No Property Tax Extension

The County of Los Angeles Tax Collector has prepared a detailed question and answer sheet on the COVID-19 impact to property taxes (found online at www.cvweekly.com/NEWS).

Property tax payments must be received or United States Postal Service (USPS) postmarked by the delinquency date to avoid penalties. Otherwise, the payment is delinquent and penalties will be imposed in accordance with state law.

Little Free Libraries Now Little Free Food Pantries

The Glendale Sunrise Rotary Club, Glendale Latino Association, Kiwanis-Glendale and members of the community have partnered with Glendale Library, Arts, & Culture, a department of the City of Glendale, to convert several Little Free Libraries into Little Free Food Pantries during the current health crisis.

Located throughout Glendale, the flagship Little Free Food Pantry is located in front of Glendale City Hall, 613 E. Broadway. Members of the community are encouraged to take a nonperishable item and leave a nonperishable item if they wish to take advantage of this program. The idea is to take what you need and give what you can.

Community members are reminded that after they take or leave an item they should close the pantry door and wash their hands or use hand sanitizer as soon as possible. A sign with safety guidance will be posted on each pantry.

Little Free Food Pantry locations include Glendale City Hall, Mayor’s Bicentennial Park, Glorietta Park, Montrose Park and Verdugo Park.

HSRA Extends Public Viewing Period for EIR/EIS

This week, the California High-Speed Rail Authority (Authority) announced the public review period and public hearing for the Bakersfield to Palmdale Draft Environmental Impact Report/Environmental Impact Statement (EIR/EIS) have been changed. The public review period previously scheduled to end on April 13 has been extended by 15 days to April 28. The Authority has also changed the date and format of the public hearing from an in-person hearing on April 9 to a “virtual” public hearing now scheduled for April 23.

The public can continue to submit comments on the Draft EIR/EIS via mail to Attn: Bakersfield to Palmdale Draft EIR/EIS, California High-Speed Rail Authority, 770 L St., Suite 620 MS-1, Sacramento, CA 95814; via the web comment form on the Authority’s Bakersfield to Palmdale Draft EIR/EIS website https://tinyurl.com/rnrz8qt; via email to Bakersfield_Palmdale@hsr.ca.gov with the subject line “Bakersfield to Palmdale Draft EIR/EIS Comment;” via the April 23 virtual public hearing, for oral comment submissions

After the comment period closes on April 28 and the comments received have been evaluated, staff will prepare and issue the Final EIR/EIS document and present it to the board to consider certification and project approval under the California Environmental Quality Act and National Environmental Policy Act.

Vigilance Encouraged to Prevent Porch Piracy

Due to recent events, the number of online purchases and delivered items has significantly increased. More packages being delivered means a greater opportunity for theft. In order to reduce theft, residents and businesses are encouraged to bring packages and mail inside as soon as possible. Those who know they will not be home at the time a package is expected should consider having it delivered to a neighbor or relative. 

SoCalGas Offers Financial Assistance

Southern California Gas Co. (SoCalGas) launched a campaign titled, “SoCalGas CAREs” for customers whose income may have recently changed due to COVID-19 or other reasons. The campaign aims to let customers know of their eligibility to qualify for SoCalGas’ assistance program, California Alternate Rates for Energy or CARE, saving them 20% on their monthly natural gas bills. Over the next several weeks, SoCalGas will begin running both social media and television ads promoting the “SoCalGas CAREs” campaign.

Customers can visit socalgas.com/care, complete the quick online application and find out instantly if they qualify. The CARE online application is available in several languages.