Public Safety & Transportation Meeting - Approved
January 19, 2010
Time: 7:00 PM
Secretary: Clara Woll

1:Scott Munson, Chair, called the meeting to order at 7:04 PM in the Hal Bernson Meeting Room of the Chatsworth Train Depot, 10038 Old Depot Plaza Road in Chatsworth.

Roll was taken.  Council Committee Members present: Varoujan Deirmenjian, Diana Dixon-Davis (7:15 PM), Jan Eddy-Languein, Scott Munson, Richard Nadel, and Linda Ross. Lucie Volotsky was excused.  Stakeholder Members present: Michele DeGaetano and Clara Woll.  Helen Davis was absent.  A quorum was present.

Item 3: Richard moved approval of the minutes for December 15, 2009 as presented.   Minutes approved.

Item 4:  Scott contacted Councilman Smith's office regarding the proposed ordinance change to require sidewalk repair to be done by homeowners.  Scott says that he plans to bring it up at the Valley Alliance of Neighborhood Councils for action there.  Clara moved and Var seconded a motion that Scott draft a letter for the CNC opposing any ordinance change that required the repairs to sidewalks be done by homeowners.  Motion was unanimously approved.

Item 2: Richard L. (stakeholder) said that he has contacted Councilman Smith's office regarding suggested improvements for bike lanes.

Item 5:  Clara reported that Darren Martinez responded via e-mail to Judi regarding Clara's questions about whether or not General Improvement Performance Bond default money goes into the City's General Fund and if an ordinance change is needed to insure the money is used for making the required improvements. Martinez says Public Works is in a better position to answer that question.  Richard N. moved and Scott seconded a motion that Clara draft a letter to Public Works requesting clarification of when the City Attorney is contacted about bonds that expire without the required infrastructure improvements being made, and whether or not the default money goes to the general fund or is used to contract for the work. Motion was unanimously approved.

Item 6: Michele reported that Fire Station 96 has received the elliptical trainer and is very pleased with it.  She met with Captain Kramer and advised him that the committee has budgeted $1,750 for priority needs of the Chatsworth Stations.  He will discuss needs with the other shift Captains.  Michele will provide the committee with their priorities at a future meeting.

Item 8:
-Richard N. indicated that he has called parking enforcement several times regarding the
advertising trailers parked under the "No Unhitched Trailers" signs on De Soto south of Chatsworth Street.  He has been told that the owners has hired young people to move the trailers a short distance and take pictures of them being moved.  Diana suggested calling the television station that is asking people to let them know what bothers them.  She also mentioned that Mitch Englander will be at the Chatsworth Community Coordinating Council meeting on Monday.  Scott requested that she or Michele ask him about the trailers.
-Diana mentioned that they are trying to figure out how to pay the security guard for the corner of Variel and Devonshire.

Item 7: The "Open Action Item" list was reviewed as follows:
--Scott signed a committee letter to the Waste Water Collection Division of Public Works thanking them for their previous quick response and identifying 22 storm drains needing cleaning.
--Richard N. will finalize and send a letter to the City requesting that streets be repainted quickly after slurry coating.
--The letter requesting improvements to the pedestrian/equestrian crossing at Topanga Canyon and Santa Susana Pass Road was approved by CNC at the December meeting.  No word yet from the State.  Clara will contact the State to see what, if any, action they plan to take.
-- Richard L. (stakeholder) explained that he had gone with Lucie to identify items needed at the Devonshire Station.  Helen and Lucie will work together on getting costs for items needed by LAPD Devonshire Division for their children's safe room and an officers' room. 
--Michele will provide the committee with LAFD's priority needs for Chatsworth.
--Diana will develop and print safety calendars.
--Darren Martinez of the City Attorney's office has referred the committee to Public Works the follow-up questions regarding our letter on what action is taken when developers do not complete public improvements.  Clara to draft a letter for the next PS&T meeting.
--The CPR class is full at 50, with 12 people on a waiting list.  The First Aid class has 40 people signed up. The cut off for it is 45.  The classes are scheduled for Saturday, February 6, 2010 at the Chatsworth Four Square Church on Canoga Avenue.  The CPR will be from 9:00 to noon and the First Aid from 12:30 to 3:00.
--DOT responded to our request for a 25 MPH "Children's Playground Zone" for the west side of Mason Park saying that it does not meet the criteria.  Scott requested that committee members look for parks that have reduced speed zones or other signs.
--The "School Zone" for De Soto Avenue has been approved by DOT.  "Horse" signs have been posted as a result of DOT looking at that intersection, but DOT has to paint the crosswalk yellow when they put up the "School Zone" signs.  Apparently that has caused a delay.  Clara was told that it would be completed in December.
--The elliptical trainer for Fire Station 96 has been delivered.  They are very happy with it.
-- Jan will provide Megan of Councilman's Smith's office with information about the best place to post signs on Brown's Canyon Road.  Also, one off-road dirt bike rider was arrested recently.
--The speed limit sign on Mason north of the radar sign will not be put up until the City Council approves the speed limit ordinance. 
-- DOT approved putting in a right turn arrow at Mason and Rinaldi as requested in our letter.  There has been no further word from DOT.  Scott suggests developing a follow-up list of items where action by the City has been delayed to discuss with Megan.
--Lucie is to provide the committee with an estimated cost detail for establishing Emergency Preparedness groups in Chatsworth.
--The letter requesting "No Unhitched Trailers" signs for Mason and Lassen was sent to Councilman Smith's office.  No signs up yet.  Committee wants to look into getting "No Over Night Parking" signs instead.

Item 9: Scott moved and Richard N. seconded a motion to adjourn the meeting.  Scott adjourned the meeting at 8:25 PM

Submitted by Clara Woll, Secretary