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7/17 Mtg. Recap; News & Events
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Pacific Palisades Community Council
PPCC Board Meeting Recap - 7/17/25
Here's a brief recap of our July 17th meeting:
Presentations
We were honored to hear from both
Councilwoman Traci Park
and state
Senator Ben Allen.
The Councilwoman reported on several Palisades recovery developments and her position on the proposal for a County "Rebuilding Authority."  Sen. Allen explained his original objectives for SB 549 (his bill to establish such an Authority) and his decision to pause the bill. He noted that he is working closely with Councilwoman Park; he explained the need, if the bill moves forward, for potential amendments, especially pertaining to governance structure; and he assured us that PPCC and the community will be engaged going forward for input. He stressed that a great deal of misinformation has been spread on social media, and emphasized that any such Authority
would not have the ability to change zoning for the Palisades.
The Senator made clear that our community's views will guide any next steps.
The Board unanimously passed a
motion regarding the Authority proposal,
sponsored by the Executive Committee,
which can be seen
HERE
.
A recording of the July 17th meeting presentations is posted on
www.pacpalicc.org
.
New Area Three 2nd Alternate
:
Based on the nomination by the Three Chairs Committee, the Board elected long-time resident
Bonnie Burgess
to the position of Area Three Second Alternate.  We welcome Bonnie and thank the many applicants for this position.
Bylaws Amendments
:
The Bylaws Committee is recommending several
amendments to the PPCC Bylaws,
which can been at documents linked on the PPCC website
homepage
.
The required 1st Distribution took place on 7/17, with the 2nd Distribution and vote to occur at our next meeting on 8/14/25.
Additional Motions
:
The PPCC Board also unanimously passed
three motions regarding homelessness
recommended by the Westside Regional Alliance of Councils (WRAC; PPCC is one of 14  member councils).  See all three of the motions in item 11.2 of the
7/17 Agenda
.
Reports / Announcements
:
We heard several announcements from the President, Board members, committees, government reps and PPCC advisors.   A few highlights:
The President reported on her
committee and advisor appointments
for 2025-26; per the Bylaws, the Board then approved appointment of the Legal Advisor (Rob Weber) and Youth Advisor (Ella Nozar).  She also provided information about a Governor's initiative,
Engaged
California
,
that
provides a platform for fire survivors to provide input about their experiences.
At-large Rep C. Spitz updated us on the status of
SB 79 (Wiener),
a housing density bill that PPCC opposes (the bill so far has narrowly passed in the Senate and in Assembly Cmtees; Sen. Allen doesn't support).  Spitz then commended Area Six Rep Lorie Cudzil, who went the extra mile to email members of the relevant Assembly Cmtee a powerful video of residents fleeing the Palisades Fire -- evacuation safety being our main concern with these density bills.  We will continue to monitor.
Dave Card
(Palisades Forestry Committee/PFC) reminded everyone that the Zone 0 regulations are still
just a draft
(not yet
enacted); he advised:
do not cut down trees at this time
based on a misunderstanding about Zone 0!  He reported on PFC's efforts to understand why the City Urban Forestry Division is apparently cutting down many street trees.  He also spoke of private efforts by Tracy Price, the PFC and Valeria Serna, using water trucks to water certain select street and park trees, as well as PFC's effort to save a tree in Palisades park from the impacts of rebuilding.
Area Seven Rep Sharon Kilbride reported on her pleasant experience visiting the new
LADWP Rebuilding Center
at the corner of PCH & Topanga Canyon Blvd. (at the old Malibu Feed Bin site), where she experienced a swift response to her inquiry.
Cindy Young (Area One 1st Alternate) announced a
special meeting of the Castellammare Mesa Home Owners
, at which numerous public officials will speak, on Sunday, July 20th at the Santa Monica YMCA (see details below).  Community members from throughout the Palisades are invited!
Allison Polhill (Education Advisor, Senior Advisor to LAUSD Member Nick Melvoin & Area Five 1st Alternate) announced that Mr. Melvoin and his wife had their
1st child
--
Congratulations to the Melvoins!
She also provided information about
upcoming LAUSD meetings
involving design of our local schools (see information below).
Public Comment
:
Several individuals spoke during public comment, including:
-- Cindy Kirven, Village Green President, who announced an inspiring
public art installation
proposed for the Village Green, for which public input will be sought (stay tuned for information about a Zoom meeting to be arranged to preview the installation).
-- Kent Newmark of Cosmic Builders, who reminded us of the wonderful initiative to
donate to needy Palisades families
one house
for every 10 houses sold, which has now launched (see information below on how to apply).
-- Residents also expressed concerns about the number of disparate groups forming in the Palisades, ostensibly to deal with recovery; about the need for cooperation and coordination among groups; about Supervisor Horvath's motion in the Board of Supervisors regarding creation of a Rebuilding Authority (separate from Sen. Allen's bill); and about ongoing issues and questions related to the slow pace of recovery and the inability of residents to readily obtain answers and information.
Attendees were encourage to sign up for PPCC emails for periodic updates and information.
_________________
Next PPCC Board Meeting:
August 14, 2025
,
6pm via Zoom
On the agenda:  an update from Friends of the Palisades Library
and a
presentation on the SBA loan process
Note:  PPCC meets only once a month during July & August;
we will resume meeting 2x a month, on the 2nd & 4th
Thursdays, beginning in September.
Mark your calendars!
News and Events
Click on the graphic above for an enlarged version
Cosmic Buildings 1:10 Initiative
As announced at PPCC's recent Board meetings: Cosmic Buildings has launched its initiative to
donate one home to a needy Palisades family for every 10 homes sold!
Those who may benefit from this initiative are invited to submit their information at
www.cosmicbuildings.org.
__________________
Click on the graphic above for an enlarged version/details.
Wildfire Community Listening Session
Saturday, July 19, 2025
9am-1pm
KCRW Offices
1660 Stewart St.,  Santa Monica
Palisades fire victims are invited to attend this listening session with student journalists, sponsored by the USC Annenberg School for Communications and Journalism. Click
HERE
for more information.
___________________
Castellammare Mesa HO Town Hall
Sunday, July 20, 2025
11am-2pm
Santa Monica YMCA
1332 6th St., Santa Monica
All are invited to this informative Town Hall with public officials, hosted by CMHO. Highlighted speakers will include Councilwoman Traci Park, Senator Ben Allen, and David Barrett of MySafeLA. Food and beverages will be provided.  Please RSVP
HERE
.
For detailed information, visit
CMHO Newsflash
.
____________________
Click on each graphic for an enlarged version/details.
LAUSD School Design Meetings
Wednesday, July 23 -- Marquez Elementary
6pm via Zoom
Thursday, July 24 -- Palisades Elementary
6pm via Zoom
____________________
Trees of the Palisades Talk
Sunday, July 27, 2025
5pm - 6:15pm
Free livestream
The Santa Monica Conservancy is hosting an informative talk on the Treasured Trees of Pacific Palisades. Speakers will include Randy Young, Libby Motika and David Card.  For more details and to RSVP, visit
Tree Talk
.
Credit:  AP
Enjoy the rest of July and August!
Palisades Strong!
PPCC Calendar