Scroll down for all 2026 meeting minutes.
Return to Index of 2026 PPCC Meeting Minutes
Unless otherwise noted, all meetings held via Zoom videoconference and recorded for secretarial purposes only.
MINUTES FROM JANUARY 8th 2026
Voting Members in Attendance: Sue Kohl, Quentin Fleming, Jenny Li, Beth Holden-Garland, Chris Spitz, JoAnna Rodriguez, Carole White, Julia Nilsen, Karen Ridgley/Lee Anne Sanderson*), Kimberly Bloom, Lorie Cudzil (partial attendance/Cindy Simon*) Sharon Kilbride, Andrew Wolfberg, John Padden, Rick McGeagh, Valeria Serna, David Card, Kevin Niles, Daphne Gronich, Alley Michaelson, Courtney Macker, Donna Vaccarino (*became voting member upon primary’s departure)
Non-voting Members and Advisors: Cindi Young, Allison Holdorff, Michael Edlen, Bonnie Burgess, Richard Blumenberg, James Alexakis, Fay Vahdani, Jim Kirtley, Ella Nozar
1. Call to Order and Reading of Community Council’s Mission. The meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m. Julia Nilsen 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.
[Note: Item 11.1 (Councilwoman Traci Park) was called following Item 3 and prior to Item 4 (Approval of Minutes) below.]
4. Approval of Minutes. The minutes of November 13, 2026, were approved as distributed.
5. Consideration of Agenda & Upcoming Meetings. January 22, 2026 (LAFD Chief Jaime Moore invited); February 12, 2026 (topics to be announced).
6. Treasurer’s Report. In the Treasurer reported that our balances are as follows:
US Bank: $ 43,969.25 (note: $5,000 is being held for a donation to the community celebration event in March, so the effective balance is less this amount).
Schwab: $ 337,340.30 (note: grant checks totaling $12,000 have not yet cleared, so the effective balance is less this amount).
The Treasurer is also working on a report of the expenses for the Gala in December (to be finalized).
7. General Public Comment.
7.1. Diane Bleak (resident) thanked Steve Cron for his service to Area Two. She also suggested that PPCC should: hold hybrid meetings; identify audience members during roll call; advocate for a medical clinic in the Palisades; and post more frequently on Facebook, Instagram and Next Door.
7.2. Richard Lombari (resident/Pali LTRG Vice-Chair) thanked PPCC for supporting the LTRG Remembrance event on January 7, 2026.
7.3. John Alle (property/business owner) expressed his disappointment that individual needy Palisades residents did not receive FireAid funds, while large amounts were donated to others without accounting for how the money was spent. He also suggested that FLOCK LPR camera operators should be asked to provide video to identify individuals who recently stole yard signs from private property. The President explained that these cameras are license-plate readers which record vehicles only and do not capture images of individual persons; the LPR cameras are also placed mainly at intersections, not sited throughout residential areas. [See remarks by LAPD SLO Espin in Item 8.5.1, below.]
8. Reports, Announcements and Concerns.
8.1. From the Chair/Presiding Officer.
8.1.1. Recap and remarks on the one-year anniversary of the Palisades Fire: January 7, 2026, Fire Anniversary Commemoration/Remembrance Event. The President commented on the many events that she attended, including the moving Remembrance Ceremony hosted by the American Legion Post 283 and the Pali LTRG (which PPCC helped sponsor with the approval of the Executive Committee); the “They Let Us Burn” protest event organized by residents, where some legitimate points were made; the special Project Chimney event sponsored by the House Museum; and the beams of light that were shown over Caruso’s Palisades Village in the evening.
8.1.2. Recap: January 7, 2026, House Museum Commemoration Event (chimney project). [See Item 8.1.1, above.]
8.1.3. Recap: January 1, 2026, Rose Parade / Rising Together Float – PPCC President Sue Kohl and Pali LTRG President Jim Cragg, participating. The President detailed the events of the day, explaining that she and Jim Cragg were honored to represent the Palisades community and walk alongside the beautiful “Rising Together” float, sponsored by the California Community Foundation, which featured a floral Phoenix rising and won an award in the Rose Parade. She remarked on the thousands of persons lining the Parade route who indicated their support for the fire victims on the float, and noted that this was one of the best experiences of her life.
8.1.4. Recap: December 11, 2025, PPCC Awards Gala. The President provided a recap of the successful Awards Gala held at Spruzzo Restaurant. She related that Spruzzo’s service and food were excellent, that Jimmy Dunne wrote and performed a special song for Councilwoman Park, accompanied by members of the Event Committee who served as his backup dancers, and that a fun time was had by all! [See recap and photos at https://pacpalicc.org/index.php/awards-guidelines/.]
8.1.4. New event: January 9, 2026, One-Year Remembrance of the Fire, 10am-11am at City Hall, Council Chambers, 200 N. Spring St., Los Angeles. RSVP: https://forms.gle/mh6x9ZT5TA9jhTqq7. The President encouraged everyone to attend this special ceremony at City Hall on January 9th.
8.1.5. Reminder: Community Renewal Celebration — new date March 22, 2026. The President explained that PPCC and many other community organizations are sponsoring this celebration which will now take place on March 22 instead of on January 25 as earlier noticed. Planning for the event is ongoing and more details will come soon.
8.1.6. Update: ACE Building Materials proposed materials yard and point-of-sale center/permit hearing January 5, 2026. The President briefly explained this family-owned business and the proposed project, and reported on the hearing of ACE’s application for a “long term temporary permit” to operate a building materials yard at the vacant Shell Station lot. A decision on the permit was postponed so that ACE can coordinate with LADWP on a safe ingress and egress route during LADWP’s work on Via de la Paz. Jessica Zakarya, one of ACE’s co-owners (in attendance) expressed admiration for PPCC’s work, thanked us for our support and advised that ACE will work with LADWP to ensure that ingress and egress to the site will be safe and convenient.
PPCC EC 1st Letter: https://pacpalicc.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/PPCC-EC-Ltr-ACE-Rebuilding-Yard-Permit.pdf
PPCC 2nd Letter: https://pacpalicc.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/PPCC-EC-Ltr-ACE-Yard-2.pdf
Background: https://pacpalicc.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Memo-PPCC-Bd-ACE-permit.pdf
8.1.7. Update: PPCC-NORC Community Survey – Status of NORC Report on Survey Results and distribution to the press. The President announced that NORC has completed its report on the results of the Community Survey and that PPCC this week issued a press release about the report. With the approval of the Executive Committee, the press release was sent out to news media nationwide via the “PR Newswire” service. VP Quentin Fleming will be the point person to answer questions about the report. [PPCC press release: https://pacpalicc.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/PPCC-Press-Release.pdf.]
[NORC report: https://pacpalicc.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Report_NORC-and-PPCC-Final-1.pdf.]
8.1.8. Farewell and thank you to Steve Cron (longtime Area Two Primary Representative, now resigned); welcome new Primary Carole White and new 1st Alternate Diana Daniele; the Area Two 2nd Alternate seat is now open; instructions on how to apply for the seat will be distributed. The President thanked Steve Cron for his service to PPCC and the community. She also explained that as a result, Carole White is now the Primary and Diana Daniele is the 1st Alternate [per PPCC bylaws, when the Primary seat becomes vacant the Alternate seats move up accordingly]. A notice detailing how to apply to become the 2nd Alternate will be distributed soon. Steve Cron (in attendance) stated that it was his pleasure to serve on the PPCC Board representing Area Two; he explained that although he has moved from the Palisades and doesn’t feel he can adequately represent Area Two at this time, he isn’t going away entirely and we’ll see him again.
8.2. From Officers/Chair Emeritus – None.
8.3. From At-Large and Area Representatives.
8.3.1. JoAnna Rodriguez (Area One) explained that a resident on Posetano Road in Area One is very concerned because another homeowner is engaging in construction on a hillside portion of Posetano seemingly without implementing normal hillside safety measures; for example, there are no retaining walls, the caissons are very small, and an electrical cord is dangerously placed across the public street. JoAnna has asked CD 11 for help but has not heard back. Reza Akef (Infrastructure Committee Chair) suggested that she contact palisadespermitconcierge@lacity.org. Chris Spitz (At-large & Land Use Committee Chair) also suggested that Rodriguez follow up again with CD 11 Planning Director Craig Bullock and Palisades Deputy Arus Grigoryan.
8.3.2. Kimberly Bloom (Area Five) announced that residents of the Alphabets Streets, which are leading in the reconstruction efforts, have expressed concerns about whether street trees will be replanted and about the destruction of the tree canopy and other vegetation in the area due to the fire. She asked if the Palisades Forestry Committee (PFC) can help with this issue. Dave Card (PFC President) indicated he would speak about the matter in his organizational report [see Item 8.4.1 below].
8.4. From Organizational Representatives.
8.4.1. Dave Card (PFC) announced that the PFC is working on a Master Plan for street trees in the entire Palisades. The whole process may take over a year and assistance may be needed with street tree designations. He gave information about how to plant and secure street trees. He also noted that the PFC has now planted over 100 trees in the last three years, as they committed to do at past PPCC meetings; the last two trees were recently planted at Aldersgate. The PFC also assisted in planting twelve native trees (Sycamores and Live Oaks) in honor of the twelve individuals who died in the Palisades fire, in the park area along Temescal Canyon Blvd. (south of the former Palisades High continuation school).
8.4.2. Jim Kirtley (Lowe Family YMCA) noted that the Y has extended free memberships for fire victims.
8.4.3. Donna Vaccarino (PP Historical Society) announced that an informal gathering will take place at 2pm on Sunday afternoon, January 11, 2026, at Founders Oak Island across from Aldersgate Lodge on Haverford, to rededicate the Island after the fire. Pastor Catie Coons (interim Pastor of the Methodist Church) will give remarks (the Methodists were the original Palisades founders) and there will be a native land recognition by Tongva and Chumash representatives. All are invited.
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) for Pacific Palisades, announced that the past week’s crime map shows no crime in the Palisades. He emphasized that the crime map data is based on crimes that are actually reported to LAPD; low-level criminal activity that may be occurring but is not reported is not reflected. He also noted that due to our low crime statistics, an additional LAPD patrol car that had been temporarily assigned to the Palisades has been rerouted to other areas of the City with higher crime numbers; the Palisades will still have one dedicated patrol car assigned to our area. Officer Espin also confirmed that FLOCK LPR cameras are license-plate readers which only record vehicles (those that pass by the locations where the cameras are sited), not individuals.
8.5.2. Arus Grigoryan, Palisades Field Deputy, CD 11 (Councilwoman Traci Park) – present early in the meeting but left before government reports were called.
8.5.3. Marian Ensley, West Area Representative, Mayor Karen Bass, recounted that she was pleased to be able to attend the moving PaliLTRG Remembrance event at the American Legion on January 7, for which the Mayor had presented a wreath. She explained that the Mayor had been in the Palisades that morning at a private vigil honoring the fire victims at the Self-Realization Fellowship, and had ordered that City government flags be lowered to half-mast and that City Hall be lit blue to honor the victims. Ms. Ensley also gave updates on the status of the library and recreation center rebuilds, and the planned establishment of a new one-stop rebuilding center on the lot next to Marquez Elementary in the Palisades, where representatives of LADBS, Planning, LADWP and other City agencies will be located to provide information and answer questions.
8.5.4. Zac Gaidzik, Coastal & Westside Field Deputy, County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath, provided updates on several LA County measures. He also remarked that he and the Supervisor were honored to attend the PaliLTRG Remembrance ceremony, which he found very moving; he further announced a Community Picnic for fire victims, sponsored by the Supervisor, to take place at Pepperdine University on Saturday afternoon, January 10, 2026. All are invited.
8.5.5. Sean Regan, District Representative, Congressman Brad Sherman – not present.
8.5.6. Sophia Liebman, Field Representative, SD 24 (Sen. Ben Allen) reported that the Senator was pleased to attend the Remembrance ceremony yesterday. She also reported on his new committee assignments in the coming legislative term and noted that he is working on bills involving insurance and rebuilding matters, as well as issues related to mobile home parks.
8.5.7. Anthony Avila, Field Representative, AD 42 (Asm. Jacqui Irwin) stated the Assemblymember was also pleased to attend the Remembrance ceremony, and that her office is looking for local office space in the Palisades and may relocate to a space within the PRC office.
8.6. From PPCC Advisors and Liaisons.
8.6.1. Allison Holdorf (Education), Senior Advisor to LAUSD Member Nick Melvoin, reported that Pali High students will very likely (“99%”) return to classes at the Palisades campus by January 22, 2026.
9. Reports from PPCC Committees.
9.1. Land Use Committee / LUC (Chris Spitz, Chair). Chair Spitz did not comment further on the ACE Building Materials yard matter which had been discussed during the Chair’s announcements. She instead explained that the LUC will meet with CD 11 Planning Deputy Craig Bullock and Planning Dept. officials to obtain information and an understanding of how state density bonus laws interact with or supersede the Palisades Specific Plan and may impact other areas of the Palisades, most recently as applied to a tall (3-story) mixed-use project proposed for a vacant lot on Sunset Blvd. in the commercial Village.
9.3. Rebuild Committee (David Schwarz, Chair). VP Quentin Fleming explained that a professional public relations firm provided input on the press release about the NORC report and assisted with its release nationally via PR Newswire (as approved by the Executive Committee). He reported that the survey report so far has been referenced in the New York Post (NYP) and on Air Talk with Larry Mantle (89.3FM), where Fleming was interviewed. Joel Pollak (resident and NYP opinion editor, in attendance) commented that the survey was “extremely well done” and noted that a significant takeaway from the results is the fact that the community overwhelmingly distrusts government to lead the Palisades’ recovery. Donna Vaccarino (PPHS) expressed her opinion that a discussion about the survey is needed. Chris Spitz (At-large) stated that in a second phase, NORC will conduct a follow-up survey, which Fleming indicated may take place in about six months. He also remarked on the importance and purpose of the survey: to provide the most rigorous, scientific and reliable set of data about the opinions, needs and priorities of Palisades residents, which in turn will inform decision-makers as to how and where to direct funding and on the way forward for recovery that the community actually supports.
9.4. Infrastructure Committee (Reza Akef, Chair). Committee update. Chair Akef explained that the Committee has been meeting with LADWP and other officials and agencies and will continue to meet about the community’s important infrastructure needs. Discussions include all aspects of infrastructure repair, installation and rebuilding, including undergrounding and other infrastructure needs, such as water meters, curbs, streets, street lighting and street trees; all will need to be coordinated going forward. The Committee is reaching out to include different Palisades neighborhoods in the conversations and will report back to the Board on the Committee’s efforts.
10. Old Business – None.
11. New Business.
11.1. Guest Speaker Councilwoman Traci Park.
The President welcomed Councilwoman Park, who began by thanking the Pali LTRG for the moving event on the anniversary of the fire and PPCC for our work over the past year. She spoke about the suffering we all experienced, the challenges and economics involved with the rebuild, the work of her office and her efforts in City Council to push forward numerous measures to assist in the Palisades’ recovery. She also provided a status update about street lighting in the Palisades, which is dark at night due to nonfunctioning or destroyed street lights, her efforts with Street Lighting to get street lights up and running, and about LADWP’s work to install a one-stop-rebuilding center on the vacant lot adjacent to Marquez Elementary School. She explained that this work does not involve installation of an electrical distributing station. The President thanked the Councilwoman for speaking with us and for all her efforts on our behalf this past year.
11.2. Habitat for Humanity Presentation.
The President welcomed representatives from Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles (Habitat LA). Melissa Morales-Quezada showed slides and explained what HabitatLA has been doing and continues to do in the Palisades to help with the recovery. She described their multi-phase recovery plan and programs for vulnerable Palisadians. She and other HabitatLA representatives emphasized that contrary to misinformed public perception of our community, there are many needy Palisadians who require assistance and services after the tragedy. HabitatLA will continue to provide services to those in need. The President thanked the representatives for speaking with us and for their work.
[See a recording of both of the above speakers (items 11.1 and 11.2, CW Park at the beginning; HabitatLA at about 1:38 on the recording) at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ISWm78787eA .]
12. Adjournment. The meeting was adjourned at 8:17 p.m.