Quality of life holds steady in annual Public Opinion Survey The Visalia City Council reviewed the results of the 2014 Public Opinion Survey, given out in April by members of the Citizens Advisory Committee. A total of 260 survey were taken, down from last year's total of 359. Overall the survey data has not changed dramatically year to year. Statistically, this year's sample size has a 95% confidence interval, meaning 95% of the time, the actual response from residents is within /- 6% of the survey's response. The largest change was in the decline in perceived quality of road maintenance. Good and very good responses rates combined declined by 11%. In addition, road maintenance was mentioned in several ways, indicating that roads are on the minds of many residents. Prior to the survey, the City had accelerated its plans to increase maintenance. Three large street maintenance projects are currently underway (see article below on Reclamite residential road maintenance project). Overall, 59% of Visalians found the City's quality of life as Very High or High, down from last year but remains at about the same level it has been at for the last five years. To read the survey, click here. To view the powerpoint presentation with statistical data, click here.

Demographer presents overview of District Election process The City Council approved criteria for the development of the voting districts which will be implemented in November, 2016. Doug Johnson of National Demographic Corporation gave an overview of the process for developing options for City Council voting districts. In developing the five City Council districts prior to the 2016 election, the City must comply with legal criteria in establishing districts so that the districts are at least as nearly equal in population as required by law, do not result in a denial or abridgement of the right of any citizen to vote on account of race or color, and shall not be gerrymandered in violation of the principles established in the Ul.S. Supreme Court case, Shaw v. Reno. In addition to the legal criteria, the Council voted to adopt optional criteria to be used in the development of the districts. NDC provided optional criteria that has been used in other communities. Council approved all criteria presented and a resolution will be presented at the Aug. 4 regular meeting with the criteria defined by the Council for formal approval. The Council's goal is to adopt the district boundaries by June, 2015, to ensure there is ample time for the citizens and any potential City Council candidates to understand the districts prior to the election cycle in 2016. The preliminary scheduled proposed by NDC includes holding community forums and distributing public participation kits, release of NDC's draft plan, and holding a public hearing on the consultant's and public plans. Community forums would then be held, with a Council hearing in the first of 2015. Additional hearings, readings and adoption would take place between February-April, 2015. To read the staff report, click here.

Reclamite road projects begin today in Northwest Visalia Reclamite pavement street maintenance projects are scheduled to begin July 22 in the northwest quadrant of the City (west of Mooney, north of Highway 198), with the exception of Landscape and Lighting Districts in that area. This project is a cost-effective pavement maintenance method designed to improve street surfaces for years to come. Reclamite seal consists of an application of an asphalt rejuvenating agent, made up of petroleum oils and sand, which provides a simple, one-step method for restoring and preserving durability in asphalt, extending the life of newly constructed pavement, and for corrective maintenance on deteriorated pavements. Once the rejuvenating emulsion has penetrated the existing pavement surface, a coating of dry sand is applied to the surface to decrease tracking of the oils and provide additional skid resistance. The remaining oiled sand not absorbed into the existing pavement is then swept by a street sweeper. All vehicles, traffic and parked cars must be off the streets that will be reclamited by 7 am. The contractor will close the street and apply the rejuvenator with oil. About 2 hours after it is applied, a sand blotter will be applied to reduce tracking. Traffic or parked cars will not be allowed on the streets until after the sand has been applied. Speed must be held to a minimum for several days to reduce the chance of picking-up rejuvenator and sand on your vehicles. Residents in impacted areas will be notified of the work start date no less than 72 hours prior to the work beginning. Public notifications include message boards, door hangers and no parking signs will go up 24 hours in advance of the work. To view the schedule and map of the work to be done through August 12, go to /depts/public_works/streets. To minimize any inconvenience from this project, residents in impacted areas are advised to: Keep pets and children off the street during application to prevent oil being tracked into the home; check pets feet and shoes for residue after application to protect floors; if you track residue into your driveway or garage, it can be washed off or it will wear off in 2-6 weeks; and drive slow to prevent pick up. Residue on vehicles can be removed with immediate washing with soap and water.