MINUTES FROM MARCH 13th 2025
Voting Members in Attendance: Sue Kohl, Quentin Fleming, Jenny Li, Beth Holden-Garland, Maryam Zar, Chris Spitz, JoAnna Rodriguez, Diana Daniele, Robert Trinkkeller, Kimberly Bloom, Karen Ridgley, Lorie Cudzil, Sharon Kilbride, Andrew Wolfberg, John Padden, Janet Anderson, Jessica Rogers, David Card, James Alexakis, Kaye Steinsapir, Kevin Niles, Hagop Tchakerian
Non-voting Members and Advisors: Joanna Spak, Michael Edlen, Allison Holdorff, Lee Anne Sanderson, Daphne Gronich, Rick McGeagh, Valeria Serna, Andrew Frew
1. Call to Order and Reading of Community Council’s Mission. The meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m. Chris Spitz 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 February 27, 2025, were approved as distributed.
5. Consideration of Agenda & Upcoming Meetings. The agenda was as distributed. Upcoming meetings: March 27, 2025 (guest speakers: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and possibly LADWP); April 10, 2025 (appointment of Nominating Committee to nominate PPCC officer candidates for the 2025-26 term).
6. Treasurer’s Report. The Treasurer reported that the Council’s bank balance is $109,351.97. There has not been much activity since the last report. A $2,500 donation was received which will be reflected in the next report.
[Note: the President called item 11.1 following the Treasurer’s Report.]
7. General Public Comment
7.1. Sue Pascoe (resident; CTN editor) requested that PPCC look into a possible waiver by the City of building permit fees; she also noted that the Park Advisory Board will meet next week and stressed that the park should reopen ASAP.
7.2. Jon Brown (resident, Palisades Bowl Mobile Home Park) explained that the Palisades Bowl MHP has formed a new Steering Committee, which has engaged with government officials as the park owner has denied access to the EPA and has refused to allow toxic waste and debris removal. He thanked PPCC for its efforts on the Park’s behalf.
7.3. Joe Hartnett (Alcima resident) advised that his residents’ group has access to new fireproof building materials.
7.4. Don Iselin (Huntington resident) expressed concerns from Huntington residents about the status of ROE forms, about insurance and about security. There is a need for patrols to protect equipment and building materials during the rebuild.
7.5. Austin Worrell (resident) referenced Build Back LA and research into demolition; he noted that residents are concerned about the cost of rebuilding and right of entry into the area. He attended the Malibu Town Hall on build back with coordination on building after the Woolsey Fire.
7.6. Richard Borowsky (retired firefighter) explained that he participated in fighting the Malibu Fire 31 years ago and found that a fire hydrant was dry at that time; this was unacceptable then and is unacceptable now; he stressed that all hydrants must be repaired so that water will be flowing.
8. Reports, Announcements and Concerns.
8.1. From the Chair/Presiding Officer.
8.1.1. The President announced that Jenny Li has been appointed to the Rebuild Committee.
8.1.2. The President reported on new PPCC representative appointments to the WRAC MTC: Kaye Steinsapir, primary rep; Sharon Garrett, Alternate rep (Julia Nilsen has resigned as primary rep).
8.1.3. The President encouraged everyone to patronize small businesses in the Palisades that are open and/or still operating (whether in person or online), including the Palisades Garden Café and Leslie of Paws & Claws for pet grooming; PPCC’s Youth Advisor Ella Nozar will be compiling a list of small businesses that are open or reopening.
8.1.4. Position letters written since the last PPCC meeting:
https://pacpalicc.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/PPCC-Letter-re-CCRsF.pdf
https://pacpalicc.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/PPCC-Statement-and-Request-re-CCRsF-1.pdf
https://pacpalicc.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/PPCC-Letter-Re-Hydrants.pdf
https://pacpalicc.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/PPCC-Letter-Re-Soils-Testing.pdf
https://pacpalicc.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/PPCC-Letter-Re-CDR-Motion.pdf
8.2. From Officers/Chair Emeritus.
8.2.1. Beth Holden-Garland (Secretary) reported that as we learn of Palisades small businesses that are reopening, this will be posted on PPCC social media. Businesses that are reopening should email PPCC to let us know of their status.
8.3. From At-Large and Area Representatives.
8.3.1. Chris Spitz (At-large) announced that President Sue Kohl has been chosen to receive the special “Woman of Impact 2025” award from Mayor Karen Bass. She will be honored by the Mayor at City Hall on March 14. Board members and attendees applauded the honor which is well-deserved.
8.3.2. Sharon Kilbride (Area Seven) reported that during recent rains, CD 11 and StreetsLA placed K-rails in Santa Monica Canyon to protect against flooding, which fortunately did not occur. Over 400 people visited the Return to the Canyon event on March 1 and Canyon restaurants, including the Golden Bull, Café Defini and Muse are now open.
8.3.3. Karen Ridgley (Area Four) expressed the urgent need to develop an evacuation plan for the Palisades, citing her own and residents’ experiences with extreme congestion while trying to flee the Palisades Fire. She also added that there were cell phone service issues during the event.
8.4. From Organizational Representatives
8.4.1. David Card (Palisades Forestry Committee) explained the color coding on trees during debris removal and provided information on how to protect trees.
[Note: items 9 and 11.2 were called following 8.4.1.]
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 that PCH has reopened with a soft closure (open to residents and contractors with passes only). He cautioned everyone to drive slowly in the burn zone. He also mentioned the upcoming L.A. Marathon and that streets will be closed until 2 pm.
8.5.2. Arus Grigoryan, Palisades Field Deputy, CD11 (Councilwoman Traci Park), reported on several matters, including the lifting of the “Do Not Drink Water” restriction; the establishment of a temporary no parking zone in Castellammare; CD11’s work with Urban Forestry on protecting Palisades trees; the Ad Hoc Committee on LA Fire Recovery (she will let us know when and where the next meeting will take place); and the Councilwoman’s motion for a report on easing the burden on homeowners in the burn zone by waiving building permit fees (motion has passed in council and is awaiting a report back on the feasibility of a waiver). She also noted that all condominium and apartment building owners should submit ROE forms by the March 31st deadline; CD 11 is working to obtain confirmation that ACE will remove debris from multifamily buildings.
8.5.3. Marian Ensley, West Area Field Deputy, Mayor Karen Bass — Not present.
8.5.4. Zac Gaidzik, West-Coastal Deputy, Sup. Lindsey Horvath, advised that the Supervisor has worked with CD 11 on access to the Palisades Bowl Mobile Home Park for debris removal; FEMA and ACE have now obtained access to remove hazardous toxic debris, and they are working to clean up the remainder of the debris. He also reported on the Board of Supervisors’ work on several matters. Including moving LAHSA and other agencies into a single Department within the County. He said they are working on the beach bridge, plan to start mid April and “hope” to have the work complete by mid July. He also mentioned about getting tree waivers at palisadescallcenter@ecc.net. There will also be an audit on LAHSA homelessness services.
8.5.5. Samantha Gallegos, Field Representative, SD 24 (Sen. Ben Allen), announced that Senator Allen has introduced a number of bills that are pending in the legislature and may help Palisades residents, including a bill (SB 663) to provide a measure of property tax relief.
8.5.6. Anthony Avila, Field Representative, AD 42 (Asm. Jacqui Irwin) reported on several bills recently introduced in the legislature by Asm. Irwin, including bills dealing with mortgage payment forbearance and Fair Plan insurance issues. He also referenced the status of a proposed PCH Master Plan.
8.6. From PPCC Advisors and Liaisons — None.
9. Reports from PPCC Committee.
9.1. Land Use Committee (LUC). LUC Chair Chris Spitz advised that the Committee has been holding working meetings to discuss land use issues related to the rebuilding. The Committee is now recommending two motions that are on the agenda for board approval (items 11.2(a) and (b) were called during 9.1).
9.2. Rebuild Committee (RC): In the absence of the RC Chair, Quentin Fleming reported that the Committee has adopted an important “Statement of Rebuilding Goals and Guiding Principles” to guide its work: https://pacpalicc.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Background-Rebuild-Committee-Statement.pdf.
He and fellow RC member Lorie Cudzil have recruited 20 volunteers to monitor meetings of the City Council Ad Hoc LA Recovery Committee. RC member John Padden announced that the RC is also focusing on public safety during the rebuild.
10. Old Business – None.
11. New Business.
11.1. Presentation and Q&A – MySafe LA: LA Fire Safe Council. [Note: item taken out of order, following the Treasurer’s report/item 6.]
David Barrett and Dante Cornejo of the Fire Safe Council presented an informative slide show about the “My Safe Community Project” and fire safe measures that should be considered as we move forward with rebuilding. Mr. Barrett discussed topics such as providing defensible space, home hardening, and the importance of having a Fire Safe Council. He noted that Cal Fire will soon be considering new designations statewide of areas designated as Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones; it is hoped that Pacific Palisades’ designation will be retained. He acknowledged some lack of funding in the city. He also said the blue circle dots on pavement help mark where hydrants are to the right of the dots.
11.2. Motions sponsored by the PPCC LUC. [Note: item taken out of order, during the LUC report/item 9.1.]
11.2(a): Motion for the PPCC Board to oppose SB 677 (Wiener). The motion was made by the LUC (no second was necessary because more than one voting member made the motion). Chris Spitz presented information about the motion and background. No questions were asked, and after an opportunity for discussion, a vote on the motion was taken. Result: the motion passed unanimously. See approved motion language in Attachments below.
11.2(b): Motion regarding Specific Plan notice and enforcement. The motion was made by the LUC (no second was necessary because more than one voting member made the motion). Chris Spitz presented information about the motion and background. A resident noted the need for affordable housing. The President explained that this motion dealt with the Specific Plan only and affordable housing was not the subject of the motion; Chris Spitz also noted that the topic of affordable housing in the Palisades may be considered at some point. Following discussion, a vote was taken. Result: the motion passed unanimously. See approved motion language in Attachments below.
12. Adjournment. The meeting was adjourned at 8:26pm.
ATTACHMENTS:
Item 11.2(a) – Motion to oppose SB 677 (Wiener)
“Pacific Palisades Community Council (PPCC) has for 52 years been the voice of Pacific Palisades, the community at the epicenter of the Palisades Fire on January 7, 2025 – the most devastating catastrophe ever experienced in Los Angeles. Our experience with wildfires, and the extreme danger posed by limited routes of ingress and egress on our hillside streets during mandatory evacuations, has led PPCC to long oppose any efforts by government, whether directly or indirectly, to increase density in our low-density Palisades residential communities. https://pacpalicc.org/wpcontent/uploads/2025/02/PPCC-Policy-Statement-Density-Public-Safety.pdf.
“The extreme risk to public safety was made evident during the Palisades Fire, when residents under mandatory evacuation were forced to abandon cars and flee for their lives while emergency vehicles were impeded from entering burning areas. Increased density (more housing) will only exacerbate the risk as we continue to face the serious threat of wildfires during the reconstruction of Pacific Palisades and beyond. “PPCC therefore opposes SB 677 (Wiener), which mandates further streamlining and automatic approval of certain permits for increased housing development and places all areas within the Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone (VHFHSZ), including the entirety of Pacific Palisades, at risk of public safety, by failing to provide for an unconditional exemption for areas within the VHFHSZ.
“PPCC urges our state elected representatives, Senator Ben Allen and Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin, to vote No on the bill and to support the unconditional exemption of VHFHSZs from any attempt to waive the ordinary review, hearing, and comment process for permits that seek to increase density in these areas. We further request that our City Councilmember Traci Park bring a resolution in City Council forthwith to add opposition to SB 677 to the Council’s state legislative priorities for 2025-26.”
Background: https://pacpalicc.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Wiener-bill-background.pdf
Item 11.2(b) – Motion re Specific Plan notice and enforcement
“Pacific Palisades Community Council (PPCC) requests that during the reconstruction of Pacific Palisades, all applicants for building permits for multifamily or mixed used developments within the area of the Pacific Palisades Commercial Village and Neighborhoods Specific Plan (Specific Plan) be notified by the Los Angeles Dept. of Building and Safety (LADBS) of the provisions of the Specific Plan. PPCC further requests confirmation by our city officials and relevant agencies, including the Mayor, our Councilwoman, the Dept. of City Planning and LADBS, that the provisions of the Specific Plan will not be waived but will instead be applied and enforced as to all permit applications for multifamily or mixed used developments within the Specific Plan area during the reconstruction of Pacific Palisades.”
Background: According to recent reporting, at least one property owner may seek permission to build a large, multistory/multifamily building within the Palisades Specific Plan area which may violate certain Specific Plan provisions. It is possible that during the community’s reconstruction, other property owners may seek to do the same. PPCC has long supported application and enforcement of the Specific Plan. It is unclear whether the City’s streamlining of permits during reconstruction of the Palisades will include waiver or non-enforcement of Specific Plan provisions. See Specific Plan link at: https://pacpalicc.org/index.php/about/community-specific-plans/.