On September 21, 2015, Finance staff gave a presentation on the collection, management, and expenditure of Measure A (1/2 cent sales tax) funds in Fiscal Year 2014-2015.  To date, Measure A has generated almost $3.4 million in additional revenue, which has been used to pay down the City's debt, establish reserves, replace outdated technology, and fund capital projects to address deferred maintenance.  Anyone interested in obtaining a copy of the report can email FINANCE@SFCITY.ORG.  

On September 14, 2015, at approximately 10:30 pm, San Fernando Police Officers responded to the 400 block of Newton Street regarding a residential fire.  Officers at the scene recognized that they had responded  to the same residence approximately two weeks prior regarding a suspicious fire.  During a neighborhood canvass, Officers were able to identify a possible suspect who was also observed standing near the scene.  Responding Officers notified the Los Angeles Fire Department Arson investigators who responded and made contact with the suspect.  The suspect was arrested for arson and the Los Angeles County District Attorney filed one count of arson against the suspect.

On February 13, 2014, at approximately 3:30 pm, San Fernando Police Officers and Detectives responded to a residence in the 200 block of Harps Street regarding a stabbing that just occurred.  Upon their arrival, Officers saw that the victim had suffered multiple stab wounds to her upper torso and the suspect was arrested at scene without incident.  The victim told responding Officers that her son (the suspect) had stabbed her during an argument.  The victim was immediately transported to the hospital where she succumbed to her wounds and was pronounced dead.  San Fernando Police Officers, with the assistance of  the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department Homicide Bureau, presented the case to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office and the suspect was charged with murder.  During the ensuing months, the defendant's attorney attempted to have him declared incompetent by reason of insanity.  On September 2, 2015, the case went to jury trial  at San Fernando Court and after approximately six days of testimony, the jury deliberated for a few hours and found the defendant guilty of first degree murder.

Work recently commenced, by Public Works Facilities team members, to convert existing landscaped planters in front of the Public Works Operations Facility on Macneil Street.  Work included the removal of existing shrubs/sprinklers and the installation of drip irrigation, California native plants, rocks, and decomposed granite.  These improvements continue the City's efforts to reduce exterior watering during the drought.  Thank you to Rodrigo Mora, Nazri Hasbun and the rest of the Facilities Team for designing and installing these improvements!

With the City Council's approval of a construction contract for Brand Boulevard median improvements, staff is moving quickly to ensure that construction begins in early October 2015. Public Works staff is coordinating with the contractor to finalize contract documents and preparing a project sign that will be displayed on Brand Boulevard.  As a reminder, construction is expected to take 45 working days to complete.  Once completed, these improvements will serve as a welcoming entry to the City and also demonstrate our commitment to water conservation.

In September 2015, staff participated in two San Fernando Valley Council of Government (SFV COG) meetings related to developing a bike sharing program for the San Fernando Valley.  These programs are common in many other metropolitan areas (i.e., San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle) and offer rental bicycles for travel throughout the City.  Bicycles are available for hourly or day-long rentals through the bike sharing program.  The Los Angeles region is starting to roll out similar programs in conjunction with Metro.  As planned, the SFV COG will lead this effort on behalf of member cities in the San Fernando Valley and will most likely seek grant funding to develop and maintain the program.  These efforts align with the City's Healthy San Fernando initiative and will help to encourage active transportation and recreation in the community. Updates will be provided to keep you informed as this program progresses.

Crews were on hand this month to repair deteriorated street sections in the vicinity of the City's Healthy San Fernando 5K Run.  These street patches help to fill in pot holes and cracks that have developed in the roadway and help to prevent larger problems from developing.  Staff will continue to utilize these maintenance and repair methods in other areas of the City that have similar issues.

As part of the City's budget, funding was included to replace existing trash containers in the downtown mall areas.  These containers were recently ordered and include the City's logo (similar to the Maclay Avenue/Eighth Street archway) on the containers.  These new containers should be a welcome addition to the mall area and replace existing deteriorated/broken containers.

In early August 2015, the City Council included funding for the inspection and repair of sewer infrastructure in the City.  Work is continuing with televised inspections and root clearing of approximately 75% of the City's sewer system.  Once these inspections are reviewed, information will be used to determine if sewers need minor repairs like sewer lining, "point repairs" or small sections of repair, or replacement of entire sections of pipe.  Staff will be sure to keep you informed as this program progresses.

As you'll recall, last summer the City Council approved Metro's proposal to install new "Rapid" bus enclosures at key locations in the City.  Work was recently completed at four locations along Truman Street.  As a reminder, this project is funded entirely through Metro and will not require any City funding contributions.

 

In August 2015, the Transportation and Safety Commission received a presentation regarding a recently received competitive grant from Caltrans that will be used to help improve school safety in town and encourage use of alternative modes of transportation.  This program will involve outreach and interaction with local schools and help to guide future infrastructure improvements related to traffic safety.  It is expected that this work effort will take 8 to 12 months to complete and will be led by the Transportation and Safety Commission, with input from the community and school officials.  Other grant funded events will include local bicycle safety events for children and the promotion of "walk to school" days.  It is expected that this work effort will kick off in October 2015.

Tree Trimming work is continuing throughout the City.  Recently, crews completed trimming work at City parks, including Las Palmas and Recreation Parks.  Following the completion of this work they will move to other grid trimming and park/facility locations.  This work helps to ensure community safety by removing potentially dangerous tree limbs/branches that could be susceptible to wind damage.  Work will continue over the next few months prior to the winter season.

The Healthy San Fernando! Campaign is a collaborative effort by the City of San Fernando to increase public awareness of obesity-related diseases while educating the community on the prevention of such diseases through healthy eating and active living. The City has taken the pledge to healthy eating and active living with the ultimate goal of becoming the healthiest city in the San Fernando Valley.

The Chile Festival and Dia de Los Muertos events (see City Calendar below) are part of the city wide campaign that includes City-sponsored events featuring innovative activities involving nutritional components or physical activities. The signature event of the Healthy San Fernando! Campaign is the Providence Holy Cross Healthy San Fernando 5K Relay Walk/Run that took place on September 26, 2015.

NEW PARTNERS

MEDICARE INFORMATION DATES

INITIAL COURSE - First time students must complete the initial 8-hour course.

COMING SOON!

SENIOR FITNESS

There are two Senior Aerobics classes and a Senior Yoga class available during the falll season at Las Palmas Park. The instructors for the class are LAUSD Adult School educators with years of experience teaching older adults. Classes run for a six-week session.

EARLY SESSION

	CLASS:	Aerobics
	WHERE:	Las Palmas Park, 505 S. Huntington Street, San Fernando
	DAYS:	Monday and Wednesday
	TIME:	10:45 am to 12 noon
	COST:	$60 for the 6-week Session
	INFO:	818.898.7340

AFTERNOON SESSION

	CLASS:	Weight Training and Tai Chi
	WHERE:	Las Palmas Park, 505 S. Huntington Street, San Fernando
	DAYS:	Monday (Weight Training) and Wednesday (Tai Chi)
	TIME:	12:30 pm to 1:45 pm
	COST:	$60 for the 6-week Session
	INFO:	818.898.7340