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'SISTER' BATTLE CONTINUES
Highland Community News , CA
Jan 17 2014
By Charles Roberts
Published: Thursday, January 16, 2014 8:05 PM PST The controversy
over Highland's choice for a sister city was raised again Tuesday
night when Councilwoman Jody Scott presented a three-page letter to
the Council asking for reconsideration of its choice.
The breakaway republic of Nagorno Karabakh and its capitol, Berdzor,
got special recognition from the city Council in November with the
naming of Berdzor as a sister city.
This is recognition that even the U.S. government has not given.
In her letter, Scott notes the sister city resolution states that the
city of Highland "... encourages and supports the Nagorno Karabakh
Republic's continuing efforts to develop as a free and independent
nation ..."
The minutes say the vote was unanimous, but Scott says the vote was
3-1 with one absent.
She adds that the city received a letter on Dec. 3 from the Consul
General of Azerbaijan stating that the U.S. "supports the U.S.
supports the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan and does not recognize
Nagorno-Karabakh as an independent state."
The small republic was a part of Azerbaijan before declaring
independence and getting support from next-door Armenia.
Scott's previous attempt to bring up the subject of reconsideration
was unsuccessful with support only from Councilwoman Penny Lilburn.
Scott contends there has been no discussion of the issue, and want
it put on the agenda for reconsideration. She also complains that she
did not even see the resolution until after the initial vote was taken.
Initially, Mayor Sam Racadio rejected Scott's reconsideration
suggestion.
"Why not at least have a discussion about it?" asked Lilburn, who
was absent for the initial vote.
The issue lay dormant through the rest of the City council meeting
until the end, about two hours later, after City Manager Joe Hughes
conferred with the city attorney and Racadio, and announced that the
issue will be on the agenda for the net City Council meeting.
The City Council also considered an increase in development impact
fees, the money paid to offset impacts of development. The 9.8 percent
increase in Regional Circulation System fees were postponed to January,
2015 to encourage contractors to get in on the lower fees before they
go up, a move suggested by Carlos Rodriguez, CEO of the Baldy View
Chapter of the Building Industry association.
Fees were actually reduced through the recession years of 2010-2015,
so developers could get a real bargain with building in 2014.
City Manager Joe Hughes warned that postponing the increase could
mean a major increase next January, but the City Council unanimously
endorsed the postponement.
The City Council discussed a new sign for the police department.
People have complained that the small monument sign does not show
up enough.
Scott suggested larger letters on the rotunda, and that suggestion
was endorsed by Police chief Captain Rod Torres. The issue will be
brought back to the City Council with new examples.
http://www.highlandnews.net/articles/2014/01/17/news/doc52d87934d182e661119602.txt
Highland Community News , CA
Jan 17 2014
By Charles Roberts
Published: Thursday, January 16, 2014 8:05 PM PST The controversy
over Highland's choice for a sister city was raised again Tuesday
night when Councilwoman Jody Scott presented a three-page letter to
the Council asking for reconsideration of its choice.
The breakaway republic of Nagorno Karabakh and its capitol, Berdzor,
got special recognition from the city Council in November with the
naming of Berdzor as a sister city.
This is recognition that even the U.S. government has not given.
In her letter, Scott notes the sister city resolution states that the
city of Highland "... encourages and supports the Nagorno Karabakh
Republic's continuing efforts to develop as a free and independent
nation ..."
The minutes say the vote was unanimous, but Scott says the vote was
3-1 with one absent.
She adds that the city received a letter on Dec. 3 from the Consul
General of Azerbaijan stating that the U.S. "supports the U.S.
supports the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan and does not recognize
Nagorno-Karabakh as an independent state."
The small republic was a part of Azerbaijan before declaring
independence and getting support from next-door Armenia.
Scott's previous attempt to bring up the subject of reconsideration
was unsuccessful with support only from Councilwoman Penny Lilburn.
Scott contends there has been no discussion of the issue, and want
it put on the agenda for reconsideration. She also complains that she
did not even see the resolution until after the initial vote was taken.
Initially, Mayor Sam Racadio rejected Scott's reconsideration
suggestion.
"Why not at least have a discussion about it?" asked Lilburn, who
was absent for the initial vote.
The issue lay dormant through the rest of the City council meeting
until the end, about two hours later, after City Manager Joe Hughes
conferred with the city attorney and Racadio, and announced that the
issue will be on the agenda for the net City Council meeting.
The City Council also considered an increase in development impact
fees, the money paid to offset impacts of development. The 9.8 percent
increase in Regional Circulation System fees were postponed to January,
2015 to encourage contractors to get in on the lower fees before they
go up, a move suggested by Carlos Rodriguez, CEO of the Baldy View
Chapter of the Building Industry association.
Fees were actually reduced through the recession years of 2010-2015,
so developers could get a real bargain with building in 2014.
City Manager Joe Hughes warned that postponing the increase could
mean a major increase next January, but the City Council unanimously
endorsed the postponement.
The City Council discussed a new sign for the police department.
People have complained that the small monument sign does not show
up enough.
Scott suggested larger letters on the rotunda, and that suggestion
was endorsed by Police chief Captain Rod Torres. The issue will be
brought back to the City Council with new examples.
http://www.highlandnews.net/articles/2014/01/17/news/doc52d87934d182e661119602.txt