Beginning October 1, Arcadians will pay more for their water. The increase will be in two steps. The first will be an increase of 6% per 100 cubic feet. The second will be dependent on possible increases in the Edison rates for pumping.
Water rates in Arcadia will be lowered by $.04 per 100 cu Ft effective July 1, 1979. The burden of the water tax, now split 50% each by the city and property owners, will fall 100% on property owners. However, the increased property tax is tax deductible.
The City Council approved a mandatory water conservation program that requires a 10% decrease in water use by all residents, as well as the use of penalties if residents use more than their share of water.
The City Council will increase water rates on a year to year basis for the next five years. Funds will thus be accumulated for predictable major replacement projects. These projects are outlined in the article.
The much-discussed ordinance governing types of roofs that can be used in Arcadia will be given a second reading at council meeting of August 17 and become effective 30 days later. Ordinance divides city into two zones: hazardous fire area in foothills and non-hazardous in lowlands.
An ordinance will be introduced for first reading by Arcadia City Council whereby the city would receive .33 of 1% of parimutuel wagers at Santa Anita Park race track. If ordinance is approved, city would eliminate admission tax.
Ordinance governing roofs given first reading by City Council Tuesday night. Following second reading and 30-day waiting period, Arcadians who construct new roofs will be required to use specific fire-retardant materials.
City Council is considering the purchase of a water well and water rights from Monrovia at a cost of $200,000. An additional $100 thousand will be needed to construct a pumping station.
The city council approved water conservation measures for city owned facilities such as regularly inspecting the city's sprinkler systems to reduce runoff and replacing the dial-type water timers with digital timers. Other measures were set aside for the time being, such as replacing grass-covered medians with cement, and washing down tennis courts less frequently.
A popular fishing lake in Arcadia (Peck Road Water Conservation Park) was closed Thursday when 1,000 gallons of a gooey asphalt and water mixture oozed into it after 15,000 gallons of the substance leaked from a nearby Irwindale Plant.
On a 4-1 vote, Arcadia City Council gave first reading to an ordinance whereby the City elects to receive a 1/3 of 1% of parimutual wagers at Santa Anita Park Race Track. Adoption means the city will not charge an admission tax.
John Grivich, head of the Arcadia Water Department for the past 26 years retired June 7. He is proud of the quality of Arcadia's water, its low rates, good equipment and the stable number of Department employees.
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.
Because of California's intense two year drought, water rates will need to go up to cover the costs of getting outside water. Also, pumping costs are greater due to soaring energy costs.