October 8 Newsletter
Clerk from 1986-94, and was named Deputy City Manager in 2004. In that capacity, she oversaw six divisions, including Airport, Transit, Natural Resource Conservation, Convention Center, City Clerk, and Community Relations. She has represented the City on several organizations, including ImagineU, the District Election Committee of the Visalia Unified School District, and Measure R with the Tulare County Association of Governments. In addition, Leslie has also worked on the following: The successful development of a cooperative agreement with the National Parks Service to operate an internal shuttle service and obtaining federal funding for the Sequoia Shuttle; Measure T; the Blue Ribbon Task Force, which examined the possibility of a sales tax measure on the November ballot; the development of the Community Cultural Plan and Arts Consortium; and the restructuring of the Visalia Convention and Visitors Bureau. Leslie has a bachelor's degree in journalism from California Polytechnic University, San Luis Obispo, and is a certified municipal clerk. 
CVB Manager named to '40 under 40': Brittany McMahan, manager of the Visalia Convention and Visitors Bureau, was named to the Business Street Online's '40 Under 40' class of 2013. She will be among 40 young professional honored at the "40 Under 40" The Ultiimate Networking Event, on Nov. 7 in Fresno, which recognizes the top young business professionals in public and private sectors in central California.
COPS Grant puts police back in middle schools: The City Council approved accepting a $375,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Justice/Office of Community Oriented Policing Services and appropriate $203,100 for a one-time equipment/vehicle purchase. The Visalia Police Department had applied for and received notification of the award which will place officers in middle schools. Until June 2010, there were nine Youth Services Officers assigned to the five high schools and four middle schools. The economic downturn prompted removing the officers from the middle schools. Assigning officers to the middle schools through the use of the grant funds allows officers to be more proactive and identify problems and develop solutions with long-term results. To read the staff report, click here.
Countywide T-Pass fares increase: The City Council authorized an amendment to the 2011 agreement between the City and Tulare County Association of Governments (TCAG) for Transit Services to increase the countywide T-Pass from $45 to $50. The bus pass is accepted by all transit services countywide, and since the beginning the cost has been $45 per month. The cities of Visalia, Porterville and Tulare all increased the cost of their monthly passes in recent months. Increasing the cost of the T-Pass makes it a valuable combined discount pass without undermining the value of the separate agency passes. To read the staff report, click here.
Closures on Riggin Avenue Begin Oct. 9: Riggin Avenue, between Denton and Roeben streets, is scheduled for street reconstruction beginning on Oct. 9. Riggin Avenue will be closed to thru traffic between Shirk and Akers streets through early December. The work is part of the McMillin Home’s Pheasant Ridge Unit 5 development, and includes the installation of a 12-inch water line and new paving with curb, gutter and sidewalk on the south side of Riggin Avenue. Owners and residents living along Riggin Avenue will have access to their properties throughout the closure period. The posted detour will guide thru traffic north to Avenue 320 via Shirk Street and Akers Street for both east and west bound traffic.
Nine for Nine: Building permits are up 8% through the first nine months of the year. Permits for new homes are up 38% and 69% in value over 2012. Total value of permits is up 37% for 2013 at $126,823,279.
Street reconstruction impacts intersection of Atwood, Douglas: A road closure is scheduled from Wednesday, Oct. 9, to Friday, Oct. 18 at the intersection of Atwood Court and Douglas Avenue. Owners and residents living in the vicinity will have access to their properties throughout the closure period. The intersection will be closed at 7 am on Oct. 9 to 4 pm Oct. 18. Various routes will be available for access to the surrounding area through the duration of the closure. For information on this project, contact Project Manager Steven Weatherly at 713-4164 or [email protected].
Latest phases of Riverway Sports Park to open: The grand opening of the Riverway Sports Park phases III and IV has been scheduled for Saturday, November 9, rain or shine, from 10 am until 2 pm. A formal dedication ceremony will be held at 10:30 am, which will include the introduction of the newest members of the Pillars of Fame. A live band will also perform in the afternoon as part of the new Concerts in the Park series. Primary features are a new special event promenade area, picnic arbor, restroom and storage area, and turfed areas for organized and non-organized sports play.
Burlington Coat Factory holds grand opening on Oct. 25: The official grand opening of the new 50,000 square foot store will be held at 9:30 am on Friday, Oct. 25. The store is located on a part of the former Home Base location. Two signature community-based programs will be part of the grand opening - Burlington Gives Back and Charity Day. Burlington Gives Back is an effort to distribute new merchandise - apparel, housewares, accessories, baby products, etc. - to local partner agencies who provide assistance to needy families and individuals. Charity Day is a VIP shopping event to be held the day before the grand opening.
Dump On Us for Free Oct. 19: Last chance in 2013 to get rid of those items lying around the house. Dump On Us is limited to City residents, and proof of residency is required. The event will be held from 7 am to noon Saturday, Oct. 19, at the Visalia Corporation Yard, 335 N. Cain St.
Prescription Take Back Day Oct. 26: The public can rid their homes of unwanted, unused, and expired prescription drugs from 10 am to 2 pm Saturday, Oct. 26, at the Visalia Police Department, 303 S. Johnson St. Local police will provide the opportunity to prevent pill abuse and theft of these potentially dangerous prescription drugs. Pour pills and capsules into a sealable bag. The service is free and anonymous, no questions asked. Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet. In addition, Americans are now advised that their usual methods of disposing of unused medicines - flushing them down the toilet or throwing them in the trash - both pose potential safety and health hazards.
Work continues on Houston: Caltrans continues construction on the State Route 216/Houston Avenue widening project. Lane closures are scheduled between Lover's Lane and McAuliff Street this week. State Route 216 remains open to traffic, but is reduced to one lane in each direction. Signal lights at the intersection of Lover's Lane and State Route 216 and at McAuliff Street and State Route 216 are fully operational. To view a copy of the Caltrans press release, click here.