Board Members Sue Hammarlund and Becky Leveque speak at ribbon cutting for Holleigh Bernson Fitness Equipment

The Porter Ranch Neighborhood Council (PRNC) has made a significant impact on the community this year, while continuing to provide a forum to tackle important issues facing the community.

The PRNC began the year by expanding its outreach on every level to drive a record turnout for its winter election. Almost three times as many voters cast ballots as in the previous election. The PRNC actively outreaches to the community via Facebook, Twitter, eBlasts, and phone calls in addition to its fact filled website. Community members can keep up with what’s going on in Porter Ranch at: facebook.com/PorterRanchNC or by signing up for emails at prnc.org.

In the months following the election the council welcomed six new board members.  Together with the five board members still in service for their terms, the PRNC is poised to continue to advocate for Porter Ranch in 2015.

Among the council’s recent commercial development successes is advocating for expanded service at the Porter Ranch Starbucks, complete with wine, beer, and small plates of appetizers and desserts. The PRNC supported Starbucks’ request for an alcohol license in its newly expanded and remodeled store. The license was granted just this December 16, so patrons can expect to enjoy their evenings at Starbucks in the coming months. Also under construction is a new gas station and convenience store, which was supported by the council in 2011.

The PRNC created two forums to provide the community with information on the proposed oil drilling by the Termo Company in its Aliso Oil Drilling Project. The council filed a Community Impact Statement calling for an environmental impact report on the project and the Los Angeles City Council voted in agreement. The council made the same request of LA County Supervisor Antonovich. The decision by LA County is still pending.

The council took a leadership position on public accountability and transparency as the only neighborhood council to file a Community Impact Statement requesting a full public accounting of the $40 million donated by DWP ratepayers to the Joint Safety Institute and Joint Training Institute. In November the City Council agreed and voted for the first independent accounting of those organizations.

Attending to matters close to home, the PRNC provided an opportunity for the community to meet the management of Toll Brothers, the new developer who purchased the Shapell homebuilding operation, and had over 400 people at a Town Hall on how the Local Control Funding Formula was negatively impacting our schools.

Hearing stakeholder concerns about street racing, the council invited Valley Traffic to report on steps they were taking to reduce street racing in Porter Ranch and provide action steps for residents. Further, the council requested assistance from Caltrans on beetle infested pine trees. Caltrans reported that they had removed 100 dead trees last year from alongside the 118, were removing the rest this fiscal year, and would replace the trees and restore irrigation in 2015.

"We as a council are incredibly proud of the work that we've all done this year for the community, we've celebrated successes and worked through challenges as a team. In 2015 our momentum will continue, as board members of the PRNC are committed to making Porter Ranch the best community in Los Angeles," remarks Porter Ranch Neighborhood Council President Paula Cracium.

The Porter Ranch Neighborhood Council meets on the first Wednesday of the month, 6 pm at the Porter Ranch Community School, located at the corner of Sesnon Blvd. and Mason Ave.