July 22 Newsletter
Three appointed to Planning Commission, one alternate selected: Two current Planning Commission members and one alternate were reappointed at the end of interviews held during the July 21 work session. Brett Taylor and Larry Segrue were reappointed to the Commission, and Elizabeth Wynn was also appointed to serve from September 1, 2014 until June 30, 2016. Current alternate Gary Gagliolo was reappointed as an alternate member of the Commission for the same term. Taylor, a small business owner, has served one term, and Segrue has served since 2005. Wynn had served on the Planning Commission from June 2004 until July 2005 when she relocated out of state. Gagliolo worked for 10 years as an associate environmental planning for Caltrans and is a licensed realtor. He has served as an alternate on the Commission since July 2012. To review the applications, click here. To review the staff report, click here.
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.
Major street overlay project impacts Court at Tulare intersection today: Street improvements will be made at various locations around the City, with traffic control in place to direct motorists around work area. Public impacts are expected for concrete installation which occurs through July. One lane of traffic will be closed at various locations within the project limits. One lane will remain open in each direction for thru-traffic. Scheduled days of pavement overlay impacting traffic the most are as follows: Court Street, from Tulare to Sequoia Avenues, 6 am to 5 pm, today; Demaree Street, from Hillsdale to Goshen avenues, July 28-31 from 6 am to 5 pm; and Hurley Avenue, from Atwood to Chinowth streets, Aug. 1-5 from 6 am to 5 pm. Some concrete work (pedestrian ramps, curbs, gutters) will be done along with the removal and replacement of some failed sections of paving 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. For more information on the Major Overlay projects, go to: www.ci.visalia.ca.us/depts/engineering.
Parks & Recreation offers July freebies: Savor the "freedom" July brings with a host of activities - all FREE - throughout the month. Click here for more information and grab the freebies for summertime family fun all month long.
Demaree at Goshen Intersection Improvements - This major intersection upgrade has just kicked off and the City would like your input. A public meeting was held July 15 at the Anthony Community Center, and drew over 35 interested citizens. The following exhibits (Exhibit 1, Exhibit 2, and Exhibit 3) were provided at public outreach meeting held on July 15th. If you have concerns or issues, please contact Rebecca Keenan by phone at (559) 713-4541 or by e-mail at [email protected].
General Plan Update on the July 28 Planning Commission agenda: On July 10, the Visalia Planning Commission held their first hearing to consider recommending adoption of the City’s General Plan Update. After receiving a staff presentation and public testimony, the Commission directed staff to prepare additional materials and analysis for consideration, and continued the hearing to 7 pm on Monday, July 28 in the Council Chambers, 707 W. Acequia Avenue.
Greenway Trail design moves ahead: Site Plan Review received a July 9 update on the trail project in the Southern California Edison (SCE) power line corridor from just north of the Rector Station to St. John's River Trail. The design of the overall Greenway Trail and its improvement plans are being prepared to allow the pedestrial trail within SCE's power line right of way. Current funding includes grants from SCE and the Parks & Recreation Foundation for $235,000. Measure R funding will be sought to supplement current funding for land acquisition and construction for all or a portion of the trail. Final delivery of design documents are expected to be completely reviewed by the City by the end of this year.
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].
Police to conduct DUI/Drivers License Checkpoint Friday: Visalia Police Department will be conducting a DUI/Drivers License Checkpoint on 7/25/14, at an undisclosed location within the city limits between the hours of 9:00 p.m. to 3:00 a.m. The deterrent effect of DUI checkpoints is a proven resource in reducing the number of persons killed and injured in alcohol or drug involved crashes. Research shows that crashes involving an impaired driver can be reduced by up to 20 percent when well-publicized DUI checkpoints and proactive DUI patrols are conducted routinely. Officers will be looking for signs of alcohol and/or drug impairment with officers checking drivers for proper licensing delaying motorists only momentarily. When possible, specially trained officers will be available to evaluate those suspected of drug-impaired driving. Recent statistics reveal that 30 percent of drivers in fatal crashes had one or more drugs in their systems. A study of active drivers showed more tested positive for drugs that may impair driving (14 percent) than did for alcohol (7.3 percent). Of the drugs, marijuana was most prevalent, at 7.4 percent, slightly more than alcohol. Drivers caught driving impaired can expect the impact of a DUI arrest to include jail time, fines, fees, DUI classes, other expenses that can exceed $10,000 not to mention the embarrassment when friends and family find out. Funding for this checkpoint is provided to Visalia Police Department by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, reminding everyone to “Report Drunk Drivers – Call 9-1-1”.
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.
Major street overlay project impacts Court at Tulare intersection today: Street improvements will be made at various locations around the City, with traffic control in place to direct motorists around work area. Public impacts are expected for concrete installation which occurs through July. One lane of traffic will be closed at various locations within the project limits. One lane will remain open in each direction for thru-traffic. Scheduled days of pavement overlay impacting traffic the most are as follows: Court Street, from Tulare to Sequoia Avenues, 6 am to 5 pm, today; Demaree Street, from Hillsdale to Goshen avenues, July 28-31 from 6 am to 5 pm; and Hurley Avenue, from Atwood to Chinowth streets, Aug. 1-5 from 6 am to 5 pm. Some concrete work (pedestrian ramps, curbs, gutters) will be done along with the removal and replacement of some failed sections of paving 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. For more information on the Major Overlay projects, go to: www.ci.visalia.ca.us/depts/engineering.
Parks & Recreation offers July freebies: Savor the "freedom" July brings with a host of activities - all FREE - throughout the month. Click here for more information and grab the freebies for summertime family fun all month long.
Demaree at Goshen Intersection Improvements - This major intersection upgrade has just kicked off and the City would like your input. A public meeting was held July 15 at the Anthony Community Center, and drew over 35 interested citizens. The following exhibits (Exhibit 1, Exhibit 2, and Exhibit 3) were provided at public outreach meeting held on July 15th. If you have concerns or issues, please contact Rebecca Keenan by phone at (559) 713-4541 or by e-mail at [email protected].
General Plan Update on the July 28 Planning Commission agenda: On July 10, the Visalia Planning Commission held their first hearing to consider recommending adoption of the City’s General Plan Update. After receiving a staff presentation and public testimony, the Commission directed staff to prepare additional materials and analysis for consideration, and continued the hearing to 7 pm on Monday, July 28 in the Council Chambers, 707 W. Acequia Avenue.
Greenway Trail design moves ahead: Site Plan Review received a July 9 update on the trail project in the Southern California Edison (SCE) power line corridor from just north of the Rector Station to St. John's River Trail. The design of the overall Greenway Trail and its improvement plans are being prepared to allow the pedestrial trail within SCE's power line right of way. Current funding includes grants from SCE and the Parks & Recreation Foundation for $235,000. Measure R funding will be sought to supplement current funding for land acquisition and construction for all or a portion of the trail. Final delivery of design documents are expected to be completely reviewed by the City by the end of this year.
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].
Police to conduct DUI/Drivers License Checkpoint Friday: Visalia Police Department will be conducting a DUI/Drivers License Checkpoint on 7/25/14, at an undisclosed location within the city limits between the hours of 9:00 p.m. to 3:00 a.m. The deterrent effect of DUI checkpoints is a proven resource in reducing the number of persons killed and injured in alcohol or drug involved crashes. Research shows that crashes involving an impaired driver can be reduced by up to 20 percent when well-publicized DUI checkpoints and proactive DUI patrols are conducted routinely. Officers will be looking for signs of alcohol and/or drug impairment with officers checking drivers for proper licensing delaying motorists only momentarily. When possible, specially trained officers will be available to evaluate those suspected of drug-impaired driving. Recent statistics reveal that 30 percent of drivers in fatal crashes had one or more drugs in their systems. A study of active drivers showed more tested positive for drugs that may impair driving (14 percent) than did for alcohol (7.3 percent). Of the drugs, marijuana was most prevalent, at 7.4 percent, slightly more than alcohol. Drivers caught driving impaired can expect the impact of a DUI arrest to include jail time, fines, fees, DUI classes, other expenses that can exceed $10,000 not to mention the embarrassment when friends and family find out. Funding for this checkpoint is provided to Visalia Police Department by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, reminding everyone to “Report Drunk Drivers – Call 9-1-1”.