Issam Najm, President; Susan Gorman-Chang, Vice President; Gabriel Khanlian, Secretary; Jason Hector, Treasurer; David Balen, Signer; Asaad Alnajjar; Lori Choi;

Brandii Grace, Mihran Kalaydjian; David Lasher; Becky Leveque

Rev. 03-14-2019

P.O. Box 7337; P orter Ranc h , CA 91327 - 7337; Phone: 818 - 217- 0279; www.prnc .org

Porter Ranch Neighborhood Council (PRNC)

Board Meeting

Wednesday, 10 April 2019

Castlebay Lane Charter School (CLCS)

19010 Castlebay Lane, Porter Ranch 91326

APPROVED MINUTES

1. Meeting call to order

▪ President Issam Najm called the meeting to order at 6.18PM.

2. Welcome

▪ Issam welcomed over 26 stakeholders along with the eleven board members.

3. Pledge of Allegiance

▪ Issam led us in the Pledge of Allegiance.

4. Roll Call

▪ Gabriel Khanlian performed the roll call and a quorum was declared.

Here (11) Asaad Alnajjar, David Balen, Lori Choi, Susan Gorman-Chang, Brandii Grace, Jason

Hector, Mihran Kalaydjian, Gabriel Khanlian, David Lasher, Becky Leveque, and Issam

Najm

5. Financial Report

▪ Per Treasurer Jason, the following is the current financial status:

Net Available $6,920.04

Approved Expenditures Earth Day

Tampa Median

1,000.00

$7500.00

▪ Beginning this fiscal year, neighborhood councils with remaining funds at the end of the fiscal year (June 30)

may roll over up to $10k to the next year.

▪ As the debit card has not yet appeared, expenditures have to be handled as a Board Member Reimbursement

(BMR).

▪ David Balen asked how many debit cards the PRNC may receive. Although there was a rumor that two cards

may be available, that was merely a rumor. The DONE rules indicate that merely one card will be allocated to

each neighborhood council. Treasurer Jason will hold that card.

Rev. 03-14-2019 Page | 2

6. Presentation from Representatives of Elected Officials or City Departments

▪ Mr. Daniel Tamm from the LA City Department of Sanitation invited everyone to the Earth Day LA 2019

Celebration at Woodley Park 1, 6350 Woodley Avenue, Van Nuys on Saturday, April 27, 10AM to 2.30PM.

o Admission, parking, food, and drinks (while supplies last) will be free.

o Daniel was honored to recently to serve as a judge at a high school arts competition. The artwork from the

top artists will be presented at this Earth Day Celebration.

o This event will include over fifty exhibits as well as:

Conservation and Sustainability Workshops

Customer Service Assistance

Entertainment

Kids Zone

Tree and Plan Giveaways

Vehicle Exhibits

o The Department of Sanitation may have additional information on Mayor Garcetti’s goal to achieve 100%

recyclable water by 2035.

o In addition, the Department of Sanitation is seeking candidates for a paid six-week internship, to be held

June 27 through July 26. Interns must be an LAUSD high school junior, senior, or recent graduate who

enrolled in advanced math and science and completed Algebra II with a B grade (or higher). Teenagers

will work a maximum of 20/hours a week and be paid $13.25/hour.

o This will include training, workshops, educational field trips, and the opportunity to gain work experience

and explore career options in civil, environmental and chemical engineering, environmental science,

statistical analysis, and/or information technology/accounting.

o If interested, please submit documentation (including transcripts, resume, and recommendation letter(s)) to

san.sites@lacity.org by Friday, April 19. For additional information, please visit

www.lacitysan.org/careers.

▪ Colin Crews, Field Deputy for CD12, spoke of the following:

o Thursday, April 11, beginning at 5PM will be the Special Olympics “Tip a Cop” fundraiser at the Claim

Jumper Restaurant, 9429 Tampa Avenue.

o Saturday, April 13, beginning at 9AM will be the Limekiln Canyon Cleanup sponsored by CD12, PRNC,

YMCA, and Wal-Mart.

o Saturday, April 27, 1PM to 3.30PM at the Northridge Middle School will be a Budget 101 informational

workshop so participants can learn more about the city budget.

o Brandii added that April 27 would also be the Autism Speaks Walk around the Rose Bowl.

o David Lasher asked about the patrol along Rinaldi Street and Reseda Boulevard; he recently witnessed a

Ferrari travelling in excess of 90 mph.

▪ Jarrod DeGonia, Chief Deputy for County Supervisor Kathryn Barger discussed the following:

o Tuesday, April 16, at 9AM, there will be a hearing at the Chatsworth Courthouse regarding Mr. Wayne

Fishback (and his company Alpha, Bravo, Coca Waste Management Corporation) running an illegal

landfill within Browns Canyon, Chatsworth.

o There will be a new equestrian park on the east side of Browns Canyon (near the new KB Development).

A ribbon cutting will be scheduled and announced ASAP.

o Brad Pitt attended a recent Board of Supervisor’s meeting to advocate for the new LA County Museum of

Modern Art. TMZ was also there following Mr. Pitt.

Rev. 03-14-2019 Page | 3

o Supervisor Barger’s recent motion to allocate $4.5m to hire 45 mental health professionals [and to form

ten teams] passed unanimously (5/0). They hope to work with the schools and adult outreach programs.

David Balen asked about recruiting resources for these mental health professionals. Jarrod replied that the

county’s general HR website will post these hiring opportunities.

o Stakeholder Robert asked about the health study for Aliso Canyon Disaster; this was scheduled for

extensive discussion in agenda item eight.

7. Public comments on matters not on the Agenda and within the purview of the Board

▪ Stella Maloyan is running for CD12. These past twenty years, she has been fighting for working families,

tackling low-wage sectors, and creating green jobs as an executive at the Los Angeles Alliance for a New

Economy (LANE) and a commissioner on the city's Tourism and Convention Board.

▪ Maloyan is a 40-year resident of Porter Ranch, having immigrated to the area from Iran at age 15. Her past

work includes advocating for gender equity and equal pay, working to secure resources for the city's middle

class, and pushing City Hall [for over seventeen years] to develop affordable housing.

▪ Regretfully, there are currently merely two women on the city council. She will also be the first middle-eastern

woman to serve. In addition, she has the most labor endorsements of all candidates, and she will commit to

boots on the ground to take care of the homeless and strive for affordable housing.

▪ Judith Daniels from the Chatsworth Neighborhood Council (CNC) reported that Sunday, April 14, 11AM to

3PM would be the 16th Annual Day of the Horse Celebration at the Stoney Point Ranch, 10867 Andora

Avenue, Chatsworth. Free parking and a shuttle from the Chatsworth Train Depot will be provided.

▪ There will be many horses performing which you can pet (due to liability, rides will not be offered)

▪ One of the free crafts offered to children will be for them to make a stick horse, and then the kids will ride

their new stick horses in a special class.

▪ Issam looks forward to the day when the PRNC can team with the CNC to co-sponsor this event.

▪ David Balen spoke as a Stakeholder and reported that he came in short on the preliminary ballots and will be

the only write-in candidate for CD12. David has been on the forefront of school safety by serving on the board

of the Porter Ranch Community School. He has also organized multiple town halls since the Aliso Canyon

blowup.

8. Discussion and possible action to respond to the request by LA County Department of Public Health (DPH) to

provide two nominations for Community Representatives and one nomination for an alternate to serve on the

Health Study Community Advisory Group (CAG)

▪ Dr. Mandi Banes from the DPH discussed the new CAG.

Current Status

o Settlement approved on February 25; funding now received.

o Settlement includes $25m for a Health Research Study (HRS).

o DPH will administer the HRS in collaboration with the Scientific Oversight Committee (SOC) and CAG

o They recently held two information sessions at CSUN

o Here tonight to raise awareness about CAG Nominations

Rev. 03-14-2019 Page | 4

SOC

o Role: Establish the scientific goals of the study, recommend research and study proposals for funding and

review all research generated.

o Membership:

• Local, state, and federal agencies

• Universities and research institutions

• Public health and medical professional organizations

• May include a representative selected by the CAG (from a list of qualified nominees)

o Invitations to participate were sent in March 2019

Operating Principles

o The CAG should reflect the composition of the Northwest San Fernando Valley and represents a wide

range of perspectives in the community.

o Meetings of the CAG will be expertly facilitated.

o A designated note taker will document and distribute meeting summaries

o Decisions will be consensus-based.

o Commitment to a process that is transparent, respectful, and inclusive.

o All meetings will be open to the public and viewable online; however, they will not be required to adhere

to the Brown Act.

Responsibilities of the CAG members

o Attend all CAG meetings

o Provide suggestions for SOC membership.

o Inform research criteria, scope, and proposals.

o Present the diverse views of communities impacted by the disaster.

o Review and respond to technical information provided by the SOC and DPH.

Membership and Selection Process

o Up to twenty representatives will serve on the CAG.

o Seven reserved spots for area neighborhood councils (two from Porter Ranch, one each from Northridge

West, Northridge East, Granada Hills North, Granada Hills South, and Chatsworth) will form the core of

the CAG.

o In addition to the seven reserved spots, asking each neighborhood council to nominate an alternate to the

CAG.

o Community organizations or individuals can also nominate as “general” representatives for CAG

membership.

o The neighborhood council representatives will select up to thirteen CAG members from general

applications.

Rev. 03-14-2019 Page | 5

CAG Meeting Plan

o Meeting One: Review issues and background information; identify and recommend strategies for

community engagement.

o Meeting Two: Collaborative workshop with DPH and SOC.

o Meeting Three: Review and comment on technical materials provided by the SOC; provide input on

general health study process and plans.

o Meeting Four: Year-end review and recommendations for 2020.

What They are Requesting that the PRNC do at this Meeting

o Discuss participation in the CAG

o Approve the nominating of PRNC representatives and an alternative for the CAG

o Provide nominations for representatives and alternates to DPH by Friday, May 10.

▪ In addition to the seven representatives chosen by neighborhood councils, there will be thirteen at-large

constituents. Anyone could complete a form to serve as one of these thirteen.

▪ Currently, the only restriction is that the CAG members cannot be employees of SoCal Gas.

▪ DPH hopes to receive a [minimum] one-year commitment from each CAG member.

▪ The first meeting may be in May, then June or July, then two meetings later in 2019. Then, they may have

quarterly meetings in 2020.

▪ Matt Pakucko from Save Porter Ranch feared that this CAG may not have any residency requirement and

could be open to any member of an oil and gas supporter.

▪ Brandii expressed concern about conflicts of interest. Will there any be penalty for perjury? Can the CAG

members be asked if they have ever worked for, or received money from, an oil or gas company?

▪ Issam Najm made a motion that the PRNC will participate and agrees to develop a process to identify and

nominate CAG members; Brandii Grace seconded this motion, and it passed unanimously.

9. Appointment of Chairs for Safety and Traffic, Homelessness Solutions, and Budget Committees

▪ Issam recommends the following committee appointments:

Board Members Committee

Asaad Alnajjar Public Safety and Traffic

David Balen Land Use

Lori Choi Outreach

Brandii Grace Homelessness Solutions

Jason Hector Community Beautification

Mihran Kalaydjian Education and Schools

David Lasher Budget and Finance

▪ All agreed to lead their aforementioned committees.

BREAK

Rev. 03-14-2019 Page | 6

10. Motion to authorize the Board Secretary to order new business cards, name tags, and T-shirts for individual Board

members at a cost not to exceed $500

▪ Gabriel Khanlian made a motion to approve this expenditure; Brandii Grace seconded this motion, and it

passed unanimously.

▪ Jason requested a modification to this motion to add letterhead, envelopes, and five shirts (for David Balen,

David Lasher, Lori, Brandii, and Mihran) containing the PRNC logo. However, there was as concern that this

could exceed the $500 budget. The value of an agenda items CANNOT increase during a meeting. No one

seconded Jason’s motion and it was withdrawn.

11. Discussion and possible action to select two Board members as primary and secondary bankcard holders

▪ Jason Hector made a motion to modify this agenda item to reflect merely one board member would serve as

the bankcard holder; Gabriel Khanlian seconded this motion, yet it was modified prior to a vote.

▪ Brandii asked that Jason commit to working with the vendors.

▪ Brandii Grace made a motion that Jason Hector would serve as the sole bankcard holder; Becky Leveque

seconded this motion, and it passed unanimously.

12. Motion to approve BMR to Issam Najm for March 28 Meeting Material Printing Cost of $32.72

▪ Susan Gorman Chang made a motion to approve this reimbursement; Gabriel Khanlian seconded this motion,

and it passed unanimously.

13. Motion to Authorize printing of the letter to the CPUC approved at the March meeting and mailing it at a cost not

to exceed $75

▪ Susan Gorman Chang made a motion to authorize this printing expenditure; David Balen seconded this

motion, and it passed unanimously.

14. Motion to approve BMR to Issam Najm for CPUC Letter Printing Cost of $57.15

▪ Susan Gorman Chang made a motion to approve this reimbursement; Gabriel Khanlian seconded this motion,

and it passed unanimously.

15. Discussion and possible action to schedule the Board Retreat

▪ The retreat was tentative scheduled for Saturday, May 11 (which may not be good for Asaad and Susan) or

June 8 (which is bad for Asaad).

▪ Jasmine Elbarbary from the Department of Neighborhood Empowerment (DONE) appreciated the PRNC’s

efforts to do an early retreat. However, the city clerk has not yet released the budget template. If the PRNC

uses the previous year’s template, they may miss something.

▪ Issam Najm made a motion to schedule the board retreat on Saturday, June 8, with the budget, logistics, and

details to be worked out [by the Outreach Committee] and approved during the May PRNC board meeting;

Gabriel Khanlian seconded this motion, and it passed unanimously.

16. Board Orientation Session

▪ Jasmine Elbarbary conducted the Board Orientation Session:

o A stakeholder is defined as anyone who resides, works, or owns property within the community.

o The city of LA currently includes:

99

4,000,000

15

Neighborhood Councils

People

Council Districts

Rev. 03-14-2019 Page | 7

o The neighborhood council system was born in 2002 as a result of the cessation movement.

o The Brown Act is California’s open meeting rule that councils must adhere to.

o Issam added that Deputy City Attorney Carmen Hawkins (who supports DONE and the PRNC) would

retire very soon.

o Councils cannot meet outside their boundaries; however, there are a few unique situations where this may

be disallowed.

o Article IX of the City Charter defines DONE, including the:

Purpose

DONE

The Board of Neighborhood Commissioners (BONC)

General Manager

Development of the Neighborhood Council Plan.

Implementation of the Plan.

Certification of Neighborhood Councils.

Early Warning System.

Powers of Neighborhood Councils.

Annual City Budget Priorities.

Monitoring of City Services.

Appropriation.

Review

Transfer of Powers

Effect of Ordinances.

o Commissioner Quinn Ramirez represents the PRNC (and North Valley) as a member of the BONC.

o A frequent question is why someone should join a council:

• To give advice (via a Community Impact Statement (CIS)) and the Budget Advocates

• Represent (via Outreach), and

• Collaborate (with government and one’s community)

o Brandii expressed concern that sometimes the City Council discusses and votes on an issue before the

PRNC has had the opportunity to write, vote, and submit a CIS. Issam suggested that someone from the

PRNC go to the city council meeting and request a tabling of this issue.

o Each council receives $42k/year; however, board members under age 18 cannot vote on financial issues.

o Jasmine discussed and gave examples of Neighborhood Purpose Grants (NPG) that are open to everyone.

However, the requesting non-profit cannot exclude anyone. NPGs can be used to donate money to a

school, but it cannot be used to send their top students to Disneyland. The NPG must be something that

benefits the public. The recipient cannot use the NPG funds to pay rent or payroll.

o The public cannot be charged to attend a council meeting or an event; however, vendors could sell

something at an event.

o Issam mentioned that there are some councils that do not grant a public address portion during each

motion. DONE should enforce that rule.

Rev. 03-14-2019 Page | 8

o Jason mentioned that some councils do not post their minutes. He has requested minutes via the Freedom

of Information Act (FOIA), but his requests have been ignored.

o The BONC establishes the minute posting policy.

o It is critical that all PRNC business communication be conducted via someone’s PRNC email address;

board members should NEVER use their personal or business email address to conduct any PRNC

business. Via a Public Access Request (PAR), someone could request all board emails on a certain subject.

If emails are within their personal (non-PRNC) email, it could be very unpleasant.

o Standing rules can be discussed and changed at any time. However, bylaws (which are the bread and

butter) must be approved by BONC. Currently, the bylaws are in moratorium, and cannot be modified.

o Jasmine added that Rosenberg’s Rules of Order are much simpler rules of parliamentary procedure than

Robert’s Rules of Order.

17. Meeting Adjournment

Issam adjourned the meeting at 9.10PM.