The Arcadia City Council approved a 6% hike in building fees, such as building permits, conditional use permits, and request for modifications. The increase, set for November 17, will be used to offset the 6% salary hike that city employees received in the 1989-90 budget.
A package of new and increased city service fees designed to eliminate a potential budget shortfall will take effect on September 1, 2008. The higher fees are expected to bring Arcadia nearly $512,000 in the new fiscal year, by increases in fire services, swim classes, business licenses, plan checks and library services.
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 voted to impose fees on developers to pay for intersection-widening projects. A chart shows the traffic count at developments, at intersections, and the fee structure.
Massage therapists will have to pay a $265 fee to be licensed in Arcadia under a new city ordinance. A background check will be done on applicants and they will be fingerprinted.
Recreation classes and programs for Arcadia residents will be increased for everyone except senior citizens under a new fee schedule adopted by the City Council.
Many San Gabriel Valley cities are seeing an increase in property tax revenues in the 2009-2010 fiscal year, namely San Marino, Arcadia, Bradbury, Alhambra and South Pasadena. Arcadia's property tax revenue is expected to be $3,359,282.80 compared to $3,294,314.77 in 2008-2009. Other cities' figures are given. In the average city, property taxes make up 11% of the city budget.
Backers of an initiative that would bring slot machines to Santa Anita Park and other California racetracks now have five months to collect enough signatures to qualify for the ballot.
Arcadia police continue to heavily ticket cars that frequent the area around the Burger Palace on Thursday nights in an attempt to curb drag racing and curtail other potential problems. Since July 8, 202 tickets have been issued.
Arcadia police issued 653 speeding tickets in June. In June of 1987, 134 tickets were issued. Other traffic violations and crime statistics are included in the article.
The possibility of a fee for admission to both the Arboretum and Descanso Gardens is being considered by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors. At a hearing, Hal Roach, a member of the Board of Governors expressed the hope that the Supervisors would not resort to charging a fee. The fee would NOT be used to keep up the Arboretum, but would go into the County General Fund.
Best Disposal Co. which holds the Arcadia city contract for waste disposal, is on the brink of being sold to Western Waste Disposal. Collection fees may go up.
Council has postponed their decision on Best Disposal's request for an increase in the trash pick-up rate pending a study of increases in other cities by other companies. In October, Best asked for a 40% increase. They are now requesting an 80% increase.