MINUTES FROM FEBRUARY 13th 2025
Voting Members in Attendance: Sue Kohl, Quentin Fleming, Jenny Li, Beth Holden-Garland, Maryam Zar, Chris Spitz, JoAnna Rodriguez, Diana Daniele, Julia Nilsen, Kimberly Bloom, Karen Ridgley, Lorie Cudzil, Sharon Kilbride, Andrew Wolfberg, John Padden, Courtney Macker, Haldis Toppel, James Alexakis, John Evans, Kevin Niles, Hagop Tchakerian
Non-voting Members and Advisors: Daphne Gronich, Dave Card, Michael Edlen, Lee Anne Sanderson, Jessica Rogers, Joanna Spak, Valeria Serna, Ella Nozar
1. Call to Order and Reading of Community Council’s Mission. The meeting was called to order at 6:01 p.m. Sue Kohl 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 November 14, 2024, were approved as distributed.
5. Consideration of Agenda & Upcoming Meetings. The agenda was as distributed. Upcoming meetings: February 27, 2025 (Topics TBA); March 13, 2025 (Topics TBA).
6. Treasurer’s Report. The Treasurer reported that the Council’s bank balance is $109,382.18. The large balance reflects a $50,000 donation to PPCC by the California Community Foundation. No conditions were placed on the use of the funds and we may have a discussion at a later date on how the funds should be used.
7. General Public Comment. [Note: the President deferred item 7 to the end of the meeting and called item 11.1 following the Treasurer’s Report.]
7.1. Carl Mellinger (resident; arborist) commented on the need to preserve and protect trees in the Palisades after the fire.
7.2. “Li” (woman representing World Central Kitchen) described the work that the WCK is doing to feed residents and others in the Palisades during the recovery. She noted that the WCK trucks are there first and foremost for residents of the Palisades who have suffered from the fire.
8. Reports, Announcements and Concerns.
8.1. From the Chair/Presiding Officer.
8.1.1. The President gave a recap of the PPCC special meetings on recovery and the hazardous waste storage at Will Rogers.
8.1.2. The President announced that the Ronald Reagan Post 283 American Legion building will be used as a recovery support center: https://pacpalicc.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/PFCSC-flyer.pdf.
8.1.3. The President announced the appointment of a new PPCC committee on the rebuilding of the Palisades. The members are David Schwarz, Quentin Fleming, Lorie Cudzil, Beth Holden-Garland and John Padden. They will collaborate with the Land Use Committee on important issues involving recovery and rebuilding.
8.1.4. The President announced that she has appointed Julia Nilsen as the primary PPCC representative and Kaye Steinsapir as the PPCC alternate to the WRAC Mobility & Transportation Committee.
8.1.5. The President provided details about the Community Gathering of fire-impacted neighbors which will take place on Monday, February 17 from 5-8pm at St. Monica Catholic Community in Santa Monica. This will be an interfaith social gathering and she encouraged everyone to attend.
8.2. From Officers/Chair Emeritus – None.
8.3. From At-Large and Area Representatives.
8.3.1. JoAnna Rodriguez (Area One Representative) reported that residents of the Castellammare area are hoping to get traction on clearing the landslide in the area so that residents can access homes that are still standing, and the Army Corps of Engineers can come in and clear debris from homes that were destroyed.
8.4. From Organizational Representatives
8.4.1. David Card (Palisades Forestry Committee) reported on the status of street trees after the fire and on the need to preserve and protect as many trees as we can. He explained that trees were unnecessarily being removed from burn sites. Some trees that had made it through the fire were taken out by LADWP in areas where they should have remained. Homeowners need to keep watering
https://www.thebrittonfund.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/2025.1.16-Trees-Damaged-by-Fire-Guide.pdf
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. SLO Espin reported on the status of PCH, which is being shut down constantly as the needs have been changing every hour and minute. He emphasized that anyone visiting the Palisades will need proper ID cards.
8.5.2. Arus Grigoryan, Palisades Field Deputy, CD11 (Councilwoman Traci Park). Ms. Grigoryan spoke at length about the work that CD 11 was doing to support the community during the recovery process. She reported that access passes to get into the Palisades are available at the West Los Angeles Recovery center at 10850 West Pico Blvd. (hours are 9 am to 7 pm, and close slightly earlier on the weekends). They are hoping Phase 1 of clean-up will be done as soon as March 31st.
8.5.3. Marian Ensley, West Area Field Deputy, Mayor Karen Bass —Not present.
8.5.4. Zac Gaidzik – Not present.
8.5.5. Samantha Gallegos, Field Representative, SD 24 (Sen. Ben Allen) – Not present.
8.5.6. Anthony Avila, Field Representative, AD 42 (Asm. Jacqui Irwin) – Not present.
8.6. From PPCC Advisors and Liaisons — None.
9. Reports from PPCC Committee.
9.1. Land Use Committee (LUC). LUC Chair Chris Spitz reported briefly that the LUC is excited about the formation of the new rebuild committee and that the two committees will collaborate on recovery and rebuilding. She reminded everyone of the LUC members (herself, Chair; James Alexakis, Steve Cron, Michael Edlen, Howard Robinson, Joanna Spak; Richard Blumenberg (advisor). The LUC is working on many issues, including a possible request to the City with regard to CC&Rs in the Palisades, which may be brought to the Board at the next meeting.
10. Old Business – None.
11. New Business.
11.1. Presentations/Q&A on Wildfire Recovery. [Note: this item was called earlier in the meeting, following the Treasurer’s Report.]
Vahid Khorsand, President, LA City Board of Public Works, attended and gave a presentation on the work of the Public Works Dept., along with Ted Allen, LA City Engineer & designated City Debris Manager, and Julie Allen, LA Sanitation Assistant GM & chair of the Watershed Protection Task Force. Jenny Delwood, Deputy Mayor, was also present and participated in the discussion. The speakers all provided information and answered a wide range of questions by Board and audience members involving the status of infrastructure, power, water, swimming pools, debris removal and the like. The President thanked the speakers for attending and providing important information to the community.
11.2. (As time allows) The Future of PPCC and Pacific Palisades (discussion/possible action re plans / recovery / rebuilding). Time did not allow discussion of recovery / future rebuilding, although prior to adjournment board members raised questions and informally discussed various matters related to current post-fire conditions (no action taken).
12. Adjournment. The meeting was adjourned at 8.01p.m.