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ERIC PREVEN'S NOTEBOOK - At the latest Studio City Neighborhood Council meeting that I was unable to attend, Stacey Marble the in-house nasty activities coordinator for Harvard-Westlake, who works closely with Ari Engelberg and Rick Commons, promised 24/7 security during this trying period as the school engages in the demolition of the last vestiges of Studio City, in exchange for the advancement of the private school's agenda.
Perps or just night time golfers?
Golf Cart Parking
Two days later, the legendary Studio City Residents Association and others were in court fighting for an injunction against Harvard-Westlake who has promised its donors to stop at nothing...
On Saturday evening between 11 and 11:30 pm, three athletic-looking fellas were connected to a golf cart that seemed to have driven itself away from our beloved course without arousing Harvard-Westlake's so-called 24/7 security.
To be fair to the school, the golf cart could have come from somewhere else. Seventeen acres is a lot to patrol. Also, to be fair to the security team, it's very peaceful at night under the trees. [SFX: Chainsaw revving] He or she could have nodded off. Pritzker, get in here! See for yourself...
Studio City 1, Harvard-Westlake 0
Thursday, Metro Standard Time:
Smart Speaker: Thank you, Metro Board. This is getting confusing for me and I am an internationally recognized confusion expert. I have to say public safety is a critical component of this Metro service. And one of the things I am worried about is how we want to keep expanding and increasing the system but we're not handling the organic central feeling that it's safe to ride the system. My power-washing neighbor was going to go downtown tomorrow because the residents association is seeking an injunction to block Harvard Westlake and Paul Krekorian and Nithya Raman and all the thieves including you Supervisor Horvath, from trying to build a giant athletic structure in our lovely park, to facilitate billionaires getting one over on transit riders and the very workers and people who ride the system to and from their work. it's just so appalling. And if my friend who reportedly travels with Bear spray is worried to go on the train with his bike… I don't know. I wish you the best of luck. Maybe little tasers... for Easter. You can't spell Easter without T-A-S-E-R.
Moderator: State your name you have one minute to state your comment.
Smart Speaker: Yes, It's Eric Preven from Studio City. I am a simple fellow. I try to be a plain English talker. This item is so coded, I feel like you really have to get into the weeds on some of these items to be able to understand what the hell is happening. I can see that there is a discrepancy and I can see that there is concern that the State's numbers are a little different. And obviously everybody knows that Yaroslavsky Junior is very very diligent. And wonky. As wonky as they get. We have a very good wonk in the fifth council district of the City of Los Angeles in Katy Yaroslavsky. Thank you. We are very proud. Her father-in-law, Zev Yaroslavsly who runs things over at UCLA Luskin, was a wonk from way back and she's a very very good wonk in her own right. Anyway, I'm completely lost, but great work congratulating one another and obviously Zev gets credit for the great Carmaggedon construction giveaway. For being on time --
Moderator: State your name you have one minute to state your comment.
Smart Speaker: What a great effort. Thanks to Tim Mcosker for coming down from the One Five today. To get right up in there in front of all of the Supervisors on this very stately metro board. So exciting. Priority Mountain. Indeed. That’s what we are facing here. I just think we are doing a great job in so many ways. The only minor request -- as we roll out all these great lines and sure up safety, we also need to create a map for Angelenos, who may have an emerging priority one or priority two situation. This map needs to show where riders can relieve themselves. Sorry to be a pest. Respectfully, we need restrooms. As you know, anything less is unacceptable because to refresh the memory, we are Los Angeles, the greatest international city in the world. After Inglewood, obviously.
We do love all the status and prestige and bank for the ruling class, of hosting of all these world class events, like the Olympics and the Soccer. Solis made the point: Work. School. And the Games!
Consider this, Directors… Chief Butts. People who go to a big game are known to drink a little. Not too much -- but your honor, we need a map of all the restrooms. MCosker, you're a straight-talker, who knows the difference between a urinal and a sidewalk, you’re a big city lobbyist and an outstanding member of the Los Angeles City Council both. Sir, you come from a long line of first responders and lobbyists from the One-Five. Will you support an expensive wayfinding project to identify where all the toilets on the system are? Let's get some leadership --
The Artificial Intelligentsia:
Paul Krekorian, who had a lot on his plate readying himself for Friday’s massive Armenian recognition, cut to the chase at the Metro Board meeting: "Add to the report back recommendations to create holistic and reciprocal communication with other law enforcement agencies, to create effective protocols, and stay away orders, and other things we should be aware of... and let's get some Recommendations from the CEO for upgrades to support biometric technology, enhanced CCTV system on bus and rail, Artificial Intelligence... to track repeated disruptors of our operations and people banned by court orders..."
Smart Speaker: Gulp.
After a brief song of praise for the idea of equipping bus operators with body armor, one director said, "Wow, we are talking about facial recognition. That's a discussion we need to have... and the millimeter wave scanner... if we are going to spend money, let's have the discussion." He went on to admit that it was "a little bit scary... to use that technology extensively. "There are civil rights issues... our goal is to have a safer system."
TGIF yourself!
The meeting opened with a lovely channel 35 spot of Bob "one item, one-minute" Blumenfield touting the great work that the EWDD has been doing out in the west valley. "When you know somebody is out of work, and you want to help get them on their feet, the resources are here."
This was not meeting, just Channel 35 content.
Monica Rodriguez (CD7) conducted a blessing of the animals and obviously everyone loves their household pets, and dog vaccinations. Microchipping which she said is being offered for free is great way to reconnect with your pets when they run away following the terrifying fireworks that the city has repeatedly failed to control. (I've paraphrased a little). NOTE: As a three-dog owner, I received three renewal notices from City of LA, seeking annual Animal registration fees for three dogs. Not appropriate.
One more upflifting free event coming up is the Autism water-safety pool party. This involves free swim lessons, a CPR station...Recs and Parks are committed to finding a low-cost or no-fee way… to “make swimming equitable. “ One lifeguard who admitted he was not a great swimmer said, “You need more patience to teach kids with Autism... we allow them to explore and grow.”
Smart Speaker: Pardon me, this seems great, but don’t we have a shortage of lifeguards that has resulted in only three days a week of swimming when in fact we are funded for the whole week? Isn’t aquatics and so called swim lessons for all, part of the lite payout of $160,000,000 to the city's children for the inconvenience of the Olympics?
“Get him out of here.”
Nithya Raman (CD4) touted the Roger Young village which was a public housing facility that was open for returning veterans from WWII. "When so many of our unhoused residents here in the city of Los Angeles are veterans it feels like it is or was a lesson for us in our work. I continue to draw inspiration from our city's history as we shape its future.”
Cold Opening:
My favorite moment of the three hours of presentations and musical numbers was during the recognition of the Lara family of Los Angeles Building and Safety. Nithya Raman came out and said, "Sorry, I missed most of this, as I was in the back room."
Smart Speaker: No further questions, your honor.
The Armenian presentation was the most complex and lengthy, but the second banana nailed it:L
Marqueece Harris-Dawson, CD8: There could be no better sentinal representing the Armenian community on this council, than Mr. uh, Council President Paul Krekorian. Energy and Environment has been moved to 2pm... “fingers crossed” now we'll go to telephonic public comment for ten minutes.
Marqueece Harris-Dawson, single-use water bottle expert and Brown Act violator.
Jonathan Groat, Deputy City Attorney: And Mr. President before we do so, because items number 24 and 25 levy assessments, I recommend that we exhaust public comment on those items, so if there is anybody in the room who has not yet been given the opportunity to speak on items 24 and 25 only. Please move to the podium or please sign up now. Again, this is items 24 and 25 only [Three hours and forty-five minutes in.]
Marqueece Harris-Dawson, CD8: Items 24 and 25 going once. OK, we have one speaker.
[There were actually several speakers followed by a chanting episode that resulted in several speakers being removed. Then Brock Landers came out to note that Candido, a long-time public speaker had "threatened me" after Landers called out Bob Blumenfield (CD3) and his wife "then last week you talked about people reaching out from prison and touching me." ]
Smart Speaker: Creepy.
Monica Rodriguez honored Patti Giggans of Peace Over Violence. Read "Proftit Over Violence here.
Rob Quan: "All of 'em Groat." I only need ten seconds on the items and I just want to say, it looks like there are only four on the floor right now, Groat. So, please send Officer Duarte or Graciano back there... to make sure our members are just hanging out back there and not out grabbing a bite.
I want to talk about the budget hearings coming up next week. I don't think Hugo is there right now, but you might remember he said, "Hey, this budget's not perfect, but you all really need to organize better next year." Well, Bob Blumenfield heard that and said, "You are only going to get one day of public comment for budget hearings."
I'm old enough to remember when Paul Krekorian proudly said, "We don't do that here. We hear from the public every day to maximize public participation.” And you have it on May Day, of all days.
How many labor unions, how many rights groups are all organizing protests on that day; that afternoon? Many of you are going to be off speaking at those events, talking about how much you care about them, and you can't even make the time to have a budget hearing where we can hear from them. Bob has been drunk on power since becoming chair. I just hope you all keep that in mind.
You all can't show up to the city council on time. Just amazing. Karen Bass is talking about how we have to talk face to face, not through tweets, but you can't have sufficient public comment. This is all just really really absurd.
Marqueece Harris-Dawson, CD8: This will be our last caller.
Jonathan Groat, Deputy City Attorney: Ok, so I believe that will close public comment on the phones, except with regards to items 24 and 25 and we do need to exhaust public comment, so I'm going to ask that the staff please at this time lower everybody's hands and if you would like to speak on items 24 and 25 on the phones and you have not been given an opportunity to do so please raise your hand now.
Dan Guss: Yeah both items. This is a perfect example of how you do everything you can for this item, for that item for all the items frankly, and you simply suppress public input. You suppress input on 24 with three hours of presentations. You suppress input on item 25 by three hours of presentations. Vague rules and move it around and the only reason you're calling for exhausting 24 and 25 is because there are consequences... from it. So to the public that is listening this is how it is done.
Marqueece Harris-Dawson, CD8: This is not about a business improvement district.
Dan Guss: It actually is. It actually is. I am talking about how only when you have consequences... like you do on item 24, so pay attention Harris Dawson, and 25, it's only when there are consequences for not taking public comment that you actually take public comment. You will do everything else to limit constituents whether or not you are DSA endorsed, whether or not you are Armenian, whether or not you are a dancer, whether your parent was a gardener, or Business improvement districts which have legal ramifications, ... this is what your council is doing to you, public. Think better next time you have a vote on election day.
Marqueece Harris-Dawson, CD8: Thank you.
Stacey Segarra-Bohlinger: I am so happy that I get to speak about business improvement districts. I'm so glad that I waited for this whole meeting to use my limited break time from work to speak about business improvement districts. The biggest thing that would improve business would be if workers and families could afford to spend money on things besides rent and food. That would improve business, wouldn't it?
Jason Reedy: You know what would really improve business if you just drew random circles on the map in people's districts and just cut the rent for those businesses in half? The main thing that is driving all these businesses out of business is that they can't afford the overhead or the repairs, because they can't afford the rent. They can't afford to pay their employees, because they can't afford the rent…
Smart Speaker: Thank you it's Eric Preven and I will deliver a comment on the business improvement districts.
Jonathan Groat, Deputy City Attorney: Are you hear to speak on items 24 and 25?
Smart Speaker: Yeah, the two business improvement districts.\
Jonathan Groat, Deputy City Attorney: You have two minutes for the items, please begin.
Smart Speaker: Okay, business improvement districts, we have one in Studio City, they're all over the place. They tend to be run by businesses. They're very in cahoots with the Segway Lobby. Those are the armed security guys riding around on weird ... Segways.
The Segway first went on sale in 2002, and it was supposed to permanently change urban mobility. Few units sold, but it became a hit with mall cops, security guards, and fanny pack-wearing tourists.
Anyway, the Bids keep "unwanted" people away from the shops so they don't disrupt the businesses. So that's what they do. They don't really improve the community so much as the business corridor. So it's a little bit of a scam on the people - instead of getting services, we get to see the local businesses power-washing the sidewalk. Sportsmen's Lodge has a large stake in the BID near me, since it's been overloaded with new businesses.
By the way, I take note without disparaging any businesses that you have two items in Soto-Martinez's District 13, where they are tearing down a single-family dwelling and putting up 26 units, with no bike parking, no parking spaces, just housing. So, how is this going to improve business? Hard to see. Other than people looking to park. It's not a great strategy to magically wish away the notion that people have to get around.
I also want to comment, Mr. Harris-Dawson, you garotted the previous speaker who was talking about a business improvement, he challenged your assertion that it was not about a business improvement district by saying, “So, what is it about?" and then you dropped him. You ought to be ashamed of yourself. Because this entire day has been the opposite of what you'd expect from a day of Armenian recognition. This has been a shameful abnegation of your professional responsibility to listen to the very people that put you in the chair.
Jonathan Groat, Deputy City Attorney: Yeah, I need you to tie this to item 24 or 25 or we are going to move on to the next caller. Sure, these BIDs are an unholy alliance between Katy Yaroslavsky (CD5) and Hugo Soto-Martinez (CD13 and between Eunisses Hernandez (CD1) and Mr. Kevin DeLeon (CD14).
"No further questions, your honor!" That's an expression, Groat, I'm not done yet.
Kudos to Krekorian on the deployment of so many shameful tricks of the trade today. Kudos.
(Eric Preven is a longtime community activist and is a contributor to CityWatch. The opinions are of Mr. Preven and not necessarily those of CityWatchLA.com.)
