CVAly ftnoisUdK M382/7-83 BY ' DEPUTY Bethel Island Municipal improvement District 3085 STONE ROAD I CE BOX 244 BETHEL ISLAND, CALIFORNIA 94511 FEB 2 79 (415) 684-2210 February 4, 1986 lot l aie� Mr. Tom Powers, Chairman Board of Supervisors Contra Costa County .651 Pine Street - Room 106 Martinez, CA. 94553 Dear Supervisor Powers: The Bethel Island Municipal Improvement District has registered a number of concerns during the past several years regarding the failure of various County departments to properly enforce the County ordinances and to protect the rights of the Island's citizens. The problem has now progressed to the point where resolutions and orders from your Board have been ignored and the abuses continue. I apologize for the length of this letter, but I believe it important to review a few of these cases: 1 . Sanitation District Several years ago I called attention to the fact that the Sanitation District was not enforcing compliance with the ordinance. A number of major businesses avoided hooking up to the system for several years and some still have not complied. Many individual property owners have not connected or have been using the service without paying any fees. Over two years ago, Mr. Jim Blake of the Health Department spent some time with our . District' s Levee Superintendent, identifying just one category of users who should have been con❑Ar�. A list of about thirty was given to the Planning Department for enforcement. To date, nothing has been done! This one group represents about $12,000 a year in loss of revenue or about $100,000 over the life of the project-to-date. That is exclusive of the initial hook-up fee which is now over $2,000 per installation. On January 15, 1985 in response to my request for an audit to identify the total loss of revenue to the patrons of the District, the Board of Supervisors sent the attached request to the County Administrator. To date, nothing has been done! Extensive loss of revenue has continued because this request was ignored and because of an inept district staff and because of a Citizens Advisory Committee which has not kept the Board of. Supervisors informed and which has not properly represented the interest of the patrons. Mr.- Tom Powers, Board Chairman - 2 - February 4, 1986 2. Delta Resort Several years ago a land use permit was issued for an R.U. park. A mobile home park was established. Planning, Building Inspection, Sanitation and Health Departments . all Jailed to enforce appropriate ordinances, codes and permit conditions. The result was a slum with many "life threatening Viola- tions" (according to a County Building Inspector and the local fire department) . On April 23, 1985 after many months of hearings and appeals, your Board revoked the land use permit. The violations and the expansion of the mobile home park continues. To date, nothing has been done! 3. . Gas-related Subsidence Last August your Board recognized this problem and, among other actions, instructed staff to prepare an ordinance to collect fees and/or taxes which would enable the County to participate in a State-wide effort to quantify the subsidence which is occurring. To date, nothing has been done! 4. Subsidence, Liquification and Earthquakes About a. year ago the County Geologist attributed Delta subsidence to water - not gas withdrawal and raised the additional threat of liquification and earthquake damage to Delta levees. In an effort to quell the panic which resulted, we asked for a public hearing on the Island with Mr. Dehaesus and his staff to address the matter. Local and imported experts presented convincing contrary opinions and pointed out that the liquification and earthquake theories were speculative but could be applied to most communities in the State of California. On April 22, 1985 I sent the attached letter to Mr. Dehaesus in an effort to defuse the issue. To date, nothing has been done (nor has my letter been acknowledged) ! In the meantime, one major lender has refused to make loans in the Delta as a result of the County's speculative theories. If we apply the devastating _earth4uake scenario to Bethel Island levees, should we not also apply it to the adjacent refineries and chemical plants? Do we intend to base our County planning on speculation about major natural disasters selectively imposed? In addition to the above specific matters on Bethel Island, I ask you to recall the rash of newspaper articles and editorials which have appeared recently regarding lack of enforcement in other areas of East County. I ask you to reflect upon the reported evasiveness and insolence of County employees in responding to citizens and to reporters who were trying to get the facts. I submit that these failures to do their jobs on the part of various County departments result in the loss of revenue to the County, in the creation of health and safety hazards and in many cases in the establishment of a community nuisance. t" kr.• Tom Powers, Board Chairman - 3 - February 4, 1986 1 respectfully request that your Board take a hard look at this problem, starting with the head of the Planning Department. 1 believe the time for a sweeping change is long overdue. Very truly yours , Howard Holmes Chairman of the Board HH/vw cc: Board of Supervisors Bethel Island Municipal Improvement District 3085 STONE ROAD POST OFFICE BOX 244 BETHEL ISLAND, CALIFORNIA 94511 (415) 684-2210 April 22, 1985 Mr. Anthony Dehaesus Director of Planning 651. Pine .Street Martinez, CA. 94553 Dear Mr. Dehaesus: At our meeting on subsidence on March 28, while the experts disagreed on several matters, they were in accord- on one significant point. That is that there will be no subsidence from water withdrawal if there is not a` reduction in the static head. No evidence was presented that the static head has been lowered. In fact; there is every indication that the water levels in major wells has not changed since they went into production in the early 1960's. In view of this and in recognition of the preponderance of favorable testimony from outside experts and local well drillers, the Bethel Island Municipal Improvement District Board of Directors asked me to .make the following requests: 1 . That you put the matter to rest by declaring that there is no threat of subsidence resulting from depletion of the Islands domestic water supply. 2. That the Department of Public Works arrange to monitor two or three major wells on the Island in order to record any change the static water table and to remove .any doubt regarding future supplies and potential subsidence from this source. Very truly yours, Howard Holmes HH/vw Chairman of the Board cc: Supervisor Torlakson Constance Brady Barbara Burns Bill Conners B. I. Chamber of Commerce BIAA Bethel Island Municipal Improvement District 3085 STONE ROAD POST OFFICE BOX 244 BETHEL ISLAND, CALIFORNIA 54511 (415) 684-2210 March 4, 1986 THIS IS A LIST OF POSSIBLE ILLEGAL DUPLEXES AND TRAILERS HOOKED UP TO SEWER SYSTEM. STONE ROAD 4346 HOUSE DUPLEX 4110 HOUSE DUPLEX 3910 TWO HOUSES 3848 ONE HOUSE AND TWO TRAILERS 3794 HOUSE AND SMALL APARTMENT RIVERVIEW DRIVE 585 HOUSE DUPLEX TAYLOR ROAD 2910 HOUSE DUPLEX 2820 HOUSE WITH TWO TRAILERS 2726 HOUSE DUPLEX 2608 HOUSE .DUPLEX, SMALL HOUSE AND MARINA 2208 HOUSE DUPLEX 2010 HOUSE AND TRAILER 1882 HOUSE DUPLEX AND GARAGE APARTMENT 1814 HOUSE OVER WATER, SMALL HOUSE .LANDSIDE 1750 HOUSE DUPLEX 1388 ---991�SE AND APARTMENT IN FRONT 1338 HOUSE DUPLEX 1330 HOUSE DUPLEX GATEWAY ROAD 3.109 TRAILER AND BUILDING BACK OF HOUSE BETHEL ISLAND ROAD 6310 (DELTA BELL) TRAILER IN BACK OF RESTAURANT NORTH STONE ROAD 4900 HOUSE DUPLEX, APARTMENT AND TRAILER 4680 ROOM PUT IN BACK OF HOUSE LIST OF POSSIBLE ILLEGAL DUPLEXES AND TRAILERS PAGE 2 WEST WILLOW ROAD 3115 TWO TRAILERS ON LOT COTTAGE LANE TRAILER ON STREET WILLOW ROAD RUSTY PORTHOLE HOUSE DUPLEX AND BUSINESS RUSSO'S SMALL TRAILER BY LEVEE 3803 HOUSE AND TRAILER .4045 HOUSE DUPLEX 3815 HAD TRAILER ON PROPERTY 5 YEARS - TRAILER NOW REMOVED PIPER ROAD 6701 STORAGE IN BACK YARD AND TRAILERS - IT LOOKS LIKE AN R.V. PARK SUBMITTED BY RUSSELL S. FITZGERALD BIMID LEVEE SUPERINTENDENT Bethel Island p Improvement nd Munici aI Ire rovement District 3085 STONE ROAD RECF(�,� i tr4? POST OFFICE BOX 244 BETHEL ISLAND, CALIFORNIA 94511 (415) 684-2210 March 4, 1986 Supervisor Tom Torlakson District 5 45 Civic Avenue Pittsburg, CA. 94565 Dear Supervisor Torlakson: As Superintendent of Bethel Island, I see alot of problems here on the Island that an outsider might miss. I am sending you a copy of the letter I have sent to Mr. Dave Bauer of Sanitation District 15 and also to Mr. Anthony Dehaesus regarding illegal duplexes and trailers on Bethel Island. I hope this situation can be resolved, as the County (as well as the District) is losing out on much needed revenue. I would appreciate you checking into the District tax fees . I believe we only pay taxes for the sewer system. Sanitation District 15 uses the SIMID Hall once a month for their regular meeting at no charge, and the County has used the Hall many times in the past, at no charge. The District is running short of funds every year. I feel the County should waive the .fee. or we should be paying for all of the services the County provides to the Island. i Sincerely, i Russell Fitzgerald RFlvw BIMID Levee Superintendent i I i L Bethel Island Municipal Imp District 3085 STONE ROAD POST OFFICE BOX 244 BETHEL ISLAND, CALIFORNIA 94511 (415) 684-2210 March 4, 1986 Mr. Anthony A. Dehaesus Director of Community Development P. 0, Box 951 . Martinez, CA. 94553 Dear Mr. Dehaesus: Enclosed is a copy of the letter the District is sending to Mr. David Bauer, Water Quality Control Supervisor, regarding the attached list of possible illegal houses and trailers here on Bethel Island. I am sending this material in order to keep your office informed of problems here on the Island. Thunk you! Sincerely, f RusselI Fitzgerald BIND Levee Superintendent I RF/vw I Enclosures it ?I l Bethel Island Municipal Improvement District 3085 STONE ROAD POST OFFICE BOX 244 BETHEL ISLAND, CALIFORNIA 94511 (415) 684-2210 March 4, 1986 Mr. David Bauer Water Quality Control Supervisor C.C.C. Public Works Department 1801 Shell Avenue Martinez, CA. 94553 Dear Dave: Enclosed is a list of houses and trailers on Bethel Island you requested. These houses are apparently being used as duplexes. I'm sure your records will indicate which of them are and which are not paying sewer fees. This is not, by any means, a complete list. These are only the ones I am aware of. On February 28, I took Mr. Jim Blake around Bethel Island looking for lots with boat docks with no hookups. I believe there were about 25 or 30 lots in that category. To date, I haven't seen any permit applications to have these facilities installed. i i If I can be of any further assistance, feel free to i call. Please let m r the outcome in regard to this matter. Thank you! Sincerely, Russell Fitzgerald RF/vw Levee Superintendent cc: Supervisor Tom Torlakson Anthony Dehaesus F 1 i `TO BOARD OF SUPERVISORS Contra FROM: Supervisor Tom Torlakson Costa DATE: January. 15, 1985 County SUBJECT: 'REQUEST FOR AN.AUDIT OF-SANITATION DISTRICT NO. 15 SPECIFIC REQUEST(S) OR RECOMMENDATION(S) & BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION Informational: I received a letter, dated December 10, 1984, from Howard Holmes*of Bethel Island requesting an audit of Sanitation District No. 15. Recommended Action: Refer to the County Administrator to initiate an audit. *Nr. Holmes address is Beacon Harbor, Inc. , P. 0. Box 346, Bethel Island, CA 94511. CONTINUED ON ATTACHMENT: YES SIGNATURE: RECOMMENDATION OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE APPROVE OTHER SIGNATURE(S) ACTION OF BOARD ON i anuaTy 150 -L985 APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED OTHER r REFERRED same to the County Administrator and also to the Public Works Director for review and report to. County Counsel. VOTE OF SUPERVISORS X UNANIMOUS (ABSENT ) I HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THIS IS A TRUE AYES: NOES: AND CORRECT COPY OF AN ACTION TAKEN ABSENT: ABSTAIN: AND ENTERED ON THE N41NUTES OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS ON THE DATE SHOWN. County Administrator January 15, 1985 CC: Howard Holmes ATTESTED Public Works' (Environmental Control) J.R. OLSSON, COUNTY CLERK AND EX OFFICIO CLERK OF THE BOARD MS82/7-e3 BY LD' ��L P�G�c<'" DEPUTY