Council adopts revised water ordinance; moves City to Stage 4  The City Council continued to express its concern for the drought emergency and the challenges faced by the region, especially agriculture. Stating that the City must take a leading role in reducing water usage, the Council adopted a revised water conservation ordinance and implemented Stage 4 – Water Emergency. Stage 4 allows watering 1 day a week March-April and November-December, 2 days a week in May and October, and three days a week June-September. No watering will be allowed in January and February. All total, the changes will bring an estimated 25% annual reduction in landscape irrigation, which is responsible for about 60% of total water usage in the City. In addition, landscape irrigation is limited to a total of 30 minutes a day; a plant establishemnt exception for new landscapes is allowed by permit, and Stage 4 will be enforced by issuing one warning before a citation is issued. The ordinance takes effect April 17. An outreach plan approved by the Council will include broadbased education to inform the public of the changes to the ordinance as well as educating them on drought tolerant landscaping alternatives. The City is a partner in the State's "Save Our Water" campaign and will utilize the brand in its marketing efforts. For more information on the City's efforts, click here.   To view the staff report, click here.

Here's help for Drought Tolerant Landscapes to last all Summer long Good water conservation habits can be easier to start if you combine them with habits you already have. If you have good indoor habits on conserving water - shorter showers, shutting the water off in between teeth brushes, etc. - take those habits outdoors. Need help in a drought-tolerant landscape makeover? Click here for a gallery of ideas courtesy of California Water Service Company.

Improving economy boosts General Fund The City's Finance Director, Renee Nagel, brought good news to the Council's work session with a mid-year financial report that shows a projected surplus of $4 million in the City's General Fund for Fiscal Year 2013-14 and $1.8 million in FY 2014-15. Council took action to appropriate funds for organizational development, replace park pumps and improvements to the City Council chambers. In addtion, a building maintenance fund was established with start-up monies of $300,000 to provide routine maintenance on City facilities, and the remaining surplus of $3.7 milliion will be deposited into the Emergency Reserve Fund to bring it to $5 million. To read the staff report, click here.

Pen Pals from Across the Seas Fourth-graders at Conyer School got a special visit from Visalia's Sister City, Miki City, Japan. Yuki Yoshida, 21 and a college freshman majoring in economics at Osaka University, paid a visit to the classes of Darcy Fisher and Leslie Cantrell, to translate some letters fifth-graders from Miki City had written to the class. Not a sound could be heard as Yuki translated the greeting from Miki City students and were awestruck by the three-story school where the students attend classes. Each day he rides the train 5 hours roundtrip to attend college to save money by living at home.  He plans to teach middle school or high school and loves the Dodgers, which got a rousing cheer from the students. He has traveled for a couple of weeks in Australia because of people he met that are teaching English in Japan.  He recently also traveled to Tawain with his college professor.  He is currently on a month-long Spring break for one month. Yuki's command of the English language impressed students and teachers alike. He read a special message from the classes' pen pals from across the sea.

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.