Artesia Council Tackles Downtown Parking

The Artesia City Council debated what contributions property owners should pay for a parking structure or area in the city’s downtown district, which includes Little India at the most recent council meeting.

Okina Dor, redevelopment and planning director for the City of Artesia, said at the meeting that the city had many options on the table as far as constructing a parking area is concerned and how businesses in the area will pay for it through an in-lieu fee for new restaurants and restaurant expansions.

The pace of the planning process concerned business owner Roger Patel, who wants to expand the Surati Farsan Mart, located on 11814 186th St. Patel said he was willing to pay the fees that the city would have mandated.

“I was hoping it would have been decided on tonight because I’ve been working on it since July,” he said during public comment. “It’s costing me $3,000 in rent to kick the tenant out. It’s my fault that I kicked the tenant out early, but I didn’t know it was going to take this long.”

City council member Michele Diaz said that Patel has been waiting for the city to act on this issue and made it clear he is willing to pay the fees associated with the parking.

“He’s trying to get his business expanding and that’s what we want to encourage,” she said.

Council member Tony Lima, a member of the ad hoc committee exploring the options for the downtown area, expressed concerns about the cost of the parking structure on businesses and its impact on residents who live close to the downtown area.

“The lack of parking affects most residents of the surrounding area, mostly near Pioneer Boulevard and Corby Avenue,” he said. “The ad hoc committee also believes that the amount—$30,000—is too much for a business to pay.”

Lima said that the city should help foot the bill for the parking structure in the downtown area.

“The city should make a big investment in providing parking,” he said. “We also believe that businesses should pay at least one-third of the cost, which comes to about $10,000.”

However, he said that investing for parking shouldn't come at the whole expense of Artesia residents.

“I think it’s unfair for the residents of Artesia to subsidize the little amount of businesses between 186th Street and 187th Street,” Lima said. “We cannot commit all our funds to provide parking for businesses there.”

Mayor Pro Tem John Lyon suggested collecting a certain amount of money upfront and an annual maintenance fee to maintain the landscaping around the shopping centers in downtown.

Ultimately, the council passed a motion to hold another public hearing on this matter for Feb. 28 at 7 p.m.

Town Hall Meetings

The City Council approved Mayor Victor Manalo’s proposal to hold town hall meetings throughout the city of Artesia four times this year—in March, May, August and November. The events will be held at Albert O. Little Community Center, North Artesia Community Center, Burbank Elementary School and Ross Middle School.

“It’s important for us to go out to community and let them know what’s happening and give them the opportunity to let us know what their concerns are, especially in light of what’s been happening at Bell,” Mayor Manalo said. “It’s even more important that we reach out to the community and let them know we’re here and let them we’re open to any of their questions, problems or concerns they have with the city.”

Energy Efficiency Projects

The council adopted a resolution authorizing the City of Artesia to make changes to a grant application for money towards city energy efficiency projects.

The projects include replacing 12 air conditioning units, which the city would need to come up with $26,500 out of the total cost of $41,098.

Ceremonial Presentations

Mayor Manalo presented two resolutions declaring March 2011 as both Safe Communities Month and American Red Cross Awareness Month.

The next city council meeting is scheduled for Mar. 14 at 7 p.m. For more information, go to www.cityofartesia.us or call (562) 865-6262.