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Minutes
Summer 2009 Meeting
Meeting Called
to order at 7:33 p.m.
Introduction of
Board:
Present: Fran Reichenbach, Lori Hughes, Larry Markes, Nina
Van Tassel, Mary Ann Nelson, George Abrahams, Jack
Fitzgerald, Gary Wilmes
Reading and
Approval of Minutes:
Motion to
Approve Minutes (Larry/Jack) Approved Unanimously
Treasurers
Report:
Balance in bank: $2, 598.35 Motion to Approve Treasurer’s
Report (Gary/Lori) Approved Unanimously.
West Traffic
Division:
Officers Steve
Redd & Pete Cordero have been patrolling Beachwood and
canyon drives, only one ticket was written. Stops signs
continue to be a problem with drivers not stopping
completely. Tourists seem to be a double edge sword but
Officer Cordero says that it is self repeating the person
you give a ticket to today goes home tomorrow only to be
replaced by another tomorrow.
Lori Hughes:
Can a stop sign camera be installed at Beachwood & Scenic
like the one at Topanga & Mulholland? The council office
says that the camera we're talking about is administered and
paid for by Santa Monica Conservancy not the City of LA.
The City of LA does not use these cameras. Fran and Lori
say they will look into this camera.
Crime Report:
Officer Mike
Shea tells us about avoiding Burglary theft from vehicle,
the number one crime in our area. It appears that in a one
week period, there were two thefts on Franklin, one car
break in, one car stolen and a robbery on Vista del Mar
north of Franklin. East of Outpost, Con men are working as
utility men victimizing elderly people and in this case, the
couple was able to steal valuables from the home of an
elderly couple. Reminder: if you haven't made an
appointment with a utility, don't let people in until you've
called that utility to verify that the people at your door
are who they say they are.
Captain Girmala
is acting Commander this evening and could not be present
this at the meeting tonight.
Mike reports
that Captain Girmala has been successful in her efforts to
add more officers to the area and 40 additional officers
have been added to serve the Hollywood Media District
freeing up the officers and cars designated for our area
available to serve our area.
Patrol Captain
has instructed patrol officers to become very familiar with
their assigned areas and to serve the community they patrol
constantly and efficiently.
Brush Clearance:
Battalion Chief Mike Thomas: There are severe fire dangers
in Hollywood Hills, the Brush Clearance Unit is responsible
for clearing brush, it is the Fire Inspectors who direct
them to properties. Fran had reported 3075 Belden Drive as
a danger and the property was cited in November. Captain
Knight of Fire Station 82 informs us that the person
responsible for this in the area has been re-assigned and
Fran should talk to Captain Knight tomorrow regarding what
can be done to clear the property. If you see a fire danger
in the community, call Fire Station 82 to inspect the
situation.
One neighbor
reported the multitude of cigarette butts on the hiking
trail off of Mulholland. We need more signs. Brush clearance
unit may be able to coordinate for more signs.
Solar the Sign:
Mike Hurd and Deep Patel explained the program. Mike Hurd:
Solar the Sign has to do with using the Hollywood Sign to
promote sustainable energy, creating a gift for the world to
symbolize solar energy. Although Mr. LaBonge has been a
"champion" to the area he has been unable to support the
idea and potential to accomplish this.
Deep Patel: A
while back, I started a company called Go Green and this has
opened a world of opportunity for me to expand solar energy
to third world countries. In the Philippine Mountains, we
were able to install a solar energy system to a rural school
that allows for refrigeration, running water, and even
computers to run elevating that areas life style. If we can
domestically produce energy, we can grow jobs and the
economy.
At the East LA
Skill Center, the kids have come up with ideas that "Solar
the Sign" can produce for the community. It will reduce the
risk of brown outs. increase irrigation around the sign
mitigating the fire danger around the sign. The solar
panels can produce the energy needed to power the security
system surrounding the sign.
Mike Hurd:
Every panel installed at the sign could cause or use the
sign to make things happen in the community. If we create a
virtual Hollywood sign on the net, people could bid on their
on dedication of the sign. Up to five million dollars could
be raised through the internet, publicizing the event,
Solarthesign.org
is up and running. Donations can be made at the website.
“We are hoping
to stir up support for our idea, engage the community and
hopefully, have our community become an inspiration for
communities to expand their efforts to become ‘green’.”
The solar panels
would be a ground array that would not affect the appearance
or visibility of the Hollywood sign. A few solar panels
could produce enough energy to irrigate the land.
The solar array
around the sign would be no bigger than that of a reflecting
pool.
Solar panels
produce energy that is fed into the City electrical grid,
offsetting costs of electrical energy. Jennifer believes
that anything we can do to promote solar energy should be
done. George believes that the idea is nothing but Mike and
Deeps attempt to make money from our community.
Mike and Deep
will come to our Fall meeting and make visual presentations
for our community.
Larry makes
motion to adjourn. George seconded. Approved unanimously
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