CRESCENTA VALLEY TOWN COUNCIL

MINUTES

CRESCENTA VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL CAREER CENTER

2900 Community Avenue, La Crescenta, CA  91214

Council Mailing Address:  Post Office Box 8676, La Crescenta, CA  91224-0676
(Corrections gathered by President Andrus)

                                                                     April 19, 2007

 

1. Call to order by President Grace Andrus at 7:08 p.m.

 

 

2. Flag Salute was led by Rosetta Ragusa

 

 

3. Invocation was led by Councilmember Erickson

 

 

4. Roll Call

 All Councilmembers present except Councilmembers Choate and Van Bremen

 

 

5. Minutes of March 15, 2007 – not approved

 

*California Highway Patrol Officer Todd Workman, out of sequence, reported that there were 13 collisions and one injury in the La Crescenta area.

He stated that La Crescenta School had two crossing guards, one on La Crescenta Avenue and one on Prospect Avenue because of the traffic.  Additionally, he said that he was looking into one way on Prospect Avenue near the school for certain hours.

 

6. Correspondence-Councilmember Thomas

The Glendale Adventist Medical Center will offer free Cardio-Vascular screening and to check with Adventist for the date, time and location.

Further correspondence was from a Mr. Bruce Labins who is the architect for the property at Park Place and will be making his presentation at the Sheriff’s Station May 3, 2007 at 6:00 P.M.

 

7.  Comments from Officials

County

Rita Hadjimanoukian from Supervisor Antonovich’s Office said the Arbor Day was the best ever and congratulated the Arbor Day Committee for their work.  She announced that the Supervisor was hosting a Veteran’s Day event at Arcadia Park May 26, 2007 from 9:00a.m.to 3:00 p.m. and that everyone was welcome.

 

First Responders

CHP Workman noted above

 

 

L.A. County Sheriff Captain Tim Peters

Sheriff Peters stated that there was one domestic violence case with two arrested. Narcotic arrests were made at CVHS and La Canada High.  Discussion of tagging.

 

Student Council Representatives- Both on Spring Vacation.

 

8.  Special Guests

 

Crescenta Valley Water District Director Vasken Yardemeian invited the public

to the CVWD B-B-Q at the Sycamore Plant on Saturday May 19, 2007, from

11.00 A.M. to 2.00P.M.  He also reported that CVWD had UNOFFICAL information that LAFCO was contacted about Glendale Water and Power taking their customers back from CVWD.

 

ARK presentation made by Sean Arnett the youth pastor for the Baptist Church Located

at 4409 La Crescenta Ave.  His proposal is to make the ARK a Community Center and have it open Weekdays from 3-8:30 P.M.  It has a small café, three motion picture screens and free wireless internet service.  He noted that there would have to be adult involvement and other volunteers to make it work.

 

9.  Public Comments. 

 

Rosetta Ragusa reported on the “Invisible Children of Uganda”, and that a documentary will be aired on April 28, 2007 at the Los Angeles County Fair Grounds.

 

Mike Lawler reported that a, “Save the Verdugo Hill Golf Course” meeting will be called by the Heritage Society on April 23, 2007.  City of Glendale Verdugo Hill meeting will be held at the Sparr Community Center April 26, 2007. He also noted that the Historical Society will sponsor a “Foothill Relay for Life” team May 19-20, 2007 at 9:00 a.m. at Clark Magnet School.

 

Kerry Erickson stated the in regards to the new arts commission at Two Strike

Park he hoped the council would hold hearings in a public forum regarding the idea of a “band shell” stage.  Community input especially the neighbors is very important.  The Council responded to this that the community would definitely be involved in all decisions.

 

Suzanne Passantino said that Allied/Waste stated that “no hassle waste” pick up will take place every Saturday in June. This is for large objects, etc.

 

 10. Committee Reports

   

Art Commission Council Member Thomas reported speaking with Supervisor Antonovich’s Office regarding an out-door theater, location and what can be done

Future meeting is to be announced.

 

Election/Nominating Committee

Councilmember Pierce stated that he wanted to change the by-laws as

Follows:

 

Article X. Elections A

Town Council elections shall be held each year in the month of October, on the first Saturday after the general meeting.

 

Article IV: Officers. B 3

           For Example, the regular election would occur in November, and the slate of

           officers could be presented to the Council at the regular November meeting.

           In December, the new members could be installed by the new council at the

           same meeting.

 

Much discussion ensued regarding establishing a functioning By-Law Committee.  A motion to establish a by law committee failed by a 5-4 vote.

 

Finance/Fundraising Committee.

Councilmember Pierce stated that there will be a fundraiser at Zeke’s Steak House in Montrose on May 1, 2007, from 4:00 PM until closing.

 

The Councilmember Pierce also moved that the expense for office supplies be increased to $200.00 per year.  Seconded by Beatty.  Motions passed unanimously.

 

Councilmember Pierce The presented the treasurer’s report to the council and it was filed.

 

Public Relations Committee

Councilmember Thomas proposed a motion seconded by Beatty to send a letter to

Councilwoman Wendy Gruel in support of purchasing the land where the Verdugo Hills

Golf Course is located so that it can be kept for the public.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

Events Committee

Councilmember Beatty stated his thanks to the Arbor Day Committee in general and to Ray Larsen specifically for all their efforts in making this the best Arbor Day since its inception in 1995.

 

Foothill Design Committee.

Councilmember Ragavachary stated that Mitch Glazier has been absent from Regional Planning.  They are currently working on a picture guideline booklet and are waiting for clarifications on the wording to schedule a public meeting.

 

 

 

 

Land Use Committee

President Andrus/Councilmember Thomas.  It was announced that there will be a Land Use Meeting before the EC Meeting on May 3, 2007, regarding 2222 Montrose Ave., and on May 17, 2007, a LUC meeting will be held at CVHS Career Center at 6 P.M. regarding property located at 2532 Montrose Ave.

 

Library Committee

President Andrus stated that the April 9, 2007, meeting was the next to last meeting of the Supervisor’s Committee.  Approval should be made by the end of April 2007.  The current library will be closing by the end of August.  In the meantime, the buildings along Foothill Blvd. will be  demolished and the tanks will be removed. President Andrus further went on to state that she would look into the time capsule for the cornerstone.  (The President of the Historical Society Mike Lawler said he would provide what was Necessary).  Finally, the new library is expected to open its doors September of 2009.

 

Scholarship Committee

Councilmember Erickson stated that19 students were interviewed by two teams and she then “moved that 11 scholarships be awarded in the amount of $275.00 each”.  This was seconded by Beatty.  Motion was unanimously approved.

 

Streets/Roadways/Parks/Safety Committee

Councilmembers Campbell/Pierce.  Councilmember Campbell noted that Todd

Franklin resident at 5401 Vista Del Arroyo Dr., wanted to know if the surveying of Shields Ave., by County had something to do with a “pedestrian walkway”. 

County was surveying for future widening of Shields Ave.  The Councilmember noted that a “pedestrian pathway” was requested by Nancy Smith in the Goss Canyon area for a short cut to Rosemont Middle School

Resident and past CVTC Member Jaleen Lunt was concerned with traffic at the

La Crescenta Elementary school.  This issue was discussed earlier in the meeting by CHP Officer Todd Workman.

Councilmember Beatty stressed that Amy Cheema was working on the re-striping of Rosemont Ave., near Foothill Blvd southbound to aid in traffic flow during peak hours.  He further stated that public works is trying to solve the problem of the underground lighting at Cloud and Foothill cross walk.

 

Youths and Seniors

Councilmember Cleven stated that he was working with Lila Johnson-Crenshaw to maintain the Senior Garden at Crescenta Valley Park.                                                                        

 

11.  All American City Award.  President Andrus read the criteria for this award and recommended that the Council lead the community in pursuing this award.

Consequently, President Andrus moved that “the CVTC participate in the award program.” It was seconded by everyone and unanimously approved.

 

 

12. Items from Council

CAO Petition

Motion by President Andrus to “Put together a petition and circulate it to the other town councils (16) in the 5th district to discourage the transfer of power from the Board of Supervisors to a non elected  non accountable to the public Chief Administrative Officer”.  Seconded by everyone motion passed unanimously.

 

Military Banners.

Motion by Councilmember Erickson “to set up a Banner Committee.”

Seconded by Beatty. Motion Passed.  Co-chairs to be Councilmember Erickson and Citizen Ray Larsen.  Meeting to be announced.

 

Motion –Approval Donation to CV Fireworks

Motion by Councilmember Pierce “to donate from the CVTC general fund $500.00 towards the CV Fireworks Association”  Seconded by Beatty.  Passed 8 to 1.

 

Councilmember Ragavachary read a request by Laura Rivera  8th grade leadership

teacher for the council to donate money for character and ethics.  Motion made by

Councilmember Ragavachary seconded by Beatty.  Motion failed 8 to 1.

 

Councilmember Pierce stated that he read for the Children at the local library recently at the librarians request.

 

13. Announcements

 

Dinner and fundraiser May 1, 2007, 4:00P.M.close (at) Zeke’s (in) Montrose.

Land Use Committee Meeting May 3, 2007, 6 P.M. at Sheriff’s Station Community Room.

Land Use Committee Meeting, May 17, 6 P.M. CVHS Career Center.

General Meeting, May 17, 7 PM, CVHS Career Center

 

14.  President Andrus adjourned the general meeting at 9:42 P.M.