Acton Town Council Meeting Minutes, June 2, 2025, Approved

1. Call to Order, Flag Salute, & Roll Call –  The meeting was called to order by President Jeremiah Owen at 6:30 pm.  Present at the meeting: Jeremiah Owen, Jacki Ayer, Don Laird, June Perkins and Kelly Teno.  Absent: Pam Wolter.
2. Community Comments-  A resident spoke about all the issues that are being caused by a Detox Rehab in a house near them, along with the harm it has had on the neighborhood.  The ATC can contact the Sheriff and County, verify information on Rehabilitation Homes, and verify the CA State Licensing Board.
3. Announcements & Correspondence –  Events were announced that are going on around the Antelope Valley.  Workshops and meetings going on throughout the County were announced.  The CA Legislature is looking at a new bill that breaks all net metering.  It is being pushed by utility companies to help pay for the 70 billion in transmission infrastructure being proposed over the next 15 years.  The Rural Water Supply Reliability program can reimburse residents of Acton and Agua Dulce for recent hauled water costs.  There are also opportunities to receive free water storage tanks to have extra water on hand.  Also a free professional well assessment to determine what is needed to improve a dry or under performing well.  The state recently changed the ADU law to allow for 3 accessory dwellings as long as there is adequate acreage and septic.  The Acton Town Council submitted a letter to Supervisor Barger and the director of Regional Planning regarding the new Education Camp in the Soledad Canyon that a private company intends to operate on land that the County recently gave to a foster youth organization. The Acton Agua Dulce School District is requesting residents complete a facilities survey.  Email the Acton Town Council for a link to the survey.  The House of Representatives has launched the Congressional App Challenge in which students grades 6 – 12 can enter an app they have designed in the contest.  See flyer posted on our website.
4. Library Report –  The upcoming June programs were announced.  All programs can be found on the library website.  The Library will be closed on June 19th.
5. Representative Update –  A representative from Congressman George Whitesides gave announcements.  There is a Wild Fires Act that we should have an update for in around a month, coordinate with Forestry.  A representative from CA Senator Valladeres office announced that SB-17 and SB-23 (disabled Vets exemption from property tax) have been held.  The window has closed for new bills for this year, but they are taking suggestions for future bills.  Chuck Bostwick from Supervisor Barger’s office announced that most of their activity is related to homelessness and illegal dumping.  Anyone can call him for graffiti problems.  There is a renewal of the landfill vouchers for the next year.
6. Deputy Martinez Report –  May 2025 stats: 464 calls for service.  5 Part One crimes, 1 Home Burglary (no one home), 1 Grand Theft, 5 Vehicle Burglaries.
7. Public Works –  A senior Civil Engineer from Public Works gave a presentation on the Vision Zero Rural Roadway Safety Plan.  Flyers were passed out along with a presentation on the screen.  There is a survey that residents can take over the summer.  The ATC brought up road concerns in our community and problems with the databases where they get their information about road accidents.  Josephine Guiterrez answered questions about the blinking stop sign for Sierra Highway and Santiago Road.  The work order for the sign has been put in and she will reach back out with a timeline.
8. SCE Discussions/January PSPS –  The discussion meeting with SCE went well.  Jeremiah went over the zoom meeting. The ATC explained that none of the areas where power was shutoff met SCE’s de-energization criteria.  It was also pointed out that SCE has still not properly sectionalized neighborhoods, that shutoff decisions are based on wind speeds measured far away from the shutoff location.  Also that SCE’s refusal to de-energize transmission lines poses a significant risk to the community of Acton.  They offered to come talk to the community about PSPS.  After discussion on the timeline it was decided the best time for a community meeting would be mid-August when school starts since families will be on vacations over the summer.  The information that the ATC requested during their meeting will be given at the workshop.
9. SCAQMD Space and Water Heater Rules –  Jacki gave an update on having to retro fit all space and water heaters to all electric.  A fee will have to be paid for those that are not electric.  After discussion Jacki Ayer made a motion that we provide comments to SCQAMD regarding the new space heater and water heater rules.  Don Laird 2nd the motion.  The motion carried.
10. REO Ordinance Update –  Regional Planning is preparing the REO update per the Board of Supervisor motion.  The workshop for the BESS part is June 17th.  They would like to hear about how these projects benefit communities. There was discussion about Wind Turbines, solar farms, above ground transmission lines, and community benefits.  Concentration was discussed and what over concentration definition is to Acton.  Jacki Ayer made a motion that we provide comments to DRP re the REO Ordinance on concentration, benefits, wind turbines, green hydrogen, impacts and other concerns.  June Perkins 2nd the motion.  The motion carried.
11. Parks & Recreation –  Send Jacki Nancy Harris’ email.  Jacki gave an update on all the Measure A funds that have been allocated to different parks in LA County.  Given the criteria for a community to get a pool, all of the AV Area in the North County is being deprived of park facilities.  The ATC has learned that MRCA used taxpayer funds to acquire a large piece of property in Acton for 3.5 million dollars.  The land was acquired without any discussion with the community.  Jacki went over all the concerns with the property.
12. Proposed Gas Station/Fast Food/Convenience Store Project –  Jacki gave an update on the project and all the proposed changes from the original subdivision and what was allowed.  They are wanting a large amount of changes to what was originally approved. Included in the proposed project is 2 to 3 office lease buildings, 16 pump gas station, and fast food.  The project is being said to be exempt from CEQA.  Discussion included the topic of over concentration.  Other areas that need to be taken into consideration Acton losing existing businesses, safety and egress, being inconsistent with the AV Area Plan.  Jacki Ayer made a motion that we provide comments to DRP with concerns regarding the proposed “Modification” of PM 16832.  June Perkins 2nd the motion.  The motion carried.
13. BESS –  Ruth Brock from Acton Takes Action gave a update on the lawsuit.  Hecate and LA County briefs are due June 3rd, then Acton does a rebuttal and the hearing is on July 17th.  there have been reports of residents being pressured and lied to in order to sell their property.  According to Sam Dea at Regional planning there are no applications filed for more BESS in Acton.
14. Directional Signage – Tabled
15. Minutes –  June gave corrections to last month’s minutes.  Minutes were tabled.
16. Committee Reports –  The following committees had reports. a. Education Committee – Don Laird is the chairperson for the committee.  k. Emergency Response & Disaster/Resiliency Plan – June gave a report about the events she attended and planning to attend.  She signed up to attend the SCE Wildfire meeting on June 12th.  l. Beautification/Illegal Dumping – Tammie Necessary gave a report on the areas the task force has cleaned up.  There is a large dump from trucks leaving the freeway at the truck turn out near Red Rover Mine Road exit.  They have contacted Caltrans to replace the fence to stop the dumping.
17. Unfinished/New Business –  During the meeting Jeremiah found out some of the answers to the questions on the Detox Rehab
18. .  Jeremiah will make up the Bio about the ATC for the 4th of July Parade.
19. Items For Next Agenda –
20. Adjournment – 10:03 pm