In a split vote, City Council approved an ordinance that effectively doubles business license fees bringing Arcadia to roughly the mid-point in fees charged by other Los Angeles County cities.
The new president of the Arcadia Business Association, Donald Fraser, said the emphasis for the group during his year in office will be to promote programs and membership.
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.
Reaction was mixed among San Gabriel Valley officials on a bill before the State Legislature that would prohibit small splinter movements. This would make difficult any effort by local secessionists to get enough support to break away from Los Angeles County.
"San Gabriel County will come into being within the life-time of many of you here", Attorney James Helms told a group meeting. He feels that the State Legislature holds the key to future secession efforts.
City Council has voted to purchase Monrovia's Chapman Well and reservoir. In addition Arcadia will exchange 951 acre feet of water rights in the San Gabriel Basin for the same amount now owned by Monrovia in the Raymond Basin.
A group of residents on South 10th Avenue lost a battle to prevent the subdivision of 3 horse-size lots into 9 lots that would be too small to keep horses.
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.