Gold Line Inches Along The Gold Line Construction Authority (GLCA) is working hard to coordinate its schedule and get under construction on the primary design/build package - the construction of the actual rail alignment from East Pasadena to the Azusa/Glendora border. The agency has received bids and secured a contractor to construct the Iconic Freeway Structure (a bridge) that will carry the rail lines over the Interstate 210 in Arcadia. Additionally, as reported in a recent news story, the GLCA is entering the Request for Proposal (RFP) process on the alignment package, which it hopes to award in April 2011. This leaves the environmental clearance process for the system's much needed rail maintenance facility, and the execution of the necessary agreements to construct the yard, as the most pressing critical path items.
We understand that the supplemental EIR for the yard will be circulated in October. Presuming the report is thorough and complete, it could be certified as early as New Year. Thus, we will continue to monitor the progress. As you know, the GLCA would prefer to construct its rail maintenance facility in Monrovia on a property owned by the Monrovia Redevelopment Agency; however, discussions - all pursuant to the environmental process and evaluation of alternatives, mind you - have not progressed far enough that they have been reduced to writing.
We'll keep you posted!
City Council Meeting Preview Summer's over and we are back to normal agendas - no more short meetings!
We have quite a bit going on, even before the regular Council meeting begins. At 5 p.m. we have the YES! Intern graduation, followed by a Closed Session regarding 1) an existing lawsuit and 2) City Attorney Craig Steele's and my annual evaluations.
Once the regular meeting begins, we have two items under Presentations: PR-1 is the recognition of My Monrovia Photo Journal Contest winners and PR-2 is the recognition of Mr. Rodney Jefferson, whose A-Game Fundamentals Basketball Clinic just completed its 11th year and is going strong.
Under the Monrovia Redevelopment Agency, we have a presentation by Olson Urban Housing, LLC. You may recall that Olson holds an exclusive negotiating agreement with the MRA on the eastern half of the proposed Station Square project (Samuelson & Fetter are focused on the west half). As Olson has been waiting for development to occur on the west side so that they might begin on the east, significant time has passed; there was consensus that Olson needed to come back before the Council and community to give an update on their company, recent developments and their prospects overall. Staff recommends that the report be received and filed.
Under Reports of the Councilmembers, Mayor Lutz has a couple of items and Mayor Pro Tem Adams has one. Mayor Lutz will provide an overview of her participation in the US Conference of Mayors, specifically in the area of Energy Efficiency Block Grants. Secondly, she wanted to touch on the clean-up of the 210 Freeway/Myrtle (see below). Mr. Adams is requesting that the City explore securing a piece of the steel from the World Trade Center. Apparently, cities across the nation are obtaining pieces of the towers as memorials to 9/11.
Lastly, item AR-1 is the consideration of an engineering contract for the 2010-11 street resurfacing project in the amount of $30,000. The project that will be bid - West Huntington Drive (between 5th and Magnolia) and assorted traffic control work, is being funded by the federal stimulus program (ARRA). Staff recommends approval.
As always, if you have any questions about any item on the agenda, please feel free to contact me directly.
Myrtle Avenue/210 Cleanup Last week, volunteers from the Public Works Department (in conjunction with the Monrovia Volunteer Center) took it upon themselves to clean up the 210/Myrtle Avenue intersection. This is part of a desire voiced by several Councilmembers to do something about the poor condition of the CalTrans right-of-way.
Public Works Director Ron Bow, Infrastructure Division Manager Mark Carney and Neighborhood Services Coordinator Dan McConnell worked with CalTrans to get the necessary permits to do the work. More importantly, they secured additional permits - scheduled for later dates - so that we can mobilize teams of volunteers to continue the cleaning through 2010-2011.
The next clean-up, focused on the stretch from Magnolia to Mayflower, is scheduled for Make a Difference Day in October. This is a big job, so please volunteer and join us. For more information and/or to volunteer your time and effort, please call Dan McConnell at (626) 932-5504.
Articles Attached Below
Monrovia Basketball Clinic Reaches Far Beyond Sports - Great job, Rodney!
Foothill Transit Will Unveil Ecoliner - AV makes news again...and again.
Gold Line Opens Bidding on $450 Million Extension Phase, Tests New Public-Private Partnership Model - Perhaps the single-most important public infrastructure project in a generation.
City Volunteers Clean Up Freeway Right-of-Ways We are all acutely aware of budget issues throughout the State. One of the more visible impacts of this crisis can be seen throughout the freeways and surrounding right-of-way areas. Deferred maintenance has resulted in overgrown landscaping, weeds, dry brush and litter remaining unabated. Staff made several requests to CalTrans to address this problem, but they cited difficulties in maintaining these areas due to personnel layoffs, furloughs, cutbacks and budget constraints. Although this is an understandable dilemma, the eyesore has remained. Not willing to accept this outcome, staff was directed to obtain permission from CalTrans to enter upon the freeway properties for the purpose of conducting independent clean up activities.
On Friday, August 27, a team of off-duty Monrovia Public Works and Community Development staff volunteered to become a freeway cleanup crew. Proving the maxim: "The best example of leadership is leadership by example," City Manager, Scott Ochoa led a 16-person volunteer crew on and around the freeway as part one of a four-phased cleanup project. The volunteer crew was assisted by a four-person, Monrovia Area Partnership Neighborhood Beautification Crew. Phase 1 of the project was conducted on the north side of the 210 Freeway between Myrtle and Magnolia Avenues. The volunteers cut overgrown vegetation, pulled weeds, raked and collected litter and bagged the debris for collection. CalTrans assisted the effort by delineating the work areas with traffic cones, providing trash bags and collecting the bags of refuse at the completion of the project. The result of the clean up effort has dramatically improved the look of this portion of the freeway right-of-way.
The next phase of the project is being incorporated into the annual Make-A-Difference Day activities planned for October, 16. Staff has obtained permission from CalTrans to conduct another clean up project on that day. Phase 2 of will be conducted on the north side of the 210 Freeway between Magnolia and Mayflower Avenues. Interested volunteers, 18 years old and older, are invited to become part of this project. For information and to sign up to participate in this or other volunteer projects, please contact the Volunteer Center of the San Gabriel Valley at (626) 256-8187 or www.volunteercentersgv.org.
Development Review Committee The Development Review Committee reviewed the following at its meeting on September 1:
1305 South Mountain Avenue - RIP Halloween - request for a temporary Halloween store and temporary signage - Signage approved as presented. Use approved for a temporary ine-week occupancy and subject to the condition that the cars currently parked on the site shall be moved prior to the business opening.
301 North Myrtle Avenue - Ricardo Jurado - Minor exception to allow a one-car garage in lieu of required two-car garage - Approved as presented.
The Committee reviewed proposed trash enclosure gates located in public parking lots and made a recommendation of one specific design to use.
The Committee also did the annual Alcohol Beverage Control review reports of 13 restaurants/stores and received and filed the report as the annual review.
Fall Brochure Now Available The Department of Community Services fall and winter brochure is now available on the City of Monrovia's website. The brochure includes a complete schedule of the Department's Specialty Classes for youth and adults. Adult classes include Yoga, Pilates, Fitness Bootcamp, Line Dancing, and introducing a brand new class, ZUMBA. Youth Classes include Karate, Parent-Tot Time, Soccer, Skateboarding and Dance & Play. Registration is currently being accepted and classes will begin on September 13. For additional information, please contact the Department of Community Services at 626.256.8246.
Afternoon Movie & Munchies for Seniors Movies and Munchies for Seniors will be held in the Library Community Room on Friday, September 17 at noon. This month features Meryl Streep and Pierce Brosnan in Mama Mia. Take advantage of movie and munchies, and then look through the Library inventory of movies available for rent. This free program is open to Monrovia seniors 50+ and was made possible by the Friends of the Monrovia Public Library. For additional information, please contact the Department of Community Services at 626.256.8246.
Teen Advisory Board (TAB) Needs You! Teens in 6th through 12th Grades can earn service hours, help plan and present library programs, and help choose books and other material for the Library. TAB meets one Monday per month; September's meeting is Monday, September 13 at 4 p.m. For additional information, please call Elizabeth Schneider at 626.256.8274 or e-mail
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.
Friends of the Library Monday Night Movies Return Friends of the Library sponsor movies one Monday every month during the school year. September's movie is Walt Disney's Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs on September 13 starting at 6:30 p.m. The movies are free and open to all ages.
Ronald McDonald to Visit the Library Ronald McDonald will bring his "Book Time" show to the Monrovia Public Library on Wednesday, September 22, 2010 at 3:30 p.m. in the Library's Community Room. Ronald encourages kids to read every day and uses magic, games, puppetry and story-telling elements to make reading fun while encouraging kids to set aside, "Book Time" to read every day. Bring your camera to take a picture with Ronald McDonald!
Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month at the Monrovia Public Library September is Hispanic Heritage Month, and the Monrovia Public Library is celebrating in a variety of ways. "Aztec Stories," a family storytime, will be presented on Tuesday, September 28 at 6:30 p.m. Participants of all ages will discover the ancient culture of the Aztecs by listening to Aztec folktales, making Aztec Warrior feather shields or fan, playing the ancient game Ullamaliztli, watching a short movie about the ancient Aztec legend of Quetzalcoatl, and eating popcorn and chocolate.
"Dia de los Muertos," a mask and cork painting program for adults will be held in preparation for the Day of the Dead holiday. Adult participants can design their own sugar skull masks and colorful corks at the Library during the Sustainability Fair on September 25 from 2 to 4 p.m.
All types of great, fascinating books about Hispanic culture, history and heritage for all ages are available for checkout and on display in the Library's main hall.
Monrovia Librarians among Special Few Chosen as State Leaders The California State Library and Infopeople chose Librarian II Alice Kuo and Youth Services Senior Librarian Shawn Thrasher, to participate in the 2010 Eureka! Leadership Institute. Only seven Southern California Library Cooperative (SCLC) libraries were accepted. For the past three years, the California State Library, in partnership with Infopeople, has offered this professional development program. Each year, 32 people from California libraries are selected through a competitive application process, to participate in a week long training event. Participants will learn, share and plan for the future of library services.
FIRE DEPARTMENT
Personnel responded to 76 emergency calls from 0800 hours August 24 to 0800 hours August 31.
Community Wildfire Protection Plan Through a grant from the California FireSafe Council, the Department has contracted with Pat Durland, a well known and respected public educator who conducts workshops on living sustainability within the high fire zones. Pat travels all over the country teaching workshops and helping communities prepare for the effects of wildfires. Pat will conduct a series of neighborhood sessions entitled "Assessing Wildfire Hazards in the Home Ignition Zone." The workshops will be held during the weekend of September 11-12 in three of Monrovia's most vulnerable neighborhoods in the High Fire Zone - Hidden Valley, Briarcliff and Upper Norumbega. The Department is very grateful to the individuals within each of these neighborhoods who have generously offered to host the sessions at their homes. We are working with KGEM to televise the sessions. If you have any questions, please contact Deputy Chief Haberle at (626) 256-8106.
Public Education The State Fire Marshal has issued a safety mandate regarding Vapor Recover Technologies (VST) nozzles used at gasoline stations. If the gas station uses this nozzle they are required to remove the "hold open" latch on the nozzle for the gas station to remain in operation. Monrovia only has one fuel station that carries this type of nozzle and the fire prevention bureau has made contact with them in order to insure they are in compliance with the new requirements. As you come across these nozzles with the hold open removed it is imperative that you not use objects to hold the nozzle open. This is extremely dangerous and has caused fires and fuel spills in the past.
Training and Emergency Preparedness The Training Division has been busy preparing for two major events. The first is a Firefighter Recruit Academy that will be conducted for three newly hired Firefighter/Paramedics. The academy will be conducted September 13-18 and the new firefighters will start their first shift as early as Monday, September 20. The second event is the 18-Month Probationary Testing. This is the final written and manipulative test that is given at the end of a firefighter's probationary period. The three probationary firefighters being tested will be expected to pass all elements of this test in order to be signed off probation and become permanent employees.
Special Activities This week a repairman, representing himself as being authorized to perform annual inspection and repair work on the Fire Station 101 Ansul hood system, was in fact working without approval. While on scene he stated that Tim Blackburn (Public Works) had authorized the inspection and repairs and later indicated to members of Public Works that both Tim and Chief Donovan (giving the names to the public works secretary) had authorized the work. Interestingly, neither Tim nor Chief Donovan authorized the inspections and repairs which were completed without approval. An invoice was hand delivered to the Public Works Department with a dollar amount to be sent to a P.O. Box. No phone number or physical location was indicated on the invoice and there was no other way of determining company information.
The City is denying the invoice claim and has written a letter of denial to be sent to the P.O. Box. The Fire Department has also followed up with the State Fire Marshal's Office to make notification of this unscrupulous action and advised the Chamber of Commerce of the same. The name of the company is J & M Fire Services. If you have any questions please give the Fire Department a call at (626) 256-8181. Also as a good reminder, the Fire Department performs business inspections on an annual basis. Fire Department employees have City identification to validate their authority to inspect and we never ask for money or provide invoices during the inspection.
Administrative Items The Fire Department proudly announces the hiring of three new Firefighter/Paramedics. Shane Stocking, Jacob Clemens and Christian Vasquez each are national-registered paramedics and will have their LA County Paramedic Accreditation soon. They are scheduled to start in-service recruit training on September 13, and, at the conclusion of the training academy, will be placed on shift assignment, working 24-hour suppression duties. Their assignments will enable the promotion of Andrew McDaniel who will begin his career as a Fire Engineer, having placed Number One on the most recent Fire Engineer promotional examination. Congratulations go out to all.
During the last seven day period, the Police Department handled 536 service events, resulting in 96 investigations. Following are the last week's highlighted issues and events:
Firearms Submitted for Safe Keeping / Possible Court Order Violation On August 26 at 12:58 p.m., a female subject called and reported her husband had been kicked out of the garage area where he was living in the 400 block of Alta Vista. She reported that there were several firearms there that he was not supposed to have because of a restraining order against him. Officers responded and the firearms were taken for safekeeping. Further action will be determined once all serial numbers have been checked and the court documents researched. Investigation continuing.
Vehicle Burglary On August 26 at 6:06 p.m., a victim reported their vehicle was broken into at a parking structure in the 500 block of South Myrtle. The loss was unknown. Investigation continuing.
Weapons Offense - Suspect Arrested On August 27 9:32 p.m., an officer responded to a call of a male subject chasing a female in the area of Cherry and Magnolia. The officer located and detained both subjects. The officer questioned both subjects and obtained verbal consent to conduct a pat-down search. On the male subject, he found a loaded large-capacity gun magazine and a modified knife blade. The officer obtained a written consent to search the suspect's home in an attempt to locate the gun belonging to the loaded magazine, but the gun was not located. The suspect was arrested for weapons offence. The female subject had not been harmed.
Hit and Run Traffic Collision On August 28 at 1:30 a.m., an employee of a business in the 100 block of E. Lime parked her vehicle in a public parking lot and went to work. When she returned to her vehicle, she discovered someone crashed into it, causing moderate damage to her rear bumper and driver's side rear corner panel. The suspect vehicle fled without making any attempt to notify the owner. Investigation continuing.
Felony Vandalism / Parole Violation / Driving Under the Influence - Suspects Arrested On August 28 at 9:04 a.m., officers responded to the report of a male suspect tagging the wall of a business in the 100 block of East Pomona. The witness saw the male suspect enter a light green Jeep Cherokee being driven by a female subject. The tagging was gang-related. Officers responded and conducted a thorough area check, but did not locate the suspects or the suspect vehicle. Several vandalisms have occurred recently throughout the city, where gang related tagging with the same type of graffiti has been spray painted. Officers investigating the incidents had gathered enough witness information to learn the license plate number and description of the suspect vehicle, which matched the description in this incident. Later that day at 7:21 p.m., an officer on patrol in the area of California and Central spotted the suspect vehicle used in the felony vandalisms. The officer conducted a traffic stop and contacted the female driver and male passenger. The male passenger had green spray paint on his hands which was consistent with the spray paint used in the vandalisms. The female driver was determined to be driving under the influence. The female suspect admitted to several of the vandalisms, but the male suspect chose not to provide any statements. Both suspects were arrested and charged for felony vandalism. The female was also charged for driving under the influence, and the male was found to be on parole, and a parole hold was obtained.
Solo Vehicle Traffic Collision / Power Outage On August 29 at 3:50 a.m., a motorist fell asleep at the wheel and collided into a power pole in the area of Duarte and Pilgrim. His Toyota Tacoma overturned and he received minor injuries. As a result of the collision, the power went out in the southwest area of the city. Edison was contacted, but it took several hours to restore power.
Under the Influence of a Controlled Substance / Possession of a Controlled Substance - Suspects Arrested On August 29 at 10:24 p.m., an officer on patrol in the area of Palm and Primrose saw two suspicious male subjects walking. The officer made contact with the subjects and observed symptoms of the subjects being under the influence of drugs. A subsequent investigation resulted in finding both suspects were in possession of methamphetamine. Both suspects were arrested.
Commercial Burglary / Conspiracy - Suspects Arrested On August 30 at 11:16 a.m., officers responded to a business in the 1600 block of South Mountain. Store security reported three female suspects attempting to steal merchandise. The females were detained exiting the store. One of the females admitted to going to the store to steal merchandise. Surveillance video shows the others suspects selecting items and passing them among themselves. Two of the three females detained had stolen property in their possession. They were charged with burglary and conspiracy.
Driving Under the Influence - Suspect Arrested On September 1 at 9:57 a.m., an employee of a park in the 1200 block of Canyon Blvd reported a male and female in a vehicle drinking beer and throwing the cans out of the window. The vehicle was leaving the park area. An officer located and stopped the vehicle westbound on Hillcrest. The officer determined the male driver was driving under the influence and arrested him.
Possible Overdose On September 1, Monrovia Fire Department requested an officer regarding a possible overdose at an apartment complex in the 700 block of South Myrtle. The subject takes numerous medications for a number of conditions and has been depressed due to a recent breakup. He was transported to a hospital for mental evaluation and treatment.
The Graffiti Problem Continues The total for the month of July was 1,112 taggings, which required more than 94 hours of remediation. The Department of Public Works and the Monrovia Police Department need your help to curb the graffiti vandalism. If you suspect vandalism at the parks, or on any property in Monrovia, please call 9-1-1 or 626-357-CELL. The caller may remain anonymous. If a suspect is located and arrested for vandalism, the caller will receive a $100 bill. For more information regarding the City's Stop Graffiti Program, call the Community Policing bureau at 626-256-8000.
Money Saving Rebate Programs for Residential and Businesses Water Customers The Metropolitan Water and Upper San Gabriel Municipal Water Districts are offering rebates to customers of the City of Monrovia Water System through April 30, 2011, or until funds are exhausted. For additional information, log on to www.bewaterwise.com to submit an online application. Commercial water customers are required to make a reservation in advance of purchase. Funding is limited, and submitting an application is not a guarantee that customers will receive a rebate. Rebates are on a first-come, first-served basis.
Peck Road Water Main Replacement - Golden State Water Company A new replacement water main is being installed on Peck Road between Altern/Armijo. Temporary traffic control devices will be installed. Please observe all construction and parking restriction signs. Construction is expected to be completed by the end of October.
Caltrans - Bridge Widening and Sound Wall Construction Update California, Myrtle, Magnolia and Monterey underpasses are now fully open to all traffic. SEMA Construction continues to work on Chestnut, Walnut, Fifth and Mayflower. Temporary traffic control signs and lane closure devices are in place. The project is projected to be completed in 2011.
Weekly Inspection Report 601 S. Myrtle Ave. 700 S. Myrtle Ave. 4612 S. 5th Ave. - So Cal Gas 924 W. Huntington Drive - Time Warner 520 Norumbega 612 Norumbega 983 Norumbega 1024 Norumbega 125 E. Colorado 620 E. Colorado 845 W. Colorado M.H.S. 424 W. Walnut 2 Hidden Valley 450 Patrician Way 486 Patrician Way 415 Stedman Place - So Cal Gas 366 Beechworth 502/504 Mesa Circle 958 Ridgeside 135 S. Encinitas 227 E. Lemon - So Cal Gas 316 E. Lemon - SCE Live Oak & Peck Road - SCE Edison Power Pole Replacements Cal-Trans/Metro Monrovia High School Sewer Main Construction Rule 20 Project Canyon Gas Pipeline Installation Project - SoCal Gas Peck Road from Armijo St to Altern St - Golden State Water 218 Grand Ave. - So Cal Gas 158 N. Madison 704 Montana 740 Valley View Ave 848 W. Hillcrest 240 Melrose 138 Highland Pl - So Cal Gas 266 E. Pomona - So Cal Gas 1116 S. Magnolia 240 Melrose 133 N. Alta Vista - So Cal Gas
Street Light Repairs 131 W. Colorado 155 W. Colorado 156 W. Colorado 820 W. Huntington 334 W. Huntington 101 E. Huntington 745 W. Huntington 503 S. Mountain 635 N. Canyon - reported to SCE.
Traffic Signal Repairs Huntington/210 Fwy - Southeast corner green replaced Foothill/Ivy - Intersection went black due to power fluctuations and was reset to normal function on August 26 Foothill/Canyon - Signals were cycling and required reset on August 30
Miscellaneous Maintenance Corporate Yard -Replaced American Flag in the front of the building. Police Department - HVAC reset in jail areas and weight room on August 24 Youth Center - Drinking fountain repaired on August 25 Banners - Removed street banner at Myrtle/Olive and pole banners along Myrtle Ave. in Old Town Fire Station 2 - Personnel door to apparatus bay repaired Library - Mounted bulletin boards in Literacy office Canyon Park - Plumbing repairs made at Entry Station upper and lower restrooms
Traffic Painting Re-painted stop legends and limit lines in the middle section of town from Huntington Dr. to Foothill Blvd. and between east and west city limits
Graffiti Removal Removed graffiti from various traffic signs along Duarte Rd., Huntington Dr., and Foothill Blvd.
Concrete Rehabilitation Rehabilitated concrete curb and gutter in the 300 block of east Colorado
Miscellaneous Cleaned sidewalk on Jasmine in front of Kindergarten entrance to Wildrose Elementary School Removed furniture debris from alleyway east of Alta Vista and north of Lime Removed trash and cut vegetation from Public Right-of-Way along on and off ramps at Myrtle Ave. from the 210 Freeway
Customer Service 395 water meters were read and recorded 61 Utility Work Orders were completed 4 water meters were replaced 153 shut-off notices were delivered 1 water meter lid was replaced
Water Production Water consumption was 62.8 million gallons, an increase of 2% compared to reported water usage at this time last year.
Department of Health Services Required Water Samples 17 water system samples 1 well sample 6 water treatment facility samples
Utility Maintenance 2 - 1" angle valves were replaced 2 - 3/4" angle valves were replaced 1 - 8" Water main was repaired 2 fire hydrants were inspected and flushed 5 water main system valves were operated and inspected 9,000 feet of sewer mains were cleaned 1,985 feet of sewer mains were video inspected 24 underground service alert utility location requests were completed Crews replaced approximately 4 feet of damaged 8" water main Crews performed maintenance on the Canyon Park Septic System
Parks Section Crews repaired irrigation systems located at Huntington Drive and the Community Center Weeds and trash were removed from the alley in 100 block of Chestnut A tree damaged the sidewalk and curb was removed from the 300 block of Colorado Graffiti removed from the equipment at Grand Park
Monrovia basketball clinic reaches far beyond sports By Kevin Smith, Staff Writer Posted: 08/27/2010 06:30:00 PM PDT MONROVIA - Some people look at at-risk children and see challenges - obstacles that could block their path to success.
But Rodney Jefferson sees opportunities.
As the owner and director of the "A" Game Fundamentals Basketball Clinic in Monrovia, the Duarte resident is out to not only teach competitive basketball, but to ensure that his students are on a positive academic track.
"Anyone can teach basketball," Jefferson said. "But we develop kids for multiple sports. And we teach them discipline, character and give them life skills."
Established in 2000, Jefferson's summer clinic is held at Santa Fe Middle School in Monrovia, catering to boys and girls in grades 5 through 11. The one-week clinic runs from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Friday. This year's session included 55 students.
"I created this program to fill a void in the community," Jefferson explained. "There weren't a lot of programs for kids during the summer, and none that offered something like this. It's low-cost, the lunches are free and all the water and sodas are free. We also give out a lot of prizes."
Program participants also get free T-shirts, posters and other materials that are donated by the Los Angeles Lakers and Los Angeles Clippers.
Guest speakers for the program have included Ann Meyers Drysdale, general manager of the Phoenix Mercury WMBA team; Chief Roberta A. Abner of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department; and Kim Rhode, a member of the U.S. Olympic Shooting Team, among others.
More importantly, they develop self confidence and skills they can carry over into other areas of their lives.
Trophies for the program are donated by Shaffer Awards in Monrovia. When a child receives recognition it can do wonders for their self esteem, according to Jefferson. "For a 10- or 11-year-old kid to get an award ... that is huge, bro," he said.
Dima Haddad, a 5th grader at Royal Oak Elementary School in Duarte, started the "A" Game Fundamentals Basketball Clinic last year with her brother and cousin. "It was really fun and competitive," she said. "The best thing about it are the basketball games. I really liked that and the scrimmages."
Haddad said Jefferson also promotes a positive message. "He said to do better in school - to stay in school and get good grades," she said.
The life-skills component of the clinic is designed to encourage positive life choices, reduce gang recruitment, discourage drug and alcohol usage and educate students about career opportunities.
The program only runs for one week, but Jefferson's involvement with the students goes much further.
"I run around to all kinds of cities and follow these kids," he said. "If a kid is getting ready for the SATs, we provide a tutor for that. We have students from Division 1 schools who love to come out and tutor these kids. And I also help educate the parents so they can be more helpful to their kids."
Jefferson's program has received a slew of honors and awards over the years, but one of the biggest came this month then the program was honored by Rep. Judy Chu, D-El Monte, as the "DiverCities Non-Profit of the Year."
Foothill Transit will unveil Ecoliner By Kevin Smith, Staff Writer Posted: 09/01/2010 11:09:21 PM PDT WEST COVINA - Foothill Transit is about to get greener.
On Friday, the West Covina-based company will unveil three heavy duty, fast-charging electric buses that will serve Line 291 between La Verne and Pomona.
The new Ecoliner vehicles will be able to travel 30 miles without a charge and can be recharged in less than 10 minutes.
"The Ecoliner name is intended to indicate to passengers that they are riding on a zero-emissions bus," said Doran Barnes, Foothill's executive director. "We're excited about this. This is huge, not just for us, but for the entire industry. This goes to our core mission of getting people out of their cars."
The sleek-looking buses were manufactured by Proterra LLC in Golden, Colo., and the battery-charging stations were made by AeroVironment Inc., a Monrovia-based maker of unmanned surveillance planes and quick-charge systems for electric vehicles.
Jeff Granato, Proterra's president and CEO, said AV was an obvious choice.
"They are the 10-ton gorilla in the room," he said. "They have a great reputation and we're very pleased to be working with them. They are always leading the market in innovation and technology."
If the buses meet Foothill's expectations, the transit agency has the option of buying nine more Ecoliners, which would make Line 291 an all-electric, zero-emissions line.
"The challenges that we face with our environment demand that we expand beyond what's available into what's possible," said Roger Chandler, chairman of Foothill Transit's executive board. "This is the time and place for possibility. Excited doesn't begin to describe how we feel ... this is history."
It may be history, but Foothill has recently faced some tough economic times.
In May, the transit agency announced that it was grappling with a $12.5 million deficit for fiscal 2011 as a result of declining sales tax revenue and severe budget cuts to transportation funding.
That deficit was later reduced to about $3.5 million, partly as a result of money coming in from a state diesel tax.
But the agency was still forced to hike its fares and implement system-wide service reductions.
Granato said Proterra electric buses are also being used in Burbank and in Columbia, S.C.
Gold Line opens bidding on $450 million extension phase, tests new public-private partnership model By Beige Luciano-Adams Staff Writer Posted: 08/31/2010 05:26:51 PM PDT The Gold Line Foothill Extension Construction Authority opened bidding Tuesday on Phase 2A of the light rail's extension toward Azusa, a project officials estimate will cost more than $450 million. Under a public-private partnership, the winning contractor will design, build and finance the project. The capital costs would be repaid through funds from Measure R, the half-cent county sales tax voters approved in November 2008 to fund transportation infrastructure improvements.
Phase 2A includes light rail alignment work, including on 11.5 miles of track; utilities; crossings and systems; six stations; several bridges; and a 25-acre maintenance facility that will service about 80 to 100 vehicles.
The Foothill extension, the first project to break ground under Measure R, is also spearheading a trend toward public-private partnerships in California. The idea is to front-load the costs and build sooner in order to save money, officials said.
Measure R guarantees full funding for the Gold Line extension - minus a "gap" of $500,000 - but was scheduled for a completion date of 2017. With help from private investment, however, completion can be moved up to 2013, officials say. "We knew we would get the Measure R funds on a funding stream over a nine-year period," said Habib Balian, CEO of the Construction Authority, "and we knew we could construct it in four."
Meanwhile, Balian said, the economy was slowing down, and Metro was seeing less revenue than the agency had anticipated. "We looked at the spending curve if we built it in the most efficient way possible," said Balian. After running the numbers, he said, the Construction Authority asked "what would happen if we financed that gap," realized it was feasible and that a public-private partnership would be "a wise way to proceed," he said.
Even compared with the interest Metro will have to pay back, the savings are dramatic. Advancing the project by three years, Balian said, will save around $80 million. "This may cost $30 million or $50 million to finance, (but) it may cost $80 million or $100 million if we built it more slowly," he said, adding that a savings of around 4 million car rides each year is "probably more valuable than the money."
Bob Schraeder, business development manager for Shimmick Construction Inc., a short-listed company in the bidding that has previously worked with Metro on the Orange Line and Eastside Extension, said the design-build-finance concept is a new one for the United States. "We refer to it as `gap funding.' It has not really been done before in the States," he said, adding that Shimmick's finance partner, Bank of America/Merryl Lynch, has experience in similar ventures.
Mike Aparicio, vice president of transit and operations in Los Angeles for Skanska, another short-listed company that won the first contract in Phase 2A for an $18-million bridge project, said "there are many potential public-private projects throughout California being talked about - but the Foothill Extension is one of the first that has matured to procurement."
Both Aparicio and Schraeder said they see a trend toward public-private partnerships gaining momentum in California and beyond. "We think that in California public agencies look like they are embracing public-private partnerships as a viable alternative for delivery," said Aparicio.
Progressive owners, said Schrader, "are seeing how they can get the work built sooner, take advantage of the fact that construction costs have come down and contractors are hungry, and make up funding shortfalls."
Balian noted the bridge project awarded to Skanska came in well under the Construction Authority's estimate of $24 million. The hope, said Schrader, is that the Gold Line project can be "a model for other heavy civil construction jobs that have gap funding." Construction on of the extension to Azusa will be completed in 2014; to Montclair in 2019; and Ontario in 2021. Balian called it "lightening speed" for a project of its size.
Proposals are due Jan. 27, 2011, and the Construction Authority says it anticipates an award in April 2011.
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