August 5 Newsletter
Major overlay projects impact Hurley from Crenshaw to Chinowth: As part of the City's Major Overlay Project, Hurley will be closed from Crenshaw to Chinowth Avenues from 6 am to 6 pm today, with detours available. Access to residences within the limits on Hurley will be maintained at all times. The streets will be overlaid with asphalt concrete in these areas. Access to homes or businesses will be maintained throughout the duration of the project. Directly affected businesses and residents will be notified in advance of work being done by the contractor. Work schedule may be subject to change, and updates will be provided as needed. For more information on the Major Overlay projects, go to: http://www.ci.visalia.ca.us/depts/engineering/capital_improvement_project_(cip)_division/default.asp .
Building permits up 26% for the year: New single family dwellings led the permit pace with a 20% boost through July as compared to last year. Miscellaneous permits showed a 29% increase as well, bringing the total number of building permits issued to 2,442, compared to 1,941 the previous year. Total value was up 15%, with $105,615,338 year to date.
Community forums on 5-year Consolidated Plan set: Three community forums will be held next month to allow the public to introduce the City's 5-year Consolidated Plan and federal programs which provide funds for the City to invest in improving the community. The forums will allow the public to provide input and help prioritize the City's community needs over the next five years. The Consolidated Plan's planning process serves as the framework for a community-wide dialogue to identify housing, economic, and community development priorities. The federal funds included in the Plan are HOME Investment Partnership Program and Community Development Block Grants. Eligible funding uses for low and moderate income families and neighborhoods include: Community services; economic development assistance; improvements to public infrastructure and facilities; affordable housing; and homelessness. The Forums will be held as follows: August 7, 5:30 to 8 pm, Annie Mitchell Elementary School, 2121 E. Laura Ave., and August 12 from 1 to 3:30 pm at the Anthony Community Center, 345 N. Jacob St., and 5:30 to 8 pm at La Joya Middle School, 4711 W. Lavida Avenue. Unable to attend a forum? You can take the online survey at https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/VisaliaConPlan.
City Council Member Amy Shuklian holds monthly office hours Aug. 6: Her monthly office hours will be held for Visalia residents to discuss issues of concern. Walk-ins are welcome from 5 to 5:45 p.m. in the conference room at City Hall, 707 W. Acequia Ave. Appointments can be scheduled in advance by contacting Lauri Aguilar at 713-4322. Council Member Shuklian can also be reached through 713-4400, then enter 8313, or by email at [email protected].
Vice Mayor Holds Donuts and Discussion at Lincoln Oval Park: Enjoy Donuts and Discussion with Vice Mayor Warren Gubler, Code Enforcement Manager Tracy Robertshaw and Visalia Police Lieutenant Brian Winter from 8 to 9:30 am Saturday, August 9 at the Lincoln Oval Park Community Center, 808 N. Court St. This informal gathering allows any citizen to address their concerns or ask questions one-on-one with Vice Mayor Gubler. Code Enforcement and the Visalia Police representatives will provide updates on the City’s efforts with its shopping cart ordinance, the homeless issue, and update on the Highway 63 CalTrans road project. Vice Mayor Gubler also can be reached through 713-4400, then enter 3313, or by email at [email protected].
City Council OKs first reading of revised parks ordinance: In an effort to curb criminal activity in four City parks, the City Council approved the first reading of a revised City code to suspend persons from park use for criminal activities and amend park hours for Lincoln Oval Park, Pappas Park, Provident Skate Park, and Seven Oaks Park. The revised ordinance will come back to Council on its Aug. 18 meeting for final adoption and if approved, will take effect 30 days after that. Statistical data given by Code Enforcement Manager Tracy Robertshaw shows a significantly higher call for service to the four parks in 2014, each having more than 100 calls for police service. Lincoln Oval Park, the third smallest park in the City, has both the most calls for service as well as the highest call-to-size ratio, at an average of 250 calls per acre in 2013. The current hours of operation for all city parks is 6 am to 10 pm. The proposed ordinance reduces the hours in these four parks to 8 am to 6 pm in the winter and 8 am to 8 pm in the summer. Exemptions to park hour restrictions for permitted special events would not be impacted by the proposed change. The change in hours would coincide with the daylight savings time change.
Save the Date for Annual State of the City: Mark your calendars for Sept. 23 at the Visalia Convention Center for the annual State of the City presentation by Mayor Steve Nelsen and Vice Mayor Warren Gubler. The presentation begins at 6 p.m. and will cover topics including: update on City projects; district elections; Capital and infrastructure improvement project updates; and a look ahead to the future!
Building permits up 26% for the year: New single family dwellings led the permit pace with a 20% boost through July as compared to last year. Miscellaneous permits showed a 29% increase as well, bringing the total number of building permits issued to 2,442, compared to 1,941 the previous year. Total value was up 15%, with $105,615,338 year to date.
Community forums on 5-year Consolidated Plan set: Three community forums will be held next month to allow the public to introduce the City's 5-year Consolidated Plan and federal programs which provide funds for the City to invest in improving the community. The forums will allow the public to provide input and help prioritize the City's community needs over the next five years. The Consolidated Plan's planning process serves as the framework for a community-wide dialogue to identify housing, economic, and community development priorities. The federal funds included in the Plan are HOME Investment Partnership Program and Community Development Block Grants. Eligible funding uses for low and moderate income families and neighborhoods include: Community services; economic development assistance; improvements to public infrastructure and facilities; affordable housing; and homelessness. The Forums will be held as follows: August 7, 5:30 to 8 pm, Annie Mitchell Elementary School, 2121 E. Laura Ave., and August 12 from 1 to 3:30 pm at the Anthony Community Center, 345 N. Jacob St., and 5:30 to 8 pm at La Joya Middle School, 4711 W. Lavida Avenue. Unable to attend a forum? You can take the online survey at https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/VisaliaConPlan.
City Council Member Amy Shuklian holds monthly office hours Aug. 6: Her monthly office hours will be held for Visalia residents to discuss issues of concern. Walk-ins are welcome from 5 to 5:45 p.m. in the conference room at City Hall, 707 W. Acequia Ave. Appointments can be scheduled in advance by contacting Lauri Aguilar at 713-4322. Council Member Shuklian can also be reached through 713-4400, then enter 8313, or by email at [email protected].
Vice Mayor Holds Donuts and Discussion at Lincoln Oval Park: Enjoy Donuts and Discussion with Vice Mayor Warren Gubler, Code Enforcement Manager Tracy Robertshaw and Visalia Police Lieutenant Brian Winter from 8 to 9:30 am Saturday, August 9 at the Lincoln Oval Park Community Center, 808 N. Court St. This informal gathering allows any citizen to address their concerns or ask questions one-on-one with Vice Mayor Gubler. Code Enforcement and the Visalia Police representatives will provide updates on the City’s efforts with its shopping cart ordinance, the homeless issue, and update on the Highway 63 CalTrans road project. Vice Mayor Gubler also can be reached through 713-4400, then enter 3313, or by email at [email protected].
City Council OKs first reading of revised parks ordinance: In an effort to curb criminal activity in four City parks, the City Council approved the first reading of a revised City code to suspend persons from park use for criminal activities and amend park hours for Lincoln Oval Park, Pappas Park, Provident Skate Park, and Seven Oaks Park. The revised ordinance will come back to Council on its Aug. 18 meeting for final adoption and if approved, will take effect 30 days after that. Statistical data given by Code Enforcement Manager Tracy Robertshaw shows a significantly higher call for service to the four parks in 2014, each having more than 100 calls for police service. Lincoln Oval Park, the third smallest park in the City, has both the most calls for service as well as the highest call-to-size ratio, at an average of 250 calls per acre in 2013. The current hours of operation for all city parks is 6 am to 10 pm. The proposed ordinance reduces the hours in these four parks to 8 am to 6 pm in the winter and 8 am to 8 pm in the summer. Exemptions to park hour restrictions for permitted special events would not be impacted by the proposed change. The change in hours would coincide with the daylight savings time change.
Save the Date for Annual State of the City: Mark your calendars for Sept. 23 at the Visalia Convention Center for the annual State of the City presentation by Mayor Steve Nelsen and Vice Mayor Warren Gubler. The presentation begins at 6 p.m. and will cover topics including: update on City projects; district elections; Capital and infrastructure improvement project updates; and a look ahead to the future!