CITY OF LOS ANGELES CALIFORNIA LACITY.ORG

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1 DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL OFFICERS J. RUSSELL BROWN, PRESIDENT BRAD WESTWATER, VP OF ADMINISTRATION PATTI BERMAN, VP OF OUTREACH & COMMUNICATION ALEX CHA, TREASURER DANIELLE DURAN, SECRETAR CIT OF LOS ANGELES CALIFORNIA LACIT.ORG DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL POB Los Angeles, CA TELEPHONE: (213) FAX: (213) Ted Greaton Office Coordinator DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL Tuesday, March 09, 2010 AGENDA Public Encouraged & Welcomed 6:15 PM Registration 6:30 PM Board Meeting Tower Theater S. Broadway (at 8TH) DRAFT OF BOARD MEETING MINUTES ITEM 1: CALL TO ORDER at 6:35 p.m. ROLL CALL 19/28 members present (including three alternates) First Name Last Name Title attendance Alex Cha NC BOARD MEMBER: At-Large absent Danielle Duran NC BOARD MEMBER: Arts, Cultural, and Educational Interests Present LaShaun Foster Jones NC BOARD MEMBER: Social Service Provider absent Ashley Zarella NC BOARD MEMBER, Workforce Private Sector Employee Representative alternate Brady Westwater NC BOARD MEMBER: Arts, Cultural, and Educational Interests Representative alternate Tyler Murphy NC BOARD MEMBER: Business: Fashion District present David Hurtado NC BOARD MEMBER: Business: City-West Absent Dawna Nolan NC BOARD MEMBER: Area-Wide Artist Present General Jeff NC BOARD MEMBER: Resident: Central City East Present Gunnar Hand NC BOARD MEMBER: Workforce Public Sector Employee Present Hal Bastian NC BOARD MEMBER: Business: Area-Wide alternate Henry Proctor NC BOARD MEMBER: Homeless Representative Present Russell Brown NC BOARD MEMBER: Area-Wide Resident Present James Doizaki NC BOARD MEMBER: Business: Central City East/Toy District Present Jon Toktas NC BOARD MEMBER, Business: Downtown Center Representative absent Mamta Patel NC BOARD MEMBER: Resident: City West Absent Alternate: Phillip Kotanjian Scott Bytoff NC BOARD MEMBER: Resident: South Park Present 1

2 Michael Delijani NC BOARD MEMBER: Business: Historic Downtown alternate Matthew Dean Glaser NC BOARD MEMBER: Resident: Alameda East Absent Mike Pfeiffer NC BOARD MEMBER: Business: South Park Absent Patti Berman NC BOARD MEMBER: Resident: Historic Core Present Absent Russell Chan NC BOARD MEMBER: Resident: Bunker Hill Shane Guffogg NC BOARD MEMBER: Arts, Cultural, and Educational Interests Bert Green present Shannon Parker NC BOARD MEMBER: Social Service Provider absent Stanley B Michaels NC BOARD MEMBER: Resident: Civic Center Present Seth Polen NC BOARD MEMBER: Business: Alameda East Present Andrew Ruiz NC BOARD MEMBER: Resident: Fashion District present Wendell Blassingame NC BOARD MEMBER: Social Service Provider Present ITEM 2. Swearing in of Board Member Alternates: Cyrus Delson (Delsonla@sbcglobal.net) for Michael Delijani and Matthew Rodda (jaheblues1974@yahoo.com) for Ashley Z. Hand. ITEM 3: Public Comments on none agenda items: None. ITEM 4: Approval of February Minutes: Gunnar Hand moved to approve minutes; 2 nd by Ashley Z. Hand s alternate Matt Rodda: ES - 15 NO 1 ABSTAIN: GUNNAR HAND, GENERAL JEFF, MATT RODDA. First Name Last Name vote First Name Last Name Vote Alex Cha absent James Doizaki Danielle Duran Jon Toktas absent LaShawn Foster absent Mamta Patel absent Ashley Zarella Alternate: Matt Abstain Scott Bytoff Brady Westwater Mike Delijani Alternate: Alternate: Cyrus Tyler Murphy Matt Dean-Glaser absent David Hurtado Mike Pfeiffer absent Dawna Nolan Patti Berman General Jeff abstain Russell Chan Gunnar Hand abstain Bert Green Hal Bastian Alternate: Justin Weiss Shannon Parker absent Henry Proctor Stanley B Michaels Seth Polen Andrew Ruiz Russell Brown (n/a) Wendell Blessingame ITEM 6: COMMUNIT EVENTS Report by Russ Brown: *Need volunteers for the Thursday, March 11 th Art Walk from noon to 11p/m/ *March 15, 2010, Monday, Transportation 2020 High Speed Train, Regional Connector & Streetcar - Town Hall at the Exchange/HDBID offices 114 W. 5 th St. 6 8:30 p.m. * March 16 th, Tues Town Hall re Rosslyn Hotel SRO proposed purchase, 6:30 p.m. at The Exchange/HDBID offices, 14 W. 5 th St. 2

3 * March 18, Thursday, Fashion Walk, 6 10 p.m. * March Fashion Week concept at Spring Arts Tower. * March 20, Sat. Sustainability Committee Green Pockets Project first survey day. * April 7, Wednesday, 6:00 7:30 p.m. Skid Row Walk Midnight Mission. * May 2, Big Sunday City of L.A. Volunteer Day/DLANC Downtown Projects. ITEM 7: CENSUS 2010 UPDATE Russ Brown emphasized the importance of the Downtown outreach plan which can provide funding for local projects if everyone responds to the Census. When you receive your card in the mail just answer the 10 simple questions and return it in the mail. ITEM 8: Burt Green introduced Curt Gibbs from the CRA On May 16 by invitation of the Mayor and the CRA an Urban Land Institute Technical Assistance Panel for the Clean Tech Corridor will be in L.A. funded by CRA and DWP to produce a report on the Clean Tech Corridor. On May 21 there will be a public presentation of their findings. Additionally, four consultants have been hired to produce a manual for incoming technical panel regarding jobs, environment and transportation. ITEM 5: REPORT CIT OFFICIALS: Out of Sequence. Fabiola Vilchez, Central Area Director for the Mayor s Office: (fabiola.vilchez@lacity.org) reported that two representatives from DLANC have been appointed to attend the March 13 Budget Survey meeting at City Hall: Scott Bytoff and General Jeff. ITEM 9. SPECIAL FILMING CONDITIONS (SFC) FOR DOWNTOWN RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOODS. Presented by Bert Green and Russ Brown. This measure went to City Council in 2007 where it languished. Now there is a seven page document in the packets from Film L.A.: Special Conditions for Location Filming in Downtown Los Angeles begin March 1, 2010, which addresses about 90% of the issues. There is a six month period of testing this criteria for mandatory/voluntary rules. After six months a review will take place to better understand the impact and issues that may have arisen. Check out Bert Green stated there currently seemed to be a good partnership of filmmakers and residents. ITEM 5: REPORT CIT OFFICIALS CON T. Out of Sequence; L.A. City Councilman Jose Huizar made an impromptu visit with the Board. He stated that In a couple of weeks there will be a report on Bringing Back Broadway: things are falling into place. Regarding the budget: We failed to allocate for falling revenues and the economy. Prop 84 grant application has been made for the park near the Eastern Building: thanks for all involved and it s looking good. General Jeff thanked the Councilman for pushing through and obtaining a toilet for Gladys Park (cost of $250,000). Councilman Huizar commented on how good Don Garza (who had just entered the meeting) was looking and wished him well with his health. 3

4 ITEM 10: PLANING AND LAND USE COMMITTEE: Out of Sequence James Doizaki (Board Chair) presented. Consent: PLUC recommends letters of support be written for: A. CUB for proposed French restaurant at 800 W. 6 th St. Action: PLUC recommends that DLANC write a letter of support. B. CUB for proposed restaurant at 1080 W. Wilshire. Action: PLUC recommends that DLANC write a letter of support. Consent calendar- items A and B: James Doizaki moved; 2 nd by General Jeff. VOTE: ES 19 ABSTAIN 1 Stanley Michaels First Name Last Name vote First Name Last Name Vote Alex Cha absent James Doizaki Danielle Duran Jon Toktas Absent LaShawn Foster absent Mamta Patel Absent Ashley Zarella Alternate: Matt Scott Bytoff Brady Westwater Mike Delijani Alternate: Alternate: Cyrus Tyler Murphy Matt Dean-Glaser absent David Hurtado Mike Pfeiffer absent Dawna Nolan Patti Berman General Jeff Russell Chan Gunnar Hand Bert Green Hal Bastian Alternate: Justin Weiss Shannon Parker absent Henry Proctor Stanley B Michaels abstain Seth Polen Andrew Ruiz Russell Brown (n/a) Wendell Blessingame NO POSITION ITEMS a, b, c: (But reserve the right to revisit the issue at a later date) a. 728 S. Hill Street b. 322 W. 7 th Street and c. 631 S. Hill St: categorical exemption for Historical Cultural Monument. Next PLUC meeting Tues., March 16, 2010, Rosslyn Hotel town hall forum, and Tues, March 23, 2010, at 6:30 pm PLUC meeting. Both meetings at the Exchange/HDBID offices at 114 W. 5 th St. ITEM 11: SUSTAINABILIT COMMITTEE Presented a motion that the Board of Directors support the endorsement of the Cyclists Bill of Rights as approved by the Sustainability Committee. This statement has been previously endorsed by the East Hollywood NC; Silver Lake NC; Atwater Village NC; Palms NC; Los Angeles Bicycle Advisory Committee; Mar Vista NC; Northridge East NC; Coastal San Pedro NC; MacArthur Park NC; Caltrans District 7; Caltrans Local Assistance Coordinator; LA City Controller; CD 11;CD 3; and Paul Krekorian - CA State Assembly. CCLISTS' BILL OF RIGHTS WHEREAS, cyclists have the right to ride the streets of our communities and this right is formally articulated in the California Vehicle Code; and WHEREAS, cyclists are considered to be the indicator species of a healthy community; and WHEREAS, cyclists are both environmental and traffic congestion solutions; and 4

5 WHEREAS, cyclists are, first and foremost, people - with all of the rights and privileges that come from being members of this great society; and NOW, THEREFORE, WE THE CCLING COMMUNIT, do hereby claim the following rights: 1) Cyclists have the right to travel safely and free of fear. 2) Cyclists have the right to equal access to our public streets and to sufficient and significant road space. 3) Cyclists have the right to the full support of educated law enforcement. 4) Cyclists have the right to the full support of our judicial system and the right to expect that those who endanger, injure or kill cyclists be dealt with to the full extent of the law. 5) Cyclists have the right to routine accommodations in all roadway projects and improvements. 6) Cyclists have the right to urban and roadway planning, development and design that enable and support safe cycling. 7) Cyclists have the right to traffic signals, signage and maintenance standards that enable and support safe cycling. 8) Cyclists have the right to be actively engaged as a constituent group in the organization and administration of our communities. 9) Cyclists have the right to full access for themselves and their bicycles on all mass transit with no limitations. 10) Cyclists have the right to end-of-trip amenities that include safe and secure opportunities to park their bicycles. 11) Cyclists have the right to be secure in their persons and property, and be free from unreasonable search and seizure, as guaranteed by the 4th Amendment.12) Cyclists have the right to peaceably assemble in the public space, as guaranteed by the 1st Amendment. And further, we claim and assert these rights by taking to the streets and riding our bicycles, all in an expression of our inalienable right to ride! MOTION: SUPPORT ENDORSEMENT OF CCLISTS BILL OF RIGHTS Gunnar Hand moved; 2 nd by Danielle Durran. VOTE: Passed unanimously First Name Last Name vote First Name Last Name Vote Alex Cha absent James Doizaki Danielle Duran Jon Toktas absent LaShawn Foster absent Mamta Patel absent Ashley Zarella Alternate: Matt Scott Bytoff Brady Westwater Mike Delijani Alternate: Alternate: Cyrus Tyler Murphy Matt Dean-Glaser absent David Hurtado Mike Pfeiffer absent Dawna Nolan Patti Berman General Jeff Russell Chan Gunnar Hand Bert Green Hal Bastian Alternate: Justin Weiss Shannon Parker absent Henry Proctor Stanley B Michaels Seth Polen Andrew Ruiz Russell Brown (n/a) Wendell Blessingame Committee Update: The SC Green Pockets Project will have its first survey day on Saturday, March 20 to survey and identify small places for potential gardens in our neighborhood. A flyer & info will be available on the website Phase 2 of the Skid Row Tree Planting Pilot Project is currently under consideration and may be scheduled for mid-may The Urban Garden Guide with community resources for urban gardening is under 5

6 development and will be available in April 2010 in English and Spanish. Translation into Chinese, Japanese and Korean are also being investigated. Russ Brown stated they need a $5000 matching grant Gunner Hand said already have $2500 and need to move quickly on this. Next Sustainability Comt. Mtg. on Tues. April 6th 6:30pm-7:45pm at the Central Public Library. ITEM 12: AFFORDABLE HOUSING ISSUES: The major discussion was regarding the Southern Hotel, Produce Hotel, Ford Hotel and Rosslyn Hotel. DLANC and the HDID are sponsoring a town hall forum on proposed sale of the Rosslyn Hotel to SRO Housing Corp. for Tuesday, March 16, at The Exchange/HDBID office 114 W.5 th St. Russ Brown opened the floor for discussion asking Don Garza to report on his experience with SRO s. Mr. Garza concentrated on the dangerous living conditions with drug dealers and management that supported and benefited from this activity; the harassment of the mentally ill and the physically disabled. The health conditions with the buildings are sub-standard; recently Downtown s Ricky The Pirate Taylor was seriously affected and had to have medical care for the extent of bug infestation in the building where he lived. Patti Berman revealed the ordeal of her foster daughter s family while living in an SRO; sexual offenders lived in surrounding rooms, Patti s foster daughter and her little sisters had to walk together for any one of them to use the bathroom down the hall; there was the mother and four children in two small rooms (now SRO s won t rent to families); and on one occasion her daughter was within a few feet of a woman as she was murdered in the hotel. Wendell Blassingame added that even with the LAPD task force walking the Skid Row area, especially around 8 th and Main, it was a dangerous area. It was a sobering and somber public revelation of living conditions in the SRO s; the saddest part being that although people were threatened and abused, they were still fearful of being evicted because there was no where else for them to live. Dawna Nolan asked what more can we do to make changes? Russ said for her and others to show up at the SRO town hall forum on March 16. General Jeff suggested that those who cared needed to form a partnership with the community leaders now working to make changes. Dawna Nolan related that the LAPD has requested Affordable Housing to help the LAPD in their efforts to create change. Russ Brown asked that DLANC step up and partner on this issue. Kathleen xxxxxxxx asked about official overseers and Russ replied the best way he knew was to become part of a Good Neighbor program: speak with Russ Brown, General Jeff, O.G., Wendell Blassingame or the social services people. ITEM 13: DLANC ELECTONS DISCUSSION AND TIMETABLE: It is official that DLANC s election date and time are: Friday, June 25 from 12 6 p.m. This year all NC s are totally responsible for 100% of the outreach on the elections. Check with Russ regarding candidate forms and registration. With an unofficial raise of hands it appears that about 50% of the existing DLANC Board plans to run for reelection. Gunnar Hand prepared and distributed some early outreach info cards on the election. Many volunteers will be needed to do outreach and assist with the pre-election. 6

7 Russ Brown suggested it might be fun to have a post-election party event the evening after the elections with music and cheer; a voter ticket gaining admittance to the party. ITEM 13A: PRE-ELECTION ORGANIZING: Danielle Duran has a proposal developed jointly with Ashley Z Hand with the purpose of getting conversation going on what are the expectations of the Board and the responsibility of the Board Candidates and Board Members. This will be presented at the next Board meeting for adoption. Gunnar Hand moved that DLANC create a Board Member Roles and Responsibilities ad hoc committee to finalize the roles and responsibilities of the board members, exec committee members, committee heads, and the structure and location of the meeting; 2 nd by David Hurtado. VOTE: es unanimous. First Name Last Name vote First Name Last Name Vote Alex Cha absent James Doizaki Danielle Duran Jon Toktas absent LaShawn Foster absent Mamta Patel absent Ashley Zarella Alternate: Matt Scott Bytoff Brady Westwater Mike Delijani Alternate: Alternate: Cyrus Tyler Murphy Matt Dean-Glaser absent David Hurtado Mike Pfeiffer absent Dawna Nolan Patti Berman General Jeff Russell Chan Gunnar Hand Bert Green Hal Bastian Alternate: Justin Weiss Shannon Parker absent Henry Proctor Stanley B Michaels Seth Polen Andrew Ruiz Russell Brown (n/a) Wendell Blessingame ITEM 14: EDUCATION COMMITTEE UPDATE Board Chair Danielle Duran Education Comm is working in concert with the Sustainability Comm regarding DLANC participation in the City of L.A. Big Sunday May 2. It s actually a two day event Sat the 1 st and Sun 2 nd, a major community services experience. Detailed information at next Board Meeting. Russ Brown clarified that the Fiesta Broadway event moved back a week to Sunday, April 25, so there won t be a conflict with the L.A. Big Sunday. Next Ed. Comm. meeting 2 nd Wed., March 10 at Arda s Café(418 W.6 th St.,6 pm) ITEM 15: PRESENTATION B SCOTT BTOFF, Asst.Treasurer/DLANC Mayor s Budget representative. Russ Brown applauded Scott s long hours and dedication in working to solve the financial morass incurred for DLANC by recent budget events. Scott Bytoff supplied a printed financial worksheet in the Board Packet. There was discussion regarding major changes with DONE and the City of L.A. and rollover funds. 7

8 ITEM 16: PROS COMMITTEE; Presentation by Board Chair Patti Berman March 18 meeting set regarding engineering plans at The Exchange/HDBID offices, 114 W. 5 th St, time TBD, regarding the Spring Street Gardens. There are some problems existing regarding the parking lot next to the Rowan which is the site for the Spring Street Gardens. 9 th & Hill Greens-Historic Downtown; Olympic & Grand linear park South Park;; Grand and Ord Chinatown; and Budokan Recreation Center Little Tokyo all have submitted for CRA-backed Prop 84 grant monies which could provide up to $5 million for each project. Grand Avenue Park plans a late summer 2010 dig start. Pershing Square Board awarded DLANC (Russ Brown, Patti Berman, Bert Green and Marc Loge) a commendation for their betterment work for the P.S. Patti Berman showed the elegant crystal-like award to the meeting group. Russ Brown reminded everyone that about 4 years ago there was little hope of green space in downtown and early proposers were told not to waste their time. Then the Quimby Funds came into play and Downtown has moved forward with a long time vision. ITEM 17. OFFICER REPORTS A. Russ Brown, President. Russ said there was a grievance issues against him by Kim Cooper: a grievance committee was formed of volunteers: James Doizaki, Dawna Nolan, Scott Bytoff, General Jeff and Gunnar Hand. A time and place for a meeting will be published on the site within 10 days. *Russ informed the Board that Brady Westwater was ill and he d extend our well wishes. B. Patti Berman, Vice-Pres.Outreach. Regarding the new web site, there are still committee heads to be trained for imputing their committee info. She was asked if all committee heads had access to all lists. She would find out the possibility and report back. ITEM 18: COMMITTEE REPORTS: ARTS COMM: Board Chair Bert Green. Regarding the Skid Row Arts Collective, Bert said that after the March 17 th committee meeting there will be a report. TRANSPORTATION: Russ Brown stated there were some upcoming projects to be discussed at the next meeting. He related that Tom Labonge had suggested an Arts District rail station; Russ will check this out. PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFET: Public Chair Gary During the recent fires in the L.A. area, Neighborhood Council emergency two-way radio trained members were first responders. At the last meeting the police and Silver Lake N.C. demonstrated the emergency radios. April 24 several N.C. s are participating in a communication test/training around the city. Gary will get more information. Next meeting April 7 at the Rowan bldg: discussion of new strategies to improve responder communications. Coming up: cyber crime prevention, Domestic Violence. 8

9 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT: Board Chair David Hurtado. In process of organizing to set up mixers again in April. Please come to the next meeting (March 30) with some ideas. The Costume Museum has offered their space to hold an event. ITEM 19: BOARD MEMBER COMMENT: Russ Brown * announced that on Friday, March 12, at the Little Tokyo Library at 10:30 a.m., John Perez, the Speaker of the California Assembly will appear. * The budget will allow renewal of the office rental and will be official next month. ITEM 20: PUBLIC COMMENT none. ITEM 21: Adjournment at 9:30 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Danielle Duran (Scribe support for 03/09 meeting votes recorded) Jody Ranney (Scribe for 03/09 meeting) # # # 9