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This meeting was a community discussion among residents rebuilding after the wildfire, where participants shared updates on their construction progress and addressed various recovery-related issues. Darrell and Gary reported they are planning to build an ADU over their garage, with the house being reoriented to create a courtyard design, while Angela shared that foundation work was starting the following Monday for their two-story home rebuild. Michael provided an update on his remediation progress, noting that testing showed levels were mostly under threshold, with a second round of remediation planned for May or June. The group discussed challenges with water pipe requirements for fire sprinklers, with Angela and others noting they may need to upgrade from 3/4 inch to 1-inch pipes, though details about responsibility and costs were still unclear. The conversation also covered tax implications of insurance proceeds and potential settlements, with participants sharing experiences about completing Form 4684 for casualty losses. The conversation ended with discussions about infrastructure needs, including concerns about Southern California Edison’s requirements for transformer replacements and the need for better street lighting in the area.
Next steps
- ANGELA: Start foundation work on Monday and coordinate with neighbors if any construction issues arise.
- michael: Begin second round of remediation in the next couple of weeks, targeting May/June for completion.
- Darrell: Follow up with architects regarding the requirement and process for upgrading water service to 1-inch pipe for fire sprinklers, including responsibility for meter and line upgrades.
- ANGELA: Investigate with Las Flores (water company) and contractor the specifics and cost responsibility for upgrading water line to 1 inch from meter to house, and share findings with Darrell.
- Darrell: Ask County (via Susie Newman or relevant contacts) about responsibility and process for water meter upgrades and potential for bulk procurement of meters for the community.
- Mendes: Consider reaching out to the collaborator or county about stockpiling water meters for community members.
- michael: Use LA Works app (or confirm with Mendes) to request additional street lights on Rubio Canyon/Maiden Lane.
- Darrell: Contact County (and/or Michelle Zak) regarding street light color/temperature issues and potential for additional lighting.
- All participants: Attend upcoming water board meeting (if notified) or check website for details/location.
- ANGELA: Send updated AI-generated house rendering to architect for review and further action.
Summary
Construction and Remediation Updates
Darrell and Angela discussed construction progress, with Angela confirming they had started foundation framing and completed grading. Michael shared positive news about their remediation efforts, which showed improvements and were near threshold levels, with plans for a second round in the coming weeks aiming for completion by May or June. The group also discussed Darrell’s plans to build an ADU on top of their garage, which will be part of a reconfigured house layout with a new courtyard design.
ADU and House Construction Updates
Darrell discussed his ADU project, explaining that the architects are working on annotations and that he wants the ADU to be powered by the main panel rather than having a separate installation. He plans to have a 400 or 320 amp service with a sub-panel feeding the ADU, and suggested offering free electricity to ADU tenants if rented out. Becky shared updates on her house project, noting that they are working with geological engineers to determine the number of caissons or pillars needed, with a preference for fewer caissons. Darrell and Becky also briefly discussed the placement of Becky’s new house closer to the street. Finally, Dcfav mentioned a visit from Bill, the general manager from Los Flores, who investigated strange odors coming from Dcfav’s shower and found everything testing normal.
Reservoir Progress and Fee Discussion
The group discussed the status of reservoir construction, with positive news about one reservoir’s progress. They debated a proposed $3,000 one-time payment or $50 monthly fee to help maintain water infrastructure, with Darrell and others expressing skepticism about the effectiveness of the latter option. The conversation concluded with a discussion about an upcoming board meeting, which Rebecca noted could be accessed via Zoom for those unable to attend in person.
Altadena Construction Site Activity
The group discussed construction activities in the Altadena area, noting that multiple houses were under construction simultaneously, with some homes being built quickly. They observed that inspectors were frequently visiting construction sites, though there were some delays due to foundation requirements. Michael and others speculated that construction permits might be being issued strategically to avoid overwhelming local resources, while Mendes suggested that having the right tools, trained crews, and necessary products could streamline the building process.
Foundation Work and Construction Updates
The team discussed the foundation work starting on Monday, with Angela explaining that they had dug down 4 feet and passed inspections. They are working with a design-build contractor who will handle both the foundation and construction, with the foundation expected to take about a month to complete. The team also discussed how plumbing and electrical work needs to be installed before the slab is poured, and Angela mentioned that most slabs from the wildfire area needed to be removed due to safety concerns and code changes since the 1970s.
Wildfire Tax Implications Discussion
The group discussed tax implications and calculations related to property damage from wildfires, focusing on casualty loss statements and insurance proceeds. Mendes explained that the casualty loss statement captures pre- and post-event property values and cost basis, separate from potential settlement proceeds, while Darrell noted that federal income tax deductions for wildfire damage expired in 2015 but may be renewed before the upcoming election. Angela raised concerns about the complexity of tax calculations and shared an experience with a tax professional who lacked familiarity with wildfire-related tax issues, highlighting the availability of free government software for tax preparation.
AI Tools: Versatility and Limitations
Angela shared her experience using AI to modify a black and white drawing of her house into color, which was quick and successful. Darrell emphasized the benefits of AI in various tasks, noting its potential but also its limitations, particularly with ChatGPT’s tendency to provide confident but incorrect answers. Angela and Darrell discussed the versatility of AI tools, with Angela using them for work communications to appear stern and Darrell finding them useful for correspondence due to their diplomatic nature. Mendes mentioned using AI for graphics, highlighting its artistic capabilities with the right input.
AI-Enhanced Home Renovation Plans
The group discussed using AI to modify building renderings, with Angela explaining they had successfully changed colors and aesthetics while maintaining the original structure. They talked about building an ADU (Accessory Dwelling Unit) over the garage, which Darrell noted was a straightforward process due to county regulations for garage conversions. The conversation concluded with Michael and Angela expressing their commitment to staying in their current home, which they love for its location and natural beauty, despite recent unfortunate events.
Altadena Commercial Renovation Plans
The group discussed the renovation and reopening of commercial buildings in Altadena, including the Aldi properties expected to open by summer and the potential for a hardware store in the former Rite Aid location. Mendes suggested the possibility of developing a multi-use complex on a vacant lot near busy roads, while Darrell expressed the need for a centrally located hardware store. The conversation concluded with a discussion about the high cost of the Rite Aid building, which may prevent new tenants from moving in.
Fire Sprinkler Pipe Requirements
The group discussed the requirement for a 1-inch water pipe to accommodate fire sprinklers in new builds, with Angela and Darrell exploring whether this applies to the pipe from the meter to the house or to the street. Darrell mentioned that Las Flores had submitted the question to an engineer to determine if the 3/4-inch pipe could be upgraded, while Angela noted that the contractor believed the change would be costly and passed through to customers. The discussion concluded with Brian and Michael confirming their current 3/4-inch pipes and the need to determine the extent of the required upgrade, with Angela and Darrell agreeing to share any information they find.
Altadena Infrastructure and Utility Updates
The group discussed infrastructure and utility concerns in Altadena, particularly regarding transformer replacements and undergrounding requirements. They noted that while SCE requested residents to pay for transformer replacements, there was uncertainty about who would be responsible for costs, with some residents recalling free upgrades in the past. The discussion also covered street lighting needs in Rubio Canyon and ongoing road maintenance issues, with Mendes suggesting the LA Works app as a resource for reporting street light concerns. Angela requested that residents John and Lynn contact her if they had any concerns during construction, as they would not be present to observe activities.
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