Minutes for Tuesday, August 5, 2025
Normal Heights Community Center/Zoom
4649 Hawley Avenue
Attendees:
X = in attendance
| Paul Coogan (C) | X | Kenny Patrick | X | Emilie Colwell | |
| X | Allan Harjala (VC) | Dan Soderberg | X | Sierra Orsinelli-Rivers | |
| X | Sami Burrows | X | Mark Lawler | X | Brian Adams |
| Frances Prichett (T) | X | Nancy Lawler | X | Madison Stevens | |
| X | Julia Corbett (S) | (AABA) |
Allan called the meeting to order at 6:05 and read the opening reflection. Then Paul gave a brief overview of the meeting procedure.
Community Attendees
Estimate: 5 zoom participants, 10 attendees in person.
July Minutes approved
Kenny 1st, Brian 2nd
Yes: Allan, Sami, Julia, Kenny, Brian, Mark, Nancy, Sierra
*all other members in attendance were not present for the vote
Non-Agenda Public Comment
- A zoom participant notes their concern over synthetic marijuana products and urges a citywide ban on these products as well as stronger zoning protections for sellers of these products
- An attendee discusses the new citywide trash fee. He notes the city council can’t raise property taxes because of prop 13 but got around these regulations by charging an additional fee on trash collection
Presentations
40th St Between Madison & Adams
Before the late 1950s 40th st dead ends at the canyon rim. With the construction of highway 15 in the late
1950s 40th st. still dead ends at the canyon rim about 250ft north of Madison. Since the early 2000s after
the 15 was completed, 40th st angles slightly west and extends to Adams Avenue. However, access to and
from Madison is blocked. The northern half of 40th St belongs to CalTrans while the southern half belongs
to the city. Proposed changes to 40th st and freeway ramps requires the city to pay CalTrans to reconfigure
entrance ramps again and relinquish part of their ‘right of way’ – making these changes ultimately unlikely.
Today’s Issue: 40th St between the park and the freeway has been used by companies as a staging area
for construction and boiling tar. These activities are not permitted, generate dust, create noise at odd
hours, and damage curbs, sidewalks, and barriers to through-traffic. It has been hard to establish
responsibility for these activities. The area is not zoned for light industrial use.
Comments from individuals living in homes next to the 40th street location used as a staging area:
comment 1: Requests that the southbound traffic route is re-opened since exiting north off of the freeway
onto Adams is now very congested. Notes issues with traffic safety at the highway off-ramp
comment 2: Staging with loud lights and noises at the 40th street location sometimes occurs between
3:00am – 5:00am. Dust from the location’s use as a staging area also ends up in homes, the dog park, and
the future community garden which poses a health issue. This kind of staging has been going on for 12
years at this site, and the city’s attention has only been brought to this issue since media coverage of the
issue. In addition, there is sidewalk damage from cars, trucks, and contractors attempting to circumvent
the barrier on 40th street by driving on the sidewalk. This sidewalk damage is dangerous for elderly and
disabled persons who use the sidewalk to access the park. The audience member requests 1) something in
writing from the city that staging will no longer continue 2) for a point of contact at the city and 3) for
sidewalk damage at the 40th barrier to be resolved by the city
Board will write a letter to the council office, mayor office and others in support of these 3 asks by
resident regarding the 40th st staging area
Emilie motions, Sami seconds
Yes: Allan, Sami, Julia, Kenny, Mark, Nancy, Brian, Sierra, Emilie, Madison (unanimous)
Actions/Decisions
Board will write a second letter to the city regarding property lines, with reference to the 1906 map &
consulting Mr. Pallamary
Sami 1st, Julia 2nd
This item was discussed and approved at the previous meeting.
Filling of any empty seats on the board
Eydie has resigned from the board, there is now a vacant seat. Please reach out if interested in joining the
board.
Reports/Updates
Elected Representatives Reports & Updates
Sara Al-Agha from District 9 Councilmember Sean Elo-Rivera’s office
Fencing is scheduled to be removed in August at the mock building site. The office would like to hold a celebration and cleanup in September at Ward Canyon Park. The office has requested that the 40th st intersection by the highway off-ramp is no longer used as a staging area for construction. Last week, there was a town hall held on the grocery transparency initiative. The budget process begins again in September.
- Ramie asks: Why does Sean Elo Rivera vote against reforms to the Bonus ADU program?
- Sara offers to follow up with her with more information
Representative for District 79 Assembly Member Leschae Sharp Collins
Assembly bill 802 – addresses youth hunger in juvenile detention facilities
a.b. 829 – establishes a fund for parkinson’s disease research
a.b. 847 – provides law enforcement oversight committees with access to additional records and data
a.b. 987 – protects CA citizens from unreasonable towing fees
a.b. 1027 – requires cannabis testing to enhance consumer product safety
Standing Committees
Community Planners’ Committee – Paul
The group drafted a letter regarding the barriers to access public records from the city. The letter included
criticism of the $34 administration fee to access public records and the $1000 appeal fee in addition to the
burdensome appeal process. The Adams Avenue Street Fair is on 9/20 – 21.
Adams “Community Recreation Advisory Group” – Nancy
AABA put up money for movies in the park programming at Ward Canyon Park. These movies are listed online.
Adams Avenue Business Association – written statement from Scott
The AABA just received notice that their core funding has been slashed by $38k by the city and is now projected
to operate at a loss.
Joint Mid-City Communities Plan Update Committee – Emilie
The next community plan update meeting and will discuss the ‘Draft Ideas Report’, or ideas for what the
community plan update will look like.
Advisory Committees
Utility Undergrounding & Street Lighting MAD – Emilie
Intends to request a meeting on utility undergrounding in the community. There is no upcoming meeting
currently planned.
Traffic Calming – Brian
The committee will submit a few requests to the city one at a time. First, a letter has been drafted
regarding the intersection at Mountain View and will be presented at the next meeting for a vote.
Sami: there is a CBS8 article from 7/29 reporting that sections of Adams Avenue will see speed limits
reduced between 30th and Ohio.
Community Engagement and Finance Committees – Sami
The group was unable to meet this past month due to scheduling difficulties. The signs directing folks to
our meetings are located on the back right hand side of the stage, and anyone arriving early to the meeting
can put them out.
Adjournment
Allan called the meeting to adjournment at 7:07pm