ROSEMEAD - The Rosemead City Council reviewed and discussed at its Tuesday night meeting information and dialogue concerning the California High Speed Rail project that is proposed to be constructed through the San Gabriel Valley.

Two of the four proposed alternative routes through the San Gabriel Valley would pass through Rosemead. One alternative route through Rosemead would be along Interstate 10, while the other alternative route would be along Highway 60.

The city of Rosemead is currently on record in support of the alignment on Interstate 10 on the condition that it goes along the median.
At the request of the city, other neighboring cities and the San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments, the California High Speed Rail

Authority has agreed to address the various concerns that have been expressed, including holding public meetings for citizens to obtain information and voice their concerns.

The authority has also indicated that at least one such community meeting will be conducted in this area during the month of September.

In other council news:

The city council approved funding to enhance the aesthetic appearance of the city's entry points from Interstate 10. This project consists of painting three freeway bridges at Rosemead and San Gabriel boulevards and Del Mar Avenue and the style will be similar to the existing logo design on the Garvey Avenue bridge.

The council adopted an ordinance called "Social Host Underage Drinking and Consumption Accountability," which is designed to protect and promote the health, safety and general welfare of the younger residents of the city.

After giving Rosemead City Manager Jeff Allred a rating of "substantially exceeds expectations" at its July 27 meeting, the council has given Allred a 2.5 percent merit salary increase. Allred could have received up to 5 percent, but that was halved in light of current economic conditions.

Also, the city, which has been using the same basic accounting software for almost 20 years, is looking into requesting proposals for a new information processing system.

(Shel Segal can be reached at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .)