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.
Water rates in Arcadia will be lowered by $.04 per 100 cu Ft effective July 1, 1979. The burden of the water tax, now split 50% each by the city and property owners, will fall 100% on property owners. However, the increased property tax is tax deductible.
Because of California's intense two year drought, water rates will need to go up to cover the costs of getting outside water. Also, pumping costs are greater due to soaring energy costs.
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.
A group of local businessmen have initiated steps to open a new bank, independently owned by other Arcadians. If all goes well, it will be the first independent bank to open in Arcadia since 1929.
John Grivich, head of the Arcadia Water Department for the past 26 years retired June 7. He is proud of the quality of Arcadia's water, its low rates, good equipment and the stable number of Department employees.
Robert Berlien, the new Water Department Manager, is a native if Indiana. He says that the assumption of his duties has been fairly easy because of the fine job done by retrying manager John Grivich. One of the problems facing ALL Water Departments is the availability of electrical power to run the pumps.
Mr. McCaslin received a blow to his plan to subdivide the 20 acre parcel when the Planning Commission changed the zoning in the area from R-1 (7,500 square feet per unit) to R-O (30,000 square feet per unit).
Two articles on the fire which damaged First Avenue Junior High School. The longer discusses the arson investigation, the second discusses the general fire investigation, seeking the beginning point for the fire.
The Arcadia Board of Education approved a tentative $16.7 million budget. Included was an increase in special education programs. The figures are only estimates and will depend in part on any state school finance formulas to be decided.
The Arcadia City Council approved an extension of the contract with Best Disposal Co. of Monrovia, with increases in refuse rates effective March 1979.
A summary report of the Water Department operation for 1974 shows that the Department made a "profit" of $300,000. Water usage was 4.56 billion gallons. Also describes Arcadia's three natural underground water basins.
Robert Berlien, who has been head of the Glendora Municipal Water Department for 9 years, has been named Water Manager for Arcadia, replacing John Grivich, who retired in June.
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.
Lyle W. Alberg has been chosen City Manager from more than 100 applicants. He has had more than 20 years experience in city government and will assume the post vacated by Lyman Cozad as of January 1, 1978.
Arcadia City Council must decide how to pay the Metropolitan Water District taxes for 1979-80. Currently the city pays 50% and the property owners pay 50%.