Paul Krekorian Newsletter: Tax Breaks, National Night Out and More

City: Tax Break Could be History if Owner Doesn't Fix Aging Apartments

SHERMAN OAKS - In an unprecedented move, Councilmember Paul Krekorian moved ahead with plans to strip the Chase Knolls Garden Apartments of tax benefits earned via its historic status after a sustained period of neglect during which the owner allowed parts of the World War II-era structures to fall into disrepair.

If the owner of the Sherman Oaks apartments does not fix the property, he could be fined more than $5 million and the tax break the property has enjoyed for nearly a decade could be revoked. Since 2002, owners of the complex have saved more than $1.3 million in reduced property taxes under a state law dubbed the Mills Act.

The state legislation allows owners of designated historical properties to receive a property tax reduction. In exchange, they must use the savings to help rehabilitate, restore and maintain their buildings. Officials said the owners of Chase Knolls have repeatedly failed to fix damage and decay at the apartment structures.

According to officials with the city's Office of Historic Resources, the Mills Act "is the single most important economic incentive program in California for the restoration and preservation of historic buildings by private property owners."

But owners of Chase Knolls have failed to maintain the historic property. Peeling paint, cracked or broken asphalt have all resulted in a general state of dilapidation, which also includes debris-clogged roof gutters, overgrown trees and failing planters.

For years, the city and residents, like Barry Cullison (pictured), have demanded that the many problems at the property be fixed. Residents have long complained of its state of disrepair while historic preservationists bemoaned the owners' failure to maintain an architectural jewel that hearkens back to the post-war ascendency of the San Fernando Valley.

As a result, Councilmember Krekorian called for the revocation of Chase Knolls' Mills Act benefits, which, if it does materialize, would be the first such occurrence in state history.

Lambert M. Giessinger, head of the city's Office of Historic Resources, made Krekorian's call official. In a letter dated July 27, Giessinger wrote to the Chase Knolls' ownership that their "property does not conform to the provisions" of the Mills Act.

"The property is in a generally dilapidated condition," Giessingerwrote. "[W]e are very concerned about the lack of progress... Mills Act properties should exhibit the best of historic preservation practice and property maintenance."

The owner has until the end of August to correct the violations. If he does not, Giessinger said, the city may cancel the Mills Act contract.

"For two years, Chase Knolls has languished while its owners have enjoyed the benefits of tax breaks," Councilmember Krekorian said. "The owner needs to step up and accept his responsibility to properly maintain Chase Knolls. Not doing so will mean a major hit to his bottom line."

Reward Offered to Help Capture Suspect

LOS ANGELES -    Councilmember Paul Krekorian announced on Wednesday the city will offer a $50,000 reward for information leading to the identification, apprehension and conviction of the person or persons responsible for the 2006 death of Sherman Oaks resident Victoria Ramirez. The council unanimously approved Krekorian's reward motion in the presence of Ramirez's family.

"The suspect has been known to police since the crime occurred and for the last five years, inexplicably, this suspect has been able to evade capture," said Councilmember Paul Krekorian, who represents the area where the crime occurred. "The message that we want to send today is that wherever he is, we will find him.

"This reward motion is an opportunity to remind people that it doesn't matter how long somebody stays on the run, it doesn't matter how far they try to run, the Los Angeles Police Department will capture them. And with our partners in law enforcement, U.S. Marshalls and other agencies we will bring this man to justice."

On August 6, 2006, Victoria Ramirez, a 22-year-old student, was shot to death in her home on Chandler Boulevard in Sherman Oaks; police have long pegged her live-in boyfriend David Weir as the main suspect.  

At the time, Weir admitted murdering Ramirez to family and friends and met with his attorney to discuss the case and his surrender. However, after that meeting, Weir fled the country and remains at large. A warrant was issued for his arrest and he is considered armed and dangerous. (Read more about the case on the America's Most Wanted entry for this case.) If you have any information on this case, please call the LAPD, (818) 374-0089.  

Community Celebrates National Night Out

SHERMAN OAKS - Communities throughout the United States, including ones across the San Fernando Valley, united once again last week for the annual National Night Out to spotlight crime and drug prevention while strengthening ties between police, neighborhood groups and local officials.  

Nearly three decades ago, the first National Night Out included 2.5 million Americans in 400 communities across 23 states. Last year, 37 million people in more than 15,000 communities from all 50 states, U.S. territories, Canadian cities and military bases worldwide participated in the event. 

This year, Councilmember Krekorian participated in four National Night Out events in North Hollywood, Stonehurst Park in Sun Valley, Sunland-Tujunga and Valley Village, where he was joined by Neighborhood Council Valley Village president Tony Braswell.

"National Night Out is an important annual opportunity for neighbors to come together, demonstrating community commitment to fighting crime," Braswell said. "It also signifies support for the partnership between neighborhoods, businesses, law enforcement and local government to stop those who would commit crimes, keeping our community safe and free of crimes and drugs."

[See photos of the Councilmember at the National Night Out events on Facebook.]

Trunk line Construction Nears Completion

STUDIO CITY - Crews working to replace an aging, 100-year-old pipeline on Magnolia Boulevard are set to wrap up construction this week, closing down the three year project while kicking off the next phase of the multi-year effort.

Department of Water and Power officials have worked since 2008 to replace 1.6 miles of pipes - ranging in size from 36 to 60 inches in diameter - along Magnolia Boulevard, from Coldwater Canyon Avenue to Whitsett Avenue and along Whitsett Avenue, from Magnolia Boulevard to Moorpark Street. The new trunk line, officials said, will improve capacity, reliability and flexibility throughout the city's water system.   

After this project is completed, the DWP will move north of the Hollywood (101) Freeway to work along Magnolia and Whitsett. For more information on this project, please visit the LADWP website   or call our office with concerns or questions at (818) 755- 7676.

Volunteers Clean Up East Valley 

SUN VALLEY - Last month, the office of Councilmember Paul Krekorian, the Bureau of Sanitation and volunteers from a local nonprofit group worked to clear a one-mile stretch of trash and debris from a North Hollywood street long plagued with illegal dumping.   

The clean-up, orchestrated with the Sun Valley Graffiti Busters and paid for with the help of Councilmember Krekorian's office, collected 54 bags of trash and one-and-a-half truck loads of tumbleweed found along Raymer Street, between Whitsett and Fulton avenues. They followed that up with a clean up in Sun Valley, along San Fernando Road, from Cohasset Street to Arvilla Avenue, removing 80 bags of brush.  

Volunteers picked up rotting wood, drywall and worn suitcases during the two-day effort to help beautify a part of the east San Fernando Valley that local business owners have repeatedly said is a constant center for illegal dumpers.

The Sun Valley Graffiti Busters works with city departments to help remove graffiti and clean up streets in the San Fernando Valley.   

To report graffiti or request graffiti and debris removal, check out  www.sunvalleygraffitibusters.org or call 3-1-1.

50th Anniversary of the Watermelon Festival

SUNLAND-TUJUNGA- The annual Sunland-Tujunga Lions Club WatermelonFestival returns for its 50th year Friday at the Sunland Park Recreation Center.  

The event, slated to take place from 5 p.m. Friday to 10:30 p.m. Sunday, will offer free watermelon slices, watermelon carving demonstrations, seed spitting contests and more. The festival will also feature the Lions Clubs' fresh corn booth, gourmet watermelon dishes, beer and wine gardens, and officials will crown the Watermelon Queen.

Admission for adults is $5, children $2, though admission will be slashed in half for those donning watermelon costumes admission. Funds raised by the festival will be used by the Lions Club to support local youth and community activities and programs.

Hours for the festival, are:

• Friday, August 12 from 5 to 11 p.m.
• Saturday, August 13 from 12 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.
• Sunday, August 14 from 12 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.  

The Sunland Park Recreation Center is located at 8651 Foothill Blvd., Sunland, 91040. For more information, please visit the Watermelon Festival website, www.lionswatermelonfestival.com.