VNC Board of Officers Meeting Agenda
Board of Officers Meeting Agenda
Westminster Elementary School (Auditorium)
1010 Abbot Kinney Blvd, Venice, 90291
Tuesday, July 20, 2010 at 7:00 PM
BOARD MEETINGS: The Venice Neighborhood Council holds its regular meetings on the third Tuesday of the month and may also call any additional required special meetings in accordance with its Bylaws and the Brown Act. All are welcome to attend.
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POSTING: The agenda and non-exempt writings that are distributed to a majority or all of the board members in advance of regular and special meetings
may be viewed at Groundworks Coffee (671 Rose Ave Venice, CA 90291), Abbots Habit (1401 Abbot Kinney Blvd. Venice, CA 90291), the Venice Library (501 South Venice Boulevard, Venice, CA 90291), Oakwood Recreation Center (767 California St. Venice, CA 90291), the VNC website (http://www.venicenc.org), or at the scheduled meeting. For a copy of any record related to an item on the agenda, please contact the VNC secretary at secretary@venicenc.org.
PUBLIC COMMENT: The public is requested to fill out a “Speaker Card” to address the Board on any Old or New Business item on the agenda and the Treasurer’s Report. Comments from the public on these agenda items will be heard only when that item is being considered. Comments from the public on other agenda matters or on matters not appearing on the agenda but within the Board’s subject matter jurisdiction will be heard during the Public Comment period. Public comment is limited to two (2) minutes per speaker, unless modified by the presiding officer of the Board.
DISABILITY POLICY: The Venice Neighborhood Council complies with Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act and does not discriminate on the basis of any disability. Upon request, the Venice Neighborhood Council will provide reasonable accommodations to ensure equal access to its programs, services, and activities. Sign language interpreters, assistive listening devices, or other auxiliary aids and/or services may be provided upon request.
1. Call to Order in honor of Minty Hippisley-Coxe, Michael McGuire, Samuel Camarema, and Brian Patrick Dunn.
Roll Call
2. Approval of the Agenda
3. Approval of outstanding minutes submitted by Secretary
June 14, 2010 Special Board Meeting Minutes
(see http://venicenc.org/files/100614VNCBoardSpecialMeetingMinutes-SJC.doc)
June 15, 2010 Board Meeting Minutes
(see http://venicenc.org/files/100615VNCBoardMinutes.doc)
[Committee Reports are provided in written form when available]
4. Announcements & Public Comment on items not on the Agenda
[10 min, no more than 2 minutes per person – no board member announcements permitted]
5. Treasurers Report accept report as presented See Exhibit A
Hugh Harrison (310-487-2533; chezhaha@aol.com) on behalf of the Budget Committee:
(i) Attached is the report on expenditures for June 2010. Pursuant to new mandates from DONE, also attached is a copy of the monthly purchase card billing for the VNC.
(ii) The City Council has released its report on official roll-over from previous year’s budgets. I am in the process of reviewing the figures and will resolve any conflicts. If at that point our budget needs modification, the Budget Committee will forward its proposal changes to the Board.
6. Scheduled Announcements (no more than 1 minute per report unless otherwise stated)
A VNC Announcements
• President: Linda Lucks (310-505-4220; president@venicenc.org)
• Vice President: Carolyn Rios (310-821-7922; VP@venicenc.org)
B Governmental Reports
• State Assemblyperson Ted Lieu: Jennifer Zivkovic, Field Representative (310-615-3515; Jennifer.zivkovic@asm.ca.gov)
• Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa: Jennifer Badger, West Area Representatives (310-479-3823; jennifer.badger@lacity.org)
• City Councilperson Bill Rosendahl: Arturo Piña, Field Deputy (310-568-8772; arturo.pina@lacity.org)
• LAPD: Officer Peggy Thusing, Senior Lead Officer (310-622-3968; 25120@lapd.lacity.org)
• WRAC: Mike Newhouse (310-795-3768; mnewhouse@newhouseseroussi.com)
• PlancheckLA: VNC Representative Challis Macpherson (310-822-1729; Challis.Macpherson@Verizon.net)
• LADWP/MOU: VNC Representative DeDe Audet (310-251-1054; daudet@ca.rr.com)
• Community Improvement Projects: Ivan Spiegel (310-821-9556; ivan13147@verizon.net)
C Update from Rep. Harman’s office
Kristopher Valentine (310-570-2199; kristopher.valentine@venicenc.org): Diane Moss, Environmental Deputy to Rep. Jane Harman, will discuss the Congresswoman’s most recent environmental initiatives and listen to the Venice community’s questions and concerns.
D CD11 Safe Parking Program Update (5 minutes + responses to questions)
Sophia Heller (sophiaheller@mindspring.com): Sophia Heller, a consultant working with the LA City Council District 11 office, will update the Venice Neighborhood Council on the CD11 safe parking program. She will have a 5 minute Power Point presentation and a short written report.
The new program’s design will serve as the guideline for the Streets to Homes Program to be administered by the LA Housing Services Authority (LAHSA) in close coordination with the CD11 community. It will focus on helping people who use their vehicles for sleeping and shelter to access safe and secure overnight parking and enroll them in case management systems that provide access to permanent low cost housing while making available a program liaison to the community at large.
E Sustainable Works, environmental education and action Vahagn Karapetyan (818 590 0378; vkarapetyan01@gmail.com): My name is Vahagn Karapetyan and I am a field representative of Sustainable Works, a non-profit environmental education organization that is based in Santa Monica. I would like to speak briefly about what our organization has to offer for communities. We are interested in expanding our educational workshop outside of Santa Monica and we seek to find any individuals or groups that would be willing to collaborate with us in any way possible.
F 4th Annual Venice Community BBQ & Picnic (http://venicenc.org/files/Image2.jpg & http://venicenc.org/files/Image4.jpg) Carolyn Rios (310-821-7922; VP@venicenc.org): Update regarding the 4th Annual Venice Community BBQ & Picnic which will be held on Saturday, July 31st at the Oakwood Recreation Center, noon til 5 pm.
7. Announcements & Public Comment on items not on the Agenda
[10 min, no more than 2 minutes per person – no board member announcements permitted]
8. Old Business
Discussion and possible action regarding the following matters
A 80 Windward Avenue/1607 Pacific
Challis Macpherson/Jake Kaufman (Jake@Jake90291.com) on behalf of the LUPC: Jake Kaufman, Chair LUPC moves that VNC Board of Officers accept LUPC Staff Report and recommendation for action on Case ZA 2010-913 CUB ZV SPE ZAA CDP MEL, at 80 Windward Avenue/1607 Pacific, applicant Arron Turnbull, wine bar & restaurant (on-site wine and beer sales, in addition to food), including on-site only wine sales (CUP-Beverage) as recommended by LUPC May 12, 2010.
Recommended motion: Approval of the project as presented with following conditions; hours of operation noon to 2:00 am weekdays and Saturday, and 10:00 am to 2:00 am Sundays; if applicant loses parking lease and doesn’t replace it simultaneously must notify City of Los Angeles and LUPC immediately; service floor of 362 square feet, observe Basic Management Practices as determined by County of Los Angeles; and alcohol conditions in accordance with VNC/LUPC policy. This policy document on VNC/LUPC web site (see link to this below).
Discussion and possible action regarding the following matters
9. New Business
A Appointment of nine members to the Neighborhood Committee (NHC) Carolyn Rios (310-821-7922; vp@venicenc.org) on behalf of Neighborhood Committee: Board to meet applicants for the Neighborhood Committee and elect nine members to the Neighborhood Committee.
Each candidate (http://venicenc.org/Apply06) will have 1 minute to state his/her reasons for applying for a position on the NHC.
B Appointment of eight members to the Land Use and Planning Committee (LUPC) Jake Kaufman (Jake@Jake90291.com) on behalf of LUPC: Board to meet applicants for the Land Use and Planning Committee and elect eight members to the Land Use and Planning Committee.
Each candidate (http://venicenc.org/Apply06) will have 1 minute to state his/her reasons for applying for a position on the LUPC.
C Approval of AdCom nominees as Chairs of Standing Committees
Nominees approved by AdCom subject to Board confirmation:
Rules & Elections —- Ira Koslow
Ocean Front Walk —- Ira Koslow & Ivonne Guzman – co-chairs
Arts —- Clark McCutchen & Daffodil Tyminski – co-chairs
Education —- Peter Thottam
D Re-forming VNC Ad Hoc Santa Monica Airport Committee See Exhibit B Laura Silagi (310- 396-5702; lrsilagi@gmail.com) on behalf of VNC Ad Hoc Santa Monica Airport Committee:
1.Motion to renew the Santa Monica Airport Ad hoc Committee
2. Action to send a letter to a variety of elected officials regarding supporting a ban on “touch and goes”, taxi backs” and other operations connected with pilot training at the Santa Monica Airport.
E Re-forming VNC Ad Hoc Environmental Committee Kristopher Valentine (805-341-4577; kristophervalentine@gmail.com) on behalf of VNC Ad Hoc Environmental Committee: The Venice Neighborhood Council’s Environmental Committee was formed to bring stakeholders concerned about sustainability in the community together. The goal of the committee is to discuss and inform issues of environmental concern in the community, and work with all stakeholders, environmental organizations, local businesses, and public agencies to promote sustainable solutions.
F Parking – Food Truck and related issues See Exhibit C Jed Pauker, Robin Rudisill (310.827.0144; gojednet-parkingAbK@yahoo.com): Whereas our community’s first priority is the safety of our residents and visitors, Be it resolved that the VNC Board of Officers make the following recommendations: Request our CD11 representative by letter [Exhibit _, attached] to direct the City Attorney to present to the City Council forthwith an Ordinance per Council File 09-0206 (http://cityclerk.lacity.org/lacityclerkconnect/index.cfm?fa=ccfi.viewrec…), establishing a valet permit parking program in the City of Los Angeles.
G Alternative to proposed public access trails in Ballona Wetlands See Exhibit D Kristopher Valentine (310-570-2199; kristopher.valentine@venicenc.org) on behalf of the Environmental Committee: The Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority plans to open two trails in the Ballona Wetlands Ecological Reserve to the public next summer. Due to community concerns and lack of scientific data on the impact on the ecosystem of the proposed trails the Environmental Committee recommends the Venice Neighborhood Council support the “ALTERNATIVES for INITIAL PUBLIC ACCESS at the BALLONA WETLANDS ECOLOGICAL RESERVE”.
H Motion for VNC Support of The Venice Art Crawl Mike Newhouse/Danny Samakou/Edizen Stowell (310-795-3768; mnewhouse@newhouseseroussi.com) on behalf of the Venice Art Crawl: Request a motion officially supporting the Venice Art Crawl. The Art Crawl will be a monthly event, on the 3rd Thursday of every month, free and open to the public. The focus will be on local businesses and resident in the Windward and Ocean Front Walk area pairing up with local artists to creat “pop up galleries” for the evening. Adequate security will be provided by Ten Zero security, and clean up during the event, and after will be provided by Chrysallis Enterprises. Please visit www.veniceartcrawl.com for more information.
I Letter to Supervisor Yaroslavsky re: beach telephone wires See Exhibit E Ira Koslow (310-392-0868; ikoslow@ca.rr.com): Send a letter to LA County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky deamnding immediate action to remedy the situation where a string of telephone wire is being used by the County Dept. of Beaches and Harbors connecting the lifeguard stations on Venice Beach.
J REC Motion to replace Standing Rule 7 See Exhibit F
Ira Koslow (310-392-0868; ira.koslow@venicenc.org) on behalf of REC
10. Announcements & Public Comment on items not on the Agenda
[10 min, no more than 2 minutes per person – no board member announcements permitted]
11. Board Member Comments on subject matters within the VNC jurisdiction.
[10 min, no more than 1 minutes per person]
12. Adjourn (approx 10:00PM
Exhibit A – Treasurers Report
(see Treasurers Report link below)
Exhibit B – Report: Parking-Food Truck and related issues
In pursuing our assignment to investigate, report and recommend on the issues of food trucks and valet parking, we focused on the following questions:
o Do our recommendations enhance the mission of the VNC?
o To what extent, and for how many stakeholders, can our work improve the quality of life?
o What City resources are likely to be readily available, and for what resources may we have to petition?
o What VNC resources, both technical and human, does our work require?
o How much public meeting time is our presentation likely to require?
o How soon must the Board act in order to move forward most effectively?
Our Neighborhood Council is, first and foremost, the messenger of our community’s voice to the City. Recommendations on these issues are designed to speak as broadly and directly as possible for the benefit of all Venice stakeholders, whether homeowner, renter, entrepreneur or visitor. We must speak to the City mindful of its current financial destitution, as well as its mandate, in any case, to represent our community’s will. Understanding that this is a time of transition to a new VNC Board, we planned our work to use the least possible personnel resources while making the best use of available technical tools. We expect to require no more than twenty minutes of Board meeting time to present our findings and recommendations, and for Board consideration. Because these issues are as rapidly-moving as are their proponents and regulators, promising benefits that far outweigh current detriments, we recommend that the Board act with all due haste.
To date, our work has included: Research on recent local food truck and valet parking history; outreach to CD11 and CD4 staff, LAPD, the Fire Marshall, LADOT, local food truck vendors and their representative, local residents and entrepreneurs for direction, information and general issue discussion; research on the food truck industry’s nationwide emergence; analysis of valet parking issues and existing models; and, finally, First Friday field work on Abbot Kinney Boulevard.
Based on this work, we request that the VNC Board consider each of the following resolutions in the name of public safety, convenience and coastal amenities:
Request our CD11 representative by letter [Exhibit _, attached] to direct the City Attorney to present to the City Council forthwith an Ordinance per Council File 09-0206 (http://cityclerk.lacity.org/lacityclerkconnect/index.cfm?fa=ccfi.viewrec…), establishing a valet permit parking program in the City of Los Angeles.
Exhibit _ – Councilman Rosendahl re: Valet permit parking ordinance
July 21, 2010
Councilman Bill Rosendahl
City Hall
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Dear Bill,
The Venice Neighborhood Council passed a resolution at its meeting on July 20, 2010, asking your office to direct the City Attorney to expedite completion of work to draft an ordinance pursuant to Council File 09-0206, to establish a valet parking permit program for the City of Los Angeles.
As you know, Los Angeles lacks a centralized valet parking program, leading to valet practices including cordoning off zones which may not belong to their clients, and negatively affecting already-congested residential parking areas in Venice’s Coastal Zone. In contrast, many adjacent and nearby cities enjoy regulated valet parking services, with predictable and enforceable operating rules and permit requirements.
On October 28, 2009, the City Council Public Safety Committee’s Chief Legislative Analyst recommended that the City Council request the City Attorney, with the assistance and cooperation of the Board of Police Commissioners; the Departments of City Planning and Transportation; and the Office of Finance, to prepare and present an ordinance to establish a valet parking permit program in the City of Los Angeles, as set forth in the report.
On December 16, 2009, the City Council adopted the report of the Public Safety Committee and requested the City Attorney to prepare an ordinance to establish a valet parking permit program, as recommended by the Chief Legislative Analyst.
Bill, as the summer season attracts millions more visitors to Venice’s Coastal Zone, the need for dependable, enforceable valet parking regulations increases. Please communicate to the City Attorney the urgency and value of completing work on the aforementioned ordinance.
Thank you in advance for your expeditious response to your community.
Respectfully submitted,
Linda Lucks
President
Venice Neighborhood Council
cc Councilman Bill Rosendahl
Exhibit C – Alternative to proposed public access trails in Ballona Wetlands
ACCESS FOR ALL
OPENING UP THE CALIFORNIA COAST
ALTERNATIVES for INITIAL PUBLIC ACCESS at the
BALLONA WETLANDS ECOLOGICAL RESERVE
Sierra Club, Ballona Institute and CLEAN support wildlife-friendly, sensitive public access to the Ballona Wetlands Ecological Reserve. In fact, since 2003, when the state acquisition of these lands occurred, leaders of our organizations have led efforts at the California Fish & Game Commission to insure public access to these lands would happen, as California Dept. of Fish & Game (DFG) staff had recommended no public access on their lands – only the limited public access which now exists on State Lands Com-mission-owned land at the Ballona freshwater marsh, at the southwest corner of Lincoln & Jefferson Blvds.
At an August 6, 2004 hearing in Bridgeport, California, we convinced the Fish & Game Commission (unanimously) to instruct staff to require a larger area to be included in the Ballona Wetlands Ecological Reserve (including Area C, the Ballona Creek estuary and 34 acres of State Lands Commission-owned land) and to require that sensitive public access be allowed at the Ballona Wetlands Ecological Reserve on a more regular basis than staff had been recommending. We have been dismayed, since then, that – except for guided tours being led by a few select groups – such public access has not happened in the six years since that Bridgeport hearing.
Now, based on a design from a contractor with little knowledge of the ecological constraints of the area, several state agencies are proposing two trails to be opened to the public, and both would be harmful to the ecology of Ballona, while not even providing the best wildlife viewing.
We applaud the state agencies for wanting to open up this ecological treasure on the Los Angeles coast to the public, however, given the mandate of bond funds from the Wildlife Conservation Board used to acquire these lands, we recommend alternatives and strongly oppose the proposed trails. We seek a better solution for the wildlife and for the public.
WHY ACCESS#1 – Salt marsh behind Gordon’s Market – IS NOT THE BEST ALTERNATIVE:
p1((. 1. The proposed trail goes right through the heart of endangered Belding’s Savannah Sparrow nesting habitat. During a recent Open House the state agencies sponsored, several of these endangered songbirds were heard singing quite close to the berm and the redwood deck.
p1((. 2. The proposed Access#1 trail is not the best wildlife viewing area. While there are bird species and other habitat functions occurring along this trail, it in no way compares with the richness of other potential sites.
p1((. 3. The only reason this site is being considered is it has long been the place where Friends of Ballona Wetlands have led tours – due to Playa Vista’s promise they would be granted the land there. Since this scenario did not play out as anticipated, and since a far larger area has been acquired to the state, it is time that an assessment and recommendation for public access be proposed that will be a better wildlife viewing area and better for protecting this endangered songbird species which could conceivably expand its nesting range if human intrusion were not happening in this area.
p1((. 4. The neighbors along Vista del Mar and Esplanade are understandably worried about parking being a challenge for this site. If there are not enough parking spaces behind Gordon’s Market, the public will take up precious parking that residents and local Playa del Rey businesses do not see as sufficient now.
ALTERNATIVE ACCESS#1 – Salt marsh on Ballona Creek Estuary Levee
p1((. 1. The best wildlife viewing of the Salt marsh habitat south of Ballona Creek is on the south levee of the Creek channel, where a ready-made trail exists. Los Angeles Audubon, Ballona Institute and Wetlands Action Network have led tours at this site for many years, and there is a reason: it’s the best place for viewing the wildlife, especially birds.
p1((. 2. There are two county public parking lots near the entrance to this trailhead at the Pacific Avenue Bridge. In addition, there is easy bike path access.
p1((. 3. All that needs to be done is to develop interpretive, way-finding and regulation signage, install some bicycle lock-up areas and open the gate. A minor repair of an area where some deep erosion causes a potential hazard is needed, but this is minimal.
p1((. 5. Many species of shorebirds, water birds, ducks and sea birds are easily visible at this location.
p1((. 6. Marine mammals, such as Harbor Seals, can also be seen here. The richness of the estuary waters provides marine biology education that is available only on a minimal basis at the other trail.
p1((. 7. There is far less potential for harassment of an endangered species, which is unlawful, but way too possible at the other location, especially without a guide or leader.
WHY ACCESS#2 – Fiji Way near Heron Roost – IS NOT THE BEST ALTERNATIVE:
p1((. 1. The western loop of the proposed loop trail takes visitors within 50 feet of a Great Blue Heron roost site. This roosting site appears to be an important resting site within easy flight to the Great Blue Heron rookery (nesting site) at Villa Venetia Apartments.
p1((. 2. Wildlife experts who have studied this roosting site note that the resting Herons have become acclimated to those walkers and bicyclists who pass by on the nearby bicycle path, which separates the Heron colony from them. They also note that it appears that the Herons have become acclimated to the Gas Company trucks that use this road, although not enough observation of these activities or accompanying data is available.
p1((. 3. These same wildlife experts have predicted that groups of people passing close without a fence barrier will be likely to disturb the Herons. In fact, during a recent Open House the state agencies sponsored, when a group of seven adults and three children approached the area where one resting Heron was perched, she immediately flew off.
p1((. 4. One other observation was made during this recent Open House that is even more troubling. Great Blue Herons (GBH) were observed using a tree in the staging area for gathering of nest materials. It was observed on several occasions that a GBH broke off branches from this tree and flew with the branched to the rookery. Then, it was observed that an agency representative, likely well-meaning, but ignorant of need to stay back from such wildlife activities, led several children closer and closer to the Heron until they were so close that the Heron was obviously disturbed and flew off after dropping the nesting material. This activity would likely be described as interfering with nesting activities of a bird that is protected by several laws in the state of California
p1((. 5. Even while being led by agency representatives there was harm and interference with wildlife at the Open House. Without a guide in such a sensitive area, it is likely there would be much more serious and permanent harm.
ALTERNATIVE ACCESS#2 – Fiji Way at Dock 52 Parking Lot
p1((. 1. A far more wildlife-friendly public access trail is not far away, but is further east and outside of the boundary fence on Fiji Way.
p1((. 2. Due to the amazing diversity of wildlife present in Ballona Northwest (formerly known as Area A), this is an important public access site, but it is, thus, more important to view the area from the borders, maintaining important buffer areas from the wildlife.
p1((. 3. A much more easily accessible, and free parking lot – Dock 52 – is available immediately across the street from a ready-made walking path of approximately 10 feet wide, which only needs some volunteers to remove the non-native vegetation and have a couple of observation platforms constructed for even better viewing.
p1>. June 10, 2010
Exhibit D – Letter to Supervisor Yaroslavsky re: beach telephone wires
July 21, 2010
Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky
821 Kenneth Hahn Hall of Administration
500 West Temple Street
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Dear Supervisor Yaroslavsky,
The Venice Neighborhood Council has passed a motion at its meeting on July 20, 2010 asking your office to facilitate in the repair of the emergency telephone system used to link the lifeguard stations on Venice Beach. A few weeks ago there appeared a string of telephone poles connected by telephone wires running the length of Venice Beach. These poles then have telephone wire strung to the lifeguard stands. This incursion on the environment and ambiance of the beach is an affront to the visitors and residents of Venice.
Upon contacting the various agencies, Mike Frazier, Chief Lifeguard for Venice Beach, responded that this emergency telephone line had been cut and repaired at various times during the several construction projects on Venice Beach and that there wasn’t sufficient revenue or resources to fix the telephone line properly. Their only option was to string an aerial line.
Even though we are well aware of the present crisis in funding, we feel that the position of Venice Beach as a premier tourist attraction in Southern California demands that this situation be remedied immediately. Presenting an image of an urban landscape of poles and wires perched on the beach is inexcusable and an insult to the residents of Venice and the tourists and city residents that visit the beach for its natural beauty. Please help the responsible departments with adequate resources to fix this emergency line so that the beach looks like a beach once again.
Thank you in advance for your cooperation and quick response to this situation.
Respectfully submitted,
Linda Lucks
President
Venice Neighborhood Council
cc California Coastal Commission Councilman Bill Rosendahl Santos H. Kreimann, Director, Department of Beaches and Harbors Wayne Shumaker, chief of the safety and sanitation division, Department of Beaches and Harbors Mike Frazer, Chief Lifeguard for Venice Beach
Exhibit E – Re-forming VNC Santa Monica Airport Ad Hoc Committee
July 4, 2010
Request to continue an Ad Hoc committee dealing with the Santa Monica Airport
Co-Chairs: Laura Silagi, Amanda Seward
Committee members: Stephanie Body, Mindy Taylor –Ross, Ingrid Mueller, Joan Miner
Others to be determined.
Mission Statement
Santa Monica Airport Committee shall inform the VNC Board of the current operations of the Santa Monica Airport as it affects Venice Neighborhoods. It will suggest actions and act as a liaison with other neighborhood groups sharing similar concerns.
Background:
The Santa Monica Airport Commission is currently starting a review of the airport, its operations and impacts, in preparation for a possible lease renewal in 2015.
Surrounding communities have been affected by the flight pattern that creates noise and pollution in these surrounding areas.
Many Venice residents have been attending meetings, formed groups and complained about these problems over the years. And many have given up voicing their concerns for lack of any progress or change. However, at recent Santa Monica Airport Commission meetings, dozens of individuals from Venice have attended to voice their outrage.
We feel that now is the time for the VNC to get involved and join with other groups to find solutions to the problems that the airport, with its growing number of flights, has placed on its neighbors.
Past Activities of the VNV Santa Monica Airport Committee:
The committee met for the first time last February and has had 5 meeting so far. We have created a survey for Venice regarding the problems of the airport. This is accessible on the VNC website. It was also included in a VNC newsletter. To date there are over 200 people who filled out the survey. We have also authored a letter in support of a state bill requesting various agencies to look into safety issues at the airport. The VNC Board president has sent the letter to various state officials.
Some future ideas:
We would like to put together a meeting of other groups working on Santa Monica Airport issues to share ideas, with the help of Bill Rosendahl.
We would like to print more surveys from our unused budget allocation to reach more of the affected areas in Venice.
We would like to have the VNC support a ban on the use of Santa Monica Airport for “touch and go” and “taxi back” operations. (See proposed letter for VNC Board)
Proposed Letter Banning Pilot Training Practices
The Venice Neighborhood Council strongly supports a ban on all “Touch and Go,” “Taxi Back,” and other student flight activities over Venice.
On July 2, 2010, a pilot had a fatal crash diving nose first into the Penmar Golf Course, narrowly missing golfers. The golf course is situated a few hundred feet away from the heavily used Penmar Park in Venice, which has tennis courts, a basketball court, playing fields, and a playground for young children, classes, a day camp and other recreational equipment and activities. Planes frequently fly directly over the park. There are houses just across the road from the end of the runway as there are at the end of the golf course. The entire area in which the students and other pilots practice in Venice is densely populated with homes.
Many residents have voiced safely concerns about these flights, as well as against the constant noise pollution. The flight path recommended by the Santa Monica Airport has planes taking off over Venice, not Santa Monica, thereby causing risks to our population, not theirs.
The student pilots and those practicing fly in a route over Venice and over Mar Vista returning to the airport over West Los Angeles. The most dangerous part of a flight is take-offs and landings. The “Touch and Goes” and “Taxi Back” operations are essentially a repeated take-off and landing routine, with pilots practicing these maneuvers over and over.
It is inappropriate and highly dangerous to have these activities over our highly populated community.
Sincerely,
Exhibit F – REC Motion to replace Standing Rule 7
PROPOSED VNC Standing Rule 7
(see below for current version)
Motion to replace Standing Rule 7 with the following:
7. Agenda Request Procedures & Posting of Minutes
The VNC Secretary is responsible for producing accurate minutes of Stakeholder, Board of Officers and Administrative Committee meetings. The VNC Standing & Ad Hoc Committee chairs are responsible for producing accurate minutes of committee meetings and for web posting a draft of the minutes no later than seven (7) days after the meeting at which the minutes were taken. Minutes must be web posted no later than seven (7) days after the meeting at which they are approved.
A. Administrative Committee
All agenda requests & supporting documents must be submitted to the Secretary no later than 7:00PM two (2) days prior to the posting deadline for the Administrative Committee meeting (five days prior to said meeting). Any request not received by the Secretary as indicated above will not be considered and will be held until the next meeting. Please email supporting documents in digital format with the item title in the subject line.
• Board Members & Committees must use the Online Agenda Request Form.
• An Online Agenda Request Form must include contact information, item title, and fully drafted motions/letters. Incomplete or confusing motions or letters will result in the rejection of the item by the Secretary with notice to the person submitting the request & to the President.
Any letter requests shall include the names and addresses of proposed recipients. Proponents of the letter shall prepare it as decided by the board and email it to the President for review, edit and signature. The President shall return the approved version by email to the proponents with a copy to the Secretary for VNC records. Proponents of the letter shall then copy and send the approved letter.
The chair of the Administrative Committee may supersede this rule.
B. Standing & Ad Hoc Committees
It is recommended that all agenda requests & supporting documents be submitted to the chair of the Committee no later than 7:00PM two (2) days prior to the posting deadline for the Committee meeting (five days prior to said meeting). Any request not received by the chair of the committee in time to prepare and post the agenda prior to the 72 hour will not be considered and will be held until the next meeting
• An Agenda Request Form must include contact information, item title, and fully drafted motions/letters. Incomplete or confusing motions or letters will result in the rejection of the item by the chair with notice to the person submitting the request.
Any letter requests shall include the names and addresses of proposed recipients. If submitted to the Board by the chair of the Committee on its behalf, the chair shall prepare it as decided by the Board and email it to the President for review, edit and signature. The President shall return the approved version by email to the chair of the Committee with a copy to the Secretary for VNC records. The chair of the Committee shall then copy and send the approved letter.
AGENDA REQUEST FORM CAN BE FOUND AT: http://www.venicenc.org/Agenda
CURRENT VNC Standing Rule 7
7. Administrative Committee (Amended 091020)
All agenda requests & supporting documents must be submitted to the Secretary no later than 7:00PM two (2) days prior to the posting deadline for the Administrative Committee meeting (five days prior to said meeting). Any request not received by the Secretary as indicated above will not be considered and will be held until the next meeting. Please email supporting documents in digital format with the item title in the subject line.
• Board Members & Committees must use the Online Agenda Request Form.
• An Online Agenda Request Form must include contact information, item title, and fully drafted motions/letters. Incomplete or confusing motions or letters will result in the rejection of the item by the Secretary with notice to the person submitting the request & to the President.
Any letter requests shall include the names and addresses of proposed recipients. Proponents of the letter shall prepare it as decided by the board and email it to the President for review, edit and signature. The President shall return the approved version by email to the proponents with a copy to the Secretary for VNC records. Proponents of the letter shall then copy and send the approved letter.
The chair of the Administrative Committee may supersede this rule.
Location(s)
- Calendar
- 1745 reads