Ward 7 Community Meeting Summary:
Thank you to all who were able to
attend January’s Ward 7 community meeting. To recap some of the items discussed
at the meeting:
We had a few special guest in
attendance that evening who provided an update on items their respective office
is working on.
Deputy District Attorney Greg
Rollins was present at the meeting and talked about the creative efforts the
District Attorney’s office is currently seeking to combat crimes.
Our West Area Commander Kevin
Townsend provided a Ward 7 crime update on recent events and discussed crime
prevention tips.
We heard from Rachel Gonzaga-
District Director at Assembly Member Sabrina Cervantes office. Ms. Gonzaga introduced
herself and Field Representative David Santillan and provided an update on Assembly
Bill 91, 162 and 179, all which are legislation Assembly Woman Cervantes has
introduced.
In summary of the bills
introduced by Assembly Member Cervantes:
• AB 91 would help ease late-night
traffic jams in Riverside County by allowing single-occupancy vehicles to use
high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes, commonly known as “carpool lanes,” during
non-peak traffic hours.
• AB 162 is a bill relating to the
California Competes Tax Credit Program. The California Competes Tax Credit,
administered by the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development
(GO-Biz), is an income tax credit available to small businesses that wish to
establish a business, or stay and grow in California. Assembly Bill 162, would
make more small businesses eligible to apply for the program.
• AB 179 was introduced to
restructure the California Transportation Commission. The bill, would impose
certain additional expertise requirements on future appointments to the
Commission.
In summary of my update:
Measure Z:
Measure Z is a one-cent
transaction and use tax (similar to the sales tax), with revenues going
directly to the City of Riverside. Measure Z was approved by voters on November
8, 2016 to help pay for critical unfunded City programs and services. The 1%
sales tax increase will be in effect April 1, 2017 and it is expected to raise
between $48 and $50 million annually to possibly pay for a number of City
services such as public safety, roads/tree trimming and it may be used to
backfill the budget, reserves and bonds.
As a result of the passing of
Measure Z, a Budget Engagement Commission was formed. The commission is
comprised of nine resident members and nine business members who will advise
the Mayor and City Council on spending and policy priorities based on
information received through quarterly financial and performance reports
including revenues from transaction and use tax. The community is invited to
attend and provide input at any of the upcoming budget related meetings:
Budget Engagement Commission
meetings: Location: Mayor’s Ceremonial Room,
City Hall- 7th Floor Time: 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm
• February
23, 2017
• March 9,
2017
• April 6,
2017
• May 4,
2017
• June 8,
2017
Regularly scheduled City Council
meetings that the Budget Engagement Commission will be invited to attend:
Location: Art Pick Council
Chamber, City Hall
• April 11,
2017
• May 9,
2017
• June 6,
2017
• June 13,
2017
For more information about
Measure Z and for frequently asked questions please visit: riversideca.gov/manager/measurez.asp
Proposition 64:
Proposition 64 was passed by
voters in the November general election. The proposition which legalizes
marijuana under state law, for use by adults 21 or older will be discussed
further at an upcoming City Council workshop, date to be announced.
5 Points Update:
In September of 2016 Community
and Economic development department staff issued a request for proposal for the
South West corner of Pierce and La Sierra Avenue also known as Site B.
Four proposals were received
some of which include retail, restaurant and office space, while some include
retail and residential space.
A selection committee comprised
of staff and community members interviewed three of the four firms. Out of
the three proposals, the selection committee selected the proposal from RC
Hobbs which incorporates retail and market rate senior apartments. I will be
holding a community meeting at La Sierra Senior Center on Thursday, March 2nd
from 7:00-8:00 p.m. to hear the proposal.
Hidden Valley Ponds Update:
The regional work group continues to have the conversation of the replenishment of the ponds. The group has been expanded and we continue to work towards a plan that outlines the intent of the project. Once the plan has been solidified, our goal is to search for grant money to help fund the replenishment of the ponds.
Sewer and Water Improvements
along Arlington Avenue:
The City of Riverside Public
Works and Public Utilities department are currently constructing new sewer and
water improvements along Arlington Avenue between Crestview Drive and Western
Hills Drive. The project will help improve the reliability of the sewer system
and expand the water system.
The project which has begun, will
not affect your water or sewer service however, it will take about 4 months to
complete. In order to minimize traffic impacts, the contractor will stage the
work in segments.
We appreciate your patience as
your sewer and water system is improved. If you have any questions or comments
please feel free to contact our Call Center by dialing 311 or (951) 826-5311
and mention the name of the project, Sewer and Water Improvements along Arlington
Avenue to any customer service representative.
Auto Theft Sticker Program:
Please see message below from Lt. Kevin Townsend:
The Riverside Police Department is implementing an auto theft
sticker program called ‘H.E.A.T.,’ which stands for Help Eliminate Auto Theft,
modeled after similar programs used in other jurisdictions across the country.
After the owner(s) of a vehicle sign a waiver / registration form the
RPD will place a unique sticker on the bottom left corner of the rear
window of the vehicle. This sticker authorizes law enforcement officers to stop
the vehicle between 1am and 5am to confirm ownership of the vehicle (this is
targeted toward people who do not normally drive during those times). The
theory behind this program is auto theft can often occur overnight when people
are sleeping, take hours for a person to realize they are a victim, and during
that time patrol officers may have come across the vehicle but had no reason to
stop it or suspect it was stolen. This program is free for City of Riverside
residents.
This will initially be piloted in the West part of the City and then, if it is
successful, expanded to the entire city and possibly the region. Any City of
Riverside residents interested in the program may contact:
•PSR Antoinette Alexander at:
951-353 7969 or aalexander@riversideca.gov
•Sergeant Carlos Flores at:
951-353-7963 or cflores@riversideca.gov
•Lieutenant Kevin Townsend at:
951-353-7964or ktownsend@riversideca.gov
•Si usted necesita hablar con una persona que hable español llame PSR Irma
Ochoa al:
(951) 353 – 7962 o iochoa@riversideca.gov
You can make arrangements to stop by the ‘Magnolia Station’ at 10540 Magnolia
Ave, Suite B, to register generally on weekdays from 8am to 5pm. We can also
complete registrations at upcoming community meetings.
Please remember to lock your doors, roll your windows all the way up, and
purchase and use vehicle theft deterrence and prevention devices.
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