Get Involved With YOUR Neighborhood Council > Coastal San Pedro | Central San Pedro | NW San Pedro

NORTHWEST SAN PEDRO NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL

MEETING MINUTES - December 13, 2004

1. The meeting was called to order at 6:40 PM by President John Greenwood.

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

3. Minutes of November 8, 2004 meeting.  The minutes were approved as presented.

4. Report from the Office of Councilwoman Janice Hahn.  Representative Caroline Brady-Sinco provided an update on Averill Park and recent meetings with the neighborhood.  LAPD has written over 100 traffic tickets in the area by the park.  Rangers have cited dogs off leash.  She has toured the area with the Department of Transportation and they have agreed to make changes such as moving a stop sign at Le Grande Terrace.  Their next meeting is scheduled for January 5th at 6pm at the Municipal Bldg.  Among subjects to be discussed are the permit process for park weddings, bus shelters, and bus service.  Caroline gave an update on the bus layover zones.  Some buses have been moved off residential areas and a bus transit center is in the works.  A grant is available for this project and there is the possibility of a temporary center at Ports of Call.  Regarding community events:  The Christmas events have taken place as well as the Promenade opening.  Lighting of the Vincent Thomas bridge is scheduled for Sunday, January 30.  Regarding the JCC homes project at the Kinder Morgan site, the City council has not yet taken a stand on the project.  However, Greg Delgado of JCC Homes stated that the Councilwoman has responded favorably to the project. 

5. Resolution of JCC Homes proposal for Kinder Morgan site.  A Motion was made and seconded regarding the Neighborhood Council’s position on the JCC Homes project.  After a lengthy discussion from stakeholders and board members, John Greenwood suggested that the Issues Committee continue to review the project at their January 4th meeting and that we support the motion with two changes.  The updated Motion was passed unanimously.    Motion #1 wording with changes follows:  Whereas there have been repeated complaints about the noxious odors which emanate from the Kinder Morgan Facility on N. Gaffey, and Whereas Kinder-Morgan was cited for violations by the South Coast Air Quality Management District, and Whereas Kinder-Morgan has chosen to sell the property and has entered into escrow with JCC Homes to purchase the property, and Whereas JCC Homes proposes to construct detached homes which would be an appropriate use of the property and would enhance the surrounding neighborhood, Now therefore be it resolved, that the Northwest San  Pedro Neighborhood Council supports this proposed use in concept and urges the City Council Office and the Planning Commission to expedite the permitting process. 

6. Public Comments: 

a. Ms. Kelson of the American Cancer Society talked about a 24 hour Relay For Life to take place in May in San Pedro.  This would be a fundraiser where teens come together to walk around the track at San Pedro High School for 24 hrs. which increases awareness for cancer education.  They are forming a committee and she requests anyone interested consider joining the committee. 

b. Sheryl L. Thomas, Sr. Government Affairs Representative for the Los Angeles World Airports commented that she is available for any concerns the community may have regarding area airports.  She provided her e-mail:  sthomas@lawa.org. 

c. Doug Epperhart of the Coastal Neighborhood Council commented that he is a representative and will be attending meetings regarding the City Budget.  Members of the community can contact him at 310-833-2980 or send him e-mail at:  epperhart@cox.net. 

d. A representative from the City Wide Issues Group commented that they want input from all the neighborhood councils on common issues.  Contact information is available on their website at www.lancissues.org. 

e. Chris Damatakis of Y & S Auto Body on Gaffey talked about the growth of Y & S and that they are now employing over 100 people. He can be reached at  548-1120 to answer any questions regarding Y  & S. 

f. Patrick Hansen, a resident at 253 N. Enrose, asked the Council for assistance in his neighborhood.  He is the last house bordering Palos Verdes and claims that 10,000 cars a day flow through their street and he and his neighbors would like to see some assistance on this traffic problem.  Caroline Brady-Sinco commented that this is an area already being looked at by the Councilwoman’s office and talked briefly about public access on public streets.

7. Resolution of Rolling Hills Prep plans for Naval Reuse site.  The following Motion was made and seconded and unanimously approved by the Board.

Whereas the US Navy has transferred 20+ acres of its property at Palos Verdes Drive North and Gaffey Street, via the US Department of Education and as originally selected by the San Pedro Area Reuse Committee to Rolling Hills Preparatory School for the construction and operation of an educational center, Therefore the Northwest San Pedro Neighborhood Council resolves to support the Rolling Hills Preparatory School project on this site and to welcome this new resource to our community.

8. Resolution on reduction in Harbor Division Police Officers.  

The following motion was passed by the following votes:  All board members voted Yes except for Philip Nicolay and William Upchurch who voted No.  Board member Ray Patricio abstained.  The following board members were not present during the vote:  Andrea Adleman, Marisa Trutanich and Sanni Wehbe.

Whereas the Harbor Division of LAPD has seen a significant reduction in crime, And Whereas partly because of that accomplishment, the Harbor Division of LAPD has been reduced in the number of assigned officers by 32, And Whereas, the formula used to decide the placement of officers does not take into account the difficulty in maintaining that reduced crime rate with fewerofficers, And Whereas, the formula used to decide the placement of officers does not take into account the geographical size of the area covered, And Whereas the Harbor Division covers an area more spread out than nearly any other division, resulting in longer response times,  Therefore, the Northwest San Pedro Neighborhood Council opposes the reduction of the 32 officers and urges the Police Chief, the Mayor and Councilwoman Janice Hahn to revise the formula to protect the gains in crime reduction achieved. 

9. Bridge to Breakwater Project.  Port Representative Jan Green talked about the Public involvement process for the Bridge to Breakwater Project.  The Board approved the project in concept in Sept.  The project is now transitioning into the Environmental Review phase.  She provided a handout showing the various phases.  There was some discussion after her presentation. Latest version of the handout is available on the following website:  www.sanpedrowaterfront.com

10.  Motions for expenditures of NWSPNC funds. 

a. There was a proposal to provide $2,000 for additional stop sign reflective panels (approx $50 each).  A Motion was made and seconded to approve up to $2,000. The motion was passed unanimously. 

b. The next proposal was to provide $10,000 for the ATV project which was covered in the Oct. and Nov. Neighborhood Council meetings.  A motion was made and seconded.  There was some discussion by board members.  The Motion to provide up to $10,000 (based on the contribution(s) of other neighborhood councils) for the ATV project was passed unanimously.

11. Resolution on Committee on Port Safety and Security.   A Motion was suggested involving endorsing the concept, name of the organization and our participation.   Following is the wording of the Motion which was passed unanimously.

Mission Statement and Goals of the Committee on Port Safety & Security (COPSS). 

The Northwest San Pedro Neighborhood Council supports the Mission Statement and goals of the Committee on Port Safety and Security (COPSS) as specified herein:

The Committee on Port Safety and Security (COPSS) intends to unify all Harbor area Neighborhood councils and concerned community organizations with a single mission to ensure the safety of those who live and work in or near the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach.

The Committee’s goals are to:

- Research what has been done, what is being done, and what needs to be done to secure the Ports and safeguard the community
- Assist in the dissemination of this information to Harbor Area Stakeholders
- Promote accountability for safety and security among Port Management, City, County, State and Federal governmental bodies
- Create a sense of urgency by all concerned that this issue is a high priority to all Harbor Area Stakeholders

Whereas, the issue of port safety and security is of equal importance to all area stakeholders.

Therefore the Northwest San Pedro Neighborhood Council is especially committed to the workings of this committee encompassing participation and ownership from all affected neighborhood councils in order to represent a unified voice in matters of community safety and security.

12. Education committee.  Patricia Polcuch presented her report on the Education Committee.  There was a discussion of a possible motion to solicit business support for after school programs.  The Board supports this concept.  However, the Board decided that no motion was necessary at this time.  Patricia has been contacting schools and found out their needs.  Board will need more specific requests in order to respond.  Topic tabled until the January Board meeting.

13. President’s Report: John Greenwood presented a handout related to 2005 Action Priorities that were discussed at the retreat in August 2004.  The board reviewed the status and progress of each of the items.  Following is a synopsis of the projects/concerns:    

a. Health and Safety Issues:  Port Committee working on Homeland Security, Integrated Resources Plan and Air Quality.  Issues Committee working on Averill Park Security and Peck Park/Canyon Safety.

b. Transportation and Traffic:  T & T Committee working on MTA/DOT buses, bus benches, stop sign requests, Averill Park area traffic, speed bump requests and street resurfacing.

c. Land Use/North Gaffey.  Port/Issues Committee working on project to Extend Bridge to Breakwater to N. Pacific/N. Gaffey.  Issues Committee working on Inclusionary zoning; Master Plan Development; Di Carlo Bakery Property, Condo development on Western, Navy Property/Pointe Vista; CAC, Kinder Morgan/JCC Homes, and Amerigas.

d. Beautification:  Issues committee working on Neighborhood matching Grant proposal for Taper School Mural and Capitol Drive Storm Drain.  Port/Issues Committee working on N. Pacific/Harbor Landscaping/ Underground utilities/Acquiring Bail Bonds.  Port Committee working on  China Shipping.  Issues Committee working on MTA Grant, Y & S Auto and Beacon House Contract.  Outreach Committee working on Community Cleanups.

e. Peck Park Master Plan:  Issues committee working on Q Star Camera, Peck Park Trails Grant, Stream Restoration Grant, Peck Park Restrooms, Peck Park Canyon Walks, Peck Park furniture, Dunn & Leland, and Canyon Safety.

f. After School Care:  Education committee working on Scholarships and needs of local schools.

g. Outreach:   Outreach Committee is working on the Quarterly Newsletter, seeking business support, coordinating with other neighborhood councils, hosting community events and business cards.

With no further business to discuss, the meeting was adjourned at 9:06pm. Next meeting will be held on Monday, January 10, 2005.