Oakmont’s Semimonthly Newspaper www.oakmontvillage.com/news July 15, 2020 • Volume 59, Number 14 Supervisors Won’t Close Sprinklers at Dusk COVID-19 at Los Guilicos For Now Oakmont Gardens nStaff Report nJim Brewer The Sonoma County Board of Supervisors refused All residents and staff at the Oakmont Gardens were to back Chairman Susan Gorin’s efforts to close Los retested for COVID-19 the week of July 6 after eight Guillicos Village (LGV) for the homeless and voted residents and one staff member turned up positive. instead to continue it as is until such time as Gorin Eight Gardens residents have been in self and staff are able to locate an alternative site in eastern quarantine since the staff member tested positive in Sonoma County. mid-June. The staffer has recovered from the virus The vote came after lengthy public comments. but is not currently working, according to Constance More than seven hours of recorded comments, the Sablan, spokesperson for the Gardens operator, MBK vast majority wanting the site closed, were sent to Senior Living. supervisors after residents learned late last week of Sprinklers at dusk on the Sugarloaf Golf Club course. None of the residents who tested positive had the possibility of making LGV a permanent shelter (Photo by Maureen McGettigan) developed symptoms as of July 6, Sablan said. Dining and removing all of the security and transportation facilities and other community activities had already services that have been provided since the village been suspended in all MBK facilities in mid-March opened in March. Several Oakmont residents sought OVA Board Tables Move as a precautionary measure, she said. “Everybody immediate closure because of fire season. who tested positive is being asked to quarantine in “If there’s a fire in there, I am guessing there is To Open Indoor Facilities their apartments, and we have asked all residents a potential for legal action because you’ve been to self-isolate.” Visiting has also been curtailed, advised,” said Elaine Bennett in one of several nAl Haggerty she said. hundred live and recorded messages. She said the Amid concern about a recent increase in COVID-19 OVA first heard of reports of positive virus tests shelter at Los Guilicos “is wrong on so many levels. cases in Sonoma County, the Oakmont Village from residents in the community, and the positive No one appreciates your deceit. I hope it comes back Association board tabled a resolution to open OVA’s tests were then confirmed upon inquiry to MBK. The Gardens management cannot impose mandatory to bite you.” Fitness Center as soon as July 15. The unanimous isolation on its 160 residents, including the 57 in OVA President Steve Spanier said legal action is action at the board’s organizational meeting followed assisted living. However, the company has been a possibility. “Los Guilicos was always the wrong the July 6 counting of election ballots. location for a homeless shelter—that will never urging residents to follow health protocols regarding Director Noel Lyons, heading up a committee change,” he said. “Today’s vote by the county Board the virus since March, Sablan said. exploring the issues involved in opening indoor of Supervisors to continue LGV despite hundreds of So far it is not clear how the virus got into the facilities, recommended no action be taken on the See LOS GUILICOS on page 3 Gardens, or why the county did not immediately resolution until the regular board meeting July 21. begin contact tracing after MBK reported that an Board President Steve Spanier immediately employee had tested positive. Sonoma County Town Hall Clarifies Proposed supported Lyons’ position, calling the resolution Health Department officials, as a matter of policy, to open the Fitness Center and other indoor areas have not offered detailed comment on specific cases “premature.” He cited a new report by 200 world or situations. Fire Safe Policy Rules scientists citing how easily the virus can spread n MBK did a deep cleaning of all the areas that people Jackie Reinhardt through the air. Spanier said opening indoor facilities who tested positive had visited, including their A July 7 Town Hall that focused on proposed Fire was “too big a risk,” adding that people “wouldn’t apartments, and planned to do another deep cleaning Safety and Control Policy Rules and Regulations necessarily wear masks.” soon. Initial cleaning was done after the staff member cleared up a major misunderstanding about what The board discussion followed a strong statement tested positive on June 15. Oakmonters would have to do to comply with the by resident Harriet Palk. Citing a recent increase in “We have been instituting safety protocols since proposal likely to come before the OVA Board for virus cases in the county, she said: “If ever a stay-in- mid-March but it’s just very difficult,” Sablan said. approval July 21. place order needs to be in effect, now is the time.” “Nobody has figured out how to keep you 100% safe.” Based on questions asked, many residents were Opening indoor facilities, she added, has “the There has been a precipitous rise recently in concerned they would need to cut down plants, trees potential to open the door for a COVID-19 outbreak COVID-19 cases, including in Sonoma County. OVA or other vegetation to maintain five feet of defensible in Oakmont.” directors have delayed plans for re-opening indoor space around their homes and even remove plants There was also a discussion of how much demand facilities and picnic areas at least until their July 21 from decks. there is for opening the Fitness Center. Lyons said he meeting. “We do not want our beautiful landscape has heard from people who use the center every day destroyed,” noted Mariellen Munson after listening that they won’t return until there is a vaccine. Director to the discussion. Munson is president of the Aspen Heidi Klyn estimated that about one in four residents Meadows Homeowners Association. is anxious to have the center open. Dog Park Work Starting The board unanimously approved a resolution “We are not requiring removal of plants at this nStaff Report time,” OVA General Manager Kevin Hubred said, requiring residents to sign a hold harmless agreement clarifying one of the most misunderstood provisions. before using any indoor facilities. This would relieve Construction of Oakmont’s long-awaited dog park “We’re talking about removing dead brush around OVA of liability should someone contract the virus. was expected to begin July 15 after receipt of city permits for the project off Stone Bridge Road. The the perimeter.” See TOWN HALL on page 3 See BOARD on page 3 project is planned to take about two months, said Iris Harrell, chair of the OVA Building Construction Committee. PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE Installing the dog park over the hill behind the PAID Community Garden requires temporary closure of SANTA ROSA, CA the Volunteer Trail leading from Stone Bridge to the PERMIT NO. 323 bridge into Trione-Annadel State Park, which is also reachable from the private road running alongside the adjacent RV park. The OVA Board approved cost for the project by contractor is Mitchell Landscaping is $189,513. 2 The Oakmont News / July 15, 2020 CELEBRATING 33 YEARS OF EXCELLENCE Our years of experience have prepared us for this unprecedented time. Oakmont Gardens is in the unique position to provide for all of your needs, right on site. * To celebrate, we’re offering an anniversary special of your first month’s rent for $33 (707) 703-4010 301 White Oak Dr., Santa Rosa, CA 95409 OakmontGardens.com *Based on availability. Other restrictions may apply. INDEPENDENT LIVING • ASSISTED LIVING License # 496803601 The Oakmont News / July 15, 2020 3 BOARD Continued from page 1 nMarilyn Pahr DIRECTORS RE-ELECTED As we go to press, the re-opening of from their respective teams. Those There were no surprises in the 2020 board election the Oakmont Village Library is still a volunteers who can will be working results. Ballots had been held uncounted since work in progress and dependent on to get the library opened for you but COVID-19 prompted shutdown of much activity. county health orders. The books miss need your help and cooperation. Makeup of the board is the same as last year, with you, the volunteers miss you and we How many of those books you Spanier as president; Tom Kendrick, vice president; know you miss having access to the had checked out and meant to Klyn, secretary; and Elke Strunka, treasurer. books, DVDs and audiocassettes that read got read during the Shelter in The four board members were unopposed and all enrich your lives. Place? How many books from your finished in a close group. Spanier, Kendrick and Jess The library has over 20,000 items personal library are ready for a new Marzak were elected to two-year terms. Marianne available for Oakmont residents and home in the library? We’re guessing Neufeld, with the fewest votes, will serve for one their guests. No fees, no due dates, it’s a lot and if everyone returned all year. no library cards, no sign outs—just their items and gave us donations, it browse and take them home. When might look like this picture. we open, please do take home If you can hold onto your items a generous amount of materials for a while, we’ll let you know when and think about bringing some to we feel we can handle the additional your neighbors who may not be workflow. comfortable yet making a trip to the library.