Acton Town Council Meeting Minutes, May 15, 2023, Approved

1. Call to Order, Flag Salute, & Roll Call – The meeting was called to order by President Jeremiah Owen.  Present at the meeting: Jeremiah Owen, Jacki Ayer, June Perkins, Kelly Teno, Tom Costan present on Zoom.
2. Community Comments – None
3. Correspondence – Jacki’s announcements included:  The ATC submitted a 12 page comment letter today on the Count’s Climate Action Plan.  Public Works is continuing the pavement preservation work that began last month and will end in June.  Two weeks ago the County started enforcing its ban on certain Styrofoam pool toys and plastic utensils in food service businesses.  Congressman Garcia announced his support of H.R.2, the Secure the Border Act of 2023, which passed the House last week.  Supervisor Barger visited Washington D.C. last week to advocate for mental health program reforms and resources.  FEMA has extended the deadline for houses of worship and other private nonprofits to apply for disaster assistance to help recover from damage caused by the severe winter storms.  SCE has launched a new “Toolkit” for disseminating information on programs and incentives that help lower the price of electric vehicles.
4. Library Report – Librarian Jim Wall announced all upcoming events including the Summer Reading Program.  For all events visit the library website.  The Library will be closed Monday May 29th.
5. Local Representatives – None
6. Sheriff’s Report – April stats included that there were 404 calls for service in Acton, 53 of the calls were high urgency calls, 15 calls were crimes, 11 calls were property crimes.  Deputy Martinez announced that the Off Road Team are continuing to enforce illegal off roading.  He spoke about enforcement on the 4th of July.
7. Crime Spike – Deputy Martinez gave the crime stats for May.  They included 174 calls for service, 77 of the calls were emergency, and 5 were crime. He was asked about the status of a sheriff substation in Acton.  Because of the lack of staffing they are at the end of their money and if Acton were to get a substation it would not be manned, it would be used as a place to do reports and restrooms.  He was asked if the door would have a sign and the sheriff seal, thinking it would at least deter crime.  Deputy Martinez was asked who has the paperwork on their desk, he will inquire and let us know.  Jacki Ayer made a motion to write a letter to get the Sheriff Substation at Santiago Square moving forward.  June Perkins 2nd the motion.  The motion carried.
8. WaterWorks District 37 – Tabled
9. SCE Rate Proposal – Jeremiah Owen requested this on the agenda because of the proposed for the Edison tiers to be on an income based and would like the ATC to write a letter.  The ATC would need someone to become party with this issue on the Public Utilities Commission (PUC).  Jacki Ayer made a motion to write letters to our elected officials and a formal letter to the PUC to address Edisons proposed Utility Rate Structure.  June Perkins 2nd the motion.  The motion carried.
10. Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf Project –  The ATC found out about this proposed project a month ago.  IT appears to be 2 restaurants, 1 large and 1 small.  It will take up part of Don Chatos parking lot.  LA County stated that their initial plan did not have to show parking calculations.  It does not appear that there will be enough parking for the entire center therefore the project will need a parking variance or parking permit.  It was brought up that there will not be any pervious surface and there is no trail and no sign plan.  They will also need to go through the subdivision process.  It is important to remind the County that if a traffic study needs to be done, they will need a CUP.   Jacki Ayer made a motion to write a letter to Department of Regional Planning and Department of Public Works regarding concerns with the Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf Project.  June Perkins 2nd the motion.  The motion carried.
11. Proposed battery Projects – Jacki reported about the number of proposed battery storage facilities and the presentations at ATC meetings in January and again in May.  These facilities are surrounded by residences and they are on AG zoned land except the Humidor project which 1/2 of the project would be on industrial.  Battery storage is allowed on Industrial zoned property but not on Ag zoned property.  Because of this they would need to go through a General Plan Amendment.  Jacki described the General Plan and explained that in order to get the amendment the facility would have to benefit the area where it was being placed.  These storage facilities will not ever benefit Acton.  The ATC asked if the community is interested in starting a community group separate from the ATC to help in fighting the Battery Storage Facilities.  Resident Ruth Brock announced she will bring back Acton Takes Action, and bring the community into the fight.  She stated to look for a petition and info on Facebook and NextDoor.  Residents asked questions and brought up concerns that included fire threats contamination to our water supply, toxic fumes from burning batteries, our fire departments are not properly equipped and how close the projects are to the railroad track if there was a derailment.  One resident brought up contacting the EPA and another spoke about getting signatures from the AV and Santa Clarita. Jacki Ayer made a motion that the ATC finalize the template that Jeremiah Owen has prepared for the Angeleno Project and prepare them for other projects.  June Perkins 2nd the motion.  The motion carried.
12. PO Box Changes – Tabled
13. ByLaws – Tabled
14. Minutes – Tabled
15. Councilmember Comments – June announced she would work to get things posted on Facebook.  Jacki is grateful for the turnout at the meeting.
16. Unfinished/New Business – Jacki announced she will be finishing up the Thousand Trails and KOA letters and to look for them.  June will take care of the brick in the park for the ATC.
17. Items for the Next Agenda – DPW, Battery Storage, all the tabled items.
18. Adjournment – 9:30pm