Acton Town Council Meeting Minutes, March 3, 2025 Approved

1. Call to Order, Flag Salute, Roll Call –  The meeting was called to order by President Jeremiah Owen at 6:30pm.  Present at the meeting; Pam Wolter, Don Laird, Jeremiah Owen, Jacki Ayer, June Perkins.  Kelly Teno by online.
2. Community Comments -Resident brought up notice for brush clearance.  Resident spoke about violations at Cactus Creek.
3. Announcements & Correspondence –  All workshops, events and happenings throughout the County and AV were announced. We received an inquiry from a resident asking about the status of the proposed 54 bed nursing facility on Valley Sage Road.  His concerns were about evacuation, since the egress is constrained, due to this facility and the RTG project.  The ATC will submit a Public Records Act request to get information about the project.  The ATC submitted a Public Records Act request for several proposed projects in Acton, including the Humidor BESS project.  By law Regional Planning had 10 calendar days to respond and provide the requested records, the deadline could be extended to 14 days.  There was no response for weeks and when we finally got the information it was not complete.  There were problems with a film shoot at the Arco gas station near the Acton middle school.  This film shoot hindered the student drop off and pick up and violated permit conditions.  When the project manager indicated that all went smoothly because production had coordinated with the school and the school district.  Communications with school staff revealed that this was false.  Concerns with food trucks and illegal street vendors parking in restricted parking areas, can be reported to the Palmdale Sheriff Station, 661-272-2400.  Regional Planning has developed a new approach to ensure transparency in its operations.  It now wants requires a Public Records Act request for information about proposed projects.  A new zone change project is requesting a one stop counseling to change a zone from A1-1 to C-RU because of all they wish to develop on the property.  A Public Records Act request was sent for information.  A recycling center has been proposed on the 76 gas station property, which is partly zoned Rural Commercial and partly Light Agriculture.  Recycling facilities are not allowed in either of those zones, they are only accepted and permitted to an existing supermarket operation.  Happy trails organization wants to open or has already opened a youth camp for foster children in Acton on the County owned land that was used as a rehab. They own the property and have already implemented extensive changes and now they are wanting to reach out to the community.  Look for this to be an agenda item in the future.  Assemblymember Lackey has introduced a bill that requires CHP to develop an action plan for responding to electric commercial motor vehicle battery fires.  We received word from the Waterworks District that staff is willing to participate in a meeting with the Regional Water Quality Control Board to address water quality concerns in the Santa Clara River.  The ATC must take the lead in initiating and coordinating the meeting.  The ATC received an email from a development company proposing to install EV chargers on a commercial property in Acton.  The ATC followed up by asking if the charging stations would be together with customer parking or are they intended to be part of an electric charging station for freeway travelers that may serve hundreds of customers a day.  we are still waiting response.  The County has prepared a flyer with information to help understand about land use restrictions in the Antelope Valley.  It is titled “What to know Before Buying or Developing Property in the Antelope Valley”.  You can access the flyer on our website.
4. Library Report –  Upcoming events were announced along with Library closure dates.
5. Representative Update – Chuck Bostwick from Supervisor Barger’s office announced fire debris disposal and received calls about Cactus Creek concerns.
6. Deputy Martinez Report – January there were 0 part one crimes and 8 property crimes.  February there were 322 calls for service.
7. S Plan Update –  Workshops are scheduled for March 5, 2025 on green/blue space and food. On March 6, 2025 on core infrastructure.  Jacki Ayer went to the first event on February 26, 2025, dealing with energy.  Follow-ups on the 18th, 19th, and 20th will address these topics in detail.  Don Laird can go to the March 5th and March 18th event.  WE need to find people who can go to these and vote to authorize them to represent the ATC.  Jacki Ayer made a motion to send ATC representatives to the Sustainability Workshops.  Don 2nd the motion.  The motion carried.  Jacki Ayer made a motion to invite the Chief Sustainability Officer to a meeting here in the community to discuss the Sustainability Plan update either at an ATC meeting or a separate meeting.  June Perkins 2nd the motion.  The motion carried.
8. SCAQMD –  After discussion;  Jacki Ayer made a motion that the ATC participate in this SCAQMD rulemaking to eliminate fossil fuel for space heaters and water heaters.  June Perkins 2nd the motion.  The motion carried.
9. BESS –  Updates were given on other proposed BESS projects and the Moss Landing disaster.  What to do about the Clean Coalition BESS presentation across the state regarding Humidor.  Jacki Ayer made a motion to write a letter to the Clean Coalition to clarify the truth about Humidor and contact the city councils that have had Clean Coalition presentation to set the record straight.  June Perkins 2nd the motion.  The motion carried.
10. Edwards Air Force Base/Military Support Group –  After discussion; Jacki Ayer made a motion that the ATC send one or more representatives to the AF resiliency Forum.  June Perkins 2nd the motion.  The motion carried.
11. Participate in SCE’s Wildfire Management Plan  2025/2026 – After discussion;  Jacki Ayer made a motion that the ATC pursue the opportunity to participate in the WMP Development Program.  Don Laird 2nd the motion.  The motion carried.
12. Film Event 2/26 –  After discussion; Jacki Ayer made a motion that the ATC meet with County staff to discuss filming and traffic and safety in Acton and the filming ordinance.  Don Laird 2nd the motion.  The motion carried.
13. Minutes – Tabled
14. Officer Designations –  Need information.
15. Committee Reports – The following Committees had reports; Utilities – Should we send a representative to AVEK workshop? We asked Deputy Martinez’s help in retrieving a recording of a Sheriff call during the January PSPS. What should be done about setting up a meeting with District 37 and RWQCB? Trails, Open Space, and Recreation – Create a standing opposition to all Measure A grant applications for projects in Acton that provide no substantial evidence of broad community support and outreach.  Future agenda item. Planning and Coordinating – Report out on new DRP approach to transparency,  Send Chuck Bostwick a copy of Soyeon Choi’s email.
16. Unfinished/New Business – We need an ATC member to contact Fahnstock Ranch.  Jeremiah will call to follow up.
17. Items For Next Agenda – PRA request, Nursing home facility, zone changes, subdivision, EV charging operation.
18. Adjournment – N/A