City News

On March 2, 2010 the Planning Commission officially denied a request to allow the establishment of a 7-11 convenience store in a portion of the building located at 601 E. Foothill Boulevard. The proposal included the sale of beer and wine and 24 hour/ day operating hours. The applicant has appealed the Planning Commission decision. The City Council will conduct an appeal hearing on Tuesday March 23, 2010 in the Council Chamber located at 225 W. Second Street. The appeal hearing will not commence before 7 pm. A copy of the appeal document is attached. For more information, please contact the Planning Division at 909-399-5470.

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Verizon has temporarily halted the FiOS build in Claremont due to contractual agreements with the 18 Local Franchise Agreement cities. Where contracts to finish the builds in those cities have come due, Verizon is obligated to complete the builds per the contracts. Verizon is also obligated, as per our State Franchise, to complete a certain percentage of the FiOS build in diverse underserved cities in California. Claremont does not meet the criteria of a diverse underserved city. In order to meet this obligation, Verizon has had to step up the build in those cities. Verizon hopes to be back in Claremont to continue the FiOS build, however no date has been set. Resiodents may call Gary George, Verizon Director of Government & External Affairs at
909/261-0663.

The City has successfully settled the claim with Terno Construction and its insurance company over the removal of a Dutch Elm tree at the corner of Indian Hill Boulevard and Tenth Street. The City will be reimbursed $79,000 for the replacement of the tree.

The City worked with an arborist to determine the value of the tree and costs associated with replacing it. The City asked for and received $79,000 for the cost of replacing the tree and to compensate for its loss. The City will use the funds to replace the tree after the signal installation is complete. The remaining funds will be used to address the backlog of trees that need replacing in the City.

The contractor will have materials and hardware to finish the project within two weeks. Staff anticipates the work to be completed March 30, 2010

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The City Council reorganized at the March 9, 2010 City Council meeting, unanimously selecting Linda Elderkin as Mayor. Councilmember Corey Calaycay passed the gavel to Ms. Elderkin amidst applause from the audience. Councilmember Sam Pedroza was nominated as Mayor Pro-Tem and voted in unanimously. Mayor Elderkin and Mayor Pro Tem Pedroza will serve one year in the position.

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Residents will be receiving their 2010 Census questionnaires in their mailboxes this week. It is vital that residents fill them out and mail them back to the Census by April 1 to avoid having a Census Representative visit their homes. The informaion recieved from the Census determines the amount of funding the community receives for programs, roads, and services.

By law, census answers may not be shared with other federal agencies or law enforcement.

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For the twenty-fifth year, the Arbor Day Foundation has recognized Claremont as a Tree City USA for 2009. The Foundation has awarded Claremont this designation for its committment to urban forestry. The Tree City USA program is sponsored by the Arbor Day Foundation in cooperation with the National Association of of State Forresters and USDA Forest Service.

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The City of Claremont is facilitating a neighborhood meeting with the Foothill Transit Authority regarding the proposed bus route reductions and cancellations on Wednesday, March 24 at 6:30pm. The meeting will be held at the Joslyn Center, located at 660 Mountain Avenue in Claremont.

Foothill Transit is projecting a deficit of $12.5 million at its current service levels for FY 2010-2011. Foothill Tranist is proposing the elimination of Claremont Lines 197, 292, and 855. The public is invited to give their imnput on these cuts. Input received at this meeting will be used to determine the final cuts.

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The City has contracted JDC, Inc. for the Pedestrian Enhancement Accessibility Project which includes sidewalk, driveway, curb and gutter improvements in the Village. The project began on February 22 and will last several months.  To avoid inconveniencing the merchants, the project will be completed in phases, with work being completed in two to four working days. Roadways, sidewalks, and parking may be closed Monday through Thursday.
NEXT WEEK: South side of Bonita Ave. between Indian Hill and Yale

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The City of Claremont is working closely with the property owners and broker of the Peppertree Square Shopping Center, located at the southeast corner of Indian Hill Boulevard and Arrow Highway, to improve the site and attract new tenants. Based on feedback from the community, the City, property owners, and broker have developed a plan to renovate the center and bring in two anchor tenants and several small retail shops. In a gap analysis performed earlier this year, residents expressed a desire for a grocery store in the southern portion of the city.

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Padua Park has reached a major milestone with the electrical connection made last week. The MUSCO lights are now in working order and Megaway has installed sod to be installed. Another significant turn of events is the availability of the Rivers and Mountains Conservancy (RMC) grant funds. This funding will enable Megaway to complete the park's interior trail system, which includes fitness equipment, the habitat, and other decorative features using rock from the site. The Park Dedication is planned for Saturday, April 24, 2010 at 10:00 a.m.

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The Claremont Bikestation is now open at the Claremont Depot. A grand opening celebration and bike ride was held on Wednesday, February 24 to officially open in facility. The Bikestation at the Depot offers secure indoor bike parking, lockers, air and repair equipiment, and vending machines. The Bikestation event was featured on ABC Eyewitness News at 5pm. For a limited time, Bikestation is offering special rates for memberships. Enter code CL35ANN for a $35 yearly membership for the first 50 people. Code CL70ANN will get you $26 off a yearly pass until March 30, 2010.

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The City is considering moving Ambrosia, the angel located at Mallows Park on Indian Hill Blvd.It is one of the City's public art pieces, originally located on the south side of the park. The City is seeking input from the surrounding neighborhood on if they would like it to remain at the park or if they would like to see it moved to a different location. Please contact Francine Baker, Arts Coordinator at (909) 399-5391.

Contact: E-mail Francine Baker, Arts Coordinator

The City was successful in obtaining $900,000 in federal HSIP grant funds to make improvements to south Indian Hill Boulevard. This grant will significantly offset the cost of the project which is estimated at $1,200,000. The matching funds will come from drainage fees that have been collected by the City from new development. The City obtained the maximum amount of grant funding available.

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The City's Financial Services Department is pleased to announce the availability of its online bill payment system for sanitation accounts. This service allows residents to view and pay their sanitation bills, set up automatic payments and update their accounts online. Online bill pay will also give residents the option of paperless billing, which will help to reduce the consumption of paper and save money on the processing and mailing of paper bills. To access their sanitation accounts online, residents should visit the City website (www.ci.claremont.ca.us) and click on the sanitation bill pay link in navigation bar on the left hand side of the page.

Residents may also prepay their quarterly sanitation bills up to one year in advance. For details on the City's prepayment program, interested residents should contact the Financial Services Department at (909) 399-5453.

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The Claremont City Council has an ordinance regulating solicitation in the City.  In summary, the ordinance requires all persons, businesses and organizations wishing to solicit in the City for any money, funds or contributions to obtain a permit. The permit process is less extensive for political, religious, and charitable organizations. Permits are not required if the contact does not involve the solicitation of money, funds, or contributions. This applies to publications such as the phone book or free magazines. All solicitors, including those issued a permit, are prohibited from soliciting at any location listed on the "Do Not Knock" Registry, or from any location with a sign posted prohibiting solicitation. Residents may fill out an application to be included on the Do Not Knock Registry.

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Every year the City of Claremont's Human Services Commission and Committee on Human Relations sponsor the annual Making Change contest to recognize Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and other champions of human rights and social justice. This is the 20th year that the City and the Claremont Unified School District have coordinated this contest. Over 700 students participated this year submitting entries that met guidelines specifically designed for their particular grade level as either an individual or group. Entries were judged based on their originality, how effectively they demonstrated the students' understanding of human rights and equality and how well they incorporated the students' personal insight or experience.

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The Claremont City Council and City staff is preparing the budget for 2010-2012 and would like input from residents. It is essential that Claremont residents take part in the budget process to ensure that the City is addressing the needs of the community. The City has scheduled several public meetings to gather citizen input. All meetings are open to the public.

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The City of Claremont accomplished many projects and programs in 2009 from the opening of Padua Hills Theatre to the first Earth Day celebration. The City has compiled a report on the City's progress this past year. 

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The Spring 2010 Claremont Recreation Brochure will be arriving in homes the week of February 15th. This is your opportunity to learn about all the exciting programs the City has to offer the months of March, April, and May. Watch for new offerings such as regional cooking, returning favorites such as the Mad Science Spring Break Camp, and a variety of other activities. You can get a sneak peek of the new brochure by clicking on the link below. For more information, please contact Claremont Human Services at (909) 399-5490 or the Claremont Adult School at (909) 624-6402.
content.yudu.com/Library/A1mdda/ClaremontActivityGui

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As post-holiday bills arrive in mailboxes this month, some families will be faced with tough financial decisions, struggling to make payments in a difficult economy. Southern California Gas Co. urges customers to take advantage of the utility's assistance programs -- programs that can help reduce winter heating bills and increase energy efficiency.

The City has received a number of calls regarding how and where people can help the Haiti Earthquake Relief efforts. Red Cross is requesting monetary donation. Our local chapter of the American Red Cross is coordinating donations and has several ways in which residents can contribute. Donation boxes are available at City Hall and the Hughes Center front counters.

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The City of Claremont Human Services Department and Pomona Valley Hospital are excited to announce a Health & Wellness Expo.

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Three vehicles in the rear apartment carports of 600 block W. San Jose Ave. were burglarized early Monday morning, February 8, between 2 am & 8 am. Entry was gained into one vehicle by forcing open a window, while entry was made into two vehicles through open windows.

Remember not to leave any valuables in an unattended vehicle, especially items that can be seen from outside the vehicle. Always lock and completely secure your vehicle when left unattended. Immediately report all suspicious persons and activity to the Claremont Police Department by calling 9-1-1.

During this unprecedented period of winter weather, now more than ever it is important to be prepared to tackle the worst Mother Nature may throw at you. Listed below are a few tips. Click here for a more complete list.

Before the Storm

• Keep insurance policies, documents and other valuables in a safe-deposit box.
• Store supplies at work, home and car in handy locations.
• Check your first aid kit and essential medicines.
• Have a supply of food on hand.
• Have a non-electric can opener.
• Keep some cash on hand. ATM machines may not be working.
• Ensure you have a portable radio, flashlights and extra batteries (stored in a water-tight plastic bag).
• Store drinking water in closed, clean containers in case water service is interrupted. Allow one gallon of water per person per day for at least three days.

During the Storm

• Do not try to cross a flowing stream where water is above your knees. Even water as low as 6 inches deep may cause you to be swept away by strong currents.
• If your car stalls, abandon it IMMEDIATELY and seek higher ground. Many deaths have resulted from attempts to move stalled vehicles.
• Tune to local radio or television stations for emergency information and instructions from local authorities.
• If advised by local authorities to leave your home, move to a safe area before access is cut off by flood water. Establish an out-of- state family contact so that friends and relatives will know who to call to get information about where you are.
• Before leaving, disconnect all electrical appliances, and if advised by your local utility, shut off electric circuits at the fuse panel and gas service at the meter.

Claremont PD reminds Internet users who receive appeals to donate money in the aftermath of Tuesday's earthquake in Haiti to apply a critical eye and do their due diligence before responding to those requests. Past tragedies and natural disasters have prompted individuals with criminal intent to solicit contributions purportedly for a charitable organization and/or a good cause.

Therefore, before making a donation of any kind, consumers should adhere to certain guidelines, to include the following:

• Do not respond to any unsolicited (spam) incoming e-mails, including clicking links contained within those messages.
• Be skeptical of individuals representing themselves as surviving victims or officials asking for donations via e-mail or social networking sites.
• Verify the legitimacy of nonprofit organizations by utilizing various Internet-based resources that may assist in confirming the group's existence and its nonprofit status rather than following a purported link to the site.
• Be cautious of e-mails that claim to show pictures of the disaster areas in attached files because the files may contain viruses. Only open attachments from known senders.
• Make contributions directly to known organizations rather than relying on others to make the donation on your behalf to ensure contributions are received and used for intended purposes.
• Do not give your personal or financial information to anyone who solicits contributions: Providing such information may compromise your identity and make you vulnerable to identity theft.
  

Anyone who has received an e-mail referencing the above information or anyone who may have been a victim of this or a similar incident should notify the IC3 via www.ic3.gov.