gg-minutes

BOARD MEETING MINUTES
Tuesday, MARCH 17, 2009
Los Feliz Community Police Center
1965 N. Hillhurst, Los Angeles, CA 90027

01. CALL TO ORDER:
6:50 PM - By Greater Griffith Park Neighborhood Council (GGPNC) President PHILIP GASTEIER.
Boardmembers present (16*): ARSLANIAN (partial), CARROLL, DEMONTE, DE OCAMPO (partial), GASTEIER, HOOPER (partial), HOWE, LOUYSE, MAUCERI, O’GRADY, OSTROW, OWEN, SOTER, WILSON, VIGDERSON.
Absent (03): KERR, NAPIER, and UEBERSAX. A quorum was declared.
*HYAMS (7:20 PM) joined after selection procedures (agenda item 6).

02. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: 7:00 PM – GASTEIER requested a motion to approve the January 2009 meeting minutes (as revised) and February 2009 Board Meeting minutes (as revised). District E Representative, BRUCE CARROLL moved to accept, seconded by Appointed Boardmember: At Large, TOM WILSON; approved by consensus.

03. PUBLIC COMMENTS ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS: 7:03 PM – None.

04. REPORTS: PUBLIC OFFICIALS AND CITY STAFF: 7:05 PM –
        a) JULIAN HARRIS-CALVIN, representing Councilmember Tom LaBonge, spoke about the Griffith Park Historical Monument dedication service, recent tree planting events and Friday’s Spring Equinox Hike.
        b) BETTY WONG-OYAMA, DONE Neighborhood Council Project Coordinator, spoke about an upcoming ethics seminar on April 29th, pointing out neighborhood council members were required to renew their ethics
training every two years. New Boardmember orientation will be held March 31st, and a DONE Roundtable on April 30th. The DONE Website will be updated with all pertaining information and an email blast will sent out Thursday, March 19th to all members detailing new policies, etc.
        c) JOHN HISSERICH, Representative for CA Assembly Member Paul Krekorian, spoke on the success of the recent film festival, stated he will be presenting a full list of legislative bills pending at the next Board meeting, and will be emailing information on an upcoming open house.
        c) GREG BARTZ, L.A. Department of Water & Power (DWP) Liaison, distributed a letter and handouts, speaking to infrastructure upgrades, two DWP programs in place - Power Reliability Program (PRP) and Water, Infrastructure, Power and Reliability Program (WIPRP). He also confirmed the hiring of two (2) additional DWP liaisons, offered his assistance in any city service matters and provided the new address of the District Office:
    Greg Bartz
    300 East Magnolia Boulevard, Suite 504
    Burbank, CA 91502-1145
    (818) 558-3043 (t) (818) 558-3042 (f)

05. NORTHEAST DIVISION SENIOR LEAD OFFICER REPORT: 7:19 PM - None.

06. SELECTION OF NEW BOARD MEMBER TO FILL VACANT SEAT:
7:20 PM - Boardmembers discussed the qualifications of candidates to fill the seat vacated by the resignation of Kurt Rademaekers.
Candidates:
WILL EDMUNDSON, TOM HILLARD, TOR HYAMS, ASHLEY MADDOX (in absentia), and MATT SUMMERS. Each Candidate spoke about themselves, and their interest in joining the GGPNC Board.
7:33 PM – Gasteier opened the floor for Public Comment; none. 7:35 PM - Gasteier opened the floor for candidate questions & answers from the Board. 8:15 PM - Gastier opened the floor for further Board discussion and then called the vote.

ELECTION RESULTS:
Will Edmondson    (01) Votes
Tom Hilard    (03) Votes
TOR HYAMS (SELECTED)    (11) VOTES
Ashley Maddox    (00) Votes
Matt Summers    (00) Votes
    (14) Votes Cast* TOR HYAMS was welcomed and seated on The Board. The other candidates were thanked for their participation and marked preparedness. *DE OCAMPO not included in voting.

08. TREASURER’S REPORT: 8:22 PM – District D Representative, TOMAS O’GRADY presented the recommendations of the Budget and Finance Committee and moved to “Adopt the 2008/2009 fiscal year budget as presented with the following stipulation: further Board approval required for items denoted ‘Special’ as Treasurer must submit to DONE for final approval.”
O’Grady discussed budget line items, the amounts already spent, and the earmarked amounts denoted: ‘Special,’ as those being ones still requiring Board approval.
RICHARD SPICER, PZHP Committee member, commented there were outstanding amounts (particularly PZHP Committee photocopying charges) not reflected, as they haven’t been submitted for payment.
Gasteier commented in general about the Finance Committee’s history and responsibilities, how fiscal Budgets were remiss in the past, how the pace has been picked up under O’GRADY and the present Budget Committee, and how with these new tools, various Committees could work towards economizing expenditures.
District E Representative, MARK MAUCERI, moved the Board to approve the Items marked on the first two pages as ‘please approve’ and for the Board to approve page 3 as the Fiscal Year 2008-2009 Budget to be submitted to DONE by the Treasurer; District B Representative, RON OSTROW, seconded. With no opposition, Gasteier declared consensus; motion passed.

08. SECRETARY’S REPORT: 9:05 PM –
        a) DONE Agenda Language Mark Mauceri discussed new DONE public access language requirements required for incorporation into posted meeting agendas. This language would be put into a new meeting agenda template he would distribute to Committee Chairs.
        b) Distribution of Meeting Minutes Mauceri explained electronically distributed meeting minutes couldn’t be discussed or amended through email as that action violated the ‘serial meeting’ provisions of The Brown Act; he would be getting further clarification from DONE on what was is an acceptable method of gathering errors and omissions feedback prior to the next meeting.
        c) Committee Information Missing committee roster information and gaps in published meeting minutes need to be rectified. Committee Chairs would be contacted to submit forms to bring the rolls up to date
        d) CIS Submission System Being Upgraded At the bi-monthly Board of Neighborhood Commissioners’ (BONC) meeting, the City Clerk’s staff demonstrated the new Internet based ‘CIMS’ system for submitting Community Impact Statements going into effect in the near future.

09. CULTURE AND EVENTS COMMITTEE: 9:15 PM - Chair, NYLA ARSLANIAN, introduced SARO SHIRINIAN from the LITTLE ARMENIA - ARMENIAN INDEPENDENCE DAY FESTIVAL who spoke about the event being held on May 24, 2009. He presented a funding request for $4000 earmarked to cover the cost of the sound system; included would be booth space for the GGPNC and prominent outreach signage rights both at the event and in conjunction with other advertising.
DISCUSSION: Appointed At Large Boardmember, TOR HYAMS, had questions on the sound system specifics, as his concert coordinating experience could be beneficial to help vet the proposal. Appointed Religious Community Boardmember, DAN HOOPER, asked if the sound could be better contained on Sunday(s) so to not effect various church services? District A Representative, BERNADETTE SOTER, stressed previous grants for similar events should guide the decision (particularly the Los Feliz Street Fair; around $500). Mauceri asked for compelling arguments on why funding any one particular ethnic group wouldn’t create a precedent requiring funding of others?
District C Representative, ALEX DE OCAMPO, stressed the Armenian segment was estimated at nearly 30% of the GGPNC’s district residency. Arlansian reminded The Board that outreach to the Armenian community was previously identified as a Board priority, and this event was a prime opportunity from both cultural and outreach standpoints.
After lengthy debate, Appointed At-Large Boardmember, TOM WILSON, moved to appropriate monies for the cost of two event booths at $375.00 plus an additional $500.00 to be used for service payments for a total of $875.
HOWE seconded; approved by consensus.

10. PLANNING ZONING AND HISTORIC PRESERVATION (PZHP) COMMITTEE: 10:05 PM –
        a) 2856 Glendower Avenue Request for a permit to add a second story on the existing garage for use as a recording studio. Committee recommends opposition. Committee Chair, KEN OWEN, moved to oppose this request due to parking issues, visual aspect from the street, and the utilization of the property being inappropriate. CARROLL seconded; approved by consensus. 10:20 PM –
        b) Home Restaurant, 1758-1760 Hillhurst.
Increased seating and extended business hours request. Owen moved to oppose this request for extending the business hours from 11:00 PM until Midnight and the increased seating from the current sixty to ninety six persons due to complaints from neighbors about the noise and Home Restaurant would have to use the outside patio for the extended seating capacity. Carroll seconded; approved by consensus. 10:30 PM –
        c) Proposed Comprehensive Sign Ordinance being considered by the City Planning Commission on 03/18/09 and later by City Council. Proposal for (a) position letter of specific comment and support and (b) filing a Community Impact Statement (CIS) with the City Clerk consistent with position letter.
Owen moved to submit the proposed letter (as per the attachment in the March 17th GGPNC Board Meeting Agenda) to the City Planning Commission in support of a Comprehensive Sign Ordinance. CARROLL seconded; approved by consensus.

11. EDUCATION COMMITTEE: 10:45 PM –
MAUCERI moved to table this item until the next meeting. HOWE seconded, GASTEIER declared the item tabled.

12. PARKS, RIVER & OPEN SPACE (PROS) COMMITTEE: 10:46 PM –
        a) Griffith Park Natural History Survey: Herptile Monitoring
Chair, BERNADETTE SOTER, presented a request from PROS Committee Member, George Grace, for additional funding in the amount of $2000 to continue the valuable study that the GGPNC previously granted $2940 to initiate, bringing the GGPNC project grant total to: $4940.
Agenda motion: “Resolved the GGPNC fund 25% of the Herptile Monitoring Project of the Griffith Park Natural History Survey being conducted by the GPNHS in partnership with the L.A. Dept of Recreation and Parks and the U.S. Geological Survey, ($2000); discussion and action as appropriate.”
DISCUSSION:
Mauceri stated given the poor condition of the economy, and the anticipated NC budget cuts, it was not prudent to appropriate additional monies to study “lizards in Griffith Park,” noting the Council had just trimmed a Stakeholder’s group request by over 75% (Armenian street fair event). O’Grady posited if it was reasonable to request an additional $2000 to study Herptile populations when these monies--now approaching $5K--could be appropriated for Educational funding and/or Community Improvement projects with higher value to the stakeholder?
Debate followed over various committee budget allocations with Soter stressing the PROS budget was not the largest (as Mauceri suggested), it was actually far smaller than the Finance committee paperwork indicated because certain allocated projects were “not happening.” Mauceri stood corrected.
O’Grady clarified while the PROS committee budget was not the largest in total dollars, the formal Budget and Finance Committee presentation did show PROS had the largest amount remaining unspent at just over $25K, but now had anticipated reduction. He would submit a revised budget each month to the Board as figures were revised.
SOTER moved to amend the motion to now only state “$2000” and remove the “25%” figure. Motion seconded by HOWE, MAUCERI was in opposition and no consensus was reached.
FURTHER DISCUSSION:
Appointed Recreational Interests Boardmember, Tal Vigderson, opined that troubled financial times shouldn’t preclude the Council from acting on important projects, noting Griffith Park is a large part of the GGPNC’s jurisdiction.
Appointed Business Interests Boardmember, ROSEMARY DEMONTE, reminded the group that the name of The Council was indeed the Greater Griffith Park Neighborhood Council.
CARROLL moved the GGPNC Board to vote on the motion, TAL VIGDERSON seconded; and was voted 12-1* in favor with one abstention; motion passed.
“Resolved that the GGPNC fund ($2000.00) the Herptile Monitoring Project of the Griffith Park Natural History Survey being conducted by the GPNHS in partnership with the L.A. Dept. of Parks and Recreation and the U.S. Geological Survey.”
*ARSLANSIAN, DE OCAMPO, and HOOPER had left the meeting and did not participate in this vote. 11:00 PM –
        b) Griffith Park Fire Recovery Update. Committee Chair, BERNADETTE SOTER, presented report on the project status. 11:05 PM –
        c) Griffith Park Master Planning Group Update.
SOTER presented report and discussed that future funding for the Master Plan is an issue, indicating the need for the GGPNC Board to meet at a future date for eventuality, had concerns about the future expansion of Oakwood Apartments, and spoke about the CHC Review which clarified that the entire park [Griffith Park] is protected and subject to review within it full designated borders.
Appointed At-Large Boardmember, KENNETH OWEN, spoke about the placement of the Historical Designation plaque.

13. RULES & ELECTIONS COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS: 11:15 PM –
        a) Recommendation for timetable and process for Appointed Boardmember selection in August 2009.
DISCUSSION: Gasteier, stated it had been resolved in the Executive Committee Meeting on March 17th 2009 to recommend a timetable and outline of procedure, and to place the issue of the current Bylaws structure providing for Appointed Members on the agenda for the April 2009 Board Meeting, and this discussion would be placed at the front of the GGPNC Agenda to encourage full participation.
CARROLL moved for approval of a timetable and process for selection of Appointed Board Members in August 2009 in accord with the current Bylaws: (1) a special meeting to be held on August 11, 2009 for selecting new Appointed Board Members; (2) outreach to begin immediately; and (3) the applications period to begin June 1, 2009 and extend through July 31, 2009. O’Grady seconded; approved by consensus. 11:20 PM –
        b) Recommendation to amend bylaws to eliminate unfilled Vice president for Government Affairs position.
DISCUSSION: Committee Chair, Bruce Carroll, moved to amend bylaws, Demonte seconded, Gasteier suggested that a draft of this and any other potential bylaws revisions—including pending DONE election language-- be completed before being submitted as a package for final approval. Carroll clarified that Bylaws section [Section 8B IV] would need revision and confirmed any amendments would have to be submitted to DONE for final vetting and approval.
Mauceri proposed a friendly amendment to approve what could be numerous bylaw amendment changes in the order they’re debated and ratified, and then complete a final draft revision package for DONE submission; approved by consensus. 11:40 PM –
        c) Recommendation for 3rd party destruction of June ’08 Election ballots and related materials.Carroll moved to assent. District B Representative, KATHRYN LOUYSE, seconded.
DISCUSSION:
Debate/Clarification on whether it’s within the GGPNC’s purview to destroy election materials or not? Answer: Yes. And if the GGPNC retains these ballots and materials, will public records access rules then apply, and will it be incumbent on the Board to facilitate any CPRA requests? Answer: Yes.
District B Representative, RON OSTROW, moved for the City Clerk election materials to be destroyed by a third party within sixty days. Hyams seconded.
FURTHER DISCUSSION:
After lengthy discussion on the relative merits of election material retention vs. destruction, Ostrow amended his motion to read: “without review by any member of the board,” HYAMS seconded; approved by consensus.
Vigderson moved the GGPNC Board vote, Louyse seconded; motion voted 12-1* in favor, with one abstention (Carroll), motion passes. *ARSLANSIAN, DE OCAMPO, and HOOPER had departed the meeting and did not participate in the vote.
12:00 AM –
        d) Creation of an ad hoc committee to codify non-bylaw rules and procedures into a cohesive document.
DISCUSSION: CARROLL presented the Rules & Elections committee recommendation for the need for the GGPNC Board to review all previous non-bylaw rules and procedures and codify them into a succinct document as an adjunct to the bylaws-- with a table of contents to be included. Ostrow moved to form an ad hoc committee to cull all non bylaw rules and procedures into a single cohesive document, MAUCERI seconded; approved by consensus.
Gasteier reiterated all bylaw revisions items must to be vetted for approval before they become official.
Ad Hoc Committee Members: Chair, Ron Ostrow and Bruce Carroll.

14. OTHER COMMITTEE REPORTS: 12:10 AM – None.

15. OTHER COMMENTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS: 12:14 AM –
Bernadette Soter made a general comment that if a meeting is being recorded, then she would like to be made aware of that fact before the meeting commences.

16. ADJOURN: 12:15 AM – Gastier asked for a motion to adjourn. Motion made, HOWE seconded; approved by consensus.

MEETING SUMMARY:
Duration:    5 hours, 25 minutes
Motions:    Fifteen (15)
Resolutions/Statements:    Zero (0)
Official Correspondence:    one (1)    – P.Z.H.P. Signage
Funds Allocated:    $2000     – P.R.O.S. (Herptile Study)
    $ 875     – Cultural Affairs (Festival)
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BOARD MEETING MINUTES
Tuesday, FEBRUARY 17, 2009
Los Feliz Community Police Center
1965 N. Hillhurst, Los Angeles, CA 90027

01. CALL TO ORDER:
7:05 PM - By Greater Griffith Park Neighborhood Council (GGPNC) President PHILIP GASTEIER.
Voting Board Members present (16): ARSLANIAN, CARROLL (partial), DEMONTE, DE OCAMPO (partial), GASTEIER, HOWE (partial), LOUYSE, MAUCERI, NAPIER, O’GRADY, OSTROW, OWEN, RADEMAEKERS, UEBERSAX, WILSON, VIGDERSON. Absent (03): HOOPER, KERR, and SOTER.
A quorum was declared.

02. APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
The minutes of the January 20, 2009 Board meeting are in need of further revision. Gasteier requested these minutes be revised as per his notes and presented at the March Board meeting for approval.

03. PUBLIC COMMENTS ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS:
        a) MONICA MUEHLHAUSE-HORN discussed a ‘Pollywog’ Proposal for re-construction of a lake in Griffith Park by reclaiming rainwater from various communities.
Gasteier referred her to the PROS Committee for further discussion.
        b) RICHARD SPICER, PZHP Committee, commented there will be a website where a scanned report will be placed, that lists all billboards in various neighborhoods in the city of Los Angeles.
        c) ERMANO NEIVILLER, Los Feliz B.I.D. President, discussed the Los Feliz Street Fair and requested The Board send a letter to Councilmember Tom LaBonge asking for a waiver of fees.
Gasteier requested Julian Calvin-Harris to report back the total fee figures and advise The Board on what fees the councilmember may be able to have waived.
Gasteier stated because this item is not on the agenda, The Board cannot consider any action unless properly agendized. Gasteier also requested Neiviller provide a financial statement from O-Entertainment summarizing costs.
        d) RABBI SHIFRON, ‘The Surfing Rabbi,’ presented details of his candidacy for the District 26 State Senate Seat in the upcoming election.

04. REPORTS FROM PUBLIC OFFICIALS AND STAFF:
        a) JULIAN HARRIS-CALVIN, representing Councilmember Tom LaBonge (CD4), responded she would look into the Los Feliz Street Fair fee structures to see if/what the Councilmember may be able to have waived. Julian also thanked the LAPD Northeast Division for their quick action and hard work on recent arrests for criminal activity in the Los Feliz area. She also announced GPAC (Griffith Park Adult Center) would hold their 1-year anniversary celebration on March 7th.
        b) JOHN HISSERICH, representative for CA Assembly Member Paul Krekorian spoke about an economic tax incentive in the form of a 25% tax credit to help the entertainment industry to keep film & TV production in California. Mr. Hisserich announced a May 14th Defense class to be held at the Los Feliz Citibank Center, a May 15th Film Festival, and a Housing Conference on April 4th.
        c) GRAYCE LIU, Senior Project Coordinator, DONE, discussed new upcoming ethics and liability training sessions for Board Members. She also advised DONE would be amending certain L.A. City Clerk election-related bylaws to require clarification of positions and voting procedures, a checklist will be forthcoming. Gasteier clarified the current GGPNC procedures, and that most likely the new amendments wouldn’t substantially change our current process.
        d) REBECCA BERNAL, Representative for Curren Price, candidate for California State Senate, District 26, announced a “Meet the Candidate” night on February 21, 2009 and a Hollywood Chamber Mixer would be held on February 19, 2009.

05. NORTHEAST DIVISION SENIOR LEAD OFFICER REPORT:
SLO GINA CHOVAN discussed recent robberies in the Los Feliz area and announced two suspects were in custody. She cautioned about the online services such as Craigslist.com being used to lure into people dangerous situations, plus an increase in car break-ins at the Griffith Park Observatory. She also discussed the LAPD Crime Map available online for crime statistics in each neighborhood.

06. BALLOT MEASURE B
Two (2) speakers were scheduled to speak both for/against Measure B, however, both had a schedule changes. Gasteier advised he requested substitutes be sent, as the matter was time sensitive with a ballot measure vote to be taken before the next GGPNC Board meeting.
HEINRICH KEIFER, President, Kiwanis Club of Greater Highland Park, spoke against Measure B, citing its rushed nature and lack of transparency while being generally positioned as a green energy initiative to the voting public.
District B Representative, DAVID UEBERSAX, offered his perspective after attending various meetings on the subject.
Gasteier distributed a proposed GGPNC Resolution on Measure B.
Uebersax moved The Board adopts the proposed GGPNC Resolution with a revision stating, “the Board recommends a NO vote on Measure B.” O’GRADY seconded.
DISCUSSION:
Owen and Uebersax requested the Board take a position on Measure B. Appointed Boardmember: At-Large, THOMAS WILSON, opined Measure B was being rushed through. A DWP representative, STEVEN PRUITT, was present, however, Gasteier reminded The Board The DWP couldn’t speak for or against a ballot measure, but only provide relevant information. Pruett briefly reviewed limitations for commercial vs. privately owned buildings.
Gasteier stated he would revise the GGPNC Resolution as amended by Uebersax and forward it to the Board Members and other interested parties (see appendix).
With no opposition, Gasteier declared consensus; motion passed.

07. TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE REPORT:
Committee Chair, TOR HYAMS, discussed the proposed traffic light at the intersection of Finley & Hillhurst. CRA has funded the pre-design phase, however, CRA has not funded the project entirely. Item is to be placed on the March agenda and discussed at the next Board meeting.

08. PREFERRENTIAL PARKING DISTRICT (PPD) PETITIONS
Gasteier reported DOT petitions for restricted parking have been issued within GGPNC boundaries, confirmed by CD4. Agenda question: Should the GGPNC take action to provide information to Stakeholders concerning the process and facts regarding restricted parking?
Gasteier requested that DeMonte assume the Role of Presiding Officer.
Gasteier moved to instruct the Chair, Transportation Committee, to gather information regarding both DOT and City Procedures and Rules, including related costs for PPDs and the current proposed district area for which petitions have been issued, so the information can be posted on the GGPNC website along with a clarifying statement. Motion seconded by HOWE.
DISCUSSION:
Minor modifications to Gasteier’s original statement language:
NAPIER moved to amend the motion to now read:
“The GGPNC does not propose, control, or determine whether there will be restricted parking districts. The GGPNC is on record as generally opposing Preferential Parking Districts. However, this information is provided for Stakeholders who are interested in how the PPD process is facilitated.”
Motion seconded, and voted 11-0 in favor, with one abstention (OWEN).

09. PLANNING, ZONING AND HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMITTEE:
        a) 1727 Vermont Avenue - Pattaya Thai Restaurant. Request for conditional use permit to sell full line of alcoholic beverages from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. and to have Karaoke and non-amplified music. KEN OWEN, Chairman, advised The Committee recommends non opposition such to conditions, provided: (1) no alcoholic beverage be sold except as an incident of a meal, (2) there be no bar, (3) there be no “happy hour,” (4) there be no window signs advertising alcoholic beverages, (5) the parking lot will have an attendant on duty to ensure that only persons patronizing businesses in the mall in which this restaurant is located use the parking lot during the hours of 11 a.m. to 2 a.m., and (6) any outdoor seating will be only allowed if configured to comply with all applicable laws and ordinances.
OWEN moved to accept the motion, NAPIER seconded.
DISCUSSION:
District E Representative, MARK MAUCERI, raised a question whether Item 1 impinges the restaurant’s ability to conduct competitive business? OWEN, DEMONTE, and WILSON advised the conditions and wording are fairly standard to the area, and applicant had previously agreed to the conditions.
With no opposition, Gasteier declared consensus; motion passed.

10. TREASURER’S REPORT:
O’GRADY advised he will have budget presentations and recommendations ready as vetted by the Finance Committee for the March ’09 meeting.

11. DWP MOU OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE DESIGNEE:
Gasteier stated the Executive Committee deliberated and recommends DAVID UEBERSAX be appointed as the DWP Oversight Representative to replace Charley Mims, with BRUCE CARROLL as the back up Representative. DEMONTE moved to accept designees; O’GRADY seconded.
With no opposition, Gasteier declared consensus; motion passed.

12. EDUCATION COMMITTEE:
Committee Chair, SARAH NAPIER, introduced committee member TOMAS O’GRADY who moved:
“The GGPNC Education Committee and the Green Committee are committed to encouraging environmentally responsible fundraising at our local schools. The Greater Griffith Park Neighborhood Council applauds efforts of the parents and students at Franklin Avenue Elementary to reduce garbage by eliminating bottled water and juice boxes at their fundraisers, and we commit $300.00 for the purchase water crocks to dispense regular water at their events.” O’GRADY moved to accept the motion; NAPIER seconded.
DISCUSSION:
Clarifications on proposed program parameters (bottled water vs. tap water, etc.). Noted by Napier: this is the first GGPNC funding request from the school. With no opposition, Gasteier declared consensus; motion passed.

13. NEIGHBORHOOD IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE:
Chair, NYLA ARSLANIAN motions expenditure of $300 for landscaping at Hoover Steps Mural site. UEBERSAX seconds. Brief discussion.
With no opposition, Gasteier declared consensus; motion passed.

14. OTHER COMMITTEE REPORTS: None.

15. OTHER COMMENTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS:
        a) NYLA ARSLANIAN announced that David Uebersax would now Chair the Neighborhood Improvement Committee.
        b) MAUCERI moved to add Starbucks (Vermont & Prospect) as a new meeting agenda-posting place. Gasteier stated a motion was not required because locations of posting sites are not governed by GGPNC Bylaws or City requirements. Gasteier requested he and Mauceri eventually codify five (5) high-visibility posting places and get acknowledged permissions from proprietors and/or caretakers. Gasteier also reiterated that The Brown Act only requires one (1) designated posting place for public meetings, and the five (5) were a function of the Council designating five at the time of board certification.
        c) STEVEN PRUITT, DWP Solar Energy Representative distributed a Solar Energy Handout and spoke briefly about it.
16. ADJOURNMENT: 9:45 PM - Gasteier moved to adjourn, seconded by RADEMAEKERS; motion approved by consensus.
MEETING SUMMARY:
Duration:    2 hours, 40 minutes
Motions:    Six (6)
Resolutions/Statements:    One (1)
Official Correspondence:    One (1)
Funds Allocated:    $300 – Education
    $300 – Neighborhood Improvement

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RESOLUTION OF
GREATER GRIFFITH PARK NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL

CITY OF LOS ANGELES MEASURE B ON THE MARCH 3, 2009 BALLOT

The matter of ballot Measure B of the City of Los Angeles, having been duly agendized, came before the Board of the GREATER GRIFFITH PARK NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL (the “GGPNC”) for presentation, discussion, and action at its regular meeting of February 17, 2009. Due to late cancellations by its invited guest speakers, the GGPNC was unable to present and hear a discussion of the issues by informed speakers for and against Measure B. Following discussion, the GGPNC Board now adopts the following resolution:

WHEREAS the Board believes that most Stakeholders of the GGPNC are committed to reducing their individual and collective environmental footprint using current and future tools that may become available for this purpose, including but not limited to solar energy technologies;

WHEREAS the GGPNC believes that a thorough and transparent public process is essential to the proper conduct of local government, most especially where government proposes a significant change that may have substantial long-term financial implications for the workers, businesses, and residents of this City; and

WHEREAS based on the current public debate, the GGPNC is concerned that the solar energy program contemplated by Measure B was not the product of a thorough and transparent public vetting, and appropriate DWP Commission and Neighborhood Council notice and input;

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that GGPNC unabashedly supports green power and sustainable energy, but urges all Stakeholders to review available information about Measure B and to vote their informed choice on March 3, taking into account their views on both the merits of the Measure B proposal and the process used in placing Measure B on the ballot.

The Greater Griffith Park Neighborhood Council recommends a NO vote on Measure B.

Click Here for official notices regarding agenda posting, public comment, disabled services and process for reconsideration.

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UNAPPROVED DRAFT

BOARD MEETING MINUTES
Tuesday, JANUARY 20, 2009
Los Feliz Community Police Center
1965 N. Hillhurst, Los Angeles, CA 90027

01. CALL TO ORDER:
7:05 PM - By Greater Griffith Park Neighborhood Council (GGPNC) President PHILIP GASTEIER.
Voting Board Members present: (15): ARSLANIAN, CARROLL, DEMONTE, GASTEIER, HOWE, LOUYSE, MAUCERI, NAPIER, O’GRADY, OSTROW, OWEN, RADEMAEKERS, UEBERSAX, WILSON, and VIGDERSON.
ABSENT (04): DE CAMPO, HOOPER, KERR, and SOTER.
A quorum was declared.
GASTIER asked for a moment of silence for the Neighborhood Council and stakeholders present to reflect on Inauguration Day.

02. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A motion to approve the minutes of the December 2008 Board meeting (AS REVISED) was made, seconded, and the minutes were approved by consensus.

03. PUBLIC COMMENTS ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS:
        a) BRENT WHITTLESLEY, District E Stakeholder, announced the American Youth Soccer Organization (AYSO) had formed a league to play on Saturdays, starting March 7th, 8 AM until Noon at the Riverside Turf Soccer pitch.
        b) District B Stakeholder, DANA CREMIN, voiced concerns about proper procedures regarding the posting of meeting agendas in the five GGPNC designated locations within 72 hours as required by The Brown Act.

04. REPORTS FROM PUBLIC OFFICIALS AND STAFF:
JULIAN HARRIS-CALVIN, representing Councilmember Tom LaBonge introduced MARY FRANCES SMITH-REYNOLDS and BRIGID LABONGE who would speak about the upcoming “Relay For Life” charity event; a 24-hour team walking competition to raise awareness about, and money to help combat different forms of cancer.

05. NORTHEAST DIVISION SENIOR LEAD OFFICER REPORT None.

06. GRIFFITH PARK COMMUNITIES ‘RELAY FOR LIFE’:
Stakeholders MARY FRANCES SMITH-REYNOLDS, BRIGID LABONGE and VANESSA DUPERRI elaborated on the ‘Relay For Life’ project in late spring ‘09. ROSEMARY DEMONTE asked about possible GGPNC sponsorship? TREASURER, TOMAS O’GRADY, advised The Council is prohibited from sponsoring this type of event directly. However, GGPNC could allocate funds towards a specific vendor expense should The Council deem fit. Council and group agreed to explore possibilities and readdress in the future.

07. GRIFFITH PARK ADULT COMMUNITY CENTER (GPACC):
Stakeholder, STEPHANIE VENDIG, spoke on the programs and progress of the GPACC operated by the Los Angeles Department of Recreation & Parks. Ms. Vendig also distributed the GPACC monthly newsletter.

08. TREASURER’S STATEMENT ON GGPNC BUDGET ISSUES:
District D Representative, TOMAS O’GRADY, presented a current expense update, and discussed potential items for review to cut costs and reduce outlays. At-Large Representative, KENNETH OWEN, questioned exorbitant bank service charges. O’Grady clarified they were tied to City procedures and unavoidable at present. He also requested feedback on proper expense allocation from Council members.

09. PLANNING, ZONING & HISTORIC PRESERVATION (PZHP) COMMITTEE:
         a) 2332 Catalina Committee Chair, KEN OWEN, moved to advise the Office of Zoning Administration of no objections to the requested change in roof line of proposed addition to garage. Motion seconded; approved by consensus.
        b) 4759 Bryn Mawr Speakers present: RANDY VAN OSDAL, JOHN SUH, BRIAN LEE and various adjacent neighborhood stakeholders.
DISCUSSION: Lengthy discussion regarding the property and the history of plan revisions submitted by Applicant. Applicant maintained he could build a home of larger proportions by right, but was requesting variances for aesthetic purposes. At Gasteier’s request, OWEN clarified the motions:
           1. Should the GGPNC Board recommend a variance of structure height above 36 feet?
OWEN moved the Council advise against variance, motion seconded, vote 8-6 in opposition.
              2. Should the GGPNC Board recommend a variance allowing construction of retaining walls as proposed by applicant?
OWEN moved the Council advise against; motion seconded, vote 9-6 in opposition.
              3. Should GGPNC Board recommend a variance to allow the retaining walls to extend into the front yard by more than 42 inches?
OWEN moved the variance receive no opposition, seconded by GASTEIER; approved by consensus.
        c) Outdoor Billboards: OWEN advised about an upcoming Neighborhood Council forum at LACC. City Attorney Rocky Delgadillo will discuss and answer billboard related questions. RICHARD SPICER, PZHP Committee member, added that the GGPNC’s unanimously approved Community Impact Statement (CIS) on billboards was presented in December to the Planning Land Use Management (PLUM) Committee and City Council before they took action on signs and billboards-- Including the Council’s 3-month moratorium on new signs. The CIS will be presented to the City Planning Commission on January 22, when it considers action on the draft comprehensive Sign Ordinance, which has been scheduled for action by PLUM and the City Council during mid-February to mid-March 2009.

10. PARKS, RIVER & OPEN SPACES (PROS) COMMITTEE:
        a) Forest Lawn Hollywood Hills EIR Scoping Response. District A Representative, LAURA HOWE, commented that a response had been submitted, and more information would be made known as it develops.
        b) Griffith Park Historic Cultural Landmark Application:
GASTEIER read the GGPNC Community Impact Statement (CIS), Council File Number: 08-3086, supporting historical landmark designation for Griffith Park. Based on a PROS Committee recommendation, Gastier read the proposed amendment to the 2nd paragraph to read as follows:
“No part of the existing park (or any subsequent addition), and especially Toyon Canyon Landfill, should be excluded from the designation, but structures built in the park after 1959 (as those on Roosevelt Golf Course, the Zoo, the Tregnan Golf Academy, and the Autry Museum) may be demolished or modified without the Office Of Historic Resources’ review, except with respect to the effect of the same on the park generally.”
GERRY HANS , Griffith Park Master Plan Working Group Representative, discussed the benefits of the “ad hoc plan” and supported the exclusion to buildings being built prior to 1959. RICHARD SPICER, PZHP Committee Member, voiced concerns this CIS amendment was in essence a back-door attempt to stop The Autry Center expansion, and declared opposition to it.
OWEN moved the Council submit the modification as discussed; HOWE seconded, approved by consensus.

11. FORMATION OF AD HOC COMMITTEE FOR GGPNC WEBSITE RELAUNCH:
An ad hoc committee was formed consisting of VIGDERSON, WILSON, RADEMAKERS and CARROLL-- with DEMONTE to replace Rademaekers upon his resignation. Motion made to accept, seconded, approved by consensus.

12. REPLACEMENT OF GGPNC SECRETARY:
After discussion, District E Representative, BRUCE CARROLL, moved MARK MAUCERI should serve as interim Secretary after Kurt Rademaekers steps down after the February council meeting. Mauceri conditioned his acceptance that the position should be opened up to Board Members not present, and the potentially a newly elected At-Large Candidate. WILSON seconded, approved by consensus.

13. FILLING OF OPEN APPOINTED BOARD MEMBER: AT-LARGE
GASTEIER distributed “Procedures for Selecting Board Members for Vacant Seats” used in recent GGPNC appointments to fill vacant positions.

14. SELECTION OF NEW CHAIR FOR NEIGHBORHOOD IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE
(Comments to be verified)

15. GGPNC COMMITTEE MEMBER BUSINESS CARDS
O’GRADY moved to approve up to $500 for business cards for committee members.
DISCUSSION:
The relative merits and restrictions on such.
O’GRADY moved to approve up to $500.00 for the issuance of GGPNC committee member business cards, contingent upon the recommendation of the Committee Chair and with Executive Committee approval, motion seconded; adopted by consensus.

16. OTHER COMMITTEE REPORTS: NONE

17. OTHER COMMENTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS:
District C Representative, KATHRYN LOUYSE, announced Yuca’s Dora Herrera brought refreshments to honor Presidential Inauguration Day.

18. ADJOURNMENT:
11:05 PM - Motion made to adjourn by GASTEIER, RADEMAEKERS seconded; approved by consensus.
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MEETING SUMMARY:
Duration:    4 hours
Motions:    Ten (10)
Resolutions/Statements:    One (1)
Official Correspondence:    One (1)
Funds Allocated:    $500 – General Council Expenditure

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BOARD MEETING MINUTES
Tuesday, DECEMBER 16, 2008
Los Feliz Community Police Center
1965 N. Hillhurst, Los Angeles, CA 90027

01. CALL TO ORDER:
7:10 PM - By Greater Griffith Park Neighborhood Council (GGPNC) President PHILIP GASTEIER.
Voting Board Members present: (17*): ARSLANIAN, CARROLL, DEMONTE, GASTEIER, HOOPER, HOWE, KERR, LOUYSE, MAUCERI, NAPIER, O’GRADY, OWEN, RADEMAEKERS, SOTER, UEBERSAX, WILSON, and VIGDERSON.
ABSENT (01): DE OCAMPO. A quorum was declared. *RON OSTROW was seated after selection procedures.

02. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A motion to approve the minutes of the November 2008 Board meeting (AS REVISED) was made, seconded, and the minutes were approved by consensus.

03. PUBLIC COMMENTS ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS:
MICHELLE VALDEZ from the Sante D’Or Animal Rescue League spoke about the purpose of the organization and asked for GGPNC support. She was referred to GGPNC Animal Welfare Committee for coordination.

04. REPORTS FROM PUBLIC OFFICIALS AND STAFF:
        a) JOHN HISSERICH, representing CA Assemblymember Paul Kerkorian, reported that the Assemblymember had been promoted to Assembly Assistant Majority Leader. Requested that board members submit legislative suggestions using Kerkorian’s ‘There Oughta Be a Law’ form; that the Assemblymember wants to invite GGPNC stakeholders to participate in a local transportation committee he will be forming.
         b) BETTY WONG OYAMA, DONE Project Coordinator, reminded the board that there needed to be copies of all meeting materials for attending members of the public.

05. NORTHEAST DIVISION SENIOR LEAD OFFICER REPORT: None.

06. TREASURER’S REPORT:
Treasurer, Tomas O’Grady, reported that the current account balance was the same as last month, and the Budget & Finance Committee had met on 12/15.

07. SUBMISSION OF CITY BUDGET SURVEYS:
Board President Philip Gasteier asked Boardmembers to complete the City Budget Survey, available on the website, and submit.

08. SELECTION OF REPLACEMENT MEMBER FOR VACANT DISTRICT B POSITION; CANDIDATE PRESENTATIONS AND DISCUSSION:
Candidates RON OSTROW and DANA CREMIN each spoke about their interest and qualifications for the position. The board vote gave 16 votes for Ostrow, 1 vote for Cremin. Ron Ostrow was seated as the District B representative.

09. GGPNC WEBSITE:
KURT RADEMAEKERS presented the two semi-final designs. Rademaekers moved to accept design #1, seconded by Soter; adopted by consensus.

10. RELIGIOUS COMMUNITY:
        a) Rev. Dan Hooper reported on the Los Feliz Village Celebration of Light to be held on Mon 12/22 at 6:30 pm.
        b) Rev. Hooper reported the success of the fourth Los Feliz Art Walk with 50-60 people participating.

11. PARKS, RIVER & OPEN SPACE COMMITTEE:
        a)Committee Chair, Bernadette Soter moved that GGPNC submit a Community Impact Statement re: City Council Motions 08-2849 and 08-2850 regarding the elephant exhibition at the Greater Los Angeles Zoo consisting of the following statements to be edited down to 100 words or less by Soter and Gasteier.
"Griffith Park, the largest naturally-occurring habitat within L.A. City limits, contains numerous distinct ecosystems that nurture thousands of indigenous animals and plants. The Park is designated by UCLA as a County of Los Angeles Critical Environmental Area, and is considered an essential link in the Southern Californian wildlife corridor from the Santa Monica to the Verdugo Mountain Ranges. Situated wholly within the California Floristic Province, it is considered one of 34 biodiversity hotspots for conservation worldwide due to its high levels of diversity, endemism, and the degree to which it is threatened. The Greater Griffith Park Neighborhood Council opposes any proposals that may arise from the current elephant exhibition debate that would enlarge the Greater Los Angeles Zoo’s footprint in Griffith Park. Such a solution would be inhumane in that it would deprive Griffith Park’s native wild animal population of the habitat they rely on for survival in order to accommodate the keeping of captive foreign species."
Seconded by Carroll; adopted by consensus.
        b) In response to the Forest Lawn Hollywood Hills Master Plan EIR Scoping Meeting, Soter moved to transfer a PROS Committee list of recommendations into a letter to be sent to the Dept of Recreation & Parks and Councilmember Tom LaBonge. Seconded by David Uebersax. Adopted by consensus.

12. EDUCATION COMMITTEE:
        .a) Committee Chair, SARAH NAPIER, moved that GGPNC make a matching grant in the way of direct expenditures of $2500 to a CD 4 grant of $2500 to provide art workshops at pony rides in Griffith Park provided by Barnsdall Art Projects-Sheila Lehrer.
a.Seconded by Kerr; adopted by consensus.
        b) Tomas O’Grady moved to spend $2500 on the purchase of books for Los Feliz Elementary School library. Ken Owen suggested that the money would be best utilized if the GGPNC paid the vendors directly. The Education Committee will manage the process and report back on the outcome.
.Seconded by Kerr; adopted by consensus.

13. DISCUSSION OF CURRENT TELECOM SYSTEM UTILIZED FOR OUTREACH STAKEHOLDER COMMUNICATION WITH NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL MEMBERS:
Boardmember, Mark Mauceri, moved to form an ad-hoc committee consisting of himself, Tal Vigderson and Alex De OCampo to investigate other telecommunication options, and additionally Internet communication options such as ‘Facebook’ and ‘Twitter,’ then report back to Board on findings. Seconded by Vigderson. Adopted by consensus.

14. TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE:
Committee Chair Jacqueline Kerr announced that TOR HYAMS had been elected by the Executive Committee to be the new Chair the Transportation Committee.

15. OTHER COMMITTEE REPORTS:
None.

16: OTHER COMMENTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS BY BOARD MEMBERS
Stakeholder, RICHARD SPICER, announced that the CIS regarding the proposed citywide billboard moratorium needed to be resent with the addition of another council file number reference.

ADJOURNMENT:
At 8:45 pm, HOOPER moved to adjourn, seconded by DeMonte; adopted by consensus.
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MEETING SUMMARY:
Duration:    1 hour, 45 mins.
Motions:    Seven (07)
Resolutions/Statements:    One (1)
Official Correspondence:    Two (2)
Funds Allocated:    $2500 – Education Committee /
            Art Workshops
        $2500 – Education Committee /
            Los Feliz School Library

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BOARD MEETING MINUTES
Tuesday, NOVEMBER 18, 2008
Los Feliz Community Police Center
1965 N. Hillhurst, Los Angeles, CA 90027

1. Call to Order: 7:06 p.m. by President Philip Gasteier. A quorum was declared. Board members present: O’Grady, Napier, Soter, Louyse, Howe, Mauceri, Uebersax, Arslanian, Wilson, Vigderson, Owen, DeMonte, Carroll, Gasteier, Rademaekers, Hooper.

2. Approval of Minutes: The minutes of the October 2008 Board meetings as revised were approved by consensus.

3. Public Comments on Non-Agenda Items:
LaTonga Richardson, Community Outreach announced a Community Meeting regarding Marshall High School Track & Field on Dec 11.
Stakeholder Jenner Jones expressed concern for the safety of children on Commonwealth Ave because of speeding traffic and cited a lack of School signs. She was referred to the Transportation Committee.

4. Reports from Public Officials and Staff:
Julian Harris-Calvin, representing Councilmember Tom LaBonge announced: Mary Rodriguez has become full time Education Deputy; the Councilmember supports the Toyon stream restoration project; supports motions limiting billboards in the city; opposes the Bryn Mawr project; requests ideas for mediating speeding traffic on Hyperion Blvd.
Assemblymember Paul Krekorian provided a full overview of CA legislative successes and discussed the state and local budget crisis.

5. Northeast Division Senior Lead Officer Report:
None.

6. Treasurer’s Report:
Treasurer Tomas O’Grady presented a current expense report for GGPNC, and announced that DONE has yet to announce provisions for permitting neighborhood councils to raise funds.

7. Discussion of resuming retention of temporary staffing:
Kurt Rademaekers move the Executive Committee recommendation to resume the retention of temporary staffing as minutes-taker for board meetings. Seconded by DeMonte; adopted by consensus.

8. Replacement of representative for District B:
Arslanian moved to accept the Executive Committee recommendation to accept the procedures written by President Philip Gasteier for replacement of the representative for District B with the amendment by Owen that candidate speakers be given three minutes to speak.   Seconded by Uebersax; adopted by consensus.

9. Rules & Election Committee Members:
Mark Mauceri volunteered to join this committee to create a five-member committee. DeMonte moved to accept; seconded by Howe; adopted by consensus. The committee now includes Mauceri, Soter, Rademaekers, Carroll and DeMonte.

10. Budget Committee Members:
After a discussion of the purpose of this new committee to be chaired by Treasurer O’Grady, Uebersax, Hooper, Howe and Arslanian volunteered to serve.   Rademaekers moved to accept; Seconded by Wilson; adopted by consensus.

11. Non-Discrimination Resolution:
Tomas O’Grady moved the following amended resolution: “The Greater Griffith Park Neighborhood Council does not support discrimination of any kind. The passage of Proposition 8 will incorporate discrimination into the constitution of the State of California. We call on all elected representative of the City of Los Angeles to publicly express opposition to Proposition 8 and urge them to take action to overturn Proposition 8. Seconded by Hooper; adopted by consensus.

12. Planning, Zoning & Historic Preservation Committee:
        a. 2239-2247 Hyperion Ave. Chair Ken Owen moved the committee recommendation not to oppose a variance from density and set back limits for the proposed 11 unit work/live condo complex at this address provided certain conditions imposed. Seconded by Carroll; adopted by consensus.
        b. 4759 Bryn Mawr. Owen moved committee recommendation to reaffirm opposition to variances and support determination of zoning administrator. Seconded by Carroll; adopted by consensus.
        c. 4900 Hollywood Boulevard. Owen moved to send a letter of comment regarding the scope of the environmental impact report for the proposed 18 and 15 story residential and commercial buildings. Seconded by Carroll; adopted by consensus.
        d. Billboards. Owen moved the committee recommendation that: GGPNC (1) support by community impact statement, as appropriate, and letter (a) an interim moratorium on digital billboards, (b) the prompt removal of all billboards constructed or modified without permit, (c) the providing to neighborhood councils of prompt notice of any ordinance regarding billboards or any request to install a digital billboard in their area and providing them with adequate time to study and to comment on the same, and (d) the City Planning Commission's motion to study the safety hazards resulting from billboards; (2) reassert GGPNC's request to Department of Building and Safety that it investigate the billboards in our area, using if helpful the pictorial survey provided to them by GGPNC, and enforce the law against any billboard found to be built or modified without permit; and (3) authorize the expenditure of up to $500 to do the investigative work regarding billboards in our area if the Department of Building and Safety fails to do so with its own funds. Seconded by Carroll; adopted by consensus.

13. Parks, River & Open Space Committee:
        a. Committee Chair Soter presented an update on the Toyon Canyon Stream Restoration Project in Griffith Park and moved that GGPNC submit a letter of support for the project to of support for the L.A. Bureau of Sanitation's Riverways/Streams Grant grant application. Seconded by Napier; adopted by consensus.
         b. Soter presented an update on the Griffith Park Historic Landmark Status application.
        c. Soter presented a report on the Forest Lawn Hollywood Hills Master Plan EIR Scoping Meeting
        d. Soter presented an update report on the LADWP Festival of Lights in Griffith Park

14. Proposal to Create a Green Committee:
Tomas O’Grady moved the Executive Committee recommendation that GGPNC create a Green Committee with the following mission statement: “The Greater Griffith Park Area is the “greenest” area in Los Angeles. In partnership with the city, the stakeholders of the GGPNC and the other committees of the GGPNC, the Green Committee works on ways to improve our environment both at the local and global level. This committee identifies possible opportunities for our stake holders and businesses to become better eco citizens. We study implications of both new and existing city practices and suggest new methods to mitigate their carbon footprint, with a particular emphasis on the residential areas (A large portion of The GGPNC area is taken up by Griffith Park , which is handled by the PROS committee). Areas of particular interest are garbage and recycling (black, blue and green), carbon emissions, water usage, native plants, green power generation, energy conservation and local air quality.” Seconded by Soter; adopted by consensus.

15. City Services Committee:
Committee Chair Tomas O’Grady present a report on committee activities and the beautification project at King Middle School.

16. December Board Meeting Holiday Festivities:
Rosemary DeMonte moved to recommend to the Executive Committee recommendation that GGPNC expend up to $300.00 for holiday festivities to follow December 16 Board meeting. Seconded by Wilson; adopted by consensus.

17. General questions regarding GGPNC Administration and Procedure(s) for the benefit of stakeholders, and newer Board Members: Mauceri raised general questions regarding committee record keeping and how archives of Council documents are facilitated to help maintain continuity of efforts. DeMonte noted The Council maintains a storage facility for important materials. Gasteier announced that the Rules & Elections Committee, as a project, will begin codifying GGPNC rules and documenting procedures.

18. Council File Regarding Financial Disclosure and Survey:
Gasteier presented an overview of the possible new requirement and of Forms 700, 52 and 53 and varying proposals and moved that GGPNC submit the following Community Impact Statement: “The GGPNC opposes linking initiation of Council Files by a Neighborhood Council to a requirement that members of the Neighborhood Council file financial disclosure forms. This would be punitive and would impede citizen involvement. We also oppose any requirement that all NC members fill out and file forms such as forms 52, 53 or 700. This would hinder participation in the neighborhood council system. However, we support a requirement that each neighborhood council adopt and enforce a code of disclosure of actual or potential conflicts of interest as to all matters considered by such council.” Seconded by Carroll; adopted by consensus.

19. Other Committee Reports:
None.

20. Other Comments and Announcements by Board Members
Rademaekers asked Board members to review the two design mockups for the new GGPNC website and send comments to him.

21. Adjournment:
At 10:00 pm, Carroll moved to adjourn; seconded by DeMonte

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BOARD MEETING MINUTES
Tuesday, OCTOBER 21,2008
Los Feliz Community Police Center
1965 N. Hillhurst, Los Angeles, CA 90027

01. CALL TO ORDER:
7:06 p.m. by Greater Griffith Park Neighborhood Council President (GGPNC), PHILIP GASTEIER.
Boardmembers Present (18*): ARSLANIAN, CARROLL, DEMONTE, FERGUSON, GASTEIER, HOOPER, HOWE, KERR, LOUYSE, MAUCERI, NAPIER, O’GRADY, OWEN, RADEMAEKERS, SOTER and VIGDERSON.
Boardmembers Absent (01): DE OCAMPO.
*WILSON & UEBERSAX joined after selection procedures (agenda item 6).A quorum was declared.

02. APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
The minutes of the September 2008 Board meetings were approved as revised. So moved, and approved by consensus.

03. COMMENTS ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS:
Stakeholder, SHANNON HOWARD, expressed concern about speeding traffic at the intersections of Los Feliz Blvd & Hillhurst and Los Feliz Blvd & Vermont, and was referred to the Transportation Committee.

04. REPORTS FROM PUBLIC OFFICIALS AND STAFF:
a) JOHN HISSERICH, representing Assemblymember Paul Krekorian announced Krekorian would appear at next month’s meeting and that his office is working with Caltrans to improve signage for the 134/5 interchange to change traffic flow through Griffith Park
b) BETTY WONG-OYAMA, DONE Project Coordinator, announced she would provide two proposed Financial Disclosure forms to Boardmembers and asked for feedback on the forms and the issue; distributed the Mayor’s Community Budget Survey and asked Board members to complete it ASAP; announced the DONE website had been updated with current Boardmember contact info.

05. NORTHEAST DIVISION SENIOR LEAD OFFICER REPORT: None.

06. SELECTION OF NEW BOARD MEMBERS TO FILL VACANT SEATS:
        a) District B Representative:
Boardmembers discussed the qualifications of candidates to fill the seat vacated by the recently elected Wendy Michels.
Candidates:
LIBBY BUTLER-GLUCK, DANA CREMIN, MICHAEL LOCKRIDGE, PETER MCDONALD, RON OSTROW and DAVID UEBERSAX.
VOTE: David Uebersax received 12 votes, and Gasteier declared a clear majority for Uebersax; voting was suspended. Uebersax took his seat on the Board.
        b) Appointed Boardmember: At Large:
Gasteier, citing candidate Wilson’s decision to step aside from their electoral tie after the popular vote in June, recused himself from the process and turned the meeting over to VP, Administration, BRUCE CARROLL.
Boardmembers discussed the qualifications of candidates to fill the seat vacated by the resignation of Cheryl Lee Johnson.
Candidates:
TOR HYAMS, SUSAN MCFARLANE, THOMAS WILSON, and MATT SUMMERS.
VOTE: Wilson received 12 votes, and Carroll declared a majority for Wilson; voting was suspended. Wilson took his seat on the Board.

07. CONSIDERATION OF FILLING POSITION OF VICE PRESIDENT OF GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS:
Rademaekers moved to adopt the Executive Committee recommendations the position of VP Governmental Affairs not be filled until we have a recommendation from the Rules & Elections Committee as to the definition of the position and need to pursue filling the position, and that this issue will not appear on the November agenda as previously agreed.
District E Representative, MARK MAUCERI, urged discussion of the correct procedure on how to set aside the Board’s previous decision (August ’08) regarding the Rules & Elections Committee timely review and recommendation regarding the relative merits of the unfilled Executive Committee Officer’s position.
Appointed Boardmember: At Large, KENNETH OWEN, moved the Board supersede the previous motion, and the status the vacant position: VP, Governmental Affairs not be debated until a recommendation is handed up from the Rules & Elections Committee regarding such, thus removing the November 2008 actionable deadline.
District A Representative, BERNADETTE SOTER, seconded; adopted by consensus.

08. TREASURER’S REPORT:
District D Representative, TOMAS O’GRADY, provided an overview of current and projected expenditures. O’Grady moved that a credit card be authorized for the Chair, Outreach Committee. Seconded by Appointed Boardmember: At Large, THOMAS WILSON; adopted by consensus.

09. CITY SERVICES COMMITTEE:
      a) Trees Initiative
Chair, Tomas O’Grady, moved to approve up to $1,200 for outreach purposes to promote the Mayor’s Million Tree program within GGPNC boundaries. Appointed Boardmember: Charitable Groups, NYLA ARSLANIAN, seconded; adopted by consensus.
        B) Illegal Gas-Powered Blowers
Tomas O’Grady moved: “Resolved that the Greater Griffith Park Neighborhood Council supports the LAMC 1997 code 112.04 banning the use of gas powered leaf blowers within 500 feet of a residence and calls upon the City to explore vigorous enforcement of this law.”
Seconded by CARROLL; no consensus on motion. CARROLL moved to vote on the issue; Appointed Boardmember: Education, SARAH NAPIER seconded; adopted by consensus. VOTE: 15-2 in favor; motion carried.

O’Grady moved to approve up to $800.00 for outreach and education regarding LAMC 112.04. Appointed Boardmember: Religious Community, DAN HOOPER, seconded; adopted by consensus.

10. NEIGHBORHOOD IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE:
Chair, Nyla Arslanian, introduced representatives reporting on the success of past GGPNC-supported neighborhood improvement projects including DAVID MELVILLE for ‘Shakespeare in the Park’ and BARBARA FERRIS for ‘Out of the Ashes.’

11. EDUCATION COMMITTEE & CITY SERVICES COMMITTEE:
Chair, SARAH NAPIER moved the GGPNC expend up to $5,000 toward the overall budget for a major landscaping and beautification project at Thomas Starr King Middle School to be known as ‘King Oak Gardens.’
Seconded by O’Grady; adopted by consensus.
Napier moved the GGPNC sign a letter supporting a Farm Feliz/King Middle School application to the Department of Public Works for a beautification grant for $10,000 for the King Oak Gardens project.
Seconded by O’Grady; adopted by consensus.

12. PARKS, RIVER, & OPEN SPACE (PROS) COMMITTEE:
Chair, Bernadette Soter, reported on the status of the following:
        a) Positive progress on the Griffith Park L.A. Historic-Cultural Monument application.
        b) Resolution of PROS concern about the inappropriateness of a proposed plaque in Griffith Park to commemorate the 75th anniversary of causalities in a Park fire that also commemorates the Screen Actors Guild’s involvement, which cannot be substantiated.
        c) The draft ordinance amending Municipal Code Section 63.44 to allow park facilities to remain open for an additional one and one-half hours after the normal 10:30 p.m. closing time to accommodate departmentally approved events on an as needed basis.
        d) CalTrans proposals to facilitate easier automobile access into Griffith Park for L.A. Zoo, Autry National Center, Greek Theater, and Vermont Canyon recreational access
        e) LADWP 2008 Griffith Park Festival of Lights program update.

13. STREET LIGHT AT 1570 MYRA STREET:
District E Representative, Bruce Carroll, moved the GGPNC send a letter to Councilmember Tom LaBonge's office requesting a street light be installed on the DWP power pole across from 1570 Myra Street, or if not possible there, then across from 1556 Myra Street.
Seconded by WILSON; adopted by consensus.

14. COUNCIL FILE REGARDING FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE AND SURVEY:
Gasteier reported on City Council File 08-0351, regarding financial disclosure and survey and asked Boardmembers to review the materials that Betty Wong-Oyama would forward.

15. DESIGNATION OF BOARDMEMBERS TO FILE COMMUNITY IMPACT STATEMENTS:
Brief discussion of purpose of CIS documents and their role in Council Administration; CARROLL moved to support Executive Committee recommendation that the only three (3) Board members authorized to file Community Impact statements are: President, VP, Administration, and Secretary. Motion seconded by MAUCERI; adopted by consensus.

16. OTHER COMMITTEE REPORTS: None.

17. OTHER COMMENTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS BY BOARD MEMBERS: None.

18. ADJOURNMENT:
11:35 pm - Appointed Boardmember: Business Interests, ROSEMARY DEMONTE, moved to adjourn, seconded by Soter; adopted by consensus.
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MEETING SUMMARY:
Duration:    4 hours, 34 minutes
Motions:    Twelve (12)
Resolutions/Statements:    Zero (0)
Official Correspondence:    Two (2)    – Myra Street Light
        – King Oaks Support
Funds Allocated:    $1200     – City Services (Trees)
    $ 800     – City Services (Blowers)

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BOARD MEETING MINUTES
Tuesday, SEPTEMBER 16,2008
Los Feliz Community Police Center
1965 N. Hillhurst, Los Angeles, CA 90027

1. Call to Order: 7:00 p.m. by President Philip Gasteier. A quorum was declared. Board members present: O’Grady, Howe, Soter, Hooper, Carroll, Owen, Louyse, Mauceri, Arslanian, Kerr, Vigderson, DeMonte, Gasteier, Rademaekers

2. Approval of Minutes: The minutes of the August 2008 Board meetings as revised were approved by consensus.

3. Comments on Non-Agenda Items:
Mark Moses announced the Greater Griffith Park Silver Lake Solar Initiative which seeks to lower the cost of the materials for solar energy through bulk planning and purchasing in the community.

4. Reports from Public Officials and Staff:
John Hisserich, representing Assemblymember Paul Krekorian announced that the state Senate and Assembly had passed a budget that was awaiting the Governor’s signature. He announced that Sept 28 would be a Community Fair for the District at Grant High School.
Greg Bartz announced a LADWP MOU fair on Sept 19; the possibility of allowing bicyclists in the DWP Festival of Lights will be discussed at the next DWP Commission meeting; will follow up on report that people have been seen washing clothes in the Griffith Park fountain.

5. Northeast Division Senior Lead Officer Report:
SLO Gina Chovan and SLO Al Polehonki reported an increase in property theft in Los Feliz; LAPD has discovered coordinated surveillance and break-in activity; reported and discussed the shooting of an officer at Sunset & Vermont; announced there will be an open house at the LAPD Northeast Division Station on Oct 11 form 10 to 3.

6. Treasurer’s Report: New Treasurer Tomas O’Grady reviewed reimbursement procedures; reported that in Jan 2009 NCs will be permitted to fundraise and raised funds can only go to 501 3(c) organizations and public schools.

7. Autry National Center Expansion in Griffith Park:
Public speakers for this discussion and Board action included: Shelah Lehrer Grenan, Joe Cisneros, Barbara Ferris, George Willis, John Gray (CEO ANC), Dr. Stanley Moore, Nicole Possert, Amy Walnum, Olga Hall, David Wright, Angela Stewart and Richard Spicer.
Ken Owen presented the position recommended by the Planning, Zoning & Historic Preservation Committee; Bernadette Soter presented the position recommended by the Parks, River & Open Space Committee. Nyla Arslanian presented the position of the Neighborhood Improvement Committee.

Per the NIC recommendation, Arslanian moved the GGPNC provide unqualified support for the ANC expansion application as put before the City Planning Board. Seconded by Hooper. No consensus; the motion failed.

PZHP Chair Ken Owen presented the PZHP recommendation that GGPNC support a limited expansion by the Autry National Center of its Griffith Park facility subject, however, to the following limitations and conditions:

        a. The Autry’s proposed Phase 1 shall be limited to a structure with a footprint no greater than proposed, and that the height of the existing structure as modified as part of the Autry’s proposed Phase 1 shall not exceed the current height and all additions to the existing structure, as allowed by condition 1, shall be limited in height to 30 feet. Moved by Owen; second by Carroll; no consensus. Carroll moved that the council vote on the measure; second by Howe; adopted by consensus. Motion carried by a vote of 8 to 5.
        b. The Autry’s proposed Phase 2 shall not be built. Moved by Owen; second by Carroll; no consensus. Carroll moved that the council vote on the measure; second by Howe; adopted by consensus. Motion carried by a vote of 8 to 5.
        c. The Autry’s request to build fewer parking spaces than required by the code is supported provided
                (a) the Autry agrees that it will never charge for parking, will not restrict parking to its patrons or others having business with the Autry but its parking lots shall be open to all users of Griffith Park, and the Autry will not otherwise restrict parking except as required by law or restrictions imposed by the City of Los Angeles,
                (b) the Autry implements plans to encourage its staff, volunteers and patrons to carpool or to take public transportation to the Autry, including implementation of the parking management mitigation measures proposed by Fehr & Peers in the Final EIR (except to the extent those measures are inconsistent with there being only free parking at the Autry available to all park users),
                (c) the lease amendment provides that the Autry will be required to provide additional parking to the full extent required by the Municipal Code (without re-characterizing storage space as requested by the Autry) should the demands for parking by patrons and staff (including volunteers) exceed the reduced number of parking spaces. Moved by Owen; second by Carroll; no consensus. Carroll moved that the council vote on the measure; second by Louyse; adopted by consensus. Motion carried by a vote of 10 to 2.
                d. The total square footage of signage after completion of any approved expansion of the Autry shall not exceed the current square footage of signage, without regard to the character of signage. Moved by Owen; second by Carroll; adopted by consensus.
                e. The conditional use permit for the service and sale of a full line of alcoholic beverages be denied, provided that a permit to sell only beer and wine be granted on conditions including
                        (a) that there be no advertising of the availability of such beverages (and such beverages shall not be on the café menu),
                         (b) that service other than in the café be only in connection with functions sponsored by the Autry or other nonprofit institutions and be directly related to the educational functions of the Autry, be no more often than 26 times a year nor more often than 3 times a month and cease no later than 10 p.m. Moved by Owen; second by Carroll; no consensus. Carroll moved that the council vote on the measure; second by Louyse; adopted by consensus. Motion carried by a vote of 10 to 3
                f. The Autry definitively commit to maintain and to improve the Southwest Museum facility in Arroyo Seco as a fully functional museum, displaying significant items from the Southwest Museum collection as it existed prior to the merger with the Autry, that the exhibition space be not less than 12,500 square feet at that facility and that the Autry fund the necessary improvements to that facility as envisioned by option B in the Southwest Museum Rehabilitation Study prepared under the direction of Brenda Levin for the Autry subsequent to its merger with the Southwest Museum. Moved by Owen; second by Carroll; no consensus. Carroll moved that the council vote on the measure; second by Owen; adopted by consensus. Motion carried by a vote of 8 to 4.
                g. That a letter be send to City Council and the Dept. of Recreation & Parks putting forth these positions. Moved by Owen; second by Carroll; no consensus. Carroll moved that the council vote on the measure; second by Owen; adopted by consensus. Motion carried by a vote of 10 to 2.

8. Parks River & Open SpaceCommittee:
        a. Park Ranger Funding and Staffing: Committee Chair Bernadette Soter moved that GGPNC request that the City provide funding that will empower the Department of Recreation and Parks to as follows:
            1. Fund and fill the 20 Park Ranger positions that are currently vacant for lack of funding.
            2. Create a Senior Lead Ranger program to be initially staffed by three Senior Lead Rangers to facilitate community involvement.
            3. Allocate funds to the Park Ranger Division for the acquisition of the vehicles and equipment needed to properly equip and dispatch the above personnel.
            4. Fund and fast-track the Reserve Park Ranger Program
Seconded by Mauceri; adopted by consensus.
        b. Griffith Park Fire Recovery Task Force Resolution: Soter moved move that the Greater Griffith Park Neighborhood Council submit correspondence to the Dept. of Recreation & Parks with cc: to Councilmember Tom LaBonge to strongly urge that the Fire Recovery Task Force that was convened in the aftermath of the May 7, 2007 Griffith Park fire, a multi-agency panel composed of fire, watershed and ecology experts, and Rec and Park staff, become a permanent advisory body whose expertise can be tapped by the department for fire prevention and recovery in the City’s regional parks. Seconded by Carroll; adopted by consensus.
        c. Vermont Canyon Recreation Access: Soter moved that the Greater Griffith Park Neighborhood Council submit correspondence to the Dept of Recreation & Parks with cc: to Councilmember Tom LaBonge to ask the City to restore the 5 p.m. cut-off time for Vermont Canyon public spaces and lots on Greek Theatre concert nights and for the restoration of normal public parking cut-off times on non-concert nights. Seconded by Carroll; adopted by consensus.
        d. Griffith Park Landmark Application: Soter reported that the application was receiving support from many organizations.
        e. PROS Outreach Budget: PROS will continue to develop this and it will be considered by the to-be-formed Budget Committee.

9. City Services Committee:
        a. Chair Tomas O’Grady reported that the Committee had developed and was distributing flyers explaining how people can get trees from two city programs.
        b. The committee is conducting a survey of streets that need trees beginning with the stretch of Los Feliz Blvd between Lowry and Rowena.
        c. The committee is identifying curbs that need handicap-access ramp cuts installed.

10. Influx of Youth & Families within GGPNC Boundaries:
Marc Mauceri moved to create an ad hoc committee to investigate a possible explosion in growth of the number of youth in the area in order to anticipate future need for education and city services. Gasteier asked Mauceri to discuss the issue with Education Committee Chair Sara Napier and with CD4 Education Deputy Mary Rodriguez and to develop a more specific motion.

11. Other Committee Reports:
PZHP Committee Chair Ken Owen encouraged Boardmember to attend a meeting of the LA Cultural Heritage Commission on Thursday Sept 18 to support designation of 1801-1817 New Hampshire as a Historic-Cultural Monument.

12. Other Comments and Announcements by Board Members
None.

13. Adjournment:
At 11:35 pm, DeMonte moved to adjourn; seconded by Soter; adopted by consensus.

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BOARD MEETING MINUTES
TUESDAY, August 19,2008
Los Feliz Community Police Center
1965 N. Hillhurst, Los Angeles, CA 90027

1. Call to Order: 7:00 p.m. by President Charley Mims. A quorum was declared. Board members present: Soter, Louyse, Carroll, Owen, Kerr, Cisneros, Vigderson, Wilson, Hooper, DeMonte, Gasteier, Mims, Rademaekers

2. Approval of Minutes: The minutes of the July 2008 Board meetings as revised were approved by consensus.

3. Seating of Newly Elected Boardmembers:
The newly elected Boardmembers were seated and sworn in. The new Boardmembers are Mark Mauceri, Tomas O’Grady, Amy Ferguson, Laura Howe, Alex DeOcampo. Re-elected Boardmembers are Bernadette Soter, Kathryn Louyse, Philip Gasteier, Bruce Carroll.

A new quorum was declared. Boardmembers present: Soter, Louyse, Carroll, Owen, Kerr, Vigderson, Hooper, DeMonte, Gasteier, Mims, Rademaekers, Mauceri, Ferguson, Howe, DeOcampo.

Outgoing Boardmember and President Charley Mims turned the meeting over to VP of Administration Philip Gasteier. Mims was honored for his contributions to the GGPNC and presented with a Certificate of Appreciation from GGPNC and the Office of Councilmember Tom LaBonge.

4. Election of Officers:
Nominees for Vice President of Administration: Laura Howe and Bruce Carroll. Carroll was elected by consensus.
Nominee for Vice President of Outreach: (Incumbent) Rosemary DeMonte. DeMonte was elected by consensus.
Nominees for Secretary: Laura Howe and Kurt Rademaekers. Rademaekers was elected by consensus.
Nominee for Treasurer: Tomas O’Grady. O’Grady was elected by consensus.
Nominee for President: Philip Gasteier. Gasteier was elected by consensus.
Vice President of Governmental Affairs: A discussion was held about the responsibilities of this position, which has never been filled. Soter moved that no one be elected to this position at this meeting, that a review of the position be conducted by the Rules & Elections Committee, and that an item by placed on the November Board agenda for a recommendation on clarification of this position, its future, and election at that time if appropriate. Seconded by Owen; adopted by consensus.

5. Comments on Non-Agenda Items:
Raymond Yu announced details of several current and up-coming events including the Beijing Olympics, the City of Los Angeles 227th Birthday, and the Los Angeles Triathalon.
Maura Godinez discussed her concerns about traffic on Los Feliz Blvd and was referred to the Traffic Committee.
Rex Link announced that the LA Breakfast Club space at the Ranger House near Friendship Auditorium is available for GGPNC committee meetings. Requests for the space can be directed to Rex.
Armen Makasian expressed concerns that the Center for Inquiry at the Steve Allen Theatre on Hollywood Blvd was reapplying for a license to server alchohol. He was referred to the Planning, Zoning & Historic Preservation Committee.

6. Reports from Public Officials and Staff:
Councilmember Tom LaBonge announced that Mary Rodriguez had accepted a full time position in his office as Education Deputy. He discussed the need for public fire awareness in Griffith Park given the recent arson-related fires in the park. He announced that he is working with LAPD regarding the need for a police station to serve the western sections of the Northeast Division.

Betty Wong-Oyama, DONE Project Manager, encouraged attendance of the Board Training class for Boardmembers who had not yet taken it. She announced a separate Funding Training and encouraged Boardmembers to attend. She will forward forms to the Secretary to collect new Boardmember information for DONE files and for business cards.

7. Northeast Division Senior Lead Officer Report:
Reporting for SLO Gina Chovan, Bruce Carroll reported an upswing in the rate of daytime property crimes, usually made by entering houses with unlocked backdoors or windows. It is believed that two African-American men in a maroon sedan were involved.

8. Rules & Election Committee and Outreach Committee:
Outreach Committee Chair Rosemary DeMonte moved the joint committee recommendation that for the purposes of filling the current and future vacant Board positions, a candidate forum be held as a part of a regular Board meeting if there are less than 10 applicants or at a special meeting some time before the Board meeting if there are 10 or more applicants;
that the timeline for filling the two current open Board positions be as follows:
Week ending August 22, 2008        Post in posting places and email notice to general list.
October 7, 2008                Deadline for applications to be received at PO Box.
October 10, 2008            Circulation of applications to Board.
By October 21, 2008    If there are more than 10 applications, there will be a special Board meeting for candidate presentations.
October 21, 2008            Board selection;
for approval of the form of notice and two application forms for open Board positions: District B Representative and At Large Appointed Board Member;
that $500 be approved for outreach and advertising costs. Seconded by Carroll; adopted by consensus.

9. Parks, River & Open Space (PROS) Committee:
        a. Chair Bernadette Soter reported on the recent hearing by the LA Historic-Cultural Monuments & Cultural Heritage Commission on the application to designate Griffith Park as an Historic Cultural Landmark. The Commission’s decision is pending.
        b. Soter reported that members of the PROS Committee planned to attend a meeting of Greek Theatre Advisory Committee and hoped to have a progress report next month on the issue of the Greek Theatre season extension and the issue of the Greek Theatre monopolizing public parking spaces.
        d. Griffith Park Light Festival Update – Soter reported that an update meeting with the Dept of Rec & Parks would be held on Aug 21 at City Hall, Rm 1010 at 10am.
        e. Soter reported that the final draft of the review of the Griffith Park Master Plan as produced by the GP Master Plan Working Group would be handed out with final approval expected at the group's meeting on Sept 22.
        c. Autry Museum Expansion:
Ken Owen gave a summary of the Autry National Center Expansion plans and PZHP/PROS concerns about zoning variance requests and conditional use permits, and about the lease of the property with the City. Attendees Faith Raiguel, out-going CFO for the ANC, and Luke Swetland, the CFO, presented comments and perspectives, as did ANC attorney Bill Delvac, Nicole Possert and other stakeholders.
Mark Mauceri moved that PROS/PZHP submit their comments to the appropriate City agency by the August 29 deadline. Seconded by Kerr. Soter and Owen stated that the PROS/PZHP recommendations on the issue were not complete. There was not a consensus on the motion.
Soter moved that GGPNC ask the hearing officer to hold the issue open because GGPNC has not had time for a complete review of the issues and formulation of its position. Seconded by Rademaekers; adopted by consensus.

10. Religious Community
        a. Rev. Dan Hooper reported on his outreach activities to 17 organizations and entities and survey of issues and concerns, which included: need for better information about city services; need for early warning about street closures; need for assistance with handling graffiti; complaint about non-responsiveness of LAPD; concern regarding Steve Allen Theatre on Hollywood Blvd re-submitting application for conditional use permit to serve alcohol; need to network more regarding services being offered by different organizations within the area and populations served.
        b. Rev. Hooper moved that GGPNC make up to $2500 in direct expenditures to support the newly revived Los Feliz Art Walk (losfelizartwalk.org) as a project in spirituality and the arts involving the Barnsdall Municipal Art Gallery, various studios, galleries and churches. Seconded by Alex De Ocampo. Dr. Roberta Morris spoke in support of this motion with board discussion. Adopted by consensus.

11. Culture & Events Committee:
Rosemary DeMonte moved that GGPNC make up to $1500 in direct expenditures to support “East of Eden”, an exhibition that will focus on contributions of Los Angeles galleries, the cultures from which they draw inspiration and the Eastside of LA as an important source for contemporary art. Seconded by Rademaekers. Exhibition organizer Zara Zeitountsian spoke in support of the motion with board discussion. No consensus. DeMonte moved that the Board vote on the motion. Seconded by De Ocampo; move to vote adopted by consensus. With a Board vote, the motion failed.

12. Planning Zoning & Historic Preservation Committee:
Committee Chair Ken Owen moved that GGPNC adopt the Committee recommendation to support the historic cultural designation of the Moreton Bay fig trees on Vermont Avenue north of Los Feliz to entry to Griffith Park. Seconded by DeMonte; adopted by consensus.

13. City Services Committee:
Mark Mauceri listed the projects identified by the newly formed committee. They include: removal of gas-powered leaf-blowers; identifying curbs that need handicap ramp cuts; Hoover steps clean-up; street resurfacing.

14. Other Committee Reports:
None.

15. Other Comments and Announcements by Board Members
Soter suggested that there be a review of purpose or cross-purpose of the Neighborhood Improvement Committee and the Culture & Events Committee.
Gasteier suggested a need to have an Operations Budget Review Committee to monitor the distribution of expenditures.
Mauceri made comments about his candidacy and election.

16. Adjournment:
At 10:30 pm, DeMonte moved to adjourn; seconded by Soter; adopted by consensus.

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BOARD MEETING MINUTES
TUESDAY, JULY 15,2008
Los Feliz Community Police Center
1965 N. Hillhurst, Los Angeles, CA 90027

1. Call to Order: 7:05 p.m. by President Charley Mims. A quorum was declared. Board members present: Louyse, Soter, Owen, Carroll, Cisneros, Wilson, Hooper, Vigderson, Kerr, DeMonte, Gasteier, Mims, Rademaekers

2. Approval of Minutes: The minutes of the April and June 2008 Board meetings were approved by consensus.

3. Public Comment on Non-Agenda Items; Public Announcements
None.

4. Reports from Public Officials and Staff:
Jullian Harris-Calvin, Field Deputy for Councilmember Tom LaBonge, CD4, announced the acquisition of funding to acquire two parcels of land near the LA River and to convert them into public park land—the creation of Sunnynook River Park and the expansion of North Atwater Park.

John Hisserich, representing CA Assemblymember Paul Krekorian, reported on the Assemblymember’s efforts to resolve the issue of delay development of a state budget for fiscal 2008-2009.

Betty Wong-Oyama, DONE Project Manager, reported on a series of NC-related meetings in July including: City Clerk and DONE review of recent election procedures; NC Outreach meeting; Board Orientation; Planning meeting for the next NC Congress for which GGPNC needs to designate two representatives.

5. Northeast Division Senior Lead Officer Report:
SLO did not attend.

6. GGPNC Website Proposals:
Rademaekers moved the Executive Committee recommendation that an ad hoc Executive Committee subcommittee be formed consisting of Bruce Carroll, Kurt Rademaekers and Kathryn Louyse to develop and complete a mutually acceptable contract with Moore Business Results not to exceed $4000 for site design and system setup, and to negotiate additional maintenance costs at a cost lower than $4500. Seconded by Gasteier; adopted by consensus.

7. Seating of New Board Members:
Philip Gasteier explained that if the City Clerk certified the recent election results by July 19 the new board will be seated at the August Board meeting. Otherwise they will likely be seated at the September Board meeting. According to the GGPNC bylaws, the term of the current Designated Boardmembers will then be 12 months from the date the new Board is seated. New officers will be elected at the time the new Board is seated.

Boardmembers-elect were introduced: Tomas O’Grady, Alex DeOcampo, Laura Howe, Amy Ferguson, and Mark Mauceri.

8. Open Designated Board Member Position and Declined Boardmember-Elect:
It was announced that Designated Boardmember Cheryl Johnson has resigned and that Boardmember-Elect Wendy Michaels has declined to take office. DONE Project Manager Betty Wong-Oyama stated that both positions need to be treated as vacancies and the positions filled according to GGPNC bylaws Boardmember Designee procedures.

The Outreach Committee will address outreach procedures for these positions at its next meeting.

9. Outreach Committee:
        a. Committee Chair Rosemary DeMonte moved to the Executive Committee recommendation that GGPNC expend up to $5000 in outreach funds to promote and encourage support of the Historic-Cultural Monument application for Griffith Park and that an ad hoc committee consisting of Bernadette Soter, Ken Owen and Charley Mims be formed to determine an outreach plan. Seconded by Vigderson; adopted by consensus.
        b. DeMonte discussed the trials and tribulations of the recent GGPNC election as conducted by the City Clerk’s office for the first time. DeMonte collected Boardmember and stakeholder comments to bring to the up-coming City Clerk/DONE Election Review meeting.

10. Transportation Committee:
Committee Chair Jacqueline Kerr moved that the Greater Griffith Park Neighborhood Council address a letter to the Office of Councilmember Tom LaBonge, Council District 4, requesting that they use their authority to have the Los Angeles Dept. of Transportation conduct an in-depth traffic study of the entire Hyperion corridor, from Rowena Avenue to the north to Sunset Blvd to the south, using whatever funding, discretionary or otherwise, may be available for this project. Seconded by DeMonte; adopted by consensus.

11. Parks, River & Open Space (PROS) Committee:
        a. L.A. Historic Cultural Landmark Designation for Griffith Park – Committee Chair Bernadette Soter reported that the Los Angeles Conservancy, the Sierra Club, and the Hillside Federation are supporting the Historic Cultural Landmark Designation application. The intended request for printing and distribution costs for outreach is included in the $5000 approved in item 9a above.
        b. Greek Theatre Season Extension and Operational Impacts on Park - Soter reported that the Greek Theatre Advisory Committee met on July 10th to review GGPNC resolution of June 17th, 2008 and formed a sub-committee to address the concerns. GTAC meets the first Thursday of each month.
        c. Griffith Park Light Festival Update – DeMonte reported that DWP will hold another follow-up meeting this month.
        d. North Atwater Park Expansion – Soter reported, as had Jullian Harris-Calvin that funds had be obtained for this project.

12. Other Committee Reports:
Planning, Zoning & Historic Preservation – Committee Chair Ken Owen reported he has been advised that the final Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for the Autry National Center expansion would be released the week of July 21.

13. Other Comments and Announcements by Board Members
Joe Cisneros reported that a reality TV show is being filmed at an Ambrose street residence that may be creating problems in that neighborhood.

14. Adjournment:
At 9:30 pm, Kerr moved to adjourn; seconded by Louyse; approved by consensus

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BOARD MEETING MINUTES
TUESDAY, JUNE 17,2008
Los Feliz Community Police Center
1965 N. Hillhurst, Los Angeles, CA 90027

1. Call to Order: 7:02 p.m. by President Charley Mims. A quorum was declared. Board members present: Friedman, Napier, Soter, Louyse, Owen, Carroll, Vigderson, Wilson, Kerr, DeMonte, Gasteier, Mims, Rademaekers, Hooper, and Arslanian.

2. Approval of Minutes: The minutes of the May 2008 Board meeting were approved with revisions by consensus. Minutes for the April 2008 Board meeting were not available.

3. Public Comment on Non-Agenda Items; Public Announcements
Preferential Parking District issue: Mims reported meeting with Councilmember Tom LaBonge and Dana Cremin. LaBonge told Cremin that he cannot support the PPD because she does not have public support, and that she needs to go to the neighborhood council to get it. Mims reiterated the GGPNC position on PPDs is that we’re generally against them unless there’s a problem that a PPD will clearly resolve.

4. Reports from Public Officials and Staff:
        a. John Hisserich, representing Assemblymember Paul Krekorian, reported on the Assemblymember’s office activities including an initiative to work with the City on graffiti removal on trucks by requiring truck owners to remove the graffiti within a specified time period.
        b. Betty Wong-Oyama, DONE Project Coordinator, asked Boardmembers to complete the NC self-assessment by June 30. Reserve the date: Wed July 23 for DONE Board Orientation Workshop. The 90-day public comment period for the BONC proposed changes in the NC funding program began on June 16. The Brown Act has been updated to specify that materials distributed to an NC board for a board meeting within 72 hours prior to a board meeting must be made available to the public at the time of distribution, at a public location identified in the agenda. This rule does not apply to materials distributed to the board at the board meeting itself.

5. Northeast Division Senior Lead Officer Report:
None.

6. GGPNC Budget Fiscal 2008-2009:
Treasurer Joel Friedman moved the Executive Committee recommendation GGPNC approve the budget for fiscal 2008-2009 that was presented to the board in May. Seconded by Gasteier; adopted by consensus.

7. GGPNC Elections:
        a. Committee Chair Rosemary DeMonte moved that GGPNC expend $1000 toward DONE election advertising. Seconded by Rademaekers. Consensus not obtained. Motion failed.
        b. DeMonte reported on progress toward the GGPNC elections and asked for input about how to conduct the candidate Q&A session.

8. Education Committee:
On the “Big Blue M” mural contest for John Marshall High School, Committee Chair Sara Napier reported that two entries had received equal numbers of votes. One would reportedly cost less to maintain. Napier will obtain and report the difference in maintenance costs for input to a Board recommendation on one of the two designs.

9. Historic-Cultural Monument Status Proposal for Griffith Park:
Bernadette Soter made the following motion:
“Be it resolved that the Greater Griffith Park Neighborhood Council expresses its support for the designation of Griffith Park as a City of Los Angeles Historic Cultural Monument.” Seconded by Owen. George Grace spoke in favor of the proposal. The motion was adopted by consensus.

10. Parks, River & Open Space (PROS) Committee:
        a. Greek Theatre Season Extension: Committee Chair Soter presented a letter to the Dept of Recreation and Parks that expressed concerns about extension of the Greek Theatre Season, extension of the concert end time to 11 pm, appropriation of Griffith Park public parking during day time hours, and which asked for a meeting between RAP officials and selected PROS members. Seconded by Napier; adopted by consensus.
        b. LADWP Light Festival in Griffith Park – Soter reported that LADWP plans to have 13 walking nights and 26 driving nights. The Committee would like to see 50/50 walking/driving.
        c. National Park Service/National Geographic BioBlitz in Griffith Park: Soter reported that this event had occurred on May 30-31. 1,400 LAUSD students and community members combed the Santa Monica Mountains, including Griffith Park to observe and record as many plant and animal species as possible in 24 hours.
        d. Griffith Park Wildlife Management Plan – Soter moved that GGPNC send a letter of support and congratulations to the Dept of Rec & Parks for its support of the Griffith Park Wildlife Management Plan prepared by Cooper Ecological Consulting to institute goals and best practices for managing Griffith Park's natural ecosystems. Seconded by Kerr; adopted by consensus.
        e. Soter reported that there will be no PROS Committee meeting in July.

11. Other Committee Reports:
None.

12. Other Comments and Announcements by Board Members
Kurt Rademaekers reported that he’d obtained a proposal from Moore Business Results to redesign and re-implement the GGPNC website. Joel Friedman will be obtaining an additional proposal. Both proposals will be forwarded to the Board, the Executive Committee will review the proposals and will make a recommendation to the Board in July.

13. Other Comments on Non-Agenda Items
None.

14. Adjournment:
At 9:15 pm, Gasteier moved to adjourn; seconded by DeMonte; approved by consensus.

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BOARD MEETING MINUTES
TUESDAY, MAY 20,2008
Los Feliz Community Police Center
1965 N. Hillhurst, Los Angeles, CA 90027

In Attendance: Kathryn Louyse, Joel Friedman, Rosemary DeMonte, Sarah Napier, Bernadette Soter, Bruce Carroll, Jacqueline Kerr, Cheryl Johnson, Ken Owen, Nyla Arslanian, Charley Mims, Philip Gasteier, Joe Cisneros, and Dan Hooper.

1. Call to order. Quorum declared at 7:05.

2. Approval of Minutes, deferred

Public Comment on Supplemental Agenda Item No. 3.

Ron Ostrow who manages a building on Franklin is opposed to the PPD. He has appeared twice on this same subject. Permits are too expensive for his long term residents and solve none of the problems caused by the lack of parking. He left some signatures he had gathered on this subject.

Peter McDonald talked about the consternation caused by Dana Cremin’s repeated airing of the PPD issue and the neighborhood dissension this has created. He felt that the issue had been previously vetted and shelved and it was unfair to allow it to be re-raised. He felt the LaBonge office may believe that there is support on the GGPNC for the PPD. He also questioned why the GGPNC was not more involved. He left reports about how this PPD was being measured as well as letters to CD4 on this topic.

Dennis Chew, representing LFIA, has used only temporary PPD when there has been a neighborhood intrusion. The only permanent/temporary one is used for the Greek Theatre. PPDs are anti-neighborhood and the LFIA would oppose.

Mims was invited to a meeting at LaBonge’s office and noted that GGPNC had opposes PPDs in general. Johnson questioned why we keep revisiting this same PPD issues in the same area; Mims and Gasteier thought there was some educational value to the neighborhood to revisit the topic.

SupplementalAgenda
1. Nomination that Griffith Park be declared an historical-cultural monument was referred to joint committee meeting of the PROS and zoning committees.

2. Graffiti abatement. Officer Colenzo needs paint for graffiti remediation. It was moved by Mims and seconded by Gasteier to provide $1,000 for that purpose. Adopted.

3. Public Comment on Non Agenda Items- None

4. Reports from Public Officials and City Staff
Greg Bartz, DWP Neighborhood Council Liason discussed proposed rates keyed to the relative temperatures of the area. Some discussion as to whether our area is zone 1 or 2. Hotter zones are allowed a bit more consumption until the rates jump. Lots of information on the rates were distributed. Soter indicated that the DWP has not responded to calls about the Light Show and will write a letter requesting a meeting.

John Hisserich of Assemblymember Krerkorian’s Office reported that Cal Trans will revisit the signage at Crystal Spring and Zoo drive and even considering widening the Zoo drive exit to relieve congestion. He met with CD4, and CalTrans on this issue. Bernadette raised questions about traffic interfering with runners and horses. Cal Trans will come back with some recommendations.

5. Northeast Division Senior Lead Officer. SLO not present.

6. Treasurers Report. Friedman gave treasurers report; looks like we are $47,000 over but we have $52,000 left to spend this year; in June, we will get another $50,000. We can carryover two years of unspent monies.

7. Neighborhood Council Elections. Stella Yun offered assistance in filing candidate applications and packages. Anyone who wants to run must file the application by this Thursday.

8. HUNC Boundary changes.   After several mediations between HUNC and GGPNC, we reached an agreement which our board adopted and HUNC repudiated. HUNC has a new President, Susan Swan, who wants to revisit the issue and has filed a motion with DONE to augment its boundaries. Gasteier moved that we support the HUNC border application to DONE to cover the area of Ferndell and Western Canyon; this area to be administered jointly with GGPNC. Friedman seconded.   Motion approved unanimously.

9. Parks Rivers & Open Space Committee

Soter organized protests for the proposed cuts for park rangers at City Hall, and the cuts were rescinded; Soter moves and Gasteier seconds that we approve the following Community Impact Statement opposing the proposed budget cut for Rec and Parks cutting 50% of the Park Ranger positions. Kris Sabo reported this is a citywide issue and others had approved similar CISs.
"Oppose Council File 08-0600, the proposed budget for Recreation and Parks cutting 50% of the Park Rangers positions including the Chief Park Ranger.
Park Rangers are on the front line of public safety in our parks, responding to more than 26,000 calls for service in 2007 alone. Services they provide in Griffith Park and other large regional parks include public safety, firefighting, search and rescue, community policing, wildlife, and educational. These are critical factors in assuring public safety, therefore sufficient Park Ranger funding should be included as Core Services in the City budget."
Motion adopted by consensus.

Soter also reported the GGPNC got a city proclamation for its contribution for fire recovery.   LA River cleanup was well attended and commemorated LeVal Lund who has been a neighborhood activist for decades.

Arslanian raised concern on the Griffith Park Advisor article on the Autry which could be read to suggest that the Autry expansion was responsible for the destruction of a major historical landmark.   Johnson also expressed concern that the article appeared to be authored by the President and express views of the Board. Others thought the article just attempted to raise questions and that the newsletter was intended to express just the views of the PROS committee. Mims said that the executive committee will consider the policy about communications that come from the Board.

10. Planning Zoning & Historic Preservation Committee
4955 Los Feliz. Owen moved and Johnson seconded that the GGPNC oppose the request for a zoning adjustment to allow continued use of a garage as a recreation room and for a recording studio. Adopted by consensus.

11. Education Committee
        a. Napier asked for support of $3,000 for the LILA safety plan to place some security camera system that will cost some $30,000. Board members wanted the motion modified to require public benefit from the particular cameras. Discussed the fact that the school was private, but it was noted, we support private non profits and that we have supported all of the public schools. Gasteier asked that the motion be tabled pending further information about the public use of the cameras.

        b. Napier moved the following resolution:
”Whereas, the City's Library system is critical to the education of our citizens, particularly the young, and has served the City well at a reasonable cost to the taxpayers;
”Whereas, the City has legitimately been seeking to reduce expenses in order to balance its budget;
”Whereas, it has been proposed to assess a charge against users of the library, specifically as a charge for summoning a book from one branch to another
”Whereas, the present system of having books circulated among branches as the need arises has been a brilliant solution to the problem of providing books to the citizens of the City at a very much reduced cost from the traditional method of providing large branch libraries, each stocked with books likely to be needed by the local residents;
”Whereas, the Library system should be managed to encourage rather than discourage the reading of books particularly by those of its citizens who can least afford the costs proposed;
”Whereas, the Library system is an investment in the future of the City;
”Now, therefore, be it resolved that Greater Griffith Park Neighborhood Council advises both the Mayor and the Board of ”Library Commissioners that the City ought not to impose any costs (other than fines) on the use of the Library; and
”Furthermore, the President of the neighborhood council is authorized to file any and all appropriate community impact statements consistent with this resolution."
Johnson seconded. The motion adopted by consensus.

12. Other committee reports.
Nyla reported on the ground breaking at the Vermont Triangle on May 9.
She has an upcoming joint meeting that will discuss the problem with regulations lumping together murals and signage.

Gasteier said that members wanted DONE surveys to be completed.

DeMonte talked about the Street Fair on June 8; wanted people to sign up.

Everyone moved to adjourn. Passed unanimously. 8:58.

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BOARD MEETING MINUTES
TUESDAY, APRIL 15,2008
Los Feliz Community Police Center
1965 N. Hillhurst, Los Angeles, CA 90027

1. Call to Order: 7:05 p.m. by President Charley Mims. A quorum was declared. Board members present: Hooper, Kerr, Carroll, Owen, Arslanian, Vigderson, Wilson, Louyse, Soter, Napier, DeMonte, Gasteier, Mims, Rademaekers, Cisneros..

2. Approval of Minutes: The minutes of the February and March 2008 Board meetings were approved with revisions by consensus. The minutes of the March Special Meeting were approved by consensus.

3. Public Comment on Non-Agenda Items; Public Announcements
Maria Deyanez expressed concern about representation of renters. Mims told her about the Executive Committee action to participate in the Hollywood Renters Coalition Town Hall Meeting.
Peter McDonald spoke to ask GGPNC to continue last year’s opposition to the Preferred Parking District proposal. McDonald was referred to the Transportation Committee.

4. Reports from Public Officials and Staff:
Made as a part of Other Comments on Non-Agenda Items.

5. Northeast Division Senior Lead Officer Report:
None.

6. Ratification of Revised Charter for LA Neighborhood Council Coalition (LANCC):
Mims turned the meeting over to Gasteier and then presented an overview of the LANCC charter revisions that are intended to streamline LANCC proceedings. Mims moved that GGPNC approve the revisions. Seconded by DeMonte; adopted by consensus. Gasteier turned the meeting back over to Mims.

7. Parks River & Open Space Committee:
        a. Committee Chair Bernadette Soter moved that GGPNC increase its contribution to the Griffith Park Charitable Poker Ride fundraiser benefit for invasive plant removal in the Griffith Park burn area from $3050 to $3900. Seconded by Louyse; adopted by consensus.
        b. Soter reported on the progressing efforts to free up land at Griffith Park Service Yard for public use.
        c. Soter reported that the Cooper Ecological report for the Griffith Park Wildlife Management Plan is complete and available at www.griffithparkwildlife.org.
        d. Jullian Harris-Calvin for CD4 reported that $25,000 has been allocated by CD4 to clean-up, copy and distribute the Griffith Park Master Plan.
        e. Soter reported that LADWP still had not scheduled a follow-up meeting with the community on the Festival Lights and efforts to turn it into a walking event.

8. Planning, Zoning & Historic Preservation Committee:
        a. Regarding the application for a zoning variance to build a single family house at 5167 Franklin Ave, Committee Chair Owen moved the Committee recommendation that GGPNC oppose the request. Two stakeholders spoke against the variance request and in support of the motion. Seconded by Carroll; adopted by consensus.
        b. Owen moved the Committee recommendation that GGPNC expend up to $750 to identify illegal billboards in the GGPNC area. Seconded by Louyse; adopted by consensus.
        c. Owen moved the Committee recommendation that GGPNC amplify and reiterate to the appropriate offices its comments regarding the proposed revision of the Hollywood Community Plan.
        d. Regarding the request for a variance to allow the existing over-height fences at 2413 Hyperion on Hyperion and Tracy Terrace and the existing retaining walls, Owen moved the Committee recommendation to oppose the variance for the over-height fences and that support for the variance for retaining wall be conditional on the on removal of razor wire from property. Seconded by Wilson; adopted by consensus.

9. Outreach Committee:
        a. Election: Committee Chair DeMonte reported on outreach efforts toward the June 21 GGPNC Board election and coordination efforts with the City Clerk’s office. Reminder that the candidate filing deadline is May 22. DeMonte moved that GGPNC expend up to $7000 on outreach materials for the election. Seconded by Napier; adopted by consensus.
        b. Proposition 98: DeMonte moved the Executive Committee recommendation that GGPNC participate in the Hollywood Renter’s Town Hall Meeting as long as someone from GGPNC be accepted to the steering committee for the event, and that GGPNC make up to $1000 in direct expenditures to support the event. Seconded by Gasteier; adopted by consensus.
        c. NUSA: DeMonte moved the Executive Committee recommendation that GGPNC make up to $3000 in direct expenditures for transportation, lodging and per diem expenses per city standards to send one or two GGPNC representatives to the annual NUSA conference in Hampton, VA May 21-25. Seconded by Arslanian; adopted by consensus
        d. DeMonte moved the Executive Committee recommendation to authorize $500 for a GGPNC booth at the annual Los Feliz Village Street Fair. Seconded by Napier; adopted by consensus.

10. Other Committee Reports:
Public Safety Committee Joe Cisneros reminded Boardmembers about the Public Safety Committee meeting on Saturday February 23.

11. Other Comments and Announcements by Board Members
Nyla Arslanian announced the scheduled ground-breaking for the Vermont Triangle project.

12. Other Comments on Non-Agenda Items
Jullian Harris-Calvin from CD4 reported on CD4 projects and announced up-coming events.

13. Adjournment:
At 9:25 pm, Gasteier moved to adjourn; seconded by Wilson; approved by consensus.

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BOARD MEETING MINUTES
TUESDAY, MARCH 18, 2008
Los Feliz Community Police Center
1965 N. Hillhurst, Los Angeles, CA 90027

1. Call to Order: 7:01 p.m. by President Charley Mims. A quorum was declared. Board members present: Friedman, Napier, Soter, Louyse, Johnson, Mims, Gasteier, DeMonte, Owen, Hopper, Carroll, Wilson, Vigderson, Kerr, Arslanian,

2. Approval of Minutes: The minutes of the February meeting were not available for approval.

3. Public Comment on Non-Agenda Items; Public Announcements
None.

4. Reports from Public Officials and Staff:
John Hisserich, speaking for our 43rd District Assemblyman, Paul Krekorian announced various programs including one for identity theft and one for women’s self defense workshop at May 8 in the Los Feliz library and other locations. After attending the Saturday traffic committee meeting, the Assemblyman is evaluating relocating or increasing the visibility of the sign in the Park that indicates you can exit at Western; many miss this sign and wind up at the Los Feliz adding to congestion at that intersection. There was a discussion about a new ramp in addition to a better signage. Vigerson raised the issue of SB1818, which John said was so complex, that Jackie Goldberg sat out the vote on it. He believes the likelihood of amending it seems remote, but he is not aware of the city’s lobbying at the state level on this bill. DeMonte and Owen questioned state awareness of the difficulties this bill has spawned.

5. Northeast Division Senior Lead Officer Report:
None.

6. Treasurer’s Report:
Joel Friedman reported that we have paid out some $48,000 of the $50,000 annual budget and have additional commitments over this amount. We have approximately $102,000 balance, with another $8,000 committed

7. Minagar Traffic Study and the Environmental Impact Report on the Expansion of the Autry National Center:
Public comments:
         Dr. Clyde Williams, a El Sereno resident, (friend of the Southwest Coalition, cited deficiencies in original Autry study, and requested that the Minagar study be included in the GGPNC response);
         Faith Raiguel (CEO of Autry) presented a package presented to the PZHP Committee, showing the Museum is redesigned to present itself as more of a green space park rather than a parking lot, its EIR traffic study conformed with all applicable standards and has responded to the Minagar report; the. The Autry does not believe it is a significant contributor to the traffic but understands that traffic in Los Feliz is a big issue. Working with the zoo on traffic, particularly as the Zoo is having a major Easter event. A great day at the Autry sees 400 visitors; but at the zoo, it is 11,000 visitors. The Autry is looking to extend the lease-right now in the middle of a 50 year lease. Selected Brenda Levin, a local architect to redo the museum. They are on the perimeter and are restoring the perimeter of the Park. While they have been questioned about its commitment to the Southwest Museum, the Autry has invested over 6 million in preserving the SW collection which would have left the city in the absence of this support.
         Richard Spicer. David Attaway of the Dept of Recreation and Parks said they would like to move ahead around the end of April. Normally it certifies the EIR, and then the lease amendment goes to Rec and Parks Commission, and then it goes to the City Council. Public comments will be part of the public response to the Minagar Study, and they can be on the websites. The President of Rec & Parks Commission may have a conflict, so the issue might go to another Board of Referred Powers, made of several council members.   Renee Weitzer from CD4 is committed to forming a task force to address the issues. From Richard’s personal involvement in the Transportation Committee, he would support the motion to support the Autry Proposal which he thinks is a distinctive advancement and the Autry has demonstrated its ability to advance their collection. Part of the answer to the traffic study is to get people together. The Autry EIR consultant did respond to the Minagar study but did not suggest a new study. The Autry EIR used the standards of the industry and even increased the number of intersections studied. He does not feel that additional intersections are required by the Autry.
         Nicole Possert from the SW Coalition, comprised of some 60 groups, reported that there was a 72 hour notice requirement for comments to the final EIR. She supports the findings of the Minagar report and does not want the city just to respond to the findings, but require that it rerun the study to see if there is an impact from the Autry. She does not agree that the SW collection has been saved and says the collection has been removed from its neighborhood; there is only a memo, not a guarantee that the collection will stay open, but did commend the money invested to save the collection.
         Barbara Ferris spoke in support of Autry as a wonderful representation of the West; though there are divisions with the Southwest coalition, this was an internal problem. The Autry has been responsible and collaborative and urges that we work with them and not be obstructionist. Glad it is going forward in a positive manner.
         Frank Masi feels that Nicole Possert’s presentation misrepresents the facts and that the collections were not all moved from her neighborhood and there are still exhibits there.

Board discussion
         Owen noted that the comments were general in nature and did not address the issue at hand which is the traffic study.
         Soter noted that the Autry proposal was not agendized and that if it were; there would be lots of others with very different comments. She asked that the Press that was present take note.
         Kerr gave the traffic committee report that was attended by about 35 with competing traffic reports. The committee also visited the troubled intersections from the 5 Offramp, Zoo drive and Los Feliz where backups occur. The Minagar report has statistics that appear closer to reality than the Autry traffic report done by F & Peers. There is also a third traffic study of the same intersection done by the Department of Transportation done in June 2007. She is not taking a stand as to which study is the best.

        Kerr moved to request that CD4 convene a meeting of government bodies, including Parks, Cal Trans and other entities pertinent to transportation, to formulate plans to address the transportation issues at the intersections at issue. Carroll seconded the motion.
        Soter said the proposal is premature because it has not gone to her PROS committee which has a wealth of knowledge. The Griffith Park Master Plan Working Group has just drafted an entire chapter on traffic in the Park and the master plan deals with and addresses the traffic issues. She is concerned that convening a task force that might not be as thoughtful as the PROS product and might be negative.
Mims suggested Soter move to defer the motion, or speak in opposition.

Soter moved to defer the motion; Louyse seconds.
         Gasteier was at the Transportation Committee meeting; we are not here to approve the Autry. If the Autry is going forward, they ought to be part of the traffic solution. While he likes the working group idea, he thinks it should be deferred and to get PROS input.
         Gasteier took gavel. Mims spoke in support of the motion to defer consideration because it is an important procedural item, and there has been a lot of work done by PROS and we need to bring all the stakeholders together. Feels the PROS committee can shed some light.
         Betty Wong pointed out that there cannot be two motions on the floor. Gasteier said the second motion was procedural to the first motion
         Carroll said why defer the idea of having a traffic group convened which is a good idea; stands on its own. Asks for a vote on whether to proceed.
         Johnson suggested that PROS sit on the traffic committee.
         Louyse and Soter said that PROS may have different values, as for instance whether to encourage or discourage more traffic in the Park; the Master Plan has lots of solutions. Leaders of Park committee need to have input and the motion should be put over a month.
         Kerr noted that this is the first she has heard of a traffic section of the Master Plan. She suggested that the two committees get together.
         Arslanian spoke in support of the motion and getting a traffic group together. The Park Master Plan has been in the work for four years. Now we have a concrete plan and should proceed instead of trying to stop everything.
         Soter is open to the committee.

There was no strong opposition to deferring Kerr’s motion for a month to allow PROS to have input. Motion adopted by consensus.

8. Transportation Committee:
Committee Chair Jacqueline Kerr discussed the proposal for MTA bus indent. Monies went to support a crushed wall on Franklin, so this is not an issue at present.

9. LADWP Rate Increase:
Greg Bartz, Neighborhood Council Liaison, and Greg Black, Manager of Rate and Contracts, Department of Power and Water, defended the DWP’s proposed rate increases. DWP is proposing a 2.9% increase in power rate in May 2008, plus another 2.9% effective July 1, 2008 plus another 2.7% effective July 1, 2009 for a total revenue increase of $116 million. In addition, DWP is proposing a 3.1% increase effective July 1, 2008 and another 3.1 percent effective July 1, 2008, with a total increase of $47 million increase for power. The alleged purpose of the increases is to provide for capital improvements so they can reduce replacement cycles to a more acceptable timeframe. The DWP is also pushing for conservation which can offset the increases. This should result in an average increase of $9 per month for the average consumer who uses 500 kwh. The average use for single family home in Los Feliz is 550 kwh and the average bill is $120 every two months. The typical water customer will see an increase of $1.95 per month which could be offset by conservation. There would be no increases for low income customers. There is an oversight committee to insure that the “metrics are observed” and are overlooking DWP expenditures.

Board Comment:
        Owen: asked what doing to cut costs- Black said there was a consultant that looked at cutting costs who recommended that we get rid of specialized contracts with customers and have automatic read meters. DWP had about 90,000 customers without demand meters. Why can’t you just have the gas meter readers work with the power and water meter readers? Black said that there is a need to deal with the unions on this issue. The new commission had yesterday’s meeting at the DWP budget and wants to cut the fat but they don’t know how much fat. Owen asked how much was spent on public relations given that customers have no choices. Black said that the DWP has done lots of trimming and once had 11,000 employees but not only 8,000 employees. Still areas where could improve.
         Mims asked about other cost savings – if that was done- what would the amount be. Johnson also asked what percentage of the increases would go to capital improvements. Black responded that about 30 percent is going to amortize the bonds to do the capital work, while 70 percent goes to overhead and management costs. DWP spends about a billion a year in capital improvements, but is spending a bit more with these increases.
         Soter asked about possible expense reductions and Wilson asked whether DWP lays fiber for others than itself (it doesn’t).
         Hopper questioned why they waited so long and asked for a huge increase of 8.5% in 14 months, whether doing solar and why not underground. Response: DWP management did not have the will to ask for increases. To have underground installations, the Council needs to declare it and everyone on the block needs to agree. It’s very expensive. The DWP rate structure is flat and thus is a disincentive to conserve or change support for the renewable program.
         Johnson asked what portion of revenues goes to profits and who receives them; response: 7 percent goes to the city; rest stays in the company.

Public Comment:
         Mark Stong spoke on behalf of apartment owners as the dwellers are not individualized metered and so they do not have an incentive to save. .
(        Did not get name) (sat by the window- Charlie knows him)spoke about having conservation hurting revenue; but the DWP collects a minimum even if conservation results in drastically reduced demand..
         George Chin of the DWP also lived in the neighborhood and promised to take care of it.

        Carroll moved to have the GGPNC to show the support of the proposed rate increases of the DWP. Vigerson seconded it.
         Owen opposed it and suggested we stay with the other councils and not allow the DWP to be a source of city income.
         Johnson felt the increases were too much and not sufficiently allocated to capital improvements.
        Gasteier said it’s not inappropriate; DWP graft is a drop in the bucket.
         Arslanian said that the oversight committee is doing a great job. Has 35 years of bills and this is a big increase.

There was strong opposition to the motion and no consensus to adopt.

10. Planning Zoning & Historic Preservation Committee:
        a. 2267 Chislehurst. Committee Chair Ken Owen moved that the GGPNC not oppose a variance for an 8 foot wall and pergola in the front yard of the house at 2267 Chiselhurst. All the neighbors have signed except for two neighbors and they have worked with them. Hooper seconded; adopted by consensus.
        b. Ye Rustic Inn, 1831 Hillhurst. Owen moved to oppose any expansion of its rights under the conditional use permit. Seconded by Wilson. Motion approved by consensus. Request for a variance to expand onto the patio subject to possible reconsideration if current conditions are corrected and provision made to ensure adequate parking and offensive behavior is stopped.   The meeting on this property was well attended with great neighborhood opposition to an expansion. There is limited parking, and the problem is increased by the opening of Chi Dynasty next door.
        c. Autry National Center, 4700 Western Heritage Way.
Owen moved that the GGPNC advise the Department of Recreation and Parks as follows: (1)The department should take no action on an EIR or any other matter relating to the proposed expansion of the Autry national Center in Griffith Park until a date no earlier than 60 days following the delivery of the document to be acted upon to GGPNC so that GGPNC so that GGPNC may have adequate time to consider its advice to the department with respect thereto as contemplated by the City Charter; and 2) the department consider and address all matters raised by the Minagar Report commenting on the transportation section of the Autry draft EIR. Carroll seconded it.

Discussion:
        Owen: A draft EIR was submitted and we commented on it in October; Rec and Parks plans to make recommendations on the final EIR in April. The final EIR will come on the website and we only have 72 hours to respond though it is several volumes. Owen said the he asked for items they were never received during the first go around, as for example, a flora and fauna analysis. Owen wants the Park and Rec to defer action for 60 days from receipt of the final EIR so we can review.
         Faith Raiguel said every month that this delays the construction, it costs money they don’t have. Sixty days is too much but she recognizes that 72 hours is not a reasonable time. Richard has contacted them for the EIR but that this needs to be obtained from Rec and Park.
         Mims: typically the staff will not release the EIR report until it goes to the commissioners which is why there is a 72 hour provision.
         Gasteier asks if it can be done quicker. But this impacts three committees; Soter, Kerr and Owen each said they need 60 days to review and did not think a shorter deadline was realistic given the volume of the document and the fact we do not know how much it might depart from the draft, and that it will not be redlined.

There was no consensus so a vote was taken with twelve in favor, two against and one abstention.   The motion passed.

Owen moved that the department should provide GGPNC promptly with any and all analyses of the propriety of extending the term of the lease with the Autry and the value of the benefits to the City from the original lease and any extension of its terms.” Seconded by Wilson. Given the lack of consensus, a vote was taken with twelve in favor and two opposing. The motion passed.
         Faith Raiguel does not object to the motion which is a motion for information. Concerned that there is a suggestion that she refused to give an amendment to the lease. There are no amendments yet and they are just talking about a boundary adjustment that does not change the amount of land under lease. There are lots of dollar leases to encourage museums. The absence of rent allows more increase in rent.

Because public comment was not allowed, the vote was reheld with the same result.

        d. S.B.1818:
Owen moved that the GGPNC should send a letter to each City council member to lobby them to amend the bill to delete automatic height bonuses and any bonuses where additional units are not available. A letter was distributed with the language. The motion was seconded by Carroll and adopted by consensus.

11. Public Comment (taken in middle of PROS report).
Nicole Smith who met with the PZHP Committee to talk about 1717 New Normandie. The building is built to the property lines so no access to the side or rear yards is available and made offer for $75 per month per parking space to neighbor but got no response. Have a hearing officer on April 4 and wanted to know if we could intercede and mediate. It’s a 30 unit apartment with no parking.   Owen and Arslanian offered to contact Oscar Arslanian and Israel Stephanian to mediate.

12. Parks, River & Open Space (PROS) Committee:
        a. Committee Chair Bernadette Soter moved to dedicate the upcoming LA River cleanup to honor LeVal Lund and his dedication to the cause. Seconded by DeMonte; the motion was unanimously adopted.
        b. Soter discussed that under the Griffith Park Master Plan they were urged to look for more recreational area, and have focused on the Central Service Yard, which is on park land and is now covered with temporary buildings and junk from other parks and General Services.
        c. Soter discussed Cahuenga Peak. 138 acres near the iconic Hollywood Sign, purchased for $1.68 million, and today they are asking $12 million. The City had it appraised out at $5 million. The owner is advertising it for $22 million. CD4 has $4 million and is looking to get the rest. Mims noted that they owners may not have perfected their rights to the five lots and this could impair the market value.
        d. Soter noted that nonnative trees are being planted in the park by ambitious souls. . Soter to see if RAP is doing anything about this.

13. Education Committee:
        a. Move that a letter be written to the Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) regarding MTS Route 175 for Marshall High School.
        b. Move that a letter be written to Mr. Brewer and LAPD regarding increasing one more police officer at Marshall High and for area.
        c. Look at Marshall Community Mural Project student submissions for ceramic mural to be placed where M is now painted.

14. Neighborhood Improvement Committee:
        a. Committee Chair Nyla Arslanian noted that Kerry Slattery is the new chair for the Beautification Committee of the Los Feliz Village BID and wants to redo the garbage cans along the business areas.
        b. Arslanian moved that GGPNC support the Independent Shakespeare Company with direct expenditures in the amount of $2,500 and that they acknowledge GGPNC in their newspaper advertising. Seconded by Gastier..
         David Melville of the Independent Shakespeare Company said that it will cost some $15,000 to put in a stage. Friedman noted an opportunity for the GGPNC to be a sponsor for $2,500 for some 15,000 brochures and posters. Many commented on the widespread support for the company. Owen moved a friendly amendment to increase the amount to $5,000, which was accepted by Arslanian. Adopted by consensus.

15. Outreach Committee:
        a. Committee Chair Rosemary DeMonte moved approval of the Executive Committee recommendation that GGPNC take out ads in the Los Feliz Ledger to promote the GGPNC election for approximately $3,200. Napier seconded; adopted by consensus.
        b. DeMonte noted that the Los Feliz Village Street Fair is June 8 will arrange for a booth for GGPNC.

16. Other Committee Reports:
None.

17. Comments and Announcement by Board Members
None.

18. Other Board Comment on Non-Agenda items
None.

19. Adjournment:
At 11:29 pm, Jacqueline Kerr moved to adjourn; seconded by DeMonte; approved by

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BOARD MEETING MINUTES
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 19,2008
Los Feliz Community Police Center
1965 N. Hillhurst, Los Angeles, CA 90027

1. Call to Order: 7:05 p.m. by President Charley Mims. A quorum was declared. Board members present: Napier, Soter, Getz, Louyse, Carroll, Cisneros, Owen, Johnson, Wilson, Kerr, DeMonte, Gasteier, Mims, Rademaekers.

2. Approval of Minutes: The minutes of the January 2008 Board meeting were approved with amendments by consensus.

3. Public Comment on Non-Agenda Items; Public Announcements
None.

4. Reports from Public Officials and Staff:
Jullian Harris-Calvin, Field Deputy for Council District 4, announced that Councilmember LaBonge is interested in possible joint funding with GGPNC for a traffic light at Vermont and Finley. She asked the Council for five things we’d like to ask Councilmember LaBonge. The Council responded with: Alleviation parking problems in the area; Restriction of development to the ability of the infrastructure (particularly traffic capacity) to support it; Keeping school yards open on weekends to compensate for the lack of recreational park space; Support of the Urban Forest Initiative; Information about the Cahuenga Peak purchase.

Betty Wong-Oyama, DONE Project Coordinator, handed out the recently approved-by-DONE amended GGPNC bylaws; Reminded the Boardmembers about the Mayor’s Budget Day on Saturday Feb 23; Asked Boardmembers to complete the Mayor’s Budget Survey by Saturday Feb 23.

Michael Cortey, the new Coordinator for the Hollywood/Central Region CRA, introduced himself and provided a brief overview of projects under consideration in the Region including the Hollywood Freeway Park.

John Hisserich, Field Deputy for Assemblymember Paul Krekorian, announced that he was available for input directed to the Assemblymember.

5. Northeast Division Senior Lead Officer Report:
Senior Lead Officer Gina Chovan announced that crime statistics in the area are down from one year ago. She reviewed recent crimes in the area and an increase in graffiti.

6. Office of the City Clerk, Neighborhood Council Election Unit:
Stella Yun, Election Coordinator, gave an overview of the DONE-required changes to NC election procedures and decisions that GGPNC would need to make. Isaias Cantu, Election Coordinator, announced that a regional meeting to review election procedure details would be held March 26.

7. Executive Commitee:
        a. Vice President Philip Gasteier announced that, following the NC’s outreach efforts seeking people interested in the position, the Executive Committee recommended the appointment of Reverend Dan Hooper to the GGPNC Board as representative to the religious community. Gasteier so moved; Rademaekers seconded; adopted by consensus.
        b. Gasteier moved that Rosemary DeMonte represent GGPNC at the regional meeting on new NC election procedures and that DeMonte be empowered to recommend GGPNC preferred election day as Saturday with Tuesday or Wednesday (in that order) as alternate days. Seconded by Kerr; adopted by consensus.

8. Parks River & Open Space Committee:
        a. Committee Chair Bernadette Soter reported an on-going and escalating problem with lewd behavior in the areas of the Mineral Wells picnic area of Griffith Park. Gasteier moved that Soter draft a letter for subsequent Board to the Dept of Recreation & Parks General Manager Jon Mukri and appropriate City officials to: ask that the problem be recognized; to recommend several proposed solutions; and asked them to take action to address the problem. Seconded by Kerr; adopted by consensus.
        b. Soter announced and discussed the up-coming annual LA River clean-up day. Soter moved to expend $5000 for food, beverages, advertising, promotion and T-shirts in support of GGPNC activities supporting the event. Seconded by Louyse; adopted by consensus.
        c. Soter moved to expend up to $5000 to support post-fire invasive plant removal in Griffith Park. Seconded by Napier; adopted by consensus.
        d. Soter moved to expend $800 for the purchase of a GGPNC-branded free-standing sign holder to be installed at the Crystal Springs ranger station in Griffith Park. Seconded by Napier; adopted by consensus.
        e. Soter withdrew the agendized motion to expend funds for reprinting and distribution of the Waterwise Griffith Park Recovery newsletter.

9. Education Committee:
        a. Katherine Pilkinton, Principal of the Los Feliz Elementary School Committee reported on maintenance needs at the school that would not be met by LAUSD or the City. Committee Chair Sarah Napier moved to expend $6000 for installation of irrigation for the planted areas at Los Feliz Elementary School. Seconded by Johnson; adopted by consensus.
        b. Dorothy Lee, art teacher at John Marshall High School reported on the need to replace the standing press in the art room at the school. Napier moved to expend $3000 for replacement of the standing press at JMHS. Seconded by Johnson; adopted by consensus.

10. Planning, Zoning & Historic Preservation Committee:
        a. Regarding the application by Yai's on Vermont, 1627 Vermont, for a conditional use permit to serve beer and wine, Committee Chair Ken Owen moved the Committee recommendation to not oppose the application if hours of service are limited to 11 p.m. except for a maximum of nine days per year. Seconded by Wilson; adopted by consensus.
        b. Regarding application by Kazoku Sushi, 5259 Hollywood, for a conditional use permit to serve beer and wine, Owen moved the Committee recommendation to not oppose the application if hours of service are limited to 11 p.m. and on-site and/or off-site valet parking provided with no valet parking on streets. Seconded by Wilson; adopted by consensus.
        c. Owen moved the Committee recommendation that the Board go on record by way of the meeting minutes to say that GGPNC supports the Los Feliz Village Business Improvement District's efforts to maximize use of current off-street parking in village to relieve street parking. Seconded by Johnson; adopted by consensus.
        d. Regarding the request for a variance to allow the existing over-height fences at 2413 Hyperion on Hyperion and Tracy Terrace and the existing retaining walls, Owen moved the Committee recommendation to oppose the variance for the over-height fences and that support for the variance for retaining wall be conditional on the on removal of razor wire from property. Seconded by Wilson; adopted by consensus.

11. Other Committee Reports:
Public Safety Committee Joe Cisneros reminded Boardmembers about the Public Safety Committee meeting on Saturday February 23.

12. Comments and Announcement by Board Members
None.

13. Other Board Comment on Non-Agenda items
None.

14. Adjournment:
At 9:10 pm, Bruce Carroll moved to adjourn; seconded by DeMonte; approved by consensus.

Board of Directors Special Meeting, February 19, 2008

1. Call to Order: 9:11 p.m. by President Charley Mims. A quorum was declared. Board members present: Napier, Soter, Getz, Hooper, Carroll, Cisneros, Johnson, Kerr, DeMonte, Gasteier, Mims, Rademaekers.

2. Public Comment on Non-Agenda Items; Public Announcements
None.

3. Education Committee:
As urgent follow-up:
a. As follow-up to the January Public Comments request by John Welch of John Marshall High School, Committee Chair Sarah Napier moved to approve $3000 in direct expenditures to support the John Marshall High School Academic Decathlon team travel to Sacramento in March for a scheduled competitive event. Seconded by DeMonte; adopted by consensus.
b. As follow-up to January Board approval to expend $2500 for the purchase of microphones to support student musical at John Marshall High School, Kevin Moran reported that the microphones could not be delivered prior to the Feb 22 & 23 performances. Napier moved to eliminate last month’s action to approve purchase of microphones and to approve up to $2500 to cover the rental of microphones to support the musical. Seconded by Johnson; adopted by consensus.

4. Other Board Comment on Non-Agenda items
None.

5. Adjournment:
At 9:30 pm, Philip Gasteier moved to adjourn; seconded by Napier; approved by consensus.

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BOARD MEETING MINUTES
TUESDAY, JANUARY 15,2008
Los Feliz Community Police Center
1965 N. Hillhurst, Los Angeles, CA 90027

1. Call to Order: 7:10 p.m. by President Charley Mims. A quorum was declared. Board members present: Friedman, Napier, Soter, Getz, Carroll, Louyse, Johnson, Wilson, Kerr, DeMonte, Gasteier, Mims, Rademaekers, Arslanian, Vigderson, Owen.

2. Approval of Minutes: The minutes of the December 2007 Board meeting were approved by consensus.

3. Public Comment on Non-Agenda Items; Public Announcements
        John Welsh, athletic coach from John Marshall High School, spoke about the JMHS Academic Decathlon and the need for funds to cover expenses related to sending students to the event in Sacramento in March. Mr. Welch was asked to work with Dr. Sarah Napier to determine an appropriate expense item and amount.
        Faith Raiguel, COO of the Autry National Center, announced the ANC Open House on February 10 from 10am-5pm.
        Ann MacKeen, Secretary for the Barnsdall Neighborhood Association, announced that Officer Sam Salazaar will be retiring soon and a celebratory event will be planned.

4. Reports from Public Officials and Staff:
Betty Wong-Oyama announced that all GGPNC Boardmembers had passed the required ethics exam; reminded Boardmembers about the Jan 23 NC Board Training at the community center in Glassell Park; provided an information handout on Proposition S.

5. Northeast Division Senior Lead Officer Report:
None.

6. PACE Business Development Center:
Representative did not attend.

7. Treasurer’s Report:
Treasurer Joel Friedman reported that the City would take back $25,000 from the GGPNC account if that amount were not spent by June 30.

8. Rules & Elections Committee:
City requirement that NCs change their bylaws to conform to one of the following options: a.) City-managed elections commencing June 2008 with shortening of Boardmember terms accordingly; b.) One more self-managed election Nov 2008 with City-managed elections commencing June 2010; c.) City-managed elections commencing 2010 with no interim self-managed election and Boardmember terms extended accordingly. In December the Rules & Elections Committee recommended option “a” and presented a draft of updates to the GGPNC bylaws that would enact this.
Committee Chair Philip Gasteier moved that GGPNC elect the option to have the City Clerk conduct the elections of district representatives in June 2008 and that the Board adopt the bylaws amendments to accomplish that. Seconded by Friedman. Adopted by consensus.

9. Officer Elections: (taken out of order)
Council President Mims called for nominations. Carroll nominated all current officers to their current positions. Seconded by Johnson. Kerr moved to close nominations; seconded by Arslanian; adopted by consensus. Carroll moved to declare a “white ballot”, i.e. one with no contested positions; Vigderson seconded. Per the white ballot, all current officers were re-elected by unanimous vote.

10. Education Committee:
            a. Shiela Lehrer-Graiwer, Executive Director of Barnsdall Arts/FOJAC presented a proposal to provide a series of free family weekend art workshops at the train ride and ponies in Griffith Park. The workshops would emphasize respect for the environment and "green multicultural” projects and will begin this spring. Napier moved that GGPNC make $5500 in direct expenditures to support the event. Seconded by Johnson. Adopted by consensus.
        b. Marshall "M" community project to do tile work designed by Marshall students and will need $10,000 to match community beautification grant for 2008. Move to approve $10,000 to help fund Marshall "M" Community Project. Napier rescinded the motions since the grant hasn’t been written.
        c. Kevin Moran, teacher and musical director at Marshall High School presented an overview of a student musical scheduled for Feb 22 and 23 and asked for funds to cover the purchase of microphones for the event and for future use. Napier moved that GGPNC purchase the microphones at a cost not to exceed $2500. Seconded by Arslanian. Adopted by consensus.
        d. Dana Mink from Thomas Starr King Middle School asked for funds to re-sod the quad at the school. This expense will not be met by LAUSD. Napier moved that GGPNC expend up to $12,000 for resodding the school’s quad. Seconded by DeMonte. Adopted by consensus.

11. Planning, Zoning & Historic Preservation Committee:
        a. Committee Chair Ken Owen presented the committee recommendation regarding the application for a Conditional Use Permit for expanded operation of restaurant at 2128 Hillhurst (formerly La Belle Epoque, now Little Dom's). Owen moved that GGPNC adopt the recommendation. Seconded by DeMonte. No consensus. Owen moved that the Council vote to vote on the issue; seconded by Arslanian; adopted by a majority vote. After discussion, Owen moved to amend the motion so as to drop items 3 and 4 from the recommendation. Seconded by Demonte; approved by majority vote. Vigderson moved to amend the recommendation by changing item 1 to allowing for weekday hours until 12 midnight, and to change item 8 to state that the sale of alcohol not exceed 60% of revenue. Seconded by Napier. Motion carried by majority vote.
        b. On the issue of a proposed enlargement of a house at 2665 Aberdeen, Owen moved that GGPNC approve the position taken by the PZHP in its email to Mr. Albert Landini on January 14, 2008 which informed the Zoning Administrator that the committee had some concerns about the project and as had insufficient input from the owner to consider the issue. Seconded by DeMonte. Adopted by consensus.
        c. On the issue of the renewal of a Conditional Use Permit for Akbar (4356 Sunset Blvd), Owen moved that the board advise the zoning administrator that it has no objection to the renewal of the conditional use permit issued to this site in 2002 so long as the conditions imposed in that conditional use permit be continued and so long as the zoning administrator is convinced the conditions are both still sufficient given changed conditions (expansion of The Kitchen and Malo Restaurant) and the condition regarding frequency of live shows and dancing is being met. Seconded by Vigderson. Adopted by consensus.
        d. Owen reported that the Autry National Center Environmental Impact Report (EIR) will be completed by Jan 16. Faith Raiguel, Executive Director of the ANC reported that GGPNC will be able to obtain the recommendation from RAP after it has been submitted to them.
        e. Owen moved that GGPNC make $2300 in direct expenditures to fund the designation of historic/cultural monuments in the GGPNC area. Seconded by DeMonte. Adopted by consensus.

12. Parks River & Open Space Committee:
        a. Committee Chair Bernadette Soter moved that GGPNC make $10,800 in direct expenditures to underwrite the cost of creating and fabrication Fire Recover signage and brochures on the recovery process, signs to be placed at affected trailheads in Griffith Park and to be used to post other information when no longer needed to promote fire recovery. Seconded by Louyse. Adopted by consensus.
        b. Soter presented a proposal to reprint a brochure on fire recovery with the GGPNC logo on it and a possible mass mailing to educate people about fire recovery in Griffith Park. Soter will provide specific costs next month.

13. Other Committee Reports:
None.
14. Comments and Announcement by Board Members
None.
15. Other Board Comment on Non-Agenda items
None.
16. Adjournment:
At 11:30 pm, Jacqueline Kerr moved to adjourn; seconded by DeMonte; approved by consensus

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BOARD MEETING MINUTES
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2007
Los Feliz Community Police Center
1965 N. Hillhurst, Los Angeles, CA 90027

1. Call to Order: 7:10 p.m. by President Charley Mims. A quorum was declared. Board members present: Getz, Soter, Owen Arslanian, Vigderson, Wilson, Johnson, Mims, Kerr, DeMonte, Rademaekers, Friedman, Louyse, Napier.

2. Approval of Minutes: The minutes of the November 2007 Board meeting, with revisions, were approved by consensus.

3. Public Comment on Non-Agenda Items; Public Announcements
None.

4. Reports from Public Officials and Staff:
        Paul Hisserich, representing CA Assemblymember Paul Krekorian, announced that the Assemblymember would be holding an open house from 4-7 pm on Thu Dec 20 at the Washington Mutual building in Glendale on Brand Blvd.
        Jullian Harris-Calvin, representing Councilmember Tom LaBonge, announced and explained that Silver Lake Reservoir will be drained due to excessive levels of bromate, draining to begin in January. A Preferred Parking District will be implemented on Riverside Drive between Fletcher and Los Feliz Blvd to prevent overnight parking.
        Betty Wong-Oyama announced that the submitted GGPNC bylaw revisions had been given final approval by DONE. A training for NC board members will be held on Jan 23 6-9:30 p.m. on the Brown Act and NC funding. On Sat Dec 15 a memorial service was held for DONE Executive Director Carol Baker Thorpe. City Council has approved the recommendation by the Neighborhood Council Review Commission that NC elections should be held by the City Clerk in June of even numbered years. GGPNC has the option of moving elections up to June 2008 with City Clerk management, or to wait until 2010 and have our election in Nov 2008 as would otherwise be the case.

5. Northeast Division Senior Lead Officer Report:
None.

6. Executive Committee: Charley Mims (15 min.)
        a. DeMonte moved to delay election of officers to January. Seconded by Kerr, adopted by consensus.
        b. Mims announced that DONE took back $29,000 of GGPNC money because it hadn’t been spent in the two years prior to June 30 and recommended that GGPNC spend more on outreach.
        c. After discussion, it was agreed to agendize the issue of how and when to handle the next GGPNC election for the January board meeting. Since it will require another bylaws revision, the Rules & Elections Committee will draft an update that can be amended per the board’s decision.

7. Parks, River & Open Space Committee:
Committee Chair Bernadette Soter reported on the success of the pilot walking program for the LADWP Holiday Light Festival. Soter moved that a letter to be sent by the Board to the DWP/DWP Commission thanking them for helping to set up the pilot program. Seconded by Napier. Adopted by consensus.

8. Planning Zoning & Historic Preservation Committee:
        a. Regarding the EIR for the expansion of the Autry National Center, Committee Chair Owen moved the Committee recommendation that, “GGPNC contribute up to $7000 toward a study and analysis of the transportation section of the draft Environmental Impact Report for the proposed expansion of the Autry National Center in Griffith Park by Menager & Associates.” Seconded by Soter. Adopted by consensus.
        b. Regarding the city’s policy of approving billboards and enforcing billboard rules, Owen moved the Committee recommendation that, “GGPNC express its position that the City rigorously enforce the regulations for billboards and promptly and aggressively take action against billboards improperly erected or modified, and that through its president file a Community Impact Statement regarding billboard-related issues consistent with the foregoing.

9. Outreach Committee: Rosemary DeMonte, Chair (10 min.)
Motion to expend up to $1000.00 toward a gesture or gift of appreciation to LAFD for their courageous work this year deferred until January meeting pending obtaining specifics on gesture/gift.

10. Other Committee Reports:
None.
11. Comments and Announcement by Board Members
None.
12. Other Board Comment on Non-Agenda items
None.
13. Adjournment:
At 9:05 pm, Jacqueline Kerr moved to adjourn; seconded by DeMonte; approved by consensus.

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BOARD MEETING MINUTES
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2007
Los Feliz Community Police Center
1965 N. Hillhurst, Los Angeles, CA 90027

1. Call to Order: 7:05 p.m. by President Charley Mims. A quorum was declared. Board members present: Getz, Soter, Louyse, Owen, Johnson, Vigderson, Cisneros, Wilson, Kerr, DeMonte, Gasteier, Mims, Rademaekers.

2. Approval of Minutes: The minutes of the October 2007 Board meeting, with revisions, were approved by consensus.

3. Public Comment on Non-Agenda Items; Public Announcements
Rosemary DeMonte, VP of Outreach, announced that the Los Feliz Village Business Improvement District Holiday Festival would be on Sat Dec 1.
Cheryl Johnson announced that the Barnsdall Art Park Art Mart would be on Sun Dec 16.

4. Reports from Public Officials and Staff:
Daryl Ford from the Dept of Recreation and Parks announced the RAP Needs Assessment Project which needs public input to for the development of a city-wide master plan for parks. A meeting will be held at Friendship Auditorium on Nov 28 at 6:30pm. Mims asked Bernadette Soter and Jacqueline Kerr to follow the issue.

Neighborhood Prosecutor Donna Wong announced Property Owner & Manager Training on Nov 28 at 4 pm at Glassell Park Community Center.

5. Northeast Division Senior Lead Officer Report:
SLO Gina Chovan reported that there had been eleven burglaries in the last thirty days in Franklin Hills and Silver Lake, and reported on LAPD actions to capture the burglars.

6. Kaiser Permanente:
Mark Costa, Executive Director, and Gail Koretz, Government and Community Relations Manager, of Kaiser Permanente Los Angeles Medical Center presented on overview of the hospital replacement program on the Sunset Blvd campus. Construction of the new facility should be complete in Jan 2008, and the old hospital will be demolished in 2009. Costa reported that the Kaiser community benefit program provided $300,000 annually to local charities. Local charitable organizations should contact Gail Koretz. The board discussed the potential for Kaiser to share parking space for community needs, an issue to be followed up.

7. LADWP Proposed Rate Increase:
Charley Mims reported that he’d discussed with the Executive Committee the possibility of re-opening discussion with the board. There was not a consensus by the committee that this needed to happen. No action.

8. February City Ballot Measure Regarding City Telephone/Communications Surtax:
Charley Mims reported that he planned to line up a speaker from the city to speak on this issue.

9. Transportation Committee:
Committee Chair Jacqueline Kerr presented and moved for approval of draft letter to Mayor Villaraigosa requesting improvements to the Dept. of Transportation accident reporting system. Seconded by DeMonte. Mims moved a friendly amendment to the motion that the GGPNC president work with Kerr to wordsmith and clarify certain points in the letter. Kerr accepted the amendment. Motion adopted by consensus.

10. Planning Zoning & Historic Preservation Committee:
        a. Regarding Council File No. 05-1345, the proposed city ordinance to create affordable housing as required by CA Senate Bill 1818, Committee Chair Owen moved the following statement be submitted as a Community Impact Statement to be attached to the Council File No. 05-1345:
“Implementation of SB1818 should increase affordable housing without adversely affecting neighborhoods. Height bonuses are highly intrusive and can have negative affect on a community. Projects replacing existing low income rentals with fewer affordable units should be prohibited as contrary to the purpose of 8B1818. Therefore, the ordinance should: (1) Remove height as a bonus, (2) Deny bonuses to any projects that don't produce more affordable housing units than exist (or existed before demolition) on a lot and any projects that don't increase density above that allowed by right; (3) Require a public hearing on whether a project qualifies for any bonuses.”
Seconded by Gasteier; adopted by consensus.

        b. Regarding a zoning variance request by the owner of 4759 Bryn Mawr to construct retaining wall 45 feet tall (nine feet higher than permitted maximum of 36 feet, Owen moved that the board oppose the variance request for the requested height in excess of 36 feet. Seconded by Gasteier; adopted by consensus.

11. Parks, River & Open Space Committee:
        a. Regarding Quimby fees, Committee Chair Bernadette Soter moved the committee recommendation “that the Recreation and Parks Department develop a mechanism providing for neighborhood input regarding the placement of new parks and the selection of their attendant features, and for quarterly reports to the Los Angeles City Council on the status of Quimby fees and Quimby-funded projects.” Seconded by Wilson; adopted by consensus.
        b. Regarding the recent weekend extension of the Los Feliz Dash Line into Vermont Canyon in Griffith Park, Soter moved the committee recommendation “that the Los Feliz Dash Line's operation to and from the Observatory be extended to popular weekdays as well.” Seconded by Kerr; adopted by consensus.

12. Rules & ElectionsCommittee:
        a. Committee Chair Philip Gasteier presented move for acceptance of procedures and a timeline for selecting a Designated Board Member as representative of the religious community. Seconded by Kerr. Kerr offered a friendly amendment to postpone all dates by one month with Executive Committee recommendation and board decision on February 19, 2008. The amendment was accepted. Motion passed by consensus.
        b. Gasteier announced that DONE was reviewing the GGPNC bylaw amendments and expects approval soon.

13. Adjournment:
At 10 pm, Jacqueline Kerr moved to adjourn; seconded by DeMonte; approved by consensus.

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BOARD MEETING MINUTES
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2007
Los Feliz Community Police Center
1965 N. Hillhurst, Los Angeles, CA 90027

1. Call to Order: 7:15 p.m. by President Charley Mims. A quorum was declared. Board members present: Friedman, Carroll, Napier, Soter, Getz, Owen, Johnson, Cisneros, Vigderson, Wilson, Arslanian, Kerr, DeMonte, Gasteier, Mims, Rademaekers.

2. Approval of Minutes: The minutes of the September 2007 Board meeting, with revisions, were approved by consensus.

3. Public Comment on Non-Agenda Items; Public Announcements
Chris Apostal resident stakeholder who lives on Talmadge Street, reported a home burglary incident where LAPD response time was four hours. Apostal asked GGPNC to question the allocation of police resources. It was recommended that Apostal work with Joe Cisneros, Chair of the Public Safety Committee, to develop a position statement on the issue.

Barbara Ferris thanked the board for GGPNC support of “Out of the Ashes”, the recent benefit concert for the Griffith Park Recovery Fund.

4. Reports from Public Officials and Staff:
Betty Wong Oyama, Project Coordinator for DONE, reminded Boardmembers about the Oct 27 Congress of Neighborhood Councils. Oyama indicated that it was possible for GGPNC to make a donation to the event that wasn’t made in the form a specific expenditure.
Mary Rodriguez, Education Deputy for Tom LaBonge, CD4, announced that the City Council Education & Neighborhoods Committee would be meeting at 6:30 pm on Oct 24.
John Hesserich, representative for CA Assemblymember Paul Krekorian, 43rd District, reported that with the autumn reconvening of the CA Assembly, the Assemblymember is looking for issue suggestions.
Eric Sanjurjo and Ryan Haas from Hollywood United Neighborhood Council appeared in response to the recent GGPNC agenda item and response to the issue with splitting Fire Station #82. They asked that in the future GGPNC consult HUNC when cross-NC issues such as this arise.

5. Northeast Division Senior Lead Officer Report:
SLO Gina Chovan announced that property crime was up; warned stakeholders about the “Zip-Tie Bandit” who was robbing pharmacies; the “Fast Food Bandit”; warned stakeholders, especially elderly, not to admit people into their homes who claimed to be from a utility company if they hadn’t already been notified by the utility that someone would visit. Regarding item #3 above, Chris Apostal’s comments, Chovan stated the reason for delayed response is limited LAPD resources.

6. CA Assemblymember Paul Krekorian:
The Assemblymember presented a summary of issues being addressed in the CA Assembly including: looking for ways to encourage the entertainment industry to keep its production activities in Los Angeles; developing ways to maintain water sustainability in Southern California.

7. TreePeople:
Lacey Von Deak, Community Engagement Manager for TreePeople announced the Greening Workshop on Nov 4 and provided details. Reported on TreePeople involvement in Griffith Park Recovery efforts including plans to plant 100 trees in the vicinity of the merry-go-round. www.treepeople.org

8. Parks, River & Open Space (PROS) Committee:
Committee Chair Bernadette Soter announced:
        a. the first-ever Park Rangers-sponsored Book Signing Event at the Griffith Park Ranger Station on Oct 20 for the book is “The Santa Monica Mountains – Range on the Edge”
        b. An Oct 29 meeting about the Festival of Lights with LADWP at the GP Ranger Station, and that a pilot Walking Nights program for the festival would be conducted Nov 21-25.

9. Neighborhood Improvement Committee:
Committee Chair Nyla Arslanian moved that, per Betty Wong Oyama’s request above, that GGPNC donate $1000 to the Congress of Neighborhood Councils event. Treasurer Joel Friedman will first confirm with DONE that this action is not in violation of DONE regulations or the Brown Act. Seconded by Kerr. Adopted by consensus.

10. Education Committee:
Committee Chair Sarah Napier moved that GGPNC make $300 in direct expenditures to support the project at Thomas Starr King Middle School to stop erosion on embankments around the school. Seconded by Kerr. Adopted by consensus.

11. Rules & Election Committee:
Chair Philip Gasteier, after the required but unsuccessful attempts to communicate with board appointee John Paul Ramirez, that the board expel Ramirez for failure to attend any meetings since his appointment. Seconded by Carroll. Adopted by consensus.

12. Planning, Zoning & Historic Preservation Committee:
        a. Committee Chair Ken Owen reported that today Wolfgang Puck Catering withdrew its application for a zoning variance to serve liquor at catered events held at the Griffith Observatory. This action cancels the scheduled Nov 13 meeting on the issue with the Central Area Planning Commission.
        b. The Board discussed the Draft EIR for the proposed expansion of the Autry National Center with attendees John Gray, Executive Director of the ANC, and Brenda Levin, architect for the project present. After a lengthy discussion Committee Chair Ken Owen moved: “Resolved, that the Greater Griffith Park Neighborhood Council comment on the Draft Environmental Impact Report relating to the proposed expansion of the Autry National Center in Griffith Park as set forth in the report of the Planning, Zoning and Historic Preservation Committee.” Motion was seconded by Soter, but there was no consensus. Owen moved that the Council should vote on whether or not to vote. Soter seconded, and adopted by consensus. The resolution was adopted by a majority vote with one dissenting vote.

13. Other Committee Reports:
None

14. Adjourn:
The meeting was adjourned at 10:00 p.m.

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BOARD MEETING MINUTES
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2007
Los Feliz Community Police Center
1965 N. Hillhurst, Los Angeles, CA 90027

1. Call to Order: 7:10 p.m. by Vice President Philip Gasteier. A quorum was declared. Board members present: Carroll, Napier, Owen, Getz, Louyse, Cisneros, Werndorf, Johnson, Soter, Wilson, Kerr, Arslanian, DeMonte, Gasteier, Rademaekers.

2. Approval of Minutes: The minutes of the August 2007 Board meeting, with revisions, were approved by consensus.

3. Public Comment on Non-Agenda Items; Public Announcements
Raymond Yu announced the Chinese Autumn Moon Festival in Chinatown Sept 29.

Arthur Rubenstein, conductor, thanked the Board for expenditures in support of the Griffith Park Recovery Fund Benefit Concert (Oct 14), and asked the Board to promote the event as much as possible.

Tamara Nelson from LA Dept of Disability distributed and asked the Board to complete an AIDS awareness survey.

4. Reports from Public Officials and Staff:
Julia Calvin Harris, Field Deputy for Tom LaBonge, CD4, announced Tom’s Autumn Equinox Mt. Hollywood Hike on Sept 23. She also announced that the reservation system and shuttle bus service to the Griffith Observatory will end on Nov 2.

Dennis Lytton, Field Deputy for Tom LaBonge, CD4, announced that the Griffith Park Adult Community Center would open in November, most likely. He announced the Half-Marathon on Dec 2.

John Hesserich, representative for CA Assemblymember Paul Krekorian, 43rd District, reported that with the autumn reconvening of the CA Assembly, the Assemblymember is looking for issue suggestions.

5. Northeast Division Senior Lead Officer Report:
The SLO was not present.

6. Division of Fire Station 82 into Two Separate Locations:
K C Schmidt, of the Eastwood Coalition presented a report about the above issue stating that Fire Station 82 is outside GGPNC boundaries but serves the GGPNC area.
Motion by Kerr: Because FS82 serves a significant part of the GGPNC area, we are deeply concerned about proper location for the fire station, and we ask you to defer action on designation of the second site until all processes required by law have been strictly followed. Second by Carroll. Adopted by consensus.

7. Opposition Presentation on Southwest Museum Relocation to Autry Center, Griffith Park:
Nicole Possert of the Southwest Coalition, Mark Kenyon of the Mount Washington Homeowners Alliance. In the context of the recently published EIR for the Autry National Center expansion plans, the presenters reiterated about the plan by the Autry National Center to reduce the amount of exhibit space at the Southwest Museum. The EIR was only given a 45-day public comment period.
Motion by Owen: GGPNC requests that the LA Dept. of Recreation and Parks extend the public comment period of the EIR to 90 days. Seconded by Soter. Adopted by consensus.

8. Glassell Park Neighborhood Council Community Diversity Forum:
Bernadette Soter reported having attended the GPNC council meeting where that NC was inviting participation by other NCs. Soter also reported that the due to late engagement of GGPNC, planning for the forum was effectively complete and so did not recommend GGPNC participation. No action.

9. LADWP Proposed Rate Increase (Item 11 taken out of order):
Jack Humphreville of the LADWP Oversight Committee (OSC) and the Greater Wilshire NC presented the OSC recommendation that NCs not support the proposed LADWP rate increase at this time.
a.) Motion by DeMonte: GGPNC urges that the 120 day NC review period should be deemed to begin upon the date of the first Huron presentation, August 18, 2007, in order that neighborhood councils have adequate time to determine whether or not to recommend any water and power base rate increases, reliability or deferred maintenance adjustments, surcharges or pass through increases, consistent with the intention of the 120 day review period. Motion seconded and carried by majority vote.
b.) Motion by Owen: The Greater Griffith Park Neighborhood Council supports the concept of an independent rate-payer advocate to monitor revenues, expenditures and all aspects of the LADWP's operations and to advise the ratepayers. Motion seconded and adopted by consensus.

10. Planning, Zoning & Historic Preservation Committee:
a. Regarding application for a Conditional User Permit by Chi Dynasty to establish a restaurant at 1813 Hillhurst, Committee Chair Owen moved that GGPNC support the CUP with the following conditions with the following conditions: Closing time of 11pm weekdays and 12 midnight on Friday and Saturday; That we have the assurance from the owner to honor parking restrictions that limit parking to customers of the shopping center.
b. Architect Ricardo Accorsi presented plans (for the owner) for Desert Rose, a restaurant at 1700 Hillhurst Ave. Motion by Owen that GGPNC will oppose the CUP unless…???? Motion carried by a majority vote.
c. Regarding application to expand the car wash at 1660 Vermont Ave by demolishing rental units and relocating an alley, Owen moved that GGPNC advise the Planning Department to oppose moving the alley behind 1660 Vermont Ave with the loss of five low income living units. Motion seconded and adopted by consensus.

11. Neighborhood Improvement Committee:
Regarding the installation of two Thai angel statues in Thai Town, Committee Chair Nyla Arslanian moved that GGPNC commends the Neighborhood Improvement Committee in its resolution of community relations on bringing the community together and supports the installation of two Thai angel statues near Winona and Hollywood Blvd. Seconded and adopted by consensus.

12. Rules & Elections Committee:
a. Committee Chair Philip Gasteier moved that the revised GGPNC bylaws, which were previously circulated and approved at the July 17 Board meeting, be given final Board approval, and that Gasteier and Mims be authorized to submit them to DONE for approval. Seconded and adopted by consensus.
b. Gasteier asked Board members to submit suggestions for the criteria or procedures for selection and appointment of appointed candidates, and nominees for the position of representative for the religious community.
c. The Board discussed a reported NC boundary dispute around Griffith Park and concluded that this appeared to be a misunderstanding. No action.

13. Other Committee Reports:
None.

14. Announcements:
a. Rademaekers reported that on Sept 10 at a meeting of the Board of Neighborhood Commissioners he had accepted on behalf of GGPNC a Certificate of Appreciation honoring our fifth anniversary of certification.
b. Arslanian encouraged participation in the up-coming Neighborhood Council Congress
c. Cisneros announced that the Public Safety Committee would meet on the first and last Saturday of October pending confirmation of a meeting place.
d. DeMonte reminded Board members about the Taste of Los Feliz Sept 30.

15. Adjourn:
The meeting was adjourned at 10:30 p.m.

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BOARD MEETING MINUTES
TUESDAY, AUGUST 21, 2007
Los Feliz Community Police Center
1965 N. Hillhurst, Los Angeles, CA 90027

1. Call to Order: 7:15 p.m. by Vice President Philip Gasteier. A quorum was declared. Board members present: Napier, Owen, Carroll, Cisneros, Johnson, Kerr, Wilson, Gasteier, Rademaekers, Arslanian.

2. Approval of Minutes: The minutes of the July 2007 Board meeting, with revisions, were approved by consensus.

3. Public Comment on Non-Agenda Items; Public Announcements
Residential stakeholder Lynn Kuemmel reported recurring accidents on Franklin between Mariposa and Alexandria and asked about the possibility of installing a traffic signal at Franklin and Alexandria. Transportation Committee Chair Jacqueline Kerr said she was aware of the issues. Kuemmel was asked to further discuss the issue with Kerr and with Dennis Lytton, Field Deputy for CD4.

4. Reports from Public Officials and Staff:
Dennis Lytton, Field Deputy for Tom LaBonge, CD4, announced that the traffic signal at Hyperion and Monon had been installed; the Griffith Park Adult Community Center opening would be delayed until October or November; Councilmember LaBonge would be sponsoring a community clean-up on Sept 8.

John Hesserich, representative for CA Assemblymember Paul Krekorian, 43rd District, reported that the Assemblymember was pursuing FEMA funds for Griffith Park fire restoration and conservation efforts; the state budget had finally been passed; that the Assemblymember is aware of local concern for multiple low income housing units being lost in the development of new housing that included the minimum required low income units.

Josh Englander, representative for CA Assemblymember Mike Feuer, 42nd District, introduced himself to the Board; reported passage of the state budget; discussed the state public transit budget.

Betty Wong Oyama, DONE Project Coordinator for GGPNC, announced that she will continue as the Project Coordinator for GGPNC; announced the Mayor’s Budget Day, October 13; announced the Congress of Neighborhood Councils, October 27 at the LA Convention Center.

Dennis Lytton and Julia Harris Calvin, representatives for City Councilmember Tom LaBonge reported: progress on facility development of the Griffith Park Adult Recreation Center; and progress on the reconstruction of a City-owned wall at Normandie and Franklin. They announced that Calvin will be the CD4 Field Deputy for Griffith Park specifically and Lytton will be Field Deputy for the rest of the Los Feliz/Silver Lake community.

5. Northeast Division Senior Lead Officer Report:
The SLO was not present. Boardmember Cheryl Johnson reported a rash of stolen automobile side mirrors in Los Feliz.

6. New America Foundation, Political Reform Program: Instant Runoff Voting:
Gautam Dutta, Deputy Director, presented an overview of this organization’s effort to encourage Instant Runoff Voting (IRV) in the City of LA, which would eliminate a separate, additional election in when, in a race between three or more candidates, no candidate received a clear majority of votes. Dutta reported that LA City Council had authorized a study of IRV, which is due by mid-December. Consideration for GGPNC support was referred to the Executive Committee.

7. Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Training Overview:
Tom Berne, Chair of the Silver Lake Neighborhood Council Emergency Communications Task Force, provided an overview of CERT training and its purpose, and announced that CERT Training Level 1 classes will be held at the Dream Center in Echo Park on Wednesday nights from Oct 24 through Dec 5. GGPNC stakeholders are encouraged to participate.

8. Rules & Elections Committee:
Motion to request final Board approval of proposed revisions and amendments to GGPNC bylaws was deferred until the September Board meeting, since bylaw changes require approval of a two-thirds majority and only a simple majority of board members was present at this meeting.

9. Neighborhood Improvement Committee:
Discussion and action on the proposed installation of Thai angel statues at Normandie and Hollywood Blvd was tabled until September pending a scheduled community meeting on the topic on Wed August 29.

10. Planning, Zoning & Historic Preservation Committee:
- Stakeholder John Mozzer spoke about the problem of the demolition of rental units as a result of new condominium
development. He was referred to PZHP Chair Ken Owen.
a. Report regarding committee pending and future actions. No action.

11. Outreach Committee:
Barbara Ferris of Symphony in the Glen requested funds to assist with advertising costs for a concert in October to benefit the Griffith Park Fire Recovery Fund of the LA Dept of Recreation & Parks. DeMonte moved that up to $2500 in direct expenditures be made to support the event with the discretion of an ad hoc committee consisting of Rosemary DeMonte, Nyla Arslanian and Cheryl Johnson to identify appropriate expenditures that would also server as outreach for GGPNC. Seconded by Arslanian and adopted by consensus.

12. Education Committee:
Report and motion of support on Marshall High School track and field modernization project. Deferred.

13. Other Committee Reports:
Transportation Committee: Report by Chair Jacqueline Kerr.

14. Adjourn:
The meeting was adjourned at 10:0 p.m.

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BOARD MEETING MINUTES
TUESDAY, JULY 17, 2007
Los Feliz Community Police Center
1965 N. Hillhurst, Los Angeles, CA 90027

1. Call to Order: 7:10 p.m. by President Charlie Mims. A quorum was declared. Board members present: Friedman, Owen, Johnson, Louyse, Carroll, Getz, Cisneros, Vigderson, Werndorf, Wilson, Arslanian, DeMonte, Gasteier, Mims, Rademaekers.

2. Approval of Minutes: The minutes of the April, May and June 2007 Board meetings were approved by consensus..

3. Public Comment on Non-Agenda Items; Public Announcements
Residential stakeholder Dino Hermann and his wife reported on-going efforts to obtain relief from the noise of the shuttle buses to the Griffith Observatory, and that according to the Dept of Recreation & Parks, the need for continued use of the buses will be evaluated in November.

4. Reports from Public Officials and Staff:
John Hesserich, representative for CA Assemblymember Paul Krekorian acknowledged GGPNC and other NC’s concerns about the impact of CA SB1218, which provides developer bonuses and creates additional residential density.

Dennis Lytton and Jullian Harris-Calvin, representatives for City Councilmember Tom LaBonge reported: progress on facility development of the Griffith Park Adult Recreation Center; and progress on the reconstruction of a City-owned wall on Franklin West of Normandie. They announced that Harris-Calvin will be the CD4 Field Deputy for Griffith Park specifically and Lytton will be Field Deputy for the rest of the Los Feliz/Silver Lake community.

Betty Wong Oyama, Project Coordinator with DONE reported that she may be replaced by a new Project Coordinator. Oyama also reported: the formation of a working group to promote the City’s 50/50 sidewalk repair program in which NC’s set the criteria for homeowners to split the cost of sidewalk repairs between the NC and the homeowner; BONC will conduct two Neighborhood Council self-assessment meetings in August; the next Congress of Neighborhood Councils will be Oct. 27; DONE encourages Neighborhood Councils to promote the Mayor’s Million Tree Program.

5. Northeast Division Senior Lead Officer Report:
None.

6. Political Reform Program at the New America Foundation – Instant Runoff Voting:
Representative did not appear.

7. Planning, Zoning & Historic Preservation Committee:
            a. Regarding 4517 Franklin Avenue: Committee Chair Owen moved that the Board grant authority to the committee to (1) request the City to carefully consider all factors to make certain that the structure is not larger or higher than absolutely permitted by right and particularly to consider limiting the height allowed by SNAP to be 15 feet above the lowest adjoining improvement without regard to the designation of the area in which it is located and to require a front yard based on the average set back on the south side of Franklin or the existing improvement as there are no other properties which face Franklin on the north side and (2) [amendment by Mims] that the developer put up the cash amount for future widening of the street including the cost of moving the utilities. Seconded by DeMonte. Adopted by consensus.
            b. Regarding the determination letter received in the matter of the application for a variance to serve liquor at the Griffith Observatory and the rules adopted by the Board of Commissioners of Recreation and Parks in anticipation of such a variance, committee Chair Owen moved that the Board authorize the filing of a letter in support of the appeal to be filed by the Los Feliz Improvement Association and by any other appealing party. Seconded by Friedman. Adopted by consensus.
            c. Regarding 1915 Normandie: Committee Chair Owen moved that the Board reaffirm its opposition to the reduction in the lot size and authorize the filing of support for any appeal that might be taken from any grant of an adjustment or variance to allow any reduction in the lot at 1915 Normandie. Seconded by Johnson. Adopted by consensus.
            d. Regarding an appeal filed by GGPNC stakeholder Mr. Lichtig on behalf of the residents of New Hampshire north of Los Feliz Blvd to appeal the City’s determination to allow an additional above-ground facility to be constructed by AT&T: Committee Chair Owen moved that the Board write a letter in support of the appeal. The motion was adopted by majority vote.

8. Outreach Committee:
Committee Chair DeMonte moved to recommend to the approval of a proposal to make $1000 in direct expenditures to support the annual Taste of Los Feliz event with the stipulation that Council be provided a financial accounting for the expenditures at the conclusion of the event. Seconded by Arslanian. Adopted by consensus.

9. Rules & Elections Committee:
Committee Chair Gasteier moved that the Board preliminarily accept the recommendations for bylaws revisions recommended by the Rules & Elections Committee with the additional minor revisions by the Executive Committee. Seconded by Friedman. Adopted by consensus. Final approval of the bylaws revisions come before the board at the August Board meeting.

10. Parks, Recreation & Open Space Committee:
Carroll moved the Committee recommendation regarding fire season safety to recommend:
        1. An increase in budgeted Park Ranger staffing as soon as possible to:
                a) Provide an over all increase in regional park patrol coverage and
                b) Create a Senior Lead Ranger program to be initially staffed by three (3) Sr. Lead Rangers to facilitate community involvement.
        2. An increase in budget dollars allocated to the Park Ranger Division for the acquisition of the vehicles and equipment needed to properly equip and dispatch the above personnel.
        3. Fast-track the Reserve Park Ranger Program to provide immediate increased coverage.
        4. A public notification campaign to educate the public on the current restrictions on smoking and open flames in Los Angeles City parks.
Seconded by Friedman. Adopted by consensus.

11. Other Committee Reports:
Neighborhood Improvement Committee:
Chair Arslanian reported on the Tree Planting Program[?]. Also on the recent placement of a large ornamental Angel in a Thai art style that was installed counter to the recommendation of the Board in 2005. Arslanian will follow-up on the latter issue with Councilmember Garcetti, CD13.

12. Adjourn:
The meeting was adjourned at 9:45 p.m.

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BOARD MEETING MINUTES
TUESDAY, JUNE 19, 2007
Los Feliz Community Police Center
1965 N. Hillhurst, Los Angeles, CA 90027

1. Call to Order: 7:05 p.m. by President Charlie Mims. A quorum was declared. Board members present: Kerr, Napier, Soter, Louyse, Getz, Owen, Carroll, Wilson, Vigderson, Arslanian, DeMonte, Gasteier, Mims, Rademaekers, Cisneros.

2. Approval of Minutes: Approval of minutes from the April and May 2007 were deferred until next month.

3. Public Comment on Non-Agenda Items; Public Announcements
Stakeholder Raymond Yu announced the up-coming Americanism Parade in Pacific Palisades on July 4.

4. Reports from Public Officials and Staff:
John Hesserich, representative for Assemblymember Paul Krekorian reported that the Assemblymember is working with the City to obtain costs on recovery efforts for the Griffith Park Fire in May.

Dennis Lytton, representative for Councilmember Tom LaBonge introduced himself as replacement for Patty Malone.

5. Northeast Division Senior Lead Officer Report:
LAPD SLO Al Polehonki reported recent crimes in the neighborhood including a burglary at Robek’s on Hillhurst. He announced that National Night Out will be August 7. He reported that recent graffiti at Marshall High School is being investigated as a hate crime due to its racist content.

6. City of Angeles Half Marathon:
Kamal Oudrhiri from Grove of Hope presented plans for the December 2007 City of Angels Half Marathon and asked the Board for its support. Carroll so moved, seconded by Soter, adopted by consensus.

7. Smoke Free Parks Coalition:
Carey January and Monty Messex of the Smoke Free Parks Coalition along with PROS Committee Chair Bernadette Soter presented an overview of the Coalition’s efforts to move a proposed ordinance to ban smoking in all City parks through City Council and asked for a GGPNC endorsement. Mims pointed out that the proposed ordinance may conflict with an existing ordinance and asked Soter to have the PROS Committee review the two ordinances and bring a motion back to the Board.
Carroll stated the current GGPNC position on the issue covers the issue and moved to reaffirm that position. There was no second. Motion was not adopted.

8. Treasurer’s Report:
Mims presented the GGPNC 2006/2007 expense report and the proposed 2007/2008 budget along with the Executive Committee’s correction of the budget rollover amount of $98,275. Gasteier moved to accept, Carroll seconded. Motion adopted by consensus.

9. Neighborhood Improvement Committee:
Nyla Arslanian, Chair, presented Julie Rasmussen from the Barnsdall Art Park Foundation who presented an overview of the planned Barnsdall Art Market and requested GGPNC support by way of providing $5000 to cover expenses which would be matched by the LA Dept of Cultural Affairs. Arslanian moved that GGPNC join with the Barnsdall Art Park Foundation in cooperation with the Dept of Cultural Affairs to produce the Barnsdall Art Market by making $5000 in direct expenditures to produce the event. Seconded by DeMonte. Adopted by consensus.

10. Education Committee:
        c. (taken out of order): Mary Rodriguez, Chair of the LFIA Education Committee, presented an overview of LFIA assessed needs for and efforts to promote the building of a span school (grades 6-12) to support this area of Los Angeles. Napier moved that GGPNC support construction of the proposed span school to relieve over-crowding at King Middle School and Marshall High School. Seconded by DeMonte. Adopted by consensus.
        a. Napier moved that GGPNC spend $1000 to purchase a one-year membership to the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute to provide customized educational programs for the Griffith Park Adult Community Club. Seconded by Rademaekers. Adopted by consensus.
        b. Napier moved that GGPNC make $5000 in direct expenditures as matching funds to support the Hollywood Arts Council summer after-school arts workshops at Los Feliz Elementary School. Seconded by Rademaekers. Adopted by consensus.

11. Parks, Recreation & Open Space Committee:
        a. Bernadette Soter, Chair, presented a report on the Autry National Center Expansion EIR Meeting. The cut-off date for comments is June 28. Soter was concerned that the scope of the EIR was too narrow and did not make it clear enough that the ANC is located in Griffith Park. Mims asked meeting attendee Evelyn Davis, Communications Director for the ANC, to communicate this to appropriate ANC staff. Soter will draft the same request for documentation purposes and will send after Mims’ approval.
        b. Soter reported on Griffith Park Fire Recovery Plan and Council Motions. No action.
        c. Soter reported on the Griffith Park Natural History Survey. No action.

12. Ad Hoc Committee on the Greater Griffith Park Adult Community Center:
Committee member Rademaekers presented two committee-recommended motions. Gasteier made a friendly amendment that the two motions be combined. Rademaekers declined.
        a. Rademaekers moved that the Greater Griffith Park Neighborhood Council welcome the Griffith Park Adult Community Center and the Griffith Park Senior Club and support them as appropriate to the benefit of the senior population of our community. Seconded by Kerr. Adopted by consensus.
        b. Rademaekers proposed the following resolution: Resolved that on-going planning for the Griffith Park Adult Community Center and all other facilities within Griffith Park shall be with the full and open participation and approval of the Greater Griffith Park Neighborhood Council and will be governed by the provisions of the Griffith Park Master Plan as developed by the Griffith Park Draft Master Plan Working Group. Seconded by Kerr. Adopted by consensus.

13. Planning, Zoning & Historic Preservation Committee
        a. Kenneth Owen, Chair, reported that the committee has completed an inventory of all billboards in GGPNC’s area and plans to work with the Department of Building and Safety to determine which, if any, of these billboards have been constructed or improved without permit and therefore subject to removal. No action.
        b. Regarding the development of rules or guidelines for catered events at the Observatory, Owen reported that the Board of Commissioners of Recreation & Parks would consider the following day proposed guidelines that did not include many of the GGPNC recommendations.

14. Other Committee Reports:
None.

15. Comments and Announcements by Board Members:
None

16. Other Committee Comment on Non-Agenda items:
None.

17. Adjourn:
Meeting was Adjourned by presiding Chairman Philip Gasteier at 10:15 pm.

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BOARD MEETING MINUTES
TUESDAY, MAY 15, 2007
Los Feliz Community Police Center
1965 N. Hillhurst, Los Angeles, CA 90027

1. Call to Order: 7:05 p.m. by President Charlie Mims. A quorum was declared. Board members present: Gasteier, DeMonte, Kerr, Owen, Werndorf, Wilson, Arslanian, Vigderson, Soter, Louyse, Napier, Carroll, Cisneros, Getz, Friedman, and Rademaekers.

2. Approval of Minutes: Minutes from the April 2007 board meeting were not available for approval.

3. Public Comment on Non-Agenda Items; Public Announcements
Richard Spicer reported on positive progress with the development of the MOU being developed between City Planning and neighborhood councils. He also announced a meeting [Date?] for area stakeholders, LAPD officers and Marshall High School representatives at Marshall High School to discuss on the shootings of March 8th on Leary St. and various tagging activity in the vicinity.

4. Announcements:
a. May 21 (Mon) 5:30-7:30pm – DONE Meet and Greet for new General Manager
b. May 23 (Wed) 6:00pm – Council District 4/Dept of Rec & Parks Community Meeting.

5. Reports from Public Officials and Staff:
Councilmember Tom LaBonge addressed the meeting with details about the Griffith Park fire of May 8th-12th.   He recommended that GGPNC form an Ad Hoc Committee to provide input to the post-fire assessment process. He stated he had requested the City’s CAO office to make a budgetary assessment of the fire damage on Griffith Park.

Vicki Israel, Recreation and Parks Superintendent for Griffith Park, explained that Park staff are still assessing the damage and clearing loose/dangerous trees. She advised that the Animal Regulation Dept. had warned all patrons to not feed the Park animals as they’ve taken the precautions to feed and give them water.

Michael Shull, the Planning Commission Superintendent for Griffith Park’s recovery stated that the focus is to use the next 6 months to prepare for the rainy season. There are no plans to reseed the park at this time.

The Board and the public voiced comments, opinions and recommendations.

Councilman LaBonge introduced Albert Torres, Chief of the Griffith Park Rangers, who thanked the community for their support.

6. Northeast Division Senior Lead Officer Report:
LAPD SLO Gina Chovan gave a brief report on crime in the neighborhood. She reported on the string of 10 crimes committed on businesses on Hillhurst since April 21st, and warned residents that all crimes were being committed by breaking into back entries and/or knocking through back walls to enter. Officer Chovan asked that she be advised of the whereabouts of a mentally ill woman loitering on New Hampshire St. Prompted by a question about the recent gang shootings, Officer Chovan elaborated that they have not been able to find the culprits for this particular shooting, but that it is another case illustrating the surge in Armenian gang activity in the area.

7. Agenda item #10 – Parks, Recreation & Open Space:
To maintain continuity with the reports on the Griffith Park fire, President Charley Mims moved to deal with the closely related issues in agenda item #10 next, and consensus was established on the Board so to move. Bernadette Soter, Chair of the PROS Committee, introduced the issues listed under agenda item #10.

        a. Bernadette Soter moved to send letters of thanks and appreciation to the LAFD, LAPD, DOT, OPS, and Rec. & Parks Rangers for preserving and maintaining our community’s safety and security during and after the fire. Second by Sarah Napier; adopted by consensus.

        b. Resolved: In response to the fire of May 8/9, 2007 in Griffith Park, and for the health and safety of the Park, its users and neighbors, the Greater Griffith Park Neighborhood Council recommends that the City prohibit open fires in both public and privately-owned grills in Griffith Park. Motion by Bernadette Soter; second by Sarah Napier; adopted by consensus.

        c. Resolved: In response to the fire of May 8/9, 2007 in Griffith Park, and for the health and safety of the Park, its users and neighbors, the Greater Griffith Park Neighborhood Council recommends that the draft ordinance banning curb-to-curb smoking in most municipal parks be amended to include language specifically banning smoking in all areas of Griffith Park, not exempting its golf courses and rental facilities. Furthermore, the Greater Griffith Park Neighborhood Council recommends that there be no designated smoking areas in Griffith Park for visitors, employees or film crews. Motion by Bernadette Soter; seconded by Sarah Napier; adopted by consensus.

        d. & e. Combined resolutions: The Greater Griffith Park Neighborhood Council supports the creation of a $50 million special fund to stabilize and restore the 850 acres damaged by the May 8/9, 2007 fire in Griffith Park and recommends that the monies be earmarked as a Dedicated Funds to be controlled and disbursed under the following conditions.
                    1. That the City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks (LADRP) perform a comprehensive assessment of the ecological damage resulting from the fire and submit for approval to the Mayor and City Council a restoration plan that includes specific goals, benchmarks for achieving them, a line-item budget and a projected timeline.
                    2. That the plan be developed in consultation with credentialed environmental professionals dedicated to this purpose who are expert in the restoration of fire blighted natural areas such as Griffith Park; that expenditures from the emergency fund be restricted to natural restoration as treated in the plan, and that they be dispensed under the direction of the LADRP General Manager in consultation with credentialed professionals and staff.
                    3. That the LADRP report on the progress of the recovery plan to Commission, the Mayor and City Council at three-month intervals presenting benchmark achievements, a review of monies spent; monies contracted, and projected expenses that will affect the remainder of the funds.
                    4. That the restoration plan govern all activity in the Park and that the City require that all efforts, volunteer or private, conform to its specific goals, benchmarks and timelines.
                    5. That no emergency funds be spent on new construction unless directly related to fire safety, rescue and emergency planning as set forth in the restoration plan and recommended by City agencies and staff dealing with these specific issues: LADRP, LAFD and the Dept. of Animal Services.
                    6. That the restoration plan recommend annual funding be allocated in the City’s budget for the permanent, scheduled maintenance of Griffith Park to provide for the enlightened management of its chaparral areas and other natural ecosystems.
                    7. That all funds dedicated to the Griffith Park restoration be audited by the Office of the City Controller on an annual basis, until such funds have been depleted.
                    8. That tree and plant restoration, to the extent feasible, be limited to native species.

        f. Resolution regarding the new Griffith Park Adult Recreation Center (attached) introduced by Bernadette Soter to support resolution; seconded by Sarah Napier.
    Discussion: Soter summarized that the resolution did not oppose the Adult Recreation Center, but merely sought for the GGPNC to have input in the realization of the Center. Gasteier suggested an amendment clarifying the resolution, board members commented on the complexity and tone of the resolution. Mims called for a consensus on the Resolution as it stood with the Gasteier amendments. Three members of the Board objected. Motion was not passed.   Based on the lack of consensus, President Mims introduced a motion to create an Ad Hoc Committee including Soter, Rademaekers, Carroll and Napier to redraft the language of the Resolution and present it again to the Board. Motion seconded by Rademaekers Consensus was determined by President Charley Mims. Motion passed.

8. Treasurer’s Report:
None.

9. Return to Agenda Item # 8 – Education Committee:
Motion introduced by Sarah Napier, Chair of Education Committee, to approve the purchase of a tent for Thomas Starr Middle School for $250.00, seconded by Philip Gasteier. Consensus was determined by President Charley Mims. Motion passed.

10. Agenda Item # 11 – Neighborhood Improvement Committee
Nyla Arslanian, Chair of the Neighborhood Improvement Committee, read agenda items for consideration.
a. Move to write a letter to the California Cultural and Historical Endowment (CCHE) to express support for an application recently submitted to the CCHE for Hollyhock House restoration. President Mims halted the motion, noting that the issue had been covered in the prior Board meeting.
        b. Arslanian explained that the drainage problem on Sunset Blvd., above the mural site, had been repaired.
        c. Arslanian introduced motion to cover $1,500 in funding for a mural to be created by King Junior High School in the Myra Street underpass. Motion seconded by Bruce Carroll. Consensus was determined by President Charley Mims. Motion passed.
    Items d. & e. were introduced but full discussion was postponed to a later meeting.
        d. Update on the proposed “Barnsdall Art Market.” Discussion of details for possible GGPNC participation and funding
         e. Research and findings regarding more attractive trash cans for the Vermont Triangle and possible GGPNC funding.

11. Agenda Item #12 - Planning, Zoning & Historic Preservation Committee:
        a. Ken Owen, Chair of the PZHP Committee, introduced a motion to oppose a conditional use permit to increase seating and lengthen hours of operation for Home Restaurant at 1758-1760 Hillhurst Ave. Motion seconded by Bruce Carroll.
Public Comment: Ten residential and commercial stakeholders spoke to support opposition to the CUP. Comments included: family being very impacted by the lack of parking and the excess late night noise from restaurant; current parking spaces and working hours allotted to the business are not respected, and CUP would make it worse.
Board Discussion: Werndorf spoke in support of the motion. Board members comments included: question of how a liquor license was secured for the business without sufficient parking; parking enforcement is needed; overall business behavior is suspicious. Consensus on the motion was determined by President Charley Mims. Motion passed.

        b. Ken Owen reported on a request for an extension of a wall and an over-height wall extension at 2580 Glendower. No action requested.
        c. Item was postponed till after addressing item d. for expediency.
        d. Ken Owen introduced item and motion to oppose a conditional use permit for Zen Sushi, 2609 Hyperion, if hearing is not continued by applicant to allow consideration by GGPNC. Motion seconded by Kurt Rademaekers. Ken Owen added that the business has a number of issues to address prior to being approved for a conditional use permit. Consensus on the motion was determined by President Charley Mims. Motion passed.

        e. Return to Item 12 c – Recommendation for Griffith Observatory for further action regarding pending zone variance request. PROS Committee response to the guidelines supplied by Rec. & Parks regarding non-alcoholic events.
Ken Owen introduced motion to support PZHP recommendation for Griffith Observatory that “requests the board to authorize (1) communication with the Associate Zoning Administrator that GGPNC opposes the variance unless absolutely conditioned as set forth in the latest form of guidelines proposed by GGPNC and (2) communication with the Board of Commissioners of Recreation and Parks asking (a) for a special meeting of the board to consider this issue (or alternatively to waive its limit of 15 minutes per topic) and (b) the adoption of the GGPNC proposed guidelines as the guidelines of the Commission.” Motion seconded by Kurt Rademaekers.

Public Comment: Tom Ford, President of the Vermont Neighborhood Association, expressed concern with items in the Rec. and Parks guidelines. He highlighted opposition to the point that gave the Rec. & Parks General Manager powers to extend at will the hours of operation for the Observatory. He noted disapproval to the point that allowed for a too early of a loading time for trucks at 6:00am. He also requested further consideration of guidelines for Observatory parking and bus/shuttle usage.

Board Discussion: Soter handed out a copy of the Rec. & Parks Guidelines regarding non-alcoholic events in Griffith Park, edited with the PROS Committee response. Several questions for clarification of the handout were raised by Board members and a lengthy discussion ensued over the PROS Committee’s amendments to the Rec. & Parks guidelines.

Philip Gasteier was ceded temporary Chairmanship of the meeting by Charley Mims.

Bernadette Soter moved for meshing both documents. Motion seconded by Sarah Napier. Philip Gasteier determined that there was no consensus. Motion did not pass.

Philip Gasteier moved to take a vote on the original motion and consensus was determined. Philip Gasteier called for a vote in support of the original motion: 12 in Favor, 3 Against, 0 Abstaining. Motion passed.

        f. Proposed map of historic sites. Discussion of details for possible GGPNC participation and funding.
Philip Gasteier and Charley Mims recommended postponing the item to allow further elaboration by the PZHP Committee.

12. Other Committee Reports:
None.

13. Comments and Announcements by Board Members:
None

14. Other Committee Comment on Non-Agenda items:
None.

15. Adjourn:
Meeting was Adjourned by presiding Chairman Philip Gasteier at 10:56 pm.

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BOARD MEETING MINUTES
TUESDAY, APRIL 17, 2007
Los Feliz Community Police Center
1965 N. Hillhurst, Los Angeles, CA 90027

1. Call to Order: 7:10 p.m. by President Charlie Mims. A quorum was declared. Board members present: Vigderson, Owen, Soter, Napier, Louyse, Arslanian, Werndorf, Wilson, Kerr, Johnson, DeMonte, Gasteier, Mims and Rademaekers. Rademaekers.

2. Approval of Minutes: Minutes from the March 2007 meeting were approved by consensus.

3. Reports from Public Officials and Staff:
Patricia Malone, Field Deputy for Tom LaBonge, Council District 4, reported that CD4 had helped facilitate the recent heavily attended Traffic Committee meeting. She made clear to stakeholders that the Council District does not administer parking restrictions such as implementation of a Preferred Parking District (PPD). She reported that in correspondence about the proposed PPD around the Normandie-Edgemont-Franklin-Hollywood area the Council office had received 137 comments against and 27 comments for the proposal. The Council office is looking at other ideas with DOT.

Malone reported that the CRA proposal for a parking structure on Vermont was still alive contrary to any report otherwise.

Malone announced that on May 23 at 6pm there will be a public forum at Friendship Auditorium to discuss the opening of the new Griffith Park Adult Recreation Center.

SLO Gina Chovan presented recent crime statistics. Number of aggravates assaults down. All forms of crime down 13%. For complaints about illegal on-street car sales, please contact DMV Inspector Paul Goodman at 310.391.0258.

4. Item 7c – PROS Committee – Observatory Access Update: Taken out of order
Bernadette Soter reported receiving a phone call from Rec & Parks GM Jon Mukri who was also concerned about the noise level of the shuttle busses to the observatory and was looking for a way to phase them out. He will have statistics on current visitor lever for a to-be-scheduled public meeting on the issue in May.

5. Public Comment on Non-Agenda Items; Public Announcements
Stakeholder Ami Dini reported a problem with transient people living in RVs and U-Hauls and parking illegally long term on Berendo between Franklin and Hollywood. Mims referred her to the Transportation Committee, and asked Chair Jacqueline Kerr to review the pertinent laws and to discuss with LA Homeless Housing Authority.

6. Transportation Committee:
Chair Jacqueline Kerr reported that 250+ people attended the Committee meeting on April 10 to discuss the proposed Preferred Parking District (PPD) in the area of Edgemont, Normandie, Franklin and Hollywood. Of those attending that meeting 75% opposed and 25% supported the PPD. Twelve stakeholders attending this Board meeting spoke, all opposing the PPD. Jacqueline Kerr moved that: “GGPNC adopt a general policy against PPDs including temporary PPDs, and that no further actions be initiated absent approval of the GGPNC Board, and that is does not apply to previously approved PPDs.” Rosemary DeMonte seconded. The motion was adopted by consensus with Ken Owen abstaining.

7. Planning, Zoning & Historic Preservation Committee:
        a. Resolved that the GGPNC board request the City Attorney to provide to our neighborhood council in writing the legal bases for allowing the present system of permitting AT&T or similar utilities the right to use City property for above-ground facilities to allow the expansion of their commercial services. Moved by Kenneth Owen, seconded by Rosemary DeMonte, adopted by consensus.

        b. Resolved that the board advise the Board of Recreation and Parks Commissioners that it adopt rules for the rental operation of the Observatory which incorporate the guidelines presented to the meeting. The motion was made by Kenneth Owen and seconded by Rosemary DeMonte; however, it did not receive a consensus.

Tom Wilson moved for a vote to vote on the motion, which was seconded by Philip Gasteier and was approved. A vote to support the motion failed. Tom Wilson moved to oppose the variance to serve alcohol at the Griffith Observatory, seconded by Sarah Napier. No consensus.

Mr. Wilson moved for a vote to vote on the motion, which was seconded by Mr. Rademaekers and adopted by consensus. The motion failed with a vote of 7 in favor and 7 opposed.

Mr. Rademaekers moved to reconsider the original motion by vote, seconded by DeMonte. The motion and therefore the above resolution was approved and adopted by a majority vote.

c. Resolution to request the City Council to authorize appeals by neighborhood councils of actions or refusals to act by the Planning Department or other departments of the City moved by Ken Owen, seconded by Jacqueline Kerr, adopted by consensus.

8. Tabled Remaining Agenda Items Due to Late Hour
The following agenda items were tabled at 11 pm:
     Outreach Committee report and expense request
     Education Committee expense request
     Neighborhood Improvement Committee request for letter of support for community project

9. Adjourn:
Meeting adjourned at 11:05 pm

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BOARD MEETING MINUTES
TUESDAY, MARCH 20, 2007
Los Feliz Community Police Center
1965 N. Hillhurst, Los Angeles, CA 90027

1. Call to Order: 7:30 p.m. by President Charlie Mims. A quorum was declared. Board members present: Friedman, Kerr, Napier, Getz, Owen, Soter, Louyse, Cisneros, Carroll, Werndorf, Vigderson, Wilson, DeMonte, Gasteier, Mims, Rademaekers.

2. Approval of Minutes: Minutes for February 2007 were approved with specified corrections.

3. Neighborhood Improvement Committee:
Nyla Arslanian shared renderings of the future Vermont Triangle. The next committee meeting will be March 28, 2007. Arslanian stated that the committee is in support of removing the 3 non-conforming trees on Los Feliz Blvd. Arslanian introduced a guest speaker from Thai Town who requested the Council’s support of the Thai New Years Festival on April 1, 2007 a guest. Nyla Arslanian moved to support the Thai New Years Festival by allocating $500.00. The GGPNC will have a table for outreach at the festival and the GGPNC logo will be added to the flyer. Jacqueline Kerr Seconded. Motion passed by consensus.

4. Public Comment on Non-Agenda Items; Public Announcements:
Ann Mackeen brought up the issue of permit parking on Edgemont, questioning what the Transportation Committee is going to do. Jacqueline Kerr stated the permit parking will affect six streets and has to find out which streets are affected. She will email everyone when she finds out.

5. Reports from Public Officials and Staff:
Patricia Malone, Field Deputy for CD4, stated there was a meeting with Urban Forestry regarding tree trimming and stated that the number to call for further information is 311. Regarding the Puck Catering request for a zoning variance to serve liquor at the Griffith Observatory, Malone stated that the Council Office is not going to give a written response at this time and the councilman would like to hear the discussion on March 29, 2007.

6. Northeast Division Senior Lead Officer Report:
No officer was present.

7. GGPNC Expense Reimbursement Policy and Procedures:
Joel Friedman stated that every NC-related expense requires an Expenditure Request Form. There is a second document, a Demand Warrant, which also must be filled out for City of Los Angeles checks. Invoices are required. Friedman will email documentation to the Board.

8. Southwest Museum of the American Indian:
John Gray, CEO, Autry National Center, spoke and made a PowerPoint presentation on the Autry National Center’s plans for the Southwest Museum. Plans have not yet been drawn up for the new museum yet but ANC has hired a team of architects. He went into extensive background detail about the museum and stated that the Native American community is most concerned with conserving the collected and making the appropriate items available to the public. The collection from the Arroyo campus will be moved to Griffith Park and then reconstruction of the Arroyo campus will begin. All items will be moved over with the exception of things used for classes. The EIR should be completed in a year. Then the project should be completed in 2 additional years

9. Outreach Committee:
Rosemary DeMonte moved that she would represent GGPNC at the annual NUSA Convention in Baton Rouge and requests fees and expenses. She would like to bring an additional Board member, which will require a written request to DONE to approve attendance by a non-Executive Committee member. Charley Mims seconded. Motion was passed by consensus.
Rosemary DeMonte also requested designs for t-shirts and ideas for an activity to draw people to the booth for the street fair. Also made a request for volunteers to help out at the booth.

10. Dept of Water & Power MOU with Neighborhood Councils
The updated MOU relates to timely notification of decisions that LADWP may make that would impact the community and lengthens the advance time of notice to be given. Rosemary DeMonte moved to approve the new MOU. Philip Gasteier seconded. Motion was passed by consensus.

11. Wildlife Study Expense Request
George Grace spoke about a project to catalog and study wildlife in Griffith Park which will be sponsored by the Franklin Hills Residents Association. A website will be started up to keep track scientific data about the wildlife in Griffith Park all in one place. The cost for the upstart of this website is not in excess of $3000.

Philip Gasteier moved that the NC contribute $3000 to Franklin Hills Resident Association Wildlife Fund Committee for execution of the wildlife study, which will prioritize the needs for wildlife preservation in Griffith Park, and for the start-up costs of the website which will provide the research information to the public and which will include a credit to GGPNC. A friendly amendment added that George Grace be appointed GGPNC liaison to the project. Rademaekers seconded the motion. The motion was adopted by consensus.

12. Planning, Zoning & Historic Preservation Committee:

        a. Re: Request by Puck for zoning variance to serve alcohol at the Griffith Observatory
Resolved that the GGPNC advise the Board of Recreation and Parks Commissioners that (1) any guideline, rule, regulation or the like proposed by the staff of the Department of Recreation and Parks relating to Griffith Park or Barnsdall be published in draft form for comment by the GGPNC and the public at large and that the staff be instructed to report to the Board of Commissioners on all comments received and the manner in which each comment has been addressed and (2) it recommend to the City Council amendments to the Operating Concession Agreement number 248 dated September 6, 2006, with Wolfgang Puck Catering and Events LLC relating to the Observatory to incorporate the requirements of the guidelines established by the Department of Recreation and Parks pursuant to the foregoing public comment procedure.
        b. Re: AT&T Installation Above-ground Facilities in the area.
Resolved that the GGPNC request Councilmember LaBonge to commence the process of preparing an ordinance amending Ordinance 175014 relating to above-ground facilities,
             i. To provide for public notice or at least notice to the affected Neighborhood Council (HPOZ, Cultural Heritage Commission etc, depending on the area affected by the requested exemption) of any application for a hardship waiver and provide for a hearing before the Board of Public Works or a qualified hearing officer.
             ii. To enlarge the area that requires the placing of such facilities underground to areas which are being considered for HPOZ or cultural landmark designation. Alternatively, it could be provided that the above ground facility must be removed once an area is designated an HPOZ or cultural landmark
             iii. To provide that "along" a scenic highway includes not simply the highway but the parkway along the highway and all streets and property (public or private) which are normally visible from the Scenic Highway.
             iv. To deny the right to install new above ground facilities by any entity which is in non-compliance with any provision of Ordinance 175014, including failure to comply with the anti-graffiti provisions for existing above ground facilities.
        c. Re: Replacement of non-conforming trees on Los Feliz Blvd with deodars.
Resolved that the GGPNC take all necessary or appropriate action to support the application of the owner of the property at 4956 Los Feliz Boulevard to remove two jacarandas and one pine and to replace the same with two deodars, including filings with the Board of Public Works and paying up to $1,000 for the replacement of such trees with two deodars in cooperation with the Los Feliz Improvement Association

13. Other Committee Reports:
None.

14. Comments and Announcements by Board Members:
Tal Vigderson brought up that the city will begin charging for use of tennis courts and will research it.

Mark Werndorf brought up his concerns about the permit parking around Edgemont with the amount of churches in the area. He will not be able to attend the Transportation Committee meeting.

15. Other Committee Comment on Non-Agenda items:
None.

16. Adjourn:
Move to adjourn meeting made by Charley Mims and seconded by Kurt Rademaekers. By consensus meeting was adjourned at 10:08 pm.

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BOARD MEETING MINUTES
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2007
Los Feliz Community Police Center
1965 N. Hillhurst, Los Angeles, CA 90027
(.pdf file which includes referenced documents)

1. Call to Order: 7:30 p.m. by President Charlie Mims. A quorum was declared. Board members present: Johnson, Kerr, Owen, Soter, Napier, Louyse, Cisneros, Wilson, Vigderson, Gasteier, Mims, Rademaekers, Arslanian, Getz, and Carroll.

2. Approval of Minutes: Minutes were approved by consensus for November 2006, December 2006 and January 2007.

3. Public Comment on Non-Agenda Items; Public Announcements: Vikki Israel, City of L.A. Parks and Recreation, stated presence for Agenda Item number 10.

4. Reports from Public Officials and Staff:
Patricia Malone, CD4 Field Deputy, will email upcoming events and their dates to be posted to website. Announced Griffith Park Observatory has had 330 thousand visitors since reopening.

Betty Oyama, from Neighborhood Empowerment, spoke and announced upcoming meetings and workshops. She identified that NC can hire an accountant if needed and recommended that 25 percent of NC budget go to outreach. She announced that effective April 1st, original receipts must be submitted and copies will no longer be accepted.

5. Northeast Division Senior Lead Officer Report:
No officer was present.

6. Southwest Museum: Heinrich Keifer, President Historic Highland Park Neighborhood Council representing Friends of the Southwest Museum Coalition spoke and introduced Nicole Possert who made a PowerPoint presentation about the Autry National Center’s plans to expand the ANC’s Griffith Park facility in order to relocate the Southwest Museum from its current location in Mount Washington. The presentation delivered a history of the Southwest Museum, the merger between the Autry National Center and Southwest Museum, the proposed changes in current museum. Ms. Possert also presented an alternate expansion to the Southwest Museum.

The question of how the NC could help was asked. Ms. Possert asked that the NC speak with Councilman LaBonge and request that ANC CEO John Grey be asked to speak to NC on the issue. It was pointed out that Mr. Gray was already scheduled to do so at the March 20 Board meeting.

Mr. Keifer noted that original contract for the museum merger stated that both museum sites would be maintained and this is not happening. He also stated that he would send NC bullet point list highlighting presentation and issues.

7. Planning, Zoning & Historic Preservation Committee: Agenda Item 10a taken out of order. Ken Owen, Chair of PZHP Committee.
Zoning Variance Request by Wolfgang Puck for the Observatory to Allow the Serving of Alcoholic Beverages.
(Owen moved/Wilson seconded) moved for discussion on topic. Discussion was very lengthy. Bill Matthews, representing Wolfgang Puck offered to answer any questions. He spoke about how the conditions proposed by NC were too restrictive. Council asked for clarification of wants by Wolfgang Puck and stressed the concern to keep the observatory an educational facility. RJ Comber, representative for Wolfgang Puck stressed that this request if strictly for an alcohol variance. Council stressed concern of restricting public access throughout facility during a catered event. Discussion of placing a sunset limit on variance and removing limiting conditions took place. Ken Owen stated to have variance expire on its third anniversary. He also added to have paragraph added to request to include allocation of monies from catered events.

Motion to vote on recommendation to oppose the variance passed by consensus (Johnson moved/Owen Seconded). Owen will draft letter to Zoning Administration, which recommends the following conditions for granting the variance.
    a. Alcohol shall not be served except in connection with a catered event, i.e., no alcoholic beverage will be sold or served at the Observatory café or from a food cart or otherwise to the general public and will be served only in connection with a private party.
    b. Alcohol shall not be served at any catered event that is not exclusively for a group whose principal function is astronomical, scientific or educational.
     c. Alcohol shall not be served at any catered event more frequently than three times per month and no more frequently than 26 times during any 12 month period.
    d. Alcohol shall not be served at any event not ending by ten p.m.
    e. Alcohol shall not be served at any event having more than 1,000 persons (including serving and other staff) in attendance in the aggregate.
    f. Alcohol shall not be served at any event which involves the use (for the catered event or for set up for such event) of any portion of the Observatory or its grounds at any time when the Observatory is normally open to the public except only those portions of the Observatory which are not open to the public in the usual course of its operation.
    g. Any variance shall expire on the third anniversary of its issuance, and shall not be extended or renewed except after a fully noticed hearing.
    h. None of the foregoing conditions shall diminish any authority the Department of Recreation and Parks has under any agreement with any concessionaire to limit further the sale of alcoholic beverages.

8. Budget Review for 2006/2007:
Charley Mims presented the budget recommendation from the Executive Committee for the remainder of the 2006/2007 fiscal year. Detail attached. The budget recommendation was approved by consensus (Mims moved/Kerr seconded). [See Attachment.]

9. DWP Festival of Lights Update: Board members who attended recent public meeting on the topic.
This issue has to do with a proposal to change the annual DWP Festival of Lights from a motorist event to a pedestrian event in response to stated City commitments to counter global warming and pollution. Attendees of the meeting reported ambivalent reception of ideas on the part of the meeting organizers. Suggestions made by council of working with Councilmember LaBonge on the issue and further questioning for DWP and to pursue a coordinated response to the issue.

10. Parks and Recreation and Open Space Committee: Bernadette Soter
Identified Los Angeles Annual River Clean-Up date as May 12, 2007 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. The PROS Committee will form an ad hoc committee to shape a policy for special events at the Observatory.

11. Planning, Zoning & Historic Preservation Committee: Ken Owen
b. Lot Line Adjustment between 5121 Franklin and 1915 Normandie. PZHP Committee recommends that Council oppose this action. Motion and second to approve committee recommendation. Motion passed. Owen will draft letter to City Planning Department.

12. Education Committee: Sarah Napier
Expense request covered in approved budget per item #8 above.

13. Other Committee Reports:
None.

14. Comments and Announcements by Board Members:
None

15. Other Committee Comment on Non-Agenda items:
    a. Charley Mims reiterated GGPNC policy that committee chairs or their designees are responsible for drafting committee-originated correspondence. Outgoing correspondence must be approved by GGPNC President. All correspondence must be forwarded to Secretary for filing.
    b. Option to participate in Neighborhood Council Internet Video-On-Demand pilot project. Council disapproved the action by consensus

16. Adjourn:
Move to adjourn meeting (Rademaekers/Carroll). By consensus meeting was adjourned at 11:00.

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BOARD MEETING MINUTES
TUESDAY,JANUARY 16, 2007
Los Feliz Community Police Center
1965 N. Hillhurst, Los Angeles, CA 90027

1. Call to Order; 7:12 p.m. by President Charlie Mims. A quorum was declared. Board members present: Carroll, Kerr, Owen, Wilson, Soter, Louyse, Napier, Cisneros, Getz, Werndorf, Johnson, Vidgerson, Arslanian, Friedman, DeMonte, Gasteier, Mims, and Rademaekers. John Paul Ramirez was absent.

2. Approval of Minutes from December 2006 Board Meeting
Ken Owen requested that approval of December minutes be postponed until February pending correction updates.

3. Treasurer’s Report: Joel Friedman requested committee chairs to submit budgets to him for the remainder of the fiscal year.

4. Public Comment on Non-Agenda Items; Public Announcements: Rex Link, stakeholder, stated he has a room available for board meetings with a capacity of up to fifty persons.

5. Reports from Public Officials and Staff:

City Councilmember Tom LaBonge spoke to the board about his priorities for the year:
   Preparedness: Using the expression, “shift happens” from a famous geological expert, he reminded the board that an earthquake could happen again and urged the GGPNC to form strong ties with their local fire department, get the community involved in CERT trainings, and be proactive.
Use the public libraries: He gave the local public library an “A+” for the resources they provide and said it is a good example of City funding at work.
Keep the City clean: The City will launch its “Keep America Beautiful” campaign on March 3, 2007. Keeping L.A. free of trash and debris is one of his main concerns.

Patricia Malone, CD4 Field Deputy, thanked the Board for observing precautions with the recent red flag days. She stated that these are absolutely necessary as a safety measure in light of last Friday’s fire at Griffith Park which quickly escalated to five acres. She also spoke about the Mayor’s Million Tree Initiative asking the board and stakeholders to report areas that are devoid of trees.

Board questions to Councilmember LaBonge: Cheryl Johnson asked if rusty pipes in Griffith Park could be removed. The Councilman said removal could pose a threat to the stability of the hillsides they are on.
Bruce Carroll asked whether citrus trees were available for free with the Million Tree Initiative. The Councilman said it was a good suggestion.
Jacqueline Kerr asked for his thoughts on the City Council measure that was passed making motorists liable when an accident occurs with a bicycle. The Councilman noted the City is trying to advocate bike riding but he’s also noticed bicyclists riding in lanes for cars. He did not have an answer.
Joe Cisneros asked where he stood on development and his relationships with developers. The Councilman stated that any contributions he receives go through the City’s Ethics committee and that all campaign contributions are public record and can be viewed on line at ethics.lacity.org.

On the question of Adler Realty’s developments, he referred to his efforts to designate the Brown Derby a city historical monument. He urged the Board to give him any input and continue to have the PZHP Committee keep tabs on this in the future as in the past. He predicted that every available lot will be looked at for development. He sees development as being important on transit corridors. He will refer any development proposals to the PZHP Committee. Jacqueline Kerr asked about sunset clause on Brown Derby. LaBonge said the designation is good for halting any development for one year but developers can come back after a year. He called Los Feliz a very hot area where people want to make their dreams come true.

Donna Wong, Neighborhood Prosecutor from the City Attorney Office reported that the old Sunset Pacific Motel at Sunset and Bates has been approved for renovation through the zoning variance process. The City Attorney’s office has received calls on graffiti on the vacant building. However, some of the paintings are actually approved as guerilla art by Dana Hollister the co-owner. Donna mentioned that the over-height wall at 5042 Los Feliz Blvd was taken down. She urged the Board to let her know if there are any future issues with over-height walls.

6. Northeast Division Senior Lead Officer Report:
Senior Lead Officer Gina Chovan said that the Los Feliz area is ranked the: # 3 lowest crime rate for the City of L.A. Recent crime. There has been a rash of street robberies in Los Feliz by a potentially a Hispanic male, around age 25, robbing people at gunpoint in broad daylight. There have been four or five robberies that occurred between 1 p.m. and 8 p.m. If approached by this armed person, do not fight or resist. The area where the robberies have occurred is Melbourne, Russell, and Vermont. She also suggested that any valuable or personal items not be carried around. There is also another crime under investigation where an individual approaches people at their cars and offers to clean their windows, then pulls them from their car and carjacks them. There have been several of these incidents occurring in the early morning hours in the Los Feliz area.   Finally, she invited the Board to attend the Jan. 21 memorial monument dedication in Atwater Village for the victims of the train wreck. The monument is being dedicated by the Atwater Village NC and will be placed at the intersection of Los Feliz and Seneca at 1 p.m. on Sunday.

7. Planning, Zoning & Historic Preservation: Agenda Item 11 c taken out of order. AT&T proposal for installation of above ground facilities: Board discussion with Kevin Tamaki, AT&T, Director of External Affairs. Mr. Tamaki responded to numerous questions and concerns about the 17 proposed 4’ wide x 4’ tall x 2’ deep telephone utility installations, which would be installed near the existing units in the area. The new system would provide video capabilities and an expanded range of entertainment and faster DSL services through IP technology to customers in the area, in addition to their phone service. Mr. Tamaki said the system could not be installed underground. AT&T is doing the upgrade to compete with Time Warner. He advised the Board that other communications companies could also request permits to do installations.

(Kerr/Soter) moved that the board support the PZHP Committee’s recommendation to oppose the installations by AT&T in the Los Feliz area as follows:

The committee requests the Board advise the appropriate City agencies including the Board of Public Works and the City Council members representing the area that: (1) because our area is being evaluated for designation in whole in part as an Historic Preservation Overlay Zone and such areas benefit from the requirement of placing such facilities below grade that those proposed facilities in our area be required to be placed below grade absent a showing of hardship and, (2) the Graffiti Mitigation and cabinet identification provisions of ordinance 175014 be incorporated into a new ordinance applicable to existing above ground facilities.”      The motion carried.

Charlie Mims suggested they bring this to Councilpersons LaBonge and Garcetti. Philip Gasteier asked that the Committee follow up on this and let the board know if anything further comes up.

8. Million Trees LA: Sharyn Romano, Hollywood Beautification Team, gave a presentation on the Million Trees LA project. http://www.hbteam.org asking the GGPNC to partner with them and to provide leadership in implementing the planting of the Mayor’s goal for one million trees in L.A. She stated that the trees will help improve the business climate, will help stem the tide of global warming, and is the simplest, most efficient thing they can do to enrich the community and help the environment. The tree groups cannot do this on their own; they need the help of the communities to work with them on outreach. What is needed are people who are committed to taking care of the trees. The street department will decide what kind of trees can be planted on any given street. She stated that business districts that have trees do more business because they are psychologically compelling. Charlie Mims referred the request to the Neighborhood Beautification and Education Committees.

9. Outreach Committee: Chair Rosemary DeMonte said she is looking for a location for their outreach meeting. The facility behind Friendship Auditorium is a possibility. She asked each Committee chair for input on what they need to do so a budget can be put together for the year. Tom created a template for working with the Ledger on advertising.

10. Executive Committee:
        a. GGPNC Guidelines for assembly of Board agenda. (Mims/Gasteier) moved to accept the recommendation of the executive committee. Philip created a format on getting items on the agenda to help meetings run smoothly. (Attachment Item 10a). The motion carried.
        b. Proposed City Council Resolution to request state legislature to assign the presumption of fault to motor vehicle drivers in collisions with bicycles: In reference to "Council file #07-0002-S7- (Reyes - Rosendahl) with the concurrence of the Mayor, the City of Los Angeles hereby include in its 2007-08 State Legislative Program sponsorship and support of legislation that would amend the California Vehicle Code to assign responsibility of any collision between vehicles and bicyclists to the motorist," the GGPNC proposed the following Community Impact Statement:

(Gasteier/DeMonte) moved to accept the proposed Executive Committee’s CIS with Mims adding a friendly amendment that he and Gasteier reduce it to under 100 words. The motion carried.

[Final CIS: The Greater Griffith Park Neighborhood Council opposes the Resolution introduced December 20, 2006 supporting California Vehicle Code amendment to assign responsibility of any collision between vehicles and bicyclists to the motorist. A binding presumption of responsibility is neither proper nor fair and would not improve safety of bicyclists, pedestrians or motor vehicle operators and passengers. The GGPNC supports the rights and safety of responsible motorists and bicyclists, and as an alternative, proposes additional education measures to promote motorist awareness and respect for bicyclists as well as responsible operation by both motorists and bicyclists.]

11. Planning/Zoning Historic Preservation Committee:
        a. (Kerr/Wilson) moved that the Board accept the committee’s recommendation to oppose a zoning variance request for 1759 New Hampshire Ave. where the owner has proposed to build an over-height, three-story, 8 unit condominium complex of 40’, higher than SNAP restrictions allow. The motion carried.
Board discussion: At the December committee meeting, Ken Owen said the applicant, Victor Adjamian, redesigned his parking area increasing the parking from 15 to 18 and reduced the height from 41’ to 40.’
Jon Olivan, property owner at 1751 N New Hampshire Ave., said the proposal would dwarf his one story bungalow, one of an historic row of original homes built in 1921. He said it would also jeopardize his view and take away from the original character of the street. A board member asked what type of housing previously stood on the now vacant lot that is seeking the variance. The rep for the developer said it was a one story high five-unit apartment building..
James Pasque, owner of a bungalow at 1757 N New Hampshire Ave., also opposed the development.
Howard Robinson, land use consultant representing owner Victor Adjamian (who requested the variance), said Adjamian lives in the neighborhood and has owned the property for 18 years. He said Adjamian tried to design a building consistent with what zoning and SNAP allowed. He said that code allows for a 30’ high building but he feels the current design is prettier.
A public hearing will be held at a future date to request the zoning variance to the Specific Plan.

        b. 1901 Edgemont/1900 Kenmore. Request by stakeholder to support construction of over-height fence. The committee requests that the Board advise the owner as proposed in its recommendation of December that any fence over the height of 42 inches in the required front yard requires a variance and that GGPNC has a policy of opposing such variances.
(Wilson/Carroll) moved to approve the recommendation. Mark Werndorf opined that with so many existing over-height wall, fences and hedges this amounts to selective enforcement of the ordinance. After Board discussion consensus was not reached. It was moved to vote on the position. Vote to vote approved by 17 yeas, 1 nay. Vote support the Committee recommendation to oppose building of the over-height fence or a zoning variance to do so approved 17 yeas, 1 nay.

12. DONE Project Coordinator: Betty Wong Oyama, Project Coordinator
● Presented the following reminders to the Board
       - Board members must complete Conflict of Interest Training.
       - Encouraged Board members to attend up-coming Board orientation on Jan 17.
       - Congress of Neighborhood Councils on April 21 at the Bonaventure Hotel
       - Neighborhood Council Focus Group in preparation for the April 21 Congress of NCs
● Regarding GGPNC December resolution regarding NC training recommendations, Ms. Oyama asked that a letter with the resolution be sent to the City Attorney office and cc: to her at DONE.

13. Transportation Committee:
Committee Chair Jacqueline Kerr introduced the following three motions and asked Ricardo Gomez to speak as the complaining constituent:
        a. The GGPNC requests that Street Services send a representative to meet with the Transportation Committee to report on why the resurfacing on Bates and Clayton Avenues failed so soon. Discussion and action as appropriate.
        b. The GGPNC requests that the City Controller audit the Bates Avenue resurfacing project. Discussion and action as appropriate.
        c. The GGPNC requests that the Fourth Council District Office initiate the process to place the Bureau of Contract Administration in charge of inspecting all street repairs performed by any utility without limitation, including the DWP, so that the appropriate repair standards are enforced. Discussion and action as appropriate.
It was decided that the Committee would ask Council District Office 4 to help them obtain information as to why City Contract Administration is not overseeing or auditing the quality of street repairs and formulate a course of action.

14. Other Committee Reports: Discussion and actions as appropriate
Parks, Recreation & Open Space: Bernadette Soter reminded Board members about the up-coming special PROS Annual meeting on Mon. Jan 29.

15. Comments by Board members
None

16. Other Committee Comment on Non-Agenda items
None

17. Adjourn
Move to adjourn meeting (Rademaekers/Carroll). By consensus meeting was adjourned at 11:06.

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