greater echo park elysian neighborhood council president kwazi

GREATER
ECHO PARK ELYSIAN
NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL
PRESIDENT
KWAZI NKRUMAH
VICE PRESIDENT
MANICITO
“FENDER” SANTOS
TREASURER
EVA MEJIA
CHIEF
INFORMATION
OFFICER
PAUL BOWERS
AT LARGE
Jill ‘Rio’ Contreras
BOARD OF GOVERNOR’S
MONTHLY MEETING
Tuesday, January 27, 2015
7:00 P.M.
CERTIFIED
NEIGHBORHOOD
COUNCIL
APRIL 16, 2002
MEETING LOCATION:
Cisneros Learning Center
1018 Mohawk St.
Los Angeles, CA 90026
TELEPHONE:
(213)400 9155
WEBSITE:
ECHOPARKNC.ORG
EMAIL:
[email protected]
MAILING ADDRESS
P.O. BOX 261046, LA
CA 90026
DISTRICT REPRESENTATIVES
Veronica Arellano
D1
Matt Sharp
D1
Vacant
D1
Judith Garcia D2
Richard CourtneyD2Vacant
D3
Ann-Marie
Paula Guadron D4
Holman
D2 Tad Yenawine D4
Gordon H. LakeD3 Jessica Cutler
Jill “Rio”
D4
Contreras
D3
Mellie Bautista D5
Carolina JimenezD5
Vincent
Rodriguez
D5
Alma Baja
D5
Avelyn J Tapia D5
AGENDA
I Administrative
items………………………………………………………………………………….. 8 minutes
a.
b.
c.
d.
Roll Call
Approval of Minutes
President’s Report
Administrative Reminder: BOG Meetings are scheduled to begin with
DONE-required trainings. However, Tuesday’s meeting will not start
with this 45 minute presentation. It is being postponed until next
month. All GEPENC Board members are required to participate:
Discussion with the Office of the City Attorney which may include any of the
following topics:
a. Legal concerns arising from conduct between or among board
members: Board communication skills (including electronic),
representing the City with dignity, personal conflicts in City matters,
disharmony versus disagreement, eliminating bullying and harassment,
and improving conduct at meetings, including a questions and answer
session on these topics.
b. Plan for a Citywide System of Neighborhood Councils
c. The Administrative Code provisions applicable to Neighborhood
Councils
d. Ethics and conflict of interest laws applicable to Neighborhood Council
board members
e. The Brown Act
f. The California Public Records Act
g. The Americans with Disabilities Act
h. The Board’s bylaws.
i. The City Charter
Speakers may include Deputy City Attorneys Vivienne Swanigan of the Labor
Relations Division and Alois Phillips of the Neighborhood Council Advice
Division. Please note that this discussion does not fulfill the requirement that
board members also take the mandatory 2 hour ethics course.
II Public Comment on Non-Agenda Items ......... ………………………………………. 8
minutes
(Public Comment will be limited to 90 seconds per person)
III Announcements………………………………………………………………………………….
5 minutes
IV Reports of State Electeds, Council Districts, and/or Various City Agencies
.……… 10 minutes
V Community and Stakeholder
Organizations……………………………………………………… 8 minutes
VI Motions and Resolutions.......................................................................... 60 minutes
Discussion/possible action on the following agenda items for December
18th 2014 BOG Meeting:
A. Budget and Finance Committee Recommendations
1. Discussion and/or Possible Action on the recommendation from the
Budget and Finance Committee to adopt the December 2014 Monthly
Reconciliation Statement.
2. Nomination of Gordon Lake as interim GEPENC Treasurer, replacing Eva
Mejia, who is stepping down due to recent advancements in her
professional career. (This item is submitted by Kwazi Nkrumah,GEPENC
President.)
B. Planning and Land Use Committee
1): "Northeast LAPD Neighborhood Prosecutor Gabrielle Taylor will give an
overview of the City Attorney's upcoming immigration issues forums being
held January 31st and February 28th. Topics include immigration scams;
drivers licenses for undocumented residents (AB60); and President Obama's
recent Executive Action regarding immigration. (See the flyers attached to this
agenda for full details including location and time.)"
2) "Homeowners can get up to $3000 for earthquake retrofitting from the
state's Earthquake Brace + Bolt program. Presentation on how qualified
homeowners in the 90026 ZIP code can apply for this grant. Deadline is
February 15, 2014. Visit
https://www.earthquakebracebolt.com/Homeowners/PrequalificationSurvey.aspx to see if you qualify or call (877) 232-4300 for a
paper application. (See attachments for more information on this program.)"
3) "SUNSET GATEWAY (1185 W Sunset 90026 VTT-72553-CN):
Discussion/possible action re: changes to and new information about this
proposal which have emerged since the last GEPENC board reviewed and
supported an earlier version of this project in the spring of 2014."
4) Emergency preparedness plan. As per the DONE newsletter, NCs can apply
to have the city help them prepare an emergency plan for their community:
http://empowerla.org/emd-can-help-you-write-your-neighborhoodemergency-plan/
D. General Motions and/or Resolutions:
1.Resolved that we support "a place where social workers can come in and set
up a research base to assess the local housing needs and use the place as a
headquarters to develop solutions for homeless population in Echo Park and
Silverlake” at 4Site, a proposed 47 unit complex on a corners near Temple and
Glendale..
2) Discussion and/or possible action in support of the January 3, 2015
adopted Motion by the Los Angeles Neighborhood Council Coalition (LANCC)
that recognizes Los Angeles to be in a “state of emergency” for homeless
Veterans and hereby requests that the Los Angeles City Council direct the City
of Los Angeles with all of its resources and the Veterans Administration to
unify and open a large-scale Crisis Humanitarian Relief Project on the West
Los Angeles Veterans Affairs campus to immediately house and care for the
thousands upon thousands of disabled and homeless Veterans in the City of
Los Angeles.
Where as, in June 15, 2011, “VA Secretary Eric Shinseki’s promise to end
veteran homelessness by 2015, and has asked for $4.9 billion to do just that in
the 2012 budget.”1
Where as, in August 30, 2013, “the Federal Court Ruled West L.A. VA Land had
illegally leased nearly a quarter of its 387-acre campus and must be used for
Medical, Veteran Support Services”2
Where as, “land dedicated to the VA for housing veterans has been denied to
them—and LA has more homeless vets than any city in America.”3
Where as, the homeless Veterans with mental problems have been left to
struggle alone in the streets of Los Angeles without public hygienic-facilities
accessible to them; Vets are left with no option but to defecate in the public
right of ways; and, are inadvertently a nuisance to the community as they are
constantly placing themselves in dangerous situations.
Where as, in Los Angeles the homeless vets are seen sitting in the public right
of ways in the heat of the sun and in low temperatures in inappropriate
clothing when Veterans were deeded land and facilities solely for their use in
the West L.A. VA campus.
Where as, Jay Handal -- Budget Advocate and West LA Neighborhood Council
President-- stated that it will be the fourth year anniversary in the second
week of January 2015, when he met with Congressman Henry Waxman,
Senator Diane Feinstein, L.A. County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky, and the
Veterans Administration to simply request of the VA to open their gates and
allow the Veterans living in their vehicles to park them overnight in the VA
property to be in a safe environment. It will be the fourth anniversary of the
VA saying yes we can do it. We need to find out how? Yet they haven’t opened
the VA gates for the homeless living in vehicles.
Articles Cited
1. Lookout, Santa Monica news, June 15, 2011: surfsantamonica.com
2. Lookout, Santa Monica news, August 30, 2013: surfsantamonica.com
3. http://www.thenation.com/article/173459/las-homeless-vets
3. Discussion and/or possible action for the Greater Echo Park
Neighborhood Council (GEPENC) to support the motion passed by the Los
Angeles Neighborhood Council Coalition on December 6, 2014 requesting that
Councilman Parks start holding regular meeting of the Education and
Neighborhoods Committee for with.
4. In response to a request from the California Homeless Bill of Rights
Campaign and in accord with previously passed motions by the GEPENC
Board that GEPENC supports the Right to Rest Act. The Right to Rest Act
clearly states that everyone, housed or unhoused must sleep stand, sit and eat
at some point of the day. Under the Right to Rest Act, local governments will
no longer be able to criminalize standing still, sitting down, lying down,
sleeping or eating, regardless of skin color, housing status, or income levels.
To criminalize any of these activities is to treat those most in need and
without material resources discriminatorily and violates their human rights.
5. Resolved that GEPENC do everything possible to assist the LA Homeless
Services Authority in conducting the annual homeless count at the end of this
month.
6. Motion to approve Spring Fair support (co-sponsorship of the 7th Annual
GPACC, Griffith Park Adult Center Committee, Annual Spring Faire Event on
April 18th, 2015 from 10:30 am - 4:00 pm., located at the LA Department of
Parks and Recreation Center on Riverside Drive near Los Feliz Blvd.)
7. GEPENC shall post public notices inviting candidates to apply for the vacant
seats in our 3rd district (previously occupies by Santiago Perez) and our 1st
District (previously occupied by Katrina Bouza) as well as for candidates for
the position of permanent Treasurer, replacing Eva Mejia.
8. Resolved that GEPENC joins the South Central Neighborhood Council in
calling upon the Mayor and the office of the City Attorney to expedite the
immediate release of the autopsy results in the case of Omar Abregon, who
along with Ezell Ford, appears to have been the victim of the use of excessive
force by local police officers in that part of the city.
VII . Reports from officers and committee chairs………………………. 8
minutes
VIII. Future agenda items………………………………………………… 3 minutes.
IX.
Adjournment
Please see notice on the following page.
Por favor, vea el aviso en la proxima página.
GREATER ECHO PARK ELYSIAN NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL
SPECIAL JOINT EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE AND BOG MEETING 10/23/2014
AGENDA
Se les pide al public de llenar una tarjeta con sus datos de dirigir palabra a la
mesa directive del concilio en referencia a cualquir asunto de la agenda, y
antes de que el concilio tome acción sobre el asunto. Comentario de public
sobre asuntos de agenda serán atendidos solamente cundo el respective
asunto está bajo consideración. El comentario del public sobre otros asuntos
que no aparecen en la agenda y están en la jurisdicción de concilio serán
escuchados durante el period del comentario del public en general. Por favor
note que bajo la ley de “Brown Act”, el concilio no puede hacer nada de
recomendaciones al respect durante el de un committee. El comentario del
public está limitado a dos minutos por participante, amenos de que el limite
de uno minute sea suspendido por el official del Concilio que preside la junta.
Las agendas de las juntas del Concilio de la Vecindad del Echo Park Elysian
son puestas a la vista del public en general para conocimiento en las
siguientes sitios: 1)) La Biblioteca del Echo Park – 1410 W. Temple Street, LA
90026; Las agendas también se pueden haller en el sitio official de GEPENC en
la red-electronica www.gepenc.org. El public, y miembros de la vecindad de
Echo Park Elysian también pueden suscribir al Sistema de notificación de la
ciudad de Los Angeles “Early Notification System” (ENS), a través del le redelectronica de la ciudad www.lacity.org, para recibir noticias de las juntas del
concilio de la vecindad del Echo Park Elysian. Para más información, llame a
Paul Bowers, Oficial de Información, al telefono (213) 400 9155, o escriba a:
[email protected].
Como identidad de acuerdo con el Titulo II de la ley “American Disabilities
Act” Americanos con incapacidades, la ciudad de Los Angeles no discrimina
por ase de incapacidad. Haga su solicitud y se le prove acomodaciones
rasonables para asegurar acceso de igualidad a los programas, servicios, y
activades. Intérprete de Lenguaje de señas, asistencia con aparatos para oír, o
otros aparatos auxiliary y/o sevicios se les pueden proveer através de ser
solicitados. Para asegurar disponibilidad de servicios, por favor haga su
solicitud a lo menos de 3 dias de trabajo (72-horas) antes de la junta, y
pongase en contacto con Paul Bowers, Chief Information Officer, a 213-400
9155, [email protected].
De acuerdo con elcodigo gubemamental sección 54957.5, documentos noexento, que están distribuidas a la mayoria o a todos los miembros del
concilio por adenlantado de la junta, pueden ser vistos en la junta del concilio
o en the red-electronica del concilio www.gepenc.org.
SI REQUIERE SERVICIOS DE TRADUCCION, FAVOR DE NOTIFICAR AL
CONCILIO VECINAL 3 DÍAS DE TRABAJO (72 HORAS) ANTES DEL EVENTO. SI
NECESITA ASISTENCIA CON ESTA NOTIFICACION, POR FAVOR CONTACTE A
PAUL BOWERS, FUNCIONARIA DE LA MESA A CARGO DE INFORMACION, AL
213-400 9155, [email protected].
The public is requested to fill out a Speaker Card to address the Committee on
any agenda item before the Committee takes an action on an item. Comments
from the public on agenda items will be heard only when the respective item
is being considered. Comments from the public on other matters not
appearing on the agenda that are within the Committee’s jurisdiction will be
heard during the General Public Comment period. Please note that under the
Brown Act, the Committee is prevented from acting on a matter that you bring
to its attention during the General Public Comment period; however, the
issue raised by a member of the public may become the subject of a future
Committee meeting. Public comment is limited to 1 minute per speaker,
unless waived by the presiding officer of the Committee.
The agendas for the GEPENC meetings are posted for public review at the
following locations: 1)) Echo Park Branch Library -1410 W. Temple Street, LA
90026; as well as at the GEPENC’s official website at www.gepenc.org.
Stakeholders may also subscribe to the City of Los Angeles Early Notification
System (ENS), through the City’s website at www.lacity.org, to receive notices
for GEPENC meetings. For more information, you may also contact Paul
Bowers, Chief Information Officer, at 213-400 9155, [email protected].
As a covered entity under the Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act,
the City of Los Angeles does not discriminate on the basis of disability and
upon request will provide reasonable accommodation to ensure equal access
to its programs, services, and activities. Sign language interpreters, assisted
listening devices, or other auxiliary aids and/or services may be provided
upon request. To ensure availability of services, please make your request at
least 3 business days (72-hours) prior to the meeting by contacting Paul
Bowers, Chief Information Officer, at 213-400 9155, [email protected].
In compliance with Government Code section 54957.5, non-exempt writings
that are distributed to a majority of all members of the Committee in advance
of a meeting, may be viewed at the Neighborhood Council meeting or on the
Neighborhood Council website at www.gepenc.org. All agenda items are to be
considered as subject to discussion and possible action by the Board of
Governors.