Belmont Shore Residents Association
MINUTES
EXECUTIVE BOARD MEETING
August 11, 2016
The meeting was called to order by President Terence Endersen at 6:00 pm. Executive Board Members Ray Bradford, Aileen Colon and Julie Dean as well as Treasurer Robert O'Connor were present. 17 additional BSRA members and visitors were present. Vice President Max Alavi was absent.
The Executive Board voted for and approved the agenda for this meeting and the minutes of the June 09 and July 14 meetings.
Bay Shore Librarian Debi Vilander gave the Library Moment announcing:
The Summer Reading program is coming to an end and had over 300 participants. The Michelle Obama Neighborhood Library, the first new library to be built in North Long Beach since 1951, is scheduled to open at 10 a.m. Sept. 10 at 5870 Atlantic Ave. The library is planned to open on the former site of Atlantic Theater, and the old cinema’s spire has been incorporated into the branch’s architecture. According to Debi, the new library is enormous and gorgeous, has three community rooms, smaller meeting rooms, study areas and sufficient parking.
Debi showed the BSRA the Bay Shore Library’s new, efficient, very functional podium and projector which is set up for laptops, DVDs and more.
Please keep an eye on the library’s schedule online at: http://www.lbpl.org/events/special_events_calendar.asp, as they have many programs, including discussions with local authors.
Also, a reminder that the first Saturday of each month is Craft & Movie day at 3pm at the library, free of charge AND they are open on Sundays from 12:00-4:00pm.
LBPD East Division Commander Liz Griffin provided the following update:
Third District Councilwoman Price’s office updates:
Belmont Shore Business Association update:
Treasurer’s Report:
President’s Report:
BSRA Executive Board Member Julie Dean:
All comments must be submitted in writing (by email or mail) to Craig Chalfant and must be provided to the City by Monday, September 19, 2016. Please provide email comments to [email protected]. Please submit mailed comments to:
Craig Chalfant, Senior Planner
City of Long Beach
333 West Ocean Boulevard, 5th Floor
Long Beach, CA 90802
More information is available at this website: http://www.lbds.info/seadip_update/
Hard copies of the Hearing Draft Specific Plan and DEIR and supporting documents are also available at the following locations:
Parking Commission update:
New Business:
Public Comment:
The meeting was adjourned at 8:00pm
Submitted by:
Julie Dean, Executive Board
MINUTES
EXECUTIVE BOARD MEETING
August 11, 2016
The meeting was called to order by President Terence Endersen at 6:00 pm. Executive Board Members Ray Bradford, Aileen Colon and Julie Dean as well as Treasurer Robert O'Connor were present. 17 additional BSRA members and visitors were present. Vice President Max Alavi was absent.
The Executive Board voted for and approved the agenda for this meeting and the minutes of the June 09 and July 14 meetings.
Bay Shore Librarian Debi Vilander gave the Library Moment announcing:
The Summer Reading program is coming to an end and had over 300 participants. The Michelle Obama Neighborhood Library, the first new library to be built in North Long Beach since 1951, is scheduled to open at 10 a.m. Sept. 10 at 5870 Atlantic Ave. The library is planned to open on the former site of Atlantic Theater, and the old cinema’s spire has been incorporated into the branch’s architecture. According to Debi, the new library is enormous and gorgeous, has three community rooms, smaller meeting rooms, study areas and sufficient parking.
Debi showed the BSRA the Bay Shore Library’s new, efficient, very functional podium and projector which is set up for laptops, DVDs and more.
Please keep an eye on the library’s schedule online at: http://www.lbpl.org/events/special_events_calendar.asp, as they have many programs, including discussions with local authors.
Also, a reminder that the first Saturday of each month is Craft & Movie day at 3pm at the library, free of charge AND they are open on Sundays from 12:00-4:00pm.
LBPD East Division Commander Liz Griffin provided the following update:
- This past month there were several assaults, including:
- Outside of Dogz, a female trying to break up fight got in fight with security
- On a Movies on the Beach evening there were others throwing a football around; they accidentally hit a moviegoer and a fight started.
- A couple saw a homeless person commit a crime; they approached him and he attacked them
- A Shore resident who is very upset about the homeless followed a homeless person who then kicked the resident’s bike
- RQ: What can we do if we feel police are needed at a special beach event? A: If LB Special Events or LBPD feels we need security, then LB Special Events could require Alfredo’s to pay for police (on the beach, it must be police). Regarding the Sand Sculpture event, Alfredo’s had been advised they need 3 police officers because of previous issues. Also, if they sell alcohol, they have to have security
- Resident burglaries / B&E:
- Resident’s garage door was left open and a box of personal items was stolen
- Residential garage door was pried open and 3 bikes stolen
- Another resident’s garage door was pried open and bikes, laptop, clothes were stolen
- A garage door was forced open; CDs, hats & change were stolen from unlocked car
- An attached garage was left unlocked and jackets, speakers and sunglasses were stolen from the unlocked car
- Please keep your cars locked in your garage. Tweakers and drug addicts are wandering at night and use these stolen items as currency to get their drugs. We are not getting so many burglaries inside houses; more garages are being broken into now, so please lock garages, cars and bikes. For bikes, ULock work best
- Robberies:
- In front of Shannon’s, someone on a phone had their phone snatched from them
- Another situation near Shannon’s where a robber yelled “hey”, then tackled the victim, hit him on the head with a bottle and stole his iPhone
- There was a home invasion with special circumstances. It is an ongoing investigation and the Commander cannot go into further detail. Apparently the suspects and victim had some type of relationship and this is not a normal occurrence
- In July 2nd story apartment at Covina & Ocean, a car drove by, shot bullet, found bullet in apt
- No update on guy who broke out of LB Courthouse who cut off his ankle bracelet & left it in Carson
- Near 15th Street yesterday 2 family members got in a fight; when one walked away the other stabbed him in the neck and back. Suspect ended up at 3rd & Park
- No update on murdered mother & child. Someone was lying in wait in the bushes; the victim’s husband was at the car, heard shots, ran, was shot at, pursued attacker and then saw wife & daughter were injured and went to them. It could have been a gang initiation, it could have been anything
- Red ‘no parking curb’ must be painted from the city and have the Long Beach City Seal, otherwise car owner cannot be ticketed
- The new LBPD East facility is not leased (like before); the city owns the property
- From June 25th to July 4th, there were 33 written citations for fireworks. It is hard to catch suspects because LBPD must actually see them setting off the fireworks. LBPD would need more money for undercover. There were more calls for service this year compared to last year. The usage of large, bad fireworks was worse this year (vs Safe & Sane that is legal in other cities; this stuff is illegal everywhere). A 17 year old boy lost his hand/thumb in LB
- RQ: Heard the beach parking lots no longer need to be paid for in the evening. A: It is being talked about, but has not gone into effect. LBPD enforces what the signs say
Third District Councilwoman Price’s office updates:
- No representative was able to make the BSRA meeting, as the Councilwoman’s office was holding a park event
Belmont Shore Business Association update:
- Dede was on vacation, but the following information came from residents:
- Poke POLA replaced Gallos Deli
- The Spot Café replaced the Naturewell Juice Bar & Smoothies
- European Wax Spa opened next to Simmzy’s, replacing the old Color Me Mine
- Sanchez Tacos to replace Le Donut & Croissant
- The Public House will be leaving soon and will be replaced by a pizza place
- Rumor: Urban Table (next to Ace Hardware) not doing well, so if you want to support their business, you should do so
- Car Show will be Sep 11th on 2nd Street from 9am to 3pm
Treasurer’s Report:
- Balance: $1758
- Insurance Renewal – $1150
- Constant Contact – $423/year
- PO Box – $95/6 months
- Our original papers said we were a charity; we thought we convinced them we are not a charity. $25 filing fee to department of Justice annual fee
- Voted on and approved by Executive Board
President’s Report:
- Calendar of events listed on agenda:
- SEASP EIR planning Commission session at 5pm at the Civic Center Aug 18
- General BSRA Membership meeting and Board Elections on Sep 8
BSRA Executive Board Member Julie Dean:
- Board member Julie Dean attended the 3rd District community meeting regarding SEASP, including 2nd & PCH and how it will impact residents.
The Hearing Draft of the EIR is now available for residents to review & provide feedback on.
Please go to the following link for the SEASP Hearing DEIR:
http://www.lbds.info/civica/filebank/blobdload.asp?BlobID=5945
All comments must be submitted in writing (by email or mail) to Craig Chalfant and must be provided to the City by Monday, September 19, 2016. Please provide email comments to [email protected]. Please submit mailed comments to:
Craig Chalfant, Senior Planner
City of Long Beach
333 West Ocean Boulevard, 5th Floor
Long Beach, CA 90802
More information is available at this website: http://www.lbds.info/seadip_update/
Hard copies of the Hearing Draft Specific Plan and DEIR and supporting documents are also available at the following locations:
- City of Long Beach, Development Services Department, 5th Floor, 333 West Ocean Boulevard, Long Beach, CA 90802
- Main Library, 101 Pacific Avenue, Long Beach, CA 90822
- Bay Shore Neighborhood Library, 195 Bay Shore Avenue, Long Beach, CA 90803
- Please read the highly researched Opinion by Belmont Heights resident, Linda Pemberton, in the Grunion Gazette: http://www.gazettes.com/opinion/another-view-resident-says-seasp-no-solution/article_0563ab5e-59bf-11e6-b519-c335ab834f68.html
Parking Commission update:
- No July meeting, so no update
New Business:
- The following residents have put their names on the BSRA ballot:
- Executive Board Members at Large: Julie Dean, Susan Miller (attends many meetings, quite active in community, feels very strongly about quality of life)
- President: Terry Endersen
- VP: Aileen Colon
- Treasurer: Robert O’Conner
- Secretary: Genny Hulbrock (values safety, good life, property values increasing)
Public Comment:
- Genny Hulbrock: Will be having a Community Watch Group Meeting for a Coalition of Ocean Blvd-Bay Shore Ave Community Watch Teams on Mon Aug 22 at Ripples (Ocean & Granada) from 6:00 to 7:30pm. LBPD East Division Commander Griffin and LBPD Neighborhood Services Specialist Ruth Anne Salau will advise group on formation of Community Watch Teams in our neighborhood. This meeting is being held for residents living along Ocean Blvd or Bay Shore Ave. The goal is to create small Watch Teams broken-up by smaller areas along Ocean Blvd and Bay Shore Ave. All Belmont Shore residents interested in creating their own Community Watch Team are welcome to attend.
- Covina & Ocean resident: Feels traffic diet is dumb and diagonal parking doesn’t make sense. With just one lane, drivers looking for a parking space will see someone who is going to pull out, they’ll stop their car and put on blinker while the person parked will put their kids and beach stuff in their car. In the meantime, other cars will be backed up to Chuck’s. People will learn to avoid this which will increase traffic on 2nd Street and streets with traffic going towards beach. Resident met with Suzie Price and Eric Widstrand to discuss how to slow traffic down and the diagonal parking. Resident also talked to people at the beach; his experiment showed that the majority of people who visit the Shore on weekends come from Lakewood, Bellflower, Los Alamitos, North Lakewood and Cerritos. They take the 710 freeway to downtown Long Beach or from the 405, they come down Cherry. They all feed to Belmont Shore Vons and head East on Ocean Blvd. He found that Belmont Shore draws a lot of young people on weekends. There was an incident where a girl texting ran into 5 parked cars on Ocean and flipped her car which then landed on its roof. What will emergency vehicles do when the traffic is backed up? Also, when pulling out of a diagonal parking spot, you will not be able to see bike riders (bike lane is directly next to diagonal parking). This will add approximately 150 new parking spots. Resident wants a ‘Stress Test’ completed, where one lane is coned off and then observed during different times and days, with and without events on beach. Resident sat near Laverne & Ocean crosswalk and took pictures of cars flying by. With the Ocean Blvd improvement project, Suzie Price and others have said that during Special Events, they’ll close the diagonal parking (thus all street parking on the beach side of Ocean Blvd) for emergency vehicles, however, isn’t that when parking is needed? Additionally, when cars pull out from any one-way street towards the ocean, the driver cannot see cars coming down Ocean Blvd because of parked cars; it would be exponentially worse with diagonal parking if diagonal parking also comes to that side of the street. Resident went to Granada & Ocean and watched cars rolls through the stop sign; if Long Beach put a motorcycle police officer there, they could write 30 tickets a day at $450 each = $13,000 a day.
- Other residents noted that Bixby Knolls had diagonal parking which had to be removed due to number of accidents.
- Per another resident, at Beach Concession meeting last night, the lifeguard captain had no idea that there were plans for diagonal parking which will impact them greatly because they have to quickly drive up and down Ocean for emergencies.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:00pm
Submitted by:
Julie Dean, Executive Board