Administrative Committee Meeting Agenda

Extra Space Storage, Presidents Row Room
658 South Venice Blvd, Venice, 90291
Monday, August 11, 2008 at 7:00 PM

Note: The Administrative Committee does not address or consider the merits of proposed agenda items. Its function is to determine whether a proposed agenda item will be placed on the next Board Meeting agenda, postponed, referred to a specific committee for review and recommendation, treated as an announcement, or considered and resolved as a non-Board administrative matter.

1. Call to Order and Roll Call

2. Approval of the AdCom Agenda

3. Approval of any outstanding Administrative Committee minutes submitted by the Secretary

July 7, 2008 Administrative Committee Meeting Minutes
(see http://venicenc.org/files/080707VNCAdComMinutesRev.doc)

4. Announcements & Public Comment on items not on the Agenda (15 min, no more than 2 minutes per person)

5. Old AdCom Business

6. New AdCom Business

A Consideration of DRAFT August 19, 2008 Board Agenda (see below)

7. Announcements & Public Comment on items not on the Agenda (15 min, no more than 2 minutes per person)

8. Adjourn

Draft – August 19, 2008 Board of Officers Meeting Agenda

Westminster Elementary School (Auditorium)
1010 Abbot Kinney Blvd, Venice, 90291
Tuesday, August 19, 2008 at 7:00 PM

1. Call to Order and Roll Call

2. Approval of the Agenda

3. Approval of any outstanding minutes submitted by the Secretary

July 15, 2008 Board Meeting Minutes
(see http://venicenc.org/files/080715VNCBoardMinutes.doc)

Committee Reports are provided in written form when available

4. Scheduled Announcements (no more than 1 minute per report unless otherwise stated)

A DONE, LAPD, and other Governmental Reports

B Mike Newhouse (president@venicenc.org): ?

C From Neighborhood Committee

I Robin Rudasill (310-745-3240; wildrudi@mac.com) & Nick Hippisley-Coxe (310-415-6504; hippisley@earthlink.net) & Linda Lucks (310-745-3240/310-450-2554; Lindalucks@aol.com):

a. Presentation on Emergency Preparedness Planning for “Shake-Out LA” a City wide Earthquate Drill and related events 11/13-16,2008

b. City of LA Neighborhood Preparedness Ambassador Progam Three Consecutive Saturdays Saturday, September 27, 2008 Saturday, October 4, 2008 Saturday, October 11, 2008 9:00am – 1:00pm Fire Station 5 8900 Emerson Avenue Los Angeles, CA 90045

To sign up: To confirm your attendance or for additional information, contact:
Mona Curry at the Emergency Management Department (213) 473- 9921, Mona.Curry@lacity.org

5. Announcements & Public Comment on items not on the Agenda (15 min, no more than 2 minutes per person) no board announcements

6. Old Business (relating to Budget matters)

A From Stakeholder

I Yvette Neal (310-204-2749 or cell at 310-420-9177; yvette@wwwpgs.net) on behalf of Pacific Graffiti Solutions (PGS): PGS removes graffiti for most of the Greater West Los Angeles area and has done so for the past 5 years. [Postponed to 8/11 AdCom]

We are hoping to raise $100,000.00 to add additional crew members (and add second story graffiti removal) to our staff as graffiti has increase in the past year.

PGS has drastically been affected by the increase of gas prices and the snow ball effect that has increased paint and other cost. There will be no increase in our budget (from public works) so we are forced to seek funding from other sources to combat the all around financial increases we are experiencing.

We are asking for funding at or between $5,000.00 to $10,000.00 form all the Neighborhood/Community Councils in the area we service. As I’m sure you are aware of the public safety issues and the importance of prompt proficient, graffiti removal, these additional crews are essential to our 24 hour response time.

II Todd von Hoffmann (310-398-9231; BDBooks@aol.com) on behalf of the Venice Heritage Foundation: Request of Board to send a letter to Councilman Rosendahl and/or “To whom it may Concern”, supporting the Venice Heritage Foundation’s efforts to establish a Venice Heritage Museum along the lines of the Red Car Historical Museum in Seal Beach. Letter is: (see Exhibit A) [Postponed to 8/11 AdCom]

On behalf of the VNC, I’m pleased to add my support to The Venice Heritage Foundation. Their mission statement – “Envisioning a Venice History Museum” – focuses on an important goal for our community. Abbot Kinney’s “Venice of America” has had a full and fascinating life and that continuing story deserves to be shared. While the need for a museum heritage center has often been discussed over the years, the VHF

was created solely with this purpose in mind. The founding members – all lovers of things Venice – include collectors, successful community volunteers, and, significantly, noted author and historian Elayne Alexander.

The VHF plan is particularly exciting. It calls for the restoration of an original Pacific Electric Red Car to serve as the initial museum space to be located in Venice. The Seal Beach Museum has demonstrated the success of this idea with their own Red Car museum and public library residing similarly (and very appropriately) on old Pacific Electric right-of-way property.

The Foundation has located a 100 year old Red Car (PE511) ready for a home and restoration volunteers are standing by. The restored trolley itself will evoke a charming period of our history and add another treasured sight along our gateway to Venice. The VHF plan tastefully suggests an additional adjunct building replicating the old pagoda-style PE substation that used to stand nearby along Venice Blvd. called “The Tokio Station”.

The museum space will be available to all local collections, public and private, and serve an important community function for residents, visitors, scholars, and students. We can’t think of a better theme than a celebration of our incredibly interesting past and a legacy for our future.

7. Treasurers Report accept report as presented

8. New Business

A VNC Board/LANCC representative

I Challis Macpherson (Chair-LUPC@VeniceNC.org) : Request Board approve charter changes in Los Angeles Neighborhood Council Congress (LANCC) per below letter & attached Exhibit B: [Postponed to 8/11 AdCom]

March 11, 2008

To all LANCC Members and all Neighborhood Councils:

We have made changes to the LANCC Charter and need your approval. We are even recommending a name change to more accurately reflect what the LANCC is and what it represents. These changes will make a difference in how neighborhood councils can interact with one another on a city wide basis. Examples of some of the changes are as follows:

The term “Senator” will be replaced by “Delegate”; the “Senate” will become a “Board of Delegates”; and the “Los Angeles Neighborhood Council Congress” will be known as the “Los Angeles Neighborhood Council Coalition.” Perhaps the biggest change is that all certified neighborhood councils may come to and vote at LANCC meetings. All the LANCC would need is a communication from the neighborhood council chair or some other responsible officer with the name of the stakeholder who would represent the NC as its delegate. These and other changes will more accurately reflect the role of the LANCC.

The original Charter can be found at the LANCC web site, www.lanccongress.org. A copy of the revised charter is attached to this email. These changes have to be approved by those neighborhood councils that adopted the original LANCC Charter. We would like to hear from all neighborhood councils regarding the changes we have made. Please, put it on your agendas and vote on the changes. You can let us know the results by email at info@lanccongress.org.

We hope to hear from your neighborhood council soon so the LANCC can move forward and become the coalition that helps all neighborhood councils gain the power and respect they deserve from the other members of city government and the stakeholders of Los Angeles.

Very truly yours,
Leonard J. Shaffer
Chair, LANCC

B From Rules & Elections Committee

I Ira Koslow (310-392-0868; ira.kowslow@vanicenc.org): The REC recommends (2-0-0) that the Board adopt the following as a standing rule:

Procedure for Board Consideration of Consent Calendar Items

Consent Calendar Items are motions of Standing Committees considered to be routine by the Administrative Committee. Board approval of the Consent Calendar constitutes approval of all motions contained therein.

There will be no separate discussion of Consent Calendar motions unless a Board Member or a member of the public requests removal of the items from the Consent Calendar, in which case the Chair will place the item on the regular agenda where the Chair deems appropriate. Anyone wishing to contest a Consent Calendar item on the Board agenda must appear in person at the Board meeting and explain to the Board the reason the item is contested.

II Ira Koslow (310-392-0868; ira.kowslow@vanicenc.org): The REC recommends (2-0-0) that the Board adopt the following as a standing rule:

Definition of Factual Basis Stakeholder under LA City Ordinance 179680 (see link below)

A Factual Basis Stakeholder is defined for all Venice Neighborhood Council purposes as an individual who lives, works, or owns property within the Venice Neighborhood Council boundaries.

III Ira Koslow (310-392-0868; ira.kowslow@vanicenc.org): The REC recommends (2-0-0) that the Board adopt and implement the following:

The Venice Neighborhood Council Board requests that the City Clerk direct that the terms of the Venice Neighborhood Council Board members be extended to calendar year 2010 pursuant to LA City Ordinance 179680.

IV Ira Koslow (310-392-0868; ira.kowslow@vanicenc.org): The REC recommends (2-0-0) that the Board adopt the following as a standing rule:

The Board portion of community improvement funds can only be used for Board generated projects or sponsorship of Board or Committee events. All applicants must complete the community improvement application packet which is basically the same as the one used by the Neighborhood Committee for allocation of its portion of community improvement funds.

V Ira Koslow (310-392-0868; ira.kowslow@vanicenc.org): The REC recommends (2-0-0) that the Board adopt the following as a standing rule:

The Venice Neighborhood Council will publicize only VNC, City of Los Angeles, & VNC sponsored events where sponsorship is determined by the VNC Administrative Committee.

C From Board Member

I Joe Murphy (310-895-0344; joedmurphyvnc@ca.rr.com); Request the Board adopt the following as a standing rule:

Procedure for LUPC presentation and board consideration of LUPC motions:

1. LUPC separates conditions (variations from what VSP allows) into 2 categories:
 Conditions agreed to by owner and immediate neighbors
 Conditions not agreed to by owner
2. Bifurcate the conditions not agreed to by owner and proceed as follows:
 Proponent arguing to impose the condition speaks
 Owner speaks
 Public comment
 Board asks questions
 Board votes on condition
 Deal with next condition in the same way until finished with all conditions
3. Board considers a combined motion that includes:
 (i) VSP + Conditions agreed to by owner & immediate neighbors; and
 (ii) LUPC Conditions not agreed to by owner which Board denies; and
 (iii) LUPC Conditions not agreed to by owner which Board approves
4. The Board decision on the combined motion is interpreted and implemented as follows:
 Approval by Board is a VNC decision that supports (i) and (ii) and (iii)
 Disapproval by Board is a VNC decision that supports (i) and (ii) but not (iii)
 Letter is sent to hearing authorities reflecting decision
5. LUPC policy motions shall be vetted in a well-publicized Policy Forum Meeting before Board consideration and adoption.

D From Arts & OFW Committees

I Aldis Browne (310-487-2533; aldis.browne@vanicenc.org) & Ira Koslow (310-392-0868; ira.kowslow@vanicenc.org): The Ocean Front Walk Committee and the Arts Committee jointly recommend to the Venice Neighborhood Council Board of Officers the approval of a letter of support for a Venice Beach Concert Series proposed as by Michael (Micky) Schuman for a four concert pilot series intended to establish no precedent (consisting of 2 concerts in September, 2008 and 2 in October, 2008).

E From Arts Committee

I Nadine Parkos (310-869-4733; Nadineparkos@aol.com): To take under consideration and address the issues that are set forth in the following letter from said Venice Stakeholders:

Aldis Browne and Nadine Parkos
Arts Committee
Venice Neighborhood Council

Dear Aldis and Nadine,

We have a concern we would like you to address, for consideration on the agenda at the forthcoming Venice Neighborhood Council Arts Committee Meeting July 31, 2008, that we believe is of great importance to the community of Venice.

In regard to the paving of Irving Tabor Court for the purpose of parking; while we understand and commend the City of Los Angeles in it’s efforts to alleviate the parking situation in our community, there is one area that we believe should remain unpaved.

Ed Ruscha, a world renowned artist, has his studio on Electric Avenue. He has occupied this space for over 20 years. In this time, he has become a treasure in Venice, calling attention through worldwide media to the area as an arts community. Ruscha is collected in every major museum in the world. He was elected to the American Academy of Arts and Letters as a member of the Department of Art. In 2005 he was the United States representative at the 51st Venice Art (Italy) Biennale. Recently he was honored at the International Print Center of NY, and he received an honorary degree at the Rhode Island School of Design for making contributions to the world of art along with Yoyo Ma, and Roberta Smith.

Ed Ruscha’s presence in the community of Venice has been felt through charities such as the Venice Family Clinic, and the Venice Community Trust, as well as charitable organizations throughout the world. His support of other artists is beyond repute.

Mr. Ruscha’s working space behind his studio will be eliminated by the proposed paving. The removal of said space will severely impede his production as an artist, and Venice may lose one of it’s most famous, and productive artist/stakeholders altogether.

While parking spaces are indeed a premium in our community, we should remember the qualities that brought people from all over the world to our area, and our special appeal which is unique. The quality is our arts community, which is undeniably exemplified by Ed Ruscha.

We would respectfully propose that the paving project of Tabor Court leave the area behind Ed Ruscha’s studio as a tribute, for a period of 3 years, to allow for public input, and historical consideration of the site. May we further request that you place this item on the agenda of the Venice Neighborhood Council Board of Officers.

Sincerely,

Venice Stakeholders:

Pat and Ed Hamilton, Hamilton Press Gallery; Ed Moses, Artist; Elizabeth McMillian, PhD, Architectual Historian; Chuck Arnoldi, Artist; John Baldessari, Artist; Peter Lodato, Artist; Doug Edge, Artist; Alan Shaffer, Photographer; Heather Harmon, Art Dealer; Scott Grieger, Artist; Billy Al and Wendy Al Bengston, Artists; Robert Graham, Artist; Angelica Huston, Actor; Charles Christopher Hill, Artist; Peter Gould, L.A. Louver; Victoria Hopper, Actress; Tibby Rothman, Venice Paper

F From Budget & Finance

I Hugh Harrison (310-487-2533; treasurer@vanicenc.org):

The Budget Committee has reviewed a request for the purchase of a new canopy that meets the fire retardant requirements of the Los Angeles Fire Department. The current canopy is old and failing and does not meet the fire department regulations. The request is for not more than $500.00 to be allocated from the General Outreach budget. The Budget Committee unanimously agreed the funds are available and are reasonably within this budget allocation.

G From President

I Albert Olson (alojr@ca.rr.com):

From: Albert Olson [mailto:alojr@ca.rr.com]
Sent: Sunday, June 29, 2008 10:12 PM
To: president@venicenc.org
Cc: albertolson21@gmail.com
Subject: Inquiry from Mar Vista Community Council regarding their Santa Monica Airport Survey

Hi Mike,

The Mar Vista Community Council has been conducting a survey of neighborhoods affected by the Santa Monica Airport in order to ascertain both the level of concern regarding issues at the Airport, and how the perceived severity of impacts relates to the proximity of the respondent to the Airport. The end result of the survey will hopefully give us some quantifiable figures for the number of people who feel they are being impacted by Airport activities and to what degree, and the range in terms of actual distance from the Airport these impacted residents live.

Although clearly a large share of the negative impacts from the Airport are carried by the residents of Santa Monica and Mar Vista, given their close proximity to the Airport, it is also clear that various parts of both Venice and West Los Angeles are also feeling the impacts of Airport activity. And we would like for these residents’ concerns to be reflected in the results of our Survey.

Therefore, we are hopeful that we might convince the Venice Neighborhood Council to send a link for our on-line version of the Survey to your stakeholder email list. Of course, if there is a VNC Committee that I should be taking this proposal to first, I will be happy to do so. Or if it would be helpful to you for me to come to your upcoming Board meeting and explain the Survey to the Board, I would be happy to do that also.

Please feel free to click on the link below and explore the Survey. I have also included below the introductory paragraph we have been using when sending the link out to email lists.

The Mar Vista Community Council is collecting information regarding the impact of various aspects of Santa Monica Airport air traffic on the surrounding neighborhoods. The information provided will be used only for the purpose of this survey, but the respondent’s address is necessary in order to correlate the various responses to their proximity to the Airport.

We would like to encourage you to be a part of this survey. There are no ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ answers. We are only interested in learning how you and your neighbors are affected by the Airport, what is the location of your neighborhood, and what is the proximity of that neighborhood to the Santa Monica Airport.

Here is the link to the online survey: http://mvccsurvey.airport.sgizmo.com

Of course we will be happy to provide the results of the Survey to the VNC to use in any way they feel appropriate, in addition to the fact that I hope this might be the start of many more collaborative efforts between our Councils.

I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Regards,

Albert Olson
Mar Vista Community Council
2nd Vice_Chair
Chair, MVCC Santa Monica Airport Committee

H From LUPC

I Challis Macpherson (Chair-LUPC@VeniceNC.org) on behalf of LUPC: LUPC recommendation for board action regarding 1711 Lincoln Blvd. LUPC staff report to be sent August 14, 2008

II Challis Macpherson (Chair-LUPC@VeniceNC.org) on behalf of LUPC: LUPC recommendation for board action regarding 248 Westminster. LUPC staff report to be emailed to board August 14, 2008

III Challis Macpherson (Chair-LUPC@VeniceNC.org) on behalf of LUPC: LUPC recommendation for board action regarding 660 Venice Blvd. LUPC staff report to be emailed to board August 14, 2008.

IV Challis Macpherson (Chair-LUPC@VeniceNC.org) on behalf of LUPC: LUPC submission of proposed VNC policy statement regarding VNC/LUPC proposed conditions placed on a project and subsequent follow up. LUPC asking for board approval of this policy statement on conditioning and sending it to CD11, City of Los Angeles Planning and Building & Safety departments. Statement to be emailed to board August 14, 2008.

V Challis Macpherson (Chair-LUPC@VeniceNC.org) on behalf of LUPC: Policy statement submitted by LUPC regarding suggested consideration by any development applicant of not only the VCZSP but the plans drafted by the neighborhood (in which the project is proposed)preparatory to drafting of our VCZSP and available on VNC/LUPC web site.

I From Environmental Committee

I DeDe Audet (310-305-9660; outreach@VeniceNC.org) on behalf of Environmental Committee:

Dear board members, In case you might be thinking that the old lady finally fell off the rail after reading my communication in the Adcom Agenda, please be advised that there is method in the madness. FYI. Pollution of the ocean water at Venice Beach has been a concern of mine for many years. And many of us have spent time and effort trying to get the city to clean up the mess. In November of 2004, the voters of Los Angeles authorized the city a $500,000,000 bond issue (Prop O) for that purpose. But there has been no comprehensive plan for doing it.

So the Prop O Commissioners have been handing out money without guidance. When I saw the announcement that Paula Daniels, of LADPW, would be available to visit with us, I ripped off in a hurry the following which Joe included in the agenda (all of the misspelling is mine).

From DeDe: Dear Mike, Please consider an early date for the commissioner to come here to address us. As you may know, I am still hurting from the refusal of the Prop O commission to consider comprehensive planning for stormwater runoff in Venice. Also, Prop O should be contributiing to the expense of trrash pickup near the ocean.

Back to planniing, though. Suzie Sherod and I attended the RFP meeting conducted by DPW Engineering for comprehansive runoff planniing for the whole city, but I have neard nothing since about any report that should have emerged. So Paula Daniel’s attendance here would give the community a chance to learn what DPW is doing for Venice.

What I want to know from Paula Daniels (incidentally she and all of the commissioners are paid $115,000 annually, appointed by the mayor, so I think we can consider her a paid employee) is what plan LADPW is using to allocate funding in Venice. I will have drawings prepared by the LADPW Stormwater Runoff group. These drawings show that Venice does NOT have an integrated system and that polluted runoff may still be going into the ocean after the new sewer pipeline is completed in 20?? It makes me sad to think that the City of Los Angeles draws travel revenue from all of the international visitors who come to see Venice Beach, but allows the local neighborhood council (VNC) to pick up the tab for the trash generated.

Therefore, if you believe that a report from LADPW to Venice is not only due but overdue, please send a note to Adcom, via Joe Murphy to ask that Commissioner Paula Daniels be invited to address us ASAP.

Thank you, DeDe

J From Stakeholders:

I Francine Redada (213-362-0260 ×228; fredada@cecfmail.org) & Linda Lucks (310-450-2554; Lindalucks@aol.com) on behalf of Chavez Foundation and PeaceJam Global Call to Action Conference to:

a. Send the following letter:

Francine Redada Programs Coordinator
Cesar E. Chavez Foundation
634 S. Spring St., #400
Los Angeles, CA 90014

Dear Ms. Redada:

The VNC supports the Global Peace Jam Call to Action Conference 9/11-13 at LMU. We invite you to appear at a VNC meeting to present the program to the board. Our board will seriously consider some financial support for a number of Venice youth at $345/per youth to attend the conference and to seek additional support from our stakeholders. One of our board members has met with Peace Jam organizers and is a personal friend to Nobel Laureate, Jody Williams.

b. Consider the following motion:

To support the Global Peace Jam Call to ACtion Conference 9/11-13 at LMU- by inviting the Mayor’s reprentative to present an application in support of youth at $345/per youth to attend the conferenceFrancine Redada Programs Coordinator (see Exhibit C)

b. Fund the project:

To support the Global Peace Jam Call to ACtion Conference 9/11-13 at LMU- by supporting ___ youth at $345/per youth to attend the conference. Linda proposes that VNC sponsor up to 5 Venice young people at the conference.

II Todd von Hoffman (310-398-9231; BDBOOKS@AOL.COM) on behalf of Venice Chamber of Commerce: Request to sponsor one of the two remaining letters in the historical “Venice” trestle sign on Windward Avenue for $1,000. Letters available to be sponsored are “E” or “I” (sorry no “O” – couldn’t help myself!) (see Exhibit D)

III Dennis Hathaway (310-399-3523; ddhathaway@ca.rr.com): Move that the Venice Neighborhood Council Adopt a Cumulative Voting system for at-large candidates in VNC elections. The current system in which voters are allowed to vote for one candidate would be replaced by a system in which voters could vote for as many candidates as they wished. For example, if a voter chose to vote for all eleven candidates, each would receive one vote. If the voter chose to vote for five candidates, each of those candidates would receive 2.2 votes. And so on. Such a system would be easy to explain to voters and to administer, and would greatly increase interest in the voting for at-large candidates.

9. Announcements & Public Comment on items not on the Agenda (15 min, no more than 2 minutes per person)

10. Adjourn (approx 10:00PM)

Click here to see Exhibits

Location(s)

See map: Google Maps, Yahoo! Maps

Attachment	Size
080811VNCAdComAgenda.doc	597 KB
Final_Ordinance_No._179680.pdf	223.18 KB