Minutes of the September 17, 2007 Board meeting

Board approved a motion to send a letter to the County Sanitation Districts in response to their draft annual report for the Puente Hills landfill dated September 2007.

Board approved the following people to comprise the Nominating Committee to find candidates for the Board of Directors next year: Charles Norris (chairman), Mae Chu, John Shubin, Barbara Fish and Jean Thiesen.

Law Enforcement. CHP Officer Chris Valencia introduced two new members of the COPS team. He also reported on efforts to correct crossing guard issues at Kwis Elementary School, and that there is a speeding problem on Colima Road that they are addressing.

LA County Deputy Sheriff Brian Sanford reported that while burglaries in Hacienda Heights were up from July to August, overall crime was down by 12%. In addition, his unit responded to complaints that liquor stores in the area were selling alcohol to minors by setting up sting operations. They found that most stores were mostly in compliance with the law.

Program: Jeff Lambert reported on the status of the Puente Hills Landfill Community Benefit Fund proposed expenditures. He noted that $21 million in tipping fees will be collected through 2013 that will be available to Hacienda Heights. Their goal is to use the tipping fee revenues to leverage funds from other sources, and to work with the school district to be more efficient in the use of community facilities. Types of projects that are being considered include: A community center probably to be located at the Hillgrove school site; the improvement of parks, athletic fields and other athletic facilities; the beautification of streets; the construction of a passive park adjacent to Orange Grove school; and the improvement of communication in Hacienda Heights. Mr.Lambert emphasized that these funds will not be used in lieu of other funds normally available to Hacienda Heights. A community meeting will be held on October 16 to give residents an update of the process.

Jim Starkey of Senator Margett's office reported that the State budget has been approved by the legislature, although Senator Margett did not vote to approve it. His concerns were that the figures used to balance the budget were in error.

Dickie Simmons, of Supervisor Knabe's office, reported that he will be holding a meeting among the CHP and various County agencies to discuss the most efficient delivery of services to Hacienda Heights. He also noted that the two pedestrian crossings over the Pomona freeway at Kwis and Riderwood will soon be removed. The Barford crossing will remain in place. Banners for Fifty-six more servicemen and women will soon be put up in Hacienda Heights and Rowland Heights. The Seventh Avenue Park is scheduled for construction in March 2008.

Committee reports were given by Charles Norris, Jean Robson, Mae Chu, Mary Tang and Troy Goodspeed.