Bear Valley Community Services District
BOARD MEETING AGENDA
2019/20 VEHICLE DECALS
AVAILABLE
2019/20 gate decals are now available at the Bear Valley Police Department front counter on the following schedule until March 4, 2019:
Monday, Wednesday, Friday: 8am - 4pm
Tuesday, Thursday: 8am - 6pm
Saturday, Sunday: 7am - 3pm.
After March 4, 2019 regular hours of M-F 8am - 4pm will resume.
Additional staff and the Volunteers In Police Service (VIPS) may be available at various times to expedite the process with extended or weekend hours. Once those times are scheduled, hours will be posted on the District website and the “Bear Valley CSD” Facebook page. Contact the Bear Valley Police Department at 661-821-3239 for additional information.
Forms and instructions have been sent out in the February water bills and are also available at the front counters of both the Bear Valley Police Department and the District Administration Office, and on the District website.
LINK: 2019/20 VEHICLE DECAL INSTRUCTIONS
LINK: 2019/20 VEHICLE GATE DECAL REQUEST FORM
SNOW PLOWING
PROCEDURES
IMPORTANT: Should your vehicle become stuck on the road during winter weather, please make sure that it is off to the side of the road, leaving room for snow plows and emergency crews. Please attempt to have the vehicle moved as soon as possible to help prevent any accidents. All vehicles will be towed after 72 hours (sooner if they are deemed to be a safety hazard). If necessary, park at the Whiting Center or outside the gate and make other transportation arrangements. If your vehicle is stuck in the roadway itself, notify the Police Department immediately by calling Dispatch at 661-861-3110.
What We Can Do:
When snow starts sticking to the roads, our Roads Supervisor is notified and plow crews are called out. Roads are plowed according to the Priority Road Clearing List. IMPORTANT: Please do not park your vehicle so that it intrudes into the roadway. Crews cannot clear and widen roads if they are blocked by parked vehicles.
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Roads to be plowed first:
Bear Valley Road; Lower Valley Road; Cumberland; San Juan; Jacaranda; Paramount; Deertrail; Starland; Skyline; Saddleback
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Roads to be plowed second:
El Rancho; Stirrup; Wilderness; Surrey; Goldspike; Rolling Oak; Greenwater; Pinedale; Bear Valley Access Roads
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Roads to be plowed third:
All other District roads
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Please Note: Sometimes it is necessary to clear the priority roads several times before moving on to the next level. During snowy conditions the Roads Crew works long shifts both day and night with the help of both the Water Department and Facilities Maintenance crews. After the priority list has been completed, crews will move to secondary and side roads. When conditions allow, roads will be widened, cul-de-sacs cleared and icy areas may be sanded or rocked.
What We Cannot Do:
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We cannot plow ice. Icy roads are treacherous and if at all possible, stay off of them until the crews have had the chance to spread rock or sand. Even on rocked roads, traction is limited, so drive slowly and allow extra time to reach your destination safely.
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We cannot clear private driveways or other private property, or remove the build-up of snow along the roadways caused by the plows.
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Plow drivers cannot pull out or tow stranded vehicles.
What You Can Do:
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Always SLOW DOWN.
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Carry a shovel in your vehicle and make sure you have chains that fit properly and are sized for your tires.
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Obey ‘4x4 or Chains Only’ road restrictions.
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Understand that the office and gate staff are unable to give you an estimate when your particular road will be plowed. You can be assured that the crews are working hard to clear all roads in a safe and efficient manner.
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Leave plenty of space between your car and the snow plow.Even if you are following in the fresh tracks, you can still lose traction and run into the plow or lose control.Snow plows have spreaders on the back to apply red rock on the road surface to increase traction in icy conditions; this rock can damage your windshield and paint.
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Leave plenty of space between your car and other vehicles on the road.
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Plows are very heavy and take a long time to stop so do not pull out in front of them.
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Do not pass plow trucks. Slow down, stay a safe distance back, and the driver will pull over in a safe spot as soon as practical.
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To avoid damage to your vehicle and creating a hazard for residents and plow crews, park your cars safely out of the road right-of-way.
Common courtesy is the rule during plowing operations; remember that the plow crews have been working long hours, sometimes up to 16 hour double shifts to keep your roads clear. So give them a smile and wave, be patient, and maybe even say “Thanks!” if you get the chance. With a little understanding and mutual respect, we will all ‘weather’ this winter in great shape.
PROPOSED WATER RATE INCREASE
At their meeting on January 10th, the Bear Valley Community Services Board of Directors received a draft Water System Rate Study prepared by Willdan Financial Services and provided direction on public outreach to the community to explain the Study’s findings and recommendations.
To ensure that the community understands the District’s critical need for the proposed rate increases and to provide opportunities for discussion and feedback before the required 45-day public hearing notice is issued, the Board directed staff to share the information below with the community and to hold informational meetings to solicit community input for consideration prior to finalizing the rates to be implemented.
- Proposed Water Rate Information CLICK HERE
- Q & A About the Proposed Water Rates CLICK HERE
- Water System Rate Study Draft Report CLICK HERE
- Your Bear Valley Water System CLICK HERE
- Presentation, Jan 29-30, 2019 Water Rate Public Meetings
COMMITTEE VOLUNTEERS SOUGHT
The CSD Board of Directors is looking for you to bring your talents as a citizen volunteer to one of the following district committees:
ADMINISTRATION
COMMUNICATION
FINANCE
INFRASTRUCTURE
PUBLIC SAFETY
- Administration – reviews personnel, general District policy and other management matters
- Communication – assists in informing property owners and residents of Bear Valley Springs of District policies and activities
- Finance – reviews budgetary and other financial matters
- Infrastructure – reviews plans for the development, operation and maintenance of District infrastructure
- Public Safety – reviews public safety issues such as police, disaster preparedness and response programs and fire protection
If you are interested in serving on any of the above committees as a volunteer, submit a letter of interest to:
Bear Valley CSD
Attention: Committee Recruitment
28999 S. Lower Valley Rd
Tehachapi, CA 93561
Or email to: kmcewen@bvcsd.org
Subject: Committee Recruitment
Letters must be received by February 28, 2019 and should briefly describe your experience relative to the committee you are applying for. Resumes are optional, but encouraged.
Citizen volunteers will be appointed in March for a two-year term. A valuable resource to the Board of Directors in serving the community, a committee’s authority is limited to providing advice and making recommendations to the Board consistent with the tasks assigned. All committees must comply with the provisions of the California Government Code concerning the calling of public meetings. Training is provided at District expense.
There is probably at least one committee of interest to you! Don’t delay….turn your letter of interest in TODAY!
NEW SPEED & TRAFFIC STUDY
FOR BEAR VALLEY SPRINGS
Bear Valley Community Services District is required to conduct an Engineering & Traffic Study every seven years to justify and update the posted speed limits on certain segments of District roads. In October of this year, Willdan Engineering surveyed 14 segments of road and on December 13, 2018, the Board of Directors adopted Resolution 18/19-21 accepting the report and setting the speed limits at these locations.
The posted speed limits for the majority of District roads remain unchanged. However, three changes should be noted:
- The posted speed on Bear Valley Road from the Entry Gate to Cumberland Road will be reduced from 45 mph to 40 mph.
- The posted speed on Pinedale Drive from North Lower Valley Road to South Lower Valley Road will be reduced from 30 mph to 25 mph.
- The posted speed limit on Deertrail Drive from Crocker Court to Bear Valley Road will increase to 40 mph. The District plans to post a cautionary 25 mph sign on that segment as a reminder to drivers to use care when approaching the intersection.
Once the new speed limits are posted, the Bear Valley Police Department will initially focus their efforts on public awareness prior to using other means of enforcement.
If you are interested in learning more about the methods and requirements involved in conducting the survey and setting the speed limits, you can find the background and full report here:
2018 ENGINEERING & TRAFFIC SURVEY
KEEP OUR WILDLIFE WILD
One of the great advantages of living in Bear Valley Springs is the abundance and variety of wildlife. Seeing a black bear or a large group of elk is an exciting opportunity, but along with this privilege comes responsibility to protect both ourselves and our wildlife. Here are a few facts to remember:
- While elk appear gentle and docile in the summer months, they are wild and skittish animals that can become aggressive and charge without warning if approached too closely.
- If a wild animal feels threatened, it will act out aggressively.
- If you encounter a wild animal, utilize the Thumb Trick. Extend one arm with a thumb up, close one eye and attempt to hide the animal with your thumb. If the animal cannot fit behind the entirety of your thumb, back up and give the animal more space.
- Use binoculars or a zoom lens to achieve that close-up view
- If wild animals have access to human food and garbage, they want more and more. They lose their natural fear of humans and can become aggressive.
- Once a wild animal is habituated, they become a dangerous nuisance and may have to be euthanized.
Wild animals are our neighbors and most will not bother us. They naturally fear humans and keep their distance – so long as they remain fully wild. It is our responsibility not to annoy them, entice them, or interfere with their natural instincts to avoid us.
Important Reminders Regarding the Gate
1. Please do not give out your Tract and Lot. If you need a pass for a guest, contractor or worker, please call in the Tract and Lot yourself - 821-5261. Giving out this number may jeopardize the security of Bear Valley.
2. Please slow down while entering and exiting through the gate. The posted speed limit is 10 mph.
3. There is only one phone line at the gate; please be patient if it is busy. Do not call the Police Dept.
4. You can also fax your pass requests to 821-3507.
5. For special events - weddings, baby showers, birthday parties, etc:
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Prepare a list for the gate well in advance with location of event and dates and times
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Make sure you tell your guests that their names will be listed under “Special Events”
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Bring your guest list to the gate or fax (821-3507) at least 24 hrs. in advance of your event
6. Please make sure you have a current decal on your vehicle and/or show a current amenities card with a blue BVSA sticker adhered to it
Remember: The gate personnel appreciate the residents of Bear Valley and they are here to ensure your security as well as doing their best to make sure you get through as easy and quickly as possible.