Roundup of Wednesday's Encino Neighborhood Council Meeting

Here are some highlights from Wednesday's Encino Neighborhood Council general meeting:

Local Issues with Redistricting Borders

The council voted to draft a letter to the encouraging them to use the Encino borders, as set by the city's Department of Neighborhood Empowerment, as a guideline when finally approving maps. Those boundaries are: Mulholland Drive, the 405 Freeway, Victory Boulevard and Lindley Avenue.

The Commission is in the process of holding throughout the state to determine boundaries for senate, assembly, congressional and board of equalization districts. That process is expected to end in time for the June 2012 elections.

The Council voted to form an ad-hoc committee to study redistricting issues.

LADWP Wants Input on 2011 Water and Power Rates 

ENC member Glenn Bailey reported that at a recent Department of Water and Power meeting over proposed rate increases, it appears Angelenos will see a 15-25 percent increase in their utility bills over the next three years.

Bailey said the aging infrastructure is a concern, including 100-year-old pipe lines, telephone poles and the efficiency of the organization itself.

“They are truly looking for public information and input,” Bailey said.

ENC member Gerald Silver added that the public meeting was anything but open and transparent. Silver said after lengthy, technical presentations no public comment was allowed.

“It should be the opposite,” Silver said, adding that when the final meetings are over and done with, he predicts about 350 people would have given their input.

Cell Phone Towers in City Parks Stir Concern

The city also wants to allow telecommunications companies to erect cellular towers in public parks. At the meeting on June 15, company representatives were asking for private meetings and community and public comments were not included in initial meetings, Bailey said.

The Council voted to send a letter to city officials to ensure the Encino Neighborhood Council receives meeting notifications of future application processes concerning cell tower issues in the parks. For the full story about cell phone towers in public parks, click here.

Teachers Thank ENC For Education Grants

And finally, teachers from four Encino-area schools thanked the council for each of the $5,000 education grants, which were awarded through a competition administered by the education committee. The donations will be used to build computer labs at Hesby Oaks Elementary School, implement more music classes at Nestle Avenue Elementary School, expand a transitional kindergarten class at Lanai Road Elementary School and purchase a computer editing program at Birmingham Community Charter High School.