Brentwood Community Council

April 4, 2006 Meeting Highlights

Apr 27, 2006

WLA VA HOMELESS VETERANS PROGRAMS
Chuck Dorman, Director, Veterans Administration Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System (VAGLAHS) and William Daniels, Chief of Community Care Programs for the VA addressed the Brentwood Community Council at the April 4th meeting. They noted that of the 70,000 to 80,000 homeless in Los Angeles County, 16,000 to 17,000 are veterans. Daniels said that the VA has made significant strides in accommodating homeless veterans in WLA over the years. When he came to the WLA VA in 1989 he found homeless veterans so desperate they were living in interstitial spaces of buildings on the campus. At that time there were only six beds for homeless veterans. Now there are 1100 beds throughout the VA Greater Los Angeles service area. Some of the VA GLA Grant and Per Diem Providers that serve homeless veterans include New Directions, The Salvation Army, and PATH. As a result of some of these programs, veterans have been reunited with their families and children have been brought out of foster care. According to Daniels, the WLA VA?’s program is one of the best in the country because of the comprehensive care provided, including: 1) access to care and treatment; 2) income; 3) stable housing; and 4) development of a support system.

Chuck Dorman?’s presentation focused on the CARES process with regard to homeless proposals submitted and impacts on the Brentwood community. BCC Chairwoman Wendy-Sue Rosen asked him four questions: (1) What is the current status of submitted proposals on additional homeless services for the WLA VA campus; (2) What is the decision making process, opportunity for public input and timeline for any proposals submitted: (3) Is there consideration for and planned mitigation of impacts on the Brentwood community; and (4) Can you describe the cumulative impacts on the surrounding community that would occur from any and all proposed new projects. Dorman stated that only Bobby Shriver had made a proposal for homeless services. The decision through the CARES process is now pending with Secretary Nichols. When the determination is made, the proposal will be brought to the community for public input. If it is determined that some of the buildings will be used for homeless programs, there will be competitive bidding. Whichever nonprofit or for-profit group receives the contract, the VA manages the program. That means that no homeless program will be implemented that doesn?’t conform to the VA?’s model for long-term therapeutic supportive housing for veterans only. These programs have proven to be the most successful and have virtually no impact on the surrounding community. Dorman said that the Brentwood community is a partner and will be included in any process that goes forward, as the VA wants to continue to be a good neighbor.

COMMUNITY ASKS CANTER FOR A NEIGHBORHOOD SCHOOL
The Brentwood community repeated its request to Marlene Canter, School Board President, Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) for a neighborhood school for elementary school children. Chairwoman Rosen explained the dilemma ?– elementary school children of families residing south of Montana Avenue and San Vicente Boulevard are assigned to the Brockton School, located south of Wilshire Boulevard, outside of the Brentwood community. These families want their children to be able to attend a school in their own community. Further, neither the Brentwood Science Magnet School (BSMS) nor Kenter Canyon School is a neighborhood school. While both schools enroll a portion of their student population from Brentwood, they follow quota requirements, drawing from outside of the community.

Marlene Canter asked Kevin Reed, General Counsel to LAUSD to address the issue. Reed stated that the BSMS is not operated as a neighborhood school; the school has been under a court order for decades and is mandated to reflect the demographics of the district. Enrollment is open to students anywhere in the District. He spoke about ?“moral and ethical?” considerations. The student population at BSMS consists of 73% Latino, 19% Caucasian, and 8% Asian. According to Reed, the number of Caucasian students should be 30%, and if more Caucasian students applied to the school the problem could be ?“self-correcting.?” However, the court order under which BSMS operates limits the school?’s options, per Reed. He acknowledged the great success of the 60+ magnet school system throughout the District.

Tom Safran made the point that both the BSMS and the community would benefit by having more local students enrolled at the school. Medora Heilbron, Public School representative on the BCC made a similar point stating that community involvement improves schools. Robert Rene, President of the Brentwood Homeowners Association expressed concern about the ?“greater void?” that affects all of Brentwood as a result of having only two elementary schools in the community -- one a charter school and the other a magnet school.

Chairwoman Rosen suggested the formation of a committee to continue the dialogue in hopes of reaching a solution. Ms. Canter agreed and said that Virginia Flores from her office would be the point person, as she represents our area.

Ms. Canter also spoke about LAUSD in general terms. She said that the school district is not failing, despite press reports to the contrary. Fifty-five of the 165 proposed neighborhood schools have been built. The construction of neighborhood schools will result in a decline in enrollment in Westside schools.

She discussed the end of the tenure of Superintendent of Schools Roy Roemer, who will be 78 years of age in October. Roemer wants to leave by year-end. LAUSD has begun the search for a replacement using the firm, Hamilton, Rabinowitz and Altschuler. According to Ms. Canter, Mayor Villaraigosa wants to appoint the new superintendent. She said that she is against mayoral control and wants to appoint the superintendent because she is ?“protective of LAUSD?’s success.?”

CONTINUING DISCUSSION OF PROPOSED NEW FBI BUILDING
Flora Gil Krisiloff provided an update on the recent public hearing held at the Doubletree Hotel in Westwood regarding the proposed new FBI building. The Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) on the proposed 1 million sq.-ft. building has been completed. County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky testified at the hearing. A coalition of community activists supports the FBI?’s mission and need to expand but opposes the proposed plan because of traffic gridlock. The group asks for a Federal Land Use Master Plan for all federal properties in the area: VA, Federal Building site, and National Guard Armory. The group is critical of the fact that Alternative 2, described as a lower impact alternative and one favored by the General Services Administration, has not been analyzed and that security issues have not been addressed. The Public Comment period ends on April 24th.

Ms. Krisiloff said that Congressman Waxman, Supervisor Yaroslavsky, and Senators Feinstein and Boxer are all working together on the issue pushing for a master plan for the entire property. The BCC passed a motion that Chairwoman Wendy-Sue Rosen write on behalf of the BCC objecting to the proposed FBI building?’s flawed Draft EIS and strongly recommending a Federal Land Use Master Plan for all federal properties in the area.

NEXT BCC MEETING: TUESDAY, MAY 2, 2006
The next BCC meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, May 2, 2006 from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. at the Brentwood Kaufman Library. The BCC meets regularly on the first Tuesday of each month. Meetings are usually held in the Community Room of the Brentwood Kaufman Library. The BCC agenda is posted at the 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 Public Safety Chair and Recording Secretary on the BCC).