Arcadia City Council adopted a resolution last week, which consolidates the five homeowner associations' (HOA) development standards, design guidelines and design review procedures into one cohesive document for the first time. The uniform resolution protects only oak trees from removal and gives the HOAs authority to review homeowners' landscape and hardscape designs, such as driveways and walkways.
Proposition D is a ballot initiative scheduled for the city's April 1996 ballot. It is designed to update the City's charter and would make the library a city department. If passed, Proposition D would reduce some of the library board's power and make the city librarian responsible to the city manager.
Arcadia City Council approved an update to the cross-department software Laserfiche. The update, budgeted to cost $33,785, is essential to the digitization of city records.
Arcadia City Council rejected a proposed draft resolution last week that several argued would give city-designated homeowner associations (HOA) too much power. During a study session, the Council discussed amending and consolidating the five HOAs' development standards, design guidelines and design review procedures into one cohesive document. Some argued the draft would give the associations' Architectural Review Boards (ARB)--which have architectural design review authority over the association area--too much control over the size of homes, setbacks and other issues. ARBs should look favorably on someone's dream home plans "unless it was so garish and outlandish that it might negatively affect property values," said Councilman Bob Harbicht. Opposition from Kevin Tomkins and Laurie Thompson.
City of Arcadia to place three measures on November 8, 2022 ballot. 1. Proposed City Charter Amendment Measure. The City Charter was last amended in 1998. The citizen-led Charter Review Committee recommends updates to mirror changes in state laws since 1998 and to reflect current local government standards, to include a) mirroring changes in state laws to increase voter turnout by moving the date of regularly scheduled city council elections from April in even-numbered years to the November Statewide General Election in even-numbered years. b) recognizing the city's change to by-district elections as required by California Voting Rights Act. c) Creating a rotation of mayor and mayor pro tem positions every 9.5 months to allow all council members to serve during their term. d) Change position of City Clerk from elected to appointed. e) other amendments to streamline government, utilize technology and increase transparency. 2. Two measures to increase locally controlled funding. One measure would increase Arcadia's local tax on stays at hotels and motels from 10% to 12%--similar rate to many neighboring cities. The other measure would enact a local tax on sports wagers if sports betting becomes legal in California through State Proposition 26, also on the November ballot
City of Arcadia to update Recreation and Park Master Plan. Seeking resident input. The last update was 2007. See also Arcadia Weekly, p. 4, June 4, 2015.
Former mayor Jim Helms proposed a charter change that would require a runoff election if no candidate for City Council received at least 50 percent of the vote. In the last election, no candidate received 50 percent.
The West Arcadia Invitational Band Review, which celebrates its 35th year, may be in its last year unless a new sponsor can be found to support the event.
A charter amendment providing that council candidates in order to win must have a majority of votes cast or face a run-off will be on Arcadians' ballots in December 13 election, if there is an election.
Arcadia voters will have an opportunity to vote for a change in the city charter at the April 10 election. A majority vote will be required to elect future members to the City Council of amendment is passed.
Arcadia Citizen’s Financial Advisory Committee releases last report. The committee, an independent, ad-hoc advisory body of civic volunteers empaneled by the City Council to review the City’s General Fund long-range financial forecast and provide recommendations to the City Council for cost containment and/or revenue enhancements, recently released its final report. The 40-page report includes 15 recommendations to Arcadia City Council to address the $8,000,000 structural budget deficit. A key recommendation is for the city to consider increasing the city’s local sales tax rate by ¾ of one cent in order to maintain current levels of services.
The Arcadia City Council has approved a design review process for the upcoming addition to the Santa Anita Park race track. The procedure adopted requires review by the Planning Commission and the City Council of all preliminary site plans, floor plans, exterior architectural improvements, and new construction.
Arcadia has been officially approved by the American Revolutionary Bicentennial Committee as a Bicentennial city. Such approval is necessary before the city can participate in the many functions and activities of the ARBC.
Arcadia seeks residents to serve on newly formed Citizen's Financial Advisory Committee to help review City's long-term financial forecast, provide recommendations to City Council for revenue enhancements and cost containment.
The City Council gave $12,755 to the free clinic, but made it clear that this organization would need to follow regular city budget request procedures if it requests funds in the future.
Two Charter amendments will be on the April 9th ballot: 1. Would increase from 2 to 3 the number of consecutive 4 year terms a Councilman may serve and change the residence requirement from 2 years to 1. 2. Provides for a municipal election in February with offices to be filled by those candidates who receive the highest number of votes. However, if no candidate receives at least 40% of the votes cast, a run-off election would be held in April.