Recently in City Manager report Category
MONTCLAIR - In just a few months, City Manager Lee McDougal will say his final goodbyes to the city that he has dedicated three decades to.
"The stars had to line up right and the stars are just about lined up for this to happen," McDougal said.
McDougal, 58, expects to retire in June.
"The stars had to line up right and the stars are just about lined up for this to happen," McDougal said.
McDougal, 58, expects to retire in June.
Continue reading McDougal looking ahead to retirement after 34 years with the city.
Yesterday I posted an entry about Montclair Yamaha's unexpected closing and move out.
I just got a message from Steve Lustro, the city's community development director, explaining the loss to the city.
"Any loss to the City's sales tax base in this economy is significant. Our hope is that the store reopens soon," he said.
There are two vacancies on the Planning Commission, and applications
are being accepted in the City Clerk's office until 6 p.m. on May 7.
To qualify, applicants must be a legally registered voter
in the city of Montclair.
The Planning Commission serves as an advisory body to the City
Council, making decisions and recommendations as to the future
development of the city.
Meetings are held twice monthly, on the
second and fourth Mondays, at 7 p.m. in the City Hall Council
Chambers
- Mayor Paul Eaton is the new Southern California Association of Governments District 09 Regional Council Representative. He was the only candidate in SCAG District 09 to submit his name for candidacy, and, due to the absence of additional declared candidates, the SCAG District 09 Representative election scheduled for April was canceled.
- Community Development staff met with Larry Martin, Montclair Plaza General Manager, and an architectural team working on a new exterior sign and graphics program for the Plaza. The proposal would involve the replacement of nine Plaza identification signs throughout the property, including the landmark 100-foot high pylon sign along Interstate 10. Unfortunately, staff was contacted March 25 by Martin and told that the sign project, along with the proposed renovation of three mall entrances on the north-facing side of the Plaza, have been placed on hold for the time being. Postponement of the work is likely attributable to the continuing financial woes of Montclair Plaza's owner, General Growth Properties.
- Costco has informally submitted revised plans for a proposed car wash just west of the existing gas station. City staff had a number of concerns with the first submittal, which proposed an all-metal building and insufficient on-site circulation improvements. The revised plan proposes a split-face masonry block structure consistent with the warehouse, metal accents, and signage to match that on the main building and gas station. Staff will be reviewing the proposed changes to the parking lot circulation to determine if they are adequate before moving the project forward to the Planning Commission for consideration.
- The city is presently out to bid to replace the underground fuel tanks at the City Yard with new state-of-the-art, above-ground tanks. Bids for this project are scheduled to open on April 2 with construction to begin in late April. Because the existing tanks do not meet the new Air Quality Management Phase II vapor recovery requirements, fuel cannot be placed or dispensed from the tanks, effective April 1. City staff who normally obtain fuel from the City Yard for City vehicles will need to fuel up at the Police Department.
- Last week Economic Development Coordinator Melinda Flores attended a meeting at the invitation of San Bernardino County's Department of Workforce Development, to discuss the Federal Stimulus Package.
Here is a recap of what was discussed at the meeting:
- Funds from the Federal Stimulus Package will be allocated and administered by the San Bernardino County Workforce Investment Board (WIC).
- WIC would like to partner with cities directly for the additional $17 million dollars of stimulus funding.
- An open forum was held to determine funding capabilities and how to best utilize stimulus funding to help spur economic growth.
- The input provided by each city will be evaluated by WIC to determine if city programs meet federal laws.
Click HERE for the full City Manger Report ending March 26.
This week, in anticipation of improvements to the new Youth Center; construction of the new Senior Center; and construction of a parking lot adjacent to the Recreation facility, West Coast Arborists will remove 13 trees on Civic Center grounds.
Work is expected to begin Friday and should be completed in a couple of days.
Replacement trees will be planted once all construction is complete.
Firefighter David Torrez has resigned to accept a Firefighter position with Los Angeles City Fire Department. He completed his last shift with the City yesterday. In May 2009, David would have finished his one year probationary period.
We wish Torrez all the best with his new position.
Fire engineer/paramedic Ed Cook and firefighter/paramedic Chris Jackson recently returned from a four-day, training course related to weapons of mass destruction/explosive device recognition.
The fully funded Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) training course was held in New Mexico and was attended by numerous federal and state public safety entities.
The specialized training course was designed to enhance the ability of fire, law enforcement, and allied professionals to deal more effectively with emergencies related to explosive devices and weapons of mass destruction.
MONTCLAIR -- The fast food restaurant Burger King announced last week it plans to take over the spaced formerly occupied by Starbucks Coffee at the southwest corner of Mission Boulevard and Ramona Avenue.
Representatives from the chair have been talking with city staff for a couple months to ascertain code requirements and sign criteria, but it was not certain whether a submittal would be forthcoming.
As would be expected, Burger King is proposing a significant interior renovation of the space to accommodate a kitchen, service counter, interior seating for approximately 35 guests, and a re-work of the restrooms.
Starbucks vacated the space in 2008 amid the coffee giant's closing 600 stores.
