MINUTES FROM APRIL 25th 2024
1. Call to Order and Reading of Community Council’s Mission. The meeting was called to order at 6:03 PM. Karen Ridgley read the Mission Statement.
2. Roll call of Board Members and Certification of Quorum.
The President called roll and certified quorum.
Voting members present: Maryam Zar, Beth Holden-Garland, Dave Card, Murray Levy, Steve Cron, Nancy Niles, Karen Ridgley, Cindy Simon, Andrew Wolfberg, Chris Spitz, Kevin Niles, Valeria Serna,* Aileen Haugh, Courtney Macker.
*The President announced that Valeria Serna has been appointed the representative for Resilient Palisades, replacing Ryan Craig.
Non-voting members present: Quentin Fleming, Joanna Spak, Daphne Gronich, Richard Blumenberg, Michael Edlen, JoAnna Rodriguez, Lee Anne Sanderson
3. Introduction of Attendees.
3.1. Ziba Perez, Pacific Palisades Library Association (PPLA) gave an update on recent activities and upcoming teen programming at the library.
3.2. Hank Wright presented the Pacific Palisades HAM radio operation and informed the board about the historic Ham Radio in the Palisades and its usefulness in communication and emergency situations. He provided a great deal of information about emergency preparedness and stressed the need for advance preparation. He also answered numerous questions from Board members. The President thanked him for his presentation and for his work for the community. The full presentation is viewable on our YouTube channel at https://youtu.be/1LgEg10noXI.
4. Approval of Minutes: The minutes of April 11, 2024, were approved (without objection).
5. Consideration of Agenda & Upcoming Meetings. The agenda was considered as presented.
6. Treasurer’s Report. The President gave the Treasurer’s Report in the Treasurer’s absence. The Council’s current bank balance is $47, 850.64. Since the last report a payment of $54 was made for Zoom services and donations totaling $125 were received.
7. General Public Comment – None.
8. Reports, Announcements and Concerns.
8.1. From the Chair/Presiding Officer.
8.1.1. The President has had ongoing discussions with LAPD about crime and public safety.
8.1.2. The President reported on developments with RAP and updated the Board on the recent PAB board meeting.
8.1.3. The President has had discussions with Zac Gaidzik regarding the Marvin Braude Bike Path failure along Will Rogers beach; Zac is continuing to investigate the status.
8.1.4. The President is continuing to advocate for an evacuation drill for the Palisades.
8.1.5. The President has asked AT&T, in addition to Frontier Communications, to address and inform our board soon about land versus fiber optic lines in our community (emergency communication resources contemplated at the Getty Villa). AT&T’s representative has agreed to present to us (date TBD).
8.1.6. The President will provide information at a later date on a potential final fundraiser and community event for the 2023/2024 term.
8.2. From Officers and Chair Emeritus.
8.2.1. Sue Kohl, Vice President – Not present.
8.2.2. Beth Holden-Garland, Secretary – Reported on the status of PPCC’s social media accounts (Facebook and Instagram) and noted that she continues to regularly post matters of interest.
8.2.3. Dave Card, Chair Emeritus – Reported on 1) a recent celebration of George Wolfberg, attended by members of the Wolfberg family, in Potrero Canyon, noting all of George’s accomplishments for the community; 2) recent signage that has been installed in the Canyon (George Wolfberg information, installed at entrance kiosks, and “passive park” uses, installed at entrances and other locations in the park; 3) severe, illegal pruning of a Ficus tree on Sunset Blvd. in the commercial Village area by a private entity.
8.3. From At-Large and Area Representatives.
8.3.1. Karen Ridgley, Area Four Primary Representative, gave an update on the Asilomar Bluffs project and also reported that there have been some stability issues and cracking on the pavement near Asilomar Bluffs at the Southeast end. A geologist has been requested to take a look at its stability. She also reported that two new stop signs were installed on El Medio.
8.3.2. Michael Edlen, Area Three 2nd Alternate, thanked Michael Amster for his invaluable help in moving the Bureau of Street Services to fill in major potholes along Sunset Blvd.
8.3.3. Rick McGeagh, Area Seven 1st Alternate – Not present.
8.3.4. Chris Spitz, At-Large Primary Representative – Reported on three matters:
a. Grants Pass case re regulation of homeless encampments – the case was heard in the Supreme Court this week; oral argument lasted over 2 ½ hours and centered on whether the ordinance in question violated the 8th Amendment prohibition against cruel and unusual punishment. A decision is expected in June. For a comprehensive summary of the argument, visit: https://www.scotusblog.com/2024/04/court-divided-over-constitutionality-of-criminal-penalties-for-homelessness/.
b. New bill re density bonus projects in the Coastal zone (AB 2560) – this bill, introduced by an inland San Diego Assemblymember, proposes to eliminate Coastal review for density bonus projects (i.e., the “Coastal Act Savings Clause,” which is currently part of state law). An example of such a project in the Palisades is the former Jack-in-the-Box site mixed-use development. The Coastal Commission strongly opposes the bill. The Assembly Natural Resources Committee (which is now largely made up of Assemblymembers in inland districts) passed the bill but with amendments that provided only for limited exemptions, including for areas in the Coastal Zone which do not have a Local Coastal Program (LCP). Pacific Palisades does not have an LCP in place. This means that if the bill passes in the legislature as amended, Coastal review of density bonus projects in the Palisades would still be required (i.e., the “Coastal Act Savings Clause” would be retained for such projects here). The At-large Rep suggested that an LCP may be considered for our area when our Community Plan update process begins; when that occurs in a few years, we should carefully work on the language of a proposed LCP to ensure Coastal protection with respect to density bonus projects, since the exception in AB 2560 would no longer apply and Coastal review of such projects would not take place if the bill is enacted.
c. Ruling regarding SB 9 – several Southern California charter cities filed a lawsuit against the State of California, arguing that SB 9 was unconstitutional as applied to charter cities. A Superior Court judge agreed with the argument and recently ruled in the cities’ favor. An appeal by the State Attorney General is expected. The City of Los Angeles opposed SB 9 in 2021, as did PPCC. It is unknown at this time what affect this case will have on Los Angeles (a charter city), since it has proceeded to apply SB 9 which is currently the law statewide.
8.3.5. Murray Levy, Area One Primary Representative, reported that a hearing of the large Castellammare development project will take place in the City Council Planning & Land Management (PLUM) Committee on May 7. He will attend.
8.3.6. Cindy Simon, Area Six Primary Representative, noted that over the weekend there was extensive and unusually aggressive tagging throughout Potrero Canyon, on numerous signs and hardscape areas which was difficult to remove. SLO Espin was alerted and advised that a member of the board believes the tagging may have been done by gangs, perhaps from Thousand Oaks. SLO Espin suggested the tagging is likely being committed by groups of teens who gain access to the park at night by easily jumping the fence. It is unclear what realistically can be done to prevent this criminal activity. The President said she had alerted the Sgt and Capt at LAPD and that they had pledged to forward the information to the gang unit and respond to us further regarding this concerning safety and security problem. She also mentioned a new problem spot at the City parking lot on Sunset, which was recently brought to SLO Espin’s attention, and suggested we keep all this in mind as we move forward with the other planned park issues and the overarching discussion of safety.
8.4. From Organizational Representatives – None.
8.5. From Government Offices / Representatives (as available).
8.5.1. Brian Espin, LAPD Senior Lead Officer (SLO), Pacific Palisades, mentioned that the department is now transitioning to 100% digital recording, and there will no longer be paper reports. Going forward, LAPD’s reporting will reflect that crime incidents occurred, but will show less detail in those instances. He also noted that there has been less juvenile nuisance activity and the department will still dedicate some overtime hours to keep incidents lower.
8.5.2. Michael Amster, CD11 Field Deputy, Pacific Palisades & Brentwood, CM Park, said the Earth Day Clean Up helped extract a lot of trash at Will Rogers Beach and was an effective day. With regard to food vendors compliance, he mentioned that residents can notify via the MyLA311 app if vendors are too close to schools or blocking sidewalks, but concerns as to food preparation and safety should be directed to the County Health Dept. Regarding the recent vending activity near the library, a Bureau of Street Services (BSS) inspector had gone out and spoken with the vendor about applicable rules and regulations and provided him with information on obtaining a permit. The vendor has said that he will relocate. As to whether there is a distance prohibition on sidewalk vending near schools, Michael was told by the inspector that BSS does not have such a rule. Chris Spitz (At-large Rep) noted that there is a document online indicating there is such a BSS rule, and that street vendor advocates in a recent lawsuit against the City are challenging this rule which they maintain exists. She also announced that Allison Holdorff (PPCC Education Advisor and Senior Advisor to LAUSD Board Member Nick Melvoin) has advised that LAUSD’s current policy is to support a 500 ft. restriction on vending near schools. She also explained that she had reached out to three nearby schools in the area: Corpus Christi is neutral on the distance restriction for now, and states that it would need more information; Village School and Seven Arrows haven’t responded. Chris observed that clarity about the applicable regulations and restrictions would be important, and she will attempt to obtain more information. She did not feel that a motion was necessary in light of the recent developments; the general Board consensus was in agreement. She and the President also reminded the Board of overriding state law and the policies now favoring sidewalk vending in general.
Michael also reported that he helped arrange for K-rails on Will Rogers Road which were an effective solution for some land slide activity occurring above the road and onto the street.
8.5.3. Allison Holdorff, Senior Advisor, LAUSD Dist. 4 Board Member Nick Melvoin – Not present.
8.5.4. Radmehr Nowroozi, SD 24 Field Representative, Palisades, Brentwood, Westwood and Westside areas, Sen. Ben Allen – Not present.
8.5.5. Skylar Payab, AD 42 Field Deputy, Pacific Palisades & Brentwood, Asm. Jacqui Irwin – Not present.
8.5.6. Marian Ensley, West Area Representative, Mayor Karen Bass – Not present.
8.5.7. Zac Gaidzik, SD 3 Coastal and Westside Field Deputy, Supervisor Lindsey Horvath – Not present.
8.6. From PPCC Advisors and WRAC Representatives.
8.6.1. Chris Spitz, WRAC Vice-Chair – Report deferred.
9. Reports and Motions from PPCC Committees – None.
10. Old Business.
10.1. Slope Slippage. Discussion continued about slope slippage and hillside erosion spots in Pacific Palisades. Additional information was provided concerning the matters below as well as additional areas, e.g., the slide below Porto Marina in Castellammare which has resulted in debris covering a lane on PCH and blocking traffic for more than a month (per Murray Levy, Area One Rep). Chris Spitz, At-large Rep, indicated that the reference in subsection b should indicate that this area is near Friends St. (to distinguish it from the other referenced Via de las Olas location (in subsection d) and that at this point, the issue is whether fencing or a barrier should be erected in place of emergency tape along the rim. The Board concurred with the Chair’s writing a letter listing all the areas of slope slippage, and therefore a formal motion was not made.
List of locations currently brought to the attention of City officials:
a. Asilomar Bluffs (Area Four residents have sounded alarms and asked the Asilomar remediation project managers to also look at stabilizing this bluff),
b. Via de las Olas Bluffs (residents have long alerted the City to this area, and have some current feedback to share),
c. El Oro Lane (M. Amster and City Engineers have come out to survey this site and determined that it requires a substantive street reinforcement, but for now, have lines the sidewalk and eroding gutter with sandbags),
d. Via Bluffs at Beirut/Mt. Holyoke (this location has been sent to BOE for assessment, but no field studies have yet been conducted)
e. Will Rogers State Park Road (City roads managed on State parkland – current suggestion is K Rails implemented along the road as a stopgap measure until the state and city collaborate for a proper remedy),
f. 500 block of Bienveneda (sidewalk slippage has prompted city crews to put signs up warning pedestrians to stay clear).
11. New Business.
11.1. Sidewalk Vending. See item 8.5.2 above for discussion regarding sidewalk vending. No motion was made. At-large Rep vending report: https://pacpalicc.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/St-vending-background-Information.pdf.
12. Adjournment. The meeting was adjourned at 8:16 PM.