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REGULAR
MEETING OF THE WESTSIDE
CITIES SUMMIT/COG |
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MEETING NOTES
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Municipal Gallery, |
Present:
Other Attendees:
1.
CALL TO ORDER,
WELCOME AND INTRODUCTIONS
The
welcome was given by Mayor Briskman and
2.
DISTRIBUTION OF MEETING NOTES
The
Meeting Notes of
3.
NEW BUSINESS 2005 WORK PROGRAM / PRESENTATIONS
(A) Official Formalization of
the Westside Cities COG.
Facilitator
announced that the group is now officially a Council of Governments. Congratulations were offered all around on
completion of formalization.
(B)
Report and
Recommendations from the COG Homeless Subcommittee on advocacy regarding
regional homeless solutions, including Santa Monica’s appointment of Edmund D.
Edelman as Special Representative on Homeless Initiatives; convening local area
hospitals to capture hospital costs associated with homelessness and form an
advocacy group; inter-agency coordination/continued advocacy of proposal for
therapeutic housing on the West Los Angeles VA campus; the CARES process; LA
Times Homeless Forum 2/15/06.
Councilmember Bloom described Special Representative Edmund D. Edelman’s role with respect to homeless
issues and introduced him to the group.
Mr. Edelman voiced his appreciation for the COG’s efforts working toward
regional homeless solutions and his interest in working with each city. He noted the opportunities provided by recent
media focus for increased awareness by the County, State and Federal
governments. Council Member Bloom
advised that there have been two hospital cost subcommittee meetings well
attended by area hospital representatives held since the last COG meeting. It was noted that it is the first time that
hospitals and cities have joined together to work on homeless matters. The group’s goal is to develop a shared
definition of homelessness and to better understand the inefficiencies of our
community systems in order to fill the service gaps. Council Member Gross advised the group that
mentally ill homeless patients are often housed in emergency rooms for 72 hour
holds with no compensation, displacing other emergency patients. The hospitals working group, specifically the
ER doctors, have identified psychiatric urgent care as a critical missing
service on the Westside. In addition the
group is looking at improvements for discharge planning and the importance of
acknowledging the need for additional treatment, services and housing options
for the population. Ms. Gil Krisiloff
advised that as yet there was no new scheduled date for the CARES local
advisory panel pending notification for the VA Secretary. She thanked the cities for the letters sent to
Veterans Affairs confirming the six guiding principles for use of the site
consistent with the deed for veterans’ benefits. She also announced that in
addition to being Supervisor Yaroslavsky’s Westside Senior Field Deputy, she is
also his Deputy on homelessness. Ms. Vernez advised the group of the
(C) Update on Westside Transit Issues including Efforts
to Modify/Influence Funding for Exposition Light Rail, Above Grade Separation
at Washington/National, the Westside Subway Extension; State Transportation
Infrastructure Bond Issues; and planning transportation symposium 2.
Council Member Gross thanked the COG for the support shown at the METRO
Board meeting when the Exposition Light Rail EIR was certified in
December. Council Member O’Connor, as Board member noted
that the Board is awaiting the “record of decision” on Expo Phase One. She commented on the importance of Westside
mitigation measures particularly on the temporary terminus in
(D)
Economic Health
– League of California Cities Briefing on Fiscal/Legislative Issues. Discussion of State Budget.
(E)
Environmental
Issues: Discussion of NPDES storm water permit requirements, regional funding
approaches, and opportunities for joint action
4. COG LOGISTICS
(A)
By Laws review.
The by laws were
distributed.
(B)
Identification
of date for designation of Chair and other Officers
The
Facilitator advised it was time to establish the date for the first regular
meeting of the Governing Board at which time, per the JPA and By-laws election
of Chair and Vice Chair and appointment of other officers shall take place. Ms. Esser also noted the prescribed term for
officers is established as July 1 through June 30 with successor elections to
take place in May in future years. Ms.
Esser suggested the date for the first regular meeting and election of officers
be the meeting of March 16th.
After a brief discussion in which Vice Mayor Webb noted that Beverly
Hills reorganization would take place in April and it was confirmed that CC
reorganization would take place in April as well, it was agreed by consensus of
the Members that the first regular meeting and election of officers would take place
at the May 18, 2006 meeting of the Governing Board of May 18, 2006
(C) Formation of Technical
Advisory Committee
The Facilitator
reminded that per organization By-laws that the Technical Advisory Committee’s
purpose is to advise the Governing Board and shall be comprised of one city
manager or city manager designee from each member city. Each member city is to designate a
representative by formal letter to the Board – and that these designation
letters should be submitted at/by the May annual meeting.
Council Member
Rosendahl noted he would work to ensure the LA representative was of like rank
to that of CM from the other member cities.
(D)
Subcommittee structure.
The Facilitator
noted the JPA provides the COG may create permanent or ad hoc committees on
matters of mutual interest and concern – that the members have already
established two standing committees: the COG Homelessness committee and COG
Transportation committee. Additional ad
hoc advisory committees may be established as necessary.
(E) Budget adoption
before July
The Facilitator
noted that per the By-laws, any assessment proposed to be included in the
annual budget is required to be announced 60-days in advance of consideration;
and that the COG’s budget is required to be adopted on/by July 1 of each
calendar year. This would mean that a
draft budget, suggested to be prepared by the Technical Advisory Committee,
would need to be completed by early March and noticed on/by March 18th for
consideration at the May 18th meeting; or that a special meeting of the COG
would be required to meet the July 1 adoption date.
5.
RECEIVE &
FILE, DIRECTION RE: CORRESPONDENCE
Moved. Seconded and unanimously approved to receive
and file the following documents;
a)
List of 2006 Tentative Westside COG Meeting Dates
b)
Snoble correspondence
c)
Draft flier, Transportation Symposium 2
d)
Press Release: Westside Economic Collaborative
6.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
(A) MTA Southwest Cities Corridor and Westside
Central Service Sector Report.
Council Member
Gross noted that no service changes were planned to reduce Westside
service. Some additional rapid buses
will be added.
7.
DISCUSSION REGARDING CALENDARING OF FUTURE AGENDA
ITEMS
(A) Discussion
regarding COG meetings and review of 2006 calendar
Facilitator noted Sec. III 2 of the COG
By-laws requires the time and date of regular meetings of the COG be specified
annually. She referred to the list of
2006 future COG meeting dates and committees’ dates. All meetings will be noticed. Document added to receive and file.
8.
PUBLIC
PARTICIPATION
(A) Members of the public may
address the Westside Summit Cities/COG on any subject on or off the agenda by
raising a hand, being recognized by the chair or meeting facilitator and shall
confine comments three minutes per speaker.
Christina Anderson of the
Westside Economic Collaborative advised that the Collaborative supports the
education and advocacy needed for the Exposition Extension to the beach.
Libby Williams of the
Westside Economic Collaborative advised that the Collaborative is the economic
arm of many local COGs and offered their services.
9.
ADJOURNMENT (
In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, if you
require a disability related modification or accommodation to attend or
participate in this meeting, including auxiliary aids or services, please call
310.253.6000 at least three days prior to the meeting.