Minutes Detail
Monday, January 12th, 2009

SHERMAN OAKS NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL
` MINUTES OF BOARD MEETING
January 12, 2009

The January 12, 2009 meeting held at the Auditorium of the Sherman Oaks Elementary School was called to order at 6:45 P.M. by President Jill Banks Barad. There was a standing room only attendance in the audience.

ATTENDANCE: There was a quorum based on the attendance of the following 13 members: Jill Banks Barad, Zach Behrens, Craig Buck, Malcolm Burman, Tom Capps, Marlene Goodman, Sidonia Lax, Richard Marciniak, Tapia Martinez-Russ, Laura Nash, Neal Roden, Ken Silk, and Anthony St John. The following 3 members were absent: Colleen McGurrin, Keitha Mills and Dave Rand

MINUTES The Minutes of the last Board meeting held on December 8, 2008 were presented and a motion was made, seconded and adopted without opposition to approve the Minutes.

INTRODUCTIONS The following persons were introduced:
1.. LAPD Senior Lead Officer George Aguilar who referred to theft of items left in cars as the biggest crime problem. An LAPD Van Nuys Community Police Area Senior Lead Officer Community Phone Roster was distributed.
2. Lexi Richards, deputy to Councilwoman Greuel, who informed members of a new fire station in Studio City.
3. Barry Stone, new DONE project coordinator, who informed members of events. A flyer on a Neighborhood Council Valley Training Day on January 24th at the Braude building was distributed.

PRESIDENT’S REPORT RESIGNATIONS AND APPOINTMENT OF BOARD MEMBERS
1. APPOINTMENT OF ANGELA HUTCHINSON The President announced her choice of Angela Hutchinson to fill the Area 4 Residential vacancy, Jill referred to Angela Hutchinson’s qualifications and the recommendation of approval by the Executive Committee. Angela introduced herself to the Board. The motion to approve the appointment was adopted without opposition. Ron Merkin, member of the Van Nuys Airport Community Advisory Council, swore Angela Hutchinson in and she, thereafter, participated increasing the attendance to 14.
2. RESIGNATION OF DAVID KRAUSE-LEEMON The President announced that David Krause-Leemon resigned as Area 3 residential member, due to work and child care commitments.
3. RESIGNATION OF LAURA NASH The President announced the resignation due to child care commitments of Laura Nash as Area 7 community interest member effective January l3th, (i.e. after this meeting).
4 DIFFERENT MEMBESHIP STATUS OF ANTHONY ST JOHN The President announced that Anthony John resigned as Area 7 residential representative and was appointed to succeed Laura Nash as Area 7 community interest member effective January 13th and this change in status was approved.
5. APPOINTMENT OF ARTHUR FIELDS The President announced her choice of Arthur Fields to fill the Area 7 residential representative vacancy that will be caused by the vacancy referred to in Paragraph 4 above. The President referred to Arthur Field’s qualifications and the approval of the Executive Committee. It was further stated this appointment would be effective at the next meeting on February 9th when Arthur Fields would be sworn in. Arthur Fields introduced himself to the Board. This appointment to be effective on February 9th was approved without opposition.

PUBLIC FORUM Candidates for City Attorney Noel Weiss and Carmen Trutanich spoke.

PARKS AND RECREATOIN COMMITTEE Craig Buck announced that the Parks and Recreation Committee recommended that SONC send a letter to Councilwoman Greuel supporting Castle Park’s request that the Building and
Safety Department approve the Park’s plan for a new sign. The Park Director spoke and there was discussion thereon. A picture of the proposed new sign was distributed. It was noted that the new sign constituted a variance and there was a need for approval thereof. The motion to send the letter was approved without opposition.

L.A. CITY MEASURE B The President noted a major issue in the March 3rd city election is Measure B regarding solar energy. She stated James Ungar had asked to speak in favor of the measure. However, he was not present and no other designated supporter was present. Noel Weiss spoke against Proposition B. Jeff Block, DWP representative of SONC also spoke against B. An article by Nick Patsaouras opposing Prop B was distributed. There was comment and discussion by the Board on this. A motion to oppose Proposition B was made and adopted with all members voting supporting the motion, except Kenneth Silk who abstained (to wit l3 yes, 0 opposed, l abstention).

PETITION TO CHANGE NAME OF PORTION OF AREA NORTH OF BURBANK BLVD. FROM VAN NUYS TO SHERMAN OAKS The President announced since there already had been a hearing on this matter, there would not be another presentation but only public comments, particularly regarding the questions raised at the last meeting. There were comments by proponents and opponents of the change. The supporters referred to their connection with Sherman Oaks and asserted that based on factors other then residence they were already stakeholders of Sherman Oaks. Supporters also contended their area had a common complexion and values to Sherman Oaks than Van Nuys. Opponents referred to the adverse effect the change would have on Van Nuys. Some supporters were permitted to yield their time to the primary supporters. The supporters distributed some pictures regarding this matter. The supporters asserted that the proposed change excluded the businesses on Van Nuys Blvd. known as “auto row.” Some supporters and opponents answered questions of Board members. The Board discussed this matter. A motion by Richard Marciniak to Approve to change the name of the designated area north of Burbank Blvd to Sherman Oaks was seconded but failed with a vote of Yes l (Marciniak), No 12 (Behrens, Burman, Capps, Goodman, Hutchinson, Lax, Martinez-Russ, Nash, Roden, Silk, St John and Barad ), and Abstain 1 (Buck). A motion to oppose the proposed name change was then made, seconded and adopted by a vote of 10 Yes (Burman, Capps, Goodman. Hutchinson, Lax, Martinez-Russ, Nash, Roden, St John and Barad), 1 No (Marciniak) and 3 Abstain (Behrens, Buck and Silk).

ANNOUNCEMENTS It was announced that there would be no LUC meeting next Monday, that the Westfield project would be considered at the next Board meeting on February 9, and there would be a Candidate’s Forum at the VANC meeting on February 12 at the Sherman Oaks Hospital.

TREASURY Malcolm Burman referred to over $110,000 balance and the President noted the City Council was considering placing uncommitted funds of councils in the city’s general fund.

ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at l0:00P.M.

Submitted by Kenneth Silk, Secretary