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Belmont Shore Residents Association MINUTES EXECUTIVE BOARD MEETING April 12, 2012 The meeting was called to order by President Kurt Borsting at 6:00 pm. The other members of the Executive Board present were: Max Alavi, Chrisjeon Clemmer, Aileen Colon, Julie Dean, Vice President Terence Endersen, Marvin Jones, Secretary Jeff Miller, Treasurer Robert O'Connor, and Robert Stropky. Executive Board member John Forstrom was absent. Twenty-five additional BSRA members and visitors were present. Librarian Debi Gurley-Vilander announced the scheduled appearances of two authors and panel discussions as part of the National Library Month activities. The agenda for this meeting and the minutes of the March 8 meeting were approved. LBPD East Division Commander Michael Beckman introduced Officer Hermandez, a six-year LBPD veteran who is in charge of the Second Street Beat Patrol. The Commander reviewed the details of some of the crimes in Belmont Shore in March, as reported on crimereports.com, the publicly-available web site which receives crime data from the LBPD. He described eight assaults, three robberies (one at gunpoint), and numerous residential burglaries and thefts. He called attention to the fact that sixty percent of the burglaries were from unlocked residences, garages, or vehicles. A warning was given concerning thefts from purses at restaurants and bars. Beckman noted that crimes are increasing in the Shore, and it appears there are more incidents around the bars at closing time. Responding to a question about people seen sleeping in vehicles, he stated that camping or sleeping in vehicles parked on the street is illegal. He announced the next East Division Quarterly Gathering will be April 23 at 6:30 pm at the VA Hospital meeting room. BSBA Executive Director Dede Rossi announced the new version of their website, belmontshore.org, is up. She said the employee free bus rides program using Long Beach Transit will begin Memorial Day, and gave these restaurant updates: Simmzy’s is scheduled to open the end of April, Nick’s the end of July, and Roe will open the takeout section initially, then the restaurant. There will be a Verizon promotional event in the Citibank parking lot on April 21. Rossi said the new BSBA Business Directory will be available shortly. This month's guest speaker, Rachel Davis, from the Long Beach Water Department, spoke about the “Lawn to Garden” program, which provides a monetary incentive to residents for the removal of front yard lawns which are converted to drought-resistant landscaping. The city will pay $2.50 per square foot for the change. She illustrated the possibilities with “before and after” photos of residences which have been converted. To reach Rachel Davis phone 562.570.2313. The Hotline for reporting water wasters is 562.570.2455 Julie Maleki from Third District Councilman Gary Delong's office announced the ongoing repair of damaged sidewalks is scheduled for completion in May, the Beach Committee meeting regarding kite surfing issues will be May 9, 4pm at the Council Field Office, Third District residents will be admitted free to the Museum of Latin American Art on April 19, and a shredding and e-waste collection event is scheduled for April 28. Melinda Cotton reported the discussion of the issue of retail business locations being converted to restaurants along Second Street at the recent Parking Commission meeting, and noted that at the upcoming April 19 meeting Senior Planner Derek Burnham is on the Agenda to discuss City Code dealing with Second Street parking requirements for restaurants, and how conversion from retail to restaurant use will impact parking. President Borsting announced a Candidates Forum for the 47th Congressional District will be held May 3 at 7 pm at Rogers School, sponsored by the Belmont Heights Residents Association and BSRA. Secretary Miller noted an invoice for the annual fee for the BSRA web site hosting service; a motion was approved to pay the invoice of $100. Treasurer Robert O'Connor reported the checking account balance of $3,132. He proposed a donation by BSRA to the Bayshore Library, as we have done in the past; a motion was approved to donate $300. Rob Stropky reported the status of the Tree Planting Initiative: twenty requests from residents have been approved by the city. Planting will be April 28 at 9 am; meet at 121 Granada Ave. Volunteers are still needed. Refreshments and lunch will be provided by Legends. Vice President Terence Endersen alerted the audience to an old concern related to Tidelands funding: the issue of relocating the park and basketball courts, which extend from Horny Corner to the corner of Bayshore Ave. and Ocean Blvd., is still on the list. This issue was strongly opposed by residents when it was first raised years ago; sentiment appears to be the same now. Shirley Broussard spoke about her work with homeless individuals. The meeting was adjourned at 7:55 pm. Submitted by: Jeff Miller, Secretary
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