|
Mayor Gutierrez Delivers 2017 State of the City Address
|
Mayor Yxstian Gutierrez delivered the 2017 State of the City address on Wednesday, August 16, telling the hundreds of local dignitaries, business and community leaders, and residents in attendance that the state of the City is stronger than it’s ever been and growing stronger every day.
In his first State of the City address as Moreno Valley’s directly elected mayor, Gutierrez highlighted how the City’s efforts to attract and retaining businesses is paying off, resulting in the creation of 14,000 jobs over the last four years. City revenues are growing, key services are being enhanced, and the City’s budget is balanced for the sixth straight year, Gutierrez said. The City was also ranked the third most fiscally strong City in the nation by the Fiscal Times.
“We are focusing on economic development,” Gutierrez said. “We’re modernizing infrastructure. We’re enhancing public safety. We’re expanding library services. We are engaging residents and businesses to enhance quality of life. And we are investing in the key to our bright future – our young people.”
Employment in Moreno Valley has surged to more than 94%. Many residents now having the opportunity to work in the same city where they live as a result of the City’s Hire MoVal program, designed to encourage businesses to hire locally. That program was recently expanded to include Hire A MoVal Grad, which rewards Moreno Valley businesses for hiring local college and technical school graduates.
The City is adding more police officers and firefighters to serve its neighborhoods. A second library branch is scheduled to open at the Moreno Valley Mall in December to better serve the growing Moreno Valley community.
The City Council recently approved a $1.2 million initiative to begin an ambitious program to slurry seal streets throughout Moreno Valley. Over the next two years, Moreno Valley is scheduled to receive $4.6 million from the state for additional road repair – saving residents hundreds of dollars a year in unnecessary car repairs and wear and tear.
This year’s presentation included video testimonials from Moreno Valley residents and business owners who have benefited from City’s services, including a woman who takes her two-year-old granddaughter to the library’s bilingual story time and an 11-year-old girl who was resuscitated by Moreno Valley firefighters after nearly drowning in her grandparents’ pool.
The 2017 State of the City was presented in partnership with the Moreno Valley Chamber of Commerce.
|
|
|
Standing-room Only Crowd Attends City's Economic Summit
|
A standing-room only crowd of the City’s top business and civic leaders attended Moreno Valley’s Economic Summit on August 16 featuring economic insights about Moreno Valley and the Inland Empire by economist Dr. Christopher Thornberg.
Thornberg is the director of the UC Riverside Center for Economic Forecasting and Development at the School of Business Administration, and an adjunct professor at UCR.
The presentation included an in-depth analysis of labor market trends, population shifts, housing, retail, immigration, and the impact state and national politics have on the local economy.
Thornberg told the crowd the City of Moreno Valley has transformed into a major job center in the Inland Empire with more than 14,000 new jobs created in the City in the last four years.
|
|
|
City's First Branch Library to be Located at Moreno Valley Mall
|
The City Council selected the
Moreno Valley Mall as the location for a new branch of the Moreno Valley Public Library.
The Council approved a three-year lease for a 5,000 square foot suite at the mall, with two three-year options to extend the lease.
In adopting the
Momentum MoVal
strategic plan in August 2016, the City Council set the goal of opening a satellite branch Library by December 2017.
City staff identified the Moreno Valley Mall as the best location due to its ability to provide service in another heavily populated area of the City and its access to public transportation. Leasing space in the mall will allow the branch library to open by the Council’s December deadline.
|
|
|
City Council Approves $1.2 Million in Road Repairs
|
The City Council approved a $1.2 million initiative to repair streets throughout Moreno Valley.
Phase One of the project identifies 105 streets across the City which have been determined to be a priority to be slurry sealed.
Slurry seal is a homogeneous mixture of emulsified asphalt, water, well-graded fine aggregate and mineral filler that has a creamy, liquid like appearance when applied to pavements. Slurry seals are highly effective for sealing aged pavements, filling minor cracks, and restoring skid resistance and aesthetic appeal. By preserving pavement, slurry seal extend long term durability while reducing lifecycle maintenance costs.
The funds for the slurry seal project are being provided through SB 1 which was signed into law by Governor Brown to provide funding for much needed road repairs across California.
Moreno Valley is scheduled to receive $4.6 million from the state over the next two years for road repairs.
|
|
|
City Partners with Moreno Valley College to Help Pay College Tuition
|
The City Council approved an initiative on August 15 to make college a reality for hundreds of Moreno Valley residents through Moreno Valley College’s Promise Initiative.
Over the next year, the City will provide $50,000 to the program to help Moreno Valley residents pay for tuition, textbooks, parking and other fees which can pose significant obstacles to some students.
The City funds will be dedicated exclusively to assist Moreno Valley residents who are pursuing an education at Moreno Valley College.
Promise Initiative participants are required to
complete a Promise Agreement, signifying their commitment to the program and their education, which includes developing a comprehensive educational plan, successfully completing a full-time course load, and maintaining a minimum 2.0 grade point average during your first year.
|
|
|
Police Department Survey Seeks to Improve Services
|
The Moreno Valley Police Department continually strives to improve the service we provide our residents.
Residents are being asked to take
a brief nine question online survey to provide your feedback on how you feel about your safety, and the services the Police Department provides. Survey takers will remain anonymous.
Survey results will help the Police Department identify ways to improve service to our residents.
|
|
|
Free Paper Shred Event to be Held August 26
|
Moreno Valley residents will be able to shred confidential documents for free at the City’s Free Paper Sherd Event on August 26.
Free Paper Shred Event
Saturday, August 26, 2017
8 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Moreno Valley City Yard
15670 Perris Blvd.
The Paper Shred Event accepts residentially generated paper waste for confidential on-site shredding. Waste from businesses or non‐profits will not be accepted. Residents are limited to five boxes (ex. banker sized 9” x 18” x 11-½”) or five bags per household.
For more information about the Free Paper Shred Event, please contact the Recycling Program at 951.413.3109.
|
|
|
Residents Encouraged to Reduce Energy Use During Solar Eclipse
|
On Monday, August 21, a total solar eclipse will cross the Pacific Northwest, affecting solar resources supplying power to the California grid. The eclipse is expected to occur from 9:02 a.m. to 11:54 a.m., with the moon obscuring 58 to 76 percent of solar rays and causing a loss of approximately 4,194 megawatts of California large scale solar electricity.
There will not be another eclipse of this magnitude seen by Californians until 2045.
Although utilities and the grid operator have enough resources to manage demand for electricity during the solar eclipse, consumers are being challenged to help “give the sun a break” by reducing demand for power and thus reducing reliance on fossil-fuel generated electricity.
A new California Public Utilities Commission website, CalEclipse.org, is dedicated to providing tips to help reduce energy usage not only during the eclipse, but also year-round.
On CalEclipse.org, consumers, businesses, organizations, and local governments are encouraged to take a pledge to reduce electricity usage from 9 a.m. until 11 a.m. on August 21, 2017. The pledge includes doing simple things like replacing light bulbs with LED bulbs, turning off unnecessary lights, not charging electronics from 9 a.m. to 11 am, unplugging appliances not in use, and turning up the thermostat by 2 – 5 degrees.
|
|
|
Upon request, this news release will be made available in appropriate alternative formats to persons with disabilities, in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Any person with a disability who requires a modification or accommodation in order to participate in this meeting should direct such requests to Guy Pegan, ADA Coordinator, at 951.413.3120 at least 72 hours before the meeting. The 72-hour notification will enable the City to make reasonable arrangements to ensure accessibility to this meeting.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
