EMPOWERMENT CONGRESS WEST AREA NEIGHBORHOOD DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL

Meeting Minutes

Nove mber 19, 2012

DWP-Crenshaw Community Room * 4030 Crenshaw Blvd * Los Angeles, CA 90008
Na me
Pres en t Excused Un- excus ed

Na me

Pres en t

Excused

Un- excus ed

David Winston, Chair X Wendell Conn (Area 2) X Denise Stansell, Co-Chair X Carl Morgan (Area 2) X Yvonne Ellett, Rec. X Lark Galloway-Gilliam (Area 3) X Secretary Lanz Alexander, Treasurer X Jackie Ryan (Area 3) X Vacant, Cor. Secretary Ronda Brown (At Large) X Karen Caesar (At Large) X Mary Jones-Darks (Area 1) X Jason Lombard (At Large) X Wilson Washensky (Area 1) X Johnnie Raines (At Large) X Call to Ord er & R oll C all : The meeting was called to order at 6:38 pm by David Winston, Chair. A quorum was present. David read the rules of the meeting. Everyone self-introduced. Public C o mm ent : LA DWP liaison Jeff Childers greeted the Board, then explained his role. - He answers to the City Council for 6 Districts. - He is wiling to speak to the Neighborhood Council regarding issues and is available for community functions with advance notice. He took stakeholder questions: - Lark questioned DWPs policy of lopping off trees and could tree symmetry be considered. Childers explained DWP doesnt deal with trees until power lines are an issue. Then the trees are trimmed by the Dept. of Public Works. He will speak DWPs Vegetation Program Manager Anthony Delgardo. - A Stakeholder complained about telephone wires. Childers will get phone company contact info to David. Jackie gave an update on the Leimert Park Village Homeless condition. The LPV Association and BID members hired an ambassador to reach out and converse with loiterers to assist keeping the community safer. They also walk along Crenshaw between 43rd Place and King. It was a positive move that seemed to be working. Wendell wanted clarification on the letter being sent to The Village Green HOA regarding the removal of street trees on the Rodeo median. - He questioned the Boards objection, stating there was a contradiction between the ECWANDC request of 4:1 replacement vs the 1:1 replacement Village Green was willing to do. He asked where its written to replace trees at a 4:1 ratio. Also, were we waiting for the Arborists report prior to sending the letter? Could the ECWANDC modify our request to allow The Village Green to replace 3 trees at a time so the median doesnt look bare? - David reviewed his personal notes and saw the letter had not been sent yet. Wendell asked if the Board was waiting for the additional information (arborist reports), why would it be sent out? Especially if the Board hadnt voted on the letter? - Procedure was reviewed: The motion was made for Carl to draft the letter to send out, which was seconded and voted on. Carl sent the Board a Draft of his letter, not for changes in the content -- which would be in violation of the Brown Act, but as a review for errors or omissions. - Wendell asked and David explained it is OK to re-open topics for reconsideration. Romerol Malveaux gave a brief overview of The Mayors Budget Day: - There were 6 Neighborhood Councils in one voting block, which received 2 Advocates and 1 Alternate. Ms. Malveaux was chosen as the Alternate. - The City Budget faces $250 Million in deficits. Cuts are eminent, including cuts in Public Safety. - The Advocates need feedback from the Stakeholders for the direction to go in. Ms. Malveaux suggested placing an item for the City Budget in every meeting we have. - The ECWANDC survey from the Taste of Soul revealed most Stakeholders have a positive opinion of their community. However, 20% do not know who to call for City Services. ECWANDC Meeting Minutes | Page 1

 Jason announced the opening of the Metro Xpress Lanes on the 110 Freeway opened on 11/11. So far speeds have been in the 50 mph range. The Program can be assessed better after the Holiday season is over. - Discounts are available at Costco ($5), Albertsons ($3), AAA, and through MTA. - A Stakeholder vouched for the transponders ease of use. Leimert Park street issues were discussed: - 10th Avenue has extremely fast traffic, especially on Cree. There arent any traffic bumps and its dim because of tree overgrowth. Theres a stop sign thats ignored. Johnnie stated its possible to get stop sign enforcement during Audobon Middle School hours. - A Leimert Blvd/Stocker Place resident complained that its really dark on her block. - Norton Avenue the lights are bright but the trees are blocking all the lights. - Lark asked if its possible for Public Works to lower the lights. Perhaps lighting is an area we can concentrate on during our brainstorming sessions for MTA improvements, prior to having our streets torn up for Crenshaw/LAX. - Johnnie thought it is possible to add secondary lighting for pedestrians on the current poles. The main lights would remain where they are. [Crenshaw Blvd light poles between 43rd Place & Stocker are like this.] Johnnie gave an update for the Shuttle Task Force: - The brief overview explained the community concerns over the loss of trees without any compensation. Several people negotiated with The Science Center. The impacted Neighborhood Councils get 4:1 replacement trees, scholarships to Science Center camps, 1000 linear feet sidewalk repair and tree trimming worth $400,000. The total comes to apprx. $2.7 million. - Johnnie needs a list of trees for trimming. Balancing of the trees cut during Endeavours trip will take place either the 2nd or 3rd week in December. - The Task Force will decide on the species of replacement trees. Canary Pines will definitely replace Canary Pines. - The kids from the 4 Neighborhood Councils were the first to see Endeavour when it went on formal display! - Lark is creating a tool for Stakeholders to input trees for trimming and sidewalk repairs. She hopes to have the survey ready by the next meeting. - A Stakeholder from 11th Avenue has a list of 25-30 trees for trimming. * Jason announced Councilman Parks Toy Giveaway on December 8th at Baldwin Hills Crenshaw, Staples parking lot, starting at 10 a.m. The mall will also have African American and Latin Santas starting Black Friday. The skating rink is returning to Center Court. * Jackie announced the Leimert Park Village tree lighting will be held at the grassy triangle south of Chris Burger on Monday, 11/29. Denise added The Dept. of Parks & Recreation will be providing fencing. Item : Discu ssio n Highligh t s: Acti on /F ollow -up Discu ssio n Highligh t s: Item : Discu ssio n Highligh t s: Fina nce Co m mit tee A request for Poinsettias for planting throughout Leimert Park was made for $2400. Lark said funding cuts this year didnt make it feasible to fulfill the full amount. Poinsettias will be planted along Stocker, between Audobon Middle School & Degnan. Robert Rubio suggested individuals and Block Clubs can make up the difference with the purchase of additional plants. There would be Black Friday specials on plants. Jason said Baldwin Hills Crenshaw could also help. He needs a proposal to present to management. Karen added that its a really great, inspiring event! Planting date is December 1 @ 11:30, after the Boards Town Hall Meeting, Lark motioned to fund $1500 towards 2012 Poinsettia Planting. Karen seconded. Vote: 8 Yays, 1 Abstention, 1 No Vote Web sit e: * The Website will move to a Communication Committee. Lark, Wendell, & David volunteered. Carl may be added. ECWANDC Meeting Minutes | Page 2 Review & A ppr oval of Mee ting Mi nut es November 3, 2012 Minutes were reviewed. Lark motioned to approve the Minutes. Johnnie seconded. VOTE: Unanimous September 17, October 3, and October 15 minutes were tabled until the December 1 meeting. Yvonne will email those minutes for Board Member review prior to that meeting.

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Discu ssio n Acti on /F ollow -up Item : Discu ssio n Highligh t s: Out st andi ng De man d W arra nt s Crenshaw United Methodist was paid. The Radar Company was the name on the lease for office space that didnt go through. Johnnie asked if it was possible to purchase the LAPD I-Pads by credit card, then to loan them to the LAPD. We had done so with tables and chairs in the past. David questioned how to create an inventory list for loaning. Each item would need to be labeled. David will review the card purchasing rules. Grayce Lui will be consulted for DONE procedure since its become so difficult to transfer funds. The office space at Crenshaw Square fell within ECWANDC budget, but no leases are being drafted while the building is in Escrow. DONE says only one person can be the credit card holder. David will verify Marys paperwork. Busi ne ss Car d s / EC W AND C S hirt s Denise is spearheading Board business cards and logo shirts. David gave her the contact person to get the cards done through the City of Los Angeles. App oin tm ent : C orre sp ondi ng S ecret ary Two applications were submitted for Recording Secretary: Madeleine Renee-Walters and Rev. Mark Gory. Rev. Gory was not present. Ms. Renee-Walters was present to vouch for the qualifications listed on her application. She comes with 30+ years of residency and multiple years in Secretarial work, including 15 years with the City of Los Angeles. Lark moved to nominate Madeleine Renee-Walters for Recording Secretary. Johnnie seconded. Vote: Unanimous Yvonne will arrange a meeting when her schedule allows. Vote: 12 YAYS, 1 Abstention

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Me eting Ad jo urned at 8:05 p.m. Minutes as Approved by Board at _ _12___/__10___/_12____ Meeting Signature: _________Yvonne Ellett______________ ECWANDC Recording Secretary

ECWANDC Meeting Minutes | Page 3