RGead more here: http://www.sacbee.com/2013/06/15/5498472/lawmakers-pass-calif-budget-bill.html#storylink=cpyGold Line Foothill Extension
Pasadena City Council
On May 6th new Council Member John Kennedy was sworn in to represent Pasadena District 3. Jacque Robinson was chosen to serve as vice mayor.
On May 17th, the City Council began deliberations on raising taxes, fees and charges by the consumer price index (where applicable). Fees and charges that are levied at a percentage of costs remain at the same precentage.
On May 20th, the Pasadena City Council voted to oppose Pasadena Chamber member New York Deli's application to allow for a 90 square foot (9' x 10') dance floor. Despite significnat mitigating conditions proposed by the applicant, the Council voted not to allow dancing at New York Deli in Old Pasadena. New Council Member John Kennedy and Vice Mayor Jacque Robinson supported the Pasadena Chamber member business.
On June 3rd, the City Council continued deliberating the city budget. This year the city manager presented a balanced budget proposal to the City Council.
On June 10th, the Pasadena City Council approved increases of 2.22% to the fees and charges imposed by the city. Staff will be recommending increasing several of the fees and charges beyond the cost of living increases sometime in the next few months. You can voice your opinion on these fees by emailing city_council@pasadena-chamber.org.
Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors
The supervisors allroved a $245,000 proposal would fund development of business continuity plan detailing the steps to resume/maintain delivery of essential mental health services during/after a major disaster.
The supevisors accepted $11.6 million in federal grants that would enhance County’s ability to mitigate incidents of terrorism/natural disasters.The supervisors also approved July as Junior Golfer Appreciation Month.
State of California
State lawmakers passed a balanced budget for the upcoming year. After lengthy negotiations with the governor, the budget contains increases for K-12 education, the University of California and Cal State University system and some social services. Here is the Sacramento Bee story about the passage of the budget. (Click on the headline for the full story):
Published: Saturday, Jun. 15, 2013 - 12:00 am | Page 3A
Last Modified: Saturday, Jun. 15, 2013 - 12:07 am
Four days after Gov. Jerry Brown and legislative leaders reached agreement on the state budget, rank-and-file lawmakers approved the $96.3 billion spending plan Friday
The agreement, on which Brown likely will act before the fiscal year begins July 1, includes a modified version of the Democratic governor's proposal to shift more education money to poor and English-learning students, as well as commitments to expand mental health services,college student aid and other programs.
Gold Line Foothill Construction Authority
The Construction Authority board of directors unanimously voted to oppose Metro’s proposed Amendment to the updated Measure R Expenditure Plan, due to its failure to reflect the true cost estimate to complete the Foothill Extension project to Claremont. Below is the motion approved by the board. Under consideration by Metro at the end of this month is a plan to accelerate funding to five transit projects ahead of the year approved by voters in 2008 (the Foothill Extension is not included). Acceleration is contingent on Metro’s ability to secure close to $6 billion in federal funding. Unfortunately, Metro’s five year old data misrepresents the Foothill Extension project and does not update the total cost estimate or completion year to reflect the project going beyond Azusa. In their action last night, the Construction Authority board requested Metro update their expenditure plan to include the full cost to complete the project to Claremont; providing a clear picture of the funding gap which will need to be filled to finish the project.
Like nearly all Measure R projects, the Foothill Extension project is not fully funded by the voter-approved tax measure. As shown in their plan, the total project cost estimate for most projects assume additional funds from other sources --- except for the Foothill Extension project. In the case of the Foothill Extension, which is clearly defined in statute to Claremont, Metro has redefined the project to fit the funding, rather than seek additional funds to meet the full obligation.