By Baraka Noel, Community News Reporter
Anderson Memorial Hall’s fluorescent lit auditorium felt somewhat warm, in dramatic contrast to the cooling air outdoors; as board members bustled around arranging assembly notes and brochures. On Oct. 17, the Central San Pedro Neighborhood Council meeting ran a bit heated with concerns of local intrigue.
Proceedings began on a more global scale. Board president, Dillon Clark, requested silence; “I want to take a moment to reflect on the situation going on in the world, whether or not we are directly impacted.”
Adam Stevenson, pastor of the Warren Chapel CME Church, invited listeners to congregate for an event next to Rena Park sponsored by Councilman Tim McOsker and the Rotary Club, Where they gave away boxes of diapers on Oct. 22, next door to Warren Chapel CME Church.
Adrian Fernandez, a local student, advocated for youth opportunities. “How do we attract youth [and] help people like some of my friends here who are looking for jobs?”
Coastal Neighborhood councilmember, Bob Gelfand, spoke of emergency preparedness “in the event of a major earthquake or a disaster” and invited “Central San Pedro to come to our meetings.” He cautioned the room with his “concern about overreaching from the board of [Harbor] Commissioners” and urged everyone toward civic engagement, offering the online resource of EmpowerLA.org.
Councilmember James Dusenberry warned of “two giant trees [that] fell at random” and “one on … 3rd [which] seems like it’s ready to fall.”
Augie Bezmalinovich, San Pedro native and community affairs advocate for the Port of Los Angeles, informed the community on area environmental concerns.
The Bboard of Harbor Commissioners has solicited community input regarding upcoming development on the waterfront. The public review period ends Nov. 6. Mr. Bezmalinovich said “our next Board of Harbor Commission’s meetings will be Thursday, Oct. 19 followed by Thursday, Nov. 2. Both meetings will be at 9 a.m. They’re live. If you’d like to go to the meetings they’re at 425 S. Palos Verdes St. … on the second floor.” The temporary squeal of feedback from one microphone lent a dramatic note.
Fans of smashing pumpkins may be pleased to attend a gathering Nov. 4 at Feed and be Fed; dedicated to the demolition of gourds and squash, in the wake of All Hallows Eve.
James Allen, councilmember and Random Lengths News publisher, asked after the availability of a “schedule for sidewalk and curb repair” recommending that, “It would be nice if we knew in advance.”
Amanda Enriquez, field representative for Councilman McOsker responded, and addressed “city wide fire suspension,” encouraging the community to attend the upcoming “1-5 career fair” Oct. 26, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Holy Family Grammar School (1122 E. Robidoux St., Wilmington).
She shared the councilman’s intention to “brighten the streetlights” of the park adjacent to Anderson Hall, so that families can “enjoy the park for as long as possible.”
“What about the lighting inside the park area?” inquired board member Barbara St. John.
Ms. Enriquez rejoined, “that would be Rec and Park[s] … We talked to maintenance,” she continued. “I think he might be confusing the parks.”
With some dispute about the source of our regional housing problem, the discussion shifted to unhoused residents of the area, quality of life and park safety. The board debated, and voted, on a future meeting location; requesting clarification about the city attorney’s interpretation of the 1953 Brown Act (regarding the public location of governmental open gatherings).
Discussion grew passionate, quelled by Mr. Clark’s gavel and reprimand to “exercise decorum during the meeting.”
Senior Lead Officer Richard Lee shared crime statistics, noting that “total violent crimes are down” and “it’s been a very violent few weeks.” He explained, “our number of homicides have gone up … as of yesterday there was a double homicide, but that was in Wilmington” and “property crime is up.” Additionally, “burglary and theft of motor vehicles are up. We’ve got to stop leaving stuff in our cars,” he said. He shared the story of a “juvenile shot five times in the torso” on 2nd and Beacon. According to Officer Lee, “he is recovered and he is not being cooperative with the investigation.” The officer reiterated his desire “to talk to as many young people as possible; to get into their minds and see what’s going on.” He went on to speak about the victim of a recent robbery. “He was approached by two suspects … they stole his jewelry and his car.” Police have “apprehended both suspects and they were arrested for the robbery.”
Councilmember Stacey Golden inquired about recent harborfront police activity. Lee replied, “South Harbor, that’s my project … a lot of people use that for a crime location.”
He acknowledged “I don’t know when I will have the city attorneys there … to address the legal side of it.”
Mr. Clark summarized, “there’s an uptick in crime. We don’t have healthy coverage.”
Officer Lee agreed. “It’s a staffing crisis … there’s been shootings all over.” To list a few: 8th and Mesa streets, 2nd and Beacon streets, and 2nd and Center streets. Members of the board inquired about the recent presence of police helicopters overhead.
An announcement reiterated the nocturnal closure of Vincent Thomas Bridge.
Alan Johnson stood to represent the LA Waterfront Alliance, which is comprised of the Ratkovich Company, Jerico Development and others in the development of the West Harbor project. He wove a dazzling tale of the upcoming waterfront improvements.
Steven Guzman, a local resident, challenged Mr. Johnson’s rosy view. “How is this actually going to benefit the pre-existing community in San Pedro? My opinion is that it’s going to make San Pedro more expensive. Will it not drive prices up?”
Mr. Guzman continued, “are those jobs going to be high paying jobs?” before Mr. Clark urged the proceedings along.
Other citizens aired their concerns. Judy Padilla spoke up from the back of the auditorium: “Parking was always an issue.”
Akosua Hoberty of the Los Angeles Unified School District, raised another issue; “I have a concern. Alcohol, alcohol, alcohol … I don’t like it.”
Mr. Johnson attempted to quell hesitation, addressing each issue in turn. He was joined by a representative from Nederlander concerts who pledged their commitment to local hiring for a wide range of new employment opportunities.
Councilmember Matthew Garland echoed the community’s worries. Agenda item 12 involved alley beautification. Councilwoman Barbara St. John spoke of a recent civic engagement workshop, highlighting the hundreds of “young faces” in attendance. The council’s audience included a sizable influx of local high school students; who listened and enjoyed the catering of Happy Diner, staying long enough to ensure a witness’ signature on their activity logs for extra credit in government class. As the crowd waned, Mr. Gelfand reminded those remaining about an imminent “Neighborhood Council Congress” event Nov. 11 at the Grand Annex, 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. “The board retreat is open to the public.”
Item 14 involved the Port Committee, with multiple mentions of the Connectivity Plan. Joint Sustainability Chair (and Coastal Councilmember) Richard Watson interjected; “do you take public comment?”
He read a prepared statement, closing with a request “that the Port of Los Angeles Connectivity Plan (POLA-CP) be updated to permanently designate no less than 1% (or 4.6 acres of the land area within scope of the POLA-CP, whichever is greater) for natural wildlife habitat,” Mr. Watson clarified, “We narrowed our concern.”
Central Councilmember William Cordray moved that the “plan be updated” to include Mr. Watson’s habitat request.
The board approved their response to the Connectivity Plan, with an addendum from Councilman James Dusenberry to “bring metro bike share as part of the” plan. Councilmember Allen read a letter, addressing “the goal of a seamless interface between the waterfront and the town” and discussed the implementation of a “pedestrian footbridge” on 13th Street, advocating that the area be preserved for “future commercial fishing.”
The board further discussed plans to move the USS Iowa and the event concluded with some disagreement about the renaming of 22nd street Park. Councilman Dusenberry demurred, expressing that “it’s not really germaine to our council.” President Clark recalled comparable past occasions where the Central council “should have been consulted.”
Northwest Council Planning and Land Use committee member Pat Nave counseled against premature planning and Councilman LaMar Lyons encouraged tabling the discussion, due to “too many moving parts.”
The evening wound down after councilwoman Linda Alexander’s plea to “join with our neighboring councils” for the betterment of all.