Save the Marina Coalition meeting & May 13th Protest March

Minutes from "Coalition to Save the Marina" meeting 4/20/06 7:00PM - 9:30PM

Web site recently updated: http://www.savemdr.com

Location: Harbor House Restaurant - 2nd floor banquet room

1. Don Klein, President of the Coalition to Save the Marina, spoke
briefly about the organization, his efforts over a 20+ year period,
current pending lawsuits with the County, and a recent revival of an
exploration of Marina del Rey cityhood.

2. Don introduced Nancy Marino, who ran the meeting, and promptly
called on Challis McPherson, chairman of GRVNC Land Use and Planning
Committee. Challis very briefly spoke about attending a county planning
meeting where another brand new development on the current site of
Budget Rent-A-Car (Lincoln Blvd.) could exceed 31 stories! Next, Dede
Audet, President of GRVNC, spoke about how she told the County Planning
Commission that they have failed in four major categories: Notification
- no one ever hears about these meetings or projects until it is too
late; Infrastructure - there are physical issues such as traffic and
sewer loads that they have failed to consider; Community - the County
demolishes buildings without regard to current residents; and Duty -
they are not living up to the mandate of the Marina as a recreation area
- they are trying to turn it into a housing development.

3. Helen Garrett spoke next about low-income housing residents being
displaced, and how she is active in "POWR" - People Organized for
Westside Renewal. They have succeeded in securing 10 units in the Capri
Apartments for low-income housing, and they are fighting to get more in
the proposed Del Rey Shores.

4. Nancy Marino discussed the location and plan for the Woodfin Hotel,
on an area considered protected wetlands by the Army Corps of Engineers
on Tahiti Way and Via Marina, one of the last view corridors left on the
peninsula. She mapped out other projects on a projected display, and
then she introduced Hans Etter.

5. Hans Etter discussed possible strategies to use at the 4/27/06
Marina Design Control Board meeting at 6:30PM, and the projects that
will be on that particular agenda. They include Woodfin Hotel, Neptune
Marina, and the new 26,000 square foot proposed Beaches and Harbors
building. Hans bemoaned the loss of many boat slips. Hans also
reminded attendees of the next SR90 "Scoping" meeting to take place on
May 9th.

6. Nancy Marino talked about Mother's Beach and the 90 Freeway, and
introduced Regina Rubino.

7. Regina Rubino has worked diligently on an alternative plan for the
Marina, with lots of positive ideas exploiting the best features of a
recreation facility with easier access for all of Los Angeles. She
displayed logos which support the "branding" of the Marina and Mother's
Beach in particular. Among her many ideas to enhance the area -
shuttles from local surrounding neighborhoods, possibly a trolley or
something fun for kids, better emergency access including a helipad, an
aquarium, and much, much more. She pointed out the severe lack of art
in the county marina area. She emphasized that the marina was created
for boaters and public recreation, not "shopping" like 3rd Street
Promenade. We should be trying to keep the views, greenery and
wildlife. Regina obviously put a lot of work into her presentation, and
also displayed T-shirts with the Marina logo and "mandate" which will be
for sale.

8. Gloria Davis spoke about the upcoming protest, and she asked
attendees to send faxes to Jane Harman's El Segundo offices to express
their sentiments regarding the current state of affairs in the marina.
She said at least one slogan on the pickets should say "Recall Knabe".

9. Nancy Marino spoke again and asked for volunteers to help create
signs, write letters, make and deliver flyers, send e-mails and she
asked for contributions. There will be a sign making meeting at
Mother's Beach on Saturday, May 6th at 10:00AM by the picnic tables.

10. The meeting was adjourned shortly thereafter.

Bill Farhood

P.S. THE DEMONSTRATION AND PROTEST MARCH ON MAY 13 WILL BE CRITICAL FOR
OUR FUTURE. IT WILL DEMONSTRATE TO THE COUNTY AND CITY THAT WE WILL NOT
SIT BACK AND LET THEM BRING THE 90 FWY AND HUGE DEVELOPMENTS RIGHT TO
OUR DOORSTEP WITHOUT A FIGHT. I STRONGLY URGE ALL OF YOU TO COME OUT
AND JOIN US FOR THIS MARCH STARTING AT BURTON CHACE PARK COMMUNITY
CENTER AT 10:00AM, WITH AN ORDERLY WALK DOWN ADMIRALTY WAY. IT IS
IMPERATIVE THAT WE HAVE STRONG TURNOUT.