MEETING MINUTES
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Belmont Shore Residents Association MINUTES EXECUTIVE BOARD MEETING December 13, 2012
The meeting was called to order by President Bobby Bluehouse at 6:00 pm. The other members of the Executive Board present were: Max Alavi, Frank Elizondo, Vice President Terence Endersen, Marvin Jones, Secretary Jeff Miller, and Treasurer Robert O'Connor. Executive Board members Chrisjeon Clemmer, Julie Dean, and John Forstrom were absent. Sixteen additional BSRA members and visitors were present.
The minutes of the November 8 meeting were approved.
The agenda for this meeting was approved with the addition of two items of new business: (1) Proposed Entertainment Permit ordinance changes, and (2) Kite surfing accommodations in the beach pedestrian path proposal.
Bay Shore Librarian Debi Gurley-Vilander announced an increase in items checked out for the holiday season. She also noted a $700 donation has been used to repair the exterior building wall and install new signage.
LBPD East Division Commander Michael Beckman reported the efforts of the police monitoring the high tide condition this morning. He announced his change in assignment and the appointment of the new East Division Commander, Paul LeBaron, who he introduced. Commander LeBaron then reported some details of the violent crimes listed on the Belmont Shore Crime Report for November, which included four assaults and two robberies. Three incidents of shoplifting were noted. Questioned about enforcement of operating conditions of bar licenses, LeBaron responded that the California Alcoholic Beverage Control Department (ABC) is responsible for enforcement. In response to another question about recent robberies, he pledged to work with the BSBA to combat these crimes. Citizens were urged to report concerns about various crimes directly to the Commander at "william.lebaron@longbeach.gov".
LBPD Officer Claudia Lopez spoke about the Community Watch program and answered questions about community involvement in crime prevention activities. Lopez gave the following contact information for anyone wanting more information: phone 562.570.5812, email "lbpdeast@longbeach.gov" or "claudia.lopez@longbeach.gov". Resident Jim Ostach has experience with Neighborhood Watch and offered to assist anyone who wants to establish a Watch on their block. Resident Alexis Rabenn volunteered to host an organizational meeting at her residence on Park Avenue. A motion was approved to support the implementation of a Community Watch program in Belmont Shore.
There was no BSBA report, as Executive Director Dede Rossi was not present. Secretary Miller noted two topics of discussion at the November BSBA meeting: the continuation of the employee bus ride permit program and discussion of private security for the Second Street businesses.
There was no Third District Council report, as no council office representative was present.
President Bluehouse initiated a discussion of the city-proposed beach pedestrian path. He urged the board to support the plan, because it includes a change in the existing bike path to relocate that path closer to the parking lot between Pomona Avenue and Corona Avenue, which will provide more undisturbed beach area there and enhance safety in that area, which is heavily used by kite surfers. Discussion of the issue revealed concerns about the overall plan: The city plan is to install the new pedestrian path on the water side of the bike path for the entire three miles, despite the request by BSRA that the path be placed on the street side of the bike path, to avoid the danger of pedestrians crossing the bike path and to preserve as much of the undisturbed beach as possible. A motion was made by Frank Elizondo, seconded by President Bluehouse, to support the city's plan. After considerable discussion, the motion was tabled by Elizondo.
Secretary Miller reported the annual fee for the web site domain name registration will be due in January; a motion was approved to pay the invoice for $12.
Secretary Miller reported the item on the City Council agenda to modify the ordinance governing Entertainment Permits to extend the length of permits to two years. He made a motion to send written communication to the city to request a limit of one year for a permit, with renewal required annually after that. After discussion, the motion was approved, with Board Members Alavi, Endersen, Jones, Miller, and O'Connor voting yes, Bluehouse and Elizondo voting no.
The following statement from President Bluehouse was added by a motion at the January 10, 2013 meeting: "During the meeting the President was concerned that one board member and a person from the audience both "claimed" incorrectly to be the authority or the "parliamentarians". They were quite outspoken and vocal on their version of the rules. Neither one had the floor nor the chair. The President attempted several times to conduct the meeting according to our bylaws and Roberts Rules of Order but was prevented from doing so. In the future he has requested we follow our rules of order and respect the acting chair so the BSRA Board of Director’s meetings can be conducted efficiently."
The meeting was adjourned at 8:00 pm. Submitted by: Jeff Miller, Secretary |
