MINUTES FROM SEPTEMBER 11th 2025
Voting Members in Attendance: Sue Kohl, Quentin Fleming, Beth Holden Garland, Chris Spitz, Cindy Young, Steve Cron, Julia Nilsen, Kimberly Bloom, Karen Ridgley, Lorie Cudzil, Sharon Kilbride, Andrew Wolfberg, John Padden, James Alexakis, Kaye Steinsapir, Richard Blumenberg, Andy Frew, Donna Vaccarino, Courtney Macker, Haldis Toppel
Non-voting Members and Advisors: Joanna Spak, Lee Anne Sanderson, Daphne Gronich, Michael Edlen, Kevin Niles, Jessica Rogers, David Card
Immediately before the call to order, a moment of silence was held to commemorate the 24th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks on the U.S.
1. Call to Order and Reading of Community Council’s Mission. The meeting was called to order at 6:02 p.m. David Card 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 August 14, 2025, were approved as distributed.
5. Consideration of Agenda & Upcoming Meetings. September 25, 2025 (Marvin Braude Trail-Santa Monica Canyon Restoration, update by the County Public Works Dept.; Palisades Long Term Recovery Group (LTRG / https://paliltrg.org/), presentation by Jim Cragg, President; Board vote on proposed Bylaws amendments); October 9, 2025 (Guest speaker Supervisor Lindsey Horvath, with update on proposed County Authority for Pacific Palisades; Palisades Recovery Coalition (PRC) update; new PPCC Member Organizational representatives seated).
6. Treasurer’s Report. In the Treasurer’s absence, the President read the Treasurer’s report, as follows: https://pacpalicc.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/PPCC-Treasurer.pdf.
7. General Public Comment.
7.1. Jill Smith (resident) encouraged residents to sign a petition for tax relief for fire victims, specifically calling for the sales tax on rebuilding materials to be waived.
7.2. John Q. (“John Q. Public”), a representative of T-Mobile, explained that he is a point of contact for the community on cell tower issues. His email: johnqpublicaffairs@gmail.com.
7.3. “Lefty” Lefkowitz (Mandeville Canyon Association vice-president) reported on the upcoming meeting of the state Board of Forestry Zone 0 Committee in Altadena on September 18. He encouraged Palisadians to attend and comment, and that PPRA would be providing more information. Chris Spitz (At-large) noted that PPCC has commented with concerns about the proposed new regulations, has posted the Brentwood HOA’s informational website about Zone 0, and will also try to include information about the upcoming meeting in a Mailchimp bulletin.
7.4. Bart Young (resident) commented on difficulties in getting access to water in the Palisades, and the fact that LADWP is not waiving fees.
7.5. Marjan Rajibi (resident) expressed concern about the proposed increase in solid waste fees by the Bureau of Sanitation. Residents should submit comments. [Information can be found at: https://sanitation.lacity.gov/san/faces/home?_adf.ctrl-state=18aoh2ki20_224&_afrLoop=9129016576943656#!]
7.6. Pamela Fong (resident) raised a question about the distance required for front-yard setbacks on Via de la Paz, specifically whether the former prevailing setback and/or the same setback set forth in the Tract 9300 CC&Rs (40 ft.) is still applicable during the rebuild. She indicated that the Planning Dept. is applying this long setback to rebuilding projects on Via. Chris Spitz (At-large and LUC Chair) indicated that she would be happy to speak with Ms. Fong offline about this topic.
8. Reports, Announcements and Concerns.
8.1.1. PPCC Member Organizations update – new term to begin Oct. 1, 2025, seated Oct. 9, 2025. The new representatives for member organizations will begin their terms in October; the names of the organizational members and representatives for the new term will be provided at the next PPCC meeting.
8.1.2. 2025 “Citizen of the Year” awards update – event to take place on December 11, 2025. We have secured Spruzzo restaurant as the event venue this year; a $500 deposit has been paid to the restaurant. Appointment of the Selection and Event committees, and information about the process to nominate candidates for the awards, will be announced at the next PPCC meeting.
8.1.3. Longtime former Board Member Eric Dugdale/PPHS – In Memoriam. The President expressed our sorrow at learning that Eric Dugdale had passed away. She spoke about his extensive and respected service on the PPCC Board and as President of the Historical Society, and noted that he was an uncle to James Alexakis (TCA President and PPCC Board member).
8.1.4. Bocce Opening Day event at Veterans Gardens, 9/7/25. This was a fun event in which many people participated.
8.1.5. Palisades Elementary Yee Haw Day, 10/18/25 – PPCC contribution/banner display. PPCC has made a sponsorship contribution in the amount of $3,000 (as previously discussed and approved) to the Pali Elementary parent organization, which is producing the annual Yee Haw Day event. PPCC will receive recognition as a sponsor and a large banner with our name and logo will be displayed at the event. Yee Haw Day is a fundraiser for the parent organization, which provides enrichment programs for school students. All are invited to the event, to be held at Brentwood Science Magnet School (temporary school venue for Pali Elementary students).
8.1.6. SB 79 status update. The President asked Chris Spitz to give an update. Ms. Spitz explained that the bill was being voted on in the Assembly as we were holding the PPCC meeting. Throughout the meeting, she gave updates on the status, culminating with news she received that the bill had passed with a narrow vote in favor.
8.1.7. Position letters written by EC and/or PPCC since last PPCC meeting:
Further Message re SB 79:
https://pacpalicc.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Message-to-Legislators-re-SB-79.pdf
EC letter re FireAid:
https://pacpalicc.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/FireAid-Support1.pdf
Sepulveda Pass Project DEIR letter:
https://pacpalicc.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/PPCC-Comment-on-STCP-DEIR1.pdf
Letter Supporting CF 25-0848 & Request Expediting Reports:
https://pacpalicc.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/PPCC-Letter-CF-25-0848-Evacuations-Reports.pdf
The President acknowledged that these letters were all written and submitted.
8.1.8. [New] CVS Grand Opening. CVS will host a grand opening and hold a fun party for the community on September 19, 2025, in the Palisades.
8.2. From Officers/Chair Emeritus.
8.3. From At-Large and Area Representatives.
8.3.1. Chris Spitz (At-large). See comments under item 8.1.6 above.
8.3.2. Sharon Kilbride (Area Seven) reported that the entrance gate at the Pali Bowl mobile home park remains unlocked and there are no posted signs restricting entry. This a public safety hazard which allows homeless individuals to enter onto the property and set up encampments with camp fires. She has written again to the owner, Mr. Colby Biggs, urging him to lock the gate and properly secure the site. The LAPD Beach Detail is aware.
8.3.3. Kimberly Bloom (Area Five) attended a recent meeting with AECOM representatives and was impressed with what she learned as to the stages that the company is working on. AECOM will try to arrange a town hall to gather community input on its work.
8.4. From Organizational Representatives.
8.4.1. Haldis Toppel (Theatre Palisades) reminded everyone of the Theatre Palisades production, the Wisdom of Eve, playing at the Blue Door Theatre in Santa Monica. She asked everyone to support Theatre Palisades, which hopes to return to the Palisades although the future is uncertain.
8.4.2. Richard Blumenberg (PP Civic League) reported on a Rebuild Expo to be hosted by the Malibu-Palisades Chamber of Commerce on September 28, from 2-5pm at the Santa Monica Woman’s Club.
8.4.3. David Card (Palisades Forestry Committee/PFC) noted that there are too many instances of folks cutting down healthy trees. He suggested that contractors be asked whether they have a permit to remove a tree, if it is a street tree or a protected tree on private property. He also mentioned the recent theft of 24 pieces of outdoor furniture from his home.
8.4.4. Jessica Rogers (PPRA) spoke about the Board of Forestry’s proposed Zone 0 regulations. The Zone 0 Committee will be meeting in Altadena on September 18. PPRA is spreading the word about the meeting and providing Zone 0 facts through their action campaign.
8.4.5. James Alexakis (TCA) stated that TCA is planning its next annual meeting, with information to come. The Leacock Trail is now open but there are problems with the gate. He thanked everyone in the community who sent condolences in memory of his uncle Eric Dugdale.
8.4.6. Donna Vaccarino (PP Historical Society) spoke about the loss to the Society with the passing of Eric Dugdale. She also mentioned that the Society is tracking the status of the Business Block building. A demolition permit has been pulled but the City Planning Office of Historic Resources has asked for an independent study of the building’s structural safety.
8.5. From Government Offices / Representatives (as available). Contact information: https://pacpalicc.org/index.php/government-contacts/.
8.5.1. Brian Espin, LAPD Senior Lead Officer (SLO), Pacific Palisades. SLO Espin reported that crime has been low, but residents still need to be vigilant to deter criminal activity. The City’s contract with private security firms has ended, and CHP will be lessening its footprint. There will be a reduction in officers by the end of the month. The President mentioned that there are many instances of thefts on construction sites and other properties, which apparently are not being reported. She asked everyone to please remind our neighbors to report all thefts, otherwise there is no record. Karen Ridgley (Area Four) asked about speed restrictions on PCH. SLO Espin explained that within the Palisades, from the SM Tunnel to Porto Marina Way, the speed limit is 45 MPH. North of Porto Marina the speed limit is 25 MPH. Copper wire cutting and theft is also ongoing at construction sites. SLO Espin stressed that reports about these thefts should be made to the non-emergency line. In response to a suggestion from Sharon Kilbride (Area Seven), SLO Espin reported that another Hillside Task Force event is planned for November 5 in the Palisades, with more information to come.
8.5.2. Arus Grigoryan, Palisades Field Deputy, CD 11 (Councilwoman Traci Park) announced that the Bureau of Street Services is inspecting and will be watering street trees. Three hundred and four (304) trees have been identified that require watering. As to the proposed grant to the PFC for street tree watering [item 9.2], this will cover more street trees that the City may not be watering; per David Card, the PFC will work with the City so that there is no duplication.
8.5.3. Marian Ensley, West Area Representative, Mayor Karen Bass – not present.
8.5.4. Zac Gaidzik, Coastal & Westside Field Deputy, County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath – not present.
8.5.5. Sean Regan, District Representative, Congressman Brad Sherman – not present.
8.5.6. Sophia Liebman, Field Representative, SD 24 (Sen. Ben Allen). The President read from a written report provided by Ms. Liebman, who was unable to attend the meeting.
[See: https://pacpalicc.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/PPCC-update-Allen.pdf.]
8.5.7. Anthony Avila, Field Representative, AD 42 (Asm. Jacqui Irwin) advised that Asm. Irwin is opposed to SB 79; an NVR was listed for her at the time of his report to the Board, which Chris Spitz noted, and Mr. Avila agreed, is equivalent to a No vote.
8.6. From PPCC Advisors and Liaisons – None.
9. Reports from PPCC Committees.
9.1. Bylaws Committee (Chris Spitz & Maryam Zar, Co-Chairs). First Distribution of proposed Bylaws Amendments (second Distribution and Board vote on September 25, 2025; Bylaws, Art. XII.2.B). See the following documents distributed concurrently with this meeting agenda via PPCC email and posted on the PPCC website:
1) Committee Report: https://pacpalicc.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Bylaws-Cmte-Report-Sept.-2025-1.pdf
2) Amendments “Redline”: https://pacpalicc.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/PPCC-Bylaws-Amend.-Sept.-2025-Redline.pdf
3) Amendments “Clean”: https://pacpalicc.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/PPCC-Bylaws-Amend.-Sept.-2025-Clean.pdf
Co-Chair Spitz explained the proposed amendments, noting that this was the required First Distribution; there will be a vote and opportunity for discussion on September 25th. She asked if there were any questions; there were none.
9.2 Grants Committee (Quentin Fleming, Chair). Committee recommendations for PPCC grants; motion for Board approval of the following grants from donations that PPCC has received to:
1) the Palisades Forestry Committee (PFC) — $75,000; 2) The Crayon Collection — $15,000.
Relevant documents – Conflict of Interest Rules regarding Grants:
https://pacpalicc.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Conflict-of-Interest-Rules-Grants.pdf
Application Guidelines: https://pacpalicc.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Guidelines-for-Grants1.pdf
Committee Reports (PFC & Crayon Collection Recommendations):
https://pacpalicc.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Grant-Recommendation-PFC.pdf
https://pacpalicc.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Grant-Recommendation-Crayon-Collection.pdf
Chair Fleming explained the Committee’s recommendations for grants to the PFC and The Crayon Collection. Prior to discussion, the President asked if any voting Board member had a conflict of interest pursuant to the Conflict of Interest Rules which were linked in the agenda and on the website. No one indicated that they had a conflict. After discussion (including comments by David Card, not a voting Board member, on behalf of the applicant PFC), a vote was taken on each proposed grant. Result: unanimous approval of both the PFC and The Crayon Collection grants.
9.3. Rebuild Committee (David Schwarz, Chair). NORC-PPCC community survey update. Vice-President Quentin Fleming announced that the survey has been rolled out this week on a limited scale via email, with more to come in emails next week.
9.4. Land Use Committee (LUC / Chris Spitz, Chair). Update: discussions with Planning Dept. officials re Palisades multi-family buildings along Sunset Blvd. Chair Spitz explained that the Deputy Director of Planning (Lisa Webber) and senior Planners, along with Craig Bullock (CD 11 Planning Director), attended the last working LUC meeting; they explained that there are no permit applications so far for multi-family building projects along Sunset. It is possible that future applications could be submitted for approval of density bonus projects that may be taller and more dense than former buildings, which would be a concern for the community in terms of impact on emergency evacuations. The Planning Dept. is very aware of our concerns regarding density; staff are in frequent discussions about the Palisades. If these applications do occur, many of them would likely involve projects in the Coastal zone and as such would require a discretionary process and Coastal review, during which our concerns about public safety due to increased density could potentially be raised. The Planning Dept. must follow state law in terms of the approval process for any density bonus projects.
10. Old Business – None.
x11. New Business.
11.1. Friends of the Library Update. PP Library Association President Cameron Pfizenmaier. https://friendsofpalilibrary.org/. Ms. Pfizenmaier attended along with Friends Board Member Carolyn Nick. She presented information about the temporary space for the Library as well as the permanent rebuild project. Regarding the temporary space, Ms. Pfizenmaier explained that the timing is uncertain, but a structure will be installed on tennis courts 7 and 8 of the Recreation Center. There will be two separate spaces inside, one for the Library and one for a Recreation and Parks (RAP) office. The Library space will include a community room. The Friends will share programming details with the community. The permit for the rebuild has not yet been issued and there is no time estimate. The Library will be located on the same site as it was before the Fire. The Bureau of Engineering (BOE) is looking at several architects. They will be asking for community input as to needs. The rebuild will be at 110% of the footprint so that FEMA will cover the cost. The President thanked Ms. Pfizenmaier.
11.2. Current and Future Palisades Infrastructure Projects. Presentation by Los Angeles City Bureau of Engineering (BOE). Patrick Schmitt and Kristen Wong of BOE attended, with Ms. Wong presenting. Ms. Wong explained that they wished to update the community on bulkhead/retaining wall projects on streets in Castellammare and on Bienveneda. She showed slides and explained each of the projects, which involved installation of concrete and steel bulkheads. She did not discuss future BOE projects. A resident, Ivo Venkov, raised concerns about impacts of one of the projects on his property in the Castellammare area. It was suggested that he speak with BOE and/or CD 11 offline about his concerns. The President thanked the BOE representatives for the presentation.
[See a recording of the above two presentations at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2-KyqX3Go6c.]
12. Adjournment. The meeting was adjourned at 7:59 p.m.