Belmont Shore Residents Association
MINUTES
EXECUTIVE BOARD MEETING
December 11, 2014
The meeting was called to order by President Terence Endersen at 6:00 pm. The other members of the Executive Board present were: Julie Dean, Dick Gaylord, Secretary Jeff Miller, David "Coach" Newell, Treasurer Robert O'Connor, and Sara Schumacher. Vice President Max Alavi and Executive Board member Aileen Colon were absent. Twenty-three additional BSRA members and visitors were present.
The agenda for this meeting was approved and the minutes of the November 13 meeting were approved.
Bay Shore Librarian Debi Gurley-Vilander reported the completion of the library facelift, which included new carpeting, paint, tables, chairs, a laptop computer bar, and wifi installation.
LBPD East Division Commander Paul LeBaron reported that crime incidents in the Shore are lower than one year ago, and noted that an unlocked door or window is still a primary factor in the case of many residential burglaries. Stolen bicycles account for the majority of reported thefts. LeBaron cautioned residents to be alert for thefts of delivered packages - thieves are following delivery vehicles (ie FEDEX and UPS) and taking parcels left at the door. He also noted the incidents of "knock-knock" burglaries: these are incidents where a thief enters a house after receiving no reply to a knock on the door, so residents are advised to report suspicious persons observed going door-to-door. The Commander responded to a question about vacation notification - yes, when the police are notified of a vacation absence it will be noted in the police log and patrol officers will therefore be alerted. He also responded to a question about the recent transient outreach initiative - following enforcement activity in the area of the Belmont Pool, he said many have relocated to Second Street and Naples, including a gathering at the site of the former restaurant, Roe. LeBaron described the incident of an intruder at a residence on Granada Avenue, in which the resident fired a weapon and scared the intruder, who fled into a nearby tree.
Mike Conway, Long Beach Director of Economic and Property Development, was the first guest speaker. He presented a draft of the Belmont Shore Parking Study RFP Scope of Work document: this will be used to solicit bids for a parking study to be conducted early in 2015 to assess the current parking situation in the Shore, consider ways to improve parking availability, and make recommendations for improvement. The goal is a "parking management plan" for the Shore. Conway heard a number of questions, comments, and suggestions, some of which were: expansion of the hours and days of the study of parking space occupancy, expansion of the study area to include the beach from the Belmont Pier to the Leeway Sailing Center, consideration of angle parking on Ocean Boulevard, delineation of parking spaces on the residential streets, removal or relocation of utility poles in alleys which obstruct parking and garage access, consideration of commercial vehicles parked on residential streets, changing the zoning designation to prevent future attempts at conversion of houses to parking lots, review and revision of the parking requirements for various types of businesses. Mr. Conway noted that comments and recommendations about the RFP will be accepted through January and can be sent directly to him (at [email protected]). Residents were asked to copy BSRA (at [email protected]) when responding.
The second guest speaker was Gordana Kajer, who reported the city's Ocean Boulevard bluff erosion control project. A portion of the project is currently suspended, awaiting a decision by the City Council to either proceed with the completion of the "shotcrete" application on the bluff face, or employ an alternative method of erosion control. Ms. Kajer explained the history of the project dating back to 2000, and advocated a restoration approach instead of the application of shotcrete. Her report compared the pros and cons and costs of several possible solutions.
Matt Peterson, co-owner of Legends and board member of the BSBA, reported the success of the recent Christmas Parade and announced the Second Street shopping initiatives in December: free meter parking, gift wrapping, and a benefit toy drive.
Kristina Duggan, Third Council District Field Representative, reported the availability of an on line survey regarding the Ocean Boulevard bluff erosion control project and the repaving of Ocean Boulevard scheduled for January. She heard questions regarding the Leeway Sailing Center replacement and intrusive lighting at the beach restrooms.
Eric Forsberg, the resident representative on the Parking Commission, reported the city's plan to replace the Second Street parking meters with "smart meters" which will accept credit cards for payment. There will be a parking fee increase of 25 cents per hour. He also reported the installation of security cameras at Second Street intersections.
President Endersen reported the City Council's recent vote to replace the Civic Center (City Hall and Library), plans to replace the Leeway Sailing Center, and improvement of the Dog Beach signage.
Treasurer O'Connor reported the bank account balance is now $3,692.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:00 pm.
Submitted by:
Jeff Miller, Secretary
MINUTES
EXECUTIVE BOARD MEETING
December 11, 2014
The meeting was called to order by President Terence Endersen at 6:00 pm. The other members of the Executive Board present were: Julie Dean, Dick Gaylord, Secretary Jeff Miller, David "Coach" Newell, Treasurer Robert O'Connor, and Sara Schumacher. Vice President Max Alavi and Executive Board member Aileen Colon were absent. Twenty-three additional BSRA members and visitors were present.
The agenda for this meeting was approved and the minutes of the November 13 meeting were approved.
Bay Shore Librarian Debi Gurley-Vilander reported the completion of the library facelift, which included new carpeting, paint, tables, chairs, a laptop computer bar, and wifi installation.
LBPD East Division Commander Paul LeBaron reported that crime incidents in the Shore are lower than one year ago, and noted that an unlocked door or window is still a primary factor in the case of many residential burglaries. Stolen bicycles account for the majority of reported thefts. LeBaron cautioned residents to be alert for thefts of delivered packages - thieves are following delivery vehicles (ie FEDEX and UPS) and taking parcels left at the door. He also noted the incidents of "knock-knock" burglaries: these are incidents where a thief enters a house after receiving no reply to a knock on the door, so residents are advised to report suspicious persons observed going door-to-door. The Commander responded to a question about vacation notification - yes, when the police are notified of a vacation absence it will be noted in the police log and patrol officers will therefore be alerted. He also responded to a question about the recent transient outreach initiative - following enforcement activity in the area of the Belmont Pool, he said many have relocated to Second Street and Naples, including a gathering at the site of the former restaurant, Roe. LeBaron described the incident of an intruder at a residence on Granada Avenue, in which the resident fired a weapon and scared the intruder, who fled into a nearby tree.
Mike Conway, Long Beach Director of Economic and Property Development, was the first guest speaker. He presented a draft of the Belmont Shore Parking Study RFP Scope of Work document: this will be used to solicit bids for a parking study to be conducted early in 2015 to assess the current parking situation in the Shore, consider ways to improve parking availability, and make recommendations for improvement. The goal is a "parking management plan" for the Shore. Conway heard a number of questions, comments, and suggestions, some of which were: expansion of the hours and days of the study of parking space occupancy, expansion of the study area to include the beach from the Belmont Pier to the Leeway Sailing Center, consideration of angle parking on Ocean Boulevard, delineation of parking spaces on the residential streets, removal or relocation of utility poles in alleys which obstruct parking and garage access, consideration of commercial vehicles parked on residential streets, changing the zoning designation to prevent future attempts at conversion of houses to parking lots, review and revision of the parking requirements for various types of businesses. Mr. Conway noted that comments and recommendations about the RFP will be accepted through January and can be sent directly to him (at [email protected]). Residents were asked to copy BSRA (at [email protected]) when responding.
The second guest speaker was Gordana Kajer, who reported the city's Ocean Boulevard bluff erosion control project. A portion of the project is currently suspended, awaiting a decision by the City Council to either proceed with the completion of the "shotcrete" application on the bluff face, or employ an alternative method of erosion control. Ms. Kajer explained the history of the project dating back to 2000, and advocated a restoration approach instead of the application of shotcrete. Her report compared the pros and cons and costs of several possible solutions.
Matt Peterson, co-owner of Legends and board member of the BSBA, reported the success of the recent Christmas Parade and announced the Second Street shopping initiatives in December: free meter parking, gift wrapping, and a benefit toy drive.
Kristina Duggan, Third Council District Field Representative, reported the availability of an on line survey regarding the Ocean Boulevard bluff erosion control project and the repaving of Ocean Boulevard scheduled for January. She heard questions regarding the Leeway Sailing Center replacement and intrusive lighting at the beach restrooms.
Eric Forsberg, the resident representative on the Parking Commission, reported the city's plan to replace the Second Street parking meters with "smart meters" which will accept credit cards for payment. There will be a parking fee increase of 25 cents per hour. He also reported the installation of security cameras at Second Street intersections.
President Endersen reported the City Council's recent vote to replace the Civic Center (City Hall and Library), plans to replace the Leeway Sailing Center, and improvement of the Dog Beach signage.
Treasurer O'Connor reported the bank account balance is now $3,692.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:00 pm.
Submitted by:
Jeff Miller, Secretary