Programs within the city, like Dial-A-Ride and the Residential Rehabilitation Program, will continue while others, like the Sewer Connection Program, are seeing its final days.
The City Council at its Jan. 16 meeting held a public hearing to discuss keeping the Residential Rehabilitation Program, and eliminating the Sewer Connection Program under the Community Development Block grant.
In 2000, the city began administering the CDBG programs, which included housing repair needs for low- and moderate-income people. Most eligible La Cañada Flintridge residents are seniors or disabled persons, according to the agenda.
Some eligible rehabilitation improvements under the Residential Rehabilitation Program includes roofing, structural repairs, window and screen repairs, handicap improvements, pest control and improvements to increase energy and water use efficiency to name a few.
“We have had no takers for the sewer grant program for the last three years,” said Director of Community Development Susan Koleda.
The Sewer Connection Program provides grants to income-qualified households and work is limited to plumbing retrofit and hardscape construction costs associated with the connection of single-family residences to existing sewer lines.
Most households are already connected to the sewer system, and the number of unconnected properties is low, the council agenda stated.
With lack of resident interest in the Sewer Connection Program, the Council unanimously voted to eliminate the program for the upcoming Fiscal Year 2024-25.
The remaining homeowners who need to connect to the sewer system are currently involved with the city prosecutor and have been notified over many years about the Sewer Connection Program, according to the LCF officials.
Now, all the estimated funds received for the grant, $57,800, will be used for the Residential Rehabilitation Program.
“If you have a need, or know of someone who does, come seek that assistance because we have these great, robust and oftentimes unknown programs in place that can be brought to bear,” said Councilman Kim Bowman.
For more information about the Community Development Block Grant, visit cityoflcf.org/
cdbg-grant/.
DIAL-A-RIDE EXTENSION
The City Council also unanimously approved extending its subregional tri-agency Dial-A-Ride agreement between the city of Glendale and the county of Los Angeles for another two years.
“The city of La Cañada Flintridge pays its portion of the Dial-A-Ride paratransit services provided to La Cañada Flintridge residents on a ‘per trip’ basis using Proposition A Local Return funding,” reads the agenda.
Eligible riders for this service include residents who are 60 years old or older and residents of any age with a disability.
The service transports users to any location within the La Cañada Flintridge, Glendale, La Crescenta, Montrose, Altadena and areas of Pasadena west of Lake Avenue.
Service is free for LCF residents, and personal attendants and service animals are also allowed to travel along.
With the rate per trip having increased, the rate for fiscal year 2024-25 will be $46.44, and as a result of the increased anticipated service level, staff recommend increasing the budget for the services from $58,175 to $84,450.
The city said that ridership has steadily increased since the pandemic and estimates that there will be 2,000 trips in FY 2023-24.
The hours of service are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays, and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sundays. Dial-A-Ride service does not run during major holidays. To use the service, residents must register by completing an application and return it to the Administration Department at City Hall either by mail or fax.
To have an application mailed or for more information, call City Hall at (818) 790-8880.
To schedule reservations for rides, call (818) 247-0691 at least 24 hours in advance. Reservations should be made between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., Monday through Friday.
For more information, visit the city’s website at cityoflcf.org and go under the “Live Well” tap to find, “TRANSPORTATION.”
First published in the January 25 print issue of the Outlook Valley Sun.
