Saturday, June 15, 2019
Published on Saturdays since 2000
Welcome!
‌
To receive your own copy of this weekly email update just click on " Subscribe " ... or forward this email to friends so they can subscribe.
Click on the links at the bottom of this page to unsubscribe or to update your email address. Send comments and suggestions to update@wpra.net .

Dan Beal
Co-editor
Neighborhood Update - This weekly WPRA eNewsletter is emailed each Saturday morning to more than 1,400 residents of Pasadena and beyond.

The WPRA News - The WPRA's quarterly magazine is mailed to nearly 8,000 homes in west Pasadena and beyond.
Visit us at wpra.net and on Facebook
Community Meetings
>CLICK ON HEADLINES FOR MORE INFORMATION<
NOTE : The following meeting dates, times and agenda items are accurate as of Saturday morning. Click on the appropriate  blue  headline to ensure the meeting hasn't been cancelled or rescheduled.

MONDAY, JUNE 17

6:30 p.m. 
Council Chambers, City Hall, 100 N. Garfield Ave.
On the agenda:  
  • Item 10: Adoption of the City’s FY 2020 operating budget | STAFF REPORT
  • Item 11: Adoption of the FY 2020-2024 Capital Improvement Program budget | STAFF REPORT
  • Item 12: Amending the Light and Power rate ordinance | STAFF REPORT

TUESDAY, JUNE 18

6 p.m. 
Hearing Room, Hale Building, 175 N. Garfield Ave.
On the agenda: Comments and reports from staff, commissioners and committees

 
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 19


10:15 a.m. 
Council Chambers, City Hall, 100 N. Garfield Ave.
On the agenda: Agenda not available at press time

6 p.m. 
Hearing Room #120, Hale Building, 175 N. Garfield Ave.
On the agenda:   
  • Item 2A: Conditional use permit, 1237 Lincoln Ave. (Council District 1) - religious facility
  • Item 2B: CUP 1253 E. Colorado Blvd. (CD 5) adult day-care facility
  • Item 2C: Tentative tract map 170 N. Catalina Ave. (CD 5) creation of nine air parcels for condominiums
  • Item 2D: TTM 120 N. Oak Ave. (CD 2) creation of three air parcels for condominiums
  • Item 2E: Modification to variance 167 E. Walnut St. (CD 3), 100 residential units w/90 foot height. Variance would not alter proposed development.

6 p.m. [rotates among branches]
On the agenda: Agenda not available at press time

6:30 p.m. 
Council Chambers, City Hall, 100 N. Garfield Ave.
On the agenda: Agenda not available at press time

THURSDAY, JUNE 20

4 p.m. 
Hale Building, 175 N. Garfield Ave. Permit Center hearing room
On the agenda: Vicious-dog violation

11 a.m. 
Economic Development Division, Fourth Floor
City Hall, 100 N. Garfield Ave.
On the agenda: 
  • Item 4A: Transfer of certain Housing Successor assets to the Pasadena Community Development Corporation
  • Item 4B: Purchase and sale agreement of property at 733 N. Fair Oaks Ave. to Orange Grove Service, Inc.

6 p.m. 
984 E. Locust Street
On the agenda: Committee reports; new and old business

Click for the latest Pasadena City Commission   Facts and Vacancies
Announcements
>CLICK ON HEADLINES FOR MORE INFORMATION<

In 2018, Pasadena amended its municipal code to hold property owners and tenants responsible for permitting the possession, sale, usage or discharge of fireworks on their property. The code allows for the prosecution of fireworks-related offenses and for the demand of payment for all costs associated with the safe disposal of confiscated fireworks. The city maintains a zero-tolerance enforcement policy for fireworks, and Pasadena police and firefighters are teaming up for special fireworks enforcement patrols before, during and after the Fourth of July holiday. Violators are subject to arrest, having their vehicles impounded, and serving up to one year in jail with fines up to $50,000.

<<<<<ROSE BOWL EVENTS>>>>>

Two Gold Cup soccer games of the Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF)
Estimated attendance 55,000+ 
Expect heavy traffic

2 p.m.: Futbol Fiesta
4:30 p.m.:Canada vs Martinique
7 p.m.: Mexico vs Cuba

Resident Hotline: (626) 397-4141

<<<<<>>>>>

Father’s Day Weekend marks the 27th Annual Pasadena Chalk Festival at The Paseo. Over 600 skilled chalk artists from all over the world come together to celebrate the unique art form. Live musical performances are scheduled throughout the weekend. June 15-16, 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. Paseo Colorado, 300 E. Colorado Blvd. Free.

Come out and experience the fun and excitement as participants celebrate Juneteenth (freedoms that are sometimes taken for granted) in Pasadena at the Jackie Robinson Community Center. Live entertainment, arts & crafts and food vendors are at this historical event. June 15, noon 4 p.m. Jackie Robinson Community Center, 1020 N, Fair Oaks Ave. Free.

Officials from Pasadena and Dakar-Plateau, Republic of Senegal, will formalize their sister city relationship when the mayor and delegation from Dakar-Plateau visit the Pasadena City Council Chambers on Monday, June 17, at 6:30 p.m. The Pasadena City Council is holding a reception open to the public in honor of Mayor Ndoye and his delegation on Tuesday, June 18, from 4 - 6:30 p.m., in the City Hall courtyard, 100 N. Garfield Ave. MORE

The city's Planning & Community Development department will share preliminary concept ideas for the South Fair Oaks Specific Plan area. The community workshop will include an introductory presentation followed by small group discussions where participants can provide input on topics such as land use, building heights, sidewalks and the overall vision of various neighborhoods within the plan area. Feedback received will help refine these ideas and inform the creation of an updated South Fair Oaks Specific Plan.While none of the Specific Plan areas are within WPRA's service territory, the process is extremely important for the entire city. The WPRA encourages you to participate. 6-8 p.m., June 20, The Art Center College of Design, South Campus - Wind Tunnel Gallery, 950 S. Raymond Ave.
Editor's news picks
>CLICK ON  HEADLINES  FOR MORE INFORMATION<

”Pasadena’s six successful applicants for cannabis retail dispensaries may soon hit some unexpected speed bumps. A group of protesters challenged the City Council’s cannabis licensing process, claiming that the City had not followed its own procedures.” – Pasadena Now

“Pasadena maintains a zero tolerance enforcement policy for fireworks and police and firefighters are teaming up for special fireworks enforcement patrols before, during and after the Fourth of July holiday. Violators are subject to arrest, having their vehicles impounded and serving up to one year in jail with fines up to $50,000.” – Pasadena Now

“The City Council Monday unanimously approved the second reading of Pasadena’s expanded Tenant Protection Ordinance. The ordinance will take effect in 30 days. Members of the Pasadena Tenants’ Union, however, say the ordinance doesn’t go far enough to provide proper tenant protection.” – Pasadena Now

“Downed utility lines create fire threats to California communities even in urban areas and Pasadena is no exception. 6.4% of Pasadena is exposed to ‘extreme’ fire threat from downed utility lines. ‘High’ fire threat, one tick below ‘extreme’ on the hazard scale, applies to 13.1% of the city’s total area. – Pasadena Now

“The Pasadena Tournament of Roses Foundation on Tuesday announced that it has awarded $200,000 in grants to 23 organizations in the San Gabriel Valley as part of its 2019 round of donations aimed at educational and social services organizations.” – Pasadena Star-News (may require subscription)

“If you live in bear country, which is much of north Pasadena, you might want to attend a “Living With Bears” presentation Thursday to learn how to cope with the larger of our roaming local wildlife.” – Pasadena Now

Punishing cities that plan in good faith is not the solution to housing crisis Opinion: “Pasadena opposed the most current version of Senate Bill 50, which would have completely removed density limits and increased building heights along our major corridors, while eliminating single-family zoning citywide. These changes would have amounted to a statewide rezoning without any consideration of local context, growth planning strategies, or public outreach.” Mayor Terry Tornek – Pasadena Weekly 

Opinion: “The new development being permitted at 127-141 N. Madison Ave. is a behemoth multi-story structure that has been exempted from any meaningful oversight.” – Erika Foy - Pasadena Now
WPRA's point of view
>CLICK ON HEADLINES FOR MORE INFORMATION<

The public is invited to attend the regular WPRA board meetings held at 6:30 p.m. on the first Wednesday of the month (except in August and December) in the Westridge School Community Room (unless otherwise noted), 324 Madeline Dr. Park in the State Street lot and walk north across campus to the Community Room.

Do you have organizing and editing skills? If so, you can help the WPRA with its mission of informing the community. Send an email to update@wpra.net to volunteer to serve as one of several co-editors of WPRA's weekly Neighborhood Update email newsletter. It will only take a few hours a week (on your own schedule) in the month or two each year in which you'd serve, and we will provide all training.
Your donations and membership allow us to continue our efforts to maintain the character and enhance the quality of life in our west Pasadena neighborhoods.
We can't do it without your support!
... to serve our community by joining neighbors who are equally dedicated. If you live within WPRA service area we'd welcome your help.

Got the local news bug? Just curious about your city (and would like to share news with over 1.500 of your closest friends)? Consider serving as a co-editor of the Neighborhood Update . It will only take a few hours a week (on your own schedule) in the one or two months a year in which you'd serve. We'll train you. 

We also have opportunities to serve on one of our many committees:
  • Land use and planning for those interested in land use and zoning
  • Education to improve public education in west Pasadena 
  • Open space & conservation focuses on parks, open space and our environment
  • Membership to help us build membership and serve our members

If you'd like to chat about ways we could help you become more involved or more effective (by working with us), send an email to WPRA President , indicating your interests.
Leisure
>CLICK ON HEADLINES FOR MORE INFORMATION<

Looking for other ways to entertain or educate yourself and your family?
For current events around the area, we encourage you to visit our local news outlets. Click on the publication title below to visit that publication's events section (alphabetical order).


Monthly WPRA board meeting dates and locations are on the WPRA website. Click on the headline immediately above or visit our website and look under "Meetings and Events."
To learn more visit wpra.net
Information to be considered for the Neighborhood Update should be submitted to update@wpra.net .

Joseph Stoddard's watercolors : The WPRA is grateful to local artist Joseph Stoddard, who has generously allowed us to display his watercolors in our quarterly WPRA News, on the WPRA website, and in this publication.
To explore Mr. Stoddard's work, visit josephstoddard.com .