PPCC Discusses Board Operations at Meeting

By SARAH SHMERLING | Editor-in-Chief

With City Controller Ron Galperin postponing a presentation at the Pacific Palisades Community Council meeting for a second time, board members had free time on January 23 to facilitate a lengthy discussion about board operations.

The discussion included the annual awards event, finances/fundraising, secretarial duties, social media platforms and outreach.

“I think everybody agrees, it’s a wonderful tradition,” PPCC Secretary Chris Spitz said about the annual awards gala that the council hosts each holiday season. “It’s too much for just a few people and I cannot do this again.”

The event, which has taken place at Gladstones the past few years, was moved to the Pacific Palisades Woman’s Club, causing “a ton more work” because the club doesn’t come with servers, chafing dishes, linens, etc., PPCC Treasurer Richard Cohen explained—though board members agreed that overall the location provided a nice space for the celebration.

“I got nothing but good feedback from people about the venue,” PPCC Chair David Card added.

The board conducted an advisory straw vote to gauge interest in keeping the event in the future, which yielded a unanimous “yes” vote before heading into the next topic: finances.

Cohen explained that PPCC’s expenses vary, usually running around $2,000 or $3,000 per year, with some years reaching closer to $4,000 or $5,000.

The council, a nonprofit organization, is requesting donations of $25 from community members to keep operations running.

Toward the end of the Thursday discussion, the board addressed Secretary Spitz’s growing list of duties.

“I get it, I understand,” Spitz said about members not volunteering to take over some of the tasks, “but we cannot continue—I cannot continue—with this.”

One audience member suggested working with local students who may need community service hours to take over some of the tasks.

“These are great ideas, but there are very few tasks that would be suitable for this because some of the tasks that Chris is doing are complicated,” Cohen said.

Another suggestion was bringing on a part-time administrator.

Board operation discussions will continue to take place at future meetings, as time in the agenda allows.

Those interested in hearing the city controller’s rescheduled presentation are invited to the council’s March 26 meeting. Galperin’s appearance follows LAUSD Board Member Nick Melvoin on February 20 and an LADWP presentation on the Palisades’ power needs on March 12.

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