MINUTES
Sunland-Tujunga Neighborhood Council
Regular Meeting of 03/13/2002
Ken McAlpine called the meeting to order at 7:10 p.m. There were about 65 people in attendance. The Pledge of Allegiance was said. Penny Blackwell was appointed by the Chair as Recording Secretary Pro-Tem until Recording Secretary, Ava Wrightsman, arrived.
Welcome Newcomers
Ken welcomed all the newcomers and gave a brief overview of what a Neighborhood Council is and does.
Recognition of Guests and Dignitaries
Ken announced the guests and dignitaries present at the meeting.
Treasurerâs Report
Nedd Brown reported that we had income of $7.00 in water sales. The Neighborhood Councilâs balance, as of 03/13/02, is $1,106.86.
Correspondence Report
Brenda McAlpine read the letter that she sent to L.A. City Council members Hal Bernson and Ed Reyes and the Planning and Land Use Management Subcommittee regarding the Scenic Preservation Specific Plan. She also read the letter that she sent to John Emerson, Chair of the Los Angeles City Council Redistricting Commission regarding the Neighborhood Councils wishes on redistricting for the Sunland-Tujunga community.
Action Team Reports
A report was provided on Redistricting.
Ava Wrightsman arrived and took over from Penny Blackwell as Recording Secretary. Minutes of last monthâs meeting were passed out.
Minutes
Ken asked everyone to read the Minutes and said that we would come back to approve them.
Parliamentary Report
Minutes can be amended. There is no time limit on amending minutes. There must be a consensus on the amendment or a motion with a vote.
Action Team Reports
Reports were provided on Easter Carnival, Music in the Park, Planning Issues and Outreach.
Outreach Committee Chairman Jim Margolin moved that the Neighborhood Council allocate a petty cash fund to the Outreach Committee of $100 cash to spend for purposes of flyers and outreach. Nedd Brown seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.
Reports were also provided on Safety, Scenic Plan, Community Newspaper and the Hallmark Project
Penny Blackwell moved that the Neighborhood Council make the Community Newspaper our Hallmark Project for this year. Mark Seigel seconded. The motion passed. Ken McAlpine offered to look into the potential problems of public vs. private on the newspaper and will report to the Neighborhood Council on his findings.
Programs
Tom Rath, City Planning Associate, spoke regarding the Foothill Corridor Specific Plan. He would like to set up a Design Advisory Committee, as he had when he worked on Ventura Boulevard. He can also set up a Business Improvement District, so that we can get State and Federal money for our boulevard.
Dick Platkin, City Planner for the North Valley, said that once we are certified we will get briefed on all planning issues by the City regularly.
New Business
Greg Hann, architect, and Ron Reger, Site Acquisition Manager for ARCO, presented their proposal for the site of the old Ford dealership at Hillhaven and Foothill. There was a question and answer session and Reger promised to get some answers back to Ken on questions that he didnât have answers to.
Jim Margolin announced a petition against ARCO was at the back of the room to sign.
Gary Shartsis and Mike Visket of Tujunga spoke as neighbors of the proposed Albertsonâs project. They asked members to sign a petition urging Albertsonâs to keep an agreement regarding an 8-foot wall at the rear of the property to protect the neighbors.
Jeff Wills and Kathleen Weaver of Tujunga spoke as neighbors of the 99 Cent Plus store They asked for help in getting the 99 Cent Plus store to take some measures to decrease the vagrants on the property.
Open Forum/Announcements
Katerina Canyon, poet laureate, read a poem that she wrote about Judy Boggs.
Ken McAlpine announced that every third meeting will be devoted to Open Forum as the major program. Otherwise, Open Forum will now be moved to the beginning 15-20 minutes of the meeting.
George Sheahan moved that the Neighborhood Council work with Dale Thrush to write a letter to the Planning Commission to recommend that Albertsonâs construct the wall to 8-feet as promised. Laurel Fest seconded. The motion was voted on. 15 voted in favor and 6 opposed. The motion passed.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:19 p.m.
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REPORTS
Sunland-Tujunga Neighborhood Council
Regular Meeting of March 13, 2002
Redistricting:Ê Lloyd Hitt reported that the Redistricting Committee members held and attended several meetings during the months of February and March. Map overlays were studied. Petitions were distributed to the Wendy Greuel and Tony Cardenas campaigns.
On March 7th, the Special Meeting of the Redistricting Commission was attended. The Redistricting Committee members presented a proposed District 7 map, which included S/T, Shadow Hills, LVT, La Tuna Cyn, Arleta, Sylmar, Pacoima, Hansen Dam, Big Tujunga Wash and rural Sun Valley.Ê
On March 11th, the Map Committee met with Richard Close, Joel Wachsâ Redistricting Commissioner. The alternative map for our district should be on the L.A. City website by March 13th. If not, Stakeholders should phone and contact the newspapers and the Commission demanding its release. Mr. Close indicated that Alex Padilla needs to accept the new map for it to move forward.
Action to be taken:Ê 1) Petitions should be called in and forwarded to the Commission; 2) Set up a meeting with our new councilperson as soon as possible; 3) Get volunteers to help on a tentative Town Hall Rally for Friday; 4) Write and call the L.A. Times, Daily News, KCET, etc; 5) Talk to your friends at the Northeast Valley; 6) Write or fax letters to the Commission and to the L.A. City Council regarding the alternative maps. Deadline is March 28th. (L.A. City Council Redistricting Commission, 250 East 1st Street, Suite 1005, Los Angeles, CA 90012, FAX:Ê (213) 473-6425); 7) Contact Alex Padilla in a constructive manner regarding the Big Tujunga Wash, dividing the LVT/SH/La Tuna Canyon Neighborhood Council, and looking at our map
Easter Carnival:Ê Nedd Brown passed around the sign-up sheets.
Music in the Park:Ê Janine Carroll asked people to sign-up to help on the Music in the Park.
Planning Issues: ÊPenny Blackwell gave a report on planning issues:
Sunland Park will have a skate park
6723 Foothill Blvd., formerly the Canyon Theater, is requesting an alcohol license and zoning limited
approval. The applicant is meeting with the Vice Squad and volunteers regarding conditions of the license.
ÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊ The Kmart on Foothill Blvd. will not be closed.
ÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊ There will be a workshop on the Scenic Preservation Specific Plan on April 2nd from 4pm ö7pm at the
Municipal Building.
ÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊ The Golf Course is moving ahead.
ÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊ The Mekhitarist Fathersâ School is looking to purchase the adjacent lot from ARCO.
ÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊ At the corner of Mt. Gleason and Foothill a movie set is being built. A small retail center is planned after
the movie has been shot.
Outreach:Ê Jim Margolin briefed the Council on the block captain program.
Safety:Ê Nina Royal suggested that residents work on sidewalk and mailbox markings of their addresses so that safety officers can easily locate a property in an emergency.
There will be a CAR meeting on March 18th at 7:00 p.m. for Sunland at Apperson Elementary School.Ê
Scenic Plan:Ê Steve Crouch reported that the Scenic Preservation Plan went before PLUM and was rejected. A planning hearing is scheduled for April 2nd from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Municipal Building. Maps should be available.Ê
Community Newspaper:Ê Mike Hall reported that there is a great deal of interest in the new Community Newspaper. Several people from the community have volunteered their time to write and sell ads. The need for professionalism and continuity of effort were discussed. The next step is to hold another meeting to discuss alternative structures for the Community Newspaper and a preferred form selected by ballot.
Hallmark Project:Ê Ken McAlpine reported that the Community Newspaper might be the Hallmark Project of the year.