June 2010 Archives
MONTCLAIR - By incorporating a hoped-for agreement with city employees to take pay cuts, the City Council this week approved its 2010-11 budget.
City employees are being asked to take off 80 furlough hours in the 2010-11 fiscal year as well as pick up a larger share of pension contributions to help balance the city's budget.
The steps represent a savings of about $900,000, officials said.
"We are still in negotiations, but we can produce a balanced budget by borrowing from the federal reserves," Acting City Manager Ed Starr said.
The city's preliminary 2010-11 budget report, which was presented last week to the City Council, included furlough hours being taken by members of the Montclair Fire Fighters Association and the San Bernardino Public Employees Association as well as a 6 percent additional pension contribution.
While management employees have agreed to accept the proposed reductions, a tentative agreement with the two labor groups is pending.
"I believe that the bargaining units will cooperate seeing that the city's fiscal situation is as serious as it is and that we do need their cooperation in order to produce a balanced budget," Starr said.
Council members on Monday agreed to a reduction in their benefits, which saved about $9,000. Each member agreed to suspend their $150 a month allowance, which goes into a retirement plan.
They also agreed to the same reductions for the 2009-10 budget.
"Last year, (the council) felt that it is important that if we are asking our city employees to give up some of their compensations ... I think the City Council should do something," Councilman John Dutrey said.
Dutrey cautioned city employees to be "more cautious on overtime."
"This economy is still in a very poor condition and there is no guarantee we have hit bottom ... We still have to be careful that our reserves will decline, that is a possibility," he said.
City officials and council members have scheduled a strategic planning workshop for January 2011 that will look at the city's revenue and services.
City employees are being asked to take off 80 furlough hours in the 2010-11 fiscal year as well as pick up a larger share of pension contributions to help balance the city's budget.
The steps represent a savings of about $900,000, officials said.
"We are still in negotiations, but we can produce a balanced budget by borrowing from the federal reserves," Acting City Manager Ed Starr said.
The city's preliminary 2010-11 budget report, which was presented last week to the City Council, included furlough hours being taken by members of the Montclair Fire Fighters Association and the San Bernardino Public Employees Association as well as a 6 percent additional pension contribution.
While management employees have agreed to accept the proposed reductions, a tentative agreement with the two labor groups is pending.
"I believe that the bargaining units will cooperate seeing that the city's fiscal situation is as serious as it is and that we do need their cooperation in order to produce a balanced budget," Starr said.
Council members on Monday agreed to a reduction in their benefits, which saved about $9,000. Each member agreed to suspend their $150 a month allowance, which goes into a retirement plan.
They also agreed to the same reductions for the 2009-10 budget.
"Last year, (the council) felt that it is important that if we are asking our city employees to give up some of their compensations ... I think the City Council should do something," Councilman John Dutrey said.
Dutrey cautioned city employees to be "more cautious on overtime."
"This economy is still in a very poor condition and there is no guarantee we have hit bottom ... We still have to be careful that our reserves will decline, that is a possibility," he said.
City officials and council members have scheduled a strategic planning workshop for January 2011 that will look at the city's revenue and services.
The Montclair San Marino Senior Project was selected as one of three finalists in the nation for receipt of the 2010 National Association of Home Builders Pillars of Industry award for Best Creative Financing of an Affordable Housing Community.
National Community Renaissance of California (National CORE) entered the Montclair San Marino Senior Project into consideration for a National Association of Home Builders Pillars of Industry award.
The project was entered into the category of "Best Creative Financing of an Affordable Housing Community."
The senior project broke new financial ground with a combination of Redevelopment Agency funds, HUD 202 funds for senior projects, and Low-Income Housing Tax Credits.
The announcement was made June 15.
Last month the mobile driver training simulator was delivered to Fire Station No. 1.
The simulator will travel to all participating agencies to enhance current driver-training programs.
Drivers can now safely train in the simulator training environment before being exposed to real driving conditions.
Incorporation of driver training programs across the United States has proven successful in the reduction of department at-fault traffic collisions through the use of the driver-training simulator.
All Montclair Fire personnel who drive a city vehicle will have the opportunity to train using the simulator. Eventually all city employees required to drive city vehicles will undergo the same training.
This joint-use simulator was purchased through a Department of Homeland Security Assistance to Firefighters Regional Grant -- 20 percent of the cost was shared by the cities of Montclair, Ontario, Upland, Rancho Cucamonga, Redlands, and Loma Linda.
Fire suppression personnel participated in an auto-extrication equipment familiarization drill last week.
The drill was coordinated by Cpt. Bob Crouch and presented by Auto Extrication Spc. Randy Babbitt from FS3 Holmatro Rescue Equipment Company, which specializes in auto extrication equipment for the fire service.
Fire personnel practiced new techniques with current Fire Department equipment and familiarized themselves with a variety of new types of extrication equipment.
The training focused on extrication of newer model vehicles and the concerns of working around an undeployed air-bag system.
Associate Planner Carol Frazier-Burton joined the ranks of the retired last week after 22 years with the city.
To help Frazier-Burton celebrate the beginning of a new chapter in her life, a small contingent of employees treated her to lunch on June17 at Spaggi's in Upland, and a cake reception was enjoyed by staff in the afternoon at City Hall.
Frazier-Burton joined the city family in 1988 after working in Code Enforcement for Anaheim for seven years.
Frazier-Burton transitioned to the planning division in 1992 when the Fire Department assumed responsibility for Code Enforcement.
She was involved in a number of residential, commercial, and industrial development projects during her long tenure. Her steadfastness in "holding her ground" with difficult applicants is a quality that will be missed by Community Development staff, along with her knowledge of the community and good sense of humor.
This month Montclair Mini School children and their parents participated in a Reading Rockets Program.
Parents were encouraged to read books with their children. When they completed a book, parents turned in a form and the students received a certificate and a bookmark.
The "Reading Rockets" theme led to the "Everyone is a Star" promotion theme.
Late last week, 46 students participated in promotion ceremonies, attended by approximately 100 family members on each day.
A crowd of just about 300 people wished City Manager Lee McDougal a warm, grateful and generous retirement farewell after 36 years of public service.
Employees, family and friends celebrated with Lee at Pacific Palms Resort in the City of Industry.
Lee dedicated 34 with the city, and nearly 18 years as Montclair City Manager.
Dignitaries from throughout the Inland Empire attended the celebration to present Lee with well wishes and friendly offerings.
Lee was also the center of several roasts offered up by family, friends, Chaffey College and University of Riverside associates, and city employees.
The roasts, offered in good humor, centered on Lee's love of golf and his unique management style.
Sitting at a table surrounded by family members, Lee was repeatedly called up to the stage to receive gifts and expressions of gratitude.
Mayor Paul Eaton, and council members John Dutrey, Leonard Paulitz and Carolyn Raft referred to Lee as the "captain" who led Montclair through times of joy and times of difficulty--and he did it successfully with conviction, dedication, and a sense of fairness and purpose.
Councilman Bill Ruh was unable to attend due to business-related responsibilities in Sacramento.
In the gracious, humorous, caring, and personable style that are hallmarks of Lee's personality, he returned to the attendees the same gratitude expressed to him.
He made a $500 donation to the city towards the median island monument sign program; and he offered to his executive managers and assistant gifts that expressed his gratitude for their loyalty and hard work, and humorously reflected his long but unsuccessful battle to inter-connect and synchronize clocks at City Hall.
After 34 years with the city, Lee now moves on to a retirement filled with a wide range of activities and continuing commitments to a number of regional governing boards.
Montclair chamber of commerce will host a installation of officers and directors awards & recognition luncheon.
The luncheon is at 11:30 a.m. June 29 at John's Incredible Pizza, fusion room, 5280 Arrow Highway.
Join the chamber:
- Welcome back incoming chair Rosa Rangel of Montclair Florist
- Say goodbye to outgoing directors Jeff Fuller of Ameriprise Financial and Sherrie Guerrero of Chaffey College
- Install Officers Corina Christiansen and Chris Carpenter
- Install Directors Larry Martin, Kathy Tietz, Sue Stedman, Jeff Marshburn, Bobby Hyde, Yvonne DeLeon, Henry Anchondo, Sid Burks and Dana Cox
- Honor their ambassadors and thank the Chairman's Circle Members
Cost: $25 per person.
Call for reservations: 909-624-4569
Chino Basin Water Conservation District will offer a variety of landscape workshops to help conserve water outdoors.
Residents are invited to attend any or all water wise workshops. Handouts, water wise giveaways and snacks included.
The event is from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. June 26 at Chino Basin Water
Conservation District, 4594 San Bernardino St.
Information: www.cbwcd.org or 909-626-2711 or cvermette@cbwcd.org
Don't know what to do with those old printers, laptop or cell phones?
Montclair Chamber of Commerce will host a E-cycle day from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. June 26 at the chamber offices, 5220 Benito St.
Computers, monitors, copiers, scanners, fax machines, DVD/VCR players, car batteries are welcome.
Household batteries or hazardous waste will not be accepted.
Bring in your E-waste and help Montclair Go Green.
Information: www.ewaste4u.com
MONTCLAIR - City employees will be asked to take off 80 furlough hours this year to order help the city balance its 2010-11 budget.
City staff will meet with employee bargaining groups this week asking them to accept the furlough hours as well as pick up a larger share of pension contribution.
The steps represent a savings of about $900,000 to help balance the city's budget, officials said.
Should the employees not consider or reject the city's offer, another alternative is layoffs.
"Having gone through the budget and making every cut we could conceivably produce with out seriously eroding services in the organization, it is our recommendation to the City Council tonight that you would consider personnel cost reduction," said Ed Starr, Montclair's acting city manager, at a meeting Tuesday.
City staff will meet with employee bargaining groups this week asking them to accept the furlough hours as well as pick up a larger share of pension contribution.
The steps represent a savings of about $900,000 to help balance the city's budget, officials said.
Should the employees not consider or reject the city's offer, another alternative is layoffs.
"Having gone through the budget and making every cut we could conceivably produce with out seriously eroding services in the organization, it is our recommendation to the City Council tonight that you would consider personnel cost reduction," said Ed Starr, Montclair's acting city manager, at a meeting Tuesday.
Continue reading Montclair employees to negotiate furloughs and pension .
MONTCLAIR - It pays to shop.
Montclair Plaza on Tuesday awarded five schools $10,000 as part of its My School's Cool award ceremony.
The plaza's program encourages shoppers to bring their mall receipts to the customer service center to receive points for each dollar spent.
Magnolia Elementary School in Upland was the big winner with $5,000.
Montvue Elementary School in Pomona received $3,000 and Pioneer Junior High School in Upland received $1,000.
Pepper Tree Elementary School in Upland was awarded $750 and Yorba Elementary School in Pomona received $250.
"It's incredible for them to hand us $5,000 - it's priceless," said Tammy Anderson, PTA president at Magnolia Elementary.
The program, now in its seventh year, has awarded more than $50,000 to schools.
If it wasn't for the extra money, Magnolia Elementary in the 2009-10 school year wouldn't have been able to provide transportation for its students for field trips, Anderson said.
"This year, we hope to use the money to help fund our art and music teachers as well as to create a wellness program because our younger students lost their physical education program," she said.
Since My School's Cool program was such a huge success, the program is expected to return in September. There will be a kick-off meeting in August to enroll more schools.
The cash awards for the next program will increase to $20,000.
"My School's Cool is an easy way for the community to get involved with our local schools," said Larry Martin, Montclair Plaza general manager.
Interested applicants can call 909-626-2501, ext. 0.
Montclair Plaza on Tuesday awarded five schools $10,000 as part of its My School's Cool award ceremony.
The plaza's program encourages shoppers to bring their mall receipts to the customer service center to receive points for each dollar spent.
Magnolia Elementary School in Upland was the big winner with $5,000.
Montvue Elementary School in Pomona received $3,000 and Pioneer Junior High School in Upland received $1,000.
Pepper Tree Elementary School in Upland was awarded $750 and Yorba Elementary School in Pomona received $250.
"It's incredible for them to hand us $5,000 - it's priceless," said Tammy Anderson, PTA president at Magnolia Elementary.
The program, now in its seventh year, has awarded more than $50,000 to schools.
If it wasn't for the extra money, Magnolia Elementary in the 2009-10 school year wouldn't have been able to provide transportation for its students for field trips, Anderson said.
"This year, we hope to use the money to help fund our art and music teachers as well as to create a wellness program because our younger students lost their physical education program," she said.
Since My School's Cool program was such a huge success, the program is expected to return in September. There will be a kick-off meeting in August to enroll more schools.
The cash awards for the next program will increase to $20,000.
"My School's Cool is an easy way for the community to get involved with our local schools," said Larry Martin, Montclair Plaza general manager.
Interested applicants can call 909-626-2501, ext. 0.
When Lee McDougal first became city manager he expected to be assigned a half a dozen tasks.
He said some of the assignments were things the City Council wanted accomplished in the past but just didn't get done.
"So this was an opportunity for them to say 'I want you to do this and this' and that list grew to 36 and you know what, I got them all done," said McDougal.
"And I think after that first year I proved to them that I could get the job done."
And now after 34 years with the city, 18 of which were spent getting the job done as city manager, McDougal will retire today.
He said some of the assignments were things the City Council wanted accomplished in the past but just didn't get done.
"So this was an opportunity for them to say 'I want you to do this and this' and that list grew to 36 and you know what, I got them all done," said McDougal.
"And I think after that first year I proved to them that I could get the job done."
And now after 34 years with the city, 18 of which were spent getting the job done as city manager, McDougal will retire today.
Continue reading Montclair City Manager Lee McDougal retires .
Montclair's annual Family Fun Festival is here!
Grab your family and friends for the themed event "Building Montclair's Future" that will feature activities for all ages.
For children there will be a performance by the Frisbee catching Disc Dogs, pony rides, and carnival rides and games.
A variety of food vendors, including Tommy's Burgers and hot dogs cooked by the Montclair Fire Fighter's Association, will be available for purchase.
The festival is from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. June 5 at Alma Hofman Park 5201 Benito Street, next to the city's Civic Center.
The event also features from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. a skateboard competition for amateur skateboarders ages 7-18 years old.
Information: (909) 625-9479 or www.cityofmontclair.org.
