Belmont Shore Residents Association
MINUTES
EXECUTIVE BOARD MEETING
October 08, 2015
The meeting was called to order by President Terence Endersen at 6:00 pm. The other members of the Executive Board present were: Ray Bradford and Julie Dean, as well as Vice President Max Alavi and Treasurer Robert O'Connor. 26 additional BSRA members and visitors were present. Executive Board Member Aileen Colon was absent and excused.
Bay Shore Librarian Debi Vilander and assistant, Kacie, announced that September was the National Library Card signup month. The Bay Shore library held outreach events and brought in 100 new adult signups and 25 new children signups. Our branch proudly participates in the BARK program that encourages children to increase their reading skills and self-confidence by reading aloud to therapy-trained dogs. The library is also taking part in the In-n-Out Burger program which gives kids cheeseburger for every five books read through mid-November.
The agenda for this meeting and the minutes of the September 10 meeting were approved.
Tasha Day, Long Beach City Manager’s Office of Special Events and Filming discussed:
Suzie Price, Third District Councilwoman reported:
LBPD East Division Commander Griffin provided the following information:
Dede Rossi, Belmont Shore Business Association advised of the following:
Eric Forsberg, the Parking Commission resident representative discussed the following:
President’s Report:
Treasurer
Currently bank balance is at $3586.00. BSRA will send another reminder to members who have not renewed their membership.
New Business:
The meeting was adjourned at 8:00pm
Submitted by:
Julie Dean, Executive Board
MINUTES
EXECUTIVE BOARD MEETING
October 08, 2015
The meeting was called to order by President Terence Endersen at 6:00 pm. The other members of the Executive Board present were: Ray Bradford and Julie Dean, as well as Vice President Max Alavi and Treasurer Robert O'Connor. 26 additional BSRA members and visitors were present. Executive Board Member Aileen Colon was absent and excused.
Bay Shore Librarian Debi Vilander and assistant, Kacie, announced that September was the National Library Card signup month. The Bay Shore library held outreach events and brought in 100 new adult signups and 25 new children signups. Our branch proudly participates in the BARK program that encourages children to increase their reading skills and self-confidence by reading aloud to therapy-trained dogs. The library is also taking part in the In-n-Out Burger program which gives kids cheeseburger for every five books read through mid-November.
The agenda for this meeting and the minutes of the September 10 meeting were approved.
Tasha Day, Long Beach City Manager’s Office of Special Events and Filming discussed:
- Tasha Day has been with the city for 16 years and this is her 2nd year managing special events. The main function of the Long Beach City Manager’s Office of Special Events and Filming is to promote commerce downtown and on beaches while maintaining balance with residents and businesses. Special Events & Filming jurisdiction includes large events like the Tiki Fest and Copacabana. Anything requiring Police Department involvement, Fire Department involvement, traffic plans or parking plans will go through Special Events & Filming. If there is no permitting, then it’ll usually go through Parks, Rec & Marine (Gladys Kaiser Shaw). Permit process for Special Events & Filming is quite strict.
- Special Events & Filming requests are reviewed by the Special Events & Filming team. Requests are then sent out citywide (to Police Department, Public works, Fire Department). These groups review plans and respond with feedback and requirements; plan is finalized and sent back to the requestor. Special Events & Filming staff costs for filming/events are billed to the film company and/or promoter. Special Events & Filming dictates the requirements, but costs are covered by the promoter.
- The beach is public domain/lands and is there to be used by everyone. Additionally, the pedestrian and bike paths are governed under the California Coastal Commission. The special event permits have language explaining that no group can close the pedestrian or bike paths. The California Coastal Commission does not allow for this. The paths are for everyone’s use.
- Kristina Duggan has been working with Special Events & Filming to get Special Events & Filming plans, similar to filming advisements, to Neighborhood Associations. Filming doesn’t get much advanced notice usually (often just 3 days), while Special Events usually get 60 days’ notice.
- Special Events & Filming have started implementing changes:
- This year was all very new but they have been making adjustments. They are continuing to look at challenges and making improvements and have asked for feedback. In general, events will have more requirements. New changes include: Marine Patrol officers have been added to events; Copacabana will have a traffic plan; Staff members are now onsite for events; Sound speaker direction has changed and now faces towards water; Movies on the Beach are now limited to one night per week.
- The Special Events & Filming team is here to help the residents. Tasha asked that residents call or write them, otherwise they won’t know what to fix. Everyone is in a learning curve.
- When there is an event on the beach, like the Tiki Fest, they have had to go to the California Coastal Commission, which is very different from public streets. The beach is more similar to a public park. Example: Fred Khammar must go to California Coastal Commission who gives him requirements and allowances (alcohol, etc.), then Special Events & Filming provides him with their requirements (Traffic plan, Parking plan, Police Department onsite due to alcohol, etc).
- Questions/Comments:
- How will residents know who to go to if there are issues at an event? Answer: Uniformed and tagged staff will be onsite. If there are several events in the city at the same time, other city staff (Public Works, Police Department, Fire Department) will be available and able to contact Special Events & Filming staff. Team is currently working on an on-call phone number solution.
- Bathroom issues, too many people, noise too loud, not enough security.
- For the Marathon, maybe there should be announcements advising, “Be mindful of people using path”. A: Tasha is open to adding this to their permit and feels this is a great idea.
- Who regulates Alfredo’s because they’re not open very frequently. A: He has a contract with Parks, Recreation & Marine.
- Marathon speakers on Ocean Blvd should not start up at 7am. A: Speakers that were at Ocean & Granada last year will not be there this year. Band at 54th cannot start until 9am.
- Cars are not allowed to park on Granada Ramp. A: Probably won’t see vehicles on ramp because that’s been noticed and is being dealt with.
- The special event application has no language explaining that no group can close the pedestrian or bike paths (this regulations is per the California Coastal Commission). A: There is language on all special event permits explaining that no group can close the pedestrian or bike paths.
- How about using the Go Long Beach app for advisements? A: Tasha will work on that and appreciates the great idea.
- The notice of filming form has changed and now asks for resident’s name, address and phone, but for safety reasons, no one will tape that to their front door. A: Information can be called in or form can be faxed in. Tasha will review form because she doesn’t expect residents to tape form to their door.
- Tasha agreed to meet with the BSRA board and some residents, as she wants to know what’s working/not working. If interested in being part of a meeting with Tasha to discuss what goes on at the beach, please advise BSRA via email at [email protected].
Suzie Price, Third District Councilwoman reported:
- Unprecedented deficit year (due primarily to pension obligations under former pension plan) will run through 2021, which means we will have some significant deficit years. City must increase its revenue, so there is a sales tax overview (retails sales tax). We are losing a lot of sales tax revenue to Orange County and Lakewood. City needs to increase it. The mayor is committed to that, as is the economic commission. City is also targeting open business spaces, like Iron Triangle where Ralph’s was and Nordstrom Rack in Marina Pacific Mall. Marina Pacific Mall and Belmont Shore are two of the largest business corridors in the city.
- Medical Marijuana came before City Council. Suzie feels passionately that the city does not currently have the resources to enforce and regulate this. She also feels if they voted in, they need to be away from high crime areas and human trafficking (prostitution). The experience with storefronts in the 3rd district has not been good (shooting in Naples right after a delivery, Shore owners drug trafficking, conspiracy to commit fraud, firearms). City Council wants all of the locations to be brought in immediately. Suzie believes that current Federal, State and Local ordinances are not aligned (THC levels vary, concentration levels are now much higher than 40 years ago). Suzie proposed six amendments, which were all rejected. They have a lot of cash on-hand because they cannot legally open bank accounts. New State Bureau will take a while to get underway.
- Ocean Blvd repave is funded by a Federal grant (roughly $1M) that we will lose if we don’t use it. If we didn’t repave now with this grant, we wouldn’t have funds for at least 10 years. They will use a temporary painting solution on the outside lanes in case changes are recommended after the traffic and parking studies complete. Suzie has asked for a robust outreach effort, similar to how the Naples seawalls were done, with weekly project updates, closures, parking impacts, solutions. This will be provided to Neighborhood Associations; Terry will disseminate. Suzie welcomes feedback. Resident noted that diagonal parking would be bad on the resident side of the street, because headlights would shine into homes.
- Suzie feels strongly that we need a parking study. The last study was so long ago, it is no longer relevant. Belmont Shore has increased in resident and business density. Suzie will probably vote for a study in the $100,000.00 range when the issue comes back to City Council and reject the bid that is in the high range ($180,000.00).
- The SEADIP EIR process should start soon. Due to the nature of the project, Suzie is keeping an open mind. She is not in favor of some building heights that have been discussed; she does not plan to advocate high heights in this area. Her goal is to move it forward as quickly as possible. Suzie ask residents to please be involved and engaged.
- City Council will vote soon on the Civic Center project.
- The Middle Harbor project will introduce a fully automated terminal. Suzie will try to allow for a tour for residents. Long Beach is one of the top container ports in the nation and this project will help tremendously. The whole industry is changing, vendors are consolidating and utilizing big ships and there is no longer loyalty to a particular port. Long Beach must be ready for large ships; our new bridge and Middle Harbor can handle these.
- The Pool vendor was beginning work on designing the pool, but the architect didn’t live in Long Beach and residents had not been involved. Suzie slowed things down and asked for a community meeting. A survey was sent out and they got a lot of responses. The current debate is the design because it needs to be reflective of our community. We should expect the public to be brought in very soon. The EIR process will start soon and public can weigh in. They want resident input. EIR will also look at other possible sites, but mayor and council want pool built in original location.
- Marina rebuild was funded through a bond and was named the Public Bond Deal of the Year by Morgan Stanley. This will pay for the entire Marina Rebuild, which is huge for our city.
- There has been some confusion regarding Land Use proposed heights. The correct maps with recommendations are currently available on the city’s website. The only proposed height increases in the Shore are on the street by Belmont Brewing Co. Suzie recommends the increase from 3 stories to 4 stories, but she wants to hear from residents if they disagree. Suzie does not plan to support any height recommendations/changes that are not supported by her constituents. There was some concern because the city had put forth recommendations to City Council but the recommendations did not get approved by Council; some residents saw these old documents and became very concerned. Land Use Element is where they city goes through a holistic process, where considerations apply: parking increases, density issues, etc.
- The Tot Lot fixes will go into work soon (some of the toys are broken).
- Suzie has interviewed Kristina’s replacement and will announce his name soon. Kristina will help transition him and he should be up and running by the beginning of 2016.
LBPD East Division Commander Griffin provided the following information:
- A lot of the local crimes are opportunistic, although we’re doing a better job on this, as a community.
- Assaults: 2 involving officers; arrests were made in both assaults.
- 2 incidents involving weapons: 1 was ongoing dispute on Santa Ana and they were arrested and one involved the Vons security guard.
- Burglaries: 5300 block of The Toledo: suspect, a male Hispanic, made eye contact with the resident, who was in the house.
- Residential Burglaries: suspect cut the screen to get in and stole electronics and jewelry; suspect entered through unlocked bathroom window and took small valuables and jewelry; suspect accessed attached garage and stole a bike; suspect entered storage unit and took camping gear.
- Robbery: a man fell asleep in his car and woke to one suspect on top of him, holding him down and another suspect going through his pockets and taking his cellphone and backpack.
- Citywide property crimes are going up; city is still seeing burglaries from autos due to valuables visible in car and cars left unlocked.
- Grand theft auto has gone up almost 50% citywide from last year. Thieves are not stripping cars, but rather leaving them whole in another location (possible joyrides?).
- City has conducted some more bicycle stings along the pier which haven’t been fruitful. Commander advises residents use U Locks on their bikes because thieves cannot easily cut through them as they can with normal bike locks.
- In August a resident asked about noise pollution on 2nd Street and Ocean, specifically motorcycle noise. Commander Griffin advised checks occurred as part of the Labor Day weekend police program, from Alamitos to Redondo. She said they got some citations from it but she was not aware of how successful it was.
- In August Commander Griffin explained there was one more person to be evicted (by the end of August) at the problem house in the 100 block of Roycroft. It has been a civil action and the City Attorney was still working on the issue. There had been far less activity, as 2 of the 3 parties were already evicted and gone. Commander was not sure of the status but said the LBPD has received far fewer calls recently.
Dede Rossi, Belmont Shore Business Association advised of the following:
- The Art Walk & Chalk Sidewalk Art event will be October 17 on 2nd Street.
- Trick or Treat on 2nd Street will occur on Halloween from 4-6pm.
- Please Shop Local! The Saturday after Thanksgiving is Small Business Saturday and the BSBA is offering free parking on 2nd Street.
- Free 2 hour parking at meters will also be offered for Holiday Shopping the weekends of December 12-13 and 19-20.
- The 33rd Annual Belmont Shore Christmas Parade will be held on December 5 with the theme of Miracle on 2nd Street.
- The Roe Express Fish Market should open in about a month and the main restaurant, called Roe, should open in about 6 months. The original chef has returned. The parking lot will be brought up to code.
- The September Stroll & Savor the Shore events did not do well, so there is no plan to hold the event next September.
Eric Forsberg, the Parking Commission resident representative discussed the following:
- 12 new additional Big Belly trash compactors have been set up on 2nd Street. These trash dispensers are effective because people cannot pull anything out of them, they are cleaner than regular trash cans, they can handle large trash volumes and they are efficient.
- A discussion occurred at the last meeting regarding raising the minimum wage. The Commission is against an increase as they believe it is harmful to the businesses. If city council goes forward with it, then the Commissions suggestion is that it should only apply to businesses with 75+ employees.
President’s Report:
- Please bring your pasta and pasta sauce donations to the library for the Boys & Girls Club Pasta and Pasta Sauce food drive between now and Nov 18th. The children who are fed at the Boys & Girls Club of Long Beach are often living in hotels or other unstable situations and need our help. Thank you!
- Members who are interested in meeting with Tasha Day from the Long Beach City Manager’s Office of Special Events and Filming, should send the BSRA an email to [email protected].
Treasurer
Currently bank balance is at $3586.00. BSRA will send another reminder to members who have not renewed their membership.
New Business:
- The Long Beach Marathon is Sunday Oct 11th. Two residents asked if a Special Events representative will be there to stop the loud noise: vendors’ blaring music, volunteers screaming as they hand out power bars/water/etc. These loud noises on Ocean and Livingston have often started as early as 6:30 am. President Endersen said he will advise Tasha Day beforehand.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:00pm
Submitted by:
Julie Dean, Executive Board