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NORTHWEST SAN PEDRO NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL

MEETING MINUTES

May 12, 2003 at 6:30 PM, Peck Park

Board Members in Attendance 

James Smith                            Margaret Moilov 

Shari Hill                                  William Upchurch                                  

Ray Patricio                             Shannon Day                                      

David L. Rivera                        John Greenwood

Emily Rochte                           Guillermo Villagran

Michael Nizetich

Board Members Absent

Julia Parker                              Joyce Fischer

Craig Byrnes                           Diana Nave

Laura Hansen-Lara

Steve Druskovich

ITEMS OF DISCUSSION AND RESULTING ACTION

1. Meeting called to order and roll call taken.

2. Minutes of April 14, 2003 meeting approved.

3. Speaker:  Dr. Ralph Appy – Field of Dreams -  Dr. Appy is an officer of the AYSO (American Youth Soccer Association), which consists of approximately 1800 youth.  Registration is free if the family cannot afford the regular fee.  The Field of Dreams consists of several playing fields and is located above Gaffey at the end of Westmont.  There are several issues of concern to the AYSO.

a. Parking – There is insufficient parking for the number of people using the Field.  Thanks to Councilwoman Hahn, cars are now allowed to park along both sides of Westmont leading up the playing fields.   However, the parking situation is still very inadequate.

b. Entryway – It is not safe for pedestrians.

c. Bathrooms/Clubhouse – There are no permanent restroom facilities due to lack of City funds.  Portable restrooms are available but not enough for the number of people who use the fields.  AYSO is looking into the possibility of their paying for permanent restrooms.

d. Ingress/Egress – It is very difficult for fire engines to get in and out of the Field of Dreams area.  It is a real concern in the event of an emergency.

The Field of Dreams will be shut down for about a month while the lawns are reseeded.  Next year, there will be a spring program at the Field, the first time in San Pedro.                                     

4. Speaker:  Dr. Ralph Appy, Director of Environmental Affairs for the Port of Los Angeles. – The Port is conducting nine air/traffic studies:  Air, transportation, water quality, lighting, aesthetics, noise, seismic conditions, upset evaluation, CEQA.

Study steps include data gaps/needs assessment, inventory/special studies, technical/effects             evaluation and impact reduction.

The Port is looking at 94 intersections, peak traffic times, and vehicle traffic

Regarding air studies, issues include: no net increase, baseline emissions inventory, health assessment, diesel air toxics, and emission control strategies.

This is a cooperative effort of the Port, California Air Resources Board, South Coast Air             Quality Management District, and Maritime Industry.

Board Member Bill Upchurch asked Dr. Appy why these studies were not started sooner, as             pollution as been around for a long time.  Dr. Appy stated that it was only five years ago that       diesel fuel was identified as toxic.  Alternative environmentally friendly fuels first have to             be approved before they can be used.

One stakeholder asked if the Port of Los Angeles and Port of Long Beach work together on environmental issues.  Dr. Appy stated that representatives from both Ports do get together and talk.

5. Public Comment

a. Frank O’Brien - Announced the San Pedro Waterfront Promenade, Phase I, community workshops for project update and community input, at the Sheraton Los Angeles Harbor in San Pedro, on May 27 (update and input), 28 (alternatives), and 29 (conclusions and summary).  Workshops are from 9:30 am to 7:30 pm with updates on the 27 and 28 at 5:30 pm.

b. Matt Newell – Recommended that one of the uses of the China Shipping Mitigation         Funds should be the conversion of the site above the community gardens (smokestake          building) into a Museum of Air Quality, Emissions and Ruse. (Proprosal attached to             these minutes.)

c. Jeff Callender from Conoco Phillips – Announced the California Air Resources Board meeting on May 29.   The results of a special study that measured air pollution in the Wilmington community would be discussed at this meeting. For more information about the Community Environmental Health Air Quality Study in Wilmington, individuals can contact the ARB’s Community Health Program at (916) 324-7156.

6. Treasurer’s Report – NWSPNC has three accounts with a total balance of $12,104.45:

Cash at Bay Cities National Bank:  $504.95.

Stored Value Card provided by City: $5,349.50

City of Los Angeles funds: $6,325.00

7. Issues Committee

a. Peck Park Security – Vice President and Co-Chair of the Issues Committee, Craig Byrnes agreed at the meeting of May 12, 2003, to finalize the Board approved resolution opposing the removal of the sole ranger at Peck Park.  Mr. Byrnes was not present at the June Board meeting to state whether or not the resolution and cover memo were mailed to Councilwoman Hahn and the Department of Recreation and Parks.

b. Storm Drain off Capitol – Claudio Gallegos from Councilwoman Hahn’s Office addressed the Issues Committee.  He reported that the subject property belongs to Chevron and that they have an unused pipeline across it.  The City has an MOU with Chevron to run the storm drain on top of the pipeline.  As part of the MOU, the City is responsible for the upkeep of the storm drain.  Mr. Gallegos proposed several possible short-term steps to improve the condition and safety of this area.  Long term, the residents in the area would like to have the drain covered.  Mr. Gallegos  will be setting up a meeting on site with residents and the City Engineer to discuss possibilities for improvement.  At a future date, a meeting will also be arranged with Chevron.

c. Cable TV Franchise – Motion by Margaret Moilov and Second by Shari Hill to accept recommendation of Issues Committee to adopt a resolution to the affect that:

Peck Park be an access point for the cable TV Franchise.

Cable Company be requested to cover the NWSPNC meetings.

All of San Pedro should be included in the same franchise area.

(Motion approved unanimously)

d. Navy Property – Response by HUD is due in June.  Issues Committee recommended postponing presentation by SPEC (group that filed law suit against the settlement on Navy property) until June or July.  Board agreed.

e. China Shipping Settlement Funds – PCAC is having a meeting Thursday to discuss this topic.  There is no time limit on when settlement money is to be spent.  Board Member, Mike Nezitich, will be making a presentation to the Board of Harbor Commissioners on Wednesday, May 14, to ask that more time be given to neighborhood councils to submit project ideas for the settlement funds and that  decisions on projects already submitted be postponed.  (Motion made by Shari Hill and Second by Jim Smith for Mike Nezitich to make presentation.  Motion passed.)

Board Member Margaret Moilov suggested that board members e-mail their three top choices of projects, to Diana Nave.  (Several possible projects were discussed at the board meeting.)

f. Next Issues Committee meeting  - May 20, 2003, 6:45 p.m.

8. Peck Park Sub-Committee – The Peck Park Sub-Committee held its initial meeting.  This sub-committee will be monitoring the contract with the Palos Verdes Land Conservancy and supporting the consultant in her work.  The proposal for funds to replant the Rose Garden at Peck Park has been submitted.  Notification from the City regarding these funds is expected in June.  Committee is looking for low cost ways to improve security at Peck park.

9. Elections Committee – Chair Emily Rochte asked that board members show up on the night of the election (June 9) by 6 p.m., to help set up the room.

10. Outreach Committee – Guillermo Villagran reported on the progress of the newsletter and estimated that distribution will be made around May 21.  He proposed that future issues of the newsletter be distributed on a quarterly basis.  There was board discussion concerning this matter.  It was determined that many of the board members wanted feedback from the community on the effectiveness of our first issue, before deciding on frequency of distribution.  It was decided that Margaret Moilov would prepare a survey to be handed out the night of the election, to poll the stakeholders on the newsletter. Decision on the frequency of the newsletter would be tabled until the results of the survey were reviewed. 

11. Service Award Committee –Chair Margaret Moilov discussed the criteria of the NWSPNC Service Awards.  Application forms were distributed to the board members for review. 

Margaret Moilov made the motion to increase the budget line item for Service Awards to $2,000, so that two $500 awards could be given out in the Spring and Fall.  Motion second by Shannon Day.  Passed unanimously.

Shari Hill made a motion to approve the application/criteria forms.  Motion second by Mike Nezitich.  Motion passed.

12.  PCAC Representative (Mike Wheeler) – PCAC will be taking a vote on whether or not to recommend that the Port spend 10% of its revenue on means to improve air quality in the area.  Mike Wheeler wanted to know the position of the NWSPNC for voting purposes.  There was considerable discussion on the topic, with several opinions.  John Greenwood made the motion in support of the idea.  Motion second by Jim Smith.  The motion did not pass, with many board members stating that there was insufficient information provided to make a determination one way or another.  Board members wanted to know what impact this motion would have on Port operations.

13.  Next Meeting – June 9, 6:30 p.m., Peck Park.

MINUTES PREPARED BY:                  MINUTES APPROVED BY:                  DATE:

Shari Hill, Secretary                           John Greenwood, President