CROCKETT IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION
Minutes October 7, 2025
By Sonja New
I. Call to Order by Mary Wais, first vice president, at 6:35 pm, quorum present.
Attendance
Present: Scott Bartlebaugh, Julie Fisk, Dolores Morales, Sonja New,
Lindsey Pannell, Mary Wais, Iris Wesselmann
Excused: Carla Garbis, Jena Goodman, Daniel Haaf, Dale McDonald,
April Gray
Absent: none
Guests: Alan Brasesco, Bill Thomas, Mark de la O, Melanie Anderson,
Lisa Dwiggins
A. Introductions: Mary introduced all the guests.
B. Additions/Changes of Order to Agenda: Sideshows added to agenda. Traffic
calming (New Business) moved up after approval of minutes.
C. Minutes for June 3, 2025 approved without corrections. Informational Notes of
August 5, 2025 and September 2, 2025 accepted.
II. New Business
A. Traffic Calming on Pomona St. east of Community Center: Alan Brasesco, past
president of the CIA and long-time resident, introduced Mark de la O, traffic
engineer with Contra Costa Public Works. Alan discussed the traffic problem on
Pomona: speeders going twice the 25 mph speed limit, excessive noise, and
general disruption of the neighborhood, as well as safety concerns for
pedestrians and people backing out of their driveways. Mark discussed some
traffic calming techniques such as installing various “undulations” (speed bumps
and raised crosswalks) after discussing Public Works’ philosophy of letting
neighborhoods “determine their own destiny.” By that, he explained, the county
does not dictate to the community what it needs but lets residents in the
communities express to them what they want. This is why Mark has attended two
CIA meetings in the last year.
Mark felt that changes could be made relatively cheaply, at $20,000 per speed
bump, including signage, and that he has $100,000 per year at his disposal for
such purposes. If the community elects to install a rapid flashing beacon, such as
that near Crockett Cocina on Pomona Street, the community would have to pay
for it but Public Works would not object to it.
Alan then distributed a written proposal to calm traffic on Pomona Street from the
3-way stop sign at Rolph and Pomona to the top of the hill, going east. This is the
area with the biggest problem with speeders, going east and west. The plan
consists of reducing the speed limit to 15 mph from the stop sign to the existing
raised crosswalk by the churches on Pomona, installing a solar powered flashing
speed indicator, installing a raised crosswalk near J&L Market, and installing
three speed bumps between residences along Pomona. Mark stated that the
next step in the process would for Public Works to survey Pomona residents to
see if at least 80% of them approve of speed bumps. Alan agreed to head a CIA
committee to work on the traffic calming efforts on Pomona. He is looking for
more interested persons to join him on the committee.
III. Announcements: Sonja made two announcements. The Grant Writing Seminar
sponsored by Supervisor Scales-Preston will now take place in Crockett, at the
Community Center, on October 28, 2025. It is free and will be led by Dr. David
Fraser, District 5 Chief of Staff and author of Grantcraft.
Applications for the $1,000,000 Community Impact Fund are now available on
Supervisor Scales-Preston’s website. The money comes from a one-time Covid fund
available to each supervisorial district. The deadline for which non-profit groups may
apply for the funds is October 31, 2025.
Julie announced that the CIA will hold its annual, free Pet Parade and Trick or Treat
at the Plaza, on October 31, 2025, 5-8pm. The CIA Fundraising Committee will give
away at this community event prizes for best pet costumes, photos of children and
their pets, and bagged Halloween candy for the children.
IV. Treasurer’s Report: Scott presented the financial report that showed, as of October
5, 2025, the balance in the checking account is $11,545 and the savings account
balance is $42,003. In addition, there is $9,496 in the Memorial Fund (recently
augmented by $2,778 from the Crockett Community Foundation for the Fred Clerici
Butterfly Habitat) and almost $4,000 in the Beautification Fund.
A. Scott asked the Board of Directors to approve expenditures of $1,788 for fountain
repairs and $263 for pest (ambrosia beetle) treatment for the heritage tree in the
Plaza. Both were approved unanimously. Scott asked what expenses need to be
approved by the Board in advance. We couldn’t ask Kent because he was
absent. Sonja offered to research the issue in the By-Laws.
B. Lastly, Scott noted that he had been asked to sign off on the $5,000 request from
the Rodeo Renewed Community Benefit fund. He has some questions about
what exactly he is signing for and therefore hasn’t signed it. Apparently, this
money has been available to the CIA for the past year. Scott agreed to contact
the funders again to answer his questions and to report on the matter at the next
Board meeting.
V. Committee Reports
A. Beautification: Lindsey stated that there has been another workday at the Plaza.
B. Traffic: Sonja reminded the group that, just a few days ago, she emailed the final
Traffic Committee report on the research that the committee did on the big rigs traveling
through town and asked the Board to endorse the report as well as the
recommendations. The vote was unanimously in favor. The next step on the issue is to
consult with Jena who has requested coordination of the publicity and strategies with the
group who is working on the sideshow issue. Sonja will consult with Jena and arrange
another Traffic Committee meeting to discuss next steps.
C. Solid Waste Issues: tabled as time was running short.
D. Membership: Dolores announced we now have 93 members.
V. Old Business
A. CIA’s shipping container at the CCSD: tabled, Lindsey will discuss with Kent.
B. Daffodil Project: Sonja announced that the entire $1,000 grant from the CCF has
now been spent on 450 daffodil bulbs and supplies. The planting will take place
in either November or December, depending on the rain. Dolores suggested a
location along Pomona near the off ramp. It was felt this may be preferable to the
bridgehead as we could not get a commitment from D’Arcy to not mow them
down. Sonja will investigate the location and organize the planting party at the
November board meeting.
C. Schedule Town Clean Up and Residential Clean Up: there was not much
enthusiasm for the Town Clean Up but it was scheduled for November 8, 2025.
The Residential Clean Up did not arrive upon a date, however Lindsey emailed
the group later and suggested the Town Clean Up be continued until next spring
and that we hold the Residential Clean Up on November 8. This idea received
lots of support with members readily arranging the location, volunteers, and the
waste bins. Therefore, the Residential Clean Up will take place in the parking lot
where the old Post Office stood and Kent will take care of the bins and inviting
Rapid Recycle. Julie volunteered to perform her usual role of coordinator and
donation taker.
D. Website: tabled but Lindsey also did some organizing around this issue after the
meeting.
E. Fred Clerici Butterfly Habitat: tabled.
F. Sideshows: tabled.
VI. Parking Lot: brochure, Adopt-A-Median, license plate readers, Public Art
VII. Adjournment: at 8:00 pm.
VIII. Next Meeting: November 4, 2025, 6:30 pm, Crockett Community Center, small
meeting room (voting will be taking place in the auditorium).