South-Mar Neighborhood Association

MINUTES FROM AUGUST MEETING

MINUTES FROM AUGUST MEETING

SoMar Neighborhood Association Meeting

Minutes for Thursday, August 9th, 2007

Meeting held at Mar Vista Library, 12006 Venice Blvd. Corner of Venice Blvd. and Inglewood Blvd, Mar Vista.

Board members present: Steve Wallace, President, Curt Steindler, MVCC Zone 5 Director & Vice President, Chris McKinnon, Treasurer, Julia Jones, Newsletter Editor, Beccy Scheffe, Secretary.

Neighbors and Members present: Linda of Beethoven St, Pat of North Park Ave, Martha and Joe of Mitchell Ave, Joan of McLaughlin Ave, Charlotte of Grandview Blvd.

Meeting called to order by President, Steve Wallace at 6:30 pm.

Items on the Agenda:

• Steve inquired about the rehab facility on Mitchell Ave. which was established a couple of years ago. Initially, the neighbors were very upset at the increase in noise, traffic and parking problems that seemed to be created by this facility. These resulted in much neighborhood discussion and pressure.
Martha reported that things appear to be running fairly smoothly now. The occupants are apparently trying to keep a low profile, and she has not heard of any new complaints.

• Martha reported a deadly accident which occurred on Centinela Ave at Mitchell Ave. The 21yr old victim was attempting to cross Centinela Ave mid-block. The 18 year old driver of the SUV that fatally hit him was found to have a criminal blood alcohol level. According to the Zero Tolerance laws, the driver is now facing felony charges of vehicular manslaughter.
Curt agreed that this is a dangerous place to cross a very busy cut-through street in our neighborhood. There is a school in the vicinity and many people attempt to cross mid-block, rather than walk the short distance to the lights.
Martha suggested street lighting could be increased.
Charlotte suggested a blinking light crosswalk could help.
Curt was concerned that another stop light would create even more traffic congestion. Centinela Ave. is already heavily backed-up with traffic.
It was agreed by everyone that this is a short block, and people should be encouraged to use the lights and crossings already in place for them.
Steve suggested signs warning pedestrians and traffic alike. He suggested we email Linda so that she can present the suggestion to the Traffic Sub-Committee.

• Steve passed along requests from some of the neighbors for SLOW CHILDREN signs. Linda agreed to look into acquiring them.

Traffic Report:
• Linda Guagliano handed out leaflets and reported that MVCC and the Neighborhood Traffic Management Committee have drawn up soon-to-be-circulated petitions for residents of cut-thru streets. The petitions will request some form of relief from the growing problem of cut-through traffic, beginning with Inglewood Blvd, Grandview Blvd and Beethoven St.
For more information, contact Linda: lindaguag@netzero.net

• Linda reported that the WAIT sign at Venice Blvd/Inglewood Blvd. intersection is becoming obscured by tree growth.

• Steve reported that the trailer parked, seemingly permanently, on Mitchell Ave. is now being moved.
Martha said she had spoken with Senior Lead Officer Llanes about the RV parking on Centinela Ave. The vehicles are moved only for street cleaning and they reduce visibility for both pedestrians and traffic.

New Membership Drive:
• Steve reported that the South Mar Vista Neighborhood Association gained a couple of new members during the Farmer's Market/Birthday Celebration last weekend. However, far too many neighbors are still unaware of the existence of the SoMar Neighborhood Association.
Steve asked for ideas to increase membership.
Chris suggested raffle tickets for every member who introduces a new member.
Steve suggested a gift voucher prize from one of South Mar Vista's local business.

Curt asked for some Membership applications for the Block Party to be held at Keeshon on August 25th.

Joe suggested local businesses might encourage SoMar residents to shop with them by providing discount coupons or vouchers.

Steve suggested we start the New Membership Drive at the next meeting on September 13th. He would like to have ideas, designs and slogans ready by that time.

• Joe asked if the Fire Department were holding tours of the new building on Inglewood Blvd and Venice Blvd. This is another good opportunity to bring the community together.
Curt said there were a couple of events planned for the Firestation.
Steve said they are planning to hold a Pancake Breakfast/Open Day

Alleyway Cleanup:
• August 25th will be Phase 1 of the Mar Vista Alleyway Cleanup. We will be starting with the alleyway immediately south of Venice Blvd, between Inglewood Blvd and Grandview Blvd. The aim is to clear the area of weeds and remove the trash.

Pat informed us that Senior Lead Officer Madison has arranged for the provision of a pickup, shovels and rakes. Any large items will be removed by the Sanitation Department. It has also been arranged that Graffiti Solutions and Clean and Green will be available on the day.

Steve informed us that a Pothole group will stop by Monday 27th August to repair the street.
We are looking for any donations. Food and drinks, supplied by neighbors or local businesses for the volunteer workers that day.

• Letters are being sent out to the Library, the Firestation and the Post Office requesting that they become more involved in finding solutions to their cleanup problems.
Pat says their dumpsters are overflowing and litter is building up. Weeds are growing, but landscaping plants are dying from lack of water.

Community Beautification Grant:
• There is a $10,000 grant available for any beautification project within the community. Steve is looking for ideas and input from the entire neighborhood.
We have until October 1st to submit our grant proposal.

Julia suggested the area on Washington Pl and Centinela Ave needs greening up. It is the site of a Special Needs school so we would need to contact the Principle.
Curt offered to introduce himself there.

Steve explained we could apply for a couple of projects and suggested a pocket park (something that Zone 5 is desperately in need of)
at McLaughlin Blvd and Venice.

He urged us to discuss the grants with our neighbors and look around for potential green spaces.

Treasurer's Report:
• SoMar Neighborhood Association currently has 91 signed members. Chris has sent out 21 reminders for payment, so far 15 have replied.
SoMar Neighborhood Association currently has $980.75 after the printing of latest Newsletter, P.O. box expenses and supplies.
We are hoping now the new MVCC treasurer will reimburse us, at last. We are owed between $600 and $800 .
Curt asked for everything to be re-copied and re-sent yet again.

October Newsletter:
• Chris suggested subsidizing postage for Newsletters for the apartment buildings.
It was decided this would be too costly at this time.

Steve requested the Important Numbers and 5 Points of Contact page be included in Spanish.

Julia said she would like to do a report on traffic and cut-thru streets for the next issue.
Martha said she'd like more history from Glen Howell.
Pat suggested a restaurant review.
Joan said the Newsletter should mention the Firestation Open Day.

Julia's article deadline is September 20th.

New Development:
• Steve urged that we need more community input over the new developments planned for the area.
There was recently a Culver City Hearing to request a change in zoning for the construction of a 4-story, 41,802 square foot building. The plan is for ground floor retail space and three stories of office, to subdivide the building into 30 commercial condominium units, and allow the use of tandem parking spaces. The planned location is Washington Pl and Centinela Ave. This is already an incredibly busy intersection, and any development here will impact the neighborhood.

A new Ad-Hoc committee was suggested to stimulate community interest and develop our own proposals.
This is our neighborhood. These projects will have impacts for not only our quality of life, but for our property values, too, and we should have a say in the planning process.
There are many other big projects already being planned.

Infrastructure for Mar Vista:
• There are a couple of new Sub-Comittees in Mar Vista concerned with developing a working and sustainable infrastructure, as our community continues to grow.

Steve suggested we begin to put together a list of projects and concerns. Sidewalk repairs, repaving, alleyways.

Chris announced the curb outside the DWP building on Venice Blvd and McLaughlin Blvd will be painted red for no stopping.
Martha suggested a 4-way stop for Matteson Ave and Bledsoe Ave where there have been a number of accidents.
A number of the group complained about the mess and resulting smell from animals attending the Mar Vista Animal Clinic on Grandview Blvd.
Steve said there is a plan to change the Post Office driveways into a one-way system.


• Meeting Adjourned 7:55 pm