If Proposition 68 is approved on the 2004 ballot, slot machines will be operated at Santa Anita Park. This is a statewide initiative about which City of Arcadia officials remained neutral.
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.
A proposed ballot initiative to allow five racetracks, including Santa Anita Park, to operate slot machines will be discussed by the City Council and Supervisor Michael Antonovich.
Arcadia Unified School District and the city are collaborating on a $150,000 effort to open a youth center at the Arcadia High School cafeteria and extend school library hours for after school hours. This would take some afternoon pressure off the Arcadia Public Library.
The Arcadia City Council introduced an ordinance on February 4 that targets over-sized houses and would reduce the scale, mass and bulk of single-family homes. The city wants to avoid the mansionization trend.
The Arcadia City Council voted unanimously to impose a 45-day moratorium on medical marijuana dispensaries, known as pot clubs. There are no such dispensaries in the city nor have there been any applications. The moratorium will give the city time to study the issue and see what type of regulation would be appropriate to put in place in Arcadia. The concern is that pot clubs could draw an element to the community that increases crime. The Compassionate Use Act (Proposition 215) legalized medical marijuana in California in 1996.
Signatures supporting two ballot initiatives sponsored by Westfield Shoppingtown Santa Anita went to the City Clerk's office Tuesday for validation. Westfield's iniatives would ban billboards at The Shops at Santa Anita and require free parking.
The Arcadia Public Library is not responsible for children left alone at the library by their parents. The library is not a public babysitting service.
The city has hired an outside consultant, Cooperative Personnel Services, to look at the Arcadia Public Library and make recommendations on upgrading of services.
Arcadia City officials plan to update the city's sign ordinance to prohibit certain types of signs, but merchants are concerned the proposed rules will hurt their business or be expensive.
Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Robert O'Brien ordered changes to a statement signed by Mayor Roger Chandler and members of the City Council after two residents, with the backing of the initiative's corporate sponsor, filed suit over factual inaccuracies. This will affect the wording of Measure N on the next ballot.
Arcadia City Council has accepted a grant for $42,026 from the MTA in Proposition C funds to help operate Arcadia Transit. Other City Council items were discussed.
Five candidates are running for Arcadia City Council on the April 9 ballot. They are Roger Chandler, Robert Harbicht, Gary Kovacic, Gail Marshall, and John Wuo. Biographies given.
California's minimum wage increase is going to force some restaurants to hike food prices, cut back on employee hours and reduce advertising. McGrath's Fish House in Arcadia may be forced to reduce employee hours. The minimum wage is now $7.50 per hour. Another 50 cent increase goes into effect January 1, 2008.
South Pasadena and Arcadia Edison customers lost power as a result of winds of up to 45 mph at times. Some households regained power but some Arcadia customers remain without power.
The City Council approved a contract with Rokni Electric for a new 800 Kilowatt generator and a new telephone system (not to exceed $342,251) from SBC-Pacific Bell for City Hall. A contract with Systems Source Inc. for furnishings for the new police station was also approved. The City Librarian job title was changed to Director of Library and Museum Services.
As part of the Centennial celebration, Gloria Horstman will review current books at the Arcadia Public Library. Horstman was an Arcadia school board member and served on the Library's Board of Trustees.
Janet Sporleder, a veteran city employee, has been named the new city librarian. Her appointment will be effective July 1, 2001. She replaces outgoing City Librarian, Kent Ross.