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

Contents:

1. Call to Order
2. Flag Salute
3. Invocation
4. Roll Call
5. Approval of Minutes of the Council Meeting 12/20/07
6. Treasurer’s Report
7. Correspondence
8. Comments from Officials
9.  Special Recognition
10. Public Comments
11. Action Items
12. Committee Reports
13. Items from Council
14. Announcements
15. Adjournment
 

1. Call to Order at 7:00 PM - President Andrus

2. Flag Salute    Troop 319 – David Owens, Senior Patrol Leader; Pete Simpson, Assistant Senior Patrol leader; Robert Lessley, Second Class Scout.                             Dunsmore Elementary School

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3. Invocation - Councilmember Arnold

4. Roll Call - Councilmember Davis

5. Approval of Minutes of the Council Meeting 2/21/08

·         Motion to approve by Councilmember Pierce.  Seconded by Councilmember Campbell.  Approved - none opposed

6. Treasurer’s Report - Councilmember Beyt

7. Correspondence - Councilmember Thomas

·         Verdugo Hills Council Boy Scouts of America has sent all Council members a letter regarding their 34^th Annual Big Strike Auction and fundraiser, on Friday, April 11 at the Castaways restaurant.  See www.vhcbsa.org

8. Comments from Officials

First Responders

California Highway Patrol                                      Officer Todd Workman

·         Wahib Jreij, P.E. Transportation Engineer, Ramp Metering Branch, Dept of Transportation, Office of Freeway Operations for the State of CA showed a presentation on the Route 210 Strategic Growth Plan Congestion Relief Project.  The Western Portion of the project extends from the 5 to 134 in Pasadena.  Ramp meters at 39 on-ramps; 5 connector meters, including at the northbound 2 to the eastbound and westbound 210, eastbound 118 to the eastbound 210, and eastbound 134 to the westbound 210; meters for HOV by-pass lanes

·         There are flashing beacons and “Prepare to Stop” signs at the freeway connector meters

·         All connector metering is traffic responsive so if traffic flow is good, the meters will be green.  If congested, they will turn on and cycle yellow/red/green.  The funding came from a Bond issue in the State of California.

·         Construction is still ongoing for the western section.  Caltrans is shooting to turn the connector meters on green bulb only, for a month, starting April 1 or possibly summer.

·         Vehicle detection Sensors (“VDS”) measure occupancy, speed and volume of traffic.  There are loops in the pavement to detect traffic on onramps, off-ramps, and main line of the freeway.

·         The eastern project at the 57 and 605 have the connector meters turned on.  The backup at the connector meters was initially 20 and 50 minutes and is now reduced to 10 and 6 minutes.  Traffic on the 210 has been greatly improved.

·         Part of ramp metering is to divert traffic to alternative routes

·         Discussion about traveling southbound on Ocean View, turning left onto the eastbound onramp.  Non-carpool drivers must turn left into the right lane, but people coming North on Ocean View are turning right into that same lane.  The meter lights are near the closest end of the off-ramp, but the lane is ½ mile long after the meter to get onto the freeway

·         210 Eastbound at Ocean View when it rains – Caltrans puts out a sign in the fast lane that says “Flooding Ahead,” but time after time, there are overturned vehicles and accidents.  Request that Caltrans perform a Traffic Investigation.

·         Suggestion to re-light the tunnel from the northbound 2 to the westbound 210 and put more lights in it

·         Discussion about why to meter the La Crescenta on-ramp, which has its own lane when it merges onto the Eastbound 210.  Concerns expressed about the traffic on the streets such as La Crescenta?  There are situations where some on-ramps should not be metered and this might be one of them.  This meter is only 50 ft from freeway lanes with traffic going 65 MPH.  The minimum distance has been met according to Caltrans.

·         Complaint number to call is 323-259-1842, which is Mr. Jreij’s direct line.

·         Caltrans will be coordinating with local agencies when the meters are turned on

·         Discussion that there has been removal of some advantages of owning an HOV vehicle.  Of 39 on-ramps, 25 will have HOV lanes, but most will have meters.

·         Total cost was $20M for the east & west projects.  ($8M was for engineering)

·         Future maintenance and repair costs are budgeted and depend on need

·         There was no public comment or notification of this project

·         Meter mixed flow lane – anyone can use.

·         Concern about going back to the Pasadena Freeway situation where you stop at the very end of the on-ramp and you have to get up to freeway speed.  The difference here is that if the freeway is moving at 60 MPH, the metering light should be on green bulb or not on.

·         Officer Torley from the Glendale Police Department, discussed the Every 15 Minute Program will be held Tuesday and Wednesday at CV High School.  In the mid-1990s, every 15 min, someone nationally died due to a drunk driver.  This program targets Juniors and Seniors, but timing was accelerated so students would have access to it before Spring Break at the request of Principal Evans.  This program is put on by the CHP, County Sherriff, County Fire, County Coroner, Schaeffer ambulance, and Glendale PD.  On the first day, starting at 10:20 AM, hand-picked students will be taken from class every 15 minutes by the Grim Reaper.  An accident will be staged at Ramsdell and Altura.  All Juniors and Seniors will go to the accident site.  Two students will die at the scene and another at the hospital.  The DUI driver will be given all DUI tests and arrested.  The Coroner will take away the two victims.  The driver will be booked and sentenced as several students watch.  The second day is an assembly with a guest speaker who had a family member die in a DUI.  The students who ‘died’ read letters they wrote to their parents to tell them things they didn’t get a chance to say before they died.  The statistic is now one death every 27 minutes!  The entire program is videotaped and a final video will be made.

·         There is a follow-up plan to bring the core group back together to discuss how the program affected them and their friends to see what can be improved in the program.

LA County Sheriff                                                     Sgt. Mark Slater

·         February – One aggravated assault at the high school.  Burglary is up, but in three cases, it was unlocked doors and windows on 2^nd floor.  Make sure your windows are secure!  Other thefts remained same – lock your cars and secure your iPods.  (Don’t flash them around.)  Three motor vehicle thefts, with one car recovered right around the corner from where it was taken.  The one arson was burn marks on a car that could not be accounted for.  There is a graffiti problem (vandalism) in and around the school.  Call to report it!  Call (800) 675-4357 24/7 or email peter000@gmail.com for a local citizen who does La Crescenta graffiti abatement.

·         Discussion regarding a slow response time for someone reported going in and out of houses and garages.  The person was arrested.  If necessary, the Sheriff can pull from La Canda, Altadena, and other.

·         Officer Cruz is in charge of parking enforcement, including abandoned or For Sale vehicles.  10 years ago, the Appellate Court struck down the For Sale law as a violation of free speech.  There is a 72-hour law, but it does not define “moved” within the 72 hour period.  The intent is to deal with truly discarded vehicles.  Boats on a trailer are not in violation if connected to a vehicle.  Commercial vehicles within 1/16 of a mile of a business district are not citable.  There are no laws regarding certain heights.  RVs are a passenger vehicle that must be moved within 72 hours.  There is no regulation regarding the number of red tags given.

·         County Public Works determines plans for red curbs based on visibility and how to enhance it based on red curbs

·         Officer Cruz currently supervises 5 Parking Enforcement Officers, including one trainee and works 7:00 AM – 3:00 PM.  These officers cover La Crescenta, Montrose and Lakeview Terrance.

LA County Fire Department                                   Stephanie English

·         Encouragement for everyone to get involved in CERT.  After a major event, you are not going to get immediate service for the first 72 hours.

·         There will be a Play it Safe Emergency Expo is April 12.

·         Fire Report – There was one mobile property fire with $8,000 in damage.  There were 36 medical/rescue calls in February

            CV Water District                                                     Rich Atwater, Director

·         April 8 – A MWD board meeting in Union Station will make a determination about water rationing this summer.

·         The Governor has called for an across the board 20% reduction in water use by 2020

·         We’re one dry winter away from going on water rationing

·         May 3 – CVWD annual event on water awareness

·         There is a staff person, Kristi Scott, who will go to a site where there are concerns or complaints about water use

·         Water rationing – Based on history, you penalize for high use and give savings for lower use.  The next Board meeting will be Tuesday, April 3.

·         Gray water for Caltrans watering – CVWD is looking at a small plant here so we don’t have to pay to pump water up from the MWD plant.

·         In 1978, the Court appointed a Water master so you need to have rights to pump ground water in this area

            Student Council Representatives                         Connie Kwon, Stephanie Chung

·         The core problem is alcohol, cigarettes and drugs.  The Every 15 Minute program will help address this.

·         Representatives recently attended a leadership conference for middle schoolers

·         There are random drug checks at school, but students are thinking about a need for a place to hang out after 3:00 PM.  Students need a cool place to hang out, possibly a student-run café on campus.

·         Alcohol might come from parents, but drugs can be bought on campus

·         Suggestion to contact the owner of the Montrose Bowl about allowing use of the lanes after school.

·         Hopefully the new Library will have a Community Room

·         The ARK – needs to be publicized more, although it is currently closed.  It comes and goes so we should look at encouraging businesses to open a coffee shop type place.

·         Suggestion about an information box, similar to Rosemont.  Maybe this will encourage anonymous tips.

·         Sparks, Core and Tilt are alcoholic energy drinks and the packaging looks almost exactly the same as the non-alcoholic drinks.  It is clearly marketed toward teens.

·         Al Evans, LA County Parks and Recreation, suggests the students establish a teen council to tell him what they want.  We don’t necessarily need a meeting place, we can do trips, tours, beach trips, learning to surf, mobile skate board park, etc.  Al Evans’ cell is (661) 510-4149 and he wants to meet to get THEIR ideas.  It was suggested that Al Evans be invited to an ASB meeting.

·         Al Evans discussed the modular stage coming in June.

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9. Special Recognition - Mayor Andrus

·         Councilmember Arnold was awarded the PTSA Lifetime Achievement Award.  Councilmember Arnold is the President of the Glendale Council’s PTA.

·         Councilmember van Bremen was awarded a Certificate of Appreciation for Honorary Service from the CVHS PTA.

·         Councilmember Thomas represented the USA at the 1975 World Junior Championship in Morocco.  He won the race and is World Champion and has been inducted into GCC Hall of Fame!  Councilmember Thomas was awarded a Certificate of Recognition.

10. Public Comments

·         Sharon Weisman – Addressed the problem of finding available housing for people with pets.  She has an idea for density bonuses in construction for people that allow pets.  Suggestion for a registry on the CV DOGS Web site and building relationships with realtors.

o        CV DOGS has links to several sites that have free and for fee listings of pet-friendly rentals

·         Roger Young – Solar energy should be considered, but is only right for one in 100 people.  He asked the Council to consider conservation (water, electricity, etc.) and how to go about conserving.  He is interested in participating in a subcommittee.  For each $100 in savings, it is a $30,000 investment to get there.

o        Sq ft x 2 is solar number.  In SCE area, it’s $6/watt after rebates.

o        New ordinances are coming in the Unincorporated areas regarding  greenhouses

·         Stuart Byles spoke regarding the Pickens Canyon Spot Park.  Stuart did not feel that he had the idea for the Spot Park.  So many others were involved including Ted Baumgart, Rich Toyon, and Councilmember Erickson.  He clarified that the owner of the plaza next to the spot park did not jump the fence and cut the trees, but asked Flood Control to cut them down due to damage resulting from their roots.

o        Sunset & Foothill project – This could quite possibly be the first development subject to the new CSD.

·         Lawren Markel (Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy) – 83 State Parks will potentially close due to budget cuts.  Write your representatives!  There is forward progress with the Verdugo Hills Golf Course.  There was a meeting between the City of LA, LA County, Glendale, Golf Course management, and the SMMC, looking for a way to do a co-op to save the golf course.  See www.savethegolfcourse.org.  One of the more vocal supporters has been Supervisor Antonovich, who is an advocate of open space.  It’s good to have your voice heard so thank you for writing those letters and keep them coming.  An EIR is on its way right now.

·         March 26, the CVCA will discuss the VHGC plans at CV Park, 7:00 PM

·         John Klose (CV DOGS) – Thanked the Town Council for inviting to the Arbor Day ceremony, where they raised $102 in donations.  He found interesting information on population surveys to help understand dog owners as park users.  Discussion about the Eagle Debris Basin as it looks to be only ¾ of an acre and we’d like to request a park that is larger in size.  There are some alternative sites – Hahamonga (La Canada) and near the Sports Complex (Glendale) that he encourages the Council to consider.  He extended an invitation for Council members to go with CV DOGS to visit an existing dog park.

o        Discussion regarding the County’s financial support for a dog park outside unincorporated LA County due to other municipalities having funding for their parks.  The County is mainly concerned about constituents in their area.

o        The City of Glendale is looking at a dog park near the Sports Complex site

o        The dog park idea came out of dogs off-leash at Two Strike Park

o        At the Spot Park dedication, Supervisor Antonovich asked about the dog park.  He is interested in moving it along at a rapid pace.  It was on his mind.

o        Discussion about how to handle aggressive dogs at a dog park.

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11. Action Items

CONSENT ITEMS:

·         Motion to approve a letter requesting a study for a proposed Bike Lane on Foothill Blvd.  A Bike Route does not have white lines and signs.  A Bike Lane has a sign on the street and would be on Co maps.  We need a feasibility study, so the County would like the Council to ask that one be done so it can be budgeted for 2008/2009.  This item was removed for further discussion.

o        Discussion regarding concern that these funds could be used for the school district instead of a feasibility study.  This is County money for roads, which would never be used for schools.  Councilmember Thomas discussed this and the County said it is budgeted and if there is not enough money for it, they’ll tell us.  A study would be between $10k-25k.

o        Bike Lanes are already on the Glendale annex and La Canada Master Plans.  Motion to write letter to request that a feasibility study be budgeted made by Councilmember Thomas and seconded by Councilmember van Bremen.  Approved - none opposed.

·         Motion to Approve Adopt-a-Tree, Fast Track Program – Years ago, the Council worked with Public Works to plant trees along Foothill Blvd.  The County does not currently have funds available so this would allow individuals or businesses to buy and donate trees from a supplier at wholesale cost and the County will plant them with a brass placard inside the tree well.  $200 would include the price of tree, placard, and a small reserve.  The Foothill Design Committee recommended London Plane trees and that is currently the only County directive.  A directive can be changed based on recommendations of the CSD if the Council sends a new directive.  Planting would go in phases so an Arborist can look at and purchase the trees.  Motion to approve by Councilmember Beyt and seconded by Councilmember Pierce.  Approved – none opposed.

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12. Committee Reports

Art Commission                                                         Council members Thomas, Pierce

·         Portable stage ordered (18’ x 24’ – 9 sections)

            Banner Committee                                                  Councilmember Erickson

·          Three banners will be going up soon.  We only need $100 to $200 more.  We will plan a time to honor the recipients.

            Community Events Committee                             Mayor Andrus

·         Council members Pierce and Smiley put together the Arbor Day Ceremony with Parks and Recreation and Supervisor Antonovich.  There was a great turnout and good food.

            Finance & Fundraising Committee                       Councilmember Beyt

·         Rolling Silent Auction – we will promote the donation for the entire month and use our Web site, the Harvest Market booth, and papers to promote it.

·         Movies in the park – A Western on June 14 with Texas BBQ food available for purchase

·         July 4^th – The Council will sell glow sticks (double last year’s order)

·         Pancake breakfast utilizing various organizations on Sept 6^th.  We need to Partner with a larger organization.

Land Use Committee                      Council members Beyt, Campbell, & Thomas

·         3900 & 3908 Park Place – 28 units.  Developer has been invited to a Public Land Use meeting.

·         3820 Park Place – 9 townhouse unit (2 units, 3 level structure) – asking for modification of setback to 5’.  Developer was also sent invitation to a Public Land Use meeting.

            Parks Committee                                                     Council members Cleven & Davis

·         Dog Park – County Planning will be presenting its Process to its Director in the next week or two to get his official approval to move ahead with getting the Policies and Guidelines finalized and approved

            Public Relations Committee                                   Councilmember Thomas

·         Nothing to report

            Streets, Roadways, Public Safety Committee    Councilmember Campbell           

·         Lights in the pavement in crosswalk at Cloud and La Crescenta - That product is no longer available to do repairs, but the manufacturer has a new product so they hope to saw tooth cut them out and replace them within six months.

·         La Crescenta/Prospect crosswalk – Will still have two crossing guards and will retain the south crosswalk.  The County will not provide a right turn only signal from eastbound Prospect onto southbound La Crescenta.  Photo red light enforcement will not go into effect.  The County is still pursuing the feasibility and construction of a pedestrian bridge over La Crescenta Ave.

·         Crosswalk requested at Los Olivos and Ramsdell – Public Works thinks it doesn’t call for a 4-way stop because traffic doesn’t call for it.  Re-requested a crosswalk and crossing signs.

·         Broxburn Terrace sign appeared on a street – Not on Google or e-maps, but it’s on all Thomas Bros. guides back to 1988

·         Resident concerned about relocation of a fire hydrant that would eliminate parking of 2-3 cars.  Dennis Erdman, General Manager of the CVWD, came out and a resolution was reached between the resident and the CVWD.

            Youths, Scholarship, & Seniors Committee           Councilmember Pierce

·         Cutoff for submission of applications is the end of March.  Students can download the form from our web site, www.crescentavalleytowncouncil.org.  The interview process will begin at CVHS on 4/22.  Goal is 12 $300 scholarships.

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13. Items from Council

·         Request by residents and the County to write a letter changing an item in the CSD regarding the period of time a For Sale sign could be on Foothill Blvd.  Currently, the CSD allows 30-day increments 3 times a year and the requested change is a 90-day period, twice a year.  The CSD is coming up for approval soon.  Motion to write letter to the County for no limit on For Sale signs by Councilmember Beatty and seconded by Councilmember Campbell.  Councilmember Thomas recused and the motion approved 5-3.  Opposed were Council members Pierce, Erickson, and Davis.

·         Mayor Andrus spoke at the Glendale Review Design Board on behalf of Bob Smith Toyota and although it was clearly stated that she was not representing the CV Town Council, it was reported as such in the paper.

·         The new library site plans will be on-line within a week or two

·         Councilmember Erickson went to meeting regarding the cell phone tower – Residents and Sprint would like a town hall forum and have requested a larger venue such as Rosemont Middle School.  The issue will be on the May 21 agenda to start over and send letters to residents within 1,000 (not 300 feet) and require larger, higher signage.

·         The T-Mobile tower near the Church near Two Strike is not active yet and T-Mobile does not know why.

·         April 5 – Cleanup of the La Crescenta off-ramp.  Council members Pierce, Beyt, and Cleven will participate.

·         Council members Cleven and Erickson attended a Green Building Program to solicit comments to be given to the Regional Planning Commission on May 7.

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14. Announcements

Executive Committee Meeting    4/3/08, 7 PM, Sheriff Station Community Room

            General Council Meeting              4/17/08, 7 PM, CV High School Career Center

15. Adjournment at 11:19 PM