Meeting Date: 09/23/08 06:30 PM

Meeting Type: Regular

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

Details:

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].

In compliance with Government Code section 54957.5, non-exempt writings that are distributed to a majority or all of the board in advance of a meeting may be obtained at the meeting and also viewed at our Office located at 1755 North Highland Avenue, Hollywood, CA 90028, Executive Offices. In addition, if you would like a copy of any record related to an item on the agenda please contact Peggy Sun at 323.856.1214.

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 July 22, 2008 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.) 42nd Assembly District (Ted Holmquist)
iv.) Other

b.) Executive Committee Meeting Update
i.) Approve funds for Evac Day (September 6, 2008) for food and supplies/animal care
by Valorie Keegan, Emergency Services, Police & Fire Chair (Possible motion and vote.) Executive Committee approved up to $1200.
ii.) Discussion on Committee Chairs taking positions on issues not approved by Board.
Complaint filed by Area 3 stakeholder RE: Yucca Market liquor sales.
iii.) Discussion of By Law Revision Process/Update (See Vice President’s Bylaw report)
iv.) DONE Funding Process (Michael Meyer)
v.) Discussion on passage of Proposition 8 and to object to the Proposition’s inclusion on the November 2008 ballot (Possible motion and vote.) Executive Committee voted against.

c.) Los Angeles Neighborhood Council Coalition (See attachment)

d.) Congress 2008 Fundraising. Motion by the Chair: The HHWNC Board consider donating
$500.00 to the cost of the 2008 CONGRESS of Neighborhoods and Mayor’s Budget Day event on Saturday, October 11, 2008 as per the request of DONE. (See attachment)

5. Vice President’s Report by Orrin Feldman (5 minutes)
a.) Update of By Law Ad Hoc Committee

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

7. LADWP Sustainable Water Supply Public Forum (Greg Bartz, Marvin Moon, Wayne Hinkson & Claire Guy) (See attachment)

8. NBC Universal Vision Ad Hoc Committee (Wayne A. Johansson)
a.) Committee Update

9. Hollywood’s Santa Parade Sponsorship (Orrin Feldman) (See attachment)

10. Committee Reports (20 minutes)

a.) ISSUE COMMITTEES

i.) Youth Development, Education and Recreational (Deana Ruggieri)
aa.) Committee Update Report

ii.) Emergency Services, Police & Fire (Valorie Keegan)
aa.) Committee Update Report on the recent Evacuation Drill on September 6, 2008.

iii.) Cultural Resources, Entertainment, Public Events & Networking (Barbara Witkin)
aa.) Presentation by Sara Daleiden from Freewaves. HHWNC Board is requested to donate monies to Freewaves 11th Festival of New Media Art. (Possible Motion and Vote.)

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

b.) AREA COMMITTEES
i.) Area 2 (Patricia Weber)
aa.) Report Update on status of DS Ventures project on Cahuenga Blvd. West known as Banana Bungalows.

ii.) Area 3 (Paul Woolsey)
aa.) The Board is requested to support the application of the Famima Market located at
6759 Hollywood Boulevard to have retail sales of beer and wine for off-site consumption only with the following applicant-volunteered conditions being added to the Type-20 ABC license as these conditions are not enforceable in a planning department C.U.P.:
1) There will be sales of individual containers only.
2) There will be no sales of so-called "40-ouncers " of beer.
3) There will be no sales of cheap wine with twist-off caps or bottles costing less than 5 $ each.
4) If at any time the applicant wished to add retail sales of distilled spirits they will return to speak with this organization (HHWNC).

The support letters will go to both the Planning Department Los Angeles and to
the Department of Alcohol Beverage Control. (Possible Motion and Vote)

bb.) Area 3, Housing, and Business Committees recommend to the HHWNC Board of Directors and stakeholders the following in regards to the on-going By-laws amendment process.
1) That no changes be made to the current committee system.
2) If a change creating a P.L.U.M. committee is made, that committee should function in the existing format of an issue committee with all willing stakeholders able to join as full committee members and vote.
3) All proposed HHWNC By-laws amendments be presented to our stakeholders at the special election as individual voting items and not as a single "blue plate special" given the need to amend election procedures for certification requirements and the extent of proposed changes.
4) Recognize in our by-laws the established de facto practice of area committees receiving the first presentation and voting first on land-use applications in their own territory with a strong recommendation of holding joint meetings with the relevant issue committee(s).

iii.) Area 9 (John Pogue)
aa.) The Board is requested to approve up to $2,800 in funds to pay for California native plants, decomposed granite, materials, rocks and irrigation equipment to be used at the public open space at the south east corner of Mulholland Drive and Laurel Canyon.

Laurel Canyon resident, Bob Yothers, has already begun improvements at this corner with the help of Area 9 volunteers, under the auspices of his "Beautiful Laurel Canyon" grant from the city of Los Angeles. The landscaping and maintenance plan for the corner has been approved by neighbors on Woodrow Wilson Drive, the Mulholland Design Review Board and the City of Los Angeles, with all necessary permits obtained.

Bob Yothers would submit invoices for materials/plants, etc. used at the site. (Possible Motion and Vote)

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

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.

1. Call to order by HHWNC President Anastasia Mann at 6:40 p.m.

2. Roll call by Secretary, Bruce Gorelick: Board members present: Anastasia Mann, Orrin Feldman, Michael Meyer, Bruce Gorelick, Michael Meyer, Wayne Johansson, Deanna Ruggieri, Valorie Keegan, Paul Ramsey, Wendy Kneedler – Senior, Barbara Witkin, Patricia Weber, Paul Woolsey, Andy Ulloa, Cheryl Holland, John Pogue, and Thor Lee. Claire Guy arrived later. Quorum established.

Bruce announced the availability of speaker cards, stakeholder registration, agendas, and that the meeting was being taped.

3. Minutes – (Kneedler/Woolsey) moved to approve the July 22, 2008 minutes as submitted. The motion carried: 15-0-0.

4. President’s Report by Anastasia Mann
a.) Public Official Reports
i.) CD4, Stacy Marble made the following announcements: The 5th Annual Salute to
Police Officers takes place on Oct. 4th along Hollywood Boulevard, the Fall Equinox hike is coming up, and there will be an Annual Holiday Party in Toluca Lake Dec. 5th. The Councilmember supports two motions on the agenda regarding construction of sidewalks on the Cahuenga Pass and restrictions on party houses. She also spoke about the Wattles Mansion which Recreation and Parks is overseeing. She communicated the Councilman’s salute of HHWNC for the Disaster Evacuation Drill calling it the most successful effort ever in the Hollywood Hills.

ii.) CD13, Helen Leung reported that one of Councilman Garcetti’s goals is to build a
new parking garage at Hollywood and Vine to reduce parking congestion and improve traffic flow. She spoke the website that will provide parking information to motorists. They are looking for block captains to spot and reduce graffiti in the area.

iii.) 42nd Assembly District, Ted Holmquist is new to Assembly Member Mike
Fueur’s office.

iv.) Mayor’s Office: Anastasia announced that Norma Vega has taken a new position
with the Census Division. She congratulated her on her efforts in working with HHWNC.

b.) Executive Committee Meeting Update
i.) Funding for Evacuation Day: Anastasia reported that the Executive Committee approved funding of up to $1,200 for food, supplies and animal care at Evacuation Day held on September 6, 2008. She thanked Valorie Keegan and her team for their extraordinary efforts on behalf of this event.

ii.) Complaint filed by Area 3 stakeholder RE: Yucca Market liquor sales. Anastasia introduced stakeholder John Ehretz, who brought this issue to her. Mr. Ehretz also filed an appeal to the Zoning Administrator regarding approval of a liquor license to Yucca Market. That approval was, in part, based on a recommendation for the license by Area Chair Paul Woolsey, who indicated he was speaking on behalf of the HHWNC.
Anastasia asked that it go on the record that no Issues Chair or Area Chair for HHWNC is permitted to represent any issue to any public body in the name of the full board. She said this is a rule that all neighborhood councils must follow and that all members of the board must adhere to the rules and not represent themselves as expressing the full board. She then stated that this issue may need to be addressed in the Bylaws. Also, no chair of any committee can take any position using the HHWNC in their communication with any city official, city body or anyone in writing or in person without it coming under her name and her signature as representing the position of the full board.
After hearing from Lena Ghafoor, a stakeholder, Anastasia reminded all Issues and Committee Chairs that they must post all items to be discussed at their meetings on their agendas and post them 72 hours prior to the meeting. Chairs must also notify stakeholders on their email list and all meeting minutes must be posted after the meeting, within a certain amount of time.
In reference to the issue of the Yucca Market, Anastasia wrote a letter to the Zoning Administrator informing her that the HHWNC did not take a stand either way on this issue.
Stakeholder Tricia La Belle then said she believed there was an infraction of ethics by Area 3 Chair Paul Woolsey, who she said also, wrote a letter in 2006 to the Zoning Administration recommending approval of a liquor license for Crobar at Hollywood & Wilcox. She stated that this was in disregard of public opposition at the Area meeting. Anastasia noted that Paul could have any opinion he wanted on any issue, but must represent himself as an individual and not use any reference to his position on the board. Board members cannot even identify themselves as a HHWNC member when stating their opinions.

iii.) Discussion of By Law Revision Process/Update: HHWNC Bylaws Chair Orrin Feldman reported that the Executive Committee voted to change the Bylaws to extend board member’s term to Sept. 2010 in conjunction with the next election.

iv.) DONE Funding Process: See Treasurer’s Report.

v.) Discussion on Proposition 8 for the November 2008 ballot. At the request and
motion by Treasurer Michael Meyer, the Executive Committee voted against taking a stand on the Proposition as a board. Michael said that although he objects to the Proposition overturning the legality of gay marriage he didn’t feel it was the role of the board to debate statewide political and social issues. He recommended stakeholders vote "NO" on Prop. 8 when they go to the polls in November.

c.) Los Angeles Neighborhood Council Coalition: Anastasia referred to the document in
the agenda.

d.) Congress 2008 Fundraising. Anastasia reported that board members PJ Pesce and
Donovan Ryan will represent HHWNC at the Congress of Neighborhoods on October 11th at City Hall. (Mann/Guy) moved, "That the HHWNC Board consider donating $500.00 to the cost of the 2008 CONGRESS of Neighborhoods and Mayor’s Budget Day event on Saturday, October 11, 2008 as per the request of DONE." The motion carried: 16-0-1.

Orrin pointed out that DONE will be setting up an inter account transfer for the funding.

5. Vice President’s Report, Orrin noted that John Pogue could not attend the board meeting
but that Area 9 had a good turnout for their August meeting. On the issue of Party Houses,
Areas 7, 8, and 9 have all reported property owners are renting out their houses for these parties without a business permit. He also discussed different projects taking place in the area and the potential need for creating a Planning and Land Use Committee for HHWNC.

6. Treasurer’s Report, Michael Meyer announced the HHWNC budget was $153,000 as of Sept. 1, 2008. After all invoices are paid, it will be reduced to $116,300. He has paid for 50% of the costs related to the website update, pigeon abatement monies were approved, the HBT bill was approved, and the Hollywood Navigate website is in process. He also submitted a demand warrant for $15,000 for monies approved for the Hollywood Women’s Club. And the funding for library books was approved and a check has been issued. He was dismayed that DONE declined to pay for approved Outreach expenses of $1,147 to board member Barbara Witkin for Outreach items she had personally funded. He said that DONE has strict rules for reimbursement and reminded the board that need to provide him with documents requested by DONE before they will make payment. This includes a copy of invoices, board meeting minutes when the item was approved, and any other supporting documents.

7. LADWP Sustainable Water Supply Public Forum: Department of Water and Power
officials presented information to the board about the DPW’s Sustainable Water Forum held in September. On Oct. 18th, DWP will hold a Fall Budget Workshop. They will also be sharing information at the Mayor’s Budget Day on Oct. 11th.

Greg Bartz and Wayne Hinkson then talked about the DWP’s program saying a new record of energy use was reached during peak demand in 2006 and 2007. Orrin reminded Wayne which HHWNC neighborhoods were among the worst and most frequently hit with blackouts, and asked what was being done to reduce the likelihood of more blackouts, i.e. fixing infrastructure in the HHWNC area. Wayne said they are replacing transformers, underground substructure, underground cables, and underground conversions and monitoring the reliability of the areas. Internally, they have stepped up their recruitment efforts to get engineers, field personnel, and administrative personnel on board. They have also ramped up their training program, enhanced purchasing and contracting operations and improved transparency and communications with the public.

Hussein and Terry Jackson then addressed DWP’s efforts to address HHWNC area outages saying they have done the necessary underground inspections of the Mt. Olympus area and found where the problems were. Since then, they have begun installation of new power cables coming up from Sunset Blvd. (where previously, they were only fed from the Mulholland power station). Six new primary circuits will feed power up the hill and reduce vulnerability making circuits more localized. They have also reduced the size of the circuits that were feeding power to the area, which is in an area where there is a lot of wind damage. The new circuits are underground and should be better protected from the elements. In the Outpost area, they have added some substructures, replaced underground conductors and increased their size. Terry said it is an ongoing process but that they have been very aggressive in this area.

(President Anastasia Mann had to leave the meeting due to illness. Vice President Orrin Feldman assumed chairmanship duties for the rest of the meeting).

8. NBC Universal Vision Ad Hoc Committee
a.) Committee Update: Orrin informed the board that he and Anastasia have been told that they are no longer considered representatives of HHWNC to this Ad Hoc Committee. Since the City’s indemnity just extends to neighborhood councils, the Working Group has reorganized and is now a 501C3. Orrin and Anastasia have been asked to serve as directors for this new, Not for Profit organization, but since they would have to carry their own liability, they have not made a decision yet. He said there will be a Town Hall meeting on November 12, 2008 sponsored by area neighborhood councils that are impacted by this development and they will be joined by the Working Group. The Draft EIR for the Metrolink subway station came out mid August. Stakeholders can look it up on the internet. Anyone will comments on this project must submit them by Nov. 24, 2008.

9. Hollywood’s Santa Parade Sponsorship, Orrin noted that CD13 is looking for sponsors to purchase pole banners @ $3,000 each and balloons for the Santa Claus Parade down Hollywood Boulevard. (Johansson/Woolsey) moved, "That HHWNC allocate $3,000 to be a sponsor of the Hollywood Santa Parade." During discussion, Orrin, Paul Woolsey, and Barbara said they didn’t feel this was a good usage of funds to benefit stakeholders. Michael asked for more information on what the sponsorship provided. (Guy) suggested an amendment; however (Johansson) withdrew his motion. No vote was taken.

10. Committee Reports
a.) ISSUE COMMITTEES

i.) Youth Development, Education and Recreational, Deana Ruggieri reported on
the coalition’s work which includes the proposal that HHWNC adopts Gardner Street Elementary School. Orrin suggested also involving Valley View Elementary School in this proposal.
ii.) Outreach Report: Barbara Witkin asked for help manning the HHWNC’s table at
Hollywood Farmer’s Market on Oct. 12 at 7:30 a.m. HHWNC will have a table every month for Outreach at the Hollywood Farmer’s Market.
iii.) Emergency Services, Police & Fire, Valorie Keegan reported on National Night
Out at the Hollywood Police Station. She then gave a Committee Update Report on the Evacuation Drill on September 6, 2008: Hollywood High was the site for evacuation and although it worked well, parking was inadequate there. Many cities officials were involved in this effort including: 213 firefighters, 102 LAPD, over 500 evacuees and 158 pets. Helicopters started flying over the area at 10 a.m. Sponsors included PetCo, which donated dog and cat treats. Many board members helped make this successful. Their total budget used was $850 dollars, although they were allocated $1,200. The event made history for the City of L.A. Council member LaBonge and County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky were impressed with the scope of this drill.

A free CERT training will take place on Oct. 20, 2008 at Hollywood Women’s Club.
iv.) Cultural Resources, Entertainment, Public Events & Networking:
aa.) Presentation by Sara Daleiden from Freewaves, a non profit art
organization. Presenting their 11th Festival of New Media Art: "Hollywood" Oct. 9 – 13th along Hollywood Boulevard between Wilcox and Orange. Sara said that 30 venues have committed to their presentation with over 100 artists from 30 countries. The event will feature each artist’s interpretation of Hollywood. They expect 5,000 people per day into Hollywood. Sara asked the board for funding of $2,000 to held cover equipment rentals and labor. (Witkin/Holland) moved that the HHWNC allocate $500 to help cover expenses for this four day multimedia event. Claire Guy amended that amount to $1,000. The motion carried: 15-1-0.

b.) AREA COMMITTEES

i.) Area 2: Patricia Weber attended a hearing at the Mulholland Design
Review Board concerning 755 Cahuenga Blvd. West (aka: Banana Bungalow). The project has changed quite a bit from the original proposal. They have reduced the square footage and are proposing to build an apartment complex instead of a condo complex. She was to meet with DS Ventures, the developer, prior to the next meeting.

ii.) Area 3 (Woolsey/Ramsey) moved:
aa.) "The Board is requested to support the application of the Famima Market located at 6759 Hollywood Boulevard (east of Highland) to have retail sales of beer and wine for off-site consumption only with the following applicant-volunteered conditions being added to the Type-20 ABC license as these conditions are not enforceable in a planning department C.U.P:
1) There will be no sales of individual containers.
2) There will be no sales of so-called "40-ouncers" of beer.
3) There will be no sales of cheap wine with twist-off caps or bottles costing less than $5 each.
4) If at any time the applicant wishes to add retail sales of distilled spirits, they will return to speak with this organization (HHWNC).
The support letters will go to both the Planning Department Los Angeles and to the Department of Alcohol Beverage Control." The motion carried unanimously.

Art, a stakeholder, asked for a moratorium on granting liquor licenses saying there were too many problems with these establishments in Hollywood already.

(Woolsey/Guy) moved that, "Area 3, Housing, and Business
Committees recommend to the HHWNC Board of Directors and stakeholders the following in regards to the on-going Bylaws amendment process.
1) That no changes be made to the current committee system.
2) If a change creating a P.L.U.M. committee is made, that committee should function in the existing format of an issue committee with all willing stakeholders able to join as full committee members and vote.
3) All proposed HHWNC Bylaws amendments be presented to our stakeholders at the special election as individual voting items and not as a single "blue plate special" given the need to amend election procedures for certification requirements and the extent of proposed changes.
4) Recognize in our bylaws the established de facto practice of area committees receiving the first presentation and voting first on land-use applications in their own territory with a strong recommendation of holding joint meetings with the relevant issue committee(s)."
Orrin noted that it should be corrected on the agenda that the Business Committee did not officially meet because Chairman Thor Lee was not in attendance at that meeting.

Paul said that he was requesting this Bylaws change because he has attended other PLUM committees at the local NCs and noticed that stakeholders are not allowed to vote. Only PLUM committee members can vote. He believes this is unfair. (Ramsey) asked Paul to table the motion until he could discuss his vision of this motion before the Bylaws Committee. Paul tabled the motion and requested it be put on the next Bylaws Committee meeting.

iii.) Area 9 (John Pogue): Tabled.
aa.) The Board is requested to approve up to $2,800 in funds to pay for
California native plants, decomposed granite, materials, rocks and irrigation equipment to be used at the public open space at the south east corner of Mulholland Drive and Laurel Canyon.

11. Public Comments: None.

12. Adjournment. Motion to adjourn at 9:40 p.m. Motion carried.

Minutes by Pat Kramer, Apple One