Meeting Date: 10/21/03 08:00 PM

Meeting Type: Regular

Location: St. Thomas the Apostle Church
7501 Hollywood Boulevard
Large Parish Hall

Details: Welcome, introductions and sign-in.
Review/ approve minutes of October 8 meeting

GENERAL MEETING
This meeting was called by a vote at the October 8 meeting of Area 6 of the HHWNC to narrow our discussion of the impact of Runyon Canyon on the immediate neighborhood and to arrive at a local consensus about specific Runyon Canyon related issues, which may include parking, parking permits, soil contamination, trail design.

1 Development of Area 6 consensus on plans for Runyon Canyon. What does the neighborhood recommend? Speaker cards will be required. If you plan to refer to a relevant study, report, plan or any writing, please be prepared to present the document to the meeting. Discussion and possible vote.

2. Public comment.

3. Determine next meeting time/place.

4. Adjourn.

Meeting Minutes

Tuesday OCTOBER 21, 2003 AT 8:00 P.M.
ST. THOMAS THE APOSTLE EPISCOPAL CHURCH

Meeting called to order 8:00 pm

Introductory comments by chair: Tom LaBonge asked the HWWNC to advise the council of the neighborhood’s concerns and opinions about the impact of Runyon Canyon on their streets and their lives. We are holding this meeting as an inquiry, an effort to reach consensus on impact of the park on members of the community, including residents, the community garden and its membership, other organizations and churches in Area 6. The first issue is soil contamination and water runoff. The test last winter taken by Vista Street residents during a rainstorm is questioned because of the method of collecting the sample. Do we, HHWNC, support an independent laboratory and procedure to perform the soil and water tests, do we support a neutral study and testing of run off?

After discussion, David Harrington made a motion to determine exact details and costs of water runoff studies and tests, including what areas should be tested, the exact cost and where the money will come from. Jay Blumberg moved to test all areas surrounding Runyon Canyon, including Fuller Street as well as Vista Street, to find out the problems, to determine costs of such tests and to include investigation of the health issue posed by such runoff. Motion was seconded.

A vote was taken: For: 18 Against: 3 MOTION PASSED

.
The chair stated that the second issue is the general water table, plant life, the final consent decree in the litigation between the Friends of Runyon Canyon and the MTA, what are the MTA’s obligations to mitigate lowered water table as a result of digging the subway.

Ellen Second issue is the general water table, plant life, consent decree and the MTA’s obligations to mitigate lowered water table as a result of digging the subway.

Toby Leaman moved to use recycled water to start regrowth, and look into how to get the DWP involved in irrigation.
Frank Clifford seconded the motion. Clifford said he worked for the LA Times on a story about water levels that were lowered. The consent decree with the MTA says MTA is responsible to pay for irrigation at the bottom levels of the park. Springs were to come back and the tunnel sealed. But the tunnel could not be sealed entirely, and not all the springs returned. 12-15 Eucalyptus trees were lost. Does not know if irrigation installed. Two-three springs never came back. Bigger issue is no irrigation at the upper levels. Trails and run off are not at a lateral flow, it is expensive to channel rainwater to meet the needs of canyon vegetation.

Jay Blumberg moved for a REPORT ON THE IRRIGATION THAT is in place, if any, and for a rePORT ON THE MITIGATION BY THE CONSENT DECREE FOR ITS ALLOCATION. Motion was seconded. Another motion was made to pursue all avenues available to irrigate canyon. Motion was seconded.

There was discussion on the Motion and amended motion to incorporate former motion. Both motions were amended to read: MOTION FOR RECYCLED WATER, START REGROWTH AND HOW TO GET DWP INVOLVED IN IRRIGATION, TO INCLUDE A REPORT ON any IRRIGATION THAT HAS OCCURRED, A REPORT ON THE MITIGATION BY THE CONSENT DECREE, ITS ALLOCATION, AND TO SEEK ALL AVENUES AVAILABLE IN RECYCLING, irrigation and trail design.

Vote was taken. In Favor 21 Against 0 Abstain 1 MOTION PASSES

Question regarding Park Advisory Board recommendations to CD4.

Bob Eicholz stated that PAB made formal statement regarding issues and takes positions. He passed around copies of the PAB recommendations. Stated that these recommendations represent months of formal discussion with resolutions reached by consensus. Recommendations have been sent to the Mayor and Tom La Bonge. A meeting is planned in December. There are seven resolutions. He recommended that we voice our opinions on these issues.

A stakeholder said this meeting was to determine what the neighborhood wanted independent of what the PAD recommended.
Chair said we did not have time to review PAB recommendations today.

Another stakeholder asked if these recommendations were final or can we give opinions and approve the suggestions.

A MOTION was made that everyone read PAB resolutions and meet during November to vote on individual recommendations.

A stakeholder said he lived close to the park and wanted to vote on recommendations. Did not want the eucalyptus trees removed.

Another stakeholder said there are special issues on Runyon are relative to us: thefts and crimes is increasing on Fuller. Homeless are jumping the fence back into the park. Crime problem needs to be addressed before it escalates.
Elizabeth Barris said that legally the grant for the parking lot was good until 2019.

Eric Motion for meeting on PAB resolutions in November. Motion seconded. Vote on MOTION TO MEET IN NOVEMBER AND REVIEW RESOLUTIONS ON PAB RECOMMENDATIONS AND POSSIBLE VOTE.
In Favor: 14 Against: 5

Public comment:

Motion to close meeting. Time up 9:30 PM total duration 1.5 hours.

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