Minutes
PALMS NElGHBORHOOD COUNCIL
Twenty-eighth meeting of the Council and its
REPRESENTATIVE ASSEMBLY
Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2007
IMAN Center, 4636 Motor Ave., Palms, California, U.S.A.

1. Call to order. Facilitator Lori Donahoo called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m..

2. A quorum was established, nine members being present:
Pauline Stout President Present
Todd Robinson Vice President Present
George Garrigues Secretary Present
June I. LaMoy Treasurer Present
Vacant Nonprofit representative --
Willie Bell Palms West Residential A Absent
Mate (Matt) Gaspar Overland Residential B Present
Mario Bruhwiler Motor Residential C Late
Vacant Studio Residential D —
Ingeborg Prochazka Exposition Residential E Present
John Riordan Pacific Electric Business 1 Present
Lori Donahoo Charnock Ranch Business 2 Present
Neal James Anderberg Palms Depot Business 3 Present

3. Public forum: Krista Colson introduced the newly organized Motor Avenue Improvement Assn. The secretary announced the receipt of an e-mail from Ken Alpern; he said he would forward a copy to John Riordan, the only Assembly member who had not already received it.

4. Reports by our governmental representatives or their deputies. Deanna Stevenson from DONE announced a seminar for newly elected neighborhood council board members Nov. 17 at the IMAN Center. She noted that most Assembly members still have to complete the required ethics course.

5. Report to community by the President. Pauline Stout announced a tree-care day for Overland Ave. on Jan. 13. She announced the formation of an Education Committee with Alejandro Soschin (tentatively) as the chairperson, and she is seeking members. She said Liz Carlin of Council Member Wesson’s office is offering free paint to help rid the community of graffiti.

6. Appointment of a representative for Studio Residential Area D by President. Charles J. Buffa was appointed to the vacant position, and the Assembly unanimously approved the appointment. The new representative took his seat at the Assembly table.

7. Treasurer: Report (LaMoy). Attached.

8. Committee reports.

A. Projects (Stout). Pauline Stout presented an agenda for the next meeting and invited stakeholders to submit projects. A ”Taste of Palms” project was submitted but was not considered inasmuch as the item had not been posted on the agenda.

B. Transportation and Road Works (Prochazka). No meeting was held during December.

C. Outreach (1a and 1b.) Garrigues presented a petition to the Department of Neighborhood Empowerment to adjust the northeast boundary of Palms northward to the I-10 Freeway east of Overland and west of Exposition, an addendum and supporting Exhibits A through N and Figures 1 through 3 and moved the adoption of all the items except for Exhibit L (proposed bylaws changes), which will be considered at the February Council meeting. The motion was adopted unanimously. (The petition, addendum and exhibits may be obtained from the Secretary.)

(2) Bruhwiler presented a report concerning the PNC Web site and, after discussion, the Assembly approved a motion to authorize $4,200 for the remainder of the fiscal year for design and maintenance of the site by Eugene Ferriter, who was present to answer questions. Abstentions were recorded by T. Robinson and P. Stout

(3) Bruhwiler reported that the city attorney’s office apparently has ruled against including the names of the Palms Historic Business Districts on the celebratory banners originally intended for Palms's 120th anniversary. He said the matter will be considered at the next Outreach Committee meeting on January 17.The item concerning outreach to Westside Village was not considered.

D. Land-use and Development (Robinson): (1) Report on building-line setback at 3665 Jasmine Ave. Status of appeal to Area Planning Commission. Possible mailer to explain PNC position (Donahoo). (2) Report on feasibility study of a Palms area Special Overlay Plan or other action to promote livability in Palms. (3) Report on Palms-Motor commercial-residential variance and other approvals sought by C-R Management at 10329 Motor Ave. (4) Report on applications for categorical exemption for handicapped parking spaces at 3718 Glendon. (5) Report on setback and other adjustments at 3672 Jasmine Ave. None of the above matters involved a vote by the Assembly because the committee did not meet during December.

E. Ad hoc election (Stout). Consideration of timetable. Distribution of Draft Procedures sent to the Department of Neighborhood Empowerment. Stout said the procedures were submitted before the Dec. 31 deadline, but Deanna Stevenson said the submission was not recorded at DONE until Jan. 3 and therefore the deadline was not met. Motion was made to give the Election Committee the authority to change the dates on the election procedures if necessary. Seconded and carried.

F. Ad hoc bylaws (Garrigues). Consideration of bylaws changes in Article 11 Rules of Order (Ground Rules) relating to quorum, reconsideration and rescission. The changes as attached to these minutes were approved unanimously and will be sent to DONE.

9. Secretarial report (Garrigues) Minutes for the meeting of Dec. 6, 2006. Approved.

10.  Assembly business. Anderberg asked for volunteers for Taste of Palms. Garrigues commented on policy for using the council’s debit card.

11. Adjournment. Made at 9 p.m.