Home Page
 

Return to MINUTES

Read our BYLAWS.

See a MAP of our Neighborhood Boundary

Send us E-Mail

 

 
Northwest San Pedro Neighborhood Council
Governing Board Meeting Minutes
November 14, 2005, 6:30pm, Peck Park

1. The Meeting was called to order at 6:40 by President Diana Nave.

2. Roll Call of Board Members: The following board members were present: Diana Dave, Andrea Adleman, John Mavar, Philip Nicolay, Hoshang Pavri, Esther Espinoza-Ek, Dan Dixon, Allie Tollivar, Ray Patricio, Capt. George Thompson, Sanni Wehbe and Chris Wickers. Excused were John Greenwood, Bonnie Easley, Jody James, Patricia Polcuch and John Vladovich.

3. Approval of Minutes: October 2005 minutes were approved.

4. LAPD Report:

a. Planned Breakup of South Traffic Division: Steve Muirhead talked about the South Traffic Divison (based in South Los Angeles) and the plan for a breakup of the Division which would affect the amount of officers working within the DUI Unit in our community which was of some concern to the community. He reported that the plan has been resolved and there will be no breakup, leaving South Traffic Division unchanged.

b. ATV Program: The ATV program consists of 3 ATV’s and a trailer provided for the LAPD through a $30,000 donation from local Neighborhood Councils. These vehicles were purchased to assist the LAPD in patrolling the inaccessible areas of the community including Peck Park, Averill Park, and Cabrillo Beach. The ATV’s were delivered in January 2005 and they have been deployed approximately 100 hours over the last 7 month which has resulted in 39 arrests, 9 of which were felonies. Currently they are not in use waiting for additional training being required by LAPD. The canyons and beaches are patrolled on a regular basis and this has been extremely effective. Peck Park will be patrolled approximately twice a week. There are plans for a future “Search and Rescue” program using the ATV’s.

5. Report from Councilwoman’s Office: No report. Pres. Nave commented that Caroline Brady will be leaving as the community advocate. A new representative will be introduced to the Council in November.

6. Target Stores Presentation: Frank Koda, an architect hired by Target, gave an update on the Target Stores purchase of the Di Carlo Bakery site. He commented that Target is committed to finding a new place for the little league fields. He met with the Sanitation District last week and is also working closely with the Councilwoman’s office. They puting two new ball fields on the sanitation property. In order to do that, a new location must firts be found for the mulching. Mr. Koda reports that he is interested in getting a feel of the concerns of the community. In January 2006 they will submit an application for City planning approval (includes site plan, elevations, landscaping, lighting, etc.) and will give us a copy at the same time. An EIR will be required. The initial study will probably take place around March/April 2006. A resident in the immediate affected area voiced his concerns and Mr. Koda assured him that Target reps will meet with residents at a future date.

7. LAUSD-Preferred High School Location: Rod Hamilton of the LAUSD provided information regarding the proposed South Region High School #14. Three community meetings were previously held. He explained that the proposed 2025 seat high school is needed to provide relief for San Pedro High School and Narbonne High School. He urged community members to attend the School Board meeting which will be held December 13 at the LAUSD location at 333 S. Boudry in downtown Los Angeles. He will contact the Neighborhood Council with an approximate time that this matter will be heard before the school board. He explained that there is a feasibility period to make it an approved site. The process will include Scoping, Draft EIR with public comment, design of the school, and environmental testing. The entire 60+ Acres at Ponte Vista has been proposed as the preferred site to allow for a specific site designation within that area at a later date. The full EIR will take about one year. It will be early 2007 before final project approval will be sought by the LAUSD Board. A question was asked regarding the need of a new high school and where do the student come from. Mr. Hamilton explained that there are currently 3564 students at Narbonne which is 6 students less than the operating capacity of 3570. San Pedro High currently has 3550 student which is 65 students less than operating capacity. The operating capacity number is determined using 28 students per class. 1138 seats are needed to relieve San Pedro High and 931 new seats are needed to relieve Narbonne, based on future projections. Additionally classrooms are also needed to reduce class size and transform schools into “smaller learning communities.” The plan is to build a 2,025 seat school. There are currently 71 teens from Wilmington at San Pedro High and 45 of those are in the magnet program. The council office suggested two sites but it was determined that they were too small. Harbor College property was also considered but the big issue there is access to the site. The budget for building the new school is $165 million.

8. Planning and Land Use Committee. Board member Dan Dixon presented the draft letter to Nicholas Hendricks at City Hall showing our scoping comments as a board with regard to the Ponte Vista Project. He commented that the community should also provide their comments to City Hall because the quantity of comments is always helpful. November 30, 2005 is the deadline for comments. The scoping comments letter addresses the problems created by the Ponte Vista Project proposed by Bisno Development and the impact on our existing community. There were many comments related to traffic and density issues. Doug Epperhardt of the Coastal San Pedro Neighborhood Council also voiced his comments and applauded the letter. Mary Jo Walker, a member of the community, commented on the the amount of homes being constructed in the entire San Pedro Community. Comments from the public can be sent to: Nicholas Hendricks, City Hall, Room 750, Mail Stop 395, 200 N. Spring Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012 with a copy sent to Councilwoman Hahn’s office and the Northwest San Pedro Neighborhood Council. A motion was made and seconded to approve the scoping comments put together by the Planning and Land Use Committee in concept and send it to the Planning Commission for inclusion in the parameters of the EIR. The motion passed unanimously.

9. Public Comments:

Bob Gelfan commented on the Los Angeles Neighborhood Councils Congress. He stated that the vision that many of us have had is that if we want to get a grass roots issue passed it would be nice to have many neighborhood councils join together. Bob Gelfan came to introduce the project and have us consider joining the Los Angeles Neighborhood Councils Congress. This group is attempting to have as many of the 87 certified neighborhood councils in Los Angeles join the congress in order to have the neighborhood councils work together on important issues that affect the entire city.

10. Port Committee: Phil Nicolay presented the following two motions. He announced the date of the next Port Committee Meeting as Dec. 6, 2005 at the YMCA. There was also some discussion on mitigations related to China Shipping.

Motion #1 in Support of:

Proposed Air Quality Regulation for Mobile Cargo Handling Equipment at Portsand Intermodal Rail Yard and Regulation of Ocean Going Vessels

Whereas, the Port of Los Angeles, at the direction of the Board of Harbor Commissioners, has undertaken many air quality initiatives including implementation of Air Quality Improvement projects as part of the Air Quality Mitigation Program and Purchase of Non Diesel Line Haul Trucks and Cargo Handling Equipment; and

Whereas, the Northwest San Pedro Neighborhood Council supports the port in its air quality improvement programs; and
Whereas, the California Air Resources Board proposes adoption of new section 2479, title 13, California Code of Regulations “Regulation for Mobile Cargo Handling Equipment at Ports and Intermodal Rail Yard”; and is considering adoption of a proposed regulation to reduce emissions from auxiliary diesel engines and diesel electric engines operated on ocean going vessels within California waters (section 2299.1, title 13 CCR and section 93188 of title 17).
Whereas, the purpose of the proposed regulations is to reduce diesel particulate matter and criteria pollutant emissions from compression ignition mobile handling equipment that operate at ports and intermodal yards in the state of California, and ocean going vessels; and
Whereas, these regulations would apply to all ports, intermodal yards, and ocean going vessels and would improve the air quality at Ports in California through the reduction of diesel particulate and criteria pollutant emissions.
Now therefore be it resolved, that the Northwest San Pedro Neighborhood Council supports the adoption of the proposed new section 2479, and section 2299.1 of title 13 to the California Code of Regulations by the California Air Resources Board.

MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY by the NWSPNC on November 14, 2005.

Motion #2 in support of

Landscaped Greenbelt around Harbor Dept. Property

Whereas, the Los Angeles Board of Harbor Commissioners has expressed interest in improving the relationship of the Port with the surrounding community; and

Whereas, the NWSPNC supports any effort of the Port to improve the interface of the Pport with the community;
Now therefore be it resolved, that the NWSPNC request the Board of Harbor Commissioners adopt, as a policy, that a landscaped greenbelt be constructed and maintained around all Harbor Department owned property where it is adjacent to the community, including removing billboards and placing utility lines underground.
MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY by the NWSPNC on November 14, 2005.

11. Peck Park Steering Committee: Steve Koletti gave a report:

a. Awarded $3,000 grant by LANI to match an in-kind labor grant from the California Conservation Corps. We have acquired all the necessary permits.

b. Community Beautification Grant of $10,000 in matching funds (will be used to fund the dumping barriers). The grant has been submitted and we should hear back in January.

c. Recreation Trails Grant from the state. Application for improvements in the upper canyon area. Peck Park was one of four applications to get funds from Prop 50 ($40 million of state bond money available for the entire State) through California River Parkways Grant Program. A request for approximatley $1.5-1.7 million for design/construction improvements (trails, storm water management/water quality improvements, riparian native plant enhancement zones, signage, dumping/safety barriers). This was submitted by the City of Los Angeles and we should be hearing back from them around March 2006.

12. Community Outreach: Andrea Adleman commented that we are moving forward in two areas.

a. The Business Community: Meeting with Director of Chamber of Commerce set up by Sanni Wehbe. The Chamber will allow us to announce information in their publication if it relates to the business community.

b. The Community: Patricia Polcuch is working on an educational project. Also, the committee will be supporting our Newsletter Editor to assist in putting together our next issue.

13. Treasurer’s Report: Sanni Wehbe presented his report.

14. Reports by representatives to other groups:

a. Emergency Preparedness: Chris Wickers reported that he had attended a meeting where the main message was that the most likely event in Southern California would be an earthquake and we need to prepare to be on our own for up to seven days. This would mean seven day of not relying on emergency services. Preparedness is important and families should make sure their earthquake kits are mobile in case they cannot remain in their homes.

b. Motion to recommend Peck Park for Proposition O. Phil Nicolay will summarize this item for us at the December meeting.

15. Presidents Report:

a. Survey: President Diana commented that the survey regarding input into the Mayor’s Budget can be found on the back of our latest NWSPNC Newsletter. Board members will be getting a survey from President Diana. This item will be for discussion at the December meeting.

b. Committee Appointments: Changes to Committee List: Craig Goldfarb and Esther Espinoza-Ek will be new members of the North Gaffey Steering Committee; John Stammreich will be added to the Land Use and Planning Committee. John Vladovich will be added to the Outreach/Education Committee and Jody James will be added to the Fireworks Task Force.

c. Fireworks Task Force: First meeting will be held on Dec. 1st at “It’s a Grind” Coffee Shop, 6:00pm.

d. Empowerment Academy: November 16 will have the topic of Communicating with Stakeholders and December 17 the topic is Government 101. Held at 305 E. 1st Street in Los Angeles, 6:30-8:30pm. To enroll call213-485-1360 or www.lacityneighborhoods.com.

e. Operation Pot Holes: Call 800-996-2489 or email boxx@boss.lacity.org.

f. Next Meeting: December 12, 2005 at 6:30pm.

16. Meeting adjourned at 9:01pm.

Respectfully submitted,
Kristina Smith
Administrative Asst to NWSPNC
ksmith@klct.com


 

www.NWSanPedro.org > home | agenda | board | minutes | general info | events | contacts

Home Page