JANUARY 13 STAKEHOLDERS MEETING
AD HOC PLANNING COMMITTEE MINUTES
November 25, 2003
Present: Ken Alpern, Evelyn Dravecky, Christy Boardman, Amanda Seward, Bill Sheding, Christine Taylor.
The purpose of the meeting was to determine the goals of the January 13th meeting and begin overall planning for this activity.
At the November Outreach Committee meeting, the suggestion was made that this stakeholder meeting concentrate on a participatory session based upon addressing the three major interrelated issues that emerged from the Mar Vista Mayor’s survey, namely traffic, street services, beautification.
Bill Sheding asked that 15 minutes be allotted to informing stakeholders about the upcoming MVCC elections. It was decided to schedule this at the beginning of the session.
The question arose as to whether we should include a discussion of Playa Vista at this meeting. After much discussion, it was decided not to go in this direction since the Urban Planning Committee had sponsored a community meeting solely on that subject and we did not want the meeting to be a forum for Playa Vista representatives to present their case – again.
Another suggestion was to include Santa Monica airport issues. There are many safety issues and the possibility of airport expansion with resulting noise. The decision was that issues around the airport would require an entire session, so this was deferred for future discussion.
Ken Alpern also proposed that one area that could be addressed was the development of a Venice Corridor Task Force, based upon the Lincoln Corridor Task Force.
The overall plan for the meeting that was outlined is as follows:
The emphasis will be on how stakeholders can get things done to improve particularly traffic, street services in their neighborhoods – how can they work with city department representatives. It was agreed that we want to focus not simply on raising complaints but for people to understand how they can be part of the solution to a specific problem.
Representatives of Councilwoman Cindy Miscikowski’s office, Departments of Transportation,City Planning, Street Services (Trees, street cleaning, etc.) be invited to participate. However, these representatives will be provided with questions before the meeting related to specific issues of concern to the community in order to focus their responses.
Christine Taylor and Bill Sheding suggested that Bill Pope, a stakeholder in Mar Vista, who is knowledgeable about traffic and environmental issues be included in the panel as a counterpoint to official representatives.
Participants will also be provided with cards at the beginning of the meeting in order to write specific questions on the stated issues that they want answered. Their questions should relate to what can be done about the issue and how to do it.
Amanda Seward suggested that we ask the city representatives what do they want from us – what questions do they have for stakeholders.
It was agreed that for this meeting we will not have a raffle with prizes, which will simplify the planning process.
Christine Taylor pointed out that George Chung is willing to include a flyer about the meeting, but we must have it to him by the first week of December.
Because of the holiday season it was agreed that the group would communicate by e-mail to implement meeting planning and schedule a formal meeting after the first of the year to address final details. Evelyn will contact group members before January lst to schedule this meeting.
ACTION ITEMS:
1. Bill Sheding Will send questions from the Traffic Committee to Evelyn ASAP
Contact Bill Pope about his participation in the program.
2. Evelyn Dravecky Will contact Nancy Hoisman, Andy Shrader re formulating
Flyers, press releases for the meeting.
Contact George Chung regarding flyer distribution
Contact Sandi Sawa regarding her participation, also identify city department representatives re participation
Solicit questions to ask panel participants from Board, Outreach Committee.
Prepared by E. Dravecky
November 28, 2003