City of Glendora (626) 914-8200
Transcription
City of Glendora (626) 914-8200
Special Pullout - Drought & Glendora’s Water Conservation Glendora Report Published by The City of Glendora June/July 2015 Teen Center Summer Activities/Trips New Water-Wise Landscaping! The City of Glendora Community Services Department recently completed water conservation projects at the following three locations: 1) Parks Nursery (240 W. Dawson Ave.); 2) Glendora Historical Museum (314 N. Glendora Ave.); and 3) Financial Way median island (off Route 66, east of Lone Hill Ave.) Over 7,000 square feet of turf was removed and beautiful drought tolerant landscaping, including drip irrigation, was installed. Drip irrigation, also known as trickle irrigation or micro-irrigation, is an irrigation method that saves water and fertilizer by allowing water to drip slowly to the roots of plants, either onto the soil surface or directly onto the root zone, through a network of valves, pipes, tubing, and emitters. It is done through narrow tubes that deliver water directly to the base of the plant. Here are some of the many benefits of drip irrigation: • Can be applied at any time of the day or night without interfering with human activity; • Water application efficiency is high if managed correctly; • Easily conforms to unique and irregular planters; • Irrigation is not applied to imperious surfaces reducing collection and run-off; • Weed growth is lessened; • Usually operated at lower pressure than other types of pressurized irrigation, reducing energy cost. By utilizing drip irrigation, staff estimates these projects will save approximately 230,000 gallons of water per year! The City hopes these changes will inspire residents and business owners to explore drought tolerant landscaping whenever possible. In addition, given the limited rainfall we’re currently experiencing, the City will continue to attempt to reduce water usage in areas with minimal to low foot traffic. Library Bookmark Contest Winners The Glendora Public Library held its eighth annual Bookmark Contest. Participants were asked to create a bookmark inspired by the theme Read to the Rhythm at the Glendora Public Library. The contest was open to all students in Kindergarten through 12th grade who live or attend school in Glendora. Winning bookmarks will be reproduced and distributed during the 2015 Summer Reading Challenge, beginning June 1st. All entries will be on display in the Library’s Children’s Room. Everyone is welcome to view the wonderful artwork that Glendora’s youth created. And the winners are… Fourth Grade Kindergarten 1st place: Kassandra Magsino 1st place: Anushree Phadnis 2nd place: Naomi Chen 2nd place: Emma Grycel Fifth Grade First Grade 1st place: Keila Nelson 1st place: Melinda Chen 2nd place: Emily Bowman 2nd place: Austin Xiao Middle School Second Grade 1st place: Karina Gray 1st place: Alan Barnes 2nd place: Mihir Anand 2nd place: Jemma Clum High School Third Grade 1st place: Melinda Hendrix 1st place: Allison Chung 2nd place: Katelyn Skye Porter 2nd place: Kimberley Wu Annual Senior Barbecue at Finkbiner Park Entertainment sponsored by Glendora Community Hospital Lunch provided by YWCA Intervale Friday, June 26 at 11:00 a.m. The Teen Center’s summer program begins on Monday, June 8 and will run through Friday, August 14. Summer programming hours are Monday through Friday 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. For a fourth year in a row the Glendora Community Services Department has partnered with the Glendora Unified School District for a free summer lunch program. Any child ages 1 through 18 can receive a free lunch from June 9 through August 15. In addition to the daily activities at the Center itself, the Teen Center is also sponsoring a series of day trips during the months of June and July for Glendora Teens in the 6th grade and above for a minimal cost. Participants must have a current consent form on file at the Teen Center. Registration for all trips will be taken at the Teen Center; cash or check only, please. Sign up at least 24 hours in advance, as no registration will be taken the day of a trip. For more information, call the Teen Center at (626) 914-2357. Huntington Beach, Wednesday, June 10, 2015 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Cost: $10 Raging Waters, Wednesday, June 17, 2015 9:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Cost: $25 Knott’s Berry Farm, Wednesday, June 25, 2015 9:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. Cost: $35 Santa Monica Pier, Wednesday, July 1, 2015 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Cost: $25 Beach Bonfire, Thursday, July 9, 2015 12:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. Cost: $10 Huntington Beach, Thursday, July 16, 2015 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Cost: $10 Magic Mountain, Thursday, July 30, 2015 9:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. Cost: $35 Metrolink Commuter Shuttle Route and Station Stop Changes Due to the construction project underway at the Covina Metrolink Station the shuttle route and station drop-off location have been altered. See the adjusted route and timetable on page 9 or found online at www.cityofglendora.org. We will drop off and pick-up passengers on Front Street located just south of the station. The station project is expected to be completed mid to late July. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause over the next few months. Contact the Glendora Transportation Division with any questions or concerns at (626) 914-8233 or email Justine Garcia at [email protected] or Brian Connell at [email protected]. You may also contact Anne Perkins-Yin at the City of Covina with any questions about the project at (626) 384-5520 or [email protected]. City of Glendora (626) 914-8200 www.ci.glendora.ca.us City of Glendora 116 E. Foothill Blvd. Glendora, CA 91741-3380 Entertainment begins at 11:00 a.m. Lunch is served at 11:30 a.m. Tickets: $4 (must be purchased by June 19) Tickets must be purchased at the La Fetra Center from May 26 to June 19 (no phone reservations.) For additional information, please call (626) 914-0560. Postal Customer Glendora, CA 91740-91741 PRSRT. STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID PERMIT# 92 GLENDORA ECRWSS Glendora Report Page 2 Meet Your Local Authors at the Glendora Library The Glendora Public Library and the GPL Friends Foundation will host “Meet Your Local Authors” as part of their Authors & Artists series. The event will take place on Saturday, June 13, 11:00 am to 12:30 pm at the Glendora Public Library, 140 S. Glendora Avenue, Glendora, CA. There are many local authors who are emerging onto the literary scene. This is an opportunity to meet and interact with authors who have published such genres as Non-fiction, WWII History, Local History, Inspirational, Self-Help, Children’s and Poetry. Authors will display their book(s) and their work will be available for purchase and autographs. Come and gain firsthand insights about the journey from writing to publishing a book. You will also find new and exciting books to read. For more information, visit www.gplff.org or call 626-852-4872. National Night Out The Glendora Police Department will be holding its 10th annual National Night Out Against Crime event on Tuesday, August 4th from 5:30-8:30 p.m. in the Glendora Village at the Bus Transit center, Glendora Avenue north of Foothill. Join them for a night of fun which will include free hot dogs provided by the Glendora Police Officers Association, music, free child fingerprinting, raffle prizes, Police vehicle displays and more. The Glendora Police Department has won an outstanding participant award for the past 8 years for their outstanding participation in this event. Everyone is welcome! This national event was created as a “Going Away” party for crime and drugs. Residents can turn on their porch light that evening to send a message to burglars that they will call the police if they see anything suspicious in their neighborhoods. For more information, contact Community Services Officer Nita Ulloa-Pedroni at 626-914-8268. June/July 2015 Glendora - Still the Best! On May 24th the San Gabriel Valley Newsgroup released the results of their annual Readers Choice Awards for 2015. For the fourth consecutive year, readers of the San Gabriel Valley Tribune, Pasadena Star News and the Whittier Daily News have voted the City of Glendora and the Glendora Village the “Best Friendly City” and the “Best Downtown”. For three weeks in March, the publisher opened the voting period collecting ballots from inside its newspapers and available online. The Readers Choice Awards are a collection of the best products, services, neighborhood establishments and destinations selected by the news group’s readers. “This is quite an accomplishment - no other city has won these awards for two consecutive years, while Glendora now holds the title for 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015!” said Mayor Davis. “Glendora really does provide a friendly and inviting atmosphere, whether at a community event, a park, a local business or just hanging out around town. Receipt of this award, not just for one, but for four years, symbolizes just how special our City is.” The Glendora Village has also worked hard to continue its “Best Downtown” status. The Glendora Village, with its picturesque setting among the Foothills hosts many annual anticipated events, including the Wine Walk, the Chalk Art Festival, the Halloween Walk and the Holiday Stroll. Of course, an event is not a necessity to visiting the Glendora Village. Just about any day is a perfect day to visit the Village and enjoy personalized customer service and quality products. The City of Glendora would like to thank all those who voted for Glendora as the “Best Friendly City” and the “Best Downtown” Congratulations To The Glendora Businesses Voted as “Best” in the San Gabriel Valley! Best Travel Agency AAA Travel Glendora 1301 S. Grand Ave. (626) 857-5870 Best Donut Shop Donut Man 915 E. Route 66 (626) 335-9111 Best Carpet Cleaner Higgin's Carpet Care Glendora, CA (626) 335-2774 Best Dentist Stephen W. Bowen DDS 175 N. Pennsylvania Ave. #2 (626) 963-1703 Best Garden Center Armstrong Nursery 1350 E. Route 66 (626) 963-0328 Best Dermatologist Dr. Daniel Gormley, MD 412 W. Carroll Ave. #207 (626) 963-7684 Best Mortuary Oakdale Mortuary 1401 S. Grand Ave. (626) 691-2000 Best Sushi Sushi N I 201 N. Glendora Ave. #200 (626) 335-9911 Best Hair Salon Bobbi Pins 201 N. Glendora Ave. 300 (626) 914-4709 Best Daycare Center Foothill Christian 301 E. Route 66 (626) 963-8216 Best Bakery Cake Mama's 865 W. Route 66 (626) 335-4999 Best Carpet & Floor Cover Glendora Floor Store 131 N. Glendora Ave. (626) 387-3602 Best Community College Citrus College 1000 W. Foothill Blvd. (626) 963-0323 Best Glass & Mirror Store Glendora Glass & Mirror 712 E Route 66 # A (626) 335-3699 Best Coffee Shop Classic Coffee 148 N. Glendora Ave. (626) 335-3313 Best Attorney Cloyd Havens 333 W. Foothill Blvd. (626) 335-6884 Best Dance Studio/School Best Orthodontist & Best Music Instruction Pawley Orthodontics Top Billing Entertainment 175 N. Pennsylvania Ave. #6 165 N. Glendora Ave. (626) 963-4173 (626) 675-4439 Best Mortgage Best Insurance Banker/Broker Warner Insurance Agency Prime Lending – J. Hirth 125 N. Glendora Ave. 124 N. Glendora Ave. #101 (626) 963-3244 (626) 387-6012 Best Real Estate Office / Best Martial Arts Studio Agent Red Dragon Karate Century 21 Masters 1826 E. Route 66 The Mark and Al Team (626) 914-0342 140 S. Grand Ave. Suite F (626) 963-9337 Best Barber Shop SportClips 1385 E. Gladstone St. #100 (909) 305-2547 We would also like to Congratulate the Many Glendora Favorites: America’s Tire Co. Coldwell Banker Millennium Auto Club Maureen Haney Boys Cleaners Clubhouse 66 Century 21 Marty Rodriguez Cypress Heating & Air Domenico’s Jr Dr. Mahfoud Amjad MD. Foothill Christian Preschool Foothill Credit Union Grand Florist MTO Carpet John Henny Music Miyako Sushi Academy MUSE Salon Kara’s Corner Peaches & Cream LA Fitness Laurie M.Woll,D.O. Peppertree Cafe Spaghetti Eddie’s So Cal Pools Undercovers Intimate Apparel Congratulations! Read on the go with your smart phone or tablet Looking for the latest bestsellers on the go? Try the Glendora Public Library’s 3M Cloud Library e-book collection. To access and browse the collection, visit the Library’s website, www.glendoralibrary.org and click on e-books and audio books, look for 3M; or download the free app through the app store. For more assistance with downloadable books, please contact the Library at (626) 852-4891 or [email protected]. Glendora Report Page 3 June/July 2015 Camp Cahuilla Ages 6-12 years (Children must have completed 1st grade) Fee: $100 per week, *$85 (June 29-July 2, no camp July 3) To register go to www.ci.glendora.ca.us and scroll down to the bottom of home page and click on online services. For more information please call (626) 914-2357 or (626) 914-8228. Day Camp will be conducted in Big Dalton Canyon and features nature hikes, camp crafts, archery, skits, and camp songs, in and around our rustic cabin. The Community Services Department will operate the camp for eight, one week sessions. Fee includes camp shirt and 5x7 group photo. Parents will join campers for a program and picnic (bring your own dinner) at 5:15 p.m. on Thursday. CAMPERS WILL BRING THEIR OWN LUNCHES AND WATER TO CAMP EACH DAY. No open-toe shoes allowed at camp. Tennis shoes are highly recommended. Session Date Themes Session Date Themes June 15-June 19 Race to the Summit July 13-July 17 Cahuilla Fun Fair June 22-June 26 Cahuilla Myths and Legends July 20-July 24 Splash Showdown June 29-June 2 (No camp July 3)* Olympic Games July 27-July 31 Camp Innovation July 6-July 10 August 3-August 7 Cahuilla Clue Camp Treasure Hunt BUS PICKUP (Parents, Please be prompt!) Transit Parking Plaza (Corner of Cullen Ave and Mountain View across from Finkbiner Park.) Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday: 10:00 a.m. Thursday: 1:00 p.m. BUS RETURN (Parents, Please be prompt!) Transit Parking Plaza (Corner of Cullen Ave and Mountain View across from Finkbiner Park.) Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday: 4:00 p.m. Thursday: No bus return Join the Summer Reading Challenge How much will you read this summer? Who will be Glendora’s top readers this summer? Are you going to read more than your friends and family? Join the Glendora Public Library’s Summer Reading Challenge and find out. Register online at www.glendoralibrary.org, or come to the Library June 1-July 25, 2015, and visit the Library weekly. All participants will receive a free incentive upon registration. The more you read, the more incentives you will receive. Check the Library’s website throughout the summer to find out who the top readers are! The Glendora Public Library and GPL Friends Foundation are excited to also offer programs for readers of all ages throughout the summer. Please contact the Library at www.glendoralibrary.org or 626-852-4891 for complete program information. Students who continue to read during the summer have been shown to maintain or improve their reading skills. A study conducted of Glendora Unified School District students showed students who participated in summer reading programs increased their reading levels on average by 3 months. Those who didn’t participate did not show improvement. Join the Summer Reading Challenge to help your students succeed. Glendora Report Page 4 Upcoming Trail Activities Saturday Morning Trail Hikes Colby - Colby Dalton Trail ~ June 27, 2015 ~ 8 a.m. This is a moderate to strenuous 2.3-mile walk. Park at the north terminus of Loraine Avenue at the south trailhead of Colby Trail. The hike begins here and travels north and east to the junction of the Colby-Dalton Trail. The group descends into Little Dalton Canyon and turns west back to the starting point. Little Dalton Canyon (Lower Monroe Motorway) Mystic Canyon Trail July 25, 2015 ~ 8:00 a.m This is a strenuous five- mile hike. Park at the first horseshoe curve on Glendora Mountain Road, 1 mile north of Big Dalton Canyon Road. There is limited roadside parking here. There used to be a campground at this location. If the gate on Glendora Mt. Road is closed, park at the gate parking lot, approximately ¾ mile north of the junction of Big Dalton Road. We will hike up the Lower Monroe Motorway along the Little Dalton Canyon stream bottom. The motorway turns southward and continues to the junction of the Mystic Canyon Trail. The group will follow this trail down to Big Dalton Canyon and follow the roads back to the parking area. Tuesday Evening Trail Hikes South Hills Wilderness Trails - June 9, 2015 7:45 p.m. This is a moderate 1.5-mile walk, starting at the South Hills City Park at the east terminus of Mauna Loa Avenue off of Glendora Avenue. The group will be walking the Toyon, North Spur, Alosta Canyon and Big Dalton Wash Trails. Little Dalton Canyon Via the Motorway Trail ~ July 14, 2015 ~7:30 p.m. This is a 1.6 mile, relatively flat walk along the Little Dalton Canyon bottom; however the ground is rocky with several shallow stream crossings. Park on the east and north sides of Glendora Mountain Road at approximately 0.9 miles north of Big Dalton Canyon Road. The road crosses Little Dalton Canyon at this point at the first horseshoe curve. In case Glendora Mountain Road is closed north of Big Dalton Canyon Road, park as near to the gate as possible. We will hike up the Lower Monroe Motorway, as the dirt road meanders along the Little Dalton Canyon stream bottom. We will return the same way. June/July 2015 A Report to Glendora Res idents State Passes New Water Restrictions At the May 5th meeting, the State Water Board approved new water restrictions as directed by Governor Brown’s Executive Order issued in April. The Executive Order was signed by the Governor after his visit to the Sierra Mountains to witness first hand the record low snowfall in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Officials from the California Department of Water Resources say statewide the snowpack measure is about 6 percent of normal. The Executive Order required the State Water Board to develop regulations that would achieve an aggregate 25% savings statewide in potable urban water by February 2016. The Order also directed the Water Board to implement new reporting requirements for the over 400 water agencies in the State and to update, with increased water efficiency standards, the State’s Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance that limits water that can be used on new development. The State has placed the 411 water suppliers into nine tiers in which their conservation savings is determined. Based on information filed from the period of July through September of 2014 by those agencies, the state has established a benchmark called Residential Gallons per Capita per Day or “R-GPCD”. Data from this period was chosen according to the State because it represented a mixture of weather variables considered best to compare the diverse areas throughout the State, such as warmer weather, less rain and usually about the medium production month for the water companies based on their data. These three months, according to the State Water Board, also reflect the amount of water used for summer outdoor irrigation, which provides the greatest opportunity for conservation savings. Glendora experienced significant water being consumed by residents those months according to the data filed with the State of California. Our average R-GPCD was 242 and ranked as significantly above average. As a result of the data, Glendora will be required to reduce their production 36% by February 2016 which means the R-GPCD will have to average 121 for the reporting months between June and February 2016. According to City Officials, they lobbied with the State Water Board for a different approach as the RGPCD was not a fair method to compare given the numerous variables it relies upon. “We indicated that our State was too diversified for a one size fits all solution as weather plays a role and being a suburban community is at a disadvantage against a dense urban area,” said City Manager Chris Jeffers. Over 200 water agencies filed comments to the State Board raising similar objections and urging a different approach to achieving conservation. “In the end, their hands were somewhat tied by the Governor’s Executive Order directing them to specifically target urban users and setting such a high standard,” Jeffers said. Glendora also sent letters to their State Representatives urging them to look at a more global response to the drought as urban users only account for about 11% to 15% of all water used in State. Saving 25% from this group means overall that about 3-4 percent is saved statewide. Jeffers added that it does not seem like saving so little in the big picture sends the message that we have a problem; and putting the pressure on 38 million residents while agriculture and environmental laws account for nearly 85% of the water used is missing the policy point. Glendora water customers are encouraged to visit the City’s web page to read the emergency regulations adopted by the City Council to meet the State regulations approved at the May 5th meeting of the State Water Resources Board as directed by Governor Brown. R-GPCD Data for various Municipal Operators Below is a chart listing the R-GPCD from various municipal operators of water systems, including Glendora, calculated by the California Water Board based on the reporting for their July through September 2014 production of water. Given that the use of water across the state is based on so many variables, from weather and density, to social economic factors, this data was decided to be the best representation of fairness in the eyes of the State. R-GPCD City Comparisons Municipal Operations Average July - September 2014 La Verne – 177 Fresno – 154 San Francisco – 45 Long Beach – 84 Whittier –104 Pomona – 96 South Pasadena – 131 Santa Barbara – 81 Glendora – 242 Los Angeles DWP – 91 Santa Clara – 88 San Diego – 82 Redlands – 313 Monterey Park – 225 Pasadena – 139 Yorba Linda – 220 These reported production numbers, along with the water suppliers estimated allocation credited to residential use within the service area was used by the California Water Resources Board to place suppliers within one of the nine tiers of conservation ranging from 4% to 36%. Glendora fell within the 215 and above tier so the mandated conservation will be 36%. This will be measured both monthly against the same period from 2013 and cumulatively until February 2016. “While we lobbied to have the measurement stick altered to reflect a more fair allocation and account for the differing variables that make it impossible to measure one community against another, the State has chosen this path as meeting their needs in monitoring,” said City Manager Chris Jeffers. “We have a tough task in front of us but we are confident that our customers will be diligent and at the end of the day we will have complied.” Visit www.CityofGlendora.org/WaterConservation for more information and to utilize a data entry tool that will determine your approximate R-GPCD. Glendora Report Page 6 June/July 2015 Who uses California Water? This is often a very misunderstood question by both the public and policy makers. According to the California Department of Water Resources, during dry periods urban users use only about 13% of the water. Agriculture and Environmental Water account for 87% of water use. On an average year the disparity is even greater with urban use at 11% and agriculture and environmental water using 89% • Urban water use includes everything from personal uses such as drinking, watering the garden to industrial use. • Agricultural water use accounts for use on the 250 different crops and other commodities produced in the State. • Environmental water incudes wild and scenic river flows, required Delta outflow, and wetland water. Environmental water is important to maintaining the ecosystem. Most water industry officials believe residential use accounts for most of the urban use but no known data exists to show how much industry, commercial or even institutional use contributes to the 13% stated above. To help gather more factual data, the California Water Board has mandated that water suppliers provide information on the various uses and their consumption starting this June. With the State focusing in at this time on just residential use and their conservation mandates, many studies indicate that for most residential customers – especially single family properties – the largest use of water is outside the home itself. The chart below demonstrates the average use of water for single family homes. City Officials pointed out that the high use of water by most residential customers outside of the home is the primary factor for the City imposing new restrictions on landscape watering to no more than two days a week. “At this time, we have not specified which two days watering can occur but if our data over the next few weeks shows we are not meeting the State conservation mandates, we will likely have to put such restrictions in place so that we can better monitor for violations,” indicated Public Works Director Dave Davies. All water customers are encouraged to visit the City’s web page for up to date information and incentives being offered to assist in conservation at: www.CityofGlendora.org/WaterConservation City Helps with Landscape Design City officials announced the implementation of another unique conservation incentive program to help residential customers deal with planning for landscape changes. “We realize that for many trying to see what a new drought tolerant landscape might look like and how to properly care for such can be intimidating,” said Dave Davies, Glendora Public Works Director. The program is multi-faceted in nature with both a listing of local licensed landscape architects that residents may contact to assist with the design and possible implementation of agreed upon design. In addition, the City has entered into a unique partnership with Armstrong Nurseries which has both in-house and referrals for such services. Under this partnership, Armstrong’s program provides the following: • Initial consultation within 10 business days • One design for up to 2,500 square feet of landscape • $100 gift card for use at an Armstrong Nursery This service costs $400 of which the City of Glendora will reimburse the Glendora participant $200 upon completion of landscape project of at least 500 square feet. If the resident uses another Glendora licensed landscaper to design and do the work, the City will still reimburse up to $200 for just the design work. Participants with either the Armstrong Nursery program or another licensed landscaper can also participate in the turf-removal program and if 75% of the material (plants, drip system, etc.) are purchased at a Glendora store receive up to $4 per square foot for materials and work performed for the first 1,000 square feet with $2 per square foot for the remainder of the project. Residents are reminded to check any person performing work on your property to be sure they have proper and up to date workers compensation insurance. Keep in mind workers injured while completing your project could file a claim against the property owner if the contractor does not have such insurance. Also, residents should check references verifying contractors positive work performance and to question previous clients regarding any other concerns with contractor. Finally, as a general rule, never advance money before at least 20% of the work is completed. Most contractors should have financial capability to start the work and order most materials to get started; otherwise you run the risk of a less than scrupulous person taking the money and never doing the work. To learn more about this program, call the Water Conservation Department at (626) 852-4838. Glendora Report Page 7 June/July 2015 California Water Supply – Where does it come from? History Water is an essential part of our lives, and providing the precious resource is a task that the City Council of Glendora takes very seriously. California is likely to be the most hydrologically transformed land area in the United States. Its water landscape resembles little of what it looked like in the 1800’s. Today there are reservoirs where before stood a desert; a desert where cropland was once seen, and marshes now transformed into croplands. California has changed from a sparsely populated area into the world’s leading agricultural and food region due to the development of an integrated water system. Water development projects – storage & distribution – have transformed deserts into farmland and support large cities and small towns. California’s climate is also one of the most diverse in our country, where parts of northern California receive on average 100 inches of precipitation annually, while the far southern areas are likely to receive just a few inches . Approximately 65% of the State experiences only about 18 inches of precipitation on average annually, with most of that falling in the winter months. Water officials commonly point to 75% of precipitation occurring in the northern part of our State, while 75% of the population and farmland is south of Sacramento. Water is the backbone of our economy, and managing it is one of the most critical tasks of elected officials, whether in the north, south, urban, rural, environmental, big cities or small communities like Glendora. This management has also been a political fight for a hundred years between these varying interests. Everything seems to depend on the manipulation of water by capturing, storing and re-routing it. According to the Water Education Foundation, California receives about 200 million acre-feet of rain water annually. An acre foot is the amount of water that would cover one-foot in depth over a single acre, or about the size of a football field. About 55% of this water will evaporate, or be used by vegetation. The remaining 45% of our precipitation flows into the streams and lakes or makes its way into the groundwater table. Of this amount, we use about 11% - 16% for urban use, with the remaining supply going to agriculture and environmental use. Sources of Water For California, the water supply comes from two main sources: surface water (water that travels or gathers on the ground, like rivers, streams and lakes) and groundwater, which is water that is pumped out from the ground. While some areas of California include other sources of water, such as desalination plants or sanitation plants that purify and re-use water, those sources remain a tiny fraction of the overall available water supply due to exceptionally high costs incurred. Surface water makes up the majority of the State’s water supplies while groundwater provides as much as 40% of California’s water supply, with some regions utilizing as much as 60 percent or more. For surface water, a large portion is the result of the runoff from the Sierra Mountain snow pack, which is the state’s largest source of fresh water during the year. Public and private agencies have built nearly 1,400 reservoirs in California to capture seasonal runoff, protect against floods and allocate water supplies throughout the year. California’s enormous groundwater reservoirs/basins are estimated to hold about 10 times the amount of water that is stored behind dams in the State. Groundwater does not exist in underground lakes but in pores and spaces between alluvial materials (sand, gravel, silt or clay)–bearing formations called aquifers. Most of this water is inaccessible. Glendora’s Water comes from On average, Glendora obtains about 75% of its water from groundwater wells within the general vicinity of the City. Like most other users of groundwater over the years we have pumped more water out of the aquifer than Mother Nature has put back in. At times we have met our water needs by using water from other surface water sources to replenish or even supplement water needs during the summer months. The surface water is supplied by the Water District we belong to – Three Valleys Water District, a member of the Metropolitan Water District (“MWD”) which supplies water for about 19 million individuals in the Southern California area. That water comes from the State Water Project which voters approved in 1960. It includes 22 dams and reservoirs, a Delta pumping plant, and a 444 mile long aqueduct that carries water from the Delta through the San Joaquin Valley to southern California. The project begins at Oroville Dam on the Feather River and ends at Lake Perris near Riverside. At the Tehachapi Mountains giant pumps lift the water from the California Aqueduct some 2,000 feet over the mountains and into southern California. The Colorado River is another source. The 1,440 mile long Colorado River passes through parts of seven states, several Indian reservations and the Republic of Mexico. California is entitled to 4.4 million acre-feet water annually from the river. Most of the water irrigates crops in the Polo Verde, Imperial and Coachella valleys. But the Colorado River is also a vital source for urban southern California via Metropolitan Water District’s Colorado River Aqueduct. The sources from MWD both replenish what Mother Nature is short of during any year and also fill the gap between demand and the City’s well supply. It is important to note that the aquifer the City obtains its well water from is also used by several other water suppliers feeding hundreds of thousands of residents and businesses in the vicinity. So the aquifer is not just Glendora’s by any means. The Future Managing water so that enough is available when users need it is a complex and costly proposition. Yet, even with all the required infrastructure projects and difficulties encountered, water is the cheapest resource commodity around. For Glendora it averages around $0.0004, a mere fraction of a penny per gallon. Compare that to the average cost of $1.28 per gallon for bottled water purchased at the store. The future of water availability is murky due to the issues identified earlier including political constituent groups, typical federal and state jurisdictional disputes, the complexity of water sources and the delivery to such a vast State like California. Conservation is a valuable tool in helping assist in water availability from the far north sections of California to the farthest southerly points. Saving Water with HERO The City of Glendora and MWD offer substantial rebates intended to minimize the financial strain of accomplishing water efficiency. Even with the generous incentives, not everyone may have the ability or want to make the upfront investment needed to redesign their yards or perform all the water saving home improvements available. For these homeowners, there is an additional option, the Home Energy Renovation Opportunity (HERO) Program. The HERO Program provides financing for 100% of the cost to purchase and install eligible energy efficient, water efficient, and renewable energy products. HERO offers low, fixed interest rates with amortization periods of 5, 10, 15, or 20 years and, unlike other financing options, there are no credit score requirements. HERO financing is included in your property tax bill, which is delivered and collected by the County. Repayments are made through your property taxes, with the interest being tax deductible. There are no fees to apply for the program and applicants can utilize HERO financing and still receive all available rebates from the City of Glendora and MWD. The HERO program will finance the following water saving improvements: Outdoor Improvements Weather Based Irrigation Control Systems Artificial Turf Water Efficient Irrigation (Drip/Micro/Sensors) Permeable Pavers, Stones, Decomposed Granite Rainwater Catchment System (rain barrels) Automatic Pool Cover Indoor Improvements Hot Water Delivery Systems Faucets Gray Water Systems Showerheads Toilets For more information on the HERO Program or to apply, please visit www.heroprogram.com . Glendora Report Page 8 June/July 2015 City’s Water Rebate Incentive Program Lauded for Innovation At a recent California Association for Local Economic Development (“CALED”) panelists talking about niche economic opportunities lauded the City of Glendora’s water rebate program as an example of finding an economic stimulus opportunity amidst the drought that has impacted our golden state. The City’s water efficiency rebate incentive program supplements rebates offered by Metropolitan Water District (“MWD”) with generous payments - as long as the materials are purchased within the City. home improvements. “It was unexpected but exciting to hear our program was used as an example for communities to think outside the box as we deal with the drought situation and create policy – helping customers achieve water conservation, and encouraging local shopping which helps us retain and attract business. It is a win-win situation,” said Assistant to the City Manager Valerie Escalante who was attending a recent conference. The program that has infused nearly $400,000 back to local merchants like Armstrong Nursery, ACE Hardware and Home Depot has been a success, especially during the Recession when many customers slowed their spending in To learn more about the City’s incentive rebate program, visit the city’s web site at wwww.CityofGlendora.org/WaterConservation or call the Water Conservation Division at (626) 852-4838. Protect Glendora’s Trees Trees offer numerous benefits and provide great value to our environment. Trees, unlike grass and plants, are not easily replaced they take years to grow and mature. It is for these reasons that we must take caution to ensure that trees survive this current dry spell. As the drought continues, we are all asked to use less water, primarily through the reduction of water that is applied to our lawns; many will decide to remove their grass altogether and replace it with drought tolerant plants and materials. In doing so, for most trees this means that their normal source of water will be removed. A tree’s health is dependent on water, if it does not receive water as it is normally accustomed to, the tree can become stressed and more susceptible to diseases and insects. Instead of suddenly eliminating the water supply to trees, consider gently transitioning them off regular watering. Start by watering your tree(s) once every two weeks, then try once every three weeks until you reach a month or more without watering. Keep an eye on signs of stress to prevent irreversible damage. Weather is the most influential factor when deciding how often to water. After periods of rain, watering should cease for at least 48 hours or until soil begins to dry up a few inches below the surface. Winds tend to steal moisture from leaf surfaces and high temperatures with dry air can increase evaporation. Soil types are also a significant factor when considering watering needs. Sandy soils are have large porous spaces that allow water to filter through much faster, whereas clay is super fine and can retain moisture for a longer period. General Tree Watering Recommendations New Trees Newly planted young trees will require more frequent watering. Check moisture at a depth of about 3-6 inches into the soil. Typical watering needs will be between 7-14 days, depending on weather conditions. Mature Trees Deep watering once a month is usually sufficient, however recent watering patterns may have altered the tree’s needs, monitor the tree for signs of stress and adjust as necessary. Citrus Trees Deep watering down to 36 inches is preferred, typically every two weeks. Avocado & Other Fruit Trees Watering needs will range from weekly to monthly depending on weather. Check soil moisture 6-8 inches below the surface. If possible, consider installing a drip irrigation system around the tree. Watering with drip tubing is ideal because the entire root zone is watered at a very slow rate, conducive for deep rooting and eliminating run. Drip tubing is spaced at 12, 18 or 24 inches apart and can be adjusted as the tree’s canopy grows. Pairing such a system with a thick layer of mulch can retain moisture and hide the plastic tubing. Keeping all these factors in mind when determining your tree’s watering schedule will help you be more water efficient while helping trees stay healthy. Remember trees are a valuable asset to the entire community and must be preserved and protected. Together the community can conserve water and maintain our trees. June/July 2015 Glendora Report Page 9 Glendora Report Page 10 Library Happenings Glendora Public Library has something for everyone! Join the excitement by attending one of these events, proudly presented by the Glendora Public Library and GPL Friends Foundation: June 1 through July 25 Join the Summer Reading Challenge for Children, Teens, Young Adults and Adults. Save time and register online at www.glendoralibrary.org or register at the library beginning June1. For a complete listing of programs and events call 626-852-4891 or check the library’s website. June 4-13 / Main Floor “Super 8 Day Sale” Come to the library starting on Thursday and browse the sale tables for bargains on Paperback Fiction & Travel books. June 13, 11:00 am – 12:30 pm / Bidwell Forum “Authors & Artists” Come Meet your local authors as they share their work and experiences. Books will be available for purchase and signing. June 24, 5:30 pm / Friends Room “Novel Idea” Book discussion group on The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd. July 3 & 4 Library Closed in Observance of Independence Day July 6-11 / Main Floor “Super 8 Day Sale” Come to the library starting on Monday and browse the sale tables for bargains on Diet, Health & Exercise books. July 18, 6:00 pm / Library Plaza “Night on the Plaza Celebrates 15 Years” Enjoy a wonderful opportunity to spend the evening with friends and support your library at the same time. Reservations are $75 per person, which includes an elegant dinner and dancing under the stars. For information about this fundraiser, auction donations, program advertising or tickets, visit www.gplff.org or call the Foundation Office at (626) 852-4894. August 6-15 / Main Floor “Super 8 Day Sale” Come to the library starting on Thursday and browse the sale tables for bargains on Children’s, Parenting & Educator books. August 26, 5:30 pm / Friends Room “Novel Idea” Book discussion group on The Lowland by Jhumpa Lahiri. Weekly Children’s Storytimes / Friends Room Mondays at 10:30 am –Infant & Toddler Storytime Tuesdays at 10:30 am –2-3 year old Storytime Wednesdays at 10:30 am –3-5 year old Storytime Friends Book Loft / Plaza Level Visit the Bookstore for great bargains on gently used books, magazines, DVDs, CDs and new greeting cards. Monday - Friday 9:30 am to 4:30 pm Saturday 10:00 am to 4:00 pm Unless otherwise noted, events are free to the public and will take place at the Glendora Public Library, 140 South Glendora Avenue. For more information, call the Library at (626) 852-4891 or check out the web sites at www.glendoralibrary.org or www.gplff.org June/July 2015 Glendora Report Page 11 June/July 2015 Andrews, Inc. Congratulations Vobecky Enterprises Inc. 43rd Anniversary It is with great honor that Gary and Connie Andrews are celebrating the 43rd anniversary of Andrews, Inc. As the oldest original owner operated business in the Glendora Village, they have created one of the finest traditional clothier stores in the San Gabriel Valley. They are always looking for new ways to better serve their customers. At Andrews, Inc. they pride themselves in offering the very best in custom tailoring. Their unique Made-ToMeasure program ensures the best fit and look possible. With great attention to detail, Gary (at the young age of 69!) and Connie offer excellent customer service and a warm, welcoming environment to all who enter their shop. Congrats on 43 years in business! Use your smartphone to get connected to the City’s website Scan Me The City of Glendora congratulates Vobecky Enterprises, Inc. on their nomination and selection of the “Construction Firm of the Year” Award. On May 19th, 2015 the Los Angeles Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) operated by the University of Southern California in partnership with the City of Los Angeles Mayor’s Office of Economic Development, held their 20th Annual Minority Business Awards celebration. The purpose of the MBDA’s Annual Minority Business Awards Program is to recognize the role that minority entrepreneurs play in building the American economy through the creation of jobs, products, and services, in addition to supporting their local communities. The MBDA selects honorees based on their historical financial success, economic impact, and involvement in community activities. Awards are given for outstanding achievement in one of six industries: construction, distributor, green energy, technology, global/export, and professional services. The MBDA is funded by the U.S. Department of Commerce. The City is honored to have such a distinctive and accomplished company amongst its business community. There are many businesses in the City doing great things every day, and while we are proud of all our businesses when one receives such a distinguished award, recognition is due. Vobecky serves as a role model for our growing businesses and we wish them continued growth and success. Vobecky Enterprises, Inc., founded by Bianca Vobecky, is a Glendora based woman and minority owned business established in 2006 providing a wide range of services from general building construction to construction management. The company’s numerous projects include government buildings, maintenance facilities and private residences. Vobecky approaches construction, based upon a disciplined strategic process wherein clients are provided with quality workmanship and exemplary project performance. Vobecky has a long list of wellknown customers including MGM Grand Group, Las Vegas, LA Live Project, Los Angeles World Airport, US Army Corp of Engineers, U.S. Angeles National Forest Service, Department of Homeland Security and Southern California Edison, just to name a few. Vobecky Enterprises was also the 2011 MBDA recipient of “Professional Services Firm of the Year.” Rumors – City of Glendora Response Social media blogs are sometimes misleading or worse yet, altogether wrong. In the past, media outlets required 2-3 independent sources to verify a story before it was published in the paper or announced on TV. Unfortunately, that standard is no longer the case for today’s social formats like Facebook, blogs and Twitter. In today’s electronic world, statements are sent to hundreds and even thousands of people while the event is still taking place. City officials recognize that residents and non-residents are entitled to their opinions. Yet, there is concern when publically shared opinions that are only partially accurate or completely false are used by others as fact to form their opinion without the benefit of knowing the full accuracy. This column provides information along with sources that individuals can review for themselves to verify or obtain more information. There are leaks in the streets that have not been fixed, the City does not care. Not true – We do care about leaks. First, has the leak been reported to the City? More often than not, residents presume it has or they believe we have some way of knowing where leaks exist. Unlike Edison or the Gas Company, whose customers will immediately call them when they have a leak or are without service, a water leak very rarely means customers are without water. In addition, there are state requirements that must be followed when digging to repair items. By state law, if a utility wants to dig in the public right of way, they must notify other utilities via Underground Service Alert. The utilities must be given time to come out and mark the location of where their underground utility lines are in the area. The only time this is not required is when the public’s safety is at stake. The law ensures the repair work does not damage other infrastructure and most importantly, repair crews are not put in danger by digging into a gas line or electrical line. They are wasting water, letting it run into the flood control channels. No – when there is water in the flood control channel during non-rain events this water is being sent to the spreading grounds by Three Valleys Water District. This water is needed to replenish or replace the groundwater pumped out through wells by the various water suppliers for their customer’s use. Much like the California Aqueduct which takes water from Northern California to supply water here in the southern part, we use these local channels to distribute that water to replenish or replace water being used. We should stop all building until the drought is over? No – Water is more complex as is our climate. The State of California has officially declared a State of Emergency due to a drought two times covering four years in just the time Governor’s Schwarzenegger and Brown have held office. Droughts are a fact of life for our mostly semi-arid region. If the State froze development where a new supply for water was required, economists say our economy would be impaired severely. The construction industry would be impacted by the loss of jobs; new retail could not be built, nor office or industrial complexes because it would require a new water supply, eliminating jobs for Californians. The lack of housing, which is already in short supply, would force more overcrowding and prevent families from moving up in the housing stock. Most new housing permits are necessary to meet the need of existing housing demands according to a recent report by the Orange County Business Council. Even Sierra Club California Director, Kathryn Phillips, indicated in a May 3, 2015 article in The Orange County Register that a moratorium was not the right action, especially for housing. Water saved in San Diego cannot benefit Glendora nor can water saved in Riverside; similarly water we conserve cannot benefit these communities. In addition, the ground water area our wells pump from is also accessed by other water suppliers and serves communities in addition to Glendora, including Azusa, Covina, San Dimas and unincorporated areas nearby. Glendora Report Page 12 June/July 2015 Glendora Meeting Dates: City Council Meeting 2nd & 4th Tuesdays, 7 p.m. City Hall, Council Chambers BID Advisory Board Meeting 1st Thursday, 8:30 a.m. City Hall, Council Chambers Community Services Commission 3rd Thursday, 7 p.m. City Hall, Council Chambers Investment Advisory Committee Meeting Meets Quarterly, call (626) 914-8210 City Hall, Council Chambers Library Board of Trustees Meeting 3rd Monday, 7 p.m. City Hall, Council Chambers Planning Commission Meeting 1st Tuesday, 7 p.m. City Hall, Council Chambers Water Commission Meeting Meets Quarterly, call (626) 852-4838 City Hall, Council Chambers Credit Cards are accepted for payment at City Hall, Library, Police Department and the Community Services Department. Stay informed about Colby Fire Restoration/Preparedness: www.cityofglendora.org/colbyfire Nixle 360 www.facebook.com/cityofglendora Contact Information Glendora City Council Karen K. Davis, Mayor Gene Murabito, Mayor Pro Tem Gary Boyer, Council Member Judy M. Nelson, Council Member Mendell Thompson, Council Member www.ci.glendora.ca.us Animal Control - IVHS………....909-623-9777 Building Permits/Inspection…...……914-8222 City Clerk ………….………........……914-8210 City Council …………….....…………914-8201 City Manager ……………….......……914-8201 Code Enforcement …………........…. 852-4825 Non-Emergency Police ...…....…….. 914-8250 Graffiti Hotline ……………….....….. 963-8540 Household Hazardous Waste Collection…….…….....1-888-253-2652 Housing Programs ...……………..... 914-8214 City Job Line ……………….....….….914-8206 La Fetra Senior Center ……...….….. 914-8235 Glendora Library ……………....…... 852-4891 City Mini Bus System ……….....…… 914-8233 Overnight Parking Information ….... 914-8279 (recorded message) Community Services ……....……….. 914-8228 Planning ..............................…......… 914-8214 Public Works (Streets/Engineering) ....… 914-8246 Teen Center ……………………....…. 914-2357 Water Emergency (8 am to 5 pm) .....… 914-8246 Water Emergency (After 5 pm) ….....… 914-8250 Utility Billing (City) …………..……. 914-8239