Valley Glen Association Meeting Minutes

Officers in attendance: Peer Ghent, President; Stephen Gonzalez, 2nd Vice President; Mickey Jannol, Treasurer; Judy Price, Secretary. Specials guests: Evan Roosevelt, Field Deputy for Councilmember Wendy Greuel; Abigail Greenspan, Planning Deputy for Councilmember Wendy Greuel; Tamar Galatzan, Neighborhood Prosecutor for Van Nuys; Brian Sottile, Neighborhood Prosecutor for North Hollywood; Anthony Cabunoc, LAPD Senior Lead (Van Nuys). The attendance was approximately 55 people.

"Meet and Greet" with refreshments was at 6:30 P.M.

President Peer Ghent called the meeting to order at 7:10 P.M. After welcoming all, he asked for first time attendees to introduce themselves. There were three new people.

Secretary Judy Price indicated that hard copies of the minutes for the General Meeting, April 18, 2006 and the Executive Board meeting, May 16, 2006 were available at the sign-in table or on the website www.valleyglen.org. She also reminded everyone about the VGNA website store with merchandise for Valley Glen at www.valleyglenstore.com and that the association makes money from the sales.

Treasurer Mickey Jannol gave a financial report. There is $3785. in the checking account. He reminded everyone of the $20. for sponsorship per household and that the funds support the efforts of the Association such as the newsletter and Adopt A Family.

Evan Roosevelt, Deputy for Wendy Greuel gave an update on Councilmember Greuel's activities and then introduced Abigail Greenspan, Planning Deputy. Ms. Greenspan spoke about issues coming up in Valley Glen including the ICO (Interim Control Ordinance) on Mansionization, an HPOZ (Historical Preservation Overlay Zone) request for the Delano/Bessemer/Greenbush area, and a petition to close a pathway Erwin St. to Debby at Sunnyslope. President Ghent indicated that there would be community meetings on the issues for feedback from the residents.

North Hollywood Neighborhood Prosecutor, Brian Sottile gave an overview of the Neighborhood Prosecutor Program. There are 19 City Attorneys assigned to police divisions throughout the city. They deal with local quality of life issues in and for the community. Currently, problems in North Hollywood include a transient problem at the Valley Plaza Park (Whitsett) that was resolved by closing the park, the successful prosecution of an individual for cutting down trees on public parkways which involved restitution of $2600. and probation. Answering complaints about the recycling center behind Cambridge Farms, he indicated that they sent out inspectors and the site is not in violation.

Tamar Galatzan, Neighborhood Prosecutor for Van Nuys, gave an update on the recycling center at Hazeltine and Victory. They are now up for revocation of their license due to Building and Safety violations and Q condition violations. Also, the bail bonds on Victory will close in June.

Public question and comment involved pit bulls on the loose on Erwin near Fulton; political signage on public property which is against the law in L.A. and that the NP's usually send a letter to the candidate giving 3 days to comply with removal or criminal charges will be filed for each sign; and concerns over the ongoing shopping cart issue.

Senior Lead Anthony Cabunoc then gave a crime update for Valley Glen including car break-ins and home burglaries.

President Ghent then called a brief break. Door prizes were given.

An update was then given on the Valley Plaza/May Co. property development which is being vigorously fought by the immediate neighborhood and the Laurel Grove Neighborhood Association due to density concerns, infrastructure issues such as diluting services by the police, fire department, schools, traffic, etc. The proposed development by Jerry Snyder on the May Co. site would be for 734 apartments, 6 stories high (70% rentals) and 196 condos, 4 stories high, 120 town homes, 3 stories high (30% ownership). The Valley Plaza site would be developed with commercial uses including retail, restaurants, one-story multiplex cinema and a full service gas station.

Judy Price and Mickey Jannol then gave an update on the Greater Valley Glen Council and the Budget Survey. All were asked to participate in taking the survey to help the council set the priorities for the fiscal year 2007.

Under Old Business, an update on the Tujunga Wash - the work has gone out for bids. They should be awarded soon. The east side of the wash is scheduled for completion by March 2007 and the west side by August.

The Targeted Neighborhood Initiative (TNI)/Neighborhood Block Grant (NBG) - the Fulton sidewalks have been completed, the Bassett Street lighting started and the business façade at Fulton and Vanowen is due to start by the end of the year.

President Ghent then promoted the annual picnic scheduled for Sunday September 17. (Secretary's note: It has since been postponed to Sunday, October 22.)

Under New Business, Leo Weltman, founder and artistic director of Fools Brigade Theater Company, promoted the Improv Theater Workshop and their work with at risk teenagers. His nonprofit is soliciting funding support to keep the program going.

The meeting was adjourned at 9:38 P.M. Minutes by Judy Price, Secretary

Attendees: Peer Ghent, President (C); Mickey Jannol, Treasurer (A); Judy Price, Secretary (C);

President Peer Ghent called the meeting to order at 7:20 P.M.

President Ghent then announced Soraya Dosaj's resignation from the Executive Board and as editor of the newsletter and as web mistress. All expressed appreciation for Soraya's work and her dedication to the VGNA and community.

Judy Price indicated that hard copies of the minutes for the previous general meeting and board meeting were available at the sign-in table.

Mickey Jannol gave the Treasurer's report. Currently there is $3300. in the treasury which includes $1000. encumbered for the nonprofit filing. He recommended, and the board agreed, to release the funds back to the general fund.

He then reported on the Budget Survey conducted in Greater Valley Glen by the GVGC. The purpose was to get community feedback on how the council should spend the $50,000. per year. The results, although not scientific, were: clean-up blighted areas - 75%; town hall meetings - 61%; fund public schools - 61%; LAPD/LAFD - 57%; regular mailers - 53%.

Jannol then gave a Valley Glen Community Park update and the remaining Quimby funds of $65,000. Previously there was $120,000. but funds were used for new benches and irrigation repair and replacement. He suggested a community meeting to get input on how the remaining funds should be spent at the park.

Price gave a mansionization update and that there would be a town hall meeting sponsored by Wendy Greuel, the VGNA and the GVGC for the community to discuss the issue. An Interim Control Ordinance (ICO) is being proposed by the VGNA and GVGC to put a moratorium on the building of large houses on small lots. The date is to be determined. (Secretary's note: The date has been set for Wed., Sept. 27, 7:00 P.M., Monarch Hall, Valley College.)

Price then gave an update on the proposed mixed-use development by Dasher-Lawless on Victory. Christopher Alan is working with the city to have retail on both the lst and 2nd floor. The city is resisting retail on the 2nd floor. He will keep us informed as he works through the city bureaucracy.

The issue of the proposed subdivision at 6220 N. Allott Avenue was then discussed. Ghent gave the background and how the VGNA had previously written a letter of support for the subdivision. Jannol made a motion to rescind the letter of support issued by the VGNA last October. Ghent made a friendly amendment which was accepted .."that it has come to our attention that the majority of homeowners on Allott have opposed this proposed subdivision on the basis that it would change the character of the neighborhood; therefore the Executive Board is rescinding the letter of support." Ayes were Levy, Jannol, Pajuelo, Ferelli and Case. Ghent and Price abstained.

A "Q" condition violation was then raised by Price who has contacted Evan Roosevelt (Deputy, CD2) to check into. It is Duende's Bar at the corner of Fulton and Vanowen. It has been closed since last fall but now has metal bars across the door.

An update was then given on the Debby pathway petition for vacation. Abigail Greenspan (Planning Deputy, CD2) is recommending a community meeting to determine whether the residents want to close the pathway or not.

Price gave a Target Neighborhood Initiative (TNI)/Neighborhood Block Grant (NBG) update. The Fulton Sidewalks are finally near completion, the Bassett Street lighting underway and the Fulton/Vanowen store facades improvement out for bids and expected to start by the end of the year.

Ghent indicated that he would be checking with Evan Roosevelt regarding the status of the Matching Grant for potted plants in front of the retail stores at Victory and Coldwater.

The issue of the graffiti riddled mural behind Walgreens on Victory was discussed. It was a community effort over 10 years ago and some believe it was coated with special paint for easy graffiti removal. Price indicated she would discuss the possibility of the city doing a power wash with Evan Roosevelt.

President Ghent indicated that he would discuss with Soraya Dosaj about turning over the newsletter and/or if she would do the next issue to complete the year.

Ghent indicated that he would follow up with the Grid Reps regarding the VGNA picnic and the need for their help.

Ghent and Price gave an update on the Vallarta shopping cart issue. They, along with Evan Roosevelt, met with John Marquis, General Manager, at the Vallarta corporate offices in San Fernando. Mr. Marquis indicated that they had stepped up the collection of the carts to twice a day, once in the morning and at the end of the day. They are also collecting other vendor's carts in order to help the blight in the community.

The need for updating the VGNA large map for the meetings was discussed. Dana Ferelli indicated that she would tackle the job.

Neighborhood complaints about a pitbull problem on Erwin was discussed. It was determined that the VGNA should send a letter to the upcoming Animal Control hearing supporting the concerns of the neighbors and the dangerous situation for children as they walk to school.

Jannol then announced the upcoming National Night Out at Valley Glen Community Park on Tuesday, Aug. 1. There will be a barbeque and a flashlight walk around the park led by the SLO's George Flores and Dax Martin. Fliers will be distributed.

Other announcements included Mayor Antonio R. Villaraigosa's Education Reform Town Hall meeting, Thurs. 8/3, 4:30-7:00 p.m, Valley College Monarch Hall; Councilmember Wendy Greuel's annual picnic, Sat. 9/9, 11:00-2, Van Nuys/Sherman Oaks park; Greuel's Children's Health Fair, Sat. 10/7, 10:00a.m.-2:00p.m., Valley Plaza Rec. Center, 6451 Saint Clair Ave., No. Hollywood.

The meeting was adjourned at 9:20 P.M. Minutes by Judy Price, Secretary.

In attendance: Peer Ghent, President; Mickey Jannol, Treasurer; Judy Price, Secretary, Asta Criss, Mirna Pajuelo, Carlos Ferreyra, CoLee Viedelle-Smith, Joel Rosenthal.

The meeting was held at the residence of Peer Ghent for the purpose of organizing the annual Valley Glen Picnic, Sunday, September 17, 2006 (Secretary's note: the date has since been changed to Sunday, October 22).

It was determined that it would also be a chili cook-off to be called The First Annual Valley Glen Community Chili Cook-Off and Picnic. The logistics for this were discussed including the need for electricity and that entrants should be encouraged to bring their chili in crock pots. Judges will be secured with prize(s) to be determined.

Various assignments were discussed regarding the food, equipment, raffle prizes, officials, police, fire truck, kids moon bounce, etc.

Fliers will be designed and then distributed by an outside company to all homes in Valley Glen. Volunteers to help will be solicited within the Association.

Minutes by Judy Price, Secretary