Board of Directors Meeting 01/30/08 06:00 PM

Meeting Date: 01/30/08 06:00 PM

Meeting Type: Regular

Location: Women’s Club of Hollywood
1749 North La Brea Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90046

Details: HOLLYWOOD HILLS WEST NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL
BOARD MEETING AGENDA
January 30, 2008
6:00pm
Women’s Club of Hollywood
1749 North La Brea Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90046

Directions: South of Franklin and North of Hollywood Blvd. – West side of the street. Accessibility: Building is accessible to the handicapped. Entrance at rear door. Parking: Free Parking is available in the adjacent 5th Christian Science Church parking lot located on 7107 Hollywood Blvd.- Los Angeles, CA 90046. Entrance to parking lot is on La Brea Avenue.

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.

AGENDA

1. Call to order by President (Anastasia Mann)

2. Roll call by Secretary (Bruce Gorelick)

3. Minutes – Review and approve prior December 11, 2007 minutes (Please see attached) (Vote) (5 minutes)

4. President’s Report by Anastasia Mann (20 minutes)
a.) Public Official Reports
i.) CD4
ii.) CD5
iii). Other

b.) Executive Committee Meeting Update – One January 10, 2008
i.) Discussion on Future HHWNC Board Meeting Schedule – Alternate Months, Day of the Week. General Discussion
ii.) By Law Revision. Appointment of Ad Hoc Committee

c.) Re-appointment of NBC Universal Vision Ad Hoc Committee

d.) Hollywood/Los Angeles Beautification Team by Sharyn Romano
i.) Tree Planting in the neighborhood! HBT Tree Grants for Community Tree Planting, Million Trees Tree Adoptions – for private properties.

e.) HHWNC Events Feature/Assignment of Web Info to Terry Migliaccio, Community Development & Outreach

5. Vice President’s Report by Orrin Feldman (5 minutes)
a.) Upcoming Town Hall Meetings
i.) Southeast San Fernando Neighborhood Council Town Hall meeting scheduled for February on three large development projects impacting their community.
a.) North Hollywood Commons project
b.) The redevelopment of
ii.) Hollywood Area Neighborhood Council Town Hall meeting scheduled for March at the Hollywood Presbyterian Church
a.) Planning issues
b.) Transportation issues

6. Treasurer’s Report by Michael Meyer (5 minutes)

7. HHWNC Open Issue Chair Elections (2 minutes per candidate)
a.) Two (2) Issue Chair Positions are Open.
i.) Emergency Service, Police & Fire
aa.) Valorie Keegan
bb.) Rena Stahr
ii) Cultural Resources, Entertainment, Public Events & Networking
aa.) Theresa Larkin
bb.) Barbara Witkin
cc.) Katherine Woolsey

8. 2008 HHWNC Elections Discussion by Michael Meyer (5 minutes)
a.) MOTION: HHWNC should begin the process of bylaws revision as it relates to election procedures with the intention that HHWNC will participate in a Hollywood “Regional Election” by holding its elections on the same day(s) as other participating Hollywood NCs. (Possible Motion and Vote)

9. Committee Reports (20 minutes)

a.) ISSUE COMMITTEES
i.) Traffic, Public Transportation and Parking (Wayne C. Johannson)
aa.) MOTION: HHWNC supports the efforts of the Hollywood Property Owners Alliance (HPOA) to create a website (www.navigatehollywood.com) in order to provide one-stop source of information related to parking access, street closures, construction traffic impacts, bus re-routing, traffic flows, taxi stands, valet parking, etc. for the residents, businesses and visitors in Hollywood.

For the specific purpose of creating and maintaining such a website, HHWNC allocates $3,100.00. These funds shall be transferred to the Hollywood Property Owners Alliance once the details of website have been finalized and development is authorized by HPOA. (See attachment) (Possible Motion and Vote.)

ii.) Youth Development, Education and Recreational (Deana Ruggieri)
aa.) Update on P.U.P. Project.

iii.)Other Issue Committees
aa.) Reports by Committee Chairs in attendance (Optional)

b.) AREA COMMITTEES
i.) Area 3 (Paul Woolsey)
aa.) The Board is requested to take a position recommending that the Los Angles City Council make no amendments to the City Code reducing the number of agencies in the C.U.P. application process and in particular, eliminating the Department of Transportation from the process. (Possible Motion and Vote.)

bb.) The Board is requested to take a position that we oppose any further super-signage advertising graphics in the Hollywood Signage Use District. (Possible Motion and Vote.)

ii.) Other Area Committees
aa.) 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

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.

HOLLYWOOD HILLS WEST NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL
APPROVED BOARD MEETING MINUTES
January 30, 2008
Women’s Club of Hollywood
1749 North La Brea Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90046

1. Call to order by HHWNC President Anastasia Mann at: 6:10 p.m.

2. Roll call by Recording Secretary Bruce Gorelick: Anastasia Mann, Paul Ramsey, Orrin Feldman, Bruce Gorelick, Michael Meyer, Jennifer Fitzgerald, Wayne Johansson, Deana Ruggieri, Thor Lee, Paul Ramsey, Wendy Kneedler-Senior, Terry Migliaccio, Paul Woolsey, Andre “Andy” Ulloa, Jarone Johnson, Jr.- Cheryl Holland, Patricia Weber, and Donovan Ryan.
Absent: Claire Guy, Daniel Savage, Rick Solomon, and John Pogue.

3. Minutes – Motion to approve the December 11, 2007 board meeting minutes. Tabled. Additional info required before minutes can be completed.

4. President’s Report by Anastasia Mann
a.) Public Official Reports
CD4: Stacy Marble of Councilmember Tom LaBonge’s office introduced new staffer Gigi Rolias. She reported a ruptured water main on Cahuenga that was causing a street closure due to a sinkhole. On Feb. 27, there will be a Community Congress held at 6 p.m. at the DWP building downtown. CD4 will be starting their Stakeholder Breakfasts featuring the business community and homeowner associations on Feb. 7th at 8:30 a.m. in the Valley at the Lankershim Arts Ctr.- 5108 Lankershim Blvd. On March 20, 11 a.m.- a playground will be dedicated to volunteer Renee Weitzer named “Rene’s Place” at Pan Pacific Park. There are new No Smoking signs in the canyons. Stacy also spoke about the successful outreach event with Central Hollywood NC: Pets in the Park.

CD13: Helen Leung reported that a feasibility study has established that a consultant is needed to perform a Hollywood cap (a park) feasibility study for Hollywood. The first meeting was held on Saturday, March 15, 2008 but there is more planned for the future. A Town Hall will be held in March focusing on transportation issues. At this event, a Street Closure committee will talk about key transportation issues and what can be done. In other news, CD13 will release a report on their 2008 priorities soon. One initiative they have is to extend the hours at the Hollywood Rec Center until 11 p.m. as part of the “At the Park After Dark” program to kids. Volunteers are needed for this program.

Mayor’s Office: Norma Vega is the new Central Director for the Mayor’s office after working in the Valley. She can be reached at: [email protected]. The Central Area’s boundaries are from Hollywood to W. Hollywood and from Chinatown to Hollywood Hills to Pico. Norma is working with the other Hollywood NCs and will help coordinate any communication efforts between them for HHWNC. She is asking for NCs to submit responses to the electronic budget surveys.

DONE: Amber gave an update on Prop S. She then reported that the Mayor’s Budget Day will be held on Feb 23, starting at 8:00 a.m. at City Hall. There will be an update on the budget survey results at that meeting. She asked for two regional budget reps from HHWNC for this event. These reps will be part of a group representing the seven regional planning areas of the City. Two of each region will meet with the Mayor. Area 4’s Andre Ulloa and Valorie Keegan, the new EMS board member, will represent the board (Treasurer Michael Meyer will not be available). Amber distributed sign up sheets for board contact info. She suggested HHWNC hold a mini retreat to help put together goals for the budget.

b.) Executive Committee Meeting Update:
(1) Monthly Meetings: Anastasia asked for input on dates for future board meetings. Currently, the board meets every other month to allow the 19 committees time to meet. (Woolsey/Ramsey) moved that board meeting be held on the last week of every month, other than a Friday or a holiday. After discussion by the board on whether that would interfere with holiday weekends, and since the motion was not previously posted on the agenda, Woolsey withdrew the motion. Anastasia then asked the board to shoot for the third week of March, Tues – Thur, every other month.

(2) Bylaw Revisions: In order to address upcoming bylaw revisions, the Ad Hoc Bylaw Review Committee was reformed with Orrin serving as chair and members: Paul Ramsey, Michael Meyer, Paul Woolsey, and Jerone Johnson Jr.

c.) Re-appointment of NBC Universal Vision Ad Hoc Committee: Anastasia asked that this committee be reformed to provide HHWNC with any new developments on the Universal Vision Project. Chairing the Committee will be: Wayne Johansson, Traffic, Public Transportation and Parking, with members: Patricia Weber of Area 2 Cahuenga Pass/Universal City; Daniel Savage, Area 1: Hollywood Knolls/Manor/Forest Lawn/Lake Hollywood; Thor Lee, Business Development, Planning and Support; and Paul Ramsey, Housing and Human Services: Religious and Charitable Organizations.

d.) Hollywood/Los Angeles Beautification Team: Sharyn Romano reported that HBT has received grants for community tree planting along with the Million Tree Campaign by the Mayor. She now needs people in the community to adopt trees and care for them. She has gotten a commitment from the Juvenile Detention Center to have at – risk youth help with planting the trees. The trees will provide better air quality, mitigate global warming and create an opportunity for a great community event.

e.) HHWNC Web Info to Terry Migliaccio, Community Development & Outreach. Terry has agreed to serve as the new website administrator for HHWNC.

5. Vice President’s Report by Orrin Feldman
a.) Upcoming Town Hall Meetings: Orrin said that he has learned that the NHHC – North Hollywood NC – is spearheading efforts to supervise large development projects coming into their area. These include expansion efforts by NBC, development of the Hollywood Commons on Lankershim by the Metro Station, which will be similar to The Grove, and Laurel Plaza, the area formerly occupied by the old Robinson’s HQ. These large developments are of concern to many stakeholders, particularly its impact on transportation and gridlock, infrastructure, and housing stock. The Southeast San Fernando Neighborhood Council Town Hall meeting will be held in Feb. It will be an all – day event. Unfortunately, both the Thomas Properties Group and NBC/Universal have declined offers to make presentations.

b.) The Hollywood Area Neighborhood Council Town Hall meeting will be held March 13th at the Hollywood Presbyterian Church on Gower from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. This will be the Hollywood coalition of five NCs’ second meeting. The focus for this meeting will be planning and transportation issues. Orrin said possible topics for this will be: Smart Growth, reducing parking in transportation corridors, and giving density bonuses for affordable housing units.

Orrin also announced that the Hollywood Community Plan is still on the drawing board. They are hoping to get another edition out.

6. Treasurer’s Report: Michael Meyer reported that he has been working with the former HHWNC Treasurer to make sure all the paperwork is up to date and the reports had been submitted to DONE. Currently, there is $150,000 available in funds and $200 in petty cash. He encouraged the board to find better uses for spending money than “just eating and squawking.”

7. HHWNC Open Issue Chair Elections
a.) New Chair Appointments:
i.) Emergency Service, Police & Fire: Valorie Keegan was unanimously approved by the board for this position. The other two candidates, former board member Joan Luchs and Rena Stahr, both withdrew their candidacies. Anastasia announced that Rena said she had time constraints which prevented her from properly serving on the board. Valorie addressed the board saying that she would do a great job. She looks forward to forming a great working committee focusing on Disaster Preparedness.
ii) Cultural Resources, Entertainment, Public Events & Networking: Barbara Witkin won the vote over candidate Theresa Larkin. A third candidate, Katherine Woolsey, removed herself due to personal issues. Barbara said that she loves this area and acknowledged how lucky everyone is to be located here. She also spoke about a tremendous amount of resources. Her goal is to keep everyone informed about events and to encourage participation.

8. 2008 HHWNC Elections Discussion: Michael Meyer
MOTION: (Meyer/Fitzgerald) moved that, “HHWNC should begin the process of bylaws revision as it relates to election procedures with the intention that HHWNC will participate in a Hollywood “Regional Election” by holding its elections on the same day(s) as other participating Hollywood NCs.” Following discussion, Michael withdrew his motion.

Michael explained that the other Hollywood NCs have asked HHWNC to coordinate outreach and an election next fall. He also mentioned that the City Clerk will be starting to conduct elections this June for some of the NCs in the City. However, Amber – the DONE rep – said that HHWNC would not be one of those affected by the City Clerk’s election.

One decision that needs to be made is whether HHWNC should hold their election with the regional Hollywood NCs this fall or extend the board members’ terms until 2010, since the City Clerk will not provide any elections in 2009. There was discussion about whether board members would want to serve an extended period of time. There was also discussion about holding a regional election that might shorten board members’ terms to eight months. Another concern was how to maintain ‘staggered terms’ for the board.

Amber said that if HHWNC participates in a regional election, the new board members would wait to be seated so terms would not need to be shortened. She offered to help with any necessary bylaws revisions by providing “canned bylaws language.” Amber said that the Board should discuss what they would like to do: Wait until 2010 to have the City Clerk run the next election or hold a joint election with the regional Hollywood NCs, which would still let board serve out their terms. With this new authority granted to the City Clerk, Amber said that DONE is now out of the business of working on elections. But the City Clerk now has the authority to propagate a whole new set of election procedures for June 2010. She talked a little about the new stakeholder definition which would allow anyone who ‘declares a stake in the neighborhood’ to vote. The City Attorney is now drafting an ordinance to put this in the Municipal Code.

9. Committee Reports
a.) ISSUE COMMITTEES
i.) Traffic, Public Transportation and Parking (Johannson/Ramsey) moved, “HHWNC supports the efforts of the Hollywood Property Owners Alliance (HPOA) to create a website (www.navigatehollywood.com) in order to provide a one-stop source of information related to parking access, street closures, construction traffic impacts, bus re-routing, traffic flows, taxi stands, valet parking, etc. for the residents, businesses and visitors in Hollywood.

Kerrie Morrison of HPOA described how the interactive website would work helping to redirect motorists around trouble spots during traffic problems and reveal accessible parking lots. She talked about the cost of building such a high-tech website and that donations are being sought from all the area NCs. Once it is built, HPOA would keep it going through advertising. (Meyer) made a friendly amendment asking that HPOA come back to HHWNC in six months and report on progress and to submit an invoice so the money could be allocated. The motion carried unanimously.

ii.) Youth Development, Education and Recreational: Deana Ruggieri presented a scrapbook displaying photos from the P.U.P. events (pick up poop in the Canyon).

iii.)Other Issue Committees
aa.) Reports by Committee Chairs in attendance: None.

b.) AREA COMMITTEES
i.) Area 3 (Woolsey/Ramsey) moved, ” The Board is requested to take a position recommending that the Los Angles City Council make no amendments to the City Code reducing the number of agencies in the C.U.P. application process and in particular, eliminating the Department of Transportation from the process.” Paul Woolsey reported that this proposal would reduce 12 public/city agencies down to two leaving all final decisions to the Dept. of Planning and Building and Safety to issue Conditional use permits. CUPs are needed by applicants to build a project, create a new use, change or amend one. The Committee did not see how this proposal would be beneficial in reducing the number of contact points. He also mentioned that it would remove the police input from the process.

(Meyer) made a friendly amendment to the motion, “The Board is opposed to changes to the City Code in the number of agencies involved in the C.U.P. application process until it has been vetted through the Neighborhood Council process and we have an opportunity to give input. And we are opposed to eliminating the Dept of Trans from this process.” The motion carried: 15-3-1.

bb.) (Woolsey/ Johannson) moved, “That HHWNC oppose further ‘Super Signage’ in the Hollywood Signage Use District.” Paul said that his committee doesn’t want Hollywood Blvd. to end up looking like Times Square. The District involved would be Hollywood Blvd. between Lebrea and Vine. Super Signage is the big, wraparound super graphics used on buildings.
(Migliaccio) made a friendly amendment adding the word “illegal” to Super Signage. After further discussion during which, Michael pointed out that a letter was previously written covering these same points. Paul withdrew his motion.

10. Public Comments: None.

11. Old Business: None.

12. New Business: The target date for the next HHWNC board meeting is the third week of March 2008.

13. Meeting Adjourned: 8:44 p.m.

-Minutes by Pat Kramer, Apple One –