The Council Weekly Prepared by the City Manager s Office, City of San Gabriel WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2013

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1 Prepared by the City Manager s Office, City of San Gabriel WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2013 TOP STORIES Hing Wa Lee opens new flagship store this week COME JOIN GRAND OPENING CELEBRATION THIS FRIDAY, 3 P.M. The long awaited opening of Hing Wa Lee Jeweler s new, 11,000 square foot flagship store will kick off with grand opening ceremonies starting 3 p.m. Friday, October 25. Opening of the fashionable jewelry emporium, located at the southwest corner of Del Mar Ave. and Bencamp St., concludes five years of planning and development that progressed despite a punishing recession. Completion of the classical building puts San Gabriel squarely at the center of the luxury jewelry market. Events will begin with a ribbon cutting and lion dancing at 3:30 p.m., followed by a grand opening ceremony at 4 p.m. After a cocktail and hors d ouevres reception for invited guests, a grand dinner reception featuring world renowned pianist Lang Lang will begin at 6:30 p.m. For more information about the project, please call the Community Development Department at , or contact City Planner Mark Gallatin at mgallatin@sgch.org. FOR MORE INFORMATION: RELATED STORY: Council rejects street name change after marathon discussion, page 2 County waives affordability requirement HOUSING AUTHORITY OPTS OUT OF AGREEMENT FOR SKYCOURTS The County s Housing Authority has decided not to exercise an affordable housing agreement drafted and approved by the City s former Redevelopment Agency. This means that the developer of San Gabriel Skycourts - a mixed-use project at S. San Gabriel Blvd. - has been relieved of the requirement to set aside three units for moderate income households. The Skycourts project was conditioned to provide three Learn more at 1 Or call for more information

2 moderate income units to satisfy affordable housing requirements. An additional two units were required for very low income households, due to a density bonus granted to the project. When the Redevelopment Agency was dissolved in February last year, the Housing Authority of the County of Los Angeles (HACOLA) became the successor agency for its housing obligations. With the project nearing completion early next year and with HACOLA s decision not to subsidize the moderate income units, staff asked the Planning Commission this month to remove the affordability condition for the three moderate income units. The two very low income units are unaffected by the Commission s decision. For more information, please contact City Planner Mark Gallatin at , ext or mgallatin@sgch.org. Building a community conversation with you SAVE THE DATE: TOWN HALL MEETING SET FOR THURS, NOV. 21 Sixth in the City s community conversation series, the next town hall meeting will be 7 9 p.m. on Thursday, November 21 at St. Anthony s Catholic Church, Community Room, 1901 S. San Gabriel. The theme of this town hall will be SR 710 Close the Gap Campaign. This community conversation will be hosted by City of San Gabriel and the Garvey School District; and moderated by Vice Mayor John Harrington and Council member Chin Ho Liao. Representatives from the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) will provide an update on the SR 710 Close the Gap Campaign. There will be the opporunity to discuss with representatives of San Gabriel s City Council and School District about how they see the future of the City. For more information, please contact Administration at EYE ON SAN GABRIEL News from San Gabriel City Hall COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT State approves general plan housing element update The California Department of Housing and Community Development notified the City this week that San Gabriel s Housing Element is certified as being in full compliance with state law. Thanks to the City s successful implementation of its previous element and HCD s streamlined review process, the City s next Housing Element will not be required for the next eight years. The Housing Element update an important part of the City s comprehensive Learn more at 2 Or call for more information

3 general plan -- was completed for $3,500 less than the contract amount, freeing those funds to be used in other ways by the Planning Division. This is San Gabriel s fourth successive Housing Element to be certified by the State under the guidance of City Planner Mark Gallatin, who celebrates 20 years with the City of San Gabriel this year. For more information, please contact the Planning Division at , ext or mgallatin@sgch.org. Council rejects Bencamp street renaming request Following several hours of public comment last Tuesday, the City Council denied a request by owners of luxury jewelry store Hing Wa Lee to change the name of a portion of Bencamp Street adjoining the store to Hing Wa Lee Place. After placing the ordinance changing the street name on first reading in January, the Council split 3-2 on on a final motion to deny the change. Supporters argued Hing Wa Lee is a famous name within Chinese and Taiwanese communities, and one of the leading sales tax producers in San Gabriel. With a new flagship store opening at the corner of Del Mar Ave. and Bencamp Street, the business asked to change a 200-foot section of the street ending at the wash to Hing Wa Lee Place in honor of the firm s founder. Residents opposed to the change expressed concerns about preserving the history of the street, calling for better criteria to guide street name changes. Without having a formal process in place beforehand, I think it s not appropriate for us to approve a street name change at this time, said Council Member Jason Pu. The Council ultimately did not send the existing code back for amendments. David Lee, chairman and CEO of Hing Wa Lee Group, told the Council that he did not mean for the request to cause such controversy. I just simply wanted to honor my dad, Lee said, adding that his father died from cancer two years ago. We feel our success in our industry brings much attention and credibility to the city of San Gabriel, but we are here not only for our business but to honor my father s decades of hard work and involvement in San Gabriel. Read the coverage online: San Gabriel denies Hing Wa Lee jewelry store s request for street name change. POLICE Safely dispose of expired medication this Sat., Oct. 26 San Gabriel Police Department will again collaborate with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) in their 7 th National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day from 10 a.m. 2 p.m. on Saturday, October 26. Since the beginning of this initiative, more than 2.8 million pounds (1,400 tons) of prescription medications have been collected nationwide. The official collection site will be the San Gabriel Police Department, 625 South Del Mar Avenue. Evidence & Property Technician Wendy Flores and Crime Prevention Officer Stacy Gutierrez will be on hand to help. Learn more at 3 Or call for more information

4 Please bring your expired or unused prescription drugs to support this campaign and enhance public safety. For more information, please contact Sergeant Jeff Whitney at or PARKS & RECREATION Pool updated with new pump room and lane lines A new energy efficient heater and pump have been installed at Smith Park Pool. The purchase and installation of both qualified for the Los Angeles County Park Bond Maintenance and Servicing funds and the heater qualified for an additional Gas Company rebate. The Gas Company has also approved a purchase incentive up to 50% on the cost of 6 new pool covers. Staff has been working with Commercial Aquatics and Sea Clear Pools for the past few months to complete these projects. In addition, new lane lines purchased by the San Gabriel Sea Gulls Swim team have been added to the pool. For more information, please contact Parks and Recreation Director Rebecca Perez at or rperez@sgch.org. MISSION PLAYHOUSE Learn how to leverage social media for your business City of San Gabriel, Mission Playhouse and Ready Artwork invite local businesses to attend a free seminar Intro to Social Media for Business at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, November 6. Topics to be covered include: social media for B2B (business to business) and B2C (business to consumer), which platforms are the most effective for your business needs, how to leverage social media to get more out of your website, managing your own social media, and what to look for when hiring a social media consultant. For more information, please contact the Playhouse at Click here to RSVP for the event. Learn more at 4 Or call for more information

5 CENTENNIAL CALENDAR OCTOBER THEME Health and Wellness October 26 1:00 p.m. Millrace Dedication by Native Sons of the Golden West Native Sons of the Golden West will commemorate the discovery of the Chapman Millrace with a bronze plaque. See right. Plaza Park, 428 S. Mission Drive NOVEMBER THEME Let s Be Thankful November 6 12:00 p.m. Veterans Luncheon Padillo Room, 324 S. Mission Drive November 13 San Gabriel Rotary Trees of Giving The San Gabriel Rotary invites the community to attend the 4 th Annual Trees of Giving luncheon. Themed trees decorated by designers will be raffled to benefit PolioPlus. See attached flyer. November 16 7:00 a.m. Turkey Trot San Gabriel s healthiest event offers 10K and 5K runs, a 5K walk, and a youth 1K run, all beginning at Vincent Lugo Park. Information: November 16 - Dec. 13 6:00 9:00 p.m. San Gabriel Fine Arts Association Art Show Glass Room Gallery, 320 South Mission Drive Information: November 20 6:00 9:00 p.m. San Gabriel Chamber Annual Harvest Dinner Autunno/Noho Cuisine 409 South Mission Drive Information: CENTENNIAL COMMITTEE Native Sons to commemorate Chapman Millrace with plaque Native Sons of the Golden West will hold a millrace dedication at 1 p.m. this Saturday, October 26 at Plaza Park. The organization will present the City with a bronze plaque in commemoration of the uncovering of the Chapman Millrace. A section of the millrace has recently been located at the park in connection with ongoing construction of the San Gabriel trench project. Come celebrate a new historical find during San Gabriel s Centennial year. For more information, please contact Native Sons at or through their website. Native Sons is a service organization dedicated to preserving and promoting California history. Send your ideas for the next time capsule by November 1 During San Gabriel s 100th birthday, the unearthed time capsule from 1963 revealed old newspapers and aerial maps, a vial with a handwritten message, and a handful of coins. In December, the City will bury a new time capsule to be opened in Share your ideas for the next time capsule to centennial@sgch.org with the subject line Time Capsule Ideas. As you think of items, please keep in mind that a time capsule is intended to indicate what life was like at the time it was sealed. We re excited to hear what you think the San Gabriel community in the future would like to know about the present. Ideas may be submitted until Friday, November 1. Learn more at 5 Or call for more information

6 CENTENNIAL CORNER Ortega-Vigare Adobe dates back to the 1790s California State Landmark #451, also known as the Ortega-Vigare Adobe, is one of San Gabriel s oldest adobes. It was constructed during California s mission period during the 1790s and first served as a home for a soldier of the mission guard. In the 1860s, the adobe was sold to Don Jean Vigare and became San Gabriel s first bakery. The property is currently being used as a personal residence. It features Spanish architecture, stained glass windows, courtyard with the original eighteen century fountain. Other adobes in San Gabriel include Rancho Las Tunas and Lopez de Lowther. BRIEFLY NOTED Network at Chamber of Commerce s free breakfast San Gabriel Chamber of Commerce is holding a free networking breakfast from 7 9 a.m. on Friday, October 25 at the Elks Lodge, 1373 E. Las Tunas Drive. Everyone is welcome to attended. RSVP required to Sandy Rosco at San Gabriel Educational Foundation (SEF) is the primary fundraising partner of the San Gabriel Unified School District. The non-profit organization raises funds from throughout the community to support educational programs at all of SGUSD s eight schools. SEF s goal is to once again raise $150,000 to support the next school year and Fund the Gap. See attached donation form for more details. COUNCIL CALENDAR STUDY SESSIONS Tuesday, November 5, :30 p.m. Information Technology Master Plan Tuesday, November 19, :30 p.m. Parks and Recreation Funding and Implementation Issues REGULAR MEETINGS Tuesday, November 5, :30 p.m. City Council Meeting, City Hall, Council Chambers Tuesday, November 19, :30 p.m. City Council Meeting, City Hall, Council Chambers Tuesday, December 3, :30 p.m. City Council Meeting, City Hall, Council Chambers, preceded by community holiday tree lighting and Mission District Festival of Lights at 6:00 p.m. This night s meeting will feature the presentation of employee service and performance awards. Tuesday, December 17, :30 p.m. City Council Meeting, City Hall, Council Chambers Learn more at 6 Or call for more information

7 COMING UP: AT THE COMMISSIONS Monday, October 28, :00 p.m., Design Review Commission, City Hall, Conference Room A Monday, November 4, :00 p.m., Parks and Recreation Commission, City Hall, Council Chambers Tuesday, November 12, :30 p.m., Planning Commission, City Hall, Council Chambers Monday, November 25, :00 p.m., Design Review Commission, City Hall, Conference Room A Monday, December 2, :00 p.m., Parks and Recreation Commission, City Hall, Council Chambers Monday, December 9, :30 p.m., Planning Commission, City Hall, Council Chambers Monday, December 23, :00 p.m., Design Review Commission, City Hall, Conference Room A We welcome your thoughts and opinions regarding The Council Weekly. Please contact Jessica Hsu, Public Information Officer, at jhsu@sgch.org or , ext Learn more at 7 Or call for more information

8 Wednesday, November 13, :30am 1:30pm 4th Annual San Gabriel Rotary Trees of Giving $25 per Person Event is Open to Public Enjoy good food, meet new Friends and learn about San Gabriel Rotary The Rotary Club of San Gabriel will be hosting its 4th Annual Trees of Giving fundraising event on November 13, Proceeds will benefit the Rotary Club of San Gabriel s efforts to improve the quality of life in the San Gabriel Community. ~Miniature Tree Raffles~ Throughout the event, unique trees, adopted and decorated by San Gabriel Event Location: Padillo Room 324 S. Mission Drive San Gabriel, CA Rotary Club of San Gabriel PO Box 253 San Gabriel, CA Event Tickets must be purchased in advance by November 6, For ticket purchases or information on the event please contact: Alice Wong (626) alicew@roadrunner.com or Julie Sorensen (626) libraryjulie@hotmail.com Rotarians will be raffled. Raffle tickets will be available for sale at the event. (Value of the Trees Priceless) Rotarians with a Mission since 1947

9 The California state budget crisis continues to impact our School District despite legislation to shore up school budgets. Help SEF Fund the Gap Repeated budget reductions continue to impact our Previous funding cuts are still in effect. schools with reduced or eliminated programs, putting California school funding at 49th in national per-pupil Our goal is to once again raise $150,000 spending*. Because it is so populous, California educates to Fund the Gap and continue to support 1 in 8 children in the U.S. If these children are learning well or not, that will affect all of us. programs for all SGUSD Schools in High achieving public schools contribute to vibrant Elementary School programs: neighborhoods and high property values. In many K-3 Music Program 4th Grade Recorders 5th Grade Band/ communities, foundations have been created to shore Orchestra 2nd & 3rd Grade Art Instruction up some of the losses in school funding. Locally, the San Jefferson Middle School: Gabriel Educational Foundation (SEF) is the primary Drama After School Library/Media Center Hours Speech fundraising entity supporting all 8 schools in the San & Debate Mock Trial AVID Program Gabriel Unified School District. Our fundraising directly results in restored courses and programs supporting Gabrielino High School: students from Kindergarten through 12th grade Naviance Art Program After-School Library/Media Center throughout the SGUSD. Hours Tutoring Band & Orchestra Mock Trial Speech & Debate FBLA The success of SEF depends on the strength of its partnerships with our schools, our community and Del Mar High School: our business leaders. Programs SEF supports would not Funding for ongoing programs be possible without the large and small donations to SEF by families like yours. If you would like to support our schools with SEF as a board member or Friend of SEF occasional volunteer, please call , or your contact information to info@sef4schools.org. Our students deserve a great education: Reductions in state funding have created gaps that only we can fill. * Please help SEF continue to Fund the Gap so all our students receive the best education possible! All donations, large and small, are needed and appreciated! Please participate at whatever level you can. Yes! I want to support San Gabriel public schools by donating to SEF. Donations from parents and community members make it possible for SEF to support vital programs and curriculum that would otherwise be cut from the San Gabriel schools due to state funding deficits. Your Name: Phone: Street Address: Apt: City: ( San Gabriel) ZIP: Would you be interested in working with SEF? We are a volunteer-run organization with many opportunities to participate. I would like information on becoming a Friend of SEF occasional volunteer Please contact me about SEF Board positions and responsibilities. Donation Information I would like to donate in the amount of: $10 $25 $50 $75 $100 Other: $ Charge my: Check enclosed # Online donation no stamp! In-person donation no stamp! MasterCard Visa (Payable to SEF) Visit to our web site: sef4schools.org Drop off donation at our office* Card Number: Expiration: / Security code: Name on card: Signature: Your donation is tax deductable! The San Gabriel Educational Foundation is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation. Tax ID# Please fill out this form and return with your donation to *SEF, 408 Junipero Serra Drive, San Gabriel CA Thank You for your Generous support of SEF, our amazing San Gabriel students and all 8 of our public schools. Eight schools. Every student. One community.

10 SEF is SEF is K 3rd grade music 2nd & 3rd grade art SEF is SEF is 5th grade music 4th grade recorders During the school year, the San Gabriel Educational Foundation (SEF) raised $150,000 to Fund the Gap in education programs for ! Eight schools. Every student. One community. Thank you! Please help SEF continue to Fund the Gap so all our students receive the best education possible! Visit our web site for more information, or to make a donation: (626) info@sef4schools.org Like us on The San Gabriel Educational Foundation is a 501(C)(3) non-profit organization and the primary fundraising partner of the San Gabriel Unified School District. Tax ID# All donations are fully tax-deductible. This flier is approved for SGUSD distribution by Assistant Superintendent Dr. Mayra Perez. 07/13. FtGflierK813-14