April 8 Newsletter

Council approves construction contract for Visalia Animal Care Facility: At the April 7 City Council meeting, the City Manager was authorized to execute a construction contract for $4.6 million to the low bidder, Forcum/Mackey Construction, for the construction of the Visalia Animal Care Facility. An agreement with Moore Twining Associates, Inc., for up to $150,000 for the material testing services for the facility was also approved. The total budgeted amount for the project is $7.3 million, and it is being financed primarily from a 15-year, $6.6 million loan which will be repaid in annual installments by the General Fund. To read the staff report, click here.

Building permits on upward path: Building permits climbed 22 percent through March, with new home permits continuing a strong showing at 79, up 5 percent over the same period last year. Total valuation was up 3% for the first three months at $34.3 million. New commercial projects are up 11% and commercial additions up 18%.

Traffic switch-overs planned on Houston Avenue next week: Construction activities are set to resume on the Houston Avenue Widening project beginning Monday, April 14. Traffic will be switched on Monday, April 14 beginning at 7 AM, and will be diverted to the south side of Houston Avenue between Lovers Lane and McAuliffe. This traffic switch will remain in place through August. Traffic lights at Lovers Lane and McAuliff will be on flash on Monday, April 14^th from 7am to 3:30pm only, then returned to normal operating mode. Motorists are advised to use extreme caution and to follow all temporary signage to be installed. Temporary pedestrian walkways will also be installed on the north side of Houston Avenue between Lovers Lane and McAuliff. Motorists are encouraged to use alternate routes during construction to avoid delays.

Youth Convention at the Convention Center: The United Pentecostal Church, Western Division, kicks off its Youth Convention in Visalia April 22 through 26. Event organizers are anticipating nearly 2,000 in attendance for the five-day conference.

Great Western Fan Festival returns: The Great Western Fan Festival returns to Visalia May 1-3. This 3-day gospel concert series and celebration attracts over 1,200 attendees daily. The faithful attendees return year after year and are true patrons to the local economy. Go to www.fanfestivals.org to learn more.

Donuts and Discussion on Saturday: Enjoy Donuts and Discussion with Vice Mayor Warren Gubler and Visalia Fire Chief Doug McBee from 7 to 8:30 am Saturday, April 12 at the Donut Factory Inc., at 3100 N. Demaree St. This informal gathering allows any citizen to address their concerns or ask questions one-on-one with Vice Mayor Gubler. Chief McBee will give an update on the status of the fire station in the southwest quadrant of the City. Drop-ins are welcome at any time. Vice Mayor Gubler also can be reached through 713-4400, then enter 3313, or by email at [email protected].

Drug Take Back Day on April 26: The United States Drug Enforcement Administration and local law enforcement agencies are providing the public with an opportunity to prevent pill abuse and theft by ridding their homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused, and unwanted prescription and over-the-counter medication (including pet medication), both in pill and liquid form as well as unused vitamins. The Visalia Police Department will be open from 10 am to 2 pm Saturday, April 26, at 303 E. Johnson St. Place pills, capsules, and tablets of unwanted medication and vitamins into a zip-lock plastic bag. Keep liquid medication in its original container. Medication from hospitals, pharmacies, doctor's offices, etc., will not be accepted. The event is free and the public is encouraged to drop off all unwanted medication and vitamins. For information, call 713-4216.

Earth Day is May 3; Focus On Water Conservation: Visalia's 2014 Earth Day celebration has been scheduled for Saturday May 3rd from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at St. Johns Riverwalk (Ben Maddox & St. Johns River). This year's event will focus on water conservation and will include an exhibitor/vendors event, multiple water efficiency demonstrations, birding and native plant educational walks, live music and a recycled art fashion show. For those interested in participating in the bird watching tour, please plan to be at St. Johns Riverwalk by 7:45 a.m. There will be lots of information on what's new in water conservation and water efficient landscaping practices, so come on out and enjoy Visalia's 2014 Earth Day event along St. Johns River. If you are interested in hosting an exhibitor or vendor booth at the Earth Day event, please complete the Earth Day Exhibitors Form and return to the City of Visalia Natural Resource Conservation Division by April 11th. Visalia's Earth Day as always is a FREE public event and is only made possible by funding from community sponsors and contributions. If you would like to sponsor the Visalia Earth Day celebration, please complete the 2014 Earth Day Sponsorship Form and return it to the City of Visalia Natural Resource Conservation Division by April 11th.