MINUTES

Meeting called to order by President Ernie Sanchez.

Roll Call: All were present but Eliot Sekuler and Darlene Roker, excused, Josef Bray-Ali, unexcused.

Public Comments:

Raymond Yu announced the following: an advance screening of The Simpsons Movie Friday, July 27, 2007; Nisei Week Parade 8/19, 6 p.m., Central Ave and 3rd Street, Los Angeles, www.niseiweek.org.

Alexia mentioned that at the Cypress Branch Library, Thursday July 26th, there will be a Library branch commission meeting.

Paula Sirola said this Thursday there will be a quarterly meeting of Arroyo Seco Council Organizations at the South Pasadena Library, Oxley Street, at 7 p.m. in South Pasadena. There will be planning for a Day of Service or Day of Celebration of the Arroyo for 2008. She mentioned a fundraiser for Melanie Winter, who has been active in environmental issues, for her upcoming hip replacement. Also see www.hip4mel.net.

Jerry Schneider discussed the County’s plan for a bikeway into the Arroyo Seco. It’s been a year since the County has been heard from. There is a rumor that the County may have given back the grant money for the bikeway to CalTrans. Jerry was present at the Heritage Square dedication and he talked there in favor of renovations for the south entrance to Heritage Square as well as the north entrance. The south entrance would be a linkage to the bikepath.

Jack Fenn talked about the top of Montecito Heights, Flattop, 10-12 acres, that has become very dry this past year.

Scott Folsom, Education Representative, welcomed everyone to this building (Jack and Denny Smith Library and Community Center). The community in Sun Valley lost their legal fight to prohibit a Home Depot. He asks that we in consolidarity with Glassell Park make a decision next meeting.

Paula Sirola said in Yogi Times, Jerry Schneider’s house is featured.

Board Discussion/Action Items:

1. Minutes from May 2007 approved. Minutes from June 2007 approved.

2. Fill current board vacancies—

DISCUSSION: Jack Fenn asks if there will be fairly regular local issues committee meetings. Sara Lopez mentions the residents are not aware of the ASNC. She encourages registration of stakeholders needs to happen, and mentions the need for translators for Korean and Chinese languages in order to reach out to residents. Jeremy Dillard mentions two distinct populations: some stay there (retired), others (60%) are medical students who are there only for a year or two. Mr. Dillard mentions trying to contact residents through the homeowners’ association as a method of outreach.

Vote is taken. Jeremy Dillard is new Monterey Hills Representative.

3. Pat Griffith says the Treasurer’s report on the website.

4. Name new liaison for Friends of the Southwest Museum Coalition.

DISCUSSION: Joe Riser nominates Anne Walnum, Anne Walnum asks Scott Rubel to be the liaison. She mentions. Jack Fenn nominates Scott Rubel for liaison. Anne Walnum mentions she would be happy to run for Community Nonprofits Rep. Joe Riser seconds the nomination. Approved.

5. Request from Friends of Hermon Dog Park for $925 to cover the following at dog adoption event on October 13th:

DISCUSSION: Scott Rubel asks what $200 does? Scott Folsom likes everything but the billboard. He suggests she withdraws that. Lezle states the billboard was voted for by the board. Jeremy Dillard asks how much her organization has raised so far? Lezle says The City has donated money for tables and chairs, many are donating their time for free, and she will go to other neighborhood councils for support as well. Maggie Barto asks if they will do anything for cats. Pat Griffith makes the motion. Scott Folsom just asks if there’s a way to get someone else to pay for the billboard. Jack Fenn seeks a compromise by offering an amendment that if there is a request for billboard money next year, that it not come from ASNC. Pablo Lopez says that many people do not have access to the Internet and the billboard would help awareness of the event. A question is asked if the billboard will be bilingual. Amendment voted on, defeated. Original motion voted on, approved. 3-5 p.m. Sunday is “yappy hour” at the Friends of Hermon Dog Park.

6. Request from Ida Simms and Sara Lopez for $5000 for Support for the 2007 Monterey Hills Jazz Festival removed.

7. The ASNC should oppose the granting of a liquor sales permit for a convenience store planned for 5526 Monterey Road, formerly Acoustic Blend market, in Hermon, Joe Riser. He says the Hermon Local Issues Committee unanimously opposed it in the meeting of 7/12/07.

DISCUSSION: Zara Scoville asks if the location is the problem, or the actual convenience store. Vote for: seven, against, one, abstention, three.

8. Request for letter of support from business owner Omar Mata and business partner Nickolas Mata. They plan on opening an upscale coffee house and grocery store in Hermon.

DISCUSSION: Omar Mata says he leased this property and does not want to use the beer and wine license. The landlord, Mr. Wilson, wishes to keep the beer and wine license. Mr. Mata wanted to bring an upscale coffee house to the area, and does not want to sell beer and wine. Mr. Mata will meet with the city on the 31st as well. Scott Rubel asks if the license applies to the business or the address? Mr. Wilson says it applies to the address. Scott Rubel asks if motion 7 and motion 8 are two separate issues. Joe Riser mentions concern that Mr. Mata states that they do not have any intention to sell beer or wine there at this time. Zara Scoville asks if the beer and wine license came up for renewal? Mr. Wilson said he applied before the permit expired and renewed the license. Jack Fenn asks if Mr. Mata will pursue the coffee shop regardless of whether the council opposes the granting of a liquor sales permit for that address? Mr. Mata says Jack Fenn asks if the City addressed the parking issues? Joe Riser asks the timetable for the coffee shop’s opening. Mr. Mata mentions a conditional use meeting on the 31st. Joe Riser mentions the difficulty he has in asking the Board to give a letter of support that the local issues committee has not had the opportunity to discuss. Pat Griffith asks what else will be sold there? Mr. Mata says bread, groceries, necessities. Mr. Mata asks when the next meeting will be? Joe Riser says 9/13, and he would like the board not to take action until the Hermon Local Issues committee has met. Pablo Lopez asks if the Matas would write a letter of intent that they will not sell beer or wine? The Matas agree. Maggie Barto points out Montecito Heights and Monterey Hills are present but have not been polled in this matter. Joe Riser makes a motion that the board not take a position on this. Mr. Mata mentions that time is of the essence. Maggie Barto, a resident of Hermon, would like the Board to vote on this. Scott Rubel seconds Joe Riser’s motion. Ida Simms calls for the question. Motion to table the item, four in favor, five opposed. Jack Fenn moves that the ASNC supports the plan for the Matas to open a coffeehouse market at 5526 Monterey Road with a proviso that they not sell alcoholic beverages.

9. From Mount Washington Local Issues (Requested by Paula Sirola), the ASNC should:

10. From Mount Washington Local Issues (Requested by Jerry Schneider), the ASNC should

DISCUSSION: Jack Fenn thinks the greatest danger to pedestrian safety is attempting to cross where there are no lights. Jerry responds that the city needs to study it.

11. From Montecito Heights Local Issues (Requested by Scott Rubel and Jack Fenn), the ASNC should:

DISCUSSION: J. Michael Walker asks who in the city this will be addressed to. Jack Fenn says City Council 1.

DISCUSSION:

Reports

12. Committee Reports.

a. Local Issues –

b. Rules and Elections – Pat Griffith mentions moving into the next phase of producing registration documents.

c. Recreation, Arts & Culture – J. Michael Walker mentions the Santa Cecilia Orchestra, (Sonya Leon de la Vega, conductor), is looking for volunteers from 9-5 p.m. tomorrow to address invitations. In addition, the Avenue 50 studio fundraiser coming up in September at either the Audubon Center or Forest Lawn.

13. Report from Liaisons.

b. Planning Dept./MOU Oversight Committee – Zara Scoville

c. Friends of Southwest Coalition –Scott Rubel defers to Anne Wall.

14. Comments from Board on subject matters within the Board’s jurisdiction, and suggestions for future agenda items.

DISCUSSION: Zara Scoville would like to start a conversation for giving residents in Monterey Hills access to the Gold Line. Maggie Barto received a letter a week and a half ago from Jovenes, Inc. and Father Richard Estrada. She read the letter to the Board.

15. Future meeting dates and location – Ernie Sanchez
Next meeting is Monday, August 27th at 7 p.m. at the Jack and Denny Smith Library and Community Center, Mt. Washington Elementary School, 3981 San Rafael Avenue Los Angeles, CA, 90065.

16. Adjournment