City Heights Area Planning Committee

Minutes November 2012 - January 2013

CITY HEIGHTS AREA
PLANNING COMMITTEE

 

Minutes of the meeting
of January 7, 2013

3910 University Ave

City Heights CA
92105

 

1. The meeting was called to order at 6:30PM.  Abdullahi Yusuf, Ahmed Malinomar, Ahmedei Cheikgurei, Amanda Moss, David Nelson, Guy Mock, Hong Tran, Jenny Flanagan, Jessie Sergent, Jim Varnadore, Katt Eaton, Mazda Mehraz, Patty Vaccariello, Sally Lemmie, Sam Charry, and Samantha Ollinger formed a quorum.  Mark Tran, John DeMiranda, Kenton Finkbeiner, and Rebecca Rusk, absent.

 

2.  Ahmed offered, Guy seconded a motion to adopt the agenda.  The members voted 14/0/0
(CNV) and the motion passed.

 

3. The minutes of November 5, 2012 were accepted.

 

4. David Bowen asked the status of two projects. The Chairwoman gave the status. 
María Córtez announced a meeting of residents from Corridor and Teralta West on Jan 22, 6:30PM at the Metro Villas.  

5. Abi Santos from CD-9 announced several city government activities expected in
January.  She also noted that the Safe Routes to School project for Hamilton Elementary would be planned shortly.  Jim asked that this Committee be included in the planning.  Michael Prinz from the
Planning staff noted the youth seat changes to the bylaws and will forward a copy of the finally accepted version after it is released by the City Attorney.

 

6. Katt reported that the January Parkster is available.  She asked for help with the homeless  numeration planned for January 25, starting at 5:00AM.  Individual volunteers may contact her.  Amanda announced the next FaceLift event to be held near 46th/Polk in June, 2013.  Jessie reported on the Rice Drive conducted by the Asian Youth Organization.  Guy reminded the Committee about the Town Council’s “adopt-a-light” program to put solar powered flood lights wherever there are dark spaces in the community.  Patty reported the Mid-Month meeting will be January 23, 6:30PM at the SDPD Substation.  The Canyonlands project will be reviewed.

 

7.1  Michael Prinz from the Planning staff reported on an application the City wishes to submit for funding to plan improvements around three Bus Rapid Transit stations on El Cajon Boulevard.  The area of interest to City Heights runs between 46th Street and 50th Street.  Several committee  members asked questions about individual details of the project.  After discussion, Jim offered, Jessie seconded a motion to recommend approval of the application for funds with the condition that the Western boundary of the area be moved to Highland Avenue so as to plan the entirety of the Little Saigon Cultural and Commercial District.  The Committee voted 13/2/0 (Chair not voting) and the motion passed.

 

7.2   The Chairwoman announced that she would appoint a subcommittee to work out the details for  filling two youth seats on the Committee that were recently enabled with a bylaw change.  After discussion, she appointed Sam Ollinger as chairwoman, Jessie, Mark, and Jim as members.

 

7.3 The Chairwoman noted the resignation of the member in the District 2-14 seat and entertained a motion to declare the seat vacant.  David offered, Amanda seconded the motion.  The Committee voted 15/0/0 (Chair not voting) and the motion passed.

 

7.4  David, the Election Subcommittee Chairman reported on the progress toward the March 2013 Committee elections.

 

8.  The meeting was adjourned at 8:05PM to meet again February 4, 2013 at the time and place listed above.  If called, a mid-month meeting will be held Wednesday, January 23 at 6:30PM in the Mid-City Police Substation.  Separate agenda will be issued.

 

NO December 2012 meeting -- No Minutes

 

CITY HEIGHTS AREA PLANNING COMMITTEE

 

Minutes of the meeting
of November 5, 2012

3910 University Ave

City Heights CA 92105

 

1. The meeting was called to order at 6:30PM.  Abdullahi Yusuf, David Nelson, Guy Mock, Jenny Flanagan, Jessie Sergent, Katt Eaton, Mark Tran, Mazda Mehraz, Rebecca Rusk, Sam Charry, Samantha Ollinger and Jim Varnadore formed a quorum.  Ahmed Malinomar, Ahmedei Cheikgurei, Amanda Moss, Hong Tran, John DeMiranda, Kenton Finkbeiner, and Patty Vaccariello absent.

 

2.  Guy offered, Mark seconded a motion to adopt the agenda.  The members voted 10/0/0
(CNV) and the motion passed.

 

3. The minutes of October 1, 2012 were accepted.

 

4. There was no off-agenda public comment.

 

5. Councilmember Gloria expressed appreciation to the committee.  He will not be the Council member representing City Heights as of December 3, 2012.  Council member Emerald
spoke as the newly elected Council member representing City Heights.  She and Committee members discussed several topics.

 

6. Jessie reported on the Rice Drive conducted each November by the Multi-Cultural
Community Relations Office and asked everyone to contribute to the project.  Guy announced the
“adopt-a-light” project for lighting dark places throughout the Community.  Mark reported on a youth cleanup at Crawford HS and Mann MS.  Samantha noted the City has rescinded licensing of bicycles.  David asked what might be done about a vagrancy problem at a substance abuse recovery site on the Southwest corner of 50th/El Cajon Boulevard.  Katt noted that the City Council will take up the Committee’s request for youth seats at its November 13 evening meeting.

 

7.1  Mr. Andrew Rice from Caltrans reported on the status and progress of High-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes on SR-94 between I-5 and I-805 and noted that the project environmental study was not yet completed.  He briefly described the project and its two alternates.  He briefly discussed the several centerline lane connections.  Russ Connelly asked that the adjacent communities and neighborhoods be kept informed about the project by e-mail.  Jim noted that every
environmental study must examine the “no-build” alternative to the proposed project.  He recommended that Caltrans adopt the no-build alternative for cost savings generated and because there isn’t a visible transportation problem that the proposed project will solve.

 

7.2   There was a discussion of projects in the City’s Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) and additional projects generated within City Heights both by the Committee and by neighbors and neighborhood
associations.  After discussion, the members voted on which projects to forward to the City to be included in the FY-14 CIP budget as top priority projects.  The votes were tallied and will be included in the Committee’s recommendation to the City, a copy of which is attached to these minutes.

 

7.3  The Chairwoman noted the vacancy in the District 3-13 seat and solicited volunteers to take the seat.  Sally Rice Lemmie nominated herself.  After her introduction, the Committee voted to appoint her to the seat.

7.4 The Chairwoman solicited volunteers for the 2013 Election Sub-committee.  Jessie Sergent, David Nelson, and Guy Mock volunteered.  The Secretary will circulate a request to eligible  ommittee members not present at this meeting urging them to volunteer.  The sub-committee should have five members.

8.  The meeting was adjourned at 8:50PM to meet again January 7, 2013 at the time and place listed above.  There will be no December 2012 meeting.  If called, a mid-month meeting will be held Monday, November 19 at 6:30PM in the Mid-City Police Substation.  Separate agenda will be issued.