Northwest San Pedro Neighborhood Council

Governing Board Meeting Minutes

July 9, 2007, 6:30 p.m. - Peck Park

 

  1. The meeting was called to order at 6:35 pm by Vice President Dan Dixon in the absence of President Diana Nave.

 

  1. Introduction of new board members:  Mollie Abbatiello and Craig Goldfarb were introduced and former NWSPNC member Emily Rochte was present to swear in the re-elected and new board members.

 

  1. Roll Call:  Present were Mollie Abbatiello, Dan Dixon, Bonnie Easley, John Greenwood, Craig Goldfarb, John Mavar, Philip Nicolay, Ray Patricio, Cpt. George Thompson, Barbara Schach, John Stammreich, Sanni Wehbe, Mary Hamlin and Pete Burmeister.  Diana Nave was excused and Joe Gatlin was absent.

 

  1. Approval of minutes.  Minutes from the June 11th meeting were approved as submitted.

 

  1. Formal election of 2007-2008 executive board.  Non board member, Kristina Smith called for nominations and a vote for each executive office.  The board approved the following officers for 2007-2008:  Dan Dixon, President; John Mavar, Vice President; Mary Hamlin, Secretary; and Sanni Wehbe, Treasurer.

 

  1. Discussion of vacancy on board:    George Thompson formally moved to withdraw the tabled motion from last month’s meeting relating to the board vacancy created by the resignation of Andrea Adleman.  The motion was withdrawn by unanimous vote. John Greenwood then nominated Jody James to fill the vacant seat and the board approved the nomination.  Emily Rochte swore in Jody James as a board member.

 

  1. Report from LAPD:  Officer Helene Pallares gave a report in the absence of Officer Irmina Dumaplin. 
    1. RV Task Force has been created and is targeting the people who live in RV’s and park them at inappropriate areas around San Pedro.  The rule is that a vehicle can not be parked for more than 72 hours.  The RV Task Force towed and fined 26 RV’s last month.  Citizens can report illegally parked RVs by emailing 35359@lapd.lacity.org or calling one of the following number:  Officer Pallares at 310-869-2138 cell;  Irmina Dumaplin at 310-869-2067; Officer Joe Buscano 310-869-2168. LAPD Office 310-522-2042. 
    2. July 4TH Holiday – There were an estimated 40,000 people at Cabrillo Beach at the July 4th event.  LAPD had approximately 200 police officers at the event which was a huge success.  Officer Pallares mentioned an incident at Millmark Grove where an officer was attacked and had to call for backup.  The attacker ran into the crowd and was not apprehended.  The LAPD seized 7000 lbs of illegal fireworks but Officer Pallares stated that it did not make a huge dent in the incidents of fireworks going off.  Board member Pete Burmeister voiced his frustrations on the firework activity in his community.  Officer Pallares suggested that we contact our State lawmakers to change the laws and make the possession of fireworks a felony.  John Stammreich urged community members to call the 1-800-ASK-LAPD to report fireworks being set off before and after July 4th.  Chuck Hart commented that permits for block parties should not be permitted in the City of Los Angeles on 4th of July. 
    3. Graffiti:  One stakeholder made comments about graffiti and Officer Pallares commented that if reported to the LAPD, they will refer the incident to the proper organization for removal.

 

  1. Public Comment:
    1. Chuck Hart made a comment on the Ponte Vista project.  He is disappointed  that two other neighborhood councils have taken a position on the Ponte Vista project but that the NWSPNC has not.  Board member Jody James made a motion to hold a special meeting of the board prior to July 24 in order that a final position be taken by the NWSPNC board on the Ponte Vista project.  John Greenwood seconded the motion.  The board then held a discussion.  The board approved the motion unanimously.
    2. John Zavalny from the Science Center gave a report on the status of the Science Center stating that the LAUSD board voted and the educational component at the Science Center is being removed. (The Center is located at Westmont on Barrywood, behind Home Depot.)   He states that environmental education is important and should be supported.  John Zavalny is asking for support from the NWSPNC.  He asked as many board members and citizens as possible should plan to attend the August 4th special rally (10am) so that everyone can see the center before any changes are made.  The facility will remain the same but the positions to run the facility and the educational programs are being removed.
    3. Judy Carnes, expressed her support of the science center and urged board members to contact the City Council and send letters to urge them to keep it as an educational center.   
    4. John Winkler also gave a public comment supporting the science center and asking for the NWSPNC support.  Suggests that if the science center is closed, then maybe the 4H club could work with Peck Park to create a Science Center and move the animals there.
    5. Philip Stratton, Development Manager of Beacon House proposed that the NWSPNC sponsor their upcoming block party/street fair.  This is one of the major fundraisers for the Beacon House.  He would like the council to consider a $500 sponsorship.  The issue was referred to the Outreach committee to take action and present a motion to the board to be voted on at next meeting.

 

  1. Education Committee:  Barbara Schach presented awards to the following students:  Meryl Moilov received a $500 award.  Sara Russo received a $500 award, and Dustin Johnston received a $200 award.  Bay Cities National Bank and Conoco Phillips were thanked for their contributions to the Education fund.

 

  1. Special Recognition.  Molly Abbatiello, Meryl Moilov and Jody James was given special recognition by Vice President Dan Dixon for their volunteer work.

 

  1. Report from Council Office. Ana Bosic reported on the following:

 

    1. Building a Green Los Angeles.  Ana presented Frank Hong’s flyer which explains “green building”.  Green building reflects design and construction practices that significantly reduce or eliminate the negative impact of buildings on the environment and occupants in the following areas:  Sustainable Site Planning; Safeguarding Water and Water Efficiency; Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy; Conservation of Materials and Resources; and Indoor Environmental Quality.  For more info go to:  www.sustainla.org
    2. RV Parking Situation – Council is working with DOT on the signs.
    3. DWP – the council office is still working on getting in touch with DWP relating to our motion last month.  DWP has not yet returned their calls.
    4. Billboards:  The billboard on North Gaffey will be coming down soon, Port ran into legal problems they had to resolve.
    5. Block Party Permits:  Permits will not be re-issued for block parties where problems occurred.
    6. Fireworks:  Discussions are ongoing with the county to completely ban fireworks in LA county.  The NWSPNC Fireworks Committee will meet on July 16th.
    7. Discussions:  Board members also asked questions about DWP, Kinder Morgan, Quimby funds, Bonds related to block permits.

 

  1. Report from Dept of Neighborhood Empowerment.  Rosa Arcadia thanked the Election Committee for their hard work.  She announced the Harbor Meet and Greet with the new General Manager and Asst. General Manager of DONE on July 23.  She commented on Neighborhood Councils Partnering with the Million Trees program and also talked about Outreach opportunities for Neighborhood Councils relating to Tree Adoption Events, etc. 

 

  1. Outreach Committee—Motion with respect to sponsorship of “Taste In San Pedro”.  Motion that we do the $2500 sponsorship of a booth at the taste in San Pedro on August 4th and 5th and we invite the other two neighborhood councils  to join us and share the booth.  After discussion John Stammreich amended the motion to change the sponsorship to $1500. The amended motion was seconded and unanimously approved by the board.

 

  1. Peck Park Committee—Update on the goats.  Ray Patricio showed the board an article from More Magazine written in 2006.  He commented that Rec and Parks contracted for the goats and then backed out. According to Ray, the Conservation Corps did a bad job on trimming the brush because they had no guidance.  His handout urges the community to get involved and support the plan for goats year round. 

 

  1. Issues Committee—Update from John Mavar.  John has been compiling traffic issues and asks board members to give any issues to him for his list.  The Neighborhood Council Review Commission is having a July 19th workshop at Harbor college at 6pm.  Their recommendations can be seen on-line at www.ncrcla.org.  Board members and stakeholders were urged to attend and give their comments.

 

  1. Port Committee—Phil Nicolay talked about Trapac Westways:  Harbor Dept has agreed to cancel Westways lease.  $17 million to vacate premises.  Port pays for the remediation of the property.  Phil announced the California State Lands Commission Public Trust Workshop July 13, at the Port of LA Board Hearing Room located at 425 S Palos Verdes Street.  4-7pm.  (Topic:  Protecting the Environment and Promoting Water–related Economic Development.)

 

  1. Land Use and Planning Committee—no meeting last month.  There may be a meeting this month and a report will be provided at the next board and community meeting.

 

  1. New Business­­—Dan Dixon talked about the issue of having the DWP notoify the community of new infrastructure projects.  He hopes to have an update by next month and a possible Motion with respect to DWP Community Notification of new infrastructure projects.

 

  1. Main meeting adjourned at 8:49. 

 

  1. The NWSPNC Board stayed to decide on a tentative date for the Board Retreat and decided on September 15th, Saturday 8:30-2:00. 

 

  1. There may be an upcoming special meeting related to item 8a above.  The date of Wednesday July 18th was suggested with further details to be announced. 

 

  1.  Next Regular Meeting, Monday, August 13, 2007.  6:30 p.m.

 

 

To Contact us:  www.nwsanpedro.org, board@nwsanpedro.org, or 310-732-4522

 

As a covered entity under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City of Los Angeles does not discriminate on the basis of disability and upon request will provide reasonable accommodation to ensure equal access to its programs, services, and activities.  Sign language interpreters, assisted listening devices, or other auxiliary aids and/or services may be provided upon request.  To ensure availability of services please make your request at least 3 business days (72 hours) prior to the meeting by contacting Rosa Arcadia, at 310-732-4628, toll-free at 311, or e-mail rosa.arcadia@lacity.org.