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West Adams Board Regular Meeting

September 18, 2023 6:30 pm

Vineyard Recreation Center 2942 Vineyard Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90016

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Minutes

Draft minutes — not yet approved Edit Approval

[6:33 pm] Meeting called to order. John Ma presiding. Edit

Edit Roll Call

[6:34 pm] The roll was called.

  • Present (10): Jace Dawson, Dorsay Dujon, Quintus Jett, Blake Lynch, John Ma, Steven Meeks, Brian Piatek, Brandy A. Robinson, Phillip Wiley, and Richard Williams
  • Absent (3): Marcia Jones, Tora Miller, and Connye Thomas

[6:35 pm] Public Comment: Baldwin Hills & Urban Watershed Conservancy Presented information about the expansion of Ballona Creek Bike Track and grant program supporting the area. Edit

[6:55 pm] Public Comment: Clint Simmons - Inquiry into what can be done about the excessive and un-permitted parties on Jefferson Blvd Edit

[7:15 pm] LAFD Engine House No. 18 Representative - Presented on the current stats on fires within the West Adams area. LAFD reported they have seen a rise in brush fires, high speed car crashes and a large drivers not pulling to the left when Fire & EMS are en-route to emergencies. LAFD also addressed a public comment re a potential block from LAFD on 28th & Vineyard due to it being a fire emergency route, however LAFD reps were not familiar enough with the location to provide concrete answer. Edit

[7:22 pm] Jonathan Mitchell from the Office of Councilwoman Heather Hutt (CD10) addressed stakeholder and provided clarity on numerous stakeholder inquiries. In response to stakeholder questions Mitchell reported: - On the process to have burnt RVs removed from city streets, however there is a backlog due to manpower and resources. Sanitation is responsible for cleanup of burnt RVs. - Request to fix broken streetlights could take up to 45 days. - City Attorney is cracking down on unpermited parties and venues. To help expedite the closure of these disturbance, Mitchell asks stakeholders to continue filing complaints and calling when there is a party happening so that inspectors can catch them in the act. Mitchell also committed that he would work with Councilwoman Hutt’s scheduler to ensure her attendance to a WANC Board Meeting. In closing Mitchell stressed the use of 311 and importance of filling reports to ensure the appropriate offices have a paper trail of problems experienced by residents. Edit

[7:30 pm] Connye Thomas arrived at the meeting. Edit

[6:50 pm] Public Comment by Stakeholder and Principal Jen Rosenberg of New LA Charter [Elementary] School. Principal Rosenberg shared a brief introduction of New LA Charter school, a newly opened ES on Obama Ave, to WANC board and stakeholders. Principal Rosenberg also invited Board & Community to Open House on September 24 @8:30p. Lastly Principal Rosenberg mentioned that a member of the school will attend WANC board meetings monthly. Edit

[7:00 pm] Public Comment: Stakeholder Jenny Simonson inquired into WANC & CD10’s position on the expansion of bus lane on Olympic, near Expo and public transit ; Board member Brian Piatek says it’s been approved and under construction since July - but really that means only surveys, no work done yet. Hours on either side of Olympic are different. Edit

[7:05 pm] Public Comment: Stakeholder Padega seeking assistance with homeless encampment at Westside Neighborhood Park. Padega remarked, "we finally have a nice area, don’t feel safe going there." Edit

[7:10 pm] Public Comment - Nikia Brazier the SPA6 coordinator for LAHS, hared mental health and homeless resources for Service Planning Area 6. Referred LA-Hop.com (real-time referrals for outreach team to go out), a list of safe parking lots, & Green Arrow Colab Edit

[7:32 pm] LAPD Officer Whiteman reported on the rise of property crimes in West Adams region and LAPDs need for more officers and call center workers to help address the increase in crime. - Kia(s) are still being targeted due to a popular TikTok trend that has shed light on their security flaws. - LAPD is waiting on special authorization from the police chief to give the LAPD authority to impound RVs. (Section 41.18) Officer Whiteman also implored stakeholders to stop by LAPD to receive free wheel locks, license plate screws and steering wheel locks to deter theft. Edit

Edit

[7:34 pm] The assembly voted on a motion to:

WANC to author a letter to Council District 10 in support of residents of 5500 Block of Boden St. requesting signage prohibiting overnight parking of oversized vehicles, and residential permit parking
  • Ayes (11): Jace Dawson, Dorsay Dujon, Quintus Jett, Blake Lynch, John Ma, Steven Meeks, Brian Piatek, Brandy A. Robinson, Connye Thomas, Phillip Wiley, and Richard Williams
  • Noes (0): none

The motion passed.

Edit

[7:35 pm]Quintus Jett made a motion related to agenda item 4e.

The motion was: WANC to author a letter to Council District 10 in support of residents of 5500 Block of Boden St. requesting signage prohibiting overnight parking of oversized vehicles, and residential permit parking

Edit

[7:40 pm]John Ma made a motion related to agenda item 4f.

The motion was: WANC to write a letter of support to Councilwoman Hutt for the Vineyard neighbors seeking support to resolve noise disruptions, reckless driving (donuts) on their residential street, five non-working streetlights

Edit

[7:41 pm] The assembly voted on a motion to:

WANC to write a letter of support to Councilwoman Hutt for the Vineyard neighbors seeking support to resolve noise disruptions, reckless driving (donuts) on their residential street, five non-working streetlights
  • Ayes (11): Jace Dawson, Dorsay Dujon, Quintus Jett, Blake Lynch, John Ma, Steven Meeks, Brian Piatek, Brandy A. Robinson, Connye Thomas, Phillip Wiley, and Richard Williams
  • Noes (0): none

The motion passed.

Edit

[7:42 pm]Jace Dawson made a motion related to agenda item 3b.

The motion was: Approve payment to Natoma Keir for the 2022/2023 fiscal year Board Retreat Facilitator professional fee in the amount of $2500.

Edit

[7:43 pm] The assembly voted on a motion to:

Approve payment to Natoma Keir for the 2022/2023 fiscal year Board Retreat Facilitator professional fee in the amount of $2500.
  • Ayes (10): Jace Dawson, Dorsay Dujon, Quintus Jett, Blake Lynch, John Ma, Steven Meeks, Brian Piatek, Brandy A. Robinson, Connye Thomas, and Phillip Wiley
  • Noes (1): Richard Williams

The motion passed.

Edit

[7:45 pm]Jace Dawson made a motion related to agenda item 3e.

The motion was: Approve payment of Ume Works invoice in the amount of $731.25

Edit

[7:46 pm] The assembly voted on a motion to:

Approve payment of Ume Works invoice in the amount of $731.25
  • Ayes (10): Jace Dawson, Dorsay Dujon, Quintus Jett, Blake Lynch, John Ma, Steven Meeks, Brian Piatek, Brandy A. Robinson, Connye Thomas, and Phillip Wiley
  • Noes (1): Richard Williams

The motion passed.

Edit

[7:47 pm]Jace Dawson made a motion related to agenda item 3c.

The motion was: Approve Funding for Congress of Neighborhoods in the amount of $250

Edit

[7:48 pm] The assembly voted on a motion to:

Approve Funding for Congress of Neighborhoods in the amount of $250
  • Ayes (11): Jace Dawson, Dorsay Dujon, Quintus Jett, Blake Lynch, John Ma, Steven Meeks, Brian Piatek, Brandy A. Robinson, Connye Thomas, Phillip Wiley, and Richard Williams
  • Noes (0): none

The motion passed.

[7:49 pm] Treasure’s Report - Treasure Brian Piatek reported: - WANC has $15,700 on hand but only $6k is allocated for discretionary funds - Lost $9k of rollover budget due to missing city appropriations deadline - WANC currently has $25K in NPG request. - City has not released our MRE yet due to reconciliation of funds Edit

Edit

[7:56 pm]John Ma made a motion related to agenda item 3a.

The motion was: Approve cost for the design and printing of an onsite fence banner at West Adams Church of Christ to promote weekly mobile showers & pop-up services, not to exceed $400.

Edit

[7:58 pm] The assembly voted on a motion to:

Approve cost for the design and printing of an onsite fence banner at West Adams Church of Christ to promote weekly mobile showers & pop-up services, not to exceed $400.
  • Ayes (10): Jace Dawson, Dorsay Dujon, Quintus Jett, Blake Lynch, John Ma, Steven Meeks, Brian Piatek, Brandy A. Robinson, Connye Thomas, and Phillip Wiley
  • Noes (1): Richard Williams

The motion passed.

[8:04 pm] Meeting adjourned.