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ALTADENA - SOUTH PASADENA - SAN MARINO

Mountain View News Saturday, September 28, 2024

Major Water Main Upgrade 
on Bellefontaine Street Done

San Marino Upcoming 
Events & Programming

Chamber Board Positions 
on State Ballot Initiatives

 
The Board of Directors 
of the Pasadena Chamber 
of Commerce and Civic 
Association considered 
statewide initiatives that 
will appear on the ballot 
in November. The Board 
considers whether or not 
propositions will have a 
local impact, either on 
our businesses, business 
community or economy, and 
how to best recommend a 
vote on the item.

 Ballot initiatives are 
first reviewed by the 
Chamber’s Legislative 
and Government Affairs 
Committee. That committee 
makes recommendations 
to the Board, which may be 
supported or opposed by the 
Board.

 The Board of Directors 
considered initiatives 
on the November ballot 
and made the following 
recommendations on 
statewide initiatives:

Proposition 2: A statewide 
bond measure to raise 
$10 billion for school 
construction. OPPOSE. 
The measure was hastily 
placed on the ballot without 
serious consideration or 
the identification of specific 
projects or initiatives.

Proposition 4: A statewide 
bond measure to fund 
climate impacted programs 
like wildfire and forest 
programs, drinking water 
sustainability, sea level rise 
and more. SUPPORT. “We 
are experiencing the effects 
of climate change every day,” 
said Chamber President 
and CEO Paul Little. “The 
Chamber Board felt that 
taking steps now to deal with 
impacts such as wildfires, 
water shortages and more 
deserves funding.”

Proposition 5: Would lower 
the voting requirement 
threshold for local measures 
that would support 
infrastructure projects 
and affordable housing 
development. OPPOSE. This 
would make it too easy for 
local governments to impose 
tax increases on property 
owners. The current limits 
imposed by voters previously 
should remain intact.

Proposition 6: Would limit 
the use of forced labor in 
prisons. SUPPORT. The 
Chamber Board felt this 
is a human rights issue. 
Alleviating the last vestige 
of indentured servitude in 
California is warranted and 
would likely have little impact 
on prison budgets. It could 
help alleviate overcrowding 
in some prisons and jails 
where there would likely be 
early release provisions to 
prisoners who volunteer to 
work, rather than higher pay.

Proposition 32: Would raise 
the minimum wage to $18 per 
hour in California. OPPOSE. 
Minimum wage increases to 
not have the intended result, 
a higher standard of living for 
minimum wage workers, and 
severely impacts employers.

Proposition 33: Would allow 
local governments to impose 
rent control on all rental 
units in California. OPPOSE. 
“This measure would undo 
the Costa-Hawkins Act and 
allow rent control on units 
built after February 1, 1995,” 
Mr. Little commented. “This 
would significantly stifle 
the development of housing 
in California, exacerbating 
our housing shortage, and 
make existing housing less 
affordable.”

Proposition 34: This would 
require certain health 
providers to use nearly all 
revenue received from federal 
prescription drug programs 
be spent on patient care. 
SUPPORT. “The appropriate 
spending of taxpayer money-
spending for its intended 
purpose-is a basic taxpayer 
protection,” said Mr. Little. “If 
an agency does not use funds 
for the purpose the money 
was provided, it should be 
returned so others can use it 
for that purpose.”

Proposition 35: Would make 
permanent a tax on managed 
health care insurance plans. 
SUPPORT. This would 
make more money available 
for Medical and block 
lawmakers from using these 
funds to avoid cuts in other 
programs.

Proposition 36: Would 
increase penalties for 
theft and drug trafficking. 
SUPPORT. It would 
aggregate dollar amounts of 
thefts that can be counted as 
felonies, increase penalties 
for trafficking in fentanyl and 
more. “Passage of Proposition 
36 would enhance public 
safety in a measured and 
effective manner,” Mr. 
Little commented. “Smash 
and grab thefts, organized 
shoplifting, the sale and 
distribution of fentanyl and 
other drugs would result in 
more appropriate sentencing. 
It will make us all safer while 
maintaining the innovative 
approach to low-level crime 
and sentencing put in place 
by Prop 47 a few years ago.”

 The Pasadena Chamber 
of Commerce and Civic 
Association does not endorse 
individual candidates. Nor 
does the Chamber fund 
campaigns of candidates 
or those in support or 
opposition to ballot 
measures.

 The Pasadena Chamber 
of Commerce and Civic 
Association is a professional 
business organization. 
Since the earliest days of 
Pasadena, the Chamber 
has played a major role in 
the development of this 
internationally renowned 
city. Founded in 1888 as 
the Board of Trade, the 
Chamber’s primary purpose 
has been the enhancement 
of the economy, business 
climate and the quality of life 
in Pasadena. The Pasadena 
Chamber of Commerce 
currently serves more than 
1250 members.

Application Deadline Approaching for City Treasurer

 Looking to make an impact in the community? Apply 
for City Treasurer! The City of San Marino seeks to fill 
an opening for City Treasurer. The City Treasurer, in 
collaboration with the Finance Director, oversees the City’s 
investments and advises the City Council. Knowledge of the 
collection and accounting of municipal funds is essential. 
San Marino residency is required. Interested persons should 
visit the City’s website or contact the City Clerk for additional 
information and application materials. The deadline to 
submit an application is Monday, October 7, at 4 PM. 

Introduction to Measure SM

 On November 5, San Marino voters will have a choice. 
The City Council has placed the renewal of Measure SM, 
the Public Safety Parcel Tax Measure, on the ballot so 
voters can decide on the continuation of a special revenue 
source for police officers, firefighters, and paramedics. If 
voters renew Measure SM, it is expected to continue to 
generate approximately $3.5 million annually in dedicated, 
locally controlled dollars for San Marino’s Fire and Police 
Department services which have been a hallmark of safety 
in San Marino since 1980. For more information, visit: 
SanMarinoCA.gov/MeasureSM.

Old Mill Fireside Chat

DATE: Friday, October 11, 11:00 AM

WHERE: The Pomegranate Patio at the Old Mill

 Frederick J. Ryan, Jr., author of the award-winning 
Wine and the White House: A History, is joined by Kate 
Sinclair, Executive Director of The Old Mill Foundation 
for an informative and entertaining fireside chat perfect 
for devotees of presidential history, lovers of wine, or both. 
They will discuss the importance of wine throughout White 
House history and explore how tastes in wine varieties and 
entertaining have evolved and adapted over those 200 years, 
from fine French wines to temperance and Prohibition to the 
emergence of world- renowned American wines. They will 
spotlight presidents known for their wine expertise— such as 
Thomas Jefferson, Richard Nixon, and Ronald Reagan—and 
cover how wine is selected, stored, and served at the White 
House, offering a glimpse of some of the service pieces in the 
collection.

 Ryan, former Publisher of The Washington Post and 
founding CEO of Politico, produced this book in connection 
with the White House Historical Association.

$10 Old Mill Members; $20 Non-members

 Purchase your tickets at: old-mill.org

Health & Wellness Talk: It’s Just Teeth? Not so Fast!

Wednesday, October 2 at 1 PM, Barth Community Room

 Join Dr. Jonathan Song, DDS of San Marino Dentistry to 
discover what oral-systemic connection is. What’s healthy 
for the mouth is also healthy for the rest of the body and 
vice versa. Learn the best way to take care of your oral 
health from cavity, gum disease, oral cancer, and jaw joint 
problems. You will go home with information on how to best 
care for your dental health, which is intertwined with the 
rest of your body as a whole. Registration is not required.

Nature Series: Living with Native Oak Trees

Saturday, October 5 at 10 AM, Barth Community Room

Presenter: Lora Hall

 San Marino is home to two native oak tree species: coast 
live oak and the rare Engelmann oak. These native oaks are 
not only beautiful, but they also provide a valuable habitat 
for wildlife. This lecture featuring San Marino’s Urban 
Forester, Lora Hall, will discuss how to care for oak trees and 
encourage long, healthy lives, pruning and irrigation, what 
to plant under oaks (and what not to), common pests, and 
disease issues. Registration is not required.

Joyful Living Happy Life

Sunday, October 6 from 2:00 – 4:30 PM, Barth Community 
Room

 This workshop gives you tools to face challenges in the 
workplace, social life, and family life. Join the Unified Charity 
Foundation as they talk about the customs and traditions in a 
new land and how to remove cultural obstacles to prosperity. 
Registration is not required.

Tiny Pumpkin Art Show

 This fall, art and teeny tiny pumpkins come together in 
Crowell Public Library’s first Tiny Pumpkin Art Show 
for everyone ages 3+! Why be limited to a blank canvas 
when you can unleash your inner Picasso on a pumpkin? 
Register for a Tiny Pumpkin Decorating Kit and after you 
complete your masterpiece, bring it back to the Library to be 
showcased in our Tiny Pumpkin Art Show Gallery. You also 
have the chance to win a prize! This program is sponsored 
by the Friends of the Library. Registration is required. Kit 
pickup begins October 1.

Meetings

Design Review Committee

Wednesday, October 2 at 6:00 PM; Barth Room and Zoom 
(Public Access)

 

 City officials announced 
last week that Pasadena 
Water and Power (PWP) 
successfully completed a 
critical upgrade to a 110-year-
old 10-inch cast iron water 
main along Bellefontaine 
Street. 

 “The new 12-inch ductile 
iron water main spans 
approximately 1,400 feet 
from Pasadena Avenue to 
Fair Oaks Avenue. This 
upgrade enhances water 
service reliability for the 
city, including three medical 
office plazas, two nursing 
facilities, and one hospital.” 
they said.

 The Bellefontaine Street 
Water Main Replacement 
Project presented several 
challenges. The main serves 
numerous critical facilities 
that require uninterrupted 
water service and vehicle 
access. The area also 
contains many existing 
underground utilities, 
including gas, electrical, and 
telecommunication lines.

 Through interdepartmental 
collaboration within the 
City of Pasadena, including 
key support from the 
Pasadena Fire Department, 
the Department of Public 
Works, and the Department 
of Transportation, PWP 
successfully completed 
the project on schedule. 
It exemplifies PWP’s 
commitment to proactively 
improving the city’s water 
infrastructure and ensuring 
reliable water service.

 “Infrastructure projects 
like this are vital to our 
mission of continuing to 
deliver reliable, high-quality 
water to the community,” 
says Chief Assistant General 
Manager, Stacie Takeguchi. 
“Thanks to the support of 
the local community, City 
partners, and our dedicated 
PWP team, we were able 
to complete this project 
efficiently and effectively. 
We are proud that this water 
main will serve the City of 
Pasadena for generations to 
come.”

 For complete details on 
active and recently completed 
projects, visit: PWPweb.com/
Construction.

 PWP provides electricity to 
more than 65,000 customers 
within Pasadena. PWP 
delivers water to nearly 
38,000 households and 
businesses in Pasadena and 
adjacent communities in 
the San Gabriel Valley. As a 
community-owned utility, 
PWP is a not-for-profit public 
service owned and operated 
by the City of Pasadena for 
the benefit of its customers 
and the community.

City Seeks Police Auditor

 City of Pasadena officials 
announced Wednesday that 
they are seeking to contract with 
an independent police auditor 
to advise the city’s 11-member 
Community Police Oversight 
Commission.

 They said that eligible firms or 
individuals are encouraged to 
review the request for proposals 
for independent police auditor, 
which can be found on the 
city’s website at :cityofPasadena.
net, at the Community Police 
Oversight Commission’s 
website, City Attorney’s website, 
and at the link for the City’s 
online procurement website 
(OpenGov). The deadline for 
submitting proposals is October 
11.

 The independent police auditor 
will be expected to perform the 
following duties, among others, 
as set forth by the ordinance 
adopted by the City Council in 
October 2020:

- Serve as a best-practices 
advisor to the Community 
Police Oversight Commission;

- Review categorical uses 
of force by Pasadena Police 
Department personnel to assess 
whether the police department’s 
investigation was complete, 
thorough, objective, and fair;

- Review investigations of 
personnel complaints of bias-
based policing;

- Where directed by or 
in conjunction with the 
commission, recommend 
changes to police department 
policies; and

- Issue public reports.

- Proposals must be submitted 
no later than 5 p.m. on Friday, 
Oct. 11. Details relating to 
the scope of work and online 
submission instructions can 
be found in the request for 
proposals. - - Local Pasadena 
businesses, small and micro-
businesses, and women and 
minority-owned businesses are 
encouraged to propose.

Pasadena 
Awarded 
1.5M Safe 
Streets Grant

 Director of Transportation, 
Joaquin Siquesis announced 
last week that the department 
was successful in its grant 
application for the U.S. 
Department of Transportation 
Safe Streets and Roads 
for All fiscal year 2024 
demonstration program. The 
grant will provide $1,556,520 
to install a demonstration 
project, built with temporary 
‘quick-build’ materials, to 
evaluate traffic calming safety 
improvements on El Molino 
Avenue from Atchison Street 
to Bonita Drive, connecting 
the entire City from north 
to south limits. El Molino 
Avenue is one of four planned 
Greenways, traffic-calmed 
streets prioritizing people 
walking and biking. These 
grant funds will allow the City 
to work with the community 
to identify preferred Greenway 
traffic calming safety 
treatments before committing 
funds to build permanent 
improvements as part of the 
larger twelve-million-dollar 
Greenways Project funded 
by Measure R. Outreach and 
public engagement for the El 
Molino Avenue Greenway 
project would begin in 
summer 2025, with the quick-
build elements installed and 
evaluated through 2026, 
which will inform the final 
design effort for permanent 
greenway improvements.

For more information visit: 
cityofpasadena.net.

Free Pasadena Flu Shot Clinics

 
Pasadena Public Library offers free flu shot clinics in 
partnership with the Pasadena Public Health Department 
and Huntington Health, an affiliate of Cedars Sinai. Vaccine 
supplies are limited and are available on a first-come, first-
served basis. Please wear short sleeves. 

 Pasadena Public Health Department Free flu shots are 
available to those 6 months and older. Children under 18 
years must be accompanied by a parent/guardian. 

- Thursday, Oct. 10 • 1:30 - 4 p.m. • Lamanda Park Branch 
Library 

- Thursday, Oct. 17 • 1:30 - 4 p.m. • La Pintoresca Branch 
Library 

- Thursday, Oct. 24 • 1:30 - 4 p.m. • Linda Vista Branch 
Library 

- Thursday, Oct. 31 • 1:30 - 4 p.m. • Hill Avenue Branch 
Library 

- Thursday, Nov. 14 • 1:30 - 4 p.m. • Santa Catalina Branch 
Library 

- Thursday, Nov. 21 • 1:30 - 4 p.m. • San Rafael Branch Library 

 Huntington Health Community Outreach Free flu shots 
will be offered to those ages 9 and older. Children under 18 
years must have their parent’s consent and be accompanied 
by a parent/guardian. Not for people with an allergy to eggs 
or previous influenza vaccine, Guillain-Barré syndrome, or 
serious illness or fever on the day of vaccination. 

- Wednesday, Oct. 16 • 10 a.m. – noon • Hastings Branch 
Library

 For more information visit: cityofpasadena.net/library.

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