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Mountain View News Saturday, April 6, 2024 

Public Hearing on Sewer Use Fee Increase

Tournament Announces 
Eight 2024 Rose Scholars

Celebrate 
National 
Library Week

 
The Pasadena city council 
is set Monday night to hold 
an unpopular public hearing 
to receive comment on 
recommended proposed sewer 
use fee increases needed to cover 
current and future operating and 
capital costs.

 At press time Friday, the city 
had received hundreds of emails 
and letters from angry residents 
and business owners.

 “You already tax us to death,” 
wrote Pasadena business owners 
William and Michelle Alexander. 
“Please learn how to adequately 
manage the exorbitant taxes 
you already assess. Also, the 
process for protesting these rate 
increases is broken and could 
be considered discriminatory 
in nature. This should be on a 
ballot, not driven by a letter that 
is seemingly junk mail.”

 Many residents said they 
opposed a rate increase due to 
income.

 “We protest the proposed 
sewer use fee rate adjustment 
and new rate structure,” wrote 
Pasadena residents Robert and 
Laurie Bilotta. “We are retired 
and on a fixed income. We 
understand rate increases but 
this is unconscionable!”

 According to the city council’s 
agenda report, the average single 
family residence monthly fee, if 
approved, would go from $4.55 
to $11.37 which is an increase of 
$6.82 monthly or 150 percent. 

 “A comprehensive cost-of-
service rate study done last year 
highlighted several contributing 
factors as to why the sewer use 
fee rates need to be adjusted. 
These factors include: (1) the 
City has not raised the sewer use 
fee by more than the consumer 
price index since 2007 which 
has not kept pace with increased 
industry costs, (2) the current 
methodology used to calculate 
the sewer use fee is based on 
consumers’ water use and 
generates insufficient revenue 
due to long-term drought 
conditions and customer water 
conservation efforts; and (3) the 
cost of maintaining the sewer 
collection system has increased 
significantly.”

 The city’s sewer wastewater 
collection system serves 
approximately 140,000 residents 
and commercial users. The sewer 
system includes approximately 
325 miles of sewer pipelines, 
three pump stations and 
approximately 7,430 manholes 
city staff said.

 In accordance with Proposition 
218, notices were mailed 
February 21 to all property 
owners/customers about the 
public hearing.

 If approved, the increase would 
become effective on July 1 and 
are expected to generate an 
additional $4.2 million for future 
cost of services. 

 The public hearing is set for 5:30 
p.m.. as part of the city council’s 
regular meeting, in the Council 
Chamber, Pasadena City Hall 
100 North Garfield Avenue, 
Room S249.

 
As part of National Library 
Week, Sunday though April 
13, the Pasadena Public 
Library encourages everyone 
in the community to visit the 
library, enjoy its benefits and 
explore all the library has to 
offer.

 The theme for National 
Library Week 2024 is Ready, 
Set, Library! a declaration of 
all the ways libraries provide 
an essential public service 
of readying, solidifying, and 
empowering the community 
through the free exchange of 
information for all.

READY

 Prepare to enjoy the benefits 
of Pasadena Public Library 
by applying for a free library 
card. Library card applications 
are available online and in-
person at any of Pasadena’s 10 
library branches.

SET

 Pasadena Public Library 
offers the resources and 
support you need throughout 
your life whether preparing 
for a new career, launching 
a business, raising a family, 
settling into retirement, or any 
one of life’s milestones.

 With programs, collections 
and resources for all ages, 
Pasadena Public Library 
supplies the community with 
vital services, including free 
access to books and other 
materials:

Artist showcases

Blood pressure kits

Chromebooks and hotspots

Citizenship kits

Coursera

Early learning resources

History archives

LinkedIn Learning

Sewing classes

Teen volunteer opportunities

Tutoring

And much more.

LIBRARY!

 Libraries give us the 
opportunity to connect with 
others, learn new skills, and 
pursue our passions through 
book clubs, storytimes, 
crafting classes, author talks, 
and more.

 In celebration of National 
Library week, take a crash 
course on how to be a 
librarian with the Learn to 
be a Librarian program on 
Thursday, from 3:30 to 5 p.m., 
at Santa Catalina Branch 
Library, 999 E. Washington 
Blvd. This program is open to 
all ages.

 For more information 
about all the library offers, 
visit the library’s website at: 
PasadenaPublicLibrary.net

 The Pasadena Tournament of 
Roses Association announced 
Thursday they have selected 
eight high school seniors as the 
2024 ROSE Scholars. This year, 
the program awarded $20,000 in 
scholarships to eight graduating 
seniors from the Pasadena 
Unified School District. To 
date, the program has awarded 
$80,000 to PUSD seniors. ROSE 
Scholars presented by Citizens 
Business Bank is designed to 
help students in our community 
thrive and foster their potential.

2024 ROSE Scholars

Carolina Castillejos – Rose City 
High School

Eloheem Mahone – John Muir 
High School

Trinity Dela Cruz – Marshall 
Fundamental Secondary School

Jasmine Sov – Pasadena High 
School

Lauren Gray – John Muir High 
School

Worthy Teems – Marshall 
Fundamental Secondary School

Andrea Ibarra – Pasadena High 
School

Alique Tufenkjian – Marshall 
Fundamental Secondary School

 In the application process, 
students were encouraged to 
showcase their future dreams, 
goals and aspirations through 
a creative piece. Additionally, 
they were required to submit a 
one-page reflection elucidating 
their thoughts and emotions 
regarding their creation, 
along with still images and 
a video recording detailing 
their inspiration. Rather than 
including a minimum GPA, 
applicants were tasked with 
obtaining a recommendation 
from a teacher, coach, counselor 
or community member.

 David A. Brager, the President 
and CEO of Citizens Business 
Bank, shared his excitement 
for the 2024 Rose Scholars 
program, which offers 
scholarships to local students 
within the Pasadena Unified 
School District. He commended 
the fruitful collaboration with 
the Pasadena Tournament of 
Roses Association, recognizing 
its significant contribution to 
education and community 
enhancement. Brager’s 
dedication to education and 
fostering opportunities for local 
students is evident through the 
generous support provided by 
Citizens Business Bank.

 “At the Tournament of Roses, 
we embrace creativity, and the 
2024 Rose Scholars represent 
that notion,” remarked Ed 
Morales, President of the 
2025 Tournament of Roses. 
“We are delighted to honor 
these students and empower 
them through scholarships 
to pursue their dreams. Our 
heartfelt gratitude to David 
Brager and Citizens Business 
Bank for their partnership, 
enabling the Tournament of 
Roses Association to uplift these 
remarkable young individuals.”

The Association and the 
Tournament of Roses 
Foundation are focused on 
positively impacting the 
Pasadena community with 
charitable giving, volunteerism 
and community involvement. 
As part of this work, the 

Symphony 
Closing 
Season

Concert

 The Pasadena Symphony 
closes the 23/24 season 
with Vivaldi Four Seasons 
on Saturday, April 20 with 
performances at 2:00 p.m. 
and 8:00 p.m. at Ambassador 
Auditorium. Continuing 
its tradition of showcasing 
the stars of tomorrow here 
today, the orchestra welcomes 
violinist Charlotte Marckx 
to perform Vivaldi’s most 
cherished concerti, The Four 
Seasons, just in time for spring. 
A Colburn artist, Marckx 
has been celebrated for her 
technical chops and expressive 
panache, which have earned 
her multiple awards, including 
the Gold Medal and Bach 
Prize at the 2018 Stulberg 
International Competition, 
among others.

 Chinese conductor Linhan 
Cui will lead the orchestra 
for this colorful program 
blooming with Baroque 
masterworks. Noted for 
her natural expression, Cui 
recently won second prize 
in the Malko International 
Conducting Competition and 
was a Dudamel Conducting 
Fellow for the 22/23 season. The 
concert will open with Bach’s 
most beloved chamber work, 
Brandenburg Concerto No. 3, 
before Cui takes the podium 
for Chinese composer Si-ang 
Chen’s contemporary piece, 
Symphony No. 1 “Expedition” 
(2nd movement, adagio). The 
string section will blossom 
for Puccini’s i Crisantemi 
(Chrysanthemums), followed 
by Vivaldi’s Four Seasons to 
close a monumental season for 
the Pasadena Symphony.

 Arrive early for the pre-
concert discussion Insights, 
or enjoy a bite or a glass 
in the Symphony Lounge, 
before the concert and during 
intermission.

 All concerts are held at 
Ambassador Auditorium, 131 
South St. John Ave, Pasadena, 
CA. Single tickets start at $42 
and may be purchased online 
at: pasadenasymphony-pops.
org or by calling (626) 793-
7172.

Holden Recognizes Rachael 
Worby as Woman of the Year

 

 

 As part of the California 
State Assembly’s annual 
celebration of Women’s 
achievement and leadership, 
Assemblymember Chris 
Holden announced Thrusday 
the recognition of Rachael 
Worby as the 41st Assembly 
District’s Woman of the Year. 
Worby is a Pasadena resident 
and in 2011, created MUSE/
IQUE, a performing arts 
nonprofit formed with the 
goal of bringing live music 
experiences to all.

 From a tiny, scrappy, 
startup, MUSE/IQUE has 
become a multimillion dollar 
non-profit, with considerable 
influence on the performing 
arts throughout Southern 
California.

 “I am thrilled to announce 
Rachael Worby as Woman 
of the Year for the 41st 
Assembly District,” said 
Assemblymember Holden. 
“Rachel is responsible for 
much of the artistic and 
theatrical preservation 
maintained across Southern 
California and has dedicated 
a great deal of her career 
to keeping young people 
engaged in the arts.”

 For two years she held 
the prestigious post of 
Assistant Conductor of the 
LA Philharmonic. Then, 
for twelve years she was 
the Music Director and 
Conductor of the Young 
People’s Concerts at Carnegie 
Hall. Rachael was appointed 
by President Clinton to the 
National Council on the Arts. 
She conducted and directed 
the Wheeling Symphony 
Orchestra for seventeen years 
before becoming, for ten 
years, the Music Director of 
the Pasadena Pops.

 “Rachael does not see 
barriers, she sees opportunity. 
She holds music dear to her 
heart as a force that connects 
all of us and it has been a 
privilege to witness her share 
her gifts and passion while 
opening doors for other 
women, marginalized people, 
and young Californians,” said 
Holden.

 Worby became a pioneering 
member of the first wave of 
women on the conductor’s 
podium to achieve national 
and international renown. 
Worby’s success in the 
professional sphere only 
deepened her ambition 
to make the world of live 
music more inclusive. By 
partnering with over 19 local 
nonprofits, MUSE/IQUE 
gives Worby the platform to 
create lasting, meaningful 
relationships with people 
in the community that have 
often been overlooked. 
Inspired by her idol Leonard 
Bernstein, she joyfully 
interacts with her audience 
members to make each 
performance an inclusive 
learning experience.

 
The City of Pasadena will 
begin accepting applications for 
the ROSE Internship Program 
on Monday. The Realizing 
Opportunities through Skillful 
Employment (ROSE) Program 
is open to Pasadena residents 
ages 14-24 residing in low to 
moderate-income households.

 ROSE interns may earn up 
to $2,000 working up to 110 
hours. Internship assignments 
are on a first-come, first-
served basis and include, but 
are not limited to, the fields of 
recreation, day camps, police, 
clerical, technology, and more. 
Participants receive training to 
develop skills, mentorship, and 
network opportunities with 
professionals in their field of 
interest.

 The online application opens 
Monday through Tuesday, 
April 30. To apply visit 
CityOfPasadena.net/Parks-
And-Rec/ROSE. The Computer 
Lab at Jackie Robinson 
Community Center is available 
from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. and may be 
used to complete applications.

 For more information or 
application assistance, call 
(626) 744-7300 or email Rose@

ROSE 2024 
Internship 
Program 
Accepting 

New Water 
Conservation 
Campaign 

 David Reyes, Acting General 
Manager of Water and Power, 
and the department ask the 
community to join “The 
Ripple Effect” and become 
a local water steward for 
Pasadena and the region. 
Pasadena Water and Power’s 
(“PWP”) new campaign is a 
multi-year effort to build water 
sustainability and resilience. 
“The Ripple Effect” campaign 
invites the community to play 
a role in a wide-ranging water 
conservation movement, 
fostering a sense of pride in 
our community’s local water 
supply and regional water 
connectivity, and highlighting 
the significant role that each 
PWP customer plays in 
preserving water for future 
generations. 

 To learn more about Pasadena 
water visit: PWPweb.com/
TheRippleEffect.


Mountain Views News 80 W Sierra Madre Blvd. No. 327 Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024 Office: 626.355.2737 Fax: 626.609.3285 Email: editor@mtnviewsnews.com Website: www.mtnviewsnews.com