Acton Town Council Regular Meeting Minutes March 5, 2018 Approved

1. Call to Order, Flag Salute and Roll Call – The meeting was called to order at 7:35pm by President Russ Fawkes.  Present at the meeting were Russ Fawkes, Jacki Ayer, Jeremiah Owen, Rob Peters, Pam Wolter, and Ruth Brock.  Absent were Tom Costan, Kelly Teno, and Dylan Lunde.
2. Community Comments – A resident shared that she had attended “Don’t Railroad Us” in Lake View Terrace on Feb. 22nd. HSR had notified a local woman that her property needed to be sold or turned over to HSR.  She signed her home over and has not received any monies as of yet and repeatedly has been told “two more weeks…two more weeks…”  The Acton resident felt it could easily happen here in Acton.
3. Minutes of Last Meeting – Russ made a change to the January 29, 2018 minutes.  On item #11 add the word “meeting” which was omitted in error. Jeremiah Owen made a motion to approve the January 29, 2018 minutes with the changes suggested by Russ.  Rob Peters 2nd the motion. The motion carried.
4. Treasurer’s Report – Bank Balance is $1,271.27 with no income or expenses.  New checks were ordered and upon receiving she will reimburse Russ Fawkes for the plaques and Ruth Brock for $26 sent to Secretary of State for LLC-12nc, Statement of Information, a required bi-annual filing for LLC.
5. Sheriff’s Report – There were 35 incidents that resulted in reports.  Russ thanked Deputy Short for his years of Service to Acton and wished him well on his upcoming retirement as of March 31, 2018.  A cake was presented to acknowledge his retirement and was served to all in attendance.
6. Library Report – Upcoming library events were announced.
7. Rooster Ordinance – Jacki attended a number of meetings held in the county.  A lot of people attended the Acton meeting.  Huge cock fighting bust in Val Verde of 7,000 roosters.  Ordinance is meant to limit the number of roosters.  All attendees at Acton meeting on March 1, 2018, except one, were in opposition to limiting roosters.  Numbers are needed for genetic diversity in breeding.  The goal of ordinance is to improve quality of life of residents, to control noise and odor.  Deputy Short feels numbers should be breed specific, with limitations on breeds that are used for cock fighting.  Resident in ATC meeting audience feels that its a knee-jerk reaction by the County.  The ordinance negatively affects unincorporated areas.  City of LA prohibits roosters.  Title 10 has been revised to protect residents from noise generated by animals (including dogs).  Jacki Ayer made a motion to write a letter commenting on the proposed rooster ordinance action that points out there are already regulations against cockfighting, that the purpose is contrary to Ag zoned lands, and that no new regulations should be imposed on Ag zoned lands. Jeremiah Owen 2nd the motion.  The motion carried.
8. ATC Meeting Start Time –  Russ suggested moving the meetings back to 7pm effective March 19, 2018.  Tom had notified him that he would no longer be working in Santa Clarita which is why meetings had been changed to 7;30pm.  Pam Wolter made a motion to start meetings at 7:00pm again, beginning at our next meeting on March 19, 2018.  Ruth Brock 2nd the motion.  The motion carried.
9. SB827 and discussion of Quiet Zone – Jacki heard about SB827 written by Senator Wiener regarding zoning restrictions being stripped away to “discourage sprawl” and encourage high density housing within 1/2 mile of train stations.  This bill would override the AV Plan and Acton CSD.  Jacki spoke with Mr Donohue at Scott Wilk’s office.  Acton needs to request that Vincent Hill Station not be included.  It was suggested that the ATC should write a letter requesting an opt out for Acton at Vincent Hill Station or we will not support the bill.  A resident suggested that any community with a low density population should be able to be excluded from SB827. He also brought up the point that with the water shortage in the area, high density should not be allowed.  Another resident questioned how cost effective would it be for them to bring the infrastructure such as sewer to Vincent Hill Station.  Jacki Ayer made a motion that the ATC write a letter to Scott Wilk to oppose unless ammended SB827.  Pam Wolter 2nd the motion.  The motion carried.  Rob discussed Quiet Zones and Railroad Crossings.  He will post on Nextdoor and Facebook that the ATC will discuss “quiet zone” at the March 19, 2018 meeting.
10. Valley Fever – Ruth reported on Valley Fever which included what Valley Fever is, how you are infected, and who can become infected.  Information was given on a new Assembly Bill package by Rudy Salas for effort towards dealing with Valley Fever diagnosis, reporting, physician training, prevention, and awareness.  An Acton resident infected with Valley Fever discussed what he has gone through in his battle with Valley Fever.  Ruth Brock made a motion to write a letter in support of Valley Fever bills and send to Governor Brown from the ATC, also cc’d to Scott Wilk and Tom Lackey.  Pam Wolter 2nd the motion.   The motion carried.
11. ATC Telephone Number – Discussion included the concern that the ATC phone/voicemail forces council members to engage in conversation with developers. The “developer submittal” feature on the ATC website is not working so they are contacting via voicemail.  Also for the sake of transparency, the voicemail option should be eliminated.  Jacki Ayer made a motion to eliminate the voicemail option and change recorded greeting to say that comments need to be made to ATC via email only.  Jeremiah Owen 2nd the motion.  The motion carried.
12. Announcements and Correspondence – Ruth reported that a woman named Sonya Hicks director of Outreach and Development  from Bartz-Altadona Community Help Center left a voicemail.  They are offering to help with the homeless in Acton, to make sure they receive any needed services and that they are healthy.  She was told to submit by email and Ms Hicks will email a brochure from their group.  Jacki had concerns whether this is a private or government sponsored group.  Russ announced that DRP is having a SEA meeting on March 14, 2018 and it will be followed by a 60 day public review beginning March 15, 2018.  Russ announced about an email regarding a CUP renewal for Crown Castle cell/internet site that is owned by T-Mobile.  DRP had directed them to contact the ATC for comments.  ATC members determined that the site is in Palmdale.  Jacki sent a letter on February 1, 2018 to Kirk Allen regarding EAGSA and boundary modification.  No response to the letter so Russ emailed him again.  Mr Allen confirmed that Dept of Water Resources seemed okay with the boundary modification and that Russ and Jacki would be invited to a future meeting in Cerritos to discuss.  Jacki announced that Littlerock Dam is hoping to be opened as a recreational area and that this is being pursued by a group.
13. Councilmember Comments – Pam received 3 calls regarding real estate directional signs, all posted by the same individual.  These signs are illegal. Agent was called and will not take them down.  Pam will pursue the matter with Oscar Gomez and Daniel Geringer at DRP.
14. Committee Reports – a. Planning and Coordinating – None  b. Publicity – None  c. Social Media – Jeremiah reports that Facebook page is up and running  d. Finance, Ways and Means – None  e. Community Standards/Decorum – Jacki reported that DRP sent out an email requesting that ATC secure dates to begin work on CSD amendments with DRP.  Jacki suggested an April or later date to allow time to ask community for input and have a workshop.  She will submit for May dates.  f.  Trails, Open Space and Recreation. – None g. Utilities – Jeremiah reported that it looks as if AT&T are abandoning Braeloch and Goldridge cell/internet sites.  Jeremiah Owen made a motion that we write a letter to DRP Planning which clarifies that the ATC opposes the Braeloch and Goldridge sites and are not opposed to the Sierra Highway and SCE Substation sites.  Russ Fawkes will write letter.  Jacki Ayer 2nd the motion.  The motion carried.  h. Bylaws – None  i.  Emergency Response & Disaster Planning – Rob is creating a C.E.R.T.  committee and is proposing a meeting as soon as possible.  j. High Speed Rail – None  k. Industrial Aesthetics – None l. Film Coalition – Ruth presented the Film Standards Request List created through the Film Coalition Committee.  Rob suggested adding “and Breakdown” to item #8, “Setup” so it reflects setup and breakdown of film sets.  Jacki Ayer made a motion that we request a meeting to be organized by Donna Termeer with County and Film LA to discuss Film Standards Requests list that has been jointly created with the ADTC.  Jeremiah Owen 2nd the motion. The motion carried.  Jacki reviewed filming codes from 1983 that support the standards request that still appear to be used currently.  m.  Safe Routes to School –  Jacki and Ruth attended the AADUSD School Board meeting on February 22, 2018, and tried to clarify with the Board that there is a Federal and State grant program called SRTS and SR2S.  They thought the Board was not aware of this and was possibly speaking of safe routes to school for students as a gernerality.  The Board clarified they were not speaking of grant programs.  The Board will agree to any option recommended by Caltrans, including traffic signals and voiced that they felt the ATC was opposed to that option.  Jacki had several traffic studies and offered to share them with the School Board, and requested a committee be formed to discuss the studies.  The Board refused that request. These traffic studies all show that no traffic signals are needed in areas of concern for students.  ATC is moving ahead with pursuing Federal SRTS program, and was told by School Board not to wait for their participation to do so.  Jacki had a conversation with Dale, head of Caltrans, and told him we will not be partnering with the School Board but with LA County instead.  Elaine Kunitake will direct us to workshops to help us pursue the program which will be put together sometime in May.  n. Beautification & Illegal Dumping –  None
15. Unfinished Business – None
16. Items For Next Agenda – Railroad crossings/ Quiet Zones, CSD Workshops, Accessory Dwelling Units, Bloom Ranch, and Acton KOA.
17. Adjournment – 11:05pm