Pasadena Star News
A judge Wednesday rejected a lawsuit that sought to repeal a Monterey Park ballot measure that requires the city to accept the lowest bidder on its next trash contract. Los Angeles Superior Court Judge John Torribio ruled the lawsuit did not even meet a “slight burden” in its effort to repeal the ballot measure through state laws intended to protect the environment. “The court went with us on all of the arguments we had put forward,” said Christi Hogin, a city attorney who argued against the lawsuit.
Residents plan to pursue a ballot initiative to force the city to pay for street sweeping after the City Council passed on the costs for the services to residents earlier this month. Duarte gave its licensed trash hauler, Burrtec Waste Services, the authority to take over street sweeping duties and begin billing residents directly. The city’s general fund paid for the services before the change was made at the June 8 City Council meeting.
Residents of Arcadia and Sierra Madre will cast their votes Tuesday in general municipal elections to fill three council seats in each city. Voters in both cities can choose up to three candidates to fill three open seats on each City Council. Sierra Madre residents will also have the opportunity to vote on Measure ED, which if passed, would prohibit the city from exercising, facilitating or funding the power of eminent domain for private purposes without the property owner’s consent. The measure was submitted by the City Council.