PPCC Library Integration Test

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**MINUTES FOR JULY 14th 2011**

Voting Members in Attendance: Janet Turner, Haldis Toppel, Ted Mackie, Jennifer Malaret, Paul Glasgall, Harry Sondheim, Jack Allen, Stuart Muller, George Wolfberg, Joyce Brunelle, Janet Anderson and Chris Spitz.
Voting Alternates: Norma Spak, Christy Dennis, Barbara Marinacci, Richard Wulliger, Susan Orenstein and Gordon Wong.
Non-voting Advisors and Alternates: Kurt Toppel, Steve Cron and Mary Cole. Start of Business Meeting 1\. Reading of Community Council's Mission. Chris Spitz read the Mission Statement. 2\. Call to Order and Introduction of the Board and Audience. Janet Turner called the meeting to order at 7:01 pm. Introduction of the Board and audience. 3\. Certification of Quorum. The Chair certified that a quorum was present at 7:04 pm. 4\. Adoption of Minutes. Norma Spak moved and Haldis Toppel seconded the minutes for
June 23, 2011. The minutes were adopted unanimously. 5\. Consideration of Agenda. The Chair considered the agenda. 6\. Treasurer's Report. Ted Mackie reported the financial status as of
July 14, 2011. The total account balances equal $24,847.73, which consist of USB Checking $4,933.12, SmithBarney account $18,134.57 and Post Office account $1,780.
76. Ted also advised the council of a slight increase in contributions, to a current total of $10,047.00; however, total account balances are down from a comparable of $28,125.00 at this time two years ago. 7\. Reports, Announcements and Concerns.
7.
1. Announcements from the Chair.
7.
1.
1. Thank you to Cathy Russell. Janet Turner thanked Cathy Russell for her work and participation as the council's Secretary during 2010/2011. Cathy has applied to become an Area 7 alternate.
7.
1.
2. Slots are open for Area 5 Alternates 1 & 2, Area 3 Alternate 2, and Area 7 Alternates 1 & 2\. Janet Turner encouraged applications. Jack Allen confirmed he would like a first and second alternate for Area
5.
7.
1.
3. Congratulations to Jim Rea as the new Area 3 Representative. Janet Turner congratulated Jim Rea who is now the official Area 3 Representative.
7.
1.
4. Goodbye to Peter Fisher. Janet Turner reported that Peter Fisher would be leaving the Council. Steve Boyers officially becomes the Area 7 representative.
7.
1.
5. Special congratulations to Chris Spitz. Janet Tuner congratulated Chris Spitz on the Palisadian Post article that recognized her contributions towards increasing municipal regulation of cell phone tower installations.
7.
1.
6. Committees. The Chair desires to have committees in place by
August 11, 2011.
7.
2. Announcements from Governmental Representatives.
7.
2.
1.
Councilman Rosendahl's office - Joaquin Macias.
Janet Turner reported that Councilman Rosendahl presented the PPCC with a certificate from the City of Los Angeles in recognition of its hard work on the bike rack project.
Joaquin reported (1) The Los Liones traffic signal dedication took place today with Councilman Rosendahl and community participants involved in the installation of this light. (2) Work on the Potrero Canyon project has slowed down because a storm water pipe needs retrofitting which has put a 70-day delay on the project.
An extension to completion has been granted to the contractor because the change was outside of the original contract.
Chris Spitz asked about getting the brush cleared along the rim and Joaquin made a note of this.
Patrick Hart, an audience member asked about an earthquake fault line and fecal contamination, wondering if they were going to slip sleeve these pipes to prevent a leak in the sewer line.
Joaquin said he would follow up. (3) There is a meeting tomorrow with the storm water division up on Palisades Drive.
Haldis Toppel asked if it was legal to pump subterranean water into the street and allow it to run into the storm drains.
This causes debris and moisture to collect in the gutter and erodes streets in Marquez Knolls.
Joaquin promised to follow-up on this information. (4) There will be a cell tower meeting with the PPCC, CD-11 and the Bureau of Street Lighting on July 27th or 28th (to be confirmed) to address using light standards for new cell installations. (5) Janet Turner asked Joaquin to remind Councilman Rosendahl about getting Pacific Palisades police response time statistics. (6) Joaquin reported that there is a contentious issue involving a property on Posetano where permits had been issued in 2008.
The project has been stopped, though the owner had previously been given the right to build subject to certain conditions.
7.
2.
2.
Sr.
Lead Officer Michael Moore.
Officer Moore reported (1) He has been assigned to work in the LAPD Command Center in downtown to assist the command staff and West LA Captain rather than patrol the Palisades during CARMAGEDDON weekend.
Stuart Muller asked if a car would be in the community permanently during this period of time.
Officer Moore announced that three LAPD patrol cars will be assigned to cover Brentwood and Pacific Palisades, the area west of the 405.
Someone stressed that these cars not be called out of the general area.
Chris Spitz asked about gridlock on Sunset.
Officer Moore said that additional motor officers will be assigned to the general area.
Haldis Toppel asked for confirmation that LAFD will add crews and fire engines to the area like LAPD adds resources to the area.
Officer Moore said that he had heard similar information but was not personally in these planning meetings.
Janet Turner reported you can call "511" to get real time traffic conditions and the "311" number will be working this weekend; continue to call "911" in an emergency.
Christy Dennis said that you can "go511.com" on line as well. (2) The LOCK IT, LOSE IT PROGRAM is now the "LOCK IT, HIDE IT, KEEP IT" program in response to additional vehicular break-ins. LAPD will be focusing on the beach and canyon areas and Officer Moore encouraged us to keep an eye out in our neighborhoods especially the Alphabet streets that tend to have more vehicular break-ins than other areas.
Christy Dennis asked if private security officers could receive envelopes to put on windows; the LAPD doesn?ft have those yet but does provide literature to businesses.
Officer Moore will see if they have an electronic flyer to give us.
Harry Sondheim asked about additional patrol for speeding violations along Sunset.
Officer Moore indicated that the department is doing the best it can with resources.
Janet Turner reported that she sent an email to Captain Crump (with a copy to Captain Nathan) relative to the Wednesday night motorcycles and with a reminder to look into the possibility of getting speed sensors put in the streets that will trip the traffic signals. (3) There is a possible homeless encampment in a residential neighborhood.
Patrick Hart, an audience member reported a homeless encampment in Temescal Canyon near a children's playground.
7.
3. Announcements from Board Members and Advisors.
7.
3.
1. Mountain Lion and Coyotes on Palisades Drive. Paul Glasgall reported a daytime sighting of a mountain lion on Palisades Drive and encouraged residents to keep their pets and small kids indoors.
7.
3.
2. Sneakers over the electric lines in the village. Christy Dennis stated that a resident had contacted her about sneakers being placed over power lines throughout town. She said to call the DWP to have them removed because it is dangerous to have the shoes dangling from the power lines.
7.
3.
3. Mary Cole may be leaving the board. Mary reported that her home is in escrow and she may be relocating to Palm Springs in several weeks. 8\. Reports from Committees.
8.
1. Newsletter Committee - Christy Dennis, Chair. Next Newsletter goes out Sept.12, 2011 and will total four pages. Christy would like to work with Janet to keep up momentum on the newsletter. Each Area Representative was asked to do a paragraph about news in their area. This invitation could be extended to organizational representatives as well. Pictures are welcome. Christy has asked for submittals to be completed by
July 29, 2011. Christy would like to recognize donors and will work with Ted Mackie on this part of the newsletter.
8.
2. Committee of Three Chairs. George Wolfberg explained that the committee reviewed applications and unanimously recommended Christy Dennis to become the Area 3 First Alternate. George Wolfberg moved and Stuart Muller seconded the Motion for Christy Dennis to become the Area 3 First Alternate. The Motion passed unanimously.
8.
3. City/State Budget Committee. Janet Turner reported that the committee met and continues to support the efforts of Councilman Rosendahl to convince the City Council to take the deal with AEG seriously and increase transparency.
8.
4. Secretary. Janet Turner announced Jennifer Malaret's installation as Secretary. Janet said that we would do our best to get draft minutes out to board members for their review by each Monday following a Thursday board meeting. Comments will be due back to Jennifer in no later than three days, i.e., the next Thursday. That way, those involved in preparing the final minutes will have Thursday and Friday (preferably before the weekend) to complete the minutes in order that they can easily be distributed 72 hours in advance of the next public meeting. 9\. Old Business \-- None. 10\. New Business.
10.
1. Photo copying expenses for Disaster Preparedness booklets. The Chair opened up the matter for discussion. Several board members stated that this information can also be accessed on-line and at the library. Many board members voiced support for the community council to support the service of keeping the public informed about what to do in the case of an emergency. Harry Sondheim moved and Jack Allen seconded a motion for the PPCC to spend $500 for additional copying of Flo Elfant's Disaster Preparedness information. The motion passed unanimously.
10.
2.
Live Data Access to Department of Building & Safety (LADBS) and Los Angeles Department of Public Works Applications and Permits. WRAC (Westside Regional Association of Community/Neighborhood Councils) motion attached.
Chris Spitz explained that motion recommended by the WRAC Leadership to neighborhood and community councils was attached to the board agenda.
Chris said that the LUC (Land Use Committee) recommends support of the motion subject to changing the word "community" to the word "public" and that the motion does not seek to change existing law, but rather encourages transparency of an already existent public record.
Challis MacPherson attended to speak on the topic.
Challis served on the Venice Neighborhood Council, was Chair of the WRAC LUC [never heard of this commission and her chairing WRAC LUC seems to cover it], and has had a constant concern about getting more information.
Currently, we get notice of permits seeking a variance (10%) but most permits are by-right (90%) and go through the Department of Building and Safety.
Various activists met with the Mayor five years ago and asked for "by-right" notifications.
Challis stated that David Lara from LADBS sees the future system moving towards providing this information as the consulting firm hired by the City brings in their new system and was receptive to tweaking the existing system to provide by-right notifications.
Challis agreed with the LUC's recommended change of "community" to "public", but asked our Board to keep the motion simple because simplicity gets through to the city employees.
Challis said that this information would be extremely useful in hillside applications.
Steve Cron asked what the cost to the City would be of putting this information on-line.
Challis said that the new system the City is putting in does include Live Data Access so the capability is going in already.
Chris Spitz moved and Jack Allen seconded that the Board approve the WRAC motion, including the change of the word "community" to "public".
The motion passed unanimously. (PPCC Motion is attached.)
10.
3. LADWP Ratepayer Advocate. Draft motion by Jim Rea attached. George Wolfberg presented the motion to support an Office of Public Accountability and a ratepayer advocate to begin researching the rate hikes proposed by the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power. George explained that the motion has to do with the City's Charter Amendment to provide for a DWP ratepayer's advocate and the alliance of councils who viewed the three-year rate increase said that the LA City Council should not approve the plan until an independent advocate reviewed the proposal. Harry Sondheim asked why we were focusing just on the Ratepayer Advocate and not also the Office of Public Accountability. Jack Allen explained that the City Council's appointed selection committee recommends the head of the Office of Public Accountability and once the OPA is established, the head of the OPA hires the Ratepayer Advocate. There were no further comments or objections. George Wolfberg moved and Dick Wulliger seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
10.
4. Clean Hands Motion. Councilman Zine motion attached. Janet Turner stated that the LUC recommended support of this motion. Jennifer Rivera was in attendance from Councilman Zine's office seeking the council's support of a series of motions by councilman Zine to create more oversight in the Department of Building & Safety (LADBS), to increase accountability and to eliminate fraud and abuse. These efforts will be discussed on the
August 3, 2011 at the City Council Audits and Government Efficiency Committee meeting being held at WLA Municipal building on Corinth Avenue at 6 PM.
This meeting will include reform measures, technology, proposed rotations, implementing an independent internal LADBS investigation unit, fines and penalties, and is an extremely important meeting.
The Clean Hands motion which the board was being asked to support is similar to what the County of Los Angeles has, and states, in sum, that any applicant who has a property in violation of building codes cannot be issued another building permit until that violation is corrected.
Councilman Zine is seeking as much community support as possible because it is very difficult in the city to enact building code reforms.
Dick Wulliger spoke in support of the motion and asked about how to deal with developers who build using corporations with common ownership.
Jennifer Rivera said this problem had just been addressed relative to parking lot operators and they envision that the City Attorney will do something similar, i.e., where developers would have to list all projects in the city that they own, have an interest in, manage, etc.
Jack Allen spoke in support of the motion.
Kurt Toppel asked where the City Attorney's money to enforce this ordinance is going to come from.
Jennifer said that it will be enforced by LADBS and monies recovered would be received as cost recovery.
Chris Spitz expressed her belief that a Clean Hands Ordinance would be widely supported by neighborhood and community council groups.
Steve Cron asked why this Ordinance had not been proposed before the convictions of two Building and Safety Inspectors.
Jennifer reported that LADBS was investigating roughly 6 months before the FBI came in and that they are applauding Bud Ovrum who has been (in her opinion) a great general manager.
Haldis Toppel moved and Chris Spitz seconded the following motion: The motion passed unanimously. (The PPCC Motion is attached)
10.
5. Commercial Signs on Sunset Boulevard. Janet Turner said that the issue of the signs on Sunset will be on the PPCC's
August 11, 2011 agenda. Joyce Brunelle expressed that the Chamber of Commerce is very upset and had requested a copy of the law that clearly states that signs cannot be placed on Sunset Boulevard. Janet Turner and Harry Sondheim agreed to provide this information to the Chamber. Joyce stated that the Chamber advocates that local events that are pertinent to the community should be allowed to place temporary signs on Sunset as a public service (so that the community knows what is going on). 11\. General Public Comment.
11.
1. Ernest (Ernie) Meadows, former Area 7 Representative, asked from the audience about the status of building code violations at the Beglari residence on Greentree in Rustic Canyon. Janet Turner and Haldis Toppel commented about efforts to implement Administrative Code Enforcement and other actions (like the Clean Hands Ordinance) that are working their way through the City to address lack of action against violators. 12\. Adjournment. Janet Turner adjourned the meeting at 8:49 PM. **ATTACHMENTS**
**MOTIONS PASSED JULY 14, 2011:** **ITEM 10.2 - Live Data Access to Department of Building & Safety and Los Angeles Department of Public Works Applications and Permits** "The Pacific Palisades Community Council requests that Los Angeles Department of Building & Safety (LADBS) and Los Angeles Department of Public Works (LADPW) provide, at no charge to the public, live data access (with query tool and CSV data output/report) to all Building and Safety applications and permits." **ITEM 10.3 -- DWP Ratepayer Advocate** PACIFIC PALISADES COMMUNITY COUNCIL ("PPCC") RESOLUTION RELATED TO THE LOS ANGELES DEPARTMENT OF WATER AND POWER ("DWP") 2011-2012 BUDGET AND THE REVIEW THEREOF BY THE RATEPAYER ADVOCATE. WHEREAS, in March, 2011, the citizens of the City of Los Angeles passed Charter Amendment I (by a 77.86% margin) that calls for the establishment of an independent DWP Office of Accountability and the Ratepayer Advocate; WHEREAS, over three months after the passage of Charter Amendment I, the City Council has failed to appoint a nominating committee to select the managing executive of the DWP Office of Accountability (by whatever title: Executive Director, President, Managing Director, etc.); WHEREAS, the DWP is in the process of proposing a massive, record setting budget increase of $1 Billion over the course of the next two and one half years; and WHEREAS, this budget increase has not been reviewed by the Ratepayer Advocate or the Office of Public Accountability; and WHEREAS, the Los Angeles Neighborhood Council Coalition on
July 2, 2011 unanimously approved the following resolution: "The Los Angeles Neighborhood Council Coalition strongly urges that the Board of Water and Power Commissioners and the City Council not consider or act upon the proposed water and power rate increases until the Ratepayers Advocate is established and has thoroughly reviewed and analyzed the proposed rate increases and presented such review and analysis to the Ratepayers and the public for their careful consideration. LANCC cannot support any rate increases until the Ratepayers Advocate has reviewed and analyzed these rate increases and discussed the review and analysis with the Ratepayers and the public." THEREFORE, IT IS NOW RESOLVED that the Pacific Palisades Community Council hereby endorses the resolution passed by the Los Angeles Neighborhood Council Coalition.
The Chair of the Pacific Palisades Community Council shall address a letter to the Mayor of Los Angeles and to the Los Angeles City Council with copies to the General Manager of the DWP and any other applicable stakeholders expressing the intent of this Motion. **ITEM 10.4 -- Clean Hands Motion** "The PPCC supports the enactment of a Clean Hands Ordinance for the City of Los Angeles which would be similar to Section 22.04.110 of the County's Zoning Code.
The PPCC also supports Councilmember Zine's efforts to reform the Department of Building and Safety."

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**MINUTES FOR AUGUST 11th 2011**

Voting Members in Attendance: Janet Turner, Haldis Toppel, Ted Mackie, Jennifer Malaret, Richard Cohen, Barbara Kohn, Paul Glasgall, John Glasgow, Harry Sondheim, Jack Allen, Stuart Muller, Steve Boyers, Marguerite Perkins Mautner, George Wolfberg, Joyce Brunelle, Amy Kalp, Shirley Haggstrom, Geoff Shelden, Janet Anderson, Gil Dembo, Chris Spitz and Aurelia Friedman.
Voting Alternates: Norma Spak, Steve Cron, John Glasgow and Barbara Marinacci.
Non-voting Advisors and Alternates: Flo Elfant and Ilene Cassidy. Start of Business Meeting 1\. Reading of Community Council's Mission. Richard Cohen read the Mission Statement. 2\. Call to Order and Introduction of the Board and Audience. Janet Turner called the meeting to order at 7:02 pm. Introduction of the Board and audience. 3\. Certification of Quorum. The Chair certified that a quorum was present at 7:04 pm. 4\. Adoption of Minutes. Marguerite Perkins moved and Haldis Toppel seconded adoption of the minutes for
June 23, 2011. The minutes were unanimously adopted. Harry Sondheim moved and Haldis Toppel seconded the minutes for
July 14, 2011. The minutes were adopted with one abstention. The next PPCC Board meeting is
September 8, 2011. 5\. Consideration of Agenda. The Chair considered the agenda. 6\. Treasurer's Report. Ted Mackie reported the financial status as of
August 11, 2011. The total account balances equal $24,847.73, which consist of USB Checking $4,933.12, SmithBarney account $18.134.57, and Post Office account $1,780.
04. 346 new contributions were received from the newsletter last month. 7\. Reports, Announcements and Concerns.
7.
1. Announcements from the Chair.
7.
1.
1. Update on Letters sent from PPCC. Janet Turner reported that the Executive Committee approved certain letters while the Board has been on its summer schedule. The underlying committees had first approved most of the letters that were sent out by the Chair. Letters went sent out to governmental representatives and agencies on the following topics: Planning's proposed sign ordinance, State Assembly Bill 607, the Department of Public Works' "bus bench" contract (comments were intended to avoid our PRIDE benches being taken out in favor of benches with advertising, etc.), and Councilmember Rosendahl's motion regarding parking in front of driveways on city streets (the committees's primary concern is emergency vehicles getting to someone's home if we are totally parked up). Haldis clarified that Rosendahl's motion was intended to address on-street parking in front of residential driveways only and did not address the "apron parking" as reported in the Palisadian Post (please contact Haldis directly for more information; apron parking is expected to be addressed at a later date).
7.
1.
2. Committees re-appointed. The list has been distributed by Janet Turner to each of the Board Members. Janet invited those not on a committee to please join and encouraged Board members to identify areas of passion for possible new committees.
7.
1.
3. New Committee Homeless in Pacific Palisades. Janet reported that we would be hearing from this new committee in September 2011. PPCC is talking to Zev Yaroslavsky's office about the existing homeless situation in the Palisades and what can be done to solve certain issues that have arisen.
7.
2. Announcements from Governmental Representatives. [7.2.1.] Councilman Rosendahl's office - Joaquin Macias. Aurelia Friedman has been working in the CD-11 office. CD-11 topics discussed were: (1) Potrero Canyon, relative to the prior report of pipe reinforcement, the work should be completed on
August 12, 2011 and backfilling of the slope should be done at the end of the week so normal activities can start again. There are still problems with the traffic signal for the haul route. There is a stalemate with the subcontractor regarding plans for a temporary vs. permanent signal and a meeting is scheduled for Tuesday,
August 16, 2011.
The signal issue may slow the project in terms of bringing in more dirt.
George Wolfberg asked that pedestrian heads be included in the signal because they are "vital" for safety.
Stuart asked about the piles of dirt on site; Joaquin responded that one is Caltrans staging and one was imported by the Potrero contractor but will be removed shortly because it is not going to be used as fill.
Gil Dembo commented that the engineer should have talked to Caltrans and that any confusion between a temporary and permanent signal would be the subcontractor's mistake; Joaquin agreed that this was CD-11's position.
Chris Spitz reported that the brush on the west side of Potrero Canyon had been cut down and the work was satisfactory and appreciated. (2) Asilomar - a large sinkhole has been caused by illegal grading (the hill has been moving since the 1950's). CD-11 is asking to coordinate asphalt repair of two existing holes with the Department of Recreation and Parks.
Marguerite asked for extra attention by CD-11 to asphalt repairs because the most recent slurry seal/resurfacing on Napoli was not done satisfactorily (further, Marguerite would like the issue of the Napoli quality of work taken up with the CD-11 office). (3) The AEG Memorandum of Understanding was approved by the City Council unanimously on
August 9, 2011. (4) Prop. K update: Rustic Canyon softball is underway and barrier fences have been put up at the recreation center and the Prop. K irrigation project is starting in the upper field area. [7.2.2.] Sr. Lead Officer Michael Moore. Officer Moore was on vacation. Amy Kalp, Co-Chair of our Police, Traffic and Fire sub-committees, attended the 08/10/11 LAPD West Bureau Traffic Committee monthly meeting. Discussed at that meeting was: (1) Car thefts continue to be a problem in the Palisades area. (2) The motorcycles speeding on Wednesday nights are being focused on and patrols were out again last night Aug 10 issuing citations. Officer Smythe reported issuing several citations the night of Weds. Aug 3 between El Medio and Bienveneda. Residents emailed her this morning applauding the sight of officers in pursuit and ticketing the cyclists last evening Aug
10.
Kara from Senator Fran Pavely's office mentioned their offices were getting numerous complaints about the motorcycles. (3) DUIs are up 30%.
Thus LAPD Traffic Captain Brenda Crump is starting 5 checkpoints on the Westside beginning Sept. 15th (4) The safety of pedestrians is being focused on more due to two pedestrian fatalities on the Westside recently.
Officers will be focusing on pedestrian rights of way and jaywalkers. (5) Captain Crump has changed the staffing structure for traffic officers noting officers are now assigned to specific areas as their primary areas to regularly work. (6) New Parking Enforcement Supervisor for the Palisades/Brentwood area.
His name is Cortez Jones (Cortez.Jones@lacity.org).
Jim Horowitz from Councilman Rosendahl's office said their offices were receiving complaints from Palisades/Brentwood residents that the Parking officers are rude. (7) The Bundy/Olympic village project is in a bankruptcy proceeding so doesn't look like it will materialize and/or impacts from that project are on hold. (8) Going before the LA City Council shortly is a proposed plan to allow commercial advertising on banners that hang from streetlights.
The LA City Council feels this will create jobs and be a good source of revenue for the city.
The Traffic Committee was concerned this will distract drivers. [7.2.3.] Kara Seward, West Side Field Deputy for State Senator Fran Pavley.
This was Kara's first West Los Angeles meeting, however she is familiar with some of the PPCC Board members who attend the PCH task force meetings.
Kara announced that the Senator is hosting a small business seminar on Friday, August 19th to help with tax issues, tax questions and how to succeed in the current economic climate (flyers were made available to the public in attendance).
7.
3. Announcements from Board Members and Advisors.
7.
3.
1. Palisades Recreation Center. Jennifer Malaret reported that the Pacific Palisades Park Advisory Board is holding a meeting on Monday
August 22, 2011 in the small gym at 7 PM. The Park Advisory Board Members and the Department of Recreation and Parks are seeking input from the community on what long-term improvement plans they would like to see at the recreation center. Funding for additional permanent improvements would be funded by the City, allocated Proposition K monies (sports fields, irrigation and asphalt repair) or private donations & fundraising efforts.
7.
3.
2. PCH Taskforce. George Wolfberg reported that the sewer work in PCH that required the K -rails should be done in September, 2011. The California Incline project has been delayed, once again, with construction now anticipated in two years. The delay results from the need to complete corrections to the EIS required by the funding agent, CalTrans. After release there will be a 45-day review period. 8\. Reports from Committees.
8.
1. Three Chairs. Richard Cohen reported that the Three Chairs were prepared to recommend alternates for the board for Area 3 and Area
7. The openings were advertised and the Chairs asked elected representatives their input (both first and second alternates were wanted for Area 3 and Area 7). The Three Chairs recommended: Area 3: Christy Dennis first alternate, John Glasgow second alternate. Area 7: Cathy Russell first alternative, Ernie Meadows second alternate. Richard Cohen moved that the recommendations of the Three Chairs be adopted and George Wolfberg seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. 9\. Old Business.
9.
1. State Redistricting. Marguerite Perkins reported that Henry Waxman will remain our federal congressman and was not leaving the area as the Palisadian Post had reported. Marguerite explained that it used to be that the state senate would make the redistricting of the state. According to Proposition 11, which was passed by the voters in 2008, we now have a commission of 14 members that makes the redistricting. The commission had only one meeting for area locally (July, 2011). The remainder of the meetings have been elsewhere in the state or in Sacramento. There are a few changes that have occurred with the primary being that the Pacific Palisades is now in District 26 from District
23. As a result, we will no longer have Fran Pavley as our state Senator pending a final decision on
August 15, 2011 in Sacramento.
If the proposed redistricting passes, Senator Pavley would be up for re-election in 2012 but the Palisades is not in the district where the Senator lives.
Our new state Senator will be Ted Lieu and this change will take place during 2012. (Ted was elected through 2014; he is a new senator, having just been elected in February 2011 because the prior seat holder passed away).
Marguerite explained further that there would be 80 assembly seats in the entire state affected by the re-districting.
Because of the increase in Latino residents, there is a feeling that they are not properly represented so that is why some of these changes are being made; however, this does not affect us on the coast.
Our area no longer includes Malibu, but is now with the southern coastal area down to Torrance.
The state commission feels that they are better qualified to decide what areas of southern California that we are homogeneous with.
While the PPCC wrote letters that we wanted to keep Fran Pavley, Marguerite feels that our letters were falling on deaf ears to a commission where we have no political pull.
Jack Allen commented that Zev fought to save Fran Pavley and it still was not enough to save her.
Marguerite turned to Julia Brownley (who attended the meeting) and said how sorry we are that her term limits will prevent her from continuing to represent us in the Assembly.
Julia thanked the Board and noted that she will still be with us a bit longer.
Marguerite recommended that we contact Ted Lieu to let him know about the Palisades and invite him to a future Board meeting.
9.
2. Free "Green" Seminar, partially funded by CD 11, starting August 30th, Aldersgate, 7 to 8 pm. Samantha Summer from Sustainable Work (Santa Monica non-profit) spoke about the 6-week "green living" workshops. LADWP in collaboration with the CD-11 office has awarded a grant to expand their programs to areas surrounding Santa Monica. The seminar meets once a week with a different environmental topic (waste, water, shopping & food, etc.) and allows participants to learn about the problems, solutions and strategies for daily changes that can make a bigger collective impact. The seminar is free and the public is encouraged to attend. Any participant gets a 300-page information manual that is passed out at the first meeting. Gina Garcia will be teaching the seminars in the Palisades. Harry asked if the materials could be obtained at a later meeting or at other locations if someone could not attend the early meetings and Samantha said that this would be possible. 10\. New Business.
10.
1.
Scenic Highway Motion: H.
Sondheim.
Joyce Brunelle for Chamber of Commerce, Anne Ullstrem, Assoc.
Ex.
Director "YMCA," KI, Palisades Lutheran and Pacific Palisades Presbyterian Church representatives.
Janet Turner read the motion on behalf of Harry Sondheim.
Harry provided a background of what Sunset looked like in the 1960's and the Board's fight to keep commercial signage (other than real estate signs which will be taken up separately) off of Sunset outside of the business district.
Recently, there have been a lot of signs going up in different areas and the Palisades Beautiful Committee ("PBC") was appointed to meet with local organizations to discuss the issue of commercial signage (not liturgical signage).
If a church is having a fundraiser, Harry reported that pursuant to a legal opinion received by the City Attorney, related signage is considered commercial.
So far, consensual discussions have been going fine and Harry is confident that the continued spirit of goodwill will continue.
The issue is what happens if an organization won't cooperate in the future?
The PBC wants to know how the Board feels about what should be done ahead of time relative to what happens if cooperative agreements to remove commercial signage cannot be reached.
Janet read an email submitted suggesting an amendment to the motion as follows: "Whereas churches in the Palisades along Sunset Blvd. are non-profit religious institutions and their activities are an integral part of the community, one banner displayed in a tasteful manner and moderate size as public notice of their own church activities in considered acceptable." Harry rejected the language because the fences and places along Sunset are not the only places where signs can be put (Temescal or El Medio) and the language doesn't deal with the fact the commercial signage is illegal and if one exception is allowed then the rule will be disallowed because we are not being consistent.
Discussion: (1) Joyce Brunelle - Unlike the 1960's, we don't have thriving business.
Our business district is dying.
This is our community and residents personally want to know what is going on in our town, and it is important for people to know what is going on.
Signage that is in good taste like the Expo, St.
Matthew's Faire, etc. creates excitement and goodwill.
Harry responded to Joyce that the reason for empty stores is not the lack of signage (rather, it is what is going on with property ownership and the rents) and that there are many other ways to find out what is going on in the community (the Palisadian Post, signs on other streets, etc). (2) Pastor Wally Meese, Lutheran Church - the Santa Monica choir will be singing in the Palisades, so their sign is for a community event and folks are being asked to buy tickets at the door.
The Pastor generally supports the proposed motion, however just because a lawyer downtown says that a church fundraiser is commercial and shouldn't take place doesn't mean that it is appropriate for our Board to prohibit it.
The Pastor asked if the Oktoberfest signs could be grandfathered in. (3) Richard Cohen - observed to our business and religious organizations that we are not passing new legislation, i.e., these signs are illegal now.
Our businesses and churches should follow current laws and be good neighbors.
The language of the motion is really friendly, and we are asking that they "pretty please" comply with a law that the City Council passed. (4) Steve Cron - asked why we are passing a divisive motion if there is no problem today, and suggested that we consider the matter later when there is a problem.
Harry responded that he wants to know if the Council supports taking an action if there is a problem and we are not making a judgment about whether the sign is illegal or not illegal (that is up to the City). (5) Jack Allen supported the motion in the spirit of removing sign clutter (6) KI's representative asked whether the legal opinion was tendered for "non-profit religious organization." Harry said the legal opinion was for "non-profit" fundraisers.
Harry stressed that the problem is that Sunset is a scenic highway and that is what the PBC is concerned about (if people want to put up illegal signs on side streets, our committee is not going to enforce that). (7) Steve Boyers supported the motion because it does not pass on the legality or illegality of signs and is an attempt to preserve the scenic integrity of Sunset by a gently saying we have an issue. (8) Haldis Toppel supported the motion because PPCC's guiding principles state that we support the adherence of City laws and regulations.
Vote: Harry Sondheim moved and Jack Allen seconded the motion.
The motion passed with 1 vote opposed and 4 abstentions. [See attachment.]
10.
2. AB 607, Digital Bus Signs, CSBC, Motion (which was modeled after the letter recommended by the CSBC and approved by the Executive Committee).
Jack Allen (motion sponsor), Julia Brownley (author), Louise Rishoff, Assemblywoman Brownley's West Side Deputy.
Background: Assemblywoman Brownley spoke.
She authored the bill in response to a request by the City of Santa Monica.
Santa Monica's transportation fund has been depleted and the City wanted to explore the opportunity to move from stationary advertising on bus sides to advertising that could be more easily changed, more "market specific" and more lucrative to provide money for transit in the region.
Chicago and New York have proceeded with success, and Santa Monica followed those models (which included the monitoring of driver and pedestrian safety issues, none significant found).
The government code doesn’t allow Santa Monica to explore this opportunity, so the assembly bill modifies the vehicle code to allow Santa Monica to explore the idea as a "first step." If the governor signs the bill, the City Council of Santa Monica still has to vote to pursue this or not.
This bill also requires a study around safety in conjunction with local police departments, highway patrol and others.
At this time, there has been no opposition to the bill in either the assembly or senate.
Now groups are waking up and voicing opposition, including the PPCC and the City of LA.
City of LA, City of Santa Monica and the Senator's staff have been discussing a potential memorandum of understanding to ensure that LA's concerns could be incorporated into Santa Monica's program if they choose to go forward.
Santa Monica has strict sign and billboard regulations.
The thinking is that City busses already have advertising; so digital advertising has a community benefit (public service announcements) and is not vastly different from fixed advertising.
Janet Turner read the motion on behalf of Jack Allen.
Discussion: (1) Jack Allen - noted that the City of Santa Monica and California Transit both supported the bill.
Ads can be transmitted wirelessly so he doesn't see how signs can be anything but a distraction to drivers.
The Palisades strictly controls signage, has been fighting advertising on our bus benches, doesn’t want it from a safety, aesthetic and scenic highway standpoint.
The Senator responded by stating that she understands our desire to protect and prohibit our area from billboards; however, she agreed to carry the bill because advertising is on the busses and the size of the advertising will not change just the content.
The bill is permissive to allow streaming (change) on busses but not freeways.
In her conversations with Santa Monica, the messages are going to change when the busses are stationary and not when the busses are moving.
The streaming is they key to raise revenue for important transit without raising fees. (2) Gil Dembo urged caution by the Assemblywoman because Santa Monica is a wealthy community, none of their bus benches have advertising, flashing lights which are not agreeable with our coastal lifestyle, and Gil asked whether Santa Monica would share the revenue when their busses go through the Palisades or Culver City.
The Assemblywoman responded that advertising on the busses traveling in our area already exist this is an electronic form of it and will allow for easy change of ads on busses instead of having to bring the busses in and hard advertising boards manually replaced.
The bill is permissive to allow advertising to move & change; the City of Santa Monica may approve a program without streaming.
This is a pilot program that "sunsets" meaning that the only way for it to continue on is for studies to be performed and evaluated by the legislature; all this bill allows is digital bus advertising for Santa Monica's pilot program. (3) Haldis Toppel expressed safety as the first concern and aesthetics as the second and asked the Assemblywoman to confirm that advertising will be static as the bus is driving and changing when the bus is parked.
Brownley said that is not the way the bill is written; it allows for streaming but not streaming on the freeways.
The intent of Santa Monica based on conversations is not to stream while driving.
Julia invited a subcommittee of the PPCC to sit down with Santa Monica and express our concerns.
The pilot program would be for 25 busses during the first 2 years and 30 busses thereafter (out of a fleet of 200+) and we don't know that the busses coming through the Palisades will be one of these 25 to 30 busses. (4) Geoff Shelden asked how much revenue the pilot program would raise; Assemblywoman Brownley said New York and Chicago's revenue was raised fourfold, and Santa Monica was projecting $4-6 million in new receipts. (5) Chris Spitz - asked for where the safety studies can be reached and commented that the Palisades is not an urban center liked New York and Chicago with a far different landscape.
Jack Allen moved and Marguerite Perkins seconded the motion.
Vote: The motion passed with 2 votes in opposition and 1 abstention. [See attachment.] The Assemblywoman Pavley said that she would report to the City of Santa Monica the results of the meeting and our motion.
Suggestions were also made to send our motion to: Supervisor Yaraslovsky's Office, City of Santa Monica, State Legislature, Bill Rosendahl, California Highway Patrol, and LAPD.
Janet Turner expressed to Assemblywoman Brownley that we would gladly be part of a working subcommittee with Santa Monica and to please keep us posted.
10.
3. Code of Civility, Amendment to Original Motion. Harry Sondheim presented the motion. Haldis Toppel asked to clarify the meaning of the word "aggregate"; Richard Cohen clarified that it was the pacpali.com email list. The idea was that using the email list created for community purposes for real estate solicitations would be improper. Jack Allen moved and Harry Sondheim seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. [See attachment.] 11\. General Public Comment.
11.
1. A resident noted that Embury and Fiske are very narrow streets.
Can we make them one-way streets and allow apron parking if necessary.
Jack Allen responded that this would create great logistical problems.
Janet suggested that the neighbors get together and bring a petition to the Board relative to their ideas. 12\.
Adjournment.
Janet Turner adjourned the meeting at 8:58 PM. **ATTACHMENTS** **[MOTIONS PASSED AUGUST 11, 2011 (ITEMS 10.1 - 10.3); STANDING COMMITTEES (ITEM 7.1.2)]** **ITEM 10.1 -- SUNSET BLVD. SCENIC HIGHWAY MOTION** Whereas Sunset Boulevard is a scenic highway; Whereas signage in whatever form on Sunset Boulevard detracts from the concept of a scenic highway; Whereas a number of organizations in Pacific Palisades have agreed to keep signage off Sunset Boulevard in areas outside the business district; Whereas the City Code requires that any signage for commercial purposes must have a City permit; Therefore if, after a reasonable request has been made to an organization to keep commercial signage, not related to real estate, off Sunset outside the business district and that organization refuses to do so, the Pacific Palisades Community Council, upon recommendation of the Beautiful Palisades Committee and with the approval of the Chair, will request the City to investigate whether the organization has obtained a City permit to post its commercial signage.
Note: The issue of real estate signs can be considered at a later time. **
ITEM
10.
2. MOTION FOR DIGITAL ADVERSTISING ON BUSSES - ASSEMBLY BILL 607 (BROWNLEY)** 1\. AB607, sponsored by Assemblywoman Julia Brownley on behalf of the City of Santa Monica, authorizes the City of Santa Monica's bus transit system to establish a pilot program allowing the city's transit buses to be equipped with digital signs for display advertising on the sides of the buses. The Bill authorizes the signs to change messages and also allows the streaming of messages, both of which involve movement of the messages. Such signs are now prohibited by Vehicle Code Sections 25400 and 25950.
2. Traffic Safety officials consider such signs as a dangerous distraction to drivers and also pedestrians crossing streets. At a time when the State is very concerned about drivers being distracted by using cell phones while driving as well as other distractions, AB607 only adds another distraction.
3. Digital advertising is now prohibited by the zoning laws in the Pacific Palisades where the Santa Monica bus system operates but AB607 will permit the Blue Buses to operate with such signage on streets in the Palisades and in particular Sunset Blvd. which is a designated Scenic Corridor on which commercial signage is strictly controlled, particularly in the commercial areas which make up the Village. Moreover, commercial signage is prohibited in residential areas and the bus line operates in residential areas.
4. A major concern is that if AB507 becomes law, every bus transit system in the State will use AB607 as a precedent to seek authorization to use digital advertising signs. If this happens, trucking companies and taxicab companies will also seek such authorization. 5, AB607 has already passed the State Assembly and the State Senate and is now back in the State Assembly for approval of minor Senate amendments. THEREFORE, IT IS MOVED that the Pacific Palisades Community Council communicate its opposition to the passage and enactment of AB607 to Assemblywoman Brownley, and if the Bill is approved by the Assembly, request that Governor Jerry Brown veto the Bill. **ITEM 10.3 -- AMENDMENT TO THE CURRENT CODE OF CONDUCT** Here is the new wording: Board members shall not solicit business at Board meetings or by using the aggregate email distribution list of the Council. PACIFIC PALISADES COMMUNITY COUNCIL CODE OF CONDUCT BASIC TENETS All Board members should: