Brentwood Community Council

February 5, 2008 Meeting Highlights

Mar 23, 2008

1. Government Reports

State Assembly Update
?– Ellen Isaacs, Representative for Assemblymember Mike Feuer

Ellen Isaacs announced the following:
Because of the budget crisis in Sacramento, Mike Feuer, Chair of the Transportation Subcommittee, has proposed several bills that have a zero dollar effect on the budget. Proposals included a bill to add a $.005 cent sales tax to be used to clean up waste and a restructuring of vehicle license fees to add a surcharge for excess vehicle weight and excess carbon emissions.

Assemblymember Feuer?’s goal is to make transportation a bi-partisan issue and to remove obstacles to local jurisdictions to handle their own transportation issues. His bills are designed to give more power to local jurisdictions.

He is also proposing a constitutional amendment to change Assembly approval from 2/3 majority to 55% for approval of bonds with the intent of giving greater power to localities to manage their own concerns and issues. For more information, visit the 42nd Assembly District Web Site: http://democrats.assembly.ca.gov/members/a42.


State Veterans Home Update
?– Bob Sleppy, Chief, Environmental Services, State of California, Department of General Services

Bob Sleppy reported the following:
Bob received a promotion and will be leaving his position. His replacement will be either Andrea Campbell or Lisa Levy Bush, who are both from Consensus Planning Group.

The earth moving at the construction site of the State Veterans Home is completed and foundation work will begin. The cueing of concrete trucks will take place on the VA grounds. They will enter on Bringham Avenue and exit to the south. The webcam is now working and activity can be viewed at Glavc.org; once on that site, click on ?“West Los Angeles?” and then select ?“Webcam.?” The site is updated every fifteen minutes.

Bob thanked Chairwoman Rosen for her effort and cooperation over the years, and described the BCC as ?“a great example of democracy.?”


Mayoral Update
?– Stephen Cheung, West Area Director, Mayor?’s Office

Stephen Cheung reported the following:
Budget hearings will be held throughout the City to gain input from citizens. A hearing on the Westside will be held on February 25, 2008, 6:00PM, at the West Los Angeles Municipal Building 1645 Corinth, 2nd floor Hearing Room.
The Mayor?’s Office has developed a budget survey and is inviting constituent participation. Without increased participation by stakeholders, the budget survey numbers will be too small to be significant.

On February 23rd each Neighborhood Council will send two representatives to a City budget meeting. From this group, two representatives will be chosen from the 7 planning regions for a meeting with the Mayor on March 1st.


City Council 11th District
?– Jennifer Rivera, CD-11 Field Deputy

Outgoing CD-11 Field Deputy Andrea Epstein introduced Councilman Rosendahl?’s new Brentwood Field Deputy, Jennifer Rivera. Previously, Ms. Rivera served in Councilwoman Janice Hahn?’s office.

Chairwoman Rosen and Bette Harris thanked Andrea for her years of service as CD-11 Field Deputy and presented her with a token of appreciation on behalf of the BCC. Andrea has accepted a new position with the City as Volunteer Coordinator for the Department of Recreation and Parks.
Oversized Vehicle Ordinance ?– A pilot program implementing the recently-passed Oversized Vehicle restrictions will begin next month in Brentwood, to include San Vicente Blvd., Bringham Avenue, and all of South Brentwood. The pilot program is also planned for another Los Angeles community. Chairwoman Rosen thanked Ken Marks for his work on this issue.

Hotel Angeleno determination - The City reaffirmed the BCC?’s position that the Hotel Angeleno?’s lighting display is in violation of the Hotel?’s Conditional Use Permit (CUP). Chairwoman Rosen thanked Norman Kulla of Councilman Rosendahl?’s office for his efforts in trying to reach a settlement between the community and the Hotel. Chairwoman Rosen reiterated that the Hotel, in its presentation to the BCC, claimed that it would take input from the community with regard to its landscaping, lighting and signage. The Hotel installed its lighting in violation of its CUP and not in keeping with the character of the residential neighborhood in which it is located. The Hotel has until February 12, 2008 to appeal the determination.


2. Public Safety Reports

?– Phil Enbody, Sr. Lead Officer, LAPD

Brentwood Village Area ?– Four break-ins, in which a single African American male between 20 and 40, about 6 foot tall, has kicked in the doors of four stores and stolen cash.
Bundy, north of San Vicente- two Hispanic males driving a 2005 silver Chevy pick-up have burglarized several houses, taking TVs, cash, and jewelry. They have forced doors and windows.

Street robbery on San Vicente by a man with a shotgun. The suspect is in custody.
It is illegal to live in cars parked on Los Angeles streets. If a property owner calls the police and reports this, the police will arrest those sleeping in cars in residential areas.


?– Ray Klein, BCC Public Safety Representative

In an officer-related shooting in which the victim was unarmed, the victim was apparently pointing a pocket lighter that looked like a gun.

A free seven-week Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training program will start on the first Monday in March in the Roscomare community building. The public is invited.

Beware of upcoming foreclosures -- squatters are on the lookout for homes in foreclosure that are not occupied in which to begin living and holding parties, etc. Lending institutions are reluctant to pursue eviction of these individuals.


3. Barrington Wilshire Project update

?– Ken Kahan, California Landmark, Principal (developer)

The project is at the corner of Barrington and Wilshire. It involves development of significant square footage on a relatively small footprint, creating enormous challenges in staging the materials needed for the large concrete structure.

Ken Kahan has requested the closure of one lane of traffic on westbound Wilshire Boulevard during peak commuter hours in the early morning, the closure of the alleyway behind the project, and the sidewalk in front of the project among other requests.

The Mayor?’s Office sent a letter recommending that the project be given ?“qualified exemptions?” for street and sidewalk closures during the approximately 30 month construction period.
Chairwoman Rosen expressed concern that the Mayor?’s Office submitted a letter supporting the exemptions on this project without (1) input from the community and other interested neighboring parties, (2) sign offs by the Fire and Police and (3) a showing by the developer that negative impacts could not be mitigated. She also expressed concern about the impacts on traffic and public safety by blocking the public right of ways (street, alley, and sidewalks).
The developer will meet with the BCC?’s Land Use Committee, the Mayor?’s Office, City Council representatives, and others to review traffic and safety impacts for the project and proper mitigations.


4. Street Furniture Presentation CBS/Decaux and City of Los Angeles

?– Francois Nion, CBS/Decaux Representative and Lance Oishi, City of Los Angeles, Public Works, Street Services

The City of Los Angeles entered into an agreement with CBS/Decaux for installation of Street Furniture (bus shelters, kiosks and pillars) to be installed throughout the City of Los Angeles. The Street Furniture contains large advertising placement. The City receives millions of dollars in consideration for doing so. Each Council District must install a certain number of bus shelters, kiosks and pillars and receives an equal share of revenue. These funds are used for beautification projects within the district and the specific projects are chosen by the Councilmember.
The Council Office has final approval on locations for the Street Furniture installations within its District; however, it has not submitted the locations in a timely manner. The Office has now been given until March 15, 2008 to provide its preferred locations for 6 kiosks, 4 pillars, and 5 bus shelters in Brentwood.

Chairwoman Rosen raised concern about the installation of this Street Furniture on San Vicente Blvd. because it is subject to restrictions provided in both Streetscape and Specific Plans. She also raised concern about installing such advertising on Sunset Blvd., which is a designated scenic highway.

Chairwoman Rosen formed a Committee to review and choose appropriate sites in Brentwood for the Street Furniture to be submitted to the Council Office by its deadline. The BCC Street Furniture Committee includes Ray Klein, Carole Bobys, Jennifer Wenger-Turchen, Allison Mellon, Marianne Perls, Don Keller and Wendy-Sue Rosen.


5. T-Mobile Request to deviate from Specific Plan

?– Tim Miller, Zoning Project Manager, Trillium Consulting, Inc.

T-Mobile is requesting the installation of telecommunications equipment on the roof at 11726 San Vicente Blvd. This request is an exception to the San Vicente Specific Plan because the building is over the height limit permitted (pre-dating the Specific Plan).
The equipment will be well screened and in compliance with all Federal, State, and local laws regarding this type of equipment.

The request will be brought before the San Vicente Design Review Board to ensure it has input into the visual impact prior to a hearing before the West Los Angeles Area Planning Commission.


6. Chair Announcements

Housing Density Bonus - The BCC previously took a position supporting Supervisor Yaroslavsky?’s suggested amendments to the Ordinance. The bonus provides opportunities for developers to receive beneficial treatment for set-backs, density, and other ?‘perks?’ in return for inclusion of low income housing. A City Council hearing will take place Wednesday, February 6th on this issue.

Chairwoman Rosen announced that the BCC received a letter from Gordon Mansfield, the Deputy Secretary of Veterans Affairs, thanking the BCC for its letter concerning the development of designated buildings on the VA Campus as transitional housing for homeless veterans as part of CARES. He goes on to say that the VA will carefully consider the BCC?’s policy statements and that the VA is committed to a fair and open process.

Barry Building update ?– An on-going process and meetings are taking place between the Saltair Avenue homeowners, members of the BCC Land Use Committee, Bill Rosendahl?’s Office, Diane Caughey, and Mr. Munger?’s group to provide input into the process of creating an attractive, low-density project that will be an asset to Brentwood. Mr. Munger presented drawings that appeared to be responsive to the Community?’s concerns. Mr. Munger seems open to input from the community, and will be making a presentation to the BCC within the next few months.

Parks and Recreation will hold a Needs Assessment meeting on Tuesday, February 12, 2008 at Stoner Park from 7:00PM until 9:00PM.


7. BCC Elections

?– Bette Harris, Jennifer Wenger-Turchen, Nancy Freedman, Nominating Committee

Bette Harris, Nominating Committee Chair, announced the recommended slate of officers:

Chair: Wendy-Sue Rosen
Vice Chair: Ray Klein
Secretary: Susan Casamassima
Treasurer: Jackie Raymond
Members voted by secret ballot and the slate of officers was elected by unanimous vote.



8. Next BCC Meeting on Tuesday, March 4, 2008 from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Future meeting agendas over the coming months will include presentations on the Barry Building, Stream Ordinance, Department of Public Works Bureau of Sanitation presentation on Lateral Root Notification Program, and a presentation by Councilman Bill Rosendahl.

The BCC meets regularly on the first Tuesday of each month at the Brentwood Kaufman Library. 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.


(Sue Casamassima serves as Recording Secretary and Representative of Zone 8 ?– Brentwood Glen)