We began this year with a focus on public engagement. On January 25, the City hosted its first ever Citizens Summit at the Senior Center. The public was encouraged to attend along with Elected Officials, Commission representatives and Staff. The first half of the summit provided a detailed look inside the City and the functions, resources and needs of each department. Later that afternoon, participants were placed in groups to brainstorm "big-picture" ideas for the City.

At the end of the program, we asked participants for their feedback, here are a few of their comments:

... A lot of good information about city finances and operations ....

... Met new people for the first time and heard new ideas ...

... Great chance to meet Councilmembers & community members ...

... Well organized. Good group focus and team spirit ...

... Wonderful opportunity and a learning experience to know about how committed the City of South Pasadena is and is now beginning to be proactive ...

Our goal is to keep the public informed on issues that are important to the community.

The input received at the Citizen's Summit is valuable as the Council prepares to update the City's Strategic Plan on February 8th. Strategic Planning is held prior to the update of the City's annual budget so that the City's budget reflects priorities identified in the Strategic Plan. 

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We are committed to be more in tune with the community, to continue to listen and do our best to respond effectively to community needs. We continue the course to achieve our goals and celebrate our accomplishments together. 

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The South Pasadena Public Library and the Friends of the South Pasadena Public Library have received a prestigious California Reads public library grant award from Cal Humanities, a non-profit partner of the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH).  Only 43 libraries in the Golden State received the award.

During the fall of 2014 the Library and the Friends will be working to engage the community in reading and discussing WHAT IT IS LIKE TO GO TO WAR by Karl Marlantes as part of its 'War Comes Home' reading project.  After graduating from Yale University and being a Rhodes Scholar, Marlantes served as a Marine in Viet Nam, where he was awarded the Navy Cross, the Bronze Star, two Navy Commendation medals for valor, two Purple Hearts, and ten air medals. WHAT IT IS LIKE TO GO TO WAR, a New York Times Bestseller, was #3 on Amazon.com's 10 Best Books of 2011.

California Reads provides a springboard to think about and discuss ideas using thought-provoking books about issues that are of importance to residents of our state. Readers from all walks of South Pasadena life will be asked to read and discuss the book and attend free events at Library which will make available many copies of the book for checkout. 'War Comes Home' will focus on the veteran experience, aiming to increase public understanding and empathy for those who have served, as well as to spark a public conversation on how best we can support the process of reincorporating our veterans into the fabric of  everyday civilian life.

California Reads is a program of Cal Humanities in partnership with the California Center for the Book. It is supported in part by the National Endowment for the Humanities and the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act, administered in California by the State Librarian.

Announcements about the South Pasadena Library 'War Comes Home' events and activities will be widely publicized during the middle of 2014.

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Join us as we bring back the spirit of the Relay! The American Cancer Society's Relay for Life is scheduled for April 26-27, 2014 at Orange Grove Park, 815 Mission Street. The City of South Pasadena will be co-sponsoring this event, and we are joining the community to raise funds and support this cause.

In years past, the City's team was one of the top teams to raise funds.  The team is made up of city employees, friends, family and participants from city programs.  Feel free to start your own team or join ours. Your involvement with the event can be as simple as donating to our team or walking for an hour and having a friend sponsor you. The City's Community Services Supervisor, Liliana Torres, who is also the Team Captain for "City Lights", the city team, urges everyone to donate, participate, and sign up to walk at least one hour of the 24-hour relay. Click here to register and donate.  Everyone can make a difference!

The Senior Center will also be holding a mini-relay prior to the main event on Friday, April 25, 2014 from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. for senior citizens of the community who want to participate in a setting where the walking area is leveled and familiar, as well as shaded.  

 For questions or inquires, you may contact Liliana Torres at (626) 403-7364 or email at ltorres@SouthPasadenaCA.gov . Let's celebrate, remember, and fight back!

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On January 27, 2014, the City of South Pasadena began work to improve Hanscom Drive between Hill Drive and South Illinois Drive. The project is expected to be completed in late 2014.
Proposed improvements include the construction of retaining walls at various locations on both high and low sides along the roadway, cold milling of existing pavement, construction of curb and gutter where there is no retaining wall, construction of a gutter pan and a concrete swale, installation of asphalt and Petromat, and replacement of damaged portions of existing water lines.

During construction, there will be limited parking on the street, in addition to lane closures.  "NO PARKING" signs will be posted 48 hours prior to work on your street.

We understand that projects such as this cause inconveniences, and appreciate your patience as we complete this work as quickly as possible.

If you have any questions regarding capital improvement projects, please contact the Public Works department at (626) 403-7240.

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In an effort to help South Pasadena residents use water more efficiently, the City is offering a variety of rebates and events:

Rebates:

Rebates on weather based irrigation controllers, sprinkler heads and toilets have been offered for years through funding from Metropolitan Water District.  New rebates on turf removal will start in early February.  In addition, the City will be offering an extra incentive to install a high efficiency toilet.  For a list of qualifying products or to apply for rebates, visit SoCalWaterSmart.com or call (888) 376-3314.

With approximately two-thirds of a typical household's water used to irrigate the landscape, the City of South Pasadena is encouraging residents to rethink how they water.  To help residents do this, the City is hosting four water wise landscape workshops to help you use water more efficiently outside your home.

Other events include an Arbor Day event for the kids on Saturday, March 8, and a Mulch and Compost Giveaway event (details for both events coming soon).  For more information or call (626) 403-7311 or email dfigoni@southpasadenaca.gov

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During the City's 125th Anniversary Celebration in March 2013, the City offered T-shirts and sweatshirts for purchase.   Unfortunately, most items sold out quickly. As we are nearing the end of the City's 125th anniversary, we have replenished the supply. We will have hooded sweatshirts for $20 (in Black or White, adult size ), crewneck sweatshirts available for $15 (in Black, adult size), and T-shirts for $8 (in Black or Stone Blue, adult size). To place an order, please contact the Community Services Department at (626)403-7360, or email us at RSMartin@SouthPasadenaCA.gov.

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Did you know that approximately two-thirds of a typical household's water is used outside to irrigate the landscape?

Did you also know that most residents overwater by 30% to 300%! 

Here are some easy ways to reduce your water consumption:

1. Adjust your irrigation timer with the season and/or weather. A weather based irrigation controller (WBIC) will do this for you. Plus there are rebates at SoCalWaterSmart.com for WBIC's.
2. Fix leaky and broken sprinkler heads. One popped head can waste a lot of water!
3. Use a hose nozzle with a shut off handle. Leaving the hose on for one day can waste around 16,000 gallons of water! This can add up quickly. For a FREE hose nozzle with 7 nifty spray patterns, come to City Hall!
4. Replace your spray head nozzles with rotator nozzles. There are rebates at SoCalWaterSmart.com for these nozzle which water more efficiently!
5. Replace your lawn with water wise plants and get paid to do it. Check the City's website in early February for more information.

Water is essential to life, and trees are no exception. Trees need water for photosynthesis (food production) and to replace water lost to evaporation. Since urban trees are dependent on humans, if we want to continue to benefit from the valuable gifts of trees such as shade, cleaner air, fruit and increased property values, we need to take good care of our trees.

There are several factors to consider when watering trees.  For explicit details, check out the excellent article at Invest from the Ground Up's website http://investfromthegroundup.org/be-water-wise-to-help-your-trees-survive-the-drought/.

For more information on trees in South Pasadena, call the City's Public Works Department at (626) 403-7240.

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Bring your favorite four-legged friend to Garfield Park (north section near the tennis courts) on Saturday, March 29, 2014 from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Families as well as their dogs and cats will enjoy a variety of activities including a costume contest, arts and crafts, a pet parade around the park,  animal blessing, and live music. A variety of food and drinks will be available for purchase.

The event is the perfect opportunity to discover dog and cat resources in the area. Adoption and rescue agencies, pet groomers and trainers, and retailers will be on-site to provide information on the services and products they offer.