The first phase of a revamped Recreation Department is penciled in to kick off in the next fiscal year, assuming the City Council agrees this month to proceed with investing in the foundation of a three-year plan.
After signaling approval on the direction of the department redesign thus far, the City Council is expected to dive into the nuts and bolts of the program as part of its broader budget discussion. The redesign, which is being helmed by interim Community Services Director Josette Espinosa, is slated to introduce a variety of new programming for residents and relocate where its services are offered as part of a consolidation of sorts with Crowell Public Library. As part of the creation of the Community Service Department, what were independent wings for recreation and library fell under one roof.
“It’s time for us to start acting as one,” Espinosa said while presenting at last Friday’s City Council meeting. Continue reading “City Opens Discussion on Rec Program Changes”
COVID-19 Count Up to 11; City Council Preps for Financial Impact
With the city’s confirmed COVID-19 cases growing to 11 based on Tuesday’s announcement from the county, San Marino Fire Chief Mario Rueda encouraged residents to “stay the course” by adhering to social distancing recommendations and to avoid public gatherings whenever possible.
“We are still taking our cues from the experts and they are advising that we stay the course and continue on with our current procedures,” said Rueda in an interview.
Rueda took issue with several resistance efforts across the country by protestors demanding a rapid return to normalcy and a lifting of quarantine efforts. The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in strict guidelines against public or private congregation, known as “Safer at Home,” and has shut down all schools and businesses except those considered “essential” in order to contain its spread. Continue reading “COVID-19 Count Up to 11; City Council Preps for Financial Impact”
Crisis Inspires Creativity for Two SMHS Grads
Back in her San Marino home due to COVID-19, Serena Wang was tired of sitting around doing the proverbial “nothing” once her online classes were over for the day.
A 2017 graduate of San Marino High School and junior at Johns Hopkins University, Wang responded to a challenge, literally, to assist during the pandemic. Her father, a healthcare worker, was struggling in the early days of the crisis to find sufficient personal protection equipment and Wang wanted to get moving. Continue reading “Crisis Inspires Creativity for Two SMHS Grads”
City Council Approval of Labor Contracts Anticipated
The San Marino City Council is expected to greenlight memorandums of understanding on Friday to kick off three-year agreements with the municipality’s labor unions. Continue reading “City Council Approval of Labor Contracts Anticipated”
Water Provider Seeks Rate Hikes, Will Tell City Council Why
San Marino residents might have greater interest than usual in attending the year’s first City Council meeting, as representatives of California American Water will present the firm’s case for raising water rates. Continue reading “Water Provider Seeks Rate Hikes, Will Tell City Council Why”
New Mayor’s Agenda Rooted in Traffic Safety, Preservation
Mayor Gretchen Shepherd Romey discloses her agenda for the City Council for 2020, thanking the women who helped her gain public office.
Gretchen Shepherd Romey last week gave the customary round of thanks to her family, friends and colleagues on the City Council for supporting her in her 2017 election to the panel and, now, her selection as its mayor by a unanimous vote at the last meeting of this year.
She extended a special gesture of gratitude to another group of supporters in San Marino, too.
“It’s particularly remarkable that I am here because of an all-female campaign committee, for which I am so very grateful,” the new mayor said last week, kicking off her agenda-setting speech. “Your support strengthens my convictions and spurs me to work harder for our community to make it a wonderful place.”
Shepherd Romey, an attorney before motherhood refocused her energy not only to her children but to local civic and nonprofit organizations as well, outlined a vision of enhancing what she regards as San Marino’s defining qualities for her first go-around as the city’s mayor. Continue reading “New Mayor’s Agenda Rooted in Traffic Safety, Preservation”
City Council Set to Name Shepherd Romey as New Mayor
Among other business, the City Council is expected to rotate to Gretchen Shepherd Romey as the city’s mayor at its December meeting, giving the current vice mayor her first crack at the role. Continue reading “City Council Set to Name Shepherd Romey as New Mayor”
Effort to Stimulate Local Business Activity Gathers Momentum
The City Council expects to consider a handful of code revisions at the start of 2020 in an attempt to streamline the development of businesses in San Marino. Continue reading “Effort to Stimulate Local Business Activity Gathers Momentum”
Newly Re-Elected Councilmen Focus on Unfinished Business
With comfortable mandates to back them up, Dr. Steven Huang and Steve Talt both identified their goals for the next five years as they serve their second and final terms on San Marino’s City Council. Continue reading “Newly Re-Elected Councilmen Focus on Unfinished Business”
Finance Director OK’d by Council
The City Council has given a unanimous thumbs-up to the hiring of Paul Chung as San Marino’s finance director, giving the municipality’s money department a full-time boss for the first time in nearly a year. Continue reading “Finance Director OK’d by Council”