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Belmont Shore Residents Association MINUTES EXECUTIVE BOARD MEETING November 8, 2007 The meeting was called to order by President Mike Ruehle at 6:30 pm. The members of the Executive Board present were: Ron Banner (Vice President), Nancy Buchanan, Merodie Gentile, Marvin Jones, Jim Lazarus, Jeff Miller (Secretary), Mark Robinson, Mike Ruehle (President), and Laura Spence (Treasurer). John Forstrom and Amber Lee were absent. Twenty-nine additional BSRA members and visitors were present. Secretary Jeff Miller reported three items of correspondence were sent, four membership renewals, and two new members. This brings the membership count to 248; however 53 members have not paid annual dues yet, and will be considered delinquent on November 15. Treasurer Laura Spence reported income of $50 in membership dues and expenses of $119.40 for web site hosting; resulting in the account balance of $2,793.71. LBPD Commander Cynthia Renaud announced the next Coffee with the Commander meeting scheduled for 3 pm on November 21 at Portfolio. She introduced Sgt. Curtis Yee of the sex crimes detail, who spoke briefly about three recent sexual assaults. He heard questions from the audience, who inquired about the details of the incidents, such as date, time, location, severity, etc. Mike Ruehle added additional details based on newspaper accounts of the crimes. Nancy Buchanan presented a BSRA Spotlight Award to the firefighters of Station Eight, on Second Street for their service to the community and for their assistance during the recent wildfires. Accepting the award for the firefighters were Captain Bob Thurston, Engineer Paul Cloward, Paramedic John Neill and Firefighter Lance Mora. Mark Hungerford, Long Beach Community Planner, reported the Planning Department issues related to Belmont Shore. He noted the hotel component now included in the development plans for the Seaport Marina Hotel property by Lennar Corporation, the approval of the naming of Lois Lane, and a request for two standards variances of allowed setbacks at 4609 East Ocean Blvd., which is scheduled for a Zoning Administrative Hearing at 2 pm on November 26. Mr. Hungerford also noted the recent purchase of the Los Cerritos Wetlands property by Tom Dean. Julie Maleki of Council Member DeLong's office announced the new City Manager, Pat West, will speak at the next Third District Joint Council meeting at 11:45 on November 15. She also announced the planned street repair of The Toledo. Bill Lorbeer clarified the schedule for the repair of the Second Street alleys, both of which will begin in July. Ms. Maleki heard comments regarding the dangerous conditions at the intersection of Glendora Ave. and The Toledo. Jeanette Gavin, the BSRA representative on the Parking Commission, explained the purpose and funding of the commission and reported the possibility of placing a public restroom on Second Street. In an informal poll, all except one person in the audience expressed approval of the plan. Ms. Gavin also reported that steam cleaning of the Second Street sidewalks is now performed every three weeks. President Mike Ruehle explained plans for committees to address the issues identified as concerns by residents in his recent survey. A motion was approved by unanimous vote to establish the following committees and chairs: Parking Jim Lazarus Beach Improvement Amber Lee Night Club and Restaurant Mark Robinson Zoning Ron Banner Membership Enhancement Nancy Buchanan President Mike Ruehle led a discussion of changing the beginning time of the monthly meeting from 6:30 to 6:00 pm, to allow additional time for business and comment. A recent survey indicated most residents were in favor of the change. A motion was approved by unanimous vote to change the meeting start time to 6 pm, beginning with the next meeting on December 13. Secretary Jeff Miller reported the status of the Cabo Cantina property: The Planning Department issued a fourth "Plan Correction List" on October 15, which details the changes which must be made before a business license will be issued. Cabo Cantina submitted revised plans to the city today, which address some of the previous problems: the patio cover will be removed, the sidewalk railing will be removed, and the storage space at the rear of the building will be removed. According to Planning Department staff, there are still deficiencies which will require additional corrections. Some of these are: a disallowed roll up door on the east wall of the building, roof top equipment which is not screened from view, and a bar which is not allowed in its current configuration. Merodie Gentile expressed her concern about the noise from the patio if Cabo Cantina is allowed to open with the present plans. Secretary Jeff Miller reported the updated "resources" and "calendar" pages on the association web site which can be viewed on line at www.shoreresidents.org. Comments from the audience included brief discussion of nominees for the Spotlight Awards and concerns about uncollected trash in the residential alleys. The meeting was adjourned at 7:55 pm. Submitted by: Jeff Miller, Recording Secretary
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