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Community Corner

Budgets, Sewers and Pets Discussed at Council Meeting

Historic Highland Park Neighborhood Council members moved a pair of items on its Thursday night agenda to future session.

The Historic Highland Park Neighborhood Council established deadlines for funding requests, but couldn’t agree on a funding limit for those requests at its latest meeting.

The council cemented Oct. 31 and April 30 of each year as the consideration deadlines for neighborhood purpose grants.

A discussion concerning a proposed $1,500 limit for neighborhood purpose grants resulted in the item being tabled for future consideration.

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“We came up with $1,500 in an effort to spread what little money we have left,” Janet Dodson said during the discussion. “We do not have the capacity we did last year when we had $88,000 to play with.”

Council Treasurer Mark Reback said the council needs to keep it around the proposed $1,500 limit, but expressed he is against setting a funding limit.

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Stan Moore shared the same position with Reback on the issue, declaring that he would not vote to approve the item.

“I think the limit is too rigid. We have too many issues that may come up that we have to decide the importance of the issue and if it needs more support than that,” Moore said. “We have to evaluate each project and not just assume that we treat them all equally.”

Moore cited the lack of wrestling mats at as an example of a neighborhood grant which exceeded the proposed limit.

According to Moore, the council came up with $5,000 to assist FHS in purchasing wrestling mats. Franklin previously didn’t have a wrestling program in its athletic department, but will now boast a co-ed wrestling team in the fall.

“They can’t have a program until they have mats,” he added.

The council also did not take action on setting budget percentages for categories in the 2011-12 neighborhood council’s budget. Categories in the budget include fixed council expenses, committee expenses, community events, schools and community improvement projects.

In other business, a pair of motions will be sent to the Budget and Finance Committee for approval.

The first involves drawing the line at $400 for candy and decorations for a handful of outreach event expenses. The functions include the Old L.A. Farmers Market Halloween event, the LAPD’s Northeast division open house, in addition to placing an ad in the program for the community holiday parade.

A $900 cap on operational expenses for ink, paper and various office supplies is the second item headed to the committee.

“I was ready to vote on the issues tonight because I think the rules committee and the bylaws committee, especially Janet [Dodson], have done a lot of work on them and I’m ready to move forward with them,” said Trish Gossett.

Prior to the budget discussions, several speakers addressed the HHPNC and those in attendance. Jennifer Brent of Found Animals gave a presentation on numerous pet and animal issues, while Daniel Hackney from the Department of Public Works Bureau of Sanitation, talked about the effects of aging sewer and water tunnels.

Hackney also introduced a financial plan which would increase sewer fees by $34 over the next 10 years.

Field Deputy Lynelle Scaduto from Councilmember Ed Reyes’ office provided general updates on a variety of neighborhood issues. Scaduto also announced she would make certain a representative of the LAPD will be present at the next neighborhood council meeting.

It was also announced that HHPNC Outreach Director Teri Bonsell was named “Pioneer of The Year” by Councilmember Jose Huizar’s office. Bonsell will be presented with an award by Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa.

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