City contemplates approval of Phase Two of Arcadia Public Library's Strategic Plan. The Strategic Plan outlined the current budget, proposed budgetary increases, and proposed plans for improvement of the library's facilities and staffing needs.
Since the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on New York City and the Pentagon in Washington DC, Police Chief Dave Hinig said the Arcadia Police Department has evolved and is thinking beyond local crime enforcement. Officers are thinking more regionally and are more conscious of calling the bomb squad.
Arcadia City Council hears report on Phase Two of the Arcadia Public Library Strategic Plan. It outlines the need for additional funding to the Strategic Plan to accommodate for remodeling and additional office space and staff.
Dave Hinig, Arcadia Police Chief, discusses changes in the department over the last thirty years, including new technology, new crimes, community composition and new hires.
The new landscaping and bus shelter for the west side of the Arcadia Public Library will cost $152,126.03 and will be done by Mariposa Horticultural Enterprises Inc.
The Arcadia City Council is considering changes to fees charged by the city through the Development Services Department. One change might be a $25 fee for new business license applications. The fees may increase for design review of new commercial projects and appeals from an architectural review board to the Planning Commission. The General plan amendment fee may drop and tentative tract maps for condos may drop. The city plans to increase fines for code violations.
Arcadia City Council has approved a new contract with the Pasadena Humane Society (PHS) to provide animal services to Arcadia. The contract is for $69,838, a 3% increase over the current year's agreement. The city has contracted with PHS since 1994. PHS handles dog licensing, answers calls for service and offers low-cost spay and neuter clinics. Other items were approved, including a contract with Engineered Plumbing Inc. for water mains and valves, the purchase of Mobile Data Terminals for the Arcadia Fire Department from Nida Companies, and massage therapist permits.
City Manager Bill Kelly outlined a $16 million program to finish all public building projects for Arcadia in three years, as part of the city's five-year capital budget. The spending would include a new $6.5 million City Hall, a $1.3 million upgrade to Fire Station 106 on Baldwin Avenue. The city plans to build a new fire station to replace Fire Station 105 on Santa Anita Avenue. A city gym for the civic center property is in planning stages. The city plans to re-roof the community center for $150,000 and to put up 1/2 of the $800,000 cost to make the high school sports field an all-weather facility.
Santa Anita Park Race Track owner Frank Stronach has met with city officials about Arcadia's concerns with the track expansion plan and future sessions will be held. The concerns centered around plans to build new barns on the north side of the property, the internal connections between the track and Westfield Shopping mall traffic and people, and architectural compatibility with the track.
Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Garden has hired a new Chief Executive Officer named Dr. Mark Wourms. Wourms has a B.S. degree in botany from Ohio University, a Ph.D. in ecology and animal behavior from Boston University, and a certificate in business administration from New York University. He recently left the Kansas City Zoo, where he had been the zoo director since 1992.
A group of Arcadia firefighters who had gone to New York City to help after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks were so profoundly affected that they organized a fundraiser to benefit widows and orphans of the New York Fire Department and Arcadia Fire Department. Those who went were Captain Hutcheson, Captain Trabbie, John Beveridge, Craig Stogner, Cody Cerwin and paramedic Mike MacGregor.
Timothy Phillips is the interim Chief Executive Officer of the Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Garden, replacing Peter Atkins. A nationwide search continues for a successor.
Arcadia Police Department held a "topping off" luncheon and ceremony after setting the symbolic final piece of structural steel on the new police facility. The final completion date will be mid-to-late-summer, 2003.
Arcadia City Council has approved a plan revision for the expansion of the Westfield mall. The revised plans involve adding a grade plus one-level parking structure south of Robinson-May, and a 5,400 square feet auto center northeast of the site.