May 10, 2014 Meeting Summary

Agenda Items:
Preparation
Attendees
Meeting

Preparation

E-mail and phone reminders

Attendees

5 members

Meeting

Agenda Items:

The meeting began about 11:25 am

  • Proposed signal at Sierra Madre Villa / Electronic Drive
    • A traffic signal on Sierra Madre Villa Ave at Electronic Drive has been discussed for many years.  Until last year we were always told that it would have to wait to be funded as a mitigation measure for some massive building project in the business area to the north east.
    • Last year we were told that it was in the Capital Improvement Program (CIP).  Council member Masuda has been championing it.
    • The primary justification for the signal is to make it easier for pedestrians to cross Sierra Madre Villa, an issue particularly during evening rush hour.  Other reasons, not cited in the CIP project summary, would be to ease traffic backups turning left from Sierra Madre Villa Ave or from Electronic Dr.  Some traffic engineers have stated a belief that it would also reduce the number of illegal left turning vehicles from the driveway next to Bed Bath and Beyond.
    • The City Council’s Finance Committee’s last two meetings focused on which CIP projects will be funded for the 2014-2015 fiscal year.  Apparently the April 28 meeting included this topic, but the agenda, recap, or recording of that meeting is not available online currently.
    • The CIP and its proposed budget is online: cityofpasadena.net/PublicWorks/Capital_Improvement_Program/
    • It shows that the traffic signal project
      • was added to the Capital Improvement Program this year
      • it is 31st in priority in the Transportation category
      • the estimated cost is $250,000
      • it is not projected to be funded anytime in the next four years.
    • The City Council is scheduled to vote on Monday May 12 to adopt the proposed CIP budget for 2014-2015.  Interestingly, the heading for this agenda item contains information not included in the April 28 City Council meeting material – the recommendations of the advisory commissions from March.  The Transportation Advisory Commission recommended that this traffic signal and another project be funded.  The agenda item heading is the only place the commission recommendations are mentioned .
  • In memory of Vivian Vacio Perez
    • Vivian Vacio Perez passed away on April 17 at 87 years old.
    • She was born and lived her entire life in our neighborhood.
    • Her grandparents, originally from Durango and Chihuahua, Mexico, moved first to Texas (where her mother was born) and then to our neighborhood around 1916-1918.  Her grandfather worked on building Pasadena City Hall.
    • Vivian attended St. Phillips Catholic School, Woodrow Wilson Jr. High, and Pasadena Junior College (later split into Pasadena High School and Pasadena City College).
    • Vivian married Ruben Perez and raised three daughters, Teresa, Patty and Michele.  She worked at Avon for 25 years.  Ruben passed away in 1994.
    • From a young age, Vivian was involved with the community and volunteered for many groups.
    • Among those groups was our Neighborhood Association.  She was active in earlier incarnations as well as in reviving it in 2005 when the park was finally in progress and we learned about the ice rink project.  Vivian was instrumental in coming up with the name Viña Vieja Park.  She was also one of the honorees in the dedication of the grapevines just north of the dog run area.
    • Vivian was proud of her heritage and became involved with C.O.P.A. – Chicana Organization for Progress in Atzlan.  She served as its President for 18 years.
    • She also volunteered as a greeter and provider of information for many years at the City Hall kiosk.  The City Council adjourned in her honor on April 28.
    • Vivian will be remembered and missed by many friends and family.
  • Local Crime Summary
    • For the last month, from crimemapping.com:
      • Sat April 19, 11:10 am, 3300 block Hermanos St, Domestic Violence
      • Our area and nearby areas were remarkably quiet.
  • anything else attendees wish to discuss
    • Seed Library and Gardening Info at Hill Ave branch library
      • Jennie brought to our attention that the Hill Ave branch library now has a Community Seed Library.
      • There is a gardening class on May 14 at 3 pm.
      • They are starting up a Gardening Club, with the initial meeting on Saturday May 31 at 10:30 am.
      • Hill Avenue Branch library is at 55 S. Hill Avenue.  For more info call 626 744-7264.
    • Trucks on Alameda St
      • Kim reports speaking to Council member Masuda’s office and a representative of Edison about allowing the trucks to access the Pasadena Water and Power lot from Foothill via Edison land instead of using Alameda all the time.  Edison is reportedly not willing to allow it.

Next meeting is June 14, 11:15 am, at Hastings Branch Library

Adjourned about 12:30 pm