CRESCENTA VALLEY TOWN COUNCIL 

General Meeting Minutes

July 21, 2005

Called to Order - 7:00 p.m.

Adjourned - 9:57 p.m.

1.  Call to Order - President Hales

• Pledge of Allegiance - Girl Scout Troop #260
• Invocation - President Hales
• Roll Call - Councilmember Andrus

Present                                                                             Absent

Councilmember Andrus                                     Councilmember Williams
Councilmember Beatty 
Councilmember Erickson 
Councilmember Lunt
Councilmember Ostler
Councilmember Raghavchary
Councilmember Rawlins
Councilmember Smiley
Councilmember Thomas
Councilmember Toyon
President Hales
 

2.  Acknowledgement of Officials and Guests

Councilmember Andrus introduced special guests (Park, Chan Won and Kwan, Hyuck Chan) from Korea visiting to learn American culture.

3.  Approval of Minutes of CVTC Meeting, June 16, 2005

President Hales moved to accept minutes with corrections. Councilmember Lunt seconded motion. Unanimously approved with corrections.

4. Comments from Officials 

• California Highway Patrol - Officer Vince Bell

Twelve accidents with 6 injuries reported; 3 in one vehicle which was alcohol related. Don’t leave pets or people in cars during the summer. 

• Crescenta Valley Sheriff’s Department - Captain Tim Peters

Captain Peters presented six month report to the Council.  Part one crimes have increased 8.45%.  Part two crimes have dropped 11.79%.  Homeless person arrested near Rosemont Middle School a few times.

5. Guest Speaker

                Christine McLeod, Southern California Edison

A stage two emergency occurred today @ 2:39 PM and ended @ 5 PM.  This “emergency” happens when reserves fall too low.  The problems are with high demand and high temperatures.  This situation can be prevented if consumers stager appliance use throughout the day.  Set air temperatures to no lower than 78°.  Run pool equipment early morning or evening.  Use drapes or blinds.  Use compact florescent bulb.  Do a full load of laundry.  Rebates are given for energy sufficient power appliances.  There are lots of new homes which use energy. Edison had a special fence installed to keep squirrels from chewing on equipment.  The Council has been invited on a tour.

6.  Comments from Officials cont.

• Crescenta Valley Water District - Board Member Rich Atwater

Saving water saves energy due to the pumping requirements.  An energy efficient washing machine saves lots of water.  The Board approved the budget in June.  Two million dollars in construction costs has been approved.  Currently the District is using 60% well water and 40% purchased water.  A plan for conserving run off water is in process.  Capturing water includes working with flood control district. 

• La Crescenta Library - Vickie Guagliardo

A reminder to the public was given to not leave videos, DVDs, and tapes in the car.  They will melt.

• Montrose Chamber of Commerce - Bea Blessley                                  

Chamber events- August 3^rd OK Trophies on Foothill Blvd-mixer. Foothill community business expo at Verdugo Hills Hospital on September 14,  5-8 PM

• La Crescenta Historical Society - Mike Lawler

Route 66 –water tour.  Meeting of the Historical Society will be held on August 15^th regarding old airports. 

• La Crescenta Heritage - Mike Lawler

The first meeting was last month.  The attendees were handed questionnaires and asked about the biggest issue which was open space.  The second biggest concern was mansionization.   The next meeting will be this coming Monday at 6:30 PM at the Montrose library.  This week there was a castle on Commerce in Tujunga that was to be torn down.  There were no demolition permits pulled, according to Mr. Lawler. There will be a hearing on September 2^nd.   The castle was built in 1928 and is currently owned by the La Crescenta Andersons.  Sixty protesters stood in front of the castle so that the bulldozers went by and did not tear it down. The Heritage group is a sub-committee of the Historical Society. 

• Santa Monica Conservancy - Councilmember Toyon

Three weeks ago the Conservancy opened access to Ahmanson ranch on west side of the valley.  They have began a shuttle bus to connect park lands via free shuttle.  Confluence park will be built by the 5 freeway and LA river and Arroyo Secco.  Water park designed by the group “WET” and expects to be breaking ground within the next 6 months.  The mountains conservation suffered damage due to storms. $2.8 million of FEMA money was granted to help cover the $10 million for expenses on park lands.

7.  Public Comments

• Hal Present of CV Tow may loose contract with city of Glendale.  Top city officials believe it’s a time for a change.  There are two new bidders for the contract outside of the three companies already doing the job.  None of these are eligible to do their work because they are out of the area.  They would have to be granted an opportunity to move into the area, likely around San Fernando Road, with in six months of receiving the contract.  CV Tow has 20,000 cars towed with no complaint.  They have towed for AAA 44 years next month.  The Present family lives here with their children.  CV Tow has been in business since 1961, family owned and operated.  Mr. Present’s daughter works on the books and dispatch.  There are about 60-100 calls per day between AAA and the police, and police calls always take priority. 

Councilmember Andrus made a motion to send a letter to the Glendale City Council to recommend they keep their contract with CV Tow.

Motion seconded by Councilmember Beatty.

Discussion- none

Unanimously passed

Councilmember Beatty wanted to hand carry the letter to the Council.  This will be discussed later.

• Crescenta Conservation Coalition introduced.                                             

8.  Committee Reports

• Finance/Fundraising Committee - Councilmember Andrus

Fourth of July fundraising went well.  Details printed on the back of the Treasurers report.

• Foothill Design Committee - Councilmembers Raghavachary/Toyon

Met with Paul Novak regarding community standards district and Foothill Design has to rework the standards district papers.  There was an issue regarding design review which the county does not want to do.  The county wants the CSD to be modeled more after Castaic, which is very broad and general.  Design guidelines need to be complete.  Regarding signage in English, there is a 60/40 request, English characters/Other characters.

Spot park design was presented.  Councilmember Smiley motioned to pass the design.  Seconded by Councilmember Beatty.  The water option in the center was discussed.  Decision was made to have the first option be a NON-water decorative item, like a sculpture.  The second option was to have a foundation, but not for drinking.  Vote to accept design with options as stated was unanimous.

• Library Committee - President Hales

Working out a date to attend a library tour. 

• Public Relations/Outreach - Councilmembers Raghavachary/Andrus

Glendale News Press/Foothill Leader is dropping publication to 2 days per week. 

Outreach committee meeting (July 26^th at 7 PM in the CVWD board room) to focus on membership drive and there will be a Korean speaker.

• Streets, Roadways, Parks and Public Safety - Councilmember Ostler

On Freeman Avenue there are parked SUV’s on both sides which is a problem.  Some residents want parking only on one side.  If the Fire Department sees it as a problem parking will be moved to only one side.  The neighbors and split in their desire for one sided parking.

A resident is concerned about the area that is used without a cross walk north of off ramp, by the bus stop, on La Crescenta Avenue.  It is a dangerous location with children and residents crossing there.  There needs to be a signaled cross walk.  The county will have to do a study before a lighted cross walk can be installed.

Recommended spot park at the corner of Orange and Rosemont.

Bus bench at corner of Ramsdell and Foothill has been repaired.

 9.  Correspondence - Councilmember Raghavachary

Post card received for August 18^th, 10^th annual All For The Love of Kids fundraiser.

E-mails: Mayfield Avenue fence blew down and the property owner has ignored renters request to fix fence.  There is a property line dispute.  It may be a fire issue.  The county will need to take a look at it.

10.  Treasurer’s Report  - Councilmember Erickson

Filed for audit.

11. Items from Council

• Regarding hand deliver the C. V. Tow letter to the Glendale City Council.  Decision made to mail letter through usual sources and then to read it into the minutes during public comment time on August  23^rd.  Passed unanimously.

• Motion to form CVTC Land Use Committee

Motion made by Councilmember Lunt on the table.  Friendly amendment made by President Hales.

Accepted by Councilmember Lunt.  Seconded by Councilmember Raghavachary.

Discussion

President Hales asked Council to write specific suggestions.

Table motion

• Motion to donate up to $400 to CV Park Fitness made by President Hales

Discussion

Need more information. Motion tabled

• Motion to clarify CVTC correspondence procedure made by President Hales

Any correspondence to be made only by Corresponding Secretary unless permission is given to Committee Chairs.  Seconded by Councilmember Smiley.

Passed 8 to 1

• Televising of CVTC General Meetings - President Hales

Crescenta Valley High School senior will film Council meetings.

Camera will be on loan from the high school.

There will be a test at the September Executive Meeting.

Will air Wednesdays 8-11 PM on channel 28. 

• Edison trip discussed.  Councilmembers who can attend will reply to Edison.

• Foothill Blvd – motion made by Councilmember Lunt to send letter restate the fact that there is still a parking problem and the community would like to have one hour parking in front of Ralphs and Office Depot.

Seconded by Councilmember Raghavachary.

Discussion

Passed 8 to 1 

• Press release information to include Speaker, Spot park

• Statement  by Councilmember Beatty recommending Councilmembers to visit the Learning Castle in La Canada.

• Special meeting minutes need to be approved.  Motion to approve by Councilmember Raghavachary.  Seconded by Councilmember Rawlins.  Passed unanimously.

12.  Announcements

• August 4,  2005, 7:00 p.m. – CVTC Executive Meeting
• August 8, 4:00 p.m. – Library Committee Meeting at Supervisor’s Office (???)
• August 18, 2005, 7:00 p.m. – CVTC General Meeting

13. Adjournment