Brentwood Community Council

April 10, 2007 Meeting Highlights

May 16, 2007

STATE ASSEMBLY UPDATE

Ellen Isaacs, State Assembly District 42 Representative gave the following update. She said that April is a very important month in Sacramento for legislation and budget deliberations with committees hearing hundreds of bills and budget negotiations ramping up. Assemblyman Feuer has many areas of agreement on the budget with the Governor with the exception of two issues. The Governor wants to cut funding for children on the CalWorks program, if their parents fail to work. The Assemblyman will not support balancing the budget by depriving children of basic necessities. Additionally, the Governor wants to divert $1.1 billion in public transportation funding to other priorities ?– eliminating 10% of Los Angeles?’ entire public transportation budget.

Assemblyman Feuer?’s job as Chair of the Budget Subcommittee on Transportation includes overseeing Caltrans funding. In March, Caltrans held 405 Freeway High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) Lane public information meetings. The Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) is forthcoming.

The Exposition Line Phase 2 scoping meetings have been completed and the public is awaiting drafting of the DEIR. Funding depends on the outcome of the State budget negotiations.

Assemblyman Feuer?’s Legislation:
Clean Fuel Vehicles bill would require 50% of vehicles in the state to be powered by alternative energy sources by the year 2012.

The Toxics Use Reduction Act will dramatically reduce the volume of toxic substances in California products and manufacturing by imposing fees on the production of large quantities of toxic material. These fees would fund research on alternatives, technical assistance, and enforcement.

The dropout rate is believed to be greater than 50% in Los Angeles. The exact number of dropouts is not known, making it difficult to remedy the problem. The Assemblyman has co-sponsored new legislation that would enable districts to track each student from K-12.

The University of California and California State College systems have recently increased fees. Assemblyman Feuer has co-sponsored a bill to reduce the burden of fee increases on middle class students and their families. Another bill would defray college student tuition in exchange for students?’ commitment to perform community service after graduation.

A proposed rating system for Assisted Living/Nursing Homes would establish a consumer information service system under the State Department of Public Health, and would require each provider to give information about accreditation and any complaints, as well as a referral to the State?’s Long-term Care Ombudsman?’s office.

Nursing Homes Reporting legislation will require the State Department of Health Services to respond to complaints within forty days unless the need to extend has been demonstrated.

Marine Protection legislation will phase out takeout food packaging that is not recyclable or compostable in favor of alternative packaging that can be recycled or composted.

CRIME UPDATE

Senior Lead Officer Phillip Enbody was unable to attend the BCC meeting. Public Safety Representative, Bette Harris, delivered a report on his behalf. Officer Enbody?’s report indicated that community crime was down 5% but Brentwood is still experiencing vehicle crimes and burglaries. During April, the West Los Angeles station will plan a Traffic Task Force project along Mandeville Canyon Road, Kenter, and North Bundy Drive.

Officer Enbody?’s report spoke of a ?“Tip-a-Cop?” Fundraiser to take place at Gladstones Restaurant (Pacific Coast Highway and Sunset Boulevard) on April 19th between 5:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. to help the Special Olympics. That night, the officers from the Los Angeles Police Department, West Los Angeles Division, will team up with the waitstaff at Gladstones, waiting on patrons ?“hand and foot,?” thereby giving new meaning to the motto, ?“To Protect and Serve.?”

CULTURAL HISTORIC MONUMENT STATUS PROPOSED FOR BARRY BUILDING

Diane Caughey, Ph.D, architect spoke of her hope to see the Barry Building designated as a Los Angeles City Historic-Cultural Monument. Ms. Caughey is the daughter of Milton H. Caughey, architect of the Barry Building. Dutton?’s Bookstore is located in this building, which may undergo major renovations or improvements. Ms. Caughey said that while some members of the community may wish to save Dutton?’s from possible relocation, pursuing landmark status is a separate issue. The City can landmark a building only on the merit of architectural significance, not for a business.

Ms. Caughey gave a number of reasons why the building should be designated a Historic-Cultural Monument. 1. It has architectural significance to the City, which the Los Angeles Conservancy has strongly supported. 2. There is an inherent value in preserving our cultural heritage and places of history and significance in the community for future generations. 3. Preserving the building may keep Dutton's from relocating.

In discussing the architectural significance of the Barry building, Ms. Caughey stated that it was an excellent example of Mid?–century California Modern style architecture. Architectural influences included International Style Architecture which developed from the Bauhaus Style in Europe, Le Corbusier, and in California: Neutra, Schindler, and Eames.

Ms. Caughey provided background on the architect, Milton H. Caughey, who received his Masters Degree in Architecture from Yale, and worked for renowned modernist architects in New York. Milton Caughey started his own practice in California and received many AIA (American Institute of Architect) awards for excellence in design. After practicing for 10 years, he died in 1958, at the age of 46.

Currently, Ms. Caughey has submitted a 60-page written document and photographic study of the building to the Los Angeles City Historic Commission to nominate the Barry Building as a landmark. The first hearing with the Los Angeles Historic Commissioners is scheduled for early May. She said that the application has been added to the City Hearing agenda at a once a year joint meeting with the Los Angeles City Commisioners, the State Historic Commissioners, and the California Preservation Council, which will provide wide exposure.

Two more commission hearings would follow: a site visit by the Commission, and a final hearing, at which time a vote would be taken as regards granting Monument status. Finally, City Council approval would be required. The process would take approximately six months.

According to Ms. Caughey, while Monument status signifies that the City of Los Angeles will honor the building for posterity, it does not guarantee that the building will not eventually be demolished. It allows one year, during which time the building cannot be torn down and allows for community input.

Ms. Caughey said that the community could support the endeavor to make the Barry Building a Historic Monument by joining a group called The Friends of the Barry Building (home of Dutton's Books). She encouraged joining the group so that the names of supporters could be provided to the Los Angeles Historic Commission and to Councilman Rosendahl's office. Ms. Caughey asked the BCC to support this landmarking as a group. Other groups or individuals may provide support by sending e-mails to her at diane.caughey@gmail.com with name, address, phone, and e-mail address. She also requested contacting Councilman Rosendahl's office and letting him know you support designating the Barry Building as a Historic-Cultural Monument because of the building?’s architectural significance.

She invited the community to attend Architecture Day at Dutton's on Sunday, May 6th at 2:00 p.m. to take a tour and learn about the historic roots of the Barry Building?’s architecture, and to hear from preservationists on the importance of saving Los Angeles's landmarks.

After a lively discussion, the BCC passed a motion to support the designation of the Barry Building on San Vicente Boulevard as a Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument.

405/SEPULVEDA PASS PROJECT AND POTENTIAL IMPACTS

Jason Kogan, Chair, Transportation Committee, Brentwood Glen Association, discussed the proposed northbound 405 freeway HOV lane proposals. He said that he is working with homeowners associations in Westwood Hills and Bel Air, and has also been in contact with the offices of Assemblyperson Karen Bass, Assemblyman Mike Feuer, and Supervisor Yaroslavsky. The first proposal is to ?“do nothing.?” Alternative 2 proposes to install an HOV lane on the northbound 405 freeway from the 10 freeway to the 101. The project would include work on the Sunset Boulevard and Wilshire Boulevard bridges and the bridge near the Skirball Center and the creation of a wildlife crossing. Construction would start by 2009. According to Mr. Kogan, alternative 2 has no opposition. Alternative 3 proposes that in addition to installing a northbound 405 Freeway HOV lane, all northbound and southbound lanes would be widened from 11-ft. to 12-ft. to comply with Federal recommendations. The impacts are believed to be substantial and disproportionate to the benefits. Widening the southbound lanes would necessitate moving Church Lane and condemnation of approximately twenty single family homes and ten multi-family buildings. The cost would be in the $40-$80 million range. Widening would also involve approximately two years of construction on the southbound 405, creating additional impacts, noise, and pollution to the surrounding communities. The Brentwood Glen Association favors Alternative 2, and has hired an attorney to study the Draft EIR.

Mr. Kogan said that there is great opposition to the widening of the southbound 405 freeway lanes, and asked for the BCC?’s support. The BCC passed a motion to oppose widening lanes on the southbound 405 or any other construction that would result in the condemnation of Brentwood Glen properties as part of the 405/Sepulveda Pass carpool lane project.

BRENTWOOD KAUFMAN LIBRARY INFORMATION

Penny Chibo, Adult Librarian gave an informative presentation on the Los Angeles Public Library system with its Central Library and seventy-one branches. She spoke about how to apply for a library card and how to access information through the website: www.lapl.org using one?’s card. She discussed programs such as Grandparents and Books (GAB), where seniors volunteer to read to children, and the children?’s summer reading program to encourage reading during the summer months.

Mary Hopf, Senior Librarian, encouraged community members to join the Friends of the Library, and also to donate books to the library?’s bookstore. She said that there are ample volunteer opportunities for young people at the library to receive community service credit.

Ms. Hopf spoke about relatively new guidelines recommending an increase in the square footage of a branch in connection with the growth in that community?’s population. She said that according to these guidelines, the West Los Angeles branch is a candidate for an increase in size from 14,500 sq. ft. to 20,000 sq.ft. A new library has been proposed for the Mulholland area based on the increase in that neighborhood?’s population.

NEW BCC REPRESENTATION

Bette Harris announced recent changes in the BCC?’s representation. Dr. Nick Shamie is the Brentwood Homeowners Association (BHA) Representative and Ray Klein is the Alternate. Larry Miller has assumed the position of Public Safety Alternate.

RENOVATION PLANS FOR CRESTWOOD HILLS RECREATION CENTER

Beth Allred announced that Councilman Bill Rosendahl?’s office has allocated the necessary additional funds to make it possible for Crestwood Hills Park to renovate the recreation center. The building will be closed for six to eight months during the renovation, which is scheduled to start on May 1st. Plans are being made to keep the children safe during construction. Ms. Allred asked that homeowners associations circulate this information. She apologized for any inconvenience.

ART FESTIVAL ON APRIL 22ND

Dennis Hinman announced that the Brentwood Rotary Club and the West Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce are sponsoring the annual Art Festival on April 22nd, which will also feature a 50/50 raffle.

NEXT BCC MEETING ON MAY 1, 2007 ?– The next BCC meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, May 1, 2007 from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. and will include a presentation of the Brentwood Youth Citizen Awards. Future agenda items include Caltrans?’ presentation of the 405/Sepulveda HOV Lane Project Draft EIR, the Brentwood School?’s plans for expansion, and the Mulholland Scenic Corridor Specific Plan. The BCC will meet on June 5th, but there will be no meeting in July due to the Independence Day holiday. The BCC meets regularly on the first Tuesday of each month. 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.

(Bette Harris serves as Recording Secretary and Public Safety Representative on the Brentwood Community Council)