Brentwood Community Council

February 7, 2006 Meeting Highlights

Mar 02, 2006

CRESTWOOD HILLS PARK FACILITIES TO BE UPGRADED
At the February 7th meeting of the BCC, Phillis Dudick, Director, Crestwood Hills Park provided Council representatives with an overview of the architecturally controlled community of approximately 350 homes, which was formed in 1940. The Department of Parks and Recreation runs the park and preschool. No bus service is provided to the park. The facilities are available for rental on weekends for private parties or memorial services. Facilities will be upgraded through Proposition K and ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) funding starting after summer of 2006. Venice Camp, which has used the facilities for three years, provides a high counselor to camper ratio. The camp provides an emphasis on arts and nature activities. Weekly sessions run from June 26th to September 1st. The park works together with the Crestwood Hills Homeowners?’ Association, which hopes to sponsor a debate between the candidates running for the open Assembly seat in our district. On Wednesday, March 22 at 1:00 p.m. a speaker is scheduled to talk on Medicare Advocacy programs. AARP (American Association for Retired Persons) is planning a driving program for seniors on February 25th. On April 29th, a community yard sale is planned. And on April 8th, the Los Angeles Police Department will check children?’s car seats for safety and compliance.

KRISILOFF RECEIVES HONORS
John Chiang, twice-elected Chairman of the Board of Equalization presented BCC Chairwoman Flora Gil Krisiloff with a Resolution for her extraordinary dedication to the BCC and outstanding contributions to the community. Mr. Chiang, is currently a candidate for State Controller. Andrea Epstein, Westside Deputy to Councilman Rosendahl also presented the Chairwoman with a Certificate of Recognition.

FINAL EIR FOR STEPHEN S. WISE TEMPLE MIDDLE SCHOOL
Richard Shapiro, Project Manager, discussed plans for consolidation of the Stephen S. Wise Temple Middle School campus. Mark Armbruster, Legal Counsel also participated in the discussion. Plans include relocating the 240 middle school students currently in trailers on the Bel Air Presbyterian Church property to a location immediately adjacent to the high school, located east of the temple. The Bel Air Presbyterian Church has a master plan to eventually build a school for 200+ students, according to Mr. Shapiro.

Mr. Shapiro is applying for a new Conditional Use Permit (CUP). The maximum enrollment requested would be for 890 students (650 high school students plus an increase of 240 middle school students). The proposed project calls for one-story, low-level buildings totaling 30,000-sq. ft., designed to minimize impacts to neighbors?’ views. Mr. Shapiro calculated that traffic would be one-third less after the proposed improvements because all students will be required to carpool whereas currently only high school students are required to carpool.

Mr. Shapiro said that plans also include a new athletic field, basketball courts, running track, and obstacle course on the land they own adjacent to the Mirman School. However, no after-school sports or intramural games would be held there, and the field would not be used on weekends. Only 25 children would be on the field at any one time.

According to Mr. Armbruster, the Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) is now final and the application for a CUP for the school will be submitted within the week. A public hearing before the City Zoning Administrator is expected in 45 to 60 days.

Robert Rene, President of the Brentwood Homeowners Association asked if the school might consider agreeing to forego further development over the next ten years in exchange for community support for the current proposal. Mr. Shapiro said he would consider such a proposal.

Jenna Abouzeid, who has been an opponent of the project, and who was scheduled to speak, was unable to attend the meeting. Chairwoman Krisiloff suggested that Ms. Abouzeid be agendized at the next BCC meeting to comment on the proposals.

RETIREMENT DINNER FOR SENIOR LEAD OFFICER HINMAN
Samantha Greenberg, active in the Community-Police Advisory Board?’s Traffic Committee announced that a retirement dinner is planned for Brentwood Senior Lead Officer Dennis Hinman on Friday, March 3rd with cocktails at 6:00 p.m. and dinner at 7:00 p.m. at the Luxe Hotel. To attend, send checks in the amount of $35 made payable to WLA Station Fund, to Samantha Greenberg, 11694 S. Vicente Boulevard, #255 or call 820-1985.

VA CEO FAVORS THERAPEUTIC HOUSING FOR HOMELESS VETERANS
Chairwoman Krisiloff reported receiving a clarification letter from Chuck Dorman, Chief Executive Officer of the Veterans Administration Greater Los Angeles Healthcare Systems. She distributed copies of the letter, which states Mr. Dorman?’s conditional support for the proposal submitted by City of Santa Monica Councilman Bobby Shriver and a Coalition of Organizations for ?“Housing for Homeless Veterans with Special Needs with Priority Given to Chronically Homeless Veterans.?” In his letter, Mr. Dorman states that he supports the concept with the understanding that ?“if approved, the project will be a supportive and therapeutic housing project for veterans only with an emphasis on chronically homeless, and that the project will not be based upon any ?“housing first?” model.?” According to Mr. Dorman, the proposal is only in the conceptual stage at this point. Questions may be directed to Ralph Tillman, Director of Asset Management at 310-261-7037.

BCC SEAT FOR CONGREGATIONAL/MINISTERIAL REPRESENTATIVE VACANT
Robert Baumann notified Chairwoman Krisiloff that he has to resign his position of congregational/ministerial representative on the BCC. Interested applicants may contact Bette Harris, Chair of the Representation Committee.

BCC ELECTS NEW OFFICERS
The BCC elected a new slate of officers for the year 2006: President: Wendy-Sue Rosen, Vice President: Bill Kamer; Secretary: Bette Harris; Treasurer: Jackie Raymond. Chairwoman Flora Gil Krisiloff had announced earlier that she would not seek another term as BCC Chair as she now serves as Westside Senior Field Deputy to County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky. Representatives rose to give a standing ovation to the Chairwoman who had led the BCC for over seven years. Fellow representatives showered Chairwoman Krisiloff with accolades and presented her with flowers.

NEXT BCC MEETING: TUESDAY, MARCH 7, 2006

The next BCC meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, March 7, 2006 from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. at the Brentwood Kaufman Library. Marlene Canter, President of the Los Angeles Unified School District is scheduled to speak. The BCC meets regularly on the first Tuesday of each month. Meetings are usually held in the Community Room of the Brentwood Kaufman Library. The BCC agenda is posted at the library one week prior to the meeting date. To receive the BCC?’s monthly agenda by e-mail, contact Chairwoman Flora Gil Krisiloff at krisiloff@aol.com or visit the BCC website: http://www.neighborhoodlink.com/la/brentwoodcc.

(Bette Harris serves as Public Safety Chair and Recording Secretary on the BCC).