NoHoWest Council Meets at Wat Thai Buddhist Temple

A general meeting of the North Hollywood West Neighborhood Council was held on Wednesday evening at the at 8225 Coldwater Canyon Blvd. in North Hollywood.

As Thai Buddhist monks worked silently setting tables in orange robes, board members and residents gathered before burgundy curtains in the center’s dining room. It was the first time the council, which just , met at the temple, which is the oldest Thai Buddhist temple in America.

Council President Jim Kompare called the meeting to order.

Other board members present included Vice President Robin Ibrahim, Treasurer David Hechter, Secretary Gregory Howie and board members Dario Svidler, Kent Stewart and Lorraine Matza.

By far the most heated issue to be discussed was that of the new city ordinance #05-1853, which turns responsibility for sidewalk curb repairs caused by tree-root damage or other causes to homeowners. Many board members and homeowners expressed that such an ordinance is unfair.

“I don’t have the money to fix the curb from tree root damage,” said Hechter, “and I know the city doesn’t have the money.”

According to this ordinance, if a homeowner doesn’t make prompt repairs, the city will make the repair and the homeowner is liable for the cost, which can run to several thousands of dollars.

“For 40 years,” said Hechter, “we have been precluded from properly addressing the problem by trimming the trees. Whether it’s a bonsai or a redwood tree, it can only grow as far as it is allowed to grow. 

“There is no mitigation in here for the mistakes made by the city for so many years,” Hechter continued. “This is very simplistic for a reason, to get it through quickly. I have a real problem with this ordinance as written.”

“What can we do about it?” asked Matza.  

“We will write a letter to the city attorney, Mr. Tutanich,” said Hechter. “And we will have a representative at the hearing. You can’t have requirement without giving people tools to deal with this responsibly. You can’t say we’re responsible for sidewalk damage if we can’t address the reason for the damage, which is the trees.”

The city’s Urban Forestry Division, which cares for and protects city trees, precludes home-owners from removing or restricting the growth of city trees.

“This is not only draconian, this is underhanded,” said homeowner David Hernandez. “Neighborhood councils all over the city are up in arms about this.”

A motion was raised and passed stating that the the NoHoWest NC strenuously objects to this ordinance, an objection directed to the city attorney and the city council and the mayor.

Other Items

“We have the same amount of money we had at the last meeting because we haven’t spent any,” said Hechter to scattered laughter.

Kompare encouraged people to volunteer for the Beautification Committee.

“There’s lot of recourses we can tap into,” he said. “I am in contact with a few foundations about providing funds so we can get out there and beautify this neighborhood.”

Five people volunteered. 

Officer Lee Perry of the Los Angeles Police Department reported on crime in the area, explaining that robbery is the primary crime, followed by grand theft auto.

“These robbers are opportunists,” he said. “If they see an open window, they’ll use that. It’s almost always a bathroom window, or if not that, an unlocked patio door. Keep your doors and windows locked at all times, and you will greatly diminish the rate of robbery.”

He spoke of an ongoing problem with a closed gas station at the intersection of the southwest corner of Coldwater Canyon Boulevard and Roscoe Boulevard, which is owned by two brothers embroiled in a longtime family feud. 

“They call us every day,” he said, “each calling on the other.”

Ibrahim spoke about her first Public Safety meeting.

“We didn’t have a very good turnout, but it was productive. The next Public Safety meeting, she said, will be August 17 at a location yet to be determined.

Svidler spoke about establishing a Web site for the council through Wordpress, discussing prices, which are negligible, to secure email addresses for all board members. A discussion ensued about whether someone should be hired to update and maintain the Web site with Wordpress, and whether it was viable to sell ads to be displayed on the Web site.

The CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) training was discussed, which teaches family members how to prepare for and act in an emergency. Three home-owners expressed interest in going through the training.