Deforest Park Neighborhood Association (DPNA)
Monthly Meeting Minutes
Date: 9/21/2017
Meeting called to order at 7:02 PM by DPNA President Dan Pressburg
Flag salute led by President Dan Pressburg
Long Beach Police Department 9th District report presented by Officers Frank Pena and Ed Saldana
- They brought fliers on Halloween Safety Tips
- Major crime events
1) break-in and burglary at 400 block of Madera; no sign of forced entry and door might have been left unlocked
2) car thefts especially of Hondas and Toyotas
- a) don’t leave anything out in open and secure valuables
- b) locations included: 500 block Adams, 60th and Atlantic, 5800 block Jaymills
3) robbery at 5:00PM at 500 block of Harding while someone waiting for the bus and had cell phone stolen
Questions ?
Buses, trucks, and trailers – When will ordinance come into effect? If an issue in your neighborhood, please contact police and they can be put on minimum 3 day parking list. Ordinance has not gone into effect.
Drag racing on DeForest and Jaymills – What can we do? Usually happens late at night around midnight to 1AM and also after Jordan High School gets out around 2:30/3:00PM are peak times. Will cruise by in afternoon and also recommend patrol later at night. Person called last night and police came but could not cite them as they did not witness drag racing. Unfortunately, no dedicated patrol.
Is Sergeant no longer in this area? Yes, moved areas. Lots of masturbators out in park. Park employee encouraged to call police. People can do citizen arrest and report as victim of indecent exposure. If police see it themselves, can arrest them on the spot. If children reporting it, call police immediately.
Old Business/New Business Announcements
Council Office Updates – Vice Mayor rep in lieu of Alyssa , our assigned representative/liaison for DPNA
Pop Up Uptown Thursday 9/28 from 5:30-8:30PM – Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration @Michelle Obama Library
Family Appreciation Event at the Aquarium Thursday 10/5 from 6:30-8:30PM
Brought flier “Who’s Job is it?” and LB Go App to report concerns appropriately
Questions?
Why are they closing the DeForest Park Community? Not being closed but funding for after school programming is being reduced due to budget cuts. Meeting this week occurred to look at those cuts. Suggested contact with Shawna Stevens who is Chief of Staff at 562- 570-6137 or [email protected] for additional information. If it is a community center, it should be handled by the community. Safety of children and staff in this area is of major concern. How can we create a better and safer environment for those coming to use the services or staff working here? Can we schedule a meeting for the community so we can get the information from key players?
Guest Speaker – Executive Director of the Port of Long Beach – Mario Cordero
Presentation on Building the Green Port
Largest port complex in the U.S. – leading gateway for U.S.-Asia trade
Produces 30,000 jobs in Long Beach alone
Other ports in the U.S. want Port of Long Beach business – target is not just containers that come to Long Beach; go as far as Chicago, Kansas, and Atlanta
Increase by 7% in 2017. Last year was a difficult year due to 7th largest container company filing bankruptcy.
Mediterranean Shipping Company has moved in. 2nd largest container company in nation.
Stress Customer Service
Priorities are: 1) Promote Sustainability 2) Grow Green 3) Grown Business
Manage Capital Program –
Bridge to Everywhere (Desmond Bridge Project – cable-stayed, seismic safety, more lanes, bike path; will be 2nd tallest bridge in the U.S. once built; should be built by the end of 2019)
Long Beach Container Terminal – most technologically advanced and greenest – will be able to move 3.5 million containers. The terminal itself will be bigger than some ports in the U.S. but will reduce half the commissions a smaller container may have.
On-Dock Rail – upgrade support facilities; less trucks on the road and on freeways – DPNA was a leader on 710 truck issues. One train can take out 280 containers and will result in 700 less truck trips. One billion dollar investment.
Brand new Port Headquarters at Civic Center in 2019.
Green Port of the Future? Made a proactive plan to reduce emissions. Sulfur oxides reduced by 97%, Diesel particular matter reduced by 88%; Nitrogen oxides down by 48%; and other gases by 14% in past decade. Still not enough. Now charge is to eliminate emissions by 2035; electric trucks and cargo heavy equipment that is electric and near zero emissions fuel options.
Questions?
1) Where do trains take the containers? Alamito Corridor and then trains go Chicago, Dallas, Kansas City, Memphis, and Atlanta
Transloading warehouse and then transfer to truck – Vegas, Phoenix, or other parts of the state
local is on trucks
2) Extra containers for Disaster Preparedness Kits? Port does not own container. Best to approach container companies directly and will provide information.
Community Grants Program – upcoming meeting with status still being tentative for Thursday Oct. 26th at 6:00PM at Michelle Obama Library
Additional Comments
Board Meeting on Wed. 9/27 at 7:00PM – welcome to attend to address any comments about DeForest Park staff cuts
Working on a grant for a beatification project for DeForest Park
Call for motion to adjourn by Dan Pressburg; 1st and 2nd noted
Meeting adjourned 8: 04PM
Reminders and Dates to Remember:
Long Beach Veteran’s Day Parade Meeting is last Tuesday of each month
Long Beach Veteran’s Day Parade Festival Meeting is 4th Wednesday of each month
(Uptown Business Improvement District Office)
Pop Up Uptown Event at Michelle Obama Library – 4th Thursday 5:30PM-8:30PM
