September 2008
Mel Mitchell, Porter Ranch Neighborhood Council President

Greig Smith commends outgoing Treasurer Paul Drogichen and Secretary Pat Pope while President Mel Mitchell looks on.

Los Angeles City Councilman Greig Smith nimbly fielded questions from an animated crowd at the Porter Ranch Neighborhood Council meeting on September 9, 2008. During opening remarks he commended the Porter Ranch Neighborhood Council for being the best neighborhood council among the 12 in his district for staying focused on its neighborhood. He also thanked outgoing Treasurer Paul Drogichen and Secretary Pat Pope for their outstanding service and installed the new Board resulting from the June election.

He addressed questions of crime, advertising trailers on Rinaldi, parks, trees, traffic police, police station staffing, and home-based business signage. When asked if the northernmost part of Mason could be closed to reduce crime, he responded with an unequivocal no, as California law will not allow a public street to be closed once it has been opened. However, at the request of Renaissance community homeowners he will explore ways to reduce racing, drinking and loitering on Mason through limiting nighttime parking and police patrols among other options.

Smith is working with the Porter Ranch Development Company to create an upscale community shopping mall on Rinaldi just west of Toys R Us. In hopes of creating a center like The Grove, their architect has been hired to craft an elegant design incorporating a water feature. Conceding that in this economy, construction will not begin for some time, the center plans to have upscale restaurants and stores.

Street resurfacing was another hot topic Smith addressed, pointing out that the City has won an award from the Foundation for Pavement Preservation. He explained how streets are evaluated for repair and what repairs are available. William Robertson, Director of the Bureau of Street Services will explain how the City is continuing to improve in street repair even in light of the current budget crises at the next PRNC meeting on Tuesday, October 7, 2008, Shepherd of the Hills Church.