Golden Hills CSD hopes to involve public in special workshop
A four-hour workshop is planned for March 2 to engage the public in planning for future projects in the Golden Hills Community Services District.
The district’s annual planning meeting will review accomplishments and events during 2023 and current projects, activities and plans, including projects for the Golden Hills Nature Plan.
The board approved a master plan for the 150-acre nature park last year with the intent to develop part of the land for multiple uses — funded without increasing taxes.
Among topics on the agenda for the workshop is a report on what the district is doing to improve the water quality in Tom Sawyer Lake and the next phases of park improvement.
Alternative energy sources is another topic to be explored with the agenda calling for discussion on what other forms of energy generation and conservation the district should consider.
Another session will focus on revenue streams and workload and the best ways to manage both.
The board also intends to discuss its communication with the public — what’s working and what’s not and how to handle the related workload.
Neighboring public agencies, regional relationships and security and enforcement will also be discussed.
Accompanying the agenda is a staff report from General Manager Chris Carlson, recapping significant accomplishments last year.
Carlson was promoted to the GM slot in June when the former manager, Susan Wells, retired.
“I was fortunate enough to inherit a well-oiled machine when I was given the opportunity to become the general manager,” he said in the staff report. “Previous management’s effort and board foresight has been integral to the current growth the district has recently experienced.
The amount of high-quality infrastructure projects that have been and continue to be completed on a frequent basis takes a lot of pressure off staff’s day-today duties, freeing us up to pursue new endeavors.”
He said he is excited to branch out and explore new opportunities to increase the quality of life of the residents of the district.
The March 2 planning meeting will begin at 9 a.m. at the district office, 21415 Reeves St., Tehachapi. The agenda is online at bit. ly/3uE4jJK.
FEBRUARY MEETING
During the board’s regular monthly meeting on Feb. 15, Carlson was given the green light to execute an option and ground lease agreement between the district and Freestone Renewables for proposed solar field projects located on two parcels the district owns in the Tehachapi Valley (but outside the district).
The first parcel is approximately 25 acres and is located at the intersection of Highline Road and Quarker Road, across Highline and west of Pulford Appletree Orchard.
The second parcel is approximately 20 acres and is located at 20367 Steuber Road (north of Highline Road and south of the city of Tehachapi).
According to draft agreements included with the agenda for the meeting, if the options are exercised, the company would pay the district $5,000 per parcel per year during the development period, $500 per acre per year rent during the construction period and $2,500 per acre per year rent during a 25-year commercial period with 1% annual escalations and a limited extension option.
The board also approved an increase in trash collection fees to be effective July 1.
For standard residential customers, the rates will increase by .09% — or 20 cents per month — increasing from the current $23.48 per month to $23.68 per month.
Standard commercial rates will increase by the same percentage, resulting in a 31 cent per month increase — from $36.38 per month to $36.69.