JANUARY 2021 ANNOUNCEMENTS
A new source of City information for
residents, businesses and visitors.
Virtual Community Workshops to be Held on Zoning Code
and the Future of the East Main Street Corridor

In August 2019, the City Council adopted a comprehensive General Plan Update and in early 2020 hired a consultant team to begin a Comprehensive Zoning Code Update to be complete later this year. As part of this effort, the team will also address the community’s desire to maintain and enhance the unique identity of Alhambra’s diverse commercial areas like the East Main Street corridor (EMC).

A virtual community meeting will be held on Saturday, January 23, 2021 at 10am, focusing on the comprehensive Zoning Code. This citywide effort will result in an updated state of-the-art, flexible, user-friendly Zoning Code that serves as an effective tool to implement the community’s vision for the future established within the Alhambra General Plan. The purpose of the workshop is to hear your thoughts on the current code and what should be considered in the update. Your input will help to shape the future of Alhambra’s built environment.

In response to the community’s increased interest in the future of the East Main Street corridor (EMC) as it relates to community character and greater economic activity east of the City’s downtown, the consultant team will host two virtual community workshops on Thursday, January 21, 2021 at 10:30am and 6:00pm. The workshops will focus on the half mile commercial stretch of East Main Street from Chapel Avenue to the eastern city limits and will include an overview of existing market and physical conditions. Participants will then engage in exercises structured to help to identify participant preferences and a vision for the future of the area.

Following the workshop, a team of planners, urban designers, architects, landscape architects, economists, and engineers will collaborate with the City to generate realistic concepts for EMC, based on community input. Key concepts will be the basis for the design guidelines and will likely include:

•  Reimagining East Main corridor in response to area issues and opportunities
•  Understanding current market demands and the relationship to development potential
•  Economic development strategies to attract businesses
•  Urban design framework such as building placement, form, height, and densities
•  Streetscape concepts and beautification strategies

Please visit https://www.alhambracodeupdate.com/ for information on how to participate in these community workshops and to sign up to be notified of project information by email.

City of Alhambra Launches New Customer Service Portal
The City of Alhambra has launched a new online portal that will deliver better and faster assistance to the public. The Citizen Access Portal allows the public to pay bills, view business licenses, and track permits and more, all in one place. 
The portal uses Tyler Technologies’ EnerGov™ software, which shares information and data across departments. Currently the City’s Fire Department and the Planning and Building Divisions of the Community Development Department are integrated into the Citizen Access Portal. The Public Works Department will be added to the portal early next year.
“With this powerful tool, our residents and businesses can quickly and easily access important City information online,” said Marc Castagnola, Community Development Director. “It increases transparency and leads to greater efficiency.”
Operations are streamlined with the new Citizen Access Portal and paper usage is reduced, leading to better sustainable office practices. The online platform is convenient because it allows people to conduct business from anywhere, reducing the need for in-person visits to City Hall.
To access the Citizen’s Access Portal, visit: https://alhambraca-energovpub.tylerhost.net/Apps/SelfService#/home.
Free COVID-19 Home Testing Kit

LA County has partnered with Fulgent Genetics to allow you to sign up to have a COVID-19 test shipped to your home. This is the same test offered at the county’s drive-up or walk-up community testing sites. The sample is collected using a nasal swab and the test looks for the virus.

There will be no-cost to you until January 15, 2021 – after that, the County may no longer ensure payment for the test. If you want to participate in the LA County Holiday Home Test Collection, you MUST meet one of the following criteria:
  • Have symptoms of COVID-19
  • Were in close contact with someone who has or is suspected of having COVID-19 in the past 2 weeks
  • Are a senior or person with a disability who feel they were exposed to COVID-19, and is unable to go to a testing site

To learn more about LA County's Holiday Home Test Collection, visit the County's website here.

To find a list of locations to get COVID-19 testing in LA County, visit: https://covid19.lacounty.gov/testing/.
The LA County Board of Supervisors has extended the County's eviction moratorium through February 28, 2021. If you need advice, please contact the Housing Rights Center at 1-800-477-5977 or check out their website https://www.housingrightscenter.org/ for weekly virtual meetings and workshops.
Urgency Ordinance Limit Charges Imposed by
Third-Party Delivery Services
During a Special City Council Meeting on December 17, 2020, the City Council unanimously passed Urgency Ordinance No. O2M20-4781.
It establishes a temporary limit on the charges imposed by Third-Party Delivery Services on retail food establishments.
Some of the provisions under this Ordinance includes:

•  It shall be unlawful for a third-party food delivery service to charge a covered establishment a delivery fee that totals more than 15% of the purchase price of an online order;
•  The third-party food delivery service shall disclose to the customer an accurate and itemized cost breakdown of each transaction;
•  It shall be unlawful for a third-party food delivery service to reduce the compensation, including any tip or gratuity, paid to any workers as a result of the prohibitions in this Ordinance;
Please visit our website for more information on other sections of the Urgency Ordinance.
Electric Vehicle Charging Stations Open to the Public in Alhambra
The City of Alhambra is proud to announce the installation of the first publicly-available electric vehicle charging stations in Alhambra.
 
Drivers can now charge their EVs at three City public parking structures located in downtown Alhambra.
 
“By making the charging stations accessible to the public, the City hopes to make it more convenient for people to charge their electric vehicles while enjoying the amenities in Alhambra,” said Marc Castagnola, Community Development Director of the City of Alhambra. “Electric vehicles provide many benefits, including reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The City is committed to improving our air quality and helping more residents and visitors go green.”
 
These Level Two EV Charging stations are open 24/7 year-round:
·  80 S First Street
·  26 N First Street
·  103 N Chapel Ave
 
Each charging station features 4 standard parking spaces and 2 handicap spaces, for a total of 18 spaces at the three locations. Rates are $0.28 per kilowatt hour.
 
Charging your car battery is easy. Here’s how it works:
1) Download the EV Connect mobile app, available as a free download for both iOS and Android devices.
2) Log in or register to create an account.
3) Select the “Charge” button and scan the QR Code or type the ID number located on the station.
4) Plug in your vehicle and then press “Begin Charge.”
5) Choose a connector and then give the station a few seconds to connect to the platform.
6) Once charging, the screen will display the details of your session.
 
Once you have completed charging your electric vehicle, please move it to a non-charging space so others may utilize the Charging Stations. After it’s fully charged, you will receive a reminder text to move your vehicle within 15 minutes or pay $3 an hour parking fee.
 
The City of Alhambra’s electric vehicle charging stations were made possible through a grant from the South Coast Air Quality Management District. To learn more, visit our website: www.cityofalhambra.org/resources/electric-vehicle-charging-stations.
Did You Know...
The City is updating the Housing Element for 2021 - 2029. You can help us identify Alhambra’s housing needs & weigh in on programs governing housing development. For more info, visit: alhambrahousingelement.com.
Registration is open for various classes now. Check out the Leisure Guide for more details!
Public Outreach Tab
Want to stay on top of what's happening with City projects and initiatives? Check out the "Public Outreach" tab on our website cityofalhambra.org. Scroll down the page for trending topics and information that residents, businesses, and visitors want to know about.

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111 South First Street,
Alhambra, CA 91801
626-570-5007