Meeting Date: 05/10/10 06:30 PM
Meeting Type: Regular
Location: Women’s Club of Hollywood, 1749 N La Brea Avenue, Hollywood, CA 90046
Details:
BOARD MEETING AGENDA
May 10, 2010
6:30pm
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 March 10, 2010 minutes (see attachment) (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 –Stacy Marble, 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.) Other
b.) Status Updates from last Meeting
i.) Board member issue
ii.) Save the Peak update
iii.) Other
c.) Taste of Hollywood by Tom Trynin (5 minutes) (see attachment)
d.) Baseline Hillside Ordinance – City Planning Commission Meeting, May 13, 2010
(see attachment from Erick Lopez)
5. Vice President’s Report by Orrin Feldman (10 minutes)
6. Treasurer’s Report by Michael Meyer (10 minutes)
a.) Updates
b.) FY 1010-2011 Annual Budget Adoption (Possible Motion and Vote.)
7. Elections, May 13th– Candidates are invited to speak. (see attachment)
8. Proposed Septic Systems Ordinance by Chandra Silaban, Environmental Engineering Associate,
City of Los Angeles, Bureau of Sanitation (10 minutes)
9. Committee Reports (20 minutes)
a.) AREA COMMITTEES
i.) Area 9 (John Pogue/Orrin Feldman)
aa.) Area 9 of the Hollywood Hills West Neighborhood Council requests that the Hollywood Hills West Neighborhood Council Board of Directors vote to recommend to the Los Angeles Department of Transportation (and the LA County DOT, if necessary) that the illuminated signage at bus stop #218 be removed. Bus stop #218 is located in the Mulholland Inner Corridor, a National Scenic Corridor and by ordinance is not permitted. (Possible Motion and Vote.)
ii.) Area 7 (Cheryl Holland)
aa.) The Will and Ariel Durant Library is facing major staff and funding reductions in
the childrens’ services. The Board is asked to approve funding which will allow for a limited
continuation of services to the children, which would otherwise be lost, by approving a
donation to Friends of Will and Ariel Durant to be specifically earmarked in the following
manner:
I.) Weekly Family Nights/story times throughout the year provided by Hillary
George.
II.) Additional part-time services of Hillary George, as funding and scheduling permits, to assist in the Children’s section.
III.) To expand and update the children’s book collection for the well-used and very popular 2nd and 3rd grade series collection, to enhance and develop the Newberry and Caldecott Award Books, and to update the childrens non-fiction and picture book collections.
The cost for items 1 and 2 are $10,000 and could be expanded with additional funding. Item no. 3 is $5,000. (Possible Motion and Vote.)
bb.) The Board is asked to recommend:
I.) That the Planning Commission retains the current general plan designation
of low-medium density for the 1300 and 1400 blocks of North Fairfax; and,
II.) That the proposed zone change for 1352 and 1356 N. Fairfax shall be from R-1 and R-21XL, respectively, to RD1.5-1XLD, with D limitation meaning no more than two stories excluding the subterranean level and that the owner of the proposed development shall honor all previous commitments to sight-line maintenance, privacy, and mature plantings between the development and R-1 properties located to the east on Orange Grove Avenue. (Possible Motion and Vote)
iii.) Other Area Committees
aa.) Reports by Committee Chairs in attendance (Optional)
b.) ISSUE COMMITTEES
i.) Other Issue 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.
UNAPPROVED BOARD MEETING MINUTES
May 10, 2010
1749 North La Brea Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90046
1. Call to order by HHWNC President Anastasia Mann.
2. Roll call by Jennifer Fitzgerald: Anastasia Mann, Orrin Feldman, Michael Meyer, Jennifer Fitzgerald, Wayne Johansson, Thor Lee, Paul Ramsey, Valorie Keegan, Wendy Kneedler-Senior, Barbara Witkin, Daniel Savage, Patricia Weber, PJ Pesce, Cheryl Holland, Donovan Ryan. Quorum established.
3. Minutes – (Pesce/Keegan) moved that HHWNC approve the prior March 10, 2010 minutes as presented. The motion carried unanimously.
a.) Public Official Reports
ii.) CD4 –Stacy Marble, Field Deputy, Office of Councilmember Tom LaBonge
b.) Status Updates from last Meeting
i.) Board member issue – Anastasia had a conversation with Paul Woolsey, the board member accused of wrongdoing. She said he is willing to straighten out any problems that may exist.
ii.) Save the Peak update: HHWNC voted to send $5,000 to Councilmember LaBonge’s “Save the Peak” campaign to purchase the land adjacent to the Hollywood sign. The land will officially become part of Griffith Park. Contributions from Hugh Hefner and Tiffany and Co. helped to achieve the goal to save that land from development.
iii.) Valorie announced the “Exercising Can Be Fun” event on May 15th, an intergenerational exercise program.
A Senior Lead Officer summit will be held in Hollywood on May 12th for stakeholders
to speak with the police department about current issues in their division.
c.) Taste of Hollywood– Tabled.
d.) Baseline Hillside Ordinance – This issue is scheduled for May 27 at City Hall when the City Planning Commission Meeting will take it up.
5. Vice President’s Report, Orrin Feldman reported that stakeholders in Areas 8 and 9 will be meeting at the City Planning Commission to support a motion, put forth by the Building and Safety Commission, requiring owners of five unfinished homes at the top of Mt. Olympus to tear them down..
Fresh Bite, a sidewalk restaurant in Hollywood, has been sent a letter by the Planning Dept. to comply with a requirement for a 15’ setback.
Orrin brought up the issue of an increase in illegal parking on Mulholland Drive by Runyon Canyon, where Areas 2 and 6 come together. He said the Hillsides are being eroded by this parking problem and suggested the new board take up this issue after the election.
6. Treasurer’s Report, Michael Meyer distributed a handout of his proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2010-11. Received notice from the City, new fiscal year July 1st, April 29th asked for a new proposed budget by June 10th. New board will be elected this week. Need to adopt initial budget. Lost $107,000 rollover funds from previous years but he thinks they will be able to roll forward some unspent money from this year. Of the last budget there is close to $33,000 in unspent funds. $45,000 in funding this past year spent $13,825. Review of traffic study at Universal, bought NW signs, spent money on website, mail and email, meeting expenses, memberships, postage, brochures, outreach materials, $5,000 to save Cahuenga Peak, and a beautification project. He anticipates next year’s funding to be $45,000 left. With the rollover funding it would be about $78,000.
b.) FY 1010-2011 Annual Budget Adoption: (Meyer/Fitzgerald) moved that HHWNC submit the draft budget to the city as the starting point for the next fiscal year.” During discussion, Meyer tabled this item to later in the meeting so the budget could reflect any appropriations approved by the Board during the meeting. The budget, as modified, to not call out specific budget allocations to each Area Committee, passed unanimously.
7. Elections, May 13th– The HHWNC election is set up for May 13th at the Hollywood Women’s Club. The following candidates are running. Those listed as bold made announcements about their candidacy (all were new candidates):
Anastasia Mann (President), Orrin Feldman (VP), Khaled Kaawar (Secretary), Michael Meyer (Treasurer), Aaron Rogers (Parliamentarian), Wayne Johansson (Issue 1), Brian Johnson (Issue 2), Terry Migliaccio (Issue 3), Maria Rychlicki (Issue 4), Issue 5 is open, Valorie Keegan (Issue 6), Alison Connell (Issue 7), Barbara Witkin (Issue 8), Christopher Kaufman (Issue 9), Daniel Savage (Area 1), Bryce Lowery (Area 2), John Mitchell (Area 3), Robin Moreno (Area 3), Paul Woolsey (Area 3), – Area 4 is open – Jarone Johnson Jr. (Area 5), Dietrich Nelson (Area 6), Rebecca Arce (Area 7), Donovan Ryan (Area 8), and Jonathan Sweet (Area 9). Anastasia reviewed the write-in policy for the election.
8. Proposed Septic Systems Ordinance by Chandra Silaban, Environmental Engineering Associate, City of Los Angeles, and Bureau of Sanitation. Doug Walters from the Department of Sanitation introduced the new proposed septic tank ordinance. Doug said there are some septic systems that are considered “high risk” because of their proximity to a stream and that their ordinance was to protect the environment. He noted that connecting to the city’s sewers is very expensive and that this is a tough economic time for many people. They originally scheduled this ordinance to take effect this year but he said they are still getting input on it now.
Chandra then reviewed each aspect of the proposal explaining what would be required.
Councilmember Tom LaBonge then joined the meeting and spoke about Council District updates such as the successful Save the Peak campaign to safeguard the section of Hollywood Hills with the Hollywood sign. He then congratulated the members of the current board for their service and gave each member in attendance a certificate of appreciation. Anastasia then announced a special certificate for Peggy Sun, Bruce Gorelick’s secretary, for her exceptional work in creating the agendas and taking care of the administration for the HHWNC board.
Chandra then continued with the septic system presentation reviewing their requirements: They want to inspect septic systems once every five years and would require an upgrade permit and fees for any services associates with the updating of the septic systems.
.
9. Committee Reports
a.) AREA COMMITTEES
i.) Area 9:
Orrin Feldman presented this motion on behalf of John Pogue (who was absent). (Feldman/Keegan) moved, “Area 9 of the Hollywood Hills West Neighborhood Council requests that the Hollywood Hills West Neighborhood Council Board of Directors vote to recommend to the Los Angeles Department of Transportation (and the LA County DOT, if necessary) that the illuminated signage at bus stop #218 be removed. Bus stop #218 is located in the Mulholland Inner Corridor, a National Scenic Corridor and by ordinance is not permitted. A friendly amendment was made by Feldman replacing “by ordinance is not permitted” to ”commercial advertising in this national scenic corridor should not be permitted” and to add “Metro” to the list of those receiving this recommendation.” The motion carried unanimously.
ii.) Area 7:
(Holland/Pesce) moved, “The Will and Ariel Durant Library is facing major staff and funding reductions in children’s’ services. The Board is asked to approve funding which will allow for a limited continuation of services for the children, which would otherwise be lost, by approving a donation to Friends of Will and Ariel Durant to be specifically earmarked in the following manner:
- Weekly Family Nights/story times throughout the year.
- Additional programs for the children’s section.
- To expand and update the children’s book collection for the well-used and very popular 2nd and 3rd grade series collection, to enhance and develop the Newberry and Caldecott Award Books, and to update the children’s non-fiction and picture book collections.
The cost for items 1 and 2 are $10,000 and could be expanded with additional funding. Item no. 3 is $5,000. The motion, as amended, was approved: 9-2-3.
Cheryl explained that everything would be provided to the parents and children for free among these services. Michael stated that neighborhood councils are now permitted to contribute to 501C3 non profits.
(Holland/Ramsey) moved, “That the Planning Commission retain the current general plan designation of low-medium density for the 1300 and 1400 blocks of North Fairfax. And,
that the proposed zone change for 1352 and 1356 N. Fairfax shall be from R-1 and R-21XL, respectively, to RD1.5-1XLD, with D limitation meaning no more than two stories excluding the subterranean level and that the owner of the proposed development shall honor all previous commitments to sight-line maintenance, privacy, no overhanging balconies and mature plantings between the development and R-1 properties located to the east on Orange Grove Avenue.” The motion carried.
10. Public Comments – Stakeholder, Leigh French, commented on problems with the dog park at Runyon Canyon.
13. Adjournment: 9:15 p.m.
Minutes by Pat Kramer, Kelly Services.