1. Call to Order and Roll Call.

2. Approval of the Agenda

3. Approval of any outstanding minutes submitted by the Secretary

March 17, 2009 Board Meeting Minutes
(see http://venicenc.org/files/090317VNCBoardMinutesRev.doc)

Committee Reports are provided in written form when available

4. Consent Calendar

A From LADWP/MOU Committee Representatives

I Recommendation that LA Solar Plan be returned to DWP
Challis Macpherson (Chair-LUPC@VeniceNC.org) & DeDe Audet (310-821-4417; dd1audet@verizon.net): As official VNC Representatives to the LADWP/MOU Committee, Challis Macpherson and DeDe Audet request that the VNC Board of Officers move to recommend as follows:

Whereas the LADWP/MOU Committee moved that inasmuch as the Neighborhood Councils and Community Councils opposed Measure B on the basis that it was asking the voters to approve Charter Amendments and an Administrative Ordinance in order to establish a solar 400 MW roof top plan without specific costs or analysis,

We move and recommend that the Solar Plan be returned to LADWP to be properly vetted; and, that the formation of the Plan include the private sector, solar producers (situated within the United States), Crafts’ and Workers’ Unions, Environmentalists and Neighborhood Councils; and, furthermore, that the Neighborhood Councils and Community be informed in a timely manner before decisions are made relative to the Solar Plan being approved by the LADWP Commission.

NOTE: Saturday, April 4, 2009, above motion was made by Challis Macpherson and seconded by Tony Butka at an official meeting of the LADWP/MOU Committee meeting. The motion was passed with a unanimous vote.

B From Neighborhood Committee

I Increase LAPD presence at Venice Beach – May 31-Labor Day
Linda Lucks (VicePresident@VeniceNC.org) on behalf of Neighborhood Committee:

Whereas the influx of tourists from around the world is greatest from May-September,
Whereas a large LAPD presence is historically necessary and provided to manage crowds and prevent crime;
Whereas the City has removed police officers from the Westside due to falling crime statistics;

The Venice NHC request the VNC to send a letter to Mayor Villaraigosa and Councilmember Rosendahl, to urge them to assign at least 54 officers to Beach detail from Memorial Day to Labor Day to meet the needs of this community.

5. Treasurers Report – See Exhibit A accept report as presented

6. Scheduled Announcements (no more than 1 minute per report unless otherwise stated)

A Mike Newhouse (president@venicenc.org): (i) Brooke Soles confirmation election from 7 to 9 PM; (ii) Announce procedure for filling 2 LUPC vacancies:

o Nominations: Open until 7PM Tuesday, May 5; submit to secretary@vanicenc.org. To self nominate, send an email to the Board with a resume and the reasons for wishing to serve on LUPC. Also complete the LUPC Application (http://venicenc.org/files/081021LUPCApplication.doc) and send it with an email to the Board (board@veniceNC.org). Please tell us about you, your experience, and why you would like to serve on LUPC.
o Board Questions: Before 7PM Tuesday, May 5, 2009, Board members are requested to send to Ira Koslow (ira.koslow@venicenc.org) questions they wish to ask the candidates which will be forwarded to the candidates. ; Candidate responses should be returned before 7PM Tuesday, May 5 to Ira.Koslow@venicenc.org and will be posted and distributed to the Board before the Board meeting on April 19, 2009.
o Selection: May 19,2009 Board Meeting:

a. Each candidate will have 3 minutes to introduce him/herself and to make a general statement including qualifications and why s/he is interested in serving on LUPC. In doing so, please address the following question

The Venice Specific Plan has been the blueprint for land development since 2000. The VNC is asked to consider variance requests & other modifications to the VSP. Keeping in mind that this is one of the more controversial issues in Venice, please tell us your insights and thoughts about the VSP (http://venicenc.org/files/VenCoastal.pdf) & how it should be enforced (strictly, loosely, etc).

b. The selection procedure will be by ballot as follows: (i) One ballot will be used listing all LUPC candidates; (ii) Each board member will vote for 2 LUPC candidates; in the event of a tie between two or more candidates, runoff votes will be held between the tied candidates until the positions are filled; (iii) Upon completion of the voting process, board members will sign their ballots and the ballots will be immediately posted for public review.

B Governmental Reports

• DONE: Deanna Stevenson
• LAPD: Officer Peggy Thusing, Senior Lead Officer
• State Assemblyperson Ted Lieu: Melissa S. Ramoso, Field Representative (310-615-3515; Melissa.ramoso@asm.ca.gov)
• Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa:Stephen Cheung & Jennifer Badger, West Area Representatives (310-479-3823; jennifer.badger@lacity.org)
• City Councilperson Bill Rosendahl: Arturo Piña, Field Deputy
• LADWP: VNC Representatives DeDe Audet & Challis McPherson

C Oakwood Recreation Center search for fund-raising talent (2 min)
Lizka Mendoza (310-452-7479; Lizka.Mendoza@lacity.org), facility Director-Oakwood Recreation Center: Oakwood Recreation Center is now searching for community members who can utilize their talents in fund-raising and are interested in improving their recreation center and park. The Oakwood Park Advisory Board is made up of individuals who are dedicated to working together to make their park the best it can for all facets of life.

To apply contact Oakwood Facility Director, Lizka Mendoza at (310) 452-7479 or apply online at http://www.laparks.org/dos/ereg/facility/oakwoodRC.htm to download a PAB application.

D Emergency Preparedness Display at Abbot Kinney Venice Library
Maxine Leral on behalf of Neighborhood Committee: The Venice Abbot Kinney Library will mount a display of Emergency Preparedness materials necessary for surviving a disaster – April 20 through Labor Day.

E Emergency Preparedness Town Hall Meeting
Linda Lucks (Vicepresident@VeniceNC.org) & Nick Hippisley-Cox (Hippisley@earthlink.net) on behalf of Neighborhood Committee: Emergency Preparedness EXPO/TOWN Hall event will take place in Venice on Sunday, May 31 from 12-4 p.m. (location tbd). Short Demonstrations in CPR for children to be offered in throughout the day; other demonstrations and giveaways.

F Status update on the Westminster Dog Park project (10 min)
Salem Garawi, P.E. (213-847-0345; Salem.Garawi@lacity.org) Project Manager for Prop O|BOE for LA Dep. of Public Works: The project was awarded to a contractor and the Notice-to-Proceed with the construction was issued on 3/4/09. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions. Thank you.

G Introduction to spcaLA Specialty Spay/Neuter Center (2 min)
Cheryl Anglin (323-730-5303 ext. 280; canglin@spcala.com) on behalf of spcaLA Specialty Spay/Neuter Center:
I would like to introduce myself and our veterinarian from spcaLA Specialty Spay/Neuter Center, then review the services we provide to the community at our Center.

H Ethics Training Update
Linda Lucks (Vicepresident@VeniceNC.org): Regularly Scheduled Monthly Announcement- naming Board Members in Compliance with State and City mandated Ethics Training. The following board members have taken the Ethics training: Newhouse, MacPherson, Rogers, Harrison, Koslow, Castleman, Saltzburg, Oscars, Rios, Murphy, Lucks, Parkos, Carter, Soles. Seven board members not yet in compliance

I Community Improvement Project Report Ivan Spiegel (ivan13147@verizon.net)

J New Members for Neighborhood Committee
Linda Lucks (VicePresident@VeniceNC.org) on behalf of Neighborhood Committee: The Neighborhood Committee is adding two new members and reassigning a third:

• Adam Glick, Peninsula (Marina Peninsula Neighborhood Association;
• Jerry Washington, American Red Cross;
• Jeffrey Fritz, will now represent the Ballona East & West Neighborhoods

7. Announcements & Public Comment on items not on the Agenda (15 min, no more than 2 minutes per person) (no board member announcements permitted)
8. Old Business

A From Board Member

I Letter supporting PRNA appeal regarding 534 Victoria
Challis Macpherson (Chair-LUPC@VeniceNC.org): Regarding DIR 2008-4703 DI, 534 Victoria Avenue. November 30, 2007, VNC Board sent a letter supporting an appeal by Harris Levey and Presidents’ Row Neighborhood Association to Ms. Gail Goldberg, Director of LA City Planning. I submit that VNC Board of Officers & another letter stating the chronology of the project & re affirming our support of PRNA appeal to Ms. Goldberg, Councilmember Rosendahl and California Coastal Commission. Both letters included. See Exhibit B

B From LUPC

I Challenge to City Interpretation of impact of SLSO on VCZSP [15 Min – Discussion only]
Challis Macpherson (Chair-LUPC@VeniceNC.org) on behalf of LUPC: Regarding DIR 2008-4703 DI, Director’s (of Planning Department) Interpretation of Small Lot Subdivision Ordinance as it pertains to VCZSP; considering that LUPC unanimously disagrees with the Director’s Interpretation & wants the Director to consider VNC prior recommendations, LUPC recommends that the VNC Board of Officers recommend that this document be reconsidered in light of prior recommendations made by VNC. See Exhibit C – SLS Discussion Questions

9. New Business

A From Board Members

I Proliferation of Medical Marijuana Clinics in Venice [15 Min – Discussion only]
Challis Macpherson (Chair-LUPC@VeniceNC.org): Boardmember Challis Macpherson requests that the VNC Board of Officers deliberate upon and move to recommend a course of action to CD11 regarding the proliferation of Medical Marijuana Clinics in Venice. Please note that the clinics open in facilities that were retail, there is (usually) no change of use; therefore, LUPC has no jurisdiction. This is a board issue.

Per a Venice resident, there is one at 812 Lincoln called Green Dot. This has been there for a few months. There is a new one being constructed at 736 Lincoln, which is just two doors down from 736. These are both a short distance from a school. They are also within 20 ft. of residences. The same landlord has rented to both of these. There is also another two blocks down at 410 Lincoln. .

II Request City Council repeal Section 5 of LA Ordinance Number 179680 [10 Min – Discussion only]
Joe Murphy (310-895-0344; joedmurphyvnc@ca.rr.com): Request LA City Council repeal Sec. 5. Subdivision (2) of Subsection (a) of Section 22.811 of the Los Angeles Administrative Code which it amended on February 20, 2008 to read:

(2) That neighborhood council membership will be open to everyone who lives, works, owns property in the neighborhood & also to those who declare a stake in the neighborhood & affirm the factual basis for it.

Request further that LA City Council use expediting procedures if necessary to enable the City Clerk to be prepared to conduct the 2010 Neighborhood Council elections.

Comment: The above provision unnecessarily complicates the definition of a stakeholder by expanding it beyond what is required under Sec. 906 of Article IX of the Los Angeles City Charter which provides, as a condition of certification, that:

(a) By-laws. Each neighborhood council seeking official certification or recognition from the City shall submit an organization plan & by-laws to the Department of Neighborhood Empowerment showing, at a minimum:

(2) neighborhood council membership will be open to everyone who lives, works or owns property in the area (stakeholders)

Thus, the Bylaws of every currently certified Neighborhood Council containslanguage defining a stakeholder in conformance with this charter requirement. The Venice Neighborhood Council Bylaws, for instance, define stakeholders as individuals who live, work, or own property within the Venice Neighborhood Council boundaries.

III Ask City Council to revisit Financial Disclosure Requirement [5 Min – Discussion only]
Linda Lucks (Vicepresident@VeniceNC.org): Whereas the City Council adopted the requirement that Neighborhood Council’s wishing to participate in the opening of Neighborhood Council Files be required to disclose financial interests relating to the File in question, and whereas the City Ethics Commission and the Board of Neighborhood Commissioners oppose the Form 54 adopted by the City Council as being much too intrusive; and whereas Councilmembers Janice Hahn, Zine and Gargetti agreed to revisit the form in an effort to find a more appropriate form that encourages Neighborhood Council participation,

I move that the Venice Neighborhood Council support the motion of Councilmember Janice Hahn to revisit the issue of financial disclosure in relation to the NC Council File motions and recommend that the currently approved Form 54 be replaced with a more suitable form. See Exhibit D

B From Budget Committee

I Approval in concept of funding of Annual Oakwood Barbeque
Hugh Harrison (310-487-2533; chezhaha@aol.com) for Budget Committee: The budget committee unanimously approved in concept the funding of the 3rd Annual Venice Community Barbeque and Picnic out of 2009-2010 funds, not to exceed $5000. While the exact budget numbers are not yet known, the timing of this project requires assurances of funding before the budget process is complete. The committee is requesting approval in concept by the Board, with final figures to be decided when the budget is complete.

II Funds available for three projects [3 min per committee]
Hugh Harrison (310-487-2533; chezhaha@aol.com) for Budget Committee: Funds are available for the three projects below. Affirmed by the Budget Committee by unanimous vote.

• The Arts Committee has requested and the Budget Committee has approved the financial capacity to fund as a Board Community project, the 2009 Venice Music Fest. The budget request is for $2000. Aug 8-9, 2009
• The Environment Committee has requested and the Budget Committee has approved the financial capacity to fund as a Board Community project, the 2009 Venice Eco-Festival. The budget request is for $2600. June 27, 2009
• The Education Committee has requested funding for an Education Forum as a Board funded community project. The Budget Committee has approved the financial capacity to fund $4200 towards the cost of this project. Nov 10, 2009

There is currently $3988 in unallocated funds for community improvement projects for the current fiscal year. A decision will be required by the Board as to the allocation of funds to these projects.

C From Environmental Committee

I Letter of support for land swap deal to save “Egret Park” Kristopher Valentine (805-341-4577; kristophervalentine@gmail.com) on behalf of Environmental Committee: Motion to send the following letter was voted for unanimously by the Environmental Committee.

April 8, 2009

Councilmember Bill Rosendahl
City of Los Angeles City Hall, Room 452
200 North Spring
Los Angeles, CA 90012-2601

RE: Saving Egret Park / Land Swap Deal

Dear Councilman Rosendahl:

The Venice Neighborhood Council (“VNC”) supports the efforts of the Ballona Institute and The Committee to Complete the Park to secure and protect all of the privately-owned parcels of land located in the Ballona Wetlands area. The VNC urges you to help us complete the full preservation and conservation of all of the Ballona Wetlands.

Recently at the Westside Regional Alliance of Councils, Marcia Hanscom, Co-Director of Ballona Institute, pressed Mayor Villariagosa for support of the plan to swap the city owned Westchester Firehouse with the privately held north end of Del Rey Lagoon know as “Egret Park.” The mayor was definitely receptive to the idea, and expressed interest in assisting the Ballona Institute.

This land swap is vitally important, not only for “Egret Park”, but also for setting a precedent for future land disputes in the greater Ballona Wetlands area. In light of the City’s budget crisis, it is essential to strike a deal before the Firehouse is put back up for sale. You recently were quoted as saying local residents, “must decide if the building is worth fighting for.” Mr. Councilman, it is.

Thank you for your work thus far in forming a potential resolution. The VNC and our Environmental Committee are willing to help you and your office in any way we can to facilitate this deal in a timely manner. No matter what direction your office chooses to take, we hope that it is in-line with the goals of the Ballona Institute and The Committee to Complete the Park , which is the preservation and conservation of all of the Ballona Wetlands. To do that, we must first secure all of the outstanding, privately-held parcels to achieve those goals.

Sincerely,

The Venice Neighborhood Council

D From Outreach Committee

I Motion to Amend the Publication publication policy of the VNC (Standing Rule 18) Marc Saltzberg (310-305-9660; outreach@VeniceNC.org) on behalf of the Outreach Committee:

The publication policy of the Venice Neighborhood Council shall be changed to:

The Venice Neighborhood Council MAY publicize the events, activities, announcements and information from the Departments, Agencies and Officeholders of the City of Los Angeles, the County of Los Angeles, the State of California and the Federal Government of the United States of America. The events and activities of other organizations may be publicized by the Venice Neighborhood Council only if the VNC Board of Directors agrees to sponsor or endorse such events, activities or organizations.

NOTE: The existing policy (as expressed in Standing Rule 18) is:

The Venice Neighborhood Council will publicize only VNC, City of Los Angeles and VNC sponsored or endorsed events where determined by the VNC Board of Directors.

E From Arts Committee

I Motion for VNC Board of Officers to support Assembly Bill 700 – Creative Industries & Community Economic Revitalization Act 2010. Nadine Parkos (310-869-4733; Nadineparkos@aol.com) on behalf of the Arts Committee: I, Nadine Parkos, Chair of the VNC Arts Committee, move that the VNC Board of Officers accept the motion of the VNC Arts Committee to send by FAX the following letter in SUPPORT of AB 700. (Vote: Unanimous)
(VNC Letterhead)
Today’s Date

The Honorable Paul Krekorian FAX: (916) 319-2143
Member of the California State Assembly
State Capitol Building Position: SUPPORT
Sacramento, CA 95814

Re: Assembly Bill 700 Location: Assembly Arts,
Creative Industries & Community Entertainment, Sports, Tourism
Economic Revitalization Act 2010 and Internet Media Committee

Dear Assembly Member Krekorian:

The Venice Neighborhood Council (VNC) was certified by the LA Department of Neighborhood Empowerment in March, 2002 and the original bylaws of the organization were approved and the area of representation defined. On March 29, 2006, the Board of Officers approved amended bylaws. These bylaws were ratified by Venice stakeholders on May 1, 2006, and approved by the Department of Neighborhood Empowerment (DONE) and subsequently amended. We are a duly elected body of community officers governed by state and local laws and assisted by the City of Los Angeles DONE.

On behalf of the VNC, I thank you for introducing AB 700 and support its passage. California is in its sixth year spending three cents per capita from the General Fund on the arts, and it remains last in the nation for state spending. AB 700 will provide funding to invest in California’s creative sector which contributes to the state’s economy and its ability to compete in the global marketplace.

• The non-profit arts community, large and small, that the CAC has nurtured over the years is a feeder to California’s very profitable creative industry that employs 500,891 as of January 2008. (Dun & Bradstreet data.)
• Non-profit arts organizations are a proven economic driver for California’s economy, a $5.4 billion industry that generates $300 million in state and local taxes.
• Providing a designated funding stream for the CAC can help grow programs that help non-profit arts organizations and artists serve 37 million Californians and the millions of people who visit California every day.

The arts are vital to the quality of life that we are so very proud of in California. With your legislation providing a stable revenue source for the CAC and its programs, the arts can continue to be a significant contributor to California’s economic recovery through tourism, jobs, social services and education outreach. AB 700 proposes a sound investment for California. Thank you for your commitment to a better California.

Sincerely,

Mike Newhouse
President
Venice Neighborhood Council

CC: Ted W. Lieu, AD53 Karen Bass, AD47 Julia Brownley, AD 41 Ms. Dana
Mitchell, Consultant, Assembly Arts, Entertainment, Sports, Tourism & Internet Media Committee
Ms. Kathryn Lynch, Legislative Advocate, Lynch & Associates California Arts Advocates

FAX #s: Lieu – ; Bass – ; Brownly – ; Mitchell – (916) 319-3451; Lynch – (916) 443-7353; CAA – (916) 979-1116

F From Stakeholders & Organizations

I VNC Vision Goals – Proposed Standing Rule
Linda Lucks (Lindalucks@aol.com) & Joe Murphy (joedmurphyvnc@ca.rr.com): At its December 5, 2008 VNC Board retreat, the Board reflected on work done and considered these Vision Goals as a way to stimulate the vitality of the VNC. The intent is to focus the deliberations of the VNC Board and its Committees so that we can better serve our community. It is therefore proposed that the VNC Board adopt the following as a Standing Rule entitled VNC Vision Goals:

Standing Rule __ – VNC Vision Goals

To stimulate the vitality of the VNC, the Board and VNC Committees are encouraged to consider the below VNC Vision Goals in their deliberations.

Although the VNC is a political body, and inevitably it may become embroiled in issues that divide the community, these goals are designed to promote a more proactive, collaborative vision for VNC Committees to include in their deliberations as they formulate recommendations for Board consideration. The intent is to create a working framework of integrated strategies capable of achieving, over time, broader consensus and increased:

DELETE FROM HERE

• Participation
• Walkability
• Diversity
• Creativity
• Collaboration
• Brainstorming

TO HERE

Participation: Consider strategies that encourage & facilitate broader involvement of stakeholders, major organizations, community groups, and government institutions, etc. …

Walkability: Consider strategies that reduce the use of cars and that promote alternatives such as walking, skateboarding, biking & bike racks, circulation systems (trolleys), park & ride rather than additional parking, street-narrowing/sidewalk widening, walk/bike/skateboard lanes separated from traffic, easier neighborhood pedestrian access to commercial stores, etc. …

Diversity: Consider strategies that encourage & facilitate realistic recommendations designed to increase economic diversity, including affordable housing, etc. …

Creativity: Consider strategies that promote the arts, encourage & facilitate creativity. This can apply to architecture, public art, social events (neighborhood gatherings/street movies/theatre/dance/pottery/…), etc. …

Collaboration: Consider strategies that encourage & facilitate ‘level playing fields’ for collaborative negotiation; opt for procedures & policies that ‘promote flexibility & dialogue’ over ‘reacting defensively to rigid criteria’, facilitation/mediation training, etc. …

Brainstorming: Consider strategies that encourage & facilitate exploring of non-traditional options for achieving shared objectives, etc. …

DELETE FROM HERE

II Board Commitment: The VNC Board commits to considering these vision goals in its deliberations.

III Committee Implementation: VNC Committees are encouraged to:

• Consider the above vision goals in their deliberations on any matter that will come before the Board as a recommendation from the committee.
• Identify the major organizations, community groups, and City institutions within its purview. Add them to mailing & email lists, invite them to meetings, and include their written positions on any matter that will come before the Board as a recommendation from the committee.
• Designate one of their members as its liaison to consult with and solicit comment from peer liaisons from other affected VNC Committees as deemed appropriate by the committee.
• In its recommendation to the Board, provide a brief summary that includes:

a. Analysis of each vision goal considered (including input from peer liaisons); and
b. Its impact, if any, on the recommendation.

TO HERE

[Above proposed amendments are by Joe Murphy after hearing March 9 AdCom comments]

II Motion for Letter of Support of Venice Heritage Museum
Todd von Hoffmann (310-398-9231; vonHoffmannbros@gmail.com) on behalf of VENICE HERITAGE FOUNDATION: Request Board to send its letter of support to Councilman Bill Rosendahl, CD 11, and to whomever else it may concern, as set forth in Exhibit A, attached hereto, acknowleding its support of the Venice Heritage Foundation’s efforts to establish a Venice Heritage Museum in Venice and, further, to permit the Venice Heritage Foundation to proudly display the VNC’s logo on all of its promotional materials (with the specific exception of VHF fundraising events):

To Councilman Bill Rosendahl, CD 11
and to whomever else it may concern:

On behalf of the Venice Neighborhood Council (“VNC”), I’m pleased to add our support to the Venice Heritage Foundation (“the Foundation” or “the VHF”). Their mission statement – “Envisioning a Venice History Museum” – focuses on an important goal for our community. Abbot Kinney’s “Venice of America” has had a full and fascinating life and that continuing story deserves to be shared. While the need for a museum heritage center has often been discussed over the years, the VHF was created solely with this purpose in mind. The founding members – all lovers of things Venice – include collectors, successful community volunteers, and, significantly, noted author and historian Elayne Alexander.

The VHF plan is particularly exciting. It calls for the restoration of an original Pacific Electric Red Trolley Car to serve as the initial museum space located in Venice of America’s Centennial Park, immediately East of our Venice-Abbot Kinney Memorial Library. The Seal Beach Museum has demonstrated the success of this idea with its own “Red Car” history museum and public library residing similarly (and very appropriately) on old Pacific Electric right-of-way property.

On March 17, 2009, in support of this concept, the VNC Board of Officers unanimously passed the following Motion that was submitted by our Land Use and Planning Committee:
Recommendation for locating Red Car east of Venice Public Library
Challis Macpherson (Chair-LUPC@VeniceNC.org) on behalf of LUPC: Regarding LUPC proposals for community use of 520 Venice Way: Regarding proposals to occupy city owned land located at 520 Venice Way, Challis Macpherson moves that VNC Board of Officers accept LUPC’s recommendation to recommend to Councilman Rosendahl that the Venice Heritage Museum (Red Car) be situated on Centennial Park, located immediately East of the Venice Public Library, as soon as possible and that the restoration (of the Red Car) take place there on that site.

Accordingly, on behalf of the VNC and the VHF, I recommend the City Council’s support of the Venice Heritage Museum project as soon as possible. I further recommend that the Museum be situated on Venice of America’s Centennial Park as soon as possible and that the restoration (of the Red Car) take place there on that site.

The Foundation has already located a 100+ year old Red Car (PE 511) ready for a home and restoration volunteers are standing by. The restored Red Car will evoke a charming period of our history and add another treasured sight along our gateway to Venice. The VHF plan tastefully suggests an additional adjunct building replicating the old pagoda-style PE substation that used to stand nearby along Venice Boulevard called “The Tokio Station”.

Once it is up and running, the museum space will be available to all local collections, public and private, and serve an important community function for residents, visitors, scholars, and students.

We can’t think of a better celebration of our past and legacy for our community’s future, and are proud to have the logo of the Venice Neighborhood Council displayed on the Venice Heritage Museum’s promotional materials.

Sincerely, Mike Newhouse, President, Venice Neighborhood Council

III Venice Coastal Zone Specific Plan Amendment on Signage
Dennis Hathaway (310-386-9661; dennis@banbillboardblight.org) on behalf of Coalition to Ban Billboard Blight: Request the board adopt a resolution asking Councilman Rosendahl to introduce an amendment to the Venice Coastal Zone Specific Plan that would prohibit all off-site advertising signs and all digital advertising signs.

IV Community Impact Statement on Citywide Sign Ordinance
Dennis Hathaway (310-386-9661; dennis@banbillboardblight.org) on behalf of Coalition to Ban Billboard Blight: Request the board adopt the following Community Impact Statement to be transmitted to the city clerk: The Venice Neighborhood Council supports adoption of the new sign ordinance in the form adopted by the City Planning Commission on March 26 as follows:

To: Office of the City Clerk Los Angeles City Hall 200 N. Spring St., Rm 360 Los Angeles,. CA 90012

Re: Council File 08-2020

The Venice Neighborhood Council urges adoption of the city-wide sign ordinance as approved by the City Planning Commission on March 26, 2009. In particular, we support (a) an off-site sign ban without exceptions for specific plans and development agreements, (b) prohibiting digital signs, (c) requiring takedown of existing off-site signage as a condition of establishing sign districts, and (d) stiff civil penalties for maintaining illegal signs. We also urge the City Council to consider (a) limiting temporary signs to on-site messages, and (b) prohibiting digital signs in sign districts until studies of traffic safety and environmental impact have been completed.

V Direct LUPC to consider issues surrounding project proposals
Jed Pauker (vnc3@veniceworks.net) on behalf of neighbors: To direct LUPC to consider the issue of projects that meet buildable envelope numeric dimensions but fail to conform with existing mass, scale and character compatibility dictated by prevailing development guidelines, with reference to an existing project proposal whose pending Planning Department approval is expected to be appealed based on these issues.

10. Announcements & Public Comment on items not on the Agenda (15 min, no more than 2 minutes per person) (no board member announcements permitted)

11. Adjourn (approx 10:00PM)

Exhibit A – Treasurers Report (Item 5)

The next regular meeting for the Budget Committee will be Tuesday, May 5 at 8:00 a.m. at Extra Storage located at 658 Venice Bl. At this meeting, the committee will be considering the Council’s budget for the 2009-2010 fiscal year.

See attached file below for March 2009 report

Exhibit B – PRNA appeal regarding 534 Victoria (Item 8AI)

Proposed letter of support

April 8, 2009

Charles R. Posner, Coastal Program Analyst
California Coastal Commission
200 Oceangate, Suite 1000
Long Beach, CA 90802

Subject: 534 Victoria Avenue, Venice, California 90291. Planning Case Number: DIR 2006-10495 SPP; CEQA: ENV 2006-10496 CE; Prologue Entertainment: Kyle Cooper and Sharyl Beebe

Dear Chuck:

These people are playing fast and loose with beach access parking. Please reference attached letter dated November 30, 2007 from Venice Neighborhood Council in support of PRNA appeal of ZA decision.

The chronology is that Prologue Entertainment in 2006, bought a warehouse, built in 1999, with legal number of on-site parking spaces. This property is immediately adjacent to a residential neighborhood. They changed the use of the building to a manufacturing office and converted a majority of the parking spaces to offices without a permit.

Los Angeles Department of Building & Safety caught them. LADBS issued citations (4) which were ignored. LADBS stated that their options were to prosecute the owner for failure to comply with the existing orders or to order vacation of the unapproved portion of the building. In either case, the owner would be compelled to come to an agreement regarding the parking and continue with the City Planning case and ultimately secure a permit, legalize the construction, and obtain a Certificate of Occupancy.

The Planning case was originally filed on December 22, 2006, accepted for review on March 30, 2007. ZA hearing November 5, 2007 resulted in recommendation for approval. ZA recommendation was appealed by Harris Levey and Presidents’ Row Neighborhood Association as of December 19, 2007. After numerous continuances at the request of the applicant (Prologue Entertainment) the appeal period timed out because the WLA Area Planning Commission didn’t have enough members to seat a quorum for a hearing. Thus according to the statutes the appeal was denied.

This company is appropriating visitor-serving parking well within the coastal zone. Their intensity of use requires 22 parking spaces; they have 10 on site and propose street parking for 12 employees’ cars.

We strongly request that you recommend denial of this company’s Coastal Development Permit when the California Coastal Commission hears the project. Approval would set a dangerous precedent which would open the door for other enterprises to usurp visitor-serving beach parking.

Sincerely,

Mike Newhouse, President
Venice Neighborhood Council

Documentation will be provided immediately upon request
CC: Councilman Bill Rosendahl

Prior letter of support

November 30, 2007

Ms. Gail Goldberg
Director of Planning
Los Angeles City Hall, Rm. 525
200 N. Spring St.
Los Angeles, CA 90012

Re: VNC Support of Appeal by PRNA of 11/5/2007 decision of City Planning Department
Case No: DIR 2006-10495-SPP Project Permit Compliance CEQA: ENV 2006- 10495-CE, Section A #5, Parking in Lieu Fee

Dear Gail:
First of all, thank you again for taking part in our Town Hall on November 10th. We know how busy your schedule is, and we really appreciated you time.

I am also writing to inform you, that on November 20, 2007, the Board of the Venice Neighborhood Council (VNC) unanimously endorsed a request from the Presidents Row Neighborhood Association (PRNA) to co-sponsor and fully support its above referenced appeal with respect to Parking In Lieu Fees.

This PRNA/VNC appeal asks for denial of the applicant’s request to eliminate twelve (12) on site parking spaces. On street parking is scarce and the neighborhood can ill afford to lose these spaces. By not providing parking as required by city code, the property owner has shifted the parking burden onto the adjacent neighborhood. As this is within the Coastal area, it further creates a problem of reducing beach access. This also sets a precedent which would be detrimental to the Venice community.

If in lieu fees are assessed as an alternative, this appeal asks that Parking in Lieu Fees of $18,000.00 per parking space be raised to $45,000.00 per parking space to reflect the realities of current construction costs and that these collected fees be specifically, and only, used in Venice to replace the lost parking.

Thank you,

/s/

Mike Newhouse
President

Cc:
Jane Ellison Usher, Chair of Planning Commission
Councilmember Bill Rosendahl
VNC Land Use and Planning Committee
Harris Levy, President, Presidents Row Neighborhood Association
Betsy Weisman, Los Angeles City Planning Department

Exhibit C – SLS Discussion Questions (Item 8BI)

See attached file below for SLS Discussion Questions & City Responses

Exhibit D – LA City Council to revisit Financial Disclosure Requirement (Item 9AIII)

HAHN MOTION

EDUCATION & NEIGHBORHOODS
Feb 20 2009
MOTION

On January 13, 2009, the City Council acted to require all individual Neighborhood Council board members who initiate a Neighborhood Council File to fill out a financial disclosure document Form 54. However, it is important to note that the Ethics Commission, the Board of Neighborhood Commissioners, the Department of Neighborhood Empowerment, or its staffs, were not provided a copy of Form 54 to review prior to its submission and approval by City Council on January 13,2009, and thus had no opportunity to comment.

Prior to this date, the Board of Neighborhood Commissioners, working in tandem with the Ethics Commission and its staff, was asked to review Form 52 and Form 53, which were submitted to the Ethics Commission for consideration.

Over a period of three months, in response to this request, the Board of Neighborhood Commissioners held public hearings, conducted four Town Hall Meetings, and implemented a Neighborhood Council system-wide survey regarding the pros and cons of Forms 52 and 53.

A report issued by the Ethics Commission comparing Form 54 with Form 700, raises legitimate concerns in that Form 54 has the potential to inject severe morale problems into the entire Neighborhood Council system by demanding broad and onerous financial disclosure before a neighborhood council can submit a Neighborhood Council File to the City Council.

While there is a need for appropriate financial disclosure to prevent conflicts of interest, it may be that the Form 54, as adopted, is not the best tool to achieve this purpose.

On February 3, 2009, the Board of Neighborhood Commissioners unanimously requested that the City Council revisit its decision and direct the Board of Neighborhood Commissioners to collaborate with the Ethics Commission to replace Form 54 with a form that meets City Ethics Commission guidelines in order to achieve the twin goals of ensuring transparency and fostering public participation.

I THEREFORE MOVE that the Ethics Commission be requested to report on the feasibility of replacing the recently adopted Form 54 financial disclosure document with an alternate form that meets City Council and City Ethics Commission guidelines for all individual Neighborhood Council board members who initiate a Neighborhood Council File.

PRESENTED BY____________________________
FEB 2 0 2009 JANICE HAHN Councilwoman 15th District

SECONDED BY_____________________________

08-0351-51
EG

BONC Form54 Letter

To: DONE, Al Abrams, Daniel Gatica
RE: FINAL Form 54 Letter for April 1 E BLAST
Revised Copy: Please add in the links to previously sent BONC letter: Language of Form 54; recent Hahn motion and previous CW article by Al Abrams.
DA: 3/26/09 (also clean up any typos).

Dear Neighborhood Council board members and Stakeholders:

In response to a letter from the Board of Neighborhood Commissioners on, ,2009, objecting to the City Council’s recent adoption of Financial Disclosure Form 54, Council members Hahn, Zine and Garcetti agreed to revisit the issue. BONC’s agrees with the prospect of requiring a modified financial disclosure form when Neighborhood Councils wish to author or second the opening of Neighborhood Council Files as a way to insure transparency and increase participation.

We thank the Council members for echoing our concern and support of revisiting the nature of the form. However, the Los Angeles City Council has not heard from many individual Neighborhood Council Board members, or NC boards wanting the form changed to allow increased participation.

Without letters and emails NOW to your City Council representatives, requesting a less intrusive replacement for Form 54, the financial disclosure document as written and adoped will stand as law and the Hahn, Zine, Garcetti motion will die.

The BONC is concerned that the current Form 54 as written, will seriously discourage NC Board members from participating in the Neighborhood Council File pilot program.

Please let the City Council know now that you want a financial disclosure form that is less intrusive than Form 54, and urge them to ask the City Ethics Commission to present another form as soon as possible.

As NC Board members, Individual and organization letters or e-mails to your City Council will carry the weight to make that change happen.

So that we can keep tabs on the letters going to City Council on this important issue, it will help if you would also copy me, (linda.lucks@lacity.org) and Mr. BongHwan Kim, General Manager of D.O.N.E. BonhHwanKim@lacity.org, on your communications.

Signed,

Linda Lucks,
President, on behalf of the Board of Neighborhood Commissioners.

Cc: “BONC, DONE eblast; City Watch;

Encl: ?? draft template letter of support.

Location(s)

See map: Google Maps, Yahoo! Maps

Attachment	Size
Agenda	413 KB
Treasurers Report	26.5 KB
Expenditures To Date 2008-2009 March	43.5 KB
SLS Discussion Questions & Shana Bonstin Responses	142 KB
Hahn Motion To Revisit Form 54	65.35 KB
BONC Form 54 Letter	39.5 KB
Education Committee CIP Application	157 KB
Environmental Committee CIP Application	165.5 KB
Venice Beach Music Festival CIP Application	140 KB
SLS Ordinance 176354	57.74 KB
SLS Director's Interpretation DIR-2008-4703-D1	209.7 KB