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Belmont Shore Residents Association MINUTES GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING May 12, 2011 The meeting was called to order by President Aileen Colon at 6:00 pm. The other members of the Executive Board present were: Elizabeth Borsting, Julie Dean, Vice President Terence Endersen, Marvin Jones, and Secretary Jeff Miller. Executive Board members John Forstrom, Adam Hattan, Jim Lazarus, Treasurer Robert O'Connor, and Heidi Van Horn were absent. Twenty-nine additional BSRA members and visitors were present. Librarian Debi Gurley announced the eBook program, which enables downloading electronic copies of books to iPhones and iPads. Downloads to Kindles will be available soon. Gurley also thanked the BSRA for the donation of $300 to the library. The agenda for this meeting and the minutes of the April 14 meeting were approved. LBPD Commander Lisa Lopez discussed several of the recent crime incidents in the Shore and related enforcement activities and arrests. Two recent alcohol-related incidents on Second Street resulted in arrests: one at 2 am on April 16 and a fight in front of Legends on May 1 involving six people. She responded to questions and suggestions about controlling alcohol-related problems, such as identifying locations where people are drinking excessively and recovery of enforcement costs through license fees, and added, "We have a lot more work to do". John Keisler, Bureau Manager, City of Long Beach Animal Care Services, spoke about the services available from his department. He explained the license requirements for dogs and described ways to deal with animal problems and complaints. Excessively barking dogs can be reported by phone or email and can be dealt with if there are three supporting witnesses. He described the new signage in place at the dog beach and the education and enforcement activities there. Dede Rossi from BSBA reported the plans for the next Stroll and Savor event. She introduced Ray Pok from Citibank, who described plans to occupy the recently vacated Blockbuster site. Julie Maleki from Third District Councilman Gary Delong's office reported the status of these items: sidewalk repairs (to begin soon), beach parking lot changes (the Bay Shore and Claremont parking lots will be combined into one lot), the Pomona Ave. traffic signal (to be installed soon), and the Park Ave. parking lot landscaping (to begin soon). Eric Forsberg, the resident representative member of the Parking Commission, reported the decision made at the April meeting to prune the Second Street sidewalk trees and replace a few of them which are in bad condition or dying. Secretary Jeff Miller reported these transactions last month: payment of the annual web site hosting fee and a donation to the Bay Shore Library, leaving a bank account balance of $4,043.21. Dan Corbett requested the support of BSRA for the Sea Festival kite surfing event July 22, 23, and 24 at the Claremont launch ramp. A motion of support was approved unanimously. Secretary Miller spoke about the city-owned Magnolia tree in the parkway at 176 Park Avenue. The property owner at that address has requested the city to remove the tree. Despite the mature size, health, and value of the tree, the city has agreed to remove it unless there is opposition from neighbors. Miller reported the effort underway by several neighbors to save the tree - petitions have been signed by many neighbors in support of the tree and several have written letters to the city as well. A hearing to decide the fate of the tree will be held at the city's Street Tree Advisory Committee on May 19. After some discussion and statements of support from the audience, a motion to send a letter of support for the tree was passed unanimously by the Board of Directors. Secretary Miller reported the announcement from the Neighborhood Resource Center of the availability of free orange trees, donated by an engineering firm, which are five feet tall, in fifteen gallon containers, and bearing fruit. Norm Turley, owner of Dogz, spoke about his efforts to police the area around his restaurant late at night and the need to educate the public about free parking after 7 pm at the meters on Second Street and in the public parking lots. Kurt Borsting noted the excessive noise late at night from Legends and Panama Joe's, and said this activity was not what was promised or expected when the sidewalk dining area was created by the city. Turley was assured by the LBPD detective that his reports of problems would not penalize his business. The meeting was adjourned at 8:00 pm. Submitted by: Jeff Miller, Recording Secretary
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