Minutes of Agua Dulce Town Council Meeting

APPROVED: 4/28/99

AGUA DULCE TOWN COUNCIL

MINUTES

March 24, 1999

Regular Meeting

CALL TO ORDER: The meeting was called to order at 7:40 p.m. by Jim Duzick, President. The Pledge of Allegiance followed. Jim Duzick, George Dyer, Doc Ellis, Dave McCord, Darrell Readmond, Diane Terito, and Mike Terito were present.

AGENDA: Jim announced that all other Council business would be postponed until after the presentation by Los Angeles County Parks and Recreation. Mike moved to approved the agenda with this revision. VOTE: Aye – 7;

No – 0; Abstain – 0.

PROPOSITION "A" FUNDS:

Jim introduced the guests from the L.A. County Department of Parks & Recreation (DPR). These guests were: Kimel Conway, Chief of Planning; Jeff Wheeler, Regional Operations Manager (North L.A. County facilities); Kathleen Ritner, Natural Areas Ranger; and Mike Sharp, Ranger for Vasquez Rocks Natural Area. Jim also introduced David Volz and Elaine Dove of David Volz Designs, a landscape architectural firm which is consulting for the County on this project. In addition, David Vannatta, Chief Planning Deputy to Supervisor Mike Antonovich attended.

Kimel stated that the purpose of this meeting was to introduce the County’s list of priorities for improvements to Vasquez Rocks Natural Area (VRNA) to the Agua Dulce community, and to ask for additional community input. There is $1.2 million available for improvements, and $895,000 available for acquisition of additional park land. By late June, the County plans to have a confirmed list of improvements. That will be followed by a detailed design phase.

Kimel introduced David Volz, and Elaine Dove, the landscape designers. David stated that the goal is bring VRNA up to the level of other Natural Areas within the County Parks system. The County has prepared a list of proposed improvements, and would like input regarding other items which the community would like to add. An aerial photo was presented. The County would like to focus first on those items identified as necessary to the park’s infrastructure with the $1.2 million. If there is money remaining, the County will add other items identified by the community.

SITE IMPROVEMENTS RECOMMENDED:

Entry Area & Ranger’s Quarters

Office and staff area is too small.
Ranger’s house is in the old homestead building and needs to be replaced.

c. Infrastructure problems – water system, overhead utilities which should be placed underground.

d. Kiosk / entry to park needs to be revised.

2. Interpretative Center:

Would bring VRNA up to current par with other natural area centers.
This center has received support from at least a portion of the community.

May include the Rangers quarters in the Interpretive Center building
Add a restroom for public use.

3. Parking & Roads:

a. Confine traffic to current already disturbed areas.

b. Need barriers to keep traffic in designated spot.

Need additional parking in an area away from the big rocks which are used for filming.

4. Restrooms

a. Front area near the park entrance.

b. Big rocks area, in the parking lot. Funds may not extend to cover this.

5. Trails

Existing trails need improvements. The teepee structure needs rebuilding.
According to the Saphos Study, 90% of the people go to the big rocks area. Perhaps a trail head is needed in that area.

COUNCIL COMMENTS/QUESTIONS:

Darrell stated the following:

Pacific Crest Trail needs to be part of planning for through users (camping with water and restroom).
Equestrian trails. It might be desirable to have horse tie ups in the big rock area.
It would also be desirable to have another parking lot near the big rocks where film crews could park. The parking lot near the Interpretive Center would be used by some park visitors. Others who have already seen the center will want to park near the big rocks area, especially local residents.
The negative declaration for Acton’s park stated that there are 10 acres in VRNA for recreation. Darrell questioned whether this was a fact. Action: Kimel said that he would check with Parks & Recreation staff and report back.
Is it necessary to use blacktop? A: No.

Mike stated the following:

The community is interested in having a park with equestrian facilities, baseball diamond, etc., and a picnic area, all of which are not available for the community at VRNA.
Are there other funds which might be used to build this type of community park?

A: The Prop "A" funds are earmarked for VRNA. The effort is to fix the things in the park which need to be fixed, and, if funds are available, to add things which the community would like to see in the park. Ball fields and those types of things really don’t go in a Natural Area park. The County is looking for other areas to put those kinds of things.

George stated that he is not in favor of major change.

If additional parking is to be added, it should be out past the big rock.
In the big picture, keep in mind the esthetics that are there now, and preserve this area so there’s not infrastructure placed close to scenic spots.

Diane asked:

How much of the Prop "A" funds will be used to accomplish the tasks listed? A: At the next meeting, we will have a better idea of the costs of these various items. It probably represents about ¾ of the $1.2 million ($900,000). That’s just a ballpark figure.
Would improvements on any new property purchased from the separate, $895,000. fund be taken out of the $1.2 million fund? A: I would assume that they could be, but not necessarily.

Jim stated:

The Council received a request from the County to vote as to whether the community would approve the purchase of the 155 acre parcel for $106,437., which is due to be sold for back taxes. He asked whether a formal Town Council resolution was needed from the Council. He stated that notice to the community is required in order for the Council to express the community’s will. The subject will be put on the agenda for the next meeting. A: It was explained that, in order for the County to purchase the property, it is necessary to receive support on the local level. This can be accomplished through a formal vote of the Council. Action: Jim requested that the County fax an outline of the process, so that the community will be informed.
The community is interested in shifting the focus of the park from a movie set to a park which is more community friendly, and also focuses on protecting the archeologically significant areas.

Darrell stated:

He was told during a meeting with Jim Park, County representative, that money to purchase this 155 acres would not come out of Prop A funds.
He also stated a concern that the current property owners of the 155 acres get a fair deal. The response was that there is a County process which allows for that.

Diane asked:

From what all the presenters from the County seem to have said is that the County is focused on preserving the natural area of Vasquez Rocks. What has been identified as site improvements are what the County deems necessary. Is it the intention of Parks & Recreation to preserve the valuable resources of the natural area, and to preserve the archeological and sacred sites. A: Yes. There hasn’t been money in the past to do much needed work. The Prop A funds will allow us to do what is needed.

George asked:

Are there any liens against the 155 acres? Action: Parks & Recreation will check and report back.

PUBLIC DISCUSSION: Discussion was opened to the floor. The following issues and priorities were addressed:

Interpretative Center: This was viewed as a priority. Charlie Cook stated that it would be appropriate to build it closer to the highway, just west of the current Ranger house.
Archeologically significant spots: These should be preserved. Required excavation should be done carefully.
Parks Committee: The committee invited County’s planners to go on a walk with the committee through Vasquez. Art introduced Mark Campbell, an archeologist, who works with the Parks Committee.
Light pollution: Tom Faulkner, of Saugus, wants to preserve the natural light and avoid light pollution.
Handicapped access: The park must provide full access for the handicapped. Curbs and sidewalks were suggested, but no vote was taken or consensus reached. This infrastructure should be carefully studied.

NEXT MEETING WITH PARKS & RECREATION: Wednesday, May 12, 1999. The items to be addressed will be community consensus on purchase of the 155 acre parcel for back taxes, and consensus on the list of items identified as needed park improvements by Parks & Recreation.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Dave moved to approve the Minutes of February 24th, and March 10th, 1999, as submitted. VOTE: Aye – 7; No – 0; Abstain – 0.

P>SECRETARY’S REPORT: Diane reported receipt of

Letters from Juniper Valley residents, regarding a proposed archery range which a neighbor wishes to build on his residential property.
Regional Planning Commission – Transit Mixed Concrete – Surface Mining Permit – April 21st – 9:00 a.m.
Surface Mining and Reclamation Act (SMARA) received from the Department of Conservation, Division of Mines, State of California.
Negative Declaration on the Acton park.

TREASURER’S REPORT: Mike reported that the balance had not changed.

COUNCIL REPORTS:

GEORGE: Reported that larger signs are currently being processed by the County for the curve on Agua Dulce Canyon Road near the school, following a meeting George had with a representative of the Traffic & Safety Department.

DARRELL: Offered to answer any questions after the Council meeting, regarding the Acton Negative Declaration on their park.

COMMITTEE REPORTS: Tabled by consensus.

NEW BUSINESS:

ARCHERY RANGE: Residents (Diane Mitchell, Dennis McGee, and others) of the Juniper Valley presented their concerns regarding the CUP (#98-179-(5)) on a 4 or 5 acre parcel. They included concerns about a commercial enterprise in a residential neighborhood; armed strangers shooting bows and arrows in proximity to homes with children and pets; traffic and the design of the road; privacy; and other issues. Residents of the area sent letters to, and presented their concerns to the Acton Town Council, who refused to take a position. A copy of the application completed by Rick Hall for a CUP was given to the Council. The land owners are Fred and Lois Hall.

Discussion followed residents’ comments. The area is A-1, with no commercial property in the area. An archery range doesn’t fall within the A-1 zoning. The road is single-lane, unimproved, and maintained by the residents. It was suggested that the residents attend the CUP hearing, and present both letters and photographs of the area to the Hearing Officer in support of a contention that an archery range would be incompatible usage of the land. This area is not included in the Agua Dulce Community Standards District (CSD), but may be in the Council’s sphere of influence. This will need to be researched. Jim will also check the Internet to see when the CUP hearing is scheduled.

TRANSIT MIXED CONCRETE (TMC):

Jim provided an update to the Council. Council members have been participating in a Joint Study Task Force with the Civic, in order to study the issue and to provide community members a forum for discussion. Abiding by the Council’s Charter and Bylaws, it has been the intent to study the issue, inform the community, and then reflect the consensus of the community. We will continue to follow that strict guideline.

Darrell moved to request a 90 day postponement for the scheduled April 21st hearing. Discussion followed. Jim will write an appropriate letter and submit it to the Council for approval, with copies of the final letter to also be sent to JoAnne Darcy and Dave Vannatta. VOTE: Aye – 7; No – 0; Abstain – 0.

Jim stated that Carolyn Casavan of West Coast Environmental has offered to bring another TMC project presentation to the community. By consensus, the Council did not feel that this was immediately necessary, but will take it under consideration. Jim will draft the Council’s concerns regarding the project.

FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS:

1. Community Survey

ADJOURNED: 10:50 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Diane Terito

Secretary

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