PALMS
Neighborhood
Council
Minutes of the 107th meeting of the
Palms Neighborhood Council (PNC) and its Representative Assembly
General Meeting, Wednesday, February 6, 2013
at the IMAN Center, 3376 Motor Avenue, Palms, California
1. Welcome, Call to Order
Facilitator and President Eli Lipmen welcomed everyone and called the meeting to order at 7:10 p.m.
He explained the role of the PNC in the community and the speakers procedure.
2. Roll call
Roll call was taken by Secretary Tanya Leal. Board Members present:
Eli Lipmen, President
Jason Buchalter, Treasurer
Tanya Leal, Secretary
Natasha Ericta, Palms West Residential
Charles Miller, Overland Residential
Andrew Pennington, Exposition Residential
Terry Robinson, Studio Residential
Elise Rothberg, Charnock Ranch Business
Shilpan Patel, Motor Residential
Nine of the 13 Board Members were present at the beginning of the Meeting. Niall MacMenamin,
Vice President, arrived later. Board Members absent: Neal James Anderberg, Community-Based
Organizations; Caroline Carr, Pacific Electric Business; and Jennifer Tobkin, Palms Depot Business.
No Board Seats were vacant. Also attending: 20 Stakeholders and guests. The PNC quorum (the
minimum number of Board Members needing to be present to take binding votes on Agendized Items)
is seven, so the Board could take such votes.
3. Public forum
Jay Handal described the Councils 4 Councils program, which provides no-cost training for
Neighborhood Councils. The DONE (L.A. Dept. of Neighborhood Empowerment) representative for
this area is Lisette Covarrubias, Project Coordinator (213-978-1551; Lisette.Covarrubias@LACity.org;
www.EmpowerLA.org). A Stakeholder described her and other Jesuit volunteers’ desire to do
community service. Mr. Lipmen noted the www.PalmsLA.org volunteer page.
4. Monthly Updates
a) Government Representative Announcements and Reports (City, State and Federal).
Tania Bradkin, Field Deputy for L.A. City District Five Councilman Paul Koretz (310-289-0353;
Tania.Bradkin@LACity.org), presented a Certificate of Appreciation for PNC participation in the
LAPD Pacific Division’s Holiday Toy Drive.
Board Member Niall MacMenamin arrived at this time.
Ms. Bradkin reported that the Venice Blvd. and Motor Ave. streetlight left-turn signal installation is
in process. CD5 is working on funding to improve the alley between Motor and Mentone Aves.
Mr. Handal reported that City Street Services is sealing streets not considered failed; failed streets
will be completely re-paved. Stakeholder Marisa Stewart reported that Woodbine Park lights have
not been on at 5:00 p.m. Ms. Bradkin added that the lights “should be going on around 5:00” p.m.
and will check on it.
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General Assembly Meeting Minutes
Feb. 6, 2013
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b) PNC Representative Reports (15): Budget Advocates (Trumbull), LANCC (Robinson), NC Plan
Review & Reform Initiative (Olomajeye), Homeless Count (Rothberg).
Mr. Handal, of the Neighborhood Council Budget Advocates, reminded of the
LA.Budget.Challenge.org that lets Stakeholders make City funding priority choices about issues
such as public safety and taxes. The Mayor’s Budget Day will be Saturday, March 23rd at a
Westside location to be announced. He described Budget Advocates work to have the City wisely
allocate taxpayer funds. Ms. Robinson explained LANCC’s (L.A. Neighborhood Councils
Coalition) help representing Neighborhood Councils with the City. DONE is working to make
funding allocations easier. Ms. Rothberg reported that a number of Board Members volunteered in
the successful Homeless Count throughout all of Palms, which included shelters, hospitals and
private parking garages. Mr. Lipmen reminded that the Count helps determine federal funding.
Later, Stakeholder Dee Olomajeye reported that the first Neighborhood Councils Plan Review
Meeting will be February 12th; BONC [the L.A. Board of Neighborhood Commissioners] is
“revamping’ the Plan within four to six months.
c) Presentation: SoCal Gas/Advanced Meter Project (Verches).
Ray Verches of SoCal Gas said they “will be automating the way [they] read the meters.” They
“are adding a battery-operated faceplate . . . that reads the meter four times a day . . . The readings
only last a fraction of a second.” Daisy Sanchez added that the readings will be “less than two
minutes a year . . . This is a ratepayer-funded project . . . It’s already been your bill since last year.”
Mr. Verches said they “will retrofit the meters . . . in eight to 12 months . . . It takes around 10 to 15
minutes . . . It’ll be complete in around 2017.”
d) President’s Report (Lipmen): Strategic Planning; Budget Survey; Fracking Issue.
Mr. Lipmen described the January 5th Strategic Planning Meeting, which discussed Palms assets and
challenges, and prioritizing goals and starting to develop action plans. Goals will be posted on the
[www.PalmsLA.org] website. He described PNC work on the fracking issue; a meeting will be
held with State Assemblymember Holly Mitchell.
e) Vice President’s Report (MacMenamin): Elections Ad Hoc Committee.
Mr. MacMenamin reported that the ad hoc Elections Committee will report findings and
recommendations regarding the October 28th PNC Election. The Committee will next meet
February 10th. Mr. Handal reminded that all Neighborhood Council Meetings need to be open to
the public.
f) Secretary’s Report (Leal): Approval of Minutes from January 5th General Assembly Meeting; PNC
phone number; Posting Site-The Cleaning Club has removed its table for posting purposes,
Outreach committee to discuss on a replacement site.
The following correction to the January 5, 2013 General Assembly Minutes was requested on page
four, Item 9. 4. A.: “Motor Ave. improvements” should be “Overland and Motor Ave.
improvements.”
MOTION (by Ms. Leal, seconded by Ms. Robinson): The Palms Neighborhood Council approves
the Minutes of its January 5, 2013 General Assembly Meeting as corrected.
MOTION PASSED by a voice vote; Ms. Ericta abstained.
Ms. Leal announced that the PNC now has a 24-hour voicemail phone number: (424) 256.5762.
The Outreach Committee will discuss an Agenda posting site to replace The Cleaning Club.
g) Treasurer’s Report (Buchalter). PNC Budget
Mr. Buchalter distributed and reviewed the “[PNC] Balance Sheet . . . Prepared as of 1/22/2013,”
the “[PNC] Statement of Expenditures Prepared as of 1/22/2013,” the “[PNC] Cash Account Ledger
as of 12/22/2012” and the monthly USBank statement from 01-21-13. The balance is $22,963.38.
He reminded that all funds need to be allocated by the June 30th end of the Fiscal Year. Mr. Lipmen
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said an ad hoc Budget Committee will be created. Ms. Leal volunteered. Mr. Buchalter is working
with Father Vincent Shamo of St. Mary’s of Palms and making good progress on the sitting area
near the intersection of Watseka Ave., Charnock Ave. and Faris Dr.
h) Green Report (Miller): [see the below Motion].
Mr. Miller explained the below Motion and proposal, which would later result in a tax on
homeowners, to protect habitat areas, prevent contamination and recover some runoff water. The
estimated annual homeowners cost will be around $13, or one dollar per month.
MOTION (by Mr. Miller, seconded by Mr. Pennington): The Palms Neighborhood Council Green
Committee recommends to the PNC General Assembly that, Whereas the stakeholders of Palms, as
residents in the Ballona Creek Watershed, are directly affected by the health and safety of water
quality in the watershed and the groundwater beneath it; And Whereas the proposed Clean Water,
Clean Beaches Measure will fund a much needed set of projects to improve and maintain the health
and safety of our local waterways and drinking water in the Ballona Creek Watershed; Therefore,
the Palms Neighborhood Council endorses the Los Angeles County Flood Control District’s
proposal outlined in the Clean Water, Clean Beaches Measure.
MOTION PASSED by a voice vote; Mr. MacMenamin abstained.
Mr. Miller reported on continuing work getting Metro to use native plants (see www.LANative.org)
on the Expo Line path. The Metro Board voted to include at least 90% native landscaping on Expo
Line Phase Two; Phase One only used 1% native landscaping. He thanked City Councilman Paul
Koretz and staff for their support and help. The Committee will work with Neighborhood Councils
along the Crenshaw Line to encourage Metro to also use native plants there. Preliminary work is
finished “creating a Green Certification for restaurants in Palms . . . The PNC would certify them as
a Green Restaurant.” The Committee normally meets on second Wednesdays.
i) Transportation and Safety Report (Miller).
Mr. Miller described the Committee Meeting and explained the below Motion. The lack of parking
would negatively affect Palms.
MOTION (by Mr. Miller, seconded by Ms. Rothberg): Whereas the lack of MTA parking in the
design for the Expo Line Phase Two Palms and Westwood Stations will discourage use of the line
and increase congestion and parking scarcity in Palms. Therefore, the Palms Neighborhood Council
requests that the Transit Neighborhood Plan being developed by the City of Los Angeles investigate
and pursue incentives to develop devoted Expo Line rider parking as part of a redevelopment plan
for the shopping center at 9860 National Blvd. (currently anchored by Vons) in a manner that would
preserve the character and services in this development.
DISCUSSION: Ms. Robinson recommended supporting a shuttle. Mr. Miller clarified that this
Motion is focused on encouraging Metro to provide more parking.
MOTION PASSED by a voice vote; Ms Robinson opposed.
Mr. Miller described the below Motion.
MOTION (by Mr. Miller, seconded by Mr. Pennington): Whereas the Motor/National section of
Palms has a budding nightlife and would benefit greatly from easy pedestrian access from riders on
the coming Palms Station on the Expo Line Phase Two. And, whereas, more Palms residents would
take advantage of the Expo Line if a well-lit, welcoming pedestrian corridor connected the
Motor/National area to the station. Therefore, the Palms Neighborhood Council requests that the
Transit Neighborhood Plan being developed by the City of Los Angeles investigate and pursue
incentives to develop a vibrant pedestrian corridor connecting Palms Station with the Motor Avenue
and National Blvd. intersection in Palms.
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Feb. 6, 2013
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DISCUSSION: A Stakeholder expressed support for the Motion.
MOTION PASSED by a voice vote.
Mr. Miller described three years of work to have what Metro now calls the “Palms/National
Station” named as the “Palms Station.” The MTA will meet February 13th.
j) Planning and Land Use Report (MacMenamin): Woodbine Park Modernization Update, PNC
approach to development in Palms.
Mr. MacMenamin displayed a model of and described the proposed Woodbine Park modernization,
possible project funding sources and work. He encouraged volunteering; Mr. Patel and Mr.
Pennington volunteered. There was discussion of which PNC Budget category could be used to
allocate funds to purchase a protective cover for the model, which is already getting damaged.
There was discussion of creating a Palms-area land use development policy to help “communicate”
with developers and “impact development” in Palms. The Committee meets on fourth Wednesdays.
There was a request and Mr. Lipmen encouraged contacting DONE to get a Spanish-language
translator for Meeting attendees.
k) Outreach Report (Ericta & Leal): Testimonials page, Volunteer page, Coffee w/ the Council,
Community Workshops, Bike Rodeo & 0 Waste plan-May 18, 2013.
[This Agenda Item was addressed after Item #4. l.] Ms. Ericta described a “testimonials” page
added to the PNC website. To be added to a volunteers database, e-mail Volunteer@PalmsLA.org.
The Committee is launching a “Coffee with the Council” for Stakeholders who have difficulty
attending General Assembly Meetings; the first Coffee will be February 12th and every second
Tuesday and fourth Thursday. Community issues workshops will be starting around the end of
March-early April. The Palms Bike Rodeo will be Saturday, May 18, 2013; there will be an
organizing meeting February 20th.
l) Projects/Policy Report (Lipmen & Carr): St. Mary’s projects; Murals; Chrysalis
[This Agenda Item was addressed after Item #4. i.] Mr. Lipmen said the Committee discussed the
below Motion.
MOTION (by Mr. Lipmen, seconded by Ms. Leal): The Palms Neighborhood Council requests the
City Council to postpone any action on Council File 13-1300-S1 (Street Repair and Safety General
Obligation Bond Program / May 21, 2013 General Municipal Election Ballot) for 60 days so that
Neighborhood Councils will be able to weigh in on this matter, and requests the City Council to
provide a 60-day early notification period for all measures for the public to have the chance to
weigh in.
DISCUSSION: Mr. Handal explained that Neighborhood Councils requested more time to consider
the proposed Bond, rather than the 72 hours originally given. He encouraged supporting the Motion
to “show solidarity” with other NCs and hold the City Council “accountable.”
MOTION PASSED by a voice vote; two abstained.
Mr. Lipmen encouraged Stakeholders to invite him to address their group regarding the PNC.
5. Assembly business
There was no additional Assembly business at this time.
6. Adjournment
Mr. Lipmen declared and it was agreed to ADJOURN the Meeting at 9:21 p.m.
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General Assembly Meeting Minutes
Feb. 6, 2013
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