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A Message from the City Manager

Dear Community Member,

As we begin to celebrate the holiday season, I want to thank you. This has been an extraordinarily difficult year for many residents and local businesses. While Yorba Linda has always been a community defined by its resilience, civic pride, and caring nature: the test of the last nine months has revealed that this community is truly remarkable. So, whether you are a new resident, a long-time resident, a business owner, or a community partner; together, you are all part of what makes Yorba Linda special. Thank you for all the ways you have contributed to the community in 2020.

The City is ending this year on a high note. I am thrilled to announce the opening of the new Yorba Linda Public Library and Cultural Arts Center. The completion of this exceptional campus illustrates the importance of investing in the City’s infrastructure to meet the needs of our community and provide an exceptional quality of life for all. These stunning new facilities are not just buildings; they are the future home of countless memories and creative experiences. They will bring families together in new and innovative gathering spaces, and will offer compelling new library and cultural arts opportunities for the entire community to enjoy for years to come. For more details about the current Grab and Go service offered at the Library, please continue reading this issue of the Yorba Linda Connection.

With eyes towards 2021, our City staff is energized to continue improving our collective efforts to deliver the exceptional services our residents expect. From our family to yours, the City of Yorba Linda wishes you a joyous and safe holiday season.

Best Regards,

Mark Pulone

City Manager

Yorba Linda City Council Appoints New Mayor and Mayor Pro Tem

At the December 1, 2020 City Council Meeting, the City Council appointed the Mayor and Mayor Pro Tem to serve a one-year term. The City of Yorba Linda is pleased to announce the reorganization of the Yorba Linda City Council as follows:

Peggy Huang, Mayor
Carlos Rodriguez, Mayor Pro Tem
Dr. Beth Haney, Council Member
Tara Campbell, Council Member
Gene Hernandez, Council Member

View the City of Yorba Linda's Notice of City Council Reorganization.

City Council Meeting Recap

The City Council Meeting Recap for the December 1, 2020 City Council Meeting is now available online. These recaps are intended to summarize action taken by City Council, and are not intended to function as a replacement for official meeting minutes. City Council Meeting agendas and minutes, as well as recaps from previous meetings are always available on the Agendas and Minutes page of the City website.

California Announces Regional Stay at Home Order

The State of California has announced the next phase of its COVID-19 response: the Regional Stay Home Order. Announced on December 3, 2020, the Regional Stay Home order will go into effect within 24 hours in regions with less than 15% Intensive Care Unit (ICU) availability. The order prohibits private gatherings of any size, closes sector operations except for critical infrastructure and retail, and requires 100% masking and physical distancing in all others.

While this order is not in effect for the Southern California region yet, ICU availability is projected to fall below the threshold any day now. Once triggered, the Regional Stay Home Order will remain in effect for at least 3 weeks and, after that period, will be lifted when a region’s projected ICU capacity meets or exceeds 15%. To learn more about this order and what it means for residents and businesses, please visit the State of California's website: covid19.ca.gov.

New Library is Now Open for Grab and Go Services

The City's new Public Library is now open for Grab & Go Service including holds pick-up and materials browsing. Reservations are required and can be made with a valid Yorba Linda Public Library card via the Library's website. Hours for Grab & Go Service are:

Monday through Thursday: 11:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Saturday: 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Sunday & Friday: closed

To learn more about this service, and to schedule your reservation today, please visit ylpl.org/grab/. The pick-up of holds is available during library operating hours and does not require a reservation. Hours are subject to change based on COVID-19 restrictions.

Recent red flag warnings and regional fires demonstrate why it is more important than ever for residents to register to receive emergency updates through AlertOC, the County's mass notification system. Residents may receive emergency alerts to include disaster notifications, evacuation notices, public health emergencies, public safety emergencies, or any emergency information as defined by the City. Residents can register for AlertOC or manage their existing profiles by visiting AlertOC.org, or by texting ALERTOC to 888777. Also, it is a good idea to verify your contact information is up to date by logging on to the AlertOC website, especially after changing your residence or phone number.

Deck the Door & Deck the Store Contest Launches

Join the Yorba Linda Chamber of Commerce and the Yorba Linda Woman's Club for a friendly holiday decorating competition. Deck the Door entries can be submitted for residential doors and may include porches, and Deck the Store entries are open to business storefronts. The four decorating categories are traditional, best of lighting, religious, and humor. Registration is currently open and ends December 14 at noon. Entry fees for the Deck the Door contest is $25 per category, and the Deck the Store fee is $50. One hundred percent of donations will benefit the Yorba Linda Woman's Club & Yorba Linda Chamber Foundation Scholarship Programs & Grants. For more information, entry details, and contest rules, visit yorbalindachamber.us/.

Winter Guide is Coming

Winter is coming, which means the Parks and Recreation Department's Winter Guide will debut soon. For more details about this catalog of the Department's offerings, please visit the Department's website, social media pages, and sign up to receive e-newsletters from the City. Registration will open for residents on December 16 at 10 a.m., and December 23 at 10 a.m. for nonresidents.

Due to the evolving nature of the COVID-19 situation, all programs and registration dates are tentative and subject to change. Look for additional information in future issues of the Parks and Recreation e-newsletter and social media. Based on current restrictions, various classes will be required to run outdoors with continued modifications.

For additional information, contact the Parks and Recreation Department at 714-961-7160 or email YLPR@yorbalindaca.gov.

New Cultural Arts Center Is Now Open

The Yorba Linda Cultural Arts Center, the City's new state-of-the-art facility, is now open during prescheduled programs at 4802 Lakeview Avenue. Featuring the Virginia De Land Theater, a flexible black box theater space, a Dance Studio, Music Room, and Art Studio with adjoining Art Yard, the Arts Center will be used by local groups to host theatrical productions, public art exhibits, art festivals, and other special events. Adjacent to the new Yorba Linda Public Library, the facilities are joined by a central paseo, which will serve as a gathering place for visitors. The architecture of both buildings draws inspiration from the look and feel of Yorba Linda. Due to the current COVID-19 situation, the Cultural Arts Center will be open intermittently for prescheduled programs only. Please contact the Cultural Arts Center at 657-242-4660 for further information on hours of operation. For more information about this new facility, please visit the Cultural Arts Center page of the City's website.

As this new facility allows the City to conduct new kinds of programming, the Parks and Recreation Department is seeking instructors to expand its art and fitness class offerings. Contract instructors are independent contractors of the City of Yorba Linda who create their own class curriculum.

Interested individuals should complete the Instructor Interest Form. For additional information, please contact the Parks and Recreation Department at 714-961-7160 or visit the City's website.

Black Gold Golf Club Upgrading Golf Cart Fleet

A brand new golf cart fleet is coming to Black Gold Gold Club later this month! These new golf carts come with the latest Lithium-ion battery technology which offers increased reliability and efficiency resulting in better performance while also reducing electricity costs by 50%. Carts with Lithium-ion batteries can charge twice as fast as lead-acid batteries. This fast charging time and the ability to hold a charge across multiple rounds of golf keeps carts on the course longer and out of the cart barn. Golfers will also enjoy the new and improved Visage GPS monitors, USB charging ports and Bluetooth speakers in each cart!

Annual Pro Shop Holiday Sale: Now through December 24, shoppers can get 30% off apparel and headwear, 25% off footwear and accessories, and 20% off golf clubs (in stock items only). Call or visit the shop today!

Tee times can be made at chronogolf.com or by calling the Golf Shop at 714-961-0060.

Evan's Smokehouse Reopens

Hungry BBQ fans rejoice! Evan's Smokehouse reopened in November after changing locations to 4847 Main Street. Evan's Smokehouse offers lots of great food for pickup every weekend. Outdoor dining is subject to COVID restrictions. Hours are Friday through Sunday from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m., or earlier if sold out. Evan's Smokehouse also offers a catering menu and other meal services. For more information, visit evanssmokehouse.com.

Santa Ana Riverbed Project Resuming This Month

Construction on the Santa Ana riverbed improvement project will resume this month after delays to this Army Corps of Engineers project, including the dismissal of a previous contractor. The improvement to the Lomas De Yorba Sur-Levee consists of the removal and replacement of rock and grouted stone for approximately 2.4 miles to prevent erosion and support the river's flow. The project also includes the construction of an access ramp, an extension of RCP side drains, a bikeway, a riding/hiking trail, and a maintenance road.

The new contractor is scheduled to begin clearing, grubbing, and sound wall construction this month. The contractor anticipates working Monday-Thursday for the early stages of the project. Dewatering and excavation are planned for March 2021 through March 2022 (approximately). Workdays may extend to five and six days a week (Monday – Saturday) during that phase. Construction activities will generate noise and vibrations for the surrounding areas. However, the contractor will be working to minimize impacts to the community. The project should be complete by Summer 2022.

While the City of Yorba Linda is not a party to this construction project, City staff have met with the new contractor to convey the community's concerns. The new contractor will be developing an informational flyer, updating the project sign, and giving community presentations to establish open communication with residents. Additionally, residents can contact the contractors by emailing SARC-PHASE-5B@sscbuild.com. The City will provide future updates in the Yorba Linda Connection and the Latest News section of the City's website.

City Appeals Its Draft Regional Housing Needs Assessment Allocation:

Deadline for Public Comments is December 10, 2020.

As previously reported in earlier editions of the Yorba Linda Connection and on the City's website, the City of Yorba Linda filed a formal appeal for a revision of the City's draft Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA) allocation. The City has determined that its draft RHNA allocation (2,411 units) was calculated in a manner that did not follow state housing laws and is requesting an adjustment of the City’s housing responsibility. RHNA public appeals hearings will be held in December 2020 through January 2021. A copy of the City’s written appeal and a video summarizing the appeal is also available at the City’s new Housing Element Update website. Public comments will be accepted by the RHNA Appeals Board through December 10, 2020. Residents are strongly encouraged to send letters supporting the City’s appeal efforts to housing@scag.ca.gov.

For a summary of the issues of concern by the City that may be considered in your comments, visit the City's website.

Mark Your Calendars for Holiday Facility Closures

In observance of the winter holidays, City of Yorba Linda offices will observe a modified schedule. The holiday hours for Yorba Linda City Hall will be:

Thursday and Friday, December 24-25, 2020: Closed.

Monday – Friday, December 28, 2020 – January 1, 2021: Closed.

Holiday hours for other City facilities will vary; visit the City websit e to view each facility's holiday schedule and important emergency phone numbers.

Please note there will be no refuse or recycling collection service on Friday, December 25, 2020 and Friday, January 1, 2021. Collection will be delayed by one day for the remainder of the week.

Holiday Tree and Decoration Safety Tips

It is the time of year to enjoy favorite holiday traditions, celebrating around the table, making new memories with friends and family, and for many, enjoying a holiday tree. To ensure that the holidays are both happy and safe, Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA) and the City of Yorba Linda encourage residents to follow these holiday tree and decoration safety tips:

Lighting and Decorations

Check lights for broken or cracked sockets, frayed or bare wires, or loose connections before using;
Replace burned-out bulbs promptly with the same wattage bulb;
Don’t overload electrical outlets with too many lights or decorations and make sure all extension cords are marked for proper use;
Plug outdoor electric lights and decorations into circuits protected by ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs); and
Turn off all indoor and outdoor holiday lighting before leaving the house or going to bed.

Holiday Trees

When selecting your holiday tree, ensure it is fresh. Check for freshness by bouncing the tree on the ground. A fresh tree should only shed a few needles. In addition, needles should not break when bent between your fingers;
When you bring your tree home, cut off approximately two inches from the bottom of the trunk. Mount the tree in a sturdy water-holding stand, which should be refilled 1-2 times per day;
Select a location for your tree that is away from fireplaces, radiators, heating vents, air ducts, or other sources of heat;
Ensure ornaments and any other tree decorations are non-combustible or flame resistant; and
Remove your tree promptly from your home following the holidays. A dried-out tree is extremely dangerous; an ignited tree can be completely consumed by fire in 3-5 seconds and generate over 2,000 degrees of radiant heat!

For additional fire prevention tips, visit the OCFA website.

Prevent Package Theft This Holiday Season with Safe Shopping Tips

With the holiday shopping season in full swing and online purchasing on the rise, many residents may expect to receive package deliveries at their home in the coming month. Although the opportunity exists all year for packages to go missing from your doorstep, porch pirates increase their activity during the holiday season. In some instances, thieves will follow or watch for the UPS, Fed Ex or other delivery trucks and then target a home after a delivery is made.

Before you ship, Yorba Linda Police Services and the City of Yorba Linda encourage you to follow these tips to ensure your package ends up under the tree and not in the hands of a thief:

Install a security camera on your porch, put thieves on the defense by recording their every move;
Use your workplace as the shipping address;
Track your shipments by phone, on-line, or by carrier app so you know what day they should arrive;
Ask a trusted neighbor to watch for your delivery and then hold the items until you arrive home;
Keep an eye on your neighborhood and report suspicious persons and vehicles sitting or cruising the area;
Request a signature delivery option, if available;
Have the shipment be held at the shipping facility such as a UPS office or an Amazon Pick Up Point;
Utilize a "mailbox" business in your town and see if they will accept shipment of your item for a fee; and
Beware of shipping scams. Some postal customers are receiving fraudulent e-mails about a package delivery or online postage charges that ask the user for personal information.

If you do not receive your shipment on time, check with the company of origin and confirm the delivery. If the item was delivered and you did not receive it: report the theft or loss to the original company, the shipping company, and your local police. Remember, if you see something suspicious, say something!

Tree-Cycle After The Holidays

Holiday trees are only used for a few weeks of the year and recycling them can be a great way to limit holiday waste. Real holiday trees will be accepted at the curb by Republic Services from Monday, December 28, 2020 through Friday, January 8, 2021. Be sure to take off all of the lights, ornaments, tinsel and garlands, as well as the metal or plastic stand. Set the bare tree at the curb. If your tree is more than six feet tall, please cut it in half for safe and easy collection. If you don’t take your tree down until after January 8, 2021, please cut it into pieces that will fit into your yard waste cart with the lid closed. You can also recycle holiday wreaths and greenery in your yard waste cart. The wreaths and greenery must also be bare, so please remove all wire, hooks, bows and other decorations. Collected trees and greenery are turned into mulch, compost and ground cover. If your family enjoys an artificial tree, pack it up for next year. If you are discarding an artificial tree or wreath, please place the pieces into the trash cart. Artificial trees and wreaths are not recyclable. For more information, contact Republic Services at 1-800-700-8610 or via the chat option on Republic Services' website.

Preventing Erosion on Your Property Prevents Storm-Water Pollution

With the new year just around the corner, many people will be tackling projects around the house, including projects involving paint. Because paint has the potential to cause significant damage to the environment, whether you plan to hire a contractor or complete a DIY project, the City of Yorba Linda encourages residents to be mindful of the environment by following these tips when using, cleaning, storing, and disposing of paint:

Never clean brushes or rinse paint containers in the street, gutter, or storm drain. For oil-based products, use as much of the paint on the brushes as possible and clean brushes with thinner. For water-based products, use as much of the paint on the brushes as possible, then rinse in the sink;
Paint should be stored in a dry location away from the elements. Firmly secure the lid and store the paint cans upside down to prevent air from entering. This will keep the paint usable longer; and
When disposing of paint, never put wet paint in the trash. For water-based paint, if possible, brush leftover paint on cardboard or newspaper. Otherwise, allow the paint to dry in the can with the lid off in a well-ventilated area protected from the elements, children and pets. Large quantities of extra paint should be taken to a local Hazardous Household Waste Collection Center (HWCC). Oil-based and aerosol paint should be disposed of in any quantity at a HHWCC.