Council to mull E. Newhall work

SANTA CLARITA — Revitalization of East Newhall is scheduled for discussion tonight by the City Council, which will consider allocation of neighborhood-improvement funds and solutions to problems linked to day laborers.

East Newhall, overpopulated and deteriorating, is the target of city cleanup and redevelopment efforts that are expected to include allocation of federal Community Development Block Grant Funds.

The council is scheduled tonight, during its 6:30 meeting, to receive a progress report on the city’s efforts to solve problems created by day laborers. Among city efforts is a flyer that explains laborers’ rights and responsibilities.

The council is also scheduled to hear public testimony on the proposed allocation of block grant funds for East Newhall, the Santa Clarita Valley Senior Center and Canyon Country Chamber of Commerce programs.

The city has received $714,267 in block-grant funds for a threeyear funding cycle ending June 30, 1991. The federal tax funds are earmarked for community-improvement programs designed to benefit low- or moderate-income residents.

Among possible block grant programs in East Newhall are a drainage study, new trees, housing rehabilitation loans and public-works improvements such as new curbs and sidewalks.

Also tonight, the council is scheduled to receive a progress report on city activities to reduce complaints about day laborers who wait for work on the streets of East Newhall.

The council on Aug. 1 ordered experimental sheriff’s foot patrols in response to complaints that day laborers litter, loiter, block business entry ways and urinate in public.

The foot patrols are part of a council “action plan” that includes strict health- and safety-code enforcement, purchase of trash cans and efforts to establish a site for day laborers to gather while awaiting work.

Also, city officials plan to distribute a flyer to explain day Laborers’ rights and responsibilities — in Spanish and English. Most of the laborers are Spanish-speaking immigrants.

The flyer is expected to be released Aug. 28 at an estimated cost of $500 to $600 for 2,000 copies.

Day laborers say they mean to cause no trouble — they only seek work to help feed their families.

Sheriff’s officials have reported that day laborers cause few problems for deputies, and no major problems were reported during the first week of the two-week foot patrol experiment, scheduled to end Saturday.

Two deputies, at a city cost of $1,695 per week, are patrolling San Fernando Road between Market and Pine streets from 7 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., Monday through Saturday.

In a report to the council, City Manager George Caravalho has recommended that the council order city officials to return Aug. 28 with a report describing possible sites and a budget for a day laborer work center.

The center would provide laborers with a place to gather while awaiting work offers, rather than soliciting work on street comers.

The City Council is scheduled to meet 6:30 tonight in council chambers. 23920 Valencia Blvd.