Discussion that the Governor has prepared the budget, work continues on the LAUSD breakup bill and work on a bill to see about drafting legislation to test at the high school level for steroids

Discussion –

Assembly member Anthony Adams supports the Governor’s proposals to start, but there are other places to cut. Zero-based budgeting will be looked at. He does not support universal health care but prefers incentives for small businesses to offer health care for employees.

Discussion -

End of year items for 2007 – Just under 400 tickets issued for the La Crescenta area, 200 traffic collisions, one fatality (auto vs. pedestrian at Ocean View and Montrose). Focus on schools has been successful and no complaints received. There is a new COPS officer who will be at the schools primarily during school times. Radar will be strictly enforced. CHIPS for Kids was very successful – thank you very much for your support! Officers are getting new tasers and anyone who carries one must first get tased themselves.

Discussion -

CV High Finals are at the end of this month

The students will be able to get through the upcoming construction as they did it a few years ago.

Discussion -

Built in 1913, it was a main hunting lodge for the La Crescenta area where hunters congregated during weekends. There are unconfirmed reports that President Truman might have stayed there.

Coming from England, Zoe Howard said 1913 is not that old. It was on the market for almost a year and the other buyer wanted to tear it down and put two homes on it. She stressed it’s important to keep these old homes and restore them to their original style.

Mr. Vega wants to refurbish this castle home. A fireplace was found behind a wall. It is the only remaining castle in the area and survived the Pickens Canyon flood in 1934. Large boulders that came down the canyon remain in the back yard.

There is a January 22 meeting regarding increases for sewer rates. Rate has remained the same for five years because of a favorable settlement with Los Angeles and Glendale regarding issues of money charged for treatment at the plant and this money was put back into the fund. Also, a healthy reserve fund was built up over years.

Costs have increased because they previously had no dedicated crew. They hired 2 workers and purchased a truck and a TV truck. There was an $800,000 increase from Los Angeles to improve their infrastructure. A $6-10/month increase is proposed.

Later in February, they are considering rate increases. We are in the midst of a drought and facing a cutback in supply from the Bay Delta. We purchase 40-50% of our water from MWD and there was an 8% increase this year and there will be a minimum 10% increase next year. A 5.4% increase is therefore proposed for this year. It will be a conservation-based rate structure to encourage conservation.

Discussion -

Discussion -

President Andrus read her vision for this Council - My vision for this Council in 2008 is for the members to operate in cooperation to represent the residents and business in unincorporated Montrose and La Crescenta. This does not mean we will always agree. We have different ideas and life experiences. However, without some level of cooperation we will not accomplish anything and it will be a waste of our time to serve on this advisory board. When people look back at the 2008 Town Council, I want them to remember what a great Council we were - how much we accomplished. In the ‘70’s the Miami Dolphins won the Superbowl two times. They won it with third string players who could have started on any other team, but chose to play third string to be part of a winning team. We are a winning team. Each Councilmember has an opportunity to be part of our winning team, or not. Being part of a team leaves out the "I" and strives for the best of "we." That is not to say we put aside our individual thoughts and ideas. But it is to say that we consider each other's opinions and ideas in addition to our own.

Reminder that the Executive Committee Meetings are held at the Sheriff’s Station in the Community Room.

Councilmember Thomas announced the January 30 Public Hearing for the Aposhian Property (2773 Foothill) will be that County of Los Angeles, Room 150. The Public notice is posted on the fence.

Councilmember Erickson asked that all Council members be informed about all land use issues. The Land Use Committee deals with R2/R3 and C properties only.

Councilmember Thomas reported this is the year we will have a temporary outdoor stage at CV Park (ETA March 2008). The City of Glendale is thinking about purchasing Rockhaven as a library and cultural center for the Crescenta Valley. Pasadena has an indoor performance stage, so he requested the CVTC write a letter requesting an indoor performance room and possibly an outdoor theater. Moved by Councilmember Thomas, Seconded by Councilmember Campbell. Approved – none opposed. Councilmember Thomas to draft letter.

The Committee is working on three more banners and existing banners did well in the recent wind. Ray Larsen spoke about three new Hometown Heroes – Navy Lt. Amy, Army SPC Chris van Meter, and Army Specialist Simone Luca. Five of our Hometown Heroes are in Iraq. USAF A1C Matthew Cameron is a new dad. Photos of all military personnel are on the Council’s Web Site.

Councilmember Erickson requested to invite the families of these new honorees to a CVTC meeting to give them their certificates. To be discussed at the February Executive Committee Meeting.

Councilmember Erickson is working on one more request.

Councilmember Campbell requested that the Banner Committee send a letter of acknowledgment for all donations.

President Andrus announced that the Arbor Day ceremony is currently set for April 19. Due to this being Spring Break for the GUSD and Glendale Community College, the date will need to be rescheduled. (Saturday April 12 is the beginning of Spring Break.)

This Committee can include Public volunteers not related to candidates. There will be an election mailer again this year. The first meeting will be in summer, closer to the election.

First meeting will be Tuesday, January 22. We will get an early plan, objectives and completion dates established. We will explore other avenues such as a pancake breakfast, chili cook off, and carnival during 4^th of July festivities,

We had our first meeting with Sue Kilpatrick and Council members Beyt, Campbell, Pierce, Cleven and Davis.

We discussed ongoing and proposed projects for 2008.

Goals for 2008 include ADA Accessibility, working with the Youth and Seniors Committee for more mobile Youth and Seniors services, and possible other Spot Parks.

No meeting yet. To be scheduled in February.

Discussion about the crosswalk across La Crescenta Ave. that is to be moved from the South to the North side of Prospect Avenue - Some neighbors petitioned County organizations and the CVTC was not aware that neighbors object because they feel it will increase jaywalking along Prospect. This involves putting in a sidewalk on one side of Prospect and there will be restricted parking on one side of the street. Neighbors feel it changes the nature of Prospect Ave. The Public is encouraged to attend a hearing at the Public Works Building at 900 S. Fremont in Alhambra in the First floor auditorium at 9:00AM on Wednesday February 6. It is unknown if the County Highway Safety Commission is convening on our behalf only, but since they will make a decision THAT day, President Andrus will contact the County to see if the meeting can be moved to the La Crescenta/Montrose area to make it easier for people to attend.

Councilmember Cleven discussed the Adopt-a-Tree Program to identify each tree on Foothill Blvd., its species and get people to adopt and water them. We will review the CSD, now available on the Council’s Web site regarding trees.

Initiating contact with Public Works staff regarding installing left turn lanes and left turn phasing at Ramsdell and Foothill.

A letter was drafted to Allied Waste regarding this year’s scholarship program. Approval given to use this same format for all scholarship letters. Moved by Councilmember Beyt and Seconded by Councilmember Thomas. Approved – none opposed.