CCMIN050200 - Laserfiche WebLink

l'he Corps receives input from Fish and Wildlife Service. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has no direct jurisdiction over the property. Signature agreed to build additional wetlands and that is to occm' in the last phase of this project. It could not be done earlier because the basins were necessary to prevent erosion from going into the creeks. It has always been the plan to convert the detention basins to wetlands in the last phase. The permit requires Signature to install the wetlands and maintain them for five years. After that time, the Corps will inspect the area to see if it has gram in sufficiently to survive, Then there will be no further maintenance because it must be left in its natural state. The only maintenance would be to remove trash and other material that mig~ht be dumped there. Another permit was required because of changes to the creek. That permit was from the California Fish and Game Department and was hccause of the tiger salamander habitat. When the property is turned over to the homeowners association, it assumes the responsibilities from Signature Properties for monitoring what was installed. Fish and Game is satisfied with what was installed. The ponds were built and the question is how is it working. LSA prepares an annual report which is then sent to Fish and Game. Funds have been provided to the homeownars association to do that work. So far the money has not been spent because Signature has been doing the work. The homeowners association has an annual budget of over $4 million. The cost of the annual report is insignificant in terms of the armuai budget. He is certain the homeowners association is aware of this cost because the management company prepares the budget every year and has met with Signature Properties and LSA regarding ,he obligation. He did not believe a lack ofundarstanding of these environmental issues is grounds to deny the final map. He would be happy to discuss this further with Councilmembers. He stated Ken Sanchez was not involved in this and no permit was required from the UIS. Fish and Wildlife agency. Them is no impact on Ruby Hill from this agency, even though it may have impact on the City' s proposed golf course. The rules have changed and are more strict now. Signature Properties spent hundreds of thousands of dollars and a lot of time in Washington D.C. to get these permits. Ms. Michelotti referred to the cash bond and asked what it was for. Mr. McKeehan said it was for mainlenance items in the tiger salamander habitat and for additional planting required for the project. Ms. Ayala ret~rred to the comments of Lois Lutz and asked for a response. Mr. McKeehan indicated Malcolm Sprout of LSA Associates would respond. He said Signature has indicated to LSA that it would do whatever LSA indicated was required and has never questioned the costs or imposed limits on costs. Ms. Lutz is not a biologist. Mr. McKeehan believed that everything she has raised as an issue has been addressed. When questions arc raised, one must consider who raised the question and whether that person has full knowledge of the issue. Ms. Ayala was not comfortable the agencies involved had enough staff to do what was necessary for this project. Pleasanton City Council 9 05/02/00 Minutes