Arcadia : 3 City Departments Merged

The City Council has created a Community Development Department, combining the planning, building and economic development departments under one director.

Arcadia officials say they will recruit a community development director to oversee the three areas. The permit application process will be streamlined with the consolidation, officials said.

In May, Planning Director William Woollard resigned at the request of the council. Acting Planning Director Donna Butler will become assistant community development director for planning. Peter Kinnahan, assistant city manager for economic development, will become assistant community development director for economic development.

In other business, the council gave final approval to the regulation of karaoke clubs. The council outlawed private rooms in karaoke clubs and the sale of alcohol in facilities used solely for singing to backup tapes and videos.

The council also gave preliminary approval to applying the city’s utility tax to cellular telephone bills.