Acton Town Council Meeting Minutes October 6, 2025 Approved

1. Call to Order, Flag Salute, & Roll Call – The meeting was called to order at 6:30 pm by President Jeremiah Owen.  Present at the meeting: Jeremiah Owen, June Perkins, Jacki Ayer, Don Laird, Pam Wolter, and Kelly Teno.
2. Community Comments – Representatives from Animal Tracks in Agua Dulce spoke about their organization and all that they do.  They are looking for property in Acton to expand and are asking for support.  They will need a CUP which is easier to get with support.  We will place this on a future agenda to have a discussion.  Residents spoke about 2 recent incidents at the Mountain View Detox and felt that the Detox facility takes no responsibility.  We will place this on a future agenda for discussion.  Homeless person on Metrolink train rides, stopping at Vincent Hill before Palmdale.  This matter is being looked into.
3. Announcements & Correspondence –  Jacki Ayer made announcements about events and meetings throughout Acton/Agua Dulce, the Antelope Valley and Los Angeles County.  Regional Planning has agreed to discuss with the ATC the zoning situation at the old Crown Valley Hardware development and the Clean Hands Waiver issue the County is proposing. The County wants to know the ATC availability for October 29 at 3 PM.  Supervisor Barger has issued a Statement of Approval of the Supplemental Budget that was passed the end of September; it has been posted to the ATC website.  The County is moving forward with a hearing to revise a recorded lease subdivision map to turn it into an unrestricted subdivision for the construction of a 16 pump gas station, fast food business, and retail store just west of the 76 station.  The hearing is scheduled for November 19, 2025.  This needs to be placed on an upcoming agenda.  Assemblyman Lackey’s office is sponsoring the art competition again.
4. Library Report –  Jacki made all the library announcements in Jim Wall’s absence.  All upcoming events were announced.  Upcoming events can be found on the library website.
5. Representative Update –  Chuck Bostwick from Supervisor Bargers office reported on illegal dumping and a new effort by the Sheriff’s Department placing cameras on rural roads where dumping occurs.  There was discussion about the possibility of the Lancaster Metrolink Station closing.  Mr Bostwick will look into it.  A representative from US Congressman Whitesides office announced bills that he is working on.  During the Government Shutdown he is donating his paycheck to Meals on Wheels in Santa Clarita.  A representative from CA Senator Valladeres office gave an update on the bills she is working on and have passed or are being held.  SB 79 is sitting on the Governors desk, but Acton would not qualify.  Jacki Ayer asked if the Senator would ever help to right a wrong in the Antelope Valley.  All the existing Solar Farms do not pay property tax.  Any new solar farms, BESS, and other utilities will have to pay property tax but the current ones are grandfathered in.
6. Deputy Martinez  Report – None
7. DPW Framework – Caitlin Hennin from LA County Public Works gave a presentation on the Draft Abridged Equity Framework.  She went over the background and looking at where they are spending their money and ways they can improve.  They are asking communities and the public to review and provide comments by October 31, 2025.  Questions and comments from residents include; concerns about the Works app and how hard it is to navigate.  Their were also concerns about the Acton boundaries on the Works app and that residents want better feedback from the app.  They talked about public review involvement, 2where spending money goes to, disparity of services, policies, practice reviews, investment analysis, maintenance, and equity priorities.  Problems were mentioned about the storm drain on Crown Valley and Aliso and  no sidewalk  pavement for pedestrians.
8. DPW requirement to install water on property with a certified well –  Fahnestock Ranch received an email from Water Works District 37 (WWD37) about their need to put in a generator for their project to provide the flow of water in case of PSPS.  WWD37 emailed that the Vincent tank has sufficient water in it to provide fire flow and service to all WWD37 customers for 24 hours. That it uses mobile generators during PSPS because PSPS is a scheduled power outage, but that does not use mobile generators for unscheduled outages.  This is why they are saying that Mr. Fahnestock must provide a generator because the addition of his project means that the Vincent tank does not have enough to serve 24 hour fire flow.  This suggests that if a natural disaster occurs, WWD37 will not bring in a mobile generator.  Even more importantly, if the power is cut for more than 24 hours, then there will not be enough water to serve fire flow needs in Acton.  Another problem with WWD37 asking developments to do this, is that there is a proposed construction of a new 26 pump gas station, fast food business, and convenience store.  This is not being required of them.  According to the SCM report dated February 2025 no generator requirement has been imposed on the developer.  Jacki Ayer made a motion that the ATC ask for a meeting with WWD37 to address these issues.  June Perkins 2nd the motion.  The motion carried.  The ATC has been exchanging emails with a resident trying to build a home.  They purchased their land about 4 1/2 years ago and have since been having issues with LA County. Most recently with the fire department and their requirements.  They must have a 75,000 gallon tank or be connected to county water.  To bring County water to their property will cost about 800,00.00. Jacki followed up with an email to the Fire Department pointing out that houses, ADU’s, and home expansions are approved in Acton with wells without 75,000 gallon tanks and asked how they were approved.  Jacki Ayer made a motion that the ATC ask for a meeting with the Fire Department regarding the “will not serve” letter requirements and then if necessary WWD37 to address lineal feet requirements.  Pam Wolter 2nd the motion.  The motion carried.
9. Juana Segunda – MCP – Violations –  This property was purchased 5 years ago with the clearing already done.  They are now in the process of trying to clear the violations.  They will need a minor CUP for grading and re-vegetation.  They have a hearing on October 28, 2025.  They went through what had been done and what now needs to be done.  We asked what they were being told about re-vegetation and if they could sent their plant list.  Don Laird made a motion to write a letter of support pending on getting the seed list so we can approve it.  Jacki Ayer 2nd the motion.  Motion carried.
10. BESS – Ruth Brock from Acton Takes Action reported that they are still waiting for the lawsuit judgement which they should hear about by October 15, 2025.  Two more BESS fires happened since the last ATC meeting.  The Prairie Song project is still in the application process at the CEC.  Ruth went over some of the questions the CEC called out about their application.  She spoke about the 75 page letter that SORT wrote about the application.  Jacki spoke about the Renewable Energy Ordinance letter the ATC is writing.
11. SCE Complaint –  After discussion about whether we want  to file a complaint about the January PSPS post event the following motion was made.  Don Laird made a motion to file a complaint with the PUC an PSPS.  Jacki Ayer 2nd the motion.  The motion carried.  
12. Minutes – Jacki Ayer made a motion to accept and approve the minutes with the changes.  Don Laird 2nd the motion.  The motion carried.
13. Committee Reports –  The following committees had reports.  Emergency Response & Disaster/Resiliency Plan – June Perkins announced that CERT classes will start tomorrow at the Agua Dulce Womens Club and will run for 10 weeks.  Beautification/Illegal Dumping – Chairperson Tammie Necessary spoke about the big bi-annual clean up.  October 17, 18, and 19th.  They will have 2 40 yd roll offs.
14. Unfinished/New Business – Next Meeting October 27, 2025 if the library is available.
15. Items for Next Agenda – 16 pump gas station, Detox facility, Animal Tracks
16. Adjournment – 9:55 pm