CRESCENTA VALLEY TOWN COUNCIL

GENERAL MEETING JUNE 21, 2007

Minutes

CRESCENTA VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL CAREER CENTER

2900 Community Avenue, La Crescenta, CA 91214

1.         Call to Order                                                       

           President Andrus        7:03 p.m.

2.         Flag Salute                                                                       

           Eagle Scouts, Gold Girl Scouts

Leah Bacino, Christiana  Bashian,  Amanda  Casalegno, Emillie Casalegno,  Makenzie  Mabry and Gabbie  Rosey 

3.            Invocation 

           Councilmember Choate

4.         Roll Call                                                                

          All  members present.

5.            Approval of Minutes of the Council Meetings

          Minutes for May 17th, General Meeting Approved

          5 Yeas, 2 Nays, and 2 abstentions.

6.  Congratulate our Eagle Scouts, Gold Girl Scouts          

Congratulate Rosetta Ragusa and Brendan Luckey

• Councilmember Erickson congratulated the Gold Girl Scouts for achievement of this high award.
• Councilmember Pierce congratulated Rosetta Ragusa regarding her award from Congressman David Dreier’s office.  Ms. Ragusa founded a club at the high school level which raised $13,000 dollars for aid to Ugandan children.    

7.  Neighbor of the Month Award - Richard Carroll and John Richardson

     Beautification Award – Brigham and Michelle Taylor

• Councilmember Smiley nominated the persons above for, “Neighbor of the Month,” due to their removal of graffiti at Crescenta Valley High School on a Saturday.

• President Andrus gave the, “Beautification Award” to the persons above for the remodel of the Craftsman Style home located at 2518 Kemper Avenue in La Crescenta. 

Scholarship winner Astgik Khachatryan was recognized as she was unable to make the meeting last month.

8.            Comments from Officials

         Los Angeles Fire Chief Gill

·        There is no down time this fire season, we only had 3 inches of rain during the season and he recommends caution in how you handle anything that could be a fire hazard around your house.  Make sure you clear brush.

       California Highway Patrol

·        Officer Todd Workman stated that there were 7 non-injury collisions, one person arrested for impaired driving and twenty citations issued for failure to stop.  One La Crescenta resident was killed when he ran across the 2 North freeway @ the 134 freeway from the center divider.  Officer Workman said it is very important to just stay in your vehicle, call the Highway Patrol or wait for them to arrive.  Do not leave your vehicle.

LA County Sheriff

·        Lieutenant Joe Efflandt said no homes were robbed and there were no rapes in the area.   Portable GPS units are being stolen out of vehicles.  There was an I.D. Theft lab discovered in La Canada. 

·        Call the Sheriff’s station for graffiti removal in La Crescenta/ Montrose area.

Student Council Representative

·        Gregg Kilpatrick stated that school ended June 20, 2007 and that everyone from the high school was on summer vacation. 

9.            Special Guests

            Victoria Guagliardo, La Crescenta Library

·        Groundbreaking for the new library will be at 5:00 p.m. on site.  The library will be open this summer; there will be a summer program for children.  Contact the library for dates, times and subject. The library will be vacated on September 15, 2007 and will re-open September of 2009.

            Susanne Passantino, Allied Waste

·        Ms. Passantino stated that spring clean up for large items will be through June 30, 2007.  Regular pick-up will be on Saturday, June 23^rd and regular Friday pick-up will be on June 30^th.

      David Ford, Southern California Edison

·        Mr. Ford wanted the Council to know that Edison is giving a $50.00 rebate for old operational refrigerators.  Edison is giving the CVTC, for the silent auction, a package consisting of four tickets to Angel’s Stadium, Edison’s suite and amenities for the games are part of the package.

        Regan Boone and CJ Howard, Relay for Life

·        “Relay for Life”, is a program to raise cancer awareness in the community.  It was started fifteen to twenty years ago and over the years has raised $125,000 for the American Cancer Society.  Ninety seven cents out of each dollar donated goes to research, not administration.

Kathleen Ritner, Deputy Director, L.A. County Department of Parks and Recreation, North County Community Service Agency and Lt. Jeremy Kitabjian, Los Angeles County Police.

President Andrus read an e-mail she received from Ms. Holly Cannon regarding dog park and agility equipment.

·        Discussed the issue of a dog park within Two Strike Park, currently dogs must be on a leash in order for a safe park environment.

·        Lieutenant Jeremy Kitabjian, spoke instead of Paul Gallo, for the L.A. County police and issued a warning for a dog off leash at Two Strike Park. 

·        Pictures of the park and signage were given to Councilmembers to review.

·        Discussion ensued between the Council, County representatives and the public on the dog park issue.  Those public members who want a dog park at the park are Kerri Witzeman, John Klose, Robin Sloan, Holly Cannon, Marylou Issavich, Paul Ravinov, Dave Davis, Jeff Witzeman, Sue Kilpatrick, and Carol Fodera.

·        Public and Council requested information on how many citations have been given.  Lt. Kitabjian said he would get back to us with this information.

·        Councilmember Pierce made a motion to write a letter to Supervisor Antonovich to support an immediate review of a possible dog park within unincorporated La Crescenta area or CV Park. 

Councilmember Smiley seconded the motion.  The motion passed 8                                   to 1.

10.       Public Comments

Robert Larson, son of Ray Larson, is being deployed to Iraq soon.  He said that soldiers are in need of letters from home, candy, cookies, pictures from home and “dragonskin” (a protective armor.)

Councilmember Erickson made a motion to write a letter to Congressman David Dreier asking for Dragon Skin Personal Protection equipment for our military.  Motion was seconded by Councilmember Beatty. Motion passed unanimously.

11.            Correspondence

Councilmember Thomas stated that we had a letter from the Soroptomist Club inviting us to attend their meeting.  No one on the Council was able to go.

Susan Focht wrote a letter regarding the Park Place property which will be discussed under Land Use Committee report.

12.       Committee Reports

Election/Nominating Committee, Councilmember Smiley

• Councilmember Pierce read the by-law change for the second time.

EXISTING:

Article X: Elections

            A.  Town Council elections shall be held each year in the month of November.

NEW:

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.

We will also need to change another portion that refers directly to "November" to "October."  This includes the following:

EXISTING:

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, and the officers could then be elected and installed by the new Council at the same meeting.

NEW:

Article IV: Officers

B. 3. For example, the regular election would occur in October, and the slate of officers could be presented to the Council at the regular November meeting.  In December, the new members could

be installed, and the officers could then be elected and installed by the new Council at the same meeting.

Motion failed 4 to 4 with alternates not allowed to vote on bylaw changes.

• President Andrus read an e-mail correspondence to the Council stating that she had visited the USPS in Glendale and switched the public fund Council money to the Council’s mailing address and telephone and changed the contact person to the current president.  The account would cost $175 to remain open per year and is only available for business reply mail.  President Andrus requested permission, per previous conversations with the County and Council, to close the account, accept a refund, and use the money for an election mailer.  Sussy Nemer, Deputy Supervisor, on behalf of Supervisor Antonovich agreed and gave written permission to close the account and use the funds for a Council election mailer. At this time, President Andrus stated that there was $3084.25 in the account. 

• President Andrus moved to close the account and accept the money for a mailer.  Seconded by Councilmember Pierce and passed unanimously.

Finance/Fundraising Committee, Councilmember Pierce

• Councilmember Pierce announced that the top silent auction entries were a Helicopter ride, Angel Baseball tickets and use of SCE’s private suite, and  a  Hawaiian 7 Day all inclusive trip to Oahu and Maui given by Charles and Andrea Beatty from Village Travel Service.

Treasurer’s Report-Councilmember Pierce

• Councilmember Pierce presented the monthly report, and gave copies to each Councilmember.  This was filed for audit.

Public Relations Committee, Councilmember Thomas

• No Report

Arts Commission, Councilmembers Thomas/ Pierce

• No Report. President Andrus did mention that the Arts Commission was able to help change the date of the public meeting for the Arts Council so they could attend.

Banner Committee, Councilmember Erickson

Councilmember Erickson made a motion for $150 for the Banner Committee to make the first Banner to display how the banners on Foothill Blvd. will look. Seconded by Councilmember Beatty.   Motion passed unanimously.

Foothill Design Committee, Councilmember Raghavachary

• Councilmember Raghavachary reported that there is a tentative meeting in September regarding the CSD.  At this point it has to do with verbiage.

Land Use Committee, Councilmember Thomas

• The Developer of 2232 Montrose Avenue cancelled the Land Use Meeting.  It will be scheduled with the Committee later.

• Susan Focht wrote a letter concerning the fact that she was not in favor of the Park Place project.

Library Committee, President Andrus

• President Andrus said the billboard was removed and everyone looked forward to the groundbreaking ceremony.

Streets, Roadways, Parks and Safety Committee, Councilmember Campbell

• Councilmember Campbell reported that Amy Cheema is going to speak to Bob Sharf regarding the lights in the roadway at Cloud Avenue and Foothill Boulevard.   Ms. Cheema is also going to look into the speeding tow truck drivers on Cloud Avenue and have the curb painted red on the corner of Pennsylvania and Prospect Avenues.

Youths and Seniors Committee, Councilmember Cleven

• Councilmember Cleven reported that he attended the Eagle Scout’s awards and Councilmember Erickson attended the Girl Scouts Gold award.  Both gave presentations to the recipients.

13.       Items from Council

All-America City Community Committee            President Andrus

• President Andrus reported that she is continuing to work on the community committee and contacting possible attendees.  The county has been helping by researching any information they have of communities who have succeeded in obtaining this award.  Sierra Madre just receive their award.

Historical Home of the Month, President Andrus

• Stuart Byles of the Historical Society of the Crescenta Valley spoke at length regarding the sensitive nature of a Historical Home List.  The Historical Society prefers to contact those nominated themselves and have a good discourse with them so they are not confused over the process of having their home placed on a Historical List.

• President Andrus moved that the Town Council actively honor historic homes in our community by giving consenting property owners, whose homes have been validated as historic by the HSCV, a frame-able certificate.  Contact with property owners will be solely through the HSCV.  Seconded by Councilmember Erickson. Motion passed 8 to 1.

Donation for the Library Medallion, Councilmember Erickson

Councilmember Erickson moved to donate $5000 toward the Historical Society’s Library Medallion, payable as needed.  Seconded by President Andrus.  Motion passed unanimously.

Motion by Councilmember Beatty to pay Danny Andrus  $75.00 for filming the Council Meeting, motion seconded by Councilmember Campbell.  President Andrus recused herself from discussion and vote.  All other Councilmembers voted in favor of this payment.

Recording Secretary Beatty moved to approve the Minutes of March 15, 2007 and April 19, 2007. The move was seconded by Councilmember Raghavachary.  Vote was 2 yes. 2 no and five abstaining.  Motion failed.

15.            Announcements                                                                                                             

Executive Meeting, July 5, 7 pm, Sheriff’s Station

General Meeting, July 19, 7 pm, CVHS Career Center

16.            Adjournment by President Andrus at              12:06 a.m.

Minutes by Councilmember Danette Erickson