Equestrian Meeting - Approved
November 11, 2009
Time: 7:00 PM
Secretary: Pat UpdeGraff

The regular monthly meeting of the CNC Equestrian Committee was held on Wednesday, November 11, 2009, at the Old Train Depot (Hal Bernson Community Room) on Chatsworth.

The meeting was called to order at 7:07 p.m., by chairman, Steve Columbus.

Roll was taken and members present were:  Dorothy Allison, Mary Kaufman, Steve Columbus, Jan Eddy-Languein, Andre van der Valk and Linda van der Valk and Pat UpdeGraff.  Excused were:  Charlotte Brodie.  Absent were:  Dan Huffman, and Alan Glazer.  (For a list of attendees please see the secretary)

Chairman's Report and Stakeholder Comments:

The meeting was opened with Steve Columbus asking those present to take a moment to honor our veterans present, and all those who have served our country.

Corral 54 is having a play day on Sunday November 15, 2009 at Stoney Point Ranch.

Linda brought up the problem of accessory dwellings and how they are being built without preserving the rights of neighbors who may wish at a later date to have horses on their property.  There is a need to prevent additions too close to property boundaries, which ruins the future rights of neighbors to put in barns and have horses.  This is both a land use and equestrian committee issue.  Mary suggested that Steve write a letter from the equestrian committee expressing our concerns. 

There are also several properties in Chatsworth that are being illegally used as churches and multi family units.

Dorothy stated that the Variel trail is being worked on, but she would also like to see the Mission Trail dedicated also.  There was much discussion on this issue.  There are maps showing it as a named trail, but somehow it has been let go.  The Equestrian Advisory Committee is trying to get updated maps of the backbone trail and the Mission Trail.  Per Mary we should write a letter to the Advisory Committee to try to get this problem solved.  Corral 54 will also be looking into this matter and it will be brought up at their next board meeting.  A targeted trail ride was suggested for January to ride the Mission Trail.

The housing development scheduled to go into Brown's Canyon is currently on hold.  They are having DWP water issues.  A bridge has been constructed though across Mormon Creek.  They have put in a lot of concrete and rock into the creek bed.  Were there any permits?

Per Mary the Equestrian Advisory Committee supported bike use within the city except for chapter 3 regarding bikes on equestrian trails.  We really need to fight to protect the equestrian trails.

Per Steve the Santa Susanna Pass Historical Park held docent training.  To be able to patrol the park officially on horseback riders must attend the National Park's training program and be certified.  LAPD mounted patrol cannot act in any official capacity re the trails, they can only watch, and report problems.  There is a new training session on Monday, November 16, 2009.

Approval of the minutes:

The minutes of the September 9, 2009 minutes were approved as submitted.

Election:

There is an open stake holder place as Jan is now a board member on the Chatsworth Neighborhood Council.  Congratulations to Jan on her recent election.  Steve asked if there was anyone present who would like to serve.  Bill UpdeGraff said he would.  There were no other candidates, and Bill was elected unanimously.

Old Business:

Day of the Horse:  A motion was made to spend up to a maximum of $5,000 on the 2010 Day of the Horse.  The motion passed infamously.

New Business:

There was a discussion about the property at 21042 San Jose.  There are many ongoing issues with the property.  There is no way of knowing at this time if it is legally one lot or two tied.  The records seem to be ambiguous.  Alan Glazer, of the Chatsworth Neighborhood Council sent a letter to the owner, Baudilio Lozano; Linn Wyatt, Associate Zoning Administrator and his representative, Maria Hussy, informing them of this meeting, but they chose not to attend.

It is felt that Baudilio Lozano is operating an illegal boarding facility, but has found a way around the rules by registering the horses in his name.  He also has roosters that are a neighborhood nuisance and has not removed an illegal barn that was supposed to be removed.  There is also no dust suppression.  Linda made a motion that we send a letter to Lynn Wyatt, the councilman's office and the City Attorney stating the non compliance issues.  The motion passed to send a letter with Steve abstaining.

Bill Lander spoke to the committee about the ongoing problems at Pierce College and he described how when are gradually chipping away at the agriculture and animal keeping programs at the college.  There is a lack of maintenance and they no longer maintain a person on the grounds 24 hours a day to maintain the safety of the animals.  Bill was asked to vacate his home on Pierce College property after 25 years of caretaking.  He has been employed at pierce for 27 years and is still employed by the college.  The college even wanted to shut down the equestrian center as an evacuation site, but Mike Antonovich's office acted to preserve it for now.    A motion was made by Mary and approved unanimously to send a letter from the CNCEC expressing our concerns about the animal science center and the equestrian center.  Letters will be sent to Jack Scott, Chancellor and the board of trustees and the president of the college.

Mary passed out a copy of the Equine Bill of Rights for the city of LA.  The Los Angeles Horse Council would like to adopt an Equine Bill of Rights.  Mary collected the signed forms and will forward those and any more she receives to Fritz Bonner.  Each member took forms to pass out to friends.

The meeting was adjourned at 9:05 p.m.

Respectfully Submitted

Pat UpdeGraff, Secretary