Politics & Government

City Council Recap: Fair Oaks Update, 710 Bill and Water Bills

Here's a look into what happened at South Pasadena's bi-monthly City Council meeting Wednesday night.

8:00 p.m. Last night's council meeting began with an update of the Fair Oaks project. Sidewalks, light conduits, concrete bus pads and handicap ramps on both sides of Fair Oaks are among the many tasks recently completed. Upcoming plans include concrete sidewalks on both sides of State Street, the installation of banner poles and traffic control. Everything is on track and completion is still slated for June, according to .

8:20 p.m. Ellen Daigle, owner of , voiced concerns in the public comments portion of the meeting. According to the research she's done, All American Asphalt is responsible for all traffic mitigation (including costs) . Why, she asked, has the city not required All American to comply with these requirements? A penalization could be used as a resource towards the merchants who have been negatively affected by the street improvement project, she suggested. 

Also voicing concerns during public comments was Howard Finkelstein, owner of . He told the council he has been forced to drop his five-year lease, because he can no longer afford rent.

Find out what's happening in South Pasadenawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

"The bottom line is that this has greatly hurt the merchants," he said of the Fair Oaks project. "You have heard a dozen of us cry and complain about our pain. Please try to help us and understand our pain."

Mayor Mike Ten said all concerns will be addressed at a scheduled meeting between merchants and city staff Monday morning. Mayor Pro Tem Michael Cacciotti requested a recap of concerns from city staff before the meeting. 

Find out what's happening in South Pasadenawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

8:50 p.m. Residents of the 900 block of El Centro Street voiced concerns on a number of issues including increased traffic in the alley behind 909 El Centro. The South Pas Farmers Market as well as the train tracks have all added to alley use; nearby residents worry of subsequent accidents and overall safety. 

9:10 p.m. to write letters asking assembly members to co-author State Assembly Bill 353, which will reinstate South Pasadena's veto power on the 710 Freeway. The bill will go before the California Assembly Committee Monday. 

9:30 p.m. City staff presented details on the consideration of implementing a water budget rate model for water services. One resident asked that the council not proceed on the exact amount of water budget rates and defer until July 1 of 2012. The council agreed and decided to defer the water model. The city will stay on course and increase water rates by 3 percent effective Jan. 12. The staff also agreed to have a workshop with residents and allocate $35,000 in consulting fees over the next two years to implement more research and figure out a plan.

10:30 p.m. Council approved a request to review the city's current resolution on the 710 freeway on a future agenda. 


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

More from South Pasadena