MONTHLY MEETING MINUTES
9/16/2008
1. CALL TO ORDER 7:02
Pledge of Allegiance-----Tecumseh Shackelford
Roll Call
Members Present: 4601: Gino Sund, Tim Kelly; 4602: Okorie Ezieme, Sarah Fuller; 4603.01: Keith Gibbs,
Alice Wessen; 4603.02: Not present; 4610: Tecumseh Shackleford, Gene Campbell; 4611: Alan
Wasserman, Michele Zack; 4612: Ken Balder, Ruth Neilan Edwards; 4613: Susan Goldman, Lorie Judson.
Excused Absences: (4603.02) Sandra Thomas
2. OFFICER’S REPORTS
Recording Secretary -------Alice Wessen Asked for motion to correct August 19th minutes.
At August 19th ATC meeting, a vote was taken to seat an ATC member to the West Altadena Project Area
Committee (WAPAC). The vote count was incorrectly recorded.
Motion to correct recording of vote and correct August 19 minutes to reflect that Michele Zack was elected the
Altadena Town Council representative to the WAPAC.
Balder/Kelly M/S/P
Motion to reconsider the tabling of the vote to seat an ATC member to WAPAC
Moved to reconsider prior motion to table. (Kelly/Gibbs) M/S/P
Motion to approve minutes
Zack/Balder M/S/P
Corresponding Secretary---Lorie Judson No Report
Treasurer-------------------Tecumseh Shackelford gave report
Vice Chairman-----Ken Balder: New agenda order
Chairman-----------Gino Sund:
1. Regina Grimes sent letter to be alternate. No other letter received and the Roster is now complete.
2. Ruth Neilan just received election materials and sign in sheets.
3. Council met in a planning session on the 13th of August
a. Council discussed operating practices. No action item pending, or that is expected to come before
council, was considered
b. Ethics report: Council investigated and found the charges made at previous Town Council meetings
were merely speculation, patently without merit, and no further action is required.
3. PUBLIC COMMENT
1. We will be starting a TV show called Altadena Lane at Coffee Gallery hosted by Ian Whitcomb
2. Sahrob Raymond Ave: school opened without proper permits.
All other comments were related to MonteCedro:
4. LAND USE COMMITTEE REPORT
ATC Action Item
Monte Cedro Episcopal Home Community
2212 El Molino Ave (CT4611) – Wasserman/Zack
Applicant: Carolyn Seitz for Episcopal Home
Communities
Project Number R2007-02030
General Plan Amendment GPA2008-0005
Conditional Use Permit RCUP2007-00146
Oak Tree Permit ROAK2007-00039
Housing Permit RHSG T2007-00005
(for 11% density bonus)
ATC Action Item: Regional Planning Project number R2008-00005. This includes a General Plan
Amendment, a Conditional Use Permit, an Oak tree Permit and a Housing density bonus Permit for the
proposed Monte Cedro Retirement Home project. This is a development of 238 units of assisted and
independent senior living facilities and 40 senior apartment units on an 8.19 acre site. Monte Cedro is the
successor to the Scripps Retirement Home.
LUC Recommended Action: Approve
MonteCedro project has the unanimous approval of Altadena Chamber of Commerce, Altadena Baptist Church
and Apostolic Church, neighbor Episcopal Church and BOD of Meals on Wheels.
11 Public Comments, all in support
Several questions from ATC board to MonteCedro staff were given.
Motion: K. Balder/T. Shakeleford:
The Altadena Town Council send a letter to County Regional Planning recommending APPROVAL of
Project Number R2007-02030 including General Plan Amendment GPA2008-0005, Conditional Use Permit
RCUP2007-00146, Oak Tree Permit ROAK2007-00039, and Housing Permit RHSG
T2007-00005 for the development of the Monte Cedro Episcopal Home Community project.
M/S Unanimous passage from ATC.
LAND USE COMMITTEE REPORT
ATC Action Item:
Charles W Eliot Middle School Tennis Courts
2184 N. Lake Avenue (CT4612) – Balder/Edwards
Applicant: Maryanne Herrill for Altadena Town & Country Club
A proposal by the Altadena Town and Country Club to construct three tennis courts at Elio middle school in
exchange for a specified time and term of use of those courts by the Country Club and members of the public
Recommended LUC Action: Approve
Speaking for the proposal: Mary Ann Herrill
Eliot School used to have tennis courts but those have fallen into disrepair and have been left barren for over
10 years. The Altadena Town & Country Club (ATCC) has been negotiating a Memorandum of
Understanding (MOU) and Agreement with the Pasadena Unified School District (PUSD) to refurbish the
courts, set up tennis clinics, and maintain the courts in return for access to and use of the courts.
Public Comments and questions from ATC Board took place
MOTION : Altadena Town Council issue a letter of SUPPORT for the proposed tennis court project between
the Altadena Town & Country Club and Pasadena Unified School District in good faith as presented at this
meeting.
M/S K Balder/R. Neilan Unanimous passage from ATC.
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5. PUBLIC SAFETY REPORTS
Altadena Sheriff’s Station-----Capitan Roosevelt Blow
Report: Good evening, reemphasize that a new parking ordinance will be taking affect with regard to large
trucking rigs commercial vehicles parked on street after hours. Street signs have been posted in Altadena and
more to be posted on residential area. The ordinance will now be enforced. First 30 days will issue warnings
starting Monday Sept 22. Stating end of October $100 for 1st, 200 for 2nd, and every subsequent in same year
is a $500 fine.
• Altadena station clergy council will be staging a job resource fair. Women at Work, Oct 18th 2008 10-
2PM at Farnsworth ‘Partnering to build a better community’. Resume preparation and interview skills.
If there is anyone out there who has jobs available please call Sgt. Palermo.
• CERT class will be at Altadena Community Center on Sat. Sept 27th 9AM-4PM
• Thursday at Eliot Middle school they will run an after school Youth Program with Sheriffs. Blow
wants to reach out to every school and do a pep rally for all the kids.
• Sept 4th, the nuisance, graffiti, drug house. Sept 4th at Altadena Station with Carolyn Seitz, Nuisance
abatement team, DPW, Animal Control, Building Safety and Antonovich’s office.
• Fire that occurred up in Chaney Trail. LA County Fire responded. There were approx 50 Sq Ft.
affected. That area does not fall under sheriffs so the forestry investigators are looking into it. There is
a person of interest.
• Every station has been directed to do a graffiti abatement program. Pictures are taken to see if gangs
are involved. Tagging is photo documented.
California Highway Patrol-----Capitan Bill Dance, Todd Workman of CHP:
• Having a blood drive tomorrow at the CHP station and he gave report about incidences. DUI 1, Injury
collisions 7, Non Injury collisions 20
• Call the station at 626-296-8100
• Rosemead accident at 5:45Am on 210 FWY at Rosemead with 27 year old Altadena resident, mother
and wife, 8 cars involved. Capt. Dance said that when your car is hit please move to right hand lane,
do NOT move out into traffic.
• Radar traps out due to schools in session
Public questions to CHP:
• Speeding on Deverian, and motorcycles loud on Woodbury and Lincoln. Also on Alameda between El
Molino and Santa Rosa used as motorcycle drag strip
• Alameda and Garfield needs a stop sign (refer to Traffic Committee)
PUSD $350M Bond Issue: Pasadena Board member Bob Harrison presented for PUSD board and as an
Altadena resident. State of Union will be at Eliot school.
• The bond issue is to be used to improve our school buildings and bring them up to modern standards.
The cost to the taxpayer will be about $44 per 100K of assessed valuation.
• Vote will be on November 12
• Outside architectural assessment and facilities master plan. The architects went to all school sites and
talked to principals and held community meetings. Will be presented to board in early October.
• Much needed safety and access, earthquake safety, upgraded electrical etc. Some roofs are leaking.
Many PUSD buildings are beautiful and over 50 years old, but also have many needed repairs and
upgrades.
• At Burbank Elementary school Oct 15 at 7PM will be a public hearing and Oct. 27th at McKinley
school to talk more about the bond.
• Prop Y came about just as construction costs were going up and there were too many projects going on.
It hurt our ability to do effective oversight. Those lessons learned are incorporated for this bond.
6. GOVERNMENTAL REPORTS
Congressman, Adam Schiff-------------William Syms
Not much to say, If you have any questions contact office at William.syms@mail.house.gov
626-304-2727
7. COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS
Altadena Library-----------------------Barbra Pearson
Roberta and Barbara have been undergoing a strategic process to develop a facility plan to address significant
508 ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) issues and Oct 4th first design camp 10AM-4PM. Invite the
community to come.
Sept 22 is a Board of Directors meeting and it is an open meeting where architects present.
Roberta: Literacy programs. Second year of Reading for the Record on Oct 2.
www.altadenalibrary.org for listing of upcoming programs
Sheriff’s Support Group--------------Mike Manning Finished the concert series
Discussed history of Scripps home (Thadeaus Lowe) and Kellogg’s daughter.
Sheriff support Group will again host, along with Altadena Posse the Haunted Jail. We may help Posse help
get set up with haunted jail. Oct 31 is a Friday this year.
8. COMMITTEE REPORTS
Education Committee---Keith Gibbs, Education Chair: Altadena elementary school-nothing negative to
report. Endeavor to assist Altadena residents get the best for our kids. We will commit to support Altadena and
its residents. We want more parents to come out and support Altadena and its schools.
WAPAC report—Michele Zack: There is a move to increase the number of community organizations.
Also Michele Zack met with owners of Super King. They have a big market in San Gabriel. They will be
delivering good fresh food but not prepared food
9. CENSUS TRACT REPORTS
4601
Tim Kelly discussed group homes
4602
Okorie Ezieme
• August 23 "Meet 'N Greet Councilmember" was a major success. Rallied neighbors and they showed
up in mass with some local, state and federal elected officials / representatives in attendance. Received
35 written comments. Responded to 30 and will respond to the remainder including the graffiti issue
next.
• Sept 6 Farnsworth Park Neighborhood Association block party was a success and well attended
• Thank to the Sherriff's Support Group and the LA Parks & Recreation for a wonderful summer concert
series at Farnsworth Park featuring Elvis.
• Reported the intrusion and illegal opening of Sahag Mesrob School on 183 & 205 E. Palm between
Fair Oaks and Marengo on Sept 4 as a various serious issue. This school opened without permit.
Received 25 complaints from resident in the last two weeks.
• Need for greater access to public transit. The community is invited to a meeting Oct 1st at Farnsworth
Park with representatives from ISE Corporation & MTA.
4603.01
Alice Wessen
• Regional Land Conservation meeting held at Altadena Community Center Sat Sept 4.
• Sept 12, Emergency Planning Meeting requested by the supervisor office. To bring county
agencies together with potentially affected residents in areas of concern. In this case it was the
Meadows and Chaney‐Millard area. Members from LA County Fire, DPW, Animal Control,
Sheriffs and supervisor office attended.
• Fire on Chaney Trail near the water tower caused concern for residents on Chaney Trail.
Keith Gibbs
• AT&T boxes installed up in the Meadows area. Neighbors are up in arms. They do have a repair order
to fix the noise that the boxes generate. Because the state, not individual cities have control over
regulating companies there is nothing the county can do about the boxes.
4610
Tecumseh Shackleford
• Super King will have a soft open Friday Sept 19. Grand Opening Oct 3.
• Famous Bills Chicken and Ribs will be opening up in middle of Oct next to Panda Express.
4610
Gene Cambell
• I am president of Mentoring & Partnership for Youth Development (MYPD).
4611
Allan Wasserman
• Altadena Food Coop report. Leader is from Disney is was a former Disney Guy and did a great
presentation.
Michele Zack
• Sept 4th Hillside ordinance group soon will have a community meeting to share what they are doing.
• Environmental group met in Eaton Canyon on Sat.
4612
Ken Balder
• Reported getting a few nasty comments on the deterioration of WAMU building.
10. OLD BUSINESS
ATC Vote: Selection of WAPAC Representative. M Zack was voted from Aug. 19th meeting.
ATC Vote: Approval of the mission statements for the Special Committees, Education and Traffic.
Serves at pleasure of chair.
Recommend that two committees in terms of membership that the census tracts are represented. Discussion on
the challenges of getting members to serve on the committees.
Okorie Ezieme/Allan Wasserman: motion that committees are made by census tract. First priority should be
that current sitting council members should be responsible to find members for the standing committees. In the
absence of that, then the chair goes outside.
Friendly amendment: Serve at pleasure of town committee chair in consultation with Council representatives
and Town Council.
Motion: Membership of the Traffic and Education committee will first be offered to Sitting Town Council
Representatives, then to volunteers from the community at large selected by the Committee Chair with the
advice and consent of the Town Council.
M/S/P O.Ezieme/T. Shackleford
Other announcements
Susan Goldman will do business cards.
11. NEW BUSINESS
Fill the vacancy for census tract 4603.02.
Wilie Ordonis read a statement. However Mr. Ordonis is not a US citizen and therefore may not serve on
ATC.
12. AJOURNMENT
10:25PM