Neighborhood council - minutes for October 25, 2008

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Santa Monica Neighborhood Council

October 25, 2008 --- 10 AM
Ken Edwards Center

MINUTES

The meeting was chaired by Wilmont chair Jeanne Dodson.

Calendar review: Future meetings on December 6, January 24, February
21, and March 21.

1. Minutes - The minutes of the September meeting was approved.

2. Neighborhood updates

a. PNA -- Catherine and Wes reported on the PNA block party. The
PNA Annual Meeting will be held in December. Virginia Avenue Park is
under consideration for the location of the proposed new library;
Edison School is less likely. At Mountain View Trailer Park, the city
is installing new gas lines. A new traffic signal at Nebraska and
Centinela will serve both the SMC Entertainment Academy and planned re-
development projects on Nebraska Ave.

b. FOSP -- Zina reported on former FOSP President Kathy Knight's 15-
year effort to save the Ballona Wetlands. The FOSP Board is supporting
Prop T and opposing Measure AA. Regarding Santa Monica Airport and the
FAA, there will be a hearing at the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals on
November 19th. Residents are complaining about an increase in
helicopter traffic, especially helicopters hovering over residential
areas while waiting to re-fuel at SMO. Continued problems near SMC
with bus traffic and traffic/parking enforcement. The LUCE summary
includes artist renderings of a 55-foot high development at Lincoln
and Ocean Park Blvd. (Albertson's). SMPD held a community meeting at
Grant Elementary School. The residential robbery suspect accused of
robbing elderly women in Sunset Park and West L.A., in the middle of
the night, was subsequently charged with 15 counts.

c. Wilmont -- Jeanne reported that their Board members are not
allowed to use the Wilmont name in advocacy unless the Board has taken
a position. She handed out copies of their latest newsletter. The
Wilmont web site update is closer to completion and will have
discussion forums. Rosemary Sostarich is tracking the work on the
California Incline. The city is also reinforcing the bluff, adding a
traffic signal on PCH in front of the Annenberg Community Beach House,
and adding another traffic signal for the beach parking lot exit near
the Pier.

d. Ocean Park -- Nancy said she was not representing the OPA Board,
but commented that parking is very difficult for residents in her
neighborhood. There is now a one-year pilot project which allows Urth
Caffe employees to park on residential streets.

3. Parking -- Jeanne reported that she had met with Planning Director
Eileen Fogarty regarding the proposed Parking Czar. The staff is said
to be doing a citywide survey of available parking. Discussion
included neighborhood involvement in writing the job description and
sitting on the interview panel. Interests included knowing to whom the
parking czar would report, demonstrated skill in working with the
public, how information would be reported to the public, and an
oversight committee.

Further discussion included the lowered parking requirements for some
new developments, i.e., a building for low income families with ground-
floor retail in Ocean Park was required to include only 7 parking
spaces, based on the erroneous assumption that low-income families
would not drive but use public transportation. A 17-unit residential
development for residents 62 and over on Montana Ave. will include
only 8 parking spaces, based on the same erroneous assumption.

4. Human Relations Council -- Michele discussed the organization,
which is a re-incarnation of the NCCJ. It promotes civic participation
-- how effective is it, how inclusive, and does it have integrity?
Their Dialogues could provide an opportunity for neighborhood groups
to communicate on an equal level with officials, rather than the 2-
minute comments at Council or Commission meetings. "What is the
process by which we have a voice in how decisions are made?" Focusing
on underlying processes. Kevin commented that the outcome is dialogue
in a collegial and supportive atmosphere, that the HRC is dedicated to
the art of listening.

Adjournment -- Next meeting on Saturday, December 6th at 10 AM.