Minutes Detail
Monday, December 8th, 2008

SHERMAN OAKS NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL
MINUTES OF BOARD MEETING
December 8, 2008

The December 8, 2008 meeting held at the Auditorium of the Sherman Oaks Elementary School was called to order at 6:35 P.M. by President Jill Banks Barad.

ATTENDANCE There as a quorum based on the attendance of the following 15 members: Jill Banks Barad, Zach Behrens, Craig Buck, Malcolm Burman, Tom Capps, Sidonia Lax, Richard Marciniak, Colleen McGurrin, Keitha Mills, Laura Nash, Dave Rand, Neal Roden, Ken Silk and Anthony St John. The following 2 members were absent: Marlene Goodman, David Krause-Leemon.

MINUTES The minutes of the following meetings were presented: September 8, 2008, October 13, 2008 (at which there was a lack of quorum) and November 10, 2008 (at which no prior minutes were presented). In regard to each of the minutes there separate motions were made, seconded and adopted to approve the minutes.

INTRODUCTIONS The following persons were introduced:
1. LAPD Senior Lead Officer George Aguilar, who informed the members of a reconfiguration of the Sherman Oaks district next year which would make the district smaller and have only 2 lead officers.
2. Joan Pelico, deputy to Councilman Weiss, who informed the members of the status of the cameras and of action regarding illegal billboards.
3. Lexi Richards, deputy to Councilwoman Greuel, who
informed members of plans regarding a new senior center and about the security cameras.

PUBLIC FORUM There were statements by City Attorney candidate Michael Amerian and 5th District City Council candidate Adeena Bleich.

PRESIDENT’S REPORT Jill Barad informed the members of her appointment of Tom Capps as Co-Chair of the Outreach Committee. The other co-chair will be named shortly.

PROPOSED CHANGE OF NAME OF PORTION OF VAN NUYS TO SHERMAN OAKS. Jill Barad reported on a petition by Laurette Healey on behalf of certain Van Nuys residents to change the name of a portion of Van Nuys north of Burbank between Hazeltine and Sepulveda Blvd. to Sherman Oaks. She further stated that this was being submitted to the City Council and the response of SONC was officially requested as well as that of the Van Nuys Neighborhood Council

Laurette Healey spoke and distributed a map showing the area just north of Burbank that was included. She referred to support from residents of both the subject area and of Sherman Oaks. Several residents of the area as well as a Sherman Oaks resident spoke in favor of the proposal. There were also speakers against the proposal including Lydia Mather, the President of the Van Nuys Neighborhood, who spoke against the proposal and stated that the Van Nuys NC has not yet taken a position due to the number of recusals.Lydia presented a letter from Keyes Motors opposing the change which was read as part of the records.

Laurette Healey answered questions from the SONC Board members. The members discussed the proposal. A motion was made by Craig Buck to table the matter until the January meeting in order to obtain a more specific map, information about how businesses felt and in particular whether Keyes’s opposition would be affected by whether Keyes would or would not be in the area which would be renamed Sherman Oaks. The motion was adopted by a vote of :
7 Yes: Zach Behrens, Craig Buck, Tom Capps, Richard Marciniak, Dave Rand, Ken Silk and Jill Barad

6 No: Tapia Martinez-Russ, Colleeen McGurrin, Keitha Mills, Laura Nash, Neal Roden and Anthony St.John
1 Abstention (Malcolm Burman)
3 Absent (Marlene Goodman, David Krause-Leemon, Sidonia Lax).

LAND USE-Dave Rand gave updates on the following:
1. WESTFIELD, referring to the SONC Working Group
2. CHABAD, referring to a parking variance the zoning administrator granted allowing Chabad to have just 5 parking spaces. A motion was made and seconded to oppose this variance and a send a letter stating this opposition. The motion was adopted by the following vote:
12 Yes (Craig Buck, Malcolm Burman, Tom Capps, Richard Marciniak, Tapia Martinez-Russ, Colleen McGurrin, Keitha Mills, Laura Nash,, Neal Roden, Ken Silk, Anthony St John and Jill Barad)
2 No (Zach Behrens and Dave Rand)
3 Absent (Marlene Goodman, David Krause-Leemon and Sidonia Lax)

TREASURER’S REPORT Malcolm Burman gave an update and Richard Marciniak referred to the need to monitor expenses and have hard copies.

BY LAWS AMENDMENT: Second Reading. The President referred to the adoption of the proposed amendment of the By-Laws at the November meeting and the need for approval at a second reading She then called for a vote and all of the 13 members who were present (The 14 members referred to in the prior votes less Dave Rand who had subsequently left) voted for approval.

EDUCATION COMMITTEE There was reference to a proposal for Millikan Science Academy, which would be considered by the committee.

PARKS AND RECREATION COMMITTEE Craig Buck referred to the closure of the pool in the period December l5-January 4 and on Sundays, City plans for a shelter for the pool from the sun, plans for new benches and obtaining a thermometer.

WEBSITE Tom Capps gave an update on the website and obtaining needed pictures.

PUBLIC SAFETY Anthony St John referred to a presentation that was made to a training center at the Porter Ranch. He referred to the aid of the Sylmar Neighborhood Council in providing assistance regarding the recent fire and of the Chatsworth Neighborhood Council regarding the Metrolink crash. He also suggested combining an E-mail blast with that of the neighborhood watch.

ANNOUNCEMENTS were made regarding the following:
1. Valley Alliance of Neighborhood Councils Holiday Mixer on December 11, 2008, at CBS Studios, Studio City, starting at 6 p.m.
2. SONC Candidate Forum for the City Attorney, City Controller and City Council 5th District candidates on February 9, 2008.

BUDGET SURVEY Members were urged to complete the Budget Survey.

ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 9:25 P.M.

Submitted by Kenneth Silk, Secretary