Los Angeles and San Bernardino County officials are warning that this may be the worst mosquito season in years. Heavy rains have created ideal conditions for breeding.
Peak season starts in June and lasts through October in the two county region according to the California Department of Public Health.
Here are some things you can do to prepare:
Get rid of standing water around your home -- that's the main draw for mosquitoes.
Avoid floral or fruity scented soaps: More than 60 percent of what a mosquito smells comes from
soap, rather than natural body odors.
Use a fan. Studies show citronella candles don't do much to keep away mosquitoes. So try a fan instead.
Wear long pants and sleeves that are loose-fitting.
If you do get bitten, the CDC recommends using an ice pack and antihistamine cream.
At their regular meeting on June 19, 2023, the Azusa City Council unanimously adopted the City’s first-ever two-year Budget (Representing Fiscal Years 2023-2024 and 2024-2025).
The City’s balanced budget includes General Fund Budgets of $60.3 and $61.8 million respectively for FY 23/24 and 24/25 and an overall Citywide Budget of $207.2 million, with projected surpluses of $2.8M and $2.5M respectively. The City’s budget also included an increase in total General Fund reserves to $49.6 million by the end of FY 24/25, up from a negative $4 million approximately ten years ago.
The move to a two-year budget cycle will also provide for greater efficiencies and more proactive planning for long-term investments, while allowing for the same level of input throughout the year from the City Council and broader community.
Following input from a strategic goals and priorities workshop earlier this year and a budget study session on May 30th, key budget highlights include continued investments in critical infrastructure such as downtown enhancements and citywide street and sidewalk improvements, ongoing modernization projects of various community facilities, and support of the City’s public safety efforts and initiatives centered on addressing homelessness.
Other budget highlights include renewed support for local non-profits and veterans’ resources, expansion of community programming to underserved neighborhoods in our community, and upcoming celebratory events commemorating the City’s 125th anniversary.
For additional information about the City’s budget, please visit the Azusa City website or contact the City’s Finance Division at 626-812-5203
The City of Chino is considering another annexation project near its western border called the East End Annexation.
The boundaries are south of Francis Avenue, west of East End Avenue, north of Philadelphia Street, and a small portion south of Philadelphia Street.
The pre-zoning would change the land from single residential at 20,000 square feet minimum lots and regional industrial to light industrial and general industrial.
The zone change would allow industrial uses on previously residential land.
The light industrial zoning allows for manufacturing uses that produce limited amounts of traffic, noise, odors, or pollutants.
Included in the annexation is a request by Golden Management Services, Inc. to subdivide 4 acres of land within the 56.87 acres at the northwest corner of Philadelphia Street and East End Avenue into three parcels, along with a request to develop three industrial buildings totaling 63,900-square-feet on these parcels.
Information: Kim Le, Associate Planner, (909) 334-3330 or email kle@cityofchino.org
The City of Chino Hills has broken ground on the City’s new 1,2,3-Trichloropropane (TCP) water treatment facility, a project that will allow the City to reactivate six City-owned wells and reduce dependence on costly imported water. The new treatment facility will be located on Eucalyptus Avenue, adjacent to Boys Republic near the intersection of Eucalyptus Avenue and Pipeline Avenue. Once completed in late 2024, the water treatment facility will allow the City to provide an additional local source of high-quality drinking water that is clean, safe, drought-proof, and cost-effective.
the California State Water Resources Control Board changed the acceptable levels of TCP allowed in drinking water. TCP is a contaminant substance found in pesticides, paint, varnish remover, and degreasing agents, and used as a cleaning and maintenance solvent. As a result, many cities across California, including Chino Hills, were required to inactivate City-owned wells until they could construct a new water treatment plant to remove TCP from the water and meet the new, more stringent State and Federal drinking water standards.
As of now, the City of Chino Hills purchases and imports treated surface water from the Metropolitan Water District via the Water Facilities Authority (WFA) in Upland, and the Monte Vista Water District (MVWD) in Montclair at a cost of over $1 million per year. These sources of imported water are subject to rising costs that are out of the City’s control and are subject to allocation and limitations based on the current drought status. Once operational, the new facility will treat approximately 2,000 gallons of water per minute, producing nearly 3 million gallons of clean water per day for Chino Hills residents, and reducing the City’s reliance on imported water by over 75 percent.
Water treatment consists of two types of processes, granular activated carbon (GAC) to remove 1,2,3-TCP, and ion exchange to remove nitrates and perchlorate. Groundwater enters the City of Chino Hills distribution system from the Chino Basin Desalter Authority, WFA, MVWD, and from City wells via transmission lines, then enters a distribution network where it is pressurized. All City-owned wells will pump to the new facility where the water will be treated through advanced technology and eight GAC treatment vessels to filter the water and remove TCP. Once the water is treated and meets the more stringent drinking water standards, it is then retested before being delivered to local homes and businesses through the City of Chino Hills’ 21,600 service connections.
The project will cost approximately $16.5 million to construct and funding is provided through the City of Chino Hills Water Utility Fund. Work is being performed by the City’s contractor Garney Pacific. For more information about the project, please visit www.chinohills.org/123TCP.
On July 11, 2023, the City Council adopted a General Plan Amendment (#23-GPA01), City of Claremont Housing Element Update – 6th Cycle (2021-2029), and Certification of Related Environmental Impact Report.
Discussion of inclusion of opportunity sites listed in the 2021-2029 Housing Element Update was segmented so that Councilmembers with actual or potential financial conflicts of interest could recuse themselves and not participate in making a decision on inclusion of those sites to which they have an interest.
Following the public hearing, a vote by the full City Council was held to adopt a resolution adopting the 2021-2029 Housing Element Update and certifying the environmental impact report as presented. The City Council also directed staff to work with the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) to explore whether HCD would conditionally certify the Housing Element Update if it were amended to incorporate the following changes: (1) reduce the density of Site 40 (the Tennis Club at 840 S. Indian Hill Blvd.) from RM 2000 to RM 4000; and (2) explore reducing the density of Sites 41, 42, 43, and 44 (in north Claremont) and adding additional sites in north Claremont, provided this change did not reduce total number of units in north Claremont.
The interchange of the 57 and 60 freeways is considered the worst truck bottleneck in California, but a multimillion-dollar project to fix it has now entered its final stage of construction.
The confluence is a massive merging of 17 lanes of freeway into just 14 lanes. It passes through Diamond Bar and the City of Industry and ranks among the highest in traffic delays and truck accidents.
The 57/60 Confluence Project has been in the works for nearly 20 years but will officially enter its final phase of construction this month.
The current issues that are set to be addressed include "lane drops," which lead to dangerous weaving between drivers.
The project will rearrange connecting ramps and add general use and bypass lanes to help alleviate congestion, improve road safety and air quality.
The changes will also affect nearby ports.
The total cost for the project is $444.12 million. It's partly funded by Los Angeles County taxpayers via the passage of Measure M.
The project is expected to be completed by July 2028.
The City of La Puente’s Beautification Program is available for owner-occupied, single-family applicants
residing in detached dwellings within City limits. Under the program, low-income residents can participate
in services that include landscape maintenance, minor exterior home repairs, removal of inoperable
vehicles, clutter, and debris.
The City shall determine the eligibility and priority of all beautification work prior to award. The City
reserves the right to deny requests if the application and/or the repairs do not conform to the program guidelines.
Household Size Approved Income
1 $66,750
2 $76,250
3 $85,800
4 $95,300
5 $102,950
6 $110,550
7 $118,200
8 $125,800
If you are interested in the programs, please complete the application and return it to the Community
Outreach Division at the City Hall, 15900 East Main Street, La Puente, CA 91744. If you have any
questions, please contact Ms. Kimberly Cardona, Community Resources Technician at (626) 855-1548,
Monday through Thursday from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Fridays from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m
More information can be found on the La Puente website link: https://lapuente.org/city-documents/pros-team/Beautification-Program-Application-.pdf
Cenntro Electric Group Limited an EV and alternative fuel technology company with advanced, market-validated electric commercial vehicles, announced the addition of an assembly plant in Ontario, California. The facility has been under preparation and is scheduled to be operational this quarter, allowing the company to expand sales and large-scale deployment on the West Coast.
The Ontario facility is Cenntro’s third assembly facility in the U.S., joining assembly plants in Jacksonville, Florida, and Howell, New Jersey. Since opening in the first quarter of 2023, both facilities have moved from pilot production to full-scale assembly and deliveries to Cenntro customers in the U.S. Both the Jacksonville and Howell sites assemble and support Cenntro’s North American commercial EV portfolio including the Class 4 LS400, the Metro, and the Teemak. Vehicles produced at the Jacksonville facility support sales and distribution in the Southeastern region while the Howell facility supports the Northeastern region of the United States.
Effective July 1, 2023, Athens Services will provide recycling, organics, and waste collection services for single family residences, multifamily properties, and commercial businesses within the City. If you have any questions or concerns regarding services available, please contact the Athens Customer Care Center at (888)314-0061or visit www.AthensPomona.com
A key approval officially opening up the possibility of a Los Angeles-to-Las Vegas high-speed rail connection occurred this week.
The environmental review and permitting process for the stretch of Brightline West’s planned Victor Valley-to-Rancho Cucamonga, California high-speed rail line was finished Wednesday.
In that, the Federal Railroad Administration found no significant environmental impacts for the planned 49-mile line that would be part of the Las Vegas-to-Southern California high-speed rail project. The track would run within the right of way of Interstate 15.
Two stations would be part of this stretch of Brightline’s system, one in Hesperia and one in Rancho Cucamonga. The Hesperia station previously received environmental approval and will feature the system’s maintenance facility.
The full Las Vegas-to-Rancho Cucamonga rail line is projected to cost $12 billion and will span 218 miles, featuring a Southern Nevada passenger station at Las Vegas Boulevard and Blue Diamond Road. The environmental assessment for the Las Vegas-to-Apple Valley portion was approved in 2011 and reviewed in 2020.
The rail line will be powered via overhead electric catenary with a power substation set to be built near Hesperia. Last month Brightline was awarded $25 million in grant funding to go toward building passenger rail stations in Southern California.
Trains are planned to run on daily one-hour headways, with a trip between Hesperia and Rancho Cucamonga expected to take 35 minutes. Brightline’s service will be timed with Metrolink in Rancho Cucamonga to allow riders to link into the Los Angeles area.
With the environmental approval in place, Brightline is still on track to break ground on the long-talked-about project at the end of the year, with the goal of operations beginning in 2027.
Brightline also is awaiting word on what amount, if any, it will receive from a $3.75 billion grant the company and the Nevada Department of Transportation applied for earlier this year from the Federal-State Partnership Program.
Whatever money is awarded would go toward the construction of the rail line, with the remainder of the costs to be paid for via tax-exempt private activity bond allocation from both Nevada and California and private capital.
The City of Upland would like to inform new residents/business and existing residents/businesses of what is required to start new water and sewer services.
To start utility service in the City of Upland, please visit the Upland Utility Billing Office inside City Hall located at 460 N. Euclid Avenue Upland, CA 91786.
To Establish a New Account, the Following is Required:
*Service Address (property address and unit number if applicable).
*Name (first and last).
*Phone Number and Secondary Phone Number (if available).
*Driver's License Number and/or Passport Number.
*Social Security Number or Federal Tax ID Number.
*Owner’s Proof of Ownership (final settlement statement or grant deed.
*Renter’s Prior Authorization from Property Owner or Property Manager.
*Deposit of $215 (or more depending on residence).
*Payment and account information must be received before service is established.
All new services or cancellations take one business day to process. Please keep in mind, the City is closed every Friday, weekends and holidays.
The City of Upland accepts the following payment methods: cash, cashier’s check, money order and debit/credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Discover).
A link to the application can be found here: https://www.uplandca.gov/uploads/files/Finance/Utility%20Billing/NEW%20SERVICE%20APPLICATION.pdf
On Wednesday, June 28, 2023, the Walnut City Council adopted its 2023/2024 Fiscal Year operating budget and Capital Improvement Plan at the City Council meeting. The budget report and supporting documents provides a clear outline of the City’s pledge to fiscal responsibility.
This includes growing General Fund reserves and a projected budget surplus of $2.7 million, nearly $4 million to fund important capital projects (improvements to parks, infrastructure, etc.), support for increased public safety with the expansion of targeted Sheriff patrols, and the continuation of a multitude of programs for our youth and senior community.
The City’s $28 million budget is a guiding document that focuses on the fundamental values of Walnut, which is to maintain a safe, clean and beautiful city with outstanding facilities and services available to residents, businesses, and visitors.
During the Public Hearing, all Councilmembers relayed their gratitude to staff and the community prior to unanimously approving the budget document. In only two short years, the City has been able to increase its reserve balance by $5.2 million.
Further, enhancement of resources to Public Safety services has resulted in a double-digit reduction in crime year-over-year. Funds have been committed to this cause without any tax increases or proposed ballot measure(s) that would burden Walnut residents with new levies.
The adopted budget will be available on the City’s website at cityofwalnut.org/budget.
The West Covina City Council approved its 2023-to-2024 budget 5-0 during its June 6 City Council meeting.
The city adopted the spending plan amid some residents’ opposition to the city’s 2021 acquisition and continued operation of the Sportsplex, a recreation facility whose amenities include playing fields, a pavilion, playgrounds and restaurants. It was formerly known as Big League Dreams.
West Covina’s projected operating and capital improvement expenditures are more than $129 million for the year. The Sportsplex is part of the capital improvement plan budget, which totals more than $24 million. While it is included in the expenditures total, it is primarily funded by special revenue funds and grants obtained through third-party sources.
Last fall, the city published proposals for vendors to lease and operate one or both of the two full-service clubhouse restaurants with bars located within the Sportsplex facility, but so far has not received any bids, according to assistant City Manager Roxanne E. Lerma. Add this to the dwindled field usage, and the city is seeing a net loss.
General fund expenditures are projected to be over $66.5 million — a $2.6 million increase from the current fiscal year’s original budget. For the upcoming fiscal year, while overtime pay is noted as the highest expenditure, an estimated $853,915 is slotted to be spent on the Sportsplex, with estimated revenue of only $161,567 — putting the city about $600,000 in the hole.
The full budget can be found at:
www.westcovina.org/departments/finance/budget-finance-reports/annual-budget.