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

 

 

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.

__,_._,___

Successes for NASA's Groundwater Cleanup at JPL

Please feel free to contact Merrilee for more info.

From: "Fellows, Merrilee (HQ-LD000)" <mfellows@nasa.gov>

Looking Back and Looking Forward:

2010 was a year of progress for the groundwater cleanup effort.  Our 2010 Year in Review briefly summarizes the high points of our activities last year.  That document is available in English at http://go.usa.gov/rRA and also may be found on the front page of our project webpage at http://jplwater.nasa.gov.

The same messages are available in Spanish at http://go.usa.gov/rRH, in case you want to share these successes with friends and neighbors who prefer Spanish-language materials.

In 2011 we look toward completion of construction and beginning operation of the third, and largest, groundwater treatment plant.  That plant is located on the east side of Windsor Avenue just south of Mountain View Street at the Altadena/Pasadena boundary.

We thank you for your continued patience and support for our construction and operation efforts both on- and off-site of JPL.

As always, please contact me if you have any questions about the groundwater cleanup.

Merrilee Fellows

NASA Manager for Environmental Communications

818.393.0754

 

Proposed Farmers Market-County to Update the Community at next Altadena Town Council

UPDATE SATURDAY JANUARY 15TH

THE ORGANIZERS OF THE FARMERS MARKET HAVE BEEN LOOKING FOR A LOCATION, AND SEEM TO HAVE SETTLED (FOR NOW) AT  Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 2889 Lincoln Ave., SAT. 8 AM-3 PM.

WHETHER THEY WILL MOVE FROM THAT LOCATION TO LOMA ALTA PARK IS UNDECIDED FOR NOW BUT THEY WILL "NOT" BE AT LOMA ALTA PARK IN THE NEAR FUTURE.

 

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

Update on Farmers Market at Next Town Council, Jan 18th, 2011

Altadena Town Council will host an update from LA County about the Proposed Farmers Market at Loma Alta Park.

Any resident of Altadena who wishes to attend this public meeting is welcome. Members from the county will provide updates on the Proposed Farmer’s Market at the next Altadena Town Council Meeting:

TIME:  7:00 p.m.

DATE:  Tuesday January 18^th, 2011    

LOCATION:  Altadena Community Center

                       730 E. Altadena Drive, Altadena CA 91001

The Altadena Town Council wishes to engage the residents of the neighborhood and of Altadena, to determine the wishes of our community, including the following:

The desire and consumer demand to have a Farmer's market in Altadena.
The acceptability of using part of Loma Alta Park for the venue.
The day and hours of operation.
The type of vendors for the market.

The County is now canvassing potential vendors to determine what products and services might be available for an Altadena market. 
http://www.altadenatowncouncil.org/

Your local census reps are:
Doug Colliflower: doug.colliflower@altadenatowncouncil.org
Alice Wessen:  alice.wessen@altadenatowncouncil.org
Greg Middleton: greg.middleton@altadenatowncouncil.org

Storm Alerts, Road Closures: Chaney Trail is closed due to storms and mud

A free e-mail based service of messages sent by the LADPW from the Coordinated Agency Recovery Effort (CARE). It is available to notify interested parties in a timely manner of news and events of specific interest. Register at http://dpwCARE.org

You can also link to CARE via the official website of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department at www.lasd.org

Current road closure info may be found here:

http://gis.dpw.lacounty.gov/roadclosures/main.cfm

Note in Altadena, Chaney Trail north of Loma Alta is closed.
For further info on that road, contact the USFS at 626 821-6700

Farmers Market at Loma Alta Park??

Farmers Market at Loma Alta Park??

Heads Up! There is a possibility of hosting a weekly farmers market at Loma Alta Park, on the grassy area, south of the equestrian arena, north of the parking lot located off Palm. http://parks.lacounty.gov/Parkinfo.asp?URL=cms1_033263.asp&Title=Loma%20Alta In order to gather community input, the January Land Use and January Town Council will be hosting members from the county to discuss specific ideas.

 

Cell Tower Update on Loma Alta/Fair Oaks Debris Basin

Q; What is going on with the Cell Tower proposed for Fair Oaks, Loma Alta?

The cell tower proposed for the wash basin has long been discussed on the Chaney Trail listserve and McNally and Town Council.

It was felt that having it on the debris basin a good alternative to the Lincoln Water park on Fair Oaks and Loma Alta.

Regional Planning is the governing authority for the cell tower. Town Council worked to move the cell tower to the debris basin, a decision supported by those on the McNally listserve. Once that decision was made, Town Council voted to approve the site.
====================
http://www.alicewessen.com/alice_sarkisian_wessen/2010/08/land-use-committee-meeting-of-the-altadena-town-council.html
and Town Council vote: http://www.altadenatowncouncil.org/documents/minutes%2004-20-10.pdf
Land Use Committee – Brian League
147 East Loma Alta Applicant: BDI –Derra Design for AT&T Wireless
R2010-00090 (CUP 201000014) filed 01/26/2010 – R1-7500 – ZP1 Anita Gutierrez
Installation of an unmanned telecommunications facility disguised as a 100 foot
monopine. AT&T will be installing 9 panel antennas at 95 feet with a 27 foot by 12 foot
lease area for related equipment. T-Mobile will be installing 12 panel antennas at 85 feet with a
25 foot by 12 foot lease area for related equipment. Lease areas will be surrounded by chain link
fence with green slats.
Land Use Committee recommended that the Altadena Town Council send a letter to
County Regional Planning recommending APPROVAL of project R2010-00090 (CUP
201000014) to install an unmanned telecommunications facility disguised as a 100 foot
monopine located in the R1-7500 zone at 147 East Loma Alta with the condition of
enhanced landscaping at the site to improve the aesthetic of the completed facility.
Alternative site now at debris basin on Loma Alta.
Altadena Town Council: MSP: Judson, Middleton: Unanimous one abstention by Goldman
=================
At this point, Regional Planning as the official governing body is required to send notices to all within a certain distance as they are doing and there will be a regional planning open hearing prior to any final decision. The hearing is set for Dec. 7th at Regional Planning.

Alice
www.alicewessen.com

Coming Soon! Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program October 2010 at Loma Alta Park

Regional

BASIC C.E.R.T. course

Regional CERT Class ( Oct 2010 ) COURSE

Community Emergency Response Team

LOMA ALTA PARK

3330 N. Lincoln Ave. Altadena CA.91745

October 16, Saturday 0800-1600

October 19, Tuesday 1830-2130

October 20. Wednesday 1830-2130

October 21, Thursday 1830-2130

October 23, Saturday 0800-1600

 

ALL CLASSES MUST BE ATTENDED TO RECEIVE A COURSE CERTIFICATE

 

The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program is an all-risk, all-hazard training. This valuable course is designed to help you protect yourself, your family, your neighbors and your neighborhood in an emergency situation.

 

CERT is a positive and realistic approach to emergency and disaster situations where citizens may initially be on their own and their actions can make a difference. While people will respond to others in need without the training, one goal of the CERT program is to help them do so effectively and efficiently without placing themselves in unnecessary danger.

 

 In the CERT training, citizens learn to:

*Manage utilities and put out small fires*
*Treat the three medical killers by opening airways, controlling bleeding, and treating for shock*
*Provide basic medical aid*
*Search for and rescue victims safely*
*Organize themselves and spontaneous volunteers to be effective*
*Collect disaster intelligence to support first responder efforts*

 

Space is limited!

 

Register for this FREE COURSE ONLINE at

www.rcpi-ca.org

or call for any phone registration or questions,

(323) 526-5015

 

http://www.citizencorps.gov/cert/

 

Download the complete participant manual: http://www.citizencorps.gov/cert/training_downloads.shtm#CERTSM

 

 

Deputy Wilson Lee
CERT Coordinator
Community/Law Enforcement Partnership Programs
4700 Ramona Boulevard  Room 144
Monterey Park CA. 91754
323-526-5015