Jose,a point of information.I was wondering whyis this. Where's ourlist, not by our district by stakeholders. So they get to see who's representing them this is a strange non alphabetized list, and I was just curious on. Why does that way maybe that they can answer that question. As a point of information.
This is the order that it came to me in one of the things that I got for the city and so I used it. I wish I was more to do it differently that I'm sure that it can be done differently, but this is where it is for right now and this is what the note keeper has. I would also like to tell you that Michael Dell Gianni is here.
mica, you're good.
Thank you, Patti.
Alright so we bored. So we'll move on to the item two, which is the swearing of the new board of directors. So I'll have the different Council board of for everyone to view on the board.
Excuse me, excuse me, we have Christopher Antonelli from CD 14 here to administer the oath.
Yeah, and I want to get to him. If. Is he already on the.
He's here. Okay.
If he can take lead on you, and proceed
fantastic. All right ,neighborhood council that newly elected folks, raise your right hand pleas repeat after me.
I pledge to represent my neighborhood council.
My Neighborhood Council
and stakeholders with dignity and integrity and pride.
And
I will encourage other points of view.Even when they differ from my own, I will respect, value & conider, everyone's opinion. I will find the good in my neighborhood and praise it, and promote to my neighbors, n and to neighborhoods throughout the city of Los Angeles, and I pledged to do this, to the best of my ability. Thank you.
thank you.
Congratulations to the new board. She knows everyone to get elected. We'll move on to the next item on the agenda which is the selection of officers.
Point of order, please. We have failed once again to list general public comment. Any action by the board. I would ask that agenda item 12 general public contact should be moved to this current item, item three is for our bylaws article eight, section two A. This provides that such comments must precede any action of the board for our bylaws and I believe in election is an action.
Yeah, in the public will have the time just to make public comments for each of the nominations of the agenda item
that we, in our bylaws, it calls for general public comments not just for the particular agenda item by
per our board setting policy that's in place for newer councils after the election is the sitting of the board, followed by the election of officers, so that at that point, neighbor councils chair president may then proceed over for the rest of the agenda items. And at that time, the chair can then move on agenda item out of order, which would be the public comment, general public comments after the electrical officers, but again as a state. Any stakeholders will have the opportunity to make public comment on the agenda item, especially for the election of officers.
So, public comment will be at the beginning of the election section or how will it be handle clarification?. The chapter,
general public comments will be after the elections of officers. But the stakeholders, the public still has the opportunity to make public comment on the agenda items which is for the election of officers, and they do have that opportunity to speak.
So let me be clear because this is our bylaws and you're telling me that the Commission policy is over, over AMS.
Yeah, this is the department's policy. So, this is click Services. I was in place, because this is the setting of the board. One of the quick items that the department's like does, in order to make sure that the board is set is to seek the new board, which is elected, and then have the election of officers, so all the officers are appointed, and then the new board Council can then proceed over for the rest of their agenda item and take care of the board business.
So, point of information that a member of the public, showed up to voice their opinion, following the election. Does that not circumvent their opportunity to give their opinion before the election of officers.
Now, as I stated again. The public will have the opportunity to make public comment for the agenda items which is the election of officers. They have that chance to do so before the board votes for the for the officers itself. Okay, so they do have that, And if it's general public comment regarding non agenda items, they'll be after the election of officers.
Thank you for that clarification.
No problem. Okay, so let me stop sharing. So, makes it easy to see everyone. And sudo participant list as well. Okay, so the third agenda item is the selection of officers. And with that, I'd also like to just go over, which will be the president. And I'll be going over the duties and powers of each of the presidents, for the neighbor Council bylaws, as the states. So the President shall act as a chief executive of the downtown Los Angeles Neighborhood Council, and shall preside all downtown Los Angeles neighbor Council board meetings and executive committee meetings, represent the interests of the downtown Los Angeles neighbor councils, before the city council and city departments boards and commissions or delegates such represent representation as warranted, serve as spokesperson for the DLANC in the press, before the public or delegates such functions as warranted. The President shall be the ex officio member of all the land committees. So that's the duties and powers for the President. And again, if any board member would like to make a nomination or self nominate to be president. Please, go ahead
I nominate patti berman for president.
So Ryan nominates daddy. First, I want to check, Patty Would you accept the nomination.
Yes.
Okay. Is there any other nominations. i See claudia, go ahead.
I'm actually waiting to speak on the item as a boardperson.
Okay, well no, Richard?
I nominate myself for the position of president.
Thank you. Okay. And then, Tony,
I was, I was gonna nominate Richard.
Okay, Richard. Gotcha. All right. Are there any other board members that like to make nominations, or for for the President seat.
Yes, I went down, I like I like to represent Patti, and I like Petey to be president.
Okay, so we know there's already a nomination for Patty, which is noted. And then, Richard. Thank you. So I see no other nominations for President. So, can I have the board make a motion to appoint for the Downtown Los Angeles neighborhood councils president, no for either Patty Berman, and Richard. Richard Norton.
I make the motion. Claudia,
Claudia makes a motion, who seconds
back
can you
picture. Okay. Richard second.
Yes.
Alright, so I'll open it up for for the nominees to make their statements before the board. So Patty, would you like to start off.
Sure. Well, first of all, I know that there's been a lot of talk over the last few months about things that are not as great with D like as they should be. Most of them I agree with what I'm asking for right now is a chance for my last two years, to be the president of this board to make sure that all of the materials and educational and anything else that is necessary for a new administration to come in, has been taken care of, something I would very much like to have done during the last term. Nobody told me there was going to be a pandemic. So I think we are looking at a downtown that needs a lot of help our small businesses have been ravaged. We have people with families who are not making enough money to put food on the table. We have people who are not housed who need housing. We need to bring the arts, music, and theatre back into our area so that it becomes a place where people want to come and have fun and spend money again. There are so many things that need to happen. And I would very much like to be the person who could help us get to that place again. Also, like I said it's very important to me that by the end of these two years we have other people who are capable and willing to take on the stewardship of this neighborhood council. I appreciate every minute you've given me to help this downtown area, and I hope that you will give me two more years. Thank you,
Rick, Richard.
Thank you, Jose, thank you for your remarks patty. Jose has a tough job I had one like his about 100 years ago, working with a lot of boards and he has to deal with a lot of personalities and characters, so I'm here to introduce you to this character who's running for President because it's time for a change, folks, it's time for a change. Now let me talk about who I am, how I operate and what I'm about. Now first all my title if you look on my Facebook pages I'm a community volunteer. That's a nice way of saying I'm a retired person, and I got the time to do this, this is I view a seven day a week job, not eight hours a day, but it's an on site, seven day a week job. I've led three boards so I know how board should function should function, let me emphasize that. And I found it in association, including writing the bylaws so let everyone know as you've already heard tonight. I'm a bylaws nerd. It's our Constitution as Ivan had told us a couple of weeks ago in an orientation session. We've got to follow that better. Now let me give you some perspective on public institutions because people say, Well, do you know how complex this is while I've worked at UCLA I've worked at Cal Poly Pomona, and I was at the LA Zoo as part of glossa when it was in a war between commissioners city department and everything. I know how dirty it can get on the ground there, but I was learning one thing I noticed I was much younger, I had a red beard then from a woman named Edie White who I think most people would know, and she would always bring us back to the focus of what is our mission. What is our mission and our mission is to do a better job for our public, and we have not been doing that. Now let me, let me observe one thing about volunteers, I had 40 years of working with volunteers for years is a term limit I told you I'm a bylaw nerd. I've read through other neighborhood council bylaws, they have term limits, it's a healthy thing. I commit to you tonight if I'm elected president. You have me for two terms if you want me, but no one should stay in this job for four years and as this board decides to put in term limits, then we can go with that and if you put them in and it would still allow me to stay six years. I'm only here four years because my job is to begin finding my successors. That's a critical difference. It's a time to look for your successor, it's one of the most important things, a new leader has to worry about. Now, let me talk about some values that I think are important. We've got to be fair, we've got to be impartial and we've got to be transparent. Now what organization hides its bylaws and its minutes in a calendar and doesn't get them straight up front, on the homepage so you can find these things. It's not good intuitive logic and it's hiding things, it may be legal in the eyes of the Brown Act, but it's shifting, Let me just call it what it is now my what I plan to do is really begins with all of you, because this is not a me deal. This is a we deal, and I am seeking to listen to all of you as, and our stakeholders so that we can come up with a priority focus, volunteer volunteers have lots of other things to do you all have jobs you have other volunteer activities. We cannot over commit our time we have to develop a focus on what's going to be important for us. Now, with that listening number one to me is outreach we if we heard anything in the last election is an outreach was missing in action in this neighborhood. So that's a logical extension. The thing that really Stokes me let me just put it that way is we have a humanitarian crisis in this neighborhood, a humanitarian crisis of our unhoused neighbors, and most recently a week ago, a gentleman who was confined to a wheelchair with a fentanyl patch to help with his pain, died in a fire in his trip tent, your town Avenue and Skid Row. Now, that's not a world class city, and his body remained there for a while. That's not a world class city that's not a world class neighborhood. We I advocate that one of our biggest priorities is as soon as possible and I'm not smart enough to figure out all the details on this, so I need everybody on this fall, to say how we approach this, but we call a meeting, that's a special meeting, the President could do that, or the board could do it together, that addresses this humanitarian crisis. I'm a historian of this city. This is the worst thing in 240 years of Los Angeles history, and we are responsible to bring this forward. I challenge us to figure out how we mobilize, because the voices that have been working on it. The county has been kicking the can down the road and the city kicks the can back down the road to the county, then they both kick it to Lhasa. Enough of that. Let's move forward on this issue and let's figure out the other issues we have to advocate for all of our neighbors, including those who are unhoused, and for our neighborhood that suffers because of the over 40 year containment policy related to the unhoused in Skid Row. So I asked for your help I asked for your vote. And let's move forward. It's time for a change.
Thank you,
Patty, I know like Rick has quite some time, I just want to make sure if you have any additional things to say to sort of, typically bear with you.
Well actually, yes, I think that the, the outreach component is so terribly important than as we were told during the training session last week. It is not the responsibility of one or two people who are on a particular committee to do outreach, if every single one of us are not outreaching to our stakeholders and getting those stakeholders to outreach to stakeholders, we get nowhere. And I think that I agree completely. The time has come to completely revamp how we look at it and make sure that outreach works for everyone. And I cannot agree with that more. I am hopeful that this board will be able to move forward, doing some wonderful things for our community. But I want to see us do what together without having to have conflict. That is what I would hope for us. So, again, I'm asking you for two more years, that's it. That is my term limit, I will not be running for this office again. And I wish very much to be able to leave when I go, a person, a set of people actually who will be able to understand what we do and take over, pieces of it, and to put together, documentation to help, because there is so little right now. And do we have a humanitarian homeless crisis. Oh my gosh, is of course we do. It's got to be one of the top priorities of this city and the county, and we need to constantly remind them of it, but we are not going to be able to fix that on by ourselves. We need the help of the city to help with the county. And I believe that we have in our new city council person, Kevin de Leon, someone who very seriously, wants to work to get rid of homeless people's problems, to be able to give them housing, shelter, medical, and everything else that they need. So I think we've got a good start here. Absolutely, let's take this board with it. Thank you.
So, now open it up for for the board to just for any comments questions that you may have. First off I see Claudia Claudia, go ahead.
Hi guys, welcome everyone. I'm so glad to see such a diversity in this board. People from, from all sides and all places and downtown and upbringings. The reason why I chose to speak on this item, and show that you guys can tell that this is a little, a little painful for me and so just bear with me trying to get my words out as I speak. First of all, I want to say that. Patti, is someone I love. She's, uh, she has, we've been through so many journeys together and she's a good friend to me. And this, this, that I'm saying today I'm, I'm speaking in favor of our downtown because I know that this is jeopardizing, you know, the friendship that we've, we've had for so many years, but there's a reason why I feel that I was elected, but to this position. And it's to represent my stakeholders, and in a perfect world. What I wish would happen. I mean we've been waiting for someone like Rick to come along. Who has the time to do it, who has experienced on other boards, he was in the LA area Chamber of Commerce, You see, like, all these different things, and he's committed to do and I think that he is a person that is actually going to listen to everybody. And I feel that listening is our most important thing that we are supposed to do is listen to our stakeholders and encourage public participation into local governance. I don't know when we will have an opportunity to like this. And I feel that as, as much as I understand that what Patty, Patty brought to the table. All these years, you know, it was very valuable to us. There's so many great things that we have participated in together. I think that there's different energies that meet different moments. I think that at this time, we need somebody that is going to unite, everybody. And I cannot
couldn't go
without speaking for the constituents that have reached out and asked for us to just give somebody else a chance to show us some new ideas, some new ways of looking at things and I think that Rick is that person. I don't know him as well as I know, Patti. And I love Patti, but this is not about who my alliances lie or who do I like as a person, this is about downtown. And I think that I owe it to my constituents, to listen to listening to them and asking and doing what I think is the right thing the ethical thing to do. And this is why I have to say that I will be supporting Rick tonight, even though this is putting a long time friendship at jeopardy, this is the right thing to do. I believe so. Thank you.
Okay next we have Tony, go ahead. Yes, so
I wrote this, I had to write some of this stuff down because I want to make sure I'm accurate, and I'm articulate in what I'm going to say, the President of the Board should be a position that supports and guides the board and pride prioritizes the community over their own self interest that's really really important thing. There are some alarming things that came to my attention over this last week. And I'm going to echo some things that Claudia said, You know I like Patty, I really do. I like her. I enjoy my time with her when we have time, I consider her a friend. But there are some things that are going on that I just I are very very alarming to me and in some of the things have been going on in the last week, echo some things that have happened in the past, and it just seems to be repetitive, our bylaws require that the executive board and the prior to the main board meeting, review the agenda. Patti deliberately bypass this requirement for this meeting, the executive board includes myself and other board members, she is targeting. When I say targeting. I mean, I have heard from several board members, a quote, in which that Patty has given them, and it is I know who my enemies are and when to force. That's really alarming. It sounds very retaliatory here. And I'm alleging that the executive board meeting did not happen as a require that there is a basis of this retaliation. Today isn't agenda was posted been changed and re posted on the website without disclosing this to the executive committee or board members or the general public. That's a clear violation of the Brown Act. Patty has on numerous occasions said in public forums. I have been the best treasurer, that she is has been on the board since she's been a board member. Conversely, she is now telling several board members that she plans to appoint, not to appoint me as treasurer, allegedly, as a matter of retaliation, because I may be supporting Rick Norton as the nominee for president, which by the way I never told her or anyone else that this is, I don't know how she got the information but. And this, by the way this is coming from several board members independently of one another. Patty has been meeting with several board members prior to this election. And I've been told by them that she's using intimidation tactics to get them to vote to vote a certain way, which is alarming. i That's only an allegation but I'm hearing this from several board members. I've also come to understand that Patty is allegedly paying our parliamentarian Ivan Spiegel, out of her own pocket. This actually came out of her own mouth. She actually told a board member out of her own mouth because particularly thing as a Financial Officer of this board, she has been, she has not been transparent to me about this all expenses relating to the board should be approved by the board, and only
only that's an absolute lie,
I have not received a penny from Patty, or anybody else down there.
Well, she's told she's told board members that
I do this as a
volunteer. She's told other board members,
oh you're wrong and I commend you retract that statement.
Well, I'm only telling you what, what's actually been told to me. This also creates a scenario.
The penny. And if you can't provide
proof. Then I'm going to fill your
grievances I'm outlining here are not new or uncommon. There has been a long history of these manipulations this system and bending of the rules and this is not okay, this, this all of these kinds of things undermine the democratic process. And I'm telling you now that you should consider these things when you vote, Because you get what you vote for essentially.
see you in court. I'm sorry jose. I apologize to you.
All I'll say this is when Dale. Can I make a statement please
go ahead.
Okay. I agree that we are running. They're running for president, putting the most multi executive office areas in this beautiful city of Los Angeles. I thought we were adults, and tour that we do have slandering any human beings thanks to the ones that are representing the shareholders and the individuals that are in this area that we're representing. If you're not coming with the create date data and fact. Some things should not come out of your mouth. I have pride for oil offenders. Neighborhood Council I've endured over 10 years, and I do this voluntarily in the harbor bid of Skid Row, in the midst of it all. I'm on front lines, and I represent every day that I'm representing downtown neighborhood council, and I feel hurt. When will I really just given up and resigning. Because it's not necessary to G humanize the individual or say things that we don't have actual facts and data on. If you have actual back end datasets go and speak it. And when he say she say it's like the when you cannot control it.
I'd like to order to request that we begin recording this meeting, as it is a public forum to be recorded.
It needs to be recorded because of a. Thank you. Okay. All I want is for us to build in more and more positive concept that can be done and that I individually voting on who we clean with to become president, all the other data or slander is unnecessary. We live in the most beautiful world in any country. And as states I mean, and we should be able to do this because everyone's looking at us. And now we're looking at South Side in the east side you're looking at downtown they look comfortable, and they're looking at us to be the leader. So we should be a leader, we were elected to lead and give directions. And we float in quickly here for you your roll down when you, when you hit wait to hear from individuals, because not everything is true. That's all I have to say.
And again, I'd like to remind members of the Code of Conduct. Be courteous of others. As you speak and also referred to as actual factual statements. Again, so move on to Ryan. Ryan, go ahead.
Thank you, Jose. I actually wanted to bring up what you just mentioned, as well, you know, we just took an oath to be courteous and that slander our fellow people in this council. I understand if there are grievances, I think maybe Paul you gave an example of, you know, her view I think Rick gave an example of you, Tony. I respect you a lot, but I don't think that what you said was appropriate or accurate, and if you had something like that to say that's pretty damning I really would hope that you would either name the person who said that or show some. Second of all, you mentioned a few things that I believe were inaccurate. First of all, we do not have a board until about 20 minutes ago when we just see this board, so there was no executive committee, there was no way to create an executive committee, none of that existed. As you know, still any complaints of this kind of stuff I believe there were some complaints from what I've heard around the watercooler, and everything went through the Department of Neighborhood Empowerment and everything today has been kosher Jose, can you please verify that that everything that's being done today has been done in the way of, you know, Labor, Department of Neighborhood Empowerment everything has been done correctly, is that correct was it.
Yeah, so the process of the board seating for the policy is followed by per the 2019 We're sitting policy that the, the neighbor council would be following.
There's no executive committee
point of information.
Richard I'm speaking I'm sorry I'm speaking with Jose
lunches are certified that's, that's when the new board will be instated and resets, pretty much the committee's, that the the committee's the officers and liaisons. So all that would need to be appointed by the board at the first official meeting that's the DC seated x which is
today. Thank you. Okay, so in other words, There isn't an executive committee, there's no way to create an executive committee before this meeting so that point is irrelevant,
Ryan. Second of all,
I'm sorry. It's my turn to speak, I wanted a local resident does not appoint the treasurer, the Treasurer is voted by this board, and will happen today. So anything about appointing Tony or any of that stuff, none of that stuff is relevant. i And now I want to get to the actual facts of Patty okay so defending all this, this, this, you know, rancor that's been basically thrown around. In my view, as we all just mentioned and Rick actually mentioned it himself, to his credit, The President is not supposed to be here to impose their will to bend this board in any way, what I admire about Patti what she's done in the time that she's been here, she has basically been a procedure wall, which is what we need in his position, this is the captain of the ship. Okay. Second of all, She never votes on almost anything that happens to this board, unless you must be a tiebreaker she never votes, what her job is is to keep these meetings, from being 12 hours long, to being three hour long meeting to have an order to give people equal time and to present things in a way that are digestible and manageable for this board and for the public, which is a board of volunteers. What I respect about Patty as you just mentioned. She's been here for a long time she understands the ropes, and she's willing to admit that there is definitely a time for transfer it's a new power. Okay, she's not a power hungry person, nobody on this board gets any money or anything, any other benefits beyond really just doing well for this community. And Patti has been there from the beginning, my family, I'm sure Michael Belzoni is another example, has been in this community since the 1990s, and we've seen the work that he's done to help communities it's at, Michael, Michael beats me like it was there before. We've seen a commitment that she has this neighborhood, as it said, she is doing a thankless thankless job. Look at what everyone's saying right now. She has not steered any vote in the entire time that I have in this committee, five, six years, she has never pressured me. I've never heard any kind of people get upset about things that happened Neighborhood Council. He's the face of it so she gets all the stuff, but please consider the reality of all this stuff, beyond all the sour grapes theory hearing today, that's all I'm gonna say,
Thank you,
information if I might. Is it not true that the amended board seating requirements which we are operated on were amended to provide the board terms actually run from July one to June 30 and a board could select to start, or is that still before the commission. That's why it's a point of information.
Yeah. So, regarding the 2020 to 2021 Board seating policy. The board would need to take action to adopt that policy, which means that the former board would then run all the way to serve until June 30 and the new one was start beginning July 1 of the fiscal, the new fiscal year, but the board would need to take action to adopt that policy. If the no action is taken to adopted adopted policies in the 2019 policy goes into default, which is what we're following at this time.
Who would have brought a one other point of information if I might place, who would have brought that before the agenda setting process, because we did have a meeting in March, would we have had the opportunity to know that it was that one of those things that never made it to the board so that we would be required to use this meeting as the in the 2019 rules as opposed to getting in line with Empower la would like to see July one through June 30 whereas,
May,
if I may, Jose. Jose, I asked Jose, which one we would be doing. And the, I was told that we were under the 2019, and that's the way it was. I do not make those kinds of decisions I let don do it
again and just to clarify, as well as just that the policy was released, beginning of March, draft and then the official was later at mid March, the department sent out to all neighborhood councils, letting them know that this is going to be the, the city policy and if they have the options for this lections to either follow through with the 20 1914 policy, or the 2021 policy which then feeds the board at the beginning of the new fiscal year,
as they can I just say, all of this stuff without any procedure is a red herring, look at the agenda, it's five things in the agenda we're voting people to create the board, none of this has anything to do with favoritism or anything, Patty or nobody else has any kind of upper hand here, we're creating a new board or we're voting people in executive committees and all this stuff, this is just an excuse to say, to create some kind of malfeasance, that's not there, I'm sorry.
Was that me i May I say something, I have two things to say one thing is about the executive committee. I mean, according to our bylaws, we're supposed to post the agenda. Correct?
Yes.
any two hours in advance in the physical place. If there is no executive committing, who did that.
So we work with the department will work with the, with the board so mostly the chairs will coordinate that in order to make sure that the agenda is, is then set for the incoming board to
see
who posted it?
the posting Patty will
I did
Nyra posted the the agenda,
picture of it if anybody is really
I'm not saying I know that I reposted because I talked to her when she was posting it because we didn't know if she was going to post her if I was going to post it. The agenda has been posted. My point is, it has been posted by who, if there is no executive committee, how is Nyra them to post the agenda, if she's no longer the Vice President, or I no longer the secretary. So there is, there is a gray area whether we are continuing with our duties or not, you know, so much so then I reposted the agenda, or I was going to post the agenda, but we were still working, you know what I mean. And it's, I understand that we have the option, or not having that executive committee meeting, it's fine. But we, in the future need to work better to clarify what our duties are once, because I'm still getting, I'm still getting our public requests act. I'm still getting, you know, and so am I. The Secretary, am I not the secretary until this point, we don't know and that's something that, not to say that we did anything wrong, which is not what I'm saying here. All I'm saying is that this is something that we need to clarify in the future with Don and and embalm to identify what what duties carry through. Because just the President is not the only person that does something for this board, as they get an executive committee meeting is not just meeting just to approve agendas, there's a lot that we do behind the scenes to make make the machine work. Right. So it's just like asking for clarification because up till today I still have people calling me, like, where's my link, you know what to get into the meeting and I, I'm like I don't have an answer for them, you know. Thank you.
Any other board member comments.
Yes. Was that this is Michael Larijani,
Michael. Okay,
go ahead, Michael.
I'm one of the original board members.In fact I helped to form this committee, and other committees in downtown Los Angeles as a volunteer, most of my life since I was a UCLA student in fact, from what I see here with all the respect to Richard. I see more of Donald Trump here, which is divisive, tone, and comments and me remind everyone that the ology behind never counsel these two Brain Gain. The everyone who lives and work downtown, from different classes of society together in a very family oriented noise environment. From what I see today already. Honestly, I would rather to resign if this committee is going to be so deeply, divisive and politically divisive. This is not a, this is not a political movement, this is to bring the community together, enhance the quality of life. And in this difficult time that for the past year that we've been through. If anything we need to be really work together to help everyone who really suffer, and is still continued to suffer in downtown Los Angeles. And honestly, I don't see anyone else at this point, who has the knowledge, experience, personality, but it has shown to me for over the past years. She has broadened, look at me and everyone is all too broad. Partridge to outreach to everyone from different types, the level of the community. And she continues to do so. As a volunteer base she's not getting paid or anything this is her passion. And if anything we need to really give her the, really the big hug and appreciation for what she has accomplished what she has done, and stand behind her and ask her to continue tech downtown from this difficult time for the next two years. Transfer this administration to anyone else who gets familiar with this organization, and for the benefit of downtown Los Angeles I really strongly appreciate that everyone once again support paddy Birdman and unite and keep the unity here and stay away from all this negativity, please. Thank you so much.
Thank you, Michael.
Any other board member comments,
I would like to speak,
are going to Debbie.
So I'm one of the new class of board members. I just want to speak on how I feel about why I ran and, and, again, I agree with Michael, let's not be political, let's not be slanderous. I was never really into politics, I just wanted I moved down town just to have a good time, you know, not have to drive, walk to the store, you know, walk back to bars,but definitely I feel like,let's focus for this presidential vote on what they said about the policies of what they want to do for DLANC, what they think DLANC should represent, and not so much on, you know, the Trump ism of it. I personally am going to vote for Rick just because in the past five years that I've been downtown I felt like I wasn't seeing what I expected us to get out of neighborhood council Iceland Venice, that neighborhood council kind of operates differently. So I also ran because I wanted to see change. And that's it so I'm just saying, let's, let's keep it non political and all slanderous Let's vote on what we want DLANC to be as a volunteer, neighborhood apartment organization. Thanks.
I see...James Wilde...Go ahead.
I just had something short to say, I'm a new board member, but I've lived in downtown Los Angeles. For more than a decade, and everything that I've heard about Patty has been extremely positive. And I think that we should continue with her after we've had such a difficult time in this neighborhood due to COVID. She's been doing a great job and I think to differ from that at this time would just cause confusion. And yeah, that's it.
Thank you, i see Jim, go ahead.
Thank you. I just want to echo what Michael and Ryan has said, I've said about Patti, I think that all that she has done for the council over these many years, she deserves the last two years, and she's gained nothing from this position, she's done her job honorably, she's made many friends along the way she's very well liked around everybody in the community.I think she deserves another two years.
Kevin.
One thing I just want to know for the board is I know a couple of people have mentioned not wanting to be political and this is a political office so by definition, politics will happen on this board. I think there's a way that we can operate, not without a partisan lens which I think is something we should all strive for but our work is very much directly related to politics. So, that is part of our duty. So, just wanted to say that.
Any other board members before moving over to the pub. See none. All right, so I'll move over to the public. So those are the attendees. If you have a public comment. Please press the raise hand button on your screen for those called, they'll be Star nine. And I'll be calling everyone in the order that they raise their hands, you'll have one minute to speak on the agenda item for the nomination of the President, please make sure to stay on the agenda. So I'll start off, Catherine. Go ahead and I'm you.
Hi, first of all I had to sign in, giving my email address, which I believe is in violation of the Brown Act. So I just wanted to get that out of the way first. My name is Katherine McNerney, I am a member of the Skid Row neighborhood council formation committee. First, congratulations to all new dueling board members. I urge all of you, not to vote from its Berman as dulang president and here's why. In 2017 there was what was called a neighborhood council subdivision election downtown, the first of its kind, are formation committees not to break away from the debate to be able to focus specifically on our very unique issues. A lot of people including myself, spent a lot of time not only on our application guide, but also on get out the vote outreach, unfortunately we did not prevail at that time, although our fight is not over. At no time before, during, or after our election is Berman agendize this event over did she agendized many grievances filed regarding the length interference in this election, despite this being something they are supposed to do according to their bylaws. These are not actions of a true leader of yours, these actions were my(spiteful?). Thank you. Thank you.
Okay, next is Nicholas, go here.
Thank you very much. First off, these endless debates on civility mean nothing when civilization itself is collapsing around us at 3:30am last Friday a homeless individual broke into our building and sensitively hammered out my apartment window with a fire extinguisher, while my wife and I slept and held us in our, our unit for 22 minutes, and yes I have evidence for that and yes there will be a police report. I wholeheartedly support Richard Norton, because frankly, DLA has done nothing accomplished nothing except as far as I can tell architectural reviews. If you do not represent our interests there was only one interest in solving this disaster around us. I don't want to hear anything else I don't care about anything else. And I tell you that as a 10 year resident stakeholder who defended my wife's life. Last Friday, please, elect Mr. Nordin.Thank you. I
thank you for coming in. Okay, next person is Peter, Peter Clune, go ahead.
Yeah, thank you.
Welcome to all the new board members. First of all, amazing to hear Michael dolla Johnny worried about Donald Trump. Since he's a multi $1,000 Trump donor, but just wanted to say, you know, as a stakeholder who's tried to participate in DLANC I have firsthand run into the obstruction tactics of Patty Berman multiple times. I have seen her not properly agendize people who've nominated themselves for vacant board seats delay them an extra month when they should have been put on the agenda. I have personally put forward stakeholder agenda items and had her unilaterally refused to put them on the agenda. I have one that's been pending since May of last year, I have seen her threatened to limit public comment, only to comments that she likes or views as being positive. I honestly didn't expect this to happen there to be any opposition I was hoping to just encourage you all to be vigilant about these things and make sure they didn't happen going forward. But I'm now in the position to say yeah I hope you vote for.
Please wrap up, or about.
Thank you, that's good. Okay.
All right, next is Josh. Go ahead.
Hi my name is Josh, I am a 19 new residents of downtown Los Angeles. I personally love Patti Berman, I think she's incredible she's been amazing for our neighborhood and our community. But I do think that it's time for a change in downtown Los Angeles. I am not, I would never say anything bad about Patty or the job that she's done for our community over these so many years. She's an incredible asset to all of us. But I would like to see what someone new might be able to bring to the table, it could be a huge mistake, but things are pretty bad out here right now and I'm willing to try something new. And so, it's all of you to try and vote for Richard, just to see if we can't, you know, do something new, get things going solve this homelessness crisis here right now. And I also want to remind everyone here that you are just not representative of our community. It's very sad but the person who got the most votes was patty with 152 votes, there's 70,000 residents in downtown Los Angeles please enter everything that you're doing and get more people involved. Thank you so much.
Next, Jamie. Go ahead. Hello, unmute
name is Jamie, I work downtown in the fashion district. So I just am interested in trying to help the issues that I know are in that area. I myself have called in and been somewhat engaged in this neighborhood council, and actually it makes it really easy. There's a speaker just a moment ago, his name is Peter. I just want to second, everything that Peter says, I've seen Patty shut down meetings just argue with constituents. It's just time for a change. I really, really am surprised that this is on the table. And I implore you to please vote for Richard.
Thank you.
Thank you, Jessica. Go ahead.
Thank you. Um, yeah, I just, sorry. I agree with Jamie and Peter and a few other callers. I don't think, give me more time so that I can set up a successor or that I can wrap things up properly is a good enough reason for us to continue having patty and leadership. And I was really encouraged by what Richard had to say. So I look forward to seeing what, what can happen with with him as President, thank you
for your comment. Elizabeth, go ahead and unmute.
Hi everybody, Elizabeth Peters and Gower, thank you all for your service. We really appreciate you all being here. I've been a resident since 1997. Until last March I had 40 employees. I've had to let 30 go, and I sent them out into all over the country, no one would stay here because after the riots, we were all so scared, physically, from what happened. I have employees that are still here I've owned businesses to businesses three businesses in downtown and been a downtown resident. What I've seen since being here and since 1997 and the change that this board made during these last few years with Patty at the helm has been unbelievable. The fights and the drama that we've been through, to become a city, a world class city again, has been intense and deeply challenging right now what I see is 1997 again. And what I see with the city officials and what they're going through in the drama they're going through that much and I think it's very very important that we stay with a board that's well versed and can help us because right now, we're all fighting for our lives out here to fighting to keep our business partners up. So vote for Patty please.
Thank you. Okay assessee go ahead on you. Hi,
my name is. I think I might go. Do you have an echo on me.
No, you're fine, long one.
Down to resume for that four and a half years,
so see you kind of far can get closer to the mic.
Can you hear me now.
Yes,
okay. My name is Ceci Nihar and I've been a resident downtown for about four and a half years. And I, you know, really tried to pay attention to what D likes doing and get connected. And it's extremely difficult. And this is an organization that's just been terrible with transparency trout terrible with outreach, terrible with really engaging the community, and I know all of you ran on either renewing downtown are making downtown better. And this is the moment to really focus on that new, new leadership, new ideas, new passion new engagement, not denigrating Patty at all. She is a wonderful person, and has given a lot to downtown, and we got to thank her and thank heavens she's still on the board, because she's going to contribute, and can still even transition she can still even help help Rick transition so there's no need to be like upset that she's not going to be part of this Patty you're always, you're
clearly part of this.
Please wrap it up. Okay,
so I just really want to encourage you, new leadership, transparency engagement, make me part of your organization I'm dying to be a volunteer for you,
Michael,
go ahead.
Jose I just like to note that on the agenda, it says that speakers have two minutes, are we changing that to one minute only
for general public comments to two minutes.
Okay. Can I make a general public comment as well at this time.
No. All right, this time it's only for a public comment on the nominations for President.
Okay, thank you, you can begin my clap. So my name is Michael S I'm applying to provide encouragement to our newly elected board specifically I'm proud to have Richard Norton as my area representative Rick's pragmatism in focus on tangible objectives drew me to reconsider a personal bid for the seat instead support his candidacy. He's the type of leader we need right now guiding this body going forward. With that I'd like to quote a preliminary injunction filings submitted last night in the LA lions federal lawsuits. On April 7 2021 An elderly, disabled man who was confined to a wheelchair and took fentanyl to manage his chronic pain, burned to death, unable to escape the fire that engulfed his tent on Skid Row is charred corpse remained on the sidewalk for hours, a testament to decades of intentional inactions, and deliberate indifference by the City and County. Well we have seen over the last few years is indifference by this body as well. And I'm encouraging you all to start looking at new ways and addressing our problems. If our problems are not addressed, I fear that more extreme voices will take up the space out of frustration of the continued inaction. As a result, and I'm encouraging you all to do a better job. And to start thinking about how you can take more direct action. And I feel that by electing Richard as our next president for dealing, we are doing that. Thank you.
Thank you, Kate. Go ahead.
Unmute, Kate. You can unmute now
occur surprised constrictions that I'm hearing, because if I didn't know better, I wouldn't recognize that they're about Patti Berman. on the issue of homelessness alone, Patti knows the issue on a very personal level, because she sponsored and eventually adopted a girl who was homeless on skid row, and is now an adopted daughter and part of her family. But the larger point goes back to dealing in it's not an accident, the D line is routinely referenced as the most effective Neighborhood Council in the city. There have been no scandals, there's no grifting by board members, there's no credible accusations of mismanagement for a reason. John's never had to effectively take over dealing, because he didn't need to. It's been well run for years, and that's because of Paddy's focused, committed stewardship. So downtown now has been hit disproportionately hard by the unrest and the pandemic. It's not the time for a new president. It is the time, and we have it now for new voices at the board level to consider new paradigms, to take D life to its well deserved next level. Let's do it with the one person uniquely able to bring all sides together to make that happen. That's Patty Berman.
Thank you. All right. Next is color with the last three numbers, eight to nine. In order to unmute press star six.
Thank you, I'm Blair Besten and I'm speaking today as a downtown stakeholder to support, Patti as President, I, I have so much respect for all of you for volunteering your time to make the community more livable and I have to say I've known Patty a long time. We've watched downtown evolve. And over the years I've seen, you know, a few contentious issues come up, both in meetings, and sadly behind the scenes. I'll tell you that, you know, criticisms of the presidency, are not met with people who are really willing to do the work necessarily once the rubber meets the road, and, you know, it's, there's a lot of logistical constraints that come with the job as the president. I can tell you she's kept the ship steady, and she's given it weight, and she's taken time to cultivate relationships over the years. And that takes a certain skill set, you know Kate mentioned stewardship, and, and that's absolutely what we have in Patti, and then Kate also mentioned new voices, and I agree. You know, it's no accident when you have people coming from downtown who has been here for you.
Chico, go ahead and unmute.
I just want to say you know I've known Patti Berman for almost a decade now and she got involved in downtown Los Angeles initially just because there wasn't a dry cleaner downtown in the historic core. That's what she wanted, she was here in a time when the neighborhood was nothing like it is now, when there was crime on the streets when our businesses were closed. We're back there again now we're pre, 2010 again and we all hope, our neighborhood very quickly gets back, driving in 16 Paddy led the ship through that area. When there was crime on the streets, when we didn't have street activation and because we're there now, I can think of no better than no more perfect person to lead in his final two years, I think she's earned that. And I asked for you to say. Thank you.
Thank you. So that's it for public comments, we'll move over to the board for board action. So we're now. We're gonna do a roll call vote. So the board, board members, please make sure to either call out for, for the vote for either patty. Rick, or abstain from the vote, just let me know, to make it clear. All right. start off with the roll call. Claudia.
I suppose I should mute myself right. That's what you get for like doing so much listening, you're just getting used to listening. I'm voting for Rick today. Thank you,
Tony.
Rick
Patti.
I'm voting for myself.
Michelle.
Rick
Wendell?
Patti.
Naira
Patti.
Rick?
Following in Patty's footsteps I'm voting for myself too
given just building what it sounds like what the constituents want and vote for Richard
that's killing me.
Two abstentions. Okay, so the volken is account, nine for Patty 10 for Rick two abstentions extensions are Linda and ebony. So Rick, you're planning to the president, graduations.
Thank you, everybody, and thank you for everybody to everyone who voted for patty. This is a partnership of all of us. I talked about collaboration in the electoral forum we have and that's an important thing. We've seen transitions not go well. We must transition as well.
And I just
thank everyone for the competence. This is again a wee thing, and we will we will move through this with diligence and care
and go forward.
Thank you.
Great. So the next thoughts seek for the officers as the Vice President of Administration is there. Before I call for nominations, I'm just going to read out the description for it. So the vice president administration self serve as President, in the absence of the President be responsible for the operational and logistics alleged logistical needs of the board and chair, the rules and selections committee, the Vice President of Administration shall also maintain oversight of all dieline committees. Is there a nomination for the Vice President of Administration.
I would like to nominate Nyra if she wants to continue.
Mayra Nyra Do you accept the nomination.
I am flattered. I'd like to see if anyone else is interested. I am all for better downtown, but again if there is anyone else that would like to nominate ourselves. Looks like not.
So are there any other nominations for the vice president ministration. He don't see any other nominations. So that, that means you'll be accepting. All right.
Okay.
All right, for the vote of confidence.
All right. First off, before I can get the motion to appoint the vice president for for downtown Los Angeles administration Nyra
Claudia
audio motions. Is there a second I think
I sent you that one day, when Dale seconds.
Alright so, any comments that you'd like to see for the board.
Well,
it's been my second term. And I've learned a lot during this past two years. And I know that D'Antoni is hurting and it's my home and I have my businesses here and I want an enhanced downtown as well I want people that want to leave here I want myself to feel safe to walk in downtown, I did not feel safe for the past year to be to walk out on the street. I want tourism to come back. I want our space to be cleaner, and I feel like this is a partnership and this is a teamwork, this is not something that an individual is would be able to do it, we all have to work together as a team.
Great. Any comments from the board. None of over to the public for anybody like big public comment for the Vice President of Administration nomination first ratio and button on your screen or star nine if you've called. Seeing no hints for public comment then I'll move back over for the board vote, so we're gonna do a roll call vote
for the
Vice President of Administration for the Downtown Los Angeles for Nyra. So to start off with Claudia.
Yes,
Tony.
Yes, absolutely. Howdy.
Yes.
Michelle.
Yes.
Yes.
Nyra.
Yes.
Yes. Brian, Ryan.
Yes, yes.
Laurie.
Yes,
Michael. Michael.
I think
the audio is showing. Okay,
so I'll come back to Michael. Tyler.
Yes,
yes,
Yes, yes, yes,
yes, yes, yes,
yes. Cody. Yes, Jim. Yes, Debbie. Yes, James.
Yes.
Great. And let me check. Michael, connecting to audio. Okay so just mark I'm absent for the moment. So it's unanimous, congratulations Myron, with one absent, which is Michael.
Thank you everyone.
Great. So the next position is the vice president of outreach. Again, I'll just start off with the description of the vice president of outreach and communication so I'll prepare and release media statements after approval by the President, or received the links Website and be responsible for maintaining and updating stakeholders database, and ensuring its confidentiality routinely inform the public of de Lancie activities, actively solicit solicit interest and participation in the lines activities, And share it share the outreach committee. So that will be the duties and powers of the vice president of Outreach and Communications. Is there a nomination from the board. I see Pablo.
Yeah, I'd like to nominate myself.
Okay. Great.Okay. James, see your hand up, is there?
I would also like to nominate myself.
James.
Claudia.
Hi I'm nominating myself.
Okay, great. Any others. I don't see any other nominations so with the board make a motion to appoint the vice president of Outreach and Communications, the candidates would be, Pablo. James and Claudia, somebody like to make the motion.
I so move. Yes.
So it was Kevin first right.
Yes it was. Kevin Okay.
Document Window.
Okay wendell seconds. So open it up for the candidates, we'll start off with Pablo, where are the candidates for your statements for the board.
So I spent some time on the our committee of the last term, andgetting people involved and formed with D link is of utmost importance.And I think I bring a new vision and a new voice to doing so.And I look forward to working with everyone on the board, to get our city involved get downtown involved, get more people out and aware. Voting participate. That's it.
Great. James, go ahead.
I'm asking you for the opportunity to take the lead on one of the most important duties that the downtown neighborhood council has, which is outreach to stakeholders. I know that I'm new to this council, but I'm not new to downtown Los Angeles, as I previously said, I've spent my entire adult life here, and for all that time I've been doing community outreach through my art and would love to take the opportunity to take what I've been doing that and use it in a new way. Most importantly I'd like to empower every council member.And every stakeholder to use their voice and their skill to perform an outreach in areas that are important to them. My goal in the next two years is to look back and say we did this we all reached out to the community and did the best we could. That's it. Thank you.
So, I've been in this. I've been at this neighborhood council for about four years now, and as a. I've served as co chair. I've served as co chair for three committees, urban eats under Window. I served as co chair for government liaison. And just another story but never got the chance to actually be chair, and somebody pointed out to me that the things that I've had been doing and within the neighborhood council and within my private capacity, were already the duties of a outreach chair, you know, bring it out, together with one Dell and says see we brought 400 people out to, to the skilled job fair. Most of credit to went out, you know, but, and with the historic core Small Business Symposium. I also feel like I have been engaging all constituents from every single district, I have been on reached out to house folks in Skid Row. And I also reach out to business owners, small business owners, I'm super big advocate of that community, but most of all I would like to say and point out that during my four years I've seen the outreach chair never take it to its full potential. Meaning, we've never acquired data. We've never used proper strategy which any company trying to reach as many people as possible has would do. We've never had a campaign. And so we've never had a, an afterwards analysis to see what is it that we couldn't do better. I think it's embarrassing that at some points we had committees that couldn't meet because they didn't have enough members, and I feel that as an outreach chair we have to worry not just about growing our email list, but if we see the committee's are not doing well, it's our job to support them, reach out to as many community, community members to fill up those positions. I also am pledging to help urban needs specifically with all the outreach support that they need. I mean we've had a table at the schedule festival for all artists that was empty. We paid for a table, no one called me to say like, can you please walk to the office and grab some materials and go to the table we don't have anybody to table it. I wasn't part of outreach never knew that that was happening, but once I got to the festival I realized that we didn't even have anybody. And I think that that's embarrassing. And I am committed, as I commit to everything else in my life. To change that, see where we're falling apart, not just within the outreach committee wants to support other committees with their outreach.
Thank you so much. Great, thank you.
So, I'd like to open it up for the board for the board, any comments questions for the nominees.
As public able to speak I don't think I entered.
Hi,
started off.
Belinda. Yeah,
I've been very quiet, I know. Um, I actually think Claudia would be great for this because when we were when we were campaigning and walking around downtown. It was easy because most people already knew her by face or by first name, and I was impressed by the fact that almost every single person who was either pushing a shopping cart or coming out of their SRO or just coming out for coffee, said, Hey Claudia and she responded. Hey, so and so by first name, how is this how is that and she remembers people and knows people in the community already. And everywhere we went, it if I said, oh there's this guy I'm giving a sandwich to, she goes, Oh, so and so and I'm like yeah and she knows. She says she knows her constituents and I thought she was kidding but I come to realize that was true, so I actually, I vote for Claudia.
Yeah, I'm going to go ahead.
Yes I to like Melinda can personally attest that Claudia would be great for the position because I've seen her
regularly doing outreach and like, Melinda said she does know the constituents. I've seen that personally. Not saying that anyone else would be good for the position but I'm just advocating for her just because I know that you'd be good for personally.
Next to see Tony.
Yeah, so I, I'm good support Claudia and then the reason, by the way I want to say I really appreciate it. Both of you, all of you coming forward and throwing your hat in the ring, I think that's really great that you know everyone really wants the job, and is willing to get behind it. One reason why I want to support cloudy is because she has started a project called the historic Core Business Symposium which was a tremendous success. When we did it a few years ago before COVID And I wish we could have done it last year but unfortunately because of the situation we had. She was unable to continue that that program but I think that particular program, in particular, in light of COVID is is going to be immensely important to rebuilding our community, especially our small businesses so I really want to get behind her so that she can grow that project, or any project like that, and really, really make it a success, and, and just like, Belinda had just said, I've been out with Claudia, you know, with all members of the community and with cloudy out the community talking with other community members, and we'll be walking to go to dinner or something like that and she'll stop and talk to a constituent for like 10 minutes like Claudia, we've got to go we got to go to dinner, we've got a dinner appointment, but you know she's focused on, she's focused right on those on those constituents, and I really, that's one of the things I really love about her so I just wanted to mention
that. All right, thank you see Ryan, go ahead.
Thank you, I guess, echoing what the last few people have said, I unfortunately because of COVID and obviously there's a new board I haven't had a chance to you know get to know Pablo on a personal level or James on a personal level. So I have no point of comparison, but all I can speak to is, you know what I love about Claudia as well as when I first joined the board about five years ago, she made a point to search me out, grab coffee with me get to know me, learn about my ideas, tell me about some of her ideas. I think she does a good job of not only engaging outside of the board but also engaging with the board. And I think that important thing within our reach is not to have all the people that you agree with constantly come and support things that you agree with, I think it's, you know, important, and she does a good job of it is to get variety of opinions from a variety of pockets of constituents. And that's really what we need when we talk about the vote count that was so low, we talked about, you know, a lot of people have issues with the outreach that we've done. I think a big part of it is, you know people are going after their people. And I think Claudia does a good job of, you know, going outside of that.
Michelle.
Thank you.
I am really proud and excited to give my support to Pablo for this position. I've got to see how he works firsthand over the last few months in running for this seat. Oftentimes, prioritizing accessibility inclusion and equity amongst sorry there's a bug in my face. Amongst the folks that we were engaging with within our community. Pablo has also taken front and center within, within our community engaging employees of downtown businesses as well as renters, not just landlords and business owners, which I think is a, they're very valuable demographic within our community that's oftentimes overlooked and I'm very excited and proud to put my boat behind public tonight.
Kevin.
Yes, I need to also want to lend my enthusiastic support to public domination. He really has a strong history of working with the community, including communities that have been disproportionately and historically underserved by D link, you know, he's also has a very I think clear vision for kind of the procedural things that we can do to make the link more transparent and accessible both from like a language justice perspective but also just like easy to navigate perspective so I think he has a holistic view that will be really helpful in us, navigating a better outreach strategy so that we can reach more of the constituents of Downtown LA. Thank you.
Any other board member comments before I move to the public. See none, so we'll go over to the public for those who like to make a public comment for the vice president of Outreach and Communications nominations, press the raise hand button for Star nine, if you call them. You have one minute to speak. Call everyone in the order that the raise your hands on case I was starting off with Josh, go ahead. You can unmute.
Hi, my name is Josh 19 years in downtown Los Angeles. I think the proof is in the pudding here this is an outreach position, and she's got 142 people who voted for her, she did some outreach, it worked. I think Pablo had 46 and James had 17 Then everyone in the community knows and loves James so I don't know why that's so low. But I think this is a strict data thing here, right, right here, she's proven she can do outreach and, you know, I see her talking to people on my block homeless people know her by name, she knows their names. And she's willing to stop and talk to them and address their concerns business owners know her name. She's active in our community. She's perfect for outreach, I don't think this is a this is a no brainer, it's got to be Claudia for outreach.
Thank you for your comment. Next, Peter. Go ahead, unmute.
Yeah, hi, thank you, um,
you know, I
served with Pablo on the outreach committee, both as unelected stakeholders, you know, it's something that he was interested in, long before he got on this board, and something that you know, I sort of went on the journey with him of being, you know, finding these really frustrating problems with the way that do like was run. And I would really encourage you all to consider his candidacy on you and working with him, and we've developed like very concrete ideas to fix these problems and very specifically, you know, in considering people who've been on the board in the past, just know that like those people have voted to limit the ability of stakeholders to submit agenda items through public comment. They voted to keep in place, documentation requirements that made it really, really hard to get people to vote in these past elections. Right, so I really encourage you to, to focus on someone who has looked tried to do this work for a while and it's not all of a sudden sort of coming to a realization that it's a problem. It's been a problem for four years it's been a problem longer than that. And so for people who've prioritized that work. I think that's a place to start.
Next is Jessica. Jessica,
thank you very much. Um,
I wouldn't
use neighborhood council data as a guiding star for anything I frankly it's embarrassing that the numbers are so low. And I don't find it impressive that Claudia, got more votes, like the whole system is honestly not what it needs to be. I have been really impressed with Pablos work. And I would love to see him in this position.
Thank you. Thank you,
Jamie. Go ahead. Hi. Thank
you,
Jamie again I work in the fashion district. I just, I didn't know about the neighborhood council,
except for Pablo.
I never even heard about before, I have to thank Pablo for that. If we're going to look at getting a new president, Then, I gotta say the way outreach has been been struggling so we get someone in charge and seat them that can take this thing in the direction and reach out to new people, because we need more people to engage in this system, so I would say, Pablo is an obvious choice, though I mean I wouldn't even know about the neighborhood council system without him, and I'm excited to think about the prospect of having someone like Pablo, in the seats reach out to, you know,
new people.
So yeah I really enthusiastically hope that you all will consider putting someone that's been dedicated to this into the drivers. Thank you.
Thank you. So let's see. Go ahead,
go ahead and unmute.
Hi my name is Ceci and I just wanted to, to advocate for Claudia, Claudia I've worked together on this Skid Row job fair and we did get 400 some 400 or so people to come and we, I helped her with the symposium in a very small small way and one of the things I love about the way Claudia works, is she's very diligent she, when she puts her attention on something. She looks, she gets. Well, she's a strategic person. And, and I think if she were put on the task of outreach, which I think is the most important thing that you guys should all be part of and I hope Jas and Pablo. Thank you form a team a triumvirate, to really prioritize this and engage the community. And I think Claudia would just be a really great leader, inclusive, and you would have fun working with her.
Thank you. Next up is Michael. Go ahead.
Yes, this is Michael, I am calling to advocate for Claudia, Claudia, as the relationships necessary she's going to be bringing a fresh perspective to this position, we need better outreach with de lank and she is very focused on that. I also think that she is very good with respect to public private partnerships, which are going to be very instrumental in us, especially to help our businesses that are struggling right now, and to bring greater awareness to the community so I encourage you to vote for Claudia for outreach. Thank you.
Next is Ryan, go ahead.
Yes, either Reon here, most of you guys know me. Just wanted to just say, I think Clyde is an amazing person for this role and I hope that everybody supports her nomination. Thank you.
Next is okay, go ahead
and unmute. Hi,
I just wanted to encourage you all to vote for. I wanted to say that outreach. Outreach isn't just about knowing people it's also about being able to actually bring those people into the process and get them interested engaged in what the neighborhood council is doing. And during that campaign and during his time on the outreach committee beforehand, Pablo has done a great job of reaching out to people who aren't usually engaged in politics, and he has ideas about how to really bring those people in making voting easier and the process is more transparent so that everyone feels equally able to engage. He has ideas about how to work with community organizations and other neighborhood councils across the city to work for all of our collective goals. And I think that's very valuable, and I would encourage you all to vote for me.
Thank you. Nisha, go ahead. When you.
Hi there,
so I just want to echo what's been said about not using voting data as a metric for outreach there are 10s of 1000s of stakeholders in downtown LA and it's the out the out people that came out to vote is abysmally low, and many reports of people I know that tried voting for the first time in this election and just couldn't even after calling LA City City Clerk's Office multiple times. I've been a stakeholder on and off over the years without knowing it, most recently as an employee downtown for the last three and a half years, overlapping was Claudia's tenure and I did not know that I was a downtown LA stakeholder until a non dealing stakeholder told me, I've seen Pablo in the street, and he is, he listens to people he actually actively listens to what they have to say without an agenda he wants to hear them, and he wants to share information I've seen him do this for others and experienced that myself and just want to wholeheartedly echo the court for Pablo and also mentioned that a theme on this, the theme today has been changed, and I think true change is actually supporting somebody who has new and fresh ideas for this for this position. Thank you. Alright, go ahead and
unmute either My name is Evan, I'm here to throw my support behind Pablo. I also want to say that voting data should not be used to measure outreach and Claudia actively blocks dissenting voices on her own social media platforms. Therefore, that has nothing to do with outreach. In fact that is discouraging versus participation in our neighborhood council, and everyone should vote for Pablo.
Alright, thank you. Next is Kevin, go ahead. Hi,
thank you. Um, I want to put the sentiments in supportive public. He's done the hard work of outreach to renters and tenants. And I think, you know, those are some of the hardest people to engage in the political process. It's one thing to engage with business owners, you know, they're typically active and easier to get to but I've seen Pablo work really hard at engaging with the most disenfranchised people in our community. Bottom line is we need change in D link, and I don't think that anybody who is an incumbent remain in any or retaining any position of leadership on this board I think people have clearly advocated for change on this board, and having fresh faces as, as the average position which is something dealing because desperately lacked is really really important.
Next is Austin go ahead and unmute.
Hi, my name is Austin, I am in support of Pablo, I was late with Pablo during this last election, and one of the things that I most valued about him was the way that he worked reached out to workers specifically. One of the things that we need to be supporting during all of this is not just the residents of this area, or the people who are owners of real estate in this area but the people who work in this area. And I think that Pablo has a brilliant idea of including all of these people, all of these people going forward, as we're engaging the electorate. And I think all of us should be thinking about him deeply as we're considering that I hope you all have a great day.
Thank you. Next is Sean, go ahead.
Yeah Hi
there I just want to be an echo of an echo chamber. Just kidding, I'm actually on here to support Claudia, and I think she has the votes, and we should stop trying to make fetch happen. And, you know, Claudia is such a huge part of this community. You know, she didn't just like a cure three months ago. She's been here for years and she's so engaged in this community, and so on, that say, you know, stop trying to make it happen, apparently Pablo was part of outreach for maybe three or four months, and didn't like serve all the way through. So there you go. Alright, thank you.
Alright so that's it for public comment now let's just move over to the vote for vote action. We're gonna do a roll call vote. So as I call out the Board Members please let me know which of the three nominees, you'll be voting for. If you're voting for nine, and you'd like to abstain just make just say that you're abstaining and. Alright, so start off with Claudia
fo for myself was
alright.
Tony, Claudia.
Penny, James. Okay.
Michelle,
Pablo. Pablo. Okay, window.
Sorry, I can say that one more time.
Claudia.
Got it. Okay.
are you. Yeah,
Rick.
Claudia.
Bryan, audio,
Laurie, audio, Michael.
Eddie's collection. Okay.
Tyler. Okay, Kevin,
Pablo. Hey, Melinda. Claudia me. Okay, Ellen, buddy. Cody.
Hey, Jim,
Claudia,
Debbie. James
audio. Okay. Claudia,
Claudia, okay 60 minutes for Claudia.
Give me
one for James. So congratulations Claudia, and being vice president for Outreach and Communications.
Guys, the first thing I want to say sorry Jose to interrupt is please reach out, let's get this going. Pablo love to work with you, James. Let's go, let's do this let's get together and get some stuff done. Thank you.
Do a good job.
Thanks truck.
So the next item on the agenda for those officers is the treasurer, is there an accident before asked for nominations so read out the duties and powers of the treasurer, the Treasurer shall share the Budget and Finance Committee, the Treasurer shall oversee the finance of D link to assure total compliance with all Department of Neighborhood Empowerment and all the centers, alcohol requirements. In general, for all duties incident to the Office of treasurer and such other duties as may be assigned by the board, the Treasurer shall provide at each meeting of the board, and such other times as the Board may request a written account of the finances of D lank M Yars for Board approval. The treasurer will also report the details of the budget, versus the actual versus actual expenditures for the fiscal year. So, those are the duties and powers that are listed on the felines bylaws. Are there any nominations for treasurer. Ryan
and I totally
nominate Tony. Tony, do you accept the nomination.
I do thank you.
Okay, I see Rick, you have a different nomination.
No, I'm just gonna nominate Tony
Nyra. Yeah, me too.
It is a great job. Great.
Any other nominations. Taking See none. So God, you know, consultant, like with someone like to make the motion to appoint the trainer templates Angeles, the nomination for Tony.
I'll make a motion right.
All right, Ryan makes motion will second
window seconds when they'll second that. Okay.
Tony, do you have a like make a statement for the board.
Sure.
Thank you all for for your nominations, I really appreciate that vote of confidence. It's a very unsexy thankless job being treasurer, let me tell you, but it's very important. And I think that over the last two years we've really gotten things straightened out with our finances, and I really, you know, look forward to working with you, if I'm, if I'm elected to continue that job. I really appreciate it.
Great. Any comments from the board.
Kids do a good job.
All right. Any other comments. Seeing none, I'll move over to the public for public comment, press the reset button on the screen, and call everyone in the order that you raise your hands for those that call in, don't be Star night in order to raise your hand so I can call upon you
start off with just a sec. Give me a sec to get the timer. Right, so start off with Peter go ahead and unmute. Hi,
thank you.
I just want to say that I think it's really troubling to see Tony Hoover nominated to a position of power within this board, there's a very specific issue that I think ought to be raised. After social justice protests last summer, where man in a wheelchair was thrown to the ground. Tony posted on Facebook, quote, this was a staged protest by hired activists, specifically to get this on social media, with the intent to frame, police officers, that is Tony Hoover. That is a lie. It's a dangerous lie, it's Alex Jones asked false flag language. I think it has no place on this board, frankly, no place in our community. And I think especially elevating someone like Tony with that kind of dangerous view speaks terribly about this board. He will be deciding what agenda items go on the agenda, he will be deciding who chairs committees, and we're talking about someone who is clearly just comfortable as a board member at this time, spreading lies about people protesting for black lives in our community, you oversee this port of Los Angeles. it's imperative that you protect the
people city council, go ahead and unmute.
Hi, yeah.
I want to oppose Tony Hoover's nomination for executive committee. This fall can freak, Tony, you know, posting on Facebook saying that protesters were hired, you know specifically to get on social media with the intent to frame police officers, you know he's a few sentences away from, you know, saying, protesters get George Soros money, you know this this is someone who talks like Alex Jones. You know it is completely unacceptable for someone with that kind of view to be elevated to a higher position on this board. He can not be one of the people who decides on agenda items for the board, you know, elevating him is accepting improving of his viewpoint, you know, and, you know, would you be accepting of Alex Jones if he was
running for the board.
I don't think so.
Imagine what he is saying in private if he feels comfortable posting this.
Right, next is Jessa, go ahead.
Um you. Hi, thank you. Um, yeah,
I've also
pretty troubled and very disappointed that there's no opposition for this position. I myself have had some social media interactions. What you got to understand is that that type of rhetoric the whole narrative of paid protesters has its roots in anti semitic conspiracy theories. And I don't know if Tony is aware of that. But it's well documented, and as a Jewish resident. I find it deeply, deeply disturbing. And it's very, very sad,
there's no opposition.
Thank you.
Thank you. All right next up is Jamie, go ahead and unmute. Jamie, um, you know. Okay. Kevin, go ahead and unmute. Thank you.
Yep, as others have touched on, Tony Hoover social media posts alone are disqualifying for any leadership position on this board.
The idea
of, you know, activists being hired and for pay is is discussing right wing trope is somebody else mentioned is actually anti semitic. I've never been paid for protests, I've gone to so Adam maybe I'm doing it wrong, but Tony is not a man with any integrity. In fact, he if he had any integrity, he would have stepped down when he, his office. No longer was located in our YUI skyspace downtown LA. Tony's not even actually a stakeholder, which renders him ineligible not only to you know sit on this board but to
vote or hold any
position within this board so I should have resigned at that point, but the second best time to resign is now, it's disappointing that no one else is able to run but
is what
the time's up. Thank you.
I was sorry.
I want to interject and to interrupt for, for the sake, I just want to from moving forward we're going to be frankly here and I'm going to be forward and say that I know Tony personally, not only that but I was assistant
to the rabbi,
I ran a Habad
and to hear Tony's name, Can I call a point of order I'm
sorry, this is not for public comment. I don't think you can respond to public comment right now,
just timing.
I'm definitely point of order, taken, I'm definitely being interrupted from speaking. So we know that listening is not what we're doing here.
Thank you so much, border.
This is a violation of the brown that Claudia, you are supposed to respond to public comment.
It used to be
continued with Anthony, Antonio, go ahead and unmute and Sonia. Wait until you are in a mute.
Oh my god, I'm so fucking laughing. you submit them that you're trying to give a copy and you're in here doing a stand up set this middle of a neighborhood council meeting. Isn't that fair to come on. Sorry.
First of all I just talked to time, Just make sure you keep going, but I just like to remind you to stay on topic which is the appointment of the treasurer. If you can just focus on the item itself, go ahead and unmute.
Yeah, okay. Hoover, not a good representative of this district of this table, I'm sorry man. It was funny. Come on dude. Okay,
thank you for your comments. Next person, please go ahead for new.
Father, I would also like to voice my opposition to Tony Hoover's nomination for treasurer. I think everyone else who voiced their disappointment, echoing that I don't think Mr. Hoover has any ongoing physical presence in DTLA as a resident or his employment not being in DTLA. If Mr. Hoover gets appointed to treasure, and many constituents including myself will be watching very carefully. And I don't think anyone cares how good a friends, Claudia is with county, Or how many Jewish people she's worked with many for this issue or his appointment, and it's disappointing to see no one else running so we'll just be watching you.
Thank you for your comments.
Sean go ahead on mute. Yeah, hi,
I'm, I like to be referred to as them, there are they, and I have a personal point of privilege, and on, I think that there's other people that could have stepped up, maybe, Michelle, or Kevin or Pablo, for this position. But, you know, none of them have and so on, Peter clown and the clown car, you know, is just a little echo chamber right now. And so but thank you for,
like,
Thank you for being clowns we'd appreciate it.
Thank you for coming by. Kate, go ahead, unmute. Hi, I just want
to echo, echo what a few other people have said as far as I'm aware, Tony is not actually a downtown stakeholder at the moment. And that alone should disqualify him not only from any board seat but from being on this council at all, or even participating in meetings, and I think that is something that needs to be addressed before you appoint him into a position like this.
Thanks. Thank you for your comments.
Alright, people's City Council go ahead on mute.
Yeah no Claudia, please do
not interrupt or in public comment, it's a clear Brown Act violation. Come on, How many times have you got to go through this. It's embarrassing for your colleagues you all violate burnout. Come on guys,
get it,
get it together. One time, just one.
Hold it together. One time.
Thank you. Goodnight.
Be sure to go ahead and mute.
I also want to echo concerns that if Tony is not currently a stakeholder and doesn't work or reside or on a business in downtown LA that it's premature to vote on him. Also a treasurer someone who manages public finance requires the highest level of ethics. And I have also seen some of Tony's comments online and been concerned about
the lack of
seeming fact in them, including a comment about how DSA is trying to have public domain over hotels which isn't even possible only the government can engage in public domain. I'm just very concerned and also as a stakeholder I want to echo that I will be keeping a close eye on the work that the treasurer is doing she Tony get nominated get voted in, and I encourage the rest of the board to do the same. Thank you.
Thank you. Next is Gary go ahead from you,
maps, there's just, I just wanted to comment on it,
I'm a little.
I guess just made the group's calling out. That seemed to have a political agenda, they're all part of the same group and they swarm these meetings, and I think it's better. I'm more inspired by people that have mentioned that it's more just, they care about the community and I think that's Tony, I think he's here all the time he's running tours, he knows everything about downtown, if he says something that's not factual, that's a matter of fact, that doesn't mean he's related to Hitler because he has a mustache or whatever other connections you want to make is just ridiculous. And I just wanted to say
thank you, nurses, Sophia, go ahead and undo. Hi,
My name is Sophia, Lee she
they pronouns, and I worked on in town in financial district, I want to echo concerns about Tom's nomination for any executive committee
position.
Tony's comments online, and his, I mean it's especially concerning that he may not even be eligible to serve on the neighborhood council but his comments online are especially concerning. You know, I have witnessed violence, myself, and the, the pro con nature of his comments, honestly do concern me because the stakeholders that I'm concerned with downtown are the people who are unhoused people who most frequently faced harassment from police and I don't really trust that Tony is able to
serve the interests of all constituents of downtown
so just want to echo those concerns. Thank you.
And make a point of order, not responding to anybody who say, I'm just asking if this is allowed in the product, please feel free to stop me if I'm saying something incorrect. Didn't we already reconciled people's eligibility when people were registering to run as a candidate.
Right now, that's, that was a city clerk who handle the qualifications of the board members who ran for the Labor Council. If there is a questioning of a board members qualifications, there is a process to go about it, but it's not going to be done at this time. The department will look into it. Okay, I'm sorry when doubt it like you can press star six to unmute, I accidentally muted you. Right, So let me just get back to this. Okay. So Shawn, go ahead. Yeah, hi
there on, you know, just like how we have to prove our eligibility to run as a candidate. It seems like we have a lot of faceless people that say they're a stakeholder.
But then, you know,
do you really live downtown. Do you work downtown on Nisha, you're a federal prosecutor, and you said that you know when you're running that you didn't see any prospect like any lawsuits coming from seizing the hotels, and that was a really surprising comment on, I think that on this is a coordinated attack, and it's not cool. And like, you know, you guys can like put forward a candidate to be treasurer, you have a few to choose from and you didn't do it so get over it.
Thank you for your comments. And last is Brian or sorry I mispronounced it, no worries, Jose.
I just want to say I know some neighborhood councils have time limits for their public comments under agenda items. This is, as you know this happens with all neighborhood councils, especially in this last recent year so I just want to throw that reminder because I know we have other pressing issues for the sport to take
on so that would be my public comment. Thank you.
Thank you. And that's it for public comments, we'll move over to the board vote for the treasurer, which is a totally. So do the roll call vote. Start off. Claudia. Claudia Europe
you. I'm going Yes, to keep Tony's treasure. It's a really difficult job, and he's been able to point out where we could be spending our money better, just as much as controller Galperin, I also want to say that I know. No comments.
We're just voting right now.
Tony,
I said it was thankless. I vote for myself. Okay,
Patty.
I've had trouble unmuting, I'm glad to have stayed on this
same show.
I will be abstaining from this vote today
as well okay window
unmixed stain phrase
staining okay Nyra Richard
Ryan, Danny, Laurie.
Yes.
Okay, Michael.
Because too. All right. Okay, Tyler.
Yes for Tony
extension.
Steve,
Melinda.
Sorry, Tony
problems. Epstein.
Elon only
putting up streaming streaming, Tony.
Tony,
Jim, Debbie. James Comey only. Okay, so it's certainly 910 11 1314, in favor. Zero opposed and 12367 Abstentions. Motion passes. Congratulations, Tony. Next item on the agenda is the Secretary, again for the Secretary, the duties and powers for the Secretary shall be responsible for keeping a record of all proceedings, correspondence, documents and board meeting attendance, shall be responsible for keeping and posting minutes above board and executive committee meetings, and shall maintain a current roster of directors and alternatives. The Secretary shall also be the officer of service for grievances and the California Public Records Act request, maintaining a roster and reconcile it with the, with Empower lay roster. If the board hires a meditator, the Secretary is responsible for coordinating with the notetaker and assuring that the minutes are properly prepared. So that's the duties and powers of the secretary, is there a nomination for from the board.
When Jill nominates patty.
And oh,
yes,
I pay to accept the nomination.
No I do not.
So that's no for Patty Claudia, do you have a nomination for secretary.
I just want to say as past Secretary that I'm here for whoever wants to try.
I will
help you get acquainted and do a good transition of power, you're going to be really good at it, it's, I just, I hope that somebody really tries to be Secretary, I had a lot of fun I got to know a lot of people and talk to a lot of constituents. So if you want to nominate yourself. I am here for you, I will send you all the documents and I'll hold your hand until you feel comfortable
to Ryan's hand. Go ahead, Ryan,
I don't want to nominate anyone can I just make a general comment. We've heard a lot about getting some new blood. I know it's not the sexiest position, if somebody new who's so far we have all incumbents were in the executive committee if somebody's new we'd like to take a stab at it, I would definitely be open to that.
Kevin.
Yes, I'd like to nominate Michelle.
Okay, Kevin nominees Michelle. Michelle, do you accept nomination.
I do thank you Kevin.
Michelle accepts any other nominations Nyra.
I like to nominate James White.
Myra nominates James. James to accept nomination.
Do it, do it, review it duties.
Sure,
so mine.
So the duties shall be responsible for the Secretary shall be responsible for keeping a record of all proceedings correspondence and documents and board meeting attendance, shall be responsible for keeping and posting minutes for all board and executive committee meetings, and shall be in shelving team and current roster of directors and alternates, the Secretary shall also be the officer of service for grievances and California Public Records Act request, maintaining a roster and report and reconcile it with the entirely roster, if the board hires a minute taker if the Secretary is responsible for coordinating with the notetaker in assuring that the minutes are properly prepared.
I do not accept
to know from dreams. Okay, so, Debbie.
I nominate Pablo.
Although
he wanted to do outreach, this is also equally as involving executive office, so.
So Pablo, do you accept nomination. I do not I'm gonna throw my support behind Michelle. Thanks. Okay, Tony.
No, I just I just wanted to actually clarify the point I was just wanting to make a point that we have a note taker so the person responsible for Secretary doesn't necessarily have to record the minutes of the meeting at the meeting. So just want to make sure that was clear.
Brian,
just, just the idea of variety. Sounds a given let's have an opinion. I'd like to nominate Jim
Ryan nominates Jim. So Jim, do you accept nomination.
Yeah we accept
Gen X apps. Alright, so are there any other nominations from the board for the sector. Seeing none, so can I get a motion from board to appoint Michelle or Jim to the secretary position for the Downtown Los Angeles Neighborhood Council. Ryan window makes a motion, who would like to second.
I can second. This is Kevin. Kevin.
Dale's. Second. Okay.
So, Michelle, Jim know you'll have your time to make your comments, Michelle, go ahead.
Thanks Jose, and hello everyone 90 9pm On a Tuesday I hope we're all hanging in there. I'm really excited to be nominated, I appreciate the vote of confidence, Kevin and Pablo for your support as well. Um, I can admit I have never formally held the role of Secretary for Neighborhood Council. I'm currently the secretary for my HOA board. I'm here in downtown where I've been a resident for the last four years and it is a duty I take very seriously from the real rule following and procedures of it, to also just bringing transparency and making sure that notes and documentation are accessible and readable for all that, that need it so I'm excited to bring that same level of support and engagement to D link and I would appreciate your vote.
And then, sir.
Sure. Thanks everyone and thank you to Ryan for nominating me. So I'm an architect and project manager and one of my main things I do on a daily basis, is take meeting minutes, and manage people, and I'm have to be very transparent, very communicative, very open to everybody, I'm something I'm very used to on my daily work. I also run to different nonprofits, which also into entitle until the same responsibilities. I've been doing this for many years, with different community groups, and I'm new to D link but the skills will translate I'm sure pretty easily into this neighborhood council, and I hope you vote for me anymore
board member comments. Seeing none.
Right. I'd like to just remind everybody, panelists attendees everybody. Right now we're speaking about who should be secretary, we're not speaking about, you know, people's political views, we're not speaking about minimum wage, we're not speaking about unionization we're speaking about being Secretary, everyone's opinions are valid, let's try to be civil and try to be on topic. Thank you.
Good. All right, Kevin.
Yeah, so I just wanted to speak a little bit about Michelle, I know her to be just so incredibly diligent and really takes the role of Secretary extremely seriously. She is becoming increasingly familiar every single day with the bylaws and Brown Act and you know she's making sure that she really wants to get the board on a track where we can be compliant with all of our legal duties and ethical obligations and I think that that will help bring a lot of levity to the board that will be much needed and so I really think, having her in this position would be a great asset to all of these things, so I just wanted to say that. Thank you.
Question for Michelle, sorry. Outside of the HOA What experience do you have in terms of outreach and organization.
Question one,
thank you. So, in my time in LA, I have not been formally a part of any, like I said neighborhood councils outside of my HOA. I'm not a formal board member on anything, I'm an active volunteer within our community within Animal Rescue space, access to nature for underserved communities and veterans projects outside of that, and I want to make sure I'm answering your question specifically you said around Outreach and Engagement correct or around the duties of the Secretary,
for, for outreach, and while not to, sorry I'm it's late, outreach and communication as well as secretarial position outside enjoy.
Sure. Um,
and I want to make sure, Jose that, are we able to ask the same question of Jim where is this where it's directed at me and I provide comments,
Jim. Jim Carrey has opportunity to also as answer the questions as well.
The question was related to the HOA is there, I'm not sure how
well and I, I guess,
Melinda I want to make sure that we're both
addressing your concerns here so at an overall level I one one second my air pods just died. Can you still hear me.
Yeah. Okay,
so from an HOA perspective I currently serve as a secretary and have been for the last one and a half years, And then outside of that, I'm also.
I'll tell you about I am also an avid volunteer within our community. Prior to that I worked in parks and recreation for about six years of throughout youth athletics. Athletics and sports and in outreach and engagement within the unhoused community in Seattle before I moved to LA about seven years ago. So I'm definitely a community advocate and interactive are within our community. But I've not held formal board roles at Melinda that was your, the crux of your question there, outside of HOA.
Thank you,
Jim. I mean, sure,
I mean I'll just add a little bit of my experience just because you can be familiar with what I've done. I mean, I'm currently serving on two different boards right now. The first board I've been a part of for the past seven years. We provide design services to underserved communities around Los Angeles. We work with them to give them services that they otherwise wouldn't be able to afford, so I'm very used to outreach and working with people to give them a voice, and give them services they don't typically have the other one is I'm currently very active and working with probably West which is a nonprofit that is aimed at revitalizing the Bromley theatre district, so I you know I have a real flooding in downtown I've been downtown for over 10 years. And, you know, I'm, I'm just very detail oriented organized person and I think that the these my skills from my previous board positions current board positions would translate very well into this.
I just add, I'm sorry but now that my headphones are working and I'm not as frazzled I just wanted to also mention professionally outside of the volunteer work that I do, I'm in my crafted recruiter, I'm constantly in written communication with people at hearing to both legal laws statewide countrywide and then also just within the company that I work for, so I'm very oriented around that space and comfortable navigating the complexities that come with that space as well. That's
actually just mentioned that I pretty much that I was going to say,
we both ran for the
seats of support business,
and through that I had a conversation with him.
He's on a couple boards as he mentioned,
and I think he outlined it pretty well so
again I'm supporting him on this one.
Right.
Yeah, just wanted to make another comment sort of that getting my first kind of plea, as Kevin so as Kevin said as Pablo said as you know Peter and a few other attendees have said, you know, sounds like we want some new people in positions of power I think Michelle is an incumbent she's gone abroad for a while she's had a voice. I think Jim brings a fresh perspective and I think that he, you know represents South Park well and I think that, in the spirit of getting new people in I think Jim is a great choice.
I'd like to offer a point of clarification, I've been an alternate on D link and attended approximately three meetings in the year and a half that I supported, former board member Dan Kerr now as a member of DataLink, I wouldn't say I was actively involved.
Well, alright, alright.
So I, any other comments from the board. We're gonna move over to public comment so public comment please raise your hand, or press part nine to raise your hand. Okay, so start off with Josh. Go ahead and unmute
there Yeah, in the interest of a real smooth transition from one secretary to the next thing I encourage you to choose Jim. Michelle, and Kevin were putting up their posters in downtown Los Angeles, and I was sitting at Spring for coffee and they were joking right in front of spring for coffee, how much of a bitch Claudia was how she did anyone could they put their poster on top of hers. And did anyone have a Sharpie so that they could draw horns on her, so just strictly in the interest of a smooth transition. I definitely encourage you to choose, Jim. So that Claudia doesn't have to work with someone who totally hates her. All right.
Thank you, Josh.
Thanks, Shawn, go ahead. Yeah,
hi there. Um, I, you know, I think that we should give Michelle a chance. And I think that she can on, you know, we're all watching, so if there's anything that doesn't go properly or smoothly then, you know, there's like blowback. But I think that, you know, it's a good opportunity for her to like show up, she was already an alternate. And I think that this is a really a good opportunity for her to get more involved.
That's it.
Tonio. Go ahead.
Um, You know I, I went up
the show I think this this neighborhood council has clearly shown in the past how in Texas to get into some constituents to its fellow members and I don't think that should be a consideration at all. When. When picking new secretaries based on previous conduct of picking and choosing behaviors based on who you support. Not a lot of good leadership comes from counsel in the first place but I think that, you know, pretty much, Be a good step in that direction. Thank you, Evan go ahead
on you.
Are there my name is Evan and I want to throw my full support behind Michelle. She's actually the reason that I'm on this call today. She got me activated and got me even understanding what do you like was without her I wouldn't be here, I wouldn't be a part of this meeting. So Michelle has already proven her outrage, has worked, even if I might be a pain in the ass of others in this room. Thank you.
Thank you,
Kate go ahead on mute. I
also wanted to throw my support behind Michelle. She definitely has the experience that she needs to be a secretary, with her experience with the HOA and all of her work experience, and she is great at, you know, reaching out to the community and getting people involved as Evan just said, and I think she would be a great member of this executive committee. Thank you.
Be sure go ahead.
Yep.
i Yes, I also want to throw my support behind Michelle. It sounds like she has a lot of experience with doing Secretary Work. I've served as secretary and orders before and a lot of work, meticulous work and it sounds like she's in a position where she's able to do that successfully. I also want to challenge the comment about Michelle saying things in the street. The times that our slate was in the street, Michelle wasn't, like, you know, Michelle was not present with us so it's just slanderous and not true. So, really want to just check that misinformation. Thank you.
Thanks, Kevin. Go,
go ahead and unmute.
Thanks. Yeah, I want to fully support Michelle from Secretary, I know that, as her role as the secretary of her Hoa, and she's very meticulous in that work. And I know that she can bring that work to do, like, as well as I believe that if I'm not mistaken, the Secretary does deal with public record requests and I think that's something that's really important to a body that needs more transparency than it has had in the past. You know, do like has not been known for its transparency and so getting somebody in the, in the secretary position that's able to, you know fully comply with CPRA rules is really key. In addition, I don't know what that other caller was accusing Michelle of but that's really odd because I was out there canvassing on on one particular day and Michelle was not she was not able to make it so that was just bizarre. So, that's it.
That's it for public comments, we'll move over for the board action. Again, this is for the man for the secretary for the like two nominees is Michelle, and Jim, so do roll call vote for Members please make sure to call out for which, remember you're voting for. And if you're abstaining, please make sure to state that you're abstaining Saudia. Okay. Tony,
I'm abstaining since I'm on the committee.
Okay.
Patti, Jim.
Okay, Michelle.
I thought for myself. Okay.
When do
we share out.
Okay, Noria. Okay.
Okay. Richard
shell.
Okay, Ryan.
Okay, Laurie. Shell.
Shell Okay.
Michael's not back.
Okay, Tyler.
Kevin. Michelle Ellen's abstain.
Okay.
Definitely. Jim,
Jim. Okay, coding, Jim. Jim is off please. Hi, Debbie
sauce, exhausted.
James,
Michelle.
John,
Tim. Kim nine votes for Jim, he votes for Michelle. And there are 123 Abstentions. So congratulations, Jim. Secretary, Secretary position.
Thanks to everyone who voted for me and for everyone who didn't as well, look, looking forward to working with all of you.