Meeting Date: 07/29/09 06:30 PM
Meeting Type: Regular
Location: Women’s Club of Hollywood, 1749 N La Brea Avenue, Hollywood, CA 90046
Details:
BOARD MEETING AGENDA
July 29, 2009
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 April 16, 2009 minutes (see attachment) (Vote)
(5 minutes)
4. President’s Report by Anastasia Mann (20 minutes)
a.) Public Official Reports
i.) CD4 – Stacy Marble
ii.) CD5 – Councilmember Paul Koretz
iii.) CD13 – Helen Leung (departing as of July 31st);
Katherine Hennigan, new Planning Deputy
iv.) Assembly District 42 – Haeyoung Kim, representing Assemblyman Mike Feuer
v.) Office of Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa – Fabiola Vilchez
vi.) Other
b.) Special Meeting Update
c.) 13th District, Councilmember Eric Garcetti’s response to Chamber letter dated June 22nd regarding parking in Hollywood. (see attachment)
d.) Neighborhood Polling Place Suggestion Form (see attachment)
e.) The State of Neighborhood Council Websites. Congratulations to HHWNC Website for being recognized as an excellent example. (see attachment)
5. Vice President’s Report by Orrin Feldman (5 minutes)
6. Treasurer’s Report by Michael Meyer (10 minutes)
a.) Account Balances
b.) Proposed FY 2010 HHWNC Budget (Possible motion and vote)
7. Los Angeles Bureau of Sanitation by Monica Morant
a.) Presentation and update.
8. DRAFT Hollywood Community Plan – Update – by Mary Richardson and Kevin Keller (5 minutes)
9. Committee Reports (20 minutes)
a.) AREA COMMITTEES
i.) Area 5 (Jarone Johnson)
aa.) The Board is requested to support the unanimous votes of the HHWNC Area 5 committee and the Outpost Estates Homeowners Association which opposed T-mobile’s variance requests which would allow the installation of a 9 antenna Cell Tower on the roof of an apartment complex at 7100 Hillside and file a formal appeal if the zoning administrator finds in favor of the variance requests. (Possible motion and vote)
(Background Information)
1.) Building is already in violation of the current height limitation and although the addition of the cell towers will not increase the height of the existing structure, it will increase the square footage of the footprint of the section of the building that is in violation and will thereby present a larger eyesore to those area residents who have a clear unobstructed view of the roof.
2.) The building is located in the area of Outpost Estates that has the greatest residential density and a viable non-residential area is available within two blocks of the apartment complex.
3.) T-mobile claims that this is in response to a customer service problem and they are trying to provide a better service to their mobile clients who use Outpost Dr. as their path to the Valley and get upset when there calls are dropped in the middle of the 1800 block of Outpost Drive.
4.) The tower will only increase the coverage area by one block to the south, two blocks to the north and two blocks to the East and one block to the west.
5.) Residents in the area who require cell phone coverage in their homes are satisfied with the existing coverage provided by Verizon and AT&T whose antennae are more technically advanced and can cover much wider areas with a minimum number of cell towers.
6.) Homeowners and apartment owners are fearful of the negative economic impact that the cell tower will have on their respective properties.
7.) In addition to not being at the administrative hearing, the apartment owner did not have one residential or apartment owner in the area to sign his application in support of the variance request.
bb.) The Board is requested in light of the recent decision by the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals and the refusal of the Supreme Court to hear an appeal in the case of Sprint v. San Diego, to support the a City Wide Moratorium on the installation of Cell Towers to allow time to study the issue and draft a new Wireless Ordinance to provide the strongest protections for citizens allowed under state and federal laws. (Possible motion and vote) (See attachment for Details)
cc.) Area 5 Chair requests discussion on prevention of potential neighborhood blight issues, i.e. graffiti/taggers at Madrone project on La Brea/vacant/incomplete building projects. (7 minutes)
ii.) Area 3 (Paul Woolsey)
aa.) The Board is requested to take a position supporting the addition of two residential units in the current property located at 6732 Franklin Place and increase in density that this will entail. (Possible motion and vote.)
bb.) The Board is requested to take a position supporting the renewal of the Conditional Use Permit for the Mood Nightclub located at 6223 Hollywood Blvd. The original case file number on this is ZA-2003-4910 (CUB) (CUX) and the current renewal is filed under ZA-2009-1840 (CUB) (CUX) with there being no change in the operating conditions. (Possible motion and vote)
iii.) Other Area Committees
aa.) Reports by Committee Chairs in attendance (Optional)
b.) ISSUE COMMITTEES
i.) Environment, Beautification & Aesthetics (Michael Meyer)
aa.) Update on Mulholland and Pilgrim Bridges beautification project
ii.) Emergency Services, Police & Fire (Valorie Keegan)
aa.) Committee update and upcoming event announcements.
iii.) Youth Development, Education & Recreational Resources (Deana Ruggieri)
aa.) Presentation “Yolande Beckles of the Think Global Kids Summer Enrichment Program". The Board is requested to support children and families in the community by offering financial assistance to the Think Global Kids Summer Enrichment Program by submitting payment to the Will and Ariel Durant Branch Library, in the sum of $4500.00, to assist in meeting the cost of the community room fee. (Possible motion and vote.)
iv.) 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.
BOARD MEETING MINUTES
July 29, 2009
1749 North La Brea Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90046
1. Call to order of HHWNC by President Anastasia Mann at 6:37 p.m.
2. Roll call by Secretary Bruce Gorelick: Present: Anastasia Mann, Orrin Feldman, Michael Meyer, Jennifer Fitzgerald, Wayne Johansson, Thor Lee, Paul Ramsey, Valorie Keegan, Barbara Witkin, Daniel Savage, Patricia Weber, Paul Woolsey, Jarone Johnson, PJ Pesce, John Pogue & Cheryl Holland. Quorum established. (Bruce: Please add any additional board members who showed up).
3. Minutes – Review and approve prior April 16, 2009 minutes (This was not done)
4. President’s Report by Anastasia Mann: Introduction of representatives for public officials. Anastasia noted that Parliamentarian Jennifer Fitzgerald is having twins soon. Because there were not many agenda items for June, the Board voted to meet in July. She introduced reps from DONE, CD5’s Jeffrey Evenstein (Councilmember Paul Koretz), Assembly District 42’s staffer Haeyoung Kim (Assemblyman Mike Feuer), and Fabiola Vilchez from Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa’s office. Anastasia announced that CD13 field deputy Helen Leung is leaving at the end of the month. Councilmember Koretz was applauded for being the CD 5 Councilmember to ever visit with the HHWNC board. The Councilmember is in his Hollywood office every other week and he’s in the Valley office on the other weeks. CD5 is creating a mailing list and asked for stakeholders to sign up. Councilmember Koretz talked about the City’s deficit and possible cuts to the fire and police departments’ budgets.
b.) Special Meeting Update – In May, HHWNC held a Special Meeting to approve the new elections procedures. It went well and was completed in about a half hour.
c.) 13th District, Councilmember Eric Garcetti’s response to Chamber letter dated
June 22nd regarding parking in Hollywood. Anastasia explained that the parking meters now limit parking to one hour and require fees throughout the evening. Paul Woolsey noted this negatively impacts visitors coming into the city who want to attend shows in the Business District. He said that he is being told that businesses are reporting financial losses of 40% – 50% due to the lack of available parking. Anastasia noted that parking in the commercial lots can cost $12.00 – $20.00/hour. (Feldman/ ) moved, “Resolved that the HHWNC supports the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce’s efforts to have the City reconsider and revisit: 1) the time limits and charges for street parking and 2) DOT’s regulations, signage and enforcement policies including towing, to benefit the businesses, community, residents, and tourists/visitors.” The motion carried with one abstention.
d.) Neighborhood Polling Place Suggestion Form: DONE rep Mark Lewis asked the board to select four to five locations for HHWNC’s next election on May 13th, 2009. (Feldman/_____) moved that the following four locations be submitted to DONE: Will and Ariel Durant Branch Library, Valley View Elementary School, Hollywood Bowl Museum and Women’s Club of Hollywood with polling hours from 4 p.m. – 8 p.m. The motion carried: 16-0-0.
e.) The State of Neighborhood Council Websites. Anastasia announced that HHWNC
was acknowledged by CityWatch in their July 17, 2009 ezine as one of the Top Five Neighborhood Council Websites for communicating with stakeholders.
5. Vice President’s Report: Orrin Feldman reported that the Hollywood Women’s Club is under new management and he sees this as a positive measure and anticipates greater community outreach. He is working with Lower Nichols Canyon Residents Assoc. to beautify their area and organize the removal of barbed wire fencing by the flood control area on County land there as well as other landscaping on adjacent DWP and City land.
6. Treasurer’s Report: Michael Meyer told the board that DONE has not returned monies that were unspent from last year’s budget and this could represent a loss of $105,000 of funds. He suggested the board focus on the $45,000 approved for this year’s budget. There are presently two projects that were approved by the board for which DONE has not yet funded: The Mulholland – Laurel Canyon Planting Project and the Traffic Study Purchase. The board also spoke about the approval of a purchase of Neighborhood Watch signs, which needed to be reflected in the budget. (Meyer/Johnson) moved to approve the Treasurer’s proposed budget with the addition of Neighborhood Watch signs coming out of discretionary funds.” The motion carried: 17-0-0.
Michael proposed that the Board begin paying Hollywood Women’s Club a rental fee for the use of the clubhouse. In the past, the Club sometimes has not charged HHWNC for their use of the room.
7. Los Angeles Bureau of Sanitation Report by Mary Morant. The presentation covered plans for reducing trash going to urban landfills and exporting trash to suburban landfills.
8. DRAFT Hollywood Community Plan – Mary Richardson and Kevin Keller gave an update
on the latest recommendations and the modified standards for the City’s neighborhoods. Mary also answered questions about slope density requirements. Michael Meyer disclosed that since he
is a transportation consultant for the Planning Department on this updating, he may have to recuse himself from any future votes on the updated Plan. Mary anticipates that a public hearing will be held in November after the draft EIR is issued in August or September.
9. Committee Reports
a.) AREA COMMITTEES
Area 5:
aa.) (Johnson/______ ) moved, “That the HHWNC support the unanimous votes of the HHWNC Area 5 Committee and the Outpost Estates Homeowners Association which opposed T-mobile’s variance requests which would allow the installation of a 9 antenna Cell Tower on the roof of an apartment complex at 7100 Hillside and file a formal appeal if the zoning administrator finds in favor of the variance requests.” The motion carried: 16-1-0.
bb.) (Johnson/______) moved, “That HHWNC support and review by the City Attorney the policy and ordinance with regard to the installation of cell towers in residential areas and amend or draft a new wireless ordinance that would provide stronger protection for citizens and not allow ___________________(inaudible). The motion carried: 7-1-4.
cc.) Jarone discussed with the board possible plans to prevent neighborhood blight issues, i.e. graffiti/taggers and vagrants at the unfinished Madrone project on La Brea Valorie stated that calls should be made to the Fire and Police Departments to take care of this. Orrin said that there is a legal process involved with regard to nuisance abatements, and that the board cannot overstep this process.
Area 3:
aa.) (Woolsey/________) moved, “That HHWNC take a position on a zoning variance supporting the addition of two residential units in the current property located at 6732 Franklin Place and increase in density that this will entail.” After discussion, this motion was tabled.
Property owner’s rep Lauren Windrich spoke about the need for a variance from R4 (with a limitation) so that two units are not licensed as residential units. This is a 3-story, 18 units building with 19 parking spaces. He spoke about solutions to the parking limitations and the efforts to get this issue resolved. Michael suggested an amendment to the motion: “With the understanding that two, onsite parking spaces will be provided.” Orrin suggested waiting until the new density plan is unveiled for the draft of the Hollywood Community Plan. The board noted that they would like to see a formal application filed and hear from both sides before moving forward to approve this motion.
bb.) (Woolsey/ ______) moved that the Board take a position supporting the renewal of the Conditional Use Permit for the Mood Nightclub located at 6223 Hollywood Blvd. The original case file number on this is ZA-2003-4910 (CUB) (CUX) and the current renewal is filed under ZA-2009-1840 (CUB) (CUX) with there being no change in the operating conditions. During discussion, it was noted that there were no supporting documents to inform the board about this matter. As a result, this motion was tabled until the September board meeting.
b.) ISSUE COMMITTEES
i.) Environment, Beautification & Aesthetics (Michael Meyer gave an update on
the Mulholland and Pilgrim Bridges beautification project. When he spoke with CalTrans, he was told that these bridges belong to the City. Councilmember LaBonge’s office has said they will help with this project but he is putting it on hold to see if City funding is forthcoming.
ii.) Emergency Services, Police & Fire – Earlier in the meeting, Valorie Keegan
talked about upcoming rolling brown outs for LA Fire Department firehouses. She noted that this is the driest time of year and that this year has been particularly dry so there is a great fire risk. In conjunction with that risk, she has learned that visiting firefighters will be coming in from other areas to help but since they are unfamiliar with the Hollywood Hills, this could present a possible danger to have them cover Firehouses 41, 27 and 76. She asked Fabiola, the Mayor’s rep, to speak with her about this.
iii.) Youth Development, Education & Recreational Resources, Yolande Beckles
of the Think Global Kids Summer Enrichment Program gave a presentation and introduced kids in the program in conjunction with this motion from board member Deanna Ruggieri. (Meyer/Holland) moved, “That HHWNC pay for the expense of $1,250 for Think Global Kids Summer Enrichment Program to rent the Community Room at the Durant Library for five days, but subject to a review and approval by the Department of Neighborhood Empowermet as to whether HHWNC can make this allocation under DONE’s rules..” The motion carried: 11-4-2.
The original motion was that the Board support children and families in the community by offering financial assistance to the “Think Global Kids” Summer Enrichment Program by submitting payment to the Will and Ariel Durant Branch Library, in the sum of $4,500.00, to assist in meeting the cost of the community room fee. Anastasia noted that the HHWNC has previously donated funding to the library and mentioned that this type of funding has generated problems in terms of getting DONE to pay for it. Orrin added that DONE is presently doing an audit and there are some questions and discrepancies between the amounts of funding the NCs believe they are supposed to have versus the amounts DONE has on record.
10. Old Business – None
11. New Business – None
12. Adjournment at 9:52 p.m.
Minutes by Pat Kramer, Apple One-