August 20 Newsletter
Lose power? Your thermostat and irrigation timer may have lost their programming. When reprogramming your thermostat, setting the heating and cooling temperatures based on when the space is occupied/unoccupied can provide significant savings on your energy bills. Consider the ENERGY STAR recommendations of ≤70° for occupied heating and ≥78° for occupied cooling. Set the temperature back at least 8° for heating and up at least 7° for cooling when you aren’t there. Still not cooled down from the outage? Please consider not setting your cooling below 75°. Each degree higher saves approximately 2 to 3% of energy, which adds up quick for energy bill savings. When reprogramming your irrigation control timer, please be sure to follow the City’s outdoor watering regulations which are at www.GoGreenVisalia.com.
Donuts and Discussion with Council Member Gubler: Enjoy Donuts and Discussion with Council Member Warren Gubler and Police Chief Colleen Mestas from 7 to 8:30 am Saturday, Aug. 24, at Paneras, 4103 S. Mooney Blvd., in Visalia. This informal gathering allows any citizen to address their concerns or ask questions one-on-one with Council Member Gubler or Police Chief Mestas. 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].
Save the Date for "The State": The annual "State of the City" presentation will be held Tuesday, Sept. 24, from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Charter Oak Ballroom of the Visalia Convention Center, 303 E. Acequia Ave. Mayor Amy Shuklian and Vice Mayor Steve Nelsen will provide updates on the City's financial picture, projects, economic development and challenges that lay ahead. The meeting is open to the public, and will be broadcasted on "Visalia Today", which broadcasts on the Local Cable Affiliate Channel 14 for Comcast TV.
Caltrans Houston Avenue widening project impacts traffic between Lovers Lane to McAuliff: Lane closures on Houston Avenue between Lovers Lane to McAuliff will impact traffic and cause delays from 6 am to 6 pm on this 200-day project. Houston will remain open to traffic but will be reduced to one lane in each direction. Due to the high volume of traffic in the area, flagging personnel will be posted at the intersection of Lover's Lane and State Route 216 and the intersection of McAuliff Street and Houston. Commuters are reminded to obey flagging personnel and pay attention to road construction vehicles and personnel. Drivers are encouraged to avoid this area during project work hours and use alternate routes when possible. To view the press release, click here.
Committees, Commissions seek applicants: Applications are accepted on a continuous basis and kept for a period of two years. If you have further questions you may visit our website www.ci.visalia.ca.us, Committees/Commissions” to view the informational handbook and application or you may contact the City Clerk’s Office (559) 713-4512.For a list of committees which currently have vacancies, click here.
First Air Alert of season launched: In order to prevent the Valley air basin from exceeding critical 1-hour ozone levels, local air officials declared the season's first Air Alert, which began Monday, Aug. 19, and will continue through Wednesday, Aug. 21. The annual notification program addresses ozone (smog) levels that correlate to increased vehicle use, including back-to-school traffic. About 80 percent of the Valley’s ozone is caused by vehicle use, and during back-to-school week, vehicle idling is also a major air-quality concern. Air Alerts are declared Valley-wide when conditions such as increased emissions, high temperatures and stagnant air flow are favorable for ozone levels to exceed federal, health-based standards. During an Air Alert episode, which may last several days, residents and businesses are urged to reduce vehicle miles traveled, including refraining from vehicle idling, carpooling or vanpooling and avoiding the use of drive-through services. Other measures, such as shifting ozone-creating activities including lawn maintenance to early mornings, can also help offset rising ozone levels. To receive notification of an Air Alert, call the District’s 1-800 SMOG INFO (766-4463) number; visit www.valleyair.org; or subscribe to a free, automated email list (http;//valleyair.org/list.list.htm).
Nighttime closures on Highway 198 ramps this week: Caltrans will have night closures of the eastbound and westbound State Route 198 connector ramps to northbound and southbound State Route 99 this week as part of the State Route 99 Tulare to Goshen-North Segment Widening Project. This $42 million dollar project will convert an approximate 4 mile section of existing four lane conventional highway to a six lane conventional highway. The eastbound State Route 198 connector ramp to Northbound State Route 99 and the Westbound State Route 198 connector ramp to Southbound State Route 99 will be closed through Friday morning, August 23rd, between the hours of 7 p.m. and 6 a.m. each night. Northbound and Southbound State Route 99, #1 (left lane) within the project limits will be closed Sunday night, August 18th through Friday morning, August 23rd, 2013 between the hours of 7:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. each night. For updates and information regarding lane closures, commuter alerts and construction schedules during the length of this construction project, visit the Caltrans District 6 website, at www.dot.ca.gov/dist6 and click on the Tulare to Goshen logo.