July 2011 Archives

Just who were the people filming those talking about oil at Tuesday's Whittier City Council meeting? The presence of a camera -- they weren't talking about a Whittier Daily News photographer taking pictures -- apparently riled a couple of anti-oil residents.

One lady who refused to give her name while speaking at the podium, complained that she was being filmed and didn't think it was appropriate if it was used commercially. Roy McKee, vice president of Whittier Hills Oil Watch, also was unhappy. "These cameras brought in by somebody else should be turned facing to the wall," McKee said. "I'm concerned. Next time, somebody should find out who these people are."

But City Attorney Dick Jones said the camera people had a right to film. "I don't know who they are," Jones said. "The Brown Act allows for an open meeting to take place. It's part of the public process that allows for public discussion and for people to take pictures. "We must conduct a public meeting. We don't have the right to censor. Anyone can walk in here with recording equipment and cameras."

City officials later said they weren't sure who the people filming were. Mike McCaskey, attorney for Matrix Oil Co., didn't return two phone calls seeking to find out if they were responsible for their presence.

One of the camera people did tell Whittier Daily News photographer Leo Jarzomb that they were making a documentary on the decision-making process about the proposal to drill for oil in the Whittier hills.

Here's an update on the La Cuarta Street paving project in an e-mail from David Pelser, director of public works:

"The contractor on La Cuarta street is working hard to be ready for asphalt paving between Painter and Whittier Blvd. on Aug 4-5 (his target dates). This is an ambitious schedule but he could pull it off if he allocates sufficient resources to the project. He is currently planning to complete the paving in two days. After that, there will still be about two weeks of minor work including striping, cross walks, signal modifications at Painter, raising manhole covers, etc. before the project is 100 percent complete."

Look for paving to begin soon on La Cuarta Street. David Pelser, director of public works for Whittier, said it could happen in about two weeks. The formerly concrete street -- from Whittier Boulevard to Painter Avenue -- is being replaced with asphalt. The area from Greenleaf Avenue to Whittier Boulevard is ready. Now, the contractor is removing the concrete to get the other side ready. Once that happens, paving should go quickly, said Chris Magdosku, assistant director of public works.

The goal is to get the work done before school opens because Lydia Jackson Elementary School is at the southwest corner of Painter and La Cuarta. That would avoid what could be major traffic problems. Magdosku said that's why the project is being done in the summer.

Well guess what, the Whittier City Council again didn't finish their agenda. The public hearing on the new barbed wire ordinance was continued for a second straight time and a discussion on a dog park also will have to wait. Both are expected to come back to the council at its Aug. 9 meeting. Two other times continued from the July 12 meeting -- the naming of the new park at the Whittier Historic Depot and where to place the centennial clock -- also might come back then.

You can't blame the council too much. They didn't finish the regular meeting until just before midnight and apparently spent another hour in closed session. Still, the council did get through key reports on the oil issue and approve the Whittier Boulevard Specific Plan and a new hookah bar. Look for stories on those in upcoming issues of the newspaper. 

Nearly 150 people are at tonight's City Council and it appears that both oil project supporters and dissenters are present. If you're watching, look for some fireworks during the public comment period.

Esther Feldman has just finished her report, saying that the oil project is compatible with  Proposition A. Kimberly Hall Barlow, a deputy city attorney is delivering a report from Carlyle Hall that says Los Angeles County doesn't have a right to oil royalties, other than the lands use must be replaced. City Manager Steve Helvey said both reports will be on the city website Wednesday morning. In addition, I have written a story about both reports that should be on the Whittier Daily News website some time this evening. We'll be following up with a reaction story for Thursday's newspaper. 

There's been little talk on the oil project at Whittier City Council meetings lately. That's likely to change at the 7:30 p.m. Tuesday meeting. The anti-drilling Whittier Hills Oil Watch website is asking people to show up. And according to the WHOW Facebook page, Matrix Oil Co. is doing the same.
The issue -- except for a report from Esther Feldman on whether Proposition A would allow for drilling in the hills -- won't be on the agenda. But there's the public comment period and every speaker will have three minutes. Expect for some reaction -- pro and con -- to the Feldman report. This could be a preview of upcoming Planning Commission and City Council meetings.
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Can Whittier city council members actually finish an agenda? We'll see Tuesday. Two weeks ago, it was 11 p.m. and they stopped, delaying consideration of a new barbed wire ordinance, name of the depot park and a decision on where to put the Centennial Clock.

Tuesday's agenda is another long one, including continuation of the Whittier Boulevard Specific Plan that city officials hope will lead to more development on the street. The barbed wire ordinance also is back.

There's also some new stuff. A public hearing will held on a proposed hookah lounge at 6518-22 Greenleaf Avenue. The Planning Commission approved it but Mayor Cathy Warner called it up for review.

The issue of dog parks also makes it to the agenda. The council will be asked to decide whether they want city staff to spend time on creating one in the community. Beware to dog lovers, however. This is the last item on the agenda and if it gets too late, it might get put off again.

Oh and as far as the depot and the clock, city staff put those issues off into August, knowing that this agenda already was too full.

Another step in the Whittier oil battle will occur on Tuesday. Esther Feldman, who authored the 1992 parcel tax, Proposition A that supplied about $9 million for the city to buy 1,290 acres in the hills, is expected to make her long-awaited report at the 7:30 p.m Tuesday Whittier City Council meeting. Look closely because you might miss it on the agenda. It's 11C and listed as the Community Conservation Solutions report. That's the name of Feldman's company.

Feldman is  expected to talk about the ballot measure and whether it allows oil drilling in the hills and maybe about who should get the money, i.e. the city or Los Angeles County.
Proposition A right now is the subject of a lawsuit between the anti-oil drilling Open Space Legal Defense Fund and the city.
Open Space attorneys contend that Proposition A bars oil drilling in the Whittier hills. City attorneys say there's a provision in the measure allowing for a change of use in the land.

On Tuesday, we'll see what Feldman has to say.