1. Call to order. In the absence of Facilitator Lori Donahoo, President Pauline Stout called the meeting to order at 7:20 p.m. Donahoo took the chair upon her arrival at 7:25 p.m.
2. A quorum was established, seven 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 Present
Mate (Matt) Gaspar Overland Residential B Present
Mario Bruhwiler Motor Residential C Present
Charles Buffa Studio Residential D Absent
Ingeborg Prochazka Exposition Residential E Absent
John Riordan Pacific Electric Business 1 Late
Lori Donahoo Charnock Ranch Business 2 Late
Neal James Anderberg Palms Depot Business 3 Absent
3. Public forum: Linda Connor spoke on a poor street-lighting situation on Midvale Ave.; the President referred the matter to the Transportation and Roadworks Committee. Marina Gonzalez and Manuel Huerta announced a car and doggie wash in the 10700 block of Woodbine Street on March 10, as well as a tree-planting and block party planned for the same block on April 28; the President referred the matter to the Projects Committee.Colleen Mason Heller of the CHHA Committee spoke in favor of a light-rail route on Venice and Sepulveda Blvds.
4. Reports by our governmental representatives or their deputies. None.
5 Election of a facilitator for a three-month term ending June 7, 2007. Upon a voice vote, Matt Gaspar was elected, with the understanding by general consent that Todd Robinson would chair the April meeting.
6. Report to community by the President; she announced a Wonder of Reading program at 2:40 p.m. Thursday, April 19, at Palms Elementary School, the Mayor’s Day of Service Saturday and Sunday, April 28 and 29, and the National Night Out of the LAPD Pacific Division in August (date uncertain), with a planning meeting on March 21.
7. Treasurer: Report (LaMoy) is attached. Motions to validate checks already requested for the Chrysalis Venice Blvd. Cleanup Project were not needed.
8. Committee reports. (These were taken out of order.)
B. Transportation and Road Works.
(1) Route for the Expo Line. Public comments were made by Gokhan Esirgen, Kenneth S. Alpern,, Joseph Zimring.
Motion was made and seconded as follows: “The General Assembly of the Palms Neighborhood Council supports the routing of Phase 2 of the Expo line along the Exposition right-of-way.” Minutes — PALMS
Garrigues moved to postpone the main motion indefinitely; died for lack of a second. Bruhwiler moved to amend the main motion by adding the following wording: “as long as the line is built above grade (elevated) through our community at Bagley, National, Motor and Palms and is not a design-build project.” Seconded. Amendment adopted by voice vote. Vote on the main motion (as amended) was as follows: Yes, Robinson, Bruhwiler and Donahoo; no, Stout, Garrigues, Bell, Gaspar and Riordan; abstain, LaMoy. Motion defeated.
The original main motion (“The General Assembly of the Palms Neighborhood Council supports the routing of Phase 2 of the Expo line along the Exposition right-of-way”) was then reintroduced and approved: Yes, Robinson, Bell, Gaspar, Riordan and Donahoo; no, Stout, Garrigues and Bruhwiler.
Gaspar said he will take care of notifying the proper authorities concerning the decision of the Assembly.
D. Land-use and Development (Robinson): (1) “The Regent” at 3706 Overland Ave. 40-unit apartment project. Shahab Ghods of Plus Architects (a paid speaker) gave a concept presentation on behalf of the developer, Joseph Dabby of Encino. No action taken.
A. Projects (Stout).
(1) Taste of Palms (a celebration featuring foods from Palms restaurants). Stout announced that LaMoy has volunteered to manage the project. (2) Update on Beautification Funds from the Victor on Venice apartment complex at Clarington. Stout moved to use $12,000 of the VOV payment to the city to extend the Chrysalis project by 24 weeks while the committee continues to outreach to businesspeople for support. Seconded. Defeated by voice vote.
9. Secretarial report (Garrigues) Minutes for the meeting of Feb. 7, 2007, were approved by voice vote.
10. The remainder of the agenda was taken off the calendar and left for a special meeting to be called by the President, if necessary, with the agenda to be set by her..
11. Adjournment at 9:07 p.m.
