Northwest San Pedro Neighborhood Council

Community Meeting Minutes

November 12, 2007, 6:30 p.m. – Peck Park Auditorium

 

  1. The meeting was called to order at 6:37pm by President Dan Dixon. President Dan was happy to report that the billboards on North Gaffey are starting to be removed. 

  2. Roll Call:  In attendance:  Mollie Abbatiello, Dan Dixon, Bonnie Easley, John Mavar, Phil Nicolay, Ray Patricio, Cpt. George Thompson, Barbara Schach, John Stammreich, Mary Hamlin, John Greenwood  and Diana Nave.    Jody James, Pete Burmeister and Sanni Wehbe were excused.  Craig Goldfarb arrived at 7:45pm. 
     
  3. Cpt George Thompson moved to approve the minutes of the October 8, 2007 meeting.  The minutes were approved unanimously by the board.

  4. PUBLIC COMMENT:

1)     Ms. Brown Bellman 11-2PM POT LUCK on Saturday 12/15 at Peck Park to celebrate the closing of the pool for the winter. 

2)     Little Fish Theatre, Director.  Provided 2008 Season booklet and talked about the theatre.  Would like to know how he can ask the neighborhood council for support.  Will be referred to the Budget Committee.

3)     Clean San Pedro, Mr. Steve Kleinjan.  Clean San Pedro is a 501C3 non profit company dedicated to eliminating blight in San Pedro.  He was presenting a proposal for weeding, cleaning, litter removal etc. on the main thoroughfares in San Pedro  (such as Gaffey, Pacific).  They do monthly volunteer days and they focus on special community needs.  They will be cleaning Pacific for the Christmas Parade and in January they will be weeding Capitol Drive.  Also talked briefly about Adopt-a-Spot.  That committee is looking into organizing city trash bins and making them uniform and attractive.  The committee is also trying to make the city responsible for cleaning city parking lots etc.  They would like to eliminate news racks.  Dumpster graffiti is also been taken care of , as well as repairing of curbs and sidewalks, removing illegal vendors.

  1. Instant Run Off Voting Presentation from New America Foundation.  A representative from the New America foundation talked about problems with elections in the City.  Run off voting saves millions of dollars.  It also encourages voter turnout.  Being considered by City Hall and the City Council.  Endorsed by many city leaders.  Goes to full council in December.  To get this in place it would have to be an amendment to the City Charter.  They are hoping for it to be on the ballot in November 2008. Action Item:  Put this on the agenda for a future meeting so that the board can consider a motion of support. 

 

  1. Reports from Public Officials: 

1)     LAPD – Officer Dumaplin:  Last four weeks there has primarily been a problem with burglaries in all of San Pedro.  Flat screen TVs are still the hot item to steal.  The burglars don’t appear to go to homes with dogs and also avoid security alarms.  Most entries are through the back doors.  Don’t enter your home if it looks like someone has broken in.  They may still be on the premises.  You should call 911.

2)     Rosa Arcadia from D.O.N.E.:  Seeking input from the neighborhood councils regarding the voting process possibly being taken over by the City Clerk.  This has been proposed by the 912 commission.

  1. Outreach Committee: 

1)     Nick from Rosalie and Alva’s representing Weymouth Corners talked about the upcoming Christmas event.  They distribute 5-10 thousand flyers with all the merchants.  They will be printing T-shirts.  The event is on December 7th (Friday) 4-9pm.  The NWSPNC would like to sponsor the event.  Outreach committee recommends that we allocate a $1000 to sponsor the Candy Cane Lane event.  Motion passed unanimously.  Volunteers are needed to man the booth and help judge the Christmas decorations.  Board members are encouraged to volunteer.
 

2)     Newsletter:  Problems with postage but should now be in the mail. 

3)     Website is being updated.  Committee reports are being requested from all committee chairs to be placed on the website.

  1. 912 Commission:  There are over 80 neighborhood councils in the city of Los Angeles.  Many of them are not as organized as others and especially when it comes to their elections.  In order to assist those neighborhood councils it was suggested that the City Clerk run the elections.  The City clerk would only do this if elections are changed to every two years.  A motion was presented and an amendment was requested.  After discussion, the amended motion (wording below) was moved by John Greenwood and seconded by Cpt. George Thompson and then passed unanimously by the Board:

MOTION:  Whereas, the NWSPNC has since its inception conducted board elections annually, with voters choosing roughly half its members each year, and

Whereas, the annual arrangement was selected to provide continuity, group mentoring, and the potential for revising membership as needed on an annual basis, and

Whereas, the 912 Commission is recommending to the City Council a suggested revision which would mandate the city clerk to conduct elections for neighborhood councils every other year, during even numbered years, and

Whereas, the NWSPNC believes annual elections help it achieve its best and highest service to the community, now

Therefore, the NWSPNC opposes the recommendations of the 912 Commission. 

 

  1. Port Committee:  Phil Nicolay commented that Yang Ming Terminal will be installing a wheel lubrication system to reduced track noise. He also talked about the N. Gaffey Beautification Project. 
    A motion was made by Phil Nicolay to approve the following with regard to the N. Gaffey Beautification Project: 

1)     Thank the Port for removing the billboards an agreeing to finish the project to include the curbs, etc.

2)     Concur with the inclusion of a sidewalk

3)     Concur with the trees lining the street edge.

4)     Request that the area between the sidewalk and the meandering path all be grass or similar groundcover, subject to agreement by Chevron.

5)     Request that the Port move forward with all due haste as a single project whether done by change order to one contract or by using on call services, or some other method, in necessary.

The motion was seconded by Diana Nave and then passed unanimously by the Board. 

  1. Land Use and Planning:  John Greenwood talked about a Motion related to Senate Bill 1818 requiring cities to update their plans and give incentives for affordable housing.  We commend the alternative ideas and ask Gail Golberg to analyze these suggestions and respond back to us.  The following motion was made by John Greenwood and seconded by Craig Goldfarb, 

Motion:

Whereas, the City of Los Angeles Department of Planning is currently drafting an ordinance to respond to the requirements of California SB1818, which was passed with the idea of creating larger numbers of affordable housing units, and

Whereas, Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky has written to Mayor Villaraigosa indicating great concern that the ordinance being prepared for PLUM and Council consideration goes well beyond the requirements of the state rules under SB1818, and

Whereas, the provisions of the proposed ordinance appear to move well along in the direction of higher density, larger building “footprints” on property, an higher buildings directly adjacent to low rise developments and single family neighborhoods, and

Whereas, the proposed ordinance will apparently permit this increased density and size in areas well beyond the city’s stated intention of permitting denser, taller development along clearly defined “transportation corridors”, and

Whereas, the ordinance being written will NOT result in substantial increases in affordable housing because the density bonus proposed for developers will result in very few truly affordable units and the potential obliteration of large numbers of rent-controlled units eliminated to make room for the denser development, now

THEREFORE, the Northwest San Pedro Neighborhood Council commends the alterative ideas put forth in supervisor Yaroslavsky’s Sept. 24, 2007 letter to Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa related to the City’s implementation of SB1818.

IN ADDITION, the NWSPNC asks Department of Planning General Manager Gail Goldberg to analyze the suggestions enumerated in the letter and respond to the suggestions in writing to our Council and other Neighborhood Councils.  The Council also asks that she address whether the local Community Plans within the city are an appropriate place to designate those areas where density bonuses may apply.  The Motion was passed unanimously by the Board.


Second Motion:

Motion made by John Greenwood to allocate up to $5,000 for an additional mailer to stakeholders to explain the traffic and population studies and Ponte Vista vote.  All voting board members in favor, one abstention (Bonnie Easley). Motion passed.

  1. Youth and Education:  Monthly awards, press release goes out after this Thursday meeting regarding service award.  Regarding selecting a candidate for the Youth Citizen seat, the committee met, created a flyer, edited the flyer and then distributed it to all San Pedro high schools, Harbor College, YMCA, Boys and Girls club.  As of Friday Barbara had still not received any applications.  She publicly thanked Dan Dixon for helping with distribution of flyers.  Barbara Schach made a motion that we have the appointment seat for January 08 to June 08 rather than Dec. 07 to June 08.  Seconded by Phil Nicolay.  Committee will do the interviewing of the prospective candidate and brought to the board for approval.  Vote unanimous in favor.

  2. Mayor’s Budget Day:  Diana Nave talked about the Budget Day process and provided a hand out showing how the budget works.  Also commented on the Telephone Utility Tax.  This will be on the ballot in February.  She asked the question “Would we as a neighborhood council like to sponsor a debate or discussion of this initiative so we can ask specific questions.  Diana Nave made a motion that we hold a debate/discussion and ask that the other NCs and the chamber to join us.  Dan Dixon seconded the motion.  All board members voted in favor.  Motion passed.
    Board members and stakeholders are urged to fill out the survey, a link is provided on our website.  ACTION ITEM:  Email blast to stakeholders providing link.

  3. Congress of Neighborhood Councils.  Diana attended the event and went to the By-Laws breakout session.  DONE has created a format template for by-laws.  Done stated that they will change the order of the by-law items to make them uniform (using the template) and hopefully in the future there will be a standardization .  Diana suggested that we have a by-laws committee to look at this process.  Diana Nave made a motion to voluntarily allow DONE to use our by-laws and reformat them.  George Thompson seconded the motion which was passed unanimously in favor.

  4. Goals and Objectives from Annual Retreat:  John Greenwood and Diana Nave provided handouts showing our goals and objectives. 

  5. Presidents Report:  Dan Dixon commented that he would like to see committee chairs and committee members continue on their current committees.  Any board member or stakeholder who would like to join a committee should contact the committee chair.  Reminded everyone about the tremendous improvement on North Gaffey Street.

  6. Diana Nave made the following comments: 

1)     Rosalee and Alva’s has offered their studio for our monthly stakeholder meetings. 

2)     Board members needed to judge the contest at Weymouth Corners.  One stakeholder has volunteered.

3)     Need a marketing person who might like to join our Outreach Committee.

4)     8th of December the Port is having their 100 year celebration at the cruise line terminal.

  1. Craig Goldfarb commented on the empty lot that has been cleaned up.  There was also a comment about an air monitoring station that will be up and running at the Science Center.  The final comment from a stakeholder was for our neighborhood council to consider Australian willows on the North Gaffey Beautification project.

  2. Meeting adjourned at 8:57pm

 

Respecfully Submitted,

Kristina Smith

Administrative Assistant to NWSPNC