District election boundaries discussed at first public hearing

The first of three public hearings to determine the boundaries for future City Council elections was held April 6 at the Convention Center. Hearings are scheduled for Monday, April 20 and May 4 during the regular session of the City Council meetings, which begins at 7 p.m. at City Hall, 707 W. Acequia Ave. A work session has been scheduled for 4 p.m. Monday, April 20 at City Hall to allow the public and the Council additional time to review the submitted maps.

The City of Visalia must develop five City Council districts prior to the 2016 City Council election. Both legal and optional criteria were approved by the Council at its Aug. 4, 2014 meeting with Resolution 2014-34. The legal requirements are: equal population; comply with the Federal Voting Rights Act, and; race cannot be the ‘predominate factor.’ The criteria approved by Council to develop districts include: Communities of interest, include school and park-connected neighborhoods, rural or urban populations, city planning areas, social interests and agricultural, industrial, or service industry interests; visible features; compact and contiguous; avoid pairing incumbents; and planned population growth.

A total of 12 maps were submitted by the public from Oct. 1 through Nov. 14 and were posted on the City’s website to enable the public to view renderings from other citizens. In addition to renderings of the maps, demographic information also was posted. The maps were presented to Council on Dec. 2, 2014, and individuals submitting maps provided their input to Council. At that meeting, one of the maps submitted was requested to be withdrawn by its submitter. In addition, NDC provided three maps for discussion and Council consideration.

Be a part of the process to help determine the boundaries for City Council elections. Plan to attend the hearings in April and May. For more information, go to the City’s website at www.visalia.city.

City launches VisaliaMobile app

As part of the City of Visalia’s newly designed website with user-friendly features customized to visitors’ own unique needs, today marks the launch of VisaliaMobile. This fast, easy to use and free access to useful information allows residents to submit non-emergency service requests such as graffiti removal, pothole and sidewalk repairs, park and facility maintenance, and much, much more!

“VisaliaMobile joins the City’s newly designed website, Visalia.City, and Visalia Works to provide up-to-date technology that makes information citizens want and need available on a multitude of mediums,” said Community Relations Manager Nancy Loliva. VisaliaMobile, the Mobile SmartPhone app for IOS/Android platforms is one of the newest software being produced by Civica, the City’s website vendor. It features not only service request functions, but news, events, city contacts, My Visalia, FAQs and website icons to access information literally in the palm of your hand.

Download the app today (search for VisaliaMobile)! For more information, contact Nancy Loliva at 559-713-4535 or at [email protected].