Alice Sarkisian Wessen

Bear Proof Trash Cans in Altadena

For those who live in my neck of the woods (northwest Altadena).

Our neighborhood, off of Chaney Trail has been getting slammed by bears getting into our trash. Since we are a buffer community, what happens in our area often carries down further south in Altadena.

Please know, that:

"under the Altadena and Kinneloa Mesa residential franchises, free bear proof containers are made available for situations like this." 

If you have Altadena neighbors who are getting their trash regularly hit upon due to bears, please contact Athens.

Bears in the trash is bad for the public and its bad for the bears. We do not want to habituate the bears to eating trash.

Athens:

http://www.athensservices.com/contactus.asp

Athens Services
14048 E. Valley Blvd., City of Industry, CA 91746

Office Hours: 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM (Monday-Friday)
7:00 AM to 12:00 Noon (Saturday)
Telephone: (888) 336-6100

 

 

California is redrawing the boundaries of California’s Congressional, Senate, Assembly and Board of Equalization electoral districts

On the redistricting process

From the FAQs at http://wedrawthelines.ca.gov/:

Every 10 years, after the federal census, California must redraw the boundaries of its Congressional, State Senate, State Assembly, and State Board of Equalization districts, to reflect the new population data. Now those lines will be drawn by the Commission. 

California voters authorized the creation of the Commission when they passed the Voters First Act, which appeared as Proposition 11 on the November 2008 general election ballot. Under the Act, the Commission is charged with drawing the boundaries of California’s Congressional, Senate, Assembly and Board of Equalization electoral districts.

Districts shall not be drawn to favor or discriminate against an incumbent, candidate, or political party.

========

 

Alice notes:  As prescribed by law, there are five registered Democrats, five registered Republicans and four who are affiliated with neither major party.They are a highly educated bunch and come from every corner of California. Among its members are two law school professors, two land-use planners, the retired director of the U.S. Census Bureau, a retired engineer, an architect, a chiropractor, a bookstore owner, and a stay-at-home mom with a master's degree in community planning. I think what Ms. Robinson may be concerned with and hope for is that Altadena and Pasadena be viewed as a "Community of Interest" and therefore be together rather than as part of the Foothill communities. (See definition below)

  

Whatever you think, it may be worthwhile to think a few moments about the impact and have your voice heard. Or you may think the initial redistricting job was rather well done.

The commission will consider public input, issue revised maps on July 12 and then enter a final stage of internal review before submitting final maps to the secretary of state on Aug. 15.

What is a community of interest?

A. The California Constitution defines a community of interest as:

A community of interest is a contiguous population which shares common social and economic interests that should be included within a single district for purposes of its effective and fair representation. Examples of such shared interests are those common to an urban area, a rural area, an industrial area, or an agricultural area, and those common to areas in which the people share similar living standards, use the same transportation facilities, have similar work opportunities, or have access to the same media of communication relevant to the election process. Communities of interest shall not include relationships with political parties, I ncumbents, or political candidates.

-Section 2(d)(4) of Article XXI of the California Constitution

---

From: Alice Sarkisian Wessen 
To: 
Sent: Tuesday, June 28, 2011 3:57 PM
Subject: Proposed Assembly Districts split Altadena away from Pasadena , placing Altadena in a "Foothill" district

FYI and available for cross post

Every 10 years, after the federal census, California must redraw the boundaries of its Congressional, State Senate, State Assembly, and State Board of Equalization districts, to reflect the new population data. Now those lines will be drawn by the Commission. 

California voters authorized the creation of the Commission when they passed the Voters First Act, which appeared as Proposition 11 on the November 2008 general election ballot. Under the Act, the Commission is charged with drawing the boundaries of California’s Congressional, Senate, Assembly and Board of Equalization electoral districts.

Districts shall not be drawn to favor or discriminate against an incumbent, candidate, or political party.

Please be aware that the California redistricting process is underway. You may wish to watch the process live here: 

June 28, 2011, Public Input Hearing  

http://wedrawthelines.ca.gov/

 
View the Live Broadcast – 6PM to 9PM

=====

This memo below is from Councilperson Jacque Robinson of Pasadena, but is important re Altadena. If you have not heard, deadline for input is Tuesday, June 28. 

 

Proposed Assembly Districts split Altadena away from Pasadena , placing Altadena in a "Foothill" district

JACQUE ROBINSON | Councilmember, District 1

YOUR INPUT IS NEEDED ON THE REDISTRICTING PROCESS IN CA:

Pasadenans & Altadenans: I urge you to participate in the CA Redistricting Process currently underway. The proposed Assembly Districts split Altadena away from Pasadena , placing Altadena in a "Foothill" district that stretches out to Upland in San Bernardino County, and split South Pasadena in half. The proposed Congressional districts slice Pasadena in half, roughly along the 210 Freeway, with the southern half included in a district that goes from Arcadia down to La Habra Heights and then over to Diamond Bar, Whittier, and Chino Hills.

Please send an e-mail to the Citizens Reapportionment Commission at votersfirstact@crc.ca.gov (DEADLINE extended to June 28^th) urging them to keep our communities together asking them to keep the communities of Pasadena and Altadena together in all instances (Congressional, Assembly, and Senate).  Together, we are a community of interest that share significant social and economic interests such as churches, school district, generational families, and business/educational institutions.  We have a long tradition of being represented by a single representative and splitting Pasadena and the two cities between Los Angeles County and San Bernardino County boundaries is not in the best interest of our residents. 

*From the Commission E-Blast*

To give the public a greater opportunity to submit written testimony on its first round of draft maps, the California Citizens Redistricting Commission has extended the public comment deadline to Tuesday, June 28th.  The public can submit written testimony by e-mail to votersfirstact@crc.ca.gov, by fax to 916-651-5711, or by mail to:

 

Citizens Redistricting Commission

901 P Street, Suite 154A

Sacramento, CA 95814

The Commission needs to hear what the public thinks of the first Draft Maps.  

      Do you think the Commission understood your testimony about your community of interest?  Do you think the Commission did not have enough testimony about your community of interest?

      Do you have a suggestion that would make your district better reflect the interests of its residents, for example by moving the boundaries to include (or exclude) certain areas?

 

The Commission is eager to accept your supplemental attachments. The following file formats are supported: .pdf and .jpg. Files not submitted in this format will not be posted on the Public Comments page.

For more information on the Commission, go to http://wedrawthelines.ca.gov/. 

  
 

JACQUE ROBINSON | Councilmember, District 1

City of Pasadena

100 N. Garfield Avenue | Pasadena | California | 91109

Phone 626-744-4444 | Fax 626-396-7300

jacquerobinson@cityofpasadena.net 

 

 ==============================

 

http://wedrawthelines.ca.gov/

What’s New

June 28, 2011, Public Input Hearing

 
View the Live Broadcast – 6PM to 9PM
 
The Citizens Redistricting Commission will be meeting on June 28 in Sacramento at the State Capitol in Room 4203 for a Public Input Hearing from 6PM to 9PM.

June 24, 2011, Last Call for Public Testimony before June 28th Deadline
The California Citizens Redistricting Commission is asking the public to submit public testimony on its first round of draft Congressional, legislative and Board of Equalization district maps by 5:00 p.m., Tuesday, June 28th. The public can submit written testimony by e-mail to votersfirstact@crc.ca.gov, or by fax to 916-651-5711.

June 10, 2011, Commission Votes 14-0 to Approve 1st Draft District Maps
With four 14-0 votes, the California Citizens Redistricting Commission has released its first round of draft maps for Congressional, State Assembly, State Senate and Board of Equalization districts.

The Commission is now soliciting public comment on the draft districts. Testimony can be submitted online to votersfirstact@crc.ca.gov, by mail to the Citizens Redistricting Commission, 901 P Street, Suite 154-A, Sacramento, CA 95814 or by FAX at 916-651-5711. The Commission will be holding 11 public input hearings in June on the draft maps. The hearing schedule and the draft maps can be found at the Commission’s website at www.wedrawthelines.ca.gov.

 

Altadena E-Waste Recycling at Eliot Middle School, 2184 Lake Ave, Altadena

The Altadena Sheriff's Station is sponsoring a free E-Waste recycling event at Elliot Middle School at 2184 Lake Avenue in Altadena on Saturday, June 11th from 9 am to 3 pm.

See the attached flyer, or the version embedded below for more info about what you can drop off at this event.

Bring any and all electronic devices . . .
~~~~~~~~~

Athens Trash Contract Finally Approved

The county supervisors finally approved the trash hauling contract with Athens at their May meeting.  There will be a period of public notification, and it is hoped that Athens will start as Altadena's sole trash hauler in September.

Page 30 of the LA Supervisor’s Minutes of May 17^th, 2011

PDF of the full motion and approval here: Download FranchiseAwardAthensMay17_2011BOS

34. Recommendation: Approve introduction of ordinance authorizing the Director  of Public Works to annually transfer from the Solid Waste Management Fund  to the Road Fund, or other funds, an amount not to exceed 30% of franchise  fee payments received during the Fiscal Year for purposes including, but not limited to, litter abatement activities; find that the public health, safety, and  welfare require that the County award exclusive franchise agreements for  residential solid waste handling services for the following seven  unincorporated areas: Altadena, Kinneloa Mesa; Chatsworth/Westhills; El  Camino Village/Del Air/Wiseburn/Alondra Park; Pioneer Carson Park; Rancho

Dominguez/Rosewood; and Oceanview/La Rambla/West Carson (2, 3, 4 and

5). Services consists of two separate tasks: Franchise Service (Task 1) to  provide refuse, green waste, and recyclables collection services to residential  properties; and County Service (Task 2) consisting of street and alley cleanup  commencing upon execution of the agreement by both parties, with the solid  waste collection services consisting of Franchise Service and County Service  to start on or after September 1, 2011, with a termination date of seven years  after the commencement of collection services, with three one-year renewal  options and month to month extensions up to six months, for a potential total  contract period of ten years and six months, subject to compliance with all  terms and conditions contained in the franchise agreement; authorize the  Director to annually increase the contract amount for each area for County  Service Task up to an additional 10% of the annual sum; and to approve and  execute amendments to incorporate necessary changes; find that the County  services (Task 2) are exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act;  and the following franchise agreements: (Department of Public Works)

(Relates to Agenda No. 61)

 

Athens Services for the area of Altadena (5) at an initial monthly rate for the Franchise Service of $18.06 per customer, which includes a 10% franchise fee;

 

Athens Services for the area of Kinneloa Mesa (5) at an initial  monthly rate for Franchise Service of $18.06 per customer, which  includes a 10% franchise fee;

 

Waste Management for the area of Chatsworth/Westhills (3 and  5), at an initial monthly rate for Franchise Service of $28.47 per  customer, which includes a 10% franchise fee;

 

Waste Management for the area of El Camino Village/Del  Aire/Wiseburn/Alondra Park (2), at an initial monthly rate for  Franchise Service of $18.33 per customer, which includes a 10%  franchise fee;

 

Universal Waste Systems, Inc., for the area of Pioneer/Carson  Park (4) at an initial monthly rate for Franchise Service of $18.20  per customer, which includes a 10% franchise fee;

 

Waste Management for the area of Rancho Dominguez/West Rancho Dominguez/Rosewood (2), at an initial monthly rate for Franchise Service of $18.92 per customer, which includes a 10%  franchise fee; and

 

Calmet Services, Inc., for the area of Oceanview/La Rambla/West  Carson (2 and 4), at an initial monthly rate for Franchise Service  of $17.83 per customer, which includes a 10% franchise fee.

 (11-2207)

On motion of Supervisor Ridley-Thomas, seconded by Supervisor  Yaroslavsky, this item was adopted.

Ayes:  5 - Supervisor Molina, Supervisor Ridley-Thomas,  Supervisor Yaroslavsky, Supervisor Knabe and  Supervisor Antonovich

===============================================

 DETAILS OF THE TRASH CONTRACT AS IT AFFECTS ALTADENA

Details of the trash contract

Rates:

 Base Service, per month:                                   $18.06

Senior Discount, per month:                              $13.55

Difficult to access streets, per month:               $22.57

Backyard roll out/pick up service, per month:  $27.09

 

 In addition to the services required under the agreement,  Athens outlined the following commitments in their proposal to further enhance trash collection and recycling services in our community:    

1.  Increased the number of free bagged green waste pickup from 8 to 10 per year

2.  Increased the number of bulky item collections from 2 to 3 per year

3.  Free quarterly mulch giveaways

4.  Curbside used oil collection program

5.  Curbside battery recycling collection program

Franchise Area - Service Features

Once-a-week automated trash collection service.

One 96-gallon refuse container, one 96-gallon green waste container, and one 96-gallon recyclable container

Smaller containers are available upon request and are equivalent to original container size. For example, residents can receive (3) 32 gal. containers for each 96 gal. container

Residents can receive a extra green waste container and/or one extra recyclable container free of charge upon request

Residents may also substitute a extra recycle container for a green waste container upon request

Additional containers can be requested at the low rate of $5 per container per month

Free Holiday Tree collection services

Annual curbside clean-up event (including electronic waste)

On-call bulky item collections in unlimited quantities (twice per year, including electronic waste)

Four special community clean-up events per year

Semi-Annual E-waste and Clothing drop off event

12 recycling community events per year

Eight times a year, at no additional cost, excess green waste discarded in bags will be collected upon customer request.

Four times a year, at no additional cost, excess trash discarded in bags will be collected upon customer request.

Free “Sharps” mail-back disposal program

Free roll-out services for the elderly and/or disabled, upon request

25 percent senior discount for residents 62 or older who either (1) qualifies for utility rate discounts based on financial need and is the head of household, or (2) generates small amounts of waste and uses 32-gallon containers.

 

Additional Services Available Upon Request

Scooter Service (1) – For any customer requesting this service or if it’s determined that resident will be required to use this service when collection vehicles cannot safely access the containers

Roll-out/backyard service: This service means the driver will retrieve carts from your yard, dispose of your unwanted materials, and return the empty carts back to your yard.

(1)Please Note: The County will work with each customer, HOA, and Franchisee to determine what constitutes a difficult to services area.

 

 

 

Ban on plastic grocery bags-starts July 2011

 

Of the 19 million single-use bags discarded annually in California, only 5% of them are recycled

 

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors voted Nov. 16, 2010 to ban plastic grocery bags in supermarkets and pharmacies. The ordinance will also require stores to levy a 10-cent surcharge per paper bag, and is intended to encourage shoppers to use reusable shopping bags. The following contains the county's analysis of the ban, followed by the text of the ordinance.

http://documents.latimes.com/la-county-plastic-bag-ban/

 

The first phase takes effect in July 2011, when 67 large supermarkets and pharmacies must stop providing disposable plastic bags. By January 2012, the ban will cover 1,000 stores throughout the county. The ordinance also seeks to keep shoppers from turning to paper bags as an alternative by requiring stores to levy a 10-cent surcharge per paper bag.

 

 

                                            Please join                                                      

Assemblymember Anthony J. Portantino

for a Public Safety Forum

       “BEARS IN YOUR BACKYARD” 

May 19, 2011

7:30 PM- 9 PM

at the

Crescenta Valley Sheriff’s Station

4554 N. Briggs Ave.  La Crescenta, CA.

 

A California Fish and Game Representative Will be Present to Answer All of Your Questions 

For More Information contact Bill Hacket at 626.577.9944

 

 

 

Mud slide-March 21, 2011

March 21, 2011

Upper Alzada

The road behind my house. The shovels are mine.

The trick is to use a smaller shovel so you are not throwing out your back!  I cleared enough to allow a car to pass, but that was before this latest salvo of rain.

Trash Contract Details

http://portal.lacounty.gov/wps/portal/sop/?querytext=athens&radio=radio1&date-from=01%2F01%2F2008&date-to=06%2F03%2F2011&Go=Begin+Search

----- Forwarded Message ----
From: Gino Sund  
Subject: Trash Contract Details

Neighbors,

 About a week ago I gave you an update on the proposed trash contract for Altadena.  At that time, I told you that all the previously published service elements were included in the Athens proposal.  The only thing not in my report were the monthly rates and the additional services that Athens included to enhance their chances of being selected. These elements of the proposal  were not  made public, due to the County contract procedures.

 

It seems that someone can't wait a couple more weeks to learn the details or, they think that Town  Council is lying to you about the contract.  Thus a Public Records Request was submitted to the Department of Public Works  to see the Athens proposal.  County Counsel has decided that the best course is to comply with the Public Records request.  Because of that request,  the information is now public and I want to share the actual facts with you.

 

Hopefully, this chain of events will not result in difficulties in the selection of a contract which could delay the implementation of our new service.  When you see the new rates you will realize that any delay in service will cost every household in Altadena money.

 

 Rates:

 Base Service, per month:                                   $18.06

Senior Discount, per month:                              $13.55

Difficult to access streets, per month:               $22.57

Backyard roll out/pick up service, per month:  $27.09

 

 In addition to the services required under the agreement,  Athens outlined the following commitments in their proposal to further enhance trash collection and recycling services in our community:    

1.  Increased the number of free bagged green waste pickup from 8 to 10 per year

2.  Increased the number of bulky item collections from 2 to 3 per year

3.  Free quarterly mulch giveaways

4.  Curbside used oil collection program

5.  Curbside battery recycling collection program

 

Hopefully the rest of the contract selection and approval process proceeds without delay, and we will have the new service and rates in place by the target date of July 1 .

 

Gino

County to recommend Athens for trash hauling franchise-details in Athens contract

Subject: County to recommend Athens for trash hauling franchise

Courtesy, Gino Sund, Chair , Altadena Town Council

Neighbors,

There have been a number of questions on the proposed trash contract, so
here is a note on what I have learned.

I have just gone over the details of the Athens contract that is to be
presented to the Supervisors at the end of February, or maybe the first of
March.  There is good news and some no news to report.

The good news:
1. All the service elements in the RFP (request for proposal) will be in
the contract.  Attached is a reminder of those elements.
2. There will be some added services included in the contract.  The bidders
add services to enhance their chance of winning the bid.
3. The monthly rates for the service will be attractive. While the actual
rates are still not public, remember, that on all previous County contracts,
the new franchise rates were lower than the communities were previously
paying.

The no news:
Due to the contracting policies of the County, and they are rather strict,
the contract enhancements and rates will not be made public until the
contract goes to the Board.  I am told, that this is done for a couple of
reasons:
1. There is no guarantee this contract will be approved and another bid and
or bidder could win.
2. There are some legal reasons that the appeal process could be
compromised by prematurely releasing this information.

The bottom line:
If this contract is approved, Altadena will get the services we requested at
a good price.

Gino
======

Franchise Area - Service Features

• Once-a-week automated trash collection service.

• One 96-gallon refuse container, one 96-gallon green waste container, and one 96-gallon recyclable container

• Smaller containers are available upon request and are equivalent to original container size. For example, residents can receive (3) 32 gal. containers for each 96 gal. container

• Residents can receive a extra green waste container and/or one extra recyclable container free of charge upon request

• Residents may also substitute a extra recycle container for a green waste container upon request

• Additional containers can be requested at the low rate of $5 per container per month

• Free Holiday Tree collection services

• Annual curbside clean-up event (including electronic waste)

• On-call bulky item collections in unlimited quantities (twice per year, including electronic waste)

• Four special community clean-up events per year

• Semi-Annual E-waste and Clothing drop off event

• 12 recycling community events per year

• Eight times a year, at no additional cost, excess green waste discarded in bags will be collected upon customer request.

• Four times a year, at no additional cost, excess trash discarded in bags will be collected upon customer request.

• Free “Sharps” mail-back disposal program

• Free roll-out services for the elderly and/or disabled, upon request

• 25 percent senior discount for residents 62 or older who either (1) qualifies for utility rate discounts based on financial need and is the head of household, or (2) generates small amounts of waste and uses 32-gallon containers.

 

Additional Services Available Upon Request

• Scooter Service (1) – For any customer requesting this service or if it’s determined that resident will be required to use this service when collection vehicles cannot safely access the containers

• Roll-out/backyard service: This service means the driver will retrieve carts from your yard, dispose of your unwanted materials, and return the empty carts back to your yard.

• (1)Please Note: The County will work with each customer, HOA, and Franchisee to determine what constitutes a difficult to services area.

County to recommend Athens for trash hauling franchise

County to recommend Athens for trash hauling franchise

The LA County Board of Supervisors will receive a recommendation to approve Athens Services as Altadena's sole trash hauler next month.


According to Elizabeth Morris, the supervisor for the franchise project at the LA County Dept. of Public Works, if the supervisors approve the contract with Athens, as seems likely, the county will push for a July 1 start for the new trash service to start in Altadena.  The contract will be for seven years, with three one-year options to renew.

Morris said that the basic service for each residence will be three 96 gallon rolling containers: one each for refuse, green waste, and recyclables.  There is also an option for an additional green waste and recyclable container for no extra charge.  Smaller containers will be available as well.

There will also be a 25% senior discount if certain criteria are met.  The basic fee will be revealed when the contract is approved, Morris said.

There will be other services provided as part of the package: an annual "community beautification" curbside cleanup;  twice yearly drop-off events for electronics and clothing (which will be donated to a charity);  and a bulky item collection in unlimited amounts, twice a year.

Athens will also have a program in place to collect sharps: lancets, hypodermic needles, and similar medical waste.  The hauler will provide a safe container to those who request it for their sharps, which can be picked up or mailed away.

Another problem:  after you get the rolling containers, what do you with your existing trash cans? Morris said that residents would get  "take me" stickers to attach to old containers for the hauler to pick up on trash collection days.

Once the contract has been approved, Morris said that residents will receive a letter informing them of the details of the new program.  There will also be at least one public meeting to address concerns residents may have before the July 1 roll-out.

The supervisors will be approving up to seven trash hauling contracts in February, Morris said, adding to the 15 programs already in place in the unincorporated county.

__,_._,___