Northwest San Pedro Neighborhood Council

Governing Board Meeting Minutes

August 13, 2007, 6:30 p.m. – Peck Park Auditorium

 

  1. The meeting was called to order the President Dan Dixon at 6:39pm followed by the flag salute and welcome.  The following Board members were in attendance:  Mollie Abbatiello, Dan Dixon, Bonnie Easley, John Greenwood, Craig Goldfarb, John Mavar, Phil Nicolay, Ray Patricio, John Stammreich, Sanni Wehbe, Pete Burmeister and Diana Nave.  The following Board members were excused:  Joe Gatlin, Jody James, Cpt. George Thompson, Barbara Schach and Mary Hamlin.  Diana Nave explained that the “Thank You” cookies came from Jody James for Northwest’s position on the Ponte Vista project. 

 

  1. Report from Councilwoman’s Office.  Ana Bosic commented on the following items:
    1. Request for City to provide a Shade Awning over Bleachers at Peck Park Pool (see related motion below).  It is believed that the approximate cost of such an awning would be approximately $30,000.
    2. Briefing on Prop K projects.  Bandini Canyon design work is about 80% complete.
    3. Bogdanovich Park is in the process of being upgraded (90% complete); Field of Dreams is getting a new restroom building, project about 50% complete.  Welcome Park is still being worked on and should be completed by Labor Day weekend; Beautification of Western Avenue median, funding from Caltrans is in the works to get that project underway. 
    4. Eastview officials have been having dialogue with the councilwoman’s office and an update will be given as soon as information is received.
    5. Animal Shelter should be completed in the next three months.

 

  1. Approval of Minutes:  The Minutes of the July 9, 2007 and July 18, 2007 Meetings were approved as submitted.

 

  1. Report from State Assemblywoman’s Office:  Jennifer Zivkovic from Assemblywoman Betty Karnette’s commented on the following items:
    1. Highway Planting project for 110/47 interchange which involved improvements costing just over $2 million.  This is the only free standing beautification project in all of Cal Trans Region 7.  The area was initially landscaped 20 years ago and had deteriorated.  She thanked John Mavar for his advocacy efforts in this area.  The project includes rehabilitation of the irrigation system and will provide all new plants.  The planting phase may be started as soon as two months from now.  Funding is secure.  Dennis Schneider is the Project Manager and can be contacted at 213-897-4299.
    2. State Budget is one vote short of a majority vote for approval.  It would provide a $3.5 billion reserve.  Assembly reconvenes on Monday.  AB587 relates to anti-terrorism (911 commemorative license plates money).  $5 million is being allocated to train local fire and police of the latest anti terrorism techniques.  AB1209 deals with the infrastructure  bonds that voters passed in November. Air quality is an important portion of those bonds.  The Bill would give priority to projects reducing emissions. 

 

  1. Report from LAPD – Officer Dumaplin commented that crime is down on this side of San Pedro.  Shooting on 18th Street was possibly related to “tag bangers” (taggers who are becoming more involved in gang related crime).  The “BF” gang is the San Pedro crew and stands for Bastard Family.  “WBC” stands for the Wilmington Boys Crew who are fighting with the BF gang.  If you witness graffiti (tagging) of the names WBC or BF on your property in or your neighborhood, report it to the Police.  Don’t treat it like regular graffiti.  Police are trying to categorize them as a gang which would allow LAPD to keep tabs on them.  Officer Dumaplin also talked about RV parking and drinking in public (nuisance crimes).  The Gardens is having some issues with kids and adults related to drug dealing.  Email photos of graffiti or vandalism to  32070@lapd.lacity.org include location and contact information. Officer Dumaplin’s work cell phone number 310-869-2067.  John Stammreich asked Officer Dumaplin about the Fireworks issue.  Pete Burmeister and a community member made comments related to fireworks incidents.

 

  1. Report from Department of Neighborhood Empowerment (DONE) — Rosa Arcadia thanked those who attended the Meet and Greet for DONE’s General Manager.  She also commented on two events planned for October: 

a.     Mayor’s Budget Day, kick off where neighborhood council leaders and stakeholders get to have input on the budget, Saturday October 13, City Hall 8-noon. 

b.     Congress of Neighborhood Councils is planning their next event.  Rosa asked that board and community members email ideas for workshops to her.  The next Congress is scheduled for October 27 at the LA Convention Center 8am-1pm.

 

  1.  Public Comment on Non-Agenda Items

a.     Lorene Vivian –long time resident of San Pedro, lives near Averill Park.  Feels there is need for restoration and beautification of Averill Park.  Would also like to see lighting provided there for safety and to reduce crime in the area.  She was referred to the Issues Committee.

b.     Josephine Jackson – Lives on 1st Street above Western.  Cars speed up and down.  Her problem is street parking.  She lives next door to apartments and cars block part of driveway.  Bus bench was destroyed years ago and has never been replaced.  She was also referred to the Issues Committee. 

c.      Barbara Millman, lives on Anchovy in South Shores, talked about AB1634 (neutering of animals).  Feels that the bills are not clear enough. She thinks there should be more information available on this bill before it is voted on.  John Stammreich would like to see this issue to be on our September agenda. 

 

  1. Summary of NWSPNC Annual Board Report (Accomplishments)—Diana Nave highlighted several items on the report which can be viewed on our website.  The link is on the home page.

 

  1. Update on Councilwoman’s Ponte Vista Advisory Committee—John Greenwood reported that the CAC passed a motion in objection to the 1950 homes proposed in the developer’s new presentation.  He explained that the Department of Transportation did not give accurate information on traffic which makes it difficult to support anything other than R1.  There will be a meeting a week from tonight in which they will finalize their report.  The CAC members hope the report will send a strong message to the developer to reduce the size of the proposed project.

 

  1.  Issues Committee—report on August committee meeting.  John Mavar reported that Julia Parker chaired the meeting.  Top issues included:

a.     Adopt a Spot for Capitol Drive.

b.     Larry’s Burgers, graffiti on the building walls has been a problem.  The owner is frustrated. 

c.      Other areas to plant trees in our neighborhood.  The Committee would like the community to give ideas of location for trees.

d.     Applications for Department of Public Works Matching grant beautification projects now available.

e.     Speed bumps on Millmark Grove. 

 

  1. Land Use and Planning Committee—

a.     JCC Homes/KinderMorgan project update: Clean up process still in its clean up phase.   Mitigation of soil to be completed in early 2008.  Don’t expect to break grown until late 2008 and 2-1/2 years before the project comes online.

b.     Target project – Pile drivers are currently driving test holes at this time.  500 Piers will support the building.

c.      Knoll Hill Issue -- Andrew Silber and Sue Castillo were introduced from Central San Pedro Neighborhood Council and commented on the NWSPNC’s motion on the agenda regarding Knoll Hill.  There was a long discussion at the committee meeting regarding what position the NWSPNC should take on this issue.  After discussion Diana Nave proposed a Motion supporting Central San Pedro Neighborhood Council’s role in determining land use issues for properties within Central area.  The motion was seconded by Craig Goldfarb.  (see wording below).  Comments from board members included that all Neighborhood Councils should be involved and support each other. Public comment also came from Pat Nave.  Sue Castillo and Andrew Silber commented and thanked the NWSPNC for their support of this motion.

 

 

 

d.     MOTION to Support Construction of Shade Cover at Peck Park Pool Bleachers. The following Motion was proposed by Dan Dixon and seconded by Bonnie Easley.  Len gave a public comment on what he felt the shading might cost. 

Motion—August 13, 2007  Peck Park Swimming Bleacher Shade Cover

 

Whereas, Peck Park falls within the boundaries of Northwest San Pedro Neighborhood Council, and

 

Whereas, the Peck Park pool summer instruction and recreation programs are vital to the well-being of the community, and

 

Whereas, the Neighborhood Council encourages family support and supervision of youth activities, and

 

Whereas, parents, grandparents and other family members and caregivers sit in the pool bleachers to watch their children’s swim instruction and other swimming events, and

 

Whereas, the pool bleachers are unprotected from the summer sun, and

 

Whereas, community members are circulating petitions supporting a shade remedy,

 

Now therefore, The Northwest San Pedro urges the 15th District Council Office and the Department of Recreation and Parks to find the resources to build a permanent awning or cover over the existing bleachers at the Peck Park Swimming Pool.  The covering should be supported by posts, without side panels or walls, to discourage illicit activity during non-operating hours.  The Neighborhood Council offers its assistance with this project through publicity or community labor participation.

 

(MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY BY THE NWSPNC ON AUGUST 13, 2007)
 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


  1. Port Committee—Phil Nicolay gave an update on the Waterfront Plan and also on Dr. Knatz’s visit to the committee.  At that committee meeting there was no discussion of TRAPAC and it was tabled until next month.  The primary discussion was on the waterfront plan and how Port O’ Call’s redevelopment needs to be brought forward sooner.  They discussed the Outer Harbor Park and a cruise terminal as well as a sewer at Bloch Field, North Gaffey Beautification, and undergrounding utilities. After the committee’s report was presented, the following motions were passed:

a.     MOTION supporting Community Impact Statement on removal of Westways tank farm.  (Motion made by John Greenwood, seconded by Diana Nave. Motion passed unanimously.)

b.     MOTION to direct Northwest PCAC Representative to support recommendation with respect to infrastructure improvements at Cerritos Channel/East Basin (Wilmington) marina.  Moved by Dan Dixon and seconded by Bonnie Easley.  Passed unanimously.

 

  1.   Outreach Committee— Pete Burmeister thanked John Stammreich for his hard work.  John Stammreich gave his report on the Taste in San Pedro and the NWSPNC’s successful booth.  John is working on having the NWSPNC brochure redesigned by MGM graphics.  Other outreach related to:

a.     Two weeks notice in local papers about our meeting dates and include top agenda items.

b.     Outreach to schools.

c.      Contacting San Pedro Youth and Government to promote our youth seat.

d.     Meet and Greet efforts will be redoubled. 

e.     Newsletter Information.  August 27th is the deadline for articles for the newsletter. 

  1. MOTION supporting proposal by Council members Greuel and Rosendahl to change traffic count methodology in the City of Los Angeles.  The following Motion was made by John Greenwood and seconded by John Mavar:

 

SEQ CHAPTER RESOLUTION

 

WHEREAS, the City of Los Angeles requires developers to use the Institute of Traffic Engineers (ITE) Guidelines in predicting the traffic impacts of their projects; and

 

WHEREAS, the Guidelines contain many classifications that developers might select for a particular project, each with substantially different impact predictors, such as High-Rise Condominiums, Condominiums, or Mixed Use Developments; and WHEREAS, the City has allowed developers to use different guidelines for similar projects, with no apparent consistency, resulting in increased congestion and inadequate mitigation; and WHEREAS, the Guidelines represent actual studies from all parts of the country, some of which are forty years old; and

 

WHEREAS, ITE does not reveal where its studies were performed, so that it is not possible to compare factors such as availability of mass transit, proximity of work locations, shopping opportunities and recreation facilities; and

 

WHEREAS, specific Guidelines contain a wide range of Average Daily Traffic and Peak Hour rates, for example, the average daily traffic rate for Condominiums ranges from 1.83 per unit per day to 11.79 per unit per day and the AM Peak Hour rate ranges from .15 per unit per day to 1.61 per unit per day, but the City applies only the average number which is 5.86 Average Daily Trips and the average of .44 Peak Hour per unit; and

 

WHEREAS, Councilpersons Greuel and Rosendahl have asked the City Council to consider new ways of predicting traffic impacts of new developments in Los Angeles; and

 

WHEREAS, City Planning Director Gail Goldberg has indicated her support for the motion to develop new formulae for predicting traffic impacts; and

 

WHEREAS, the Northwest San Pedro Neighborhood Council previously endorsed and supported a City-wide examination of traffic policy that involves input from Neighborhood Councils;

 

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Northwest San Pedro Neighborhood Council commends Councilpersons Greuel and Rosendahl and Planning Director Goldberg for their initiative to examine and improve the way the City predicts traffic impacts and requests the City Council to commit the funds necessary for such a study; and

 

(Amendment: NOW THEREFORE BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that DOT should also conduct post project validation to determine if other mitigations are required.)

 

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

 

 

(MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY BY THE NWSPNC ON AUGUST 13, 2007)

 

Discussion of the motion followed in addition to Pat Nave giving a public comment and asking for the following amendment. (Now therefore be it further resolved that DOT should also conduct post project validation to determine if other mitigations are required.)  The amendment was accepted and the motion with the amendment was then passed unanimously by the Board.

 

  1. MOTION to respond to issues posed by NC/DWP Oversight Committee.  Diana Nave moved that the motion relating to the NC/DWP Oversight Committee be tabled until next month. John Greenwood seconded the motion and it was passed unanimously. Motion tabled until September.  Soledad Garcia made comments.

 

  1. New Business – none to report.

 

  1. President’s report.  President Dan Dixon gave several closing remarks.

 

  1.  The meeting was adjourned at 9:05pm.

 

  1. Next Regular Meeting, Monday, Sept. 10, 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.