Mountain Views News          Saturday, May 9, 2015

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Mountain Views-News Saturday, May 9, 2015 

LAWSUIT HALTS CITY PROJECTS, NOT HISTORY

From Arcadia’s Best

By Scott Hettrick

 Repercussions from a lawsuit that could 
impact the growth of Downtown Arcadia and 
the preservation of historical buildings in 
the Highlands while improving preservation 
elsewhere, a decision to shut off the city’s most 
prominent water fountain, a new ordinance 
dictating new rules about realtor For Sale signs, 
and discussion of the City’s upcoming $100 
million-plus budget were just a few of the topics 
covered during more than five hours of Arcadia 
City Council meetings that could have been called 
Cinco de Mayor on Tuesday evening, May 5, 2015.

 A class-action lawsuit filed by residents in the 
Highlands who are trying to stop construction 
of large homes has resulted in the City halting 
work on a citywide modification of residential 
and commercial zoning that was nearing 
completion after about two years of staff efforts 
and community input, as well as a long-sought 
survey of historical structures in the Highlands.
The latter decision sparked Highlands resident 
April Verlato to chastise the all-male five-
member Council during the public comments 
of Tuesday’s City Council meeting, suggesting 
that it’s starting to look like they are making 
decisions simply because they don’t like women 
telling them what to do. (Verlato is an attorney 
in the Downtown Arcadia district where 
she is President of the Arcadia Improvement 
Association. She has been a leader in the fight 
to save the homes targeted for replacement by 
larger homes, one of which is next door to her 
and which she has said holds significant historical 
value, although her name is not on the lawsuit.)
But the Council did vote 3-2 to approve moving 
forward on the historical survey in all other parts 
of the city, likely hiring a consultant already 
identified by City staff in the near future to 
conduct the survey to determine what buildings in 
town may be considered of historical significance, 
and then propose a Historical Preservation 
ordinance over the next six months or so, which 
could incorporate the Mills Act like many other 
cities that would allow property owners whose 
homes and buildings are considered historic to 
take advantage of tax breaks in exchange for 
preserving the historical elements of their homes 
and buildings.

 This decision was made during a closed 
session at the end of a 2 1/2-hour budget study 
session open to the public and prior to the first 
regular Council meeting under new Mayor Gary 
Kovacic. The vote was reported at the beginning 
of the Council meeting that got underway more 
than ten minutes late due to the closed session – 
a continuation of a closed session from April 7.
It was reported that the Council voted 
unanimously in the closed session to defend the 
City against the lawsuit challenging the Council’s 
decision to allow developers to build two new 
larger houses — the lawsuit is hinged on negative 
environmental impacts. But the Council split 3-2 
on three votes in that closed session related to 
ongoing projects they felt could be used against 
the city’s advantage in defending its position 
in the lawsuit: to continue with the historical 
survey minus the Highlands area to cease work 
on zoning modifications throughout the city that 
would have created more effective and attractive 
zoning to allow more desirable types of businesses 
in areas such as Downtown Arcadia as well as 
commercial and residential areas throughout 
the community to cease Neighborhood Impacts 
community meetings

 Once they got to the regular items on the 
agenda of the main City Council meeting, there 
was really only one agenda item that required 
much discussion but that took an hour-and-a-
half: a public hearing also carried over from the 
last regular meeting on April 7 concerning an 
ordinance to apply regulations on realtor For Sale 
and Open House signs that are more enforce-
able while meeting the needs of realtors. Several 
representatives from the Arcadia Association of 
Realtors and a few others offered comments, after 
which new regulations were adopted that, among 
other things, will allow:

 Only one Open House sign per yard and allow 
them to be displayed from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. on 
the day of the Open House allow all signs to be 
a uniform six-feet high. Require developers to 
post a sign 4’ x 4’ that includes a drawing and 
text details of what the new home will look like, 
along with contact information, and mandated 
information such as mechanical liens.

 “The AAR is very pleased with the Council’s 
vote last night and we’re thankful for their careful 
consideration,” AAR 2015 President Joe Pacilio 
said Wednesday. “As a community Association, 
we’ve always worked very well with the City of 
Arcadia and we look forward to continuing to be 
good citizens and partners with the community 
and residents alike.”

 As for the lengthy budget study session — the 
budget for 2015-16 effective July 1, 2015, is to be 
approved by the Council at one of the two meetings in 
June, there were no major additions or cuts. Several 
departments proposed minor budget increases.
Among the notable points made during the 
session that focused mostly on the $59 million 
General Fund portion of the budget:

 Business continues to be a prominent part of 
the City’s overall revenue and continues to show 
growth — this year ending June 30, licenses and 
permits are expected to be up 19.9%, sales taxes 
up 5% (expected to increase 13% next year due to a 
one-time $719,000 reimbursement-type payment 
from the state), and Transient Occupancy Taxes 
up 2.6%. Property taxes are also up 6% but that 
annual increase is expected to slow as demand for 
housing, especially large homes, is slowing. 

 General Fund expected to increase $3 mil. – $4 
million annually over the next five years. 

 When asked by Council Member Tom Beck if 
there was a way to “lean on” Westfield Santa Anita 
mall to add more private security, Arcadia Police 
Chief Robert Guthrie noted that the mall’s security 
is among the best in the region compared to other 
malls and that police have an excellent working 
relationship with the mall. He also reminded 
the Council that sales tax from the combined 
businesses at Westfield represent the city’s single 
largest source of sales tax revenue, and therefore 
they deserve to have the City provide reasonable 
security services in return.

 Finally, the Council voted to overturn Mayor 
Kovacic’s efforts to allow the prominent water 
fountain near the County’s Arcadia Park at the 
corner of Santa Anita Avenue and Huntington 
to continue running. Although it is primarily 
recycled water and only uses 26 gallons of water a 
month, at a time when the City is asking residents 
and businesses to cut back water usage by 36%, the 
City staff and other Council members feel it sends 
a bad message to leave the fountain running, even 
if it’s only a perception. Mayor Kovacic feels that 
as the city’s medians and other lawns go brown 
due to state-mandated ceasing of watering those 
areas, it would be nice to remind residents what 
water looks like.

ARCADIA POLICE BLOTTER

STROKE AWARENESS, SYMPTOMS, 
PREVENTION AND TREATMENT

Arcadia Senior Services in Partnership with Methodist Hospital is 
having a special free health presentation on Tuesday, May 26, 2015 
1:00pm at the Arcadia Community Center, 365 Campus Drive, Arcadia. 
May is designated Stroke Awareness Month, Dr. Kenneth Wogensen 
will be our guest speaker. Dr. Wogensen is board certified in Clinical 
Neurophysiology and Neurology. Every 40 seconds, someone in the 
United States has a stroke. Each year, almost 800,000 strokes occur in 
the United States and can lead to serious, life-changing complications. 
He will discuss causes of stroke, prevention, treatments and how sleep 
can be affected. 

 City of Arcadia’s Fire Chief Norwood will start the program at 
1:00pm discussing the advantages of enrolling in the City’s Paramedic 
Membership Program; current fees for the program, what the 
membership covers, when to call paramedics, who should join, and 
additional information regarding the City of Arcadia Fire Department. 

 This program is for individuals 50 years of age and older. Please call 
Arcadia Senior Services 626.574.5130 before May 21, 2015 if interested 
in attending.

About the City of Arcadia

Nestled in the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains, Arcadia is an 
11.38 square mile community with a population of just over 56,000. 
Located approximately 20 miles east of downtown Los Angeles, Arcadia 
is known for combining small-town charm with the conveniences 
and amenities of a mid-size city. Arcadia is a full-service charter city 
governed by a five-member City Council, elected at large. Recognized 
for exceptional education and recreation opportunities and beautiful 
neighborhoods, Arcadia is also defined as the “Community of Homes” 
and has twice been designated the “Best City in California in which to 
Raise Kids” by Business Week Magazine.

For the period of Sunday, April 26th, through Saturday, May 2nd, the Police 
Department responded to 1,157 calls for service of which 127 required formal 
investigations. The following is a summary report of the major incidents 
handled by the Department during this period.

Sunday, April 26:

Just before 10:34 a.m., an officer conducted an enforcement stop on a bicyclist 
near the 100 block of East Live Oak Avenue for riding on the sidewalk. The 
officer detected a strong odor of marijuana while talking with the 59-year-
old Hispanic male. During a consensual search of the bicycle, the officer 
located two small bindles of methamphetamine. The suspect was arrested 
and transported to the Arcadia City Jail for booking.

 At approximately 5:27 p.m., an officer responded to the 400 block of West 
Live Oak Avenue regarding a suspicious circumstances report. Upon arrival, 
the officer located a 39-year-old Hispanic male exiting the basement of the 
vacant, boarded up residence. An investigation revealed the suspect had been 
living at the vacant residence without the owner’s consent. He was arrested 
and transported to the Arcadia City Jail for booking.

Monday, April 27:

At about 11:16 a.m., an officer responded to the 200 block of West Longden 
Avenue regarding a stolen vehicle report. Sometime between 11:00 p.m. on 
Sunday, April 26th and the morning of April 27th, an unknown suspect stole 
the victim’s unlocked vehicle. No suspects were seen and no witnesses were 
located. 

 At approximately 4:00 p.m., an officer responded to the front counter 
of the Arcadia Police Department regarding a battery that occurred at the 
food court of the Westfield Shopping Town, 400 South Baldwin Avenue. 
The officer discovered an 18-year-old white female punched the victim in 
the back of the head and then poured an unknown liquid on the victim’s 
head before fleeing on foot towards Johnny Rockets. The suspect is a former 
acquaintance of the victim. The officer attempted to locate the suspect but 
was unsuccessful. The investigation is ongoing. The victim refused medical 
attention.

Tuesday, April 28:

Around 12:21 p.m., an officer responded to Arcadia Super Market, 645 West 
Duarte Road, regarding a purse theft that had just occurred. The victim stated 
an unknown suspect opened the front passenger door, took the victim’s purse 
from the front seat, and fled to an awaiting blue, four-door sedan, which 
drove away. 

 The suspect was described as a white male in his 20’s, approximately 5’8” 
tall, wearing a baseball hat. The investigation is ongoing.

 Just after 8:20 p.m., an officer responded to the 600 block of Sunset 
Boulevard regarding a hit and run traffic collision. The officer determined 
Party-2 struck the left side of Party-1 while it was parked along the curb. 
Party-2 fled without providing documentation. No suspects were seen and 
no witnesses were located. 

Wednesday, April 29:

Shortly after 1:04 a.m., an officer conducted an enforcement stop on a vehicle 
near the intersection of Live Oak Avenue and Baldwin Avenue for speeding. 
Upon contacting the driver, the officer noticed an open container of alcohol 
inside the vehicle. The driver and passenger admitted to consuming the 
alcoholic beverage. A field sobriety test revealed both were under the 
influence of an alcoholic beverage. The driver, a 27-year-old Hispanic male, 
was arrested for DUI and Driving with an Open Container of Alcohol. The 
passenger, a 23-year-old Hispanic female, was arrested for Drunk in Public. 
Both were transported to the Arcadia City Jail for booking.

 At about 9:32 a.m., an officer responded to a bus stop near the intersection 
of Colorado Place and San Juan Drive regarding two subjects fighting. An 
investigation revealed a 33-year-old Hispanic male punched, kicked, and hit 
the victim’s leg with a hard plastic suit case for blocking the walkway inside 
the bus with his leg. The suspect was arrested and transported to the Arcadia 
City Jail for booking. Arcadia Fire responded and transported the victim to 
Arcadia Methodist Hospital for evaluation.

Thursday, April 30:

At approximately 4:17 a.m., an officer initiated a traffic stop on a vehicle in the 
area of Grandview Avenue and Santa Anita Avenue for expired registration. 
An investigation revealed three occupants of the vehicle were in possession 
of burglary tools and stolen items from unreported vehicle burglaries. A 
27-year-old Hispanic female, a 29-year-old Hispanic male, and a 31-year-
old Hispanic male were arrested and transported to the Arcadia City Jail for 
booking. During the booking process, the jailer located a smoking pipe and 
methamphetamine on the female’s body. This offense was added to her list 
of charges.

 Around 6:20 p.m., an officer responded to Steve Madden in the Westfield 
Shopping Town, 400 South Baldwin Avenue, regarding a theft report. The 
officer discovered an employee of the store had used store stock to make 
fraudulent returns without receipts to credit her own credit card. The 22-year-
old Filipino female was arrested and transported to the Arcadia City Jail for 
booking.

Friday, May 1: 

Just after 4:37 p.m., an officer responded to the 100 block of Bonita Street 
regarding a suspicious circumstances report. The juvenile victim stated an 
unknown suspect, who has been seen at the location on a regular basis over 
the past three months, asked her where she lived and where she was going. 
The investigation is ongoing.

 The suspect is described as a black male in his 30’s, approximately 5’5” tall, 
with a shaved head. 

 At about 9:25 p.m., an officer responded to Macy’s at the Westfield 
Shopping Town, 400 South Baldwin Avenue, regarding a petty theft report. 
Surveillance footage revealed the 56-year-old Hispanic female concealed 
numerous items of merchandise in her bag before exiting the store, failing to 
make payment. The suspect was arrested and transported to the Arcadia City 
Jail for booking. 

Saturday, May 2:

Just after 12:38 a.m., an officer initiated an enforcement stop on a vehicle in 
the 000 block of First Avenue for having broken tail lights. An investigation 
revealed the suspect, a 45-year-old white female, was in possession of 
methamphetamine, smoking pipes, and syringes. She was arrested and 
transported to the Arcadia City Jail for booking.

 At approximately 6:25 p.m., an officer responded to the front counter of 
the Arcadia Police Department regarding a report of domestic violence. 
The officer determined the suspect, a 48-year-old Hispanic male, threw 
his cellphone at the victim during an altercation. He was arrested and 
transported to the Arcadia City Jail for booking.

ENSEMBLE PARADISO TO BE 
SEASON’S FINAL CONCERT AT 
GOOD SHEPHERD

Ensemble Paradiso will present a concert in the chapel of 
Church of the Good Shepherd on Sunday, May 17, at 3 o’clock. 
The program will feature works by Bartok, Ravel, and the jazzy 
“Café Music” by Paul Shoenfield performed by Jessica Guideri, 
violin; Danielle Guideri, cello; and Timothy Durkovic, piano. 
This is the season’s final concert in the ongoing series of “Music 
in Sacred Spaces” at the church. Requested donations of $15 
(students with I.D. $10) benefit the music program and will 
be taken at the door. Church of the Good Shepherd, United 
Methodist, is at 400 W. Duarte Road, Arcadia. For more 
information: 626-447-2181 or www.cgsum.org.