Voting Members in Attendance: Sue Kohl, Quentin Fleming, Beth Holden-Garland, Jenny Li, Maryam Zar, Chris Spitz, JoAnna Rodriguez, Carole White, Julia Nilsen, Karen Ridgley, Kimberly Bloom, Lorie Cudzil, Sharon Kilbride, Andrew Wolfberg, Valeria Serna, Kevin Niles, Rick McGeagh, David Card, John Padden, Donna Vaccarino, Daphne Gronich, Courtney Macker, Kaye Steinsapir
Non-voting Members and Advisors: Joanna Spak, Bonnie Burgess, Cindy Simon, Michael Edlen, Warren Jacob, Kim Millimaki-Gorry, James Alexakis, Allison Holdorff, Jessica Rogers
1. Call to Order and Reading of Community Council’s Mission. The meeting was called to order at 6:03 p.m. James Alexakis 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 April 23, 2026, were approved.
5. Consideration of Agenda & Upcoming Meetings. May 19, 2026 (Special Meeting with CD 11 on a potential Palisades Disaster Recovery District); May 28, 2026 (Board nominations of officer candidates close; other topics to be announced); June 11, 2026 (Officer Candidates Forum, if needed, and Board election of officers / term beginning July 1, 2026); June 25, 2026 (LADWP presentation on Palisades Water Infrastructure (tentative); last meeting in current officers’ term). The President provided information about each of the upcoming meetings.
6. Treasurer’s Report. The Treasurer reported as follows:
US Bank balance: $ 52,346.09
Schwab account: $379,019.89
She is continuing to work with Daphne Gronich on reconciling the expenses for the Celebration event.
7. General Public Comment – None.
8. Reports, Announcements and Concerns.
8.1.1. Letter re motion passed by the Board on 4/23/26 (re street vending); update on County response: https://pacpalicc.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/PPCC-Letter-Sreet-Vending-2026.pdf. The President noted that the letter was received and the County is working on addressing the issues.
8.1.2. E.C. letter supporting state bills re mobile home parks: https://pacpalicc.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/PPCC-EC-Letter-Mobile-Home-Park-bills.pdf (SB 1092, 1093)
8.1.3. E.C. letters supporting or opposing state bills re recovery/insurance:
https://pacpalicc.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/PPCC-EC-Letter-SB-1301-Allen.pdf (support SB 1301)
https://pacpalicc.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/PPCC-EC-Letter-SB-876-Padilla.pdf (support SB 876)
https://pacpalicc.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/PPCC-EC-Letter-AB-1642-Harabedian.pdf (support AB 1642)
https://pacpalicc.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/PPCC-EC-Letter-AB-1795-Gipson.pdf (oppose AB 1795)
As to both 8.1.2 and 8.1.3, the President explained that the letters have been sent and we are monitoring the bills.
8.1.4. PPCC / CD 11 Special Meeting and Q&A on a potential Palisades Disaster Recovery District – May 19, 2026, 7pm via Zoom. Speakers to include Craig Bullock, CD 11 Planning Director; Blair Miller and Jeffrey Lewis, managers with the City’s Economic & Workforce Development Dept. The President provided information about this important upcoming meeting and encouraged attendance.
8.1.5. AECOM / Mayor Bass Webinar on the draft Long Term Recovery Plan – May 19, 5pm – 6:30pm. The President provided information about this event and expressed appreciation to the organizers for scheduling the webinar on the same evening to end before the PPCC meeting begins.
8.1.6. Community Recovery Coordination Council (CCRC): updated informational document: https://pacpalicc.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Pacific-Palisades-CRCC-RR3.pdf. The President noted that this updated information has been posted on the website.
8.1.7. City Clerk Voter Registration Information:
https://pacpalicc.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/VOTER_REGISTRATION_GUIDANCE.jpg. The President encouraged everyone who is living temporarily outside of the Palisades to review the guidance.
8.1.8. Dog Park Dedication Recap. The President described this successful event which took place on Saturday, May 10th at the location of the future dog park on Temescal Canyon Rd. She thanked CW Park and all the Palisades advocates for making this long-awaited site a reality. She named in particular Leslie Campbell, Lynn Hylen and Carol Ross (CW Park and Carol Ross spoke at the event; Leslie Campbell and Lynn Hylen were unable to attend the Dedication, but Leslie attended and briefly thanked the community during the PPCC meeting). Work on the Dog Park is expected to begin before the end of the year.
[Note: Items 8.2-8.6, reports from officers, elected and organizational representatives, governmental representatives and advisors were deferred; any written reports to be distributed.]
9. Reports from PPCC Committees. Committee information: https://pacpalicc.org/index.php/committees/.
9.1. Bylaws Committee (Chris Spitz & Maryam Zar, Co-Chairs). Required Second Distribution of proposed Bylaws Amendments and Board vote on Motions (Bylaws, Art. XII.2.B). See the following documents distributed concurrently with this meeting agenda via PPCC email and posted on the PPCC website:
1) Committee Motions: https://pacpalicc.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Bylaws-Amendment-Motions-2026R.pdf
2) Committee Report: https://pacpalicc.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Bylaws-Cmte-Report-April-May-2026.pdf
3) Organizational Composition: https://pacpalicc.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/PPCC-Org.-Composition.pdf
4) Amendments “Redline”: https://pacpalicc.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/PPCC-Bylaws-Amend.-May-2026-Redline.pdf
5) Amendments “Clean”: https://pacpalicc.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/PPCC-Bylaws-Amend.-May-2026-CLEAN.pdf
The President announced that this item was the 2nd Distribution of the proposed bylaws amendments recommended by the Bylaws Committee, and explained that the Board would be voting tonight on the motions. She read the names of the Committee members (Chris Spitz and Maryam Zar, Co-Chairs; James Alexakis, Quentin Fleming, Daphne Gronich, Andrew Wolfberg) and thanked them for their hard work. She stated that Bylaws Committee members would introduce each motion in the order they were presented at the April 23rd meeting, beginning with Andrew Wolfberg presenting motion No. 1, Quentin Fleming Nos. 2 and 3, and so forth; she further explained that seconds on the motions were not necessary because they were being made by a committee of more than one voting member. She stated that after reading the motion (as set forth in the Committee Motions document linked above), each member would explain the voting standard applicable to the motion. The President reminded everyone that abstentions effectively count as No votes as to all these motions. She also noted that PPCC has no general conflict of interest rules and that even though three members of the Committee recused themselves during Committee discussions and decisions regarding organizations they are affiliated with, Board members can and should vote on the motions regardless of whether they are affiliated with any of the impacted organizations.
The President further detailed the process: After each motion was introduced as noted above, she would call on Board members and then audience members for any comments they wished to make on each motion. She also advised that audience members wishing to speak would be asked if they are affiliated with any impacted organizations and if so, the nature of that affiliation. Votes on each motion would be called after discussion had concluded. The process then ensued as set forth above and below (as is customary for PPCC Presidents, the President did not vote); in addition, the relevant page from the “Redline” amendments was shown onscreen as each motion was considered:
- 1) Motion No. 1 (presenter Andrew Wolfberg) – The motion was read and the voting standard and motion were explained. Presenter Wolfberg noted that the revisions are intended to allow residents who evacuated temporarily, but intend in good faith to return permanently to the Palisades, to vote or become a candidate in PPCC elections. An opportunity for discussion was provided. A vote was then called. Result: 22-0-0 (motion passed; Board approved proposed revisions to the definition of “Principal Residence” and related amendments, as specified in Motion No. 1).
- 2) Motion No. 2 (presenter Quentin Fleming) – The motion was read, the voting standard and motion were explained, and an opportunity for discussion was provided. A vote was then called. Result: 22-0-0 (motion passed; Board approved proposed amendments to SR 11 and addition of new SR 16).
- 3) Motion No. 3 (presenter Quentin Fleming) – The motion was read, the voting standard and motion were explained, and an opportunity for discussion was provided. A vote was then called. Result: 22-0-0 (motion passed; Board approved proposed amendments to Appendix A, as specified in Motion No. 3).
- 4) Motion No. 4 (presenter Chris Spitz) – The motion was read, the voting standard and motion were explained, and an opportunity for discussion was provided. Co-Chairs Spitz and Zar emphasized that this was a vote as to whether the Board wished to admit the three organizations “in principle,” with decisions as to where they would be placed on the Appendix A list of members to be taken up later. Board members indicated their understanding and support for admitting the three organizations “in principle.” A vote was then called. Result: 22-0-0 (motion passed; Board approved admission “in principle” of the Palisades Recovery Coalition, the Palisades Long Term Recovery Group and Team Palisades, as PPCC organizational members).
- 5) Motion No. 5 (presenter Maryam Zar) – The motion was read, the voting standard and motion were explained, and an opportunity for discussion was provided. Co-Chair Zar provided clarification in response to confusion expressed by Beth Holden-Garland (Secretary) about the proposed changes to Appendix A. A vote was then called. Result: 21-0-1 (motion passed; Board approved proposed amendments to the Appendix A categories as specified in Motion No. 5; the Secretary was asked if she understood that an abstention was effectively a “No” vote; she stated that she understood.
- 6) Motion No. 6 (presenter James Alexakis) – The motion was read and the voting standard and motion were explained. Donna Vaccarino (PPHS) moved to postpone discussion and vote on Motion No. 6 for one month; second by Courtney Macker (PPRA). Discussion on the motion to postpone then ensued. Board members commented in support of and/or in opposition to the motion to postpone, and also provided comments related to the main motion (No. 6). Comments on the postponement motion primarily centered on whether more time was needed for discussion as to possible consideration of a 10th organizational category (to contain the three new “recovery” organizations), and/or a 10th elected representative category (to be determined), and whether “recovery” organizations should sunset. There were also comments on the importance of maintaining the nine categories, balanced between the organizations (with appointed representatives for the organizations who may themselves not be residents) and the elected representatives (who represent residents). Arguments were advanced on both sides of these proposals, with Co-Chair Zar noting the hard work of all three new organizations and the fact that because the recovery is expected to take at least a decade they will likely continue their work for a long time, and that adding a sunset date for their participation is therefore unwarranted.
- A vote on the motion to postpone was called. Result: 5-17-0 (motion to postpone failed). Following further opportunity for discussion on the main motion, a vote on the main motion (Motion No. 6) was then called. Result: 19-3-0 (motion passed; Board approved proposed amendments to the “Civic Organizations” category in Appendix A).
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- Motion No. 7 (presenter Daphne Gronich) – The motion was read and the voting standard and motion were explained. Donna Vaccarino (PPHS) moved to postpone discussion and vote on Motion No. 7 for one month; second by Courtney Macker (PPRA). Discussion on the motion to postpone then ensued. Board members commented in support of and/or in opposition to the motion to postpone, and also provided comments on the main motion (No. 7). Comments on the postponement motion were again centered on whether more time was needed for discussion about a possible 10th organizational category, and also about the facts surrounding PPCC’s founding in 1973, with Donna Vaccarino (PPHS) and Barbara Kohn (former PPCC, PPHS and PPRA President) maintaining that the facts stated in the Bylaws Committee FAQ and timeline were incorrect as to PPHS’s status as a founding member. Other members indicated that regardless of what occurred decades ago, the relevant considerations were the current status in light of unprecedented recent events and the Committee’s goal of providing more opportunities for organizational participation. Additional discussion involved PPHS’s argument that it is an important organization in terms of preserving the community’s history, that it has always had a vote, and that it should therefore retain its standing (sole organization) position, which it has held for many years. This was countered by further comments by Co-Chair Zar and others that 1) PPHS is a respected organization and was therefore placed in a proposed two-organization category, in which it would always be on the Board and could participate at all times, while rotating each year between the primary and alternate positions, 2) per agreement with the Friends of the Palisades Library, PPHS would also retain the primary seat for an additional year, until September 30, 2027; 3) new Standing Rule 16 allows PPHS as a primary member to appoint a temporary representative when neither the primary nor the alternate rep can attend a meeting; 4) PPHS can continue to do its good work to preserve and educate the community about Palisades history regardless of its status on Appendix A; 5) all PPCC organizations are important and respected; 6) changes in organizational status have occurred throughout PPCC’s history; and 7) the proposed changes are fair and needed at this unprecedented time in order to allow greater participation by member organizations.
- A vote on the motion to postpone was called. Result: 5-17-0 (motion to postpone failed). Following further opportunity for discussion on the main motion, a vote on the main motion (Motion No. 7) was then called. Result: 18-3-1 (motion passed; Board approved proposed amendments to the (formerly-named) “Historian” category in Appendix A).
- Motion No. 8 (presenter Quentin Fleming) – The motion was read, the voting standard and motion were explained, and an opportunity for discussion was provided. Board members commented in support of and/or in opposition to the motion. Jessica Rogers (PPRA alternate) maintained that PPRA was a founding member of PPCC and in PPRA’s view has always had a “permanent” seat with a right to vote at all times, which should not be taken away; that PPRA is an important organization in terms of protecting the community’s safety and security and preserving the environment; that it has 5,000 followers; that it does not share the goal of communicating with residents, as does Team Palisades; and that a 10th category should be created for the three new organizations. Co-Chairs Zar and Spitz both indicated their respect for the work of PPRA. Further comments included the fact that the proposed amendments are fair; that all organizations are important; that PPRA will always be on the Board and can participate as a member of a two-organization category; that it will be able to vote during rotating years; that it can appoint a temporary representative at a meeting when neither the primary nor alternate reps can attend; that being in an alternate position does not diminish the ability to participate; and that an organization’s status on Appendix A is not an obstacle to whatever it wishes to accomplish and does not prevent it from doing its good work on behalf of the community.
- A vote on Motion No. 8 was then called. Result: 16-5-1 (motion passed; Board approved proposed amendments to the (formerly-named) “Residents Association” category in Appendix A).
- Motion No. 9 (presenter James Alexakis) — The motion was read, the voting standard and motion were explained, and an opportunity for discussion was provided. A vote on Motion No. 9 was then called. Result: 19-0-3 (motion passed; Board approved proposed bylaws amendments, as specified in the Motion).
9.2. Nominating Committee (Lorie Cudzil, Chair; members Jim Kirtley, Rick McGeagh, Chris Spitz, Kaye Steinsapir). Announcement of Committee nominations for PPCC officer candidates (President/Chair, Vice-President/Vice-Chair, Treasurer, Secretary). Board nominations to open following the Committee’s announcement; nominations to close 15 minutes before the scheduled close of the May 28th meeting. Chair Cudzil stated that the Committee was honored to announce the following nominees:
President/Chair: Allison Holdorff Polhill
Vice-President/Vice-Chair: Reza Akef
Treasurer: Daphne Gronich
Secretary: Caroline Nick
Chair Cudzil briefly introduced the candidates and provided information about each of them. She explained that all have served in numerous volunteer capacities in the community, with three of the candidates (Allison, Reza and Daphne) having served as PPCC Board and Committee members. The President thanked the Committee for the excellent nominations and the nominees for their willingness to become candidates for officer positions. She also announced that additional nominations from voting Board members were then open. No nominations from Board members were made. Board nominations of officers will remain open until 15 minutes before the scheduled close of the May 28th Board meeting. The officers’ election will take place on June 11th, with a candidate forum preceding the election if there are contested seats. The new officers’ term will begin on July 1, 2026.
9.3. Grants Committee (Chair Quentin Fleming). Committee update / grant recommendation for Board approval. 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
Recommended grant: $5,000 to the Palisades Charter High School Boys’ Baseball Program:
https://pacpalicc.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Grant-Recommend-Pali-High-Boys-Baseball.pdf
Chair Fleming explained that the Committee is recommending a $5,000 grant to the Palisades Charter High School Boys Baseball Program. He asked if any voting board member had a conflict of interest with respect to the proposed grant. No members stated that they had a conflict. After an opportunity for discussion, a vote was called as to Board approval of the grant: Result: unanimous approval.
10. Old Business – None.
11. New Business – None.
12. Adjournment. The meeting was adjourned at 7:54 p.m.