Wendy Presents Motion to Toughen Mansionization Ordinance

Wendy Greuel will hold a press conference on Monday, January 29, 2007 at 10 a.m. regarding the motion she presented before City Council this past week directing the Department of Building and Safety and the City Attorney to report to the Planning and Land Use Committee (PLUM) within 30-days regarding attic space being including in the floor area calculation for properties subject to the mansionization ordinance and strengthening the City's ability to prosecute applicants who knowingly file false applications for building or grading permits.

NCRC News

Neighborhood Council Review Commission - 912 Commission
Currently reviewing the neighborhood council system. Attend an upcoming meeting to give comments regarding the future of neighborhood councils.

What is the purpose of neighborhood councils?
Neighborhood councils are intended to do two things: 1) promote more public participation in government; and 2) make government more responsive to local needs.

Why do I need a neighborhood council?
In a city as large as Los Angeles, many people felt their voices weren’t being heard at City Hall. Neighborhood Councils were created as a way to improve that. They are intended to provide a forum for raising local issues, as well as providing a way to comment on city-wide matters.

Next Public Hearing
PUBLIC HEARING 5 - EAST
January 25th from 6:30PM - 9:30PM
Puente Learning Center
501 S. Boyle Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90033

Meetings in February 2007

POWERS AND ROLES OF NCS 3
February 1st at 6:30PM
Metropolitan Water District Headquarters Building

PUBLIC HEARING 6 - SOUTH VALLEY
February 6th from 6:30PM - 9:30PM
Erwin Street School
13400 Erwin Street
Van Nuys, CA 91401

PUBLIC HEARING 7 - CENTRAL
February 15th from 6:30PM - 9:30PM
Le Conte Middle School
1316 N. Bronson Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90028

GOVERNANCE SYSTEM 1
February 20th at 6:30PM
Metropolitan Water District Headquarters Building

For more info visit the ncrcla.org web site

Meeting Recap - Jan. 10, 2007

At the January STNC meeting we saw 157 neighbors in attendance. Lydia Grant, STNC District 4, gave a presentation to outstanding teachers in the Sunland-Tujunga schools. The students from Sunland Runners Club showed up in force to honor and applaud their teachers which included: Bobbie Peterson and Kelly Garnett of the Victory Club (Volunteers in Community to Represent Youth), which raises money from recycling aluminum cans for several charities. Charities include the Ronald McDonald Club, L.A. Mission, UNICEF, the Troops in Iraq, senior citizen groups, and Special Olympics. The community can help support the students' upcoming trainings for the L.A. Marathon in March with by purchasing water and Gatorade for the kids. The other awards were: parent Tony Radice, Teacher Assistant Michael Ritchie, parent Andy Aranda, and teachers Jennifer Mazanet, Jeremy Hules and Craig Moss. Moss spoke about SRLA, which is helping get the kids involved in fitness. They will be participating in a running event at the Rose Bowl in January and hope to win the top prize, as they have in previous years.

Welcome to the STNC Board: Ricky Grubb has been appointed as Environmental Representative. Ricky said his main interest at Environmental rep is in preserving native plant species. His affiliation is with the Sierra Club.

The STNC Elections are in full swing. All 21 board seats are up for election. Here's a list of the upcoming STNC Election events. If you are interested in running for the STNC Board, please attend one of the events below and file your application by Feb. 17, 2007.

CANDIDATE
INFORMATION SESSIONS
Attend one of these sessions to find out how to run for a seat on the board:
Monday, January 22, 2007 • 6:30-7:30 p.m.
North Valley Neighborhood City Hall
7747 Foothill Blvd., Tujunga

Monday, February 12, 2007 • 6:30-7:30 p.m.
North Valley Neighborhood City Hall
7747 Foothill Blvd., Tujunga

STNC CANDIDATE
FILING DEADLINE
Monday, February 17, 2007 at 5:00 p.m.

CANDIDATE FORUMS
Meet the candidates - ask questions
Thursday, March 8, 2007 • 7:00 – 8:30 p.m.
Mt. Gleason Middle School
10965 Mt. Gleason Avenue, Sunland

Wednesday, March 14, 2007 • 7:00 – 8:30 p.m.
Mt. Gleason Middle School
7747 Foothill Blvd., Tujunga

CANDIDATE MIXER
Saturday, March 10, 2007 • 10 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
North Valley Neighborhood City Hall
7747 Foothill Blvd., Tujunga

STNC ELECTION DAY
Monday, March 19, 2007
North Valley Neighborhood City Hall
7747 Foothill Blvd. - Tujunga
Polls Open from 4:00 – 8:00 p.m.

For more info visit the stnc.org web site

Keep America Beautiful Kick Off is March 3, 2007

Save The Date
Keep LA Beautiful Campaign Kick off the Great American Clean up
March 3, 2007
Steps of City Hall - Spring Street side
8:00 a.m. to 10:00 am - kick off rally
10:00 am to 1:00 pm - project participation
1:00 -2:00 pm * lunch

This year the City of Los Angeles will take a historic step in an effort to clean up the city. We will join "Keep America Beautiful" and start our own campaign. The message is simple: Recycle, Reuse & Don't litter. The entire community is invited to this significant event, which will be launched in true LA style.

If you want to get involved in this event contact Ed at office@stnc.org for details

Next Design Advisory Committee Meeting will be Feb. 5th, 2007

DAC
Monday, February 5, 2007 at 7 p.m.
North Valley City Hall
Agenda will be posted soon

STNC Elections/Outreach Meeting

Monday, January 29, 2007 at 7 p.m.
Elections/Outreach Committee Meeting
North Valley Neighborhood City Hall
Come and find out what you can do to get candidates and voters out to the STNC Election on March 19, 2007
Agenda will be posted soon

State of the Horse Convention

This Saturday - January 27, 2007
Join us at the
State of the Horse Convention
Los Angeles Equestrian Center
480 Riverside Drive - Burbank 91506
STNC will have a table and coffee in the morning
Trails Congress is 9 a.m. - 12 noon
Speakers & Equitation 1-5 p.m.
For cost and more info visit www.stateofthehorse.org

STNC Elections Events

The STNC Elections are in full swing. All 21 board seats are up for election. Here's a list of the upcoming STNC Election events. If you are interested in running for the STNC Board, please attend one of the events below and file your application by Feb. 17, 2007.

CANDIDATE
INFORMATION SESSIONS
Attend one of these sessions to find out how to run for a seat on the board:
Monday, January 22, 2007 • 6:30-7:30 p.m.
North Valley Neighborhood City Hall
7747 Foothill Blvd., Tujunga

Monday, February 12, 2007 • 6:30-7:30 p.m.
North Valley Neighborhood City Hall
7747 Foothill Blvd., Tujunga

STNC CANDIDATE
FILING DEADLINE
Monday, February 17, 2007 at 5:00 p.m.

CANDIDATE FORUMS
Meet the candidates - ask questions
Thursday, March 8, 2007 • 7:00 – 8:30 p.m.
Mt. Gleason Middle School
10965 Mt. Gleason Avenue, Sunland

Wednesday, March 14, 2007 • 7:00 – 8:30 p.m.
Mt. Gleason Middle School
7747 Foothill Blvd., Tujunga

CANDIDATE MIXER
Saturday, March 10, 2007 • 10 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
North Valley Neighborhood City Hall
7747 Foothill Blvd., Tujunga

STNC ELECTION DAY
Monday, March 19, 2007
North Valley Neighborhood City Hall
7747 Foothill Blvd. - Tujunga
Polls Open from 4:00 – 8:00 p.m.

Neighborhood Council Review Commission - 912 Commission

Currently the commission is reviewing the neighborhood council system. Attend an upcoming meeting to give comments regarding the future of neighborhood councils.

What is the purpose of neighborhood councils?
Neighborhood councils are intended to do two things: 1) promote more public participation in government; and 2) make government more responsive to local needs.

Why do I need a neighborhood council?
In a city as large as Los Angeles, many people felt their voices weren’t being heard at City Hall. Neighborhood Councils were created as a way to improve that. They are intended to provide a forum for raising local issues, as well as providing a way to comment on city-wide matters.

Next Public Hearing
PUBLIC HEARING 5 - EAST
January 25th from 6:30PM - 9:30PM
Puente Learning Center
501 S. Boyle Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90033

Meetings in February 2007

POWERS AND ROLES OF NCS 3
February 1st at 6:30PM
Metropolitan Water District Headquarters Building

PUBLIC HEARING 6 - SOUTH VALLEY
February 6th from 6:30PM - 9:30PM
Erwin Street School
13400 Erwin Street
Van Nuys, CA 91401

PUBLIC HEARING 7 - CENTRAL
February 15th from 6:30PM - 9:30PM
Le Conte Middle School
1316 N. Bronson Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90028

GOVERNANCE SYSTEM 1
February 20th at 6:30PM
Metropolitan Water District Headquarters Building

For more info visit the ncrcla.org web site

STNC Recognizes S-T Teachers & Parents & Ricky Grubb Joins the Board

At the January STNC meeting we saw 157 neighbors in attendance. Lydia Grant, STNC District 4, gave a presentation to outstanding teachers in the Sunland-Tujunga schools. The students from Sunland Runners Club showed up in force to honor and applaud their teachers which included: Bobbie Peterson and Kelly Garnett of the Victory Club (Volunteers in Community to Represent Youth), which raises money from recycling aluminum cans for several charities. Charities include the Ronald McDonald Club, L.A. Mission, UNICEF, the Troops in Iraq, senior citizen groups, and Special Olympics. The community can help support the students' upcoming trainings for the L.A. Marathon in March with by purchasing water and Gatorade for the kids. The other awards were: parent Tony Radice, Teacher Assistant Michael Ritchie, parent Andy Aranda, and teachers Jennifer Mazanet, Jeremy Hules and Craig Moss. Moss spoke about SRLA, which is helping get the kids involved in fitness. They will be participating in a running event at the Rose Bowl in January and hope to win the top prize, as they have in previous years. Photo taken by John Blue, Media & Communications board member

Welcome to the STNC Board: Ricky Grubb has been appointed as Environmental Representative. Ricky said his main interest at Environmental rep is in preserving native plant species. His affiliation is with the Sierra Club.

STNC Elections

The STNC Election season is open. Its time to find out how you can run for a seat on the STNC board. All board seats are up for election. The first candidate information session is Monday, January 22, 2007 at 6:30 P.M. This is being held in advance of the DAC meeting. Hope you can join us! See the front page of the STNC web site for more details and copy of the flyer.

Involvement 2007 Event

As we start the new year in the San Fernando Valley, there is an event coming up that I think everyone should know about and attend...

The San Fernando Valley Jaycees is hosting their annual community engagement expo, "Involvement 2007." This is an event where all the community serving non-profits in the Valley are invited to come and show what they do and the general public (you) is invited to come find out ways you can get involved at helping other and the community. With over 150 Non-Profits in the Valley, there is something for everyone: youth services, education, animal welfare, environmental activities, poverty assistance, senior services - and everything in between!

Now, you may be fully engaged with the community already, but please bring your neighbors, co-workers, family, and anyone that may not realize how easy it is to get involved and give back. Perhaps you know a student looking to learn about a field or get experience as an intern - bring them along, too! The community groups present will have ways to get involved as a volunteer, supporter, and even board member. (Also, this is a great opportunity for you to network with other community-minded people and organizations to further the development of a strong community here in the Valley.)


The San Fernando Valley Jaycees
present
"Involvement 2007"
Join us at our annual community involvement expo to
learn how to get involved with and meet the various nonprofit
and community groups that serve the Valley.
Wednesday, January 31, 2007
6:00pm to 8:00pm
Braude Constituent Center
6262 Van Nuys Bl. * Van Nuys

Special presentation at 7pm by
Councilmember Tony Cardenas
and Wendy Saunders, Executive Director, Mid Valley Family YMCA
How to get involved

RSVP to involvement@SFVJaycees.org
For more information, call 818-384-1622

Refreshments will be provided.
Free Parking beneath the Braude Center (if you enter off of Sylvan Street)

Sponsored by
Telesis Community Credit Union

Save March 3, 2007 - Great American Clean-Up Day

LOS ANGELES (January 19, 2007) - Neighborhood Council leaders recently unanimously elected two of their colleagues to sit on the City of Los Angeles Keep Los Angeles Beautiful Advisory Board, Board of Public Works President Cynthia Ruiz, announced. Suzanne Simmons of the Park Mesa Heights Community Council and Candido Marez of the Van Nuys Neighborhood Council will represent the City‚s Neighborhood Council‚s on the board. A group of 15 board advisors, chaired by the Public Works Board President, will steer City projects in the annual Keep American Beautiful campaign: The Great American Clean up, March 1 to May 31.
Under the umbrella of Keep American Beautiful, our program Keep Los Angeles Beautiful project will focus on picking up trash, recycling, painting out graffiti and planting trees,‰ said Ruiz. "We will launch the campaign with a kick off of the Great American Clean up on Saturday, March 3, at Los Angeles City hall." Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, elected City officials, a White House representative and the national director of Keep American Beautiful will participate.
Projects that day will take place in downtown Los Angeles and at Echo Park Lake and include picking up litter, planting trees and flowers at fire stations, schools, and homeless shelters, and painting out graffiti at various locations.
Keep America Beautiful is a national non-profit organization founded in 1953 with more than 550 affiliates nationwide. Its mission is to engage individuals to take greater responsibility for litter prevention, waste reduction, and beautification to improve communities and environments. The annual Great American Clean Up is in its 22nd year nationwide with an estimated 2.5 million volunteers and some 30,000 events in 15,000 communities.
The Public Works Department is the third largest municipal agency in the City. With more than 5,700 employees and an annual budget of more than $1 billion, DPW is responsible for construction, renovation and operation of public facilities and infrastructure. For more information about the Department of Public Works call the Public Works Public Affairs Office at (213) 978-0333, or email: PAO@lacity.org. The website address is: www.lacity.org/DPW/dpwhome.

Board of Public Works Meeting and Neighborhood Councils

Improve your neighborhood while participating in a nationwide celebration.

We are all looking for ways to motivate and involve our stakeholders to help in improving our environment. A famous, nationwide organization has chosen Los Angeles to kick off its 2007 Campaign. This will mean attention by the national press, additional grants for projects by major sponsors, competitions with other cities, and involvement by individuals and organizations from throughout Los Angeles.

Your Neighborhood Council will want to be involved in these fun-filled and productive events, and you will want to create events of your own to tie your neighborhood to this nationwide extravaganza.

The President of the Los Angeles Board of Public Works, Ms. Cynthia Ruiz, extends a VIP invitation to all interested members of your Neighborhood Council to a meeting in City Hall, Board of Public Works Hearing Room, Room 350 on the Third Floor of City Hall, on Saturday, January 13, 2007, from 10 a.m. to Noon.  You will want to be a part of this, so RSVP to David Mays, Liaison to Neighborhood Councils, by return email (David.Mays@lacity.org) or call 213 978-0204.

STNC 2006 - A Year in Review

The STNC 2006 board hit the ground running with a special meeting held on December 29, 2005 to present a list of streets in our community needing desperate repair.  Status on these repairs are pending.  We hope the City will be able to return with another program of its kind in the future.

Monthly STNC board meetings started off great with our first meeting hitting an all time high of 190 in attendance.  Since then we've averaged about 100 per board meeting. Year-after-year our neighborhood council participation continues to increase in Sunland-Tujunga. Our dedicated community, board, outreach efforts, structure and volunteers who help pull our meetings together make the difference.

Thank you to stakeholder Elsa Waters for conducting two leadership training sessions for the STNC board.   Out of those sessions came many ideas for working together as a board and improving the STNC including opportunities for participating and supporting all community events, intelligent discussions before taking a vote and participation by more stakeholders in the issues that effect them.

The board took a bold position asking that a proposed development at 11130-60 Oro Vista receive a full Environmental Impact Report (EIR) instead of a Mitigated Negative Declaration (MND) due to the sensitivity of this land and rare protected habitat. After almost a year, the City will now hold a reconsideration hearing on January 9th, 2007 for the MND already issued.

The STNC continued with its emphasis on keeping neighbors informed with our monthly postcard mailing and e-mail notices.  The Foothills Paper offered space to the STNC where I have submitted bi-monthly articles and updates on neighborhood and citywide issues. I have continued with these updates on the STNC web site and  the new North Valley Reporter.  Just this month, the newly designed STNC web site will be unveiled in an effort to make the site more easy to navigate and user-friendly. Check it out in January at www.stnc.org . New features include a documents library, extended calendar of STNC events, links to resources and other information.

Since 2004, when we first heard that our long standing K-Mart store would be closing, the STNC has taken a lead role in keeping the community informed and involved in the future of this site. The STNC 2006 board has continued to support the community, businesses, No2Home Depot Campaign and Councilmember Wendy Greuel in opposing a Home Depot in Sunland. This site was part of the bankruptcy proceeding where Home Depot Corporation acquired 24 K-Mart stores throughout the country.   This year the STNC sought and won support of neighboring neighborhood councils to join in our opposition.  Just this past week both myself and Victor Castro spoke before the City Council regarding the "piecemealing" of the tenant improvement permits that have been issued to Home Depot. Piecemealing is not acceptable and must be halted immediately. Since our appearance at City Council, Councilmember Wendy Greuel has sent a copy of STNC's letter to the Dept. of Building and Safety hoping that "the totality of the issues raised will be sufficient to revoke all permits issued". In addition, Councilmember Greuel is in direct communication with Gail Goldberg, City Planning Director on this issue. A public hearing is scheduled for January 19th to hear the appeal filed by the No2 Home Depot Campaign.

The Design Advisory Committee (DAC) committee experienced a change in leadership this year with Victor Castro appointed as DAC Chairman. New stakeholder volunteers, Vic Aghakhanian and Saro Minassian have also been appointed to this committee. Outreach has expanded to include contact with neighbors surrounding proposed developments, STNC representation at various public hearings, working with our City Planning representative, presenters and Councilmember Wendy Greuel's staff. DAC meetings are held twice a month. Attendance at our DAC (land use) meetings has increased 71%* over 2005.

Deadly traffic accidents, erratic drivers and traffic congestion are major concerns to Sunland-Tujunga residents and business owners. The STNC has heard from LAPD, LAPD Valley Traffic and Dept. of Transportation (DOT) reps this year to learn more about the City's process and what can be done to help us. Although not a part of STNC recommendation, speed humps and bumps were installed on various side streets in an effort to slow people down.  The STNC's Safety Committee worked with neighbors on Summitrose and adjacent streets to install a stop sign at McClemont and Summitrose by hosting meetings for the neighbors. Pending, proposed and in progress developments along Tujunga Canyon Blvd. prompted the DAC/STNC to request  a traffic impact study be done for this major artery in and out of our community. This item is currently in review by the DOT and will come before the City's Transportation Committee in a few weeks.

The Bylaws committee has submitted STNC Bylaws Tier 1 changes to the Department of Neighborhood Empowerment (DONE) for approval. The committee is now in the process of researching changes to the STNC committee and board structure.  Work on this committee continues and you are welcome to participate. The Bylaws Committee has also drafted a set of Standing Rules including a Code of Civility.  STNC formed an Audit Committee to review and make recommendations to the recently released City Controller's audit of DONE.

The STNC joined with Sun Valley Area, Foothill Trails District and Pacoima Neighborhood Councils to share in the cost of a License Plate Recovery System for the LAPD Foothill Division. Several other neighborhood councils have picked up on this effort with the LAPD throughout the City as well. This combined effort helps our community and gives us the opportunity to work together on common issues.

STNC participated in the selection of a representative to the City's 912 Commission by voting one of our own stakeholders to go on to the North Valley Planning area selection process. I now serve with 28 other commissioners throughout the City to review the neighborhood council system as required by the City Charter.  Public hearings are being held throughout the city, surveys are being taken and a report is due to the City Council by end of summer 2007.  On a related note, Mark Seigel, Scouting rep became DONE certified as an Independent Election Administrator (IEA) working with NCs throughout the city on their board elections.

The STNC participated in the Mayor's Day of Service by working with the Mayor's office and Council District 2 on details for clean-ups around Sunland-Tujunga some of which included Commerce Avenue, Foothill/Commerce and painting of the Tujunga and Sunland post office walls.

STNC board members have been active in the community. Lightpole banners will soon be installed on Foothill Blvd. thanks to the efforts of the Outreach Committee with Dan McManus, District 4 rep/Outreach Committee Chairman. District reps David Cain and Janet Linsalato have met with neighbors about concerns in their neighborhoods with trash and development, attended public hearings and have participated in events promoting the spirit and history of our community. Business representative Saro Minassian has helped local businesses with their issues directing them to the right department and getting striping for parking installed. Richard Stewart, Inter Faith representative has recognized the good in our community with Community Service Awards to local churches for their work with homeless issues and our youth.

The above is just a part of the STNC 2006 year.  Look for more in a future issue.  A tremendous thank you to Sunland-Tujunga's stakeholders who participate and attend our meetings.  Happy New Year!