READ IT NOW - MORE NEWS, MORE OFTEN

By Kendra Ablaza, Staff Writer

January 24, 2013 - City manager Ken Farfsing discussed Signal Hill’s slow but promising economic recovery this afternoon as the featured speaker of the Signal Hill Chamber of Commerce’s first monthly meeting this year.

Farfsing described Signal Hill's economic recovery as “slow and uneven,” but said the city's revenues grew by $392,573, or 2 percent, from last year. He informed chamber members of specific cuts made to various departments, but commended the city for new businesses it helped bring in last year. These include In-N-Out Burger, Black Bear Diner and 99 Cents Only Store, with an Applebee’s restaurant opening this year.

The city is also taking over development projects due to elimination of its redevelopment agency in early 2012. These include commercial and residential properties in the 700 and 1400 blocks of Spring Street and the CarMax at 2950 Walnut Ave. Farfsing said city staff is working on creating a new oil code amendment with more flexibility, since the moratorium that prohibits the city from building over abandoned oil wells expires in August.

More public works projects are scheduled for completion within the year, according to Farfsing. He said he looks forward to the city’s community garden opening later in the year and the new Signal Hill Police Station opening on January 26.