CRESCENTA VALLEY TOWN COUNCIL
Minutes
General Meeting
September 20, 2007—7:00 p.m.—Sheriff’s Station
1. Call to Order President Andrus
2. Flag Salute Ryan Dormond, ASB VP
3. Invocation Councilmember Smiley
4. Roll Call Councilmember Beatty Absent: Councilmembers Choate, Beyt, and Raghavachary
5. Approval of Minutes – Aug General Meeting: Approved at the end of the night.
6. Honored Historic Homes President Andrus
Award presented to Dave Drucker later in the meeting for his home is at 2701 Sanborn, La Crescenta. This is a beautiful 1920s craftsman style home. Rumor has it the tree stump was the old hanging tree.
7. Comments from Officials
Rita Hadjimanoukian LA County Board Deputy
First Responders
California Highway Patrol Officer Todd Workman
LA County Sheriff Captain Tim Peters
LA County Fire Battalion Chief Steve Martin
Emergency Expo will be at Descanso Gardens Sunday Oct. 7, 10 to 3 pm.
Student Council Representatives Annie Lawler & Greg Kilpatrick
Annie Lawler expressed concern the new school year does not allow students to play music during class and not allowed to go to the administration and voice her opinion.
Greg Kilpatrick explained how Back to School night works and the new school year.
8. Special Guest Dave Ford of Edison
Mr. Ford explained the heat storm that struck our aging infrastructure in August.
He asked us to go to www.sce.com to take the survey on line to help save energy and get rebates.
He passed out Graffiti abatement program and asked us to let them know any places graffiti is on their poles or property. It will be removed within 48 hours.
Councilwoman Erickson thanked Edison for supporting our banners. Councilwoman Smiley thanked him for graffiti removal program. Councilmember Thomas asked to plant trees to camouflage the new transformer at Orange and La Crescenta avenues.
Having underground transformers was suggested. Councilmember Pierce also asked for landscaping to keep the noise down but Mr. Ford said he would look into it and it may require sprinklers.
Mrs. Evans, Principal, stopped in to tell about Back to School night and thank us for our understanding of the evening. Parking issues are difficult this year. She knows it’s difficult to live near a high school. With Prospect and Mary having limited parking, she doesn’t want parking to become so restricted that students have to cross La Crescenta Avenue.
It is important that CVTC understands the schools concerns. An officer patrols at lunch time. She also pointed out change in driving rules. A 16 year old is not allowed to car pool other students to school. He can only drive himself. She reminded all, that due to the good status of the school our property values have increased.
Judy Tejeda of CVWD congratulated Charlie Beatty on his appointment to the water board and being sworn in by Supervisor Antonovich. He replaces Ernie Weber who has moved up north to be with his family.
M& R construction will be working between Raymond and Ramsdell for the next 3 months.
Both Kathy Ross and her seat will be up for election in Nov 2007 and the 3 other seats will be up for election in 2009.
They ask us to voluntary conserve water and promise they will try to get Caltrans to do likewise. We use 7.5 million gallons on hot days in August. With the judge’s decision to protect the smelt there will be less water coming down from up north. This will really impact us. We have a need for storage.
The concern on the MTBE in the water could last up to 20 years before it is completely gone from our ground water supply. Councilman Beatty asked if a program to extract and alleviate the problem is possible. She did not know and it is costly. Alternate Councilmember Van Bremen asked what was happening at the station at Briggs currently. She said all stations are being tested but the worse was the ARCO in Tujunga.
How to cut back on water usage? Greatest usage is outdoors, so drought resistant plants are good. It takes more energy to pump water up the hill so should these folk pay a higher rate was also discussed.
Kerry Erickson asked about the new library and conservation items like waterless toilets, auto shut offs on faucets. President Andrus said she would look into it and get back to him.
Councilwoman Smiley said some schools have waterless urinals and the CVWD should encourage the GUSD to do more conservation. For example they sweep the lunch area and no longer hose it down to conserve water.
Lila from CV Parks introduced her boss Lisa Hernandez and Al Evans. They have lots of programs at the park like a Hip Hop Dance class scheduled for CV Park and Two Strike Park.
Oct 27 is a Blues Concert at Two Strike Park and Haunted house will be scary. She needs and requested candy donations from our Council.
9. Mountain Lion report President Andrus
The Dept of Fish and Game was to have someone at the meeting but due to vacations it was not possible. The mountain lion in Altadena is a different one than the one that attacked a dog here. There have been no further attacks since Aug 26. They can’t trap or move the cat unless human life is threatened. The CVTC delivered flyers door to door thanks to Council members Campbell, Cleven and Andrus. Residents are advised to have no open water, animal food or small animals left out at dawn or dusk.
10. Second By Law Reading Councilmember Robert Thomas
The bylaw to treat council members with respect was moved by Councilman Thomas and seconded by Councilman Cleven.
After much discussion, the motion failed to pass.
No: Councilmembers Beyt, Campbell, Cleven, Erickson, Pierce
Yes: Councilmembers Smiley, Thomas
Abstained (because it needed 2/3 vote to pass): President Andrus
11. Public Comments
Angelica Mandujano from Mary St 2900 block finds the restrictive parking disruptive and burdensome for those without driveways. She said so many did not sign the petition that Andy and his wife passed. Many were never asked to sign.
Councilwoman Erickson asked what is the problem? Students or getting the street swept? Councilman Pierce said the street sweeper needs to get to the curbs. Roger Young suggested the CVHS cleaning crew clean up these streets but the administration can’t make students do this kind of work. Roger also suggested the street sweeper come before school or after school hours.
Cheryl Davis spoke for the Dog Park. They had more signatures now over 1100 with 973 being local residents who want a dog park. They will be at the Hometown Fair and are working on a list of sites including above the sports complex in Glendale and CV Park.
Paul Rabinov of Clean and Green walks and picks up trash. We need to show community appreciation, to make a difference and need more trash cans near the area of the Ralphs Marketplace and Rosemont Avenue.
Councilman Pierce will go to CVHS to discuss community volunteering with students.
7. Committee Reports
Art Commission Councilmember Thomas/Pierce
Nothing new to report.
Banner Committee Councilmember Erickson, Ray Larsen
Danette reported on progress and proposed we pay for 50 poles of banners to be made and for 35 installations at this time. It was agreed to proceed. Danette needed more money to get last two kids up so that evening Councilmembers Beatty, Van Bremen and Judy Tejeda each gave $100 to help.
Election and Nominating Committee Councilwoman Smiley
Election is Saturday Nov 3 at CVHS from 9 to 5 with the committee being Council members Smiley, Thomas and Pierce. Oct 27th is the last day for absentee ballots to be requested. Oct 15 they will be available. A mailing will go out informing the community of the election. Applications are on line or from any council member. Kerry Erickson asked if our bylaws restrict no more than one member of a household to be on the council. The answer was no. Last day to apply is Oct 14th. As of Sept 20, there are no applicants. Discussion as to how to list candidates on the ballet led to pulling a letter out of a hat and then going in alpha order starting with that letter. The letter was “C”.
Public Relations Committee Councilmember Thomas
No report
Fundraising Committee Councilmember Pierce
The committee met last week and will be present at the Hometown Fair on Sept 22 with a silent auction.
Foothill Design Committee Councilmember Raghavachary
Councilmember Raghavachary was not present.
Land Use Committee Councilmember Thomas
No report.
Streets, Roadways, Parks, & Public Safety Committee Councilmember Campbell
Sept 29, 7:30 AM to clean the off ramp at La Crescenta. The CVTC and the CV Chamber are pairing up to keep up the 210 off ramp with Bruce and Steve getting the needed supplies from Cal Trans to clean up but planting and cutting back growth will also be included in their generosity.
Lights at Cloud have somehow sunken into the pavement making them less visible during the day.
Youths and Seniors Committee Councilmember Cleven
No report
8. Items from Council
President Andrus was happy to announce the font for our new signs will be Hunter, which was selected by both the Council and Chamber Board.
9. Announcements
9/22/07 Home Town Country Fair CV Park
10/4/07 Executive meeting 7PM sheriff station
10/12/07 Friends of Library Fundraiser Frank’s Deli and Bakery
10/18/07 General Meeting 7PM CVHS Career Center
11/03/07 CVTC Election 9 to 5PM Career Center
10. Adjournment 10:06 pm
Respectfully submitted,
Danette Erickson Recording Secretary Assistant