MINUTES FROM FEBRUARY 26th 2026
Voting Members in Attendance: Sue Kohl, Quentin Fleming, Jenny Li, Beth Holden-Garland, Maryam Zar (partial attendance), Chris Spitz, JoAnna Rodriguez, Carole White, Robert Trinkeller, Karen Ridgley, Kimberly Bloom, Lorie Cudzil, Sharon Kilbride, Andrew Wolfberg, John Padden, Valeria Serna, Kevin Niles, Rick McGeagh, David Card, Donna Vaccarino (partial attendance), Daphne Gronich, Alley Michaelson, Courtney Macker
Non-voting Members and Advisors: Cindi Young, Michael Edlen, James Alexakis, Jim Kirtley, Ella Nozar
1. Call to Order and Reading of Community Council’s Mission. The meeting was called to order at 6:02 p.m. Quentin Fleming read the Mission Statement.
2. Introductions / Roll Call. The President introduced the members and called the roll.
3. Certification of Quorum. The President certified quorum.
4. Approval of Minutes. The minutes of February 12, 2026, were approved, with one correction in item 8.5.1: Carole White – change identification to Area Two Representative.
5. Consideration of Agenda & Upcoming Meetings. March 5, 2026 (special meeting with NORC representatives to discuss NORC Survey, 6pm via Zoom); March 12, 2026 (LADWP presentation on undergrounding of utilities and other infrastructure matters).
6. Treasurer’s Report. The Treasurer’s report was as follows:
US Bank balance: $41,183.04
Note that funds are being collected for the March Celebration event (update at later time), so the US Bank account total is in flux.
Schwab account: $421,291.9
7. General Public Comment.
7.1. Reza Akef (Palisades builder) announced that the Pali LTRG will hold a special event on March 8, 2026, from 2-4pm at the American Legion, entitled “Safeguarding Your Rebuild.” He will speak.
8. Reports, Announcements and Concerns.
8.1.1. Letter & Resolution regarding LADWP Master Infrastructure Plan for the Palisades: letter:
https://pacpalicc.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/PPCC-Letter-Master-Infrastructure-Plan.pdf; resolution:
https://pacpalicc.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/PPCC-Resolution-re-LADWP-MIP.pdf
The President explained that our letter and Resolution were sent and encouraged members to review.
8.1.2. Letter regarding Sober Living Density regulations:
https://pacpalicc.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/PPCC-Letter-Re-Sober-Living-Density.pdf. The President announced that our letter was sent.
8.1.3. Update: AECOM Reports: CD11 Town Hall to discuss the Reports on March 2, 5:30-6:30pm via Zoom; Register to obtain login link at:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfth0ty8LsZCSZZ6jR6d3T8RWmt5-6–J5t3zRX0jDFjQlkow/viewform.
The President provided information about this CD 11 Town Hall.
8.1.4. WRAC CD 11 Candidates Forum, with CW Traci Park, Faizah Malik and Jeremy Wineberg, Sunday, March 1, 2026, 1-3pm, First Lutheran Church of Venice, 815 Venice Blvd. The President encouraged Palisadians to attend this important forum.
8.1.5. Voter registration reminder. FAQ re voters displaced by the fire on PPCC website:
https://pacpalicc.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Voter-Reg-Displaced-Wildfires-FAQ-PRC.pdf. The President encouraged Palisadians to make sure they are registered to vote in CD 11, if eligible.
8.1.6. New PPCC Website. Board approval requested: Website Committee (Sue Kohl, Quentin Fleming, Chris Spitz) to decide on website development and design, cost not to exceed $15,000. The President explained that our current website host and advisor, Ken Kohn of Miracle Data, is working on a template of a possible new website design, which is desperately needed as our website is out of date and overloaded with data (there are more than 400 pages of data). She asked whether there were any objections to allowing the Committee to proceed with website development and design, with the cost not to exceed $15,000. There were no objections and the request was deemed approved.
8.1.7. Update: Possible new PPCC Committees or Advisory Task Forces to be formed in connection with the recovery. The President had no update on this item.
8.1.8. Update: Community Renewal Celebration, March 22, 2026: https://www.palirenewal.com/. The
President announced the new 3pm start time and noted that the Celebration website has a great deal of information about the event. She encouraged everyone to attend.
8.1.9. Special PPCC Meeting March 5, 2026: NORC representatives to discuss the survey results and methodology. This meeting will take place at 6pm on March 5, 2026, with Quentin Fleming moderating.
8.1.10. [New] PPCC Bylaws Committee Member addition. The President announced appointment of Daphne Gronich to the Bylaws Committee.
8.2. From Officers/Chair Emeritus.
8.2.1. Maryam Zar (Chair Emeritus) provided information about upcoming PRC events, including sessions with the County Assessor.
8.3. From At-Large and Area Representatives.
8.3.1. Chris Spitz (At-large) encouraged everyone to attend the Westside Regional Alliance of Councils (WRAC) CD 11 Candidates Forum with all candidates Councilwoman Traci Park, attorney Faizah Malik and Palisadian Jeremy Wineberg, on Sunday, March 1st, from 1-3 pm at First Lutheran Church of Venice, 815 Venice Blvd. Doors will open at 1pm. The forum will be streamed at the Church YouTube account.
8.3.2. JoAnna Rodriguez (Area One) spoke about ongoing negative impacts of filming in the Castellammare neighborhood and also remarked on the Tramonto slide status.
8.3.3. Sharon Kilbride (Area Seven) provided information about repairs due to broken concrete from flooding in the Santa Monica Canyon channel; about a fallen tree in the area; and about clearance of sand that had covered the entire bike path at the mouth of the C anyon.
8.3.4. Karen Ridgley (Area Four) mentioned attending a recent C-PAB meeting at which the LAPD drone program and FLOCK cameras were discussed.
8.3.5. Andrew Wolfberg (Area Eight) gave an update on the recent PGA tour golf “Genesis Open” tournament at the Riviera Country Club. He also noted residents’ concerns about traffic impacts from future “one-off” events such as the 2028 Olympics golf competition to be held at the Riviera.
8.4. From Organizational Representatives.
8.4.1. Rick McGeagh (PPBA) explained that the PP Park Advisory Board has approved Steadfast LA proceeding with rebuilding of the Recreation Center.
8.4.2. Jim Kirtley (alternate, YMCA) announced several YMCA upcoming events, including the “Brunchin” event with dads and kids at Simon Meadow on February 28th, YMCA Teen Advisory Council meetings and a handball class.
8.4.3. Donna Vaccarino (PP Historical Society) remarked on the success of their commemorative event at Founders’ Oak Island in January 2026, and the fact that the PPHS newsletter was recently sent.
8.5. From Government Offices / Representatives (as available). Contact information: https://pacpalicc.org/index.php/government-contacts/.
8.5.1. Brian Espin, LAPD Senior Lead Officer (SLO) for Pacific Palisades, reported on the status of FLOCK license plate reader cameras, noting that there are over 50 cameras installed in various locations in the Palisades. He also reported briefly on four burglaries, explaining that there had been a small but steady increase between January and February 2026. There were no major issues with the recent Genesis Invitational Tournament.
8.5.2. Arus Grigoryan, Palisades Field Deputy, CD 11 (Councilwoman Traci Park), gave an extensive report about numerous matters:
- Progress on the floating replacement cover for the Santa Inez reservoir
- Palisades Inspection and Permitting Support Center opening near Marquez Elementary
- LADWP Via de la Paz water regulator rehabilitation project and related street closure continuing until the end of May 2026
- Motion by CW Park for LAFD to rescind brush clearance non-compliance notices in the Palisades burn zone and to refund any collected fees
- Southern California Gas applying for a permit to make repairs of a gas leak on La Cruz Dr.
- New production guidelines being developed by FilmLA to address residents’ concerns about street closures and other filming impacts
- Repairs ongoing in Castellammare (Posetano Rd. and the Tramonto bulkhead)
- Repair of the broken concrete in the Santa Monica Channel (thanks to Sharon Kilbride for notifying CD 11)
- Successful Recovery Expo Event from the Palibu Chamber on February 22
- Virtual Town Hall to be sponsored by CD 11 on March 2, from 5:30-6:30pm, re the AECOM Reports
- Problems caused by work on Lachman Lane involving the use of a crane for transformer repairs
8.5.3. Marian Ensley, West Area Representative, Mayor Karen Bass – not present.
8.5.4. Paige Hajiloo (for Zac Gaidzik, Coastal & Westside Field Deputy, County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath), provided information about several of the Board of Supervisors’ recent actions, measures and programs.
8.5.5. Sean Regan, District Representative, Congressman Brad Sherman – not present.
8.5.6. Sophia Liebman, Field Representative, SD 24 (Sen. Ben Allen) – not present.
8.5.7. Anthony Avila, Field Representative, AD 42 (Asm. Jacqui Irwin) – not present.
8.6. From PPCC Advisors and Liaisons – None.
9. Reports from PPCC Committees.
9.1. Emergency Preparedness Committee (EPC/Cindi Young, Chair). Report on EPC function and work.
Chair Young introduced member Josie Tong, who gave an extensive report on her own background in emergency preparedness as a member of the Red Cross Regional Board; on the work that the EPC will be undertaking; as well as efforts by individual members to provide the community with information about emergency preparedness. Topics that the EPC expects to address: after-action reports, training to prepare the Palisades, Rylan, emergency communications, evacuation planning, fire safety, CERT, security and safety and Neighborhood Watch.
9.2. Land Use Committee (LUC/Chris Spitz, Chair). Committee update. Chair Spitz reported that the LUC has held a working meeting and has decided to draft a position statement applicable to the Sunset Blvd. mixed-use project and possible future density-bonus projects in our commercial areas, expressing our concerns about inadequate parking and impacts on public safety due to additional density. This will tentatively be presented for Board approval at an upcoming meeting.
9.3. Grants Committee (Quentin Fleming, Chair). Committee update / grant recommendations possible for Board approval (any recommendations to be provided to the Board prior to the 2/26 meeting). Documents relevant to the Grant process:
Conflict of Interest Rules: https://pacpalicc.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Conflict-of-Interest-Rules-Grants.pdf
Application Guidelines: https://pacpalicc.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Guidelines-for-Grants1.pdf
Committee Statement: https://pacpalicc.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/PPCC-Grants-Cmtee-Statement.pdf
Chair Fleming explained that the Committee is recommending four grants as follows (information/documents provided in advance of the meeting):
Paul Revere Charter Middle School: $10,000
https://pacpalicc.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Grant-Recommend.Revere2.pdf
Corpus Christi School: $5,000
https://pacpalicc.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Grant-Recommend-Corpus-Christi.pdf
Friends of the Palisades Library: $5,200
https://pacpalicc.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Grant-Recommend-Friends-of-Library.pdf
Pacific Palisades Historical Society: $5,300
https://pacpalicc.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Grant-Recommend-PPHS.2.pdf
Chair Fleming asked if any voting board member had a conflict of interest with respect to any of these grants. The following members stated that they had a conflict and recused themselves from voting:
JoAnna Rodgriguez and Beth Holden Garland (Paul Revere Charter Middle School); Donna Vaccarino (PP Historical Society).
After an opportunity for discussion, a vote was called as to each recommended grant: Result: unanimous approval of all grants.
9.4. Infrastructure Committee (Reza Akef, Chair). Committee update. Chair Akef explained that the Committee has been meeting with LADWP officials, who will attend an upcoming Board meeting to discuss undergrounding and infrastructure matters.
10. Old Business – None.
11. New Business.
11.1. Motion re ACE Building Materials Yard Operating Hours: support change from start time of 7am to 6am (sponsored by the PPCC Executive Committee) – based on contractor requests. The President explained the request for a change in the start time, and asked the Board if there were any objections to the motion. There were no objections and the motion therefore passed unanimously.
12. Adjournment. The meeting was adjourned at 7:57 p.m.