The Arcadia City Council approved an extension of the contract with Best Disposal Co. of Monrovia, with increases in refuse rates effective March 1979.
Best Disposal was awarded the residential trash contract in Arcadia by the City Council on October 15. The action was taken despite the objections of the owner of a competing trash service as to the manner in which the contract was awarded.
The City Council, in emergency session, cancelled its contract with City Refuse Service and awarded an emergency contract for 90 days to Best Disposal Co. of Monrovia.
The City's contract with the City Refuse Service Company is being renewed. Proposals will be solicited from other disposal firms and a decision will be reached by mid-July. City Refuse is asking for a rate increase of 30%.
Beginning October 1, Arcadians will pay more for their water. The increase will be in two steps. The first will be an increase of 6% per 100 cubic feet. The second will be dependent on possible increases in the Edison rates for pumping.
A small group of teachers, dissatisfied with an 8.5% salary increase, may go on strike. Both the Arcadia Teachers Association and the American Federation of Teachers local have disavowed the action.
Thirty-two first year teachers and various administrators have received notices that they may not be rehired. If a revenue increase fails in the April 1975 election, Arcadia will be $1 million short.
After 2 months of classes, enrollment for Arcadia schools is down 400 from last year at this time. The only enrollment increase has been in grades 4-6.
The first reading of a water conservation ordinance was undertaken at the City Council meeting June 8. Five phases of the measure are given. Water rates will increase $.06 per 100 cubic feet as of August 1.
With the tax base increase having been approved by the voters on April 15, both Unions representing teachers in Arcadia presented new contract terms to the School Board.
Crime statistics for the first half of 1979 show a 4.6% overall increase in crime in Arcadia, despite a decrease in the number of violent crimes. This compares to an overall increase of 5.2% for the larger San Gabriel area.
Some teachers began picketing in front of the district offices. At issue were charges of stalling on negotiations and the 1% increase offer by the School Board which the teachers called "an insult." Superintendent Ed Ryan said that if the two unions had been able to get together on their demands the problem might have been resolved by now.
The University of La Verne has agreed to sponsor summer school in Arcadia to take the place of that cut by the passage of Proposition 13. Tuition will be charged.
Trouble continues for a teen music "night club" that opened in December 1977 on First Avenue. Noise, trash, and parking have been problems. Now it is restroom facilities and fire regulations.
Arcadia teachers picketed the open house at Arcadia High School to protest the 1978-79 raise offered by the Arcadia Board of Education. The teachers claim they received a 3.5% salary adjustment (vs. the average San Gabriel Valley increase of 5.5%) while the Board claims a 5% increase retroactive to December 1, 1978.
James Helms' City Council seat will be "up for grabs" as the city Charter prohibits more than 2 consecutive terms. Also, Dr. Alton Scott's seat will be available as he has announced that he will not seek re-election. Candidates may pick up nomination papers on January 15 and must file by noon on February 5 for the April election.