WNC Reviews Cell Tower
Walter J. Gaworecki,
Director/Synergy Development Services, Inc. for T-moble shared the transmitter
design at the November 2010 board meeting. The design was previously approved by
our board. View this simulation.
The dimensions are 8’ x 8’ atop the roof, colors are simpatico with the existing
building and hold the wireless transmitter. Grey colors, etc. the symbols are a
relief style. A board member inquired why it wasn’t more of a spire. The church
wasn’t reaching for a conventional style steeple. The project is in the process
to be approved by the City. The board again voted in support of the project.
Winnetka Medians Nearing Completion
The WNC is proud to announce in July 2011 that the long term project to
beautify the medians on Sherman Way is nearing a conclusion. The WNC has funded
an installation of river rock in the narrowest part of the median near the left
turn lanes. These are to be interspersed with roses. The project experienced
significant delays due to problems with sprinklers and trying to coordinate with
the City for repairs. But the longsuffering perseverance of current and past
board members is bringing this project to a beautiful conclusion. Well Done!
Winnetka Median Project
Five years of hard work, planning, and
cajoling came to fruition in November of 2008 when the WNC completed its
Winnetka Median Beautification project. In our first year the WNC committed to
this major community improvement project as a way to show that Winnetka
stakeholders cared about the community they lived in. The project called for
re-planting of the median running down Sherman Way from DeSoto Ave to
Corbin Ave.
In addition, the plan called for the
placement of river rock around the signs at the two ends to help set our
community’s signs apart from all the others along Sherman Way. And what a
success it was!
It took the efforts of five years worth of
Council members work, partnering with a host of community stakeholders and
organizations such as Jacobi Building Supplies, Tarzana Nursery, Smart & Final,
Albertsons, Yolanda’s Bakery, St. Joseph’s the Worker Catholic Church, Donuts
Plus Depot, Councilmember Dennis Zine, the Department of Public Works Forestry
division, and a host of community volunteers. Now five years later we are the
talk of the town with our new medians.
Big Sunday: May 3, 2008
The Mayor's Day of Service was scheduled for Saturday & Sunday, May 3-4. Big
Sunday was originally started by several rabbis, which is why they planned the
day for Saturday, when they are not in temple. It was expanded to Saturday to
allow people all across the city to be involved.
There were 50+ projects taking place on May 3rd. Below are pictures
of the WNC sponsored work at Valley Village. Click on an image for a
larger view.
WNC Against Proposed DWP Rate Increases
The board voted unanimously at the January 2008 meeting against the
proposed DWP rate increases. The motion read:
"The WNC supports the NC/LADWP Memorandum of Understanding Oversight
Committee January 5, 2008 Resolution regarding proposed LADWP Rate
Actions for 2008-2010 to not approve any LADWP rate increases until the
information and recommendations of the IEA Survey can be considered by
the Mayor, Controller, City Council, and Neighborhood Councils so as to
allow all to make informed decisions." A letter was sent to the DWP MOU
Oversight Council.
Due to challenges with LAUSD, principal Caren Guthmans has requested
that the funds be increased to $3,000 to pay for tables and umbrellas
outside the parent center. The WNC is currently coordinating with the
principal to move forward on these exciting projects.
Public Works Initiatives Currently Under Way
Beautify Business District
The committee would like to pursue a joint project between the WNC, the Winnetka Chamber of Commerce
and the Community Redevelopment Agency of LA to beautify the area around Winnetka and Saticoy as well as
Sherman Way between Corbin Ave and Desoto, and along Winnetka Ave between Vanowen Ave and Nordhoff St.
The idea was presented to the Chamber on May 7, 2007. The committee agreed on May 31, 2007 to send a letter to Councilman
Zine to request his support.
Big Sunday Improvements for Schools
The WNC approved funds on June 12, 2007 for beautification projects at Fullbright Elementary. The completion
of these projects is pending an update on project funding.
Speed Display
The WNC is partnering with Councilman Greig Smith’s office to set up a
Kustom Signal Pole-Mounted 275 Radar Speed Display along Mason Ave north
of Roscoe Blvd. The WNC is contributing $2,500 to the cost of the speed
display. According to the Councilman's office the expense has been
approved. Installation date to be determined.
Left Turn Signal
We have recommended to Councilman Greig Smith that a dedicated left turn
signal be installed Southbound Winnetka Ave to Eastbound Sherman Way. We
have received approval from Ken Feroozmand / Transportation Engineer
West Valley District. Installation date to be determined.
Brick Cross Walks
The Committee decided to request support from Council Members Dennis
Zine and Greig Smith regarding the installation of faux red brick motifs
in the crosswalks at major intersections along Sherman Way and Winnetka
Ave and at those intersections that mark the Winnetka neighborhood
boundaries. Street Resurfacing - September 2007
 One of the Winnetka Neighborhood
Council’s long standing goals is to address the worst streets in the WNC boundaries. Over the years
we’ve managed to work with the City to get streets such as Lubao Ave and
Quartz Street’s repaved. In addition, in 2006 we worked with the City to
allocate a one-time allotment of $100,000.00 to repave streets around
some of our local schools. One goal set almost at the beginning of the
WNC’s existence was to re-pave Mason Ave, between Sherman Way and
Roscoe, easily one of the worst major streets in our community.
On September 1, 2007, the WNC, with the assistance of Councilmember
Zine’s office, completed a portion of our long term goal. A section of
Mason Ave, from Saticoy to Stagg was repaved. In 2005, the WNC had the
street reviewed by the Bureau of Engineering and it was deemed a failed
street. It’s taken us since then to get this project resolved.
 It’s important to understand that the WNC has very little direct control
over street paving. We get numerous requests throughout the year from
stakeholders with bad streets. In the past, your City Councilmember may
have also had a say in which streets get paved and which don’t. However,
with the advent of modern technology and the extreme financial situation
the City is in, even that has changed. What the WNC can do is work with
the City Councilmember and the Bureau of Street Services and help to
define what the priorities are. If it’s possible, and if it fits in the
overall street maintenance and resurfacing plans we can have some
influence.
 The
Bureau of Street Services website, does a wonderful job of
explaining the daunting task that they do and can help us all to
understand why it’s so hard. According to their website, they accomplish
their mission by, “a variety of minor and major maintenance techniques
are employed by the Street Maintenance and Resurfacing Divisions which
are responsible for maintenance and repair of 6,500 miles of dedicated
public roadways (28,000 lane miles) and 800 miles of alleys (400 miles
fully improved and 400 miles unimproved, of which 178 miles are
unimproved dirt alley). It performs nearly all resurfacing and
reconstruction of residential and major streets and alleys averaging up
to 200 miles of resurfacing per year. It also cleans all improved 13,000
curb miles of streets and alleys, the pedestrian subways, tunnels and
public walkways. Miscellaneous functions include bridge and stairway
repair and bulkhead construction. The Bureau's two asphalt plants
produce approximately 600,000 tons of asphalt annually.”
 At a recent
public educational meeting Bill Robertson, Director of Public Works,
explained that the City hasn’t had enough funds to address the City’s
streets in decades. At one point he explained that it would take almost
$1 billion dollars to adequately return LA City streets the level they
should be. Needless to say, that type of money just doesn’t exist.
Putting it another way, street repair is probably third in line in City
priorities behind Fire and Police…which we all know we don’t have
enough of either.
 The Bureau of Street Services has in place a very regimented plan for
taking care of the streets. Streets that are relatively new or in good
condition are maintained by making sure that cracks and potholes are
filled as quickly as they are reported. More seriously damaged streets
can be addressed by slurry or flex sealing (which keeps additional water
from seeping into the street and further damaging it by eroding the
base), maintenance blanketing (about 1 to 1½ inch of asphalt over
damaged areas), or complete resurfacing.
WNC Supports Bridge Improvements
In May 2007 the Board approved a recommendation by the Public Works and Transportation Committee to support the concept and design of bridge improvements for two bridges: - The Winnetka Ave Bridge over the Los Angeles River between Archwood St. and Gilmore St.
- The Vanowen St. Bridge over the Los Angeles River between Oso Ave and Mason Ave.
Recommended improvements were presented to the Committee by the City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs, Public Art Division and Department of Public Works, Bureau of engineering.
The WNC will continue our efforts to address the infrastructure of
our community. However, we can’t do it without your help. Please get
involved and attend Board and Committee meetings. The Public Works &
Transportation Committee generally meets the fourth Thursday of the
month at Valley Village at 6:30 PM. Our ability to address your concerns
relies on the strength of our numbers.
WNC Request Zine Assistance with Median Beautification
The Board approved $28,000 in funds from the Public Works and
Transportation Budget on July 10, 2007 to beautify the median on
Sherman Way between Winnetka and De Soto. Implementation is
pending the City's repair of the current irrigation system. The
Committee has had challenges moving forward with the City and
has issued a
letter to Councilman Dennis Zine requesting assistance in
December 2007.
Brick Cross Walk Beautification
In April 2007, the Board unanimously approved a recommendation by the Public Works Committee to request faux red brick cross walks from Councilman Zine for the following intersections: - Sherman Way & De Soto
- Sherman Way & Corbin
- Winnetka & Saticoy
- Winnetka & Oso Ave.
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