Arcadia City Council will discuss whether a measure to end term limits should be placed on a future citywide ballot. The City Charter requires council members that have served two consecutive four-year terms to take a two-year break before they can serve another term. The charter can only be amended by a voter approved measure.
Arcadia City Council has decided to leave in place a city policy that imposes term limits for serving on City Council, restricting residents from running for more than two consecutive council terms. Had council voted to remove the restrictions, local voters would have had a chance to vote on term limits as a local ballot measure. Arcadia's city charter requires council members who have served two consecutive 4-year terms to take a 2-year break before they can run again for another term.
Unanimous Arcadia City Council acts to place local funding measure, known as the “Arcadia Public Safety, City Services and Accountability Measure” on the June 2019 ballot to maintain public safety and other city services. City staff and the Citizen’s Financial Advisory Committee have indicated Arcadia has a multi-million dollar structural deficit.
In lieu of pay raises, Arcadia City Council members and city employees will see an increase in the city's contribution to their health benefits. "It is fair because in these economic times, we couldn't afford to give (employees) anything else," said Mayor Peter Amundson. The total fiscal impact will be $56,750 for all employees.
Arcadia City Council actions proving to be divisive. Charges of campaign finance misdeeds and board racism alleged. Arcadia finds itself a town divided with feelings split about Councilman Sho Tay, who was passed over last month when it came time for his ceremonial turn for mayor. On one side, several people are accusing Tay of campaign finance fraud for spending money, donated to him, on behalf of two other candidates. Others are accusing City Council members of racism for bypassing the selection of Tay for mayor during its annual reorganization.
Arcadia City Council gives Westfield Santa Anita mall the okay to host dance studios, car washes, auto detailers, and chair massages, in an effort to attract new tenants and customers. Council members also indicated that they support the concept of a medical office building on Santa Anita Park property.
Arcadia city officials to seek opinions today on residential development. This was the second and final meeting for the update process to amend the city's Zoning and Subdivision Codes, which establish what can be built on individual properties in Arcadia, and determine the application review process.
City okays $15,000 contract for coyote trapping, euthanization with Animal Pest Management Services. The City Council vote was 4 to 1 to approve the contract.
Trip to China and Taiwan called off by Arcadia City Manager Dominic Lazzaretto, in light of recent "questions" about city officials' motives. The $30,000 in donations to fund part of the trip will not be accepted. See VF Sister City. See also Arcadia Weekly, p. 1, February 26, 2015.
Arcadia City Council chooses to hold a comprehensive zoning code update, which backers said would have included changes to create a more business-friendly atmosphere, encourage economic growth, and curb overdevelopment in the sprawling foothills community.
City lacks votes to adopt a temporary moratorium. Arcadia City Council will not consider a temporary moratorium on any stage of residential development because they don't have enough votes (4 are required) to pass the proposed ordinance. A moratorium would have initially been in place for 45 days, with an option to extend it, while the city updates its residential and commercial standards and conducts a historic preservation survey.
Arcadia Mayor's Breakfast / State of the City and Methodist Hospital update at Community Connections by Joan Schmidt. Mayor Peter Amundson was born and raised in Arcadia and spoke about what a great city it is to live, love, learn and leave a legacy. He spoke about the great Arcadia Public Library with its 42 high tech computers.
Arcadia residents protest removal of basketball courts at Eisenhower Park and City Council member Roger Chandler's comments that he wouldn't want the basketball courts rebuilt because he doesn't like the "type" they attract. At August 20 City Council meeting, Chandler said the courts attracted unauthorized and unsanctioned basketball tournaments.
After a five-year hiatus, Arcadia City Council is considering reinstating a policy that would let property owners pay to be assigned a more auspicious house number, which some believe would improve the value of their home. The number 4 in a street address is considered a bad omen in many Asian cultures. In Mandarin language, the word "four" sounds like the word for death, while the number eight is considered lucky, because it sounds like the word for prosper. Arcadia's Asian population is approaching 60% and most potential buyers will be Asian. In a 3-2 vote, Arcadia City Council endorsed the move in principle and directed staff to report back on the costs involved.
Arcadia City Council appoints ex-mayor Mickey Segal to fill seat vacated by John Wuo's resignation, until the municipal election in April. Wuo, who served on City Council for 12 years, resigned two weeks ago amid mounting allegations over his endorsement of USFIA and Gemcoin, in addition to an ethics investigation launched in September by the Fair Political Practices Commission. Segal is a CPA. Also the zoning code update resumes.
Arcadia okays all mail-in ballot for this spring's election. This marks Arcadia's third consecutive all mail-in election since adopting a 2011 ordinance that granted City Council authority to eliminate traditional polling in advance of a general municipal election. The mail-in election costs $115,000, the traditional one about 10% more.
Arcadia incumbents appear to hold onto their seats. Semi-official results of City Council election. District 2-Tom Beck (northwest area, the neighborhoods surrounding Santa Anita Park on the north and west); District 5-Roger Chandler (the southeast area).
Tonight Arcadia City Council will decide on whether the city should pursue an economic impact study before adopting new residential zoning regulations. The zoning code recommendations are concerned with floor area ratios (FAR) in 4 different parts of the city, building height, setback and hillside standards.