January 15, 2004
Pledge of Allegiance Councilmember Erickson
Invocation Councilmember Ostler
Roll Call Councilmember Hales
Present: President Rawlins, Councilmembers Beatty, Drucker, Erickson, Gilden, Hales, LaJoice, Lunt, Ostler, Raghavachary, Smiley.
And Comments Los Angeles County Supervisor
Budget considerations: Supervisor’s office solicits strong consideration for bond proposal to be voted on March 2, 2004. They are exploring ways of making cost savings and increasing productivity, and are reviewing services over and above those required by law. They are committed to keeping CV and Two-Strike parks open. Castaic Lake will have some services reduced, but will be kept open regardless what happens with budget. La Crescenta Library: They are testing a site, and information will be forthcoming in 4-6 weeks. They will develop a working committee including CVTC, community, CV High School and Foothill Design Committee. Crescenta Valley will be eligible for bond funding, but it will be a future bond. $450,000 towards the La Crescenta Library from Congressman Dreier has passed House, and will go before Senate. Mrs. Esther Norbutt submits letter to Supervisor to which she had not received a response. Councilmember Hales: "What is the best course of action for residents of La Crescenta in acquiring library?" Response: "Private fundraising, business providing services (i.e. roofing, concrete) and a strong private/public partnership. Funds should be generated from the private sector." Councilmember Erickson: "Will Friends of Library will be source of fundraising?" Response: "Grant writing is done by the Supervisor’s Office." Total price tag of La Crescenta Library is estimated to be $7.1 million. Grace Andrus reports an account has been open for donations to Library. Councilmember Raghavachary: "Could there be a bond issue specifically for La Crescenta Library?" Response: "Library committee could explore Alta Dena’s own funding and operation of their library." Councilmember Hales: "In this tenuous budget climate is the $3.4million secure or at risk?" Response: "$3.4 million allotted to library fund is secure even in light of budget. Funds cannot be touched, although $100,000 has been spent in pursuing the library."
CSA representative encourages CV Park to be open.
Councilmember Gilden: informs Supervisor Antonovich of La Canada’s sound wall study and their invitation to La Crescenta to participate. Response: There are reductions in transportation funds, so MTA is reevaluating priorities. No final understanding yet.
Jerry Lane asks Antonovich’s view of CVTC. Response: CVTC is body for sounding community issues (pertaining to this area or county-wide) which need to be shared with his office. Jerry Lane: What about the lawsuit filed regarding CVTC election? Response: The Supervisor’s office will not be involved. The U.S. or city attorney will be involved.
Proposals for off-ramp described by Ted Baumgart. Response: Public works is reviewing them.
Patty Scripter of the Crescenta Valley PTSA announces Founders Day Celebration. CVTC will be honored with honorary service award for protecting students with crosswalks, etc., on Wednesday, February 4, 2004 at 7:00 p.m. at CV High School.
Year-end report of Mayor Adelman read by daughter Shannon Adelman. Review of progress of La Crescenta library, CVTC By-law revision, Community Standards District and Foothill Design Committee, scholarship committee, multi-family housing.
California Highway Patrol Officer Vince Bell
Historical Society Stuart Byles
(report of 1934 Flood Plaque Dedication)
Sheriff’s Department Lieutenant John Nemeth
C.V. Chamber of Commerce (not present)
Montrose Chamber of Commerce (not present) Mike Schaar
La Crescenta Library Vicki Guagliardo
(Readers for children’s literature needed!)
C.V. Water District Vasken Yardemian
(increase in water rates eminent, by about 10%)
Santa Monica Conservancy Heinz E. Ellersieck
(budget cuts will affect Conservancy)
6. Report from Treasurer Councilmember Erickson
Audit read and approved.
Annual treasurer’s report.
2004 Budget accepted, proposed and adopted by the Council.
7. Approval of Minutes of General Meeting on December 18 Councilmember Hales
Discussion of Committees for 2004
Motion to approve Community Outreach Committee and seconded. Discussion, with agreement that it will be a special committee. Final Motion by Councilmember Gilden: I move to inform the diverse residents and businesses of the Crescenta Valley about the CVTC—its purpose, goals, and projects, and to encourage the diverse residents and businesses of the Crescenta Valley to support the CVTC and to participate in its process and projects. Passes unanimously with one abstention from Councilmember LaJoice.
Committees organized as follows (Committee Chairpersons are first names listed):
Public Relations – Councilmembers Raghavachary and Hales, and Mark McGuire
Web Page
Publicity
Finance/Fundraising – Councilmembers Erickson, Smiley, Gilden, Drucker
4th of July
Octoberfest
Election Committee – Councilmembers Ostler, Lunt, Smiley, President Rawlins
Nominating Committee – Councilmembers Lunt, Ostler, President Rawlins
Library – Co-chairs President Rawlins, Councilmember Adelman; all Councilmembers; Grace Andrus (of Friends of Library) to help.
Streets, Roadways, Parks and Public Safety – Councilmembers Ostler, Drucker
Community Outreach – Councilmembers Gilden, Smiley, Drucker
Planning and Review
Foothill Design – Councilmember Raghavachary, Richard Toyon
La Crescenta Freeway Offramp – Councilmembers Erickson, Gilden, Ted Baumgart
Billboards – Councilmembers Hales and Lunt
Multi-Family Building – Councilmembers Smiley and Drucker
Arbor Day – Charles Beatty
Scholarships – President Rawlins, Councilmembers Beatty, Lunt, Erickson, Ostler
Cal Trans/Freeway – President Rawlins
Youths and Seniors – Councilmembers Erickson and Smiley
Vote to approve chairmen for committees. Passes unanimously.
Discussion of Arbor Day Councilmember Beatty
Saturday, February 28, 2004 at 10:00 at Two-Strike Park. Supervisor Antonovich to attend. Fundraising to be discussed at next Executive Meeting.
Correspondence
CVTC petitioned to intervene to expedite process with LA County for a mortgage company sign. CVTC agrees to stay out. [At a previous special meeting CVTC voted no objection to the sign and wrote letter.]
Letter to be sent to CV Chamber of Commerce member whose mother passed away. Councilmember Gilden attended CV Chamber of Commerce mixer. Councilmember Drucker volunteers to attend CV Chamber of Commerce meetings on a monthly basis.
Letter to be sent to Jan Takata of Supervisor Antonovich’s office.
New Business
Committee reports:
Councilmember Smiley – Youths and Seniors. Information of support for handicapped and caregivers.
Councilmember Erickson – Library Committee met with two guests who have experience with other libraries.
Councilmember Raghavachary – new owners of Maylane Motel still in design phase. The new structure will be a two-story with retail on bottom and offices above.
Announcements
February 5, 2004 – 7:00 p.m. – CVTC Executive Meeting
February 19, 2004 – 7:00 p.m. – CVTC Meeting
Other Items from Council
Councilmembers Smiley and Erickson attended Jim Brown’s retirement party. Also, Councilmember Smiley is trying to get Supervisor Antonovich’s office to do their own study regarding multi-family housing units in La Crescenta.
Councilmember Hales - Newspaper submission for next week’s edition will list all committees and contact information. People can e-mail or call in, then they will be directed. E-mails sent to CVTC must include "yourtowncouncil.org."
Councilmember Erickson – Rosemont students are hanging out at LDS church above Ralphs. YMCA needs help with after-school program.
Councilmember Raghavachary – Foothill Design Committee received agreement from Supervisor Antonovich’s office that County Regional Planning will inform the CVTC of any future subdivision or multi-family housing plans submitted to them. CVTC is concerned with two properties in upper Briggs Terrace. Luncheon for Deputy Dan’s retirement February 24.
Councilmember Gilden - Attended a Chamber of Commerce meeting and spoke with Eleanor Wacker, who said CVTC needs to relate with many chambers of commerce and town councils throughout the area. How can we participate and develop such a coalition valley wide?
Adjournment at 9:35 p.m.