EMPOWERMENT CONGRESS WEST AREA NEIGHBORHOOD DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL

Meeting Minutes

October 6, 2012
Crenshaw United Methodist * 3740 Don Felipe Drive * Los Angeles, CA 90008
Present Excused Unexcused Name Present Excused Unexcused Name Lanz Alexander, Treasurer X Mary Jones-Darks X Ronda Brown X Carl Morgan X Karen Caesar X Johnnie Raines X Yvonne Ellett X Jackie Ryan X Lark Galloway-Gilliam X Denise Stansell X Mark Gory X David Winston, Chair Tardy Damien Goodmon, Vice Chair X Jason Lombard X Call to Order & Roll Call: The meeting was called to order at 9:55 am by Lanz Alexander, Treasurer. A quorum was present. LAPD Senior Lead Officer Sonny Sasajima spoke first. Good news: Violent crime is down significantly. Not-so-great news: Property crime is up. Crews, using 10-11 year old youths, are committing burglaries. Also 2-4 member crews using females and female drivers. Both crew types drop off people to ring random doorbells. If theres no answer, the house becomes the target. Be aware of suspicious people between the hours of 7 a.m. 3 pm., especially walkers. Call 877-ASK-LAPD to report anything unfamiliar. A good description and a license plate number are suggested. Car burglaries are targeting unlocked cars. The DWP is reporting copper wire theft by male Hispanics. The DWP does not contract workers. Only workers that can be identified by vehicles, clothing or ID tags should be near electrical units. The thieves park a car in front of the light pole front panel where they copper wiring is pulled from. The Taste of Soul has been expanded one block South to Stocker and one block east and west. Traffic will be allowed on Stocker. The Endeavour traffic plan will include steel plates, taking down lights (which should be back up in 2 weeks), and street closures. The LAPD recommends leaving porch lights on during this period of time and to call Public Works if the street lighting is not adequate. There will be limited street viewing for the Shuttle. Its recommended everyone see it at the Forum in Inglewood. In answer to a stakeholders question, SLO Sasajima replied the LAPD can ask DOT to relax parking in alleys during this time for the residents. Public Comment: The Dept. of Recreation and Parks asked for a funding request for an upcoming Halloween event. They were told the Finance Committee would review their application then bring it to the Board for a final vote. th A stakeholder near 39 and Van Ness requested the Board post more meeting signs closer to Van Ness. The ECWANDC map would need to be consulted if Van Ness is within the boundaries. Rev. Lee stated the Board needs a system for signage finding who has signs and a reminder system for putting them out. A Chesapeake Avenue property owner complained about a residential care facility next door to her. 80% of the Neighborhood Councils are waging a fight against community care facilities. The issue is currently in the City Council. Mr. Roberts reported on the Patrick de la Torre case. The Baldwin Village slumlord pleaded No Contest and is due to be sentenced near the end of October. Roberts asked everyone to send comments to the Judge in an attempt to keep de la Torre from getting off with court fees only. The Judges contact information can be obtained by calling (213) 974-6031, dept. 40. Jason, speaking for Baldwin Hills Crenshaw, advised everyone to see Endeavour at the Forum, with space for 14,000 viewers, since BHC will only have room for 2,000. Bleachers will be set under the Macys Bridge. There will be standing room only on Crenshaw north of King with a Jumbo Screen to see the Debbie Allen show. Bleacher seats can be obtained through a raffle conducted via Facebook and Twitter. Lark announced the Shuttle Task Force takes place on Wednesday @ 2 p.m. at Community Health Council. Yvonne invited everyone to LIKE the ECWANDC Facebook page for current updates while we work on accessing the website.

ECWANDC Meeting Minutes | Page 1

 Item: Discussion Highlights: Item: Discussion Highlights: Homeless Encampment in Leimert Park and West Adams A brief history of the topic included the ECWANDC Task Force and the boards adoption of the 100k Home program model that assesses the level of individual need, prioritizes those at greatest risk of dieing on the streets and linking them to available services. The CRA was working to secure funding for a program coordinator to leverage exisiting services for the homeless (eg. Department of Mental Health, VA, etc) The task force disbanded due to the lask of funding and dissolution of CRA The Leimert Park population is growing. Even though the park is closed at night, people are living there. The LAPD has to give a 3-day notice to remove belongings and cannot destroy the items, which have to be stored for 6 months. Kimani Black (CD10) explained the Councilmember has introduced a motion to close the encampment at Crenshaw and the 10 Freeway exit. They observed different colonies and will close off Fwy access for 18 months.The LA homeless services are only giving the option of accepting services or vacating in 24 hours. Councilperson Wesson is open to suggestions. The question remains how to obtain resources for the Leimert Park problem. There needs to be a holistic solution. Leimert Parks population has mental health issues and unpredictable behavior. A stakeholder mentioned Senior Lead Officer Sashajima has been trying to bring in services to do evaluations on the homeless. But the homeless need to be willing to transition into housing. They are 80% African American, male, and from the community. Ana Burns of the Cherrywood Block Club asked the ECWANDC for its unconditional support of the petition letter to close the 10 Fwy encampment, which is a filthy and demeaning gateway to the Crenshaw neighborhoods. David responded that we dont work in other Neighborhood Council boundaries. However, we can support UNNCs and West Adams positions. th Tabled for further discussion at the October 15 Board Meeting. West Adams Community Plan The City Planning Department will be attending the October 18 SLAANC meeting with information on the Community Plan. The comment deadline has been extended for 2 weeks. PLUB will come up with recommendations on the planand will call Rueben Caldwell on the Planning Dept.s lack of Outreach for the Draft EIR. The Planning Department for the City of L.A. does their job, but doesnt explain the Plan in plain English. The Stakeholders are looking to the Board for expertise and explanation for what it all means. Lark motioned for Carl write a letter to the City Planning Department that there hasnt been enough community outreach, expressing our frustration with the lack of information for the public on the Community Plan. Jackie seconded. VOTE: 8 yays, 1 abstention Reconstitution of Dorsey and Crenshaw High Schools Ronda explained the term Reconstitution means Superintendent Deasy can remove at least 50% of the staff and replace it. Crenshaw had been given a year to continue its present community alliances, but Deasy is threatening to renege on the agreement. However, LAUSD cannot just Charter schools anymore. No data proves Reconstitution works. There have been 2 Community meetings in the past 2 weeks citing the undemocratic process. Although Crenshaw is not within ECWANDC borders, our Audobon Middle School feeds into Crenshaw. It was suggested to take the content to the October 18 SLAANC meeting since Park Mesa (Crenshaw) and West Adams (Dorsey) will both be there. ECWANDC Meeting Minutes | Page 2 Review & Approval of Meeting Minutes No minutes to review

Action/Follow-up Item: Discussion Highlights:

Action/Follow-up

Item: Highlight of Discussion

Action/Follow-up Item: Discussion Highlights: Action/Follow-up Discussion Highlights: Action/Follow-up Discussion Highlights:

The subject would be explored further at the October 15 Board Meeting. Committee Report: Finance * Copy Citys Shred-It Day funding for $2,500. Funding was tabled until a new date is established for the event. South Los Angeles Alliance of Neighborhood Council (SLAANC) meeting funding of $150 for refreshments. Lark motioned to authorize the Chair to spend $150 for the SLAANC food & beverages. Ronda seconded. VOTE: Unanimous David explained that over $3,000 was potentially available for election outreach given delays in payment due to incomplete paperwork for a number of items approved by the board in the previous year. $500 had been spent to date. The recommendation was made to use these funds for election outreach rather than lose the funding and that the board could authorize payment for the outstanding commitments out of the current years budget instead. Rosalie Preston of Empower LA, Region 10, asked if the Board would be willing to use $1,000 towards South LA Neighborhood Council KJLH radio advertising. The balance of the money would be used towards a Walking Man to cover the ECWANDC. Lark motioned that the board authorize the chair and treasurer to work with DONE to use $1,000 towards radio advertising and $500 for walking man should it be determined that DONE will not process payment on the previously approved funding request. Ronda seconded. VOTE: Unanimous

Action/Follow-up

Additional Public Comment: Sydney Kamlager, of State Representative Holly Mitchells staff, announced phone banking for President Obama. She also directed everyone towards the California Democratic Endorsements, which includes all Propositions. Carl said the LAX Fly Away bus would be coming to the La Brea Expo Line station. th David advised the ECWANDC would be sharing Council District 10s booth at The Taste of Soul on October 20 . Meeting Adjourned at 11:56 am. Minutes as Approved by Board at __12__/__1___/_ 12____ Meeting Signature: _________Yvonne Ellett______________ ECWANDC Recording Secretary

ECWANDC Meeting Minutes | Page 3