The Santa Clarita City Council held a special meeting with Los Angeles County 5th District Supervisor Kathryn Barger Wednesday morning to touch bases on a variety of county issues involving the city.

Open to the public, the meeting at Santa Clarita City Hall included discussions about implementation of Metro’s Antelope Valley Line Study, homelessness, public safety, open space and the arts.

Here’s a recap of the meeting provided by the city:

· Mayor Marsha McLean opened the meeting and noted that Public Safety officials in attendance were available only for a limited time, so she asked Councilman Bob Kellar to present on Public Safety first. (This differs from the posted agenda.)

· Kellar spoke about the progress being made on the new SCV Sheriff’s Station project, as well as Fire Station 104 on Golden Valley Road. He discussed the drop in Part I crimes in Santa Clarita and the reduction in traffic collisions.

· McLean and Barger spoke about the Metro Antelope Valley Line Study Implementation Plan. They spoke about discussions had by the North County Transit Coalition to improve service for residents on the AV line and the commitment by the county to put the study into action.

Los Angeles County 5th District Supervisor Kathryn Barger and Santa Clarita Mayor Marsha McLean. | Courtesy photo.

· Mayor Pro Tem Cameron Smyth spoke on the topic of Homelessness. He talked about the progress made by the city and county partnerships to expand homelessness services in Santa Clarita, including the Bridge to Home shelter and the Community Action Plan.

· Councilwoman Weste spoke about Open Space and the work being done by the city and county to protect the Rim of the Valley Corridor, as well as discussions on connections between the Santa Monica, San Gabriel and Santa Susana mountains to connect Santa Clarita to the Pacific Ocean.

· Councilman Miranda spoke about Arts in Santa Clarita, particularly events and opportunities in Old Town Newhall, the City’s Arts and Entertainment District. He brought up a proposal to transform the former Senior Center in Newhall into a dedicated Arts Center for the community.

Barger noted that the county is open to moving forward with this plan but also wants to include the veterans community in Santa Clarita, which is also in need of expanded space. She wants to explore a compromise that satisfies both needs.

Los Angeles County 5th District Supervisor Kathryn Barger met with the Santa Clarita City Council at City Hall on Sept. 4, 2019. | Courtesy photo.

· McLean and the City Council presented Kathryn Barger with a collage of photos commemorating the projects that have been completed in Santa Clarita since she was elected.

· Members of the public addressed the Council and the Supervisor.

· The meeting was adjourned at approximately 9:15 a.m.

Mayor McLean and the Santa Clarita City Council presented Supervisor Kathryn Barger with a collage of photos commemorating the projects that have been completed in Santa Clarita since she was elected. From left: Councilmembers Bill Miranda and Laurene Weste; Barger; Mayor Pro Tem Cameron Smyth; Mayor McLean; and Councilman Bob Kellar. | Courtesy photo.