MINUTES FROM OCTOBER 10th 2024
Voting Members in Attendance: Sue Kohl, Quentin Fleming, Jenny Li, Beth Holden-Garland, Maryam Zar, Chris Spitz, JoAnna Rodriguez, Steve Cron, Julia Nilsen, Karen Ridgley, Kimberly Bloom, Lorie Cudzil, Sharon Kilbride, Andrew Wolfberg, Eric Dugdale, Courtney Macker, Haldis Toppel, Kaye Steinsapir, Kevin Niles, Janet Anderson, James Alexakis, Hagop Tchakerian.
Non-voting Members and Advisors: David Card, Rob Webber, Ella Nozar. The following also attended and became non-voting Alternate Members upon their election (item 9.1 below): Lee Anne Sanderson, Daphne Gronich, Michael Edlen, Joanna Spak, Carole White, Robert Trinkkeller, David Schwarz, Alex Hoerner (partial attendance).
1. Call to Order and Reading of Community Council’s Mission. The meeting was called to order at 6:02 p.m. Julia Nilsen read the Mission Statement.
2. Introductions / Roll Call. The President called on members in attendance to introduce themselves.
3. Certification of Quorum. The President certified quorum.
4. Approval of Minutes. The minutes of September 26, 2024, and October 1, 2024, were approved as distributed.
5. Consideration of Agenda & Upcoming Meetings. The agenda was as distributed. The President described the upcoming meetings: October 24, 2024 (presentations on Neighborhood Watch and public safety/crime prevention); November 14, 2024 (announcement of PPCC Awardees); December 12, 2024 (Awards Gala / dinner – presentation of Citizen of the Year, Golden Sparkplug/s and optional Pride of the Palisades honors). (Note: there is one meeting only in November and December; the Awards event in December replaces the regular business meeting.)
6. Treasurer’s Report. The Treasurer reported that the Council’s bank balance is $52,526.70. Donations since the last report: $23.79. Expenses paid since the last report: $10 Zoom.
7. General Public Comment.
7.1. John Alle (resident) stated that he wanted a discussion about auditing homeless services and about where state funds are going and how the funds are being spent. He expressed more concerns about safety and quality of life with homeless individuals bouncing back and forth from the Palisades to Santa Monica, with no real results. He asked for an independent agency to reconcile reporting of where the budgeted money was going.
7.2. Krishna Thangavelu (resident) commented that there is traffic build up unnaturally at the intersection of PCH and Temescal Canyon Road. Some new barriers are causing traffic to back up and making the lines of vehicles waiting to turn longer. She believed that this needs to be studied to make the throughway more efficient, and has concerns that there could be serious implications for public safety in a disaster (like wildfire or earthquake evacuation).
7.3. Bart Young (resident, Castellammare HOC member) thanked PPCC for hosting the Oct. 1 special meeting to discuss the Tramonto slide and for the Board’s support for an independent EIR for the Tramonto development project. He also noted that residents appreciated the support of Caltrans Assistant Division Chief Joon Kang, who attended the special meeting and requested that the entire slide be mitigated for public safety.
8. Reports, Announcements and Concerns.
8.1. From the Chair/Presiding Officer.
8.1.1. The President expressed appreciation and profusely thanked the Ronald Reagan American Legion Palisades Post 283 for graciously permitting PPCC to hold our in-person meeting at the Legion’s hall, and for allowing us to use their “Owl” camera for our hybrid meeting format. She also welcomed the members of Scout Troop 223G, who were present to watch a “community meeting,” which would earn them a Scout’s merit badge.
8.1.2. The President welcomed all the new PPCC Area, At-large and Organizational representatives, and noted that this was the start of PPCC’s fiscal year.
8.1.3. The President announced that there will be an Orientation session for all new representatives on October 16, 2024, 5pm (via Zoom). Any Board members who would like a refresher are welcome to attend.
8.1.4. The President announced the appointment of a new member of the Three Chairs Committee: former PPCC Chair Steve Boyers, replacing Randy Young. The Three Chairs Committee will present their nominees for Area and At-large Alternate positions, for Board election. (See item 9.1 below.)
8.1.5. The President announced that the new Event Committee Co-Chairs are Beth Holden-Garland, Sue Kohl and Chris Spitz). (See also item 9.3 below.)
8.1.6. The President read the following brief report from CD 11 Deputy Michael Amster, who could not attend the meeting, regarding the special PPCC meeting on October 1: “Last Tuesday, PPCC welcomed Councilwoman Park to discuss the proposed Tramonto/Revello project. In this meeting, the Councilwoman presented on the basics of the project, where it stands, and the options moving forward. She received a great amount of incredibly insightful input from constituents – including and especially Castellammare homeowners – and answered several questions.”
8.1.7. The President explained that we will hear from experts [Cyndi Hench of Westchester and Kathy Morgan of Brentwood] on forming Neighborhood Watch groups as well as on public safety/crime prevention, at our next meeting on October 24, 2024.
8.1.8. The President gave an update on the status of PPCC in-person/hybrid meetings. We will hold another hybrid meeting at the Ronald Reagan American Legion Palisades Post 283 in the Spring (date TBD).
8.1.9. The President noted the PPCC position letter written since the last meeting: Support HR 8340 – https://pacpalicc.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/PPCC-Letter-HR-8340.pdf.
8.2. From Officers/Chair Emeritus – None.
8.3. From At-Large and Area Representatives.
8.3.1. Karen Ridgley (Area Four Representative) thanked neighbors who provided their Ring camera footage in Area 4 to help resident Waldemar Kalinowski who was injured by a hit and run driver in a black BMW about 4-5 months ago. With the donated video footage, Los Angeles detectives were able to string photo images that identified the license plate of the perpetrator. Now with the identified driver, there will be legal action taken to prevent this individual from doing this to others. She thanked SLO Brian Espin who did great work in supporting these efforts as well.
Karen also brought up the Asilomar bluffs stabilization project and reported that they were still monitoring the western end of construction. Some of the area is leaking and causing water damage and instability. It was mentioned that residents should contact the City for an address to get reimbursement for the costs they have incurred. She thanked Chris Spitz (At-large Rep) who had provided a link to the City Attorney webpage on how to submit claims against the City. Andrew Wolfberg (Area Eight Rep) cautioned that there are deadlines to submit claims, and suggested that residents be mindful and perhaps apply quickly.
8.3.2. Sharon Kilbride (Area Seven Representative) reported briefly on an unstable individual who recently, after attacking several people, also attacked a magician at a young child’s birthday party in Rustic Canyon. The individual is a former resident who has suffered for many years from mental illness. He was arrested and taken into custody. Due to community concerns about safety, she called a special meeting of residents a few days after the event, which CW Park attended via Zoom and SLO Michael Espin attended in-person. They discussed how mental health is an important issue, the fact that everyone should be careful in making contact with persons having issues, and that individuals who could possibly be dangerous should be identified to authorities. (See also item 8.5.1.)
8.3.3. Chris Spitz (At-large Representative) reported that Lou Kamer, PPCC’s Transportation Advisor, has alerted officials to a serious hazard on the Via de las Olas bluffs, near the pocket park at the corner with Mt. Holyoke: the road is crumbling near the edge of the bluff and the fence is giving way. She will follow-up with officials.
8.4. From Organizational Representatives.
8.4.1. Haldis Toppel (Theatre Palisades) invited everyone to attend the current production at Pierson Playhouse, “tick, tick . . . Boom!” She encouraged support for Theatre Palisades.
8.5. From Government Offices / Representatives (as available). Contact information for government representatives: https://pacpalicc.org/index.php/government-contacts/.
8.5.1. Brian Espin, LAPD Senior Lead Officer (SLO), Pacific Palisades, reminded citizens to still be vigilant. He suggested that residents observe the behavior of others in public areas who might be mentally unstable. He advised that if you see a homeless or vagrant individual don’t engage, but instead call PPTFH or 311 (if the individual isn’t violent). Do not call 911 unless the person is acting violently. He mentioned an unstable man who attacked several people in the Palisades, and then went to a child’s birthday party in Rustic Canyon, in which that individual attacked the magician for hire. Again, SLO Espin advised to use our instincts to avoid engaging with these types of people.
Officer Espin reported that there was a bad accident with a motorcyclist who slid into the center lane and into an oncoming car headed in the right direction on PCH.
He also mentioned that Pacific Palisades will be receiving a City pilot program at the end of the month, with an unarmed response team who will respond and attempt outreach with homelessness and nonviolent type incidents.
SLO Espin said he had hoped for more officers, but squad cars are still pulled away in other parts of the City that are experiencing more violent crimes, rather than property crimes.
8.5.2. Michael Amster, Palisades & Brentwood Field Deputy, CD11 (Councilwoman Traci Park) – Not present.
8.5.3. Marian Ensley, West Area Field Deputy, Mayor Karen Bass – Not present.
8.5.4. Zac Gaidzik, Coastal & Westside Field Deputy, County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath – Not present.
8.5.5. Samantha Gallegos, Field Representative, SD 24 (Sen. Ben Allen) – Not present.
8.5.6. Ryan Valencia, (new) District Director, AD 42 (Asm. Jacqui Irwin); Anthony Avila, Field Representative, was also in attendance via Zoom. Ryan introduced himself and spoke about the work of the Assemblymember. He noted that she now has a field office in the Palisades. Asm. Irwin is potentially planning to hold a “Sidewalk Session” to meet and greet with Palisades constituents soon (date TBA). Dave Card (PFC) remarked on how helpful the Assemblymember’s office was to the Palisades Forestry Committee in obtaining their 501.C.3 non-profit status, which was so appreciated in their work on planting more trees in our area. Ryan was also asked if the Assemblymember could look into state funding for homelessness, and how we could see less waste in the use of state funds and more results with taxpayers’ money being spent. David Schwarz (new Area Six Alternate) spoke of the possibility of an investigation by the Hoover Commission [now the Little Hoover Commission in California]. As to whether a letter from PPCC might have impact, Ryan advised that letters to the state Capitol from organizations like PPCC do get brought up and are meaningful.
8.6. From PPCC Advisors and Liaisons – None.
9. Reports from PPCC Committees.
9.1. Three Chairs Committee (Maryam Zar, Chair). Presentation of nominees for 1st and 2nd Alternate Area and At-large representative positions; election by the Board. Committee Chair Zar announced the nominees for the 1st and 2nd Alternate Area and At-large Representative positions. The nominees in attendance were introduced. The President called for a Board vote on the Alternate nominees. Result: the nominees for 1st and 2nd Alternate Area and At-large Representatives were unanimously elected. The President congratulated and welcomed the new Alternate reps, as follows:
Area One: Cindi Young / Joanna Spak
Area Two: Carole White / Diana Daniele
Area Three: Robert Trinkkeller / Joe Layton
Area Four: Lee Anne Sanderson / Daphne Gronich
Area Five: Sharon Garrett / Allison Holdorff
Are Six: Cindy Simon / David Schwarz
Area Seven: Rick McGeagh / Alex Hoerner
Area Eight: Jan Shortz / vacant
At large: Michael Edlen / Warren Jacob
9.2. Awards Selection Committee (Quentin Fleming, Chair). Awards Nominations process update. Committee Chair Fleming announced that nominations for Citizen of the Year and Golden Sparkplug honors are coming in and will be accepted until 8pm on October 26, 2024. For details see the Awards Nominations Notice posted on the PPCC website.
9.3. Awards Event Committee (Co-Chairs Kohl, Holden-Garland, Spitz). Awards Gala event update. The President reported that the committee members have met and begun planning for the event. Various potential venues are being considered; stay tuned for more event details to be announced at our upcoming meetings.
10. Old Business – None.
11. New Business.
11.1. Motion to Support CF 24-1128 (Hernandez) / request for report-back re abandoned/incomplete construction sites (co-sponsors Chris Spitz and Maryam Zar).
Motion text:
“Pacific Palisades Community Council (PPCC) believes that there is a clear need for oversight and accountability for negligent property owners and developers who allow construction sites to remain incomplete and/or abandoned for extended time periods. PPCC therefore supports CF 24-1128 (Hernandez), which calls for a report back by LADBS on consequences and solutions to the problem of abandoned / incomplete construction sites, which pose a risk of fire and other hazards and are a threat to public safety and welfare.” See motion background: https://pacpalicc.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/BackgroundUnfinishedConstruction.pdf.
The President asked Chris Spitz to introduce the motion, who explained that because this motion was being made by two voting members, it has been made and seconded. She read the motion text and briefly explained the background and purpose of the motion. Discussion ensued, with several Board and audience members mentioning numerous properties in the Palisades that had been abandoned or had incomplete construction for many years, noting that these conditions are hazardous, leading to squatters and potential fires or other public safety risks. Kelly Schandel (resident) brought photos and spoke about an abandoned project in Castellammare (previously brought to the Board’s attention by past Area One Representative Murray Schwartz) that has incomplete for more than a decade, with no enforcement. A vote on the motion was then called. Result: Unanimous in favor of the motion.
11.2. Motion for Investigation of Funds Used for Homelessness (co-sponsors Chris Spitz, Maryam Zar and Sharon Kilbride).
Motion text:
“Pacific Palisades Community Council (PPCC) urges (1) the federal government to intervene and conduct a federal investigation into the use by the city of Los Angeles, the county of Los Angeles, the state of California and all city, county and state agencies of federal funds received to address homelessness; (2) the state government to investigate the use of state funds for such purpose; (3) the county government to investigate the use of county funds for such purpose; and (4) the city government to investigate the use of city funds for such purpose, due to the mismanagement and non-accountability of taxpayer dollars being squandered while leaving a humanitarian crisis on our streets.
“PPCC further calls upon our city Councilmembers to communicate this request with the relevant respective federal, state, county and city authorities, including our U.S. Senators, Congressmembers, the U.S. Attorney General and Dept. of Justice; our Governor, state Senators, Assemblymembers and state Attorney General; our county Supervisors and District Attorney; and our Mayor and City Attorney.” See motion background: https://pacpalicc.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Background-PPCC-Funds-Homelessness.pdf.
The President asked Chris Spitz to introduce the motion, who explained that because this motion was being made by three voting members, it has been made and seconded. Chris read the motion text and explained the background and purpose of the motion. Discussion ensued, with Board members commenting on the lack of accountability by government officials in terms of addressing the homelessness crisis. A vote was then called. Result: Unanimous in favor of the motion.
12. Adjournment. The meeting was adjourned at 7:38 p.m.