Water in State of Emergency At Monday night’s meeting, the City Council discussed actions that Visalia could take in response to the drought. The state is experiencing the lowest amount of precipitation in history. On January 17, Governor Brown declared a statewide drought emergency in response to the third drought year. The Sierra snowpack, which is by far the City's biggest water reservoir, is only 15% of the normal amount. While Visalia is currently not in danger of running out of water, agricultural and urban users are pumping water faster than nature can replenish it. The average depth to the groundwater beneath Visalia is at an historical low.  If current pace of pumping water continues, eventually there will be insufficient water to sustain our needs. Visalia has a long history of active stewardship of the City’s water resources. The City has had mandatory watering restrictions for over 20 years, an active groundwater recharge program since 2005, and is investing $140 million to upgrade the Water Conservation Plant to turn Visalia’s wastewater into high-quality recycled water. Some of this water will be used to irrigate the Valley Oakes Golf Course and Plaza Park; most will be delivered to Tulare Irrigation District for use by farmers in exchange for surface water delivered to the City in wet years for groundwater recharge. The City has planted low-water-use plants and turf in its parks and landscapes and installed smart irrigation controllers. However, the City Council took a strong position that Visalia can do more in response to the drought emergency, primarily focusing on landscape irrigation which uses nearly two-thirds of the City’s water. Some of the potential actions discussed include requesting that residents and businesses reduce their water usage; reducing irrigation at parks and other City landscapes; increasing enforcement of the City’s water conservation ordinance; and implementing Stage 4 of the ordinance or modifying the ordinance. Based on the discussion Monday evening and the Council’s direction, City staff will work on a comprehensive set of actions for the Council to consider at the first meeting in March. Residents and businesses are urged to check their irrigation systems to make sure they don’t have any leaks, adjust misaligned sprinklers, and are not overwatering. Plants don’t need nearly as much water now as in the summer. Bermuda grass is dormant and does not need to be watered during the winter months. Consider reducing lawn size by making beds bigger and planting low-water use plants, and be sure to mulch beds to help keep moisture in the soil and plant roots cooler in the summer. Now is a good time to replace older toilets or clothes washers with new high-efficiency models. We all need to do our part to reduce the amount of water we use so we can get through the drought without needing to take more serious measures.

Give 'Change That Counts' The City, in collaboration with faith-based, service provider and business community partners has launched an awareness campaign entitled: “Change That Counts – Help Those Who Help the Homeless” which is designed to educate the public on how to deal with aggressive panhandlers. The campaign will use a variety of different mediums – a website, social media outlets, flyers, bus billboards, and presentations – to encourage individuals to give their money to service providers to provide real help to the truly homeless.  “Giving money seems like a compassionate act and it may help people for the moment, but it often encourages destructive habits or stops them from seeking out help that could actually improve their lives," said Visalia Mayor Steve Nelsen. "Instead, give your donation to those who help the homeless get off the streets and take steps to change their lives forever.” Visalia Police Lt. Steven Phillips said it’s easy to confuse panhandlers with those who are truly homeless. “But, according to the U.S. Department of Justice, most panhandlers have places to live, and most homeless people do not panhandle.” The City's Aggressive Solicitation Ordinance was recently amended and now prohibits solicitation in parking lots during all hours. Solicitation means any request made in person seeking an immediate donation of money or other items of value. The ordinance doesn't interfere with the rights of parking lot owners or tenants to utilize their property or allow others to use the parking for solicitation with permission. For more information on how you can help those who help the homeless with your money, go to www.helpvisaliahomeless.com. An online list of service providers gives avenues of options for your donation. In addition, "Steps to Success" stories highlight the differences service providers and faith-based organizations are making in the lives of members of the homeless community. If your faith-based or service club organization or business is interested in assisting with this effort, please contact Community Relations Manager Nancy Loliva at [email protected] or call (559) 713-4535.

Sequoia, Kings Canyon Parks' ring up $122M in spending survey  Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks generated $122.1 million in spending within an 80 mile radius of the park gates, a recent point in time National Park Service survey reports.  Visitor breakouts are as follows: 1.7 million visitors annually seek out The General Sherman Tree- the world’s largest tree, the popular General Grant tree and many sought to climb Moro Rock to gaze at vistas including views of the great western divide; 21% of visitors from 18 different countries visited the park and surrounding areas; 79% of US travelers were from 41 states, and; 73% of US based visitors were Californian coming to experience this national treasure in their home state. Most important for the surrounding communities who benefit from the tourism dollars, the National Parks reports 78% of all visitors generated overnight stays allowing the visitors to experience the national park and our gateway communities in depth.  Of those visitors staying outside the park, 75% stayed one or two additional nights. For more information, click here.

Two Utility Bills Coming This Month City utility customers will begin receiving a Cal Water AND a City of Visalia utility bill effective Feb. 6. Cal Water's bill will be solely for water service, and the City's utility bill will be for garbage, sewer, groundwater and storm drain services. Same services, same cost, two bills.  There are no changes to how you pay your Cal Water bill, including auto debits, online bill payments, mail-in, or walk-in payment options. City Utility Services bills will now come from the City's utility vendor, Fathom. To pay your new City Utility Bill either automatically or online, you will need to sign-up separately with automatic debit and/or bill pay. Additional information on payment options will be provided with your new bill. Effective Feb. 6, customers who choose to pay their City Utility Services bills in-person will now be able to make walk-in payments at the 336 N. Ben Maddox Way location. Office hours are Monday-Friday from 8 am to 4 pm. A 24-hour drop box will be available at this location. For more information, go to www.ci.visalia.ca.us/utilitybill.