County Adopts New Sewer Maintenance Ordinance: Rates to Rise
On August 7, 2007, the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors unanimously adopted changes to the County Sanitation and Health Ordinance Code. The new ordinance raises our sewer rates over the next five years. The table below summarizes rates for each residential unit in Emerald Hills, zones 1 and 2.

Previously, the sewer rates adopted for the 2006-07 fiscal year were increased in Emerald Hills and in five (5) of the County's Sewer Districts in order to cover the costs of sewage treatment, downstream capital improvements, and operation and maintenance. The rate increases approved for some of the districts last year were only sufficient to cover operations and maintenance costs and not proactive or required programs such as: implementation of a Sewer System Management Plan, district capital improvement projects, or contingencies.

The EHHA appointed an ad hoc committee to try to work with County and Redwood City officials to ensure that the rates paid by our residents are fair, in comparison to other county and city residents. It seems that county residents may pay more than city residents, because RWC charges the county for use of its system and those charges are passed along to homeowners, thus allowing a higher overall rate for county homes than for city homes.

A County sponsored community meeting was held on 5-31-07, where the proposed new rates were reviewed along with the justification for them. A total of three people, including two members of the EHHA Board of Directors, attended this meeting, which was our last opportunity to question the basis for the increases before enactment by the Supervisors.

For more information, go the San Mateo County website, http://www.co.sanmateo.ca.us, then click on Department of Public Works, and then on 2007-08 Sewer Charge Rate Information.

What's New at the Emerald Marketplace?
Have you spent some time just hanging out at the new community store area? If so, you've probably noticed a number of changes. The Canyon Cleaners has moved over one space. Sancho's Taqueria is serving its yummy menu out of new and enlarged premises, so now you can sit down and chat with friends or watch a bit of TV. On the Canyon Street side, Paymon's Realty has opened next to the community message board; be sure to stop and check the board every now and then for up-to-the-minute community news.

Local resident Charles Mell (right) enjoys a treat at Skinny Sippin with pals Alissa Read and Larry Pereira

Tucked in the corner is Skinny Sippin, where you and your friends can enjoy soft-serve yogurt, juices, fresh fruit smoothies and more. If you've patronized the original San Carlos store, you know how delicious and healthy these treats can be. Monday evening is dollar cone night. Welcome to the neighborhood, Skinny Sippin!

If you need to work off a few extra calories, Snap Fitness has opened in the double location formerly occupied by Curves and the cleaners. Snap Fitness offers state-of-the-art exercise equipment and personal trainers to help you plan your exercise program. After a grand opening celebration on September 29, the new facility is offering a Charter Member special, including free enrollment, through October 31. To find out more about rates or to tour the facility, stop in to visit or call 587-5170. The manager, Marlo Marcelino (pictured above on an elliptical crosstrainer) can give you more information. Best times to visit are during staffed hours, Monday through Friday 9-3 and 5:30Ð7 and Saturday 12Ð4. Or visit www.snapfitness.com/redwoodcity

Chris Dabit, Emerald Market manager, reports that the market continues to welcome feedback from the community. The market wants to be a strong member of the community and is thrilled that the marketplace has become a place to relax and hang out with friends. One of the ways that the Emerald Market contributes is by hosting monthly barbeques that support local charities. In September Emerald Market employees cooked up a BBQ to benefit ÒWalking for BenÓ and the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Here's how it works: Emerald Market and its suppliers donate the food items and staff to cook the BBQ. When you and your friends stop by for a delicious and reasonably priced lunch, the price of your food is donated to the targeted charity. If you have a charity that would benefit from the market's generous support, contact Lisa Bouska at 568-6000.

 

Getting ready for rainy season
The arrival of fall means the possibility of heavy rains. In sloped areas like Emerald Hills, homeowners need to take extra measures to assure adequate drainage. Inspecting your property now to prevent drainage problems during the upcoming rainy season is important, not just for you, but also for your neighbors; a drainage problem on your property can quickly cascade into a problem for several other homeowners in an especially bad storm.

To prevent slope failures and other damage, keep all drainage devices and systems clear. Make sure your rain gutters are clear of debris, and drainpipes are unobstructed. When inspecting the drainage system on your property, keep the following items in mind:

-  Make sure all slopes drain properly and drains are cleared of any debris.
-  Check drains along retaining walls, removing overgrown landscaping if necessary.
-  Examine the solidity of any earth berms (top edges of slopes which keep water from flowing over the slope) on the property.
-  Measure side swales (natural drainage paths directing water around a structure); they should be at least 24 inches from any walls.

Remember, during unusually heavy rainfall, even properly managed drainage systems may not prevent the possibility of damage. The following are warning signs of a possible slope failure. If you note one or more of these conditions, please have your property inspected by a licensed private civil/structural or geotechnical engineer.

-  Standing water near the top or bottom of the slope.
-  Signs of erosion from water running over the slope or other earth face.
-  Signs of earth movement (bulges, or excess soil accumulating at the bottom of the slope.
-  Excess soil and/or debris resting in drainage channels or culverts.
-  Tilting of walls or fences on or near the slope.
-  Water flowing or seeping out of the slope or at the bottom of the slope.
-  Cracks or slumping of ground near the top or bottom of the slope.
-  Broken irrigation lines above or on the slope.

Be sure to check out your slope and drainage system regularly.

 

How to Prevent Tree Failure during Storms
There are a few positive things that can be done with trees to help them get through the winter months. Start by having your trees inspected by someone that has documented knowledge and experience; a certified arborist has had ongoing training and education that keeps him/her current on how trees respond in different situations and able to provide an unbiased evaluation of what needs to be accomplished. You should have this done well before the winter season arrives. Trees should be properly pruned using the principles of tree care developed and standardized by the International Society of Arboriculture. Some of the most widespread pruning techniques, such as topping and lion's tailing, damage trees and create problems by changing the trees natural structural integrity, causing real hazards during winter storms. In an effort to minimize this problem, a tree needs to be properly thinned, allowing the wind to pass through the tree canopy with less resistance, minimizing damage to the tree. The thinning should involve no more than twenty-five percent of the living foliage with the interior foliage left intact. Source: www.arboristonsite.com