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NORTHWEST SAN PEDRO NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL

MEETING MINUTES - May 9, 2005

1. The meeting was called to order at 6:47 PM by President John Greenwood.

2. Roll Call of Board Members:  The following board members were present:  John Greenwood, Diana Nave, Andrea Adleman, Esther Espinoza-Ek, Guillermo Villagran, Marisa Trutanich, Philip Nicolay, Bill Upchurch, Carlos Garcia, Jody James, Margaret Moilov, Ray Patricio, Patricia Polcuch, Capt. George Thompson, John Vladovich, and Sanni Wehbe.  Chris Wickers was excused.

3. Approval of Minutes:  The April 2005 Minutes were approved with minor changes.

4. LAPD report.  Officer Steve Muirhead, Sr. Lead Officer for the NW San Pedro Neighborhood Council area spoke about an upcoming Senior Lead Meeting on May 18th 8:30 at the Cabrillo Beach Bath House.  All community members are invited to attend and voice their concerns.  Ben Zucker will handle traffic issues.   Margaret Moilov requested assistance from the LAPD regarding the Peck Park Cleanup and Officer Muirhead provided his cell  phone number of 310-869-2067 for help with the Northwest portion of San Pedro, in the event anyone should need to contact him.

5. Education Committee.  Two students attended today’s meeting as recipients of service awards.  These awards are not scholarships.  The students are being rewarded for serving the San Pedro community.  The awards were $500 each, provided by Bay Cities Bank and Conoco Philips.  Committee Chair Patricia Polcuch introduced the students.  Casey Muldoon is a high school student at Mary Star.  She plans on attending Cal State San Francisco next and wants to go into the field of law.  Her community service involved her in various service projects.  Casey spoke about her involvement with the YMCA.  The 2nd Student is Marcello Dolce who attends San Pedro High School.  He has been involved in many different community activities including The Boy Scouts and a hospice program.  He has interned with Councilman Janice Hahn and Mayor Hahn. 

6. Public Comment: 

1. Linda Grimes of the Warner Grand spoke about Shag with a Twist and other events at the Warner Grand and Shakespeare by the Sea.

2. Rob Simpson and another representative from Betty Karnette’s office talked briefly about Assembly Bill 1406 regarding Port Security.  If this bill is passed, it would impose a fee of $10 on all containers in the Port.  The fee would be collected by the State Office of Homeland Security.  Rob Simpson provided a handout describing the bill in detail and asked for a letter from the neighborhood council showing support.  Pres. John Greenwood explained that this would have to be voted on at the next council meeting and asked it to be referred to the Port Committee.

3. Residents in the Gaffey/Westmont area requested more information on the tax imposed on those residents for street lighting upgrades.  John Greenwood offered to have the Council office follow up on this issue.

7. Issues Committee-Special Presentation by Bureau of Sanitation:  A presentation from the Bureau of Sanitation was given by Alex E. Helon, P.E. Division Manager and Kim Tran Ph.D., Environmental Supervisor.   This related to a Clean Fuel Program developed for the Bureau’s solid waste collection vehicles (trash trucks).  They are replacing their fleet of trucks over the next 8-10 years with ones that burn natural gas thus eliminating all diesel particulates and reducing all emissions by 60%-70%.  The Harbor area has been selected for the upcoming second phase of this program due to our high level of air pollution.  The Bureau met with fire captains who were satisfied with what the Bureau has done.  They have 20 trucks in the area and want to convert them to LNG (liquid natural gas) which will reduce exhaust emissions from the trucks.  They have proposed a 6,000 gallon storage container at the Harbor District Yard facility at 1400 N. Gaffey Street which will be filled approximately every 3 days.  September 2005 is the target date to convert the trucks.  After the presentation there were a few comments and several questions were answered. 

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The following Motion was made and approved unanimously.

Motion:  The NWSPNC supports the use of Natural Gas burning Solid Waste Collection Vehicles and the placement of a 6,000 gallon liquefied natural gas storage tank at the Sanitation Yard.

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8. Report from Councilwoman’s office.  Caroline Brady-Sinco of Councilwoman Hahn’s office commented that she would be available for any questions from the community.  She talked about the Councilwoman’s support of the upcoming Peck Park Clean up event.   She also commented on the Transportation Meeting and thanked Marisa Trutanich for doing a good job in answering questions etc.   Meetings put on by the Dept. of Transportation are public and residents can bring their concerns.  Proposal will be wrapped up in June to get funding.

9. Issues Committee report.  Diana Nave talked about items on the May 2005 Issues Committee Report.:

1. Issues Committee recommended that we approve the Delegation of Authority.  The following Motion was made and unanimously approved:

DELEGATION OF AUTHORITY TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE

WHEREAS, there are numerous Certified Neighborhood Councils (Neighborhood Councils) and it is more efficient for Neighborhood Councils to have a single point of contact with the Department of Water and Power (LADWP) relative to modifications to the Memorandum of Understanding (“MOU”) it has entered into with Neighborhood Councils; and

WHEREAS, the single point of contact designated by each Neighborhood Council shall be referred to as the Neighborhood Council Oversight Committee (OversightCommittee); and

WHEREAS, each Neighborhood Council may elect to delegate its authority to make modifications to the MOU to the Oversight Committee; and

WHEREAS, DWP recognizes that some Neighborhood Councils may choose not to sign the MOU and would rather interact directly with LADWP;

THEREFORE, IT IS AGREED AS FOLLOWS:

1. Each Neighborhood Council that agrees to delegate its authority to the Oversight Committee may designate one representative to serve on such Oversight Committee (Oversight Committee Representative). 

2. The Oversight Committee Representative shall have the delegated authority from its Neighborhood Council to vote at Oversight Committee meetings on its behalf on any matter that relates to such Neighborhood Council, including but not limited to amendments to the MOU. The Oversight Committee Representative shall be designated in writing to LADWP, and may be changed at any time pursuant to the bylaws of the Neighborhood Council.

3. Each Neighborhood Council signing this delegation of authority shall be bound by a majority vote of the Oversight Committee.

4. Neighborhood Councils that choose not to sign this delegation of authority shall not be bound by any actions of the Oversight Committee.

5. This delegation of authority shall remain in effect until terminated on 30 days written notice by the Neighborhood Council to the Oversight Committee and LADWP.

The Department of Water and Power consents to this delegation of authority.

2. North Gaffey Planning:  This issue relates to a Conceptual Plan for North Gaffey east side to beautify the area.  Marisa Trutanich showed renderings of the conceptual design.

3. Steering Committee, Downtown Task Force:  Diana Nave attended this committee meeting regarding the redevelopment of downtown.  She highlighted three items:  1) There is a proposal for high rise condos on PV Street near the Grinder restaurant where industrial paint store is. 2) Area between 8th and 9th Street on Pacific.  Existing parking lot behind Auto Parts Store.  Lots and rooftop gardens for condos which would go behind.  Double the number of public parking spaces.  3) Ante’s block there might be another proposal coming soon.   Carlos Garcia suggested that the Councilwoman’s office send us a representative to talk about development in San Pedro.

4. The next Issues Committee meeting is scheduled for Wed. May 25 at the San Pedro City Hall, 4th floor.

10.  Elections Committee.  Capt. George Thompson gave a report.  Tom Villger and Ray Burch are also working with him as monitors for our election. It was mentioned that Diana Nave is now the independent administrator for Central San Pedro Neighborhood Council.  On May 18th at 1:00pm will be an Elections Committee meeting.  Deadline is May 13 for application and statement but there is an option to write in.  Capt. Thompson provided a flyer showing the Notice of Election, June 13, 2005, Peck Park Auditorium, Polls open 1pm and close 8pm.  Candidate speeches are scheduled for 6:30pm. 

11.  Peck Park Committee.  Margaret Moilov talked about the upcoming Clean Up Event scheduled for may 21st.  Janice Hahn’s office is supplying dumpsters.  Peck Park Advisory Board is providing team captains for the clean up.  The Calif. Conservation Corp is also sponsoring and bringing cutters.  The Dept. of Public Works will be present along with GAP, Beacon House, San Pedro Youth Coalition and Boy Scouts.  Ray Patricio talked about meeting with two representatives from Recreation and Parks and provided a handout describing the goat services and showing a Vendor List.

12.  Port Committee.  Philip Nicolay gave his report and mentioned that China Shipping EIR is still in process.  He talked about the Beautification Project at Channel and Pacific Street.  The project has gone out to bid and construction should start in the early summer of 2005 possibly will be completed by winter 2005.  He also made comments on the No Net Increase Task Force and their Plan.  The Port has gone out to bid for Air Quality Mitigation Projects.  This is the 2nd year that this has occurred.  The Alameda Corridor Transit Authority’s proposal for a truck flyaway on Terminal Island is moving forward. 

There was a discussion regarding a prior resolution concerning PMP Liquid Bulk  dated 4/12/05.  There was a suggestion to specifically revise Item E.  A handout was presented with Questions and Concerns.  Donna Eppleton and Lou Bataglia spoke about the suggested revision, stating that they were not requesting a vote at this time but were just providing additional information.  Pat Nave and Chuck Hart also made comments but no resolution was presented for a vote.

The Port has been asked to develop a plan and schedule to relocate all liquid bulk outside Planning Area 7 prior to permitting any new (or allowing expansion of ) existing liquid bulk facilities. 

13.  Outreach Committee.  Guillermo said that by next week they will be ready to distribute the newsletter.  They hope to reach all stakeholders before the election.  After that the next newsletters will be in August and November.  Sanni Wehbe and Guillemo visited businesses on Western Avenue to ask the small business owners if they knew about the Neighborhood Councils.  We need to reach out to the schools, principals and administrators so they know about the councils and how we can help them. 

14.  Transportation Committee.  Marisa Trutanich gave a report and specifically addressed the Enrose issue.  There is a list of recommendations by the Dept. of Transportation which is supported by the community.  A motion was presented to the council.   Bill Upchurch commented that he does not feel that it is an appropriate use of NWSPNC funds.  An amendment to the motion was made deleting reference to Council funding and the motion was seconded.  The motion was passed unanimously by the Board as follows:

The Traffic and Transportation Committee of the NWSPNC recommends to the Board that the Board request that the LA City Department of
Transportation implement the following traffic calming measures:

1) Install speed bumps on Enrose Avenue between Summerland Ave and Santa Cruz St and on Santa Cruz Street between Wycliff Avenue and Ellery Place. (Installation of speed bumps is subject to the collection of sufficient signatures from local residents).

2) Stop Signs be installed at Santa Cruz & Trotwood Avenue, Santa Cruz and Malgren, and Summerland Street and Malgren.

The Traffic and Transportation Committee of the NWSPNC also recommends that the NWSPNC request the LAPD to create a greater police presence and enforce the new traffic measures.

15.   Education and Finance Committees.  Patricia Polcuch gave her report.  A motion was made and seconded requesting approval of $600 from the NWSPNC for the Education Committee to purchase a Theatre Curtain for a local school. The motion was passed unanimously. 

A motion was made to approve $500 to purchase an advertisement for the Northwest San Pedro Neighborhood Council in the Shakespeare by the Sea program.  The motion was seconded and passed unanimously.

16.  Treasurer’s Report.  Bill Upchurch provided a report and commented that the Council books are in the process of the general audit.  

17.  President’s Report .  President John Greenwood made appointments to the North Gaffey Steering Committee as follows: Chris Wickers, Chair.  Members, Fred Kennedy, (include others).  He also made a comment regarding an upcoming workshop being put on by all three neighborhood council presidents in San Pedro.  The workshop will be held on June 4th from 10am-3pm.  The objective is to discuss “What is the reduced Density Plan?”  The workshop is tentatively scheduled to take place at the Sheraton.

There was a comment from Jody James regarding Chuck Hart’s Motion.  She feels passionately that we need to support the Port Master Plan and the motion that will be before the board at the next meeting.

18.  Next Meeting of the NWSPNC is scheduled for June 13th, 6:30pm.

19.  Meeting adjoined at 9:00pm. 

Submitted by Kristina Smith