Minutes for Mt. Washington Association General Meeting
May 19, 2008

The meeting was called to order by President Eliot Sekuler. Minutes of the April 17 meeting were approved. Announcements for Jim Ohanesen, Deputy for CD 14 included information about the June 9 reception at the Police Museum, to welcome new Northeast Division Captain Bill Murphy, and the June 28 Clean up of Marmion Way. Hank Shaeffer announced he had taken on the role of Liaison between the MWA and the Arroyo Seco NC, where he serves as a Mt. Washington representative. Issues being discussed at the Local Issues meeting include unpermitted construction and the planned Figueroa Clean up on May 31, prior to Lummis Day.

Councilmember Reyes, who represents CD1, including portions of Mt. Washington, presented much information about the LA River Revitalization Plan. This plan has arisen out of 7 years of work via the Ad Hoc LA River committee, and is to address relief for our park-poor neighborhoods. The Plan is focused on dealing with the spine of the LA River, not the whole watershed. The master plan will work in 5 opportunity areas. These areas will maintain flood control, but also add near-term improvements, such as green strips and create 'destinations' along the river.

The plan now has $25M pledged by the federal Water Resources Development Act and $2M from the State Coastal Conservancy. We have already received $25M for Taylor Yard from the local Prop O funds and $0.5M from the State Prop 12 for the Elysian Vally Bikeway. The money has allowed Taylor Yard to develop the 40 acre park, and will develop the new high school at the North end and new LEED-based housing at the South end. The hardest task was to create a cooperative agreement between the City, the County and the Army Corporation. The RIO (River Improvement Overlay) is a new planning area that applies to all new public and private projects adjacent to the river.

Councilmember Reyes fielded questions about the Cornfield park, the Arroyo Seco Specific Plan and restoration of the Arroyo, the proposed High Speed Rail line, and efforts to reclaim water.

Dr. William Rutherford, while a USC Prof. of Linguistics, is also an expert (and enthusiast) for Early Music (i.e. Before 1750, when Bach died). His home houses many original or demonstration instruments, such as 2 harpsichords, an organetto and a pipe organ. He spoke about his recent dedication of his house on San Rafael to the USC Thorton School of Music. The Thornton School has already put on several events at his house, and Mt. Washington 6th graders have also toured his house for a quick summary of 500 years of music history! Bill will let us know about any future concerts at his home, so that we can also come.

Michael Alexander spoke about the coming, free Grand Performances downtown, that begin in June. The website http://www.grandperformances.org has the full schedule, and you can hear samples of the music and seem clips of the movies and dance performances.

Rosamarie Marquez, the producer of Lummis Day, gave us a quick summary of the many events scheduled for the day, starting with Carlos Guitarlos prior to the Poetry at Lummis House, and ending with Jackson Browne's performance. Food will be available and the day promises something for everyone.

The meeting was adjourned after announcing the Summer Fun meeting on July 20 at the Southwest Museum.