To navigate to a specific part of the video, simply click on the timestamp links below. Each timestamp corresponds to a different section of the video, allowing you to jump to the parts that interest you the most easily.
00:00:00 In this section, the Santa Clarita City Council meeting discussed the upcoming Labor Day holiday, its history, and its significance. Labor Day was originally proposed in 1882 by Matthew McGuire while he was serving as Secretary of the central labor union in New York. Early celebrations of Labor Day came during a dismal time in American labor’s history, with average workers working 12 hours a day, seven days a week, to support a basic livelihood. While the intent of this holiday to honor and support workers’ rights has faded into present-day celebrations, it still provides working people with the much-needed respite that is equally important.
00:05:00 In this section, the Santa Clarita City Council Meeting begins with a discussion about honoring workers with a day of rest. The council then moves on to a roll call and the Pledge of Allegiance. During the executive meeting, speaker cards are presented for various items on the agenda, and the agenda is motioned and approved. The meeting progresses to the Awards and Recognition section, where the Legends FC soccer team is introduced as the new national champions. The team had been recognized by the council in the past year for their achievements and has now won the U.S Club Soccer National Championship, becoming the first club soccer team from the Santa Clarita Valley to do so. The council congratulates the team and invites them, along with their coaches and parents, to receive a certificate of recognition.
00:10:00 In this section, the Santa Clarita City Council Meeting recognizes the Legends FC soccer team for winning the National Championship title for a second year in a row. The team expresses gratitude for the support they have received from local media outlets, businesses, schools, friends, family, parents, and coaches for their success. One of the players, Abby, speaks about the dedication, camaraderie, inside jokes, and challenges the team faced and overcame over time. Along with excelling in soccer, the girls have dealt with hormonal changes, spent hours traveling on the road, braved heat and rain, and handled questionable refereeing, and still found a way to win.
00:15:00 In this section of the Santa Clarita City Council Meeting, the achievements and dedication of various individuals and groups were recognized. The city’s all-girls soccer team, Legends FC, was acknowledged for their recent national tournament win and the hard work of their coaches. The public works department was also commended for their efforts in constructing two eco-friendly buildings that have received LEED Silver certification. The Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff Station and Canyon Country Community Center projects utilized sustainable design principles, such as naturally-lit interiors and a stormwater infiltration system capable of capturing and recharging millions of gallons of water during a rainfall.
00:20:00 In this section, a resident of the Santa Clarita Valley representing the Sierra Club speaks during public comment at the city council meeting. She congratulates the council on the two lead certifications and discusses the issue of stormwater and urban runoff. She notes that the Sierra Club would like to see the money allocated for cleaning up this water spent wisely and proposes an easy first step – changing the signs on gutters and River inlets to say “no dumping drains to drinking water” with a picture of a glass of water. This would encourage people to think twice before letting their dogs poop or trash go into the water supply. She thanks the council and looks forward to working with them on this campaign.
00:25:00 In this section of the Santa Clarita City Council Meeting, two speakers address the issue of the city’s homeless population. The first speaker, a homeless resident at the city’s only shelter, questions why the city continues to give $8 million annually to Los Angeles County for solving homelessness while receiving little in return. He suggests the city dump Los Angeles County and fund its homeless shelter with its own money. The second speaker invites the city council members to attend a meet-and-greet with residents and criticizes the human relations roundtable, saying it promotes discontent rather than promoting diversity.
00:30:00 In this section of the Santa Clarita City Council meeting, a speaker named Jeffrey Malek followed up on his previous speech calling for the banning of hate symbols, specifically the Confederate flag, in the community. Malek proposed following the state of New York’s 2020 prohibition, which would define hate symbols and prohibit their sale or display in public buildings and on public grounds unless serving an educational or historical purpose. He also called for the council to go beyond just condemning hate symbols and to make it an agenda item by the next meeting to discuss publicly and hear public opinions before putting it to a vote. Malek argued that hate speech is not protected by free speech and that the community feels threatened and scared, citing examples of signs meant to spread hatred and fear posted on telephone poles in the area.
00:35:00 In this section of the Santa Clarita City Council Meeting, Olive Branch Theatrical’s artistic director Matt San Jose spoke about the company’s mission to build an equitable, diverse, and inclusive organization that welcomes voices and talents from across the Santa Clarita Valley and surrounding artistic communities. San Jose discussed working together with other local theater companies, sharing props and ideas, and using the new rehearsal space at the Valencia Town Center to support each other. The company hopes to become Santa Clarita’s Community Theater and invites the public to the ribbon-cutting ceremony on September 22nd. Another speaker expressed concerns about drug abuse and mental health challenges faced by students in the area and promoted the upcoming event “Chasing the High,” an initiative by the City Council and Sheriff’s Department to address prescription pill abuse among young people.
00:40:00 In this section of the video, two speakers address the Santa Clarita City Council. The first speaker shares her personal experience as a victim of a violent crime and highlights the importance of promoting public safety. The second speaker discusses a local politician, Jeffrey Malik, who has voiced his opposition to white supremacy in the San Clarita Valley. The speaker challenges the idea that there is a significant presence of white supremacy in the community and criticizes Malik and his supporters for using divisive language. The speaker also commends Malik and his wife for their actions in responding to a distressed neighbor but suggests removing the word “white” from the term “white supremacist.”
00:45:00 In this section of the Santa Clarita City Council meeting, council members addressed the rising tension at recent meetings and the issue of online bullying. One member pointed out the irony of a council candidate’s anti-bullying platform while bullying continues online. Another member expressed concern about new COVID guidelines from LA County and asked what the city plans to do if they disagree with them. Finally, a representative from a local school expressed frustration about road construction issues that have increased traffic and dangerous driving near their campus.
00:50:00 In this section of the Santa Clarita City Council Meeting, concerns about traffic safety were raised by a local school parent. The school has been promised safety improvements such as a median, crosswalks, and speed cushions for several years, but they have not been implemented. Parents are worried about the dangers posed to students by reckless driving, the lack of sheriff’s department enforcement, and insufficient guidance from administrators. City manager comments included discussing changing signs on drain systems and potential safety improvements at the school. The council emphasized that the county is responsible for enforcing COVID-related regulations and that they will work with the school and developer to address safety concerns.
00:55:00 In this section, the Santa Clarita City Council discusses the possibility of putting up signs to discourage people from polluting bodies of water. The council acknowledges that the wording of these signs could be complicated and suggests consulting with the sanitation district for clarity. The council then moves on to committee reports, where member Bill raises concerns about the fentanyl crisis and the recent surge in deaths, including in Santa Clarita Valley. Bill urges parents and teenagers alike to learn more about the dangers of fentanyl through sources such as Action Drug Rehab, claiming that “Fentanyl is a game changer” and that “every drug out there today is made from fentanyl.”
01:00:00 In this section, two adjournments were discussed during the Santa Clarita City Council Meeting. The first was in memory of Lila Littlejohn, a former editor of The Signal newspaper and dedicated educator who had a passion for geology and the desert. The second adjournment was in memory of Jack Hanna, a Western music legend and co-founder of the Sons of the San Joaquin who performed regularly at the Santa Clarita Cowboy Festival. Council Member Jason Gibbs also shared some thoughts about the recent groundbreaking event for the inclusive playground at West Creek Park and how it sparked discussions about the meaning of inclusion in parks.
01:05:00 In this section, the council members discuss the design of a new playground slide, which uses a rolling mechanism instead of steel or plastic slides that could cause static discharges, which can be harmful for children with hearing disabilities or cochlear implants. The council member notes that this is an example of inclusivity, as any child can enjoy the slide without pain, but it is especially valuable for children with disabilities. The council then moves on to other topics, including a recollection of a story about a cowboy and a discussion of recent recalls in the community.
01:10:00 In this section of the Santa Clarita City Council Meeting, the council members discuss various topics including the backtracking of some mandates by officials, the importance of public safety, and concerns over the placement of violent felons in Camp Scott. There is also a call for educating parents and children about the dangers of fentanyl, a parent symposium on September 23rd, and an adjournment in honor of Jerry Gladbach, a longtime public servant and water conservation advocate who passed away recently.
01:15:00 In this section of the Santa Clarita City Council Meeting, the council members took a moment to adjourn in memory of two individuals who contributed immensely to the community. The first person remembered was Jerry Gladbach, who was deeply involved in water resource management and served on several boards relating to water in California. Congressman Mike Garcia entered Gladbach’s name into the Congressional Record as a tribute to the contributions he made in his lifetime. The council members also remembered Gloria Jean Donnelly, who played an essential role in creating the city of Santa Clarita and worked tirelessly for its benefit as a realtor and community leader. The council members paid tribute to her vision and commitment to the city and expressed their condolences to her family and friends. Finally, the council members also discussed the increasing threat of Fentanyl and the devastating impact it could have on the community, especially its children.
01:20:00 In this section, a council member discusses the ongoing opioid crisis in the United States, describing it as the deadliest drug threat the country has ever faced. The council member urges communities to take action by educating children, parents, and others about the dangers of opioids, as well as pushing for a federally listed drug classification for opioids. The council member also mentions an upcoming parent resource symposium in Santa Clarita and encourages everyone to get involved. Additionally, the meeting covers a potential grant for preserving a historical encyclopedia of the city’s history that has been compiled over the past 35 years. The council agrees to explore the matter further to ensure this important resource is not lost.
01:25:00 In this section of the Santa Clarita City Council meeting, council members discuss voting delegates for the 2022 League of California City annual conference. After a brief presentation by city staff, councilman McLean is designated as the voting delegate with councilman Miranda and mayor Pro tem Gibbs as alternates. The council then moves on to the consent calendar, and the first speaker, Missy, voices her concerns about the proposed New Hall Gateway beautification project, which she believes, at a cost of $470,000, is a cosmetic rather than a critical project that doe not meaningfully improve the lives of residents or anyone passing by Santa Clarita on the 14 freeway. She asks the council to consider setting the project aside.
01:30:00 In this section of the Santa Clarita City Council meeting, two different items are discussed. The first is about the Vista Canyon multimodal Center project, and property owner Donald Harlan disputes the deal that the city of Santa Clarita wants to make with the Southern California regional rail Authority. Harlan claims that the train tracks within the project’s site are his private property, and there is no agreement for this property. In the second item, which is item nine, the council is discussing a contract to expand cleaning up homeless encampments. However, a speaker, Corey Downs, questions why the council is not focusing on solving the problem of homelessness instead of applying ‘Band-Aids’ to the issue. Downs believes it is inappropriate to charge this amount of money to the general fund and suggests asking the county for temporary assistance while trying to recover the funds that were due from L.A. County.
01:35:00 In this section of the video, two people speak out against the city council’s treatment of homeless residents. One person criticizes the council’s handling of banking issues, while another argues that the council’s policies on housing and development have contributed to the homeless population. They also point out that the council has the tools and resources to solve the problem but lacks the political will to do so. The speakers call out the council’s treatment of homeless residents as dehumanizing and urge them to make better policy choices. Another speaker argues against the encampment cleanup services, pointing out that the city lacks enough emergency shelter beds and that many homeless residents remain hidden.
01:40:00 In this section of the Santa Clarita City Council Meeting, residents bring up concerns about the transfer of parks to the city and the treatment of workers and animals at William Hart Park. The first speaker urges the city to hire more staff to care for the animals once the transfer is complete and to open the museum as well. The second speaker opposes the Tesoro Valley annexation area and questions the information provided in the supplemental resolution, stating that as a taxpayer, they want to understand the annexations’ costs.
01:45:00 In this section, a speaker brings up a personal issue regarding Harry Carey Jr and his family, and how he attempted to sell properties to them in exchange for help getting entertainment money that he claims they owed him. He expresses concerns about the family betraying his trust and trying to claim the property, and worries about Carey’s well-being and the possibility of someone taking advantage of him. Another speaker questions the need for an outside consultant for a proposed project within the city, citing the increase in budget and suggesting that the city’s existing staff and commission should be able to handle the design review themselves.
01:50:00 In this section, two speakers address the Santa Clarita City Council on issues related to transparency and public involvement in council meetings. The first speaker raises concerns about the use of taxpayer dollars to fund supplemental services and suggests that council members should consider allocating funds based on citizens’ higher needs. The second speaker discusses the lack of transparency in the agenda for the July 12th special development committee meeting, where there was a presentation by a company called PlaceWorks. The speaker also suggests that committees should provide more lead time for the public to rearrange their schedules and attend meetings. Additionally, the second speaker questions the mandate for developers to use the design review services paid for by taxpayers, which were presented as non-inclusive of public involvement.
01:55:00 In this section of the Santa Clarita City Council Meeting, multiple speakers addressed different agenda items. One speaker expressed concern about the cost of developers using the Design Services, as the council may end up paying for it twice. Another speaker criticized the use of consent calendars, which allows items to be approved without public comment if no one signs up, and asked for the council’s reasoning behind prioritizing the Museum and Cultural Center feasibility study contract. Lastly, a speaker questioned the cost-benefit analysis of using renewable bio-diesel instead of regular diesel and expressed skepticism about the council’s commitment to the Green New Deal.
02:00:00 In this section, a speaker at the Santa Clarita City Council meeting raises questions about the rationale behind investing in renewable biodiesel instead of conventional diesel, arguing that it doesn’t make sense to pay significantly more for it. Another speaker voices opposition to spending $90,000 on a feasibility study for a new Cultural Center, arguing that there are already plenty of facilities available for hosting cultural events. A different speaker provides historical context and argues that while sound government policies can be beneficial for residents, policy decisions can also have unintended consequences and systematically disadvantage certain groups.
02:05:00 In this section of the Santa Clarita City Council Meeting, speakers addressed several items on the agenda including the expansion of the disc golf course in Central Park and the granting of easements and entry agreements to the Santa Clarita Valley Sanitation District. One speaker supported the expansion of the disc golf course, urging the council to approve it and allocate proper funds for the necessary changes. Another speaker opposed item 16, arguing that the city had no right to sell his land to the water district and that it had been mistakenly assumed that the quick claim for the drainage pipe also included ownership of the land it sat on.
02:10:00 In this section, a speaker voices their opposition to the government claiming property that doesn’t belong to them in relation to item 17. They state that every inch of California is owned by someone and it’s the people’s constitutional right to be reimbursed for their property if the government takes it away. The speaker also mentions the recurring problem of people trying to claim ownership of property that doesn’t belong to them or make deals with it. They say that if there are large financial crimes happening and law enforcement won’t handle it, there are international agencies willing to place bounties on these people’s behalf. On item 18, the speaker says they don’t have information on the property but voices no opposition to the assignment assumption and consent of easement agreement to Shadow Wolf energy.
02:15:00 In this section of the Santa Clarita City Council Meeting, an individual expresses concerns about the city collecting easement money for oil property that has been depleted for a long time and the recent sale of the property to Shadow Wolf energy by Barry petroleum. The speaker expresses personal concerns over oil drilling due to past experiences with federal government officials drilling for their oil and the potential for shady business in the oil industry. Following the speaker’s comments, the council moves on to the next item on the agenda and takes a vote. The subsequent speaker discusses incidents of racism, discrimination, and bigotry that they have personally witnessed in the community, despite some individuals denying its existence.
02:20:00 In this section, a speaker addresses the issue of hate and racism in the community and suggests the idea of a parent symposium to educate and combat it. The speaker proposes that instead of becoming angry or defensive when called racist, people should become curious about their behavior and ask others directly. The speaker also proposes term limits for city council members as there is strength and grace in knowing when to step aside and let others take the reins. Another speaker discusses the need for third-party oversight in the SRO program of Santa Clarita, especially when dealing with minors as they are less inclined to understand their rights when dealing with the police. The speaker argues that this can act as a reliable and third-party check against any potential abuse of power.
02:25:00 In this section of the Santa Clarita City Council meeting, Amber Coopman voices her concerns about the lack of action being taken to address homelessness in the community. Coopman notes that there is enough money to do something to help the homeless, and she believes that people need to do more than donate pizza and pasta. She calls on the council to do something before the problem worsens. The following speakers discuss other issues, including the fentanyl crisis and how to dispose of fluorescent light bulbs, as well as promoting German American heritage events.
02:30:00 In this section of the Santa Clarita City Council Meeting, various topics were discussed by different speakers. One speaker requested for the city to recognize German-American Heritage Month and Constitution Day as they approach. Another speaker addressed the growing issue of white supremacy in Santa Clarita, highlighting how recruitment signs were being placed in areas where children could see them. The speaker also criticized the council’s allowance of white supremacist groups to exist and thrive in the city, as well as their response to the fentanyl overdoses and homelessness in the area. The section also included a brief interruption by another speaker who was quickly allowed to continue speaking about the quality of the water in Santa Clarita.
02:35:00 In this section, various topics were discussed during the Santa Clarita City Council Meeting. One councilmember suggested using goats to clear brush and prevent fires, while another reminded everyone about the upcoming Liberty Parade and the importance of freedom and the Constitution. However, the meeting became heated when a councilmember began making inappropriate and offensive comments about racism and a female colleague. The councilmember tried to redirect the conversation to drugs but was met with objections from fellow councilmembers.
02:40:00 In this section of the video, a speaker makes comments during a Santa Clarita City Council meeting, expressing frustration over discussions surrounding white supremacy and accusing some people of making a big deal out of nothing. The speaker emphasizes the intelligence of Santa Clarita residents and ends by stating that he is open to further discussion on the matter. The meeting concludes with adjournment and an honoring of several individuals.