October 7, 2014
Fall/Winter Water regulations in effect: With the end of the dog days of summer comes the change in Stage 4 water regulations for all City residents. From Oct. 1-31, residents may water their lawns on their designated days two times a week. In November and December, watering will only be allowed one day a week, with no watering in January and February. Watering landscape accounts for nearly 60% of all City water usage, so Make Every Drop Count. When Stage 4 regulations began in April, with only one day a week allowed, water usage dropped by 14%. That trend continued in May with a 12% drop in water usage going to two days a week. For more tips on how to conserve our most precious resource, go to www.gogreenvisalia.com.
Building permits up 23%: The number of new building permits issued so far in 2014 total 3,136, up 23% from 2013's total of 2,554. Total valuation of all permits is up 8%, from $126,823,279 in 2013 to $136,544,655 in 2014. New single family homes were up 11%, multi-family home permits rose 4%, and residential additions were up 33%. Miscellaneous permits were up 20% for the year to date. Vice Mayor hosts Donuts and Discussion with Economic Development Manager: Enjoy Donuts and Discussion with Vice Mayor Warren Gubler and Economic Development Manager Devon Jones on Saturday, Oct. 11, from 7 to 8:30 am at Valhalla's Restaurant, 314 W. Center Ave., in downtown Visalia. Vice Mayor Gubler also can be reached through 713-4400, then enter 3313, or by email at [email protected].
Council Member Amy Shuklian holds office hours: Her monthly office hours will be held on Wednesday, Oct. 8, at City Hall for Visalia residents to discuss issues of concern. Walk-ins are welcome from 5 to 5:45 p.m. in the conference room at 707 W. Acequia Ave. Appointments from 5:45 to 6:30 p.m. 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].
Visalia Fire Department Open House set for Oct. 11: The event will be held from 10 am to 2 pm at Fire Station 55, 6921 W. Ferguson Ave. The event features informational booths of City services and tours of the Fire Station.
No changes in Refuse Service for Columbus Day holiday: There will be NO change in either Residential or Commercial refuse services for the Columbus Day Holiday. City of Visalia business offices will be open for the holiday on Monday, October 13.
Make a Difference Day on Oct. 25 by planting trees: More than 200 volunteers are needed to plant native trees and plants along a stretch of Packwood Creek in southeast Visalia on Make A Difference Day Oct. 25. This is a family-friendly project for people of all ages. Bring rakes, shovels and wear clothes that can get dirty. Work begins at 8 a.m. and ends at noon. Meet at McAuliff Street and Tulare Avenue. The Urban Tree Foundation designed this project in partnership with the city of Visalia, said Brian Kempf of Urban Tree. CSET is installing the irrigation system. On Make A Difference Day, the ground and holes will be ready for volunteers to show up and do the planting. “We’ll do six to seven weeks of preparation and it will get planted in one morning,” he said. “A lot of hands make light work.” For more information, contact Visalia’s Joel Hoyer at 713-4384. To volunteer on Make A Difference Day, go to www.makeadifferenceday.com and type in your ZIP code.
Dump on Us for free on Oct. 18: The City of Visalia will hold a Dump on Us event from 7 to noon Saturday, Oct. 18 at the Corporation Yard at 335 North Cain. The event is free for all Visalia residents to rid property of any garbage, electronic, green and household hazardous waste items. A commercial shredding service will be on site. Home-Generated Medical Sharps, are also accepted in no more than 24 sharps containers per person. Call 713-4500 or go to www.DumpOnUs.org.