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MINUTES FOR JUNE 26th 2014

Voting Members in Attendance:  Barbara Kohn, Chris Spitz, Jennifer Malaret, Ted Mackie, Janet Turner, Cathy Russell, Richard Wulliger, Carol Bruch, Brenda Theveny, Stuart Muller, Andrew Wolfberg, Jack Allen, Gil Dembo, Donna Vaccarino, Jim Rea and Sue Kohl.

Voting Alternates:  Bob Baker.

Non-voting Advisors and Alternates:  Richard Cohen, Bruce Schwartz and Reza Akef.

Start of Business Meeting

1.    Reading of Community Council’s Mission.  Carol Bruch read the Mission Statement.

2.    Call to Order and Introduction of the Board and Audience.  Barbara Kohn called the meeting to order at 7:02 pm.  Introduction of the Board and audience.

3.    Certification of Quorum.  Chris certified that a quorum was present at 7:10 pm.

4.    Adoption of Minutes.  The June 12, 2014 minutes were deemed approved. Next Meetings: July 10, 2014; August 14, 2014 (note: there is only one PPCC board meeting in the months of July and August).

5.    Consideration of Agenda.  The President considered the agenda.

6.    Treasurer’s Report.  Ted Mackie reported the financial status as of June 26, 2014. The total account balances equal $41,192.12.

7.    Reports, Announcements and Concerns.

7.1.    Announcements from the Incoming President, Chris Spitz.

7.1.1.    Recognitions.  Outgoing Treasurer Ted Mackie and President Emeritus Janet Turner were recognized.  Barbara then turned administration of the meeting over to the incoming President Chris Spitz.

7.1.2.    Recognitions/Announcements.  Chris announced that Ted Mackie would be remaining on the PPCC Board as the TCA Alternate and that Janet Turner had been elected to the PPRA Board, becoming the primary representative with Brenda Theveny as the PPRA alternate as of July 1, 2014.  Chris recognized Barbara Kohn as the PPCC outgoing President.

7.1.3.    Election Announcement.  PPCC is pleased to announce nominations are now open for residents interested in serving as an area representative or At-Large representative. Details at www.pacpalicc.org. All interested parties must submit a candidate’s statement (100 words or less) and a current photograph prior to or by 7:00 PM, Thursday, July 10 at the July PPCC meeting held in the Pacific Palisades Public Library Community Room.

7.1.4.    PPCC Advisors. July 1, 2014 – June 30, 2015.  Legal Counsel, Ron Dean, Transportation, Patti Post, Youth, Schuyler Dietz, Disaster Preparedness, Flo Elfant and Campbell Britton, Social Media/Outreach.

7.1.5.    PPCC Committees.  Start Date July 1, 2014. Area and At-Large Representative Election Committee, Chair Jennifer Malaret (committee reappointed as previously constituted). Outreach Committee, Chairs Chris Spitz, Andrew Wolfberg. Members: Barbara Kohn, Jim Rea, Laura Mack, Steve Boyers, and Schuyler Dietz. Website/Email/Social Media Committee, Chair Andrew Wolfberg. Members: Jim Rea, Barbara Kohn, and Chris Spitz. All other committees have concluded. Any additional committees shall be appointed and/or reconstituted by the President at a later date.

7.1.6.   PPCC Survey.  Chris stated that all Palisadians are invited to take the PPCC online survey. PPCC wants to hear from all residents. Survey at www.pacpalicc.org/survey.

7.1.7.    PPCC Minutes Procedure.  Chris reported that in the future PPCC’s minutes will be modified to further comply with Roberts Rules of Order and will comport in the future with the format of the June 12, 2014 minutes distributed. The primary change is that the minutes will reflect actions taken and not discussions.

7.1.8.    Announcement Regarding the West Los Angeles Planning Commission. Chris reported as a matter of interest Mayor Garcetti’s appointment of Michael Gazzano, Caruso Affiliated.

7.1.9.    Announcement, Thank You.  Jim Rea was thanked for organizing and implementing the memorial service for John Glasgow, PPCC Board Member.

7.2.    Announcements from Governmental Representatives.

7.2.1.    Los Angeles Police Department (“LAPD”).  SLO Officer Moore gave a report.

7.2.2.    Los Angeles City Council, District 11; Councilmember Mike Bonin’s Office. www.11thdistrict.com.  Norman Kulla recognized Ted Mackie and Barbara Kohn. A discussion was held on the following topics: street resurfacing, the proposed AGF ordinance, and suggested coordination of agencies when projects occur in the public rights of way.

7.2.3.    Office of Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, Daniel Tamm Westside Area Representative, Mayor’s Interfaith Liaison (*attending on the 4th Thursday of each month). Mayor’s Website: www.lamayor.org. City Services webpage: http://www.lacity.org/CitywideServices/index.htm. MyLA Phone App: http://www.lacity.org//MyLA311/index.htm — No representative in attendance.

7.2.4.    California State Assembly, Office of Assemblymember Richard Bloom’s Office. http://www.asmdc.org/bloom. Tim Pershing in attendance. A report was given on the importance of the following topics: the state budget and the water bond.

7.2.5.   California State Senator Ted Lieu, ((Janet Turner; District Representative Janet.Turner@sen.ca.gov. Office: (310) 318-6994).  Janet Turner recognized Barbara Kohn for her service as PPCC Chair. Janet gave a report on the topics of grants received for climate change and handicapped placard abuse.

7.3.    Announcements from Board Members and Advisors.

7.3.1.    Officers/Area Representatives – reports were given by Barbara Kohn, Andrew Wolfberg and Cathy Russell.  No action taken.

7.3.2.    Organizational Representatives – Report on Behalf of Organizations — No reports.

7.3.3.    Advisors — No reports.

7.3.4.    Board Members, Other Reports.  A report was given by Donna Vaccarino.

8.    Reports from Committees.

8.1.    Outreach Committee.
Chris Spitz, Andrew Wolfberg.   PPCC’s Farmer’s Market Table: June 22nd, June 29th and July 6th. Area and At-Large Candidate “Meet and Greets,” August 2014. All community members are invited to visit the PPCC table at the Farmers’ Market on Sunday 6/29 and 7/6 from 8:30 am – 1:00 pm. Informational literature will be distributed and volunteers will be there to answer questions.

8.2.    Area and At-Large Representative Election Committee.
Chris Spitz, Jennifer Malaret.  Tentative PPCC Newsletter and Area and At-Large Representative Election Ballot deadline August 15, 2014 with responses required to be received by Friday September 5, 2014. Tentative “In-Person” Voting, Saturday September 6, 2014 (Palisades Library or Recreation Center) and Sunday September 7, 2014 (Farmer’s Market).

9.   Old Business.

9.1.    SYLMAR GROUND RETURN REPLACEMENT PROJECT.

DEIR documents related to the Sylmar Ground Return System Replacement Project: www.ladwp.com/envnotices. Reference brief project description below. Guest Speakers: DWP Underground Transmission Group and DWP Environmental Group. Charles Halloway gave a report was given and discussion held. Action: Richard Cohen proposed a motion that would authorize the Chair to author a letter in response to the DEIR relative to scheduling conflicts with other PCH projects and traffic issues regarding alternate routes that may arise during project construction. Gil Dembo seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

10.    New Business – None.

11.    General Public Comment – None.

12.    Adjournment.  Barbara Kohn adjourned the meeting at 8:44 PM.

ATTACHMENT:  ITEM 9.1 – SYLMAR GROUND RETURN REPLACEMENT PROJECT

Project Description
LADWP is proposing to replace the existing underground and marine electrical cables and the existing marine electrode portions of the SGRS. The new underground and marine electrical cables would be in a different alignment than the existing, though serving the same purpose and function. The SGRS is an integral component of the Pacific Direct Current Intertie Transmission Line (PDCI), which transmits bulk power between Los Angeles and the Pacific Northwest. The PDCI is a direct current system, and it cannot operate without a ground return system. Due to system deficiencies with the existing underground and marine components of the SGRS, their replacement is proposed to maintain the reliability and stability of the power generation and delivery system for Southern California; to continue to meet current and projected demand for power; and to help increase the available share of renewable resource energy.

The proposed alignment for the underground segment would run for approximately five miles from the Kenter Canyon Terminal Tower to the proposed West Channel Vault near Will Rogers State Beach. Installation of the underground cables and vaults would occur primarily by trenching and excavation within existing streets. The marine segment of the Project would begin at the proposed West Channel Vault. The marine cables would be installed via directional drilling below Will Rogers State Beach. They then would be trenched into the ocean floor by jet plowing or a similar process to a location approximately three miles from shore in Santa Monica Bay. The marine cables would terminate at the proposed electrode array that would consist of approximately 88 cylindrical boxes weighing about 100 tons each installed on the ocean floor. Marine barges and divers would be utilized for installation of the quarter mile diameter electrode array.

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