Santa Monica Canyon Civic Association

Board Minutes - March 1, 2005

Rustic Canyon Recreation Center - Gallery Room

Approval of Minutes.
The minutes from January 4 were approved as submitted
Treasurer’s report:
The Treasurer’s report will be sent out in about a week after the bank statements are received
Committee Reports
?˜ Board Membership / Nominating Committee Report. The President announced that he had received a call from Asta Young on Sunday informing him that she was leaving that day for an indefinite stay in Australia. While she would have liked to remain on the board, it was agreed that a nonparticipating member should not block one board position. Committee chair Barbara Archibald announced that Jeannie Gold was unable to continue participating on the board. Barbara Archibald nominated Isabelle Mizrahi to replace Jeannie Gold. The candidate agrees to participate on the board. The motion was seconded and unanimously approved.
?˜ Canyon Development Committee. Greer Macready and Joan Graves reported in the absence of Jill Soffer. Cindy Miscikowski’s chief planning deputy, Kevin Keller attended the last committee meeting at Jill Soffer’s house. The committee is not proposing a design review board, rather that a “statement of values or standards” be developed as suggested by Kevin Keller. Our statement would be transmitted to the Planning Department, zoning administration to inform the hearing officers of our policy.
Greer Macready stressed that trees are of great importance to canyon residents. The option of an overlay zone would require City Council approval, a difficult standard to meet. It was suggested that the application of FAR standards would not work to achieve the committee’s goals.
The committee members are gathering suggestions for further committee consideration. Any board or association member with ideas should send suggestions to jsoff@aol.com.
Old Business:
?˜ City Council Candidates’ Forum. Board members all agreed the forum was a great success. The excellent job turned in by the moderator, Quentin Fleming, and the timers, Barbara Archibald and Jill Baldauf, was cited.
?˜ Canyon Service Station Historic-Cultural Monument Application. The City Council’s Planning and Land Use [PLUM] Committee considered the proposal of the Cultural Heritage Commission for landmarking the station. The meeting was held on February 23 in City Hall. Mike Deasy and Frank Langen testified on behalf of the SMCCA in support of the proposal. Kevin Keller testified on behalf of Cindy Miscikowski in favor of the application. The Marquez family members and their attorney, Mr. Nitti, raised some financial hardship issues. The committee chair, Councilman Ed Reyes, was sympathetic to these concerns, but understood that they were not issues that may be considered under the Historic Preservation Ordinance. Nevertheless, he asked Kevin Keller to meet with family members and the association’s representatives to explore options for developing the property in a manner that would protect the station while minimizing financial hardship to the owners. Mr. Keller agreed to such a meeting. The Marquez family agreed that one of their members would be their authorized spokesperson on the matter. The meeting is scheduled for March 3 in Cindy’s office. Options include putting the gas station on one lot and creating two additional lots which could be sold to neighbors and/or developed with single family residences. PLUM is scheduled to hear the matter again on March 9.
?˜ Park Improvement Project, Prop. K. President Wolfberg was notified by the City Engineer that Alice Gong has been reassigned and a new project manager, David Takata [ Dtakata@ENG.LACITY.ORG ], is taking over. The bathroom rehab is still not completed after nearly three months. The City’s contract for partitions has expired and this is one cause of the delay.
Planning for Annual Meeting. The 2005 annual meeting will be held on May 3. The three candidates to take over Cindy Miscikowski’s council seat were invited to attend the meeting, at least the two who make the runoff or the one who is the outright winner in the primary. The annual meeting is held two weeks before the final election.
?˜ Annual Meeting Agenda items. In addition to the candidates, canyon historian Ernest Marquez will be invited to make a presentation on his new book, which contains many historic pictures. Leslie Hope will invite Mr. Marquez and contact Village Books to participate. Leslie also will contact any candidates in the runoff for Mayor. Members will be asked to email any questions for the various candidates once participation is assured. Reports on the canyon service station and from the Canyon Development committee will also be on the agenda. Photo boards will be set up.
?˜ Check In. Betty Bradshaw is unable to attend and Joan Graves, Leslie Hope and Cynthia Winter will staff the check in desk.
?˜ Election of Board Members. Term of office of the following board members expires on June 30: Barbara Archibald, Jill Baldauf, Lisa Bittan, Shirley Fischer, George Ghiz, Leslie Hope, Lucinda Mittleman, Isabelle Mizrahi, Alejandro Ortiz, Jill Soffer. If all these directors run, we will still have three vacant positions. Nominations should be sent to Judy Golden.
?˜ Publicity. Signs will be prepared; Steve Richards volunteered to post, Jill Baldauf indicated that Isabelle Mizrahi has offered signposts. The press will be notified: Palisadian-Post, S.M. Mirror, and Brentwood Media Group. A mailing will be sent, prepared by George Wolfberg, with mailing assistance from Greer Macready. It will either be a post card or a one-page newsletter as was sent out last year.
?˜ Refreshments. Coffee pots will be furnished by Barbara Archibald and George Wolfberg. Cynthia Winter and Jill Baldauf will look for a source for cookies.
Other Business:
Joan Graves announced that there had been an increase of graffiti in the canyon, particularly on Entrada Drive, which she removing herself. Quentin Fleming announced that his car had been stolen from in front of his house and was found in Santa Barbara.
The following directors will meet with George Wolfberg to get a better understanding of, and make suggestions for, our mailing list: Cynthia Winter, Mike Deasy, Jill Baldauf, Steve Richards, and Greer Macready.

Meeting adjourned at 8:23 pm.

Next meeting: April 5.