HomeMy WebLinkAbout081225-08.1 ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF REPORT 8.1
TO: Mayor and Town Council August 12, 2025
SUBJECT: Resolution No. 57-2025, appointing members to the Board of Directors for
the Magee Ranch Geologic Hazard Abatement District
BACKGROUND
State law (Public Resources Code Section 26500 et seq.) provides for the formation of
Geologic Hazard Abatement Districts (GHAD’s), which serve as a mechanism for
implementing and funding the mitigation, abatement or control of geologic hazards. The
GHAD can be proposed by a developer, but formation of a GHAD must be approved by
resolution of the legislative body for the jurisdiction in which the property to be included in
the GHAD is located. As part of that initial formation process, the legislative body may
either appoint five owners of real estate within the boundaries of the GHAD as the board of
directors for the GHAD or may appoint themselves as the board of directors.
On August 4, 1992, the Town Council adopted Resolution No. 124-92, approving formation
of the Magee Ranch GHAD and appointing five property owners within the boundaries of
the GHAD as the initial Board of Directors. (Attachment B). That formation included the
plan of control, which is the document describing the maintenance activities to be
performed by the GHAD. On November 17, 1992, the Town Council adopted Resolution
No. 173-92, appointing two new members to the GHAD Board of Directors to replace two
members who had resigned. (Attachment C) Subsequent to these actions, the Town has had
no need to interact with the GHAD. This is the only stand-alone GHAD within the Town
as more recent developments have annexed into larger, existing GHADs in Contra Costa
County. Such annexations do not require any action by the Town.
DISCUSSION
The Town was contacted earlier this year by the Magee Ranch HOA regarding the GHAD.
(Attachment D) The Board of Directors of the Magee Ranch GHAD never functioned or
operated and the Board members previously appointed are no longer able to serve, so no
action can be taken to get the GHAD back on track. In consultation with the attorney for
the HOA/GHAD, it has been determined that the best way forward is for the Town Council
to appoint five new members to the GHAD Board. Once that is done, they will be able to
take the steps needed to update their plan of control and any other necessary actions to
make the GHAD operational. Taking this action does not obligate the Town to do anything
else with respect to the GHAD nor create any financial obligations. It simply allows them
to get their house in order.
Magee Ranch GHAD Board 2 August 12, 2025
The Magee Ranch HOA has submitted the names of the following five property owners
within the GHAD boundaries who have volunteered to serve on the GHAD Board:
1.Andrew Rodgers
2.Keith Witz
3.Troy Gaspar
4.Susan Tully
5.Paul McAlpine
This item was originally scheduled for consideration by the Town Council on July 15, 2025.
However, in response to a request by Magee Ranch resident Cammy Ticknor to be one of
the five property owners appointed to the GHAD Board (see Attachment E) the Council
chose to continue the matter in order to get more information from the HOA on their
selection process. Attachment F is the HOA’s letter explaining the process which they used
to reach out to members and the qualifications of the five people they have nominated. A
representative of the HOA will be present at the meeting to answer any additional
questions. It should be emphasized that whatever steps the new GHAD Board takes, they
will have no financial impact or obligation for the Town.
PUBLIC CONTACT
Notice of the public hearing was published in a newspaper of general circulation for the July
15th meeting. By continuing that meeting to this date certain, no further publication was
required. A copy of the staff report and resolution have been provided to the HOA and to
Ms. Ticknor. Posting of the meeting agenda serves as notice to the general public.
FISCAL IMPACT
None.
RECOMMENDATION
Adopt Resolution No. 57-2025, appointing members to the Board of Directors for the Magee
Ranch Geologic Hazard Abatement District.
Prepared by:
Robert B. Ewing
City Attorney
Magee Ranch GHAD Board 3 August 12, 2025
Attachments: A-Resolution No. 57-2025
B-Resolution No. 124-92
C-Resolution No. 173-92
D-Letter from Magee Ranch HOA dated 5/20/25
E-Application from Cammy Ticknor
F-Letter from Magee Ranch HOA dated 7/22/25
RESOLUTION NO. 57-2025
APPOINTING MEMBERS TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS FOR THE MAGEE
RANCH GEOLOGIC HAZARD ABATEMENT DISTRICT
WHEREAS, state law (Public Resources Code Section 26500 et seq.) provides for the
formation of Geologic Hazard Abatement Districts (GHADs), which serve as a
mechanism for funding the mitigation, abatement or control of geologic hazards; and
WHEREAS, formation of a GHAD must be approved by resolution of the legislative body
for the jurisdiction in which the property to be included in the GHAD is located; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to Public Resources Code Section 26567, the legislative body may
either appoint five owners of real property within the boundaries of the GHAD as the
board of directors for the GHAD or may appoint themselves as the board of directors;
and
WHEREAS, on August 4, 1992, the Town Council adopted Resolution No. 124-92,
approving formation of the Magee Ranch GHAD for the Magee Ranch subdivision and
appointing five property owners within the boundaries of the GHAD as the initial Board
of Directors; and
WHEREAS, on November 17, 1992, the Town Council adopted Resolution No. 173-92,
appointing two new members to the GHAD Board of Directors to replace two members
who had resigned; and
WHEREAS, the Magee Ranch GHAD Board of Directors never acted or operated; and
WHEREAS, the Magee Ranch HOA, which has been carrying out the obligations of the
GHAD, has asked the Town to appoint five new members of the GHAD Board of
Directors to enable them to operate and take the legal steps to update their plan of control
and other necessary actions; and
WHEREAS, the Magee Ranch HOA has submitted the names of five property owners
within the GHAD boundaries who have volunteered to serve on the GHAD Board; now,
therefore, be it
Docusign Envelope ID: 13F0C1BF-9675-4F5E-8117-6ABEF2E880AD
ATTACHMENT A
PAGE 2 OF RESOLUTION NO. 57-2025
RESOLVED, that the Danville Town Council hereby appoints the following
individuals to serve as the Board of Directors for the Magee Ranch Geologic Hazard
Abatement District:
Andrew Rodgers
Keith Witz
Troy Gaspar
Susan Tully
Paul McAlpine
APPROVED by the Danville Town Council at a regular meeting on August 12, 2025 by
the following vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSTAINED:
ABSENT:
______________________________
MAYOR
APPROVED AS TO FORM: ATTEST:
_______________________________ ______________________________
CITY ATTORNEY CITY CLERK
Docusign Envelope ID: 13F0C1BF-9675-4F5E-8117-6ABEF2E880AD
ATTACHMENT B
ATTACHMENT C
ATTACHMENT D
Town of Danville – Geologic Hazard Abatement District (GHAD)
Application for Appointment to GHAD Board of Directors
Board: Magee Ranch GHAD Board Date: July 10, 2025
1.Personal Information
Full Name: Cammy Chiang Ticknor
Residence Address: 136 Windover Drive, Danville, CA 94506
Home Phone #: 925-997-1595
Cell Phone #: 925-997-1595
Email Address: cammyticknor@gmail.com
Resident Since (MM/YYYY): 06/1995
Do you own property within the GHAD boundary? Yes
Do you live within the GHAD boundary? Yes
2.Eligibility and Disclosures
Are you a current member of any Town commission or board? If yes, list in “Additional
Information” below.
No
Do you anticipate any actual or perceived confiicts of interest (e.g., contractor/vendor
relationship with GHAD)? If yes, describe in “Additional Information” below.
No
Do you flle or will you flle Form 700 (Statement of Economic Interests)? Yes
Additional Information:
Nothing to note.
3.Statement of Interest
I am applying to serve on the Magee Ranch GHAD Board to help protect our community from geologic
hazards like landslides and slope erosion. I have lived in Danville since 1983 and in Magee Ranch since
1996. I care deeply about preserving the safety and quality of life in our neighborhood. My background as
a long-time property owner and 2 years of service on the Magee Ranch HOA Board—along with four years
on the Landscape Committee—have given me valuable insight into the terrain in Magee Ranch,
homeowner concerns, and fiscal oversight. I believe I can contribute thoughtfully to the review of
maintenance plans, budget priorities, and public outreach to ensure our community remains safe and
well-informed.
ATTACHMENT E
Town of Danville – Geologic Hazard Abatement District (GHAD)
Application for Appointment to GHAD Board of Directors
4.Relevant Background & Experience
Professional Experience:
•25+ years as a successful business owner
•Program/Project Management
•Contract Management
•Operational Oversight
•Financial Stewardship
Community Involvement / Civic Engagement:
•Magee Ranch HOA Board Member (2 years)
•Magee Ranch Landscape Committee Member (4 years)
•U.S. Small Business Administration 8(a) Association Vice President (6 years)
•U.S. Army Reserve Award of Excellent Service
Knowledge of GHAD-related Issues:
•Flooding and Erosion
•Landslide and Slope Stability Risks
•Capacity and Infrastructure Strain
•Community Concerns
5.Availability
Availability for monthly evening meetings? Yes
Willing to participate in site walks, emergency calls, or special retreats? Yes
If you have any scheduling confiicts or concerns, please describe them below:
(For example: limited availability during certain months, caregiving obligations, work-related travel, etc.)
I have no known scheduling limitations. I have regularly attended HOA board meetings over the past 10
years and anticipate being able to attend GHAD meetings with the same level of consistency and
commitment.
6.Certiflcation
I certify that I live in Danville within the GHAD district and the information provided is true. I understand
that I may be required to file a Statement of Economic Interests (Form 700) and complete AB 1234 ethics
training upon appointment.
Signature Date
07/10/2025
HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION
c/o Homeowner Association Services ♦ 2266 Camino Ramon, San Ramon, CA 94583
Telephone: (925) 830-4848 ♦ Fax: (925) 830-0252 ♦ Email: slint@hoaservices.net
July 22, 2025
Rob Ewing
Town Attorney
Town of Danville
500 La Gonda Way
Danville, CA 94526
Re: Appointment of the Magee Ranch GHAD Board of Directors
Dear Mr. Ewing:
We wanted to share with you and the Town Council the process the Magee Ranch HOA
went through in identifying the five landowners proposed to be appointed to the Magee Ranch
GHAD Board of Directors.
First, the GHAD Law does not require a process to identity the landowners for the
GHAD Board. The GHAD Law allows the Town Council to either appoint five landowners, or
itself, to act as the GHAD Board. The Town Council chose to appoint landowners when it
formed the GHAD back in August 1992 and the Governing composition cannot be changed once
one of the two options is chosen (i.e. once a landowner Board is established it stays that way
forever). In 1992, it was the developer of Magee Ranch who identified the initial landowners
the Council appointed to the GHAD Board.
The HOA was working on identifying landowners for the Board for over a
year. Beginning in March of 2024, a request for candidates went out via newsletter to all Magee
Ranch landowners. Interested candidates were asked to contact HOA Management. That request
was repeated again in the June 2024 newsletter and the September 2024 newsletter. During that
time, the Magee Ranch HOA website also hosted a request for candidates. From March 2024
through March 2025, only two homeowners contacted Management in writing expressing a
willingness to serve on the GHAD Board (these two persons are recommended to be appointed
to the GHAD Board). After a year of unsuccessfully obtaining a full set of GHAD candidates, we
began reaching out to those with experience that we believed could lead to a cohesive and
effective GHAD Board. The three additional recommended appointees were identified in this
way.
The Magee Ranch GHAD was lucky to find landowners with an interest in serving on the
GHAD Board. Nearly all have experience in relevant industries or have proven effective leaders
and team members. When it came to determining representatives of the community to put
forward, we felt the GHAD would be best served by those with a wide range of experience
representative of the community. Troy Gaspar has a degree in geophysics; Keith Witz is a
retired engineer; Susan Tully has years of experience with project management; Andy Rogers
sits on the HOA Board and will help serve as a liaison between the two entities; and Paul
ATTACHMENT F
Rob Ewing
July 22, 2025
Page 2
McAlpine is another engineer located in one of the higher risk areas of the community
representing those that are passionate about the work the GHAD will do.
We look forward to the Town Council meeting on August 12 wherein this appointment
will be discussed.
Very truly yours,
Joe Falvey
cc: Stacey Lint, CCAM Community Manager, Manager to Magee Ranch HOA
Patricia Curtin, Fennemore LLP, Attorney