Minutes of the March 15, 2004 Board meeting

LAW ENFORCEMENT UPDATES
Joe Zizi of the CPH introduced the newest Public Affairs Officer, Cory Baker. Joe reported that the collision rate in Hacienda Heights dropped 10%, however, compared to South Whittier, we have a much higher collision rate. Last year we had 833 collisions, S. Whittier had 704 collisions. Joe stated that if someone sees a traffic violation and gets the license number and calls it in to the CHP they will send a letter to that person, stating the violation and that they can't give them a ticket, but they will be looking for them. This is especially effective if it was a teenager, and the parent gets the letter. To report a violation we can call 1-800-TELL-CHP.

Mike Soffereli of the LA County Sheriff's Department reported on the investigations regarding the shootings on Canelones and on Charlemont. He also stated that they are working on plans for the July 4th Parade. Mike also reported that the graffiti that we see is mostly from taggers and not from gang members.

PUBLIC INPUT
Dickie Simmons of Supervisor Knabe‚s office gave notice that the Pacific Heights development is coming before the planning commission on Wednesday the 17th. Dickie reported that a group from Hacienda Heights has asked to help out on distributing information concerning the county. The county will open a small resource office at Manzanita Park which will have flyers on county government. The Supervisor‚s office is getting ready to distribute a flyer on community services that will go out to every resident. The county has been working to try and get the walls along Hacienda Blvd. Painted. Dickie discussed the events at the General Plan meeting on March 11, 2004, and said that Supervisor Knabe has requested some modification on the designation of some of the roadways, such as Seventh Ave. not going over the hill to Whittier and changes to Turnbull Canyon. Supervisor Knabe is also insisting that the Puente Hills Landfill will go back under the Hacienda Heights Sphere of Influence, rather than North Whittier. The lighting on Stimson, from Lujon to Halliburton, is in the process of be assessed for more lighting by the public works department. The supervisor‚s office has been approached by some individual sheriffs regarding changing the name of Pepperbrook Park to honor one of their deceased deputies. The park would be renamed Mike Tolman Park. Dickie said they would like some community feed back on this subject.

Roel Saldivar, Field Representative and Veterans Liaison from the office of Congresswoman Grace F. Napolitano introduced himself as he represents this area for the Congresswoman. His phone number is 562-801-2134.

A member of the audience reported that the trash bin in Pepperwood Park needed cleaning. He also said that the new trees planted along Countrywood Ave. looked very nice. He suggested that the board have name plates on their desk so the audience would know who they are.

David Wysocki, Community Library Manager, of the Hacienda Heights Library, brought to our attention his concern over the Governor‚s proposed budget for 2004-2005 that will shift property tax revenues from city and county governments to the state. This could result in closure of 16 libraries, one bookmobile and service hours will be cut about 40%, and no new materials will be purchased. On file is a letter from Mr. Wysocki to the Board and a Library Budget Information Sheet regarding the above.

PROGRAM - DEPT. OF REGIONAL PLANNING-ZONING ENFORCEMENT
JIM GOETHALS AND ROSE HAMILTON
Jim reported that zoning enforcement handles garage conversions, inoperable vehicles, junk and salvage, commercial vehicle storage, commercial uses in a residential zone, signage issues and outside displays and sales. The help hot line to call in any complaint is 1-800- 924-4357 (HELP). He currently has 62 open cases in Hacienda Heights and last month he closed 6 cases. He stated that the county code requires that each residence have two covered parking spaces for vehicles, either a garage or carport. Jim explained the process that he goes through to handle a violation or complaint:
1- File the complaint
2- Research the zoning and determine who is the owner
3- Conduct an investigation, either knocking on the door, driving by, or taking pictures
4- Give a notice of violation and follow up with a letter
5. - If they do not comply, a second letter is sent. If they do not comply within two weeks, they get a non-compliance fee of $598.00.
If not paid within two weeks the fee increases to $1,918.00. If they still do not comply the matter goes to the District Attorney's Office.

Because of a lack of affordable housing the state has mandated that every municipality is required to have a second unit housing ordinance. The property cannot have more than a 1,200 sq. ft. unit, and depending on the property other restrictions may apply.

COMMUNITY INTEREST REPORTS
Jeff Yann has been working with the County‚s Alternative Technologies Advisory Committee. They seem committed to meeting the PHLF CUP requirement of identifying one or more viable alternative technologies to land filling by November 2004.

Jeff also represents the Hillside Open Space Education Committee. A campaign to educate residents around the Puente Hills is being developed in anticipation of release of Aera's EIR in summer, 2004.

Puente Hills CAC. An issue was initiated by notification by Ombudsman Bud Welch to Mike Hughes that his attendance would no longer be allowed. Jeff offered to write a letter for Mike Williams' signature requesting reconsideration of this policy.

San Gabriel River Discovery Center. The Upper District received proposals from eight architectural firms seeking to contract for design of the Center. Jeff suggested that we appoint an alternate for Mary Varela, as due to an illness in the family she has not been able to attend.
Jeff's report is on file.

A member of the audience asked about dust monitoring for the Landfill. Jeff stated that it had not been done for nearly a decade and we would have to request it from the AQMD. Mike Hughes stated that the landfill no longer uses water cannons to control the dust.

Mike Hughes submitted a revised copy of the Pacific Heights Project, and it is on file.

Barbara Fish reported on the Joint Powers Authority's plans. The Habitat Authority is including the community youth in the plans for the iron gate at the 7th Ave. and Orange Grove Trailhead.

Barbara submitted some material on the sources of water for the wildlife. There has been a request from the Sanitation District regarding where a Guzzler should be put. They are considering putting the watering facility up on the Nike site back into operation.

The next Board meeting will be at 12:15 on the 25th, at the Sanitation District Offices. Report on file.

Steve Feld reported the JPA-Wildlife Corridor. Tom Greene and Bill Herrick were appointed to the Advisory Board. The Board approved the final report Monitoring Reptiles and Amphibians at Long-Term Biodiversity Monitoring Stations: The Puente-Chino Hills. They named Rowland Von Dorp, from the Advisory Committee to sit on the Stakeholder Advisory Committee of the Discovery Center as their representative. They passed a resolution authorizing a comment letter to the County on the Negative Declaration for Oak Tree Permit No. 03-316-94), 2774 Turnbull Canyon Road. They passed a resolution authorizing a comment letter to the City of Chino Hills on a Notice of Preparation for their Western Hills project located near Carbon Canyon Rd. Report on File.

PRESIDENTS REPORT
Mike reported that Saturday the 20th is the "Summit on Growth" at the AQMD offices, from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM.

Saturday July 3rd will be the Jim Davis Beautification Day.

Jim attended the LA County Plan presentation at Steinmetz Park on March 11th. The Hacienda Heights Community Plan is being revised. Supervisor Knabe will insist that the PHLF remain in the Hacienda Heights sphere of influence. In addition, our Supervisor will be requesting a change to the Highway Master Plan, deleting the 7th Avenue expansion between Los Robles and Turnbull Canyon/Vallecito and reclassifying 7th Avenue at Turnbull Canyon from Vallecito to the Whittier city line from a major to a secondary highway. There will be another presentation by the County on April 22, 2004 at the Whittier Community Resource Center.

COMMITTEE REPORTS
President Mike Williams reported that Dennis Hostetler has resigned from the Board due to a potential conflict of interest with his employment. The Board will elect a new director to serve out his term at the April Meeting.

BUSINESS
Mike Williams moved that we write a letter to the Sanitation District about the conduct of the Puente Hills Landfill Citizens Advisory Committee council. The motion was approved unanimously. (This was regarding the CAC item discussed in Jeff Yann's report.)

Mike Williams moved that we write a letter to AQMD requesting dust monitoring around the Puente Hills Landfill, and asking when there was previous monitoring. The motion was approved unanimously.

The meeting was adjourned at 9:26 PM.