PATRIOT OIL COMMUNITY BENEFIT TRUST FUND OF 2002

The fact that the NVC administers this fund is not generally well known.  It is an important part of what we do for our community, and although this operation is well funded, it does not fund the NVC’s operations.  The Trust Fund is a 501 (c)4 for tax purposes.

 Primary Purpose

The primary purpose of the POCBT2002 is to fund worthy projects that will protect, enhance, beautify, educate, reward or be of general benefit to the residents in the area within its established boundaries.

 The North Valley Coalition’s Board (NVC) acting as the POCBT2002 fund’s board decide the merits and final amounts of any request by residents, community organizations, schools and parks located within its boundaries including any other organization or City and County departments that directly services, benefits or have a nexus with that area (i.e. fire & police).

 Brief History

Formed on December 31, 2002 as the result of an agreement between the North Valley Coalition and Patriot Resources LLC which resulted in the establishment of a fund administered by the NVC for the benefit of the surrounding neighborhood.  In return the NVC settled its appeal to the City of Los Angeles North Valley Area Planning Commission on August 15, 2002.  Several years later the oilfield was purchased by Castle Peak which was later renamed DCOR LLC.  DCOR LLC has continued to honor the Conditional Use Permit (CUP) and to fund the POCBTF2002.

 Board Members

The North Valley Coalition’s Board administers the POCBTF and all positions are mirror images of that organization.

*Note: recently deceased.

 Activities

The board’s main job is to review requests for funds.  A requestor is asked to present an oral (optional) and/or a written presentation of the project to include its scope, exactly what is being requested, its benefits, who or which organization will directly benefit, a written estimate of the cost from a qualified supplier, and at least one additional quote (two preferred).  If a project is properly presented, and all questions posed have been addressed; the board will deliberate in the absence of the requestor and make a decision to fund or not to fund.  The requestor will be notified in writing of acceptance (including any conditions) or telephonically (including reasons) if rejected.  If a project is deemed worthy but not complete, a board member(s) volunteers and/or is assigned by mutual agreement and will assume the responsibility for reporting the status and/or wrangling the project through to completion by providing the necessary information, co-ordination and legwork before it is returned for consideration.  In some cases (if the board deems necessary) will negotiate and purchase requested items/services in order to simplify and/or expedite the financial proceedings.

 Yearly Program Service Accomplishments

 2003

The POCBT approved and hired a professional security company to patrol daily in the evenings for the entire area within its established boundaries to include Bee Canyon and the entrance area to O’Melveny Park in order to prevent vandalism, graffiti, and roaming groups of youths who had been partying and drinking in the neighborhood.  An information kiosk was donated to City of LA Recreation & Parks Department for use in Bee Canyon Park, and an Autodialer was donated to the LAUSD Van Gogh Elementary School for the school and for local organizations use.

 2004

The POCBT continued to provide a professional security company to patrol daily in the evenings the entire area within its established boundaries.   Funds for a civic permit for a combined meeting with the City of Los Angeles Citizens Advisory Committee & County of Los Angeles Department of Health Services that was held at the Van Gogh Elementary School were provided.  Monies for a Rose Garden and landscaping plus a computer projector were donated to the LAUSD Van Gogh Elementary School for the school and local organizations use.

 2005

The POCBT approved funds for two flyers in the local newspaper announcing a meeting and the results of a health study conducted in and around the fund’s established boundaries by the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services.  The annual Easter Egg Hunt conducted in O’Melveny Park by Los Angeles Recreation & Parks Department for the residents in Granada Hills was funded by the board.  The POBTF also funded the restoration of the Ranch House in O’Melveny Park by the Parks & Recreation Department.  Our final project of the year was to fund the Porta-Potties for use at a Day in the Park at Bee Canyon Park sponsored by the Granada Hills North Neighborhood Council (GHNNC).

  2006

The annual Easter Egg Hunt conducted in O’Melveny Park by Los Angeles Recreation & Parks Department for the residents in Granada Hills was funded by the board.  The board also funded the trimming of fruit trees in O’Melveny Park and Bee Canyon Park by the Parks & Recreation Department.  The board also funded the purchase of storage racks, cabinets and a storage unit for use by community organizations within its established boundaries.  The final project for the year was the funding of violins for the LAUSD Van Gogh Elementary School orchestra.

 2007

The first project of the year was funding the restoration of the Bunk House in O’Melveny Park by the Parks & Recreation Department.  Funding for planting poppies for Bee Canyon Park as sponsored by the Friends of the Park was also accomplished.  A bus trip to San Juan Capistrano & San Diego Wild Animal Park for the LAUSD Van Gogh Elementary School 4^th & 5^th grade was funded along with matching funds for their Library Book Fund Raiser yearly event.  Finally, a night vision scope was funded, donated and loaned to the Recreation & Parks resident Sr. Gardener at O’Melveny Park for his use in nighttime enforcement of park rules.  The board continued to fund a storage unit for use by community organizations within its established boundaries.

 2008

The board funded a limited account for copying and mailing purposes at a local business for the City of Los Angeles Community Advisory Committee – Sunshine Canyon Landfill.  The annual Easter Egg Hunt conducted in O’Melveny Park by Los Angeles Recreation & Parks Department for the residents in Granada Hills was funded by the board.     The funding of planting and watering of 500 oak trees in O’Melveny and Bee Canyon Parks, and the co-ordination of planting an additional 500 oaks within a 3 mile radius of Sunshine Canyon Landfill to meet City requirements was completed.  Twenty IMac computers were donated to Van Gogh Elementary School for their new computer lab and Sibelius 5 Educational music software for their music instructor.  Also donated a timpani section consisting of drums, gong and bell sets for the Robert Frost Middle School.  Donated one-half of the cost to the Recreation and Parks Department to regrade/restore a closed trail from the end of O’Melveny Park to Mission Peak.  The board continued to fund a storage unit for use by community organizations within its established boundaries.

 2009

Requests were just as numerous this year and the board again funded the annual Easter Egg Hunt conducted in O’Melveny Park by Los Angeles Recreation & Parks Department for residents in Granada Hills.  Funds to replace a transmitter destroyed in the Northridge fire and to update some of their other equipment was made to the Los Angeles Radio Reading Service (LARRS) that reads daily newspapers as a part of their service to visually impaired or blind persons.  Funds for ten umbrellas and a Versa Tube shelter were donated to the North Valley Charter Academy to protect students who sweltered outside during the summer.  Next on the list were funds donated to the Friends of the Library for the Petite Park Library to support the adult and children’s reading programs and to buy four computers.  Funds to make and install trail signs for O’Melveny Park were provided for an Eagle Scout Project.  This was followed by funding of a Wish List from Van Gogh Elementary School for the salary for one-half of a school librarian, ten Apple IMac Laptop computers, new library books, an Arts & Reading Account for school supplies, and a Music Fund for the Kadima Conservancy.  A similar Wish List was submitted and granted for the Robert Frost Middle School for 100 Student Orchestra Chairs, 2 double French horns, and a number of percussion kits and mallets.  The year ended with a contribution to the Granada Hills Veterans Memorial and a limited account for copying and mailing purposes at a local business for the new combined City of Los Angeles/County of Los Angeles  Sunshine Canyon Landfill Community Advisory Committee.  The board continued to fund a storage unit for use by community organizations within its established boundaries, and a limited account for copying and mailing purposes at a local business for the City of Los Angeles Community Advisory Committee – Sunshine Canyon Landfill which in November was converted to an account for the Combined City/County CAC (SCL CAC). 

Revised 12/15/08

W. Hunter