Sept./Oct. 2004 GCCA Newsletter

CHAIR’S CHIT-CHAT

By Ruth O. Fisher, G.C.C.A. Chair

Summer’s about to slip away and along with it will go the effort to equip each of the Glen Cove Parkway bus stops with trash containers. The G.C.C.A. Board has considered the almost-constant, unsightly appearance of overflowing concrete containers situated on the Parkway near Robles Drive. In all likelihood, these existing trash containers are being used by irresponsible citizens who opt to discard their personal household items in public bins rather than enlist Vallejo Garbage Service for residential trash pick-up.

During the September G.C.C.A. Board Meeting, in order to eliminate additional opportunities for free garbage dumping, the members voted unanimously to withdraw the pursuit of installing more refuse bins along Glen Cove’s main corridor. Notification of the aborted effort has been made to Mary Hill, Vallejo’s Assistant City Manager, as well as to Pamela Belchamber, the City’s Transportation Superintendent.

Unfortunately, this decision will not be well-received by the conscientious walkers who routinely collect litter along the Glen Cove Parkway. Those efforts have been, and will continue to be, appreciated by neighbors who value clean streets.

Not all community efforts fade away. Progressive steps leading toward a polished Glen Cove Waterfront Park are expected to continue. According to Greater Vallejo Recreation District Park Planner Hew Hesterman, the contractual agreement with Benicia-based LandPeople has been finalized.

The landscaping architectural firm plans to hold its first public meeting at the site on November 13th. Weather permitting, the outdoor session will be held from 10 a.m. to 12 Noon. It is anticipated, Hesterman added, that a draft R.F.P. (Request for Proposals) pertaining to the Stremmel structure will be presented at the Saturday meeting.

Announcements of any G.V.R.D. updates on the Glen Cove Waterfront Park or possible future development of High Glen Park will be made at the October 21st G.C.C.A. General Meeting. (See Page 5)

BOO, TOO!

ALL RESIDENTS INVITED TO ATTEND OCTOBER 21st GENERAL MEETING

By Ruth O. Fisher, G.C.C.A. Chair

The final 2004 Glen Cove Community Association General Meeting will be held October 21st in the Multi-Purpose Room of Glen Cove School.

Open to all Glen Cove residents, the 7 p.m., Thursday night session will include the elections of G.C.C.A. Board Members who will serve as 2005 Officers and Development Representatives and Alternates. The G.C.C.A. Election Ballots will be submitted and collected that evening. In order to vote for a specific Representative/Alternate candidate, you must reside within that particular Development.

Suisun City Mayor Jim Spering, in his capacity as Chair of the Solano Transportation Improvement Authority, has accepted an invitation to address Glen Cove residents. Spering’s presentation will focus on the Measure A Half-Cent Transportation Sales Tax which will face Solano County voters in the upcoming November 2nd Election.

The October 21st Agenda will also include additional presentations that will highlight topics of neighborhood interest, a Holiday-Themed Silent Auction to benefit the Glen Cove School, and the generous donation of tasty refreshments provided by Glen Cove Safeway.

CITY OF VALLEJO ANIMAL LAWS AND CODES

By Barbara Hooker, California Lighthouse Representative

This is the final part of a series of three articles about animals, hopefully helpful to all Glen Cove residents who are reminded that some development C.C.&R.s might contain stricter animal guidelines. The letters, V.M.C., represent Vallejo Municipal Code.

LICENSING (V.M.C. 7.20): All dogs, upon reaching an age of four months, must be licensed. Cats may be licensed, although not required, it would help in locating a lost or impounded cat.

NUMBER OF PETS (V.M.C. 7.04.030): This new code specifies that residential areas have a limit of pets owned; no more than four dogs over the age of four months, and no more than four cats per residence.

LIVESTOCK (V.M.C. 7.24.060): A new code has been written, and is awaiting signature, that will ban livestock from residential areas. It will go into effect soon. “Livestock” will include chickens, ducks, geese, rabbits, or any other type of livestock that is loose, in the air, or on the ground. These creatures may be impounded, and the owner fined.

LEASHING (V.M.C. 7.24.010): All dogs must be on a leash not longer than eight feet in total length except when in its owner’s fenced yard or auto or in a park that’s designated as a “dog park.” Any dog in violation may be immediately seized and impounded, and its owner shall be guilty of an infraction.

BARKING (V.M.C. 7.36.020): “It is unlawful for any owner or person having the custody or control of any animal to allow or permit such animal to bark habitually or act in such manner as to disturb continuously the peace of any citizen or otherwise be a public nuisance.”

ANIMAL BITES (V.M.C. 7.28): If an animal bites a person, the animal will be quarantined. It is a law that an owner or person in control of the animal must report any bite to the authorities.

“POOPER SCOOPER” REQUIREMENTS (V.M.C. 7.36.040): Any and all feces must immediately be removed and disposed of properly from any public or private area when the animal is away from its residence. The person in control of the animal must have in his/her possession a suitable container to do so. First offense, $25 fine. Second offense, $100 fine.

CLEANLINESS OF YARD (V.M.C. 7.32.060): “Every person owning or occupying premises where any animal, fowl, or bird is kept shall keep the stable, barn stall, pen, coop, building, or place in which the animal is kept in a clean and sanitary condition.”

All of the above-referenced City of Vallejo codes allow for impoundment, fees, and fines.

If impounded, any animal may be sold or destroyed by authorities if not redeemed within certain time limits.

Access to the full wording is available online at the Glen Cove Community Association’s website, www.glencovevallejo.com. Choose “Links” from the menu, and then select “City of Vallejo” from the next menu or go directly to www.ci.vallejo.ca.us.

If any of the above items present a problem, please enlist help from Animal Control by calling 645-7906.

GLEN COVE RESIDENTS URGED TO SAFEGUARD THEIR VEHICLES

By Ruth O. Fisher, G.C.C.A. Chair

The Glen Cove neighborhood is being victimized by auto thieves who favor Acuras, Hondas, and Toyotas.

To date, all the targeted autos have been parked on residential streets, and most have been stolen between the hours of 12 Midnight and 4 a.m. The few recovered autos show no signs of forced entry. According to Vallejo Police Department Lt. Kevin Kelley, “Master keys are being used to gain access.”

A practice sometimes used is to drop off a previously stolen vehicle, frequently with stolen license plates attached, adjacent to the site of a new heist. Thus far, there is no evidence that any of the stolen Glen Cove cars are being stripped for mechanical parts.

Personal papers were contained in some of the stolen cars. Fortunately, Lt. Kelley reports that none of the suspects have returned to any of the victims’ homes or perpetrated any identity theft. Based on the recovered autos, it appears that quick-sale components such as stereo systems are the contents most valued by the thieves who tend to use the stolen vehicles merely for temporary modes of transportation.

Several precautionary steps are recommended to thwart auto thefts.

* Remove personal items such as drivers’ licenses, identity cards, checkbooks, credit cards, house/business keys from all parked vehicles

* Close all windows and lock all doors

* Install and/or activate car alarm systems

* Consider the use of passive security devices such as “The Club”

* Park vehicles in garages, on well-lit driveways, or beneath street lights (if permitted by C.C.&R.s)

* Be alert to strangers (female and male) walking or standing near parked vehicles

* Remain vigilant and act responsively to any unusual noises

Glen Cove residents are asked to immediately phone 9-1-1 to notify the Vallejo Police Department whenever any suspicious activity is observed.

WEST NILE VIRUS FOUND IN SOLANO COUNTY

Birds play an important role in maintaining and spreading the West Nile Virus (WNV) which has been detected in Solano County. The virus is transmitted to humans by mosquitoes that have acquired the virus from infected birds.

Area residents are urged to phone the WNV hotline, 877-WNV-BIRD, if they find a crow, raven, magpie, jay, sparrow, finch, or hawk that has been dead for about a day. The California Department of Health Services has set up this toll-free number.

To learn more about WNV, log on to www.westnile.ca.gov the website for California WNV Surveillance Information Center.

VISIT OUR GLEN COVE WEBSITE!

By Bob Mintzer, Glen Cove Hills Representative

Have you had a chance to take a look at the improved Glen Cove website? If not, visit it at www.glencovevallejo.com

At our website you’ll find feature articles and photos, links to interesting and important local websites, information about Glen Cove, our 2004 G.C.C.A. Newsletters, and more. There’s also a message board where you can ask a question or provide an answer.

The message boards are also a great place to announce an event, list something for sale, start a discussion, or just browse through to see what your neighbors are talking about.

Our website is growing. As more people utilize it, it becomes a powerful resource that can help connect the residents of Glen Cove and make our community stronger. The website can be updated at any time, and there’s room for in-depth articles that include photos. Best of all, everyone has the ability to contribute to our website by posting to our message boards.

One of the features you’ll currently find on the website is an article describing the hiking trails that run along the Glen Cove waterfront. There are over 30 photos that illustrate the article and help convey what a scenic place Glen Cove is. Expect to see more features like this in the future.

Take a look at our website, and help make it better by sharing your thoughts on the message boards. If you have any ideas about things you’d like to see on the website, let us know.