Belmont Shore Residents Association
MINUTES
EXECUTIVE BOARD MEETING
February 13, 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, Vice President Frank Elizondo, Marvin Jones, Secretary Jeff Miller and Treasurer Robert O'Connor. Executive Board members Max Alavi and Sanne Berrig were absent. Forty additional BSRA members and visitors were present.
The agenda for this meeting was approved. The minutes of the January 9 meeting were approved.
Librarian Debi Gurley-Vilander announced an e-book class March 20 and said there will be additional classes scheduled. She also noted planned upgrades to the library, including painting, new carpeting, and new furniture.
LBPD East Division Commander Paul LeBaron noted that the Crime Report for January (which is compiled each month by BSRA) contained no reports of assaults or robberies, a welcome change. He also noted trends of increased bicycle thefts and more "forced entry" residential burglaries. Residents were urged to report suspicious persons or activity to the police; an example was given of a man loitering for forty minutes, who was later observed on recorded video having burglarized a vehicle.
President Endersen introduced the guest speakers, Martha Gibson and James Lewis, two of the five candidates for Third Council District. Each of them spoke briefly about their candidacy, then responded to the three questions asked by Endersen, which were about residential issues. Each candidate gave a concluding statement. The other three Third Council District candidates will speak at the March 13 BSRA meeting.
Dave Roseman, City Traffic Engineer, presented the City's plan for resurfacing of Ocean Blvd. between Bay Shore Ave. and Von's. He explained the changes which will be made: lanes will be narrowed to reduce traffic speed, a bicycle lane will be added in each direction, and the parking lane will be widened. Crosswalk markings will be improved as well. Roseman addressed several questions from the audience, noting that these changes should increase safety for both motorists and pedestrians.
Cynthia Valencia, Third Council District representative, spoke about the proposed beach pedestrian path. She said Councilmember DeLong supports the current proposal, but is interested in additional options. Vice President Elizondo suggested the BSRA should reiterate our support of the path.
President Endersen reported the decision of the Belmont Shore Parking Commission to purchase and install security cameras on Second Street.
Secretary Miller reported receiving sixteen member renewals ($160 in dues paid) as a result of the mailing of reminders in January. He also noted the annual renewal of the web site domain name will be due in April; the cost is $15.
Treasurer O'Connor reported the bank account balance is $1,858.
President Endersen announced the desire to appoint Aileen Colon as a Member at Large Director to fill one of the vacancies. Ms. Colon introduced herself to the audience and spoke briefly; a motion to appoint her was approved unanimously. The appointment will be confirmed at the March meeting.
President Endersen announced the March meeting will be a General Membership meeting for the purpose of amending the association Bylaws; notices will be sent to members.
Secretary Miller reported the newly-discovered plan of the Belmont Shore Parking and Business Improvement Area Advisory Commission to purchase the home at 205 LaVerne Ave. and demolish it to build a parking lot of eight parking spaces. He reported these details: the purchase was discussed and approved at a closed session of the City Council on November 5. This was kept secret by Councilmember DeLong and Bill Lorbeer, chair of the Parking Commission. It was revealed to us in an email from a resident on LaVerne Ave. Residents on that block are overwhelmingly opposed. When this issue of demolishing homes for parking lots has come up in the past, residents and BSRA opposed it. The residents of LaVerne Ave. are hosting a public meeting to discuss this on Saturday at 9 am at Simmzy's restaurant. Discussion of this issue indicated total opposition. The public was urged to attend the Saturday meeting and the Parking Commission meeting next week.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:00 pm.
Submitted by:
Jeff Miller, Secretary
MINUTES
EXECUTIVE BOARD MEETING
February 13, 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, Vice President Frank Elizondo, Marvin Jones, Secretary Jeff Miller and Treasurer Robert O'Connor. Executive Board members Max Alavi and Sanne Berrig were absent. Forty additional BSRA members and visitors were present.
The agenda for this meeting was approved. The minutes of the January 9 meeting were approved.
Librarian Debi Gurley-Vilander announced an e-book class March 20 and said there will be additional classes scheduled. She also noted planned upgrades to the library, including painting, new carpeting, and new furniture.
LBPD East Division Commander Paul LeBaron noted that the Crime Report for January (which is compiled each month by BSRA) contained no reports of assaults or robberies, a welcome change. He also noted trends of increased bicycle thefts and more "forced entry" residential burglaries. Residents were urged to report suspicious persons or activity to the police; an example was given of a man loitering for forty minutes, who was later observed on recorded video having burglarized a vehicle.
President Endersen introduced the guest speakers, Martha Gibson and James Lewis, two of the five candidates for Third Council District. Each of them spoke briefly about their candidacy, then responded to the three questions asked by Endersen, which were about residential issues. Each candidate gave a concluding statement. The other three Third Council District candidates will speak at the March 13 BSRA meeting.
Dave Roseman, City Traffic Engineer, presented the City's plan for resurfacing of Ocean Blvd. between Bay Shore Ave. and Von's. He explained the changes which will be made: lanes will be narrowed to reduce traffic speed, a bicycle lane will be added in each direction, and the parking lane will be widened. Crosswalk markings will be improved as well. Roseman addressed several questions from the audience, noting that these changes should increase safety for both motorists and pedestrians.
Cynthia Valencia, Third Council District representative, spoke about the proposed beach pedestrian path. She said Councilmember DeLong supports the current proposal, but is interested in additional options. Vice President Elizondo suggested the BSRA should reiterate our support of the path.
President Endersen reported the decision of the Belmont Shore Parking Commission to purchase and install security cameras on Second Street.
Secretary Miller reported receiving sixteen member renewals ($160 in dues paid) as a result of the mailing of reminders in January. He also noted the annual renewal of the web site domain name will be due in April; the cost is $15.
Treasurer O'Connor reported the bank account balance is $1,858.
President Endersen announced the desire to appoint Aileen Colon as a Member at Large Director to fill one of the vacancies. Ms. Colon introduced herself to the audience and spoke briefly; a motion to appoint her was approved unanimously. The appointment will be confirmed at the March meeting.
President Endersen announced the March meeting will be a General Membership meeting for the purpose of amending the association Bylaws; notices will be sent to members.
Secretary Miller reported the newly-discovered plan of the Belmont Shore Parking and Business Improvement Area Advisory Commission to purchase the home at 205 LaVerne Ave. and demolish it to build a parking lot of eight parking spaces. He reported these details: the purchase was discussed and approved at a closed session of the City Council on November 5. This was kept secret by Councilmember DeLong and Bill Lorbeer, chair of the Parking Commission. It was revealed to us in an email from a resident on LaVerne Ave. Residents on that block are overwhelmingly opposed. When this issue of demolishing homes for parking lots has come up in the past, residents and BSRA opposed it. The residents of LaVerne Ave. are hosting a public meeting to discuss this on Saturday at 9 am at Simmzy's restaurant. Discussion of this issue indicated total opposition. The public was urged to attend the Saturday meeting and the Parking Commission meeting next week.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:00 pm.
Submitted by:
Jeff Miller, Secretary