Monthly Updates

ECONOMIC AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

Atlantis Gardens – As you may know, this area is blighted and the Agency is working on creating a nice, affordable housing neighborhood in this area. To date, the Agency has closed escrow on eight properties in the Atlantis Gardens area. Three escrows; 611 E. Lime Ave., 610 E. 6th St. and 670 E. 6th St. were opened last week. One of the three escrows is scheduled to close later this week. Staff will also be finalizing the close of escrow for the property located at 601 N. Cedarglen late next week. Thus far, five of the eight units purchased have been boarded up. The additional purchased units will also be boarded up soon. Weekly maintenance (landscaping, trash/graffiti removal) is being performed at all Agency owned properties.

Target – Progress on Azusa’s Target store continues to move forward. The buildings on site have been cleared and site remediation has begun. Subsurface soil has been removed and stocked piled in different sections. The Los Angeles County Inspector requested several soil samples be tested from the former MTA site. The City’s Environmental Consultant has informed Agency staff that 3 soil samples taken from the MTA site came back above the normal limit allowed under the Health and Safety Standards. Therefore, additional soil remediation may be required from the MTA site. To finalize the remediation process, the following steps are necessary:

City Environmental Consultant will provide Agency staff with an updated report regarding the soil samples taken from the MTA site coupled with appropriate disposal requirements.
Stockpiles must be properly categorized, hauled away, and disposed of at their appropriate disposal site.
Consultant to complete and submit a close out report to the County of Los Angeles for completion of the work.
Agency Staff to file Notice of Completion

Since the existing temporary fencing was installed, it has been knocked down several times by the wind. Agency staff will be meeting with several fence companies to get pricing for a more secure fence. The current temporary fencing is provided by the demolition contractor.

Lewis Retail Centers – The Downtown North Advisory Committee meeting was held on Wednesday, June 10, 2009 and was well attended. The primary concerns voiced by committee members included:

The timeline of the project
The timeline for Block 36
Possible Closing of Dalton
Parking

NEC Azusa/Arrow - On June 16, 2009, staff met with Rich Development to discuss the progress on the site. The developer is currently working with the a few national restaurant as potential tenants for the restaurant pad on the site. Agency staff advised Rich Development to work closely with the Planning Department to ensure proper zoning and set-backs to the site.

Weed Abatement - Since May, the Fire Department (Station 97) and Community Improvement have been working together to urge the Rosedale property owners to abate their high dry weeds. GMAC seems motivated to abate their high weeds in a timely manner. ALP has received word from their bank (San Diego National) that they are NOT going to approve any weed abatement funding at this time.

The Fire Department’s County Agriculture Department advised the City that it could take several months to accomplish the weed abatement process through required hearings, postings and timeframes. Community Improvement along with BBK has determined the most efficient and effective method to abate the weeds is through an Abatement Warrant. A letter written by BBK advises the owners that the weeds need to be immediately abated by July 3rd. Owners have the option to provide written consent so the City can enter the property under an Abatement Warrant to abate the weeds. However, all cost will be placed as a lien or special assessment if the City is forced to abate.

Community Improvement has been working diligently to have Metro Gold Line abate their high dry weeds in the area of the rail road tracks and Pasadena Avenue. On July 1st, staff met with the Administrative Manager of the Metro Gold Line Construction Authority at the Pasadena location. They will have a weed abatement crew abate the weeds along the tracks from San Gabriel and beyond the Pasadena area starting July 6th.

Community Improvement has created the following new informational brochures that will be used to provide code enforcement information to our community:

"Twelve Ways to Improve Your Neighborhood" - This brochure is intended to introduce the neighbors to simple steps that can be taken NOW to make a difference.
"Top 25 Code Enforcement Violations for Residential Rental Properties" - This brochure will assist rental property owners with a listing of violations and corrections that Community Improvement Inspectors encounter while conducting annual rental inspections.
"Top 25 Code Enforcement Violations" - This brochure lists the top 25 code violations with corrections that Community Improvement Inspectors receive through complaints, proactive enforcement and other field activities.

PUBLIC WORKS

City Hall Remodel - The Contractor has begun work on the upstairs office area of City Hall. All staff has been relocated to temporary offices for approximately two months during the remodel. Fran and Tina are located in the basement, Martin is in the Auditorium, James, Alan, and Lina are in the West Wing, and Tony and Debbie are at the Public Works Yard. The City Treasurer’s office will remain undisturbed. Unfortunately, the Mayor’s office will be unavailable during the two month remodel period. However, the basement conference room can be available should an office be necessary.

Foothill Blvd Boardwalk & Citrus/Foothill Intersection – Work has begun on the Foothill Blvd Boardwalk and Citrus/Foothill Intersection. The work is scheduled to be completed by the end of August. Construction hours are from 7am - 5pm, Monday to Friday. There will be one lane open in each direction. Staff worked with APU, Citrus College, and the City of Glendora to schedule this during the summer break.

METRO Call for Projects – The Public Works Department submitted two applications for the METRO Call For Projects. This is a competitive grant administered by the MTA. The first application is “Gateway Transportation Enhancement Demonstration Project.” This includes construction of median and underpass enhancements at the Azusa Avenue/I-210 Freeway, including landscape/scenic beautification, gateway signage, pedestrian lighting and wall treatments. The second application is funding for an intermodal transit center and parking facility near the area of the future Gold Line station north of the Police Station. We are requesting funding for a parking structure/bus stop at that location.

Foothill Blvd Reconstruction Phase I (City Limits to Todd Ave.) – The Azusa portion of this work has been completed. The contractor continues to work on Foothill Blvd in Irwindale. The City is currently working on completing the Foothill Blvd Reconstruction up to the Railroad Bridge (Orange Ave). Because we will pay for the remaining section with economic stimulus funds, staff must wait on CalTrans approval before going out to bid on this section. We anticipate the bidding period to begin in the next couple of weeks.

Sierra Madre Avenue Waterline Project - Completion of the Covina Irrigation Pipeline project has been completed. I’m sure you have noticed that repaving of the street has not been completed. Public Works staff is working with the City of Glendora and the Covina Irrigation Company to make sure that they repair all portions of the street that were negatively impacted by their construction project. Currently, we disagree as to what needs to be repaved.

2009 Summer Youth Basketball Program - At least (15) teams are expected to participate in the 2009 Summer Youth Basketball Program. Try-outs were held Monday June 29th and league play is expected to start at Memorial Park the week of July 6th.

Nutritional Site Council - On June 16th, the Azusa Senior Center held elections for the Nutrition Site Council. This council has great responsibility and is the liaison between the staff and the meal participants. Congratulations go out to our newly elected council: Chuck Ramirez, Mary Valenzuela, Chuck Sanchez, Ophelia Garcia, Julian Villalobos, Linda Aguirre, Dan Rivera, Sally Munoz, and Rosa Ramos.

RECREATION AND FAMILY SERVICES

Aquatics Center Opening - The James Slauson Park Aquatics Center opened for the summer season Saturday June 20, 2009. The Opening was well attended even though the weather was overcast. Activities included free swim throughout Father’s Day Weekend and free lunch on Saturday.

Downtown Landscaping - The Parks Division will concentrate their renovation efforts in the Downtown area between 5th St. and the railroad tracks for the remainder of June and July. The renovation project includes: planting (10) trees, installing accompanying tree well grates and replacement of median island landscaping.

Fun in the Sun Water Exercise for Seniors - The Azusa Senior Center is excited to invite all seniors to the Water Exercise for Seniors program that will take place at the James Slauson Aquatics Center beginning on Monday, June 22 through Friday, August 28, 2009. Class time is 9:00 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. The cost is .50 cents per class. Roundtrip transportation is available from the Azusa Senior Center to the Aquatics Center for .25 cents. Seniors may purchase their daily class lessons at the senior center or at the pool. Buy your tickets now, stay cool at the pool!

LIBRARY

Azusa Summer Reading Program - So far 850 children have registered for the 2009 Azusa Library Summer Reading Program. Increased year round publicity and a strong working relationship with the Azusa Unified School District can be credited to the dramatic rise in numbers. The magic show last Tuesday June 30th in the Azusa Civic Auditorium attracted approximately 375 people. Azusa teens have been encouraged to join the program and also gain first time work experience as library volunteers. Approximately 25 teens are now officially volunteering for the Reading Program.

Comix Club - A new signature program the Azusa library will be introducing for the Summer months is the Comix Club for teens. This is a young adult book club focusing on comics, manga, and illustrated novels. Sponsored by the California Center for the Book through a grant from the California State Library, participation in this club is free of charge for both the library and the participants. The first meeting of the Comix club will also include a comic arts workshop.

LIGHT & WATER

Water & Refuse Rates - The City Council approved both the new water and refuse rates adjustment at the June 15th Council Meeting. The water rate increase of 18% on July 1, 2009, and additional adjustment of 15.6% on July 1, 2010 will provide sufficient funds for the water utility to operate efficiently while maintaining the needed infrastructure and making the bond payments. The refuse rate was adjusted downward slightly on the aggregate to reflect the lower fuel costs.

Water Treatment Plant - Staff is finalizing the “punch list” items with the contractor to bring the Joseph F. Hsu Water Treatment Plant operational.

Federal Grant Funding - Staff is finalizing the funding application for Energy Efficiency Community Block Grant (EECBG) funding of about $180,000. The funding will provide HVAC improvements for city buildings and window retrofits. Staff is also initiating the preparation of another application for funding under the Federal Smart Grid program. The total funding request is $1 million with a matching fund requirement of 50% from the electric utility. The funding is expected to provide for the installation and upgrade of the Supervisory, Control of Distribution Automation system (SCADA).

Spreading Grounds - Ground water level at the spreading ground continued to drop, but at a slower rate than the last two summers. Ground water levels are about 20' above the level this time last year and about 40' above the level the year before. The current rate of drop is relatively slow due to inflow from imported water delivered by the San Gabriel Valley Municipal Water District.

Irrigation Ditch at Pioneer Park - City Council at last Utility Board meeting directed staff to look into options regarding the "Historical Resource" designation of the Committee of Nine ditch within the Pioneer Park. L&W staff is awaiting a response from Mr. Bruckner on the exact language contained in the Rosedale's EIR document, then staff with confer with the City Attorney and other staff to propose options and recommendations to City Council.

Upcoming Events:

A Trader Joe’s Summer Evening of Wine Tasting: Tickets are Still Available! Join us on Wednesday, July 8th for the 2nd Annual Summer Evening of Wine Tasting. This beautiful patio event will take place from 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. The fee is $6.00. You will be treated to a wonderful sampling of Trader Joe’s wines, hors d’ oeuvres, and great information provided by Trader Joe’s staff.. Tickets are available at the Senior Center front desk.

Ping Pong Tournament: Get out your ping pong paddles and join us on Thursday, July 23rd, at 1:00 p.m. for a round robin tournament in the Senior Center game room. The entry fee is $5; all monies collected will be paid out to the 1st and 2nd place finishers. You may register the day of the event beginning at 12:30 p.m.

Wednesday Night Dinner & Bingo: Join us on Wednesday, July 29th for our monthly dinner & bingo. A special thanks goes out to the Azusa Canyon City Lion’s Club who will be sponsoring the dinner portion of the evening. Pre-registration is required and is open to the first 60 registrants. After dinner, get out those daubers for some bingo! The cost for bingo is $5/10 games, and $7 buys you 2 packs! We hope to see you there!

Suds & Spuds: Save the Date!! - Mark your calendars for Saturday, August 15th at 5:30 p.m. for an evening of great beer tasting and a delicious baked potato bar. This fun event will take place in the Senior Center outside patio, all this for only $5!!! You can purchase your tickets at the Azusa Senior Center front desk.

Luau Dinner & Dance: Celebrate Summer by joining us for our Annual Luau Dinner & Dance that will be held on Thursday, August 20th with dinner beginning at 5:30 p.m. The menu includes a pork chop dinner, fruit salad, rice, green salad, and a dessert. Cost for this event is $12. Buy your tickets now at the Azusa Senior Center.