altadenablog

Town council meeting Tues., 7 PM, Community Center

Major order of business will be swearing in the new electees and getting the council organized for next year (lots of vacations, so even raising a quorum may be iffy).

Altadena Town Council: progress!

This editorial in the Crescenta Valley Weekly by Mike Lawlor talks about the Crescenta Valley Town Council's tendency to get blindsided by new development along Foothill Blvd. What really struck our internal gong is the following paragraph:

The Crescenta Valley Town Council has had its share of problems managing this onslaught of undisclosed development. I sat in on a meeting they had recently with officials from County Supervisor Antonovich’s office. The Town Council met with them to try to get a handle on these situations. The officials held out Altadena’s Town Council as an example to follow. Altadena holds monthly public meetings on local developments, keeping the community and the developers in touch with one another. Altadena asked for and got the County to alert them to any and all developments way ahead of time, so that no one gets blindsided. I know from my own experience that our neighbors to the west, the Sunland/Tujunga Neighborhood Council, enjoys the same advance notice consideration from Los Angeles, and that they too hold regular public meetings. Antonovich’s representatives further urged the CV Council to be the “eyes and ears for the community” regarding local development.

What they're speaking of here is the Altadena Town Council's Land Use Committee, which meets every month to air out land use issues.  For many years, the Altadena Town Council was pointed out as an example, but not as a good one.  We think this speaks well of the changes over the last few years and the actions and membership of the current council that Supervisor Antonovich now uses to it as an example of how local government should be run.  It's not perfect, but it's progress.

On the other hand, the Crescenta Valley Council has a really cool website.

Town council meeting highlights

Elections -- both local and statewide -- dominated a short and calm Altadena Town Council meeting Tuesday night:

• One of the first orders of business, brought up by vice-chair Ruth Edwards, was an ethics complaint filed against three town council members, whose names and town council titles appeared in a primary election mailer for Assemblyman Anthony Portantino.  Edwards said that the three -- who were not identified -- were interviewed and said that they did not give permission to use their affiliation with the town council, which is a violation of council ethics rules.  
  
  Later in the meeting, Tanganica Turner, Portantino's field representative, said that it was an oversight of the campaign staff.
• Portantino will also be sponsoring HIV/AIDS testing at Vroman's Courtyard at the corner of Raymond and El Molino in Pasadena on June 26 from 11 AM-3 PM, Turner said.
• Town council election chairman Bob Meyer gave his report on the June 5 election.  Chiding coverage by Pasadena newspapers, Meyer said "contrary to pre-election reports, we DID have an election with competitive races and great turnouts." The 739 ballots this year represented a 52% increase in voting over last year.  Meyer also thanked the 45 volunteers to helped in the election effort.
  
  Meyer said that, for the future, the council needs to consider what constitutes a valid identification to vote -- he said that an "excessive" number of people tried to vote without a proper ID. 
  
  In addition, he recommended extending the "no campaigning" boundary for polling places from 100 to 300 feet, and setting up one poll location before the Saturday election for people who otherwise could not vote because of work obligations or religious reasons.
  
  Meyer also said he wanted the candidates to keep away from the polling places, too -- some candidates wanted to monitor the polls personally (ed. note: that happened at our polling place -- makes it a little difficult to vote for the opposition!).
  
  The new council -- which is largely the same as the old council, with the exception of Diane Marcussen, who replaces Susan Goldman in CT 4613 -- will be seated next month.

Vote today!

Don't forget that the Altadena Town Council elections are TODAY, 9 AM - 3 PM.  Census tract, boundaries, polling places, a list of candidates and their statements are all available at our elections page.  We will publish results this afternoon, after the vote count.  Even if you're in a census tract with no opposing candidates, it's important for you to exercise your franchise today!

Four census tracts will have races in town council election

There will be four races in the Altadena Town Council election June 5, with an equal number of sitting incumbents running unopposed.

In Census Tract 4601, incumbent Gino Sund will be running against Dwight A. Equitz.  In Census Tract 4602, incumbent Okorie Ezieme will face off against Brian Fuller.  For CT 4610, incumbent Tecumseh Shackelford will face Brent Musson and perennial candidate Rev. CR Tillman.  CT 4613 will have Diane Marcussen taking on incumbent Susan Goldman.

In the other census tracts, incumbents are running unopposed: 4603.01, Alice Wessen; 4603.02, Sandra Thomas; 4611, Allen Wasserman; and 4612 Ruth Neilan  Edwards.

Candidates had until 5 PM today to file their packets.

Town council: candidate deadline May 14, election June 5

The 2010 Altadena Town Council Elections will be held Saturday June 5. Any Altadena resident who is at least 18 years of age, is a citizen of the United States of America, and resides within the Census Tract which he/she seeks to represent, may qualify as a candidate for Town Council elections.

Candidates will need to file an application and pay a filing fee. Application Packets can be obtained at the Altadena Community Center located at 730 East Altadena Drive, Altadena, CA. Office hours are 8:00. a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Your complete Application must include:
-A completed and signed Application Form
-A check or money order in the amount of $35.00 made out to Altadena Town Council.
-A statement of your qualifications for office.
-Proof of Residency (CA Drivers License, CA Identification Card or Passport)
Deadline for filing your application at the Community Center is May 14, 2010 at 5:00 pm. You must bring proof of residency.

The Altadena Town Council will hold a “Candidate’s Forum” at the May 18, 2010, Altadena Town Council meeting at which the Candidate’s statement will be read. It is not required but recommended that each Candidate appear and make an oral presentation of his/her qualifications, explaining his/her motivations and goals for seeking office.

Town council elections slated for Sat., June 5

Election committee chair Bob Meyer told the Altadena Town Council at last night’s meeting that 2010 elections for town council are slated for Sat., June 5, from 9 AM-3 PM.

Applications for candidates should be available in the next day or so at the Community Center, 730 E. Altadena Dr., and at the town council website.  Applications are due no later than 5 PM on Fri., May 14.

There are eight slots up for election, one from each census tract.  Meyer said that polling places were yet to be determined.

The council also approved some minor changes in the election rules, among them: that candidates need to prove their residence in their census tract by showing a California driver’s license or ID card, or passport; and changing the rule that election day campaigning can take place no closer than 100 ft. of an actual polling place (it was previously no closer than 100 ft. from the property line, but Farnsworth Park is a five acre spread).

Meyer also said that challenges to election results should be requested in writing -- a “whisper in my ear via e-mail” is not considered an official challenge.

Town council meeting, Tues. April 20, 7 PM

Of particular interest this month:

• The county Dept. of Public Works will present a proposed restriping of Lake Ave. north of Altadena Dr. (to remove two traffic lanes and create a center turn lane), in order to slow traffic.  A PDF of the county's proposal is available here:
  
  http://altadenatowncouncil.org/documents/lake_ave_restriping.pdf
• The council will also look at a new proposed site for a monopine (i.e. it looks like a tree) cell tower on E. Loma Alta.
• The council will look at and review the election rules for the scheduled June town council elections (yes, it's that time again).

Highlights from last night's council meeting

Highlights of  last night's Altadena Town Council meeting:

• Changeups: La Vina resident Doug Colliflower was named to the town council seat 4603.01, vacated by Dennis Bridwell last month. Colliflower runs DC Golf, which operates the Altadena and Eaton Canyon golf courses.   In a shifting of responsibilities, Ruth Nielan was named vice-chair, and Jamie Bissner corresponding secretary.
• Post office drop boxes: Chairman Gino Sund said he is soliciting comments from residents about the removal of blue post office drop boxes from around town.  He has scheduled a meeting with the Altadena postmaster next week to address the issue: email esund@att.net
• Cell tower: ATT is resuscitating its plan for a cell phone tower on the west side, and is expected to come to the Town Council with a plan in a month or so.  The new proposed location for the tower will be Loma Alta Dr., one street east of McNally by the wash.
• Hillside ordinance: The Altadena Hilside Ordinance will be before the regional planning commission next Wed., Feb. 24, downtown.
• Public Safety: Retiring Sheriff Capt. Roosevelt Blow received a distinguished service award from the town council for his three years as Altadena Station's captain.  Incoming captain Steven McLean gave a report about the arrest of Ralph Wyatt, 49, a registered sex offender, for burglary, stalking, and sexual battery (i.e. leaving sexually explicit threatening notes).
  

Altadena Town Council 7 PM Tues

 

..at the Community Center, 730 E. Altadena Dr. Chairman Gino Sund tells us of some things to look for:

1.  Not on the agenda but an issue that has come up is the removal of the Post Office Mail Boxes in Altadena.  I have had many complaints, particularly by senior residents, that the only safe and practical way to post mail is to drive to the Post Office.  To date most of the complaints have been in person or by phone.  It is important that those residents who are concerned about this issue, document their concerns by letter or email.  I have arranged a meeting with the Post Master, Town Council Reps and representatives from Congressman Schiff's office next week and we will need all the help possible to try and get some of these boxes returned.  So if anyone wishes to give input, please do so by writing the Altadena Postmaster at 2271 North Lake Ave. or emailing me at esund@att.net.

 

2.  Dean Miller from PCC will be giving a presentation on the Educational Master Plan for the college.  He is also inviting Altadena residents to participate in developing that Plan, which will provide direction and focus to future decision-making as regards curriculum, staffing, technology and facilities. The purpose of the plan is to help the college best support student learning and meet the changing needs of the community.

 

You can provide your input by clicking to the following link:  http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/LCXJSW9  The survey takes around five minutes or so.

 

3. The General Manager of the Foothill Municipal Water District will be giving a presentation.  While it is not the main focus of her presentation, we will be asking about the proposed "assessment" or parcel tax that the Water District is considering sometime this year.

 

Also up: the council will decide on a replacement to represent CT 4603.01, and introduction of the new Altadena Sheriff Station captain.

Bridwell resigns from town council

The Altadena Town Council suffered its second resignation of a new councilman in as many months today, with the resignation of vice-chair Dennis Bridwell. Chairman Gino Sund sent out the following email this afternoon:

Council Members,

 

I am sorry to announce the resignation of Dennis Bridwell Representative from CT 4603.01 from the Council.  In his resignation letter received today, Mr. Bridwell stated "I feel I am unable at this time to provide the attention needed in order to adequately serve the community and meet the obligations of my seat and position as Vice Chairman".  This is a real loss to the Council and we wish Dennis the best.

 

The Council now has a vacancy in CT 4603.01.  Any resident of that census tract that is 18 years or older and a citizen of the United States may apply to fill this vacancy.  Applications are available at the Altadena Community Center.  The Center is open Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

 

Town council, PUSD board in joint meeting Tues.

The Altadena Town Council will start its regular meeting on Tuesday as a joint session with the Pasadena Unified School District Governing Board, followed by the regular meeting. Please note that the meeting will start an hour earlier, at 6 PM.

Altadena town council meeting surprisingly uneventful

At last night's town council meeting:

• The council started at 7:30 tonight, after having a closed executive meeting following the resignation of Herbert Simmons. Chairman Gino Sund gave a brief report that they had investigated Simmons following numerous complaints, and kept the investigation confidential to protect Simmons and the council as a whole. The investigation diverted resources from their central mission, which is service to the community, and now is time to move forward. The matter is closed, no further information will be made public, and no further comment will be made.
  
  Because of the resignation, there is an empty seat for census tract 4602, and the council is accepting applications. Any resident of tract 4602 who is a citizen and 18 year of age or older is eligible to fill the vacancy.
• Sheriff Capt. Roosevelt Blow said that the station had collected two rooms of toys and food from the food drive, and that distribution to over 220 families will start Sat. They still need volunteers, and kids 12 or older who need community service hours are welcome -- call Lt. Shiela Sanchez at the station, 798-1131.
  
  The station is also looking for volunteers, including those with administrative skills. For more information, call Community Relations Sgt. Dan Bartlett.
• Ben McGinty of the Gallery at the End of the World announced that the Altadena Chamber of Commerce Citizens of the Year are C. Jake and “Mr. T” Truman.

Simmons resigns from town council

Embattled Altadena Town Councilman Herbert Simmons resigned today, hours before the closed meeting that was to determine if he would be removed from his council seat.

The letter reads, in part:

I will no longer be part of an organization that does not operate as a legitimate government and that is not open, transparent, and accountable to the community.  Effective December 15, 2009, at 12:00 noon,  I resign my position as Council Member of Census Tract 4602.

Rest assured that I will remain more active than ever in keeping our Altadena community informed, and I will continue full throttle in encouraging and spotlighting the wonderful progress being made in our local public schools.

I pray that the Altadena Town Council learns from this experience, and in turn legitimizes itself and becomes truly representative government for the community.

More to come.

Pasadena Star News has a story already here.

UPDATED: Simmons arrested on stolen property charges in the 1990's

Please note important updates below.

PWeekly's Andre Coleman today has a story about Altadena Town Councilman Herbert Simmons' arrests on felony charges in 1995, 1998, and 1999.

The charges related to receiving stolen property (computer equipment) while running a computer repair home business in Altadena.  The felony charges were later reduced to misdemeanors.

Says the Weekly, Simmons was sentenced to three years probation and 400 hours of community service for the 1995 offense and two years probation and 200 hours of community service for the 1998 offense, which included over $44,000 of computers stolen from Disney and Health Net.  Charges were dismissed in the 1999 case, and his 1998 conviction was expunged after he made restitution.  Read the whole thing.

UPDATE 10:30 PM: The links died (altho' we THINK we fixed the one in the paragraph above) and the story has been considerably rewritten and expanded since this morning. We have changed our headline to reflect that.  These paragraphs are rewritten or new:

According to court documents, Simmons, now 40, was arrested three times on felony charges of receiving stolen property — all later reduced to misdemeanors, with two cases expunged and Simmons exonerated on the third — in 1995, 1998 and 1999 while running a computer repair business from his Altadena residence.

“These past experiences have been wholly resolved,” Simmons told the Weekly. “I’m not surprised someone is trying to use this against me. I have never claimed to be perfect and I have always been open and aboveboard and eager to serve the community.” The Weekly received information about Simmons’ criminal past in the form of a letter signed only “A concerned citizen.” The accusations were mostly wrong.

A search of court records by the paper revealed the misdemeanor convictions. Simmons was exonerated in the last case, and the two misdemeanors were expunged, but all three cases remain on file and available for review.

There are also more details of Simmons' scrapes with the law and the letters from Antonovich and PUSD Superintendent Edwin Diaz that first appeared on Altadenablog, along with comments from Simmons's attorney Rene Amy. 

Diaz: Simmons used council letterhead to seek PUSD support

Herbert Simmons used an official-looking Altadena town council letterhead in all his correspondence to Pasadena Unified Superintendent Edwin Diaz, as well as telling Diaz that the council was behind the school recognition program he was promoting, according to the superintendent.

The Altadena Town Council as a whole has never endorsed Simmon's personal student/teacher of the month program.

Diaz, in an Aug. 20 letter to Altadena town council chair Gino Sund, said that "It was never revealed to me that the programs were being promoted solely by him personally ..."

In an Aug. 10 email to fellow councilmembers, Simmons stated:

The Student of the Month and Teacher of the Month programs were created by myself as a newly elected Councilmember of Census Tract 4602 and I do not need anything nor am I asking for anything from the Altadena Town Council. I have created this program on my own, and have not represented the Council in the process. It is my gift to the community. In no time in any correspondence have I used the Altadena Town Council or its letterhead. In fact, I have clearly stated that the programs are not endorsed by, or affiliated with, the Altadena Town Council.

In an Aug. 14 email, after controversy over Simmons' programs erupted, he sent out another email to his mailing list:

Though these programs have the support of Superintendent Edwin Diaz of PUSD, the principals of all ten schools in Altadena, the Altadena community, and several local businesses, the Altadena Town Council Executive Committee does not find my individual efforts appropriate. I have made it clear in my communications that these programs are not affiliated with the Altadena Town Council. I have also included a disclaimer stating that they are solely of my individual initiative.

But Diaz says in his brief Aug. 20 letter (which was confirmed to us by his office):

Dear Mr. Sund,

I am writing this letter to the Altadena Town Council to clarify my understanding of the programs being promoted by Mr. Herbert Simmons.

I was told by Mr. Simmons that the Altadena Student of the Month and Altadena Teacher of the Month programs were supported by the Altadena Town Council; in fact, all of his correspondence to me is on what appears to be Altadena Town Council letterhead.

It was never revealed to me that the programs were being promoted solely by him personally, without the backing of the Altadena Town Council.

Sincerely,
Edwin Diaz
Superintendent

Last night's town council meeting: the bullet

No drama, no surprises, workmanlike, nay, dull.

Action-wise, at last night's town council meeting, the major action was donating $500 to the sheriff's food and toy drive, and writing a letter of appreciation to CHP Officer Andre Primeaux, who has patrolled the area for awhile and is transferring elsewhere.

Other than that, lots of announcements, housekeeping, and a few presentations, including a visit from State Sen. Carol Liu, who brought the council up-to-date on her activities and answered questions, particularly about the state budget and effects on education.

Some items of interest:

• An application form is available at the sheriff's station and community center to name families to be recipients of the sheriff's food and toy drive.
• Councilman Herbert Simmons asked why there was only one sheriff's station in town and if it was possible to open a station on the westside.  Capt. Roosevelt Blow said that the sheriff's department does  a survey every few years, looking at demographics, geography, the level of crime, etc. to determine the level of police services to have, and based on size and population... we don't get one. 
  
  What we DO get is a two-man detail working burglaries all day with a mandate to get results.

Altadena Town Council meeting, Tues. Nov. 17, 7 PM

... at the Community Center, 730 E. Altadena Dr.

We have heard (unofficially at this time) that the closed meeting to consider recommendations of the investigation committee will be moved to next month -- so this may be an uneventful meeting after all.  But one never knows.

(UPDATE 5/16: Due to red flag warnings, Mike McIntyre will not be available, and the presentation detailed below has been moved to December)

Alice Wessen tells us that Mike Mcintyre of the US Forest Service will do a presentation on the burned areas (BAER) report:

I posted the full USFS report, burn maps and several reports on debris flow, botany assessment, geological and hazard assessments to my website here (too large to send).
http://www.alicewessen.com/alice_sarkisian_wessen/2009/11/burned-area-emergency-response-baer-programreports-and-maps.html

From Mike McIntyre, USFS:  ....  "The area above the Chaney Trail Gate is a mix.  We have basically closed the burned area till at least after winter for health and safety but the area east of Chaney Trail is open but Millard Campground and Millard Campground and Mt. Lowe Truck Trail and Sunset Ridge is closed.

So you can walk on Chaney Road up to the Forest Boundary but everything west and north in the Forest is closed except to those with permits (like the Cabin owners).  We are trying to see what is workable"
----
The USFS Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) program

Summary of Baer Report: While many wildfires cause little damage to the land and pose few threats to fish, wildlife and people downstream, some fires create situations that require special efforts to prevent further problems after the fire. Loss of vegetation exposes soil to erosion; runoff may increase and cause flooding, sediments may move downstream and damage houses or fill reservoirs, and put endangered species and community water supplies at risk. The Forest Service Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) program addresses these situations with the goal of protecting life, property, water quality, and deteriorated ecosystems from further damage after the fire is out.

Reporter's notebook: and now, the circus begins

Where to begin with this one?

Let's start with the Pasadena Weekly's article on Herbert Simmons vs. the Town Council, with requisite alt-journalism inflammatory subhead ("star chamber!") and a "secret closed session" (which it wasn't -- it WAS a closed session, but there was no secret that it was being held -- a big difference that seems to elude the Weekly).  And we are introduced to a recurring theme: that the Sheriff's Support Group is something like the  Illuminati of Altadena.  "The majority of the people on the council now belong to that group," they quote former councilmember Steve Lamb.  We're checking on that statement, printed without qualification by the Weekly, and will tell you what we find out. 

(UPDATE 11/13: We just found out: Jamie Bissner is the only member of the town council who is also on the Sheriff's Support Group. UPDATE 11/16:  Jamie writes us with even more details, at the bottom.)

Meanwhile, on Simmons' Altadenans website, the beleaguered councilmember is asking for help, calling it "A Call for Justice and Due Process !" A version of this was also emailed to Mr. Simmons' email list.

He begins:

Below is an e-mail, copied verbatim, from the Executive Committee of the Altadena Town Council [Note: it's not -- it's from the Investigating Committee, which is a different beast than the Executive Committee], received on Tuesday, November 10th, at 11:48am regarding the allegations against me. In a Cure and Correct letter dated September 18th, I requested this information in writing to be furnished within 30 days. Only now have I finally received the allegations in writing, many of which had been added after the original Closed Session Meeting on August 18, 2009, almost four months ago [Note: August 18 was less than three months ago, but you knew that].

He certainly has a case that everything should have been done in a more timely manner. He also states:

Has this now become a country in which dissent from the majority equals death? Is freedom of speech no longer allowed?

Hysteria much?  Who is sharpening the headsman's axe?  (Probably the Sheriff's Support Group.) And if anybody's quashing Mr. Simmons' freedom of speech, we're unaware of it -- there seems to be no end to the emails he sends out and additions to his website.  Maybe he means his freedom of speech is quashed  by asking him questions, because he's not keen on answering them (see below).

Town Council meeting: the bullet

Here’s a brief rundown of highlights (and some lowlights) of Tuesday’s meeting:

• The “pocket park” site at Loma Alta for the monopine/monopalm ATT cell tower has been taken off the board, and the county, ATT, and T-Mobile are looking at another location (rumor has it near the flood control channel behind Loma Alta Park).  Still needs to come back thru the Land Use Committee and town council for approval.
• 
  The contract for a town-wide trash collection service has been held up, and we should have a better understanding of service and start dates by the end of the year.
• Meredith Maxwell of the U.S. Census Bureau made a plea for Altadena to form a Complete Count Committee for the 2010 census.
• Joe Gaydosh from LA County said that mud flows in Altadena were not expected to be significant.  While they weren’t expecting debris flows on the streets. some properties could be affected more than others.
• Pasadena city councilmember Jacque Robinson brought the council up-to-date on the Pasadena City Council’s ad hoc commission on youth and neighborhoods, formerly the Pasadena/Altadena 2020 Initiative.

• The county is exploring restripng Lake Ave. from Palm to Loma Alta for traffic calming.  The present vision is for a single traffic lane in each direction, with a center lane marked for turning.  Former Land Use Commitee member Steve Haussler expressed concerns during public comment that it would make the residential area look like a commercial district where such turn lanes are common. (corrected: that he's a former member, thanx, Steve!)

Working the gavel:

Lincoln Crossing: Councilman Gene Campbell, the council’s representative to the West Altadena Project Area Committee, said that Dorn Platz was still involved in Lincoln Crossing, despite pleas from many quarters to sever relationships with the troubled developer.  Dorn Platz unveiled plans for Phase II of the development at the Sept. meeting, Campbell said.

Ruth Edwards, who was acting as chair in the absence of Gino Sund, ended up gaveling a heated discussion between Campbell and councilmember Allan Wasserman. Campbell stated that he was only representing his census tract, 4610, on WAPAC, while Wasserman said that he was serving as the council’s rep and therefore the entire town.  The council decided that questions about the development should be submitted to Campbell, who will take them to the WAPAC meeting.

Census tract reports: During census tract reports, Okorie Ezieme (CT 4602)  started a hard-to-follow litany of complaints about a lack of information from the council chair, especially regarding the cell tower.  He was admonished several times to keep his tract report to three minutes (he was given considerably more), and ignored several verbal and gaveled warnings about time until he was cut off by the chair. 

Herbert Simmons, the other representative from CT 4602, also stated that he had been “denied information” about the cell tower.  Simmons also wanted to announce his student and teacher of the month winners as new business, but was admonished by acting chair Edwards that it was not council business, it was his own, and enter it into the public comment part of the meeting, which was done.

Ezieme also made a public comment, urging the council to "consult with the community, and not take actions that could be construed as imposing our will over that of the community."

Uneventful at tonight's town council meeting

Typepad is acting up a bit tonight, so no long story -- we'll just tell you that no decisions were made, a little shouting was done, people made speeches and presentations, and chair Ruth Edwards rocked that gavel pretty hard a few times.  We'll give you the rundown sometime Wednesday.

Weekly looks at council controversy

Andre Coleman of the Pasadena Weekly runs a story on the situation with town councilman Herbert Simmons in this week's issue.

Altadena Town Council highlights

It was one of those "what just happened?" meetings at tonight's Altadena Town Council.

A promised uneventful meeting was waylaid by a motion from councilman Herbert Simmons to amend the council's bylaws to comply with the Brown Act.  The Act requires and regulates open meetings for California government bodies.

Councilman Okorie Ezieme, who seconded the motion, later backed away from it, saying that they all needed time to digest the information in the Brown Act. 

Several councilmembers said that they'd previously had a briefing from an attorney that said that the council, as an unpaid advisory body, was not covered by the Brown Act.  It was also pointed out that there was a procedure to amend the bylaws -- it could not be done in one meeting by vote.

in addition, abiding by the Brown Act opened councilmembers to civil or criminal prosecution if the act was violated, some councilmembers said.

Last month, the council went into a closed session to decide whether to launch an ethics investigation into Simmon's activities. Simmons has been soliciting sponsorship and donations for a "student/teacher of the month" project, and there was some question as to whether his identification as a councilman in some of his materials and other representations violated the council's ethics rules.  An investigating committee was formed, but has not yet released a report.

In the end, the council put up for a vote whether to discuss the motion next month, and it went down to defeat, with only  Simmons and Ezieme voting for it.

That wasn't the end of it, as later Simmons insisted, "we have violated the Brown Act in several different ways ..." to which councilman Jamie Bissner replied, "We can't violate it if we're not under it."

FIre and safety occupied much of the other council business:

• The council discussed Altadena's response to the Station Fire, and the role of  blogs and newsgroups in getting information out.  Councilmember Alice Wessen, who is also president of the Chaney-Millard fire safe council and runs the Chaney Trail listserv, said that, in the concern of the neighbors and sharing of information, "I saw the best of Altadena that week."
• The council also decided to write a letter or come up with a certificate to honor first responders.
• The council is also looking into getting ATC shirts for members to identify them in public meetings, such as the recent briefing with the Governor over the Station Fire, as La Canada city councilmembers had spiffy shirts and ATC members did not.
• Sheriff Capt. Roosevelt Blow mentioned the community meeting on burglaries on Wed., Oct. 7, 7 PM at Daniel Webster Elementary School, 2101 E. Washington in Pasadena; and CERT training at Loma Alta Park Oct. 13-17.

and finally:

Assemblyman Anthony Portantino gave his "state of the state" address, highlighting his office's efforts through the year and bills he had sponsored, and gave us an award (above)

Altadena Town Council meeting Tues. 7 PM

... at the community hall, 730 E. Altadena Dr.  Actually doesn't look too eventful, but you never know.

Simmons interview on Crown City News

Props to Crown City News for getting an interview with town councilman Herbert H. Simmons on his investigation by town council.  Not too informative, but worth watching for those following at home.

Town council will launch ethics investigaton

We were not able to attend tonight's meeting, but thanks to reports from folks on the ground, we learned as expected that the Altadena Town Council will form a committee to investigate charges and determine if there has been an ethical violation by a council member.  (The council member is not named, but is expected to be Herbert H. Simmons, CT 4602).  Chair Gino Sund said that there would be no further comment until the investigation is completed.

During public comment, several speakers expressed support for Simmons' student and teacher of the month initiatives.

Council to hold closed meeting to consider ethics investigation

The Altadena Town Council will meet in closed session Tuesday night, before its regular meeting, to consider mounting an investigation into possible ethical violations.

New councilmember Herbert Simmons (CT 4602) claims in an email that the meeting is "an attempt to secretly stop me .. from bringing positive changes and ideas to Altadena."  Simmons, in a series of emails and personal visits to local businesses over the past month, has been soliciting funds for educational awards and a "a new website that will link Altadenans together and keep everyone informed of current issues and events."  In these emails and solicitations, he has used his title and position on the Altadena Town Council, which some council members feel may be a violation of its bylaws and ethical standards.

Council chair Gino Sund has emailed us that the reason for the closed session is that "We are trying to prevent the unfortunate spectacle of ATC's previous administration when they publicly named multiple Councilpersons as having violated the ethical standards without a shred of evidence or fact. I think that we should investigate all charges, allegations and problems in private, to see if there is anything to them before they are made public.  This is to protect a Councilmember's good name from baseless charges, and to help protect the reputation of ATC. "

Town council meeting highlights

We'll have a full story at this headline later today, but we thought we'd share a Bill Westphal photo of the new Altadena town councilmembers being sworn in: from left, Dennis E. Bridwell (4603.01), Gaurav Malhotra (4611), Herbert Simmons (4602), Phil Barela (4601), Jamie Bissner (4612) and Ken Roberts (4603.02).  Swearing them in at the podium is Rita Hadjimanoukian of Supervisor Michael Antonovich's office.

Some other highlights of last night's meeting:

• Executive council positions will be: Chair Gino Sund, Vice-chair Dennis Bridwell, Corresponding Secretary Ruth Neilan Edwards, Recording Secretary Alice Wessen, Treasurer Tecumseh Shackelford.  All were recommended as a slate by a nominating committee of outgoing councilmembers.  Councilman Okorie Ezieme nominated himself as vice-chair, so there was a separate election for that position, which went to Bridwell.
• Gene Campbell also won the internal council election for WAPAC representative, over former councilmember MIchele Zack.
• A presentation by Steve Wilks of IBI Group consulting firm, which is conducting a public transit needs study of Altadena (the council decided that they would form an ad hoc committee to work on this study);
• Another presentation by Altadena resident Robert Gomperz, president of the Lincoln Ave. Water Co. and chairman of the Foothill Municipal Water District board.  Gomperz said that Foothill is looking at spending $7 million to improve and renew  various part of its plant (some parts are 50 years old), and $13 million to create a recycled water program.  Foothill, the wholesale water supplier for Altadena, La Crescenta, and La Canada Flintridge, is looking at various ways to finance these changes, including rate increases or a parcel tax to pay for improvement bonds.  The average cost of a bond measure would be $4 per property per month.
• Sheriff Capt. Roosevelt Blow said that the local youth activities league went on a beach camping trip this week (12 members of Eliot Middle School had to earn the right to go);  that the county board of supervisors offered a $10,000 reward for information on the murder of Jerrill Dulaney;  and the local sheriffs were going to increase gang suppression efforts over the summer.  "You're gonna see a lot of people going to jail," Blow promised.
• Sahag Mesrob Armenian Christian School was up again, as Sund announced that the temporary injunction to close the Palm St. campus was overturned by the state appellate court, and a hearing for a permanent injunction is scheduled for September.
• Campbell said that Mentoring and Partnership for Youth Development (MPYD) will be taking some of its young men to camp at San Diego in August, and was looking for donations to help fund the camp -- website is www.mpyd.org.

Town council meeting Tues. @ 7 PM

And the major event seems to be swearing in the new council members (before they are sworn AT). 

Full agenda after the jump.

Altadena Town Council highlights

A long and relatively uneventful Altadena Town Council meeting tonight.  Highlights:

• A presentation by the Los Angeles County Community Development Commission on Lincoln Crossing’s history, to bring the council up to speed on the development.  Later in the meeting, outgoing councilmember Michele Zack said that HUD was conducting an investigation of Lincoln Crossing;
• A lengthy report by Sheriff Capt. Roosevelt Blow on  the recent (June 5) shooting.  Blow also said that the Altadena station was preparing for the possibility of increased gang activity.  There will be another squad car brought in to work on gang enforcement during the summer, the station received a $20,000 grant to purchase tactical equipment, and there will be increased undercover surveillance.
• It was announced that T-Mobile has withdrawn its attempt to put a cell phone tower at St. Elizabeth’s Catholic Church.
• It was also announced that a preliminary injunction was ordered against Sahag Mesrob Armenian Christian School, with a hearing for a permanent injunction set for September.  The preliminary injunction says that Sahag-Mesrob must cease operating at their Palm St. campus by the end of this week.
• The June 6 town council election was certified, and the new members will begin their terms at next month’s meeting.

UPDATE 6/17: Here's the county website with information on West Altadena Community Redevelopment Project Area, which encompasses LIncoln Crossing.

UPDATE #2: Michele Zack has contributed her WAPAC report, after the jump.

Altadena Town Council, Tues., 7 PM

... at the Community Center, 730 E. Altadena Dr.

Council chair Gino Sund tells us:

Of  particular note.  The L.A. County Community Development Commission will be making an informational presentation about the Lincoln Crossing development project.  There has been much discussion about this project and the roles of Town Council and The West Altadena Project Area Committee in the planning and monitoring of the project.  Hopefully we will get a better understanding on Tuesday.

..

Simmons offers thanks

Newly-elected town councilman Herbert H. Simmons sent this email to share with his constituents:

When great people and like minds come together, great things can
happen for the benefit of all.

I am impressed with the citizens of Altadena. When given a chance, you
answered the call. Thank you . . .  I am now your newly elected
Councilmember. I will serve this position, with Okorie Ezieme, with
the same dedication that I put forth for the election. It will take
all of our efforts to accomplish our goals, in the same way that I
could not have won this election without you.

As the first step in connecting our community closer together, I am
requesting that all residents of Census Tract 4602 who have not yet
provided me with their e-mail address forward their e-mail address
and any questions to herbert.h.simmons@gmail.com. Thank you!


Sincerely,

Hon. Herbert Simmons
Census Tract 4602

Simmons, Malhotra gain council seats

Two newcomers won the only disputed seats in today's Altadena Town Council elections.

In CT 4602, Herbert Simmons won over Bill Westphal, 153-99.  In CT 4611, Guarav Malhotra won over Cynthia Tilleman, 52-24.

In a light election, 484 ballots were counted, with a handful of provisional incomplete, or incorrect ballots.  The winners of the competitive census tracts won by comfortable-enough margins that these ballot would have made no difference.

Election results are as follows:

• Census Tract 4601
  Phil Barela 56
  
• Census Tract 4602
  Herbert H. Simmons 153
  Bill Westphal 99
  
• Census Tract 4603.01
  Dennis E. Bridwell 43
  
• Census Tract 4603.02
  Kenneth Roberts (incumbent) 6
  
• Census Tract 4610
  Gene R. Campbell (incumbent) 10
• Census Tract 4611
  Gaurav Malhotra 52
  Cynthia Tilleman 24
• Census Tract 4612
  Jamie Bissner 32
• Census Tract 4613
  Lorie H. Judson (incumbent) 9

Don't forget to vote Saturday

Altadena town council elections are Saturday, and we remind you to check out our election page for all the details.  We've recently added a dynamic Googlemaps version of the census tracts (thx to Jeremiah Small & Ruth Edwards for all their work on this!)

Since there aren't any hot issues, and only two contested seats, turnout is expected to be low.  And that's not a good thing -- we got an email from election chair Bob Meyer that tells us why it's important to vote tomorrow:

Altadena Town Council doesn't get a lot of press, and frankly, many of our fellow Altadenan's are either unaware or don't think it's that important.  The reality is that they have influence in many facets of our community, from land use issues to traffic and roads as well as other local/neighborhood issues.  And the stronger the Town Council, the more influence they will have.  Given the precarious situation we find ourselves in with our state and local budgets, it is imparative that we have a strong council to represent our interests.

The best way I can sum up why it is important to vote in the upcoming election is as follows:

Why vote in the Altadena Town Council Election?

Altadena Town Council gives us all a collective voice with all of our local governmental agencies.  For the Council to be effective, it needs two important elements.  First, the confidence of the government that the council is competent and connected to the residents.  Second, the confidence of the residents that it represents their views.  Your involvement in the selection of your representative is critical to both of these elements necessary for the Council to be successful on your behalf.

Volunteers needed for Saturday's election

Town councilwoman Alice Wessen has sent this around re: the town council elections:

Dear Friends:

The Altadena Town Council elections are Saturday June 6th from 9AM to 3PM.
 We need folks willing to help set up, willing to staff the polls and help with break down.
Thanks very much to those who have already volunteered!

Information is already posted to the Town Council website here:
http://altadenatowncouncil.org/
Census tract map: http://altadenatowncouncil.org/election/Altadena%20Census%20Tracts%201.jpg
The polls will be located at:
Dickson Podley Real Estate (1471 E. Altadena Dr.),  Ralphs (2270 Lake Ave),  Farnsworth Park (Lake & Mount Curve),  The Main Library (600 E. Mariposa), Loma Alta Park ( 3330 Lincoln Ave.),   Gordy's Garage (843 W. Woodbury), and S&J Automotive (corner Allen and New York ).

But the most important part is the willingness of folks to share a few hours of their time being pollworkers.
 I will be one of them.

If you are willing, please contact the election chair, Bob Meyer.
Bob’s cell phone @ 626-676-6363.
Email: "Bob Meyer" bmeyer2140@sbcglobal.net

Thank you in advance. It is deeply appreciated.
Alice Wessen
Census tract rep: 4603.01
Altadena Town Council Election Committee member
www.alicewessen.com

Town council race makes the Star-News

Front page today, PSN takes one of their occasional jaunts up Altadena way so Janette Williams can write a decent rundown of the town council election and context.  The print edition includes a list of candidates that looks suspiciously like this, which was typed by our very own fingers.  We're always glad to spare people effort.

Library unveils building plan

The Altadena Library District unveiled its preliminary plans for renovating its historic 1967 Boyd Georgi building at Tuesday's town council meeting -- and the solution is in the air.

Quite literally -- plans call for building an addition cantilevered over the parking lot, as well as "selective demolition" of part the existing structure, all of which will add about 17,500 sq. ft. to the existing 22,000 sq. ft. structure, and more that double the amount of reader seats.

The estimated construction and refit costs are $18 million,  or $19 million if photovoltaic cells are added.

According to library director Barbara Pearson, right now they need to develop a way to fund plan specs -- about a $1.8 million project -- but the target date for any renovations are "quite a ways down the road."  The library has applied for congressional funding and is beginning to look at a capital campaign.

Council approves candidate list, the election is on

The Altadena Town Council approved the list of ten candidates for eight seats last night.  The election is scheduled for Sat., June 6, from 9 AM-3 PM

Those running are:

• Census Tract 4601
  Phil Barela
  
• Census Tract 4602
  Herbert H. Simmons
  Bill Westphal
• Census Tract 4603.01
  Dennis E. Bridwell
  
• Census Tract 4603.02
  Kenneth Roberts (incumbent, appointed)
  
• Census Tract 4610
  Gene R. Campbell (incumbent)
• Census Tract 4611
  Gaurav Malhotra
  Cynthia Tilleman
• Census Tract 4612
  Jamie Bissner
• Census Tract 4613
  Lorie H. Judson (incumbent)

Election chair Robert Meyer said that polls will be in the following locations:

Dickson Podley Real Estate (1471  E. Altadena Dr.), Ralphs (2270 Lake Ave), Farnsworth Park (Lake & Mount Curve), the Main Library (600 E. Mariposa), Loma Alta Park (3330 Lincoln Ave.), Gordy's Garage (843 W. Woodbury), and S&J Automotive (corner Allen and New York).

Altadenablog's election page will be online soon!

Short takes from last night's Town Council meeting

• The Pasadena Water & Power Dept. put on a dog and pony show for their upcoming rate increase (many Altadena homes are served by PWP).  By July, 2009, they are looking for a 10% average system revenue increase, and will adopt water shortage pricing.  Basically, rates are going up, penalties for large users, water reserves are half or less than what they should be.  Everybody's going to be doing it.
• Sheriff Capt. Roosevelt Blow spoke the the recent rash of shootings on the west side, saying that the slaying of Jerrill Dulaney is now in the hands of the homicide bureau, and nobody's talking.  If anyone has seen anything suspicious, call the homicide bureau at 323-890-5500.
  
  Blow said that additional gang investigators were called in, as well as detectives who were off that day.  "Additional resources" will be coming in for an occasional saturation patrol.
• The council approved a conditional use permit for alcohol sales at the Lake Ave./Calavaras St. site, aka the WaMu Crater.  RiteAid (which will be moving its existing store to the new facility) and potential tenant Fresh & Easy plan to sell beer, wine, and spirits at the site.

Altadena Town Council Tue. 7 PM

... at the Community Center, 730 E. Altadena Dr.

UPDATED 1 PM: Council Chair Gino Sund identifies four Items of note:

1.  The Pasadena Dept of Water and Power will present a proposed rate increases and seek public input on those new rates.  There are a considerable number of Altadena residents who are served by Pasadena Water.

2.  The 2009 ATC election slate will be approved and any Candidate wishing to do so, will be given the opportunity to address the community.

3.  The Altadena Library will present the proposed remodeling plan for the main branch.

 4.  Council will vote on the proposed CUPs to allow the sale of liquor at the new Rite-Aide and Farm Fresh retail outlets to be located at the old Wa Mu site.

Agenda is after the jump.

Ten submit names for Town Council seats

Ten candidates submitted their names to run for Altadena Town Council by 5 PM today, with five incumbents opting not to run again and the likelihood of only two races in the June 6 election.

According to council chair Gino Sund, the next step is for the names to be vetted Tuesday by the election committee -- checked for proper address, census tract, and such -- and the list will be approved by the town council at its next meeting May 19.

Those who entered the race are:

• Census Tract 4601
  Phil Barela
  
• Census Tract 4602
  Herbert H. Simmons
  Bill Westphal
• Census Tract 4603.01
  Dennis E. Bridwell
  
• Census Tract 4603.02
  Kenneth Roberts (incumbent, appointed)
  
• Census Tract 4610
  Gene R. Campbell (incumbent)
• Census Tract 4611
  Gaurav Malhotra
  Cynthia Tilleman
• Census Tract 4612
  Jamie Bissner
• Census Tract 4613
  Lorie H. Judson (incumbent)
  
  

Present councilmembers Tim Kelly (4601), Sarah Fuller (4602), Keith Gibbs (4603.01), Michele Zack (4611), and Ken Balder (4612) opted not to run again.

Volunteers sought for town council election

A note from Altadena town councilor Alice Wessen:

Dear Friends:

The Altadena Town Council elections will be Saturday June 6th. Deadline for applications are May 8th at 5PM.

This year there is an election committee chartered to assist with the process. There will be new census tract maps, training for pollworkers and so much more. Information is already posted to the Town Council website here: http://altadenatowncouncil.org/

But the most important part is the willingness of folks to share a few hours of their time being pollworkers. I will be one of them.

If you are willing, would you email me, Alice Wessen at awessen@yahoo.com with your name, email and contact phone number?  I will forward to the election chair, Bob Meyer.

Thank you in advance. It is deeply appreciated.

Alice

Town council approves election changes

At the April 21 meeting, the Altadena Town Council considered changes to the bylaws and rules for the upcoming town council election.

The changes were proposed by an ad hoc committee of residents and councilmembers who reviewed procedures and prior committee reports in an attempt to shore up the election process following complaints about the last election.

One of the more significant changes approved was the elimination of the position of alternate councilmembers. Traditionally, the top vote-getter would get the council seat, and the next in line would serve as an alternate -- which meant that losing the election wasn't necessarily a bar to serving and voting on the council.

Two other recommendations of the committee failed in a council vote: eliminating the requirement of citizenship to vote and hold office, moving the election to a September or October date.

The council also approved Sat., June 6, as election day. Candidates must physically turn in their paperwork by May 8 to the Altadena Community Center. Candidate packages are available at the Community Center or online at the town council website.

(thanks to Alice Wessen, Gino Sund, and Bill Westphal for covering for us in our absence!)

Town council candidate packets available now

We missed most of last night's town council meeting, but are collecting data and will have more to share later.  However, this is important:

Election packets are now available for candidates for Altadena town council positions.  Packets must be turned in by May 8, and the election will be June 6.  There will also be a candidate forum in May.  More to come.

UPDATE 4/23: Bill Westphal writes us:

Timothy,  I've also put information about the Election on the Town Council Website.  Forms and related information are available for downloading.

http://www.altadenatowncouncil.org

Altadena town council meeting Tues.

  at the community center, 730 E. Altadena Dr., 7 PM.

UPDATE 4/20: Agenda is up, after the jump, click to enlarge.  Major item:  Possible changes to ATC By-Laws related to recommendations by the Ad Hoc Committee on elections and approval of the 2009 Election Rules.

Mark your calendar: PUSD board and town council joint meeting Tues.

We will share the agenda when we get it, but remember that the Pasadena Unified School District board and the Altadena Town Council will hold a joint meeting starting at 6:30 PM on Tues., March 31, at the Altadena Community Center, 730 E. Altadena Dr.

Altadena City Council tonight

...we're celebrating one of the Days of Enforced Joy (TM) with the town council tonight at the community center, 730 E. Altadena Dr., 7 PM.

Town council Feb meeting highlights

From last night's meeting:

• The council proclaimed February "Scholar's Month," and honored the Bright Futures Scholars, quite a few of whom were in attendance.
• Lena Kennedy of State Sen. Carol Liu's office announced an open house at her district office in Glendale, 710 E. Central Ave. suite 310.  RSVP: 818-409-0400,
• Sheriff Lt. Shiela Sanchez said that the sheriff's were citing unlicensed people in the rash of door-to-door sales,
• Officer Tom Miller of the California Highway Patrol said that February was the start of a special enfocement period -- special enforcement nits would be at all Altadena schools two or three times a week to make sure everybody's obeying the speed limit.  The CHP is also offering an inspection of child seat placement by  appointment (626-296-8100).
• In census tract reports, councilman Ken Balder noted that the Apple Market is changing hands, and King Market will be occupying the space in four or five weeks.
• Gene Stephenson of the Altadena Community Development Corp. spoke on block grants; and four candidate for PUSD school board gave presentations.

Town council meeting: first look

Not too earth-shaking tonight -- we'll have the rundown tomorrow, and an announcement of an upcoming town hall meeting with PUSD candidates.

Town council, hillside ordinance meetings this week

Two important local government meetings this week, both at the Community Center, both start at 7 PM:

Tues, Feb. 17: Altadena Town Council monthly meeting

Wed. Feb. 18: Community meeting on the proposed Altadena HIllside Ordinance.  This is not a formal hearing, but an informal meeting hosted by LA Planning Dept. staff to present the draft ordinance and receive feedback.  The hillside management area/ridgeline map will be available at the meeting.  For more information, there's a website: http://www.altadenahills.org/