Board of Directors Meeting 03/21/06 06:30 PM

Meeting Date: 03/21/06 06:30 PM

Meeting Type: Regular

Location: Hollywood Women’s Club
1749 North La Brea Ave.
Hollywood, CA 90046
Free parking in back of building; Disabled entrance at back door closest to parking area next to disabled parking spot.

Details: HOLLYWOOD HILLS WEST NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL
BOARD MEETING AGENDA
MARCH 21, 2006 6:30 PM

Hollywood Women’s Club
1749 North La Brea Ave.
Hollywood, CA 90046

Free parking in back of building; Disabled entrance at back door closest to parking area next to disabled parking spot.

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) 485-1588 or e-mail to [email protected].

1. Call to order and roll call.

2. Minutes – Review and approve prior January 17, 2005 minutes (vote) (5 minutes).

3. President’s Report:
a.) Neighborhood Council Stakeholder/Outreach Event: Hollywood & Highland party in early summer
b.) Website – posting agendas & minutes
c.) City Councilmember’s Office update – Rory Fitzpatrick
d.) Mayor’s rep Intro – Michael Cathey – Area Director
e.) Clarification of committees’ role in communicating with city officials/etc on matters pertaining to HHWNC

4. 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.

5. Treasurer’s Report (Possible votes) (5 minutes).
a.) MOTION: That the HHWNC Board approve the proposed budget for 2006/2007. (Vote) (5 minutes)

b.) MOTION: That the HHWNC Board approves a budget limit of $200 per Committee meeting and $400 for Board meetings. (Vote) (2 minutes)

c.) MOTION: That the HHWNC Board approves the allocation of up to $15,000 for Neighborhood Council/Hollywood & Highland Stakeholder Registration/Outreach party in the event HHWNC sponsors the event alone, without other Hollywood area NC groups and a proportionate amount if other groups participate. (Vote) (2 minutes)

d.) MOTION: That the HHWNC Board approves giving the Executive Committee authorization to use allocated discretionary funds as needed. (Vote) (2 minutes)

6. Area and Issue Committee Reports (20 minutes)

a.) Area 2 Committee

i.) MOTION 1: HOLD PUBLIC HEARING WITHIN 45 DAYS FOR NIGHTCLUBS INVOLVED WITH A VIOLENT CRIME:

“Per Section 12.27.1 of the LAMC, Administrative Nuisance Abatement Proceedings: To Support and approve Councilman LaBonge’s ll/22/05 motion CF# 05-2579 requesting that a public hearing be conducted within 45 days after the City’s Zoning Administrator is made aware of a serious crime having taken place in a nightclub, bar, restaurant, or any other commercial entertainment venues wherein a violent crime (i.e. homicides, shootings, stabbings, assaults and rapes) occurred and the commercial entertainment venue is the cause of a violent crime, inasmuch as the current process for revocation hearing is lengthy and time consuming.” If approved I also request that the Impact Statement be sent to the Head City Clerk (Frank Martinez) and copies to both Councilman Tom LaBonge and Councilman Ed Reyes (Chair of PLUM (Planned Land Use Management) requesting that it be attached to the Council File # 05-2579. (Vote)

b.) Environment, Beautification, Preservation and Aesthetics Committee

ii.) MOTION: That HHWNC support the creation of a “Coyote Warning” sign program to be implemented on a voluntary basis at the discretion of affected communities and residents. (Vote)

c.) Area 3 Committee
i.) MOTION: That HHWNC support the proposed expansion of the ROKBAR at 1710 N. Las Palmas. (See attached detail) – (Vote)

ii.) MOTION: That HHWNC support the residential project at 6683 Franklin Ave with the following conditions:
1.) Building materials fitting in with the historic patterns of the neighboring houses will be used, including wood paneling and stucco-colored exterior walls and patterns hinting at stone-working. The applicant will supply these to the Board for viewing.
2.) The maximum height of the project will be 45 feet only at the rear portion with 15 to 20 feet.
3.) The large Eucalyptus tree at the rear of the property will be examined by an arborist by the applicant to determine it’s viability vis-a-vis the building.
4.) There will be an extensive and beautifying landscaping plan for the site including flowering trees.

d.) EMS Committee
Update

e.) Traffic, Public Transportation & Parking Committee
i.) Next Traffic, Public Transportation & Parking Meeting tentatively scheduled for Thursday, April 20th at 6pm. Place TBD.
Items tentatively scheduled to include:
– Franklin & Highland Traffic Project presentation and update
– Holly Trolley presentation, update, and future plans
– Other items to be determined. Please feel free to email me with suggestions.

ii) Start of new LAX FlyAway shuttle service from Union Station to LAX Terminals. Now provides the best way to get from the Hollywood area to LAX in just over an hour via the Metro Red Line to Union Station. www.lawa.org/flyAway/

f.) Area 5 Committee
i.) MOTION: That HHWNC request that Tom LaBonge propose an ordinance to the Los Angeles City Council that will restrict the number of large events that require any kind of City permit (charity or any other type) at single-family homes located on streets in residential neighborhoods with hillside streets that are subject to the red flag warning day parking restrictions. The maximum number of such events shall be limited to one event day in any given calendar year. The City shall not issue any permits to property owners or event organizers for events at any property subject to this ordinance above the limits established herein. Should any property subject to this ordinance be used for more than one event day in a calendar year, the property owner shall be liable to a fine, with the fine doubled for each subsequent event, to be assessed against the property taxes owed on that property for the calendar year in which the violation(s) occurred. (Vote)

**Special Meeting
HOLLYWOOD HILLS WEST NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL
SPECIAL AGENDA FOR SPECIAL MEETING
Subject: Area 5 items

1.) Call to order

2.) MOTION: The Area 5 Committee of the Hollywood Hills West Neighborhood Council requests that the Hollywood Hills West Neighborhood Council adopt a motion requesting that the Department of Water and Power expedite the replacement of the main water line under Outpost Drive, which was installed in the 1920’s and is in a bad state of repair and constantly springing leaks necessitating emergency repairs. Outpost Drive is on the City’s priority list for repaving this year and, as such, the replacement of the water line should be a high priority for the DWP to complete this Spring prior to the repaving project so that the newly repaved Outpost Drive will not be torn up for repairs or water line replacement.

3.) MOTION: The Area 5 Committee of the Hollywood Hills West Neighborhood Council requests that the Hollywood Hills West Neighborhood Council adopt a motion opposing the proposed upzoning of multi-family R4 properties in the Hollywood Community Plan by the removal of the “Q” Qualified Condition which currently limits density to one dwelling unit per 600 square feet of lot area. We are opposed to the 50% density increase that the City Planning Department has proposed, by increasing the density to one unit per 400 square feet of lot area, in the areas adjacent to Franklin Avenue and Highland Avenue (designated Subarea 3:1A of the Draft Hollywood Community Plan, February 2006). We do not feel that additional density can be accommodated in Subarea 3:1A due to the already existing traffic congestion along Franklin and Highland Avenues and the lack of plans to reduce this congestion in the future.

4.) Public Comment

5.) Adjournment
*******
**Board Meeting cont.

7. Education and Neighborhoods Committee (E&C) Purpose and Timeline Update. Dan Bernstein will present. Possible motion and vote. (5 minutes)

8. “Party House” Issue: Discussion on use of private homes for commercial events/noise and parking issue for hillside neighborhoods. Presentation by Rory Fitzpatrick, CD 4 and other city officials. (Possible motion and vote). (5 minutes)

9. Big Sunday: MOTION: That HHWNC approve the donation of $1,000 for food & beverages to be given to volunteers at Big Sunday on May 7, 2006. (Vote) (5 minutes)

10. Los Angeles Neighborhood Council Congress Charter: Update on pros and cons of the LANC. President may appoint LANC Representative. (Possible motion & vote) (5 minutes)

11. Board Member Comments: old business/non-agenda items (1 minute per member)

12. Adjournment (8 p.m. or earlier).

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
BOARD MEETING
APPROVED MINUTES
MARCH 21, 2006 6:30 PM

Hollywood Women’s Club
1749 North La Brea Ave.
Hollywood, CA 90046

1. Called to order at 6:44pm
Present: Anastasia Mann, President; Orrin Feldman, Vice President; Jennifer Fitzgerald, Secretary; Gary Nestra, Treasurer; Issue Committee Chairs: Dennis Lytton, Jarone Johnson, Thor Lee, Frank DeFoe, Rena Dheming, Anne Marie Lardeau, Jim Meinel; Area Committee Chairs: Paul Ramsey, Joan Luchs, Paul Woolsey, Michael Meyer, Cheryl Holland, Ken Jones, John Pogue, Conrad Schoeffer

Absent: Ellen Sondheim, Parliamentarian; Theresa Larkin, Claire Guy, Fred Fichtl

2. Approval of January 17, 2005 minutes
MOTION by Orrin: That HHWNC approve 1/17/06 Board meeting minutes.
SECOND: Michael Meyer
VOTE: Passed unanimously
MOTION PASSES

3. [Skipped to Agenda item 6 f.) i.)] MOTION by Area 5 Committee: HHWNC request that Tom LaBonge propose an ordinance to the Los Angeles City Council that will restrict the number of large events that require any kind of City permit (charity or any other type) at single-family homes located on streets in residential neighborhoods with hillside streets that are subject to the red flag warning day parking restrictions. SECOND: Kenneth Jones
DISCUSSION: Michael Meyer, Area 5 Committee Chair informed the Board of a house that had been used during Oscar week for 4 days/nights straight for huge parties and had caused a major parking issue and noise problem. The stakeholders in Area 5 wanted to put forth a motion requesting the City to take action against these types of parties, which happen frequently.
Rory Fitzpatrick from Councilmember LaBonge’s office introduced Dave Keim, Bureau Chief and Bill Kysella, Deputy City Attorney Neighborhood Prosecutor Hollywood Area, to explain the challenges the City has with citing these house parties. Dave spoke to the zoning ordinance and the commercial activity. The City faces a problem trying to prove these parties are commercial activity, if there is no commercial activity than they can’t do anything. He agrees that these parties are a safety problem, and the Councilmember’s office is working on drafting an ordinance that will be based on HHWNC recommendations. There are legal limitations since these are private homes.
VOTE: 13 in favor; 4 opposed; 1 abstain
MOTION PASSES

4. [Skipped to agenda item 7] Neighborhood Council Review Commission
Dan Bernstein asked that the Board take a position on recommending to the Education and Neighborhoods Committee that the commissioners have served on a neighborhood council before being eligible to serve on the Neighborhood Council Review Commission.
MOTION by Joan: That HHWNC support the recommendation to the Education and Neighborhoods Committee that the commissioners should served on a neighborhood council before serving on the Neighborhood Council Review Commission.
SECOND: Paul Woosley
DISCUSSION: Dan gave background on NC Review Commission and that it is required.
VOTE: 12 in favor; 1 opposed
MOTION PASSES

5. President’s Report
a.) Anastasia spoke about Neighborhood Council Stakeholder/Outreach Event: Hollywood & Highland party on June 1 or June 15. She asked the support of the Board. Michael Cathey from the Mayor’s office was present to show their support of this Outreach event, as well as Rory Fitzpatrick from LaBonge’s office showed their support.
b.) Protocol is for all Area & Issue Committee motions to be approved by the Board and the President needs to sign the request letter. If you do contact city officials, you need to identify that you’re speaking as an individual, not for HHWNC.
c.) If you are interested in being a part of the Splash Bash ad hoc committee, please contact Anastasia Mann.

6. Treasurer’s Report
a.) AMENDMENT to MOTION by Ken Jones: That the HHWNC Board approves the allocation of up to $25,000 for Neighborhood Council/Hollywood & Highland Stakeholder Registration/Outreach party in the event HHWNC sponsors the event alone, without other Hollywood area NC groups and a proportionate amount if other groups participate.
SECOND: Paul Woolsey
DISCUSSION: Jarone Johnson suggested there be some activities for children.
VOTE: Passed unanimously
MOTION PASSES

b.) MOTION: That the HHWNC Board approves a budget limit of $200 per Committee meeting and $400 for Board meetings.
SECOND: Jennifer
VOTE: Passed unanimously
MOTION PASSES

c.) MOTION: That the HHWNC Board approves giving the Executive Committee authorization to use the $3,500 allocated as discretionary funds as needed.
SECOND: Orrin
VOTE: Passed unanimously
MOTION PASSES

d.) MOTION: That the HHWNC Board approve the proposed budget for 2006/2007.
SECOND: Orrin
VOTE: Passed unanimously
MOTION PASSES

7. Public Comment
a.) Valerie Keegan representing Spaulding Square and Sunset Square Boards ( and speaking on behalf of the members of both boards who were present) would like to work with HHWNC to control and possibly stop all the development in Area 7 especially on La Brea between Fountain and Franklin. Cheryl Holland, Area 7 Chair, is planning to have a meeting soon to consider this issue, including the feasibility of an interim control ordinance.

b.) Christine from DONE expressed her opinion that an Election Committee should be organized immediately and get a new election policy written and submitted to DONE.

c.) Justine Halliday from Area 6 would like to run for Area 6 Chair position at the next Board meeting.

8. Area and Issue Committee Reports
a.) Area 2 Committee

i.) MOTION: That HHWNC support Area 2 request that a public hearing be held within 45 days for nightclubs involved with a violent crime.
“Per Section 12.27.1 of the LAMC, Administrative Nuisance Abatement Proceedings: To Support and approve Councilman LaBonge’s ll/22/05 motion CF# 05-2579 requesting that a public hearing be conducted within 45 days after the City’s Zoning Administrator is made aware of a serious crime having taken place in a nightclub, bar, restaurant, or any other commercial entertainment venues wherein a violent crime (i.e. homicides, shootings, stabbings, assaults and rapes) occurred and the commercial entertainment venue is the cause of a violent crime, inasmuch as the current process for revocation hearing is lengthy and time consuming.”
SECOND: Paul Ramsey
Discussion by various board members.
VOTE: Passed unanimously
MOTION PASSES

b.) Environment, Beautification, Preservation and Aesthetics Committee

i.) MOTION: That HHWNC support the request that the City of Los Angeles Bureau of Street Services give priority to removal of illegal newsracks ahead of the Newsrack Ordinance Implementation schedule during significant beautification projects in HHWNC areas.
SECOND: Paul Ramsey
DISCUSSION: Anne Marie explained that the ordinance has started in the Valley and will take a while to get to our area. If we send a letter now, we may see some action soon.
VOTE: Passed unanimously
MOTION PASSES

ii.) MOTION: That HHWNC support the creation of a “Coyote Warning” sign program to be implemented on a voluntary basis at the discretion of affected communities and residents.
SECOND: Paul Ramsey
DISCUSSION: Anne Marie explained this would not be mandatory. The neighborhoods would elect to participate in posting the signs. The Committee plans to raise $1,500 for this effort and the signs would be distributed by HBT. DOT would have to post the signs.
VOTE: 11 in favor; 4 opposed; 1 abstain
MOTION PASSES

c.) Area 3 Committee
i.) MOTION: That HHWNC support the proposed expansion with changes to C.U.P of the ROKBAR at 1710 N. Las Palmas.
SECOND: Paul Ramsey
VOTE: 17 in favor; 1 abstain
MOTION PASSES

ii.) MOTION WITHDRAWN by Area 3 Chair

**Special Meeting
HOLLYWOOD HILLS WEST NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL
SPECIAL AGENDA FOR SPECIAL MEETING
Subject: Area 5 items

1.) Called to order at 8:49pm

4.) No Public Comment

5.) Adjournment at 9:03pm

*******
**Board Meeting cont.

d.) Emergency Services, Police and Fire Committee
Meeting will be scheduled soon. Check website for updates.

e.) Traffic, Public Transportation & Parking Committee
i.) Chair asked stakeholders to attend next Traffic, Public Transportation & Parking Meeting tentatively scheduled for Thursday, April 20th at 6pm. Place TBD.

9. Big Sunday
MOTION by Orrin: That HHWNC approve the donation of $1,000 for food & beverages to be given to volunteers at Big Sunday on May 7, 2006.
SECOND: Jennifer
VOTE: Passed unanimously
MOTION PASSED

10. Update on LANC
Orrin updated the Board on LANC. HHWNC has not joined the LANC yet. The next meeting is April 1st.

11. Board Member Comments
a.) Conrad requested that a spam filter be bought for the HHWNC squirrel mail.
b.) Anastasia requested that the Board members send their info for business cards.

12. Adjournment at 9:10pm

Respectfully submitted by
Jennifer Fitzgerald, HHWNC Secretary