NORTHWEST SAN PEDRO NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL
MEETING MINUTES - January 10, 2005
(DRAFT ONLY! Final Minutes Will Be Posted When Approved)
1. The meeting was called to order at
6:44 PM by President John Greenwood
2. Roll Call of Board Members: The following
board members were present: John Greenwood, Diana Nave, Andrea Adleman,
Guillermo Villagran, Philip Nicolay, Carlos Garcia, Jody James, Margaret
Moilov, Ray Patricio, Patricia Polcuch, Capt. George Thompson, John
Vladovich, Sanni Wehbe and Chris Wickers. Bill Upchurch, Marisa Trutanich
and Esther Espinoza-Ek were excused.
3. Report from Council office: The Councilwoman’s
representative was unable to attend the meeting.
4. Peck Park Master Plan: Diana Nave
gave a short report from the Issues
Committee and also an update on the Trail Restoration Grant. She
feels that hopefully the money will be coming shortly. She then introduced
Shannon Jaax with LANI (Los Angeles Neighborhood Initiative) and recognized
the Steering Committee working on the improvements in the Canyon. They
want a plan that can be supported by the community at large. A Representative
from the architectural firm chosen to work on the master plan gave a
presentation and discussed storm water issues, the needs of residents
near the canyon, what groups would be using the canyon (such as school
groups, high schools for cross country running, and members of the community
for walking). She explained that the idea is to make a better network
of trails including maps, lights at beginning of trail, information
area, trash cans, rest rooms, etc. They are looking into the possibility
of a ranger program, also a camping site, and renting of goats to eat
vegetation. Maintenance is also an issue that is being addressed.
Comments from shareholders present included: concerns about restrooms,
benefits of having a camping area for our youth, Hernandez ranch ideas.
A Stream Restoration Grant is also being applied for. A motion was
presented: MOTION: That the NWSPNC agree to conduct a community clean
up at Peck Park, commit $5,000 in cash match for the Stream Restoration
Grant, and send a letter in support of LANI’s Urban Stream Restoration
Proposal. The motion was seconded and passed unanimously.
5. Resolution on JCC Homes: Diana Nave
gave a synopsis of the proposed use of the Kinder Morgan site by JCC
Homes. A resolution was presented and an amendment was made by a shareholder
and read by John Greenwood. Margaret Moilov assisted in re-wording
the resolution to read as follows: Whereas there have been repeated
complaints about noxious odors emanating from the Kinder Morgan Facility
on North Gaffey from nearby residents; Whereas the South Coast Air Quality
Management District has cited Kinder-Morgan for air quality violations
resulting from these noxious emission; Whereas Kinder-Morgan, deciding
to sell the property, has entered into escrow with JCC Homes for its
purchase; and Whereas JCC Homes proposed the construction of 135 detached
homes on the site after Kinder Morgan has improved it to residential
environmental standards, NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Northwest
San Pedro Neighborhood Council supports this proposed use of the Kinder
Morgan site for the development and construction of up to 135 detached
homes. HOWEVER, the Council supports the project plan with the condition
that the builder implement its proposal to construct a new street connecting
Gatun St. and Capitol Drive and to close Gatun Street on the west at
Cabrillo Street, requiring an exchange of property with the adjoining
park. This should be done to improve access to and from the development
site, and reduce traffic through the adjacent neighborhood. Our approval
is also subject to later review based on the results of the required
environmental impact statement, and JCC Homes adherence to remediation
requirements. FURTHERMORE, our approval is subject to JCC Homes adherence
to its own stated commitment to operate Highlands Park with input from
the adjacent neighborhood, in conjunction with the “street for park”
land exchange. FURTHERMORE, the proposed density for this project should
not be considered normative for other proposed developments in the northwest
San Pedro area. We also expect JCC Homes to return to the Council for
its input and concurrence periodically as the architectural, landscaping,
CC&Rs and related park plans are developed, and as the environmental
review process goes forward. The Motion was passed by the following
votes: Yes votes from John Greenwood, Diana Nave, Andrea Adleman, Guillermo
Villigran, Philip Nicolay, Carlos Garcia, Margaret Moilov, Patricia
Polcuch, Capt. George Thompson, John Vladovich and Sanni Wehbe. No
votes from Jody James and Chris Wickers. Ray Patricio abstained.
6. Sewer Settlement Agreement: Martin
Ruiz and Lisa Mowery, representing the Dept. of Public Works gave a
presentation regarding the Sewer Settlement Agreement with EPA, RWQCB
and Santa Monica Bay Keeper. This specifically related to a lawsuit
filed by the Santa Monica Bay Keeper in 1998 over sewer spills that
occurred during the record-breaking El Nino rainy season. The U.S.
EPA, RWQCB and South Los Angeles community groups joined the litigation
in 2001, seeking tough controls on sewer spills and odors. Following
six years of litigation, The City reached an agreement with all parties
on a comprehensive program of cleaning, upgrading and repair of its
sewer system. In order to accomplish its goals, the Dept. of Public
Works has proposed an increase in sewer rates. In their presentation,
Martin Ruiz and Lisa Mowery answered questions from shareholders and
board members of the Northwest San Pedro Neighborhood Council. Residential
sewer rates are projected to increase by approximately $22 per month
in 205 up to $30 by 2009. The bulk of the increase is in maintenance,
rehab, operational issues and additional construction.
7. Public comment: The only public comment
was an announcement that the next PCAC meeting was to be held Wednesday,
January 12th at 5pm on the 5th floor of the Port building. The meeting
is held to discuss the bridge to breakwater project.
8. Resolution related to reorganization
of DUI officers. The NWSPNC passed on this item on the agenda with
Pres. John Greenwood stating that he will ask the Harbor Division to
come back after 3 months and give us a report.
9. Resolution related to Safer Communities
Measure and Presentation by Port of Los Angeles on Carson Bail Bonds
site. These items were also tabled until further notice due to time
constraints.
10. Resolution regarding removal of billboards from port property.
The following resolution was passed unanimously. Whereas it is our
understanding that the commercial billboards on North Gaffey Street
between Channel Street and Westmont Avenue are on Port property, and
Whereas said billboards collectively add to the blight of the surrounding
community and are frequently used to advertise alcohol and gambling
interests, and Whereas said billboards are located directly adjacent
to residential homes and a children’s port facility, NOW THEREFORE BE
IT RESOLVED that the NWSPNC requests that the Port of Los Angeles remove
these billboards to help reduce the blighted appearance of this area
of North Gaffey Street.
11. Outreach committee report by Guillermo Villigran. Newsletter
is just about ready to be printed and sent out.
12. Port committee: Bridge to Breakwater project. Philip Nicolay
gave an update and provided a 16-page Project Description Draft of the
master plan. He commented that in order to have impact with the EIR
you must be very specific in your requests. In summary, we would like
to make sure that our comments are involved in the PCAC process. The
NWSPNC is supportive in general of the recommendation of the Port Committee.
13. Review of Motions from PCAC. Philip made a motion that we vote
yes regarding the EIR Subcommittee to study cruise ship calls. The
wording was as follows: Substitute Motion: Whereas, the EIR Subcommittee
has learned that new leases for cruise ships have recently been approved
and, Whereas additional cruise ship calls are projected to be generated
by these leases and, Whereas, additional cruise ship calls at the Port
of Los Angeles may result in an increase in cruise ship related air
pollution, water pollution, traffic and burden on the local infrastructure
and, Whereas, such an expansion has not been subject to adequate environmental
documentation pursuant to California Environmental Quality Act (CEQAS)
and, Whereas, we believe it is important to avoid expansion occurring
without the benefit of documentation pursuant to CEQA of activities
that impact the community and, Whereas the EIR Subcommittee has not
been presented with any environmental documentation for the levels of
cruise ship related pollution experienced in the past; THEREFORE BE
IT RESOLVED that the Past EIR/Aesthetic Mitigation Subcommittee recommends
to PCAC that PCAC recommend to the Board of Harbor Commissioners that
they take the necessary steps to ensure that there is no increase in
air pollution or other impacts from cruise ship related activity for
the 12 month period immediately prior to the issuance of a Notice of
Preparation (NOP) for an EIR pertinent to this matter. In addition,
adequate environmental documentation pursuant to CEQA needs sto be completed
and appropriate mitigation measures put into place. The Motion did not
pass. Then a Motion was made for Shannon Day to abstain and the motion
to abstain was passed unanimously. The NWSPNC did not vote on the remaining
PCAC motions due to time constraints.
14. December Minutes. The Minutes of the December 13, 2004 meeting
of the Northwest San Pedro Neighborhood Council were approved with the
following change: Margaret Moilov was shown as excused when she was
in fact present at the meeting.
15. President’s Message: Pres. John Greenwood stated that up to 7
volunteers are needed to participate in the upcoming Mayoral debates.
Questions need to be submitted by Pres. John on behalf of the council.
The debates will take place on Monday, Feb. 7th and Feb. 28th at a Hollywood
television studio (location not yet determined). Patricia Polcuch,
Guillermo Villigran, Diana Nave and Andrea Adleman volunteered and Pres.
John Greenwood will send in their names.
16. Issues committee: Diana Nave completed her report. She requests
a thank you note be written to Comcast for their coverage of local information.
Next meeting of Issues Committee is 6:30pm on January 26th at the San
Pedro City Hall, 4th Floor.
17. Next meeting. February 14, 2005 at 6:30pm.
18. The meeting was adjourned at 9:00pm.
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