SGV Weekly Council preview

Alright, City Hall fans. It’s that time again. This week’s theme: new employees and their salaries.

In Glendora, Josh Betta will be introduced as the new finance director, and Jeffery Kugel as the director of planning and redevelopment. Betta, who was once investigated for vulgar outbreaks, comes to the city from South Pasadena. Kugel is a Glendora resident, and previouslyworked for Covina.

Also on the agenda is the discussion of an 125-bed assisted living facility proposed at Gladstone and Bonnie Cove.

Sierra Madre will also welcome a new staffer: Danny Castro, set to be the city’s new development services director. Sierra Madre-centric blog posted this about him last month.

Alhambra City Council is considering changing its firework ordinance. It will also vote on whether to reinstate the currently frozen position of Deputy Director of Utilities. The salary will be $65,680.

In La Puente, reporter Tania Chatila points out that the city attorney stands to get a raise. The city’s budget was adjusted to include an additional $50,000 for legal fees for City Attorney James Casso. Casso also represents South El Monte’s redevelopment commission and the Water Replenishment District of Southern California.

Odds and ends:

I spotted this on Duarte’s agenda for Tuesday’s meeting: “7. FITNESS WARM-UP. Donna Georgino.” Reporter Bethania Palma tells me that the council and audience member do stretches before their meetings. Really?!?!?!?! Also on the agenda is a resolution designating an additional assistant city attorney.

Following the path that most San Gabriel Valley cities have already wandered, Pico Rivera will consider adopting an ordinance prohibiting medical marijuana dispensaries in the city.

In Rosemead, Wal-Mart is back on the agenda. Only this time, it’s about a traffic light. Residents want a traffic light and the traffic commission agrees that one is needed. But after a traffic study, the city staff is saying there is no need for a traffic light because traffic is, well, light. If the Council approves the traffic commissions decision, it could cost the city “six-figures,” said City Manager Oliver Chi.

With nearly 15 cities meeting this week, I'm sure I left some highlights out. Let me know!