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Beachwood Canyon
Neighborhood AssociationMeeting Minutes - APRIL 8, 2004
Board members present:
Fran Reichenbach
Tina Roman
Missy Kelly
Larry Markes
Mary Anne Nelson
Bryd Holland
Ed Hayek
Absent:
George Abrahams
Francesca Redwine
Meeting called to order at 7:36pm by Missy Kelly.
Minutes from January & February approved (Larry/Ed)
Treasurer's report - FranThere is a little over $2,900 in the account. We can do better. Fran suggested that attendees ask their neighbors to join.
Neighborhood Sign - Michelle Fleenor
Field Deputy Michelle Fleenor from Tom Labonge's office shared the process of getting a neighborhood designation sign for Beachwood Canyon. They are seen throughout the city. To begin the process, send a formal request letter from BCNA (on our letterhead) to the council office with a petition (51% of the population in the area will be fine). Specify the boundaries of the area that you want to designate. The councilman will then introduce a motion to city council. Then the council office will ask the DOT to make and install the sign at Beachwood & Franklin. She suggested that we include the neighborhood council since the city will ask if they were notified. You need to collectively determine the area. Further discussion incurred.
Maurene asked about street cleaning: Street cleaning parkways and curbs are the responsibility of the property owner but city is responsible when informed of potential danger. And the city will repair. There have been no new streets added to the street cleaning system. If you have a street with no curbs or gutters, there will be no street cleaning. If you want your street to be added to the street cleaning system, you have to be on the waiting list.
Tina asked about the taxes she pays and why she doesn't see more improvement. Michelle attempted to answer but suggested that she visit the city website. Fran suggested Tina get the City Budget to see exactly where tax dollars go and possibly communicate via e-mail with budget committee chair.
Crime Report - Senior Lead Officer Bill SollieIn our area we have 10 neighborhood watch groups. Crime was really low the last two weeks. The most common crime is burglary from motor vehicles. There were 9 in the whole area mainly up and down Beachwood and near Franklin by restaurant row.
Parking tickets: Officer Sollie asked that we consider emergency access when we park in the hills. To avoid a parking ticket, measure to see if your street is at least 19' wide.
He left many pamphlets of information about neighborhood watch, personal security, leaf blowers and more.
On May 8 at Lemon Grove Park (4900 Lemon Grove Ave) the police are offering stickers for cars that wish to participate in a new program to cut down on auto theft. The sticker, when viewed by the police, gives them permission to pull over that vehicle without probable cause if it is seen on the street between 1:00 a.m. and 5:00 a.m. The police are also giving away "The Club" but ask for a $10 donation so they can continue to buy them in bulk.
There was a shooting at St Andrews and Franklin. This shooting was not related to the crime generated from the squatters on the St. Andrews stairs. That issue has been completely resolved. This was the end of a gang chase that took a wrong turn up St. Andrews which is a dead end from Franklin. Three guys were hit.
Brush Inspection - George Valenzuela
Inspector Valenzuela has been with the Fire Department for 29 years. He looks at brush as a way to move the fire along and this is why it must go. Native vegetation is designed to burn. One percent of native vegetation dies naturally. If 20 years old and hasn't burned you have 20 percent dead vegetation. In order to do nature's work, we cut brush rather than let it overgrow, die off and catch fire.
On May 3rd, the Brush Task Force will do a sweep of the hillside fire district. If you get a notice of noncompliance the Fire Department will give you 20 days to cut back your brush. You will then get another letter stating that you are in compliance. In order to get this letter, you need to not only clear the brush, but remove the bags or bundles of brush from your property. If they come back and it's not done, you will be charged for another inspection. These charges can get pricey. The inspections will be done by the end of May.
We have 6 water dropping helicopters and water storage to supply them. On windy days helicopters are positioned on Mt. Lee ready to go.
Inspector Valenzuela comes out for individual inspections on problem properties. If you want to contact him, call 818-374-1111.Q & A:
A neighbor asked about 2110 Beachwood Drive at Beachwood Terrace. She has been in touch with various city departments to get the overgrowth on the home and on the palm tree outside of it addressed. There is no line of sight so it's a safety hazard.
When the brush inspection actually starts, Inspector Valenzuela can pay a personal visit to the property and make sure that it is taken care of. If it's a "Life Hazard" a special citation will be issued and compliance monitored.
The inspector left several pamphlets for the group. He also suggested that wood chips created by brush clearance be scattered over the ground as mulch to rejuvenate the soil.
Charitable Donation: - Missy Kelly
Miss Kelly suggested we donate money to Cheremoya Avenue Elementary School. She suggested giving a gift card to Staples so they could buy whatever they need. Motion to donate $300 to Cheremoya in the form of a Staples Gift Card (Larry/Ed) carried.
Announcement: Garcetti and LaBonge will discuss a Trash Bin Replacement Roll Out program on Monday, April 19th at 7:00 p.m.at the City Bank Community Room (2540 Glendale Blvd. in Silverlake).
Motion to adjourn (Larry/Tina) carried.