Minutes of General Meeting of November 5, 2003

Meeting began 7:05 p.m. Called to Order by Chris Nevil, who introduced Lillian Jenkins, who introduced Brownie Troop 676 to lead the Pledge of Allegiance.

Chris delivered the President’s Message, congratulated the Knights on getting Del Rey Neighborhood Council certified.

Outlined new focuses for DRH&NA in view of DRNC.

DRH&NA wants to modernize, streamline, be more pro-active versus just re-active. Told of issue survey and requested input from community. Requested community to fill out same.

Spoke of web site and newsletter. Congratulated Jack Cumming, our Webmaster.

Turned over mike to Charlotte De Meo, who introduced the Board, advisers, and Chris gave an appreciation of Guy Doeh.

Chris introduced Cindy Miscikowski, 11th District Councilwoman, and gave a brief biography. Marvin Braude’s chief Aide for 22 years. Largely dealt with city planning, was the architect of Propositions U and O re: oil drilling on beaches.

Councilwoman discussed rest of term – only 1 ½ years, and issues dealt with and to be addressed.

Sandi Sawa worked with the community on the sewage pumping plant and got a scrubber installed

Playa Vista impacts our area in a big way – interested in hearing from us. Lots of open space will be preserved – some of the property is now in the hands of the people of the State of California.

Little league fields –looking at that area as maybe recreation space. Discussing public parks in P.V. for everyone.

Doesn’t just listen to Neighborhood Councils – listens to all organizations in area. Community Police Advisory Board also.

Regional issues:

Playa Vista – will occupy a lot of time, lots of details;

LAX – expansion – not a fan of Hahn’s Alternative D, cost $11 billion. Consolidating car rental shuttles would eliminate 1 million trips per year.

Other issues – wants to make waterways in this area, L.A. river, Ballona creek, Venice canals, Del Rey lagoon, more positive areas. Jane Harman is trying to coordinate Federal & city agencies for waterways. Even within the city, different agencies control different ends of waterways.

Other issue that takes a lot of time – chairs Public Safety Commission. Coordinates Police & Fire Departments. L.A. Strike Force sent out to each fire. L. A. has best air operators around.

Works with Fire (staffing, emergency treatment, ambulances/paramedics) and Police (senior lead officers, community policing) and their budgets every day.

Budget crunch in state will affect L.A. Vehicle license fee does go to city. Collected by state.

7:45 Session opened up for questions:

1. Mutual cooperation with Culver City – “mutual aid pacts”

Westside council of governments proposed by SM, CC, BH & LA, versus local control

New police plan discussed – reorganization breakdown into 3 districts within a district. Three pilot areas will be started and see how they work.

2. Surplus properties – when sold, some of $ goes to that community and some to General Fund. Not very many in Del Rey but she can look and see if properties can be used for neighborhood gardens and for nonprofits.

3. Save our Marina Hospital – Discussed talking with Tenet.

4. Parking – Lucille & Centinela – can maybe arrange a meeting with shop owner & neighbors. Neighbor complained about trashed alley, no response from Building & Safety. Suggested City Attorney prosecution unit.

5. Noise from freeways. Sound walls a problem – went to state and list for sound walls 10 years. City tries to get mitigation. Difficult to deal with state and mitigation with budget crunch unable to do what could be done when state had dot.com $. They started new projects then, $ now tight.

6. Marina Freeway expansion – No longer on the books. Many agencies looking at Lincoln Blvd. A county fix planned to straighten jog where 90 ends before you can go west into the Marina. Sandi has plans – funded by County.

7. Undergrounding utilities – yes, done on major projects. Locally, homeowners have to share costs.

8. Airplanes flying low over Paul Davis’ house – FAA jurisdiction.

9. Billboards on bike path – New billboard ban in City of L.A. Old billboards very difficult to remove. City in 3 lawsuits with billboard companies.

10. Traffic – Lincoln corridor being worked on. Old solution – widen and build freeways. That’s not working now.

New city planning ideas – residential above commercial. Smart growth necessary to reduce traffic. Better job/housing balance.

Gas tax comes to city and work with MTA & Caltrans to put that $ to high priority projects.

DASH transportation meeting 11/19/03 at Mar Vista Gardens.

Meeting adjourned 8:40 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Celia Knight Recording Secretary