Meeting Date: 03/08/07 06:30 PM

Meeting Type: Regular

Location: Women’s Club of Hollywood
1749 North La Brea Avenue
Hollywood, CA 90046
(South of Franklin and North of Hollywood Blvd.- West side of street)

Details: HOLLYWOOD’s HILLS WEST NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL OFFICERS

PRESIDENT
ANASTASIA MANN

VICE-PRESIDENT
ORRIN FELDMAN

SECRETARY
BRUCE GORELICK

TREASURER
WILLIAM BELL

PARLIAMENTARIAN
JENNIFER FITZGERALD CALIFORNIA HOLLYWOOD HILLS WEST NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL

C/O Department of Neighborhood Empowerment
3516 N. Broadway
Los Angeles, CA 90031

TELEPHONE: (213) 485-1588
FAX: (213) 485-1836
Toll Free 1 (866) LA HELPS
www.neighborhoodlink.com/la/minc

HOLLYWOOD HILLS WEST NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL
BOARD MEETING AGENDA
Thursday, March 8, 2007
6:30 PM
Women’s Club of Hollywood
1749 North La Brea Avenue
Hollywood, 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: Parking is available in a free off-street parking lot behind the building.

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].

AGENDA

1. Call to order by President (Anastasia Mann)

2. Roll call by Secretary (Bruce Gorelick)

3. Minutes – Review and approve prior January 31, 2007 minutes (Please see attached) (Vote) (5 minutes)

4. President’s Report by Anastasia Mann (20 minutes)
a.) DWP Oversight Committee Representative (Open position).

b.) Area One Chair Position” (Candidate – Daniel Savage Statement Attached): Provisional VOTE/ Acclamation by consensus.

c.) Area/Committee Meetings – Board Discussion of how to plan Committee Meetings for new board
members.

d.) Stakeholders Committees – Board Discussion of communicating with your stakeholders via the online lists – Steven Schmerler – Webmaster

e.) SPLASH BASH 2 – Discussion on second “annual” Splash Bash event at Hollywood & Highland with or without the joint participation of other Hollywood area NCs. Possible motion and vote.

f.) D.O.N.E.’s recommendation for Executive Committee or Ad Hoc committee to draft and review recommendations regarding board member’s responsibilities including training, ethics, civility, meeting facilitation, consequences for violations of the established standards, etc. Create accountability measures to deal with offenders ending in possible removal by the board.

5. Vice President’s Report by Orrin Feldman (5 minutes) – Update of NC Congress, Big Sunday, etc.

6. Treasurer’s Report by William Bell (5 minutes)
a.) Status of 2006 financials – update of 2006 audit status

b.) Board Member Expense reimbursements – original receipts required

c.) HHWNC method of paying bills – explanation/preferred procedures.

7. Hollywood Arts Council – Presentation by Nyla Arslanian (Please see attached) (Possible motion and vote)

8. DWP Oversight Committee Report by Joan Luchs (Position now open)

9. Committee Reports (20 minutes)
a.) ISSUE COMMITTEES
i.) Youth Development, Education & Recreational Resources (Deana Ruggieri)
aa.) No Motions. Brief report by Deana Ruggieri.

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

b.) AREA COMMITTEES

i.) Area 3 (Paul Woolsey)
aa.) The Area 3 Committee and the Business and Housing Issue Committees ask the Board to take a position that the Planning Department institute Sequential Processing on all applications in the area bounded by La Brea Blvd. to it’s West side, Sunset Blvd. to it’s South side, Vine to it’s East side, and on the North side to the junction of Highland and Cahuenga Avenues at the 101 Freeway.

bb.) The Area 3 Committee and the Business and Housing Issue Committees ask the Board to take a position that the Neighborhood Councils representing Hollywood Stakeholders receive automatic referrals on all applications within the areas of the previous motion from the following: Planning Department, Alcohol Beverage Control, Los Angeles Police Commission, and the Department of Building and Safety.

cc.) The Area 3 and Business and Housing Issue Committees ask that the DOT
install speed bumps (3 in each case) in each one block section of all residential streets within Area 3.

ii.) Area 5 (Michael Meyer)
aa.) The Area 5 Committee request that the Mulholland DRB not approve the proposed 40-foot tall cell phone tower on the southeast corner of the Mulholland Drive/Outpost Drive intersection, where it would intrude into the view of the City below. Ask that it be moved to the hill side of Mulholland and be camouflaged to look like a pine tree, if approved at all. Possible Motion and VOTE.

iii.) Area 8 (Ken Jones)
aa.) Motion to request HHWNC reimburse Chairman Ken Jones for 250 “NO SMOKING IN THE CANYON” Signs which he made for distribution to stakeholders. Cost and original receipts to be provided.

iv.) Other Area Committees
aa.) Reports by Committee Chairs in attendance (Optional)

10. Update on Hollywood Central Park – Presented by Don Scott, Hollywood Chamber Board Member
City park built over the top of the Hollywood Freeway (101) starting north of the Hollywood Blvd. and continue south past Sunset Boulevard to the grounds of the new high school. The proposed 24+ acre park would be a $250 million project that would involve building a stretch of park, a pedestrian promenade, a 200′ European plaza with a bandstand and a hill with an amphitheatre over the freeway on existing public land. The proposed park is not within the HHWNC boundaries; however, its contribution will positively affect our HHWNC stakeholders.

11. 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.

12. Old Business

13. New Business

14. 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’s HILLS WEST NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL
APPROVED BOARD MEETING MINUTES
Thursday, March 8th, 2007
6:30 PM
Women’s Club of Hollywood
1749 North La Brea Avenue
Hollywood, CA 90046

1. Call to order by HHWNC President Anastasia Mann: 6:37 PM.
Anastasia offered a pre-meeting apology that no food or beverages had been provided at the meeting, and she expressed her hope that all of the agenda could be discussed quickly.
2. Roll Call: Anastasia Mann, Orrin Feldman, Bruce Gorelick, William Bell, Wayne C.
Johansson, Deana Ruggieri, Thor Lee, Claire Guy, Paul Ramsey, Wendy Kneedler-Senior, Wilson Bell, Terry Migliaccio, Joan Luchs, Paul Woolsey, Michael P. Meyer, Rick Solomon, Cheryl Holland, and Kenneth Jones present. John Pogue, Conrad Shoeffter, Anne Marie Lardeau, and Jennifer Fitzgerald absent. Quorum established.
3. Approval of the Minutes, January 31st, 2007:
Michael Meyer suggested the following corrections to the minutes:
(P. 3) Milstein should be spelled Mihlestein
(P. 3) Feedback on Agenda item #7 should have included suggestion for NBC/Universal to create a road that would connect Barham to Lankersheim along the L.A. River on the north side of their property.
(P.6) Sentence “…would be open to receive a donation on the project is Prop. 218…) should read “…would be open to receive a donation on the project if the ballot failed, or if they, if they’re going to revote again on the lighting assessment, and if it fails again, then it might take an assessment.”
Joan Luchs suggested the following corrections to the minutes:
(P.3) Sentence “…looking to improve a southbound onramp onto the 101 freeway at Lankershim…” should read “looking to add a southbound onramp onto the 101 freeway east of Lankershim…”
(Feldman/Woolsey) moved to accept the minutes. The motion carried by consensus.
4. President’s Report:
Introduction of local officials: Dennis Lytton.
Dennis Lytton announced that the City Council has just printed up brochures covering the City of Los Angeles’ services, and distributed copies. He also reported that Council Member Tom La Bonge will be serving another 4 years after winning reelection.
Anastasia Mann reported that an issue brought up to the council last year regarding the “party houses” in the Hollywood Hills has sparked a response in the form of one night permits for private events that are being issued by Building and Safety at their discretion. Traffic and noise improvements on Oscar night this year were a direct result of this new process, as compared to last year, when publicized and marketed 24-hour parties upset the community.
a.) DWP Oversight Committee Representative (Open Position)
Claire Guy was encouraged to consider the position, which entails Saturday morning meetings. Anastasia will look into the possibility of a community member, not a board member, serving as this representative and email out to the board her findings. She also noted that having a representative on this committee is important due to the power outages, antiquated wiring, and other problems with the DWP members of this community have had and continue to have.
b.) Area One Chair Position (Candidate – Daniel Savage)
Daniel Savage presented himself as a candidate for Area 1 Chair, and he was running unopposed. Anastasia noted that the HHWNC’s bylaws state that an open position must be posted for at least 60 days before the council can vote, and that they are 4 days short of that requirement. Anastasia asked the board to vote on Daniel, with the knowledge that if a new candidate presents themselves within 4 days after the meeting, the vote will be nullified until the next meeting. This had been discussed with, and was approved by, DONE. (Ruggieri/Ramsey) moved to provisionally elect Daniel Savage as the area 1 committee chair. The motion carried by consensus. Daniel Savage expressed understanding of his provisional election barring new candidates and took his seat with the board with the understanding that he could not vote at this meeting.
c.) Area/Committee Meetings
Anastasia reminded committee chairs that committees are required to meet 4 times a year, and that each meeting has a budget of $300. Multi-committee meetings can expand this budget, with each Chair submitting their own receipts. Chairs are encouraged to pay as many expenses as possible through the treasurer directly. Regarding reimbursement, original receipts must be submitted, and only Board members can be reimbursed for meeting expenses, per DONE. Discussion of free meeting spaces followed.
d.) Stakeholders Communications/the HHWNC website – Communicating with stakeholders via the online lists. Steven Schmerler, the HHWNC website webmaster, explained to the Board how any committee chair can post committee meeting agendas and meeting minutes directly to the website, citing an informational packet included with the agenda. Full Board meeting agendas are submitted directly to the secretary to ensure a full 72 hours of public notice before the meeting, a requirement of the Brown Act. The two bulletin board kiosks at Runyon Canyon are the required posting locations for the agenda.
Joan poses concern that her stakeholder email list from the website is significantly smaller than the number of stakeholders she knows she has interested and registered in her region. Steven responds by detailing the website’s dichotomy – 2 separate databases are accessible via the website. One database contains demographic information of stakeholders that have expressed interest in the Council. A separate database contains the email addresses of stakeholders on the mailing list for the Council. This list will always be different than the stakeholder list due to stakeholders opting out of the emails or not providing an email address at all. Steven explained how to send out an email to your mailing list stakeholders.
e.) SPLASH BASH 2
Anastasia reported on the success of “Splash Bash,” an outreach event held at Hollywood and Highland, with over 1000 new registrants and a total turnout of 2000 people. DVD of the event, compiled by Anastasia, was shown and offered to members for their review. $20,000 was spent on the event, out of an allocated $25,000, and the success of the event has led to the City encouraging them to do it again. Michael Meyer supports the event, however questioned the validity of spending money to “party,”. He recommends the Council should be budgeting for some beautification projects in addition to Outreach/Splash Bash. Treasurer William Bell informed that the Council currently has $115,000 in its treasury, and that to ensure an additional annual funding of $50,000, the Council would have to spend so that the budget is under $100,000 by June. Anastasia reminded Council that the #1 mission is outreach, and that increased numbers of members reflect the strength of the council. Joan championed the idea of another event as well, noting that it was the first time in the history of Hollywood that the community was unified. Paul Ramsey added that a beautification project would not be completed by June. Terry Migliaccio maintained that Hollywood and Highland is eager to contribute and participate in another event, and cited numerous areas of improvement they would work on to improve efficiency, experience for all. Dates that work for H&H are 5/30 and 5/31. An event honoring Councilman La Bonge on May 31st would conflict with his ability to attend. William reminded that funds do not have to be physically spent by June, only earmarked and budgeted out to ensure the additional funding. Terry added that if other neighborhood councils wanted to join in sponsoring the event in the future, a minimum financial commitment must be required. Anastasia advised that the budget for this project be set at $25,000, with the provision for it to stretch to $30,000 if necessary. Bruce Gorelick supports the budget set forth for Splash Bash 2, but it should not be limited to the amount until details and final costs in the planning stage has been established. Committee will report back at the next meeting. (Bell/Jones) moved that Splash Bash 2 proceed to be planned. The motion carried 17-0-1. Terry abstained due to potential conflict of interest.
f.) DONE’s recommendation for Executive Committee or Ad Hoc committee to draft and review board member responsibility recommendations.
Anastasia suggested that this matter be left up to the Executive Committee and handled in their subcommittee meetings.

5. Vice President’s Report, Orrin Feldman
Orrin noted that the recent private buyout of Madame Tussaud’s had made front-page financial news, and that Tussaud’s new building on Hollywood Boulevard, which the board had approved at the board’s last meeting, had been mentioned in some of the news reports.
a. NC Congress: The planned expenditure of $180,000 for a 4-hour DONE event at the Biltmore has drawn the ire of the Neighborhood Council Congress.
b. Big Sunday: No official, organized projects have been proposed for Big Sunday. Another volunteer meeting has been scheduled for 3/20. Deanna Ruggieri’s committee has discussed possible projects, including mural painting, litter cleanup, and activities in Runyon Canyon. Wilson Bell added that he recently attended a beautification rally where Hilary Clinton was a speaker.

6. Treasurer’s Report: William Bell
William reiterated items touched on previously in the meeting. Only board members can be reimbursed, William is a self-glossed “paperwork Nazi,” and wants original receipts. The board was encouraged to pay for larger ticket items through the board’s debit card or checking account, and not to request a check through the city. It was explained that it costs the city around $200 to fulfill a demand warrant for a check. If the amount in question is small, board members were asked not to request a check from the city.

7. Hollywood Arts Council – Presentation by Nyla Arslanian
Anastasia reported that due to a recent bad car accident in which Nyla’s husband was involved, Nyla will not be able to present at this meeting. This item will carry over to the next agenda.

8. DWP Oversight Committee Report – Joan Luchs (position now open)
Already addressed, attachments included in agenda packet. Joan thanked for stepping in to attend meetings. Joan gives Ron Deaton at DWP a vote of confidence for the future of the council’s relationship with the DWP.

9. Committee Reports
a. Issue Committees:
1. Youth Development, Education and Recreational Resources: Deanna Ruggieri reported that there was a successful committee meeting on 2/13, in which presentations from several programs were presented, including LAPD Hollywood Police Athletic League (PAL).. Concern was expressed over a lack of high school programs.
2. Traffic, Public Transportation, and Parking:
Wayne C. Johansson presented himself and his goals as chair of the traffic committee. His main goals are to identify the traffic concerns, establish organizational knowledge, and create a viable committee. To this end he will be soliciting feedback via an email blast to stakeholders. He maintained that specific to location traffic concerns related to quality of life should be handled by area committees, and that the traffic committee would focus on policy, road closures, and other situations that affect the area in general. Professed goal of having a variety of stakeholders represented on the subcommittee, including representatives from the Fire Department, the Police Department, and other public services.
Anastasia and the board reminded Wayne to not engage in a dialogue via email with 4 or more people, as that is forbidden per the Brown Act.
3.) Community Member Henry Mars expressed concern that emergency preparedness has been neglected by the council, and has had difficulty getting in touch with Anne Marie Lardeau, the Emergency Services, Police and Fire subcommittee chair. The board will assist Henry in getting in contact with Anne Marie.

b. Area Committees:
Area 3: Paul Woolsey
(Woolsey/Meyer) presented a motion: “That HHWNC take a position that the Planning Department institute Sequential Processing on all applications in the area bounded by La Brea Blvd. to its West side, Sunset Blvd. to its South side, Vine to its East side, and on the North side to the junction of Highland and Cahuenga Avenues at the 101 freeway.”
Paul W. defines Sequential Processing as the idea of processing applications as paperwork is completed and received. Joan mentioned that the city has a pay for expediting procedure in place that would be hard to overcome, due to the dollar amounts involved. Michael called for a more detailed definition of the motion, stating that certain applications are more complex than others, and simply processing them in order would be inefficient. He also noted that additional fees for expedited processing only go towards paying for staff overtime. Paul W. contends that in order to fulfill council obligations to stakeholders, the process needs to be more transparent. Cheryl Holland encourages Paul W. to arrange for a city official to speak to the Board, explaining application and expedited processing procedure. Anastasia moves to table the issue until further clarification is obtained via an explanation by a representative from city planning. Paul W. will contact city planning, arrange for a speaker.

(Woolsey/Ramsey) presented a motion: “That HHWNC take a position that the Neighborhood Councils representing Hollywood Stakeholders receive automatic referrals on all applications within the areas of the previous motion from the following: Planning Department, Alcohol Beverage Control, Los Angeles Police Commission, and the Department of Building and Safety.”
Wayne suggested a friendly amendment, that the verbiage “areas of the previous motion” be replaces with “the area bounded by La Brea Blvd. to its West side, Sunset Blvd. to its South side, Vine to its East side, and on the North side to the junction of Highland and Cahuenga Avenues at the 101 freeway.” Paul W. explained the need for maximum information, as some developments come to the attention of the council, while others have no council involvement whatsoever. Wayne questioned why this item was limited to area 3, which prompted Joan to make a friendly amendment that the coverage area of this motion include the entire Hollywood Hills West Neighborhood Council area. The motion carried 15-1-0.

(Woolsey/Jones) presented a motion: “That HHWNC ask that the DOT install speed bumps (3 in each case) in each one block section of all residential streets within Area 3.”
Wayne offered information that approving the installation of speed bumps is a complicated process, and issues of grade, parking, width, and safety all must be considered. Wayne suggested the issue and motion should be tabled and sent back to the area 3 committee pending additional research. Paul W. amended his motion by adding the verbiage “in accordance with DOT guidelines.” Paul R. noted that DOT standards are notoriously strict and that they have a 5-year backlog of street improvement requests. Ken suggested submitting an application to the DOT to assess the street for speed bumps. Wendy added that the new procedure for speed bumps, now called humps, requires 90% of the residents of each street to sign approve of their installation. Wendy suggested the area 3 committee obtain these signatures as a showing of good faith. The motion carried 8-6-1.

Area 5: Michael Meyer
(Meyer/Ramsey) presented a motion: “The Area 5 Committee request that the Mulholland DRB not approve the proposed 40-foot tall cell phone tower on the southeast corner of the Mulholland Drive/Outpost Drive intersection, where it would intrude into the view of the city below. Ask that it be moved to the hill side of Mulholland and be camouflaged to look like a pine tree, if approved at all.”
Before and after pictures of the proposed tower were presented to the board. Concern was expressed over this tower opening the floodgates for other cell phone service providers wanting to erect their own towers. The board was also unsure of whether Verizon would be willing to move the planned location, as there are obviously specific reasons why they chose the location in question, i.e. access to wiring, best possible reception, etc…Community member Toni expressed the need for the tower in the area to improve reception. The motion carried 7-0-4.

Area 8: Ken Jones
(Jones/Meyer) presented a motion: “Requesting HHWNC to reimburse Chairman Ken Jones for 250 “NO SMOKING IN THE CANYON” signs which he made for distribution to stakeholders.”
Signs were printed after a joint meeting on 3/06 of members of Areas 8 and 9 at a cost of $54. Signs passed out to members of the board and stakeholders. Ken explained how they are to be used: upon witnessing a smoker in their car from your car, simply hold up the sign, reminding them that smoking is prohibited in this area due to fire concerns. Anastasia recommends that Ken pay for the signs out of his meeting budget. No vote was necessary.

Area 2: Joan Luchs
Joan reported that a tour of the proposed NBC/Universal project has been postponed due to a lack of support. A committee chair meeting with Universal has been requested, in which they will make a complete presentation. A community meeting is also being planned, but not dates have been set.

10. Update on Hollywood Central Park
Anastasia reported that this agenda will have to be postponed, as presenter Don Scott was out of town.

11. Public Comments: None.

12. Old Business: None.

13. New Business: Michael reminded the board that the election committee needs to be formed at the next board meeting.

14. Meeting adjourned: 9:21PM

* Minutes compiled by Lindsey Willis for Apple One *