Get Involved With YOUR Neighborhood Council > Coastal San Pedro | Central San Pedro | NW San Pedro

NORTHWEST SAN PEDRO NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL

MEETING MINUTES

August 9, 2004

The meeting was called to order at 6:46 PM by President John Greenwood.

Roll call of board members: The following board members were present: Andrea Adleman, Esther Espinosa Ek, Carlos Garcia, John Greenwood, Jody James, Diana Nave, Ray Patricio, Patricia Polcuch, Marisa Trutanich, William Upchurch, Guilllermo Villagran, Sanni Wehbe, Chris Wickers, John Vladovich.  Excused: Margaret Moilov, Phillip Nicolay, George Thompson.

Minutes of July 12, 2004 meeting: The minutes were approved with one amendment to correct the intersection where the Miraleste Pines Neighborhood Watch is advocating for a stop sign.  The intersection is Chandeleur & Miraleste Dr.

Presentation on Inclusionary Zoning: Supporters and opponents of the proposal made presentations and provided printed materials on their positions.  Board members and stakeholders asked questions.  Announcements were made that extensive background material can be found on the NWSPNC website at www.nwsanpedro.org and that the Central San Pedro Neighborhood Council is holding a public forum on the issue on August 19.

Report on Transportation Issues: Sue Lai of the port staff reported on several transportation issues affecting the Harbor Area and announced that a PCAC Transportation Subcommittee meeting will be held on October 5.

Public comment: Consultants designing the bridge-to-breakwater redevelopment thanked the community for its input on the proposals and requested to make a presentation at the NWSPNC’s September meeting.  The website for the redevelopment is www.sanpedrowaterfront.com.

Committee reports:

Issues Committee motions

AmeriGas: Approximately six stakeholders questioned and/or expressed opposition to the renewal of the company’s permit to operate a butane gas pipeline.  More than a dozen stakeholders had previously testified in opposition at NWSPNC’s July 18 public forum.  AmeriGas official Mark Thomas acknowledged the strong feelings held by many community members.  Thomas stated that the company was not opposed to moving its storage facilities but that the matter is complicated and would take some time.  Several Board members and stakeholders emphasized that the larger issue is the overall appearance and use of land in the North Gaffey St. area.  According to this analysis, the question is: “What do we want our community to look like?”

A motion was made by Diana Nave and seconded by Marisa Trutanich to approve the attached draft resolution.  A friendly amendment was made by Carlos Garcia and seconded by Guillermo Villagran to clarify that with regards to any temporary use of the facility, such temporary use should include consideration of appropriate safety measures.  The makers of the original motion accepted this friendly amendment and it passed unanimously.

(Note: Read the final Amerigas Resolution)

A friendly amendment was moved by Jody James and seconded by Patricia Polcuch to add language requesting that AmeriGas post a 24-hour security guard and concrete barriers at the facility.  The makers of the original motion accepted this friendly amendment and it passed with one “no” vote by Bill Upchurch.

The main motion regarding the AmeriGas resolution was approved as amended with one “no” vote by Sanni Wehbe.

Q-Star camera location: A motion was made by Ray Patricio and seconded by Bill Upchurch to install a camera in the child care area at Peck Park, in a pilot effort to reduce crime and improve public safety.  The motion passed unanimously.

North Pacific Beautification: A motion was made by Diana Nave and seconded by Esther Ek to support plans regarding the greenbelt in the North Pacific/Harbor Blvd. Region.  The motion passed unanimously.

Conflict of interest requirements: The Issues Committee put forth a motion supporting Councilwoman Hahn’s efforts to simplify the conflict of interest reporting requirements for leaders of neighborhood councils.  The motion passed unanimously. 

Report on other issues: Issues Committee chair Diana Nave reported that the city Department of Transportation is conducting a DASH needs assessment study and will hold a public meeting on August 10 at the San Pedro Boys & Girls Club.  Diana Nave also announced that the next Issues Committee meeting is August 18 at San Pedro City Hall.

Port Committee: Carlos Garcia reported on the status of the bridge-to-breakwater proposal and other issues before PCAC.  Shannon Day gave a report on the Light Aesthetic and Noise (LAC) Subcommittee.

Outreach Committee: Guillermo Villagran reported that the outreach committee needs help to produce a newsletter, publicize the Mayor’s Budget Surveys, and complete other projects.  Andrea Adleman volunteered to serve on the committee.  The board decided to discuss outreach further at its August 21 retreat.

Formation of Transportation Committee: Marisa Trutanich is chairing a newly formed transportation committee composed of representatives from all three San Pedro neighborhood councils.  Marisa reported that the committee’s first meeting, held on August 9, was well attended and began working on plans to address regional transportation issues.

President’s Report: John Greenwood appointed Andrea Adleman and Patricia Polcuch as Budget Day representatives and Chris Wickers as TeamWork LA representative.  Noting that he had received no requests from Board members to serve as NWSPNC’s PCAC representative, President Greenwood re-appointed Shannon Day to the position. 

Retreat: President Greenwood reported that the governing board will hold a retreat on Saturday, August 21.

Bios and pictures for NWSPNC website: President Greenwood urged board members to submit a short biography and picture of the website.

Report on Neighborhood Councils Forum: Diana Nave attended the quarterly meeting of the citywide Alliance of Neighborhood Councils at LA City College.  The Alliance brings together neighborhood council leaders from throughout the city for discussion and action on issues of mutual concern.  The Alliance’s website is www.allncs.org.

The next NWSPNC governing board meeting is September 13 at 6:30 PM at Peck Park.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:55 PM.