My Belmont Heights

The meeting was called to order at 7:05 PM. 

Old Business:

1. The "Light the Heights" contest was successful although the number of entries was relatively small. The winning homes were happy to be acknowledged by the BHCA. A photo of the first place prize, 4300 Broadway, appeared in the Grunion Gazette. 
2. A renewed commitment was made to getting the newsletter published by the end of February. Advertisers need to be secured as well as a review of articles for potential time-sensitive content and grammatical errors. Dianne Sundstrom will work on securing ad space in the next 2 weeks.

New Business:

1. Mark Hungerford reported that business in the Planning Department has been relatively quiet. He distributed the January 11, 2008 "Community Planning Bulletin" which generated a few comments from attendees. C. Starnes questioned the status of the facade improvement to the building at the corner of 4th and Ximeno and was told that the City has not received revised plans from the owner but did indicate that the project was still open. Mark and Angela Reynolds will also attend the BHCA February meeting (2/13) to do a presentation on the updated process for developing a master plan for SEADIP. We encourage all Belmont Heights residents to attend the meeting and participate in the process. Mark also mentioned the Long Beach 2030 Project and encouraged all members/residents to log on to the City's website for an update.  The following is a link to the website: http://www.longbeach2030.org/
2. Kerrie Aley reported good progress on at least some issues regarding traffic mitigation on Park Avenue. A reduction in the speed limit to 25 mph was approved by the City Council and signs have been posted to reflect the change (as of 1/22/08). In addition, some pedestrian crosswalks have been installed (please refer to Kerrie's updates in the Traffic section of this website for a full report). Kerrie also met with Dave Ashman from the City to discuss the City's management of special events. A motion was made,  seconded and approved to appoint Kerrie to speak on behalf of the BHCA regarding the interests of residents of the Heights as related to special events held in Long Beach.
3. Kerrie Aley also announced a pedestrian walking program promoted by the residents of Park Avenue with the goal of getting residents walking to/from Second Street. She also encouraged attendance at a Tot Lot fundraiser at Legends on January 31.
4. In the absence of the chairmen of the Neighborhood Preservation Committee, Dianne Sundstrom reported that the committee was planning on meeting with key members of the community who were vocal in their opposition to changes in the building guidelines to see if any common ground could be found. Because of holiday commitments, the meeting would not be scheduled until some time in January.
5. Gordana Kajer reported on a reconnaisance study of the breakwater that is being spearheaded by Tom Modica.  The Coastal Conservancy contributed to funding of the study that will be performed by the Army Corp of Engineers. 
6. Gordana Kajer also brought to the group's attention an initiative by the City for widespread and significant improvements to many beachside buildings/infrastructure. Mark Sandoval, the City Manager for Marinas and Beaches, has been invited to the February meeting to present an overview of this project.
7. Gordana Kajer raised the issue of the BHCA designing t-shirts with a Belmont Heights theme that could be sold to raise money for the Association. The matter was tabled for consideration at a later date.
8. A question was raised re the status of "Gloria's Manor". Apparently the building was declared a public nuisance by the City and few complaints have been heard in recent months.

Meeting adjourned at 8:30 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Dianne Sundstrom, President, BHCA