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When? Where? How?

The seven members of the Alamo Municipal Advisory Council held their first meeting Wednesday afternoon, Nov. 11, at Ristorante Forli to agree on the nuts and bolts of the new advisory group.

County Supervisor Mary N. Piepho and her staff led the discussion as they considered when and where to meet, and how to set up agendas.

"This is just to get to know each other and to plan for our first community meeting," Piepho told the seven newly appointed MAC members: David Barclay, Ed Best, David Bowlby, Nancy Dommes, Janet Evans, Michael McDonald and Steve Mick.

"What's our scope?" asked Tomi Van de Brooke, Piepho's chief of staff. "The group is to represent to Mary issues that the county provides, controls, services, that type of thing."

"You may have issues you want us to advocate for - freeway off-ramps, the fire station," said Piepho. "We are your pulpit, your voice."

By the end of the year, van de Brooke explained, the advisory committees for county service areas R-7A (Alamo Parks and Recreation) and Zone 36 (Alamo Beautification Committee) will be assumed into the MAC.

"The only question is about the Alamo Community Council," she said. This council comprises civic groups in Alamo who come together to share information. They include Alamo Rotary, Alamo Chamber of Commerce, Police Citizens Advisory Committees, Alamo Women's Club and others.

"I see ACC as the foundation to bringing groups together," said Piepho. "In some ways the precursor to the MAC."

Several members of the community attended. Mike Gibson asked that the council soon address the problem of a large oak tree on the Iron Horse Trail that is growing close to the Kinder Morgan pipeline. "Smitty" Schmidt asked about the county's congestion management plan and plans for widening Miranda Avenue.

County Deputy Planning Director Catherine Kutsuris was also in attendance to introduce herself and to talk about land use issues. "Only 2 percent of land use issues become contentious," she said. She noted that John Oborne is the planner for the Alamo area.

The group also discussed choosing a chairman, and what that job will entail.

Everyone agreed that the chair must know how to run an efficient meeting, avoiding redundant conversation and comments.

"We would like a certain crispness to the comments," stated Steve Mick.

"I'd expect them to facilitate the meeting, but not present themselves as mayor of the meeting," said Michael McDonald.

"Sometimes they might be required to be heavy-handed. The last thing we want is to drag on forever," offered Ed Best.

"We want someone experienced," noted Janet Evans. "Open-minded and a consensus builder."

David Bowlby reiterated that the chair should keep the meeting moving along and not let speakers become repetitive.

"The election of the chair should be the first agenda item," suggested David Barclay, and the others agreed.

Six of the seven members – all except Evans - offered to head the MAC and said they had the background, some in private industry. The chair will set the agenda but will not make a motion, they agreed, although he or she will probably be allowed to second a motion if needed.

At their next meeting, MAC members will discuss subcommittees, hear reports from agencies, discuss process and protocol, and address the two land planning issues brought up earlier in the meeting by residents. Public comments at the meetings will determine future agenda items, Piepho noted.

They decided to meet the first time at Hap Magee Ranch Park because it is free and is in Alamo even if it is not centrally located. They tentatively plan to meet at 7 p.m. the first and third Tuesdays of each month, beginning Dec. 15. Materials for the meeting will be available at Piepho's District 3 office, 309 Diablo Road in Danville.

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