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Belmont Shore Residents Association MINUTES EXECUTIVE BOARD MEETING October 8, 2009 The meeting was called to order by Vice President Terence Endersen at 6:00 pm. The members of the Executive Board present were: Marvin Jones, Secretary Jeff Miller, Mike Ruehle and Christopher Van Horn. President Aileen Colon, Treasurer Robert O'Connor, and Executive Board members John Forstrom, Adam Hattan, Jim Lazarus and Erik Spence were absent. Thirteen additional BSRA members and visitors were present. The meeting agenda was considered for approval: Agenda Item 11.4, Second Street Bar and Restaurant updates, was added. Mike Ruehle stated that Agenda items 1.3, Approval of Agenda, and 1.4, Approval of Minutes, are a waste of time and should not be included. He said these items were removed "after discussion by the Board" two years ago and asked who "authorized" them to be added again. Debi Gurley, Librarian of the Bay Shore Library, announced that Catrina Hanna, Youth Services Librarian, will be transferring to the Main Library. Ms. Gurley also said they are able to purchase books for the first time since January. Library supporters can make book donations on line through amazon.com; see the library's web site, lbpl.org, for details. LBPD representative Lt. Rosenthal was called away on police business and unable to stay to provide a report. Secretary Jeff Miller reported on these policing issues: Riding a skateboard in the street as transportation is legal, providing the traffic rules are followed, such as travelling in the correct direction along with the traffic. Residents are invited to the October 14 meeting of the Belmont Heights Community Association to hear the LBPD discuss motorcycle noise enforcement. There have been recent increases in residential burglaries, auto burglaries and auto thefts in the east side of Long Beach. Secretary Jeff Miller reported donations of $65.00 during August and September. September election expenses of $689.54 were reported. Dues of $2,110.00 were received from 211 new and renewing members during the same period. Our current membership is down to 235, because 137 members have not renewed and are now in arrears, as of October 1. It is expected that only about 25 of those will renew. Mike Ruehle questioned the election expenses, noting that the amount reported by the Treasurer doesn't match that reported by the Secretary. Additional analysis and an explanation of the difference were requested by board members. Vice President Terence Endersen summarized the budget prepared by Treasurer Robert O'Connor. Expenses of $3,580 are anticipated during this fiscal year (October 1 through next September 30), but revenue is expected to be only $2,400, leaving a deficit of $1,180. Hopefully, new memberships during the year will add some revenue. Mike Ruehle questioned the budget, suggesting that some of the expenses are too high or unnecessary. Ruehle questioned the expense for insurance and stated that there was no public discussion of the annual policy renewal payment. He asked that all expenses be approved in advance at a public meeting. Secretary Jeff Miller explained that the insurance policy is a standard "Directors and Officers" policy, which defends the Executive Board members from liability if sued for their official actions or statements. Secretary Jeff Miller requested volunteers for the Web Site Committee. We are now using the email capability through our web site to distribute the BSRA newsletter. Members will receive these as messages from "bsramail@shoreresidents.com". Executive Board member Christopher Van Horn spoke about the Beach Committee. He said its purpose is to inform residents about city plans for the beach. He made the following motion, seconded by Marvin Jones: "Authorize expenditures to reimburse the CSULB Triathlon team for materials for their cleanup work on the Alamitos Bay beach, not to exceed $100.00." Jeff Miller suggested this amendment: "Authorize a donation of $100.00 to the CSULB Triathlon team for materials for their cleanup work on the Alamitos Bay beach." The amended motion passed. Yes votes: Endersen, Jones, Miller, Ruehle and Van Horn. No votes: None. Van Horn asked for volunteers for the Beach Committee, and to attend the next committee meeting at Council member DeLong's field office at 340 Nieto Ave. on October 22 at 4 pm. The meeting is open to BSRA members. Van Horn made the following motion, seconded by Mike Ruehle: "Authorize payment to Alfredo's at Alamitos Bay for $5.00 per person attending a neighborhood mixer event on the afternoon of November 14, not to exceed $500.00." Secretary Jeff Miller supported the idea of a mixer, but expressed these concerns: This event should not be considered and scheduled without the participation of our new President; BSRA cannot afford this event because of the budget deficit; and there is no defined goal, objective, or benefit to BSRA for this event. Ruehle responded that the objective of the neighborhood mixer is for BSRA to conduct a positive event in the neighborhood that could be combined with a membership drive, and the BSRA had built its bank account to $4,000 over the past two years and therefore could afford $500. Terence Endersen stated that he felt it could be a good opportunity to gain new members, and that $500 spent to increase membership would be more successful than last year's proposal of spending $1,500 for a mailer. The motion passed. Yes votes: Endersen, Jones, Ruehle and Van Horn. No votes: Miller. Kadee Della Donna asked Van Horn to research why she was prohibited from swimming in the ocean after 10 pm. Vice President Terence Endersen reported the actions at the most recent meeting of the Parking Commission: Bill Lorbeer was elected Chairman and Kurt Schneiter was elected Vice Chairman. Expenditure of $8,000 for refuse and cigarette butt containers was approved. There was discussion of the Cash Key program for parking meters and paving of the alleys adjacent to Second Street. There was no representative present from the BSBA to give a report. Julie Maleki from Council member DeLong's office reported these items: Work has begun on the Termino Avenue storm drain project, rehabilitation of the handball courts is scheduled to begin October 19, the EIR for the Alamitos Bay project is available, sidewalk repairs are planned, the Third District newsletter is available, and the Third District Neighborhood Council meeting will be at the LB Yacht Club at 11:45 on October 22. Maleki also provided clarification on the asphalt removal and repairs and improvements at the Bayshore Church parking lot. Larry Rich, a Sustainability Coordinator of the Office of Sustainability, City of Long Beach, spoke about the city Sustainability Commission's initiatives, goals, actions, and schedule to become an environmentally sustainable city. Mike Ruehle spoke about making changes to the Belmont Shore Parking Commission. He made the following motion, seconded by Vice President Terence Endersen: "Contact the Mayor by telephone and request the status of the appointment of Terry Endersen to the commission." The motion passed. Yes votes: Endersen, Jones, Miller, Ruehle and Van Horn. No votes: None. Ruehle then made the following motion, seconded by Marvin Jones: "Contact the Mayor and Council member DeLong by email and US Mail to request that the composition of the Parking Commission be changed to consist of two resident representatives instead of one and two business representatives instead of three." Secretary Jeff Miller expressed these concerns: This request should not be considered without the participation of our new President; we should wait until after the one authorized resident representative is appointed; and we should be aware that the person appointed as the second resident representative may not be our choice for the position. Ruehle withdrew his motion, and stated that he would present it again at next month’s meeting. Secretary Jeff Miller reported the status of these building code violations: updated plans have been approved for Belmont Station and plans have been submitted for glass doors at Acapulco Inn. He noted the Zoning Administrative Hearing for the illegal wetlands work done by Sean Hitchcock is scheduled for October 12 at 2pm and the deadline for commenting on the "2nd+PCH" development EIR is November 5. There was no time for Agenda item 12, Public Comment. BSRA member Henry Schwarz wanted to present concerns regarding vehicles with trailer hitches parking in the Shore. The meeting was adjourned at 8:00 pm. Submitted by: Jeff Miller, Recording Secretary
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