Brentwood Community Council

January 2, 2006 Meeting Highlights

Feb 01, 2006

VA?’S WADSWORTH AND BRENTWOOD THEATERS REVITALIZED -
Rich Willis of Richmark Entertainment spoke to the Brentwood Community Council at the January 3rd meeting about his company?’s successful partnering with the Veterans Administration (VA) in renovating both the Wadsworth and Brentwood Theaters. The New West Symphony, now a resident company at the Wadsworth will perform a three concert series. Mr. Willis highlighted some of the upcoming shows this season. The Wadsworth accommodates 1378 seats and the Brentwood Theater ?– 511 seats. The Brentwood Theater will also provide supplemental use to the Westside Community Church for four hours on Sunday mornings.

STATE VETERANS HOME UPDATE
Katherine Steinburg-Bluth discussed plans for the 400-bed State Veterans Home, which will provide long-term care for veterans. The crescent-shaped building will be situated north of Wilshire Boulevard. The final Environmental Impact Report will be available in the next month. Construction is planned for the summer of 2007; completion expected at the end of 2009; and the facility will be ready for occupancy early in 2010. Two historic buildings are in need of restoration: the Wadsworth Chapel and the trolley station. $7 million is needed to restore the chapel.

Chuck Dorman, Chief Executive Officer of the Veterans Administration Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System spoke about a marketing study that was commissioned to determine from whom to solicit funds for the restoration projects. He indicated that the Getty had given a grant.

With regard to CARES (Capital Asset Realignment for Enhanced Services), the Local Advisory Panel recommendations have been submitted to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs Nicholson. He has not yet issued a decision.

When asked about his vision for the WLA campus, Dorman responded that he sees the north campus as the appropriate space for entertainment, recreation, research, and long-term care. He wants the south campus used for inpatient and outpatient programs. His vision does not include commercial development.

Dorman went on to say that the YMCA wants to co-locate on the property to build cardiac rehabilitation and daycare programs. The oil drilling on the property should be terminated, in his estimation, as the wells are unsightly and most of the revenue is allocated to the Department of the Interior, with a minimal amount credited to the VA?’s WLA campus.

Dorman said that the general plan that receives approval from the Secretary of Veterans Affairs would serve as a template for future growth. Chairwoman Krisiloff reiterated the importance of completing the new 25-50 year land use master plan proposed by the former Secretary of Veterans Affairs Anthony Principi and mandated by Congress.

SHRIVER?’S PROPOSAL FAILS TO ADDRESS THERAPEUTIC SERVICES ?–
Mr. Dorman addressed Santa Monica City Councilman Bobby Shriver?’s proposal to house homeless veterans at the VA?’s West Los Angeles campus. Dorman and his staff had educated Shriver on the comprehensive programs currently in place, how they operate, and the services provided (New Directions, Volunteers of America, Salvation Army, etc.).

Shriver?’s proposal targets acquiring three buildings on the WLA VA campus to house 500 or more homeless veterans and does not provide the details or funding sources for critical wrap around services, such as mental health care, drug rehabilitation, etc.

Mr. Dorman will only support comprehensive therapeutic homeless veteran housing programs, such as the ones currently located on the WLA VA campus. These successful programs including New Directions do not allow for drug or alcohol use on the WLA VA campus. Since the Shriver proposal was released, the commitment to wrap around therapeutic services has become questionable. The efforts appear to be solely on obtaining housing for homeless veterans, and there is no commitment to disallow drug or alcohol usage. Because of these circumstances, Mr. Dorman does not support the Shriver proposal, and similarly, New Directions has withdrawn support for the proposed project.

PROJECT 333: A PROPOSAL TO RENOVATE BARRINGTON RECREATION CENTER ?– Andrea Epstein, Deputy to Councilman Rosendahl spoke about Project 333, a proposed plan to rebuild the Barrington Recreation Center so that it will better serve the needs of the community. The Project 333 Committee includes representatives from the Council Office, Greater West Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce, and Brentwood Homeowners Association. Prospective plans include a new 2-story building to replace the current outdated structure; two new indoor basketball courts; a lighted baseball field; refurbished tennis courts; and an outdoor skate park. Also included in the plan is a boundless playground, such as Shane?’s Inspiration, located at the Westwood Park, to accommodate all children, including those with disabilities. The budget for the proposed project is estimated at $20 million. Funding will come from the city, grants, and private donations. To learn more, call (310) 836-0215.

CENTER FOR HEALTHY AGING TRANSPORTATION PROJECT
Ellen Blackman, Project Coordinator for the Center of Healthy Aging (CHA) in Santa Monica spoke about the nonprofit organization whose mission is to address the needs of aging adults and their families. Supported through a variety of public and private partnerships, CHA provides in-home services, daily money management, caregiver support, and other services for aging adults. The Center is developing a transportation program called ITNSantaMonica, which will initially serve Brentwood, Pacific Palisades, and Santa Monica, with future expansion into nearby parts of West Los Angeles, Venice, Mar Vista, and Culver City. The program, designed to supplement other transit options, will provide door-through-door transportation and assistance for seniors and the visually impaired, using volunteer drivers and paid part-time drivers, and will be available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, starting in the spring of 2006. Riders pay annual membership fees starting at $35. Fares are calculated by the mile. Volunteer drivers receive transportation credits, which may be used for their own future needs. For more information about the program, call (310) 576-2550 ext. 223.

AD-BEARING STREET FURNITURE THREATENS BRENTWOOD?’S SCENIC PLAN - Several years ago, the BCC voted down the offer for street furniture proposed by Viacom Decaux because of the community?’s objection to the advertising displayed on the bus shelters, kiosks, and self-cleaning toilets provided by the company. The BCC also voted against the offer because the design of the street furniture conflicts with existing community streetscape plans. The City of Los Angeles receives a portion of the revenue generated by the advertising on the street furniture installed throughout the city by agreement with Viacom Decaux. In the past, a neighborhood had the option of rejecting furniture proposed for certain sites and requesting alternative sites. Because of a recent action by the City Council, all communities will be required to either accept the street furniture proposed for the locations indicated or offer Viacom Decaux three alternate sites within 500 feet of each proposed location. Westside communities overwhelmingly opposed the new policy. Councilman Jack Weiss was the sole councilperson to vote against it. Chairwoman Flora Gil Krisiloff indicated that the new policy undermines the San Vicente Boulevard and Barrington Village streetscape plans.

KRISILOFF WILL NOT SEEK ANOTHER TERM
Chairwoman Flora Gil Krisiloff announced that she would not seek another term to lead the BCC, given her new role as Westside Senior Field Deputy to County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky. She said that she was honored to have been unanimously elected to the post for seven consecutive years, but it is time for someone else to assume the post. She appointed Roy Marshall (zone 2 representative, which includes the Brentwood Homeowners Association) and Bill Kamer (San Vicente Business District representative) to serve on the Nominating Committee, of which she also will be a member.

NEXT BCC MEETING: TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2006
The next BCC meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, February 7, 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 Flora Gil Krisiloff at krisiloff@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).