From: "Greg Monfette" <gmonfett (at) bss.lacity.org>
Subject: National blvd
Date: Fri, Mar 17, 2006, 7:43 AM

To all, here is what the Urban Forestry Division has done to date:

1) We marked the curbs around the church to identify new planting sites. We marked (with a white dot on the curb face) a total of 25 sites as follows:

-4 sites were marked on National Blvd. for "small tree" planting in front of the wall. Potential species could be Photinia fraseri, Rhaphiolepis, or ?

-6 sites were marked on Tilden Av for tree planting

-7 sites were marked on Military Av for tree planting

-8 sites were marked on Clover Av for tree planting. Potential species could be Cercis canadensis, Bauhinia blakeana, Pistacia chinensis, or ?

2) I had the two small Ficus trees removed at the corner of Clover and Military as they are inappropriate for the site and were not approved.

3) We identified 12 new planting sites, west of Sawtelle for Italian Stone pine trees top be planted. 8 sites on the north side and 4 sites on the south side. We will be constructing 6 x 6 tree wells then planting these trees.

4) In addition, we identified an additional 24 vacant sites along national Blvd., from Sawtelle to Dahlgreen, where we will be planting Italian Stone pine trees.

5) Then, from Dahlgreen to Bundy (on National), we will be planting 4 Yew pines due to the small parkway size.

6) Furthermore, we have put a hold on any additional tree removals along National from Sawtelle to Dahlgreen and we will be removing the sidewalk at 12046 National Blvd. to review the root structure and make an appropriate decision as to the repair of the sidewalk.

7) One last item, I will be planting Liquidambar trees along Barrington Av from Navy St. to Federal Av (25' wide parkway) to match the beautiful grove of Liquidambar trees we have on McLaughlin form Federal Av to Woodbine St.

Greg J. Monfette, Superintendent I
Urban Forestry Division, Bureau of Street Services

West was chosen to give the response.

The point-counterpoint was a surprise to most of the audience because it had not been publicized in advance and was not listed on the agenda.

There was no discussion other than some heated back-and-forth between a few of the attendees after the meeting.

(For commentary, see Hope finally takes center stage on The Sun's Opinion page.)

Weiss and Rosendahl share the stage

Council Member Jack Weiss, who represents most of Westside Village (north of Palms Blvd.), told the audience that he is working on a "neighborhood protection plan."

This plan would include greater information about proposed construction projects and an impetus to "go after" developers who "break the rules."

For example, when a demolition permit is issued, the Building and Safety Dept. would have to notify the City Council member's office and also post the information on a Web site.

And the name of a "contact person" would also have to be posted at each construction or demolition place, Weiss said.

Council Member Bill Rosendahl (the south-of-Palms Blvd. rep) brought his ebullient populism to his listeners.

Rosendahl said that 50 percent of his constituents are renters and he noted he has formed a committee that will investigate ways to protect their rights.

As each of the council members left the room, George Garrigues of the S-U-P-E-R organization (link here) gave them copies of petitions asking that the mayor and City Council "take whatever steps are necessary" to get Westside Village out of the Mar Vista Council and into a joint council with Palms.

The signers were 206 in Weiss's district and 61 in Rosendahl's.