MEETING MINUTES

Belmont Shore Residents Association

MINUTES

EXECUTIVE BOARD MEETING

October 11, 2012

The meeting was called to order by President Bobby Bluehouse at 6:02 PM. The other members of the Executive Board present were: Chrisjeon Clemmer, Frank Elizondo, Vice President Terence Endersen, Marvin Jones, and Treasurer Robert O'Connor. Executive Board members Max Alavi, Julie Dean, John Forstrom and Secretary Jeff Miller were absent. Seven additional BSRA members and visitors were present.

The agenda for this meeting and the minutes of the September 13 meeting were approved.

Bay Shore Librarian Debi Gurley-Vilander explained how the city budget will affect the library. There are no longer any children's reading programs. The Bay Shore Library hours of operation will be cut from 50 to 30 hours. A checkout machine will be installed sometime next year. Vice President Terence Endersen questioned a notice indicating that closing times on Thursday evenings are to be 7 PM. Ms. Gurley-Vilander clarified that the closing hours have been 7 PM for some time and that the librarians stay till 8 PM to accommodate the BSRA meeting.

LBPD East Division Lieutenant Doug Davidson, who works the graveyard shift, informed the BSRA:

·        He continues to staff the Second Street walking beat on the weekends as best as possible.

·        3 clothing store robberies on Second Street in the last 60 days. 2 of the 3 robberies involved guns.

·        Another incident at around 2AM involved a group of intoxicated men who challenged a responding Sergeant to a fight near the corner of La Verne & Division. One of the men was tasered and all were ultimately arrested. The men informed the police that they had come from Legends.

·        The Lt. informed a resident that the Neighborhood Watch Program has been dismantled. A resident recommended that the BSRA investigate the program that replaces the Neighborhood Watch and post the findings on the BSRA website.

President Bobby Bluehouse discussed potential security issues when trash cans are not put back in place by the City of Long Beach Trash & Recycling employees once emptied. All attendees agreed that both the trash & recycle containers are strewn all over the alleys after pickup. A motion was approved to have the BSRA send a letter to the City of Long Beach & Recycling entities requesting that their employees return the containers, with the lids closed, back to the location they were removed from.

Mike Sheldrake, Owner of Polly’s Gourmet Coffee and newly elected President of the Belmont Shore Business Association (BSBA), was the Guest Speaker. Mr. Sheldrake has operated Polly’s since 1976 and became the owner in 1988. He has been on the BSBA Board of Directors since 1997 and was a commissioner on the Belmont Shore Parking Commission for 8 years. Mr. Sheldrake:

·        Emphasized his desire to insure Communication, Cooperation and Discussion.

·        Explained that the BSBA’s purpose is to promote businesses and that 40%-50% of the BSBA Operating Budget is funded by a fee collected from each business owner by the City of Long Beach.

·        Informed the BSRA of a meeting between Frank Colonna (former BSBA President), Third District Councilman Gary Delong & LBPD East Division Commander Beckman to discuss crime in Belmont Shore. Per Mr. Sheldrake, the discussion evolved to the topic of installing security cameras on Second Street. Executive Board Member Frank Elizondo who lives near Legends stated that security cameras have not solved the problem after being installed behind Legends. Vice President Terence Endersen inquired if the security cameras may also be installed permanently on Second Street similar to the temporary cameras installed during high traffic events in Belmont Shore. Mr. Sheldrake stated that could be a possibility and that he will get more details and inform the BSRA of his findings.

·        Responded to a resident inquiry about the possibility of the BSBA sponsoring Private Security companies to man the parking lots and streets before & after bar closing. Mr. Sheldrake stated that he would bring up the topic of Private Security firms sponsored by the BSBA and inform the BSRA.

President Bobby Bluehouse informed the group that Arcadia implemented a Residential Parking Permit Program from 2:30AM to 5:30AM to eliminate the issues related to business patrons hanging out in cars after closing or others living out of their vehicles.

Dede Rossi could not attend the meeting. Vice President Terence Endersen reported on information she forwarded regarding:

·        The Belmont Shore Art Walk & Sidewalk Chalk Art Contest on Sat, Oct. 20, 2012 from 9AM to 5PM

·        The Wilson High vs. Poly High Pre-Game Pep Rally Block Party on Wed. Oct. 24, 2012 from 5PM to 9PM. Pep Rally 6PM to 7PM in front of Chase Bank (5200 E. Second St) featuring school marching bands, cheer squads, mascots, football coaches and players.

·        For more information on upcoming activities, refer to the BSBA website @ www.Belmontshore.org or call (562) 434-3066.

Judi Evangelista gave the Third District Council Report and discussed the following topics:

·        Livingston Drive Project: 1) The Roswell crosswalk (which was proposed to be eliminated) will remain, and 2) the project should be completed by Thanksgiving.

·        Right turn lane from Southbound PCH to Westbound Second St: Associated projected related issues were discussed along with the projected completion by Nov 9.

·        Third District Neighborhood Assn meeting: Public Works Director will be the speaker.

·        Leeway Sailing Center: Ms. Evangelista reported that the project is on hold

·        Beach Parking Lots (Combination of Bay Shore & Claremont lots & installation of meters): Resident inquired on the status of the project. Vice President Terence Endersen to provide Ms. Evangelista of the history of the project, to assist her in researching and reporting on the status as the next BSRA meeting.

Eric Forsberg, Resident Representative for the Belmont Shore Parking & Business Improvement Area Advisory Commission (BSPBIAAC) - aka ‘The Parking Commission’ discussed the following topics:

·        Next meeting Thurs Oct 18, 8AM – 10AM @ the Bay Shore Library

·        Status of Tree Replacement/Installation project: Explained the goal is to replace dead & missing trees along with trees that are lifting the sidewalk and posing a trip hazard. Noted that the project is delayed due to resident protests to the removal of certain trees.

·        Second Street Sidewalk and Business Alley power washing: Informed of issues with the contractor not providing satisfactory service

·        Drinking fountain to be installed outside Rite Aid: The commission approved an expenditure of $10K to install a memorial drinking fountain which should be completed by Thanksgiving.

BSRA President Bobby Bluehouse’s Report included the following:

·        Outlined his desired goals for the next year: Reinstate the BSRA Newsletter; Increase BSRA Membership; Improve Public Access, Safe Use and eliminate private enterprise encroachment on the beach; Improve Street Parking; Reduce the height of the wall, which is 3 feet above grade, that borders Ocean Avenue along the Granada Parking lot between Granada Ave and the Belmont Pool; and to improve the relationship between local government and the BSRA.

·        Informed the BSRA of a meeting at the beach with Eric Lopez/City of LB Tideland Funds Project Mgr, himself, Board Member Marvin Jones and others to give Mr. Lopez a first hand look at how the proposed new beach path relates to current kite surfing activities in the area. President Bluehouse gave a kitesurfing demonstration.

·        Reported on this month’s email distribution of the BSRA Meeting Notice utilizing his personal Constant Contact Account for the next year, at no charge. If the BSRA were to acquire its own Constant Contact Account, the cost would be $126/yr. President Bluehouse suggested a motion to authorize an expenditure of $42/year to upgrade his account to allow for additional graphics to be displayed in the Meeting Notices and Newsletters. Marvin Jones made and Frank Elizondo seconded the motion to approve the expenditure of $42/year to allow additional graphics; the motion was unanimously approved.

Secretary Jeff Miller was not present to give a report.

Treasurer Robert O'Connor reported an account balance of $2,471 and that the FTB approved the BSRA Classification as a Tax Exempt Organization.

Ryan Hoover, Executive Chef and “Hawaiian Bob” Gascon, Managing Member of the Acapulco Inn gave their second presentation to the BSRA outlining the details of their permit request from the City of Long Beach Planning & Health Departments for the operation of a gas barbeque in their lot behind their business property. The following details were provided to the BSRA:

·        The term ‘Temporary’ in their Request for a ‘Temporary BBQ’ permit, relates to the ‘type’ of BBQ not the ‘duration’ of the permit

·        Copies of letters of approval for the Temporary BBQ grill and hours of usage, by six of the neighbors at 204, 206, 208, 209, 210 and 215 La Verne Ave.

·        Proposed new menu

·        BBQ has to be 10 feet away from structures and cars

·        Stated they have received support from Frank Colonna (former BSBA President)

·        No parking spaces impacted. The BBQ will be in a loading zone and no loading would occur during the hours of operation.

·        The outdoor pad that AI has behind their business is unique to other businesses/bars and that the approval of their BBQ would not be opening Pandora’s Box or setting a precedent.

·        Grease disposal procedures that would be followed.

·        City of Long Beach – Bureau of Environmental Health – Quick Guide to Obtaining a Health Permit for your Food Facility Temporary Outdoor Barbecue outlining the steps to obtain the Health permit.

Vice President Endersen explained to the audience that a prior email he had sent to Ryan had requested a copy of the permit application outlining the specifics of the request, not the procedures for obtaining a health permit. Ryan & Bob stated that they did not have a copy to provide the BSRA. President Bobby Bluehouse along with Ryan, Bob and an AI neighbor in the audience requested that the BSRA make a motion to approve the AI request conditional upon receipt of the copy of the permit application. Other conversations ensued related to the request, and ultimately no motion was made by the board.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:03 PM.

Submitted by:

Terence Endersen, Vice President