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GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING MINUTES Los Feliz Community Police Center (Upstairs at Citibank) 1965 Hillhurst Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90027 1.Call to Order at 7:08 pm by President Bryant.
A quorum was present- with Board Members Mosqueda, DeMonte, Kerr, Rodriguez, Hunnewell, Bryant, Thompson, Crawford, Kaplan, Soter, Knack, Carroll, Westall, Mims, and Johnson present. Board Member Bruce Carroll motioned for Approval of minutes for the October 21st and November 18th meetings, seconded by Board Member Jonathon Kaplan. Board Member Kara Knack asked Secretary Andrew Westall if the corrections she forwarded were included in the November 18th minutes. Secretary Westall assured her of the changes, and the minutes were approved by unanimous consent. 2. Public Comment on Non-Agenda Items: Yahidra Leon from the Autry Museum of Western Heritage spoke about the new quarterly calendars provided to the Neighborhood Council and the public at the meeting. Rory Fitzpatrick of Council Member Tom Labonge’s office spoke about the Council Member’s Holiday Party which began at 6pm the same evening. 3. Presentation on views of Park Ranger’s Right to Bear Arms: Vice President-Outreach Nora Mosqueda introduced Manuel Mollinedo, General Manager of the Department of Recreation and Parks, who presented his and the Department’s views on arming the Park Rangers and other relevant issues. Manager Mollinedo described his 7 ½ years with the Los Angeles Zoo and 2 years prior to that experience as Assistant General Manager of the Department. Throughout his tenure, the arming of Park Rangers has been an issue and he is currently in charge of Park Rangers city-wide. According to Manager Mollinedo, the position of Park Ranger was started in the 1960s to follow the California State Park Ranger model. The Park Ranger force was started to deal with fire and search and rescue problems in the regional parks. Currently the Department is budgeted for 54 Park Rangers to provide a 7-day a week, 18-hour day coverage for all the Parks in the City. Most Park Rangers spend their time patrolling around the City, and traveling to and from inner-city and regional parks. The Park Rangers were never intended to be or trained to be law enforcement, but must deal with issues like gangs and drugs on a daily basis. Manager Mollinedo also intimated that there was not enough Park Rangers to provide adequate security in all the parks throughout the City. Mollinedo would like to see the Rangers redeployed back into the regional parks to protect these particular resources. Mollinedo also wants the LAPD to take responsibility for security in the central city parks where security is the paramount concern. The Department of General Services provides some armed security for central city parks, and these three departments are vying over responsibility and personnel to deal with the issues stated above. Mollinedo has asked the Mayor and the City Council for taskforce to look into the issue. Manager Mollinedo also spoke with regard to other Park Ranger issues. The Department has had problems with recruitment and retention of Park Rangers due to the high standards in the City of Los Angeles. The City of Los Angeles requires Park Rangers to have a college degree and adjacent cities only require 2 years of college and on average offer better pay. Manager Mollinedo would like to see a pay bump for the current educated workforce with this change. Mollinedo also spoke about his experience as manager of parks in Austin, Texas where he used to work where they had a park police. He felt that if the Park Rangers became armed, they should be transferred to the LAPD. Mollinedo also stated that we need a dedicated work force of Rangers out of their cars working full-time. The City wants to protect inner city parks with armed security through the LAPD or the Department of General Services, and Mollinedo prefers the LAPD. David Aquirre, Head Park Ranger for the City of Los Angeles, also spoke on the issue of arming Park Rangers and related issues. Aquirre further expressed the need to maintain the Park Rangers as a resource management asset for the regional parks. Currently, the response time for Park Rangers to the scene of an incident is 8 to 20 minutes, usually better that the LAPD, but could be better. Aquirre talked about quality of life issues and public safety issues at parks, particularly Griffith Park as an oasis for the people of Los Angeles and its surrounding communities. Park Rangers are a dedicated unit that monitor these quality of life issues. Aquirre expressed his desire to lead the division to be a model for the rest of the country. He also related an incident today in which it took the Department of Animal Regulation 7 hours to pick up a dog caught by the Park Rangers. Manger Mollinedo also stated the redeployment of a mounted unit in Griffith Park and Hansen Dam, two regional parks in the City. Board Member Kara Knack stated that the Neighborhood Council wants to more helpful with Griffith Park, and asked Mollinedo and Aquirre how we could become more involved. Manager Mollinedo stated that the Neighborhood Council should work through Council Member La Bonge’s office on this issue of maintaining a dedicated Park Ranger force in the City. Treasurer Kerry Hunnewell asked the presenters who wanted to arm the Park Rangers. Manager Mollinedo stated that some of the Rangers wanted to be armed and that the Department of General Services was interested in taking over the Park Ranger force. Mollinedo also stated that there is continuing controversy over whether the Park Rangers should be armed or not. He also intimated the question, should General Services be the umbrella security agency for the City? He stated that there should be some sort of security force for the inner city parks, and if General Services took over the Park Ranger force they would no longer be dedicated to deal with the quality of life in parks, but would be part of a larger security force. Board Member Jacqueline Kerr asked why do some of the Park Rangers want to be armed. Manager Mollinedo stated that being a Park Ranger is currently a dangerous responsibility as they act as a quasi-security force. Board Member Kerr also asked if the 54 Park Rangers were city-wide. Mollinedo stated that currently there are 38 Park Ranger positions filled, with 54 budgeted. He also stated that the Department just had the hiring freeze for Park Rangers stopped, and that 6 individuals were in the process of becoming Park Rangers, and another 60 in the testing phase. Mollinedo also stated that Council Member La Bonge initiated the lifting of the hiring freeze. Rory Fitzpatrick, Chief Field Deputy to Council Member La Bonge, stated that the Council Member would want the Park Rangers to be unarmed and have law enforcement provide the security role. He also stated that the Park Rangers would continue in their interpreter role. Board Member Jonathon Kaplan asked questions related to the Park Ranger’s role as peace officers and their police powers. Manager Mollinedo stated that the Park Rangers do have some need for police powers, particularly in facilities where gangs are prevalent like the Denker Recreation Center in South Los Angeles. President Yvette Bryant asked that the PROS Committee take the leadership role on this issue, and involve the Public Safety Committee as well. 4. Observatory Orchestra Presentation: Brian Metcalf, a longtime resident in the area, spoke on behalf of the Observatory Orchestra. Metcalf stated his interest as a musician and longtime resident to get a community Orchestra started in the area. Metcalf also stated that there was a greater concentration of musicians in the Greater Griffith Park Neighborhood Council area than anywhere in the City. He felt it was important to start this Orchestra, first because of the cost of such venues like the Walt Disney Concert Hall where it is more difficult to get tickets and prohibitively expensive for community members. He stated that we should be able to have classical music in a local community and be able to play music for people in the community. The Orchestra would also provide a cohesive arts program for the schools. Metcalf stated that the Orchestra can do a lot of outreach in the elementary schools and try to help them to maintain music culture and programming. Metcalf also stated that he has contacted LAUSD Board Member David Tokofsky who has endorsed the concept. Council Member Eric Garcetti has also endorsed the concept and is a trained classical concert pianist. He further stated that there is no community orchestra near Downtown Los Angeles and the closest was in Pasadena. Metcalf stated that he was looking for 60 to 70 musicians comprised on union members who would be paid and good amateurs such as himself who would probably be unpaid. Metcalf would like the first concert to be at Marshall High School and find musicians who lived within 2 to 3 miles of the community with all members of the community involved. Metcalf further stated that each concert would cost approximately $15,000 dollars and that the union would cover 35 percent of the union player fees. Board Member Bernadette Soter asked about the possibility of charging a nominal fee to attendees of the concert. Metcalf stated that due to union rules a fee could not be charged, but that donations would be encouraged. Soter also asked how the Orchestra selected the name. Metcalf stated that the Observatory was the most common symbol synonymous with the community. Board Member Rosemary DeMonte asked if the Orchestra had a venue and when the first concert would be held. Metcalf stated that he had gotten permission from the Principal of John Marshall High School to utilize the auditorium, particularly due to the support of Tokofsky. DeMonte also asked if the Orchestra was familiar with the Symphony in the Glen held in Griffith Park. Metcalf stated that the Symphony was not a community Orchestra, but was entirely professional. He further stated that he was interested in something that more involved the community. Board Member Jacqueline Kerr asked what sort of organization the Orchestra was. Metcalf stated that the Orchestra was a 501 (c) 3, with tax exempt and non-profit status. Secretary Andrew Westall stated that the Neighborhood Council should write a letter of support for the orchestra and look into providing funds when the Orchestra needed some money. Metcalf stated that the idea sounded good to him, and that Council Member Eric Garcetti gave the Orchestra $1,000 dollars to help them out. Board Member Cheryl Johnson stated that there will be a community bash at Barnsdall Art Park and would love to have the Orchestra participate. Metcalf stated the idea sounded great, and that he will be addressing the Silver Lake Neighborhood Council as well. Board Member Jonathon Kaplan motioned to offer a letter of support for the Orchestra, seconded by Johnson. It was stated that the letter should be sent to Metcalf, and copied to Council Members La Bonge and Garcetti. President Yvette Bryant found that there was consensus on the motion. Kaplan further motioned that the Neighborhood Council should give the Orchestra $250 dollars for seed money, seconded by Board Member Charley Mims. President Bryant found that there was consensus on this motion as well. 5. Review Results and Next Steps from the October 18th Strategic Planning Meeting: Treasurer Kerry Hunnewell related the previous discussions on the issue of strategic planning, the process of the Neighborhood Council planning for the meeting, and how the strategic session and plan developed. Hunnewell also stated that there had been some formal and informal sessions with Board Members who were unable to attend the Strategic Planning meeting. Board Member Mary Rodriguez motioned that the Board adopt the strategic plan and implement it during the next 18 months, with Board Member Cheryl Johnson seconding the motion. President Yvette Bryant found that there was consensus on the motion. Hunnewell stated that he wanted to thank Richard Spicer and Jan Burke for all their help in the process. Stakeholder Richard Spicer stated that the Board Members not in attendance (Mims and Balesh) were supportive of the plan as well. 6. Spring Rebirth- April Event: Board Member Jonathon Kaplan stated interest surrounding a Spring event, as intimated in his letter distributed to the Board. Secretary Andrew Westall described the support of the Outreach Committee for such an event. Westall also motioned for the formation of an Ad Hoc Committee to plan and budget the event, seconded by Board Member Kerry Hunnewell. President Yvette Bryant found that there was consensus on the issue. Board Members Mary Rodriguez, Jacqueline Kerr, Charley Mims, Rosemary DeMonte, Nora Mosqueda, and Kerry Hunnewell expressed interest in serving on the Ad Hoc Committee. 7. “Community Team” for LA River Cleanup- May Event: Board Member Kara Knack stated that the PROS Committee was interested in having the Neighborhood Council put together a team of community members to attend the Friends of the Los Angeles River (FoLAR) event on May 1st. Knack further stated that Stakeholder Luval Lund is the co-chair of the team, and that all PROS Committee members were supportive of the idea. Board Member and PROS Chair-elect Bernadette Soter stated that the event would take place on Saturday, May 1st from 9-12pm. Soter also stated that Hollywood United Neighborhood Council and Atwater Village Neighborhood Council members were also supportive and wanted to participate in the event. Soter stated that the location of the event would be where Los Feliz Boulevard crosses the Los Angeles River and mentioned the possibility of doing outreach for the Neighborhood Council at the event. Stakeholder Lund stated that this would be a team effort for the Neighborhood Council Board and its stakeholders. Board Member Knack stated the need for money to identify Neighborhood Council members and stakeholders. Knack further stated that FoLAR already provides t-shirts for the event, and that the Neighborhood Council should do something different like a hat. President Yvette Bryant stated that this issue should be sent to the Outreach Committee and coordinate the idea with Stakeholder Lund. Board Member Cheryl Johnson motioned that PROS provide attendees with appropriate hats, seconded by Secretary Andrew Westall. Board Member Scott Crawford stated the expensive nature of hats as a cost for the Neighborhood Council and that he was not in consensus that hats were the most frugal or best way of identification. Treasurer Kerry Hunnewell asked for a vote on the issue. Board Member Knack asked that the motion be withdrawn and that the PROS Committee develop the idea further. Board Member Johnson acquiesced and withdrew the motion to allow the Committee to decide what to do next. 2. Public Comment on Non-Agenda Items (continued): President Yvette Bryant allowed Stakeholder Jim McQuiston to deliver his public comments due to his lateness in arrival to the meeting. Stakeholder McQuiston stated that he had just come from the City Council Budget and Finance Committee meeting which went late, and also stated that there was a lot of “blood” on the Committee floor. McQuiston stated that the Mayor had said the City will have to cancel a lot of programming for this year, and that the CAO’s office still needed to cut $56 million dollars out of the City Budget. McQuiston also stated that Social Services were only $12 million dollars of the City Budget as an example, and the City would save $2 million dollars by combining some departments. McQuiston stated that the City will have a gap of $600 million dollars for next year’s Budget as well. McQuiston felt the City Council Committee had only scratched the surface and a full report of the City Council Committee was due in January. He further stated that the City Council Committee had pretty much cut DONE to the bone, cut out all oversight of the City Controller’s office with respect to Neighborhood Council funds, and without the state VLF money, the City needed to cut another $105 million dollars out of the City Budget. 8. Reports from GGPNC Committees: President Yvette Bryant stated that she was circulating a draft Calendar of events and meetings for the GGPNC to allow Committee chairs and interested stakeholders to provide dates for upcoming events and Committee meetings. Board Member Kara Knack, Chair of the PROS Committee, stated that the PROS Committee report was in the agenda materials provided for the meeting. Knack also related the occurrence of a portion of a trail being bulldozed by City employees in Griffith Park, destroying the trail and creating drainage problems. Knack stated that restoration of the trail was being funded by the Sierra Club and the City’s arborists. Knack stated that the City had been overzealous in the matter at the behest of a Council Member. Knack aslo stated that the Chair of the PROS Committee was being turned over to Board Member Bernadette Soter. Board Member Jacqueline Kerr, Chair of the Beautification and Community Building Committee, state that the Committee was involved in a plan to restructure the Vermont Triangle and rehabilitate it. The basics of the plan are to take out Prospect Avenue to calm traffic at the intersection of Vermont Avenue and Hollywood Boulevard, and turn the area into a pocket park, with the possibility of a fountain and informational kiosks. Kerr further stated that at the Committee’s meeting in October, Kip Rudd of the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) talked about the desire to form an Advisory Committee of neighborhood organizations from the local community to discuss and give advice on the details of the project. The following individuals have been selected to serve on the Advisory Committee: Scott Crawford representing the Barnsdall Art Foundation, Chancee Martorell from the Thai Community Development Corp., Mike Lyons and Charlotte De Armond of the Los Feliz Improvement Association (LFIA), Bruce Carroll representing the Franklin Hills Residents Association, and Rosemary De Monte representing the Los Feliz Business Improvement District. Vice President-Administration Stan Thompson, Chair of the Planning, Zoning, Historic Preservation, and Transportation Committee (PZHPT), stated that a representative from the Department of Transportation will be attending the January meeting of the Committee to talk about local transportation issues. Thompson encouraged all to attend the meeting in January. 9. Branding Initiative and Newsletter Recommendations: Secretary Andrew Westall spoke on behalf of the Outreach Committee’s development of a Branding Initiative and asked that the Board approve the designs and outlays in the Committee’s proposal. Treasurer Kerry Hunnewell went through the various aspects of the proposal within the materials provided to the Board and stakeholder attendees. Hunnewell motioned for the Board to adopt the Branding Initiative proposal, seconded by Secretary Westall. Board Member Kara Knack asked Hunnewell if the Outreach Committee felt it was usurping the depiction of the Observatory for use in the logo. Hunnewell stated no, he did not feel the Neighborhood Council was usurping the image. Knack stated that she did not feel that the Neighborhood Council should take a symbol from something we do not give back to. Board Member Charley Mims stated that the Observatory was a City facility, operated and maintained by the City of Los Angeles. Furthermore, Mims stated that he did not feel that there was a problem for the Neighborhood Council, which is also part of the City, to utilize the symbol of a City facility for purposes of recognition, as the Observatory is synonymous with the local neighborhood. Knack stated that she was still not fond of the idea. Board Member Jacqueline Kerr stated that the Observatory was the symbol of the neighborhood, and that this motif had been utilized in the MTA subway station at Sunset and Vermont as well. Board Member Rosemary De Monte also stated that the Observatory was symbolic of the community and that other community organizations use it as well, such as LFIA and the Los Feliz BID. Board Member Bernadette Soter inquired if other symbols were looked at during the development of the Branding Initiative. Board Member Cheryl Johnson stated that in the past the GGPNC had looked at other symbols like the acorn nut, but this symbol made a bad impression on the public …i.e., neighborhood council members being “nuts”. Secretary Westall stated that the Outreach Committee looked at the other symbols utilized by the Neighborhood Council in the past, including the acorn, the Uncle Sam depiction, and the offset letters. Westall further stated that the Outreach Committee incorporated some of these into the Branding Initiative as part of the final proposal. Board Member Scott Crawford stated that he empathized with Board Member Knack and that he would be personally upset if someone had used the symbol of Hollyhock House. Vice President-Administration Stan Thompson inquired if the Outreach Committee knew if the logo has been licensed by someone else. Hunnewell stated that the logo was designed by him. Board Member Johnson stated that she remembered the LFIA Observer Newsletter utilized a logo of the Observatory and has for some time. Board Member Soter stated that the Los Feliz BID brochure also utilized a similar logo of the Observatory. Board Member Mims stated that the City should go after LFIA for using an Observatory logo. Board Member Jonathon Kaplan asked if the Board was voting on the entire package as the Branding Initiative. Hunnewell replied that there were two different logos and we should decide between them. Board Member Knack inquired if you could even license a logo with a City landmark in it. Board Member Mims stated a Point of Information, that the Nieghborhood Council should inquire with the City Attorney’s office before trade marking or licensing a logo. Stakeholder Richard Spicer spoke in support of the Branding Initiative. Spicer stated that the logo distinguishes itself as unique from the others with GGPNC clearly in the middle of the logo. Spicer also stated that he preferred the logo on the right. Board Member Soter stated that the design is a three-color design, which is expensive to reproduce. Soter further stated that the design needs to easily convert to a gray-scale for purposes of photocopying. Board Member Mims stated that he understood and agreed with the technical concerns surrounding the logo. Mims also stated that the Neighborhood Council should consider utilizing the City’s print shop to reproduce materials for us. Stakeholder Jim McQuiston stated that he heavily agreed with Board Member Soter on the technical issues. McQuiston also stated that depending on the company that is used to reproduce the documents, the colors have a tendency to fade. Having time expired on the discussion, President Yvette Bryant called a vote on the motion. The motion passed 13-2, with Board Members Knack and Soter in opposition. Secretary Westall spoke on behalf of the Outreach Committee’s proposal to put together and publish a newsletter for the GGPNC on March 1st. The newsletter would be 4 to 8 pages, in color, with approximately 20-25,000 copies distributed through mail and other means. The approximate cost of the newsletter would be $10,000 dollars. Secretary Westall motioned that the newsletter concept be approved by the Board for further development, seconded by Board Member Bruce Carroll. Board Member Crawford stated that a two-page newsletter could be put together and distributed for less than $10,000 dollars. Board Member Mims stated that he was concerned about the cost. Mims also stated that the Neighborhood Council should consider combining the idea with the GGPNC Brochure being developed by Board Member Soter. Board Member Soter stated that these ideas live and die by the Budget of the Neighborhood Council and its ability to pay for them. Stakeholder Mark Siegel stated that there was no better expenditure than using the money in the Budget for Outreach. Siegel also stated that perhaps a tabloid format would be less expensive, and that the Neighborhood Council should consider other means of distribution than mailing. Board Member Mims stated that he liked Stakeholder Siegel’s idea, and thought the Beechwood Voice might be a good model to pursue. Secretary Westall broke down the approximate cost of the Newsletter in color. Westall also stated that the idea was to do a one shot newsletter, which everyone in the neighborhood would notice. Westall further stated that there is ample funds in the Budget for both outreach items. Stakeholder McQuiston stated that John Edwards puts out a rag called the Northeast Observer which is very good and encouraged Neighborhood Council members to check it out. McQuiston further stated that the Neighborhood Council should involved in the current City Budget debate to ensure funding. McQuiston also stated that the Neighborhood Council should go to Council Member La Bonge’s office for funding. McQuiston stated that the City might go bankrupt in the next 20 years if Neighborhood Councils don’t get more involved. Board Member De Monte spoke in favor of the Newsletter proposal. De Monte stated the importance of the idea and reiterated the basics of the proposal and the need to do wide spread outreach. Board Member Carroll stated the importance of utilizing the Newsletter to be as interactive as possible, allowing stakeholders to communicate with the Neighborhood Council. Carroll further stated the importance of building a database on stakeholders based on the information received through the newsletter. Vice President-Administration Thompson asked what the time frame for the brochure was. Board Member Soter stated that the brochure was to be started in January per the Strategic Plan. Soter further stated that budget comparison should be developed for the newsletter, 4-8 pages, black and white and color, paper, printing, and mailing costs. Soter asked with a budget proposal, within the Neighborhood Council budget, we can see what can be achieved. Board Member Mims stated that Soter’s idea was excellent and that budgets for both ideas, the Newsletter and the Brochure should be put on paper and presented at the next General Membership meeting. Mims further stated that with proposals in hand, the Board Members would be able to come to a consensus on both ideas. Vice President-Outreach Nora Mosqueda asked if the Neighborhood Council had received their funding and were able to fund both proposals. Treasurer Hunnewell stated that the Neighborhood Council was on schedule to receive the next quarter’s funding from the City, and that the Neighborhood Council would have approximately $34,000 dollars available to fund these outreach initiatives. President Bryant asked if the motion could be amended to ask for budget proposals to be presented at the next General Membership meeting for the Outreach Initiatives. Secretary Westall acquiesced and amended his motion. President Bryant found that there was consensus on the motion. 11. Filing Board Vacancies: Secretary Andrew Westall spoke on behalf of the Rules and Elections Committee on the issue of filling the three Neighborhood Council Board vacancies. Secretary Westall stated that if the Board approved, applications would be mailed to both Districts C and E by the end of the week and the Board would appoint members to the Board at the General Membership meeting in January. Secretary Westall motioned for the approval of Plan A as listed in the agenda materials, seconded by Board Member Rosemary De Monte. President Yvette Bryant found that there was consensus on the motion. 10.Bylaw Changes- Committee Membership and Voting Procedures/Quorum: Vice President-Administration Stan Thompson, Chair of the Rules and Elections Committee, explained the voting procedures/quorum bylaw change. Thompson stated that the bylaw would allow for a quorum of no less than 10, and up to 13 if the entire Board is filled. The bylaw changes would also allow for a 2/3rds vote as a Supermajority vote, as opposed to the required 12 votes now in the bylaws. Vice President-Administration Thompson motioned for approval for changing the Bylaws to allow for the quorum changes, seconded by Secretary Andrew Westall. Board Member Charley Mims stated that the bylaw change was a bit ambiguous as to what “current Board Members” meant. Mims further stated that there should be some definition of current membership as those who are siting Board Members. Board Member Bruce Carroll stated that the words should be changed to “sitting Board Members”. Board Member Cheryl Johnson stated that the words should say something to the effect as “those not dead or resigned.” Stakeholder Richard Spicer suggested that the words be changed to Board Member seats occupied. Treasurer Kerry Hunnewell stated that the words should say “current filled positions on the Board.” Board Member Jonathon Kaplan stated that the words should be left alone with a footnote of some sort explaining the legislative intent of the words. Vice President- Outreach Nora Mosqueda stated that the words should state “2/3rds of the Board.” President Yvette Bryant took up the Amendment to change the bylaw change to include the words “current filled positions on the Board”. The Amendment was passed unanimously. The Bylaw change was passed unanimously. The second bylaw change with respect to Supermajority Vote was also amended. This Amendment passed unanimously. The second bylaw change then passed unanimously. Secretary Westall then explained the Committee Membership bylaw change. Westall stated that the Bylaw change had passed the Rules and Elections Committee approximately six months earlier with a 6-2 vote. Westall also stated that the changes would include allowing committees to pick their own chairs, and that committee membership was contingent upon registration at the Council Committee. Secretary Westall motioned for approval of the Bylaw change, seconded by Board Member Bernadette Soter. Board Member Mims stated that he was opposed to the Bylaw change. Mims further stated that he did not like taking the authority of changing Committee Chairs away from the Executive Committee and placing it in the hands of the Council Committees. Mims stated that there should be some mechanism of accountability on the Council Committee Chairs, and it was reasonable that it be the Executive Committee. Treasurer Kerry Hunnewell stated that he agreed with Board Member Mims on the changes. Hunnewell stated that the Neighborhood Council currently has very inclusive committees. Hunnewell further stated that if a different group of people show up at a Committee meeting one day, register as members, it is possible they could take over the Committee for purposes in pursuit with an agenda inconsistent with our mission. Hunnewell also stated that there was a lack of accountability in the Bylaw change, and that there was no real problems with the Committees as it is now, and no need for radical change. Board Member Rodriguez stated that she felt registration at the Committee meeting was a reasonable procedure to become a Committee member. Rodriguez further stated that she was not sure about the other pending changes with regard to Committee Chairs. Board Member Soter stated that she wanted the changes to Committee Chairs to be included in the Bylaw change, allowing herself to become the PROS Committee Chair as desired by the PROS Committee members and current Chair Kara Knack. A vote of the Board Members was taken to close discussion and vote on the Bylaw Changes. The procedural vote passed unanimously. A vote in favor of the motion and the Bylaw change failed, 1-14 with Board Member Soter in favor. 12. Treasurer’s Report: Treasurer Kerry Hunnewell stated that there was approximately $12,000 dollars at the disposal of the Neighborhood Council. Hunnewell further stated that the Neighborhood Council would have approximately $37-38,000 dollars by the final dispersal on April 1st. Hunnewell also stated that the Neighborhood Council should start planning to Budget for the next fiscal year through the process outlined in previous meetings, as the current budget was top-down, and the procedures was bottom-up from the Committees. Board Member Charley Mims stated that with those funds available, the brochure should go out this fiscal year. Board Member Bernadette Soter stated that the brochure design will begin in January. Board Member Mary Rodriguez asked if the Treasurer wanted each Council Committee to develop a plan for their expenses and what they might be for the next year. Treasurer Hunnewell stated that the answer was basically yes, but that we would follow the procedure as approved by the Board previously. President Yvette Bryant suggested that the Budget and Finance Committee holding a meeting with Committee Chairs and other interested persons to explain the process and work with them to get the documents in order. Board Member Mims asked for a Point of Information, and stated what the differences between the budgets we were talking about were. Hunnewell stated that theoretically, $37-38,000 dollars would be available to the Neighborhood Council and would evaporate on June 1st. Mims asked if the Neighborhood Council was on the same fiscal cycle a the City. Hunnewell stated no. 13. Letter to State Officials on VLF Funds: Secretary Andrew Westall presented the resolution located in the agenda materials. Westall motioned for approval of the resolution, seconded by Board Member Cheryl Johnson. Stakeholder Jim McQuiston stated the importance of a resolution and listed some of the City Budget items that are going to be cancelled due to the car tax cut. Board Member Charley Mims stated that he wanted to put this into perspective for the Neighborhood Council. Mims further stated some of the programs that would be cut this year and next, including perhaps the Neighborhood Council’s funding. Treasurer Kerry Hunnewell expressed his support of the resolution. Stakeholder Mark Siegel stated that the issue had been covered in CityWatch and it was important that the Neighborhood Council make a statement on the issue. President Yvette Bryant found that there was consensus on the motion. Board Members Bruce Carroll and Jonathon Kaplan pointed out some grammatical errors in the resolution that needed to be corrected. Secretary Westall stated that those errors had been a result of copying portions of the resolution from the City Council resolution and those same errors were in their document. Westall further stated that the errors would be taken care of before the mailing out of the resolution. 14. Letter on Domestic Partnership: Board Member Scott Crawford presented the issue. Crawford stated that the Board should support efforts to stop the repeal of state legislation which expanded domestic partner benefits and rights. Crawford motioned for approval to support the newly enacted legislation, seconded by Secretary Andrew Westall. Secretary Westall stated that there was over 100,000 same sex couples in the City of Los Angeles, over 22,000 of which are concentrated in the Greater Griffith Park Area, one of the largest concentration in the City. Westall stated that we should support our neighbors and community by supporting the legislation. Board Member Charley Mims stated that this issue was not just about same sex couples, but also about domestic couples who were not married. President Yvette Bryant stated her desire to utilize GGPNC letterhead to state the Neighborhood Council’s position on the issue. Board Member Crawford stated that would be fine. Board Member Cheryl Johnson called for a vote. President Bryant found that there was consensus on the motion. 15. Comments from GGPNC officers and Board members on Non-Agenda Items: Board Member Kara Knack stated that due to the lack of Bylaw changes on Committee Chairs and Committee Membership, the Executive Committee should meet in order to appoint Board Member Bernadette Soter as Chair of the PROS Committee. Board Member Charley Mims suggested that the item be agendized at the next Executive Committee meeting so that the Committee could take a vote on the issue. 16. Adjournment at 9:56 p.m. Tuesday, November 18, 2003 – 7:00 PM GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING MINUTES Los Feliz Community Police Center (Upstairs at Citibank) 1965 Hillhurst Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90027 1.Call to Order at 7:12pm
by President Bryant.
A quorum was not present- with Board Members Crawford, Herrera, Hunnewell, Johnson, Kerr, Mosqueda, and Rodriguez unable to attend. Approval of minutes for the October 21st meeting was tabled. 2. Public Comment on Non-Agenda Items: Stakeholder Ann Mackey announced a meeting of the Barnsdall Neighborhood Association at Hollywood Lutheran Church this Thursday, November 20th at 7pm. Representatives from Assembly Member Frommer’s office, the AARP, and the LAPD Senior Lead Officer for the area will be speaking. Stakeholder Jim McQuiston reported that he has been selected as the Area 1 representative for the ongoing 101 Freeway Update/Study. This area covers the freeway between Downtown and Cahuenga Blvd. He will be accepting input on the Freeway and its arterials, as well as information on MTA, DASH, streets, and all other aspects of transportation affecting this area. Examples included possibly widening Franklin Ave. and taking out the “Vermont Curve”. Funding depends on the State Budget and the MTA, McQuiston said. Jim requested anyone who wanted to provide input to Fax him at 323-464-8792. Stakeholder Richard Spicer stated that this study was for a 20 year plan and a 7 year capital program by SCAG (Southern California Association of Governments)and a draft is available for viewing. The draft includes requests by the City and the MTA, and an EIR(Environmental Impact Report) should be issued in December. The final report should be finished by April or May. Stakeholder Jim McQuiston also stated that there will be meetings in December to filter out all the requests. This steering committee was selected by the City Council. Idora Leon introduced herself as the Communications and Public Relations Director for the Autry Museum for Western Heritage. 3. Department of Public Works Presentation was tabled. 4. Welcoming the Light Event: Board Member Jonathon Kaplan described his resolution and the possibility of an event at the Vermont Triangle as a secular interfaith event with the community religious organizations. His Rabbi had attended the Outreach Committee meeting and reception had been favorable. This ceremony would be an interfaith/secular ceremony replacing darkness with light. Kaplan mentioned that this was something Father Pat Jones had been interested in during his time on the Board and something Kaplan and Jones had discussed in the past. Kaplan had contacted several community religious organizations that wanted to participate. Kaplan also stated that there was a beautiful Helen Keller poem that he was considering have read at the event. Kaplan said that he had contacted Council Member LaBonge’s office about the event at that Jeanne Chang has been extremely gracious. He also contacted the Bureau of Streets but had not gotten a call back. Board Member Rosemary DeMonte inquired into the possible street closure. Kaplan was not sure if it was possible and was doing further inquiries. Kaplan added that there had been some friction over religious symbols at the Holiday tree on Vermont Avenue north of Los Feliz Blvd. Kaplan stated that a religious symbol wasn’t the issue with this event, and that it was open to all faiths. Kaplan wanted to deemphasize the religious aspects of the event, and have it be more secular and interfaith in nature. Board Member Kara Knack stated her concerns and that she wanted things to be a little more detailed. Knack said that the event was not very organized as of yet, including the street closure aspects, and that we should consider having the event some time in the future, and not just in December. Knack also stated that a Committee should be put together to organize the event. Secretary Andrew Westall stated that the Outreach Committee had been very receptive to the event, and that even though the Board could not take action, Kaplan should contact members of the Outreach Committee to help him organize the event. DeMonte asked that we just do the event. Board Member Bernadette Soter said that there would be no Holiday Tree display on Vermont this year, and that members of the organization who organized that event in the past had dealt with the friction over this issue. Soter also stated that community members have also objected to a secular display. Vice President-Administration Stan Thompson said that he was excited about the possibilities of the idea. Tom from the Department of Recreation and Parks wanted to add the Department’s perspective. Tom mentioned that a menorah had been added to the Holiday Tree display last year. He also stated that if GGPNC wanted to do the event in the Park, they should file a formal request with the Department through the General Manager. Tom also stated the Holiday Tree had history with the Park, and that the display had been maintained for awhile. He also stated the danger of the electrical socket at the location. Kaplan stated that the Pastor at UCC was interested in having an event that only lasted one evening, and that was one of the foundations of the event- one night. Soter stated that the Churches and Synagogues should be able to do this event without any GGPNC approval, and that they should consider just doing the event on their own. President Yvette Bryant stated that she felt timing was an issue, and that we should consider doing something next year. Board Member Charley Mims asked when the event was to take place. Kaplan stated that he planned to have the event on December 21st or 22nd. Kaplan also stated that GGPNC had not done a lot of positive things for the community to date, and that we have dealt with a lot of rules and procedures, which was important. Kaplan also stated that we haven’t done a lot of outreach, including outreach in the religious community and he was hoping to hold this event as part of his outreach mandate as the religious representative. Mims stated that he liked the outreach aspects of the event, and understands the need to plan. Mims also said that we should have the chance of supporting the event at our December meeting, and encouraged Kaplan to consider no street closures, some advertising and a small, successful event this year, and try to do more next year. Council Deputy Jeanne Chang stated that she hated to rush into such events, and that they were difficult to do without good planning. She also stated that the City Council needed to waive some fees and approve the street closure asap, which would be difficult to do with little time. Chang also said that the GGPNC would need to have liability insurance for the event, as the City would not cover such costs. Chang also stated the previously mentioned sensitivity issue over the Holiday Tree display. Board Member Rosemary DeMonte asked if Mary Rodriguez had needed approvals and insurance for the Neighborhood Watch march she organized. Chang stated that Rodriguez did need insurance and approvals for the event, including temporary street closures by LAPD so ensure safety of the marchers. Chang also mentioned that the event had needed a motion from the City Council. Thompson asked what the cost of insurance was? Chang replied that the approximate cost would be $300 dollars. Kaplan stated that the Vermont Triangle seemed very doable, and that only the small section of Prospect Avenue need to be closed. Displays would be supplied by the congregations themselves, and that other costs would include a Public Address System and candles for all the attendees. These costs could be absorbed by GGPNC. Chang mentioned that it might be easier to get the event approved if it was City-sponsored under the auspices of the GGPNC. Soter stated that perhaps it would be better to host the event in 2004. Soter also said that Vermont and Hollywood is a major intersection and that the event might interfere with the Light Festival traffic. DeMonte provided anecdotal evidence that the Light Festival did not impact the intersection in question. Stakeholder Jeff Gardner was concerned about the price of such an event. Stakeholder Jim McQuiston stated that the GGPNC might want to push the even back to July, and that the City and GGPNC would need more lead time to plan the event. McQuiston provided an example of an event in Melrose Hill in which the city blocked over the cul-de-sacs for a block party and put up temporary No Parking signs. This event cost $1,188.00 for insurance. Bryant stated that the GGPNC would not be able to make a decision on this without a quorum. Kaplan stated that he would put his materials on the event together and make them available for the religious representative for next year. Kaplan also asked if he could get support to organize the event for this year, and get the details out as soon as possible. Knack stated that she would not be in favor or supporting an event this year, but would support an event further in the future. Mims stated that the City closed streets in his community with the City Council approving the motion retroactively. Mims also said it doesn’t matter when the City Council approves the motion, and that the GGPNC could approve the event on the 18th if it wished to participate. 5. Report on Regional Budget Requests: President Yvette Bryant stated that DONE had confused GGPNC with the Greater Echo Park Neighborhood Council, and in the confusion, did not add our City Budget requests to the regional board. She also stated that the Regional Board stayed with broad categories and they didn’t get any narrower. The five categories out of the Regional Board were Sanitation, Housing Availability, Homeless Services, Street and Sidewalk Resurfacing, and More Police. Bryant also mentioned that if anyone wanted more information to contact her. Bryant also re-emphasized the fact that GGPNC had been completely left out because of DONE. Stakeholder Jeff Gardner asked who the representatives for the next level of meetings were. Bryant was unsure, but felt one was from the Neighborhood Council near the convention center and the other was Dee Lock. Board Member Jonathon Kaplan stated that DONE’s representative was ineffective, and that this incident was another example of how DONE doesn’t do much. Kaplan also stated that we should insist DONE’s representative is present at every meeting. Bryant stated that she understood many Neighborhood Councils have their meetings on the same evening, and she would not want to support more employees for DONE. Stakeholder Jim McQuiston mentioned that during the deliberations over the DONE Ordinance, Councilmember Nick Pacheco ensured that DONE did not have the authority to bring neighborhood council issues to the City Council. They were never given that authority, and that authority is that of the neighborhoods. McQuiston also stated that now was a good time to contact Council Member Janice Hahn and mention the omissions in this process and make the point to keep DONE out of the way of neighborhood councils. McQuiston stated that DONE is asking for a new staff member to oversee neighborhood council leasing of space, and now is the time to interject. Board Member Charley Mims stated the reasons behind the name of DONE as opposed to the Department of Neighborhoods. Mims said the Charter Commission did not want the Department to govern neighborhoods, and to let the neighborhood councils speak directly to the City. The Commission felt that if neighborhood councils relied on the Department, the neighborhood’s message would get deleted. 6. Strategic Plan Review and Next Steps: President Yvette Bryant stated that Stakeholder Richard Spicer would speak on the issue, and then it would be tabled for further action next month. Spicer stated that the meeting on October 18th was very productive with 9 Board Members and 3 stakeholders in attendance. The Executive Committee briefed Bryant and Board Member Mary Rodriguez, and all other Board Members had been briefed privately. Spicer stated that he wanted the Board to adopt the full report, including results areas and measurable missions. Spicer also stated that he was impressed by the full buy-in from Board Members attending the group, and that there was consensus. Spicer recommended adopting the package at the next Board meeting to cover the next 12 to 18 months. Spicer stated that the Board and public should glance at the Table of Contents, as it will give one a sense of the meeting. The document has a lot of “flesh and blood” to get more people participating in GGPNC. Spicer also recommended that the Board continue to follow the progress of the Plan. Bryant stated that anyone could speak further with Richard after the meeting, and thanked everyone who could make the meeting on October 18th. 7. Events and Meeting Calendar for 2004: President Yvette Bryant stated that an Events and Meeting calendar should be put together at the next Executive Committee meeting. This calendar would see the events for the next quarter. Bryant asked that all Committee chairs and others with meetings and events provide the information to the Secretary or other Exec Committee member. This will help the Board provide a list of venues and addresses on the website, as well as help Stakeholder Charlotte DeArmond coordinate use of the Los Feliz Community Police Center. Bryant also asked that all members using the facility refer to it as the Los Feliz Community Police Center (Upstairs at Citibank) to end some confusion. 8. Treasurer’s Report: President Yvette Bryant reported that Treasurer Kerry Hunnewell had stated to her previously in the day that there was nothing to report and little financial activity over the last month. There were no questions. 9. Bylaw Change- Committee Membership: Secretary Andrew Westall mentioned that the Board could not take action on the pending bylaw change. Westall asked that the Board consider taking up the Bylaw amendment early in the next meeting since it has been tabled for approximately 6 months, after public comment and any presentations. Board member Rosemary DeMonte asked questions regarding the pending appointments for Districts C and E. Westall said that the outreach was ongoing for District C and that the mailings for District E have not been initiated. DeMonte inquired about the possibility of appointing District E based on the previous election results. Westall stated the bylaw that allows the Board to fill vacancies is broad enough to allow those appointments. Board Member Mims mentioned that as long as adequate outreach was undertaken, the Board could fill that vacancy. 10. Reports and Comments from GGPNC Officers, Committees, and Board Members: Board Member Kara Knack mentioned that the next PROS Committee meeting (Parks, River, and Open Space) will be held at 7pm at the Los Feliz Community Police Center on Monday December 1st. Knack stated that there are 159 different projects currently ongoing in Griffith Park. The Committee will be having presentation from Linda Barth on the Griffith Park Master Plan. The Committee had a presentation on pocket parks and schools, dominated by many representatives from private schools and their concerns for joint use. Knack also mentioned that there is no accurate, complete map of Griffith Park, which is being undertaken by the Melendez Group. Board Member Charley Mims asked a question about the completeness of maps. Knack stated that there were many maps out there, including a DWP map of spigots and water towers, but none that accurate reflects everything in the Park. Board Member Stan Thompson inquired about hiking trails being included in the maps. Knack stated that the Sierra Club had been doing trail maps, but had added 50 trails which are not official trails in the Park. Knack also stated that the Department of Recreation and Parks does not want to sanctify these trails not really in existence. These trails damage the wildlife and nature in the Park that the Department and residents are trying to preserve. Board Member Knack also stated that the Department is supposed to be adding $4-8 million in revenue to the City, and it is currently not happening. The Master Plan will address more sources of revenue for the City, but that residents are opposed to many ideas. Board Member Charley Mims commented on the “bushwhacking” trails that people create and how destructive they are to the existing trails and landscape. Mims also mentioned that we should provide a link to the Draft Plan when its made available. Others agreed with the destructive nature of the “bushwhacking trails”. Board Member James Balesh mentioned that while GGPNC was the second largest donor to the Hoover Street Mural Project, there was little mention in events materials and little advertising on behalf of GGPNC. Balesh also stated that we should prevent this mishaps in the future. Mims mentioned that GGPNC had been prominently displayed in the latest Shakespeare Bridge landscaping, and did not contribute much. All agreed to work on promotions better. Stakeholder Richard Spicer asked if there was a fixed schedule on the draft report of the Griffith Park Master Plan. Knack mentioned that the Draft Plan will be coming out and there will be a community endorsement hearing sometime in June in conjunction with other local groups. Board Member Bernadette Soter mentioned an upcoming Joint meeting to review the Draft organized by another local community group for all in the community. Stakeholder Jim McQuiston stated that the Board should be providing continuous comment on the Draft prior to the Joint meeting in order for the suggestions to be folded into the earlier versions of the Draft. This would ensure that the requests are dealt with in the final Draft. Vice President-Administration Stan Thompson stated that the PZTHP (Planning, Zoning, Transportation, and Historic Preservation) Committee had nothing to report. Thompson also mentioned that the Department of Transportation will be attending the January 14th Committee meeting to take questions and comments on traffic concerns in the area. A representative from DOT will be on hand to talk about those areas. Soter commented that this meeting might turn into a big gripe session and that we consider a lighter agenda for the meeting. Thompson stated that the Committee had already put together a list of traffic issues and will be forwarding them to DOT prior to the meeting. This list will be the focus of concerns for the meeting. Secretary Andrew Westall stated that the Rules and Elections Committee meeting had been cancelled for the last two months due to lack of attendance. Westall encouraged all committee members to attend the next meeting to dispense with business that has been compiling. Westall also introduced two new bylaw amendments that will address the ongoing concern with a lack of quorum at General Membership Meetings. Board Member Jonathon Kaplan requested that the meeting minutes be distributed as quickly as possible so that he may share them with the religious organizations in the area, with regard to the Welcoming the Light event. Mims stated that the minutes were not really needed, and the Board generally supports the idea and unable to take action. Balesh stated that the Board had not taken a position on this issue, and agreed and supported Board Member Mim’s comments. Bryant stated that the problem was an issue of timing, and that accurate minutes were important. Stakeholder McQuiston stated that he had attended the latest Cabinet meeting for the City. McQuiston stated that the representatives thought they were talking to neighborhood councils, when in fact he was the only one there who was from the neighborhood councils. McQuiston said that the Cabinet wanted neighborhood councils to appoint a representative to attend the meetings. McQuiston also said that the City is forming a Committee to take a look at the entire city water system, including rivers, lakes, sewers, etc. The City wants neighborhood councils to appoint people to sit on the Committee and participate in the study as part of the master organization. Mims asked if this was related to the ongoing conservation study. McQuiston stated that the water conservation was the impetus for the study. 11. Adjournment at 8:45pm. Tuesday, October 21, 2003 – 7:00 PM CitiBank Building, Community Police Center 1965 Hillhurst Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90027 A quorum was not present initially but was achieved during item #3. Board Members: DeMonte, Herrera, Rodriguez unable to attend. 2. The call for Public Comment on Non-agenda items was greeted with silence. 3. Street Furniture (bus shelters, info kiosks, public toilets) for Los Feliz Village. Cheyenne Pierce of Viacom (323-276-7557 Cheyenne.Pierce@viacomdecaux.com) told of city contract to provide and maintain street furniture and that the following locations for bus shelters had been selected in our area: LF/Hillhurst SW corner, Hillhurst/Franklin SW & NW corners, Vermont/Melbourne NW corner, Vermont/Franklin NW corner. CD-4 deputy Rory Fitzpatrick explained city gets $150mil revenue which is used for projects w/in council district. Sites were selected by LF Village BID early in GGPNC's official life. He pledged to work with us if there is a problem. Soter objects to double sided billboards...more ad vehicle than shelter. Carroll questions cleaning etc. Pierce says call her and things will be cleaned. Regular sked is twice weekly. Discussion of Public Amenities Kiosks (PAK)which have ads, but one panel for community notices. Carroll asked if this included the need for frequent posting as in GGPNC agendas. Pierce said key could be given to community representative to facilitate frequent postings. Fitzpatrick indicated CD-4 would like to survey the area with a couple of GGPNC named reps w/in next 10 days or so. No PAK locations have been approved in GGPNC area. Kaplan asked for cost of ads. He received only ambiguous answers. Crawford objected to "art deco" designs. Soter notes there is already too much clutter on sidewalks, suggests trading shelters for illegal newsracks, notes shelters have only 2 seats...more for advertising than shelter. Stakeholder Jim McQuiston suggests turning shelters around to get more sidewalk space. Stakeholder Ricardo Gomez calls for more frequent trash cleanup. 1. (continued) with quorum present Minutes of the August 19, 2003 & September 16th, 2003 meetings were approved as revised: 8/19/03 item # 5 amend the first 4 sentences to read: . "Hunnewell details the HUNC/GGPNC Griffith Park boundary dispute history and the settlement agreement. Says Mims requests GGPNC vote to approve the agreement in concept and send to Rules & Elections committee for revision of the By-laws to cede joint jurisdiction of the reservoir area adjacent to HUNC boundary so that HUNC has sole jurisdiction of that area. Hunnewell moves and Carroll 2nds the above. Kaplan asks about alternatives. Hunnewell says it could go to BONC to decide. Balesh doesn't think we should give up Ferndell: Hunnewell indicated that the agreement contemplates no changes to the original GGPNC and HUNC boundaries in Ferndell, granted pursuant to certification." 9/16/03 PARKS delete the words: "Barnsdall already has support." 4. DONE no representative present. 5. Brown Act amendments: Westall calls for "more flexibility." Carroll suggests that NC's be allowed to vote by e-mail on time critical issues if committee has held public hearing and suggested the NC take a position on an issue. This so that the NC's position can be transmitted to government bodies in a timely manner. Hunnewell suggests we should support LA City council recommendation and then study other changes. Mims thinks NCs should be exempt from Brown act except when acting on how to spend the city allocated funds. We should have public meetings, but "not be handcuffed." Bryant suggests perhaps an alternate law for purely advisory bodies. Soter objects to changes, claims we'd become "just a board that's here to please itself." Westall says complete exemption "won't fly in Sacramento"...supports City Council amendment and Carroll's suggestion. Thompson says his committee has been frustrated by timing issues. Correspondence on an issue could be made part of the public record. Bryant moves support for amendment, Westall 2nd. Knack wants to say we are going to support the law. Soter questions need for action since she's only heard the issue at one CD-4 breakfast. Fitzpatrick says the council has heard a "drumbeat" for a change. Reminds board that Tom LaBonge said "don't be bureaucratic.." McQuiston agrees Brown act makes it hard to make comments on time, but feels Legislature won't amend because the request comes from Los Angeles. He also complains GGPNC agendas are not specific enough for him. Soter against consensus to support City Council plan (Council File 03-0002-S9). Carroll calls for vote to take a vote Hunnewell 2nd. The vote is 14-aye 0-No to take a vote on the motion of support. The vote on the actual motion is 13-aye 1-No. 6. GGPNC/HUNC Boundary issue: Mims notes that "we had a deal and they went south on it," believes we should go ahead and approve our side of the agreement and send to DONE for BONC action. Feels BONC will look favorably on our position because the mediated agreement was done in good faith. Carroll moves, Kaplan 2nd to approve necessary by-law changes to uphold the agreement. Hunnewell said he attended HUNC meeting and found there were problems of misrepresentation. Feels we should go ahead with Bylaws amendment relative to the PROS committee openness, but should withhold amendment ceding the reservoir area because the larger issue is unsettled. Mims feels it doesn't matter what HUNC does. Stakeholder Gomez supports Mims position recalls "arduous task" in the formation process. Mims reminds that changes have no effect until DONE and BONC act. Johnson says ceding of reservoir should be "conditional" on acceptance by HUNC. Mims says the Bylaws changes would be subject to approval of boundary change by BONC. Hunnewell asks since we had an agreement which HUNC rejected why should we vote now? Mims notes our approval is a way to get the issue before BONC. Johnson "not confident" BONC will do the right thing. Westall notes only BONC can approve boundary changes. Balesh asks will BONC consider taking up the mediated agreement? Consensus to approve the Bylaw changes as to Article XIII Sec C. (a) Board Committees (which deals with PROS committee.) As to Bylaws Article 7 (Boundaries of the GGPNC) the change is approved subject to BONC's approval and implementation of the mediated agreement. 12. PZTHP committee asks approval of motion supporting the phasing out of auto body shops on the west side of Hyperion as called for in 1980s zoning change. Thompson moves approval, Carroll 2nd Gomez explains this policy would be from this point forward, records of past actions are often incomplete. Fitzpatrick indicates the council office's willingness to push enforcement. Kaplan asks what does our support mean? Gomez explains if we ask strong enforcement we are more likely to get enforcement. McQuiston suggests bringing the matter to the attention of Teamwork LA will have an immediate effect. Crawford against the motion, Kaplan wants more info. Thompson explains we are calling for enforcement of the existing law and it will have an effect. Westall moves, Hunnewell 2nd to take a vote...the vote is 14-aye 0-No. The vote on the underlying motion to support zoning laws calling for phase out of auto shops on west side of Hyperion passes 12-aye 1-No 1-abstain. Some discussion followed as to whether it is proper to abstain. 8.
Bylaw
change regarding selection procedures for filling board vacancy.
Westall points out our Bylaws lack procedures for the process. They are
several questions about, and suggested changes to, the originally
proposed amendment to Bylaws Article IX. After all the talking Mims
moves w/2nd approval of the following language: "Article IX, SELECTION
OF THE BOARD, sec G. Board Vacancies. The Board shall fill Board
Vacancies by majority vote after an outreach effort." The motion
is passed on a vote 13-aye 1-no.
8 b. Westall moves, Carroll 2nd to fill the District "E" vacancy with the same process as for District "C" vacancy but with different timeline. Soter asks that there be outreach to the 3 non-elected candidates in last years district "E" contest. There is agreement by consensus. 8.c Filling Dist "C" vacancy. Carroll reports that no candidate applications have been received at our postal address, but that one call came to our message line and was referred to Rules & Election committee chair Westall. Mims suggests we contact Board member Herrera re her plans. Johnson says she will do so and report back on the outcome. 9. Bryant reports that our Budget Priorities developed by the Ad Hoc committee have been sent to DONE. 7. Treasurer's Report Hunnewell reports we ended the quarter with about $14,600 in our account and that the Strategic Panning session cost is estimated at under $2500. We have not yet filed for next quarter funds which should bring our funds to apx. $25,000. 10. Items deferred from previous meetings: a) Marshall Cafeteria as meeting site... No need to discuss since Citibank room still available. b) Kerr moves to donate $500 to police memorial fund in memory of Miyamura and Barron. Question raised about legality of such a donation. Still checking. c) Trash collection improvement...item eliminated with no action. 11. Sharing office space with other nearby NC's. Stakeholder Jeff Gardner of Atwater NC notes it's probably illegal unless in a shared jurisdiction area since office must be within NC boundary. 14. Election of Officers for the coming year: Carroll reports that since nominations were originally made at the August meeting the following events have taken place. President: candidate Westall has withdrawn his nomination leaving Bryant as the only candidate. VP- Administration - Thompson remains the only candidate. VP- Outreach - Mosqueda has accepted the nomination made in her absence, Kaplan has withdrawn, leaving Mosqueda as the only candidate. Treasurer - Balesh has withdrawn his nomination leaving Hunnewell as the only candidate. Secretary - Carroll has withdrawn his nomination leaving no candidate. Then Carroll nominates Westall for the office of Secretary and he accepts. With only one candidate remaining for each office, Johnson moves election by acclamation and it is seconded and approved by consensus. 13. Officer and Board Comments: Crawford notes Skylight Books anniversary event. Hunnewell moves to thank last years officers...consensus for approval. Bryant calls for Executive Committee meeting on Tuesday 10/28/03 location TBA (later changed to 11/4). Westall feels the Exec Committee should handle administrative matters. Soter feels Exec Committee should not meet in private home. McQuiston says the city spent $50 for meals at the last NC congress. Hunnewell says those who missed the strategic planning session will get calls to fill them in on what they missed. 15. Adjournment 10:00pm. ================= Tuesday, September 16, 2003 – 7:00 PM CitiBank Building, Community Police Center 1965 Hillhurst Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90027 1.Call
to Order at 7:15pm by President Mims. A quorum was present with Board Members: Balesh, Crawford, Kaplan, Hahn, Herrera, unable to attend. Approval of the August 19, 2003 meeting minutes was tabled until the October 7, 2003 meeting. 2. GGPNC Survey analysis...Mims explained requirement to get five budget priorities from each NC that will then be whittled down at meeting of 2 reps from each of the 13 central area NCs. GGPNC's reps chosen in August: Bryant & DeMonte. The group of NCs will then send it's priorities to the Mayor. Bryant explained the survey process thanking Johnson, DeMonte, Kerr, Balesh and stakeholder George Grace who did tabulations explaining, "we couldn't have the info tonight without him." (applause) Areas receiving the lowest satisfaction scores in the "closed data" tabulations were... Parking...Traffic...Homeless...Street Repair...Pedestrian/Bike access Areas receiving the most mentions in the "Comment" section... Street repair...parks/greenspace...safety/law enforcement...general cleanliness (bulky item pickup, trash cans in the street, dogs residoo)...parking availability. Johnson vowed to continue collection of survey to aid the GGPNC is setting its priorities, but noted that many who filled out the survey were reluctant to provide personal data. 3. Public comment...Stakeholder Mark Siegel supported continuing the survey, S/h Ricardo Gomez observes that some issues are not really budget priorities but could be helpful in reorganizing city methods. Bryant says City Services committee will discuss ideas from the poll during the 10/14 meeting and submit a report for the strategic planning session on 10/18. Mims says city guidance seems to be for NC's to come up with specific items...pave "X" street. Bryant suggests we adopt more than 5 priorities so the ad hoc committee that will refine the list will have some leeway. Ad Hoc Committee appointed later in the session to consist of: Bryant, DeMonte, Johnson, Mims, Mosqueda & Westall. S/h Emily Dickie says New Hampshire between Ambrose and Finley has not been paved in 40 years. S/h Peter Bedard says streets around King MS need paving. S/h Jim McQuiston questioned survey methodology. Bryant & Grace explained that categories: "total," "Renter" and "Homeowners" are reliable because of high number of responses. Siegel said it's not a "random scientific sample." He also feels traffic on Franklin between Edgement on Hillhurst needs attention. Kerr suggested all-way crossing (a la Beverly Hills) at Franklin and Vermont. Bedard questioned how priorities are to be decided. Explained problem at King MS where Parks & Rec. issue permits to use the field, but parents have to hoist kids over the fence. Bryant suggests we first identify categories and then select priorities within those. 4. Discussion & Adoption of Budget Priorities...Johnson notes street and sidewalk repairs most often mentioned, also the problem of trash cans out on street sweeping days limits parking. Westall says the issue is code enforcement. Bryant suggests "code enforcement" category. McQuiston feels code enforcement not a budget item. Mims disagrees. Bryant suggests the following 7 categories: Parking...Parks & Recreation...Street Repair...Traffic movement... Police ...Code enforcement...Homeless... and that they be dealt with one-by-one. PARKING: Mosqueda comments on conflict between trash cans and cars for parking spaces, Johnson suggest changing hours of trash collection or cleaning streets less often. Hunnewell notes city enforcement caused Christian Science church on Vermont to close their parking to the public. Hunnewell brings up the issue of permit parking on streets. Rodriguez says parking near schools a problem...need more lots. Soter suggests code require more parking for business, plus better code enforcement and more lots. Mims points to problem of people using garages for non auto uses increasing street parking. Gomez suggests shortening window for street sweeping, notes a LF village parking structure was in a previous plan, and that permit parking should be made easier to implement. Hunnewell supports parking structure as the kind of concrete item that is a definable budget item. Bedard says we need to identify where lots are needed. Johnson notes were are competing with other NCs who suffer from high crime, homelessness. Consensus that we make A municipal parking lot or structure for Los Feliz Village a budget priority. PARKS Knack points out obligation to millions who use Griffith Park and says we should ask for money to support the new master plan. Hunnewell supports Knack's suggestion, also we should promote dual use of school facilities and Ferndell play area needs repair. Westall says GP has no basketball courts which schools have but they have high fences. Rodriguez explains dual use sounds good, but there are abuse and security issues. She also suggests that many NCs will have an interest in LA River improvement projects. Soter supports funding for GP master plan and river. Johnson suggests finishing Barnsdall projects. Kerr notes survey support for greening, trees in neighborhoods. Tom McCall, GP maintenance supervisor (213-485-5573), asks that issues be brought to his attention. Says DWP working on renewing Ferndell water system, but the fence repair is now down to one person. Mims suggests priorities be GP master plan funding and LA River. S/h Denise says Symphony in the Glen is building a new structure. Soter says it's part of the master plan already. Gomez suggests using city property which LILA school leases as pocket park. King MS is crowded "this is empty" and leased at "25% of market value." Bedard says pocket park would be "ideal" we should be looking at smaller and practical things...paving streets, mural painting...not already funded ideas like LA River planning. McQuiston points out that "pocket parks" are much smaller than the 5+ acre LILA site. McCall mentions pocket park on just 2 lots between Virgil and Vermont. Grace asks McCall if there is a GP wish list beyond the master plan. Johnson says there is some money for pocket parks between $5-15,000 not including land...we have to think of smaller projects. Soter says we shouldn't forget the river. Mims says there is already "a lot of political will" to do something about the river. Thompson notes things we discussed are good to go to LaBonge...but to get other NC's support we need more universal projects. Hunnewell suggests 3 NCs would support funds for Ferndell. Also likes Pocket Parks, LILA and dual use at schools. Westall likes LILA park idea and joint use with schools with funds for maintenance and security. GP and River issues are too broad. Johnson suggest we do both broad and specific projects and then get council office input on what's best. Mims says it will come down to "horse trading" among NC's...supports GP master plan & LILA that could be "a ready made park." Knack supports regional idea as our priority... all others are good to be pursued. Carroll says we should not include LILA park until the idea has been studied by PROS and input from FHRA and neighbors. Johnson notes historic designation of Lautner buildings...idea needs lots of study. Bedard charges LILA park opposition is an "elitism" issue. Gomez agrees LILA needs more input, but doable. Consensus Parks priorities are: Griffith Park master plan, LA River planning and Pocket Parks. POLICE ... McQuiston claims we could have 1,500 more police if not for the "3 day work week." Feels most NCs will ask for more cops. Rodriguez says 3-4 day week boosted very low morale. We need more officers not change in schedules. Soter notes we are very under policed. Westall says with more money we could use matching funds from federal government. consensus: We need more police. STREET REPAIR Mims suggests we should make zones around schools priorities for improving streets, lighting, recreation...make a statement about maintenance of school adjacent areas. Knack supports. Westall suggests matching funds for sidewalk repair...technically the responsibility of the property owner. Mims observes that city took the responsibility 25 years ago. DeMonte notes high support for sidewalk repair in surveys. Soter supports safe zones around schools and dual use. Consensus to support improvement around school zones. TRAFFIC & PEDESTRIANS Thompson observes worst spots (other than Los Feliz Blvd.) Franklin and Vermont, Hyperion between Rowena and Griffith Park Blvd. and confluence of Sunset Blvd & Dr., Hollywood, Virgil/Hillhurst. We need to find out what plans DOT is working on. Mims notes our survey has identified the sore points and we should work with council office to push DOT for studies. DeMonte says DOT has done studies and come up with recommendations that they don't want to implement. Westall suggests lighted crosswalks as found in Glendale. DeMonte says D |