MEETING MINUTES

March 8, 2012

The meeting was called to order by President Kurt Borsting at 6:00 pm. The other members of the Executive Board present were: Chrisjeon Clemmer, Julie Dean, Vice President Terence Endersen, Marvin Jones, Secretary Jeff Miller, Treasurer Robert O'Connor, and Robert Stropky. and Executive Board members Max Alavi, Aileen Colon, and John Forstrom were absent. Twenty-four additional BSRA members and visitors were present.

The agenda for this meeting and the minutes of the February 9 meeting were approved.

Librarian Debi Gurley-Vilander announced the "Long Beach Reads One Book" activities associated with this year's selection ("Zorro", by Isabel Allende) will include a geocaching event and two Zorro-themed movies.

LBPD East Division Commander Michael Beckman warned about current appearances of counterfeit $100 bills. He reviewed the details of some of the crimes in Belmont Shore in February, as reported on crimereports.com, the publicly-available web site which receives crime data from the LBPD. He described the two assaults reported in February, a purse-snatching at a restaurant, and several residential and auto burglaries. Half of the thefts from autos were from unlocked vehicles.

This month's guest speaker, Eric Lopez, from the City of Long Beach Department of Community Development, spoke about various Shore construction projects which will be paid by the Tidelands Capital Fund. There are twelve approved projects, totaling $30 million, which include replacing the Leeway Sailing Center and the dock, a new 3.5 mile pedestrian path on the beach, and new beach restrooms. The pedestrian path will be built in the fall, but the Leeway Sailing Center will not be built until 2013. The upgrade of Belmont Pool is not yet funded or approved.

Secretary Jeff Miller announced these BSBA events: the "Chocolate Festival and Spring Sweets" on March 24 and the Scavenger Hunt in April. A new business, Roe Restaurant and Fish Market, plans to open soon in the former location of "Smoques" (next door to the Bay Shore Library). Eric Johnson from Legends described the Grand Prix event scheduled for 6 - 9 pm on April 11 - Corona Ave. will be closed from Second St. south to the alley.

Julie Maleki from Third District Councilman Gary Delong's office announced the pending repair of damaged sidewalks on Bennett, Roswell, and Glendora Avenues, and a hazardous waste collection scheduled for March 24. Councilman DeLong's Neighborhood Associations meeting and the Beach Committee meeting will be March 15.

Eric Forsberg reported there was no Parking Commission meeting last month due to lack of a quorum.

President Borsting reported several accomplishments of BSRA so far this fiscal year (Since October 1), in these areas of concern identified by the board: Advocacy - we hosted an informational meeting regarding the Second+PCH proposal. Membership - A facebook page has been implemented and a new web site is being prepared. Community service - the Tree Planting Initiative is in progress.

Secretary Miller noted an invoice for the annual fee for the internet domain name "shoreresidents.org"; a motion was approved to pay the invoice of $15.

Treasurer Robert O'Connor reported the checking account balance of $3,124.

Rob Stropky reported the status of the Tree Planting Initiative: ninety fliers have been distributed to residences in need of trees; eight responses have been received. Additional publicity was gained by an article in the Grunion Gazette. Planting is expected to be on or near Arbor Day; volunteers are still needed. Refreshments will be provided by Legends.

Julie Dean reported the status of an updated BSRA web site. She requested additional photos of the Shore, which can be sent to mail@shoreresidents.org.

President Borsting requested funding for a large banner to be hung outside the library the week of the BSRA meeting, as a visual reminder. A motion was approved authorizing up to $200 for purchase of a BSRA banner and possibly a replacement for a library banner as well.

Melinda Cotton reported an agenda item scheduled for Tuesday's City Council meeting, proposing "sponsorship", or advertising, at city facilities and on city property. She described a number of concerns about this and requested BSRA support for a request that this be removed from the Council agenda and referred to the appropriate city commissions instead, to allow for community reaction and participation. A motion was approved unanimously to send a written request that this policy change be withdrawn and referred to appropriate City commissions.

The meeting was adjourned at 7:10 pm.

Submitted by:

Jeff Miller, Secretary