Northwest San Pedro Neighborhood Council

Governing Board Meeting Minutes

September 10, 2007, 6:30 p.m. – Peck Park, Pre-School Room

 

1.     The meeting was called to order at 6:38pm by President Dan Dixon.  Also in attendance were: Mollie Abbatiello, Craig Goldfarb, Jody James, Ray Patricial, Cpt. George Thompson, Barbara Schach, Mary Hamlin, Pete Burmeister and Diana Nave.  Board members Bonnie Easley, John Greenwood, John Mavar, Phillip Nicolay, John Stammreich and Sanni Wehbe were excused.  President Dan Dixon announced the resignation of Joe Gatlin from the Board which creates an opening for a one year seat on the Board. 

 

2.     Approval of Minutes:  Diana Nave moved to approve the minutes seconded by George Thompson.  The board unanimously approved the minutes as submitted.

3.     Update on Peck Park: 

a.     Acting Director of Peck Park, Mark Rose was joined by Fred Dowell of the Park Maintenance Staff.  A brochure of fall programs at Peck Park was made available to those in attendance.  Mark Rose explained that the park is hoping to educate the community of San Pedro on what is available at the Park for families.  He commented on such examples as:  the Dept. of Rec and Parks Little League Program; Ballet classes $45 for 10 weeks; Guitar and Piano classes $75 for 10 weeks; as well as positive programs for youth.  He asked for ideas from the community and from the neighborhood councils of how they can promote Peck Park better.   There was a discussion about security at the park which prompted President Dan Dixon to suggest that we put these issues on the mayor’s budget list.

b.     Marilyn Brown-Bellman of the Peck Park Pool Advisory Board also commented that Councilwoman Hahn has asked them to do something to make Peck Park more visible.  They would like to see a billboard in place of the banners that are currently just hanging at the entrance to the park and shopping center. 

4.     Bureau of Sanitation Presentation of the Solid Waste Integrated Resource Plan by Martin Ruiz.  For the first time in the history of solid waste planning within the City, Los Angeles will be developing the Solid Waste Integrated Resources Plan, also known as “SWIRP”. This plan will seek input from stakeholders representing a broad section of the community, from diverse cultural backgrounds and income levels, and will result in the development and implementation of a 20 year master plan for the City’s solid waste and recycling programs.

The SWIRP will outline the City’s objectives to provide sustainability, resource conservation, source reduction, recycling, renewable energy, maximum material recovery, public health and environmental protection for solid waste management planning through 2025; leading Los Angeles towards being a “zero waste” city.

Achieving zero waste will require radical changes in three areas: product creation (manufacturing and packaging), product use (use of sustainable/recyclable products), and product disposal (resource recovery or land filling). Change in these areas will impact how we live, work and interact with the environment. During the question period the issue of theft of recyclables was discussed.
 

5.     Public Comment on Non-agenda items.  No public comments.



6.     Ana Bozsic from Councilwoman Hahn’s office: 

a.     Invitation from Councilwoman Janice Hahn to the Welcome Park Dedication.  Sept 24, 2007, 9am

b.     Oct 13 & 20 there will be a Community Cleanup.  Habitat Build for Humanity will begin be building on October 28-Nov. 2nd.

c.      Cal Trans and City negotiations have been completed and the City should soon be able to take control of Gaffey from End of Freeway to 9th Street.  Repairs to the street should start around January 2008. 

d.     Dept of Public works – Community Beautification Grant Program provides Matching Grants to community groups for beautification projects.   October 17th is the deadline to apply for a grant.  They want to urge Neighborhood Councils to apply for the grants.

e.     Board member Jody James asked about Amerigas.  Ana will check for more information.

7.     Rosa Arcadia of Department of Neighborhood Empowerment: 

a.     Event in October:  Saturday, October 13, 2007 Community Budget Day.  Stakeholders get the opportunity to express community needs and provide direct input to the City’s Budget.  Will be held at City Hall in Los Angeles.

b.     The plan that established citywide Neighborhood Councils (NC) requires that each NC survey its stakeholders and complete a self-assessment form at least once every two years using a citywide form.  The draft self assessment form can be viewed at www.lacityneighborhoods.com.  CONE is seeking feedback on the form

c.      The Congress of Neighborhood Council’s is planning an eventwill be held on October 27 at the LA Convention Center from 8a;-1pm.  Rosa asked board members and stakeholders to email ideas for workshops to Rosa.

8.     Board of Education:  Geralyn “Jay” Buscaino introduced herself stating that she represents Dr. Vladovic on the Board of Education.  They want to hear from the community regarding issues concerning the schools.  She also commented that Dr. Vladovic does not support a school on Western.

9.     912 Commission:  In the absence of John Mavar, Diana Nave looked over the preliminary recommendations from the 912 Commission.  She explained the motion being presented which related to stakeholder definitions.  The following motion was proposed by Diana Nave and seconded by Jody James. 

 


Whereas the Neighborhood Council Review Commission Draft recommendation for stakeholder definition is as follows: “Plan to be amended to state that stakeholder status in neighborhood councils shall be open to those who live, work, or own property in the Neighborhood and also to those who declare a stake in the neighborhood and affirm the factual basis for it.” and

 

 

Whereas the phrase “declare a stake in the neighborhood” is very broad and not defined; and

 

Whereas the lack of a definition may lead to numerous challenges during the election process; and

 

Whereas some Neighborhood Councils desire to include stakeholder groups beyond those who “live, work, or own property in the Neighborhood,”

 

Now Therefore be it Resolved that the Northwest San Pedro Neighborhood Council recommends that the proposed stakeholder definition be revised to read as follows:

“Plan to be amended to state that stakeholder status in neighborhood councils shall at a minimum be open to those who live, work, or own property in the Neighborhood.”

A board discussion was held which brought up several debates.  A motion was passed to end the debate and move on with the motion.  The motion as presented by Diana Nave and seconded by Jody James was approved unanimously by the board.

10.  Issues Committee:  No report

11.  Port Committee:  No report.  Pat Nave will put together some comments regarding the TraPac EIR for the board to review and consider submitting as individuals.

12.  Outreach committee:  Mary Hamlin talked about the Newsletter with a goal of October publication.  The deadline to submit articles is September 21st. 

13.  Motion to support recommendations of NC/DWP Oversight Committee.  Surveys were given a couple of months ago.  This motion was tabled until next meeting.

14.  New Business:  Pete Burmeister talked about AB1634 (neutering of animals).  He would like our council to take a stand on this issue.  Pres. Dan Dixon stated that it could be plalced  on the agenda for next month.

15.  Board Retreat:  Scheduled for October 6th.

16.  Meeting was adjourned at 8:30pm. 

17.  Next Regular Meeting, Monday, October 8, 2007.  6:30 p.m.

 

Respectfully submitted,

Kristina Smith

Administrative Assistant to the NWSPNC