MONTHLY MEETING MINUTES
9/19/2006
CALL TO ORDER: 7:08 PM
Pledge of Allegiance: A. Wasserman
Members Present: 4601: D. Shackelford, E. Sund; 4602: M.Duncan, J. Chapman; 4603.01: D. Bridwell, W. Olszewski; 4603.02: S. Lamb, S. Thomas; 4610: B. Thompson; 4611: M. Zack, A. Wasserman; 4612: K. Balder, G. Lewis; 4613: S. Goldman.
Excused Absence: B. Nwoye
Unexcused Absence: L. Judson
Presentation of Proclamation. Chairman Balder presented a Proclamation from the ATC to the Fennessy Family (Bill) expressing the gratitude of the Council for Jacquie's hard work and outstanding contributions to the community.
Chairman Balder also announced the passing of past Chair, Robert Powe. Council observed a moment of silence for both.
OFFICERS REPORTS:
Recording Secretary: M. Duncan - asked for Motion to Approve. Following changes made (1) Correction to August Minutes made to reflect the following: Re Motion to Approve slate of Officers with S. Lamb as Vice Chair made by W. Olszewski. 2nd M. Zack. (2) Correction to Pasadena Neighborhood Coalition. Motion by J. Chapman to reflect: "Motion to approve entire joint resolution including the mention of the Altadena Town Council in Para. 8, 10, 11. 2nd by S. Lamb. Motion to Approve Minutes as Corrected by B.Thompson, 2nd S. Thomas, Motion Carried.
Treasurer's Report: B. Thompson - Current balance in bank $1,924.40.
Recording Secretary: D. Bridwell - Read several letters (1) D. Garcia (2) Mayor Bogaard (3) Letter re Old Fashion Day Parade. Correspondence on file in ATC office.
Vice Chair's Report: S. Lamb - Meeting of executive board centered on discussion of agenda, bylaws, emails vs hard copy, orientation meeting for new members at home of D. Bridwell. Letter re owner of Mobile Station resolved. M. Manning appointed Parliamentarian. L. Hino reappointed chair of Land Use Committee.
Chair's Report: K. Balder - handed out to each Council member an abbreviated guide to Roberts' Rules of Order.
GOVERNMENTAL REPORTS:
Congressman Adam Schiff: Teresa Lamb-Simpson (1) New address of offices: 85 N. Raymond Ave., Pasadena, (626) 304-2727. (2) Shirley Smith of Altadena selected as recipient of Angels and Adoption Award.
Senator Jack Scott: Jackie Corby - No report.
Supv. M. Antonovich: Rita Hadjimanoukian - Public meeting, Oct 4 re 7-11 Committee and PUSD. Trails update, for more information, try: http://www.sapphosEnvironmental.com/.
L.A. County Sheriff's Department-Altadena: Deputy S. Estrada - (1) Crime stats for August. (2) Final concert with Platters a huge success. (3) As holidays approach, accepting names of needy families, call (626) 798-1131. (4) Commented on calls re grafitti. (5) Lt. Young addressed matter relating to shooting at George's Liquor Store - possibly gang related. Dep. Estrada spoke to issue of traffic problems around schools and parents mostly the problem. Traffic laws to be enforced and people ticketed. Parents are dropping the children off at school in an unsafe manner. Children are J-walking to cross the street to get to their schools. The bottom line is that the Sheriff's Department is working to "keep the children safe" Mr. Sutherland spoke to noise problem (parties) every Saturday night to late AM at 701 W. Mountain View. Problem of what to do.
D. Bridwell asked about COPS program.
California Highway Patrol: Brad Coul replacing S. Valasquez as CHP Information Officer. Officer Coul seconded Deputy Estrada statements about the traffic problem at the schools in Altadena. Officer Coul said he has had this job for two weeks. All that he had done for the last two weeks was to work with the Parents and the Schools; Loma Alta, Altadena, Lincoln, Jackson, just about all of them. It is a real safety problem, the traffic at the schools. CHP handles all traffic complaints. Telephone: (6260 296-8100 Ext. 247. Officer Coul gave traffic stats for August: 20 collisions - 2 injury, one DUI. This week commences sobriety checks in area. . W. Olszewski said that some people have said that the portable buildings are impeding traffic. For example. Loma Atla Elementary is very congested with traffic. It is a very dangerous situation for the teachers, parents and children. Some portable buildings are located where automobile turn-rounds for dropping and picking up children were originally located. Some portable buildings are located where parking for teachers were originally located. And some portable buildings are located where playgrounds originally where located. The schools sites where originally built not to hold portable buildings, A few other safety issues with portable buildings may be Asbestos, Formaldehyde, and Some portable buildings may not be earthquake safe. Also, they may be costing the school district money because some maybe rental buildings.
W. Olszewski said that we should listen to the Two Police Officers on the safety issues.
W. Olszewski said that we should write a letters to Mayor Bogaard and the Pasadena Unified School Board about removing these Portable Buildings to help with these Traffic and Safety issues. Delete ---W. Olszewski asked about removal of portables which are obstructing view at Loma Alta elementary. Mariposa/McNally an accident which accused CHP as unresponsive.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Traffic Committee: K. Johnson - Absent. K. Balder reported that a new representative from Public Works to study west Altadena traffic problems.
Land Use: L. Hino: No report.
Nominating Committee: Committee Chair, S. Thomas, members M. Duncan and D. Bridwell. Thomas attempted to clarify the procedure and results in selection of slate of officers and subsequent vote. L. Judson not present. P. Fallahee seated in place of S. Thomas which caused vote for S. Lamb to be 8-7. Fifteen votes cast, only 14 eligible.
Actual vote 7-7. According to Article III, Para. 2 of Bylaws, W. Olszewski said we, as the Altadena Town Council should be Transparent with our voting. We should leave the voting as it is because the ATC had almost an hour of open, very transparent debate. Otherwise, every time we don't like someone or something, we will be cutting deals in the Parking lot or somewhere else. Then, We as a town council will look petty and lose creditability. W. Olszewski said he appreciated E. Sund honesty and forthrightness for with drawing his name from the slate. Delete W. Olszewski accepted slate when E. Sund withdrew name. S. Lamb to remain Vice Chair. K. Balder said "I think the important thing is it has to be noted in the minutes what really happened...."
COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS
K.Balder "We are fortunate to have Altadena's representative to the 7-11 committee. The 7-11 Committee is a State mandated committee to review and discuss data presented by members of the community
Brian League Delete-Lee of 7-11 Committee appointed by PUSD Board. The 7-11 Committee charge is to make recommendations of disposition of seven school sites. These sites are deemed surplus. List of guiding principles in considering closure was enrollment and enrollment capacity.
Brain League stated at the beginning: "Maybe I should enter into dialogue with the members of the Altadena Town Council
Brian Leaque said that he knew how the ratios used for various kinds of handicapped classrooms affect the actual amount of available space at schools. He did not explain why this data was not in the report? Or why the 7-11 committee did not consider it?
Brian Leaque said that many teachers and parents had informed him and other 7-11 committee members that district supplied data on the number of classrooms was inaccurate and that many so called classrooms had been long ago and forever been converted to other uses. He stated that the 7-11 committee did not take these conversions into account. He did not explain why the 7-11 committee had not taken this into account and what effect this had on the 7-11 committee's capacity calculations?
Brain Leaque said Fifteen meetings have been held between 4 to 7 pm Friday afternoons at the Education center, not a good time for community involvement W Olszewski noted.
W.Olszewski asked some questions of Brian league according to California State Education Code, the law.
How can Audubon Elementary School and Edison Elementary be considered surplus when Children from the Pasadena Unified School District are attending school there? Mr. Brain League did not answer.
Brain Leaque said that there were No recommendations to sell properties. Although, Mr. Brian League did not want to discuss the 7-11 recommendation to leased Audubon Elementary for between 40-99 years to develop housing even though Audubon Elementary has children from the public sector attending and the School is not a Surplus School.
Again, Mr. Brian League did not want to discuss Edison Elementary. Possible lease to private schools,
W.Olszewski stated Charter Schools are Free Public schools and that Nia Public Pasadena Charter School has been promised Edison Elementary location by the Pasadena Unified School Board.
Brain League stated that he was not required to consider or represent the specific needs, desires, and viewpoints of the Altadena Community, but represented the "PUSD community as a whole" How does this comport with the State of California mandate that separate and distinct communities be represented and have their viewpoints heard and decision made that are consistent with their community's needs?
Brian League said" I don't what to get into dialogue with W.Olszewski"
W.Olszewski stated that the 7-11 are to answer questions according to the California State Education Code The law states it is essential to create opportunities for community involvement. It's the law
No conclusion
L.A. County Parks & Recreation Dept.: L. Martinez, director of Farnsworth Park announced: (1) Friday nite Teen Dance. (2) Oct 4, 7-9 PM. (?)Committee meeting, (3) After School program, W. Olszewski said Children from the Pasadena Unified School District are attending Audubon Elementary School and Pasadena Unified School District Children are scheduled to attend Edison Elementary. And. Since Charter Schools are Free Public schools, all the children should be considered for their After School program. (4) Ron Carter asked questtion "what" meeting? (5) Loma Alta gym to open about Oct 7.
Altadena Library: B. Pearson - (1) Extended gratitude to A. Wasserman for $500 received for Mazda commercial. (2) Roberta Lauderdale having new doors for handicapped installed. (3) Curbside book drop. (4) Children's programs to begin this fall
Community Announcements - continued
fall. (5) Self-serving computers to accommodate CDs. (6) Tutoring program for students grades 4-12. Also tutoring for college level in math, science, etc. 7 days a week from 1-10 PM. (7) Teen Advisory Committee for grades 8-12, a platform to engage students in civic affairs. (8) Lauderdale - AmeriCorp Initiative (literacy program) seeking two part-time service tutors for adult literacy and family literacy. Year commitment, 18 years or older, living allowance, gain job skills, get money for education, Monday, Oct 9 at 5 PM in Library committee room.
Altadena Chamber of Commerce: No report.
Altadena NAACP: S. Thomas - Thanked community for support of annual Freedom Fund event. Few issues to report, working with Altadena Sheriffs Dept.
ACTRWG: No report.
Sheriffs Support Group: M. Manning - Reported over 1,300 people at final concert of the season featuring the Platters. Haunted Jail to be featured again on Halloween, October 31.
Lincoln Crossing Development: R. Carter - Work being completed on 3rd building. Building 2 almost complete. Job openings for security employees, call (626) 229 0800.
CENSUS TRACT REPORTS:
4613: S. Goldman - No report.
4612: K. Balder - No report
G. Lewis - Reported traffic problem on ???
4611: M. Zack - Dedication of pocket park on December 9. Mountain View Cemetery
to help. Film on Altadena, Oct 9 at Art Center of Design. If interested, call
Michele at (626) 798-9687. Expressed concerns over what is happening with
Scripps Home.
A. Wasserman - Stated structure on Woodbury is legal. Motion by
A. Wasserman that Washington Standards be adopted to apply to Woodbury/
Marengo structure. 2nd S. Lamb. Discussion followed. Lamb thinks
Community should be involved. Wasserman withdrew original original
Motion. Substituted Motion to refer issue to Land Use Committee, 2nd by S.
Lamb. Motion Carried.
4610: B. Thompson - Stated B. Nwoye successful in having smoking advertisement
removed from premises of Mobil Station at Woodbury/Fair Oaks. Announced next
PAC meeting. Brief discussion re Building 3.
4603.02: S. Lamb - Johnny's liquor store (626) 797-6464.
S. Thomas - liquor stores ??? (626) 399-5007.
4603.01: D. Bridwell - Activity at Audubon.
W. Olszewski - Charter schools are public schools. Safety of children is
paramount.
4602: M. Duncan - No report.
J. Chapman - Reported a brush fire burning.
.
4601: D. Shackelford - No report
E. Sund - No report
OLD BUSINESS:
D. Bridwell brought up Old Fashion Day parade and ATC booth. Issues-cost, who is to man? Motion to open discussion S. Lamb. 2nd, D. Bridwell. Discussion followed: ATC to have booth at a cost of $50. W. Olszewski to chair booth. Helpers re staff, signage, literature, etc. A. Wasserman, B. Thompson, E. Sund. Motion carried.
M. Zack - the update and maintenance of website an important issue. M. Manning also wants an update of website.
S. Lamb re Lake Avenue, proposed that C2, C3, and other zones be looked at to determine what we want to adopt as community standards. Motion by S. Lamb to look at studies to revise standards on Lake, adopt new standards for Fair Oaks, Lincoln Ave. and Allen. 2nd S. Thomas. Motion Carried.
NEW BUSINESS:
W. Olszewski brought up question of how to serve on either of two standing committees: Land Use and Executive. Re Land Use, two Census Tract representatives must appoint.
Question of inappropriate conduct by B. Nwoye See Bylaws - Article 9.
ADJOURNMENT:
Meeting adjourned at 9:38 PM
Respectfully submitted,
Mabel M. Duncan, Recording Secretary