Meeting Date: 03/07/06 06:00 PM
Meeting Type: Regular
Location: Will & Ariel Durant Public Library
7140 W. Sunset Boulevard
Hollywood, CA 90046
Details: ENVIRONMENT, BEAUTIFICATION, PRESERVATION AND AESTHETICS COMMITTEE
HOLLYWOOD HILLS WEST NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL (HHWNC)
March 7, 2006
6:00 PM – 7:30 PM
Will & Ariel Durant Public Library
7140 W. Sunset Boulevard
Hollywood, CA 90046
Free parking in back of building; Disabled entrances at the front door on Sunset and the back door from the disabled parking spot.
The public is requested to fill out a “Speaker Card” to address the Committee on any item of the agenda prior to the Committee taking action on an item. Comments from the public on non-agenda and agenda items will be heard during the Public Comment Period and, within the discretion of the Committee Chair, when the respective item is being considered. Comments from the public on other matters not appearing on the Agenda that is within the Committee’s subject matter jurisdiction will be heard during the Public Comment period. Public comment is limited to 3 minutes per speaker unless waived by the Chair. Agendas are posted for public review at Gardner Street Elementary School, Valley View Elementary School, Yucca Community Center, on bulletin boards at the top and bottom of Runyon Canyon Park, Los Angeles Library: Will and Ariel Durant Branch and electronically on the Hollywood Hills West Neighborhood Council website www.hhwnc.org .
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 (72 hours) prior to the meeting you wish to attend by contacting the Neighborhood Council Project Coordinator at (213) 485-1588 or e-mail to [email protected].
AGENDA
1. Call to order, roll call and introductions
2. Minutes
3. Chair’s Report:
a) Website email and registration issues
b) Committee membership
c) Public Comments
d) Relations with HHWNC geographic areas
e) Goals for 2006
4. Problem-solving related to environment, beautification, preservation and aesthetics issues
a) Four podocarpus trees planted by mistake on the East side of Fairfax between Fountain and Sunset had been abandoned and were dying. Discussion of short-term and long-term solution. (Possible motion and vote)
b) Jacaranda on Barham Boulevard killed by property owner – Discussion of outcome.
c) Priority removal of illegal newsracks during beautification projects – Discussion of newsrack at the corner of Barham Boulevard and DeWitt Drive as an example. (Possible motion and vote)
d) Code enforcement related to illegal billboards.
(Possible motion and vote)
5. Applying for Community Beautification grants in HHWNC areas – Role of committee.
(Possible motion and vote)
6. Possibility of a beautification project for the front of the Will & Ariel Durant Public Library on Sunset. (Possible motion and vote)
7. Review of Two Coyotes Warning Signs
“Coyotes In The Area – All Pets Should Be Kept Under Direct Control For Your Safety And Theirs.”
“Never Feed Coyotes – Feeding Of Predator Wildlife Prohibited L.A.M.C. Section 53.06.5”
Review of signs purpose, design and cost; Recommendations on use of sign, implementation and support by the HHWNC.
(Possible motion and vote)
8. Role of the Hollywood Beautification Team (HBT) in HHWNC area – Discussion with Sharyn Romano, President and Founder of HBT.
9. Possible sale of Universal land for development – Discussion of impact on environment and quality of life in adjacent community.
(Possible motion and vote)
10. Public Comments – Comments from the public on agenda items and non-agenda items within the Committee’s subject matter jurisdiction. Public comments are limited to 3 minutes per speaker.
11. Schedule next meeting and adjourn.
PROCESS FOR RECONSIDERATION: The committees may reconsider and amend their action on items listed on the agenda if that reconsideration takes place immediately following the original action or at the next regular meeting. The Committees, on either of these two days, shall: (1) Make a Motion for Reconsideration and, if approved, (2) hear the matter and Take an Action. If the Motion to Reconsider an action is to be scheduled at the next meeting following the original action, then two items shall be placed on the agenda for that meeting: (1) A Motion for Reconsideration on the described matter and (2) a Proposed Action should the motion to reconsider be approved. A Motion for Reconsideration can only be made by a committee member who has previously voted on the prevailing side of the original action taken. If a Motion for Reconsideration is not made on the date the action was taken, then a committee member on the prevailing side of the action must submit a memorandum to the committee(s) chair(s) identifying the matter to be reconsidered and a brief description of the reason(s) for requesting reconsideration at the next regular meeting. The aforesaid shall all be in compliance with the Ralph M. Brown
Approved Minutes
Tuesday, March 7, 2006
ENVIRONMENT, BEAUTIFICATION, PRESERVATION AND AESTHETICS COMMITTEE
HOLLYWOOD HILLS WEST NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL (HHWNC)
March 7, 2006
6:00 PM – 7:30 PM
Will & Ariel Durant Public Library
7140 W. Sunset Boulevard
Hollywood, CA 90046
Minutes:
1. Call to order and roll call
Committee Chair Anne Marie Lardeau called the meeting to order at 6:35 PM
Registered Stakeholders Present: Robert Dolce, Debra Fogarty, Anne Marie Lardeau (Chair)- Joan Luchs, Sylvia Merschel, Miriam Palacio, Sharyn Romano (HBT)- Amit Thakkar
2. The minutes of the previous meeting were not available.
3. Chair’s Report:
Issues related to website registration and Email were discussed.
116 stakeholders are registered as members of this committee but the list does not appear to be current.
The committee will strive to set practical and defined goals for 2006.
4. Problem-solving related to environment, beautification, preservation and aesthetics issues
a) Four podocarpus trees planted by mistake on the East side of Fairfax between Fountain and Sunset had been abandoned and were dying.
Sylvia Merschel hopes at least two of them may still be saved. The other two show small signs of growth. Sharyn Romano believes these might be stress buds and it might be too late to save the trees. If the trees must be removed, HBT is willing to replace them as long as someone is willing to adopt and water them. The winter rains are penetrating the ground and may impact the trees.
Motion passed unanimously to support the following action plan:
Seek assistance of Councilman Tom LaBonge to approach the magnet school within one block of the trees and ask if the trees can be adopted by the students as a community project supported by CD4 and the HHWNC.
Wait another month to assess the viability of the existing trees.
Replace the trees as needed if they can be adopted.
b) Jacaranda on Barham Boulevard killed by property owner – Discussion of outcome.
Street Services Investigation & Enforcement Division was particularly helpful in solving the problem and may be a more effective resource than Street Trees Division in these situations.
c) The newsrack ordinance is not scheduled to be implemented in the HHWNC area for a long time.
Motion passed unanimously to request that the City give priority to removal of illegal newsracks in HHWNC areas during significant beautification projects.
The committee will request this motion be placed on the agenda of the March 21, 2006 HHWNC Board Meeting.
d) Code enforcement related to illegal billboards.
The difficulties associated with enforcement and prosecution were discussed.
5. Applying for Community Beautification grants in HHWNC areas – Role of committee.
Currently, one project under this grant is scheduled in our area and HBT will be involved. Applications for next year’s grants will be available in July.
Motion passed unanimously to support the following action plan:
Publicize the availability of Community Beautification grants within HHWNC areas.
Assist community groups with application process upon request.
Secure support letters from the HHWNC to include with the applications.
6. Review Coyotes Warning Signs
“Coyotes In The Area – All Pets Should Be Kept Under Direct Control For Your Safety And Theirs.” (Two signs)
“Never Feed Coyotes – Feeding Of Predator Wildlife Prohibited L.A.M.C. Section 53.06.5” (Two signs)
The committee reviewed four signs and implementation procedures. Like Neighborhood Watch signs, the coyote warning signs are not mandatory and will not be imposed on any neighborhood. They can be placed anywhere on private property but need to be installed by DOT on public property.
Efforts to create these signs started two years ago in partnership with CD4 and the design was finalized in March 2005. The signs cost $30 if ordered individually and less than $13 each for an order of 100. The signs have not been manufactured because no order has been placed. Neighborhood associations are not aware of the proposed program. Debra Fogarty, who has been working with Councilman Tom LaBonge’s Office on this project from the beginning, brought this issue to the attention of the HHWNC.
The committee reviewed the signs and unanimously agreed:
The signs are beneficial and should be supported by the HHWNC.
Due to cost factors, a single design should be selected for initial production.
The sign warning of coyote presence with black on white lettering is the best choice for message and legibility.
The easiest way to get the program started is to raise at least $1500 seed money to have the first batch of signs manufactured. HBT, as a respected local non-profit organization, is the perfect partner to accept the donations and purchase the signs.
Two signs can then be donated to each hillside organization willing to participate. Additional signs can be purchased.
We should work in close partnership with Councilman Tom LaBonge who has been very supportive of this project.
Motion passed unanimously to support the following action plan:
A good target date to launch the program is during the week of April 17, 2006 before Earth Day.
Anne Marie Lardeau will check the production time with the manufacturer. This will determine our fundraising deadline.
Debra Fogarty will contact Councilman Tom LaBonge on behalf of the Committee to secure his continued support of the program and participation in a related publicity event in April.
The Committee will secure contributions of at least $1500 by the deadline.
The committee will request a motion be placed on the agenda of the March 21, 2006 HHWNC Board Meeting seeking support of this program and participation in a related publicity event in April.
7. Role of the Hollywood Beautification Team (HBT) in HHWNC area Sharyn Romano, President and Founder of HBT, explained the wide range of activities and services supported by HBT.
Graffiti abatement is one of the primary roles of HBT. Although the problem is most severe in downtown Hollywood, it is increasingly affecting hillside communities. HHWNC is within HBT’s service area and requests for graffiti removal can be made by leaving a message at (323) 463-5180.
Sharyn explained that HBT is also actively involved in beautification projects and tree plantings in partnership with neighborhood groups including hillside communities.
Motion passed unanimously to support the following action plan:
The Committee will let all areas within HHWNC know that HBT is available to assist with planning expertise, tree planting and securing related grants. Interested communities need to be able to secure permission to plant from immediate properties and a commitment to water the trees.
8. Possible sale of Universal land for development
The impact on environment and quality of life in adjacent communities was discussed.
9. Public Comments
No comments
10. The next meeting of the Committee is scheduled for Tuesday, May 2, 2006.
Meeting adjourned at 7:35 PM.