Hollywood-Gower Neighborhood Association

July Meeting Report

Wednesday, July 30, 2003

Captain Mike Downing:

Captain Mike Downing addressed the group and explained how committed he is to raising ethical standards in Hollywood. Homicide is down in Hollywood at a time when it could be expected to rise; the hot summer months are usually when this happens. He announced the National Night Out coming up on August 5^th. Also, October 10^th is the Business Symposium Plan which will address terrorism, white collar crime, gangs, narcotics and other quality of life issues. Flyers will be given out. Maria Gholizadeh is starting a Crime Free Multi-housing Symposium. Through this, outreach can be accomplished to multi-unit owners and managers to help them keep their property crime resistant. This will be a monthly event in each basic car area.

Councilman Eric Garcetti:

Councilman Eric Garcetti shared his goals for Hollywood speaking about public safety, crime, and the great partnerships that are taking place in Hollywood with the DEA and other agencies.

He talked about how much we need to get the lock-down facility back at the Hollywood Courthouse. These criminals need to be processed here in Hollywood.

“The Police academy is bursting at the seams.” 320 officers will be hired this year and more in the future if our funds can accommodate it.

According to Mr. Garcetti, the city has managed their finances well, however, the budget from the state is being cut back.

He believes in a Livable city and focuses on the school system. .3 acres of park space exist in his district. He is committed to doubling the amount of green space during his term in office. He is working with the school district to make sure that their new structures are joint use and can be shared with the children in the community.

He is also concerned about the environment. He reminded us that L.A. has been cited as having the worst pollution of any city in the USA. He’s committed that we not slow the improvements that we’ve made. Our city fleet is 25% alternative fuel.

His concern extends to the challenge of making life in Hollywood work in its dual identity – tourist trade and neighborhood quality of life. We need more housing and there has been too much emphasis on nightlife. In Hollywood there will be more than 500 units of affordable housing built.

Garcetti is concerned about justice. There needs to be equity. As a small “d” democrat, he believes that there should be medical benefits for all partnerships and literature should be available in many different languages. He believes in the power of small neighborhood associations and would like to see a commitment from CRA to local groups. CRA should grant funds to local neighborhood associations for projects that the neighbors want to have done. In many ways he doesn’t think that Hollywood gets its fair share.

He’s looking forward to the time that we have the first ever bulky item drop off center.

Eric Garcetti is now the third most senior member of the City Council and is the chair of the Housing and Economic Development Committee.

He is in favor of “inclusionary zoning” which is when a development is planned, a certain percentage of it must be devoted to affordable housing.

In closing, he thanked the group for their activism around the needle exchange program and reaffirmed that he never has nor will he ever force programs down the neighbors throat.

Questions from neighbors:

Education and job training? Hollywood will always be a beacon for runaways…we must make sure the infrastructure is in place for them. Bush cut allocation for job training from 100 mil to 77 mil. Eric is trying to get that funding back in place. He mentioned the Hollywood Job Center at 6464 Sunset. He encouraged anyone that needs a job to go there. He works with community groups to create a career platform to train folks to work in the health care industry.

Homeless shelters and housing: He got the first wet weather/cold weather shelter in L.A. Soon the first permanent transitional shelter is going in near Office Depot.

If folks are on parole will they be able to get the training? No guarantee of a job. City Jobs Program which has parolees and other at-risk people, just had their graduation so it’s working.

Permit Parking to address parking on Carlton way from Bally’s – and from Spaghetti Factory. He suggested that we invite Brian Gallagher, head of the permit parking division to our next meeting.

Speed Bumps to address cars coming up Carlton at high speed. Fire department must check that out – sometimes it’s a case of public safety – DOT will be able to do a study with the Fire Department.

Park Land Needed. Lots of small parcels are for sale on Western – if funding isn’t there, what’s the ability for you to put pressure on corporations to buy some of these parcels for green space – small parcels like half acre? There is a new entity being introduced now called Neighborhood Parks Trust. It would be an entity outside city government. The city has limitations when going to buy parcels. Verde Coalition along with Tim Allen presented this idea of an independent vehicle to buy parcels for park space. Pocket parks are a great idea – our challenge is the put the resources into maintaining these parks.

John Walsh is suing the CRA. City Council and his own employer – LAUSD to stop them from taking any property – Everyone is talking about the CRA so he proposes: John Walsh vs Eric Garcetti – to resolve that the CRA be disbanded Do you accept the challenge? “Yes – and I’ll start the debate.” We need to be helpful and give people a chance. The CRA has over-emphasized the mega projects at the risk of the housing. Poor areas will never get what they deserve. He gave a brief description of what the CRA is.

Parking along Carlton Way. It took three to four months to get your office’s attention. The mayor’s office responded immediately. Garcetti apologized for the lack of responsiveness. He has a new district director in his office. Also, his field office is open every other Saturday and he is there to listen to neighbor’s concerns.

Jessica (apartment manager on Tamarind) is having problems with Cal Trans not taking care of the illegal dumping. They don’t respond to her calls. She sweeps her street when it gets dirty yet there is not parking on a certain day of the week. Tickets are given but no street sweeper comes. Senior Citizens are back there all the time – it’s not safe. Sweeping needs to happen. But every area should be swept. CalTrans needs to be involved with that. Things aren’t going to get better because of the budget but Mr. Garcetti says he’ll get on it. (Senior Lead Officer, Maria, says that Rossevelt McCourt is our CalTrans rep.)

Chris Shabel has a problem with BID rules saying that they are not democratic. Garcetti is hands off about BIDs – he doesn’t get involved because they are quasi democratic and it’s almost like telling people how to vote. He explained briefly what BIDs are and how they work. He says that he believes that better notice needs to be given to tenants because they are stakeholders in the area. Since BIDs are mandated by State law, it’s best to talk to our State reps. A more balanced formula needs to be used to evaluate assessment amount.

Mike asked about giving an incentive to the landlord to take pride in their properties. He and Mary keep things clean. But there are still properties that need to improve. Eric mentioned Neighborhood matching grants – community groups say “we want to do this improvement” but the neighbors need to match it in sweat equity. CRA money – community groups need to access that money – if you have a bad landlord the building inspectors will site them.

Jordan Birnbaum, Owner of Q-topia:

Fran acknowledged Jordan for his generosity opening his facility to the neighbors and providing beverages. Jordan says Thanks to Maria for helping with the quality of life issues and thanks to Eric Garcetti for listening to us.

He told the group about the hearing to renew his permit to do business and how much support he got from the various members of the group. He believes that he will get the ability to continue doing business here and having these great meetings. He wants to have the group consider doing a possible fundraiser to raise money for any project that the neighbors feel they need to make things better. He would open his facility for such an event.

Maripat lead the public comment session:

· John Walsh wants people to vote for Angelyne for governor.

· Jessica wants to see a pedestrian light installed at St. Andrews and Hollywood. Fran said that the DOT is studying it. Steve Whiddon says it’s about 6 months away. Jessica was encouraged to call the DOT anyhow and express her concern over the safety there and the need for a light right away. Jessica will call the DOT.

· Chris announced the Luncheon with Hollywood Vine Association on Monday at the Assistance League. Also the Hollywood Together NC is now calling themselves “Hollywood Entertainment District NC” and will be attending the luncheon.

· Helen and Rosa on Carlton says that the red paint has crumbled and people are parking where they shouldn’t. The DOT will repaint the curb but it takes a long time. Some folks suggested she renew the red paint herself. Helen will call the DOT.

Maripat announced the next meeting on Wed. August 27^th at 7pm. We will discuss elections of officers at that time.