Meeting summary
Quick recap
The community meeting focused on post-fire rebuilding efforts and neighborhood updates. Residents discussed water utility challenges, with concerns raised about Rubio Water Company’s financial situation and potential takeover by LA County. Several participants shared experiences with home reconstruction, including permit processes and appliance shopping at Snyder Diamond. The group also addressed neighborhood construction concerns, particularly regarding a retaining wall project that was causing safety concerns for one resident. The conversation ended with updates on local businesses, including Betsy’s planned casual restaurant and the return of Aldi in 2026, as well as discussion of the new bunny sculpture donation to the community.
Next steps
- Adrienne: Write a letter to the neighbor at 3521 Rubio Crest to express concerns about the construction and request information about the contractor and timeline for resolution.
- Adrienne: Request a timeline from the One Stop/Building & Safety contact regarding resolution of the construction hazard at 3521 Rubio Crest.
- Adrienne: Go to One Stop (Building & Safety) to request an inspector visit the property at 3521 Rubio Crest to assess the hazard and ensure permitted work.
- ANGELA: Coordinate with Barbara regarding a future party to celebrate breaking ground/lot leveling once weather permits.
- Mendes: Note in meeting records Adrienne’s next steps regarding launching a complaint and contacting neighbors about the construction issue at 3521 Rubio Crest.
- Robin: Purchase and install a UPS (uninterruptible power supply) for network equipment to maintain phone/internet connectivity during power outages.
Summary
Post-Disaster Home Repairs Discussion
The group discussed their experiences with furniture and home repairs after recent devastation. David shared that he was using bent wood chairs that were initially declared a total loss by insurance, while Barbara mentioned having furniture reupholstered instead of buying new. They also talked about changes in neighborhood lighting and views, with David noting how the lack of homes now provides clearer views of Los Angeles and the ocean. The conversation concluded with a discussion about poppies, where Barbara mentioned receiving seeds from a story about a man who was planting them in yards to bring joy, though she hadn’t seen any growth yet.
Appliance Shopping and Installation Challenges
The group discussed appliance shopping experiences, with Darrell noting that Becky, who they met the previous day, was on her way back to Cambria after getting appliance quotes. They shared experiences about appliance installation challenges, including a specific incident where a Sub-Zero refrigerator installation was delayed due to a measurement discrepancy of an eighth of an inch. The conversation concluded with Robby warning against using Perch appliances due to their bankruptcy history, while discussing various appliance brands including Miele, Cove, and Bosch, with Robby expressing satisfaction with his Cove dishwasher despite some initial concerns about durability.
Dishwasher Experiences and Water Supply
The group discussed their experiences with dishwashers, with Robby and others sharing positive experiences with Miele models, particularly noting their quiet operation and effective cleaning. The conversation then shifted to concerns about water supply, where Robby shared details about a troubled water company situation, including a proposed $3,000 hookup fee per household and potential challenges with LA County stepping in to provide water service. Angela raised a new point about the requirement to replace 3/4 inch water meters with 1-inch meters in homes built before 1965, which Darrell confirmed had already happened in their case.
Building Code and Fire Safety
The group discussed new building code requirements for sprinkler systems in homes, with Brian confirming that all new homes now need 1-inch pipe installations inside the house for evacuation purposes. Darrell shared his experience with a soils report issue where an inspector initially required a 24-inch foundation depth instead of the approved 18-inch depth, but the matter was resolved after consulting with the county soils engineer. The conversation also covered fire prevention technologies, including a sonic system that disrupts molecular combustion and remote-controlled water jets, though participants noted these technologies would not have been effective during the Rubio fire due to extreme wind conditions.
Construction Concerns and Contractor Issues
The group discussed home construction and appliance purchases, with Darrell indicating they hope to hire a contractor in two months to begin ground work. Adrienne raised concerns about construction work affecting her property, including a retaining wall being built too close to her house, which she reported to authorities as a hazard. The discussion concluded with Adrienne expressing frustration about the contractor’s lack of proper identification and poor workmanship, while Mendes suggested she could file a complaint against the contractor.
Construction Neighbor Concerns Addressed
Adrienne raised concerns about construction work on her neighbor’s property, which she believes is causing hazards on her side. She has been in communication with the contractor and local authorities about the issue. The group discussed the importance of considering neighbors’ concerns when planning construction projects. They agreed that Adrienne should continue communicating with the contractor and local authorities to address her concerns and request a timeline for completion.
Construction Project Safety Concerns
Adrienne expressed concerns about a construction project near her property, including safety and insurance issues. Robby advised Adrienne to document the situation and contact an inspector. The group discussed a neighbor’s heavily engineered basement project. Angela announced that their permits were now official, and they were waiting for soil impact tests before foundation work could begin.
Flood Recovery and Power Infrastructure
The group discussed recent flooding issues in their area, with some homes experiencing mud and water damage. Public Works was mentioned as being active in cleaning up after rains. They discussed specific problems at a few homes, including some that had underground power lines. Brian and others talked about requirements for new homes to have 200 amp circuit breakers, and whether existing underground lines could handle this. Darrell mentioned that his home’s transformer was on his lot, suggesting minimal digging would be needed for any power work.
AT&T Fiber Installation Experiences
The group discussed Angela’s plans to host a party once her property is fully leveled and the pool is cleaned. Robin shared her experience with AT&T fiber installation, which required creative solutions to avoid digging up her pavers, but she encountered unexpected fees and decided to cancel the order. Mendes advised Robin to connect her phone equipment to an uninterruptible power supply to ensure functionality during power outages. Adrienne recounted her struggles with AT&T services during a period of water issues, highlighting the importance of a landline for emergency calls. Brian described his experience with AT&T fiber installation, mentioning the installation of multiple copper lines in the same conduit. Robby mentioned that Starlink provided connectivity after a fire, emphasizing its reliability as a backup option.
Starlink-Fiber Internet Failover System
Robby discussed his dual-failover internet system using Starlink and Fiverr, with a $5 monthly Starlink plan providing basic connectivity for phone calls. He explained how his router automatically switches between fiber and Starlink internet connections, with Starlink serving as a reliable backup when fiber fails. The group discussed various wireless and cellular options for internet connectivity, including cellular boosters and RV options, with Brian sharing his experience of using Verizon wireless in his backyard. The conversation concluded with a brief discussion about UPS battery backups for network equipment, which need replacement every 5 years.
Fire Incident Response Discussion
The group discussed the aftermath of a fire incident, focusing on the lack of immediate emergency response and the subsequent fire department visits to study fire-resistant homes. Adrienne shared her experience with fire officials examining her home’s landscaping and fire-resistant features, while Brian mentioned taking photos of the fire’s origin at Eaton Canyon, which were delayed in being posted to the Altadena Beautiful group. Robby noted seeing a vehicle with flashing lights near his driveway the morning after the fire, and the group reflected on the overall response and community involvement following the event.
Facebook Group and Local Developments
The group discussed issues with a Facebook community group moderated by a single person, noting problems with post restrictions and potential conflicts of interest. They admired a new large bunny sculpture donated from China and discussed local business developments, including Betsy’s plans to open a casual restaurant two doors down from her current location, and the potential return of Aldi in June 2026. The conversation ended with updates about commercial spaces, including the possibility of a hardware store replacing Rite Aid, and plans to reconvene in two weeks.