Council approves VECC location At the May 5 meeting, City Council voted to accept Option B for the location of the Visalia Emergency Communications Center (VECC) off of Burke Avenue. Staff advised Council that this new location for the VECC provides flexibility with the remaining land surrounding the building and better long-term use of the site, and it enables clustering that maximizes the operational needs of the Police Department. To view the staff report, click here. In its approval, Council also requested to retain the 50-foot offset of the Jennings Ditch to retain the landscaping and future potential trail and enhance the park-like setting of the area. Following the completion of the site plan, floor plans will continue to be reviewed to match the developed space program, building needs such as electrical, heating, IT, etc. will be established and ultimately construction documents will be assembled for bidding.  The design is anticipated to be completed in late 2014 early 2015 with construction to commence in spring of 2015 and construction duration of just less than 1.5 years. At the December 16 Council meeting, staff was directed to proceed with construction of the stand-alone VECC to be completed in 2015 for an estimated cost of $16.5 million.

Homeless Summit Moved to May 15 The City will host Visalia Homeless Summit 2014 from 10 am to noon Thursday, May 15, at the Visalia Convention Center. The previous summit planned for April 23 was moved due to scheduling conflicts with attendees. The summit, the third one put on by the City, will bring together community leaders, service providers and members of the faith-based community to share ideas and strategies groups have developed since the first two summits were held. Topics of discussion will include: Updates from service providers and faith-based subcommittees on strategies developed, timelines and next steps; ongoing collaboration and leveraging local resources to maximize impact; the status of the development of a homeless court in Tulare County, and; the results of the Points in Time Survey by the Tulare/Kings Continuum of Care. The City, in collaboration with faith-based, service provider and business community partners, 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.  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.