Thanks to all who attended my first community meeting of
the year! I’m humbled with the opportunity to serve the community and the city
as Ward 7’s Councilman. We truly operate efficiently with the input and
participation from the community. I will be hosting meetings at La Sierra
Senior Center on a quarterly basis, see below for the following meeting dates:
April 27, 2016
July 27, 2016
October 26, 2016
*All meetings will be held at La Sierra
Senior Center- 5215 B La Sierra Avenue from 6:30-8:00 p.m.*
For those who were unable to attend, I would like to
take this opportunity to provide an overview of items I have been working on
during my six months in office.
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Councilmember Burnard’s
6-Month Update:
Doty Trust Park:
Park is well with regular maintenance. Slope wash out happened recently and is being reviewed for repair. At the moment, water feature is off because it does not reclaim water.
Ag Park:
Department of Toxic Service Control (DTSC) continues to delay answering our request for information. As of February 2, 2016 DTSC has committed to appearing at City Council in March 2016 to provide detailed information.
5 Points Development:
Rite Aid expects to open on February 25th with a grand opening celebration in early March 2016.
Dunkin Donuts, Auto Zone, Scratch Pizza, Subway, and other establishments expect a May 2016 opening. Vacant corner by Jack in the Box is waiting on proposals since the original proposal was withdrawn by the developer.
Tagging/ Graffiti:
I am bringing forward to Finance Committee stronger reimbursement for “taggers” caught to properly reimburse the City’s cost of cleanup and catching perpetrators.
Please use 311 to report graffiti- quick clean up helps prevent additional tagging.
Early Release:
The States early release of prisoners continues to be an issue. I am talking with State Legislators regarding the issues our community faces with the premature release of prisoners. They need to hear from you as well. Please contact your Assembly Member and Senator and ask to keep criminals locked up.
Trails/ Rural La Sierra:
I have been working with Public Works, Planning, and Parks and Recreation department to bring more trails to La Sierra Acres and energize trails on our master plan. These trails will serve our students, parents, bicycles, and the occasional horse, by keeping them safe as they travel throughout the community. As part of my goal and vision of improving the quality of life in the Ward and maintain a rural La Sierra, my intent is to ultimately create a trail system that will serve as a connection throughout the unique neighborhoods in Ward 7.
** Image from Active Riverside/ GTV segment that was filmed December 21, 2015**
Ponds at Hidden Valley:
During a November 2015 regional committee meeting I suggested we start an additional regional committee to study refilling the “Hidden Valley Ponds”. The Committee is made up of representatives of Riverside, Jurupa, Rubidoux, and Western Municipal Water District. The goal is to identify the environmental value of the ponds and to seek State and Federal Grants. I believe the replenishing of the ponds is good for everyone; it will be a great benefit to outdoor enthusiasts, wildlife, and migratory birds. In addition, the replenishing of the ponds adds water to our aquifer and cleans nitrates, pharmaceuticals and pesticides from our water system.
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Keep Riverside Clean
and Beautiful Ward 7 Beautification Project:
Keep Riverside Clean and Beautiful is hosting Ward 7’s
beautification project on Saturday March 5, 2016 from 8:00- 11:00 a.m. The
meeting location is tentatively set at Rutland Park. More information to follow
as the date approaches.
La Sierra Library’s
40th Anniversary Celebration!
Save the date! On Saturday, March 26, 2016 La Sierra Library
will be celebrating its 40th Anniversary. We are in the planning
stages of the celebration. More information to follow as the date approaches.
Reminder:
Participate in the growth and safety of your community!
As a reminder: In an effort to encourage participation,
the City of Riverside residents are invited to apply to City Boards and
Commissions. The City Clerk’s office accepts applications year round and
vacancies are filled as they become available. Ward 7 currently has three vacancies, one in the Cultural Heritage Board, Mayor's Commission on Aging, and the Planning
Commission.
If interested, we encourage you to apply by picking up a
copy at the City Clerk's Office, 7th floor of City Hall, 3900 Main Street, by
calling 826-5557, or by downloading an application from the City Clerk’s
Website http://www.riversideca.gov/city_clerk/commissions.asp.
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