MINUTES
MVNA Board of Directors
MARCH 5, 2008
The board of MVNA met at the home of Bryan Gordon on March 5, 2008, at 7 p.m.
Dan Jackson presided at the meeting and called it to order at 7:15. Present
were Dan Jackson, Susan Black-Feinstein, John Houck, Bryan Gordon, Rob
Kadota, Renee Marcus, Michael Millman. Not present were Victor Paddock,
Cary Gordon, Steve Boskin and Roseann Herman.
1. Treasurer's report: Susan reported that the treasury has a total of
$5,711. There are 201 paid up memberships. Postcards to all households
not up to date will be mailed in May by Treasurer. It was decided that no
IRS filing need to be done, as our income is far below the minimum annual
incomeof $25,000 which requires filing. Rob suggested we make a proposal
to MVCC's outreach (Steve Boskin) for $1000 to print extra copies of the
newsletter to distribute to apartment dwellers.
2. City commendation certificate to MVNA: was shared for MVNA
participation and donation to the grand opening celebration at Mar Vista Fire
House 62. It was decided to have a bulletin board at the picnic to allow
MVNA members to see what the organization is doing for community. The
commendation, along with other correspondence will be posted on it (i.e. thank
you note from Craig White - Police Unity Tour, etc).
3. Newsletter: John Houck asked how many copies of Spring Newsletter
should be printed. It was decided 1500 copies. Rob Kadota will write
a little blurb on "Mayor's Day of Service" with photos and submit by 3/16.
Susan and Bryan are working out a schedule for delivery of newsletter bundles to
Block Captains. Michael Millman will pick up the newsletters from the Printer.
Susan will bundle; and Bryan, Susan, Roseann, Michael and (Cary Gordon? )will
deliver to block Captains.
4. Website: We discussed the progress, or lack of thereof toward
an online newsletter, e-mailing list. Vanessa Rosemund & Cary Gordon who
originally suggested this, have fallen off with other work responsibilities and
Dan suggested that we try to get back on track. Rob suggested Constant
Contact for our e-mail lists. Rob/Dan will work on this.
New website is not yet up due to transferring problems. Old website is
still working.
The mass e-mailing about the lost dog last month ended very successfully and
rapidly, as the dog was found within hours of the e-mail going out.
Great success.
Note to John H.: The Board voted in February to donate $50 toward the Annual
Police Bike Ride in June 2008 on behalf of Craig White (which has been
acknowledged) . In February, we also agreed that the newsletter will mention
the Ride and how to contribute ( Policy Unity Tour c/oOfficer Terrie Akune,
LAPD Pacific Division 12312 Culver Blvd., Los Angeles, 90066- checks made out
to Police Unity Tour).
Dan Reported he received a thank you e-mail from Beth Moreno for the $100 to Mar
Vista Land Preservation toward the work it does to beautify the community.
5. Block Party: June 21 was the date selected (Summer Solstice
Day). Barry Avenue was selected as the venue. We voted to email all block
captains, asking them to sign up for a shift doing something. Dan will write
something about the block party for the April newsletter. Renee suggested
little blurbs throughout the newsletter....i.e. - - Volunteers wanted to help
set up/clean up; donate items to silent auction; Save the Date: We
will distribute flyers just before the party. We will explore the idea of gift
cards to places in the neighborhood as a thank-you for participating. Rob
is looking into getting lawn signs - $200 for 50 signs, that could possibly be
reusable.. sending out a mass e-mail 2 weeks prior to event. Susan will
contact Fire and Police Dept. to invite (Note: SLO Tom Wicks is on
vacation till 3/18). Dan/Rob others to invite dignitaries, and Rob to
invite two (B. Parks and M.R. Thomas) candidates running for County Supervisor.
Contact entertainment: Bryan.
6. MAYOR'S DAY OF SERVICE : Rob talked about the Day of Service coming up
on March 15. Mar Vista Park will be able to host that day, with check in
starting at 7 -8 a.m. Be at clean up sites by 9, and return to Park at
noon for lunch, congrats, etc. (Again: Rob/Steve will write a quick blurb with
pictures asap and submit to John H. for inclusion in Spring MV View)
7. MVCC: Discussion on Community Issues - We spoke about open
spaces and being open to thinking of ideas for master plan without folks jumping
on the NIMBY stance. Bryan went to a City of LA Bikeway LA public planning
meeting. How to make change.
We discussed Regions of Trash, where we could have local sorting areas, improve
waste management with less packaging, how much we buy, getting to "zero
waste...or damn near" .. Bob/Bryan discussed how many companies are in the
forefront of recycling, i.e., the construction industry (recycling of
rebar/drywall/ cement, etc) and some technology companies that are zero waste.
Michael reported on a very well attended attended meeting the first week
in February regarding Renters' Rights and affordable housing. Included
essential terms renters should request in their leases. There were six
speakers including Steve Claire - Venice Housing corp; Larry Gross, Renters'
Rights; Housing Dept and Zoning reps from City, etc. Lincoln Place issues were
discussed as well.
Rob took a tour of the new West Los Angeles Animal Shelter, and said it is
fabulous. We should all go to see it. MVCC newsletter will be coming
out shortly and it will include a survey regarding SM airport noise.
Please take the survey and submit. Tuesday, March 11th there will be MVCC
meeting to discuss:
1) Los Angeles City Council Proposed Anti-Mansionization Ordinance:
2) Digital Billboards:
3) Cell Phone Towers:
4) Pico/Olympic Traffic Flow Plan:
5) NCRC Recommends Changes for Neighborhood Councils, Including New
Election Procedures:
Also, regarding the Mar Vista Rec. Center, there was very good news. The
existing soccer field fence IS being moved, and a new fence will be installed
right around the field, so there will be a jogging path outside the field
and exercize equipment will be installed. A/C and Heating will be installed
inside the buildings, bathrooms updated, etc. This all happened,
with a lot of discussion and compromise of everyone's needs. Rob has good reason
to be proud of the outcome.
Dan Jackson thanked everyone for the Dream Dinners that we contributed to his
family during his recovery from surgery.
Meeting adjourned at 8:50pm
Next meeting: Cary Gordons home at 7 p.m. on April 2nd.
Respectfully submitted,
Susan Black-Feinstein
Treasurer