Meeting Date: 07/18/12 06:30 PM

Meeting Type: Regular

Location: Women’s Club, 1749 N. La Brea 90046

Details:

HOLLYWOOD HILLS WEST NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL
BOARD MEETING AGENDA

July 18, 2012 – 6:30 pm

Woman’s Club of Hollywood
1749 North La Brea Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90046

 
Directions:
South of Franklin and North of Hollywood Blvd. – Accessibility: Building is accessible through entrance at rear door. Parking: Free Parking is available behind the Woman’s Club on the upper level of the parking lot.
 
The public is requested to fill out a “Speaker Card” to address the Board on any item of the agenda prior to the Board taking action on an item. Comments from the public on non-agenda and agenda items will be heard during the Public Comment Period and, within the discretion of the presiding officer of the Board, when the respective item is being considered. Comments from the public on other matters not appearing on the Agenda that is within the Board’s subject matter jurisdiction will be heard during the Public Comment period. Public comment is limited to 2 minutes per speaker unless waived by the presiding officer of the Board. Agenda is posted for public review: on bulletin boards at the top and bottom of Runyon Canyon Park, and electronically on the Hollywood Hills West Neighborhood Council website ww.hhwnc.org and on the Department Of Neighborhood Empowerment (www.lacityneighborhoods.com). As a covered entity under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City of Los Angeles does not discriminate on the basis of disability and upon request, will provide reasonable accommodation to ensure equal access to its programs, services, and activities. Sign language interpreters, assistive listening devices, or other auxiliary aids and/or services may be provided upon request. To ensure availability of services, please make your request at least 3 business days (72 hours) prior to the meeting you wish to attend by contacting the Neighborhood Council Project Coordinator at 213-485-1360 or e-mail to [email protected].
 

ALL ITEMS LISTED ON THIS AGENDA ARE SUBJECT TO:
POSSIBLE ACTION, INCLUDING A BOARD MOTION AND
VOTING ON THE MOTION.

 
PROCESS FOR RECONSIDERATION: The Board may reconsider and amend its action on items listed on the agenda if that reconsideration takes place immediately following the original action or at the next regular meeting. The Board, on either of these two days, shall: (1) Make a Motion for Reconsideration and, if approved, (2) hear the matter and Take an Action. If the motion to reconsider an action is to be scheduled at the next meeting following the original action, then two items shall be placed on the agenda for that meeting: (1) A Motion for Reconsideration on the described matter and (2) a Proposed Action should the motion to reconsider be approved. A motion for reconsideration can only be made by a Board member who has previously voted on the prevailing side of the original action taken. If a motion for reconsideration is not made on the date the action was taken, then a Board member on the prevailing side of the action must submit a memorandum to the Secretary identifying the matter to be reconsidered and a brief description of the reason(s) for requesting reconsideration at the next regular meeting. The aforesaid shall all be in compliance with the Ralph M. Brown Act.

 
AGENDA
 
1. Call to order by President, Anastasia Mann
 
2. Roll call by Acting Secretary, Scott Campbell
 
3. Minutes – Review and approve Board minutes from June 20, 2012 meeting (Vote) (5 minutes)
 
4. President’s Report by Anastasia Mann (20 minutes)

a. Public Official Reports
i.) Mayor’s Office – Fabiola Vilchez, Central Area Director – Budget Survey
ii.) CD4 –Sharon Shapiro, Field Deputy, Office of Councilmember Tom LaBonge
iii.) CD5 – Jeffrey Ebenstein, Field Deputy, Office of Councilmember Paul Koretz
iv.) CD13 – Angela Motta, Field Deputy, Office of Council President Eric Garcetti
v.) 42nd District-Nicole Carcel, Office of Assemblyman Mike Feuer
vi.) LAPD-Capt. Beatrice Girmala
vii.) First Year of the Bicycle EIR-City Planning
 
b. Vacant Area 9 Chair. Posted 1/9/12 on website. 60 Day Posting Period ended on 3/10/12.
c. Vacant Youth Chair. Posted 4/26/12. 60 Day Posting Period ended on 6/25/12. Jeff Zarrinnam is the only candidate. POSSIBLE MOTION AND VOTE.
d. Elections Update by Election Committee Chair Moreno & Christine Jerian (IEA)
i.) Set for September 16, 2012
ii.) Election Registration Open-8/16/12 deadline
iii.) MOTION AND VOTE Re: “Election Stipulation Worksheet”
e. Community business
f. Decide next meeting date-August 15, 2012

 
5. Vice President’s Report by Orrin Feldman (10 minutes)
 
6. Treasurer’s Report by Michael Meyer (10 minutes)
a. Approve Monthly Treasurer’s Report. MOTION AND VOTE.
b. DONE’s payment delay for web vendor
c. Update on traffic calming sign program
 
7. Secretary’s Report by Aaron Rogers (5 minutes)
 
8. Parliamentarian’s Report by Scott Campbell (5 minutes)
 
9. Committee Reports (40 minutes)

 a. ISSUE COMMITTEES
 i. Report by Housing Chair (Robinson)
-Presentation on Community Care Facilities Ordinance by Maria Fisk of LA Coalition for Neighborhoods. (10 minutes).
-Presentation on Community Care Facilities Ordinance by Jeff Christensen of Sober Living Network. (10 minutes).
 -Public Comments on this issue (2 minute per speaker time limit).
POSSIBLE MOTION (ATTACHED) AND VOTE.
 
 ii. Reports by Committee Chairs in attendance (Optional)
 
b. AREA COMMITTEES
 
 i. Reports by Committee Chairs in attendance (Optional)

 
 
10. Public Comments – Comments from the public on agenda items and non-agenda items within the Board’s subject matter jurisdiction. Public comments are limited to 2 minutes per speaker.
 
11. Old Business
 
12. New Business
 
13. Adjournment
 

Item 9ai: Community Care Facilities Motion
 
The Hollywood Hills West Neighborhood Council Housing Committee considered the proposed Community Care Facilities final draft ordinance on May 29, 2012. Information provided by the L. A. Coalition for Neighborhoods and the Los Angeles County Sober Living Coalition was considered. Although some group homes are sources of nuisance activity, the draft ordinance is overly broad and the full Board is encouraged to oppose the draft ordinance. Nuisance abatement should be utilized.
 
Motion and Community Impact Statement
 
It is hereby resolved the Hollywood Hills West Neighborhood Council opposes the ordinance because:
-The ordinance was originally intended to control problem sober living homes but has expanded to redefine “family” by the number of leases in a household, restricting shared living arrangements by anyone including seniors, the disabled, students and veterans.[1]

-Instead of eliminating nuisance sober living homes, it eliminates housing for everyone.[2]

-The City opposes discrimination against the disabled. Los Angeles must comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Fair Housing Act. Limiting disabled housing choices could jeopardize funding provided by the Department of Housing and Urban Development.[3]

-Problem group homes could circumvent the law by having residents sign a single lease.[4]

-Funding guidelines mandate many programs to provide each resident with their own lease.[5]

-Facilities eligible for licensure are not the subject of complaints but would be limited to “two per bedroom” and require additional parking. This would not apply to sober living homes.[6]

-Any two unrelated people on probation or parole would need a Conditional Use Permit to live in any residential structure, including apartment buildings. This would place an undue burden on apartment owners and pose severe public safety risks. The prisoner realignment act puts these people in our neighborhoods and ex-offenders need housing to reduce recidivism.[7]

-The City Planning Commission and the Planning and Land Use Management Committee both failed to properly consider or endorse the proposed ordinance.[8]

-The Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority, the Department of Mental Health, the Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles and the Housing Department are against the proposal.[9]

-The administrative nuisance abatement procedure is the most direct and cost effective approach to addressing neighborhood concerns should special needs housing contribute to excessive noise, loitering, parking problems or other activities negatively impacting a neighborhood.[10]  

[1] See Council File No. 074-3427 Motion and Council File No. 11-0262 Final Draft Ordinance
[2] http://www.unitedwayla.org/2012/02/community-care-facilities-ordinance-threatens-permanent-supportive-housing-in-the-city-of-los-angeles/
[3] City Planning Department Report dated January 28, 2010 never considered by PLUM or the City Planning Commission
[4] City Planner who drafted the law specifically confirms if 70 people are on one lease that would be a legal family under the proposed ordinance [video at 05:05:00] [5] Disability Rights California detailed legal analysis and article on HUD requirements to Affirmatively Further Fair Housing options or risk loss of federal funding
[6] Planning report dated March 8, 2012 that was never considered by PLUM Committee – see page four “Regulating Licensed Facilities of Seven Residents and Over”
[7] Final Draft Ordinance page one “…any residential structure or unit…which houses three or more parolees – probationers” and LA County AB109 Fact Sheet
[8] City Planning Commission failed to take an action on the proposed ordinance and PLUM submits report to Council without recommendation
[9] Testimony of LAHSA Director,
Letter from LA County Director of Mental Health,
HACLA Board Resolution Expressing Opposition to the proposed ordinance
[10] Direct quote from the Planning Department Staff Report dated January 28, 2010 – never considered by the PLUM Committee, the Planning Commission or Council.

Download PDF of this Agenda

HOLLYWOOD HILLS WEST NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL
BOARD MEETING MINUTES
 
July 18, 2012
 
Woman’s Club of Hollywood 
1749 North La Brea Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90046
 
1. Call to order by President, Anastasia Mann at 6:45 p.m.
 
2. Roll call by Secretary, Aaron Rogers. Board members present: Anastasia Mann, Orrin Feldman, Aaron Rogers, Michael Meyer, Scott Campbell, Maria Rychlicki, Marcello Robinson, Valorie Keegan, Alwyn Hight Kushner, Nicole Carcel, Patricia Weber, Robin Moreno (left at 7:48 p.m.), Joyce Dyrector, Jarone Johnson Jr., Dietrich Nelson, and Donovan Ryan. Late: Barbara Witkin (arrived 7:35 p.m.) and Eric Paquette (arrived 6:50 p.m.). Absent: Terry Migliaccio, Alison Connell and Daniel Savage. 
 
3. Minutes – (Nelson/Moreno) moved to accept the June 20th, 2012 board meeting minutes as revised. (Rogers) abstained because he did not attend the June meeting. The motion carried.
 
4. President’s Report by Anastasia Mann 
a. Public Official Reports
i.) CD4 – Sharon Shapiro, Field Deputy, Office of Councilmember Tom LaBonge updated the board on some personnel changes, the Community Care ordinance, unencumbered funds, the bike series, and National Night Out. 
 
ii.) 42nd District – Nicole Carcel, Office of Assemblyman Mike Feuer, spoke about Assembly Bill 1446 re: Measure R for the Nov. ballot. She informed the board of Congressman Berman’s hearing on Aug. 6th in Sherman Oaks on helicopter noise.
 
iii.) LAFD – Battalion Fire Chief Albert Ward introduced himself and updated the board on fire department response time, problems presented by party houses and whether the Cahuenga West fire station is still looking to relocate (it’s not).
 
iv.) First Year of the Bicycle EIR – City Planning – Michael Meyer presented various issues involved with the Bike Plan EIR. (Dyrector/Ryan) moved that HHWNC does not support the concept of altering Cahuenga Blvd. east or west to include bicycle lanes due to the traffic issues. (Mann/Nelson) made a friendly amendment adding the words “and safety concerns” to the motion. The motion carried: 13-0-3.
 
Joyce discussed the need for driver safety training for bicycle riders.
 
(Rychlicki/Johnson) made a friendly amendment adding that “HHWNC support the Bicycle EIR/Outpost Letter.” The motion carried: 13-0-3. (Kushner, Paquette & Campbell).
 
(Dyrector/Ryan) moved that HHWNC does not support the concept of altering Cahuenga Blvd. east or west to include bicycle lanes due to the traffic issues and safety concerns and that HHWNC supports the Bicycle EIR/Outpost Letter.” The motion carried: 10-1-5 (Kushner, Paquette, Robinson, Carcel & Campbell abstained).
 
b. Vacant Area 9 Chair. The board approved appointing Maria Sussman to the Area 9 seat. The motion carried: 13-0-3.
 
c. Safety Report: Valorie introduced Firefighters and Captain Ed Waters
 
d. Vacant Youth Chair. The board voted to appoint Jeff Zarrinnam to the Youth Chair: 13-1-2 (Kushner/Dyreckor) abstained. Moreno (opposed).
 
e. Elections Update: Election Committee Chair Robin Moreno stated that the election for HHWNC takes place on September 16, 2012. She reviewed information surrounding the election rules and qualifications for stakeholders. Christine Jerian (IEA) answered questions from the board re: elections.
 
f. Community business: Renee Schillaci of Greer Daily and Darnell Tyler of NBCUniversal told the board that NBCUniversal’s Final EIR for the Evolution Plan was released a few days ago. Their priorities have now changed and residential housing has been removed from the plan. There will be a public hearing on this August 14th. 
 
g. Next HHWNC meeting: (Kushner/Rychlicki) moved that HHWNC go dark for the month of August, resuming on Sept. 19, 2012. The motion carried: 14-2-1 (Robinson & Weber opposed). 
 
(Robin Moreno left the meeting).
 
5. Vice President Orrin Feldman reported: DONE’s GM has resigned to take another job. DONE has published “Best Practices” which requires NCs to send them their meeting agendas for review. He gave an update on the five homes on Mt. Olympus saying action was being taken to get the Superior Court to dismiss the appeal that is holding up demolition. 
 
6. Treasurer Michael Meyer reviewed the monthly expenses for July 2012: $40,681.00 remains in the budget which includes money rolled-over for the election. (Meyer/Robinson) moved that the board accept the June 2012 Treasurer’s Report. The motion carried unanimously.
 
(Nelson/Carcel) moved to approve the website expenses to be paid by DONE. The motion carried unanimously.
 
Michael has talked with someone at DONE and confirmed that monies for bills already submitted but not paid were rolled over into the new fiscal year’s budget. Also, his committee is working on language for traffic safety signage to promote HHWNC. 
 
7. Secretary’s Report by Aaron Rogers – No report.
 
8. Parliamentarian’s Report by Scott Campbell – No report.
 
9. Committee Reports
 
a. ISSUE COMMITTEES 
i. Housing Committee Chair Robinson
 
After a vote was postponed at the June HHWNC board meeting due to a lack of information, the board brought back to the table the following motion: (Robinson/Campbell) moved that “HHWNC oppose the Community Care Facilities ordinance; instead, a nuisance abatement ordinance should be used for problem homes.”
 
Marcello Robinson introduced the following speakers who gave input on whether HHWNC should support or oppose Councilman Englander’s Community Care Ordinance: 
Maria Fisk of the Old Granada Hills Residents Association, a member of the Neighborhood Watch, urged the board to support the ordinance. She stated that her Residents’ Group has tracked the sober homes in the area and found 43 illegal group homes. She pointed to public safety issues with parolees and the need for more regulations. 
 
Cameron Jones of Sober Living Networks suggested the board review the history of the Community Care ordinance at: www.lacity.org (go to: Planning and Land Use to review it). 
Jeff Christensen of Sober Living Networks pointed to Civil Liberties violations that this ordinance would open up. He predicted lawsuits if this is passed saying that 90 organizations in the City oppose this ordinance.
 
David Sheridan of Sober Living Networks added additional comments.
 
(Campbell/Carcel) proposed a friendly amendment, “That HHWNC oppose the Community Care Facilities ordinance and we recommend that nuisance abatement laws and enforcement should be strengthened to address the concerns of the men and women in the affected communities.”
 
After much discussion, Scott withdrew his amendment and moved to substitute the motion in its entirety.
 
(Zarrinnam/Johnson) moved to table the motion. 4-12-0. The motion to table failed. 
 
(Robinson/ Rychlicki) re-presented the motion amended by Scott: “That HHWNC oppose the Community Care Facilities ordinance and we recommend that nuisance abatement laws and enforcement should be strengthened to address the concerns of the men and women in the affected communities.” The motion failed: 6-8-2.
 
Marcello asked that the minutes show that the Board’s vote does not reflect support for the Community Care Facilities Ordinance. 
 
Board members were informed that the Mayor was organizing a forum on July 20 at CityWalk to further explore this issue.
 
b. AREA COMMITTEES 
 
i. Infrastructure Committee Chair Rychlicki announced an Outreach meeting to discuss the DWP water leaks that affect Hillside residents.
 
10. Public Comments:
Paul Darrigo spoke to the board about the RACO Program (animal issues). He is trying to find out why the program is one year behind and what has happened to the monies allocated to fund it. 
 
11. Old Business: None.
 
12. New Business: Jarone asked that a board position be established to track funding approved by HHWNC to see whether allocated monies are being spent properly.
 
13. Meeting Adjourned: 9:20 p.m.
 
-Minutes by Pat Kramer, Kelly Services-

Download PDF of these Minutes

 
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