October 1 Newsletter
ONE DAY CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THE COMMUNITY
IS IT TIME TO CHANGE TO DISTRICT ELECTIONS?
APPLICATIONS ACCEPTED FOR CITY COMMITTEES
WIRE THEFTS ON RISE FOR RECYCLING PROFIT
HEALTHY VISALIA FESTIVAL SET FOR OCT. 20
MAYOR TO HOLD OFFICE HOURS OCT. 3
DONUTS AND DISCUSSION ON OCT. 27 AT VALLARTA SUPERMARKET
PROGRESS ON PLAZA PROMPTS RAMP CLOSURES
CITY CRS RATING DROPS
ONE DAY CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THE COMMUNITY: Take your choice of planting trees, painting benches and tables or removing graffiti. Over 220 volunteers are needed to help at five locations throughout the City during the Make a Difference Day 2012, from 8 am to noon Saturday, Oct. 27. Work will be done at Packwood Creek from Cameron to Caldwell and Sue to College Streets, at St. John's Riverwalk at Ben Maddox Way, and at Fairview and Rotary Parks. Register to volunteers at http://daytabank.handsonnetwork.org or call 713-4384 or email [email protected].
IS IT TIME TO CHANGE TO DISTRICT ELECTIONS: When the City's Charter was written nearly 100 years ago, the population was less than 10,000 and it called for at-large City Council elections. A vote by the citizens is required to change the Charter. Citizens will have the opportunity to decide if they wish to change the Charter when a ballot measure, Measure P, goes before voters on November 6. An informational flyer is intended to inform citizens on the differences between at-large and district elections and provide resources to obtain more comprehensive information. For a copy of the flyer in both English and Spanish, click here.
APPLICATIONS BEING ACCEPTED FOR CITY COMMITTEES: The City is currently accepting applications for six committees. The following committees currently have vacancies: Citizens Advisory Committee; Environmental Committee; Historic Preservation Committee; North Visalia Neighborhood Advisory Committee; Transit Advisory Committee; Waterways and Trails Committee. Applications are accepted on a continuous basis and kept for two years. Visit the City's website at www.ci.visalia.ca.us. "Committees/Commissions" to view the handbook and application. You can also call the City Clerk's Office at 713-4512.
WIRE THEFTS ON RISE FOR RECYCLING PROFIT: The number of wire theft reports has doubled to date in 2012. Reported losses total $86,000 and these thefts are occurring citywide. Some tips for reducing the likelihood of becoming a wire theft victim: Keep wire areas illuminated at night; use surveillance cameras in and around businesses; keep wire in secured enclosures; and mark wire with identifiable markings or colored paint to enhance recovery efforts. Citizens are encouraged to report any information regarding wire theft to the Visalia Police Department at 734-8117 or the Anonymous Tip Line at 713-4738.
HEALTHY VISALIA FESTIVAL SET FOR OCT. 20: The City's third annual "Healthy Visalia Festival" will be held from 1 to 4 pm at the Shannon Baseball Complex at Riverway Sports Park. The fun-filled, free event begins at 1 pm with local talent entertainment, music, family activities, and lots of prizes. Informational booths and free health screenings by Family HealthCare Network and Tulare County Health & Human Services Agency will be provided. The event is sponsored by the Healthy Visalia Committee. To learn more, visit www.healthyvisalia.com.
MAYOR TO HOLD OFFICE HOURS ON OCT. 3: Visalia Mayor Amy Shuklian will hold her regular office hours on Wednesday, Oct. 3, for Visalia residents to discuss issues of concern. Walk-ins are welcome from 5 to 5:45 p.m. in the large conference room at City Hall, at 707 W. Acequia Ave. Appointments from 5:45 to 6:30 p.m. can be scheduled in advance by contacting Gladys Ruiz at 713-4314. Mayor Shuklian also can be reached through 713-4400, then enter 8313, or by email at [email protected].
DONUTS & DISCUSSION WITH COUNCIL MEMBER GUBLER, ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER MICHAEL OLMOS ON OCT. 27: Enjoy Donuts and Discussion with Council Member Warren Gubler and Assistant City Manager Michael Olmos from 7 to 8:30 am Saturday, Oct. 27, in the Bakery/Deli area at Vallarta Supermarket, 3112 N. Dinuba Blvd. The informal gathering allows any citizen to address their concerns or ask questions one-on-one with Council Member Gubler or Assistant Manager Olmos. Drop-ins are welcome at any time. Council Member Gubler also can be reached through 713-4400, then enter 3313, or by email at [email protected].
PROGRESS ON PLAZA PROMPTS RAMP CLOSURES: The eastbound on-ramp to Highway 198 at the Plaza Drive interchange will be closed from 9 pm to 5 am through Thursday, Oct. 4. Detour will be north on Plaza to Goshen, east on Goshen and South on Shirk to Highway 198. The westbound off-ramp to Highway 198 also will be closed. Exit 198 at Shirk, continue north on Shirk, then go west on Goshen to Plaza Drive. For more project information, click here.
CITY CRS RATING DROPS: Effective today, Oct. 1, the City of Visalia’s rating in the FEMA Community Rating System has been reclassified to a Class 8. The reclassification results in a 10% discount on standard A flood insurance policies and a continued 5% discount on standard X flood insurance policies. These discounts do not apply to those property owners with Preferred Risk Policies (PFP); however, FEMA has recently issued a memorandum extending the PRP Eligibility Extension Program indefinitely. The CRS Program is a voluntary program that provides a points-based rating system for communities to enhance their floodplain management efforts and receive flood insurance discounts for policyholders within their jurisdictions. The City began participating in the CRS Program at the level of Class 9 on Oct. 1, 2011, that resulted in a 5% discount on standard A flood insurance policies and a 5% discount on standard X flood insurance policies. For more information, click here.
The City also has released its annual progress report on steps it has taken in the Tulare County Hazard Mitigation Plan. The City is a participating community in Tulare County's multi-jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan adopted by the City Council. The adoption and participation in the Plan enables the City to be eligible to apply for grants through FEMA's Hazard Mitigation Assistance Program.
The City also participates in FEMA's Community Rating System. Since the City began participating in the voluntary program in October, 2011, the City's rating has gone from a Class 10 to a Class 8, which has resulted in A 10% discount on standard A flood insurance policies and a 5% discount on standard X flood insurance policies. The discounts do not, however, apply to those property owners that have Preferred Risk Policies (PRP) which FEMA has extended indefinintely. To review the plan and the City's progress report, go to http://www.ci.visalia.ca.us/depts/fire/hazard_mitigation_plan/default.asp
IS IT TIME TO CHANGE TO DISTRICT ELECTIONS?
APPLICATIONS ACCEPTED FOR CITY COMMITTEES
WIRE THEFTS ON RISE FOR RECYCLING PROFIT
HEALTHY VISALIA FESTIVAL SET FOR OCT. 20
MAYOR TO HOLD OFFICE HOURS OCT. 3
DONUTS AND DISCUSSION ON OCT. 27 AT VALLARTA SUPERMARKET
PROGRESS ON PLAZA PROMPTS RAMP CLOSURES
CITY CRS RATING DROPS
ONE DAY CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THE COMMUNITY: Take your choice of planting trees, painting benches and tables or removing graffiti. Over 220 volunteers are needed to help at five locations throughout the City during the Make a Difference Day 2012, from 8 am to noon Saturday, Oct. 27. Work will be done at Packwood Creek from Cameron to Caldwell and Sue to College Streets, at St. John's Riverwalk at Ben Maddox Way, and at Fairview and Rotary Parks. Register to volunteers at http://daytabank.handsonnetwork.org or call 713-4384 or email [email protected].
IS IT TIME TO CHANGE TO DISTRICT ELECTIONS: When the City's Charter was written nearly 100 years ago, the population was less than 10,000 and it called for at-large City Council elections. A vote by the citizens is required to change the Charter. Citizens will have the opportunity to decide if they wish to change the Charter when a ballot measure, Measure P, goes before voters on November 6. An informational flyer is intended to inform citizens on the differences between at-large and district elections and provide resources to obtain more comprehensive information. For a copy of the flyer in both English and Spanish, click here.
APPLICATIONS BEING ACCEPTED FOR CITY COMMITTEES: The City is currently accepting applications for six committees. The following committees currently have vacancies: Citizens Advisory Committee; Environmental Committee; Historic Preservation Committee; North Visalia Neighborhood Advisory Committee; Transit Advisory Committee; Waterways and Trails Committee. Applications are accepted on a continuous basis and kept for two years. Visit the City's website at www.ci.visalia.ca.us. "Committees/Commissions" to view the handbook and application. You can also call the City Clerk's Office at 713-4512.
WIRE THEFTS ON RISE FOR RECYCLING PROFIT: The number of wire theft reports has doubled to date in 2012. Reported losses total $86,000 and these thefts are occurring citywide. Some tips for reducing the likelihood of becoming a wire theft victim: Keep wire areas illuminated at night; use surveillance cameras in and around businesses; keep wire in secured enclosures; and mark wire with identifiable markings or colored paint to enhance recovery efforts. Citizens are encouraged to report any information regarding wire theft to the Visalia Police Department at 734-8117 or the Anonymous Tip Line at 713-4738.
HEALTHY VISALIA FESTIVAL SET FOR OCT. 20: The City's third annual "Healthy Visalia Festival" will be held from 1 to 4 pm at the Shannon Baseball Complex at Riverway Sports Park. The fun-filled, free event begins at 1 pm with local talent entertainment, music, family activities, and lots of prizes. Informational booths and free health screenings by Family HealthCare Network and Tulare County Health & Human Services Agency will be provided. The event is sponsored by the Healthy Visalia Committee. To learn more, visit www.healthyvisalia.com.
MAYOR TO HOLD OFFICE HOURS ON OCT. 3: Visalia Mayor Amy Shuklian will hold her regular office hours on Wednesday, Oct. 3, for Visalia residents to discuss issues of concern. Walk-ins are welcome from 5 to 5:45 p.m. in the large conference room at City Hall, at 707 W. Acequia Ave. Appointments from 5:45 to 6:30 p.m. can be scheduled in advance by contacting Gladys Ruiz at 713-4314. Mayor Shuklian also can be reached through 713-4400, then enter 8313, or by email at [email protected].
DONUTS & DISCUSSION WITH COUNCIL MEMBER GUBLER, ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER MICHAEL OLMOS ON OCT. 27: Enjoy Donuts and Discussion with Council Member Warren Gubler and Assistant City Manager Michael Olmos from 7 to 8:30 am Saturday, Oct. 27, in the Bakery/Deli area at Vallarta Supermarket, 3112 N. Dinuba Blvd. The informal gathering allows any citizen to address their concerns or ask questions one-on-one with Council Member Gubler or Assistant Manager Olmos. Drop-ins are welcome at any time. Council Member Gubler also can be reached through 713-4400, then enter 3313, or by email at [email protected].
PROGRESS ON PLAZA PROMPTS RAMP CLOSURES: The eastbound on-ramp to Highway 198 at the Plaza Drive interchange will be closed from 9 pm to 5 am through Thursday, Oct. 4. Detour will be north on Plaza to Goshen, east on Goshen and South on Shirk to Highway 198. The westbound off-ramp to Highway 198 also will be closed. Exit 198 at Shirk, continue north on Shirk, then go west on Goshen to Plaza Drive. For more project information, click here.
CITY CRS RATING DROPS: Effective today, Oct. 1, the City of Visalia’s rating in the FEMA Community Rating System has been reclassified to a Class 8. The reclassification results in a 10% discount on standard A flood insurance policies and a continued 5% discount on standard X flood insurance policies. These discounts do not apply to those property owners with Preferred Risk Policies (PFP); however, FEMA has recently issued a memorandum extending the PRP Eligibility Extension Program indefinitely. The CRS Program is a voluntary program that provides a points-based rating system for communities to enhance their floodplain management efforts and receive flood insurance discounts for policyholders within their jurisdictions. The City began participating in the CRS Program at the level of Class 9 on Oct. 1, 2011, that resulted in a 5% discount on standard A flood insurance policies and a 5% discount on standard X flood insurance policies. For more information, click here.
The City also has released its annual progress report on steps it has taken in the Tulare County Hazard Mitigation Plan. The City is a participating community in Tulare County's multi-jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan adopted by the City Council. The adoption and participation in the Plan enables the City to be eligible to apply for grants through FEMA's Hazard Mitigation Assistance Program.
The City also participates in FEMA's Community Rating System. Since the City began participating in the voluntary program in October, 2011, the City's rating has gone from a Class 10 to a Class 8, which has resulted in A 10% discount on standard A flood insurance policies and a 5% discount on standard X flood insurance policies. The discounts do not, however, apply to those property owners that have Preferred Risk Policies (PRP) which FEMA has extended indefinintely. To review the plan and the City's progress report, go to http://www.ci.visalia.ca.us/depts/fire/hazard_mitigation_plan/default.asp