Brentwood Community Council

June 5, 2007 Meeting Highlights

Aug 07, 2007

CRIME UPDATE ?– Sr. Lead Officer Phillip Enbody reported that crime has dropped 9% from last year. Crime on the Westside, particularly in Brentwood, is predominantly auto-related, approximately 67% of total crime. Officer Enbody again warned residents to lock their cars and remove all items from their parked vehicles. He also reported that Captain Carol Aborn Khoury and Captain Hauck of the West Los Angeles station will be leaving to take on new responsibilities. Captain Aborn Khoury will assume duties in Planning and Research and Captain Hauck will be moved to Operations, in charge of investigating the May First Melee. They will be replaced by Captains Matthew Blake and Braun Eutsey.

Officer Enbody also reported that funds are needed to continue the successful youth programs at Stoner Park and the Pico Robertson neighborhood. The program provides field trips, educational speakers, plays, sports, games, and movies during the summer for at-risk youths from ten to fifteen years of age. Lunch and snacks are also provided. The cost is approximately $1,000 per child for the summer ($90 per day). Last year, a total of 176 children attended the program, and crime dropped by 66% in those neighborhoods. Those who wish to donate to the program may send checks payable to PACT (People and Community Together), c/o the West Los Angeles Community Police Station, 1663 Butler Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90025.

STATE ASSEMBLY UPDATE ?– Ellen Isaacs, Representative, Assembly District 42, reported that the State Assembly was very busy with 600 Assembly bills to be voted on by June 8, and ongoing budget revisions. Ms. Isaacs mentioned that:
Every Assemblymember can introduce 40 bills per two-year session.

Assemblymember Feuer introduced 20 bills for this year. Only a few did not make it out of committee, including one that would have mandated that by 2015, 50% of all cars sold in California would run on alternative fuels.

Among the Assemblymember?’s bills being voted on this week are: providing for a nursing home rating system accessible to the public; streamlining of the nursing home complaint process; phasing out take-out food packaging, that is not compostable or recyclable; a toxics use reduction act based on a successful Massachusetts model that would impose a fee on the use of certain toxics in manufacturing (The fee would pay for research and transition to non-toxics.), and, a crime gun identification act that would result in micro stamping of shell casings to allow law enforcement to trace those found at crime scenes.

In local matters, the long-awaited DEIR for the 405 Sepulveda Pass High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) Lane Project is being circulated, and can be seen on the Caltrans website www.dot.ca.gov/dist7/. July 11 is the final date for comments to Caltrans. Also, a brush clearance agreement was reached at a meeting Assemblymember Feuer held between Caltrans and the Los Angeles Fire Department. Councilmembers Weiss and Rosendahl supported the compact and urged homeowners in high-risk areas to do clearing as well. More information is available at: www.leginfo@ca.gov or Assemblymember.Feuer@asm.ca.gov.

COUNCIL OFFICE UPDATE ?– In her report, Andrea Epstein, Field Deputy to Councilman Rosendahl stated that the Councilman is ?“joined at the hip?” with colleagues who recognize the need for a land use master plan for the West Los Angeles campus of the Veterans Affairs Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System. The Councilman does not support commercial development of that land, and is in favor of its use in maximizing services for veterans, including homeless veterans.

Ms. Epstein stated that the Councilman supports Brentwood Glen with respect to the 405 Sepulveda Pass HOV Lane Project, and he will meet with those residents.

WEST LOS ANGELES STATE VETERANS HOME CONSTRUCTION UPDATE ?– Bob Sleppy, Chief, California Real Estate Services Division, Environmental Services Section, reported that 1 ?½ years after the State Veterans Home construction contract was awarded, work at the prospective 400-bed facility planned for West Los Angeles will start in mid-July with the demolition of two small warehouses and hauling of dirt. Work will continue for 24 to 30 months. Construction will affect the east side of Montana and Chenault. A parking plan is in the development stage, and will not include parking on city streets. A website will be available in a month. Mr. Sleppy expressed his appreciation for the support and cooperation of both the community and the elected officials.

WEST LOS ANGELES FEDERAL LAND UPDATE ?– Trevor Daley, District Director for U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein said that the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Building Project planned for West Los Angeles had been terminated thanks to the efforts of the community and local leaders. Mr. Daley will continue working on the project, assisting the FBI in finding another site by working with the General Services Administration (GSA). Twenty different sites are under consideration. A major question concerns the ownership of the Federal Building property at 11000 Wilshire Boulevard (VA vs. GSA). Mr. Daley indicated that the building is in poor condition with water leaks and electrical problems.

Corey Jackson, Field Representative for U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer said that the Senator?’s responsibilities include Public Works and the Environmental Protection Agency. He said that the Senator wants to protect the WLA land for veterans in the future and encouraged the community to continue providing input on the subject.

Lisa Pinto, District Director for Congressman Henry Waxman, said that the Congressman is waiting to hear from Secretary of Veterans Affairs Nicholson regarding the next hearing date regarding the CARES (Capital Asset Realignment for Enhanced Services) process, and that Flora Gil Krisiloff serves on the ten-member panel and would be one of the first to receive documentation.

Ms. Pinto spoke of legislation that Congressman Waxman has introduced ?– H.R. 2225, ?“The West Los Angeles Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center Preservation Act of 2007,?” which expands the Cranston Act to protect the full 388 acres from sale or any other type of disposal, prohibits enhanced-use lease agreements for private commercial developments, and includes a requirement to complete the Congressionally mandated comprehensive land use master plan. Ms. Pinto said that Senator Feinstein had introduced a companion bill (S. 1043), which mirrors Congressman Waxman?’s bill.

The Congressman has sent a letter to Secretary James Nicholson, highlighting his proposed legislation and reaffirming the Six Guiding Principles developed by the WLA VA Local Advisory Panel: 1) declaring there is no excess property at the West Los Angeles VA; 2) honoring the intent of the deed which donated the land; 3) complying with the Cranston Act and the subsequent prohibition on Enhanced Use Leases for the Cranston Act acreage; 4) fulfilling the congressionally mandated master plan; 5) maintaining current agreements; and 6) complying with the National Historic Preservation Act. Additionally, the letter urges a comprehensive and inclusive public process to address therapeutic supportive housing authorized under the Homeless Veterans Comprehensive Services Program Act of 1992. Co-signers of the letter were: Zev Yaroslavsky, Diane Watson, Jane Harman, Sheila Kuehl, Karen Bass, Julia Brownly, Mike Feuer, Bobby Shriver, Bill Rosendahl, Barry Groveman, and Jack Weiss.

Chairwoman Wendy-Sue Rosen pointed out that the BCC has formed a Federal Land Committee that has met with Bill Daniels (Director of the LA VA services to homeless veterans), and toured New Directions. The committee also plans to develop a set of guiding principles. Ms. Pinto suggested meeting with the committee. Members of the committee are Ray Klein, Jay Handal, Sue Casamassima, Bette Harris, and Wendy-Sue Rosen.

Flora Gil Krisiloff, Westside Senior Field Deputy for County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky, addressed the ten-acre Army Reserve property that is up for a land swap. An online auction was held with only one bid received prior to the close of the auction. The bidder does not hold title to the property. Nothing has been determined. The County sued for a full Environmental Review and filed for a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) prior to the auction. The judge denied the TRO, but subsequently, the Army agreed to conduct a full environmental review of any proposed project if the County would dismiss the lawsuit. The County agreed to dismiss ?“without prejudice,?” but stipulated that a true Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) must be performed which would have to include a no new project alternative. The U.S. Army recently sent notification that it is preparing to move forward with a full EIS. Ms. Krisiloff urged the community to be involved in the public process. She also revisited the underlying County land zone changes which Supervisor Yaroslavsky had implemented and would apply if private projects are pursued. The land north of Wilshire is zoned as County open space. The land south of Wilshire is zoned institutional. Ms. Krisiloff further stated that Supervisor Yaroslavsky is fully engaged in supporting the critical legislation that Congressman Waxman and Senator Feinstein have proposed to protect the WLA VA property from sale, disposal, or commercial development.

CRESTWOOD HILLS PARK RECREATION CENTER 2007 REMODEL ?– Beth Allred, Crestwood Hills Park Advisory Board Chair presented architectural drawings for the remodeling of the park?’s recreation center. The project is funded by a combination of Proposition K, Proposition 12, Quimby, and Department of Recreation and Parks funds. According to Ms. Allred, the remodel will add space and light, and will be more energy efficient. A new lobby and an interior bathroom will be added. The exterior bathrooms will be improved. The project started in May 2007 and completion is expected around January 2008.

Also participating in the presentation were: Lise Selznick, Park Advisory Board Co-Chair, and Brentwood Historical Society Member, and Crestwood Hills Association President Kyle Kozloff.

A ?“Renovation Celebration?” is planned for Saturday, June 16, 2pm to 4pm.

PAUL REVERE MIDDLE SCHOOL QUAD RENOVATION ?– Nancy Babcock and Ellen Phaler presented plans for the Quad renovation at Paul Revere Middle School featuring a courtyard design, circular amphitheater seating, an outdoor classroom, and a tree-lined lunch area. Donations are needed to fund the cost of these renovations, which will be approximately $250,000. Tax deductible contributions may be sent to PRIDE, c/o Paul Revere Middle School, 1450 Allenford Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90049.

HOTEL ANGELENO UPDATE ?– Don Keller reported that a hearing was held on May 17th regarding Hotel Angeleno?’s electrical permit. A continuance was promised by the representatives of the hotel, however the attorneys for the hotel went forward with their testimony. The BCC will be opposing the hotel?’s lighting by submitting its testimony in writing. Andrea Epstein, Field Deputy to Councilman Rosendahl, said that the Council Office supports the community on this issue.

BCC LAND USE SUBCOMMITTEE FORMED - Chairwoman Rosen announced a new Land Use Committee to be assembled to address land use policies, guidelines and planning issues. The members of the committee include Nancy Freedman, Jackie Raymond, Steve Gilbert, Ray Klein, Don Keller, Sue Casamassima, and Wendy-Sue Rosen.

405 HOV LANE ?– SEPULVEDA PASS PROJECT ?– The BCC approved a motion by David Heldman to write a letter supporting Brentwood Glen in opposing the alternatives under consideration by Caltrans for the 405 HOV Lane-Sepulveda Pass Project, which would result in the taking of homes and property on or adjacent to Church Lane.

NO BCC MEETING IN JULY. - The next BCC meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, August 7, 2007 from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Future agenda items include updates on the Brentwood Schools and Crestwood Hill Park, and a presentation by Charles Munger regarding plans for the Barry Building. No meeting is planned in July due to the Independence Day holiday. The BCC meets regularly on the first Tuesday of each month. The BCC agenda is posted at the Brentwood Kaufman Library one week prior to the meeting date. To receive the BCC?’s monthly agenda by e-mail, contact Chairwoman Wendy-Sue Rosen at RosenFree@aol.com or visit the BCC website: http://www.neighborhoodlink.com/la/brentwoodcc.

(Bette Harris serves as Recording Secretary and Public Safety Representative on the Brentwood Community Council.)