{"id":11911,"date":"2023-08-02T14:38:20","date_gmt":"2023-08-02T14:38:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pacpalicc.org\/?page_id=11911"},"modified":"2023-09-16T19:35:12","modified_gmt":"2023-09-16T19:35:12","slug":"ppcc-minutes-2023-08-24","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/pacpalicc.org\/index.php\/ppcc-minutes-2023-08-24\/","title":{"rendered":"PPCC Minutes \u2014 2023 \/ 08 \/ 24"},"content":{"rendered":"

Return to 2023 Minutes<\/a><\/p>\n

MINUTES FROM AUGUST 24th 2023<\/h5>\n

1.\u00a0 The meeting was called to order at 6:01 PM and Nina Kidd read the Community Council Mission.<\/p>\n

2.\u00a0 The President called roll and certified that there was quorum<\/p>\n

Voting members present: Sue Kohl, Maryam Zar, Jenny Li, Beth Holden-Garland, Dave Card, Murray Levy, Steve Cron, Nancy Niles, LeeAnne Sanderson, Kimberly Bloom, Chris Spitz, Bruce Schwartz, Nina Kidd, Alisa Wolfson, Kevin Niles, Shirley Haggstrom, Courtney Macker, Cathy Russell, Bill Skinner.<\/p>\n

Non-voting members present: Cindi Young, Joanna Spak, Michael Edlen, Aileen Hough, Mary Mueller.<\/p>\n

3.\u00a0 Introduction of attendees
\n<\/strong>The President introduced Armine Sargsyan from CA Department of Insurance, outreach Analyst for a presentation about Fire hazard insurance. Ms. Sargysyan shared a presentation and informed the board about the Department of Insurance, a state consumer protection agency tasked with regulating all lines of insurance. They hold resource fairs and outreach events to inform the public.<\/p>\n

The main issue in CA is fire insurance \u2013 availability and affordability, which is increasingly an issue. The Dept of Ins. got together with other agencies to introduce new regulations and a strategy termed \u201cSafer from Wildfires\u201d.\u00a0 If homeowners follow guidelines or home hardening, they can get discounts from insurance companies. Please see the recording of this presentation at our website and the power point on the website: https:\/\/pacpalicc.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Department-of-Insurance-Safer-from-Wildfires-PPT-4.22.23.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n

The President thanked Armine for her important presentation.<\/p>\n

The President introduced Richard Fink from CA State Parks, District Superintendent II for a discussion about the role of State brush clearance in VHFHSZ communities like ours. LAFD Brush Clearance Captain, Bryan Nassour also joined the conversation. Mr. Fink informed the board that there are at least three swaths of State land in the Palisades which is not usually cleared by the State, but are expected to be cleared by homeowners nearby. Those homeowners may seek a right of entry onto state land to do that brush clearance. Per Rad Nowroozi, from State Sen Ben Allen\u2019s Office, that can be a complex process that requires an initial inspection, a right of entry permit, and a follow-up inspection \u2013 so it may be wise to look at these policies and perhaps think of a better method for this brush clearance.<\/p>\n

The President informed the board that discussion with the state began when she was informed that the LAFD had cited the State for failure to clear some of its land, which was overgrown with brush and presented a fire hazard. When we reached out to the State to ask them to clear, they informed us that they do not do brush clearance. When we pressed as to why, we weren\u2019t given much other than a direction to ask homeowners to clear up to 200 feet from their property lines, and seek a permit to clear more, if they wish. That didn\u2019t seem to address the glaring need to clear State brush land in our residential areas, which posed an immediate observable fire threat. We asked for some answers, and Skylar Payab from ASM Irwin\u2019s office took the lead. Mr. Richard Fink, agreed to speak to PPCC after Skylar\u2019s outreach.<\/p>\n

Richard Fink introduced himself as the District Superintendent for the Angeles District State Parks (including PP, Malibu, Long Beach, Castaic Lake and Downton LA), a large and diverse region.\u00a0 Protecting from wildfires tales a collaborative approach and state parks as well as homeowners share that responsibility. Fuel modification and brush clearance is a challenge. The parcel of land on Via Floresta was interesting. He has researched the issue and applicable laws and spoken to LA City and County fire to see what the approach is, locally.\u00a0 State Govt\u2019 code 51182, compels a person who owns a dwelling in a VHFHSZ (all of the Palisades) to maintain a defensible space of 100 feet from their dwelling. \u00a0State code requires fuel mitigation extending 100 feet, whereas the State requires clearance to 200 feet (but not beyond the property line).\u00a0 State policy prohibits brush clearance because they have a mandate to preserve the state\u2019s natural resources. Clearance is not in their line of business \u2013 but their mission is to protect natural habitat. So, if the homeowner isn\u2019t clearing beyond 200 feet and the state cannot clear land, per policy, what do we do? Mr. Fink says, there is a permit process to ask for the right of entry into state land, identify what can be removed and what must be protected. Once the permit is issued, the private homeowner can go onto State land and conduct fuel modification in accordance to the permitted plan.<\/p>\n

Mr. Fink showed an image of the state park land they will be clearing (on Via Floresta). He confirmed that brush is overgrown past the road (\u201cmaintenance questions, for sure\u201d), and obstructing the PROW. There is an easement on this land for the City of LA, already, for the slope area to be drained. There is some question as to who has a maintenance obligation here, but Richard\/State had spoken to City before and they\u2019ve agreed to come and conduct some brush clearance and fuel modification \u2013 from the sidewalk several feet up, in order to clear the immediate brush by the side of the road, impacting the PROW. This is on the City\u2019s interest to maintain, so they have made this arrangement as a solution to the issue. As far as clearing out other areas or vast average of bush, that is not what the State does.<\/p>\n

The President introduced Capt., Nassour and Insp. Sutton on the call. She thanked Mr. Fink, but pointed out that there are other tracts of state land (for example in Paseo Miramar) that also need to be addressed. She thanked him again for addressing this parcel, but pressed that the state needs to think foo a solution for other parcels, that remain combustible and close to residential areas.<\/p>\n

Insp. Warren confirmed that there are other state parcels that are of concern. They do cite the State \u2013 but that\u2019s all they can do. The Homeowner is responsible to their property line and\/or their property line \u2013 not more. Mr. Fink said there are examples of state land close to structures that can\u2019t be cleared, but that is the current regulation.<\/p>\n

The board thanked out presenters, and left the discussion at more needs to be done. The President said she would upload this segment of the recording to the PPCC you tube website.<\/p>\n

4.\u00a0\u00a0 The Minutes for July 27, 2023 were approved as distributed.<\/p>\n

5.\u00a0\u00a0 Consideration of Agenda & Upcoming Meetings: <\/strong>
\nThe Agenda was considered as presented.<\/p>\n

6.\u00a0\u00a0 Treasurer\u2019s Report.\u00a0 <\/strong><\/p>\n

Treasurer, Jenny Li, reported that the PPCC bank balance rests at $42,702.50.
\nTransactions have included income of $50 (minus PayPal fee), a $37 charge for printing new checks (which we will no longer need to do since Jenny is transforming most of our bill pay to a technology platform\/Bill Pay though the bank). We will also no longer have paper statements (no $6 fee). There was a check to our accountant for $800 for filings for the 2022 fiscal year. We will be doing another fiscal year filing in September.<\/p>\n

She will present a budget in September at the start of our next fiscal year.\u00a0 The President reminded everyone that we will be looking for fiscal sponsors, particularly for upcoming events. She thanked the treasurer for her report.<\/p>\n

7.\u00a0\u00a0 General Public Comment.\u00a0 <\/strong>Jennifer Miner was present to inform he board about an upcoming PPDC event which would feature local elected officials, including Councilwoman Traci Park, Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin, County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath and City Attorney Hydee Feldstein-Soto. She encouraged all to attend for an opportunity to hear from these elected officials and ask questions.<\/p>\n

8.\u00a0\u00a0 Reports, Announcements and Concerns. <\/strong><\/p>\n

8.1.\u00a0\u00a0 From the Chair\/Presiding Officer<\/u><\/p>\n

8.1.1.\u00a0\u00a0 The President appointed two new Advisors with the consent of the board<\/p>\n