WHWCNC VIRTUAL REGULAR FULL BOARD MEETING

October 9, 2024, Regular Virtual Full Board Meeting

 BY ZOOM    https://us02web.zoom.us/j/96493712127      

 

Agenda can be downloaded HERE: Oct 9, 2024

 

200 N. Spring Street Los Angeles, CA 90012

Website: www.empowerla.org

Email: NCsupport@lacity.org

 

6:30 p.m.- 09:00 p.m.

 

Zoom Meeting Online or By Telephone

Please click the link below to join the webinar:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/96493712127

Or Dial (669) 900-6833 to Join the Meeting

Code is 964 9371 2127 and Press #

Si requiere servicios de traducción, favor de avisar al Concejo Vecinal 3 días de trabajo (72 horas) antes del evento. Por favor contacte Karen DiBiase, Secretaria, al 818-639-9444 o por correo electrónico www.whcouncil.org para avisar al Concejo Vecinal.

IN CONFORMITY WITH THE OCTOBER 6, 2023 ENACTMENT OF CALIFORNIA SENATE BILL 411 (PORTANTINO) AND LA CITY COUNCIL APPROVAL ON NOVEMBER 1, 2023, THIS WOODLAND HILLS WARNER CENTER NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL COMMITTEE MEETING WILL BE AVAILABLE VIRTUALLY.

Every person wishing to address the Committee must enter the meeting via the above Zoom link or dial (669) 900-6833 and enter 964 9371 2127 and then press # to join the meeting. When prompted by the presiding officer, to provide public input at the Meeting of the Woodland Hills – Warner Center Neighborhood Council [WHWCNC] meeting, the public will be requested to dial *9 by phone or use the Raise Hand option on Zoom, to address the Board on any agenda item before the Board takes an action on an item. Comments from the public on agenda items will be heard only when the respective item is being considered.

 

Comments from the public on other matters not appearing on the agenda that are within the Board’s jurisdiction will be heard during the General Public Comment period. Please note that under the Brown Act, the Board is prevented from acting on a matter that you bring to its attention during the General Public Comment period; however, the issue raised by a member of the public may become the subject of a future WHWCNC Board or Board meeting. Public comment is limited to 1 minute per speaker, unless adjusted by the presiding officer of the Board.

 

SB 411 Updates:

In the event of a disruption that prevents the Board from broadcasting the meeting to members of the public using the call-in option or internet-based service option, or in the event of a disruption within the Board control that prevents members of the public from offering public comments using the call-in option or internet-based service option, the Board shall take no further action on items appearing on the meeting agenda until public access to the meeting via the call-in option or internet-based service option is restored. Actions taken on agenda items during a disruption that prevents the Board from broadcasting the meeting may be challenged pursuant to Section 54960.1.

The Board shall not require public comments to be submitted in advance of the meeting and shall provide an opportunity for the public to address the Board and offer comments in real time.

Notwithstanding Section 54953.3, an individual desiring to provide public comment through the use of an internet website, or other online platform, not under the control of the Board, which requires registration to log in to a teleconference may be required to register as required by the third-party internet website or online platform to participate.

(i) If the Board provides a timed public comment period for each agenda item shall not close the public comment period for the agenda item, or the opportunity to register, pursuant to subparagraph to provide public comment until that timed public comment period has elapsed.

(ii) If the Board does not provide a timed public comment period, but takes public comment separately on each agenda item, shall allow a reasonable amount of time per agenda item to allow public members the opportunity to provide public comment, including time for members of the public to register pursuant to subparagraph (D), or otherwise be recognized for the purpose of providing public comment.

(iii) If the Board provides a timed general public comment period that does not correspond to a specific agenda item shall not close the public comment period or the opportunity to register, pursuant to subparagraph (D), until the timed general public comment period has elapsed.

Board Members:

Area 1 – Karen DiBiase, Geoffrey Hobson, Rochelle / Shelly Schwartz, Reina Cerros- McCaughey

Area 2 – Julian Tu, Peter Haber, Masha Dowell

Area 3 – Tracey Rosen, Dean Mathew, Harout Z. Aristakessian, Jayce Baron

Area 4 – Don Patterson, Martin Lipkin, Dena Weiss,

Area 5 – Julie Waltrip, Steve Sommers,

Area 6 –William Barnett, Heath Kline,

Area 7 – Kate Kennedy, Lillian / Joyce Fletcher,  Rosaleen O’Sullivan
At-Large – August Steurer, Vacant Seat for Alternate
Youth Member – Vacant seat

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

AGENDA

Call to Order

Pledge of Allegiance

Roll Call

 

Public Announcements:

Office of Councilmember Bob Blumenfield – if available                                                                                     (2 minute each)

Office of Local and State Officials – if available                                                                                     (2 minute each)

Other Local Agencies – if available                                                                                     (2 minute each)

 

General Public Comment, by the Public, on Non-Agenda Items:

General Public Comment is limited to one (1) minute per speaker and 10 minutes total due to length of agenda.

 

1. Organization, Operation, Policies, & Procedures & Reports:

All comment is limited to 1 minute per speaker, unless adjusted by the presiding officer of the Board. There will be ONE opportunity to speak only. Time limits set for each agenda item may be adjusted by the presiding officer of the Board. Time limits may vary so the public is encouraged to join the meeting several minutes PRIOR to a specific agenda item being discussed.

 

1. Approval of Minutes: Board Meeting – August 14, 2024                                                                                                                                                                        (estimated time 5 minutes)

 

See posted support document                                                                        Roll Call Vote

 

1. Officer Reports (estimated time 5 minutes)

President – Dena Weiss 

Vice President – Tracey Rosen

Treasurer – Heath Kline

Secretary -Karen DiBiase 

Parliamentarian – Don Patterson

 

1. Area Reports (it is requested that each area designate one representative to report each month).                                                                                                                                                                                                                         (estimated time 10 minutes)

Area 1 – Karen DiBiase, Geoffrey Hobson, Rochelle / Shelly Schwartz, Reina Cerros- McCaughey

Area 2 – Julian Tu, Peter Haber, Masha Dowell

Area 3 – Tracey Rosen, Dean Mathew, Harout Z. Aristakessian, Jayce Baron

Area 4 – Don Patterson, Martin Lipkin, Dena Weiss

Area 5 – Julie Waltrip, Steve Sommers

Area 6 –William Barnett, Heath Kline, Bobbie Wasserman, Janice Mendell

Area 7 – Kate Kennedy, Lillian / Joyce Fletcher,  Rosaleen O’Sullivan

2. Items for Discussion and Possible Action:

Item No. 1

Heath Kline, Treasurer

(24-074) Approval of MER for August, 2024

 

For discussion and possible action                                                                           (estimated time 5 minutes)

 

Motion for the Board to approve the August, 2024 Monthly Expense Report (MER).

 

See posted August MER [16 pages] included in supporting documents via the Board Calendar Event post.

Roll Call Vote

Item No. 2

Heath Kline, Treasurer

(24-075) Approval of MER for September, 2024

For discussion and possible action                                                                           (estimated time 5 minutes)

 

Motion for the Board to approve the September, 2024 Monthly Expense Report (MER).

See posted September MER [14 pages] included in supporting documents via the Board Calendar Event post.

Roll Call Vote

Item No. 3

Dena Weiss, Chair of Governance Committee

(24-076) Motion to Approve Megan Jacoby for the Area 6 Alternate position.

For discussion and possible action                                                                           (estimated time 5 minutes)

 

Motion to approve Megan Jacoby for the Area 6 Alternate position.

 

Vote at Governance Committee- 4 yes, 0 no, 0 abstained- unanimous.

Roll Call Vote

Item No. 4

Tracey Rosen, Chair of Outreach Committee

(24-077) Motion to Approve Request for $100 to table at the Woodland Hills Farmers Market

For discussion and possible action                                                                           (estimated time 5 minutes)

 

The Outreach committee brings a motion to request $100 from the Outreach general budget line item to table at the Woodland Hills Farmers Market on 3 Saturdays over the next five months.

Roll Call Vote:

YES: 6 (Tracey Rosen, Harout Aristakessian, Masha Dowell, Joyce Fletcher, Kate Kennedy Steve Sommers)

NO: 0. Unanimous

Roll Call Vote

Item No. 5

Tracey Rosen, Chair of Outreach Committee

(24-078) Motion to Approve Request for up to $200 to purchase a new light weight 10×10 pop-up tent

For discussion and possible action                                                                           (estimated time 5 minutes)

 

The Outreach Committee makes a motion to request up to $200 from the Outreach general budget line item, to purchase a new light weight 10×10 pop-up tent which can be set-up by one person to use at WHWCNC tabling events.

The existing Nc tent is extremely heavy, needs multiple strong people for set-up, and does not easily fit in a car.  The proposed tent weighs 36 pounds, has wheels for easy transport, fits in a standard car trunk, and can be set-up by one person.

YES: 6 (Tracey Rosen, Harout Aristakessian, Masha Dowell, Joyce Fletcher, Kate Kennedy Steve Sommers)

NO: 0. Unanimous

Roll Call Vote

Item No. 5

Tracey Rosen, Chair of Outreach Committee

(24-079) Motion to Approve Request $5,500 to Create and Install 10 new Double Pole Street Banners

For discussion and possible action                                                                           (estimated time 5 minutes)

The Outreach Committee makes a motion to request up to $5,500 from the Outreach general budget line item, to create and install 10 new double pole banners street with A3 Visual (or other approved vendor), who were our prior City approved vendor for street banners.

The city recently removed our NC banners along Ventura Blvd. as the existing permit had expired and the banners were all weathered and faded (according to A3 Visual, the City is limiting banner placement to three years).  The location of our former banners should be available again before January.  Before we can receive confirmation about the location, we need to approve the budget and apply for a permit waiver with the City Council.  The Outreach Committee will present 2-3 design options to the WHWCNC Board for final approval.

Roll Call Vote:

YES: 6 (Tracey Rosen, Harout Aristakessian, Masha Dowell, Joyce Fletcher, Kate Kennedy Steve Sommers)

NO: 0. Unanimous

Roll Call Vote

Item No. 6

Dena Weiss, Chair of Governance  Committee

(24-080) Governance Committee Report on Discussion regarding WHHO Comments made on July 29, 2024

Report                                                                                                                        (estimated time 5 minutes)

On October 1, 2024, the Governance Committee conducted a Special Committee meeting to discuss and address the disparaging comments directed at the Woodland Hills Homeowners Organization at the July 29^th, 2024 Special Board meeting. The following action was proposed, voted on and approved by the Governance Committee:

1) Send an apology letter to the Woodland Hills Homeowners Organization on behalf of the Woodland Hills – Warner Center Neighborhood Council. See Item 7 for full Board vote and approval;

2) Conduct a full Board training by DONE to reinforce the Code of Conduct, Ethics, and Censure Process; and

3) The Board should reinstitute asking local community organizations to make a presentation regarding their activities. Governance will invite WHHO, as well as other local community organizations which serve our stakeholders, to make a presentation about its history, activities and processes at upcoming WHWCNC Board Meetings, including tonight.

Vote at Governance: 4 yes, 0 no, 0 abstain.

Possible Presentation by WHHO                                                      (estimated time 10 minutes)

 

Item No. 7

Dena Weiss, Chair of Governance  Committee

(24-081) Motion to Approve a Letter to WHHO Regarding Comments made on July 29, 2024

Discussion and  Motion                                                                    (estimated time 15 minutes)

 

The Governance Committee makes a motion to edit, approve and to send the drafted letter to the WHHO in response to the July 29th WHWCNC Board meeting.

See attached proposed letter.

Vote at Governance: 4 yes, 0 no, 0 abstain.                                       Roll Call Vote

 

Item No. (8)  Homeless and Public Health Committee – Jayce Baron, Chair
(24 -082) Motion to Approve and Submit Community Impact Statement Request – (24-HSJA008) CIS from WHWCNC, to Support CF19-1020

For discussion and possible action                                                   (estimated time 10 minutes)

 

A current conversation about CF19-1020 within the Neighborhood Councils and local government.

The council file passed in 2019 creates an advisory board of those with lived experience with homelessness to advise the city council on policies made on the demographic’s behalf. Set to expire in November 2024, the council file will need to be honored or extended at this time.

 

Therefore the Committee is presenting a motion to file a Community Impact Statement from Woodland Hills Neighborhood Council with the City Clerk.

 

See attached supporting documents.

 

Motion: Jayce Baron. Seconded: Reina Cerros McCaughey. YES (4) NO (0). Unanimous.

Roll Call Vote

 

 

Item No. (9)  Community Services Committee – Joyce Fletcher, Chair
(24 -083) Funding Request – WHWCNC Booth – Dustin Troyan Motor4Toys Charity Event

For discussion and possible action                                                   (estimated time 5 minutes)

 

Motion for the board to approve funding of $500.00 from the WHWCNC 2024/2025 Budget, to purchase a WHWCNC Booth at the Dustin Troyan Motor4Toys Charity Car Show and Toy Drive to be held on

Sunday December 8, 2024 from 7:00am to Noon at Pierce College. All toys and funds collected are 100% donated to provide toys to children. All board members are invited to staff the booth.

 

Board members are invited to donate one new unwrapped toy valued at $20.00 to fill a WHWCNC car which will be located at our booth. The car will be provided by President, Dena Weiss.

 

Vote: Yes 4    No 0    Abstain 0. Unanimous.

 

See attached 2024 Motor4Toys Flyer                                                              Roll Call Vote

 

 

Item No. (10)  Arts and  Culture Committee – Masha Dowell, Chair
(24 -084) Funding Request – Holiday Lights

For discussion and possible action                                                             (estimated time 5 minutes)

 

Motion to approve $1,500 from 2024 from the Outreach general budget line item, in order to create a holiday community lights cape utilizing trees along Ventura Blvd, from Topanga Canyon to De Soto Avenue. This will also create NC community outreach. See attached supporting document for pricing and budget breakdown.

  Roll Call Vote

 

Item No. (11)  WHIP – August Steurer & Heath Kline, WHIP Co-Chairs
(24 -085) Motion to Approve & Submit DRAFT CIS Opposing CF-24-0867 Mandating Term Limits for NC Board Members & Youth Seats On All NC’s

 

For discussion and possible action                                                             (estimated time 5 minutes)

 

Whereas: The WHIP Committee has provided a four-page report containing a proposed DRAFT CIS Portal Summary and a detailed DRAFT CIS Statement to be filed with the City Clerk. For the reasons stated in this report, the WHWCNC strongly opposes:

1. The imposition of term limits on NC Board Members.
2. The mandating of a Youth Seat on all NCs.

Instead, the WHWCNC requests that the City of Los Angeles implements our positive alternative policies and actions to improve the NC system for the betterment of all Angelenos.

 

Therefore: The WHWCNC officially adopts the positions taken in the WHIP Draft CIS and directs:

1. The Officers of the Board to: (a.) Communicate this position with City Officials and other NCs (b.) File this CIS with the City Clerk.
2. The Outreach Committee to share our position with: (a.) The media (b.) Our stakeholder base.

 

See 4-page WHIP report on CF24-0867 in the accompanying supporting documents for this agenda.

Roll Call Vote

 

 

     Committee Reports,                                                                                 (estimated time 10 minutes)

Budget Committee – Heath Kline, Chair                                                                                                                  Arts and Culture Committee – Masha Dowell, Chair

Community Services Committee – Joyce Fletcher, Chair
Community Outreach Committee –Tracey Rosen, Chair

Education and Youth Committee – Julie Waltrip, Chair
Environmental & Beautification Committee – Karen DiBiase, Chair
Governance Committee – Dena Weiss, Chair

Government Relations Committee- Reina Cerros McCaughey, Chair

Public Health and Homelessness Committee –Geoffrey Hobson, Chair

Public Safety and Transportation –Julie Waltrip,  Chair
PLUM Committee – Don Patterson and Marty Lipkin, Co-Chairs

WHIP Committee – August Steurer and Heath Kline, Co-Chairs

Ad Hoc Committee for Standing Rules- August Steurer and Heath Kline, Co-Chairs

Ad Hoc Committee for technology use at Virtual Meetings- Dean Matthew Chair                                 Ad Hoc Holiday Decorations Committee – Joyce Fletcher & Masha Dowell, Co-Chairs

 

Adjournment of Meeting

The next Regular Board meeting will be held IN PERSON on November 13, 2024.  Please visit the calendar page at whcouncil.org for the complete details and to confirm the date and time.

Meeting dates for the 2024-2025 year: Full Board meetings are held the second Wednesday of every month at 6:30 p.m. Check the NC website calendar for a complete list of committee and board meetings. Meeting dates and times are subject to change. Check the NC calendar for updated meeting schedules.

 

*THE AMERICAN WITH DISABILITIES ACT – As a covered entity under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City of Los Angeles does not discriminate based on disability and, upon request will provide reasonable accommodation to ensure equal access to its programs, services, and activities. Sign language interpreters, assistive listening devices, or other auxiliary aids and/or services may be provided upon request. To ensure the availability of services, please make your request at least 3 business days (72 hours) before the meeting by contacting the Department of Neighborhood Empowerment by calling (213) 978-1551 or email: NCsupport@lacity.org.

 

*PUBLIC ACCESS OF RECORDS – In compliance with Government Code section 54957.5, non- exempt writings that are distributed to a majority or all of the board in advance of a meeting may be viewed at our website: www.whcouncil.org or at the scheduled meeting. In addition, if you would like a copy of any record, if available, related to an item on the agenda, please contact the President and / or Dena Weiss, at email address d.weiss@whcouncil.org.

 

*PUBLIC POSTING OF AGENDAS – agendas are posted for public review as follows:

• whcouncil.org and go to the website Calendar page and click on the date – Board meetings are held on the second Wednesday of each month. Check the calendar for any change of meeting date and/or time.
• You can also receive our agendas via email by subscribing to A. City’s Early Notification System at https://www.lacity.org/subscriptions

 

A copy of this agenda is also physically posted in the plexiglass case fixed to the front door of the Fire station 84  located at   21050 Burbank Blvd., Woodland Hills, CA, 91367

• .

• *RECONSIDERATION AND GRIEVANCE PROCESS – For information on the WHWCNC process for board action reconsideration, stakeholder grievance policy, or any other procedural matters related to this Council, please consult the WHWCNC The Bylaws are available at our website at www.whcouncil.org

 

• SERVICIOS DE TRADUCCIÓN – Si requiere servicios de traducción, favor de avisar al Concejo Vecinal 3 días de trabajo (72 horas) antes del evento. Por favor contacte a Dena Weiss al weiss@whcouncil.org o por correo electrónico avisar al Concejo Vecinal.

 

• Notice to Paid Representatives – If you are compensated to monitor, attend, or speak at this meeting, City law may require you to register as a lobbyist and report your activity. See Los Angeles Municipal Code §§ 48.01 et seq. More information is available at lacity.org/lobbying. For assistance, please contact the Ethics Commission at {213) 978- 1960 or ethics.commission@lacity.org.Oct 9, 2024