April 16 Newsletter
Strategic Workshop wrapup: The City Council got progress reports on priorities and action items established at the March 8-9 Strategic Planning Workshop. The struggles of the current economic environment prompted Council to re-examine the goals and projects established at the 2012 workshop. Highlights:
- The 911 Communications Center is in the needs assessment/programming phase of the initial design to provide the architect/engineering team with data needed to prepare a conceptual design. The RFP for the construction manager is finalized, and the proposal is expected to be available to the public on April 22. Work on the project is expected to begin in early August.
- Discussion on tighter regulation of the City's existing sign ordinance is being examined. Staff is preparing an RFP for consultant services to manage the comprehensive sign ordinance update, which is scheduled to be brought back to Council in June.
- A consultant will be used to help develop costs and recommendations for improving solid waste operations,.
For a copy of the staff report, click here. To view the workshop report, click here.
Public Opinion Survey to be distributed April 27: The City Council approved the 2013 Public Opinion Survey, administered every year to monitor public satisfaction with City services and concerns with how the City operates. This year, the City is planned for April 27. The Citizen Advisory Committee and volunteers conduct the survey in person at four different grocery stores from 10 am to 2 pm on a Saturday. This year's survey features two questions regarding split can service for residential solid waste and recycling services. To veiw a copy of the survey, click here.
Arbor Day Foundation names Visalia Tree City USA: For the 30th consecutive year, the City of Visalia has earned the national designation of Tree City USA for 2012 by the Arbor Day Foundation. The City achieved this recognition by meeting the program's four requirements of having a tree board or department, a tree-care ordinance, an annual community forestry budget of at least $2 per capita, and an Arbor Day observance and proclamation. The Tree City USA program is sponsored by the Arbor Day Foundation, n partnership with the U.S. Forest Service and the National Association of State Foresters.
Earth Day celebration set for April 20: The Visalia Environmental Committee will host the annual Earth Day event on Saturday, April 20, from 9 a.m. to noon at the St. John's Riverwalk at Ben Maddox Way and the St. Johns River. The event will include a community exhibitor's event offering information on what's new and available in the world of energy efficiency, conservation, and green products. There will also be a cleanup project along the St. Johns River, live music, walking tours, and an art project. The celelebration provides a day each year for community members to rededicate themselves to being good stewards of the Earth and to celebrate our many natural resources. Major sponsors include Visalia Rotary, Starbucks, Groppetti Automotive, 4Creeks Engineering, Tulare County Board of Supervisors, Home Depot, San Joaquin Valley College, Consolidated Waste Management Authority, and Visalia Transit.
Dare to Spare April 20-May 20: Changing our air starts by changing our minds. We all want to effect change for better air quality and we can all start by changing our minds about our daily habits. Beginning on April 20 and running for an entire month, take the Dare to Spare Challenge. Create a group of 3 teammates - friends, family or co-workers. Then, register your group by April 17. Some ways to Spare the Air today: Ride Visalia Transit; take a ride on the Visalia Town Trolley; ride a bike instead of driving, or walk instead of drive. For more information and to register your team, click here.
- The 911 Communications Center is in the needs assessment/programming phase of the initial design to provide the architect/engineering team with data needed to prepare a conceptual design. The RFP for the construction manager is finalized, and the proposal is expected to be available to the public on April 22. Work on the project is expected to begin in early August.
- Discussion on tighter regulation of the City's existing sign ordinance is being examined. Staff is preparing an RFP for consultant services to manage the comprehensive sign ordinance update, which is scheduled to be brought back to Council in June.
- A consultant will be used to help develop costs and recommendations for improving solid waste operations,.
For a copy of the staff report, click here. To view the workshop report, click here.
Public Opinion Survey to be distributed April 27: The City Council approved the 2013 Public Opinion Survey, administered every year to monitor public satisfaction with City services and concerns with how the City operates. This year, the City is planned for April 27. The Citizen Advisory Committee and volunteers conduct the survey in person at four different grocery stores from 10 am to 2 pm on a Saturday. This year's survey features two questions regarding split can service for residential solid waste and recycling services. To veiw a copy of the survey, click here.
Arbor Day Foundation names Visalia Tree City USA: For the 30th consecutive year, the City of Visalia has earned the national designation of Tree City USA for 2012 by the Arbor Day Foundation. The City achieved this recognition by meeting the program's four requirements of having a tree board or department, a tree-care ordinance, an annual community forestry budget of at least $2 per capita, and an Arbor Day observance and proclamation. The Tree City USA program is sponsored by the Arbor Day Foundation, n partnership with the U.S. Forest Service and the National Association of State Foresters.
Earth Day celebration set for April 20: The Visalia Environmental Committee will host the annual Earth Day event on Saturday, April 20, from 9 a.m. to noon at the St. John's Riverwalk at Ben Maddox Way and the St. Johns River. The event will include a community exhibitor's event offering information on what's new and available in the world of energy efficiency, conservation, and green products. There will also be a cleanup project along the St. Johns River, live music, walking tours, and an art project. The celelebration provides a day each year for community members to rededicate themselves to being good stewards of the Earth and to celebrate our many natural resources. Major sponsors include Visalia Rotary, Starbucks, Groppetti Automotive, 4Creeks Engineering, Tulare County Board of Supervisors, Home Depot, San Joaquin Valley College, Consolidated Waste Management Authority, and Visalia Transit.
Dare to Spare April 20-May 20: Changing our air starts by changing our minds. We all want to effect change for better air quality and we can all start by changing our minds about our daily habits. Beginning on April 20 and running for an entire month, take the Dare to Spare Challenge. Create a group of 3 teammates - friends, family or co-workers. Then, register your group by April 17. Some ways to Spare the Air today: Ride Visalia Transit; take a ride on the Visalia Town Trolley; ride a bike instead of driving, or walk instead of drive. For more information and to register your team, click here.