Meeting Date: 09/03/08 10:30 AM
Meeting Type: Regular
Location: Renaissance Hollywood Hotel & Spa
Hancock Park Meeting Room
1755 North Highland Avenue
Hollywood, CA 90028
Details: HOLLYWOOD HILLS WEST NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
10:30 AM
Renaissance Hollywood Hotel & Spa
Hancock Park Meeting Room
1755 North Highland Avenue
Hollywood, CA 90028
Directions: Corner of Highland Avenue and Johnny Grant Way, South of Franklin Avenue and adjacent to the Hollywood and Highland Complex – West side of the street. Accessibility: Building is accessible to the handicapped. Entrance at Hotel front lobby with Hancock Park Meeting Room located on the Third Level. Parking: Valet Parking is available; Self-Parking for a minimal fee in adjacent public parking in Hollywood & Highland Complex.
The public is requested to fill out a "Speaker Card" to address the Board on any item of the agenda prior to the Board 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 presiding officer of the Board, when the respective item is being considered. Comments from the public on other matters not appearing on the Agenda that is within the Board’s subject matter jurisdiction will be heard during the Public Comment period. Public comment is limited to 2 minutes per speaker unless waived by the presiding officer of the Board. Agenda is posted for public review: on bulletin boards at the top and bottom of Runyon Canyon Park, and electronically on the Hollywood Hills West Neighborhood Council website ww.hhwnc.org and on the Department Of Neighborhood Empowerment (www.lacityneighborhoods.com). 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 213-485-1360 or e-mail to [email protected].
In compliance with Government Code section 54957.5, non-exempt writings that are distributed to a majority or all of the board in advance of a meeting may be obtained at the meeting and also viewed at our Office located at 1755 North Highland Avenue, Hollywood, CA 90028, Executive Offices. In addition, if you would like a copy of any record related to an item on the agenda please contact Peggy Sun at 323.856.1214.
ALL ITEMS LISTED ON THIS AGENDA ARE SUBJECT TO POSSIBLE ACTION, INCLUDING A BOARD MOTION AND VOTING ON THE MOTION.
AGENDA
1. Call to order by President (Anastasia Mann)
2. Roll call by Secretary (Bruce Gorelick)
3. Minutes – Review and approve prior May 27, 2008 minutes (Please see attached)
(Vote) (5 minutes)
4. Approve funds for Evac Day (September 6, 2008) for food and supplies/animal care
Valorie Keegan, Emergency Services, Police & Fire Chair (Possible motion and vote.)
5. Discussion on Committee Chairs taking positions on issues not approved by Board.
Complaint filed by Area 3 stakeholder RE: Yucca Market liquor sales.
6. Discussion of By Law Revision Process/Update
7. DONE Funding Process (Michael Meyer)
8. Discussion on passage of Proposition 8 and to object to the Proposition’s inclusion on the November 2008 ballot. (Please see attached) (Possible motion and vote.)
9. Announcement/Discussio -Mayor’s Community Budget Day – October 11th – At LA City Hall. 2 reps per NC.
10. Old Business
11. New Business
12. Public Comments
13. Adjournment
PROCESS FOR RECONSIDERATION: The Board may reconsider and amend its action on items listed on the agenda if that reconsideration takes place immediately following the original action or at the next regular meeting. The Board, 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 Board 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 Board member on the prevailing side of the action must submit a memorandum to the Secretary 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 Act.
HOLLYWOOD HILLS WEST NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL
APPROVED EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Renaissance Hollywood Hotel & Spa
1755 North Highland Avenue, Hollywood, CA 90028
1. Call to order by President at 10:40 a.m. by Anastasia Mann, HHWNC Chair.
2. Roll call by Secretary by Secretary Bruce Gorelick: Anastasia Mann, Orrin Feldman, Bruce Gorelick, Michael Meyer, and Jennifer Fitzgerald (plus P.J. Pesce and Valorie Keegan).
3. Minutes – Review and approve prior May 27, 2008 minutes: (Feldman/Meyer) moved to accept the minutes for the last Executive Board meeting, as corrected. The motion carried.
4. Approve funds for Evacuation Drill (September 6, 2008) for food and supplies/animal care. Valorie Keegan, Emergency Services, Police & Fire Chair summarized the plan for the evacuation drill. Anastasia asked the record to show they, the Executive Committee, are duly impressed with her extraordinary efforts and the efforts of her team in organizing the Evacuation Day disaster drill at Nichols Canyon on Sept. 6, 2008. She reminded the Executive Committee that they are empowered to spend funds in-between board meetings for emergency situations of up to $2,000. Valorie then reviewed the plans for the drill. She also spoke about the upcoming free CERT training taking place at the Hollywood Women’s Club. (Keegan/Feldman) moved to allocate up to $1,200 for the purchase of food and water for the emergency disaster drill. The motion carried. Anastasia asked her to mention the HHWNC if she does any media interviews. Orrin asked that she also ask for stakeholder contact information, if possible. Anastasia will also send out email notification on the drill to stakeholders and board members/contacts. There was further discussion about having a press kit as opposed to just a flyer.
5. Discussion on Committee Chairs taking positions on issues not approved by Board.
A complaint was filed by an Area 3 stakeholder with regard to a pending liquor license application, which would allow the Yucca Market to sell alcoholic beverages. Anastasia reported that a stakeholder contacted her that Area 3 chair Paul Woolsey had submitted a Letter of Support from HHWNC to the Zoning Administrator on behalf of Yucca Market for a liquor sales permit. When Anastasia spoke with her, the Zoning Administrator confirmed that she had received a letter from Paul indicating that he was representing HHWNC. After receiving that request, the permit was subsequently granted to Yucca Market. Anastasia responded by letter that this item was not brought before the board and there was no approval granted. Paul said that his Area 3 Committee had supported this item. She said he told her that he was unaware that it had to be approved by the full board before any action could be taken. The Executive Committee noted that Paul has misrepresented his authority on other occasions including a situation involving another liquor license permit and that may constitute a violation of the bylaws. (Meyer/Gorelick) moved that the Executive Committee write a letter to Paul Woolsey telling him that he is not allowed to represent the HHWNC on any item anywhere without formal approval by the Board. (Feldman) amended it to say that when he is speaking to any entities or agencies, he has to make it clear that he is doing so as an individual unless the board votes on it. And that this letter should be copied to all members of the board and to DONE."
6. Discussion of By Law Revision Process/Update: Orrin discussed a need for a bylaws change regarding the change in the election date to push the next election back to 2010.
7. DONE Funding Process: Anastasia said the funding/reimbursement process is very cumbersome for board treasurers. She detailed a situation where DONE would not release funding for a previously board approved purchase of library books in the community. In another situation, DONE would not release funds for a Hollywood Beautification Team event that took place two years ago. Anastasia suggested writing a letter to DONE in opposition to these policies. Bruce suggested that Councilmember LaBonge be copied on the letter. Anastasia said she wants to go on the record that this is absurd. (Meyer) moved, "When people are making a motion to spend funds that will require a demand warrant, meaning several thousand dollars worth, they need to provide the backup materials that he needs as treasurer as well as copies of the minutes to show the motion was approved, invoices and proof of payment." The motion carried.
8. Discussion on passage of Proposition 8 and to object to the Proposition’s inclusion on the November 2008 ballot. Anastasia reported that the South Robertson Neighborhood Council has requested that the HHWNC oppose Proposition 8, which would cancel the decision to permit gay and lesbian marriage. She asked whether the Exec. Committee would want to take a formal stand on this and put this on the board agenda. They discussed who would represent the pros and cons on this issue before the board if it were to go on the agenda. (Meyer/Feldman) moved to not put this on the agenda. The motion carried.
9. Mayor’s Community Budget Day – October 11, 2008 at Los Angeles City Hall. Bruce and P.J. agreed to be the two reps for the HHWNC for Mayor’s Budget Day.
10. Old Business: Michael has submitted a demand warrant for the allocation to the Hollywood Women’s Club and is waiting to see if it goes through. The Exec. Committee scheduled the next board meeting for Sept. 23, 2008 at 6:30 p.m. with an Executive Committee meeting taking place prior to that meeting.
11. New Business: Orrin encountered a person on the previous Sunday morning in Mailboxes and More while he was picking up the mail inside the secure facility. He cautioned board members to be careful when going into that facility in off hours. Regarding NBC Universal’s The Working Group, he has been told that as they change into a 501C3, it will affect indemnity coverage from the City of Los Angeles and that board members will not be covered. He asked the Exec. Committee to think about how this may affect the board’s willingness to participate in the Working Group. He also mentioned that Deanna Ruggeri is submitting her resignation to the Hollywood Women’s Club over various issues, including her concerns about the lack of a financial reporting system.
12. Public Comments: None.
13. Adjournment
-Minutes prepared by Pat Kramer, Apple One, via an audio recording of the meeting-