PPCC Library Integration Test

9/12 Meeting Recap, Events & Announcements
View this email in your browser
Pacific Palisades Community Council
Highlights of the September 12th PPCC Meeting:
WILDFIRE SAFETY / PREVENTION
PPCC hosted an informative presentation on wildfire safety and prevention by
Dante Cornejo,
EMT / Wildfire Specialist with
MySafe:LA
,
and
Gabriel Albarian,
a volunteer with
Firewise USA
-
- a program of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).
Dante explained that MySafe:LA is a non-profit partner of LAFD and the LA Co. Fire Dept. He presented a Power Point on the important
"Ready, Set, Go"
program developed by County Fire, emphasizing key details of each element of the program, including these 3 critical steps: 1)
make a plan;
2)
harden your home
; and 3)
defend your property.
He also advised that MySafe:LA does
free home inspections
for fire danger, and he encouraged residents to contact him to arrange for an inspection:
Dante Cornejo
.
Gabriel provided additional details about the "Firewise USA" program that may result in potential
fire insurance savings
for communities that are designated under the program. See
Firewise Insurance Notice.
In order to be so-designated, a community must consist of anywhere between 8 and 2,500 homes; must undergo an on-site assessment by a fire official to determine resiliency conditions; and must create a 3-year plan on how to increase resiliency.
Homeowner associations and other residents' groups in the Palisades are strongly encouraged to contact Gabriel for more information on how to get started with designating their community or neighborhood under the Firewise USA program.  To reach Gabriel, contact Dante (email address linked above).
ELECTION & ALTERNATES PROCESS
The Election Committee officially reported on the
results of the PPCC Area & At-large Representatives Election
.
PPCC VP and Committee member Quentin Fleming explained that 610 ballots were cast in all races; that the Committee members met to confirm the accuracy of the results; that the ballots were counted twice in the contested races; and that Ken Kohn of Miracle Data served as tech advisor. See also
Brief Report
(full results report to be posted on
PPCC
)
.
He again congratulated the winners and thanked the outgoing Area reps (serving until 9/30/24):  Murray Levy (Area 1); Julie Silliman (Area 7), Cindy Simon (Area 6) and Haldis Toppel (Area 3).  The newly elected reps will take their seats at the PPCC meetings in October and will serve two year terms (10/1/26 through 9/30/26). Again, they are:
Area One:       JoAnna Rodriguez
Area Two:       Steve Cron
Area Three:    Julia Nilsen
Area Four:      Karen Ridgley
Area Five:       Kimberly Bloom
Area Six:         Lorie Cudzil
Area Seven:
Sharon Kilbride
Area Eight:
Andrew Wolfberg
At-large:
Chris Spitz
Regarding the
Alternates Application Process:
The Chair announced the members of the
3 Chairs Committee
, which will review and nominate candidates for Alternate Area & At-large positions:  Committee Chair Maryam Zar, David Card and Randy Young (all former PPCC Chairs/Presidents).  Past Chair David Card provided information about the process, and invited interested and eligible persons to apply -- reminding all that
current Alternates must also apply should they wish to continue serving as an Alternate rep!
See the
Alternates Application Notice
for details on how to apply to become an
Alternate Area or At-large rep
on the PPCC board.  Deadline to submit applications:
5pm on October 6, 2024.
Don't forget to send in your Alternates application soon!
Submit applications to
info@pacpalicc.org
.
CRIME / BEACH DETAIL, 41.18 & ENCAMPMENTS
Responding to substantial questions and concerns expressed by residents and Board members -- about the absence of beach detail officers, the increasing numbers of homeless encampments, the perceived lack of enforcement and public safety risks --
Capt. III Richard Gabaldon
(commanding officer, LAPD WLA Division) and Palisades
SLO Brian Espin
attended and provided information about the status of the beach detail, LAMC  41.18 / anti-camping enforcement, and crime in the Palisades.
Capt. Gabaldon stated that he wished to dispel rumors about the beach detail, assuring us that
the detail is still in place
-- although there have been temporary absences (some officers have been away on leave or for required training; others were assigned to staff other events in the City; two officers were promoted; their replacements are in process and are expected soon).
Capt. Gabaldon emphasized that
LAPD's goal is always to have the beach detail in place with at least one unit of 4 officers, 7 days a week.
He acknowledged that there has been an influx of unhoused individuals and transients migrating to the Palisades from other cities and areas (where stricter anti-camping enforcement may have occurred). He indicated that LAPD does enforce LAMC 41.18 (the Los Angeles ordinance that bans camping on sidewalks within 500 ft. of sensitive uses,
i.e.,
parks, libraries, schools and day care centers).  Recognizing the need for protection, Capt. Gabaldon has asked for the Palisades units to be the
last in line
when officers are called on to staff other City events.  He is also coordinating a quarterly Task Force in the near future to inspect and clean up encampments in our bluff and hillside areas.
SLO Espin additionally provided a crime report, explaining that while Part 1 crime is slightly down, burglaries have increased throughout the Westside.  See his most recent
Palisades Crime Map
here
.
He reported that LAMC 41.18 was recently enforced in connection with a transient / homeless individual who had been camping in the public right of way in various locations near Palisades schools and parks (most recently near Sunset & PCH); it was found that the individual had an outstanding warrant; he was arrested and taken into custody.
SLO Espin also noted that
security cameras do help in deterring crime.
Extensive Q&A ensued about the use of cameras such as the FLOCK and Vigilant types. Courtney Macker, Pacific Palisades Residents Association (PPRA) rep, explained that PPRA is continuing to support a FLOCK security camera program in Palisades neighborhoods. Contact
Courtney
for more information about the cameras and how to participate in the program.
MOTIONS PASSED BY THE BOARD
The Board passed
two motions related to homelessness,
both originally recommended by the WRAC Homelessness Committee; members of that committee representing PPCC include Chris Spitz (Vice-Chair & 1st Alternate), Cindi Young (Primary Rep) and Maryam Zar (2nd Alternate):
1) Support for CW Traci Park's recent letter to the Governor and Caltrans, requesting that encampments on state land, including RVs along PCH in the Palisades, be addressed pursuant to the Governor's recent Executive Directive, and requesting a prompt response and effective action by state authorities.
2) Request for the City to establish a clear, accurate and easily accessible "Homeless Reporting Dashboard" on the City website, mirroring the clear Culver City Dashboard.
ADDITIONAL ANNOUNCEMENTS
From CD 11 Palisades Deputy Michael Amster:
Michael Amster reported on several matters:
The Councilwoman's recent motions regarding
RV dwelling
and
towing operations
have both passed in City Council.
After more than a decade of effort, a
dog park is coming to Pacific Palisades!
$1.5 million in County funding has been secured.  The dog park will be located in the park area near the playground on Temescal Canyon Road.  The City Recreation & Parks Dept. requires two community meetings before construction can begin; CD 11 is attempting to arrange for the 1st meeting ASAP.  Leslie Campbell -- spearheading the effort along with other Dog Park Task Force volunteers -- thanked PPCC and CD 11 for their support.  The Board in turn expressed appreciation for Leslie's and the Task Force's tenacity and sustained effort to make this much-needed resource a reality!
Michael is working on bringing the
CD 11 Beautification Team
to the Palisades again, this time to clean up sidewalk areas along Los Leones.
It has been a priority for CW Park to secure
crossing guards
for all our elementary schools.  The good news is that a guard was added to the crossing at Marquez Ave. and Edgar St.  Unfortunately, despite parents' pleas and CD 11's request, a crossing guard will NOT be added to support Canyon Charter School.
From Elected and Organizational Reps:
Historical Society alt. rep Barbara Kohn
:  the PP Historical Society will present a special lecture on
Historic Route 66
at Pierson Playhouse, 7pm on
September 18, 2024
(see more information below, or contact
PPHS
).
Area 3 rep Haldis Toppel
: the
Marquez Knolls annual Block Party
will take place on Saturday,
September 14, 2024,
from 11am - 3pm on Marquez Ave. near Sunset. For more information, contact
Haldis
.
Haldis also expressed her appreciation for having been able to serve for many years on PPCC; she is pleased that new young Area representatives are coming on to the Board!  Board members in turn thanked Haldis for her service.
Area 1 rep Murray Levy
:  the Equinox gym is reopening and is offering special
Equinox reduced membership rates
in connection with the reopening; contact
Murray
for more information.
At-large rep Chris Spitz
:  she and others have written to Capt. Gabaldon and LAPD officers, raising concerns about
maintaining the beach detail, enforcing LAMC 41.18, and reducing the risk of wildfires
from the influx of homeless individuals and encampments in our bluff and beach areas (noted above). Sharon Kilbride (past PPTFH co-president) followed up with information about the status of homelessness in the Palisades; the increase in numbers of transients and unhoused individuals migrating here and setting up dangerous encampments in the bluffs; and the work of PPTFH volunteers and the outreach team to offer housing and services and to clear encampments. Sharon stressed the
vital importance of maintaining the LAPD beach detail 7 days a week
(which she noted had been lacking in the past several days due to the factors cited by Capt. Gabaldon) -- and of
LAPD providing critical backup
for PPTFH's efforts, including by enforcing 41.18 and all applicable laws. The Board thanked Sharon and all the volunteers for their important work on behalf of the community!
From Youth Advisor Ella Nozar:
Ella brought to the Board's attention her concern that there is an increase in the number of
teens who openly engage in illegal smoking and vaping
in public areas of the Village, near families and young children.  This is not permitted on campus at Pali High, and students are asked to maintain appropriate conduct in public as representatives of the school.  At this point, it's unclear whether anything effective can be done to prevent this behavior.
From the President:
PPCC President Sue Kohl congratulated the
newly elected Area & At-large representatives,
and again congratulated the
Palisades Olympians
(see prior kudos to
Nick Itkin,
Miles Partain
and
Steve Kerr
here
;
see below for additional congratulations to
Johnny Hooper
)!
The President also reported on PPCC
position letters
written since the Board's last meeting (re the Palisades Pedestrian Trail / lateral trail and AB 1082), as well as upcoming PPCC meetings and other events in September / October, including the annual
Oktoberfest 5K Run
on
October 19,
sponsored by the Palisades Lutheran Church (see information below).
She reiterated that PPCC has posted valuable
"Crime Prevention Tips"
on our website, courtesy of Brentwood Community Council and Brentwood HOA.
September / October Events
"
Get Your Kicks on Route 66!"
The
Pacific Palisades Historical Society
will present a special program on
Historic Route 66,
on Wednesday,
September 18,
7pm at Pierson Playhouse, Theatre Palisades. The special guest lecturer:
Scott Piowtroski, Historic Route 66 Association President. For more information, click on
PPHS
or the graphic to the left.
The
Los Angeles Recreation and Parks Commission
will hold its next public meeting at the Palisades Recreation Center, 851 Alma Real Drive, on Thursday,
September 19,
at 9am. For topics to be discussed, click on the
Agenda
or the graphic to the left.  Please note that public comment will be taken should you wish to address Commission about a park matter that isn't on the agenda.
“Get Read, Stay Ready!”
special emergency preparedness event,
to be held on Saturday,
October 5,
9am-1pm at the Skirball Cultural Center, 2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd., Los Angeles -- hosted by County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath and other elected officials, including CW Traci Park.  Over 20 LA County and City agencies and groups will provide vital information on emergency preparedness. There will be free on site parking and a complimentary breakfast. For more information see t
he event
flyer
HERE
or click on the graphic to the left.  Register at
Event RSVP
.
The
Pacific Palisades Park Advisory Board
will hold its next quarterly public meeting on Thursday,
October 17,
6:30pm in the Palisades Recreation Center small gym. Contact the Rec Center Director at
palisades.rc@lacity.org
for the agenda (available prior to the meeting).
Annual
Palisades Lutheran Church Octoberfest 5K Run, Saturday, October 19,
11am-1pm in the El Medio Bluffs.  See
Map
for the Run route or click on the graphic. Door hanger and street signs will go out to houses along the streets that will have restricted auto traffic and no parking during the race. From the organizers: "We will try and keep the street closure time to as short as possible."
Questions:  contact
richwilken@mac.com
.
September 26, 202
:  Regular PPCC board meeting (6-8pm via Zoom) -- Last meeting of the terms of current elected and organizational representatives; end of 2023-24 PPCC fiscal year.
October 1, 2024
:  Special PPCC meeting (6-7:30pm via Zoom) for a presentation by Councilwoman Traci Park on the Tramonto Slide and the related residential development project.
October 10, 2024
: Regular PPCC board meeting (6-8pm via Zoom) -- Welcome to the new elected and organizational representatives; nomination and election of Alternate Area & At-large reps*; start of 2024-25 PPCC fiscal year.
*Alternate Reps Application Deadline:
5pm , October 6th.
Congratulations to Johnny Hooper!
We've learned that Johnny is also a Palisades
Olympian, winning a Bronze Medal on the USA
Men's Water Polo Team at the Paris Olympics!
PPCC again salutes all the Palisadians
who participated in the 2024 Olympics!
PPCC Calendar