MEETING MINUTES

Belmont Shore Residents Association

MINUTES

EXECUTIVE BOARD MEETING

GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING

March 13, 2014

The meeting was called to order by President Terence Endersen at 6:00 pm. The other members of the Executive Board present were: Sanne Berrig, Vice President Frank Elizondo, Marvin Jones, Secretary Jeff Miller and Treasurer Robert O'Connor. Executive Board members Max Alavi and Julie Dean were absent. Twenty-seven additional BSRA members and visitors were present.

The agenda for this meeting was approved. The minutes of the February 13 meeting were approved.

Librarian Debi Gurley-Vilander announced the first monthly e-book class will be held March 20.

LBPD East Division Commander Paul LeBaron spoke about crime activity in the Shore last month. He noted the assaults listed in the crime report are not "random" crimes, but are the results of person-to-person disputes. He also noted a trend of burglaries where entry was made through a window that was pried or broken open.

President Endersen introduced the guest speakers, Stephen Bello, Suzie Price, and Jack Rosenberg, three of the five candidates for Third Council District. Each of them spoke briefly about their candidacy, then responded to the three questions asked by Endersen, which were about residential issues. Each candidate gave a concluding statement. (The other two candidates, Martha Flores-Gibson and Jim Lewis, spoke at last month's meeting.)

Julie Maleki, Third Council District representative, announced plans to repave portions of Bay Shore Ave. and Ocean Blvd. within the next two months. Various sidewalk repairs are currently in progress. Acting City Attorney Charles Parkin will be the speaker at the Third District neighborhood meeting on March 20. Asked about alley repairs, Maleki replied they are the responsibility of the homeowner. However, it was noted the city will respond to repair potholes in an alley.

Resident and BSBA board member Alexis Rabenn reported these BSBA items: a Scavenger Hunt is planned for next month, the bookstore Apostrophe has moved to the north side of Second St. near Corona Ave., and the Grand Prix event "Roar in the Shore" will be April 9.

Eric Forsberg, Resident Representative on the Belmont Shore Parking Commission, responded to questions about the Commission's approval (by a 4 to 1 vote; Forsberg voted "no") of the City's purchase of the home at 205 LaVerne Ave. for demolition and conversion to a parking lot. He addressed comments that the purchase process was secretive, that the composition of the commission is flawed because some members are tenants of the chairman, and that any future seller of residential property near a commercial alley will need to disclose the potential impact of a possible parking lot.

President Endersen announced next month's speaker will be a representative from AES, who will discuss the planned changes to their electric generating facility nearby.

Secretary Miller reported the annual renewal of the web site domain name and the web site hosting service are due; the cost is $112.

Treasurer O'Connor reported the bank account balance is $1,980. He recommended making a $300 donation to the library for the year; the motion was approved.

Secretary Miller reported the status of the City's purchase of the home at 205 LaVerne Ave. The purchase was approved at a Closed Session of the City Council on November 5, 2013. BSRA reported the issue via email on February 14 and it was discussed at a neighborhood meeting on February 15. Following that meeting, numerous residents of LaVerne Ave. as well as other streets in the Shore have been speaking in opposition at meetings of the City Council, the Planning Commission, the BSBA, and the Coastal Commission. There have been many comments of opposition on Facebook and via email. Press coverage includes the LA Times, the Press Telegram, the LB Register, the Grunion Gazette, lbreport.com, patch.com, KCAL television, and KNX radio. Miller introduced a motion to oppose the purchase and send written notice to the City. Following discussion, the motion was approved unanimously.

The meeting was adjourned at 7:30 pm, followed immediately by the General Membership Meeting call to order.

Secretary Miller introduced the one item of business: the appointment of Aileen Colon to the Executive Board and various changes to the Association Bylaws. He explained the items on the ballot and addressed several questions from the audience. Members voted by secret written ballot. Ballots were to be counted and the election certified immediately following the meeting; results will be announced to members via email.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:00 pm.

Submitted by:

Jeff Miller, Secretary