Minutes of the August 20, 2007 Board meeting

The Board moved to reinstate former Director Troy Goodspeed to the Board with his previous position as Chair of the Code Enforcement Committee.

The Board approved requesting Cal Trans to consider the feasibility of restriping the lanes on Hacienda Blvd modifying the current striping of the Pomona Freeway/Hacienda Blvd on-ramp as proposed by Mr. Jim Kakamasu.

LA County Sheriff's Deputy Brian Sanford reported that on August 18 deputies responded to a "man shot" call, and upon searching the premises found hundreds of Marijuana plants; on arrest was made. Crime stats are low except for 150-250 Ford trucks are having tailgates stolen. He reminded attendees that as a result of the Pico Rivera resident being killed after confronting a tagger to call the Sheriff and stay away. Deputy Malki ,with the COPS team, arrested a burglary suspect after a surveillance; he had outstanding warrants.

Jim Starky, representing Senator Margett's office, shared that the budget still had not passed, is $700 million out of balance, and there are still issues of next year's budget having a structural deficit. He discussed some details dealing with the challenges for an agreement for the budget, and described future initiatives.

Dickie Simons introduced Gabriel Lnu (?) who described just finishing cleaning up graffiti, and encouraged calling in often on 211 for graffiti removal. A contact phone umber for Cal Trans representative Derick, 213-897-0303, as offered by James Young. Dickie stated that the electronic marquee sign is scheduled for installation in September. He introduced Elizabeth Sinclair who discussed the Hacienda Heights General Plan progress, noting that a meeting is set for September 19 at the Steinmetz Senior Center. Dickie, on behalf of Supervisor Knabe, presented Mr. and Mrs. Jamieson, of New Horizon, a check for $10,000 to help Title 1 families and will go "ten fold" towards food and supplies for these families.

Public input. An audience member shared her concern for the electronic message sign and feels that it would be a blight on the community. It was observed that many communities have welcoming electronic signs to provide information to residents and visitors about important activities in a timely manner. Someone else asked whether art work could be part of the sounds walls. The answer was probably not. A question was raised regarding the Karaoke Bar and the Fire and Ice Club and which was to receive the liquor license. The Club will be the recipient of the liquor license. Another comment was made regarding a retrospective look at the 1978 Hacienda Heights Community Plan and the deviations that have been allowed. The question was: "Why write another plan if we cannot control the current plan related to what has occurred?" The primary response was that the 1978 plan is so far out of date that it is difficult to make reasonable decisions on amendments.