Minutes of the March 19, 2007 Board meeting

MOTIONS
The Board approved the following motions: (1) Send the County a letter regarding the application for the Karaoke Club that alcohol should not be served; (2) To be voted on at the April Board Meeting: amend the by-laws, article XI, regarding the annual HHIA members meeting to strike the reference to the "second Thursday in January"; (3) Jean Robson to be the HHIA representative to the San Gabriel River Discovery Center; and (4) Appoint Scott Martin to be the alternate representative to the San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments.

LAW ENFORCEMENT
L. A. County Sheriff's Deputy Brian Sanford shared crime statistics: February crimes are down, residential burglaries are down, but auto burglaries are up slightly. There were 718 calls for service in February, 100 arrests were made during the month - four of which were related to the attempted murder and assault with a deadly weapon in Steinmetz Park, a van was stopped and a search revealed thousands of pieces of stolen mail. On March 24, there will be a 5-10K Run to benefit the 999 club for abused children. He reminded us that anyone can call him at the Industry Sheriff's Station at extension 2261 to discuss issues. He encouraged everyone to consider creating a Neighborhood Watch program.

CHP motor officers Ben Sotello and Chris Valencia shared that the radar trailer has been working well and has been seen on Stimson. They advised that there are some new traffic laws for 2007 including punishments for drunk drivers who are under age, and motorists are required to SAFELY move to another lane (to the left) when approaching a Peace Officer on the shoulder.

LEGISLATIVE
Jim Starkey, representing Senator Bob Margett's office, discussed State budget issues , provided information about polling places and laws banning registered sex offenders not being allowed to work at the polls. He also provided information on websites to attendees who requested it at the February meeting.

BOARD of SUPERVISORS
Supervisor Knabe's field deputy Dickie Simmons said the new Code Enforcement Officer, Nick Damien, will be attending more HHIA Board meetings; the Nuisance Abatement Team (NAT) is going well - they are doing visual inspections on numerous streets; the 2007 Community Connection newsletter is being developed and will be in the mail soon; another Tipping Fee Stakeholders Meeting is set for March 21 at the Steinmetz Senior Center; the Medical Marijuana clinic will be closed in April; the new graffiti removal program will be on a seven day basis and will not rely solely on complaints; Taste of the Heights is set for May 23 at Pathfinder Park; introduced Margaret Trujillo with Parks and Recreation; the Supervisors will review the bid for resurfacing the 9th street drainage project on March 20.

NATIVE HABITAT AUTHORITY
Barbara Fish shared recent improvements, and that there are delays on the 7th Street and Orange Grove project; there are a few more properties that have been acquired on top of Turnbull Canyon.

PRESIDENT'S REPORT
Mike Hughes will prepare a letter of recommendation supporting the New Horizons Care Giver Group for Robert Jamison and his wife.
Committee reports were presented by Shan Lee, Mary Tang, Donna Steinmetz, Charles Norris, Jean Robson, Jim Snyder, Mae Chu and Scott Martin.