Minutes of the July 16, 2007 Board meeting

Due to the lack of a quorum, Past President Mike Williams, temporarily filled the vacancy as provided in the by-laws.

L. A. County Sheriff's Lieutenant Baltazarstated that crimes were down including residential and vehicular burglaries. An operation to target problems with the homeless resulted in several arrests. Most homeless received aid and assistance. A license plate check identified a stolen car with two females and a substantial amount of stolen mail. Sgt. Cabrera spoke about a tip from an audience member at the June meeting which turned out to be a good case.

CHP motor officers Ben Sotello and Chris Valencia announced that Officer Joe Zizi was back with the Santa Fe Springs office. Joe said he was glad, too. The radar trailer is being deployed to various ocations to make drivers aware of their speed. Officer Zizi stated that we will soon have four COPS team members for our area. Statewide, CHP has 8,200 officers and the Governor is pushing for 500 more.

Robert and Kathy Jamieson, New Horizons, shared a story of how they helped another food bank. In a previous HHIA Board meeting, Alex Mendoza, St. Martin's Food Pantry, met with Kathy and they formed a professional relationship. With a prompting from Food Bank organizations, Albertsons now has established a responsible program for saving out-dated food and is donating it to food banks such as St. John Vianney's church. In the second week of operation, 500 lbs. of food was donated. CostCo in the City of Industry, is also participating.

Jim Starkey, representing Senator Bob Margett's office, gave a budget update and identified all of the issues interfering with the payment of bills to hundreds of organizations and contractors as well as State employees. Unemployment is up three tenths of a percent. He reminded us that several new laws take effect on July 1. He also spoke about SB 974 dealing with container fees, from ocean going ships, that are transported by truck or rail from the ports. The proposed fee would add $30 per container to mitigate the effects of air pollution and road congestion.

Dickie Simmons, Supervisor Knabe's field deputy, complimented everybody who worked on the clean up of the parade route and more. Banners recognizing active military members will go up as soon as the Fourth of July banners come down. He reminded us of the November 8 luncheon honoring the Public Safety personnel to be held at the Pacific Palms . He stated that the electric marquee is still in the plans, just slow in coming. Painting is continuing along Stimson and beautification is starting on Halliburton. An audience member stated that the basketball court lights at Manzanita Park are very poor.

Barbara Fish, Natiuve Habitat Authority, shared that a Resource Management Plan is trying to be passed and said that the "official trails" are in good shape as opposed to the unofficial trails that people create by cutting switchbacks or venturing off the official trails.
Barbara Fish also stated that the signs at the "entrances" to Hacienda Heights are rusted and faded, and inquired whether the Board could arrange to give them a face lift.

An audience member commented that the Karaoke bar going in near Vons is being described as a "night club" which is a violation and contrary to the owner's previous statements to the HHIA Board. The parking situation is going to be inadequate near the bar, and the Chinese restaurant is allowing parking in the fire lane. Dickie said he would look into it..