ARROYO SECO NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL (ASNC)
MINUTES
OF THE MEETING
MONDAY, January 25, 2010 -- 07:00PM TO 09:30PM
RAMONA HALL COMMUNITY CENTER, 4580 North
Figueroa Street, Los Angeles, CA
90031
Supporting
documentation for this meeting can be found at: http://www.asnc.us/2010-archives/01-Jan/_0110archives.htm
I.
CALL TO ORDER (Tom Marble, presiding)
Meeting called to order at
07:20 PM.
II. ROLL CALL (Glenda
Lubelsky)
Present: Martha Benedict, Michael Blatt, Scott Folsom, Anthony
Guida, Robert Hawkes, Mark Legassie, Glenda Lubelsky, Tom Marble, Robert Rakauskas, Joseph Riser, Ernie Sanchez, Jerry
Schneider, Lacey Wagner, Ann Walnum.
Excused Absences:
Hank Shaeffer, Paula Sirola.
Unexcused Absences: Judy
Knapton; Pablo Lopez.
A Quorum was established.
III.
COMMENTS BY THE PRESIDENT PRO TEM (Tom Marble)
The
resignation of David Talbert, Representative-at-Large for Healthcare and
Seniors was noted by the Board. In
view of the proximity of the April elections and the time constraints with
respect to filling vacant Board positions, it was unanimously agreed (14 votes
in favor), that it would not be practical to attempt to fill this position for
the short period remaining until the election.
IV. COMMENTS FROM PUBLIC OFFICIALS AND THEIR REPRESENTATIVES
No public officials or
representatives were present.
V.
APPROVAL
OF NOVEMBER 23, 2009 MINUTES
After discussion, on motion duly made and seconded,
the Minutes of the November 23, 2009 Minutes were unanimously approved.
VI.
TREASURERÕS REPORT
(Mark S. Legassie)
The Treasurer presented a financial report, which has been
posted on-line.
VII.
ACTION ITEMS -- Funding Requests.
1. ELECTION EVENT.
[Category: Communications & Outreach]
– Motion to allocate $1,200 for costs and publicity to hold a special
event at Ramona Hall in conjunction with the ASNC's election on April 29, 2010,
in order to attract voters. It was
proposed that other events be held at Ramona Hall on election day in order to
encourage participation in the elections.
Suggestions of possible events included: (a) coffee and refreshments to be supplied by local coffee
houses; and (b) dinner to be provided for poll workers and voters. In addition, a mass mailing would be
sent out.
The motion was carried by a vote
of 14 in favor; 0 opposed; 0 abstentions.
2. 2010 SUMMER NIGHT LIGHTSÓ GANG REDUCTION PROJECT. [Category:
Safety] – Motion to allocate $2,500 in community project funds
to support the 2010 Summer Night Lights Gang Reduction project in Northeast LA. Sponsored by the MayorÕs Gang Reduction
and Youth Development Office, this program keeps local parks open after dark
and provides free food and activities for at-risk youth. [Approved by the Public Safety Cmte on 1/16; Request Originator: Mark
S. Legassie, Public Safety Cmte Chair]
The
motion was amended to include the following:
ÒFunds will be approved contingent upon sites
selected within the ASNC boundaries, specifically Montecito Heights Recreation
Center, Highland Park Recreation Center, and Ramona HallÓ.
The motion was
carried as amended by a vote of 14 in favor; 0 opposed; 0 abstentions.
3. AVENUE
50 STUDIOS SECURITY CAMERA. [Neighborhood Purposes Grant] –
Motion to approve a Neighborhood Purposes Grant (NPG) in the amount of $477.81
for the purchase and installment of security system for the non-profit
organization Avenue 50 studios. The breakdown is as follows: $187.86 Security System; $ 89.95 Video
Capture for Mac, $200.00 Installation charges = $477.81. Note: Ave 50 Studios will reimburse the
ASNC $187.86 for the cost of the camera upon receipt of the NPG grant, and this
NPG will resolve the issue with DONE (purchase of equipment for private
property). [Mark S. Legassie]
The motion
authorizing Mr. Legassie to draft an appropriate letter was carried as amended
by a vote of 14 in favor; 0 opposed; 0 abstentions.
VIII.
ACTION
ITEMS – Non-Funding Requests.
1 ELECTION PROCEDURES. Approval of ASNC Election
Procedures as proposed by the City Clerk, with changes (from December
meeting). Requires Board Action. [Rules and Elections Cmte]
After
discussion, it was agreed that this item did not require Board action.
The motion was carried by a vote
of 13 in favor; 0 opposed; 0 abstentions (Mr. Sanchez had already departed.)
After discussion, it was agreed
to adopt a Standing Rule allowing the President to vote on Board motions. It was also agreed that President Pro
Tem would vote forthwith for the remainder of the meeting. The motion was carried by a vote of 12
in favor; 0 opposed; 1 abstention.
4. FY11 BUDGET SURVEY. Motion to approve the
following categories and descriptions for use in the FY11 community project
budget survey, which will be included with the election voting materials [Approved by the Budget & Finance Cmtee
on 1/16; Request Originator: Mark S. Legassie, Treasurer]:
ASNC Budget Categories (in reverse alphabetical order)
1) Safety – e.g. gang violence
reduction, emergency preparedness supplies, neighborhood watch signs,
public transportation issues.
2) Recreation – e.g. playground
equipment, skateboard parks, bike path & trail maintenance, organized
hikes, hobbies and fun recreational activities, bird-watching, bike rides
3) Health – e.g. free flu shots for
the poor, health fair, poop bag dispensers, exercise equipment, banner for new
low-cost community clinic, advertisements to promote drug-free living.
4) Festivals – e.g.
limited-duration festivals and events for the public (and not referenced
elsewhere on this list)
5) Environment & Beautification - e.g.
energy conservation, recycling, tree/flower planting & maintenance,
graffiti cleanup, community gardens, roadside cleanup, park beautification
improvements.
6) Education – e.g. equipment for
schools, after-school and summer programs, school supplies, school
capital improvements (field trips not allowed).
7) Culture & Arts – e.g. display
case for museum, cultural landmark preservation, equipment for dance/art
studio, permanent art display (does not include limited-duration events)
8) Animal Welfare – e.g. stray
animal rescue, pet adoption events, spay-neuter programs, low-cost
vaccinations, micro-chipping
The
motion was carried by a vote of 11 in favor; 0 opposed; 1 abstention (Mr.
Sanchez and Mr. Folsom had already departed).
5. ARROYO
SECO PARKWAY UPGRADES.
Consideration and possible adoption of a Statement outlining
recommendations for the design and construction process for the upgrades now
underway. [Recreation, Culture and The
Arts Ctte]
In December Caltrans held an informational meeting
about the upgrades to the Arroyo Seco Parkway to be constructed over the next
two years. Although everyone
appreciates the project's safety improvements, some of the information alarmed
attendees, especially those responsible for arts and recreation facilities and
stakeholders concerned with preserving the historic character of our area.
These people came together in the recent meeting of
ASNC's Recreation, Culture and the Arts Committee to develop a consensus on
changes to Caltrans plans that are urgently needed. Elected state officials must be informed as soon as possible
to intervene. This is a brief
summary.
Construction
Process – The freeway will be divided into four segments and each one
will be closed for five consecutive weekends, starting at 10 p.m. Friday to 6
a.m. Monday. Only one northbound
lane will be open to traffic. That
means for 20 weekends, the primary north-south artery will be disrupted with
detours.
--REQUEST: One southbound lane must also be open.
--REQUEST: Firm dates for the weekend closures must be disclosed.
--REQUEST: Specific weekends must be excluded from closures.
--REQUEST: Details of the equipment staging area must be disclosed.
--REQUEST: Shuttles, free Gold Line service be pro vided.
--REQUEST: Graffiti control must not be left to the contractor as a low
priority.
Design –
The project design was conducted with minimal community input. Since the Arroyo Seco Parkway, unlike
other freeways, has historic significance to the area, a more meaningful design
must be implemented with respect to local character.
--REQUEST: Caltrans has a specific historic light fixture standard on
record for the Parkway. Caltrans
must modify its plan to use that fixture.
--REQUEST: Center median design needs to adhere to historic local style
with an articulated surface to discourage tagging and reduce noise.
--REQUEST: Side barrier facing of broken concrete
must adhere to the 1940s style of the Parkway with a variety of color stains.
--REQUEST: Side barrier fencing must be optimized for the viewshed
within the limitations of safety.
--REQUEST: On/offramps must not be capped with impermeable hardscape and
must include landscaping appropriate to the area as a first priority.
The Recreation, Culture and The Arts Committee moves
that the Arroyo Seco Neighborhood Council support this request to State
officials in order to guide Caltrans to meet the needs of our stakeholders.
After discussion, the motion authorizing Ms.
Benedict to draft a letter and present it to the Board for review was carried
by 12 votes in favor; 0 votes opposed; 0 votes abstaining.
6. TNR AND THE CITY OF LOS ANGELES. Discussion about the lawsuit ending the
cityÕs participation in Trap, Neuter, and Release programs and the resulting
status of such programs supported by the ASNC [Ann Walnum]
After discussion, it was agreed
to defer this matter until the next meeting and Mr. Legassie will draft a
motion.
8. MODIFICATION OF PARKING RESTRICTIONS. Discussion of Parking Restrictions on
Mount Washington [Mount Washington Local
Issues Cmte]
Because of the lateness of the
hour, this matter has been deferred to the next meeting of the Board.
IX. COMMITTEE AND
LIAISON REPORTS. Due to
the lateness of the hour, on motion duly made, seconded and unanimously
approved (12 votes in favor), committee reports and further business on the
Agenda was deferred to the next meeting of the Board.
X. FUTURE MEETING
DATES AND LOCATIONS
The
next meeting will be held on MONDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2010, at Ramona Hall.
XI. ADJOURNMENT
Meeting adjourned
at 9:45 P.M