March 5 Newsletter
Lower Rating May Lower Fire Insurance Prices: The City of Visalia received a new lower Public Protection Classification, which may result in lower fire insurance prices. The lower rating - from a 4 to a 3 - was the result of a survey by the Insurance Services Office which analyzes the structural fire suppression delivery system provided by the City. The City's addition of a new engine company and crew to the fire suppression fleet was key to obtaining the lower rating, coupled with the Fire Department's high level of documented training and staffing. The classification program also plays an important role in the underwriting process of insurance companies. Most U.S. insurers use the information when deciding what business to write coverage for or prices to charge on personal or commercial property insurance. Communities with a lower rating may get lower insurance prices. The new classification goes into effect on June 1.
Council Approves 6.5% Increase in Transportation Impact, Storm Water Deficiency and Storm Water Construction Impact Fees: To decrease the current deficit trend of these three funds, Council approved the implementation of a 6.5% increase at Monday's public hearing. A full review and adjustment to the transportation impact fees will be initiated following the Council's approval of the Draft General Plan. The 6.5% increase, which reflects the 2009 Engineering News Records Construction Cost Index (ENRCCI) increase, takes effect in 60 days. In addition, a public hearing was held for the first reading of an amendment to a City ordinance on the timing of reimbursements paid by the City for private construction of planned transportation facilities. The amendment would extend the maximum time limit for reimbursements paid by the City from two years to up to 10 years. During the 10-year period, the City will continue to issue impact fee credits against monies due to developers. Changes would take effect 30 days after the Council approves the second reading of the ordinance. To view the staff report, click here.
Home Building Permits Jump 125% Over 2012: It's only two months into 2013, but building permits for new single family dwellings are off to a strong start with 45 permits issued compared to 20 in 2012. That boost brought the total number of permits to 449, a 3% increase over the previous year. Total valuation was up 107%, again due to the home building bump, to $19,772,606 for the first two months of 2013.
Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks' Tourism Creates $121,892,000 in Local Economic Benefits: A new report for 2011 shows that the 1.5 million visitors to Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks spent $121,892,000 in communities surrounding the park. Spending supported 1,629 jobs in the local area. The information is part of a peer-reviewed spending analysis of naitonal park visitors across the country, which shows $13 billion of direct spending by 279 million park visitors in communities within 60 miles of a national park. That visitor spending had a $30 billion impact on the entire U.S. economy and supported 252,000 jobs nationwide, primarily in lodging, food and beverage service (63 percent), recreation and entertainment (17 percent), other retail (11 percent), transportation and fuel (7 percent) and wholesale and manufacturing (2 percent).
Mayor's Office Hours on March 6: Visalia Mayor Amy Shuklian will hold her regular office hours on Wednesday, March 6, 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, 707 W. Acequia Ave. Appointments from 5:45 to 6:30 p.m. can be scheduled by calling Gladys Ruiz at 713-4314.
South Valley Artists' Tour Debuts: To kick-off the Arts Consortium's first biennial South Valley Artists' Studio Tour, the COS Art Gallery will feature a piece from every artist on the tour throughout the month of March. Painters, printmakers, potter throwers, weavers, photographers, and sculptors are only some of those represented. These artists hail from Visalia, Tulare, Dinuba, Exeter, Lindsay, Elderwood, Woodlake, and Springville. Experience the local art scene first-hand in a gallery setting and plan your trips to visit their workspaces during the tour dates. The gallery will have an opening reception on March 7th, from 5pm-7pm. Meet some of the artists and enjoy their work. While at the free exhibition, purchase your tickets for the 3-day tour taking place March 22-24th for only $15. That comes out to $5 a day or 50 cents an artist! For more information, visit www.artsconsortium.org.
Save the date for Earth Day: Saturday, April 20, from 9 am to noon, join your family and friends for this annual event at St. John's Riverwalk Park at St. John's River and Ben Maddox Way. The event features live music, walking tours, art projects and a community cleanup project. Folr more information, visit www.GoGreenVisalia.com or call 713-4531.
Council Approves 6.5% Increase in Transportation Impact, Storm Water Deficiency and Storm Water Construction Impact Fees: To decrease the current deficit trend of these three funds, Council approved the implementation of a 6.5% increase at Monday's public hearing. A full review and adjustment to the transportation impact fees will be initiated following the Council's approval of the Draft General Plan. The 6.5% increase, which reflects the 2009 Engineering News Records Construction Cost Index (ENRCCI) increase, takes effect in 60 days. In addition, a public hearing was held for the first reading of an amendment to a City ordinance on the timing of reimbursements paid by the City for private construction of planned transportation facilities. The amendment would extend the maximum time limit for reimbursements paid by the City from two years to up to 10 years. During the 10-year period, the City will continue to issue impact fee credits against monies due to developers. Changes would take effect 30 days after the Council approves the second reading of the ordinance. To view the staff report, click here.
Home Building Permits Jump 125% Over 2012: It's only two months into 2013, but building permits for new single family dwellings are off to a strong start with 45 permits issued compared to 20 in 2012. That boost brought the total number of permits to 449, a 3% increase over the previous year. Total valuation was up 107%, again due to the home building bump, to $19,772,606 for the first two months of 2013.
Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks' Tourism Creates $121,892,000 in Local Economic Benefits: A new report for 2011 shows that the 1.5 million visitors to Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks spent $121,892,000 in communities surrounding the park. Spending supported 1,629 jobs in the local area. The information is part of a peer-reviewed spending analysis of naitonal park visitors across the country, which shows $13 billion of direct spending by 279 million park visitors in communities within 60 miles of a national park. That visitor spending had a $30 billion impact on the entire U.S. economy and supported 252,000 jobs nationwide, primarily in lodging, food and beverage service (63 percent), recreation and entertainment (17 percent), other retail (11 percent), transportation and fuel (7 percent) and wholesale and manufacturing (2 percent).
Mayor's Office Hours on March 6: Visalia Mayor Amy Shuklian will hold her regular office hours on Wednesday, March 6, 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, 707 W. Acequia Ave. Appointments from 5:45 to 6:30 p.m. can be scheduled by calling Gladys Ruiz at 713-4314.
South Valley Artists' Tour Debuts: To kick-off the Arts Consortium's first biennial South Valley Artists' Studio Tour, the COS Art Gallery will feature a piece from every artist on the tour throughout the month of March. Painters, printmakers, potter throwers, weavers, photographers, and sculptors are only some of those represented. These artists hail from Visalia, Tulare, Dinuba, Exeter, Lindsay, Elderwood, Woodlake, and Springville. Experience the local art scene first-hand in a gallery setting and plan your trips to visit their workspaces during the tour dates. The gallery will have an opening reception on March 7th, from 5pm-7pm. Meet some of the artists and enjoy their work. While at the free exhibition, purchase your tickets for the 3-day tour taking place March 22-24th for only $15. That comes out to $5 a day or 50 cents an artist! For more information, visit www.artsconsortium.org.
Save the date for Earth Day: Saturday, April 20, from 9 am to noon, join your family and friends for this annual event at St. John's Riverwalk Park at St. John's River and Ben Maddox Way. The event features live music, walking tours, art projects and a community cleanup project. Folr more information, visit www.GoGreenVisalia.com or call 713-4531.