A recommendation that would allow all registered voters in Arcadia to vote by mail is being considered by the Chamber of Commerce which may address the City Council on the matter. San Diego has conducted such an election. Article discusses problems and expenses of such an election.
A noise barrier wall 8 to 10 feet tall-the height most commonly found on local freeways-would do little to reduce the level of annoyance for Arcadia residents who live alongside the 210 freeway, according to a recent study by the engineering firm of J. J. Van Houten and Associates. In spite of the report, the Arcadia City Council will continue to study possible ways of funding the sound barrier, and residents who live near the freeway say they will continue to fight to get a wall built.
An ad hoc committee has been formed to consider the proposal to annex a new area. A staff report indicates there would be considerable cost to the city if annexation is approved. One area of particular concern is the deficiency in the water supply in the area.
Arcadia could build a multi-purpose Senior Citizen Center for $1.5 million plus the cost of the property, according to a report submitted to the City Council by Warren Shaw, chairman of the Arcadia Senior Citizen's Commission. The report indicated that most of the money would come from state and federal sources, but that Arcadia would need to chip in at least $225,000 of matching funds. The center is necessary, Shaw said, due to a current lack of senior citizen facilities.
Responding to a report of tensions between Caucasian and Asian students at Arcadia High School, Superintendent of Schools, Elbert Souders said the problem is "very small" and is being addressed by the district.
Arcadia may follow the lead of Pasadena, Los Angeles and other communities by considering the possibility of adopting a no-smoking ordinance. According to City Manager George Watts, the council has not decided on any specific rules and probably will not receive a study report from staff until mid-November.
A many as 60 of the trees on Orange Grove Ave., the "county road" running from Michillinda Blvd. to Santa Anita Ave., could be endangered by a proposed road-widening project currently under consideration by Arcadia and Sierra Madre. The street would be widened from 30 to 36 ft. since the street is considered too narrow for the trash bins that residents often leave in the road, constituting a hazard.
The Arcadia City Council Tuesday night approved a 1982-83 budget of $16,894,463, slightly higher than that proposed originally by the staff, but lower than the 1981-82 budget. Most of the reductions came in the form of positions abolished and lay-off of staff.
Nine candidates running for City Council share what their three greatest concerns as council members would be and what goals they would hope to accomplish while in office.
The City Council agreed that private karaoke rooms, which have been associated with criminal activity in the area, should be barred from the city. The proposed ordinance, which will be considered August 3rd, would allow alcohol in restaurants with karaoke.
City Council has expressed interest in helping bail the school district out of some of its financial problems. There are a number of areas in which the city could provide assistance. One possibility being considered is a June election to determine public support for such action.
At a public hearing to consider the Draft Environmental Impact Report on the proposed quarry landfill, 27 people spoke up - including the mayor of El Monte. Most oppose the plan.
The draft environmental impact report for the proposed Target Department Store was attacked at Tuesday night's meeting of the Arcadia City Council as failing to adequately address possible traffic problems and the loss of moderate-income housing.
The Board of Directors of the Arcadia Chamber of Commerce voted unanimously to support a retail use for the property being considered for a Target Department Store. The committee did not specifically say that Target would be the preferred use.