www.loscerritosnews.net COMMUNITY NEWS GROUP • MAY 13 , 2011 3 TO ADVERTISE CALL 800-901-7211 Concern expressed about low return on La Palma's General Fund revenue By Larry Caballero La Palma Councilmember Steve Hwangbo expressed concern during the Cash and Investment report over the pal- try 5 percent return on the City’s General Fund revenue at the May 3 city council meeting. City Manager Dominic Lazaretto explained that the City invests in the state’s local investment fund (LAIF) that has paid a reasonable return in the past and has lower management fees than other invest- ments, but he agreed that the City should look into other investment strategies for the future. Several residents shared concerns with the proposed Fiscal Year 2011-12 General Fund Budget, but Rodriguez assured them that it is still in the preliminary stages. “This is just the beginning of the journey.” He encouraged residents to attend public meetings on May 17, Jun. 2 and Jun. 21 when the Draft Budget will be delivered, an informal Q & A on the Budget will take place and the Final Budget will be adopt- ed. The city was presented a Proclama- tion from representatives from the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) to honor the successful completion of Measure M at the May 3 meeting of the city council. The tax amounted to more than $3 million that La Palma was able to use to “improve the quality of lives for our residents and businesses,” said Rodriguez. Concern About City Trees Most residents would rather stay at home on a weeknight rather than attend a local city council meeting, but not in La Palma. It was a packed house May 3 when an item to authorize the City Manager to execute contracts for removal of trees in the frontage medians on Houston Avenue and Walker Street came up for discussion. La Palma Public Works Director and City Engineer Jeff Moneda explained to the Council that curbs and gutters in the area were in need of significant repairs be- cause of the tree roots. “The roots can also cause potential damage to the water and sewage lines as well,” said Moneda. Pine cones landing on residents’ heads as they take their morning strolls and sap on cars were additional issues, as well as maintenance and on-going repair costs. The residents who lived closest to the trees shared the most complaints while neigh- bors in adjacent streets wanted the trees to remain. One neighbor said the trees serve as a windbreaker and help stifle freeway noise while also “sucking up” carbon di- oxide. Another neighbor requested that an environmental impact survey be done be- fore any action is taken, while another de- scribed the trees as “majestic” that helped to raise property values since property owners would enjoy the beauty and gran- deur of the trees. Residents also described, “Waking up in the morning, drinking a cup of coffee, watching the birds, and admiring the trees before heading off to work or school.” One concern expressed by all of the neighbors is what kind of tree, if any, would replace the existing pine trees. “Whatever the Council decides tonight,” said one resi- dent, “there will be consequences.” Rodri- guez stated that the landscape plan would be established in Phase 2 of the repair, and that no selection was being recommended that night. When one resident told the Council that his mother-in-law almost slipped and “killed herself” on a fallen pine cone, an- other said tthere was always a possibility of slipping on something while walking. “She could have slipped on something else. That is one price we pay for being closer to nature.” Another concern voice was about the poor lighting at night because the trees block the streetlights making it dangerous for pedestrians walking. One neighbor ex- pressed concern about increased air con- ditioning costs in the summer if the trees were to be removed. Another resident felt the trees were beautiful, but too large now “and they outgrew their stay.” Former La Palma Mayor Ed Byrne re- minded the Council that the City was once honored as Tree City USA, and “the 110 majestic pines on Houston were partly re- sponsible.” Byrne had surveyed numerous streets in the City and reported that “there are other areas that have similar damage, but no action is being taken to correct them.” Former Mayor Larry Herman said he was neutral on the issue but felt the trees at least needed trimming. “Maybe the roots need to be cut, but that could weaken the trees. They probably are too large for the area. Former City Engineer Ishmile Noorh- bash supported the residents who wanted to preserve the trees and urged the Council “to continue this matter for a later time.” After much deliberation and discussion, the Council voted unanimously to cut down the trees on Walker that were caus- ing extensive damage and had grown into overhead pow- er lines. They also agreed to hire an arborist con- sultant to report back to Council if it is pos- sible to cut the roots of the trees without causing irreparable harm to the trees or jeopardize the public safety. The final de- cision on the trees along Houston will be addressed at a future meeting. Proclamations In recognition of a Peace Officers’ Me- morial Day program scheduled for May 15 in La Palma, Mayor Ralph Rodriguez pre- sented a Proclamation and said, “We honor tonight our law enforcement officers who sacrificed their lives in the line of duty in 2010.” Mayor Rodriguez also honored the Or- ange County Fire Authority representatives by recognizing Arson Prevention Week. In the U.S. over 210,300 fires had been de- liberately set in 2010. OCFA stressed the important role that residents have in help- ing to eliminate this issue. “Don’t create an environment for a fire, and report suspicious activities immediate- ly,” said Rodriguez. Win a Brand New Apple iPad2! Go to: yourcitycoupons.net and click on the Join Now button! Good luck! We are giving away brand new Apple iPads just for becoming a member of Your City Coupons! As a valued member of YCC, you will also start receiving great local coupons sent right to your email! Imagine paying $20 for $40 worth of food at a great local restaurant or $50 for a $150 spa treatment! That‘s what you’ll get as a member of YCC! Plus YCC will take 10% of the proceeds and give back to your favorite charity! PARK PLAZA DRIVE Just North of the Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts, near Wal-Mart. WWW.GOODVEG.ORG WE GLADLY ACCEPT EBT FOOD STAMP CARDS • Luscious Summer Fruits and Vegetables! • Decorative & Garden Plants • Cut Flowers & Much, Much More! • Every Saturday 8am - Noon Last week - winner drawn next week!
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www.loscerritosnews.net COMMUNITY NEWS GROUP • MAY 13 , 2011 3TO ADVERTISE CALL 800-901-7211
Concern expressed about low return on La Palma's General Fund revenueBy Larry Caballero
La Palma Councilmember Steve Hwangbo expressed concern during the Cash and Investment report over the pal-try 5 percent return on the City’s General Fund revenue at the May 3 city council meeting. City Manager Dominic Lazaretto explained that the City invests in the state’s local investment fund (LAIF) that has paid a reasonable return in the past and has lower management fees than other invest-ments, but he agreed that the City should look into other investment strategies for the future.
Several residents shared concerns with the proposed Fiscal Year 2011-12 General Fund Budget, but Rodriguez assured them that it is still in the preliminary stages. “This is just the beginning of the journey.” He encouraged residents to attend public meetings on May 17, Jun. 2 and Jun. 21 when the Draft Budget will be delivered, an informal Q & A on the Budget will take place and the Final Budget will be adopt-ed.
The city was presented a Proclama-tion from representatives from the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) to honor the successful completion of Measure M at the May 3 meeting of the city council. The tax amounted to more than $3 million that La Palma was able to use to “improve the quality of lives for our residents and businesses,” said Rodriguez.Concern About City Trees
Most residents would rather stay at home on a weeknight rather than attend a local city council meeting, but not in La Palma. It was a packed house May 3 when an item to authorize the City Manager to
execute contracts for removal of trees in the frontage medians on Houston Avenue and Walker Street came up for discussion.
La Palma Public Works Director and City Engineer Jeff Moneda explained to the Council that curbs and gutters in the area were in need of significant repairs be-cause of the tree roots. “The roots can also cause potential damage to the water and sewage lines as well,” said Moneda.
Pine cones landing on residents’ heads as they take their morning strolls and sap on cars were additional issues, as well as maintenance and on-going repair costs. The residents who lived closest to the trees shared the most complaints while neigh-bors in adjacent streets wanted the trees to remain. One neighbor said the trees serve as a windbreaker and help stifle freeway noise while also “sucking up” carbon di-oxide. Another neighbor requested that an environmental impact survey be done be-fore any action is taken, while another de-scribed the trees as “majestic” that helped to raise property values since property owners would enjoy the beauty and gran-deur of the trees.
Residents also described, “Waking up in the morning, drinking a cup of coffee, watching the birds, and admiring the trees before heading off to work or school.”
One concern expressed by all of the neighbors is what kind of tree, if any, would replace the existing pine trees. “Whatever the Council decides tonight,” said one resi-dent, “there will be consequences.” Rodri-guez stated that the landscape plan would be established in Phase 2 of the repair, and that no selection was being recommended that night.
When one resident told the Council that his mother-in-law almost slipped and “killed herself” on a fallen pine cone, an-other said tthere was always a possibility of slipping on something while walking. “She could have slipped on something else. That is one price we pay for being closer to nature.”
Another concern voice was about the
poor lighting at night because the trees block the streetlights making it dangerous for pedestrians walking. One neighbor ex-pressed concern about increased air con-ditioning costs in the summer if the trees were to be removed. Another resident felt the trees were beautiful, but too large now “and they outgrew their stay.”
Former La Palma Mayor Ed Byrne re-minded the Council that the City was once honored as Tree City USA, and “the 110 majestic pines on Houston were partly re-sponsible.” Byrne had surveyed numerous streets in the City and reported that “there are other areas that have similar damage, but no action is being taken to correct them.”
Former Mayor Larry Herman said he was neutral on the issue but felt the trees at least needed trimming. “Maybe the roots need to be cut, but that could weaken the trees. They probably are too large for the area.
Former City Engineer Ishmile Noorh-bash supported the residents who wanted to preserve the trees and urged the Council “to continue this matter for a later time.”
After much deliberation and discussion, the Council voted unanimously to cut down the trees on Walker that were caus-ing extensive damage and had grown into overhead pow-er lines.
They also agreed to hire an arborist con-
sultant to report back to Council if it is pos-sible to cut the roots of the trees without causing irreparable harm to the trees or jeopardize the public safety. The final de-cision on the trees along Houston will be addressed at a future meeting.
ProclamationsIn recognition of a Peace Officers’ Me-
morial Day program scheduled for May 15 in La Palma, Mayor Ralph Rodriguez pre-sented a Proclamation and said, “We honor tonight our law enforcement officers who sacrificed their lives in the line of duty in 2010.”
Mayor Rodriguez also honored the Or-ange County Fire Authority representatives by recognizing Arson Prevention Week. In the U.S. over 210,300 fires had been de-liberately set in 2010. OCFA stressed the important role that residents have in help-ing to eliminate this issue.
“Don’t create an environment for a fire, and report suspicious activities immediate-ly,” said Rodriguez.
Win a Brand New Apple iPad2!
Go to: yourcitycoupons.net and click on the Join Now button!
Good luck!
We are giving away brand new Apple iPadsjust for becoming a member of Your City Coupons!
As a valued member of YCC, you will also start receiving great local coupons sent right to your email!
Imagine paying $20 for $40 worth of food at a great local restaurant or $50 for a $150 spa treatment!
That‘s what you’ll get as a member of YCC!
Plus YCC will take 10% of the proceeds and give back to your favorite charity!
PARK PLAZA DRIVEJust North of the Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts, near Wal-Mart.
WWW.GOODVEG.ORG
WE GLADLY ACCEPT EBT FOOD STAMP CARDS
• Luscious Summer Fruits and Vegetables!
• Decorative & Garden Plants• Cut Flowers & Much, Much More!
• Every Saturday 8am - Noon
Last week - winner drawn next week!
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