October is National Energy Awareness Month and the perfect time to implement smart energy practices with your family in your home. Check out the energy efficiency tips below to start saving energy (and money) today!
During peak hours or when you’re not home, remember to set your thermostat at 78° or higher. Setting your air conditioner 5° higher can save up to 20 percent on cooling costs.
Tilt blinds up and close drapes and shades on windows that receive direct sunlight.
Use task or desktop lamps with LEDs instead of overhead lights.
Enable “power management” on all computers and turn off when not in use.
Unplug phone charges, power strips (those without a switch) and other equipment when not in use. Taken together, these small items can use as much power as your refrigerator.
Postpone using major appliances like the oven, dishwasher, clothes washer, and dryer until cooler times of the day to avoid heating up your home.
Run your dishwasher and clothes washer only when full.
When possible, wash clothes in cold water. About 90 percent of the energy used in a clothes washer goes to water heating.
Clean or replace your filters. A dirty filter forces your air conditioner and furnace to work harder, wasting money, using more energy or natural gas.
Turn your water heater down to 120° or the “normal” setting. Water heating accounts for about 13 percent of home energy costs.
Even during the pandemic, the South Pasadena Police Department’s Homeless Outreach Program for Education, (HOPE) Team deploys 24/7, conducting outreach day and night while out on patrol to assist the homeless and educate them about COVID-19, the importance on social distancing as well as providing available resources, including emergency shelters in the area.
A resident recently brought to our attention a few homeless encampments that were believed to be located on the West side of the Nature Park along the Arroyo Trail. The Homeless Outreach team canvassed the area and located two medium encampments and one small encampment in the park. Two unhoused neighbors were contacted and informed they needed to relocate themselves and personal belongings to a different location. The unhoused residents were extremely cooperative and asked if our team could help them clean up and relocate their property. The team spent a short time providing our pick-up truck’s services, and the unhoused neighbors cleaned up the sites and disposed of some trash. In the end, our team help relocate some of their personal belongings and learned that our unhoused neighbors had a place to stay in Highland Park. As we parted ways, resources and food were provided to our visitors.
The cooling center will remain open through Friday, October 2 at War Memorial as the heat wave continues through the week. The Center will be open 12pm to 6pm. The Cooling center can hold up to 38 people. For questions please call 626-403-7380.
Please note that the facility does not have WIFI, but movies will be shown on a projector. Additionally, LA County COVID-19 Protocols will be followed – MASKS ARE REQUIRED.
Other cooling center sites can be found at:
Robinson Recreation Center Park 1020 North Fair Oaks, Pasadena CA 91103
Reducing energy consumption and improving energy efficiency in our homes and businesses are always smart investments; saving us time, energy and money over the long run. Explore SoCalGas’ website to research energy saving rebates and incentives such as savings for:
Smart thermostats
Natural gas dryers
Tankless water heater
Storage water heater
Furnace
Gravity furnace
Pool heater
Natural gas fireplace insert
Now, paying for upgrades is so much easier with the availability of existing and upcoming financing programs. Click here for more information.
Recent information has indicated that covering your nose and mouth can slow the spread of COVID-19. You are asked to wear a cloth face covering over your nose and mouth when you must be in public and there are others nearby. If you are in a solitary area you do not need to wear a face covering. Wearing a cloth face covering does not eliminate the need to physically distance yourself from others and to wash your hands frequently.
Children under the age of 2 (including infants) should not wear cloth face coverings. Those between the ages of 2 and 8 should use them but under adult supervision to ensure that the child can breathe safely and avoid choking or suffocation. Children with breathing problems should not wear a face covering
For more information on Face Coverings, visit LA County’s website.
South Pasadena Public Library’s Teen Advisory Board (TAB) presents Literary Artober, from October 1st through October 31st. Artober is a month-long digital art challenge that encourages creativity and gives you a reason to “unplug” for a few minutes each day to draw. TAB’s Artober theme is literary, with each day’s drawing prompts inspired by the books TAB members have read and loved. Every day in October, the Library will post a new prompt to Instagram and Facebook (or see them all in advance here). Draw something inspired by the prompt and post to your social media—don’t forget to tag us and use the hashtags #artober #spplartober so we can see what you were inspired to create!
The Mayor and City Council invite qualified residents from the City to submit applications to fill the temporary Finance Ad Hoc Committee (Committee). The Committee will be comprised of two Councilmembers, two Finance Commissioners and up to three residents to work with staff on operational matters in the Finance Department. This Committee is anticipated to be an “ad hoc,” temporary committee which will not be subject to the Brown Act, as it will be engaged as a resource for staff acting in an operational capacity, with recommendations ultimately being provided to the City Council for consideration and action at a public meeting.
Interested parties may also request the Application Packet via e-mail. If hard copies are desired, appointments must be made during available office hours (with a 24-hour advanced notice).
Applications should be submitted via email. Please note, that additional written information after the deadline will not be accepted, unless requested by the City Council.
It is anticipated that Committee meetings will primarily occur virtually, using online meeting applications such as Zoom or GotoMeeting. For any in-person meetings related to the Committee, mask/face coverings are required for staff and all members. You will need to contact the Management Services Department when you arrive for a scheduled appointment so that you can be met at the front door of City Hall. Your temperature will be taken at that time. A 6-foot physical distancing is required during any meeting or appointment.
In order to be a qualified applicant for consideration for appointment, the completed documentsmust be received by the close of the application period: Monday, October 5, 2020 at 3:00 P.M.
Questions pertaining to this process should be directed to:
To be eligible to be appointed to the Committee, you:
Must be a resident and registered voter; and
Must meet all minimum requirements.
Please note that:
This is not a legislative body, and therefore is not subject to the Brown Act.
The Committee is temporary and the term of the Committee is anticipated to be 6 months.
Verification of voter registration will be confirmed upon submittal of your application.
Once an application is filed with the City, all information contained therein (except for telephone number(s), email(s), and other personal contact information) becomes a public record.
There are no application filing fees.
Tuesday, September 29
Official Announcement of Application for Appointment Consideration Filing Period BEGINS You may download the Application from the City’s website: Homepage under “News” or Finance Commission webpage https://www.southpasadenaca.gov/Home/Components/News/News/2566/714
Monday, October 5, at 3:00 P.M.
Filing Period ENDS You must submit your Candidate Application Packet via email to cmoffice@southpasadenaca.gov. Submittals received after 3:00 P.M. will not be considered.
Wednesday, October 7
Selected Applicant is formally appointed to the Committee.
Calling all businesses in South Pasadena! Join the FREE Go Green Program to learn how you can save energy and money. By participating in the San Gabriel Valley (SGV) Go Green program, your organization can receive free customized energy and water conservation recommendations and be recognized for the leadership and commitment to energy efficiency and sustainability. Community organizations and schools can participate, too. By participating in the program, your organization can:
reduce operating costs
be identified as an energy-conscious and eco-friendly business
be recognized on SGV social media accounts
contribute to a healthier and cleaner community
become a leader in the community
This is a free virtual program created by the San Gabriel Valley Energy Wise Partnership that encourages local businesses, community organizations, schools, and libraries to be leaders in their communities by implementing energy efficiency and conservation practices.
The Housing Element establishes goals, policies, and implementation measures to guide the development of housing in South Pasadena. Please join one of the virtual community workshops to help plan for housing needs in the city through 2029. Send written input or questions ahead of the workshops to: HousingElement@SouthPasadenaCA.gov
City Hall Scoop 