Arcadia will join a coalition of 39 other cities in suing the federal and state governments over a new program regulating storm water runoff from local streets. The federal and state program requires cities to reduce trash runoff by 10 percent a year, until it reaches zero, or pay a fine.
Dave Hinig, Arcadia Police Chief, discusses changes in the department over the last thirty years, including new technology, new crimes, community composition and new hires.
The Arcadia city council endorsed the construction of the second phase of the Gold Line as a light rail transit system. Grade level of the major street crossings was discussed.
Arcadia Methodist Hospital celebrates its centennial. There were 30 invited guests and local dignitaries, including past chiefs of staff. The hospital began in 1903 in a 2-story house on Hewitt Street in downtown Los Angeles. It was founded by the Women's Home Missionary Society and had 5 beds.
Arcadia City Council has put out a design contract for landscaping and streetscape design on Baldwin Avenue between Duarte Road and Naomi Avenue. The contract went to Willdan, not to exceed $64,410. Another project proposes widening of the street to four lanes, 75 feet from curb to curb, with landscaped median, curb parking and additional landscaping, along with street resurfacing, to cost $380,000.
The city welcomes construction of two office buildings at 225 and 255 Santa Clara Street. The buildings will be occupied by the law firm of Hart, Mieras, Morris and Peale, LLP, and Los Angeles District Church of the Nazarene.
Arcadia City Council has approved a new contract with the Pasadena Humane Society (PHS) to provide animal services to Arcadia. The contract is for $69,838, a 3% increase over the current year's agreement. The city has contracted with PHS since 1994. PHS handles dog licensing, answers calls for service and offers low-cost spay and neuter clinics. Other items were approved, including a contract with Engineered Plumbing Inc. for water mains and valves, the purchase of Mobile Data Terminals for the Arcadia Fire Department from Nida Companies, and massage therapist permits.
The robotics program in Arcadia schools was the main topic of the state of the district presentation to the Arcadia Rotary Club last week. Superintendent Mimi Hennessy discusses the financial state of the school district.
The new fiscal year will bring about changes in the city. Most notably, construction will begin on a new $16 million police station. Other possible projects include moving fire stations around, new signs, upgrades to infrastructure and more.
The water in Baldwin Lake at the Los Angeles County Arboretum, which is actually a sag pond, is evaporating, and the water is not being replenished by the artesian well because of low levels in the water table. The lake is famous from the television show Fantasy Island. The last time Baldwin Lake was dry was 1991.
The parking lot at the Arcadia Community Center will be expanded by including the lot where the Arcadia Historical Museum was formerly located. New electrical equipment will be installed. Total cost will be $104,600.
The City of Arcadia and Arcadia City Council are working on plans for a new civic center and multipurpose facility that would be located next to City Hall and the newly constructed police station. The project would use money from the capital construction fund and is not part of the city's general fund.
Harris & Associates will design streetscape and landscape improvements for the Santa Anita Entry Corridor, meaning Santa Anita Avenue from Huntington Drive to the Foothill 210 Freeway and on areas adjacent to the Santa Anita Avenue and Baldwin Avenue freeway ramps. The project will include pavement work. The contract for the project is for $107,211.
Construction begins on Anoakia luxury housing development, on the former site of Anoakia, Anita Baldwin's mansion, on the corner of Baldwin Avenue and Foothill Boulevard in Arcadia. The Anoakia Mansion was demolished last August to make way for 31 homes to be built by Hover Development Inc. of Newport Beach. Anita Baldwin, daughter of Lucky Baldwin, lived there until her death in 1939. It was used as a girls' school from 1941 to the late 1970s. The new housing development is 19 acres.