South-Mar Neighborhood Association

MINUTES FROM OCTOBER MEETING

MINUTES FROM OCTOBER MEETING

SoMar Neighborhood Association Meeting

Minutes for Thursday, October 11th, 2007

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

Board members present: Curt Steindler, MVCC Zone 5 Director & Vice President, Chris McKinnon, Treasurer, Beccy Scheffe, Secretary.

Neighbors and Members present: Linda of Beethoven St, Martha and Joe of Mitchell Ave, Joan of McLaughlin Ave, Charlotte of Grand View Blvd, Annette of Marcasel Ave.

Meeting called to order by Treasurer, Chris McKinnon at 6:30 pm.

Items on the Agenda:

• Beccy reports that the minutes for the last 5 meetings are available on the South Mar Vista website: http://www.neighborhoodlink.com/la/southmar/main.html.
There was no September 2007 meeting.

Treasurer's Report:

• SoMar Neighborhood Association currently has 92 signed members and a total of $1020.75 before the cost of the printing of the latest Newsletter.
The Newsletter was copied at Chris McKinnon's home and folded by neighborhood volunteers.



Old Business:

• Chris reports that South Mar Vista will not be filing for the City Beautification Project this year. The deadline for submitting our grant proposal was October 18th. There is a $10,000 grant available for any beautification project within the community and South Mar Vista is looking for good ideas and suggestions for any area in need of beautification.
A proposal has been put forward for a jogging track to be included around the MV Park by the ROSE Committee of MVCC

• Chris reports on the hearing in Culver City for the new 56 foot, 4 story, development at Washington Pl and Centinela Ave.. This time there was a fair turn out of neighbors from Mar Vista, the Marina and Culver City itself. 16 neighbors spoke against the project, and one in favor. Issues raised included environmental effects, shortages of resources, and the fact that this intersection is already considered to be in failure. The proposed development will be exited and entered on Centinela Ave. via a left turn lane, and there was serious concern raised regarding the proximity of the building to this intersection. The next door neighbors of the proposed development spoke out. They asked for the height to be reduced as their building, which is in keeping with the feel of the neighborhood, will be significantly overshadowed by this new development, which is pushed right to the edges of the property line.
The Culver City council, however, voted 4-1 in favor.

• Linda reports on the Upward Bound Group of Santa Monica. They are working with Culver City, placing homeless families at the Sun Bay Motel on Washington Blvd. They will need to apply for a Conditional Use Permit in order to do this. There will be a meeting regarding this matter on the 24th October at Culver City Hall.
Chris says Culver City have big plans for Washington Blvd and suggests we should make a point of being involved in the decision process for all developments here.

• Chris speculates on a possible new building planned for vacant apartments at 3992-3996 Inglewood Blvd. It's possible developers may not need to apply for a zoning variance.

• The South Mar Vista Neighborhood Association has lost a few members (some moved away) and far too many neighbors are still unaware of the existence of the association.
Chris explains that we haven't yet begun the new membership drive. It is hoped that local businesses can help spread the word about the association and its many benefits for the community.
Membership dues will be $15, beginning January 1st.

Traffic Report:

• Linda Guagliano handed out minutes from MVCC Transportation sub-committee meeting, which took place on September 12th, 2007. New Business items discussed, regarding Zone 5, include complaints about the timing of the traffic signals at Inglewood and Venice Blvds. It appears that the northbound light is long and the left hand turn light is too short.

• There was a discussion regarding the installation of a crosswalk for Centinela Ave. at Mitchell Ave., where the recent fatality occured. It was strongly felt by all that encouraging people to cross mid-street would only lead to more problems. Traffic moves very quickly up and down the hill at Centinela Ave. a crossing would frustrate drivers, increase traffic congestion, and quite possibly lead to more accidents. Posting 'do not cross signs' here, however, is not advised since it is actually legal to cross at any corner whether a crossing is marked or not.

Crime Report:

• Senior Lead Officer Madison reports that, generally, crime appears to be down in the neighborhood. The exception is car break-ins. He noted that criminals pass up and down the streets trying the doors of vehicles.
Always roll up windows and lock doors before leaving your vehicle unattended.
Vehicles are being broken into and stolen from underground parking structures too.

• A few weeks ago there was a robbery of a catering truck on Venice Blvd. The crime occurred in the early hours of the morning, and the perpetrator was armed.

• Senior Lead Officer Madison reminds everyone that there will be an Open House at the Pacific Community Police Station, 12312 Culver Blvd, LA 90066 on Saturday 13th October from 10am - 3pm.

• Curt reports there is graffiti at Grandview Blvd, and Pacific Ave., on the street itself. He enquires about the possibility of removing the fruit vendors from South Mar Vista streets.
Senior Lead Officer Madison says that in the past, there was a combined effort by LAPD and the Health Department to move the vendors on. It proved quite difficult to keep them gone. He suggested contacting Tony Wicks, through the "Five Points of Contact" numbers.

• Linda inquired about a robbery that occurred on Beethoven St. The family were gone, leaving a house-sitter. It appears someone was watching the house from the alleyway. Linda asked about the possibility of gating the alleyway.
Senior Lead Officer Llanes replied that they are trying to get the alleyway cleaned up so that it can be paved properly first.

• The Officers report they are now doing evening and night patrols.

New Business:

Senior Lead Officer Llanes asked for help with this year's Toy Drive for LAPD's Toys for Tots. There will be a Winter Wonderland, by invitation only, on December 15th 2007, 5pm - 9pm, at the station. There will be snow. Santa will be there, and the children will get the chance to write him a letter, play in the snow, have their picture taken and get hot chocolate and cookies before receiving their gift. LAPD are looking for volunteers, as well as donations of new unwrapped toys.
Senior Lead Officer Llanes is hoping that the local community and businesses will place donation boxes for the collection of toys.
She explained that during the week leading up to the 15th the Sleigh will be out in the neighborhood. Senior Lead Officer Llanes and her husband made the sleigh for the community. LAPD are hoping to promote the event this year, working with the neighbors to map out a route, with a list of streets and 'Santa Stop Signs'. This way everyone will know where and when the sleigh will be coming by.

Curt suggested we place Toy Drive collection boxes at the Farmer's Market.

Linda asked about age appropriate toys.
Senior Lead Officer Llanes explained that Toy for Tots is for needy kids between the ages of 3 and 14 years.
She reports that in the past, there have been about 2500 kids with invitations waiting to get in. This year they are hoping to reach out further into the community to help even more families in need.
Curt asked if we could arrange for some sort of crowd entertainment for those waiting their turn outside the station.

Chris mentioned the Cell Phone Drop Off to raise money for the LAPD Toys for Tots Program. Bring your inactive cell phones to Mechie Store at 12318 Venice Blvd between grand View and Centinela.
Charlotte has already donated hers.

• There is a Bureau of Street Services Meeting scheduled for October 23rd. 6pm-8pm. This will be an excellent opportunity for questions about re-paving in Zone 5 and for the restoration of curb. These are especially needed around the Oval, where Chris McKinnon has been working for change for 4-5 years. Any questions about tree trimming should also be brought to this meeting.

• Fire Station 62 Grand Opening has been tentatively scheduled for January 5th, 2008. It would be nice to show our support at this event!

• The next phase of the Alley Cleanup is now being planned. Any areas in need of assistance should contact SoMar for details.

• There is a Mayor's Day of Service in Mar Vista planned for mid to late January, 2008.

• Martha enquired about an Emergency rally point location for South Mar Vista residents.
Senior Lead Officer Llanes suggested using one of the schools.


Beccy reported on the Emergency Preparedness Summit held recently in Hollywood. There was a small turnout of neighbors at this fascinating meeting. One of the suggestions to come from the meeting was for the neighbors to get CERT qualified. We could actually hold our own class, right here in South Mar Vista, if we had the requisite participation. If we failed to get the minimum 25 people, it is possible to join another program in another neighborhood. The training is extensive, but it looks to be well worth the effort.

• There are still a number of parked RVs at Washington Place and Marcasel, and on Centinela. They limit visibility, and make pulling out very dangerous. Some also appear to be used as permanent homes. The Senior Lead Officers suggest taking the license plate numbers of those vehicles obviously being lived in.

• Attention was drawn to the number of walking homeless, which seems to be increasing in the neighborhood.

• Future Agenda Items could include further discussion on CERT Training for SoMar, Zone 5 residents.

• Meeting Adjourned 7:55 pm