MINUTES

Sunland-Tujunga Neighborhood Council

Regular Meeting of 10/10/2001

The meeting was called to order at 7:07 p.m. by Jane Fanganiello. There were about 50 people in attendance. Nedd Brown led the Pledge of Allegiance.

Minutes

The minutes of the September 12, 2001 meeting were approved as read.

Treasurerâs Report

Nedd Brown reported that we had income of $214 from the honorary mayorâs race, and expenses of $100 for Elaine Brownâs redistricting expenses, $100 donated to the Red Cross, and $155.32 for T-shirt printing costs. The balance, as of 10/10/01, is $1,011.36.

Chairmanâs Comments

Jane Fanganiello welcomed Mike Hall as our new Vice-Chairman.

Program

Building and Safety:Ê David Lara of the Building and Safety Department introduced Dave Klein, chief of the code enforcement bureau. He provided folders of phone numbers and other information for the attendees. The Building and Safety Dept. issues permits to alter existing property or build new structures (except apartments); inspects work being performed at a site; and enforces code violations on existing buildings. Sunland-Tujunga is located in the north region of the cityâs code enforcement bureau. A summary of the question-and-answer session is attached.

FDNY Fundraiser

Nina Royal introduced Captain Tom Dowling of LAFD Station 74 in Tujunga. He announced that the LAFD is raising funds for the firefighters in New York City. $24,000 was raised in two days, and the pot continues to grow. If anyone is interested in donating to the firefighters, there is a fund at the LAFD credit union (www.lafd.org). The best way is to donate directly.

New Business

Christmas Caroling:Ê Jane Fanganiello suggested that the neighborhood council reprise its caroling night at the convalescent hospital, since it was so well received last year. A location is needed for the after-caroling party. She also reported that she asked Jeannine Carroll to head up future special events.

Nominating Committee:Ê Jane Fanganiello reported that volunteers will be needed for the nominating committee, which will be chosen at the November meeting. The three members will present a slate of nominees at the December meeting.

Veterans Memorial:Ê Al Timins proposed that the veteransâ memorial at Sunland Park be restored and upgraded. Mr. Timins stated that transients urinate on the back of the memorial, and that the flagpole is frequently empty. A committee is needed to work with Congress and the city council office to get the funding and permits. Mr. Timins is proposing that 3 flags be flown at all times, with a perpetual green light at night for the flags and memorial. A plaque with the names of deceased soldiers would be installed, and a three-foot wrought iron fence would surround the memorial, with a gate and chairs.

Open Forum

Ava Wrightsman announced the next Business Owners About Sunland-Tujunga (BOAST) meeting. Flyers are available in the back of the room.

Jim Margolin announced that he is gathering petition signatures to oppose the Arco station being proposed for Commerce and Foothill. He is hoping to gather at least 500 signatures. Nina Royal responded that LAPDâs Capt. Garner told her that Arco would not be able to move their liquor license to the Commerce site.

Jane Fanganiello announced that Marioâs Sterling has closed for lunch and dinner, and now will be open for banquets and catering only. Therefore, a new location is being sought for the agenda meetings. The next meeting will be at Century 21 Crest in La Crescenta.

There will be a city council candidate debate tomorrow night at Marioâs Sterling, sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce. All six candidates will be present for questions and answers. Buffet dinner is $10.

The Laurel Plaza Neighborhood Association is sponsoring a candidate debate on Monday, October 22 at 7 p.m. at Victory Elementary School auditorium, 6315 Radford Avenue, corner of Radford and Victory. Call Diann Corral at (818) 754-1220 for more information.

Pat Davenport announced that she and the rest of the council office staff are still available, even though Councilman Wachs has left. They are currently reporting to chief legislative analyst Ron Deaton. They will remain in their positions only if the new councilmember appoints them. Pat also mentioned that the Dept. of Transportation officers have been on tactical alert, and have a diminished capability to handle complaints about abandoned cars and other issues.

The meeting was adjourned at 9:03 p.m.

REPORTS

Sunland-Tujunga Neighborhood Council

Regular Meeting of 10/10/2001

Street Faire:Ê Carol Loweree reported that we will be selling T-shirts and possibly other promotional items at the Street Faire on October 20. More help is needed to work the booth, especially at the cleanup time of 4:00 p.m. It was unclear as to whether the booth has actually been reserved. Brenda McAlpine will contact Charlotte Leu for more information, and will complete an application if necessary.

Street Cleanup Day:Ê Carol Loweree reported that the cleanup day is scheduled for Saturday, November 10, in the early morning. She needs to talk with Joe Eiben to see what is needed, and what we are allowed to do. Interested persons should contact her to participate.

Redistricting:Ê Elaine Brown thanked the volunteers for getting involved. On Sunday, September 9, the Chamber hosted a rally to kick off the petition drive. Signatures were gathered through Monday, September 10. The World Trade Center attacks prevented the petitions from being shipped to Sacramento, so they were faxed. The state Senate voted to accept the redistricting plan on Wednesday, September 12.

Sunland-Tujunga is still being split down the middle in the congressional districts. The areas north of Foothill will be represented by Brad Sherman, and the areas south of Foothill will be represented by Howard Berman. In the state Senate, Sunland-Tujunga will be represented by Pete Knight, and Keith Richman will represent our community in the state Assembly.

The only hope for changing the district lines is to join a lawsuit being filed by the Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund (MALDEF).

Outreach:Ê Jim Margolin read a draft mission statement for the outreach committee, and gave an overview of the Neighborhood Captains program. Volunteers are needed to become neighborhood captains. A packet of information will be available to help captains get started working in their areas. The committee also plans to work closely with the certification team.

Certification:Ê Lynn Bedri reported that the committee met twice in the last month, and that there is lots of work ahead. She attended a neighborhood council certification workshop last Saturday. The committeeâs next meeting is scheduled for October 29. Volunteers are needed for data gathering and other tasks.

Safety:Ê Nina Royal reported that over 100 people have gone through the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training, and about 50 people are on the LAPDâs observation patrol. A CERT refresher course is being held on October 20 at the Warner Brothers lot.

In case of a major emergency, residents can secure their own homes, then meet at the Vons parking lot to help other people.

Crime in Sunland-Tujunga is down 15.2%, while crime has gone up 13% in the city as a whole.

There are no breaks in the Rostand robbery case.

LAPD is identifying ãhard coreä gangs and cracking down on them. There were fourteen incidents recorded around September 11; now the average is about seven incidents.

State Legislature:Ê State Assemblyman Tony Cardenas, candidate for City Council, gave some comments on the state budget. Receipts are down $560 million for September due to the slowing economy. The energy crisis is partly to blame for the shortfall. The governor spent $10 billion to buy energy, which was to be replaced by bond sales. The bonds are not being sold. Concerned citizens should write to Loretta Lynch, chair of the state Public Utilities Commission, the state legislature, or to Governor Davis. An emergency legislative session is being planned to deal with the terrorist attacks.

A petition is being circulated to support a park rangers training program at Hansen Dam. It is hoped that the presence of the rangers will deter the homeless population from congregating at the recreation area, which should make the area safer for horse owners and hikers.

Planning Issues:Ê Jane Fanganiello reported that the owners of the Gas Company property are putting their finances in order.

La Tuna Canyon:Ê Steve Crouch reported that the turnout for the Planning and Land Use Management (PLUM) committee hearing was disappointing. The rewritten Scenic Preservation Plan was not passed. Both the Scenic Preservation Plan and Duke Developmentâs proposal were continued for one month. 300 people signed a petition opposing the Duke project, but the petitions were ignored. The Scenic Plan will not be approved without a large showing of community support. Councilman Joel Wachs, a PLUM committee member, did not attend the hearing. Steve is preparing information packets for the remaining two committee members, Hal Bernson and Ed Reyes.

The next hearing is scheduled for Tuesday, October 30. Duke Development is seeking approval for their plans, and there should be a progress report on the Scenic Preservation Plan.