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At our June 2010 meeting we voted to support the July 4th celebration at Hansen Dam with $500 to cover sound equipment.

We also decided on $750 to support training 10 new volunteer officers for the Reserve Animal Control to assist with rescue, abuse and lost animals, etc. And $50 for an SNC brick to promote the SNC and support the San Fernando Valley Historical Society at the Pioneer Cemetery. Order yours today!

New Board Members Installed

At our April 2010 meeting the newly elected board members were installed and executive officers elected. Our officers are: President - Quyen Vo-Ramirez, VP of Administration - Hiral Bhakta, VP of Communications-Tammy Flores, Treasurer-Randall Kelley, Public Relations Coordinator-Nick Krall.

We thanked our outgoing board members who served admirably: VP of Communications Rick Donnelly, Erlin Arellano, Fabian Garcia, Saul  Gonzales, Rudy Lopez, Liz Meher, Jan Sandstrom, and  Jim Schopper.

Erlin Arellano, Jan Sandstrom, Jim Schopper

Rick Donnelly

Sylmar Debris Basin To Be Converted to Park

The SNC heard a presentation at the November 19, 2009 meeting by (left to right) Tom Gibson and Craig Raines, Landscape Architects for the Department of Recreation and Parks about the proposed conversion of a 70 acre lakeside debris basin, located just east and adjacent to the interchange of the 5 and 405 Freeways. It is owned by the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP).

The plan is to build out the space in phases. Phase 1 includes building four soccer fields and six baseball diamonds, shade structures, 400 parking spaces, water retention area on the south and entry on the north from Encinitas. Phase I would be paid for by the DWP.

Phase II would involve additional park features, as requested by the community and funded by a possible $5 million from Proposition 84. Councilman Alarcon has a vision to make this more than just a ball park for Sylmar. His office has conducted several community meetings to gather input as to the possibilities.

The project was inspired by the imminent closing of the current soccer and baseball facility at the top of Balboa in Granada Hills. These fields are owned by the Metropolitan Water District. Their 30 year lease with the community expires at the end of 2010. They plan to use the land for expanding their water filtration operations.

The thousands of families involved in those leagues and facilities are comprised of 40% Sylmar residents and 60% from all over, ranging from Porter Ranch, Santa Clarita and Sherman Oaks. These families and organizations are looking to this facility to continue serving the community.

If you would like to make a suggestion about the park, please email Tom Gibson and Dan Rosales (of Councilman Alarcon's Office).

Park Background Information from November 19th Meeting.

SNC Funds Farmers Market Study

At the October 2009 meeting the SNC voted to fund a feasibility study for a Farmers Market in Sylmar. The Study would cost $4,000 and be ready in 30 days. The NC would contribute $1,500; Mission College, $1,500; the BID, $500; and the Chamber of Commerce, $500.

The presentation was made by Al Avila, President, Sylmar Business Improvement District. He distributed “ZIMAS Internet” maps showing possible locations for a Farmers Market in the Edison Right-of-Way, at L.A. Mission College, and near the Metrolink train station. He introduced Vance Corum, Market Consultant, fma@pacifier.com). Mr. Avila said that Mr. Corum “has organized Markets since 1979. Including 48 in the City.”

There was discussion about whether the market would be successful, concern that it not be a swap meet, and the viability of the proposed locations.

Follow Up- View Completed Site Feasibility Report

SNC Requests Return of Ambulance to Fire Station 91

At the August 2009 meeting, the Board passed a motion requesting to return the RA891 EMT Basic Life Support Unit ambulance to Fire Station 91 in Sylmar.

Sylmar has one Fire Station, serving approximately 50% more area than most Fire Stations. LAFD. Battalion Chief Corey Rose explained at the meeting that Fire Station 91 has a paramedic engine and rescue unit there full-time, however, the area they serve is around the size of the City of Burbank, which has four Fire Stations. City budget cuts eliminated the [RA891 EMT Basic Life Support Unit] ambulance. Another Battalion ambulance will be “detailed over here during the day from a less busy area. Fire Stations 75 and 98 are the closest other Fire Stations. He encouraged talking with the City Councilman to restore the ambulance.

Join the SNC in requesting the return of the Ambulance. Download the SNC drafted letter ready for your signature to send to the Councilman and LAFD.

One homeowners group has gotten behind this letter writing campaign and is collecting 100 signatures! Well done!

SNC Awarded Council of the Year!

L-R: Martin Laufer, Minutes Expert David Levine, Tammy Flores, Jim Schopper, Assemblymember Felipe Fuentes, Quyen Vo-Ramirez, Hiral Bhakta, City Councilman Richard Alarcon, Rick Donnelly, DONE General Manager BongHwan Kim

This year the Valley Regional Congress conducted awards in various categories and the Sylmar Neighborhood Council won the award for Council of the Year. Awards were voted on by Neighborhood Council Board Members across the valley using an online survey. View all the winners. Congratulations to the SNC for a job well done!

Additional Fire Coverage to be Provided by AIG

An April 21, 2009 Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner announced that the California Department of Insurance (CDI) has secured additional coverage from AIG for Sayre Fire survivors in Sylmar. While CDI and AIG had different positions on how the policy should be interpreted, New Hampshire Insurance Company (an AIG company) agreed to offer its insureds the additional 110 percent or 125 percent of coverage being sought by the CDI. Details.

Insurers Not Paying Out

AIG, Hampshire Insurance, and York Insurance are still not paying for replacement homes for burned-out Oakridge Mobile Home Park residents.

According to sources at Oakridge and at the Sylmar Fire Purchasing Association, AIG and its local adjusters have been rejecting all replacement estimates and refusing to help the Oakridge residents with AIG/Hampshire policies purchase replacement manufactured homes. Reliable sources, who have asked to remain anonymous, have cited numerous instances of the insurance company allegedly (and illegally) "steering" policyholders to dealers and manufacturers of lower cost and lower quality homes, and even in those cases refusing to pay the claims as being too expensive, even when the claim is tens of thousand of dollars under the policy limit. Combined with the recent announcement by Oakridge Park management that no replacement homes can be installed until every utility is fully restored, it could be an additional 45-60 days delay for rebuilding residents to return to life in their old community. Government officials have scheduled a tentative August 19th meeting to address the continuing insurance issues.

Another troubling aspect of the insurance company's refusal to pay policy claims is that most of the policies define limits on living expenses, personal property, and debris cleanup as a percentage of the amount spent to replace the home. So if the insurance adjuster can get the policyholder to settle for $50,000 less than the actual replacement cost of the home, the policyholder receives less reimbursement for their other expenses, and must spend more out of pocket. With homeowners displaced for more than 7 months now, every dollar of living expenses must be stretched to the limit, and with the insurance companies dragging their feet, the situation is beyond what many residents can bear.

City Budget & Finance Committee Proposes Reducing NC Budgets by 78%

Neighborhood Councils were given quite a scare in early May 2009 when the City's Budget Committee recommended reducing NC budgets from $50,000 to $11,200. This was in sharp contrast to the Mayor's recommendation of a reduction to $45,000.

NC boardmembers and stakeholders across the city flooded their councilman's office with emails and calls because $11,200 is not enough of a budget for NCs to conduct meetings or outreach much less any neighborhood improvements. As a result the City Council voted to reduce NC budgets by the Mayor's recommended amount to $45,000. Read about it at CityWatchLA

City Picks Up the Fire Clean Up Tab

Council Member Alarcón is very concerned that two months after the fire, the debris has not yet been cleared up. He wants the work to begin as soon as possible but only with your permission.

January 21, 2009, Council Member Richard Alarcón was successful in getting the City of Los Angeles to be responsible for the clean up. You will have two options. If you hire your own contractor, you will have to deal with the City and State regarding your permits and plans. However, the City is prepared to clean your site, for you, with your permission, and you will not have to pay for this clean up. The City will contact you soon with details.

If you have any questions, please call Council Member Richard Alarcón’s Sylmar office at 818-756-8048.

Emergency Management Dept Bulletin about Oakridge Recovery - February 4, 2009
Health and Hazard Advisory

COMMON QUESTIONS

Who has the legal responsibility to clean up the site and remove the debris?
• Homeowners for their individual site and the park owner for the common areas (streets, community center, etc.)

Why is the City doing the work?
• Because it has been two months since the fire and nothing has been done.

Shouldn’t the park owner clean up the entire site?
• The park owner is only responsible for cleaning up the common areas like streets, community house
• The park owner could do the work but would have to get individual permission from each homeowner for the homeowner’s site. The park owner but was unable to get the permits

Will the City take my insurance money to pay for the costs?
• No, the City will front the money and seek reimbursement from the federal (FEMA) and state (OES) governments. The City will not ask for any insurance money unless your policy explicitly sets aside money for debris removal and will not allow that money to be used for any other purpose such as living expenses.

Will FEMA take my insurance money to pay for its costs for reimbursing the City for debris removal and clean up?
• We understand that the FEMA “offset” is limited to $500.00 but we are verifying the information.

SNC Moves Office, Saves $19,372

The SNC moved its offices to the Sylmar Park and Recreation Center fall 2008. Using available office space at the existing park facility will save the SNC and Sylmar Community $19,372 per year. This money can be used for other community projects or outreach and is a major accomplishment for the community. Sylmar's Senior Lead Officer Chacon encouraged the Council in this decision at the September 2008 meeting noting that using a park office location will increase accessibility and visibility of the SNC to the community.

SNC Takes Action During Sayre Fire - November 2008

Mayor Villaraigosa with SNC Directors and volunteers at Sylmar High School Evacuation Center, November 16, 2008.

On Friday night, November 14, 2008, Sylmar High School was opened as an evacuation shelter by the SNC for the Sayre fire. SNC President Quyen Vo-Ramirez and Directors Lynn Zekanis, Tammy Flores, Esteban Tavares and Erlin Arellano were first on the scene, along with the LAPD and Sylmar HS Principal Jan Lyons.

They opened the shelter, checked in and comforted the hundreds of evacuees who arrived throughout the night and provided medical assistance until the Red Cross arrived around 6am with two volunteers. Dozens of local youth volunteers assisted with check-in, food service, donation coordination and unloading of the many trucks bringing supplies to the shelter.

Directors Guillermo Reyes, Nick Krall and Randall Kelly also volunteered their time to help those displaced by the fire. The SNC obtained donations of food and supplies from local businesses and accepted food and clothing donations from the public at the shelter throughout the weekend. Click on individual images in the photo gallery below for a larger view.

SNC helps at Sylmar HS Evacuation Center	Mayor Villaraigosa addresses those effected by the fire at Sylmar HS on Saturday 11/15	SNC President Quyen Vo-Ramirez and Director Fabian Garcia and Guillermo Reyes assist with the needs of the community at Sylmar HS photo
Volunteer Moises Carillo was one of the first on the scene at Sylmar HS.	Mayor Villaraigoso speaks with residents of the Oakridge community at Sylmar HS	Sylmar youth volunteers serve food to shelter residents
Cots were installed at Spartan Hall for those displaced by the fires	Youth volunteers accept donations of clothing for those in need photo	Children effected by the fires were entertained by videos and games donated by Geek Squad
Sylmar HS Evacuation Center	Sylmar HS Evacuation Center	Wind and smoke at Herrick
Oakridge Devastation	Oakridge Devastation	Oakridge homes that survived
The media covers Sylmar	What's left

The SNC was also commended by the Board of Neighborhood Commisioners at a Sunland-Tujunga Neighborhood Council meeting on December 2, 2008 for actions taken during the fires:

Information about FEMA Denial Letters

SNC Serves Community Through High School Evacuation Center - October 2008

As the Marek Fire rampaged through Kagel Canyon, past Lopez Canyon towards Sylmar, members of the Sylmar Neighborhood Council (SNC) were evacuating or helping friends evacuate from Santiago Estates and other affected areas. Director Fabian Garcia awoke at 6am Sunday, October 12, 2008 to the call of friend who he helped evacuate. Director Bonnie Bernard was among those evacuating as fast as possible with help from fellow Director Tammy Flores.

SNC Directors thought it was important to have an evacuation center open in Sylmar close to the homes of evacuated Sylmar residents. Tammy Flores worked with the Red Cross and LAUSD to get Sylmar High School designated as an evacuation center on Monday morning. SNC Directors Fabian Garcia, Nick Krall, Esteban Taveras and Erlin Arellano worked with Tammy, staff from Alarcon’s office and the Mayor’s office and over 48 youths to set up Sylmar High School’s Spartan Hall and register evacuees with the Red Cross.

Local businesses brought water, food and supplies, including: Sam’s Club, Holy Cross, Coca Cola, 7-Eleven, Target in Burbank, Home Depot, Denny’s, Los Toros Restaurant, and Vallarta. Sprint set up a communication center, Time Warner provided TV service and Mission Hills Animal Shelter opened up just for our community.

Later on Monday Sylmar High School was designated an overnight evacuation center and the volunteers set up the gym for that purpose. Over 300 hundred families were registered and almost 100 sheltered overnight. The shelter was open until 11am Tuesday, when the SNC volunteers moved supplies to other evacuation centers: Erlin and Esteban to San Fernando High School and Tammy and others to Shepherd of the Hills Church in Porter Ranch.

“Driving home I started to think about what I had always wanted for this community and that was to develop and emergency plan. As an Ambassador for Sylmar, I felt it was important that the safety of our community be the number one issue, this is why I trained CERT, and CRT. I think now we have the right people on board that will help accomplish that,” commented Tammy Flores.

“It’s exciting to see how members of the community and different community groups all coordinated their efforts. But it became evident that the community does not have a master plan for emergency response,” said Nick Krall. The SNC plans to work through the SNC Public Safety Committee to craft a master plan, one that might become a template for other communities in Los Angeles. The plan would designate transit corridors, evacuation locations, and supplies.

An emergency plan is just the thing that is called for proclaimed LAPD Deputy Chief Michael Moore at a Town Hall in Porter Ranch on October 22, 2008. After praising the united effort of the vast quantity of responders and the cooperation from the community, he asked how prepared we are for the next disaster? Do you have enough water? Is it accessible? Do you have an out of state contact to communicate your safety to? Do you have a plan? These are the types of questions he asked each person to take action on to be ready for the next disaster. Because it’s coming.