ARROYO SECO
NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL

POST OFFICE BOX 42254
LOS ANGELES, CA 90042

TELEPHONE: (866) LA-HELPS
http://www.ASNC.us

OFFICERS
Ernest E. Sanchez
PRESIDENT
Joseph Riser
VICE-PRESIDENT
Tina Zabala
SECRETARY
Jeremy Dillard
TREASURER
Zara Scoville
REGISTRAR
CITY OF LOS ANGELES
CALIFORNIA



C/O Department of Neighborhood Empowerment
305 E. First Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012
Telephone: (213) 485-1360
Fax: (213) 485-4608
GEOGRAPHICAL REPRESENTATIVES
Pablo Lopez (’07-’08), Hermon
Joseph Riser (’08-’09), Hermon
Jack Fenn (’07-’08), Montecito Heights
Tina Zabala (’08-’09), Montecito Heights
Jeremy Dillard (’07-’08), Monterey Hills
Darlene Roker (’08-’09), Monterey Hills
Zara Scoville (’07-’08), Mount Washington
Paula Sirola (’07-’08), Mount Washington
Hank Shaeffer (’08-’09), Mount Washington
Ann Walnum (’08-’09), Mount Washington
Jason Renfro (’07-’08), Sycamore Grove
Sylvia Robledo (’08-’09), Sycarmore Grove

AT LARGE REPRESENTATIVES
Ernest Sanchez, Community Non-Profits
Clifford Moseley, Education & Youth
Marybelle C. Ang, Environment
AJ Mora, Faith-Based Organization
Amado Machorro, Healthcare & Seniors
J. Michael Walter, Recreation, Cultural & Arts
Efrén Chepi, Retail, Wholesale & Service
.

ARROYO SECO NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL
MEETING AGENDA

Monday, 02-JUNE-2008 (May Mtg.)
· 07:00 PM to 10:00 PM ·

Monterey Adult Day Health Care Center
5926 Monterey Road (at Avenue 60)
Los Angeles, California 90042

Hermon Community

Supporting documentation for this meeting can be found at:
http://www.asnc.us/2008-archives/05-May/_0508archives.htm


MINUTES

Download PDF version of Minutes

I.  
 CALL TO ORDER. Roll call.
Meeting called to order at 07:18 PM.
Present: Pablo Lopez, Joseph Riser, Tina Zabala, Jeremy Dillard, Zara Scoville, Hank Shaeffer, Ann Walnum, Jason Renfro, Sylvia Robledo, Ernest Sanchez, Clifford Moseley, AJ Mora, Amado Machorro, J. Michael Walker, Efren Chepi, Marybelle Ang (arrived late)
Excused: Jack Fenn, Darlene Roker, Paula Sirola
II. 
PUBLIC COMMENTS.

Suzanne Jimenez, new CD-1 Field Deputy (for Councilman Reyes) for Sycamore Grove.

• Update re signal light at Sycamore Grove Park: Still working with DWP and Bureau of Street Services; better timeline by end of the week.

• Town Hall meeting in Highland Park on Thursday, July 31, from 06:00 PM to 08:00 PM.
Mike Fong, CD-1 Field Deputy for Montecito Heights.

• DOT is looking at the Griffin Avenue corridor as a collector street; will get update from DOT for next meeting.
III.
COMMENTS BY THE INTERIM PRESIDENT (Ernest Sanchez).
No comments at this time.
IV.
DISCUSSION & POTENTIAL ACTION ITEMS
1.
Approval of minutes of April 2008 meeting. (Tina Zabala)

Item 6. The phrase “for community projects” has been added. The item now reads: “The City requires the budget to be completed in six weeks. Approximate balance for community projects is $2,500 (Handout #4).”

Motion (H.Shaeffer/J.Dillard) to approve.

Motion passes.
2.

Treasurer’s report (Jeremy Dillard) Approval of 2008-09 fiscal budget.

Discussion: The budget for FY 2009 is not drafted yet. The budget for 2008 is still applicable. Concern for 2009 is that less than half of the budget is going toward community projects (handout distributed). Discuss the use of purchase cards (otherwise known as “p-cards”) as cheaper to use than checks, ATM withdrawals or cash advances. Budget was reviewed in detail. It was mentioned that agenda items have expiration dates, based on the date they were passed; once an item is approved there is a six-month window to spend the money associated with a particular motion. Regarding the figure for board training and development, we will have to assume some of the costs for our elections; so, this saved money will be used for elections. There was also discussion about the difference between the amounts listed for outreach versus community events. Jeremy Dillard says he is not too interested in sub-categorizing and doesn’t want to track at too detailed a level.

Motion (J.Dillard/A.Machorro) to approve.

Amendment by J.Riser: “that the like amount of $3,000 budgeted in the previous year should be moved in the following ways: $2,000 added to election costs; $1,000 to community projects. This change would bring the percentage allocated for community projects for 2008-09 above 50 percent.”

Motion passes.
3.
Discussion and possible action re: reducing the portion of the ASNC budget now spent on administrative services and fees (now more than 50%) in order to leave more funds for community projects:

(a) Identify any board members willing and able to take on any of the duties of the paid positions, as volunteers.

(b) Research the amounts that nearby neighborhood councils are spending for their Website maintenance and report back at the May 2008 meeting. (Ernest Sanchez/Darlene Roker)

Items delayed.
4.
Discussion and possible action.
(a) Motion: When filling vacancies or seeking replacements for paid professional service providers, the recruiting and advertising duties are to be handled by the Board member or officer that each provider reports to or works with most closely [currently, Administrative Assistant (President), Minute Taker (Secretary), Bookkeeping Assistant (Treasurer), and Website Maintenance Services (Registrar).

Motion (J.Riser/T. Zabala) to approve.

H. Schaeffer suggested that a proviso be added to the end: “The allocation of the funds, etc., shall be approved by the Board.”

Motion passes.

(b) Candidates for current positions:

(i) Retaining the services of William “Bill” Mengle as Minute Taker.
(ii) Consideration of retaining the services of Edeltraut Schrober as Administrative Assistant.
(iii) Consideration of retaining the services of Edeltraut Schrober as Bookkeeping Assistant.
(iv) Consideration of retaining the services of Robert Hawkes as Bookkeeping Assistant.

Motion tabled to next meeting.

Mr. Bill Mengle is now taking notes.

Will look into the Bookkeeping Assistant position once Jeremy (Dillard) has determined necessity for the position.
5.
Motion from Jeremy Dillard: Authorize $250 for the installation of two dog waste bag dispensers in Bud Weiner Park.

Motion tabled to next meeting.
6.
 Motion from Joseph Riser: In order to affect and support as many local groups and interests as possible with the city-supplied neighborhood council funds, and to make certain that funding opportunities brought forward have broader support within the communities we serve:
(a) The ASNC should limit the amount of grants to and purchases for community groups, institutions, interests, projects, special events, etc. to a total of $2,500 each, per project or event, per fiscal year.

Discussion: Joseph Riser says the purpose of this motion is to spread the Council’s resources a little more broadly, instead of giving too much to too few. New groups won’t get funding if we’re always funding the same groups. The previous council spent $13,000 in one month; that’s why we’re scrambling and trying to make ends meet. Ann Walnum noted that the ASNC’s logo was small in promotional materials for Lummis Day sponsorship, so the money given didn’t properly help promote the Council. Others say that this policy could be very limiting. Others like the spirit of this motion, noting that larger projects – with a bigger impact or benefit to the community – could be given more money.

Motion (J.Riser/P.Lopez) to approve.

Yea votes = 3. Nay votes = 10. Motion fails.

(b) For requests in excess of $1,000, the ASNC should require that the funding granted by the neighborhood council be at least partially matched by other real funding provided by the sponsoring group or organization itself, or by its other supporters. (Note: The matching funds requirement may be waived on a case-by-case basis by a two-thirds vote of the board members present when funding is approved).

Discussion: There was a request that item (b) be removed. Joseph Riser suggested that motion be given to Budget Committee.

Motion taken off the table.
7.
 Motion from Zara Scoville (Registrar), for the purpose of outreach to our stakeholders:

(a) Allocate $1,600 in neighborhood council funds to cover the cost of advertising in two local newspapers.

Discussion: In order to promote the screening of the film “Surfwise,” as part of the ASNC film event series on July 2, 2008, it’s proposed that the Council advertise in local papers. The amount would be up to $1600 for six monthly ads in two newspapers. Council debated the value of spending this much money on this kind of advertising, also of getting six-month advertising contracts. Various promotional methods – including direct mail and newspaper advertising – were debated as the best methods of reaching stakeholders. Also how outreach money should be spent was discussed. The value of a six-month contract vs. separate advertisements was also discussed.

Motion amended by Zara Scoville: Allocate up to $500 in ASNC neighborhood council funds to advertise in two local newspapers. One advertisement that will promote the ASNC film event series on July 2, 2008.

Motion (Z.Scoville/J.Dillard) to approve.

Motion passes.

(b) Allocate neighborhood council funds for printing ASNC banners

Discussion: The idea is to create a banner so people know that a meeting is coming. The banner, say 3 feet x 6 feet, could hang several days before the council meeting. Each local community could decide for itself what exactly the banner would say.

Motion amended by Zara Scoville: Allocate up to $500 in neighborhood council funds for printing ASNC local issues banner.

Motion (Z.Scoville/J.Dillard) to approve.

Motion passes.
8.
 Request from Hermon Community Church staff that the ASNC provide funds up to $2,400 to subsidize the cost of an 8-week summer piano lesson program for area children ($15 per student, per week, for up to 20 students). Lessons would be provided at no charge to the students’ families by the church’s music director. ASNC funds would go to pay for the instructor’s time. (Funds to be drawn from the neighborhood council’s 2008-09 fiscal budget).

Discussion: Summer music classes (not piano lessons, as the agenda item originally read) are being offered at the Church, limited to elementary and middle school students. It’s a wonderful opportunity for local kids to study for an eight-week period, learning basic music skills. The money would be taken from the 2008-09 budget, since the classes will be running in July and August. Also, it was discussed that it would be good for Council outreach if it were known in the materials that ASNC is a sponsor. There has been a problem with the Council proper credit for its sponsorships. The following language was suggested: “Your ASNC at work. Sponsored by the ASNC.” Perhaps this language could be mandatory in future sponsorships.

Motion (A.Mora/J.Walker) to approve.

Motion passes.
9.

Discussion and possible action on whether to hold a board meeting in December, following the November elections (as has been the practice in some past years), on if so, on what date and where.

Comments: Let’s make a complete list of dates and locations for the meetings. So everything is set up through the end of the year.
Motion from Joseph Riser to meet in December 8, 2008 (the second Monday), since we will not be meeting in November, due to the conflict with Election Day. This way we will avoid going two months without a meeting.

Motion (J.Riser/A.Mora) to approve.

Motion passes.

10.
Return to Item 3. Discussion and possible action re: reducing the portion of the ASNC budget now spent on administrative services and fees (now more than 50%) in order to leave more funds for community projects:

(a) Identify any board members willing and able to take on any of the duties of the paid positions, as volunteers.

No volunteers.

Ann Walnum comments: The breakdown on the green sheet, “ASNC Outreach & Community Spending (January 2006 to January 2008)” is misleading, since it shows two years.

(b) Research the amounts that nearby neighborhood councils are spending for their Website maintenance and report back at the May 2008 meeting. (Ernest Sanchez/Darlene Roker)

Report: It was reported that Winnetka’s yearly cost to maintain their Website (www.winnetkanc.com) is $250. Mar Vista is not happy with the amount. Cypress Park has volunteers. A councilmember, who has friends in the Web business, says that costs in general are a lot less than what we’re paying. Joseph Riser says that the Department of Neighborhood Councils shows what everyone is paying for everything, including Website maintenance. Ernest wants to know not only about cost, but about levels of satisfaction. Some Glassell Park stakeholders are concerned over its $450/month maintenance fee.
11.
  COMMITTEE REPORTS.
a. Local Issues:
  i. Hermon (Joseph Riser) – We had a meeting. Mostly internal. Discussed Quimby funds – money paid by developers for taking away greenspace – payable to the Department of Recreation and Parks. With these funds, additional parks/greenspace may be purchased. There is currently this type of money being sat on by the City of L.A. We have been trying to get something related to park space. A large amount of money – $110,000 – has been paid into the Quimby funds for developments in Hermon. Ernest Sanchez added that these funds are specific to the region where the space was taken out. Though it’s claimed that park space is not available.
  ii. Montecito Heights – No meeting held.
  iii. Monterey Hills (Jeremy Dillard) – Nothing significant to report at Federation meeting.
  iv. Mount Washington (Jerry Schneider) – We were meeting monthly, looking to follow up on old items. No action items at present. Agenda for second Wednesday of June includes discussing the Mount Washington Alliance, and establishing other liaisons. The Mount Washington Alliance has a newspaper, which hits the core audience. But there are only 400 or so registered stakeholders in Mount Washington. The Alliance meets, and the newsletter comes out, infrequently. There must be a better way to hit the target audience.
  v. Sycamore Grove (Jason Renfro) – Gives thanks for all those who helped clean up before the Lummis Day event. The success of this event shows an opportunity that things can be achieved.
b. Rules and Elections (Joseph Riser) – Have not had a meeting. Also noted that committees are not just for board members. Will discuss bylaws changes by next Rules and Elections Committee meeting.
c. Communications and Outreach (Zara Scoville) – Wants to get back to the business of film. Wants to create a tradition, with four showings a year, featuring films by local filmmakers or films with local themes. If we exhaust these movies with local connections, we can move on to other types of films. Discussed showing the movie “Surfwise.”
d. Budget and Finance (Jeremy Dillard) – No meeting yet. Trying to set some kind of guidelines for committee project funding.
e. Recreation, Arts & Culture (J. Michael Walker) – The Celebration at Sycamore Grove was an extraordinary day. This weekend, Avenue 50 studios is bring a band from Tijuana for a tango music festival on Friday and Saturday. On June 26, there will be a reading at the South Pasadena Library. Will be reading from my new book. I also made the list of the 100 coolest people in LA Weekly.
  f. Environment (Marybelle Ang) – No meeting yet. Haven’t called one. Difficult to find location. Is the purpose of the committee to create trough of issues, collect them and then bring them up? Joseph Riser added that Cycleway Coffee is OK with hosting small meetings. Also, these meetings have to be in a public place, since we’re a government entity.
12.
 Reports from Liaisons.
a. LADWP/MOU Oversight Committee (Peter Parrish) – Not present for report. Hasn’t answered emails. Joseph Riser says liaisons need to report a certain number of times per year.
b. Planning Dept./MOU Oversight Committee (Zara Scoville) – Nothing to report at the moment. Reports she doesn’t have time to attend the meetings and if someone else could take over this position.
c. Friends of Southwest Coalition (Ann Walnum) – Still waiting on full information, but there are more facets to this. Issues in Griffith Park are being addressed, including the Park’s filing for historic recognition, which would affect what could be put in the Park. The Griffith Park group has said no for now. In terms of the park’s future, the Autry National Center is part of the park. The EIR has been studied thoroughly. The traffic report had problems. Other issues include the proposed lease extension, The Autry’s compliance with its lease and other reports required by The Autry’s lease. There have been no response to any request for these reports. The biggest issue is the doubling of the number of buildings in Griffith Park. The L.A. Department of Recreation and Parks, which has jurisdiction over Griffith Park, may have a conflict of interest in this matter.
d. Los Angeles Neighborhood Councils Coalition (Bill Murray) – Not present for report.
e. Controller Chick’s NC’s (Maggie Barto) – Not present for report. The Board had previously agreed to have Maggie continue to be that person, but is not sure if they’re doing anything.
f. Animal Welfare (Lezle Stein) – Not present for report.
g. MW Elementary School Multipurpose Room (David Brunk) – Not present for report. Ann Walnum mentions that the Mt. Washington Elementary School has a multi-purpose room that they would like ASNC to use. ASNC should consider using if for any kind of event.  

V.
 NEW BUSINESS (Committee referrals and/or future Board agenda items).
1.
 Comments from the Board on subject matters within the Board’s jurisdiction, and suggestions for future agenda items.

• Joseph Riser – The ASNC is a City entity; therefore we should get some kind of response from the City to our letters. I’d like us to discuss ways and means to get recognition for our requests by a response from the City.

• There was a quick reminder to Board member to return the evaluation forms.
2.
Future meetings dates and location (Ernest Sanchez).

Next meeting date: 23-JUNE-2008 at 07:00 PM

Next meeting location: Montecito Heights Senior Center, 4545 Homer Street, Los Angeles, California 90031

Future meeting dates and locations: 28-JULY-2008 and 25-AUGUST-2008 at 7:00 PM, Montecito Heights Senior Center, 4545 Homer Street, Los Angeles, California 90031
VI.
ADJOURNMENT.

Meeting was adjourned at 09:37 PM.

Process for Reconsideration - The Board may reconsider and amend its actions on items listed on the agenda in accordance with Robert's Rules of Order.

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 Agenda items will be heard only 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 at Mount Washington Elementary School Bulletin Board, Carlin G. Smith Recreation Center, Albertson's at Avenue 43 and Figueroa, Rock Rose Café, Montecito Heights Senior Center , Montecito Heights Recreation Center , Monterey Business Center , ASNC's Official Web site and distributed on ASNC's Email list. 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 prior to the meeting you wish to attend by contacting Naheed Qureshi, Project Coordinator naheed.qureshi@ lacity.org  213 / 485-1360.

Calendar Items:

Next Meeting: Monday, April 28, 2008