Northwest San Pedro Neighborhood Council

Governing Board Meeting Minutes

March 12, 2007, 6:30 p.m. - Peck Park

 

  1. The meeting was called to order at 6:35 pm by President Diana Nave.

 

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

 

  1. Pres. Diana Nave gave a welcome to all attending and made several announcements: 

 

a.     The Department of Neighborhood Empowerment (DONE) has a new general manager, Carol Baker Thorpe. 

b.     Dan Dixon proposed a toast to the board in honor of the fact that after two years of close collaboration the tanks are coming out at Kinder Morgan on North Gaffey and the property will be cleared for soil mitigation.  Jody James thanked the South Coast Air Quality District.

c.      It was also announced that at a recent public meeting the Los Angeles City Council presented the San Pedro Neighborhood Councils with recognition of five years of service to the community. 

d.     John Stammreich put together a nice brochure for the NWSPNC. 

 

  1. Approval of Minutes.  The February 12, 2007 minutes were approved with the following amendment:  Correct spelling of Woodfield.  Also, add roll call names of vote on cell tower. 

 

  1. Report from LAPD.  Officer Joe Buscano is requesting funds of $1000 to from each of the neighborhood councils to pay for the hotel for an exciting Teen Police Conference to be held on April 19th at the Harbor Gateway Holiday Inn.  It will include workshops addressing gang issues, violence prevention as well as teen drinking and driving, plus a mini job fair.  They are planning for 150 Middle School and High School students.  Barbara Schach made a motion to approve $1000 for the teen police conference.  Janet Gunter seconded the motion which passed unanimously.

 

 Officer Dumaplin reported on the numerous arrests in February including a significant graffiti arrest.  The cars that were stolen did not have alarms or steering wheel locks.  Pat Nave suggested that the NC meet with Capt. MacNamara to see if there is something we can do to assist with gang problems.

 

  1. UPDATE on COPSS.  Representative from COPSS (Community Outreach Promoting Safety and Security) gave background on this group which promotes preparedness for disaster around the port.  The committee has been looking at disaster preparedness in and around the port.  They found that “people security” was secondary to port security and that there are threats beyond the port that were not being adequately addressed.  They have applied for non-profit status and are forming a Board of Directors and Advisory Board and are hoping to have representation from each neighborhood council and have developed a brochure for which they are seeking funding.  George Thompson is NWSPNC’s representative.

 

  1. Report from Mayor’s Office:  Ricardo Hong reported that on April 28th-29th, beginning at 8am, 50,000 men and women from Los Angeles will be doing volunteer work.  The focus is on local schools.  There are 15 schools participating in the Harbor Area.  Volunteer projects will include murals and general clean up of the schools, etc.  The mayor’s office hopes that the NWSPNC will do a project on this date.  Ricardo also introduced Sima who is interning at Harbor Office.

 

  1. Presentation from Port of Los Angeles on Tree Planting Program.  Kurt Arend gave a presentation on the port’s plans to plant over 7300 trees by 2009.  Trees are free to the public.

 

  1. North Gaffey Beautification Project:  An update was provided on how the Port has changed their plans to incorporate our requested changes including removal of the billboards.

 

  1. Public Comment: 

 

    1. John Winkler made comments on article about the Seaport condos being constructed by Albertsons.
    2. Judy Karns – Spoke in support of the goats at Peck Park.  Wants children of Harbor area to be able to experience this.  Is requesting the goats full time.
    3. John Stammreich – Expressed his outrage in regards to the attack in a Letter to the Editor against John Mavar over the cell tower issue.
    4. Ray Patricio – Also commented on the goats at Peck Park.

 

  1. Planning and Land Use Report.
    1. Target agreed to most of our requested mitigations including North Gaffey improvements (curbs and gutters on Gaffey east side), wide driveways, turn lanes, full size trees, and lower height on signage.  Their letter of agreement was included in the agenda package. 
    2. Ponte Vista Update.  Pat Nave presented a motion in support of the process of advising on what is best for San Pedro through a Citizen’s Advisory Committee on Ponte Vista.  Motion passed unanimously: 

 

WHEREAS, Councilwoman Hahn has established a Citizen’s Advisory Committee on Ponte Vista to advise her on Ponte Vista’s pending specific plan application; and

 

WHEREAS, the Councilwoman has asked the Committee to focus on ”what’s best for San Pedro”, and

 

WHEREAS, the Committee will be aided by the City of Los Angeles Planning Department in its efforts; and

 

WHEREAS, the process of using advisory committees selected from the local  community and doing actual planning is a model that has the potential to be good for the community and is a model that can be used in other places in the City; and

 

WHEREAS, a significant issue in the proposed Ponte Vista development is the impacts on traffic; and

 

WHEREAS, Neighborhood Councils are in a unique position to assist the City in how it approaches traffic management issues generally.

 

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Northwest San Pedro Neighborhood Council endorses and supports the process of advising on what is best for San Pedro through the Councilwoman’s Citizen’s Advisory Committee on Ponte Vista  with the help of the Planning Department; and

 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Northwest San Pedro Neighborhood Council endorses and supports the process of planning in the City through the cooperative efforts of the Planning Department and Neighborhood Councils; and

 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Northwest San Pedro Neighborhood Council endorses and supports a City-wide examination of traffic policy that involves input from all the Neighborhood Councils.

 

The President of the Governing Board of the Northwest San Pedro Neighborhood Council is instructed to forward a copy of this resolution and its approval to the Councilwoman for the 15th District, to the Ponte Vista Citizen’s Advisory Committee, and to the General Managers of the City of Los Angeles Planning department and the City of Los Angeles Department of Transportation.

 

 

  1. Service Awards:  Bonnie Easley reported that the deadline to apply for the two service awards of $500 which will be presented by the NWSPNC is March 23rd.    

 

  1. Youth and Education Committee:  Barbara Schach talked about the Youth Citizen of the Month Award  which will be presented to three schools in the NWSPNC area, specifically to 5th graders showing leadership traits. 

 

  1. Issues Committee – John Mavar distributed a written report and highlighted the following:

 

    1. Gatun Street issue: Report on “calming measures” and other traffic amelioration for Gatun Street.
    2. Park Plaza Shopping Center:  Concerns being addressed include graffiti, trash and shopping carts around the center and down on Capitol and Park Western Dr.  New businesses coming are Jamba Juice and Countrywide Loans. 
    3. Goats:  This will be the 3rd year the goats will be at Peck Park canyon (Hernandez Ranch area). 
    4. Gang Prevention/Assessment:  Possibility of expanding GAP program.  Consideration being given by Councilwoman’s office to possible tax assessment.  Issues committee member Gabriel Rivas did not feel we should pay a tax assessment and funds should come from state and federal agencies.

 

  1. Elections Committee:  Updating our procedures in accordance with DONE. A motion was made and seconded to approve changes in election timeline and, board seat descriptions (qualifications to run for seat), and the candidate verification process and eligibility to run for office as presented by Capt. George Thompson (copy attaced).  John Mavar opposed, all other board members voted yes. 

 

  1. Report from Councilwoman’s office, Ana Bosic: 
    1. Construction of Welcome Park has begun, should be completed this summer.
    2. Animal Shelter is a little bit behind schedule, should be completed by end of year.
    3. Fire Stations should be completed in June.
    4. Police headquarters end of year.
    5. Ball fields, still looking for location.
    6. North Gaffey Beautification.  Community event will be scheduled  to plant trees on the Sanitation Property.
    7. Another meeting is being scheduled with Chevron to get them to participate with the beautification plan.

 

  1. DONE updates.  Rosa Arcadia of the Department of Neighborhood Empowerment gave updates.
    1. Congress of Neighborhood Council Event on April 21st at the Bonaventure Hotel. 8am-3pm. More info can be obtained at website:  www.lacityneighborhoods.com  Mayor and council members will also be attending.  Buses will be available to transport members of the community who might like to attend.  Peck Park was suggested because of the ideal parking situation.

 

  1. Budget Committee:
    1. Motion passed:  That the President and Treasurer (or in the absence of the President, the Vice President and Treasurer) be authorized to make expenditures of up to $500.
    2. Motion passed objecting to DONE imposition of budget requirements that at least 25% of funds be used for outreach and 25% for community project. 

 

  1.  MOU DWP Report.  Report from Gabriel Rivas.  A motion was presented and seconded that the Northwest San Pedro Neighborhood Council support the proposed modifications to the NC-DWP Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).  The motion was passed unanimously.  See proposed modifications below:

 

The Changes are as follows:
 
First paragraph: This five-year Memorandum of Understanding is mutually agreed upon by the City of Los Angeles acting by and through the LADWP and Certified Neighborhood Councils, effective upon the date signed by the Board of Water and Power Commissioners of City of Los Angeles.  
 
2.10.2 (i) Ninety (90) days before the proposed rate action is submitted to the Board if the rate action is for a single year.
or 
2.10.2 (ii) One hundred twenty (120) days before the proposed rate action is submitted to the Board if the rate action is for multiple years. 
 
8.4. The LADWP Oversight Committee will provide LADWP annual and updated roster of its members and Neighborhood Council MOU representatives. 
 
8.5. Prior to each meeting the LADWP Oversight Committee will use its best efforts to provide LADWP with an agenda.
 
8.6. After each meeting the LADWP Oversight Committee will use its best efforts to provide minutes of the meeting, including a roster of attendees. 
 
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 LADWP Neighborhood Councils’ Oversight Committee may propose amendments.  Both LADWP ant the LADWP Neighborhood Councils’ Oversight Committee agree to meet with each other within sixty days (60) after modification to this MOU has been requested in writing. 
 
10.1. This MOU shall expire five (5) years after it is first executed by LADWP, 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. 
 
Note: Underlined items were changed with the exception of 2.10.2 and 8.4. through 8.6. These were new additions.

 

 

  1.  912 Commission Update:  John Mavar gave report the issues being discussed by the 912 commission.  Their draft report is expected in July. In May we will have a more in depth discussion of issues at our general meeting. 

 

  1. President’s Report: 
    1. Pacific Corridor update submitted by Jane Solomon
    2. The requested CORO fellow to examine the City’s Traffic policies will begin March 19 for two months.
    3. Job description for Julia Parker was distributed. She is now available to assist on projects.
    4. Terminal Island Renewable Energy Project. Invitation to attend T.I.R.E. groundbreaking ceremony on April 5th.
    5. Council has received several letters from an individual interested inseeing the Red Car extended to Target and Wilmington
  2.  Other
    1. Soledad Garcia talked about the Planning MOU and the transition from a Task Force to an Oversight Committee. 
    2. Janet requested that a discussion of legislation related to Sober Living Homes be put on the agenda for next month.
    3. CERT Training starts Wed March 14th. 

 

  1. Next meeting, April 9, 2007.

 

  1. Meeting adjourned at 9:02pm

                              

Respectfully submitted,

 

Kristina Smith

Administrative Assistant

NWSPNC