Northwest San Pedro Neighborhood Council

Governing Board Meeting Minutes

October 9, 2006, 6:30 p.m. - Peck Park

 

  1. The meeting was called to order at 6:30 pm by President Diana Nave.

 

  1. Roll Call of Board Members:  The following board members were present:  Andrea Adleman, Daniel Dixon, Bonnie Easley, Joe Gatlin, John Greenwood, Janet Gunter, Jody James, John Mavar, Diana Nave, Philip Nicolay, Ray Patricio, Cpt. George Thompson, Barbara Schach, and John Stammreich.  Board member Sanni Wehbe was excused. 

 

  1. Special Election: 

 

    1. The President thanked George Thompson and David Rivera for their work on the election. 

 

    1. Candidates:  Tract 2970:  Mary Hamlin; Don Glavic (not present).  At large Seat:  Craig Goldfarb; Irene Almeida; Peter Costa (wife spoke in his absence); Peter Burmeister.  Mary Hamlin and Pete Burmeister were elected.

 

  1. Approval of Minutes.  The minutes from the September 11, 2006 meeting were approved as submitted.

 

  1. Calendar highlights from Pres. Diana Nave:  Focus group re: community planning process.  October 26th at San Pedro City Hall.  Involves all three NC’s.  Nov. 4th community event, Gail Goldberg new manager for City’s Planning Dept and rep from Trans Dept.. Nov. 17th Los Angeles City Council meets here in San Pedro. 

 

  1. Public Comment on Non-Agenda Items: 
    1. Pat Carroll, Habitat for Humanity: talked about the property at Palos Verdes and O’Farrell.  Meeting on Oct. 22 for families who can apply for a home.  www.habitatla.org . Jody James expressed concern about the poor air quality on the subject property.

 

    1. Jody James announced the Homeowners United meeting on Nov 9th at 7pm, Taper Ave Elementary Auditorium, LAPD Harbor Division Capt. McNamara will be present to discuss evacuation and emergency plans for San Pedro.

 

  1. REPORTS FROM PUBLIC OFFICIALS
    1. LAPD.  Officer Muirhead made announcement that he has been promoted to full sergeant.  New lead officer will be selected within a month.  Interim contact:  Officer Dumplin 32070@lapd.lacity.org

 

    1. DONE, Rosa Arcadia has replaced Gabriella Quintana as the DONE liaison for NWSPNC.  Urged the community to go on-line and fill out the Mayor’s survey. 

 

    1. Councilwoman Hahn’s Office:  Gordon Teuber JCC Homes City Council Planning and Land Use hearing Oct. 18, 2pm, re: changing of zoning.  Also talked about Pacific Avenue CRA Community Advisory Committee (CAC).  Councilwoman Hahn will pick a member from each neighborhood council to be on the committee.  NC must submit 2 potential names. Ponte Vista EIR report has not yet been released by the Planning Department; therefore, upcoming meeting of Ponte Vista Advisory Committee was cancelled.  Next meeting is Nov 9th. 

 

  1. Million Tree Initiative.  Debbie Fox representing the Tree People talked about the event this Saturday, Oct. 14, trees will be planted at Harbor Park.  Commented that the next site in this area will be Leland Park on Nov 18.  There is also an upcoming workshop on Nov. 11th, 2201 Barrywood Avenue, San Pedro, 9am-3pm, RSVP (818 623-4879). 

 

  1. PLANNING AND LAND USE COMMITTEE
    1. Motion re Port Specifications for N. Gaffey Beautification. Dan Dixon talked about the port spending the China Mitigation money allocated for beautifying the East side of Gaffey from Westmont to N. Pacific.  They are proposing two phases with the first phase from Westmont to Gatun.  Plan includes bike/jogging path, plus decorative/foliage fence along railroad tracks, and mature trees. 

 

The following motion was moved and seconded by and after considerable discussion, John Greenwood proposed and Dan Dixon seconded the following amendment.    “We renew our support for the NWSPNC motions related to this issue brought forward by PCAC.  This is only a small part of what is necessary for mitigation on this matter.”

 

Motion passed as amended.  See wording below.

 

Motion Regarding Beautification Plan for North Gaffey St., October 9, 2006

 

WHEREAS--

The Port of Los Angeles is planning to begin a project to beautify the east side of Gaffey St., in phases, with the Port-identified Phase I projected to begin in February or March of 2007.  Phase I of the project extends from Westmont Dr. to Gatun St. (the main entrance drive to the City Sanitation facility).

 

In its presentation to the NWSPNC Land Use and Planning committee, port staff has indicated the following features of and limitations to the project:

 

1.  The top two feet of soil will be renewed. 

2.   The project does not currently include the Chevron right-of-way. 

3.  A parking facility proposed by and supported by the NWSPNC at the southeast corner of Gaffey St. and Westmont is not part of project. 

 

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4.  Existing commercial billboards will be removed only as sign leases expire.    5.  Grass sod will be similar to or same as that in the beautification area recently completed along Pacific Ave.

 

6.  An important part of the project infrastructure is an undulating bike path.  Bike path material will be same as the Crescent Ave. path, which is decomposed granite.  It is stated that this paving material is favorable for jogging.

 

After reviewing the plan, the Neighborhood Council has recommended some changes or modifications to the Port specifications, as outlined in the attached comments.

 

THEREFORE--

The Northwest San Pedro Neighborhood Council supports and applauds the commencement of the Port’s beautification program for this area of Gaffey St., as enhanced by suggestions made in our attached comments.

 

We concur with the Port staff that the Neighborhood Council must do its part to request and encourage Chevron to beautify its narrow pipeline right-of-way along N. Gaffey St., in concert with Port plan.

 

We renew our support for the NWSPNC motions related to this issue brought forward by PCAC.  This is only a small part of what is necessary for mitigation on this matter.

 

    1. Comments on Target’s traffic plan.  Deferred till next meeting.

 

  1.  Motion to support City Measure  H.  Motion by John Greenwood, Seconded by Andrea Adelman.  John explained the Draft Resolution to Support Proposition H.  If passed, the NWSPNC would endorse Proposition H and recomment that the stakeholders of our community support the measure on Nov. 7th.  After discussion, Bonnie Easley moved to table the Motion.  11 board members voted to table the Motion.  Motion was tabled.   

 

  1. Motion to oppose City Measure R made by John Greenwood and seconded by a board member.  After several comments, Motion passed with 1 board member abstaining, all other board members voting yes.  Wording of motion follows:

 

 

RESOLUTION TO OPPOSE PROPOSITION R

Whereas Proposition R was added to the November ballot by the Los Angeles City Council in order to extend term limits for its members from two terms to three four year terms; and

Whereas in doing so the City Council combined the proposal to extend term limits with a questionable election reform proposal, and

Whereas Proposition R extends term limits for the City Council only and not for the Mayor, Controller and City Attorney; and

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Whereas the City Council rushed Proposition R on the ballot without review from the City Ethics Commission, without any notification to the public, including Neighborhood Councils, and without any attempt to discuss or build support for a lengthening of term limits, and

Whereas the City Council is required by the City Charter to notify Neighborhood Councils of ballot issues before placing them on the ballot as a way to encourage public discussion, but did not do so for this Proposition, and

Whereas this requirement is particularly important when dealing with a matter of self interest to the Council members,

Therefore, be it resolved that the Northwest San Pedro Neighborhood Council opposed Proposition R and urges its stakeholders to oppose the measure;

And furthermore, be it resolved that the Northwest San Pedro Neighborhood Council urges the Council to surface important issues with Neighborhood Councils as required by the City Charter and with the electorate before finalizing them for the ballot.

 

  1. Motion to support Councilmember Huizar’s motion regarding senior care facilities.  The following Motion made by Janet Gunter, seconded and passed unanimously by the Board.

 

Motion Regarding Overconcentration of Senior Care Facilities

 

WHEREAS, neighborhood councils have a responsibility to safeguard the integrity of Los Angeles’ neighborhoods to provide a quality of life that is fair to all, and

WHEREAS, there is a lack of standards for senior care facilities, housing 6 or fewer clients, above that of a single family residence that takes into consideration their potential need for the additional use of Fire, Police and Paramedics; and

WHEREAS, the over concentration of such facilities in a single family residential area can have adverse impacts on the community; and

WHEREAS, the adverse impacts are not limited to senior care facilities housing 6 or fewer clients,

THEREFORE, the Northwest San Pedro Neighborhood Council supports Los Angeles City Councilman Jose Huizar’s motion directing the Department of Planning to prepare a report providing an interpretation of California Health and Safety Code Section 1566.3 relative to licensing operation and sitting senior facilities with 6 or less residents in single family residential zones.

FURTHER, the report should include recommendations as to what, if any, modifications can be made to State law to prohibit over concentration of such facilities into one geographic area, as well as proposed bill language designed to close statutory loopholes that may exist to afford the City some degree of local control over senior care facilities in residentially zoned areas that protects the health and dignity of those living in such facilities while preserving the quality of life of all residents living in the community.

Additionally, the Northwest San Pedro Neighborhood Council recommends that the motion be amended to include all special needs housing in residential areas. 

 

  1. Consideration of MOU with the Dept of Water and Power (DWP).    After motion was moved and seconded, Soledad Garcia, Coastal Neighborhood Council Board Member and chair of the DWP MOU Oversight Committee, discussed the proposed amendments to the MOU.  Motion to accept the proposed amendments was passed unanimously.  See proposed amendments below:

 

Proposed Amendments to MOU with DWP

 

2.10.2 LADWP will use its best efforts to provide notification to any proposed Rate Action one-hundred twenty (120) days before the proposed rate action is submitted to the Board.  Such notification will include the Rate Action and upon request copies of the supporting documentation provided to the Board and the City Council for consideration.

 

9.      MODIFICATIONS OF MOU

9.1  The MOU may be modified in writing by mutual agreement by the Board of Water and Power Commissioners and participating Neighborhood Councils.  Either LADWP or the Neighborhood Councils’ LADWP Oversight Committee may propose amendments. Both LADWP and the Neighborhood Councils’ LADWP Oversight Committee agree to meet with each other within sixty days (60) after a modification to this MOU has been requested in writing.

10. DURATION OF MOU

10.1. This MOU shall expire five (5) years after it is first executed by LADWP, and shall continue in effect, that is self renew, for the same term and under all the same conditions, unless either party notifies the other at least eight months prior to the expiration date, as provided for in 2.2 and 2.3, herein, by the LADWP, of their intention to modify or terminate the MOU or earlier upon the effective date of an ordinance passed by the Los Angeles City Council that establishes different or amended regulations for Neighborhood Councils which are inconsistent with the terms of this MOU.

 

 

  1. By-Laws Committee Report.  John Greenwood talked about the highlights from the By Laws Committee Meeting.  Propose:  1) Add a Youth Seat that is a one year term (remove an At Large Seat);  2)  Stakeholder: Active in a community agency category is too vague recommend that we eliminate that as a category.  3) Business category recommend adding the word “licensed”  4) Board vote (instead of public election) to fill vacancy until the next election.  Complete by-laws revisions and revisions to elections procedures to be presented for a vote at next regular Board meeting.

 

  1. Councilwoman Hahn’s Ponte Vista Advisory Committee.  Mark Wells (www.pontevista.blogspot.com) announced his blog where people can discuss Ponte Vista. 

 

  1. Instructions to PCAC representative on motion related to Anchorage Road Soil Storage Site (Wilmington).  Motion will be before PCAC.  Phil commented on the recommendations.  See Motion on next page:

 

Motion to Instruct PCAC representative relative to the following motion:

The Wilmington Waterfront Development Subcommittee recommends that the Port find a more appropriate method/location for storing contaminated dredged materials, phase out the 40-acre Anchorage Road Soil Storage Site, Restore and expand an existing wildlife habitat area, Provide needed water circulation within existing marinas, and Reduce contaminated sediments and improve water quality in the Consolidated Slip and Dominguez Channel, both of which are on the 303(d) list of impaired water bodies. 

Motion Passed Unanimously by the Board 10/9/06

 

  1.  912 Commission.  John Mavar gave report. They have hired Dr. Sonenshine, who was the executive director for the appointed charter commission, as their executive director.  

 

  1. Newsletter.  Thank you to Andrea. 

 

  1. Peck Park Canyon Task Force.  Tabled.

 

  1. Treasurer’s Report.  Sanni not available but thanked for his hard work with the audit. 

 

  1. President’s Report
    1. Retreat Wrap-up.  Handout from Pres. Diana showing results from retreat.
    2. Appointments.  See committee sheet.  Issues committee-stop signs neighborhood type items, Planning and Land use look at development traffic.  Issues committee has new co-Chair Julia Parker.  Pres. Diana reviewed the other committees.
    3. Other NC’s.  Diana met with the other San Pedro NC Presidents.  They discussed traffic, need for more active recreational facilities, and revitalization of down town.  Would like to create a joint task force around special housing needs issue.  Joe Gatlin will be pulling together the first meeting.  Janet Gunter and John Stammreich were appointed as our representatives.

 

  1. Next meeting, November 13, 2006, 6:30pm
  2. Meeting adjourned at 8:54pm

                              

Respectfully submitted,

 

Kristina Smith

Administrative Assistant

NWSPNC