City Manager’s BIWEEKLY BRIEFING June 6, 2016 ADMINISTRATION Safe and Sane Fireworks—The Fourth Upcoming Events of July is slowly approaching a time to be with family in celebration. If you are 21st Annual Kids going to use fireworks, safe and sane Come First Golf fireworks may only be discharged on Tournament— July 4th from noon to midnight and only June10th 7:00 a.m. in designated areas. San Dimas Canyon Golf Course. Fireworks are NOT allowed in the following areas: Viva Lucha Libre Film North of Sierra Madre Avenue and Adult Summer In City Parks Reading Kick Off In parking lots, alleys and schools Party— June 25th 12:00 p.m. You must be at least 18 years of age to purchase fireworks. There is a zero tolerance for Library Auditorium illegal displays and fines up to $1,000 for each infraction. The Police Department will be enforcing all applicable laws and will issue fines starting at $250 and up to $1,000. 626 Golden Streets— June 26th Click here Click here to view a video for further information to learn how to stay safe this Fourth of for more information. July. The Biweekly Briefing The City’s Fireworks Discharge Zones Map is available here. is a publication from the City Manager’s Office. For questions or INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY comments, please contact: Website now available in your Language preference!—The City is pleased to [email protected] announce the City’s Website is available in over 100 languages. Simply select your language preference to enjoy the City’s services. Stay Connected—Are you following us? Stay informed and learn what’s happening in your community by following us on our social media platforms. @CityOfAzusa @AzusaPD @AzusaCity City of Azusa 213 East Foothill Boulevard Azusa, California 91702 626.812.5200 www.ci.azusa.ca.us 1 BIWEEKLY BRIEFING PUBLIC WORKS Downtown Parking Structure Art Components—In December 2015, the City entered into an agreement with Jose Antonio Aguirre, the Downtown Azusa Gold Line Station artist, to provide exterior art enhancements to the Downtown Parking Structure. This agreement included the fabrication of the Azusa "A" iconic monument structure to be installed adjacent to Azusa Avenue. In addition, the artist entered into a separate agreement with Foothill Transit to develop a mosaic mural on the south wall of the parking structure. The iconic monument structure, which is made of granite, was scheduled to be completed by the end of April 2016. However, the size and weight of the granite has created some challenges for the artist. Jose Antonio Aguirre is currently working diligently to find a creative solution that will yield the quality product expected by the City and is expected to complete the product by the end of September 2016. The mosaic mural that will aesthetically enhance the south wall is expected to be completed by the end of December 2016. City of Azusa 213 East Foothill Boulevard Azusa, California 91702 626.812.5200 www.ci.azusa.ca.us 2 BIWEEKLY BRIEFING Public Works (Continued) Azusa Downtown Gold Line Station Parking Impacts—The Azusa Downtown Gold Line Station is served by a newly constructed parking structure just north of the station, offering parking to Metro Gold Line, Foothill Transit, and general City use. Though, the opening of the Gold Line has created a significant parking impact to several streets near the Azusa Downtown Station. In response to concerns expressed by residents and businesses, the City Council voted on May 2, 2016 to implement parking restrictions on City streets and public parking lots near the Azusa Downtown Station. Parking restrictions will be established in two separate zones, as illustrated in the exhibit, consisting of 3-hour restrictions between the hours of 6:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except by permit. Residents living in the restricted areas will be offered no-fee annual permits allowing them to exceed the time limitations on residential streets. To alleviate some of the parking impacts, Staff is working with Metro to find short-term and long-term solutions including the possibility of temporarily making the City-owned parking spaces in the parking structure available for Gold Line riders. Another option available to Azusa residents is the City's shuttle service to and from the Azusa Downtown Gold Line Station. For more information about these services, please contact Staff at (626) 812-5206. City of Azusa 213 East Foothill Boulevard Azusa, California 91702 626.812.5200 www.ci.azusa.ca.us 3 BIWEEKLY BRIEFING Public Works (Continued) Azusa Avenue Rail Crossing Signal Timing—Metro Officials recently analyzed the current signal timing at the Azusa Avenue rail crossing and found the timing to be in accordance with their regulations. Staff will monitor current traffic conditions and perform its own analysis if warranted. Any recommendations from this analysis will be discussed with Metro for implementation. Traffic Management System—The City was recently awarded a $3.5 million grant from the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority for a traffic management system. This project will modernize antiquated and/or deteriorated signalized intersections to improve regional traffic flow along major corridors in the City including Foothill Boulevard, Alosta Avenue, Azusa Avenue, Irwindale Avenue, San Gabriel Avenue, Citrus Avenue, First Street, and Baseline Road. These improvements will promote coordinated traffic operations with neighboring cities and multi-jurisdictional cooperation with the ultimate goal of improving mobility and alleviating congestion by remotely controlling the synchronization and timing of the intersections to maximize traffic flow. Downtown Infrastructure Painting—In an effort to enhance the downtown aesthetics, a City contractor is currently repainting all the existing street lights, traffic signal poles, and utility boxes along the downtown corridor. RECREATION AND FAMILY SERVICES Recreation and Park Division 2016 Azusa Golden Days Theme— The 2016 Golden Days theme chosen by students from Murray Elementary School is "Golden Days and Beyond!" Azusa Golden Days Honored Citizen Nomination—Do you know someone who is at least 60 years of age and has been a resident for at least 25 years and deserves to be an honored citizen? If so, nominate them for Azusa Golden Days Honored Citizen. Two residents will be chosen. The nominees should be physically able, willing and available to attend Golden Days functions. Present residency is not a requirement. Entry forms are available at the City Clerk’s Office or Memorial Park North Recreation Center. Completed forms must be returned to City Hall or mailed to Golden Days Committee by August 4, 2016 to: Honored Citizen c/o Azusa Golden Day 320 N. Orange Place, Azusa, CA 91702. Azusa Wins Playful City USA Recognition for 4th Consecutive Year—The City has received the distinction of a 2016 Playful City USA. The National Award is in response to the City's efforts to focus on play and the ability to create kid friendly, family friendly communities. Congratulations! Return of the Rubber Ducky Regatta—The Rubber Ducky Regatta will make its return on August 27, 2016. Join us for a morning of fun! Event includes breakfast, lunch, music, raffles and free swim. $10 duckies are available for purchase at Memorial Park North Recreation Center. For more information please call (626)812-5280. City of Azusa 213 East Foothill Boulevard Azusa, California 91702 626.812.5200 www.ci.azusa.ca.us 4 BIWEEKLY BRIEFING Recreation and Park Division (Continued) The 58th Annual Jr. Olympic Track Meet was held April 23 rd at Azusa Pacific University The City is awarded Free Summer Concert by the Arts Commission and L.A. County Supervisor Hilda Solis—The Recreation and Family Services Department has received a grant from the Los Angeles County Arts Commission for a free Summer Concert Thursday August th at Memorial Park. The concert featuring the popular Latin Band Opa Opa will effectively extend the Azusa Light & Water sponsored Summer Concert Series one additional week to a record seven consecutive Thursday25 evenings in 2016! OPA OPA is a Los Angeles based band featuring rich percussive rhythms, unique vocals and robust brassy horns. They specialize in Latin music of all styles including salsa, cumbia, corridos, norten o, cha cha and bolero. The band also has a nice R&B, funk, jazz, and american standards repertoire. OPA OPA performs at major events and concert venues in the Los Angeles area and beyond. City of Azusa 213 East Foothill Boulevard Azusa, California 91702 626.812.5200 www.ci.azusa.ca.us 5 BIWEEKLY BRIEFING ECONOMIC AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT The City has partnered with SCORE—The City has partnered with SCORE a nonprofit association dedicated to helping small businesses achieve their goals through workshops and individual mentorship at NO COST. Please join us for the next SCORE workshop, “CrowdFunding: How to Run an Effective Campaign to Raise Money & Get New Customers” on June 9th at 6:00 p.m. The workshop will take place at the Senior Center 740 N. Dalton Avenue. To register click here. For more information contact Carina Campos at [email protected] or (626)812-5102. ICSC RECon 2016— The City had the privileged of attending the world’s largest retail real estate exhibition and conference with the San Gabriel Valley Economic Partnership. The City exhibited marketing collateral highlighting the up and coming development projects as well as the benefits of doing business in Azusa. Staff met with potential retailers and shared the Azusa story and was available to answer questions. At this time, Staff and Developers are collaborating in making Azusa their next stop. City of Azusa APA Merit Winner—The American Planning Association Los Angeles awarded the City the Award of Merit for Economic Planning and Development for it’s Transit Oriented Development (TOD) Specific Plan.