Official seal of City of Artesia (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
By Editor Jerry Bernstein
The Artesia City Council approved a contract with Albert Bustos Sports to officiate the city’s inter-league program. In a report to the city council Mar. 12 meeting, Parks and Recreation Superintendent Melissa Gobas said the department solicited three bids for empires to officiate games in four age brackets; Pinto (7-8), Mustang *9-10), Bronco (11-12) and Pony (13-14).
Gobas said though Heavy Hitter Diamond Sports was the lowest bidder overall, there was a concern that they may not assign their better capable personnel to officiate games due to the limited number of games requiring their services. She noted the Bustos has been providing officiating services to the city since 2008 and Mr. Bustos is affiliated with the Norwalk Pony Baseball inter-league program.
In 2011 a total of $4,797 was expended on youth baseball/softball umpire prices for the spring league. The amount budgeted for the 2012 season is $7,000, however it is not expected the total amount will be used. Expenditure3s are expected to be more than the previous year because the 3012 season has older division teams which are higher in cost. The 2012 lineup includes two Pinto, Two Mustang, three Broncos and one Pony team.
The actual costs incurred for officiating during the 2011 season was: Pinto Division $935–three teams; Mustang Division, $1,150-three teams; Bronco Division – no teams; Pony Division, $2,712.5 – two teams.
In a report to the council, City Manager Maria Dadian the city’s program welcoming volunteers or interns who provide supervised work to the city has seen a growing number of volunteer resources becoming more involved in addressing various community service needs.
She said in 2011 a collaboration of churches formed a volunteer group called Artesia in Action. Its goal is for the citizens to partner with city residents and government to bring restoration and hope to the community.
The group, represented by Brenna Rubio of New Life Community Church, recently signed an agreement with the City to release hold harmless and indemnify the City of any liability as a result of these projects. The group also provided Certificate of Commercial General Liability insurance in the amount of $1 million each occurrence with the city, its officers, employees, and agents as additional insured/
Artesia in Action first project was cleaning a warehouse filled with junk and trash at 11825 168th Street on Aug. 20, 2011. On Feb 11, 2012, the group held another cleanup event for the areas surrounding A.J. Padelford Park at 169th Street. The city manager concluded her report by saying the Artesia in Action is evolving into a successful service project group dedicated to making Artesia a better and cleaner place.
In other business the Council approved a permit for Alberto’s Mexican Restaurant located at 11732 Artesia Blvd… The restaurant currently operates seven days a week from 7 a.m. to 12 a.m. The applicant requested to extends operational hours to 3 a.m.
The Council approved the permit for a five year period.
–Jerry Bernstein, [email protected]
