Brentwood Community Council

November 7, 2006 Meeting Highlights

Dec 04, 2006

CRIME UPDATE ?– Senior Lead Officer Phillip Enbody reported that crime in West Los Angeles is down 19% year to date and down 11% in the Division as a whole. He reminded all to refrain from leaving belongings inside vehicles in view of potential burglars. Last week, three burglaries were reported from residences. Burglaries are relatively high in the dense areas of South Brentwood. Violent crime continues to be very low in Brentwood. Because of Brentwood?’s extremely low crime rate vs. the rest of Los Angeles, Brentwood does not have Basic Car coverage from 2:00 a.m. to 6:00 a.m.
A Traffic Safety Awareness program will start next week. Alert Officer Enbody of traffic problems: (310) 444-0749.

VETERANS PARK CONSERVANCY PROJECT IN JEOPARDY - Executive Director Sue Young discussed Veterans Park Conservancy?’s $15 million plans to beautify the National Park with a pond, outdoor amphitheater, oak tree memorial, and orchard parking lots. Arrangements have been made for maintenance agreements and security. Originally Veterans Park Conservancy had negotiated a long-term lease for the National Park. Now, the Department of Veterans Affairs has decided that Veterans Park Conservancy?’s lease will have a one-year termination-for-convenience clause, making fundraising ?“impossible?” and jeopardizing the project. Ms. Young asked members of the community to help by signing petition letters to James Nicholson, Secretary of Veterans Affairs. She provided copies of a petition letter (See sample letter), and requested that they be widely distributed, signed, and returned to Veterans Park Conservancy, 11661 San Vicente Blvd., Ste. 204, Los Angeles, CA 90049, or faxed to (310) 820-1486, or e-mailed to vetprk@gmail.com.

PUBLIC COMMENT ?– Jay Handal, President, Greater West Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce discussed the Newsrack Ordinance and reported that 60 illegal newsracks have been tagged for removal in an attempt to rid San Vicente Boulevard of this blight. Mr. Handal also reported burned out bulbs on streetlights at San Vicente and Darlington. Mr. Handal discussed LAPD?’s Police Scanners, saying that it may be four to six months before the City signs a contract with a vendor. In response to a question, Mr. Handal indicated that $13,000 had been raised for a scanner to be installed on the police car for Brentwood -- approximately half the amount needed to purchase this piece of equipment. A scanner will be purchased for Brentwood when the balance is received. Donations may be sent to the West Los Angeles Community Police Station c/o PACT (Police and Community Together), with the notation that the purpose of the donation is for a scanner for Brentwood.

A resident complained about falling palm fronds damaging cars and potentially injuring pedestrians. He was unhappy that the City would not pay for the trimming of the trees, which stand on City property. He said that the palm trees would be trimmed by year?’s end and the homeowners association would pay the cost of this service. According to Council District 11 Field Deputy Andrea Epstein, the City is inundated with requests for tree trimming. City trees are on a 7-9 year trimming schedule.

Stan Lefcourt asked for an update on the status of the Fisher House. Chairwoman Wendy-Sue Rosen explained that the BCC has not seen a presentation on the Fisher House. The BCC supports the Congressionally mandated land use master plan, which must first be completed before projects are considered for the VA campus. Piecemeal projects will not serve the Veterans or the community. Senator Feinstein, Congressman Waxman, and Supervisor Yaroslavsky have called upon the VA to comply with this legal requirement.

John Brady, Westside Area Representative for Mayor?’s Villaraigosa encouraged residents to participate in the Mayor?’s budget survey, which can be accessed via the website: www.lacityneighborhoods.com/budgetday_survey.htm
Mr. Brady also said that this year?’s ?“Days of Service?” would take place in Watts on Saturday, November 18th from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon. Lunch will be provided. More information will be circulated to BCC representatives.

Chairwoman Rosen announced that Tom Safran would like to increase the tree population in Brentwood and is offering to split the cost of tree planting in our community. Contact Tom Safran by e-mail: tom@tsahousing.com.

Chairwoman Rosen asked for ideas regarding items to be buried in the Centennial Vault. Contact her by e-mail: RosenFree@aol.com.

COUNCIL DISTRICT 11 REPORT
Road Construction - CD 11 Field Deputy Andrea Epstein reported that construction of the left-turn lanes from Sunset onto Mandeville Canyon Road and Riviera Ranch Road is scheduled to start on Monday, November 13th. The project had been delayed when a 30?” gas line was discovered. Construction will take at least six months. During that time only one lane of traffic will be open in each direction 24/7.

Hotel Angeleno ?– Ms. Epstein reported that the Hotel has appealed the decision of the Department of Building and Safety and Planning Department regarding the limits placed on illuminating the building. The Hotel will present a landscaping plan to the Brentwood Homeowners Association next week. The Hotel is working with Caltrans to get approval of a landscape plan for Caltrans property, which is expected to take six months. Roy Marshall of the BHA spoke favorably of the plan and said that letters from the community to Caltrans could speed up the process.

RV Parking Issue - Because of residents?’ complaints regarding recreational vehicles parked for long periods of time on San Vicente Boulevard and other streets, Ms. Epstein discussed a potential option. Residents may apply for the ?“Overnight Parking Prohibited or Limited Parking District?”, which restricts parking from 2:00 a.m. to 6:00 a.m. The ordinance became effective in September of 2005, but had not been widely used. The process is similar to the Preferential Parking District, where residents sign petitions to enact the parking district in a particular neighborhood. Once the district is in effect, residents apply for parking passes for themselves and for their guests. ?“The Oversized Vehicle Ordinance?”, proposed by Janice Hahn, is another option to address the recreational vehicle issue, however, that ordinance is still in committee.

DWP REPORTS ON ELECTRICAL OUTAGES IN BRENTWOOD ?– Chairwoman Rosen expressed her concern regarding the frequent electrical outages experienced in Brentwood in recent years, particularly with respect to public safety. She read the language of several City Council motions in connection with this issue ?– to request the Department of Water and Power (DWP) to report on these outages, to limit the City?’s use of palm trees as a street tree because palm fronds represent a hazard to power lines, etc.

Winifred Yancy, of the DWP?’s Governmental Affairs Department and Darrell ?“Greg?” Mathis, a DWP Director gave a presentation on the subject and distributed information related to outages and their causes. Mr. Mathis spoke of ten outages since January 1, 2003, an unacceptable rate. He said that the outages intensified after December, 2005, and that trees contributed significantly to the problem, especially palms which shed big, powerful fronds, that sometimes hit power lines. However, several residents commented that some of the outages took place when neither wind nor trees were factors.

DWP is required to trim within 18?” of power lines. Trimming 6 to 8 feet of the lines pacifies this requirement for one year. The Department trims 10-15 ft. from lines near palm fronds. DWP does visual inspections using binoculars. The Department replaces poor connections, and reconstructs others. They put up tree wire to support the limbs or boughs. DWP does not have the resources ?– money or manpower to resolve the problem any time soon. They are using larger, thicker wire to increase the load and add capacity.

Jay Handal noted that some incidents were not reflected in the report that had been distributed, including an outage that significantly impacted businesses in Brentwood Village. Chairwoman Rosen suggested that Jay Handal meet with the DWP representatives to resolve the reason why the business district was omitted.

Responding to a question, Mr. Mathis said that the average life span of a transformer is 35 years, but that transformers should not fail due to age, but as a result of overloading. He added that approximately 25,000 transformers in the City are over forty years of age. Some are leaking oil.

DWP requests that residents report outages as soon as possible by calling 1-800-DIALDWP. Chairwoman Rosen thanked the DWP representatives and reiterated the importance of addressing the outages in Brentwood as soon as possible.

NEW ALTERNATE FOR SAN VICENTE BUSINESS DISTRICT ?–Jay Handal was approved as the new BCC Alternate for the San Vicente Business District, replacing Tom Safran, who resigned.

BRENTWOOD SCHOOL DEVELOPMENT PLANS?– Michael Pratt, Head of School, spoke about Brentwood School?’s prospective expansion plans to meet the demand for more seats, including the large pool of fifth grade graduates from the public school system. Dr. Pratt expressed the desire to negotiate a set of amendments to the school?’s East Campus Conditional Use Permit (CUP).

Kevin Hart, Master Planner, addressed possible changes to the two campuses.
On the East Campus, an older single story building that housed pool equipment could be removed to create space for a new classroom building. Existing classrooms could be enlarged and more classrooms added in terraced buildings. An existing parking lot could become the site for a performing arts center with underground parking.

On the West Campus, temporary buildings, as well as aging structures that do not serve well as classroom facilities, could be removed in order to add a kindergarten classroom building, play yard, administrative offices, and specialty classrooms for art, music, and science.

Currently, the school has a total enrollment cap of 995 students ?– 665 on the East Campus (grades 7-12) and 300 on the West Campus (grades K-6). Dr. Pratt expressed the desire to increase overall student enrollment by approximately 20% over a six to seven year period. According to Dr. Pratt, the West Campus population would be reduced, while the East Campus population would be increased. An increase in the number of faculty members would also be necessary. Realizing that traffic is a concern, Dr. Pratt said that a traffic mitigation plan would be developed which could include adding bus lines. Currently, East Campus students commute by carpools and one bus line.

Chairwoman Rosen is participating on a working committee, which meets monthly to study the project. The committee also includes BCC Private Schools Representative Stacy Marks, BCC Representative Roy Marshall, Brentwood Homeowners Association (BHA) President Robert Rene, BHA members Robin Stevens, Howard Jaskol, and Brentwood Village Chamber President Tim Byk. The Chairwoman asked Jay Handal to join the committee.

Questions were raised about the possibility of opening Brentwood School?’s athletics facilities to the public. Dr. Pratt said that he is happy to address specific uses of school facilities as needs arise and as the school schedule and the CUP permit. He also said that he could not allow uses of the campus that would inhibit the safe and efficient operation of the school or the safety of the students. He stated that in the past, the school hosted the VA Golden Age games on their campus, and he is open to the possibility of allowing the community facilities for meetings if new CUP amendments allow that.

BCC representatives?’ concerns included traffic, noise, and construction schedule, which will be addressed in committee. The Brentwood School agreed to provide updates to the BCC as their plans develop.

UNIVERSITY SYNAGOGUE PROJECT UPDATE ?– Executive Director, Jeff Kaufman reported that a Public Hearing date has been set for Dec. 7th. The Synagogue would like construction to begin in June or July 2007. Mr. Kaufman spoke about the Synagogue?’s successful working relationship with the BCC, addressing numerous construction details and incorporating many recommendations offered. According to Mr. Kaufman, the BHA has approved University Synagogues?’ plans regarding hours of operation and practices. He has met with BCC Private Schools Representative Stacy Marks, and representatives from St. Martin of Tours School, the Archer School for Girls, Brentwood School, and Sunshine School, and has addressed many of their concerns, such as dust abatement, coordinated breaks and vacations. The Synagogue has also presented plans to neighbors nearby.

Chairwoman Rosen was very pleased with the cooperation and responsiveness of Synagogue leaders on this project -- her first development project as BCC Chair. She said that working with University Synagogue was very rewarding. The BCC passed a Motion to approve the Synagogue?’s plans.

NEXT BCC MEETING: TUESDAY, DECEMBER 5 ?– The next BCC meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, December 5, 2006 from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the Brentwood Kaufman Library. Future agenda items will include a presentation by Paula Daniels, Commissioner of Public Works; Hotel Angeleno?’s landscaping plans; and traffic and safety issues with Sr. Lead Officer Phillip Enbody and Officer Smyth. No BCC meeting will be held in January 2007. 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 Recording Secretary and Public Safety Representative on the Brentwood Community Council)