Newsletter: The Media Messenger

The 5th Annual General Meeting was called to order by Mary Lou Dudas, Executive Director. Dudas introduced the HMD Board of Directors in attendance, as well as city/state officials and HMD staff and contractors. Erik Sanjurjo, Council District 4, spoke on behalf of Councilman Tom LaBonge congratulating the BID on renewal and the positive impact the BID has had on the Hollywood Community.

Jay Greenstein spoke on behalf of State Assemblyman Paul Koretz from the 42nd District. He announced that Highland will soon be relinquished from the State (CalTrans) to the City (LADOT) through the passage of Assembly Bill 3047 which Governor Schwarzenegger signed into law on Sep. 21. This relinquishment will put Highland Avenue in the cityÕs hands and will enable many changes and improvements to be made to the thoroughfare; one particular problem area is an intersection at Franklin and Highland, which will be corrected and will ease the flow of traffic in Hollywood. Several block of Highland Avenue will be affected in the BID, from Santa Monica north to Fountain. Jeff Anthony, Iron Mountain and HMD Board of Directors past president, thanked the stakeholders and pointed out how much cleaner and safer the BID is now compared to 10 years ago when he first started working in Hollywood. Carol Cassella, RenMar Studios and HMD President then spoke on her involvement with the BID. She started by explaining that RenMar had voted against the BID initially when it was in formation 6 years ago. However, since then they have become and enthusiastic and optimistic supporter of the BID. Speaking about the accomplishments in the District over the past year, Cassella pointed out the Sign Overlay Zone Ordinance; increased meter times and parking on Cahuenga and Las Palmas; completion of the 300 trees planted; the Theater Row way-finding banner program. She commended the security team on their outstanding service and thanked our assembly members, Jackie Goldberg and Paul Koretz, for supporting our District. Lastly, she said that the biggest accomplishment that we are celebrating tonight is the expansion and renewal of the BID for 10 more years, with an amazing percentage of 63% (which, she pointed out, would have been higher if not for some clerical difficulties in the Prop 218 election portion of the process.) In closing, Cassella urged all stakeholders to become involved in the BID, pointing out that nominations are being accepted for the new Board of Directors, and encouraging them to also join committees. Dudas then called for questions; there were none. She then adjourned the meeting and a reception followed.