CRESCENTA VALLEY TOWN COUNCIL

 General Meeting

March 17, 2005

Called to Order at 7:00 p.m. - Adjourned at 11:19 p.m.

1.  Call to Order                                                                                                      

• Pledge of Allegiance                                                                             Cub Scouts Troup 317
• Invocation                                                                                                Councilmember Lunt
• Roll Call                                                                                                   Councilmember Andrus

Present                                                                                            Absent

Councilmember Andrus                                                                  None
Councilmember Beatty 
Councilmember Erickson 
Councilmember Lunt
Councilmember Ostler
Councilmember Raghavchary
Councilmember Rawlins
Councilmember Smiley
Councilmember Thomas
Councilmember Toyon
Councilmember Williams
President Hales
 

2.  Acknowledgement of Officials

3.  Approval of Minutes of CVTC  Meeting, February 17, 2005

Moved to approve by Councilmember Lunt, Seconded by Councilmember Raghavachary, Passed unanimously

4.  Committee Reports

• Arbor Day                                                               Councilmembers Lunt, Smiley

• Foothill Design Committee                                   Councilmember Raghavachary

23 trees planted on Foothill as replacement part of budget. More trees are coming as funding is available.

• Scholarships                                                            Councilmember Rawlins

Interviews on April 25^th at CVHS. Donations to be accepted; not for private schools unless someone donates money for them specifically.

• Streets, Roadways, Parks and Public Safety         Councilmember Ostler

Thanks to Steve Pierce for all of his work. Committee has helped people by CV Park with their mud slide on the road issue. Flag rescued by the fire department after being entangled in the trees. Speed limit markings have been painted on Whittier.

5.  Guest Speaker                                                                 Mayor Laura Olhasso, La Canada-Flintridge

Term ends on Monday. Sound walls have been requested for the area and the city is waiting for to be approved and construction to begin. City asked Glendale and County if they would like to participate, but they did not. New website that is user friendly for the city is available. Storm damage report – no homes damaged, Foothill Blvd. near the YMCA and Inverness Drive by Sacred Heart had extensive damage.  Repairs to be done when funds become available from FEMA. New trail and new Mayor’s Park have been opened. Foot and bike and horse crossing for linking trails from San Gabriel Mountains to Descanso area. A linear park along Foothill Blvd. by YMCA is in the planning stages. Music in the Park – DRAFT schedule submitted, considering perhaps movies in the park

 6.  Los Angeles County Regional Planning Presentation                     James Hartl, Ron Hoffman, Andy Malakates

Council expressed concerns regarding zoning issues. Regional Planning is working on community standards district, but would not like to discuss that now. There has been growth, but doesn’t trigger urgent actions. No indication of severe growth push. No shifting from low to high density changes.

In the mountainous regions behind the current homes and between the National Forest there are zoning limits of one unit per two acres.  However, due to the hillsides there are provisions for only one unit per twenty acres.  To get buildings there would have to be a conditional use permit which would mean   public hearings.

7.  Margaret Todd, Los Angeles County Librarian

SCAG numbers were not correct re: how much population we would have, according to Regional Planning, but were needed for use for state bond measures.

CEQA (California Environmental Quality Act)  report on land will be available mid-April, in the library (environmental reports on a property)  but it will be a positive report.

Next step is to select an architect, through public works department – no conflict of interest, etc.

Final recommendation for architect will be next week or following.

8.  Public Comments and Discussion of Rim of the Valley Study

• Mark Harmsen for Congressman David Dreier

District starts here in La Crescenta and all the way to Rancho Cucamonga. Congressman is dealing with how to manage recreation areas. Each area is a little different. Monrovia passed a bond measure to purchase open space, for example. Understand and appreciate the joys of living along the Foothills. He is a co-sponsor to encourage discussion such as tonight. Impact on private property is a great concern to Dreier. Who is best to manage open space?  County?  Conservancy?  Park?  Expand the Forest? Federal agencies may be well meaning and intentions are good, but sometimes don’t work well.

• Anthony Portantino (pro-tem Mayor of La Canada, Board of Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy, Congressman Adam Schiff representative)

It is a study. We have the second largest urban concentration and the lowest rate of recreation areas.  Directs the Secretary of the Interior to include mountains and valleys – designed to work with local governments and discuss the concerns with private property owners. Bill is prohibited from exercising eminent domain and condemnation. Bi-partisan support

• Read comments from Calif. Assemblyman Dennis Mountjoy

• Paul Novak for Supervisor Antonovich

Has been working to have a lot of open space. They have been acquiring lots of open space. Also concerned about private property rights.  Has not taken a position at this time.

• Katherine Gould: for Mr. Portantino – How does the bill allow for individual communities to not participate?

(It doesn’t.)

• Mike Lawler: Doesn’t understand how rights of property owners would be affected.  Sees nothing but benefits.

• Pat Barton: Northern CA Shasta land owned by National Park Service and they are suing private owners. Wants to know if her private area will become public roads.

• Don Fife: Land owner's worst nightmare. Frontline documentary referenced. Copies provided the Council which the Council will return. Referenced Donald Scott in Santa Monica Mountains who was murdered because they wanted his own land. Santa Cruz Island property seized by SWAT. Well intention legislation is not administered properly. They are not elected or responsible to voters. Wetlands project referenced. American Land Rights Association.

• Bill Ferrill: How long will it take?  How much will it cost?  Costal Commission and Manhattan Beach - too run down house and fixed it up. But the Commission said, you can’t paint it because we can see it from the ocean.  Take all of these canyons – private property that cannot do anything with them. Oakmont V has properties above it with no access.  He was paid 20 cents on the dollar because they didn’t want his property developed.  Pacific Legal Foundation.  Wants less government telling private property owners what to do.

• Sue Kocsis:  losing my heritage…water resources…

• Doug Robertson: Options are to support or oppose or no response.  Do not take a position on this matter.  Council was entrusted to deal with local issues, not federal issues.  Council needs to stick to its own neighborhood.  Land use issues are decided locally, but this control will go to Washington bureaucrats.  Given the notion that we will have more access to recreation that is not true.  Should be done locally.

9.  Comments from Officials (continued below)

• Office of Congressman David Dreier (same time slot as Rim comments)                     Mark Harmsen

Submitted request for additional money for library. Service academy nominations for young people – scholarships.  April 5^th 8 PM in Arcadia Annual youth volunteer program, ages 14-18 Veterans History project with the Library of Congress.

• California Highway Patrol                                                                                                     Officer Vince Bell

Fewer crashes last month  - 10, 2 injury. Whittier actually enforcing speed control now. Introduced Captain Bill Dance and Officer Sal Velasquez – new community officer. 

• Crescenta Valley Sheriff’s Department                                                                             Captain Tim Peters

Introduced Carrie Stuart, new night deputy. Part One Crime down - 1/3 for burglary -  Other thefts – property crimes. Increase in domestic disputes. Ghost car – plain clothes officers. Drug issues – probation and parole checks scored a $3 million dollar heroin bust – in Sun Valley Area but selling here and 9 Kilos of cocaine which was used as a supply to North Carolina. Unfamiliar with TWEEK, but will get back to Council on that.

 10.  - Candidates for Glendale City College

• Anita Gabielian – college board of trustees, born in South America, married Armenian, quality and affordable education, responsible fiscal decisions in cutting programs, hire new superintendent, technical.

• Victor King – synergy between Cal State Universities and Glendale Community College, pay cut for the teachers and facility, and administers, but his own pay by 12.5%

- Candidates for Glendale Unified School District

• Louise Foote – declining enrollment and decreased funding, cannot decrease academic programs

                Keep standards high in local schools but improve standards that are currently lower in others.

• Gregory Krikorian – represent kids and teachers and staff  - purchase items with other school districts

• Nayiri Nahabedian – Glendale high, Glendale College, UCLA, policy development, teaching experience, faculty at Cal State LA, civic service – non-profit work, mentorship program at Toll, issues – effective communication at all levels – protect Crescenta Valley schools but increase levels at other schools

• Sally Nilssen – Local resident, statician, US Census, policy analysist, Clark Magnet school maybe part of the 10% that was reported in the increase in high school attendance, worked with United Way, grant writing, lower enrollment opportunity  to bring smaller classes, measure K bond, Glendale foundation

• Dr. Maria Rochart – local –Holy Family high school, working with cancer and kids, young kids, founded a non-profit, Special Needs issues

• Chuck Sambar – Make your vote count – call five people to vote in our area

• Joylene Wagner – substitute teacher, advocate for the arts, PTA, bringing parents in to be a part of their children’s experiences

• Greg Franklin – updates, permits only to schools with space on a traditional calendar is being discussed from any district other than GUSD, did well with state wide rankings, all in the top 10 in the state, CVHS awarded arts program award, new principal for Monte Vista – screening

11.  Comments from Officials (continued)

• Montrose Chamber of Commerce                                                              Bea Blessley

Mixer April 6^th at Quilt n’ Things 6 – 8 PM

April 28^th annual golf classic for scholarships

Art walk and sale

• La Crescenta Library                                                                     Vickie Guagliardo, Librarian

Book sales in library parking lot in April and June

Kids connect – April 15^th

• Crescenta Valley Water District                                                      Judy Tejeda

replacement of pipes

Next week – imported water not available.  No outdoor watering.  Only 20% was imported.  Well level raised.  Tied into Glendale in case of emergency.

Paperwork completed for lights by Encinal.

Strategic planning sessions for future being conducted.

May 14^th at Glenwood plant, open house.

In May there will be a booth at the Farmer’s Market

May 21^st tour for the Council 8-12 AM

CV track improvement, hopes they would consider reclaiming the water or putting in artificial turf

• La Crescenta Historical Society                                                     Mike Lawler

Would like to rededicate a replacement plaque commemorating a boy scout.  Asked for the Council to write a letter to ask county to help.  Unanimously the Council agreed.

• Parks and Recreation                                                                       Kathy Giles       

Captain Martin and Dan Connelly in conjunction with Crescenta Valley Sheriffs and community members had a quilt of all of the names of the rescue workers on 911 and the Museum of Tolerance will build a new wing for this quilt.  There is an obesity issue with children and the parks want fitness friendly parks with volleyball areas, fitness courts, board of instructions for use.  Giles has fundraising activity ideas for these parks.  Questioned rather the Council agreed to these courts and will give more information to the Council for discussion in the Executive Meeting.

12. Rim Issue Discussed by Councilmembers

Vote: 5 to 4 to send letter to support the Rim of the Valley Study Act

13. Treasurer Report

14. Items from Council

Reminder to Council to add relevant correspondence from constituents before votes in the future.

March 26, 2005, 9:30 a.m. – Arbor Day, Two-Strike Park

April 5, 2005 - VOTE

April 7, 2005, 6:30 p.m. – CVTC Special Meeting

April 7, 2005, 7:30 p.m. – CVTC Executive Meeting

April 21, 2005, 7:00 p.m. – CVTC General Meeting

May 21, 2005, 8:00-noon – tour of CVWD facilities for CVTC Members