City Council Recap: 710 Resolution, Arroyo Seco Bike Path and Women in Business

Here's a look into what happened at last night's City council meeting:

• City council unanimously passed a resolution to further revise the City’s position on the SR-710 and rescind Resolution 7171. All of the  were kept, but the newest resolution approved Wednesday—7172—also states that if this region does not come into compliance with the Clean Air Act, it may jeopardize transportation funding. 
• Much time and consideration was given to the proposed tenant guidelines set forth by the Community Redevelopment Agency for the affordable housing unit located at 308 San Pascual Avenue. Currently vacant, the CRA owns the home and is hoping to restore it to proper living conditions and provide it as housing under the following conditions: the tenant is 55 years of age or older, either a resident or employed in the City of South Pasadena, and falls within the low to moderate income range. City council's recommendations included: giving priority to those citizens with special mental or physical needs, having an assets test in addition to the proposed income test, and taking a poll of senior citizens in the city to determine who is in need of housing. Upon completing the survey, staff plans to return to council for final direction on setting priorities.  
• The City Council also decided to look into drafting a new law, which would make posting certain signs in the City a citable offense. As of now, the current law only makes posting such signage illegal and provides no further consequence. In particular, the law would target those signs and fliers that are posted by venues and event promoters. According to City Attorney Richard Adams, the law would be the first of its kind; Mayor Ten feels that such a law would prove beneficial to South Pasadena.
• The 2011 Women in Business Certificate of Recognition was given to Claire Roche, who runs Miss Claire’s Music and Dance for Kids. 
• City council voted to authorize City Manager John Davidson to execute a contract with the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy, which calls for a grant in the amount of $150,000 for the design of a project that will provide linkage to the Rim of the Valley Trail. In the drawings, the driving range will be moved to make room for a 15 foot-wide bike and pedestrian path. The path will stretch along the Arroyo Seco, the , and the and onto Stoney Drive. Staff will begin working on the grant provisions, which will include construction drawings and identifying sources of funds for construction.

Check back later for a complete story on the modified 710 resolution.