1.

Roll call of board members.  All board members were present:  Shannon Day, Esther Espinoza-Ek, Carlos Garcia, John Greenwood, Shari Hill, Jody James, Margaret Moilov, Diana Nave, Phillip Nicolay, Michael Nizetich, Ray Patricio, David Rivera, Emily Roche, George Thompson, Guillermo Villigran, William Upchurch and Marisa Trutanich.

2.

Minutes of May 10, 2004 meeting.  The May 10, 2004 minutes were approved as written.    
                 

3.

Annual Report to Stakeholders.  Pres. John Geenwood explained the annual meeting.  He quickly reviewed the Annual Report, explaining that the Council works on little pieces at a time and when one looks at what has been accomplished for the year it is quite impressive.  For example, Mayor Hahn asked us to give advice on what are our priorities and over 300 people sent back responses.  We then submit it to the Mayor.  Other councils did the same thing and the mayor made those his priorities.  Priorities from the community were:  police, street & sidewalk maintenance, environmental concerns, park maintenance and housing. Mayor Hahn worked with us to increase funding and improve service for the top priorities of Neighborhood Councils in the midst of severe budget cuts.

Recap of accomplishments for the 2003-2004 year. 

Last year we held hearings on the location of several new governmental facilities.  This year we are monitoring them as they are built and begin to serve our community.

·         Los Angeles Hazardous Waste collection facility is now open on North Gaffey.

·         The new Harbor Division Police station at the existing site.

·         A new Fire Station on Gaffey and Miraflores Canyon.

·         A new Animal Shelter (Although we did not get the site preferred by our council, we were consulted about a location and prevented the selection of the GS Brothers site where it would have cost jobs in the community.

Public Works Issues

·         Last year we initiated a pilot program in Miraleste Pines area to improve street sweeping effectiveness.  This year Councilwoman Janice Hahn is using this project to improve street sweeping in her district.

·         Public works installed a storm drain at Patton Ave north of Summerland to prevent problems for homeowners and erosion in Peck Park.

·         Manhole covers were properly repaired on Summerland Ave & First Street.

·         We continue to work to install covered bus shelters at appropriate locations.

·         We got Public Works to clean the storm drain along Capitol Drive and provide for regular mosquito abatement and obtained a commitment to install new, higher fending in front of it.

Park Issues

·         We initiated a community planning effort for the unimproved areas of Peck Park and contributed $10,000.  The Council office added $70,000 to our money and contracted with LA Neighborhood Initiative to facilitate this process.

·         We secured fending of canyons in dangerous portions of Peck Park by Dept. of Rec. & Parks.

·         We reopened restroom facilities at Peck Park & continue to push for a permanent restroom facilities at Summerland & Western Avenues.

·         We completed several community tours of Peck Park Canyon

·         We completed a grant which results in planting a rose garden at the park entrance.

·         We worked with the Council Office and the Dept. of Recreation & Parks to submit a Trails Restoration Grant.

·         We purchased furniture and other items to improve the facilities at the Peck Park Community Center.

Community Clean Up

·         With other neighborhood councils we conducted work parties to clean up areas of San Pedro.  We have also contracted with Beacon House to clean up our community as needed.

·         Our Council has applied for $2.7 million dollar grant for beautification of N. Gaffey St. between Westmont and O’Farrell.

Community Education

·         We have monthly speakers at our meetings on topics of concern.  In particular, we monitor and have conducted community information forums on the following topics:  Boy Scout Camp, China Shipping, Port transportation & environmental issues, Field of Dreams athletic facilities and the Naval Reuse property on Western Ave.

Community Advocacy

·         Homeowners in the North Gaffey Street area came to us about odors emanating from the Kinder Morgan tank farm.  We are conducting meetings with the nearby homeowners and Kinder Morgan to eliminate the problem permanently.  70% of all complaints come from that plant.  AQMD wants to put sanctions on that facility. 

Scholarships

·         We initiated a youth scholarship program and award them to two deserving young people who are involved in their community.  The scholarships were provided by Conoco-Phillips and Bay Cities National Bank and awarded through the San Pedro Rotary Club.

Port Issues

·         We have an ongoing Port Committee and have appointed a representative and an alternate who are actively involved with the Port Community Advisory Committee.  As a part of the China Shipping mitigation effort, we have submitted our own proposal of beautification, bike lanes and parkland in the area of North Pacific, John S. Gibson Blvd, and North Gaffey.

Pres. John Greenwood invited all those in attendance to join the council as we work to develop a stronger community.

4.

Annual Election of Vacant Board Seats.  Mike Nizetich thanked everyone who came out tonight to vote.  He thanked the volunteers and then gave an introduction and information about seats.  He gave a last call for any write in candidates.   All candidates on ballot have been pre-approved and found to be stakeholders.  All voters must fill out stakeholders registration form and then they receive a ballot.  Voters can vote on the entire ballot.  Polls close at 8pm.  Results will be given Wednesday at 1pm.  Winners will be notified by phone or email.  A runoff if needed will be at next meeting.  Next were the candidate speeches by the following:  Chris Wickers, Craig Goldfrab, Diana Nave, John Greenwood, Ray Patricio, Esther Espinoza-Ek, Marcus O’Brien, Larry Mersmen, Andrea Aldeman, Sanni Wehbe, Patricia Polcuch, and George Thompson.  Rogelio Perez and John Vladovic were absent.

Mike Nizetich called for ballots to be turned in.  John Greenwood thanked Mike and his committee for all the hard work.  There was a short break to allow people to complete their voting.

5.

Acknowledgement of retiring board members.  John Greenwood presented Certificates from the Councilwoman’s office to Emily Roche, Mike Nizetich, Shannon Day, David Rivera, and Shari Hill and thanked them for their participation and significant contributions to the Neighborhood Council Board.  Jacob Haik from Councilwoman Hahn’s office also thanked these retiring board members for their work.

6.

Updates on issues by representative Jacob Haik from Council-woman Hahn’s office.  A press release was handed out dated 6-14-04 which discussed the West Nile Virus threat and steps that can be taken to stop the spread of the virus.   Jacob also commented that the trees on the North side of Westmnot are posted for removal due to the damage they are causing to sidewalks. 

Robert Urteaga from the Council office asked to speak and gave an explanation relating to  governmental control of Gaffey Street.  Gaffey from the 110 freeway to 9^th Street is under the jurisdiction of Cal Trans.  Councilwoman Hahn has been working to transfer jurisdiction of that segment of Gaffey to the City of Los Angeles.  Transfer will probably be completed sometime in November 2004 with the City taking jurisdiction at the beginning of 2005.  He also commented that there is a study underway relating to the 9^th and Gaffey traffic signal.  Regarding the Bus benches/shelters, a timeline should be available in later part of 2004.  Regarding Five Points, there is an overall study and plan in the works.  Regarding Capitol Drive, fencing will be going up in the next few weeks.  Trees will also be put in and other shrubbery will be discussed later.  Regarding the Peck Park Master plan, a motion will be introduced tomorrow at the City Council.  There will be no delay with the contract as it needs only council approval.  Also regarding the trimming of foliage before 4^th of July, it should be completed by then.  Finally, regarding Taper Avenue and the selling of fruits on the street, Building & Safety and the City attorney will be contacted.  Streets in that area will be paved in the near future. 

7.

Public Comment.

Sheila Hoff representing Healthcare for All Californians Act addressed the Neighborhood Council.  She wants the council to endorse Bill SB921 by Senator Kuehl.   She talked about the plan.  Asked that the council put this on the agenda.  Several board members asked questions.  She provided  www.healthcareforall.org as the website that can give more information.  No motion was made regarding this topic at this time, and it was referred to the Issues Committee.

Guillermo Villigran made a public comment.  Two members of the board should be recognized publicily.  First, Ray Patricio for his contribution to the Peck Park beautification and also Mike Nizetich for his hard work on the elections.  Ray Patricio also thanked Margaret Moilov for her work on Peck Park and John Greenwood thanked David Rivera for his work in setting up the meeting room.

Kimberly Foley from Peninsula Dog Parks announced Owner-Dog look alike on June 27^th at 3pm.  $10 at the door.  General meeting Thursday 7pm for Peninsula Dog Parks at Peck Park Auditorium.

8.

Committee Reports.

a.      Issues Committee.  Kurt Arend spoke about the Community Beautification-Port of LA project.  Kurt works in the Engineering Division.  He referred to Pacific Avenue beautification.  This is not paid for out of China Mitigation funds but out of annual budget.  From Front Street to the Police Station they will create a passive park with landscaping and extend the bike path and walk way to the corner of Pacific Avenue and Front Street.  He estimates 11 months to completion.  This is based on securing the necessary approvals.  Not necessarily similar to Bridge to Breakwater project.  Diana made a motion to send a letter to the port thanking them for putting the project together and sending a copy of that letter to PCAC.  Motion was passed.  Diana Nave referred everyone to the June 2004 Issues Committee Report and the updated questions relating to the Port, AmeriGas, Refineries (Valero and BP), Fire Department, DOT/Public Works, AQMD, and the Coast Guard (see flyer).  She commented that if anyone has additional questions for this forum to let her committee know.  She referred to the Navy Property Update and the Auction that will take place mid summer.  She also talked about the Beacon Street Cleanup and commented that if anyone has specific spots they want clean up to talk to Diana Nave.  The next Issues Committee meeting is scheduled for 7:00 pm on June 29^th at the San Pedro City Hall.

b.      Port Committee -- Phil Nicolay gave a report.  They have gone over the plans for the development of the port and want to unify architecture.  There are many projects going on around Northwest San Pedro.  Regarding the overall plan, they should start construction of Phase I down at the end of 22^nd Street anytime.  Posters will go around town about the overall project.  There will be Focus Groups at the meeting which is this Thursday from 6-8 p. m.  Phillip then discussed two resolutions:  The first motion was to instruct our representative at PCAC to support the motion that came out of the Air Quality Subcommittee that says:  that “port staff shall submit their legislative agenda to the Board Of Harbor Commissioners for approval before taking it to the city council.”  Shannon Day opposed, Marisa Trutanich, Margaret Moilov and Diana Nave abstained, all other members voted in favor and the motion was passed.  The second motion was that the Council support Senate Bill 1397 from the State Senate which opposes fees on rail transport.  The motion was subjected to discussion and there was a recommendation by George Thompson to abstain.  George then withdrew his recommendation to abstain.  The motion was amended to read that “we are instructing Shannon Day to vote no on the PCAC resolution supporting SB1397.  The motion was seconded and unanimously passed.

c.       Budget and Finance Committee – Bill Upchurch referred to a Funding Notification letter from Timothy Wade, Program Coordinator for the Department of Neighborhood Empowerment Funding Program.  The notice informed the council that additional funding is now available.  It read in part:

In accordance to the Funding Program’s guidelines, the total balance in your Commercial Prepaid Card and City Check accounts combined has been increased to the approved amount (indicated below) based on your recently submitted subsequent funding request.  The balances in these accounts as of the date indicated are outlined below:

As of 06/01/04 your balance was:

Your original request received 05/12/04 was approved for the amount of $10,127.60 and has been allocated as follows to bring your total balance to $12,500.00.

Bill commented that July begins the new fiscal year and the Council does not need to hurry up and spend the $12,500  funds as was thought before.  A new budget will be proposed. 

Bill Upchurch asked that other board members send him an email if there is anything else they would like to see on the Treasurer’s report.  John Greenwood thanked Bill for all his hard work on the Council Finances.

Outreach Committee – Guillermo Villigran – postponed till next meeting.

9.

President’s Report.

John Greenwood said that he will email any information on Kinder Morgan to board members.  He presented a quick motion for approval:  The motion was to support DWP working collaboratively with neighborhood council and have John send a letter to that effect.  The motion was passed.

10.

Date of Next Meeting: Monday, July 12, 2004 at Peck Park. 

The meeting was adjourned at 8:52 p.m.