June 15, 2015 Acton Town Council Meeting Minutes – Draft
Meeting called to order at 7:35 p.m. at the Acton Agua Dulce Library
1. Present at the Meeting: Chris Croisdale, Michael Hughes, Pam Wolter, Tom Costan, Ray Billet, Jacqueline Ayer, Kelly Teno, and Katherine Tucker. Absent: Thor Merich
2. Minutes of 5/18/2015 and 6/1/2015 approved for final.
3. Treasurer’s Report: $1806.28
4. Sheriff’s Report: Deputy Short 661-272-2571: No report
5. SCE: SCE liaison: Patricia Bartoli-Wible: Ms. Wible announced that SCE has vacated the building in Acton SCE was renting during the TRTP construction project. She also said that the restoration planting in the TRTP disturbed areas will be done in the Fall when the weather cools off. Ms. Bartoli-Wible also talked about SCE rebate programs on Swamp coolers. She said that there is an agreement program where customers can agree to have their Ac turned off a couple of hours during peak times. The details are on the SCE website.
6. Library Report: New Librarian, John Elford announced that a new children’s librarian has been selected. The new children’s librarian is Amanda Cane.
7. Announcements and Correspondence:
- 6/17/2015 – Laslovich project will be presented to LA Planning Dept.
- Animal Facility Ordinance: letter from Brent Duxbury – opposes high density of dogs, high noise levels. Mr. Duxbury thinks the standard ordinance of 3 dogs per property is enough.
- Letter from Attorney John Travellya – Mr. Travellya said that the new ordinance will be a boon to attorneys because of the many lawsuits filed.
- J. Ayer received two e-mails from women who opposed the proposed Animal Facility Ordinance.
- Rim of the Valley – Special Resource Study – J. Ayer received a brochure on the Rim of the Valley Special Resource Study which proposes to increase the Santa Monica Mountain area all the way to Santa Clara River. It would include most of Acton. Acton would become an inholding. Comments are due by 6/30/2015
- San Gabriel Mountains National Monument: Comments due by Mid July. There is an upcoming Public Scoping Meeting in Palmdale.
8. 501 c (4) : Michael Hughes: No Report. Waiting on changes to ATC By Laws.
9. Animal Facility Ordinance Presentation: Bruce Durbin and Larry Jaramillo, LA County Planning Dept. Mr. Bruce Durbin started by summarizing that the proposed Animal Facility Ordinance is not an expansion of the current regulations. He said that now residents can have 100 dogs in a dog kennel on A-2 zoned property. He said that dog breeding was not allowed on A-2. Mr. Durbin also said that Animal Facilities have existed in the area for 80 years. J. Ayer brought up the very important fact that the 20, 50, and 100 dogs per property is not a quantified number in Title 10.
The issue of noise complaints came up. Animal Care representatives said that if noise or odor complaints are received, they will write a letter. The letter will go to the dog owner. The dog owner has 7-10 days to correct the problem. If there is a second complaint, the matter is turned over to the Dept. of Consumer Affairs. Then the neighbors have to generate a petition and the matter is turned over tot he District Attorney’s office. The Animal Care representatives said that the process is tiered so that false complaints cannot be made against dog owners. They said if a person goes through the complaint process, then the number of dogs may be reduced. They also said that under the current kennel evaluation process, that there is no input from the neighbors on kennel approval.
It was suggested that the Animal Facility Ordinance needs to be improved, to be made part of a CUP Process, and to have noise standards incorporated.
Hearing on Proposed Animal Facility Ordinance before Planning Commission: July 22, 2015. Mr. Durbin said that it will be decided after June 22, 2015 whether or not the hearing date will be continued. They are also presenting in front of the Association of Rural Town Councils (ARTC).
10. Committee Reports:
- Planning, Coordination, Trails & Open Space: J. Ayer
- AV General Plan Update: Board of Supervisors will vote on 6/16/2015. There needs to be a footnote in the AV Plan regarding the Homeowner’s exemption regarding accessory and animal uses. J. Ayer made a motion to have Chris represent the Acton Town Council. M. Hughes seconded the motion. It was passed unanimously. Tom Costan will attend and represent himself.
- Primer Burger Project: J. Ayer noted that as of the end of February, the drive through was still in the proposed plan for the property.
- High Speed Rail: Pam Wolter – Pam reviewed the past meetings: 6/6/2015 – HSR Community Meeting; 6/8/2015 – Acton Agua Dulce Coalition meeting; 6/9/2015 – High Speed Rail Board Meeting – 35 Acton Agua Dulce residents attended. Bus provided by Supv. Antonovich. 6/11/2015 – HSR biologist surveyed Acton area and noted late blooming plants, San Diego Jack rabbit. P. Wolter accompanied the biologist. Pam also announced that the U.S. House of Representatives voted unanimously to nullify Federal funding for HSR if there is no California matching funds available. Bill was sponsored by Jeff Dinham of Turlock. The Amendment goes to the Senate and President Obama has to sign it. Pam also noted that Ron Tudor or Tudor/Pirini wants to negotiate with HSR for compensation to his company due to construction delays. see article in the Fresno Bee.
- Publicity and Association of Rural Town Councils: Tom Costan and Ray Billet: As of 6/15/2015 – No ARTC meeting. Acton Town Council Website members are growing. The Agenda will be posted on the website.
- Norm Hickling – in order to include Mr. Hickling in the meetings, he will be given time to speak before the presentations.
- Box Store Meeting discussion with Norm Hickling and Edel Vizcarra 6/12/2015. The limitation on box / chain stores in Acton can be accomplished in the Community Standards. Mr. Vizcarra reviewed the Solvang website. The website characterized a community with identifiable characteristics, no drive through restaurants, and no restaurants which serve food that is paid for prior to consumption.
- Finance Ways and Means: Thor Merich – No Report
- By-Laws: M. Hughes – No update:
- Public Works and Utilities: C. Croisdale – No report
- Community Standards and Decorum: M. Hughes – The meeting on 5/27/2015 was productive. They looked at the structure of the different Community Standards from the area. They plan on putting sections of the ATC Community Standards on the web site and Country Journal and soliciting public comment.
- Beautification, Illegal Dumping: K. Tucker – No report
- Emergency Response and Disaster Planning: M. Hughes – No report.
11. Unfinished Business: None
12. New Business: Lillian Smith from the Country Journal said that she got a question regarding new construction and well drilling. P. Wolter said that she will go to the upcoming Kennel owners meeting at the Library.
Meeting adjourned at 9:45 p.m.
Next meeting is scheduled for 7/6/2015 at the Acton Agua Dulce Library at 7:30 p.m.
