MINUTES:  Altadena Town Council, March 20, 2007

CALL TO ORDER:  7:06 PM

Pledge of Allegiance:  M. Zack
Members Present:  4601: G. Sund; D. Shackelford; 4602: M. Duncan, J. Chapman; 4603.01: D. Bridwell, W. Olszewski: 4603.02: S. Lamb, S. Thomas; 4610: B. Thompson, G. Campbell; 4611: M. Zack, A. Wasserman; K. Balder, G. Lewis; 4613: S. Goldman.
Excused Absence: L. Judson.

OFFICERS REPORTS:
Recording Secretary: M. Duncan – requested approval of February 20th  Minutes be delayed until April 17th Council meeting.
Chair’s Report:  K. Balder introduced Mr. Peter Soelter, PUSD Board Member.  He  introduced new Superintendent of PUSD, Mr.  Edwin Diaz.  Superintendent  Diaz spoke of his vision for Pasadena schools, pledged more interaction with community, committed himself to being more visible and available, and open to input and involvement.   W. Olszewski asked if Council could be represented at Board meetings.  His response: “the    more people willing to step forward to make schools better would be welcome.”
M. Zack question about more vocational training in PUSD schools.  Mr. Soelter  introduced Mr. Greg Gibson of Gibson Consulting, the firm that conducted  the Management Audit.  The report and a summary of  contents  presented to all the Council members.  Mr. Gibson explained the purpose of the audit, what was investigated, and what the audit accomplished.  Questions followed:  G. Sund—how quickly would  recommendations  be implemented?  Response: ”Within 18 months.  If no policy changes, then 6 months.”   S. Lamb:  Code of conduct at Board meetings.  Gibson: “hold people accountable for conduct.”
M. Zack – HDV vaccine for prevention of cancer in girls, age 11-15 available at $175 per shot.  Parents choice.
Treasurer’s Report: - B. Thompson:  Current bank balance, $2420.96.  See Report.

GOVERNMENTAL REPORTS:
Altadena Sheriff’s Station: Capt. Joe Gutierrez announced this is his last Council meeting.
Dep. Estrada gave stats for February.  March is Safe Community Month.  Presently working with 28 middle school students.  Ten kids up for Explorer Academy.  March 29, 6-9 PM, Neighborhood Watch Safety Training.
Capt. Gutierrez will head Detective Division, Special Victims Bureau.  He introduced Capt. Roosevelt Blow as his replacement.  Capt. Blow sees appointment as an opportunity to partner with  community, wishes to be part of community.  Hopes to  make things better.  Stated legacy very important.  Hopes to leave a favorable one.  In first 30 days, he plans an operations assessment of department.  Wants to hear community concerns, department to operate as a team.  G. Lewis’s question re  traffic control at school sites.  Capt. Blow plans to visit school sites.  A. Wasserman stated he has statistics on traffic conditions around schools.  G. Campbell asked about excessive street parking.

Governmental Reports – Continued

Congressman Adam Schiff:  Teresa Lamb-Simpson – (1) Announced Woman of the Year Award to Sara Tramell of Altadena.  (2) Application for congressional page program.  One student from area, from June 10-29.  (3) Congressional arts competition.  Winner’s art to hang in capitol for one year.  (4) Introduced William Sims, latest member of Congressman’s staff.  Will be community rep.  Teresa leaving.  W. Olszewski asked if any federal money used in Lincoln Crossing project.?
Senator Jack Scott:  Jacqui Corby – (1) Sponsoring Women in Business Luncheon, Friday, September 28.  Co-sponsors are Portantino and Kerkorian.  (2) Art competition.  (3) Meeting re group homes in Altadena forthcoming.  W. Olszewski asked if state money used for minority hires at Lincoln Crossing.  Tony Stewart spoke to oppose low- cost housing in community
Assemblyman Anthony Portantino: Juliane Heinz, District Director states Portantino has  22 Bills and two resolutions before Assembly.  (1) AB 1409 addresses Community College concurrent enrollment issues.  (2) April 25, 9th annual “Denim Day” in L.A. in support of Sexual Abuse awareness.   Los Angeles Commission on Sex and Violence, 11-1 PM, 851 Oakland Ave.   (3) New spokesperson, Jarvis Emerson.
Supervisor Michael Antonovich:  Rita Hadjimanoukian – Not present.
California Highway Patrol:  Todd Workmann, Public Affairs officer.  Stats for February: 28 traffic accidents, 10 injury.  Issued 135 tickets for violations, majority around schools.  G.Lewis asked if DUI checkpoints can be set up for Friday/Saturday night  drinking drivers.  M. Manning spoke of proliferation of trucks in area, particularly on Lake Ave. after 3 PM on Friday.  Stay over weekend.  To make a complaint to CHP, e-mail T. Workmann at:  Twork@CHP.ca.gov.

COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Traffic Committee: K. Johnson – Meets 2nd Monday, 7 PM.  See attached Report.       
Land Use Committee: - G. Sund – (1) 2387 Lincoln Ave. (RPPT2005-01582)  Committee to approve project.  G. Sund Motion for Council to write letter Recommending Approval.  2nd S. Lamb, Motion Carried.  (2)  20E. Mariposa Ave. (R2006-02805) seeking permit for boarding house.   Recommend CUP be denied.    Land Use recommends Council issue letter to Planning Dept. that CUP be denied.   Motion Carried. Unanimous.  Next meeting April 2.
Education Committee:  G. Lewis – No report.

PUBLIC COMMENT:
Stella Margon, re  Pasadena Youth Center at Rose City High, announced (1) Latina conference coming up.  Vocational training available, Eliot school. 

 

COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Tony Stewart, Chair – Announced “Working Within the School System” Workshop, Saturday, 9:30-12:30 PM.  Presenters – Sterling Williams and S. Cash.
Altadena Chamber of Commerce – D. Colliflower announced (1) Chamber hosting Business & Merchants Mixer at ACC, Thursday, March 21.  (2) 14 Annual Golf Tournament, Friday, May 4.
L.A. County Parks & Recreation:  P. Daniels – Gave update of Loma Alta Park activities—free horseback riding lessons.  Easter egg hunt.  M. Ealy at Farnsworth announced (1) basketball clinic, and (2) girls league coming up.
Altadena Sheriffs Support Group: B. Klomberg announced summer concert series at Farnsworth Park, gave rundown of nine concert events.
Lincoln Crossing:  R. Carter, Community Outreach Rep.  All businesses in 1st phase up and running.  Postal Copy Center, 2230 Lincoln Ave, Unit C will have grand opening.
 Santa Monica Mtns Conservancy:  R. Toyon – Present but left.
Altadena Library: R. Lauderdale, Literacy program, announced Trustees to accept applications for vacany on Board, meeting Monday 6 PM.  Introduced Mrs. Erma Washington, Literacy Program Services assistant.  Tutoring for pre-college students.

CENSUS TRACT REPORTS:
4601:  E. Sund:  No report.
           D. Shackelford:  No report
4602:  M. Duncan:  No report
           J. Chapman:  No report
4603.01:  D. Bridwell – Loma Alta Park usage.  Murder in census tract.  Four-year old
           kidnapped.
           W. Olszewski – Support  school run-off election.  2 seats up. NIA Charter to                          
           open at Noyes.
4603.02:  S. Lamb – Suzy Nemer, illegal recycling to shut down.
           S. Thomas – No report
4610:  B. Thompson – BJR Postal grand opening, Saturday, March 24, 1 – 4 PM.
           Thomas Sutherland interested in being Alternate.          
           G. Campbell – No report

4611:  M. Zack – Scripps new building to following Mission style architecture.
     A.Wasserman: Re RJ’S liquor store, to meet with Capt. Gutierrez, Sgt. M.     
           Williams, and property owners re Ben Namking hiring of gang members
                     

4612:  K. Balder – No report.
           G. Lewis – No report
4613:  S. Goldman – No report

OLD BUSINESS:
S. Goldman wrote letter re group homes.  Goldman: Motion to send letters to Scott Schiff, Portantino, Antonovich.  2nd G. Lewis.  Motion Carried.

NEW BUSINESS:
None

ADJOURNMENT:
Meeting adjourned at 10:40 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Mabel M. Duncan,
Recording Secretary