WPRA
West Pasadena Residents' Association 
Neighborhood Update
SATURDAY, APRIL 30, 2016
Published weekly since 2000
WELCOME

Founded in 1962, the WPRA is dedicated to maintaining the character of our neighborhoods and enhancing the quality of life in southwest Pasadena. 

   
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Send comments to update@wpra.net 

Chuck Hudson
Co-Editor 

 

View the latest and past issues of the WPRA's quarterly magazine, The News, which is mailed to nearly 8,000 homes in west Pasadena.
Neighborhood Update
View past issues of this weekly WPRA eNewsletter, which is emailed each Saturday morning to more than 1,500 residents of Pasadena (and beyond).
COMMUNITY MEETINGS
>CLICK ON HEADLINES FOR MORE INFORMATION<
NOTE: The following meeting dates, times and agenda items are accurate as of Friday evening. Click on the appropriate blue headline to ensure the meeting hasn't been cancelled or rescheduled.

MONDAY, MAY 2

2:30 p.m.
Council Chambers, City Hall, 100 N. Garfield Ave.
On the agenda: continued public hearing on fiscal year 2017-2018 recommended capital improvement program budget

5 p.m.
Elbie J. Hickambottom Board Room, 351 S. Hudson Ave.
On the agenda: annual organizational meeting, including election of board officers, reaffirmation of district vision and appointments

6:30 p.m.
Council Chambers, City Hall, 100 N. Garfield Ave. 
On the agenda: continued public hearing on fiscal year 2017-2018 recommended capital improvement program budget; second reading of ordinance to establish a mandatory non-potable water use ordinance NOTE: Contrary to a previous report, Council will not review the proposed Urban Forest Master Plan in this meeting

TUESDAY, MAY 3 

3:30 p.m.
Room 229
351 S. Hudson Ave.
On the agenda: updates on safety and health issues in district; review of revised dress code template

6 p.m.
Second Floor, City Public Works Yards, 233 W. Mountain St.
On the agenda: presentation and discussion on park safety

6:30 p.m. 
Jackie Robinson Center, 1020 N. Fair Oaks Ave.
On the agenda
: 
LA County Commission presentation, presentation by Pasadena Police Department about the homeless 
 
7 p.m.
Suite 101, 150 S. Los Robles Ave.
On the agenda: presentation and approval of PCAC fiscal year 2017 budget; board treasurer nominations and elections 

6 p.m.
Hearing Room, Hale Building, 175 N. Garfield Ave.
On the agenda: review of a request for landmark status by City Ventures, the Ambassador Gardens developer, to designate the Hulett C. Merritt mansion and landscaped garden at 380 W. Green St., a significant example of a Beaux-Arts style house designed by architect William F. Thompson
THURSDAY, MAY 5

6:30 p.m.
Brookside Clubhouse, 1133 Rosemont Ave.
On the agenda: Not available

VERBATIM
"No one has a monopoly on how we embrace our neighborhoods."
District 6 Councilmember Steve Madison

"I'm loath to limit people's rights." 
District 2 Councilmember Margaret McAustin

Comments from Councilmembers prior to Council's rejection of a Planning Commission's recommendation that the City, attempting to address "mansionization," ban construction of two-story homes in the Lower Hastings Ranch community. This vote, however, was followed by Council's adoption of a staff recommendation to create a discretionary review process and a Neighborhood Development Permit to provide for a "more thorough review of specific types of construction projects as well as an opportunity for public notification and review."
WPRA'S POINT OF VIEW
>CLICK ON HEADLINES FOR MORE INFORMATION<

NOTE: The regular monthly meeting of the WPRA board will not be held on Wednesday, May 4. Instead, the annual WPRA membership meeting on Wednesday, May 18 (see below) will serve in its place.

This year's WPRA annual meeting will be held on Wednesday, May 18, at the Marantha Student Center, 169 St. John Ave. A reception with refreshments and exhibits by local organizations will begin at 5:30 p.m. The formal portion of the meeting will begin at 6:30 p.m. This year's themes are local crime, featuring a presentation by Pasadena Police Department Lt. Johnny Mercado (Community Service Area 1), and alternatives to the 710 tunnel, featuring a presentation by noted Pasadena architect Stefanos Polyzoides.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
>CLICK ON HEADLINES FOR MORE INFORMATION<
 
 
TRAFFIC & CROWD ALERT: April 30
Estimated attendance: 1,600
Rose Bowl Stadium Lot F, Court of Champions and Rose Bowl Loop
Event parking is in Lot B, Lot F (South) and Lot K

The recreational loop will remain open at all times for vehicle and recreational activity, and the equestrian trail will remain open at all times. For assistance before, during or after the event, please contact the Rose Bowl Event Day Resident Hotline: (626) 397-4141

 
Learn more about the City's budget for Fiscal Year 2017 during special joint meeting meetings in May and June convened by the City Council and its Finance Committee. The meetings are held at City Hall, 100 N. Garfield Ave., Second Floor, in the Council Chambers.
 
The Pasadena Fire Department's brush clearance inspections have begun and will continue through June 2016. Residents in brushy areas should receive a brochure outlining the requirements mandated by the State of California. Firefighters are available to answer any questions about City fire codes and ordinances regarding hazardous vegetation management and brush clearance. Given the current drought, compliance is essential to avoid devastating fires. For more information, contact the Fire Prevention Bureau at (626) 744-4668.


The State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) recently reduced Pasadena's 28% water conservation goal to 26%. The decision was based on a climate adjustment. Also, in February, the SWRCB extended the compliance period of its statewide conservation mandate from February 2016 to October 2016. The extension provides water suppliers with more flexibility to meet their conservation goals through adjustments and credits. While the conservation goal has changed, Pasadena's overall water conservation progress toward its goal has remained unchanged at 21%.

On April 1, the City resumed its spring/summer watering schedule, which runs through October 31. This schedule permits outdoor watering on Tuesdays and Saturdays only between 6 p.m. and 9 a.m.
THE EDITOR'S TOP NEWS PICKS
>CLICK ON HEADLINES FOR MORE INFORMATION

"Despite the objections of a score of Hastings Ranch residents who bemoaned the effects of 'mansionization' in Pasadena neighborhoods, the Pasadena City Council voted by a 5-2 vote Monday evening to reject the recommendations of the City's Planning Commission to ban two-story construction in the Lower Hastings Ranch community. The Council essentially agreed with a staff recommendation for a discretionary review process - involving a Neighborhood Development Permit - which would provide for a 'more thorough review of specific types of construction projects as well as an opportunity for public notification and review.'" Pasadena Now
 
"Forty-six years of preaching and more than 1,300 career sermons later, Reverend Ed Bacon will walk out the doors of Pasadena's All Saints Church this weekend, feeling two things as he leaves his historic post for his retirement and a new home close to family in Georgia: 'Gratitude and joy.'" Pasadena Now
"Six candidates running for the seat being vacated by longtime and timed-out LA County Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich sparred mildly over a controversial proposed extension of the 710 Freeway at a debate in Pasadena." LA Times (may require subscription)

Homeless count drops
"Pasadena's homeless count fell by 16 percent to 530 people, down from 632 last year at this time, according to a city staff report." Pasadena Weekly  

"In most places across the U.S., the upcoming wildfire season isn't expected to be as bad as it was in 2015, the nation's top wildland firefighting official said Wednesday - but that good-news forecast doesn't apply to drought-stricken Southern California and other parts of the West." Pasadena Star-News (may require subscription)

"The sight of bacon-wrapped hot dogs sizzling atop metal trays, their fatty aroma intermingling with desert dust and the odor of dead grass, has been a familiar part of the Coachella Valley Music Festival for many years. But not this year." LA Weekly
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 to visit that publication's events section (alphabetical order).

Attend WPRA board meetings each month 

Monthly WPRA board meeting dates and locations are on the WPRA website. Click on the headline above or visit our website and look under "Meetings and Events."


The WPRA needs you ... 

... to serve your community and do it with a group of your neighbors who are equally dedicated. If you live within our service area, we'd welcome your help.

  • Got the local news bug? Just curious about your city (and would like to share news with 1,000 or so of your closest friends), consider serving as a co-editor of Neighborhood Update. It will only take a few hours a week (on your own schedule) in the month or two a year in which you'd serve. We'll train you.  
  • We have lots of opportunities to serve on one of our many committees:
    • Land use and planning
      If you care about how we use our land  
    • Education
      If you want to help save public education for West Pasadena  
    • Open space & conservation
      If you care about preserving open space and conservation of land and resources 
    • Membership
      If you'd like to help us continue to build our membership so we can do more  
If you'd like to chat about ways we could help you become more involved or, more likely, more effective (by helping us), send an email to WPRA President. Tell him about your interests.   
To learn more

Visit wpra.net and "like" our Facebook page  

To submit information for the Neighborhood Update, send it 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 newsletter, The (WPRA) News; on the WPRA website; and in this publication. To explore Mr. Stoddard's work, visit josephstoddard.com.