{"id":12848,"date":"2024-10-13T11:58:36","date_gmt":"2024-10-13T11:58:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pacpalicc.org\/?page_id=12848"},"modified":"2024-10-13T12:12:27","modified_gmt":"2024-10-13T12:12:27","slug":"ppcc-minutes-2024-9-26","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/pacpalicc.org\/index.php\/ppcc-minutes-2024-9-26\/","title":{"rendered":"PPCC Minutes — 2024 \/ 9 \/ 26"},"content":{"rendered":"

Return to 2024 Minutes<\/a><\/p>\n

MINUTES FROM SEPTEMBER 26th 2024<\/h5>\n

Voting Members in Attendance:<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0 Sue Kohl, Quentin Fleming, Beth Holden-Garland, Chris Spitz, Maryam Zar (partial attendance), Murray Levy, Diana Daniele, Haldis Toppel, Karen Ridgley, Kimberly Bloom, Cindy Simon, Andrew Wolfberg, Barbara Kohn, Andy Frew (partial attendance), James Alexakis, Jessica Rogers<\/p>\n

Non-voting Members and Advisors:\u00a0 <\/strong>Michael Edlen, Daphne Gronich, Cindi Young, Joanna Spak, Rob Weber, Ella Nozar<\/p>\n

1.\u00a0\u00a0 Call to Order and Reading of Community Council\u2019s Mission.\u00a0 <\/strong>The meeting was called to order at 6:03 p.m.\u00a0 Karen Ridgley read the Mission Statement.<\/p>\n

2.\u00a0 \u00a0<\/em>Introductions \/ Roll Call.\u00a0 <\/strong>The President called the roll of Board members and advisors in attendance.<\/p>\n

3.\u00a0 \u00a0Certification of Quorum.\u00a0 <\/strong>The President certified quorum.<\/p>\n

4.\u00a0\u00a0 Approval of Minutes. \u00a0<\/strong>The minutes of September 12, 2024, were approved as distributed.<\/p>\n

5.\u00a0 \u00a0Consideration of Agenda & Upcoming Meetings. \u00a0<\/strong>The agenda was as distributed.\u00a0 The President described the upcoming meetings: October 1, 2024<\/u> <\/em>(special PPCC meeting\/Councilwoman Park presentation on the Tramonto Slide and the related development; informational only\/no action); October 10, 2024<\/u><\/em> (welcome new Area, At-large and organizational reps; election of Alternate Area and At-large reps \u2013 hybrid meeting to be held at the Ronald Reagan American Legion Post 283 hall and via Zoom; see item 8.1.7 below). October 24, 2024<\/u><\/em> (tentative: Neighborhood Watch and public safety\/crime prevention).<\/p>\n

6.\u00a0\u00a0 Treasurer\u2019s Report.\u00a0 <\/strong>The President read the report from the Treasurer, who was unable to attend:\u00a0 \u00a0The Council\u2019s bank balance is $52,512.91.\u00a0 Donations since the last report:\u00a0 $71.85.\u00a0 Expenses paid since the last report: $1,295.00 Miracle Data (tech services for the election); $54 Mailchimp.<\/p>\n

7.\u00a0\u00a0 General Public Comment<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

7.1.\u00a0 Cathy Salser (resident) reported on the Temescal Canyon Rd. Mural Restoration project. The project organizers (she, Kat Kozik and Cindy Simon) are working with Mural Colors to restore the mural.\u00a0 Fundraising is ongoing.\u00a0 The goal is to raise $105,000; $57,646 has already been raised. Supervisor Horvath\u2019s Coastal – West Area Deputy Zac Gaidzik advised that a grant may be available through the Supervisor\u2019s office.\u00a0 Donate at: https:\/\/awbwart.donorsupport.co\/page\/FUNMMUFXKLL<\/a>.<\/p>\n

7.1.2.\u00a0 Dave Card (past Chair\/Chair Emeritus) announced that last week, the Palisades Recreation Center hosted the City Recreation & Parks Commission for their monthly meeting.\u00a0 The Commission members were able to see the conditions at the Recreation Center bathrooms, and at the playground, that are ADA non-compliant.\u00a0 He also reported that so many cars were parked in the parking lot, without many people in actual attendance at the park itself.<\/p>\n

x8.\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 \u00a0The President expressed appreciation and said farewell to the outgoing primary Area and Organizational Representatives (terms ending September 30, 2024): Murray Levy (Area 1); Julie Silliman (Area 7); Cindy Simon (Area 6); Haldis Toppel (Area 3); Genevieve Bostic (YMCA); Gabrielle Gottlieb (Woman\u2019s Club); Aileen Haugh (Garden Club); Alisa Wolfson (Canyon School).\u00a0 The President remarked in each case on their individual contributions to PPCC and the community, noting contributions that each has made in so many important areas.\u00a0 The President also noted the many years that Haldis Toppel had served in various positions on the PPCC Board.\u00a0 She thanked them all so gratefully for their service.<\/p>\n

8.1.2.\u00a0\u00a0 The President announced that the incoming organizational members\/representatives (term starting Oct. 1) are as detailed on the list linked in the agenda:
\nhttps:\/\/pacpalicc.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/2024-2025-PPCC-OrganizationsR.pdf<\/a>. She also noted that there will be an orientation session for new representatives, including new alternates, on October 16 in the late afternoon (time TBD).<\/p>\n

8.1.3. \u00a0\u00a0The President noted that the Area and At-large Alternates application process is ongoing; the deadline to submit applications is 5pm, October 6, 2024.<\/p>\n

8.1.4. \u00a0The President reiterated that a special PPCC meeting will take place on October 1, 2024, via Zoom at 5:30pm (note the earlier start time): the purpose of the meeting (which was initiated by Councilwoman Park) is for the Councilwoman to provide information on the status of the Tramonto slide and related residential development project. CD 11 Sr. Planning Deputy Jeff Khau and Palisades Field Deputy Michael Amster will also be present to answer questions.\u00a0 The meeting will be informational only; no action will be taken or decisions made at the meeting.<\/p>\n

8.1.5.\u00a0\u00a0 The President announced that the tentative meeting topic at the October 24th PPCC meeting will be Neighborhood Watch and public safety\/crime prevention.<\/p>\n

8.1.6.\u00a0 \u00a0PPCC Awards Nominations and Gala event update; committee appointments.\u00a0 The President explained that the awards nomination process is now underway. A notice will be distributed soon with details about how to nominate individuals for the awards. Deadline for nominations:\u00a0 October 29 [note: date changed shortly after the meeting to 10\/26, per the Awards Guidelines; to be announced].<\/em>\u00a0 The President has appointed the following Awards Committees:<\/p>\n

Awards Selection Committee:\u00a0 Quentin Fleming, Chair; Members Sharon Kilbride (past Citizen of the Year), Karen Ridgley, JoAnna Rodriguez, Chris Spitz (past Citizen of the Year).<\/p>\n

Awards Event Committee: \u00a0Chair to be appointed; Members Kimberly Bloom, Lorie Cudzil, Beth Holden-Garden, Jenny Li (financial matters), Courtney Macker, Julia Nilsen.\u00a0 The Awards event will take place on December 12 (venue TBD).<\/p>\n

8.1.7.\u00a0 The President provided an update regarding future hybrid\/in-person meetings: \u00a0She has been looking into the possibility acquiring an \u201cOwl\u201d camera system for future hybrid meetings, to allow for a better audio experience for those attending via Zoom.\u00a0 Kevin Niles of Ronald Reagan American Legion Post 283, which has an Owl system, was kind enough to demonstrate the system recently to her and a few other board members; they saw that the system works well. \u00a0Ronald Reagan American Legion Post 283 (next to the Post Office) has graciously offered the use of their main meeting room (hall) and Owl system for two hybrid PPCC meetings: our next meeting on October 10, 2024, and another meeting in the spring (date TBD; the Legion hall is only available on second Tuesdays).\u00a0 The President stated that unless the board objected, our October 10th meeting will be held in hybrid format on Zoom and in-person at the Ronald Reagan American Legion Post 283 hall on La Cruz; there were no objections.<\/p>\n

8.1.8.\u00a0\u00a0 The President announced the PPCC position letters written since the last meeting:<\/p>\n

Support CW Park Letter: https:\/\/pacpalicc.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/PPCC-Letter-re-Park-letter-Gov.-orderS.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n

Homeless Dashboard: https:\/\/pacpalicc.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/PPCC-letter-homelessdashboardS.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n

The President noted that Councilwoman Park has thanked us for the letters.<\/p>\n

8.2.\u00a0\u00a0 From Officers\/Chair Emeritus<\/u>.<\/p>\n

8.2.1.\u00a0 Beth Holden Garland (Secretary) congratulated the PP Historical Society for producing interesting and successful programs, such as the recent program on the history of Route 66, as well as the prior program honoring the Marquez & Reyes family who helped originate Pacific Palisades.<\/p>\n

8.3.\u00a0 \u00a0From At-Large and Area Representatives<\/u>.<\/p>\n

8.3.1.\u00a0\u00a0 Murray Levy (Area One Rep) thanked SLO Espin and CW Park for the successful effort to remove RV encampments from PCH in the Castellammare area.\u00a0 Regarding the Tramonto slide area, he hopes that PPCC will continue to insist on an environmental study of the proposed residential development; he also thanked PPCC and stated that it has been a great experience working with the Board.<\/p>\n

8.3.2.\u00a0\u00a0 Haldis Toppel (Area Three Rep) commented on the successful Marquez Block Party, in which in the Palibu Chamber of Commerce helped local businesses and vendors support the Block celebration event with food, face painting and entertainment for all who came out to enjoy.<\/p>\n

8.3.3.\u00a0 \u00a0Karen Ridgley (Area Four Rep) reported on the status of the Asilomar Stabilization Project.\u00a0 The project (resurfacing the road on one end) has been paused temporarily while LADWP is working on solving an engineering problem involving leaking \u201cdewatering vaults\u201d under the road.\u00a0 They are trying to get to the issue with DWP and engineering solutions to fix the problems.<\/p>\n

8.3.3.\u00a0\u00a0 Chris Spitz (At-large Rep) related an encounter she had with a group of individuals who had been picking up trash last weekend on the Via bluffs and in Potrero Canyon:\u00a0 the \u201cHash House Harriers\u201d aka \u201cHashers Not Trashers\u201d (a hiking and drinking club with chapters around the country and the world).\u00a0 This particular chapter is based in the Valley and goes out on hikes throughout the City to voluntarily pick up trash and clean up scenic areas.\u00a0 They ended up with many bags of trash from their efforts, some of which came from Potrero Canyon.\u00a0 The At-large rep thanked them for their efforts.<\/p>\n

8.4.\u00a0\u00a0 From Organizational Representatives<\/u>.<\/p>\n

8.4.1.\u00a0 Barbara Kohn (PP Historical Society) explained that videos of some of their past programs can be found on their website; they are planning another program in a few months; stay tuned for more information.<\/p>\n

8.5.\u00a0\u00a0 From Government Offices \/ Representatives<\/u> (as available). Contact information for government representatives: https:\/\/pacpalicc.org\/index.php\/government-contacts\/<\/a>.<\/p>\n

8.5.1.\u00a0\u00a0 Espin, LAPD Senior Lead Officer (SLO), Pacific Palisades.
\nSLO Espin explained that the most recent Crime Map shows 4 burglaries over the past 3 weeks in the Palisades, which is much lower than other areas in the City.<\/p>\n

He praised Michael Amster and CD 11 for helping to move RVs\/encampments off PCH in the Palisades.<\/p>\n

He gave an update on the status of a vacant home on Porto Marina where squatters were believed to have been present.\u00a0 LAPD has checked and no one is there now; windows have been boarded over and doors padlocked by the City General Services Dept.<\/p>\n

He spoke about individuals driving around a white Alfa Romero SUV, possibly trying to scam people out of their jewelry. The scam is that these individuals will approach someone (usually an elderly person), ask for directions and then also try to convince the target person to buy jewelry from them. They will try and switch the person\u2019s jewelry with the fake jewelry, trying to confuse them while asking questions and putting the fake jewelry on the target person to try on. He advised everyone to be alert.<\/p>\n

Other tips from SLO Espin: \u00a0Keep your purse and belongings in front of you, rather than hanging, for instance, on the back of a restaurant\u2019s chair. \u00a0Keep valuables in eyesight.\u00a0 Make sure your garage clicker is secure in your car as people can break in and get access to your home as well.\u00a0 The best form of deterrence is people being visible out on the street and vigilant.<\/p>\n

He noted that some of the Citizen alerts aren\u2019t always 100% accurate as Citizen\u2019s info is moderated by A.I. and not the result of investigation and vetting by police officers.<\/p>\n

SLO Espin also mentioned that he was able to take the Mayor\u2019s West Area Representative Marian Ensley on a successful LAPD \u201cride along\u201d in the community.<\/p>\n

Jessica Rogers (PPRA) expressed concerns about an individual known as \u201cMinnesota Mike\u201d who has been hanging out in the community, offering to sell drugs and stealing a Christmas lot pole from Simon Meadow. As to incidents involving dangerous individuals or activities: \u00a0SLO Espin reminded everyone that rather than initially contacting him, we should first call 911 (if an emergency) or 877-ask-lapd (non-emergency hotline), so that the incident is recorded with LAPD (he will get these reports and will follow-up).<\/p>\n

8.5.2.\u00a0\u00a0 Michael Amster, Palisades & Brentwood Field Deputy, CD11 (Councilwoman Traci Park), reported on several matters:<\/p>\n