{"id":13130,"date":"2025-05-24T21:53:03","date_gmt":"2025-05-24T21:53:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pacpalicc.org\/?page_id=13130"},"modified":"2025-07-31T12:41:42","modified_gmt":"2025-07-31T12:41:42","slug":"ppcc-minutes-2025-06-26","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/pacpalicc.org\/index.php\/ppcc-minutes-2025-06-26\/","title":{"rendered":"PPCC Minutes — 2025 \/ 06 \/ 26"},"content":{"rendered":"

Return to 2025 Minutes<\/a><\/p>\n

MINUTES FROM JUNE 26th 2025<\/h5>\n

Voting Members in Attendance:<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0 Sue Kohl, Quentin Fleming, Jenny Li, Beth Holden Garland, Maryam Zar, Chris Spitz, JoAnna Rodriguez, Diana Daniele, Julia Nilsen, Kimberly Bloom, \u00a0Karen Ridgley, Lorie Cudzil, Sharon Kilbride, John Padden,<\/em> James Alexakis, Richard Blumenberg, Hagop Tchakerian, Rick McGeagh, Donna Vaccarino<\/p>\n

Non-voting Members and Advisors: <\/strong>\u00a0Allison Holdorff Polhill, Leeanne Sanderson, Cindy Simon, Joanna Spak, Michael Edlen, Andy Frew, Rob Weber<\/p>\n

1.\u00a0\u00a0 Call to Order and Reading of Community Council\u2019s Mission.\u00a0 <\/strong>The meeting was called to order at 6:01 p.m.\u00a0 Leeanne Sanderson read the Mission Statement.<\/p>\n

2.\u00a0 \u00a0<\/em>Introductions \/ Roll Call.\u00a0 <\/strong>The President introduced the members and called the roll.<\/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 June 12, 2025, were approved as distributed.<\/p>\n

5.\u00a0 \u00a0Consideration of Agenda & Upcoming Meetings.<\/strong>\u00a0 The agenda was as distributed. \u00a0<\/u><\/em>July 17, <\/strong>2025 <\/u><\/em>(Note: date changed from 7\/10; tentative: Friends of the Palisades Library update; Three Chairs Committee nomination and Board election of Area Three 2nd Alternate); August 14, 2025 <\/u><\/em>(topics to be announced).<\/p>\n

6.\u00a0\u00a0 Treasurer\u2019s Report.\u00a0 <\/strong>The Treasurer reported that the Council\u2019s bank balance is $720,863.90, with not much activity this past month other than the monthly Mailchimp expense of $54.00.\u00a0 She is working on opening a separate Schwab money market account to deposit a large portion of the donated funds, to earn more interest on the funds.<\/p>\n

[Note:\u00a0 Item 11.1 was called after Item 6 on the agenda.]<\/em><\/p>\n

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

7.1.\u00a0 \u00a0Paloma Bustos <\/u>(Policy Associate with Loyola Law School\u2019s Anti-Trafficking Institute) reported on the concerning phenomenon of trafficking among temporary workers after natural disasters, including in the Palisades.\u00a0 She has brought this to the attention of the Ad Hoc Committee on LA Recovery and her institute is working on measures that the City can take to prevent such trafficking.<\/p>\n

7.2.\u00a0 \u00a0Landon Nash<\/u> of the Cosmic Foundation and Cosmic Builders (company that is building prefab homes with cutting edge technology in the Palisades) announced his Foundation\u2019s initiative to donate one home to a needy Palisades family for every ten homes built and sold by Cosmic in the Palisades.\u00a0 More details about the the process and how to apply will be made available in the coming weeks.<\/p>\n

7.3.\u00a0 \u00a0David Howard<\/u> (resident) spoke about public safety concerns, specifically his observation that there were no police cars present last weekend compared with the presence in prior weeks.<\/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\u00a0The President reported that the July PPCC meeting will be held on July 17, 2025.<\/p>\n

8.1.2. \u00a0\u00a0Formation of new PPCC committees: a) Grants Committee; b) Bylaws Committee.\u00a0 The President announced\u00a0 the following members of these new committees:<\/p>\n

a)\u00a0 Grants Committee:\u00a0 Quentin Fleming, Chair; Janet Anderson, Steve Cron, Lorie Cudzil, Chris Spitz, Andrew Wolfberg, Maryam Zar.<\/p>\n

b) Bylaws Committee: Chris Spitz and Maryam Zar, Co-Chairs; James Alexakis, Quentin Fleming, Andrew Wolfberg.<\/p>\n

8.1.3. \u00a0\u00a0Reminder \u2013 4th of July events: 5K Run\/Walk in Venice; Parade in Santa Monica (PPCC to participate); evening Celebration at Paul Revere Middle School, sponsored by PAPA. \u00a0The President reported on the upcoming events and encouraged everyone\u2019s attendance.<\/p>\n

8.1.4. \u00a0\u00a0Position letters written since last PPCC meeting \u2013 Oppose Legislative Density Mandates w\/o Funding Mechanism.\u00a0 The President noted that these letters have all been sent.<\/p>\n

https:\/\/pacpalicc.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/PPCC-Letter-Housing-Density-Legis.-Funding.pdf<\/a> https:\/\/pacpalicc.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/PPCC-Position-Housing-Density-Funding-.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n

Request to Postpone I-405 Repaving Project: https:\/\/pacpalicc.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/PPCC-Letter-Postpone-405-Repaving.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n

8.1.5. \u00a0\u00a0LAPD roll call update.\u00a0 The President noted that the roll call calendar for June-July 11 is on the PPCC website home page.<\/p>\n

8.1.6.\u00a0 \u00a0PFC list of fire-resistant trees \u2013 The President noted that this list is also on the website.<\/p>\n

8.1.7.\u00a0 \u00a0Col. Swenson recognition 7\/2\/25, at the Village Green. The President reported on the event recognizing Colonel Eric Swenson of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, to take place on July 2.<\/p>\n

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

8.2.1.\u00a0 \u00a0Maryam Zar, Chair Emeritus, reported on several events:\u00a0 1) Colonel Swenson\u2019s recognition will take place on July 2, following with LAPD roll call at 10am that day at the Village Green; 2) there will be a \u201cvisioning charette\u201d in the Marquez Knolls area this Saturday from 10am-12pm, with more charettes in other neighborhoods to take place soon; 3) an LAPD \u201cstop-in center\u201d has opened on Sunset Blvd. in the Village area; 4) the Palisades Recovery Coalition is hosting a meeting with C.A. Hydee Feldstein Soto and Supervisor Lindsey Horvath on July 8.<\/p>\n

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

8.3.1.\u00a0 \u00a0Chris Spitz (At-large Representative) reported on several matters:\u00a0 The 405 repaving has begun, with lane closures overnight. PPCC has submitted another letter opposing SB 79 to the Assembly.\u00a0 WRAC has also submitted a letter opposing SB 79.\u00a0 For reasons unknown, the City Council Rules Committee has not scheduled the motion calling for the City to oppose SB 79 for hearing.\u00a0 The state Board of Forestry is going forward with the proposed Zone 0 regulations, despite a great deal of opposition and concern that the regulations are not consistent with scientific data, as PPCC and many others have explained.\u00a0 We understand that the insurance industry is promoting these regulations.<\/p>\n

8.3.2.\u00a0 \u00a0Kimberly Bloom (Area Five Representative) reported on the most recent meeting of the Ad Hoc Committee on LA Recovery, chaired by Councilwoman Traci Park.\u00a0 She noted that LADWP representatives were present and were pressed by the Councilwoman on the status of the Santa Inez Reservoir.\u00a0 DWP reps stated that they hoped to fill the reservoir in the week before the 4th of July.<\/p>\n

8.4.\u00a0\u00a0 From Organizational Representatives<\/u>.8.4.1.\u00a0 \u00a0Rick McGeagh (PPBA) provided information about progress at the Palisades Recreation Center:\u00a0 LADWP is now out of the building, the new playground is progressing, and the playing fields may be open soon.<\/p>\n

8.4.2.\u00a0 Donna Vaccarino (PPHS) spoke about a project by the Los Angeles Conservancy to preserve the architectural heritage of the Palisades.<\/p>\n

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

8.5.1.\u00a0\u00a0 Brian Espin, LAPD Senior Lead Officer (SLO), Pacific Palisades \u2013 not present.<\/p>\n

8.5.2.\u00a0\u00a0 Arus Grigoryan, Palisades Field Deputy, CD 11 (Councilwoman Traci Park), reported that there will be an LADWP online town hall from 5-6:30pm on July 2.\u00a0 In addition, on July 1, the City Council will thank Colonel Swensen of USACE for his service; community members are invited.\u00a0 Councilwoman Park will also attend all 4th<\/sup> of July events.<\/p>\n

8.5.3.\u00a0\u00a0 Marian Ensley, West Area Representative, Mayor Karen Bass \u2013 not present.<\/p>\n

8.5.4.\u00a0\u00a0 Zac Gaidzik, Coastal & Westside Field Deputy, County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath \u2013 not present.<\/p>\n

8.5.5.\u00a0\u00a0 Sean Regan, District Representative, Congressman Brad Sherman \u2013 not present.<\/p>\n

8.5.6.\u00a0\u00a0 Samantha Gallegos, Field Representative, SD 24 (Sen. Ben Allen) \u2013 not present.<\/p>\n

8.5.7.\u00a0\u00a0 Anthony Avila, Field Representative, AD 42 (Asm. Jacqui Irwin) \u2013 not present.<\/p>\n

8.6.\u00a0\u00a0 From PPCC Advisors<\/u> and Liaisons<\/u>.<\/p>\n

8.6.1.\u00a0 \u00a0Allison Holdorff (Education) reported that LAUSD has held community meetings on the status of the rebuild of Palisades schools.\u00a0 There will be additional meetings in August and September.\u00a0 Regarding Pali High:\u00a0 Dr. Pam McGee and the Pali High Board have decided that students won\u2019t occupy the Palisades campus until after Thanksgiving. She also provided information about a free 3-day camp for teenage fire survivors, to take place this summer, called \u201cCamp Woodcraft Rangers.\u201d<\/p>\n

9.\u00a0\u00a0 Reports from PPCC Committees.<\/strong><\/p>\n

9.1. \u00a0\u00a0Rebuild Committee<\/u> (David Schwarz, Chair).\u00a0 Update on status of NORC focus groups.\u00a0 Quentin Fleming (Vice-President) reported that the focus groups are expected to conclude this week, and have been successful in fine-tuning the eventual Community Survey questions.\u00a0 The Survey is expected to be available for everyone to take\u00a0in late July or early August — more information will be coming soon.<\/p>\n

9.2. \u00a0 Land Use Committee<\/u> (LUC\/Chris Spitz, Chair). LUC update.\u00a0 Chris Spitz reported that the LUC met informally and discussed several matters of interest, although no recommendations to the Board were made at this time. (See also her At-large report in item 8.3.1.)<\/em><\/p>\n

9.3. \u00a0\u00a0Three Chairs Committee<\/u> (Maryam Zar, Chair). \u00a0Update re vacant Area Three 2nd Alternate seat.\u00a0 Notice: https:\/\/pacpalicc.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/PPCC-Area-3-Alt.-App.-Notice-2025.pdf. Deadline to apply: \u00a0July 6, 2025, 5pm.<\/p>\n

10.\u00a0 \u00a0Old Business<\/strong> \u2013 None.<\/p>\n

11.\u00a0\u00a0 New Business. <\/strong><\/p>\n

11.1. \u00a0\u00a0Pedestrian Trail (aka \u201cLateral Trail\u201d) Update, LA Bureau of Engineering\/BOE (trail to run from the mouth of Potrero Canyon to Temescal Canyon Blvd., per the Coastal Permit for GW Park at Potrero Canyon). See PPCC Letter 8\/27\/24 (https:\/\/pacpalicc.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/PPCC-Letter-Lat-Trail-2024.pdf<\/a>) and Potrero Canyon-Coastal Access (https:\/\/pacpalicc.org\/index.php\/coastal-access\/<\/a>; entries for 8\/27\/24 and 8\/23\/24). \u00a0Goodwin Wharton of Geosyntech (the project consultant) was present, along with Kristen Ly of BOE. Mr. Wharton\u00a0provided a slide show and explained the environmental review process to date, which included considering\u00a0geotechnical and safety considerations and challenges. Ratings based on several factors were assigned to\u00a0the\u00a0various alternate Trail routes that are under consideration. Next step:\u00a0 Additional discussions must take place among the involved stakeholders (the City \/ BOE, Caltrans and the Coastal Commission).\u00a0Geosyntec has a recommendation for Trail alignment (based on the\u00a0ratings), but it’s\u00a0unclear at this point which route will eventually be decided on, whether any might\u00a0be altered,\u00a0and\/or\u00a0when construction may actually begin. Mr. Wharton answered numerous questions from Board members and meeting attendees (including concerns about safety, security, fires, homeless camps, slides, bluff instability, cost and timing), and indicated that he and BOE will return to PPCC with further updates in the future.<\/p>\n

11.2. \u00a0\u00a0Motion re Authority of PPCC Grants Committee (sponsored by the Executive Committee). See attached proposed motion text and background, below. <\/em>The President asked Chris Spitz (member of the PPCC E.C. and At-large rep) to explain the motion, which did not require a second as it was made by a committee of more than one voting member.\u00a0 Following discussion, a vote was taken.\u00a0 Result:\u00a0 the motion passed unanimously.<\/p>\n

11.3. \u00a0\u00a0WRAC-recommended Motion re Banning E-Bikes from Sidewalks (modified version sponsored in PPCC by the Executive Committee). See attached proposed motion text and background, below.\u00a0 <\/em>Chris Spitz (WRAC Vice-Chair, PPCC At-large rep and E.C. member) explained the motion, which did not require a second as it was made by a committee of more than one voting member.\u00a0 Following discussion, a vote was taken.\u00a0 Result:\u00a0 the motion passed unanimously.<\/p>\n

12. \u00a0 Adjournment.\u00a0 <\/strong>The meeting was adjourned at 7:49 p.m.<\/p>\n

ATTACHMENT \u2013 Item 11.2: <\/strong><\/p>\n

Motion Proposed Text:<\/p>\n

\u201cThe PPCC Board approves the following with regard to the authority of the PPCC Grants Committee (committee formed by the PPCC President) and the requirements for approval of grants\/donations by PPCC.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Grants Committee shall be authorized to:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Decide on the Committee’s rules pertaining to the process of submitting applications for grants\/donations from PPCC;<\/li>\n
  2. Decide on the Committee’s criteria pertaining to eligibility for grants\/donations from PPCC;<\/li>\n
  3. Deny applications for grants\/donations from PPCC which in the Committee’s discretion do not comply with the Committee’s rules as to the application process and\/or criteria for eligibility;<\/li>\n
  4. Recommend Board approval of grants\/donations from PPCC.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    \u201cThe Grants Committee shall not be authorized to approve any applications for grants\/donations from PPCC. The PPCC Board shall be the sole decider of approval of grants\/donations from PPCC. Approval shall require a vote of at least two-thirds of voting members present.<\/p>\n

    \u201cAll decisions as to eligibility and\/or approval of grants\/donations from PPCC shall be consistent with: 1) the PPCC Mission (Bylaws, Art.II.1) and 2) the purpose of \u2018Palisades Fire Recovery,\u2019 as specified by the California Community Foundation, for the Riviera Community Donation, in its letter to PPCC of April 18, 2025.”<\/p>\n

    Background:
    \nThe PPCC E.C. supports the above motion and believes that it is consistent with the Board consensus opinion reflected during discussion of this subject at the PPCC meeting on June 12, 2025. As discussed, in light of the large Riviera Community Donation to PPCC (from which PPCC may wish to make future donations\/grants for fire recovery), and because PPCC\u2019s bylaws contain no provisions addressing grants or donations from PPCC, it is necessary for the Board to approve proposed rules to govern any such grants\/donations.<\/p>\n

    ATTACHMENT \u2013 Item 11.3: <\/strong><\/p>\n

    Proposed WRAC-Motion Text:<\/p>\n

    “Pacific Palisades Community Council (PPCC), a member of the Westside Regional Alliance of Councils (WRAC), supports banning all classes of e-bicycles (e-bikes) from riding on a sidewalk in the City of Los Angeles, to address serious public safety concerns and reports of rising accidents, injuries and deaths from collisions between e-bikes and pedestrians.<\/p>\n

    “PPCC also supports enhanced enforcement of age limits for riders of e-bikes, and further supports amendment of LAMC Section 56.15 to accomplish these objectives.”<\/p>\n

    Background:
    \nWRAC motion webpage:     https:\/\/westsidecouncils.com\/motion\/amend-lamc-56-15-no-riding-e-bicycles-on-sidewalks\/<\/a>
    \nNote: the PPCC E.C. proposes a shortened, modified version of the WRAC motion (more appropriate for Pacific Palisades) for consideration by the PPCC Board, with an additional provision calling for enforcement of age-limits for riders of e-bikes.<\/p>\n

    Return to 2025 Minutes<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    Return to 2025 Minutes MINUTES FROM JUNE 26th 2025 Voting Members in Attendance:\u00a0\u00a0 Sue Kohl, Quentin Fleming, Jenny Li, Beth Holden Garland, Maryam Zar, Chris Spitz, JoAnna Rodriguez, Diana Daniele, Julia Nilsen, Kimberly Bloom, \u00a0Karen Ridgley, Lorie Cudzil, Sharon Kilbride, John Padden, James Alexakis, Richard Blumenberg, Hagop Tchakerian, Rick McGeagh, Donna Vaccarino Non-voting Members and […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":16,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"full-width-page-template.php","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-13130","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/pacpalicc.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/13130","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/pacpalicc.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/pacpalicc.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pacpalicc.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/16"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pacpalicc.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=13130"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/pacpalicc.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/13130\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/pacpalicc.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=13130"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}