Parks & Recreation reels in summer fun There's one way to beat the heat! The Visalia Parks and Recreation Department has found a way to "reel" in the fun by bringing back its free Movies in the Park program this summer. Starting on Friday, June 20 and on five other Fridays during the summer, the department will offer movies starting after dusk at Riverway Sports Park. A sing-along version of the Disney animated hit movie, “Frozen” will be the first shown in the park, and in the following weeks “The Avengers” and “The Lego Movie” are among the other movies that will play. “It is part of our summer activities,” said Alison Lambert, a city recreation supervisor. The program started in 2009, after the Parks and Recreation Department received $6,000 from the city’s Parks and Recreation Foundation to buy an inflatable movie screen and a sound system. A grassy section of Riverway park at 3611 N. Dinuba Blvd. will be set aside for the movies, and people should start showing up around dusk. Bringing your own food and drinks is allowed — although no alcohol will be allowed at the movie screenings — and at least one food vendor will attend the events. Schedules of movies that will be shown during the summer at Riverway Sports Park are as follows: June 20 — “Frozen” sing-along version; June 27 — “Saving Mr. Banks”; July 11 — “Vampire Academy”; July 18 —“The Avengers”; July 25 — “Gravity”; Aug. 1 —“The Lego Movie”.

Council gets first look at City's two-year budget Monday's work session provided the City Council with a first look at the City's 2014-16 budget. A public hearing will be held on June 16, and will continue that meeting to June 26 for budget adoption. The City's Charter requires a budget be adopted by June 30. The recommended appropriation for all funds in FY 2014/15 is $231 mllion and $199 million for FY 2015/16. The biennial budget is the first since 2008 that does not include reductions in services, programs, maintenance, or employees. The General Fund budget includes allocating resources to provide or enhance services and programs for the residents of Visalia. The total General Fund budget for FY 14/15 is $60 million, and $62 million for FY 15/16. It also includes the transfer to the Emergency Reserve of $1.1 million in FY 14/15 and $500,000 in 15/16. The goals for the biennial budget are as follows: Gradually rebuild the orgaization by adding back resources; increase funding levels for Capital Improvement Projects; fund new debt payment for the Visalia Emergency Communications Center; increase resources directed at maintaining City facilities; and replenish emergency reserves. To view the staff report, click here.

Deadline for Planning Commission applications June 6 Applications will be accepted until 5 p.m. Friday, June 6, for three positions on the Visalia Planning Commission.  There are three Planning Commission terms ending June 30, 2014.  The current terms for Commissioners Vincent Salinas, Larry Segrue and Brett Taylor were approved by Council to be extended to August 31, 2014 to allow the General Plan process to proceed to completion in an efficient manner.  The Planning Commission makes recommendations to the City Council concerning land use, building, subdivisions, administers the Zoning Ordinance and handles matters that affect the growth and development of Visalia.  The Commission meets on the second and fourth Monday of each month at 7:00 p.m.  Additional work sessions and meetings may be scheduled to address specific matters.  This position requires the applicant to be a United States Citizen and the filing of a Fair Political Practices Commission Conflict of Interest Form (Form 700).  Interviews, which are open to the public, would be held on Monday, June 23, beginning at 4 p.m. The format of those interviews would depend upon the number of applications received. The Council would consider formally appointing the three Planning Commissioners at their first  regular meeting in July, 2014, for the term beginning September 1, 2014 and ending June 30, 2016. Applications are available on the City’s website at www.ci.visalia.ca.us, “Committees/Commissions” and will be accepted until 5 p.m. Friday, June 6, either by mailing to 425 E. Oak Avenue, Suite 301, Visalia, CA  93291; FAX at 713-4800, or via email to Deputy City Clerk Michelle Nicholson at [email protected].