Golden Hills CSD holds annual planning workshop

On Saturday, March 2, the Golden Hills Community Service District held their Annual Planning Meeting which was open to the public. Several members of the community, as well as representatives from the city and Bear Valley Springs, attended the three hour workshop.

Pat Doody.

Facilitator Christine Sliz keeps track of workshop discussions.

Christine Sliz from Regional Government Services was again on hand to facilitate the discussion. As items were discussed, Sliz made notes on large sheets of paper that were taped to the wall for all to read.

General Manager Chris Carlson outlined the ground rules for the meeting and gave an overview of the items on the agenda. Board members attending were Joe King, David Benham, David Shaw and John Buckley. Scott Wyatt was absent. Also attending the meeting was past CSD board member Marilyn White.

Carlson outlined a 20-year plan for the Golden Hills Nature Park explaining that spreading it out over 20 years will enable the CSD to pay for it as they develop it. The Nature Park is 164 acres and it is their job to create a foundation on which items can be added. He explained that it will be a moving plan that will allow them to shift priorities as funding becomes available. There are no plans to raise taxes or to ask for a bond measure. One of the last items in the development plan will be moving the CSD to the area of the nature park as it will be the most expensive item on the list.

Currently, they are building a pipeline from a salvage area of non-potable water to keep Tom Sawyer Lake filled. Old tennis courts will be refurbished and pickleball added. Nature trails will be refurbished with rest spots added. The CSD is looking into new avenues of funding, including possible income from solar field leases and grants. One possible grant source mentioned was Natural Resource Conservation Services (NRCS).

It was suggested that the CSD needed better communication with Golden Hills residents and the board agreed. Possible avenues suggested were social or print media, text or email, Facebook or a phone based application. The board members agreed saying it will definitely be further discussed as part of a future board meeting.

Local realtor Danielle Baker informed the group about how a community on the California Fair Plan of fire insurance can become a Fire Wise Community and qualify for a community discount on Fair Plan insurance. Carlson said work is already being done on the county and local community level.

The board of the Golden Hills CSD meets on the third Thursday of the month at 6 p.m in the board room of the Community Service District located at 21415 Reeves St. and is open to the public.