West Adams Board regular meeting October 20, 2025 Draft minutes — not yet approved [6:41 pm] Meeting called to order. Quintus Jett presiding. [6:41 pm] The roll was called. Present (9): Jace Dawson, Quintus Jett, Blake Lynch, Tora Miller, Ernesto Ramirez , Emily Reyes , Connye Thomas, Julio Valdez, and Richard Williams Absent (3): Angela Gilbert, Jhoiey Ramirez , and Alexandria Sulaimankhil [6:42 pm] General Public Comment: Public comments on non-agenda items - BP suggested moving to the Library or the Obama Center - Tess - coming to see how we do our agenda and consent calendar to save time - Hoping Jonathan was her and ask about motel on hillcrest drive , new SLO to replace officer whiteman - tanya - family engagement manager at new la charter school - new LA elementary and middle school and another site on crenshaw and arlington. applications for 2026 2027 school year are open. Free public charter, and hosting a trunk or treat this friday october 24th from 4PM - 6PM. Send flyer to outreach and we can post it [6:47 pm] QJ explains what public comment is. New resident joined and is the traffic is really bad in the AM with Adams 1 lane and jefferson backed up at La Brea and La Cienega. Refer this to Public safety committee . [6:50 pm] Reports from Government Officials & Representatives - Ethan Edwards - Rep Issiac Bryan - last month was the deadline for bills. 22 bills and got 13 passed for legislators, usually only get 4. Oct 12 was signing for the Gov. Signed 13 bill. ledge info for digital democracy to find infor. going into winter we have Thanksgiving, christmas and winter. Caltrans EDD StateDept - assembly district 55 can speak on our behalf. Land Use Forum - Ethan could come to support that. Q - Why Sen Bryan didn't vote on SB 79 ? Q - How can a bill be repealed? [6:57 pm] Reports from Government Officials & Representatives Alfonso - Neighborhood Empowerment - Erica will be coming onto WANC , Alfonso will be moving off . Less staff. - Civic U every Saturday which are Workshops for Board Members. Some workshops may be recorded - Congerss of Neighborhoods - Karen Bass and another city council member joined Zoom license - re agendaize it for the new meeting [7:01 pm] 4a Board member standing (incomplete trainings and renewals listed in attachments – Appendix, page 7). See https://neighborhoodempowerment.lacity.gov/wanc/ . We have only 1 person not in good standing. 4b. WANC Board vacancies - if you want to join reach out 4c. we have a full EC committee focusing on general direction on participitation , working through sub committees Land Use - We discussed some intents for the committee. Made some decisions on some goals but things aren't fully set up. FAQ on Legislation and put it to the website , Abandoned Buildings, and Meetings where the community can voice land use . www.arcgis.com to see where SB79 is effecting the community . Lost of new people for for landuse [7:01 pm] 4a Board member standing (incomplete trainings and renewals listed in attachments – Appendix, page 7). See https://neighborhoodempowerment.lacity.gov/wanc/ . We have only 1 person not in good standing. 4b. WANC Board vacancies - if you want to join reach out 4c. we have a full EC committee focusing on general direction on participitation , working through sub committees Land Use - We discussed some intents for the committee. Made some decisions on some goals but things aren't fully set up. FAQ on Legislation and put it to the website , Abandoned Buildings, and Meetings where the community can voice land use . www.arcgis.com to see where SB79 is effecting the community . Lost of new people for for landuse [7:12 pm] Outreach report shared by Emily Reyes Tess will share the scorecard for our reps and examples of what we Post everything to the site 4d. Halloween Events in the Rec Center and Baldwin Hills Events. CD 10 is doing Dia De Los Muertos [7:14 pm] On agenda item 5b2, Quintus Jett made a motion to "Motion to authorize repayment to Emily Reyes for $198.00, re: Constant Contact payments" [7:15 pm] The assembly voted on a motion to: "Motion to authorize repayment to Emily Reyes for $198.00, re: Constant Contact payments" Ayes (7): Jace Dawson, Quintus Jett, Blake Lynch, Ernesto Ramirez , Connye Thomas, Julio Valdez, and Richard Williams Noes (0): none Ineligible (1): Tora Miller Recused (1): Emily Reyes The motion passed. [7:19 pm] Treasurer Report 5b1. Discussion and possible action to approve July 2025 MER Discussion - expenses explained by QJ [7:20 pm] On agenda item 5b1, Quintus Jett made a motion to "Motion to approver July MER" [7:21 pm] The assembly voted on a motion to: "Motion to approve July MER" Ayes (8): Jace Dawson, Quintus Jett, Blake Lynch, Ernesto Ramirez , Emily Reyes , Connye Thomas, Julio Valdez, and Richard Williams Noes (0): none Ineligible (1): Tora Miller The motion passed. [7:23 pm] On agenda item 5b3, Quintus Jett made a motion to "Motion to authorize payment for WANC Zoom Account" [7:25 pm] bring zoom up again for $$ amount, pay back Blake and then get some money back since we paid for the service for some months when it was not working. [7:25 pm] Annual and some dates for zoom to stay on top of it, also add it to the admin packet under admin expenditures as suggested by empower LA [7:25 pm] The assembly voted on a motion to: "Motion to authorize payment for WANC Zoom Account" Ayes (7): Jace Dawson, Quintus Jett, Blake Lynch, Ernesto Ramirez , Emily Reyes , Julio Valdez, and Richard Williams Noes (1): Connye Thomas Ineligible (1): Tora Miller The motion passed. [7:28 pm] On agenda item 5a, Richard Williams made a motion to "Approve the minutes for the September 9/15/2025 Board and Stakeholder Meeting" [7:29 pm] The assembly voted on a motion to: "Approve the minutes for the September 15 2025 Board and Stakeholder Meeting" Ayes (8): Jace Dawson, Quintus Jett, Blake Lynch, Ernesto Ramirez , Emily Reyes , Connye Thomas, Julio Valdez, and Richard Williams Noes (0): none Ineligible (1): Tora Miller The motion passed. [7:30 pm] On agenda item 6a, Quintus Jett made a motion to "A motion that states that "We the West Adams Neighborhood Council affirm the Declaration of Commitment to Representative Government which is attached to the October 17th WANC Meeting Agenda dated June 17th, support it's principles whole-heartedly, and commend the Greater Toluca Lake Neighborhood Council (GTLNC) for its initiative, insight and leadership" [7:33 pm] New Business 6a. - Tess Taylor Article to challenge city rules on advocacy - Valley Neighborhood Councils Channenge City Rules on Advocacy Limits. [7:37 pm] Per Tess - Simple way to make sure the city and NC's don't get out of sync is to have a disclaimer. We are the WANC part of the city of LA but not the official position of the City only the council. [7:40 pm] If anyone needs volunteer hours reach out to Arien Sanchez [7:45 pm] Discussion on 6a - Resident - Museum Of Ice Cream example was discussed, where discussion was limited, Discussion on why the council can not discuss traffic safety during public comment, how the council has to be so. Let's make sure we only focus on WANC, we can not be an island, prop 50 was mentioned, our charter is part of the city and to report back to the city or city departments but not the county sheriff for example. supporting assembly bills discussions and the city said not to add those items, which led to this resolution. discussion around elected officials and that elected official report to the stakeholders not to the city. Discussion around NC councils end up taking on a lot of things, when one NC does better all do better. [7:59 pm] discussion around city vs county and how control ends up shaking out - 13M LA Budgets vs 50M county budget [7:59 pm] The assembly voted on a motion to: "A motion that states that "We the West Adams Neighborhood Council affirm the Declaration of Commitment to Representative Government which is attached to the October 17th WANC Meeting Agenda dated June 17th, support it's principles whole-heartedly, and commend the Greater Toluca Lake Neighborhood Council (GTLNC) for its initiative, insight and leadership" Ayes (6): Jace Dawson, Quintus Jett, Ernesto Ramirez , Emily Reyes , Connye Thomas, and Julio Valdez Noes (1): Richard Williams Ineligible (1): Tora Miller The motion passed. [8:02 pm] October 31st Halloween Event at Vineyard Rec Center - free and welcome to all. 3-7PM. Reach out to Adrien Sanchez center director [8:03 pm] On agenda item 7b, Quintus Jett made a motion to "Approval of outreach expenses NTE $250 for the Vineyard Rec Center October 31st Halloween Event" [8:06 pm] To becoming a registered volunteer - go and get fingerprinted by the city then you are set for anything in LA. [8:10 pm] Biggest expenses are covered but things that could be covered are food, candy, and candy bags [8:14 pm] The assembly voted on a motion to: "Approval of outreach expenses NTE $250 for the Vineyard Rec Center October 31st Halloween Event" Ayes (6): Jace Dawson, Quintus Jett, Ernesto Ramirez , Emily Reyes , Julio Valdez, and Richard Williams Noes (0): none Ineligible (1): Tora Miller The motion passed. [8:18 pm] Connye Thomas left the meeting [8:19 pm] Suggestion to do a summary of all the actions and get it out to the community. Need to set the rest of the the committee meetings. [8:19 pm] Blake Lynch left the meeting [8:20 pm] Meeting adjourned. The neighborhood council counts abstentions as yes votes.