Minutes of Agua Dulce Town Council General Meeting 11-29-95

7:35 pm Meeting called to order by President Lou Beck. All Town Council members were present except Jim Duzick.

Approval of Minutes

10/25/95 minutes: Nolan motioned, Geri seconds, that minutes be approved. VOTE: 5-0-1 abstain (Swanson)
11/08/95 minutes: Nolan motioned, Lou seconds, that minutes be approved. VOTE: 5-0-1 abstain (Swanson)

New Business

1. Lou Beck presented Certificates of Appreciation to the Election Committee - Joyce Feldman, Koral Newman, Cindy Ziegelmeyer and Jane Bagby (absent); Agua Dulce School Booster Club - Barbara Beaumont; Agua Dulce School Music Club - Robyn Beck; Community Involvement - Dick Tracy.

2. Agua Dulce Women's Club President Risa Rosenthal presented an award to the Boy Scout's which Howard Kaplan accepted for their clean-up and maintenance efforts. Risa thanked Howard Kaplan, Ed Ziegelmeyer and Ira Feldman of the Boy Scouts for their contributions to the community. Risa also thanked the Agua Dulce Lion's for their donation of the flagpole and flag installed at the front of the Women's Club property.

3. LA County Sheriff's Deputy Bill Phelton of the Crime Task Force introduced himself to the community and stated that he would be stationed in Agua Dulce during the day on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, and at night on Friday and Saturday.

4. Jo Anne Darcy presented Certificates to departing Town Council members Lou Beck, Howard Kaplan and Jim Duzick from Supervisor Antonovich. Ms Darcy presented Plaques to these same departing Council members from the Town Council.

5. Jo Anne Darcy installed new Town Council members Dennis Dee, incumbent Geri Dee, Julianne Feuerhelm and Tana Lampton- past Town Council member. Ms Darcy gave an inspirational speech for the new members, which included a poem she composed for the occasion.

8:00 pm New Council members were seated. Geri Dee suggested that the Town Council elect a President to conduct the Council's business. Tana Lampton nominated Jim O'Keefe and Geri Dee nominated Nolan Henderson. Election committee counted the ballots and stated that Jim O'Keefe was our new President and he was seated.

Geri Dee thanked Jo Anne Darcy for installing new members into town council.

Jim O'Keefe opened nominations for Secretary. Tana Lampton nominated Dennis Dee. By consensus, Dennis Dee became the new Secretary.

Jim O'Keefe then opened nominations for Treasurer. Jim O'Keefe nominated Geri Dee. By consensus, Geri Dee became the new Treasurer.

8:15 pm Meeting adjourned for a short refreshment break

8:30 pm Meeting was recalled to order.

Open Forum:

Dave McCord, Lion's Club, stated that the Lion's Club was conducting its' Christmas Holiday campaign for community needy. He asked for donations of food and toys. Donations can be dropped off at his house. He passed the hat. $61 was collected during the evening.

Dave McCord also suggested that the Town Council form a committee to promote and judge Christmas decorations in the community. General opinion was that it was too late for this year but to raise the issue next year for consideration.

Tana Lampton distributed a news release from the US Dept of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management, that extends the comment period for the Transit Mixed Mining Project until January 5, 1996.

Rick Curtis, Civic Association, raised the issue of the Agua Dulce Water Study. He said that this issue concerned all of the residents of Agua Dulce and he felt that the Town Council was the proper forum for addressing this issue. He called upon the Town Council to form a Water Committee and invite interested members of the community to participate. There was a general and lively discussion involving the Council and members of the audience. After one (1) hour, the water issue was tabled so that it could be discussed as New Business.

Art Brewer stated that the Agua Dulce School's Booster Club will be opening a Christmas Tree lot in the Lang Parking Lot beginning on Friday, 12-1-95.

Art brought up the issue of the 4th of July Celebration. He wanted to know if the community wanted it in 1996, and if so, planning for it needs to be started soon to make it a success. He stated that the 4th of July Celebration would not happen in 1996 unless the Town Council requests it.

Art also brought up the issue of a community library. He stated that the Town Council needs to request Prop A funds from the County to ensure that Agua Dulce has a library.

Julianne Feuerhelm suggested the raising of a Community Christmas Tree. General opinion was that it was too late for this year but to bring it up again next year for consideration.

Penny Furstnow stated that the Civic Association was promoting an area merchant's coupon book as a fund raiser. Cost is $40 and is available at Gifts & Treasures.

Lianne Swanson reported on her investigation of standardizing the election code and calendar. She asked that this issue be on the next agenda. She also distributed her proposed modifications to the By-Laws.

Howard Kaplan gave his "last" report on the Traffic Committee. He stated that he had only received only one(1) complaint re: the 25 mph speed limit in the business district. He also stated the left turn lane for Sierra Highway onto Agua Dulce Canyon Road was due to be started and completed by March, 1996. He also stated the traffic committee's one(1) unresolved issue was that the County's road repairs to Agua Dulce Canyon Road at the upper entry to Vasquez Paradise Park was on hold pending negotiations with various state and federal governmental departments and the park's owners.

Correspondence:

Jim O'Keefe read and distributed the mail:

Regional Planning Commission Notice Re: Antelope Valley Trails plan.

Franchise Tax Board letter - given to secretary for action.

Letter from Ms Tippy Hedren re: fundraiser for Shambala.

Letter from Supervisor Antonovich's office Re: Development and Permit process.

DEIR Report on BEE CANYON development.

Assorted pamphlets and advertisements.

New Business:

1. Reiteration on Water Issue.

There was a general discussion of the issue as it affects Agua Dulce and the relationship of the Ad Hoc Water committee as chaired by Linda Kirk. Rick Curtis reminded us that the Town council has a responsibility under its Charter to speak for Agua Dulce, and needs to lead on this issue. Lianne Swanson motioned, seconded by Geri Dee, that the Town Council form a water committee, and invite all local organizations with water committee's to work with the Town Council on this issue. Julianne Feuerhelm asked that the motion be amended to add the word "Sanctioned". Lianne Swanson further amended her motion to invite members of the Ad Hoc Water Committee and other organization's water committee's to serve as part of the Town Council Water Committee.

MOTION: That the Agua Dulce Town Council establish a sanctioned Water Committee, and invite members of the Ad Hoc Water Committee and other local organization's water committee's to serve on the Agua Dulce Town Council's Water Committee, with Tana Lampton as Interim Chair.

VOTE: 6 ayes, 1 nay (Feuerhelm) PASSED

Julianne Feuerhelm suggested that the Town Council write a letter to the State requesting an extension of time in order to respond to the Water EIR.

2. Tana Lampton stated that the Film Committee has recommended Dick Tracy as its Chair. President Jim O'Keefe asked for a consensus vote. VOTE: 7 Ayes, 0 nays. Tana further stated that a letter needs to be written to various agencies stating that Dick Tracy is the Film Committee Chair. Members: Tana Lampton, Bev Anderson, Michael Lazier, Lou Beck, Virginia Applen, Dick Tracy and Doug Turner (Co-Chair).

3. Community Christmas Tree raised again by Julianne Feuerhelm. General consensus was to table the issue till next year, because of timing.

4. President Jim O'Keefe then began a reading of the Agua Dulce Town Council Charter and By-laws.

5. Joyce Feldman notified the Council that some of the By-Law requirements for the Election Committee were not followed as written. These include hours of conducting the election, a candidate forum that is not used, and having absentee voter cards mailed to "General Delivery" rather than to the Town Council PO Box. Jim O'Keefe asked Ms Feldman to submit her suggested modification to the Town Council in writing.

New Agenda

Next Meeting: 12/13/95

BLM Transit Mixed Project Letter to be placed on agenda

Transit Mixed representatives to be at 12/13/95 meeting

Trails EIR

Election Code and Calendar Standardization

MEETING ADJOURNED: 10:52 pm

Respectfully submitted: Dennis C. Dee Secretary, ADTC

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