HomeMy Public PortalAbout11-26-96 BLOCK WATCH CAPTAINSr
CITY OF LYNWOOD
NEIGHBORHOOD BLOCK WATCH CAPTAIN'S
REGULAR MEETING
BATEMAN HALL
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 1996
I. CALL TO ORDER
II. INVOCATION
III PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES FOR OCTOBER, 1996 MEETING
V. REPORT BY STAFF
A. REPORT ON CODE ENFORCEMENT ACTIVITIES
B. SHERIFF DEPARTMENT
VI. LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
A. UPDATE ON ELECTION RESULTS - PROPOSITION A
VII. CITY COUNCIL REVIEW
VIII. OLD BUSINESS
A CONFIDENTIAL NUMBERING
B. LYNWOOD PARTNERSHIP SURVEY
IX. NEW BUSINESS
A. PROCEDURE FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF NEW BLOCK WATCH
PROGRAMS AND CAPTAINS
B. REPORT ON UPCOMING BLOCK PARTIES
X. PUBLIC ORAL COMMUNICATION
XI. BLOCK CAPTAIN'S ORAL COMMUNICATION
XII. ADJOURNMENT
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CITY OF LYNWOOD
BLOCK WATCH CAPTAINS
REGULAR MEETING
BATEMAN HALL
L I CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 6:40 p m. by
President, Adolph Lopez.
IL INVOCATION
The invocation was led by R. White.
III. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Recreation and Parks
Commissioner Bette Espeseth.
IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Mr Art Raddle motioned to approve the minutes for the
month of September 1996. The motion was seconded by R.
White.
V. REPORTS BY STAFF
A. City Presentation -
City employee, Mr Paul Nguyen spoke on the City's
various Capital Improvement Projects:
Water Improvement Project - 2.5 Million Dollars in
funds have been allotted for the replacement of old,
leaky water lines. This upgrade will result in
improved water pressure and distribution throughout
the City Fire hydrants are also being replaced to
provide better fire fighting capabilities.
Mr Nguyen stated that student workers are being
utilized to complete the water improvement project
on Atlantic Boulevard, and will be instrumental on
other projects as well.
Street Improvement Project - $250,000 will be spent
on street improvements throughout the City. Plans
and specifications for Atlantic Boulevard have been
completed and are slated to begin after water
improvements are finished. Approval from Cal Trans
is needed before proceeding with improvements to
Bullis Road
Improvements to Long Beach Boulevard are scheduled
for July 1997.
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Street Improvement Project - Continued
Community Development Block Grant Funds (CDBG) are
being used to improve 19 streets throughout the City
of Lynwood.
Mr. Claude Law comments on the quality of the water
from area wells and whether or not wells will have
to be moved due to freeway construction.
Mr. Nguyen responds by stating that monies have been
allocated for the relocation of wells. well #20 was
moved due to high levels of magnesium and iron.
Wells are moved only after study and recommendations
on relocation have been made. Water samples are
collected and sent to an independent lab on a weekly
basis. Mr. Nguyen also stated he has no knowledge
of the 5 -year plan that Mr. Law also questioned.
B. Sheriff's Department
Deputy Haney states that confidential numbering
cards should be back to citizens by now. Advises
cards should be returned to him if there are any
errors.
Sheriff's Department is formulating an action plan
to combat gang related activities near Olanda
Avenue.
Deputy Haney passes out Halloween Safety Tip fliers
and reiterates safety rules such as checking candy
before eating, having parents organize parties,
staying in groups, wearing reflective clothing, etc.
Mr. Jim Given, Project Manager for the Recreation
and Community Services Department announced that
there will be a Safe Kids Information Project
(S.K I.P ) Halloween Safety Program on Tuesday,
October 29, 1996 at Bateman Hall starting at 1:00
p.m. This program is geared to elementary school
aged children and features costumed characters,
informative skits, safety tips and a costume
contest.
There will also be a Halloween Museum and Carnival
Games on Thursday, October 31, 1996 at the Community
Transit Center located at -3798 Martin Luther King
Jr Boulevard starting at 6:00 p.m.
Deputy Haney also mentioned that recently rear
license plates are being stolen and put on a similar
car. A deterrent is the use of one -way screws to
attach the license plate to the car. Also all old
stickers should be removed before adhering the new
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B. Sheriff's Department - Continued
one, which should then be cut through with a sharp
knife. If a license plate or sticker is stolen
contact the Sheriff's Department immediately to
report this crime. Contact the Department of Motor
Vehicles for replacements. Do not neglect to check
the back seat for someone hiding there and under
tires for sharp objects before driving away.
C. Fire Department Joining with L.A. County for
Fire Protection Services
Fire Department personnel are in the process of
gathering signatures to put a measure on ballot
allowing them to join forces with L.A. County to
provide fire protection services to the citizens of
Lynwood. Fire fighters will man every polling place
on election day in order to obtain signatures to put
this measure on the ballot. Doing so would provide
a higher level of service; including a faster
response time, less cost, offer more police
services, and a better overall operation from the
300 - member Fire Department. Benefits would include
the replacement of older equipment, a full staff,
and the fact that all Fire Stations in Lynwood would
remain open. There is an expected savings of
$650,000 annually
Mr. Ralph W. Davis, III, Assistant City Manager and
Director of the Recreation and Community Services
Department advised that it is imperative that
citizens study facts before signing anything that
originates from a union. This item was not on the
agenda, although it is being reviewed by the City of
Lynwood
VI. LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
A Proposition A Ballot Measure - Dr. Sergio Jaquez,
co -chair of Community Partnership Coalition is
introduced and asked to speak on Prop A.
Prop A is a good measure that must be supported -
our parks must be preserved. Parks provide safe,
passive programs and activities for our youth and
community Play is extremely important to
psychological development. Prop A monies will go to
physical assets
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Mr. Davis adds that citizens can create a bond and
assess fees to residents. Monies would come from
General Fund and be allocated to parks, this
includes graffiti removal. This is considered a
Safe Neighborhood Act
The second level of funding is for specific grants.
$1 million is guaranteed for the refurbishing of
Dymally Park. Mr Given has acquired a little
under $4 million in grants. $319 million to be
awarded to L A. County including parks that the
citizens of Lynwood frequent.
Every home owner is required to pay $.56 per month
or $6 00 per year This assessment can only be set
up by voter approval.
Captain Law expresses his concerns over the language
used in Prop A literature.
Reverend Matt Harris gives the audience his phone
number, which is: (310) 631 -9763 He has
additional information on Prop A.
B. Council Review - Council endeavoring to keep
citizens informed of activities.
VII. OLD BUSINESS
A. Lynwood Partnership Survey - Reverend Harris thanks
all Block Watch Captains for their participation in
the Lynwood Partnership Survey. He invites everyone
to contact him with comments, opinions, suggestions
and to share resources. He states that Federal and
State monies are available to our community but
first our needs must be assessed. Monies that could
be used by the City of Lynwood are going to other
communities.
B. Confidential Numbering - See: "V. Reports by Staff,
B Sheriff's Department"
C. Earthquake Preparedness Commendation - Table to next
meeting.
VIII. NEW B USINESS
A Noise Ordinance - Mr. Adolph Lopez states that clear
and enforceable suggestions on how to implement and
enforce Noise Ordinance should be presented to
Council
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VIII. NEW BUSINESS - continued
Residents not happy with automotive shop on Martin
Luther King Jr. Boulevard and State Street. Captain
Lopez has received numerous complaints regarding
noise and litter related to this business.
An aluminum company on Fernwood and Santa Fe is also
causing noise pollution. This item was brought up
at the last Council Meeting.
Sgt. Walters attended a meeting on October 23, 1996
on the issues of loud noises /loud parties. If loud
noise can be heard beyond 35 feet of its origin it
is citable.
IX. PUBLIC ORAL COMMUNICATION
In relation to Prop A, Adrienne Quinn stated that
when asked, 27 out of 30 youth said they would like
City of Lynwood Parks improved.
New Block Watch Captains from Olanda Street noticed
that houses built long ago often share water meters
with another house and are usually located at the
rear of the property. They inquired as to whether
or not the City would ever update these meters with
more modern ones.
Mr. Davis responded that it would depend on whether
or not this was park water. If so, the City of
Lynwood could not make improvements. Mr. Davis will
supply a number of a contact person for further
inquiries.
Mr. Davis also stated that no monies from the
General Fund are used in Captial Improvement
Projects. If citizens want other improvements made,
other funding sources must be found
Mr Davis stated he will report on the gas tax at a
future meeting. He will provide staff that can
answer these questions. Citizens should be aware of
how their tax dollars are spent.
Captains should share their information with each
other! The Annual Fall Clean Up is slated for
Saturday, November 9, 1996 from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00
p m. on Bellinger and Butler in Lynwood Take this
opportunity to dispose of your old mattresses,
sofas, etc. No hazardous wastes will be accepted.
There will be another clean up in the Spring.
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X. BLOCK WATCH CAPTAINS ORAL COMMUNICATION - cont.
Captain Lopez stated that Federal Judge Terry
Hatters who was in charge of L.A. County's largest
drug heist has lots of common sense ideas and would
like to bring him in as a guest speaker Captain
Lopez also stated that Gil Garcetti arranged for 200
District Attorneys to serve as role models to youth
in Torrance. He would like to know why they are not
available to the City of Lynwood.
Captain Lopez announced there is a Boy Scouts
Meeting going on today (10/22). Boy Scout Troops
help serve the purpose of crossing cultural lines.
Scout groups at every school are asking for
donations from businesses in order to keep costs
down. Three Girl Scout Troops are already
functioning throughout the City of Lynwood. Area
churches are also expressing an interest in Scout
Troops"
XI. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at approximately 7:45 p.m.
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