Council narrows district maps to four; third public hearing on May 4

City Council narrowed the field of district maps to four at its April 20 meeting. The maps, shown above, were submitted by two citizens and two from Doug Johnson, a demographer from National Demographics Corporation. The third of three required public hearings is scheduled for Monday, May 4 during the regular session of the City Council meetings, which begins at 7 p.m. at City Hall, 707 W. Acequia Ave.

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.

To view the staff report, click here. To view the powerpoint presentation by Doug Johnson, click here. 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].