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

(Minutes by alternate Virginia Choate Version 2.0)
July 19, 2007

1.         Call to order                        President Andrus, 7:00 p.m.

2.         Flag Salute                           Mike Warr

3.         Invocation                           Councilmember Pierce

4.         Roll Call                                 Councilmember Beyt

All members present, except Councilmember Beatty.

5.         Supervisor Antonovich Representative         Rita Hadjimanoukian

·        Announced program on Recycle of Bald Tires: July 28, 2007

·        As a follow up to dog park discussions she introduced Sgt. Felix Huezo, supervisor with LA County Police. They have increased patrols at Two Strike and CV parks, and are coordinating with Glendale courts.  They are giving 1 warning and then a citation for leash violations.  One citation has been issued.  Discussion ensued, the main points were:

a.     President Andrus reiterated that the Council wants the laws enforced.  The county asked two months ago and the council asked one month ago.

b.     Recommendation by Councilmember Raghavachary to patrol between 6-8PM, which is a common time for dog walking.  Probably once a week randomly is enough to help.

c.     Rita Hadjimanoukian, from Supervisor Antonovich’s office, reiterated the request and asked if we can have officers waiting before the peak periods.  He said they would.

6.         Approval of Minutes of the Council Meetings

Motion to affirm corrections of the January and February minutes which were approved “as corrected” in March, and to approve the March, April, May, June 2007 minutes (as corrected by President Andrus) made by President Andrus, seconded by Councilmember Smiley, was passed unanimously.

            Action:  We need to make sure that what is in the Recording Secretary’s book equals what was approved.

7.         Neighbor of the Month award was presented to Sally Benson.

8.         Honored Historic Home was presented to Dianne Thompson.   As this was the very first award of this type President Andrus read to the audience the general criteria as follows:

A home that is associated with events that have made a significant contribution to the broad patterns of local or regional history or the cultural heritage of California or the U.S.

A home that is associated with the lives of persons important to local, California, national, or world history.

A home that embodies the distinctive characteristics of a type, period, region or method of construction, or represents the work of a master or possesses high artistic values.

A home that has yielded, or has the potential to yield, information important to the history or development of the local area, California or the nation.

Unscheduled announcement from Vice President Smiley:

As Vice President of the Crescenta Valley town Council I am making this brief statement to this council and to the public regarding an incident that took place this week in our community.

It was brought to my attention that a council member was confronted and threatened at their home at night by a family member of another council member.

This action is unacceptable and should not be tolerated under any circumstances!

I am encouraging Councilmembers to conduct themselves in a professional manner and to encourage their family members to do the same. 

9.         Comments from Officials

Los Angeles County Fire Department

Battalion Chief Michael Singer reminded people of brush clearance.  The fire on 210 around La Tuna Canyon was discussed; they are looking into the cause. We have Unified Command.  A question was asked about dead trees that are on private land, should we report them?  Yes, call local fire station 63.

California Highway Patrol

Officer Todd Workman passed out an area map showing incidents.  He noted that a common cause of accidents is incomplete stops, and asked for awareness. The fire on 210 around La Tuna Canyon was discussed, in particular the traffic problems caused on freeway and Foothill Blvd. 

• Action: Audience member asked about turn lane south on Ramsdell, left on Foothill.  Officer replied that is was a Public Works issue.  Council Streets, Parks Committee should follow up.

Los Angeles County Sheriff

Captain Tim Peters passed out the La Crescenta Crime Statistics for June 2007.  He emphasized that unsecured targets are an issue – so please lock your car, lock your house doors, secure your windows, and keep valuables in vehicles hidden.  Harden your targets in property crimes.‘Phishing’ was discussed – a technique where driver and 2 walkers look for unlocked cars.  A discussion about transients occurred. Audience member asked what is the law about flyers.  They can walk onto front yard unless fenced.  Need to be licensed.

Student Council Representative

Annie Lawler expressed her concerns about small-business owners moving out of the Montrose shopping park (due to high rents).  She asked for support in her venue at the Glendale City Council. Gregg Kilpatrick was not present; he is a councilor at Camp Fox

10.       Special Guests

Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy

Advisory Board Member Lawren Markle has toured Mountain Oaks.  Asked for input on open space areas and will try to get on SMMC Project List.  Prop 84 planning underway to itemize parcels to study and possibly buy.  Verdugo Hills Golf Course is on list.  Mountain Oaks will be added. Pickens Ridge and Goss Canyon on list.  Discussion about process and time frame for SMMC.  Markle did not know that Verdugo Hills golf course already sold to developer.

Parents Television Council, Foothill Chapter

Director Michele Mac Neal presented history and purpose of the Council.  Organized 12 years ago concerned about raunchy TV.  There are 1.2 million members in the US.  She passed out literature and studies. 

11.       Public Comments

Stuart Byles applauded the first Honored Historic Home award.  He thanked the council for donation to Compass Rose medallion for library, and showed artist’s rendition.

Librarian Vicky Guagliardo Announced the library closure date (for construction of new library) has moved out it will be open probably through August.  There will be a closing party.  The librarians will be active in the community during construction.

12.       Correspondence

President Andrus read a response, from Drier, to a CVTC letter asking about ‘Dragon Skin’.  That armor has not passed heat tests.  The family that brought up the issue has been contacted.  More information is at: http://armedservices.house.gov/hearing_information.shtml

13.       Committee Reports

Election Committee

Councilmember Smiley reported that the committee has met once.  Report will be available next month.

Finance-Fund Raising Committee/ Treasurer’s Report

• Councilmember Pierce presented a report and it was filed.

• Councilmember Pierce asked for motion to allocated more funds to over-budget items as follows:
  • Award Certificates $135
  • Office Supplies $200
  • The motion passed unanimously
• The next scheduled fundraiser is the Home Town Country Fair, on 22 Sept 2007.

Public Relations Committee

No report

Art Commission

Councilmember Thomas presented pictures for an outdoor stage at CV Park.

Banners Committee

Councilmember Erickson presented a sample banner.  Items about wind and how long the banners will be up were discussed.

Foothill Design Committee

Councilmember Raghavachary reported:

• Community Standards.   Co-chair Toyon is getting materials for a public meeting and for a Guidelines booklet. The Foothill Design Committee needs to complete the ‘Guidelines’ booklet before a public meeting can be scheduled.
• Councilmember Raghavachary, representing the Foothill Design Committee, and other community members attended a Glendale Design Review board meeting on the property at 3463 Foothill Blvd (the former Shakey’s site).  Discussion ensued.
• Action: CVTC ‘decided’ to invite the Glendale City Council and Design Review Board for a tour of La Crescenta and Foothill Blvd.

Land Use Committee

Councilmember Thomas reported that owner of 2532 Montrose Avenue will request a LUC Meeting soon.

Streets, Roadways, Parks and Safety Committee

Councilmember Campbell began with a statement that speeding is a problem everywhere in the community and everyone wants speed bumps.  Status was given on particular items. 

Youth and Seniors

No report.

14.       Items from Council

All-America City Community Committee

President Andrus discussed meetings and member’s prior experience with this award.  In short not prepared for FY08

·        $20 - $30 K

·        2 -3 years effort

·        Benefits from award may not be aligned with desires of community

·        Requested that Councilmembers Thomas and Pierce ask their contacts in Sierra Madre to allow us to view their application and perhaps meet with President Andrus regarding their award.

Welcome to La Crescenta signs

President Andrus reported that the redesigned sign mockups will arrive soon, there will be three to choose from, and a digital plan for the Spot Park should be available soon too.

Billboards

A community member was concerned about an offensive billboard. The county will not intervene in this case. The rules/laws for billboards were summarized.

15.       Announcements

            General Meeting, August 16, 7 pm, CVHS Career Center

            Southern CA Edison Trip, 8/8-8/10

16.       Adjournment