Northridge Community Council |
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MINUTES, (Numbers match agenda)
7:30 p.m. Northridge Hospital Penthouse Suite
1. Welcome by Dorothy Boberg. Announcement that Acting President Brad Smith had resigned due to professional and personal reasons. Brad will continue to submit news releases to the Times and Daily News for each summer meeting. Dorothy Boberg, Acting Vice President, assumed the duties of President until formal elections are conducted. Each person present introduced themselves and their main issue of concern. Observers present from Granada Hills also from Jim Hahn's office and the city attorneys office.
2. Minutes of the May meeting were read by Pat LoPresti. There were no corrections or additions and the minutes were approved.
3. Other acting positions: Pat LoPresti - Secretary Andy Anderson - Treasurer
Accounting Services: Sandra Kardos, CPA
4. Announcements of Acting Chairpersons:
Precinct Organization and Council telephone answering service Don Larson Membersh¹ip Outreach Jane Lowenthal Apartment Outreach
Condo Outreach June Schlindwein Business Outreach Walter Prince Homeowners Outreach
CSUN Outreach Judy Nutter, Will Forthman Northridge Hospital Outreach Ron Rozanski, Teddi Grant Student Outreach/GH High Hanvid Kim, Christine Sim Administrative Assistant Telephone calls and Mailings Anita Santospirito Webmaster Charles Brink, Megan Jones Issues/Programs ;
Publicity - news releases only Brad Smith Education and Schools James Mertzel Public Safety
Anne Gaynor Fundraising, Special Events June Waugh Legal and Bylaws John W Hospitality Dr. Estelle Lit, Marilyn Stout Advertising of monthly meetings
Other
Please contact Dorothy Boberg if you want to suggest more committees or volunteer to chair or become a member of any committees. Complete the volunteer form located at the sign in table and forward to Dorothy.
5. Main Issues of Interest Water Quality - toilet to tap Energy Conversation/Crisis CSUN development of North Campus acres Traffic Improvements Sunshine Canyon Landfill
6. Review of Interim Bylaws
John Weitkamp reviewed the proposed interim bylaws. The Council is to be an unincorporated, non profit association. At present this is a fluid enterprise and changes will be occurring which will entail modifications and amendments to our bylaws. Once initially approved Bylaw changes must be approved by DONE. The term stakeholder has been changed to read - "community stakeholder"- anyone who has any interest of any kind in a particular community council. Boundaries and diversity of council membership two items that need to be decided soon. Overlap and participation in multiple councils is intended. A membership application will be required for voting purposes which will identify interests and community affiliations. October 1 is deadline for certification application process to DONE. By that time we must fine tune bylaws, select a board of directors and officers. Present list has 22 members and is that adequate and representative of the entire NR area? Ethics clause must also be added to our proposal by an attendee. Directors may not serve more than eight consecutive years on a council. Discussion continued regarding whether Council should have a director structure or a steering committee, town hall structure.
Email all comments and suggestions concerning the bylaws to Dorothy Boberg prior to the July meeting. dkboberg@earthlink.net
Comments on the prepared list of officers and committee chairpersons encouraged suggestions to expand the list, set up business locations that need representation, increase participation by churches and revise the list based on Northridge issues and needs. Brown Act was again discussed. Dorothy will again contact Ms. Pointdexter from the city attorneys office and schedule her to speak at a future meeting.
Once boundaries are established decisions must be made on diversity, code of ethics and a formal manner in which to handle disputes amongst community stakeholders.
7. Comments were made by Harry Coleman who is displeased with the organization and plans for the Northridge Council. Sherwood Forest's Board of Directors has voted to not participate in this council as it is presently developing. Explanations and discussion followed. He proceeded to share his thoughts about the realistic size of the council, how to develop a system to participate, resources available from the councilman's office, and forming a confederation of organizations to discuss issues.
Boundaries were discussed as Roscoe, Winnetka, Rinaldi and Porter Ranch and Lindley Ave. Precinct lines versus natural boundaries versus zip codes were also discussed.
Paula Boland commented on the Charter Committees failure to do a thorough job of researching the Council concept and preparing guidelines. The Neighborhood Council idea was dreamed up and put on the table. That is the reason for the absence of concise guidelines and mission statement.
A two minute speaking limit was then established for this and future meetings.
Questions asked about Granada Hills and Chatsworth councils. Observing Granada Hills representatives told us of their initial efforts to advertise and organize their council. Their first meeting is the end of June.
8. Motion made to establish a committee to propose NR boundaries was passed.
9. Additional discussion on continuing the present organization efforts, need for more advertising of the meetings, community apath to obtain funds for advertising expenses, consider a liaison committee to further discuss boundaries of adjacent community councils.
Dorothy Boberg commented on the need for a council with officers and committees be elected by September is preparation for the Oct. 1, 2001, application process. DONE is working on the requirements and forms now. Important to elect people who you trust. Everyone will not always be agreement on all issues so a minority report will always be possible. The plans is to vote on the bylaws and elect officers by the September meeting.
Boundaries Committee/Bylaws: Chairperson - Don Larson, Charles Brink, Barbara Romey, Jon Laurizen, Dorothy Boberg and Steve Slutzah. Proposal to be presented at the July meeting.
Public Comment: Community and Developers agree on Staples Plan by Marilyn Stout.
Future Meetings: Third Wednesday of July 18 Review bylaws August 15 Vote on bylaws September 19 Elect Officers Flyers advertising the three summer meetings explained by Pat LoPresti. Printing and distribution is a personal expense. It is everyone's responsibility to help advertise these meetings in your neighborhoods, churches, businesses.
Upcoming meetings of interest:
June 26, 2001 Board of Ne City Hall, Rm 315, 200 N. Main St., Phone Jackie Mendez and Marilyn Stout .
June 28, 2001 9 am North Campus Development Corporation Meeting, CSUN, University Hall Rm 277 on Etiwanda Street Pat LoPresti ;
Due to lack of funding, a hat was passed and $38.00 was collected to be deposited in an account by Acting Treasurer Andy Anderson. Check may be written to Northridge Community Council.
Meeting adjourned at 9:35 p.m.
Minutes submitted by Pat LoPresti