City Council Recap: iTennis, City Budget and Redistricting

Residents packed into City Hall Wednesday night—many of which were in attendance to support the current operator of the. Also on hand was the who participated in a brief memorial at the start of the meeting in honor of afternoon. 

Below are some the key topics discussed at the meeting. Check back later for full stories. 

• Several community members who participate in iTennis at voiced concerns, because operator John Letts says he was served with an eviction notice earlier this month. As the founder of the tennis training and management company iTennis, Letts says he misunderstood the negotiation process and was "shocked" when served with the letter. South Pas and neighboring residents asked Council members to allow Letts to stay at the Arroyo Seco facility. If not, many said they would follow him wherever he goes. Since the item was not on the agenda, Council members will discuss negotiations in closed session. If the City can reach terms with Letts, the item will be brought back to open Council. 
• Council members unanimously approved the management agreement with Donovan Bros. Inc.; the company will take over the from Scott Lohman July 1. The proposal to extend the driving range is currently undergoing an initial environmental review and the issue will be brought back for council action at a later date. In May, the council voted to further study the proposal of extending the golf course up to 27 yards.
• Council members unanimously approved a resolution for the 2011-12 fiscal year budget, which will cut the Gold Link shuttle but restore the previously proposed $20,000 cut to the library.  
• Council members unanimously approved the removal of a Liquidamber tree at 342 Camino del Sol, which is currently uplifting the curb and gutter in front of the home at that address. This removal was recommended by the NREC and will be removed for safety reasons. Future items of this sort will be handled on a "case-by-case" basis. 
• City Council unanimously agreed that it would not create a roundabout at the intersection on Marengo Avenue and Oxley Street. 
• City Council unanimously agreed to formally oppose South Pasadena's Assembly and Congressional redistricting drafts released Friday. A representative from South Pas will formally oppose that the Assembly District cut South Pasadena into two parts; he or she will also request that instead of drawing the Congressional District boundaries along the east border of South Pas to rather draw the line along the west side of town grouping it with San Gabriel Valley. The representative (TBD) from South Pas will speak at the meeting in Whittier Friday night.

The meeting was adjourned in memory of fallen Officer Kevin Sandoval.