September 2014 BSRA Newsletter
Greetings to BSRA members and Belmont Shore residents,
Thank you to all members who have renewed their membership for FY 2015 (beginning October 1, 2014). If you have not yet mailed your dues check for $10 per member, please remember to do so, or bring your payment with you to the September meeting.
The next BSRA meeting will be Thursday, September 11 at 6 pm at the Bay Shore Library. This is our annual Executive Board election meeting; voting will be from 6 pm until 7:30 pm. If you are a new member, remember to bring ID to verify your membership eligibility. Please arrive early if you will be paying dues, to allow enough time to check in and receive your ballot before the meeting starts.
For the first time in a long time BSRA has two contested seats on the Board, for Vice President and Secretary. At the August nominating meeting, President Terry Endersen announced he would run for a second term, Frank Elizondo announced he was stepping down as Vice President, Jeff Miller said he would run again for Secretary, and Robert O'Connor for Treasurer. Four year Board Member Max Alavi then said he would run for Vice President. Aileen Colon, Julie Dean and David "Coach" Newell said they would run again as Members of the Board.
After the current Board members announced their plans, Jeff Miller nominated longtime Shore resident Dick Gaylord for a Member at Large position.
Outgoing Vice President Frank Elizondo then announced he would challenge Jeff Miller for the position of Secretary. Elizondo then nominated Jann Gath to run against Max Alavi for Vice President (Jann Gath is a new member from within the newly extended BSRA boundaries), Elizondo also nominated Joann Berardo (also from within the newly extended BSRA boundaries) for a Member at Large Seat. Elizondo also nominated Sara Schumacher and two other individuals to run for Members at Large. Ms. Schumacher accepted her nomination, the others declined.
Stepping down from the Board are longtime Board Member Marvin Jones and Sanne Berrig. BSRA is grateful for their service!
Because BSRA is a participatory organization, members must be present at the meeting to vote - proxy or absentee ballots are not allowed. The meeting will begin with brief statements from each of the candidates, then voting will begin.
After the election, the guest speaker will be Deputy City Manager Tom Modica, who asked to speak to residents about the City's proposal to install parking "smart meters" on Second Street. The City's recently released parking meter study report estimated that costs associated with the "smart meters" (which allow payment with credit cards) will require doubling the hourly cost of parking on Second Street from 50 cents to one dollar per hour.
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News Updates from BSRA
Smart Meters
There will be a lengthier meeting on "smart meters" sponsored by the Belmont Shore Parking Commission Monday, September 8, 2014 at 6:00 pm at the Bay Shore Church, 5100 The Toledo, in their Concert Hall. This special meeting will serve as a workshop to obtain public input on the proposed installation of "smart meters" and potential rate increases.
Belmont Pool
A Community Meeting and Update regarding the upcoming rebuild of the Belmont Pool facilities will be held on Wednesday, September 17 at 5:30 pm in the Will Rogers Middle School Auditorium, 365 Monrovia Ave. This will be an important opportunity to hear and comment on the most current information regarding the conceptual design of the project, including the results of the recent Stakeholder Advisory Committee process and next steps for the estimated $99 million dollar project. Concerns have been raised about the possible loss of the green space and trees north of the existing pool as well as the closure and removal of the street between the pool and Chuck's Coffee Shop. Our thanks to BSRA Member Susan Miller who has done her best to present residents' concerns on the Stakeholder Committee. Stakeholder Committee members, the design team, Councilwoman Suzie Price, and City staff will be on hand.
This link leads to the project website, where there is a memo explaining the Committee’s recommendation:
http://www.longbeach.gov/citymanager/tidelands_capital_projects/belmont_aquatics_center.asp
Or you may contact Rachael Tanner, Program Specialist, at 562.570.6999 or [email protected]
SEADIP Update
The City's Planning Commission held a Study Session regarding SEADIP (the Southeast Area Specific Plan (SEADIP) on Thursday, September 4. The Study Session provided an update to the Planning Commission on the progress to date on what is expected to be a three year process. No formal action was taken at this meeting. Planning Commission meetings are recorded and can be viewed by going to the City's Website www.longbeach.gov and accessing "City Meetings Online".
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City News
Councilwoman Suzie Price, our new Third District representative, held her first, “Saturdays with Suzie” meeting on Saturday, August 23, 2014 at the Third District Field Office (340 Nieto Avenue) at 9 AM. The guest speaker was City Manager Pat West who spoke briefly about the Fiscal Year 2015 Budget. Additional City staff members spoke about their various department plans and budgets. The meeting was a great success; about one hundred residents attended. We look forward to the next "Saturday with Suzie"!
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Long Beach Police Department
Recent enforcement actions on Second Street were aimed at improving public safety. This is a posting from the LBPD Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/LongBeachPD.CA
Thank you Commander LeBaron!
WORKING TO MAKE 2nd STREET SAFER FOR EVERYONE
LBPD focused public education & enforcement efforts in the 2nd Street business area with community safety in mind, throughout the summer months. On-duty & overtime officers, along with volunteer reserve officers, focused enforcement of bicycle, skateboard & pedestrian regulations, from August 2nd to August 28th, with the following results:
-Arrested 1 for an outstanding misdemeanor warrant
-Issued 1 citation for urinating in public
-Issued 8 citations for skateboarding to juveniles; no adult violators were observed
-Issued 11 citations for bicycling on the sidewalk (10 adults/1 juvenile)
-Warned 12 individuals regarding riding a skateboard/bicycle on the sidewalk
-Issued 19 citations to pedestrians for crossing on a red light or red hand violation
-Issued 5 vehicle citations
-Completed 6 field interview cards
Thank you to everyone for obeying the law & being respectful of others – Together we can enjoy a safer community!
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Second Street business news
Shore Public House (in the location of the former BJs) has recently opened.
Lucille's restaurant is closed; the plans for the remodel have not yet been made available.
Work continues toward the opening at the end of this month by Urban Table (in the location of the former Olives).
Roe restaurant is closed; the future of this property remains unknown.
Work has begun on the Luther Burbank Savings branch in Belmont Shore. Luther Burbank Savings is a Santa Rosa-based bank with eight existing branch locations in California. It is taking over the space at 5346 E. Second St. that formerly housed Peters & Bach Hair and Art as well as the space that was vacated more than a year ago by the Discovery Shop. The previous building has been demolished and new construction has begun.
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Calendar of Events
SUN Sept. 7 9:00 am - 3:00 pm, Belmont Shore Car Show, Second Street`
MON Sept. 8 6:00 PM "Smart Meter" Community meeting, Bay Shore Church Concert Hall, 5100 The Toledo
THU Sept. 11 6:00 pm, BSRA General Membership Meeting and Election, Bay Shore Library
WED Sept. 17 5:30 pm, Belmont Pool meeting, Will Rogers Middle School Auditorium, 365 Monrovia Ave
WED Sept. 17 5:30 - 9:00 pm, Stroll and Savor event, Second Street
THU Sept. 18 9:00 am, Belmont Shore Parking Commission meeting, Bay Shore Library
THU Sept. 18 5:30 - 9:00 pm, Stroll and Savor event, Second Street
TUE Sept. 30, noon, BSBA meeting, Legends, upstairs
************************************************************
Come to the BSRA meeting next week (Thursday, September 11th) for more information about your neighborhood, to meet and talk with your neighbors, and to elect the next Executive Board. We hope to see you there!
In the last year, BSRA has:
Thank you to all members who have renewed their membership for FY 2015 (beginning October 1, 2014). If you have not yet mailed your dues check for $10 per member, please remember to do so, or bring your payment with you to the September meeting.
The next BSRA meeting will be Thursday, September 11 at 6 pm at the Bay Shore Library. This is our annual Executive Board election meeting; voting will be from 6 pm until 7:30 pm. If you are a new member, remember to bring ID to verify your membership eligibility. Please arrive early if you will be paying dues, to allow enough time to check in and receive your ballot before the meeting starts.
For the first time in a long time BSRA has two contested seats on the Board, for Vice President and Secretary. At the August nominating meeting, President Terry Endersen announced he would run for a second term, Frank Elizondo announced he was stepping down as Vice President, Jeff Miller said he would run again for Secretary, and Robert O'Connor for Treasurer. Four year Board Member Max Alavi then said he would run for Vice President. Aileen Colon, Julie Dean and David "Coach" Newell said they would run again as Members of the Board.
After the current Board members announced their plans, Jeff Miller nominated longtime Shore resident Dick Gaylord for a Member at Large position.
Outgoing Vice President Frank Elizondo then announced he would challenge Jeff Miller for the position of Secretary. Elizondo then nominated Jann Gath to run against Max Alavi for Vice President (Jann Gath is a new member from within the newly extended BSRA boundaries), Elizondo also nominated Joann Berardo (also from within the newly extended BSRA boundaries) for a Member at Large Seat. Elizondo also nominated Sara Schumacher and two other individuals to run for Members at Large. Ms. Schumacher accepted her nomination, the others declined.
Stepping down from the Board are longtime Board Member Marvin Jones and Sanne Berrig. BSRA is grateful for their service!
Because BSRA is a participatory organization, members must be present at the meeting to vote - proxy or absentee ballots are not allowed. The meeting will begin with brief statements from each of the candidates, then voting will begin.
After the election, the guest speaker will be Deputy City Manager Tom Modica, who asked to speak to residents about the City's proposal to install parking "smart meters" on Second Street. The City's recently released parking meter study report estimated that costs associated with the "smart meters" (which allow payment with credit cards) will require doubling the hourly cost of parking on Second Street from 50 cents to one dollar per hour.
************************************************************
News Updates from BSRA
Smart Meters
There will be a lengthier meeting on "smart meters" sponsored by the Belmont Shore Parking Commission Monday, September 8, 2014 at 6:00 pm at the Bay Shore Church, 5100 The Toledo, in their Concert Hall. This special meeting will serve as a workshop to obtain public input on the proposed installation of "smart meters" and potential rate increases.
Belmont Pool
A Community Meeting and Update regarding the upcoming rebuild of the Belmont Pool facilities will be held on Wednesday, September 17 at 5:30 pm in the Will Rogers Middle School Auditorium, 365 Monrovia Ave. This will be an important opportunity to hear and comment on the most current information regarding the conceptual design of the project, including the results of the recent Stakeholder Advisory Committee process and next steps for the estimated $99 million dollar project. Concerns have been raised about the possible loss of the green space and trees north of the existing pool as well as the closure and removal of the street between the pool and Chuck's Coffee Shop. Our thanks to BSRA Member Susan Miller who has done her best to present residents' concerns on the Stakeholder Committee. Stakeholder Committee members, the design team, Councilwoman Suzie Price, and City staff will be on hand.
This link leads to the project website, where there is a memo explaining the Committee’s recommendation:
http://www.longbeach.gov/citymanager/tidelands_capital_projects/belmont_aquatics_center.asp
Or you may contact Rachael Tanner, Program Specialist, at 562.570.6999 or [email protected]
SEADIP Update
The City's Planning Commission held a Study Session regarding SEADIP (the Southeast Area Specific Plan (SEADIP) on Thursday, September 4. The Study Session provided an update to the Planning Commission on the progress to date on what is expected to be a three year process. No formal action was taken at this meeting. Planning Commission meetings are recorded and can be viewed by going to the City's Website www.longbeach.gov and accessing "City Meetings Online".
************************************************************
City News
Councilwoman Suzie Price, our new Third District representative, held her first, “Saturdays with Suzie” meeting on Saturday, August 23, 2014 at the Third District Field Office (340 Nieto Avenue) at 9 AM. The guest speaker was City Manager Pat West who spoke briefly about the Fiscal Year 2015 Budget. Additional City staff members spoke about their various department plans and budgets. The meeting was a great success; about one hundred residents attended. We look forward to the next "Saturday with Suzie"!
************************************************************
Long Beach Police Department
Recent enforcement actions on Second Street were aimed at improving public safety. This is a posting from the LBPD Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/LongBeachPD.CA
Thank you Commander LeBaron!
WORKING TO MAKE 2nd STREET SAFER FOR EVERYONE
LBPD focused public education & enforcement efforts in the 2nd Street business area with community safety in mind, throughout the summer months. On-duty & overtime officers, along with volunteer reserve officers, focused enforcement of bicycle, skateboard & pedestrian regulations, from August 2nd to August 28th, with the following results:
-Arrested 1 for an outstanding misdemeanor warrant
-Issued 1 citation for urinating in public
-Issued 8 citations for skateboarding to juveniles; no adult violators were observed
-Issued 11 citations for bicycling on the sidewalk (10 adults/1 juvenile)
-Warned 12 individuals regarding riding a skateboard/bicycle on the sidewalk
-Issued 19 citations to pedestrians for crossing on a red light or red hand violation
-Issued 5 vehicle citations
-Completed 6 field interview cards
Thank you to everyone for obeying the law & being respectful of others – Together we can enjoy a safer community!
************************************************************
Second Street business news
Shore Public House (in the location of the former BJs) has recently opened.
Lucille's restaurant is closed; the plans for the remodel have not yet been made available.
Work continues toward the opening at the end of this month by Urban Table (in the location of the former Olives).
Roe restaurant is closed; the future of this property remains unknown.
Work has begun on the Luther Burbank Savings branch in Belmont Shore. Luther Burbank Savings is a Santa Rosa-based bank with eight existing branch locations in California. It is taking over the space at 5346 E. Second St. that formerly housed Peters & Bach Hair and Art as well as the space that was vacated more than a year ago by the Discovery Shop. The previous building has been demolished and new construction has begun.
************************************************************
Calendar of Events
SUN Sept. 7 9:00 am - 3:00 pm, Belmont Shore Car Show, Second Street`
MON Sept. 8 6:00 PM "Smart Meter" Community meeting, Bay Shore Church Concert Hall, 5100 The Toledo
THU Sept. 11 6:00 pm, BSRA General Membership Meeting and Election, Bay Shore Library
WED Sept. 17 5:30 pm, Belmont Pool meeting, Will Rogers Middle School Auditorium, 365 Monrovia Ave
WED Sept. 17 5:30 - 9:00 pm, Stroll and Savor event, Second Street
THU Sept. 18 9:00 am, Belmont Shore Parking Commission meeting, Bay Shore Library
THU Sept. 18 5:30 - 9:00 pm, Stroll and Savor event, Second Street
TUE Sept. 30, noon, BSBA meeting, Legends, upstairs
************************************************************
Come to the BSRA meeting next week (Thursday, September 11th) for more information about your neighborhood, to meet and talk with your neighbors, and to elect the next Executive Board. We hope to see you there!
In the last year, BSRA has:
- assisted with the successful effort to save the residence at 205 La Verne
- supported conditions to prevent problems with liquor licenses
- promoted a shuttle bus for Second Street employees and visitors
- supported a revised parking study for Belmont Shore
- supported historic home preservation and prevention of "mansionization"
- supported regional zoning update (SEADIP) to limit traffic increases
- provided monthly Crime Reports & welcomed the East Division Police Commander at every meeting
- and provided:
- a forum for resident input and community participation
- oversight of development issues
- timely and relevant speakers and topics
- increased community awareness of issues
- monthly email newsletter