Starting in 1993-1994, Arcadia High School will change its grading policy that awards an extra grade point to students taking honors classes. The new system will give no more weight to honors courses than to regular courses.
Arcadian Wilfred (Bill) Schmitt, who has served as legal counsel for the Carmelite Sisters for over 20 years, is the 1993 recipient of the Golden Spirit Humanitarian Award presented by the Board of Directors, the Foundation Board of Trustees, and the Carmelite Sisters of Santa Teresita Hospital in Duarte.
Nordstrom's Department Store is scheduled to open in August 1994, while 20 specialty shops and a 292-seat food court will open in October, 1993. The $34.3 million expansion is expected to generate about $1 million in sales tax revenue each year, as well a create 250 retail jobs.
The 22nd annual Baldwin Bonanza begins tomorrow, including a barbecue, live and silent auctions, and plant sale. The arboretum's finances and budget are discussed.
The City Council increased the bed tax, charged to customers staying in a hotel, from 8% to 10%. The increase will generate an estimated $140,000 a year, which would help to close the city's projected $2.2 million shortfall in the 1993-94 budget.
127 city employees have agreed to postpone their salary increases for 6 months to help close the city's projected $2.2 million shortfall. This action would save the city $466,000.
Camino Grove elementary teacher Patricia Ann Baltz will be one of 60 teachers profiled by the Disney Channel. 36 finalists will be culled from the 60 teachers profiled, and each will receive an honorarium of $2500. Disney will also award one additional cash prize of $25,000 to an "Outstanding Teacher of 1993." The teacher's school will receive $25,000 and the school district $10,000.
The City Council approved a $3.4 million new fire station project bid by Merco Construction Engineers in Camarillo. The building will cost 20% more than originally estimated.
William Woolard, 50, Arcadia Planning Director for 22 years, resigned at the recommendation of City Manager Don Duckworth and a 4-1 City Council vote, with Robert Harbicht opposed. Woolard was asked to leave because of departmental reorganization, Duckworth said.
The City Council approved demolishing the building at 19 1/2 Lucille Street after City inspectors alleged that it was plagued by health and safety code violations. Earlier article in Pasadena Star News May 8, 1993 p. A-5 with photo.
The urban design team of Freedman, Tung, and Bottomley made its first recommendations to develop the city's Downtown Revitalization Plan. Ideas included removing parallel street parking along Huntington Drive and adding eight pedestrian crosswalks, as well as creating themes based on Santa Anita Park.
The City Council approved a $57 million budget for 1993-1994 which closes a $2.1 million deficit with $266,000 in increased revenues, $880,000 in cuts and $1 million of the city's $5.6 million in reserves.
The Arcadia Board of Education passed a $32.5 million budget for 1993-4 with no cuts in classroom services. The budget included $22 million for staff salaries and $1.5 million for books and supplies.