Civic Center Library Gift - A gift of $2,075 was donated by the Friends of the Alhambra Public Library for the purchase of screen reading computer software to aide library patrons with limited vision or other vision impairments, and also so library staff members can attend the annual California Library Association Conference which presents workshops and sessions on innovative library programs and services.

Development Projects - An ordinance was approved changing the land use designation and zoning at 2300 Poplar Boulevard to allow for the development of a four-story 107,630 square foot building for retail and office uses and a self-storage business on an approximate land area of 28,749 square feet.

An Economic Development Agreement was approved providing tenant improvement assistance to remodel an existing building at 410 E. Main St., including providing necessary fixtures for the proposed tenant, the Dog Haus Restaurant. The City will provide the property owners (Hillcrest Main Street Associates) with up to $110,000 in CDBG funds. It is anticipated that the new business will create a minimum of 3.14 full-time equivalent jobs, although it could be as many 12.5 FTE jobs. No redevelopment agency funding will be used for this project.

Goudy Honda has proposed building a four-level, 178,882 square foot vehicle storage structure with space for 650 vehicles and 1,280 square foot office addition at its current location at 1400 West Main Street. Design Review Board and Planning Commission reviews are pending.

The City's 2010-2011 Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER), regarding the City's CDBG and HOME programs, has been completed and approved. The CAPER provides for measurable performance against stated performance objectives in such areas as code enforcement, public services, first-time homebuyer and housing rehabilitation programs.

First-Time Homebuyer's Program - A home rehabilitation project at 3216 Midvale Place has been completed by the Alhambra Redevelopment Agency, and will be subsequently sold through the City’s First-Time Homebuyer program. Persons interested in this program should call the Development Services-Housing Division at 626-570-5037, or view information about the program provided on the City’s website.

Project Approvals/Completion - Bid notices were approved for the purchase a new fire engine pumper and command vehicle that will lead to the replacement of an existing 1990 fire engine and a 1999 Battalion Chiefs’ command vehicle, and various projects related to the operation of city wells and sewers. Approval was also granted for the filing of a Notice of Completion with respect to a completed well rehabilitation project.
 
Alhambra Beautiful Award Winners – Ten homeowners received the 2011 Alhambra Beautiful Award for demonstrating pride of ownership and excellence in home upkeep and maintenance, thereby contributing to the overall appearance of the City’s landscape and benefitting the entire community. For the names of the winners, click here.

New Ordinances - Title 23 of the Alhambra Municipal Code has been amended for the purpose of clarifying the status of Second Units as permitted uses in residential zones, R-1, R-2, and R-3, subject to existing standards. Amended sections include Section 23.16.020, adding (J); Section 23.18.020, adding (K); and Section 23.20.020, adding (L). Persons wishing to view the Municipal Code online will find the complete list of city ordinances at www.amlegal.com/alhambra_ca/

A new ordinance (adding Sections 1.12.080 and 1.12.090 to the Alhambra Municipal Code) will strengthen the City’s ability to pursue civil remedies in public nuisance cases as an alternative to criminal prosecution and administrative remedies.

An ordinance (adding Sections 19.02.30, 19.02.40 and 19.02.50 to the Alhambra Municipal Code) incorporates certain chapters and appendices of the 2009 International Fire Code to provide residents with more efficient service and to ensure that the City’s comprehensive program of model codes is compatible with each other.

No Burn Advisory Notice - A new law that took effect November 1, 2011 that prohibits residents from burning wood in their fireplaces or wood stoves on days when air pollution is forecast to be unhealthful. The South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD) has established a “Check before You Burn” program during the winter months (November through February) to urge residents to refrain from using their fire places or wood stoves when stagnant weather raises fine particulate pollution levels. More information is available at www.aqmd.gov, including how to sign up for an email notification system informing residents that a voluntary no-burn advisory has been issued for Alhambra.