South-Mar Neighborhood Association

MINUTES FROM NOVEMBER 2007 MEETING

MINUTES FROM NOVEMBER 2007 MEETING

SoMar Neighborhood Association Meeting


Minutes for Thursday, November 8th, 2007
Meeting held at Mar Vista Library, 12006 Venice Blvd. Corner of Venice Blvd. and Inglewood Blvd, Mar Vista.

Board members present:
Steve Wallace, President, Curt Steindler, MVCC Zone 5 Director & Vice President, Chris McKinnon, Treasurer, Julia Jones, Newsletter Editor, Beccy Scheffe, Secretary.

Neighbors and Members present: Linda of Beethoven St, Martha and Joe of Mitchell Ave, Catherine and George of Bledsoe Ave, Pat of North Park Ave, Julia of Grandview Blvd.

Meeting called to order by President, Steve Wallace at 6:33 pm.

Public Announcements/Comments:
• December 12th, Santa and his police sleigh will be stopping at Venice Blvd!

Steve handed out flyers and suggested we try to get them out into the neighborhood to inform the community of the date. The event is part of LAPD's Community Holiday Toy Drive. All toys donated will go to under privileged children in the Pacific Division area.
New, unwrapped toys can be dropped off in the Pacific Station lobby at 12312 Culver Blvd, or at "Mechie" 12380 Venice Blvd.
For large donations or cash donations please contact Senior Lead Officer Heidi Llanes at 310 622 3971 or 26837@lapd.lacity.org

• Beccy reports that the minutes for the last 6 meetings are available on the South Mar Vista website: http://www.neighborhoodlink.com/la/southmar/main.html.
There was no September 2007 meeting.


Treasurer's Report:
• SoMar Neighborhood Association currently has a total of $789.52. There are currently 92 members and there have not been any new members since August 11th 2007.

• The Newsletter is proving very popular, however.

• Curt says we are still owed $500.


Old Business:
• Steve says the SoMar Newsletter is now being delivered by volunteers to approximately 80% of the neighborhood.

• The new 56 foot, 4 story, development at Washington Pl. and Centinela Ave. in Culver City has been approved.

• Steve reports that there are developers interested in the lots at the corners of Washington Blvd. and Centinela Ave.
Also in the lots at the corner of Washington Pl. and Sawtelle Blvd. and the one on Grandview Blvd. and Mitchell Ave.
There is still some debate as to the future of the Econolodge on Washington Blvd and Atlantic Ave.

• The Vons store on Centinela Ave will also be receiving a face-lift in the next 6-8 months. The store will be hugely extended, swallowing the existing businesses all the way to Rite Aid, at the other end of the parking lot.

• All of these developments will be extremely large. Should construction work begin at the same time, it could impact the neighborhood greatly.

• Chris pointed out that the additional traffic created by these projects will significantly impact the major thoroughfares in the neighborhood.

• Steve said that parking will also need to be considered.

• Steve reports that there is a developer interested in the corner video store at Grandview Blvd and Venice Blvd. The plan is to turn the site into a restaurant. The only issue is parking and the developer is hoping to find a way to resolve this.

• The lot at the corner of Washington Pl and Marcasel Ave is currently for sale. There are height restrictions here, however, because of the proximity of the overhead power lines.

• Regarding the South Mar Vista Neighborhood Association Membership drive there were suggestions for a prize incentive. It was hoped that a $50- $70 prize of dinner-for-two or a gift certificate for a local business would help encourage existing members to introduce their neighbors.
Steve suggested instead a discount on current membership dues for each new member introduced.
Increasing membership brings more diversity and dynamic to the group and its ideas. It enables us financially to put so much more back into our community, and to keep the beloved Newsletter in production.

• Steve reported on the Bureau for Street Services Meeting held on October 23rd. Information was given at the meeting regarding what could be done if Street Services had any money. It appears a lot of the older streets have not been maintained properly over the years. This neglect results in cracking right down to the foundation which creates a huge, and expensive job to now put right. Despite the amounts of property tax we are all paying Street Services say they have no money for these large projects.
Linda says she has tried to speak with someone regarding this matter. After being referred on and giving out her information she has yet to hear anything back from anyone. She has received no response at all.
Steve says there is a list of things they would like the opportunity to discuss with Street Services.

• Steve reminded everyone of the Cell Phone Drop Off drive. Drop off inactive cell phones to "Mechie" store - 12380 Venice Blvd. They will be turned into cash to buy toys for the LAPD Toys For Tots Program.

• The curbs have been painted at Venice Blvd. and McLaughlin Ave. to prevent parking outside the DWP building. It is hoped this will put an end to the RV's setting up large 'Yard Sales' here every weekend and dumping the unwanted junk at the side of the street.
Parked RV's on Centinela Street and on Washington Pl near Marcasel Ave are still a problem however, as they slowly fall into disrepair. and dangerously block visibility.

• Emergency Rally Points were discussed. It was decided that several Rallying Points would be better than just one. Suggestions were made for the front lawn of Venice High School (Venice Blvd.), The Bowling Alley parking lot (Venice Blvd.), Grandview School (Grandview Blvd.), and the DMV (W. Washington Blvd.).
Steve suggested we pass on the information to Emergency Services so that they would know to bring supplies to these points specifically. We can also print an information page in the Newsletter for the community. The Rallying Points would serve as a place for people to meet, and set up command posts, in the event of an emergency. They'd also be places to exchange first aid, supplies, and information.
Joe suggested setting up bulletin boards at these posts, to enable people to leave messages for each other and the community.
Curt suggested creating Door Hangers, to include in the Newsletter. Neighbors could hang these outside their homes letting the Block Captains and Neighbors know whether they are in need of extra assistance or whether they are coping with the emergency.
Steve suggested we ask MVCC Safety and Security to look into producing these.

• Beccy and Steve are interested in getting a group of neighbors together to hold our own CERT Training program. We need just 25 people to sign up for an instructor to come out to our community.

Traffic Report:
• Linda Guagliano reminded everyone about the upcoming Street Services Meeting on November 13th and the MVCC Bi-monthly meeting in liaison with LADOT on November 14th. Please let Linda know if there is ever anything that needs to be brought up at these meetings.

• Linda reports that there is significant resistance to making the alleyway behind the Venice Blvd. businesses one-way.

• The left turn arrow lights planned for Venice Blvd., Sawtelle Blvd., Venice Blvd. and Centinela Ave. are now approved and installation is ready to begin.

• Linda offers a reminder that it is illegal to use the Post Office car park after hours other than for the Farmer's Market on Sundays. You will get a parking ticket outside these hours.

• There has been a complaint regarding the pot-holes in the alleyway behind the Post Office. This alleyway was the one recently selected for the community cleanup and the potholes were supposedly filled.

• There has been a request for a stop light time change at Venice Blvd. and Inglewood Blvd.

• Culver City plans to allow the SunBay Motel to be turned into a shelter for homeless families. This includes blocking off the driveway onto Washington Blvd., and directing traffic instead onto Beethoven St.

• Steve reports on another huge development going up in Marina Del Rey at Glencoe Ave. The building will be 55 feet high with 145 parking spaces and will impact traffic enormously.

• Chris reports on a development planned for Beethoven St. Apparently the developer is keen to meet with the neighbors here before submitting any plans.


Safety and Security:
• Pat Karasick standing in for Senior Lead Officer Drake Madison reminded everyone to make sure their homes are secure during the Holiday Season. This is traditionally a time for an increase in property crime.
• Please remember to secure your vehicles and keep stuff out of sight! Don't leave laptops, phones, small change, or holiday shopping on view.
• Pat referred to a stabbing recently in North Hollywood where the criminal walked into the home through an open door. Pat urged everyone to "harden the target." Lock your windows and doors. Give the criminals less opportunity. Be aware of where you and your stuff are.


New Business:
• South Mar Vista Beautification Projects Mayor's Day of Service will be held on January 26th. We have 18 projects planned, but need more ideas. This is a great opportunity for Mar Vista to receive some serious help from the City and City Services. There will be planting, weeding, alleyway clean-up, the creation of a pocket park outside of the library with benches, and, we hope, further median beautification along Venice Blvd.

• There was a question regarding the beautification of the Venice Blvd. exit and entrance ramp for the 405 Fwy. This area is in desperate need of help. Curt reported that the whole extension project has been slowed due to a problem at the Palms Blvd. bridge and the Metropolitan Water District.

• New Fire Station 62 on Venice Blvd. and Inglewood Blvd. will be having its official opening on January 5th 10am - 2pm. This will be a big event with helicopter fly over’s, BBQ, bouncy castles, face painting, DJ, live bands, old fire engines, demonstration by the firefighters. They are looking for donations.

• There is a Holiday Arts and Crafts Fair Extravaganza in planning. The event would be held on Venice Blvd between Centinela St and Grandview Blvd on December 15th, 5pm - 8pm.

• The Mar Vista Winter Wonderland is being created for December 8th, 11am - 3pm. Tons of snow will be delivered to Mar Vista Park. Bring the Family for some winter fun.

Public Comment:
• The owner of Robinson's Beautilities, sadly, has passed away. The store is well-loved, and something of a landmark in the community.

• Meeting Adjourned 7:55 pm