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A Message from the City Manager

Dear Community Member,

I hope your 2020 is off to a great start! The new year has brought some exciting developments within the City of Yorba Linda with more to come throughout the year.

On the business front, Town Center welcomed recently opened businesses Seasurf Fish Co. and Clean Juice . Two new restaurants are planned in the Bryant Ranch shopping Center - TAPS Fish House and Brewery will be opening a smaller concept restaurant, TAPS Brewery & Kitchen, along with Alondra's , which specializes in hot wings, pizza, burgers, and sandwiches. Several other sites within the City are in lease negotiations; look for updates in future issues of the "Yorba Linda Connection."

As many community members are aware, former Yorba Linda Mayor and Council Member Hank Wedaa passed away on November 13, 2019. Since his passing, the community has been interested in finding a way to honor his 29 years of service to Yorba Linda on the Council. At the City Council Meeting on February 4, 2020, City Council voted to rename Vista Del Verde II Park to Henry "Hank" Wedaa Park. Currently the 5-acre park consists of turf with trails bordering the south, east, and north boundaries. Plans for the dedication of Henry "Hank" Wedaa Park will be shared in a future issue of the "Yorba Linda Connection."

Thank you for reading.

Sincerely,

Mark Pulone

City Manager

City Council Meeting Recap

The City Council Meeting Recap for the February 4, 2020 City Council Meeting is now available online . Following each City Council Meeting, a recap is posted to the Latest News section of the City website. 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. View the February 4, 2020 City Council Meeting Recap on the City website .

Yorba Linda City Council Opposes Proposed Regional Housing Needs Assessment

Previous issues of the "Yorba Linda Connection" have discussed the City of Yorba Linda's active involvement in the Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA) for years 2021-2029 through attending meetings of to the Southern California Association of Governments and providing comments, questions, and concerns regarding the methodology process. After a year of public input on three different RHNA methodology options, SCAG staff proposed a methodology that would comply with state law and received unanimous support from its review committee, which is comprised of nearly 50 elected officials from the SCAG region. However, at the November 7, 2019 meeting of SCAG’s Regional Council, a last-minute substitute motion was made, which introduced a modified RHNA methodology that would shift 75,000 housing units into Orange County. The substitute motion passed 43-19 (opposed by every Orange County representative). This modified methodology increased the City of Yorba Linda’s RHNA obligation from 207 housing units to 2,322 housing units, amounting to an increase of 1,122%.

Mayor Beth Haney sent a letter on behalf of the City to the State Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) , urging the HCD to intervene. However, on January 14, 2020, HCD responded with a letter of support for the methodology, which stated it was consistent with state law.

On January 21, 2020, the Yorba Linda City Council adopted Resolution No. 2020-5649, opposing the revised methodology. The revised methodology must now be formally approved by SCAG’s Regional Council. The City Council strongly encourages its residents to express their concerns to SCAG by emailing housing@scag.ca.gov as well as contacting your state elected representatives . The schedule for SCAG’s upcoming meetings related to RHNA can be found on their website .

Library & Cultural Arts Center Construction Update

Progress continues to be made on the new Library and Cultural Arts Center. During the month of January, the interior mechanical, plumbing, electrical, sheathing, roofing, and quarry stone fabrication continued. The undergrounding of overhead telecommuncation lines along Lakeview Avenue is in progress. The project is anticipated to be completed this fall. View drone footage of the construction site from the past month on the project website.

A New Way to Vote is Coming to Orange County

Beginning with the Presidential Primary Election on March 3, 2020, the Orange County Registrar of Voters (OCROV) is transitioning to a new model of of voting per the California Voter’s Choice Act. The new system allows voters more options on how, when, and where they cast their ballots during an election. Under the new system, all registered voters will receive a vote-by-mail ballot, which can be returned:

By mail, with no postage necessary;
At any Vote Center located within Orange County; or
At a secure Ballot Drop-Off Box.

Voting Centers within Yorba Linda will be open from Saturday, February 29 through Tuesday, March 3 and will be located at the following locations:

Church of Grace, 22653 Old Canal Road;
Danish Lutheran Church, 16881 Bastanchury Road;
Thomas Lasorda Jr. Field House, 4701 Casa Loma Avenue (Open beginning Saturday, February 22);
Yorba Linda Presbyterian Church, 19301 Yorba Linda Boulevard; and
Yorba Linda Public Library, 18181 Imperial Highway.

Secure Ballot Drop-Off Boxes within Yorba Linda are available now through Tuesday, March 3 at the following locations:

Arroyo Park/Yorba Linda Police Services, 20994 Yorba Linda Boulevard;
Bryant Ranch Park, 24705 Paseo De Toronto; and
Yorba Linda City Hall, 4845 Casa Loma Avenue.

For detailed information about the new voting system, location hours, and a list of all voting centers and ballot drop-off locations within Orange County, please visit the OCROV website .

Confirm Your Party Affiliation for the Primary Election by February 17

Voters should understand basic rules governing voting laws in California that affect who they may vote for during the upcoming Presidential Primary Election on Tuesday, March 3, 2020.

The Republican, Green, and Peace & Freedom parties' rules differ in that a voter MUST be registered with their party in order to vote for their Presidential Primary candidate. You CANNOT be registered as a “No Party Preference” or “Decline to State."
The Democrat, American Independent, and Libertarian parties DO NOT require voters to be registered in their party to vote for their candidates. They also allow those registered as “No Party Preference” or “Decline to State” to request one of their ballots from county election officials.
A voter who has registered with the “American Independent Party” is registered with an official political party. It does not mean that the voter is independent of the Republicans or the Democrats which is sometimes assumed by voters.

To ensure that the Orange County Registrar of Voters have correctly recorded the status of your political party affiliation, which affects your ability to vote, voters are encouraged to verify the status of their political party affiliation before the deadline of February 17, 2020.

Join Yorba Linda Police Services for Coffee with a Cop

Yorba Linda Police Services invites the community to join them for a morning of coffee and conversation at the upcoming Coffee with a Cop event scheduled for Tuesday, February 11, 2020 from 8:00 to 10:00 a.m. The informal event, which will be held at the Starbucks, 17474 Yorba Linda Boulevard (at Valley View Avenue), will allow residents the chance to meet Chief of Police Services Lt. Cory Martino and local deputies and to ask questions. For more information, view the event flyer or contact Kara Taylor, Crime Prevention Specialist, at 714-779-7098, ext. 108.

Coronavirus Information for Orange County Residents

An outbreak of pneumonia in Wuhan, China was reported to the World Health Organization (WHO) on December 31, 2019, and a novel (new) coronavirus was soon identified as the cause. On January 31, 2020, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) , declared the novel coronavirus a public health emergency.

As of February 5, 2020, one case of novel coronavirus has been identified in Orange County, a traveler from Wuhan, China. However, there is no evidence of person-to-person transmission in Orange County. Risk of the infection to the public in Orange County remains low. Guidance from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) indicates that people who have casual contact with a case (e.g. in the same grocery store or movie theater) are at minimal risk for infection. Individuals who have recently been to Wuhan, China and feel sick, are advised to:

Stay home and avoid contact with others, except to seek medical care;
Seek medical care right away. Before going to the doctor's office or emergency room, call ahead and inform them of your recent travel and your symptoms; and
Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hand) when sneezing or coughing.

The CDC offers these general tips for reducing the spread of communicable illnesses, including novel coronavirus:

Wash hands regularly with soap and water or alcohol-based hand rub;
Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hand) when sneezing or coughing.
Avoid contact with anyone with cold- or flu-like symptoms;
Thoroughly cook meat and eggs; and
Avoid unprotected contact with live wild or farm animals.

For additional information, please visit the Orange County Health Care Agency website .

Maserati and Alfa Romeo to Have Permanent Dealership in Yorba Linda

Since 2016, a Maserati and Alfa Romeo sales establishment has been operated at 22633 Oakcrest Circle (formerly Olive Garden) under a temporary use entitlement. At the February 4, 2020 City Council Meeting, City Council approved the demolition of the existing structure to make way for a 25,013 square-foot two-story building which includes an automotive showroom, financing offices, and customer lounge, as well as an 18-bay service center and service offices. The building design, which was approved by the Planning Commission on September 11, 2019, is modern and industrial, incorporating the use of aluminum and glass materials with contrasting shades of light and dark grays and whites. The 4.2 acre site will be enhanced with a drought-tolerant landscaping palette and updated LED light fixtures. Once the demolition of the current structure is completed and permits are issued, the construction is expected to take one year.

Improvements Coming to Checkers Dog Park

Checkers Dog Park is getting a lot cooler! At the City Council Meeting on January 21, 2020, City Council authorized the purchase and installation of shade structures at the park. Dogs and their owners can expect to enjoy the new shade structures by summer. For additional details about Checkers Dog Park, visit the City website .

OC Loop Carbon Canyon Channel Bikeway

At the City Council Meeting on January 21, 2020, City Council entered into a cooperative agreement with the County of Orange for construction of the Carbon Canyon Class 1 Bikeway, known as OC Loop Segment D. Construction of the project will close a gap in the 66-mile regional non-motorized transportation corridor known as the OC Loop, providing a direct connection between Imperial Highway and Bastanchury Road beginning in the southwest corner of the Brea and will pass through Placentia and Yorba Linda. The project will be managed and funded by the County of Orange. For additional information about the OC Loop, visit the OCTA website .

City Facilities to Close in Observance of President's Day

In observance of President's Day, all City offices, including City Hall, the Library, the Police Services Substation, and Parks and Recreation facilities will be closed on Monday, February 17, 2020. City offices will reopen to normal business hours on Tuesday, February 18. The holiday will not affect scheduled refuse and recycling collection or street sweeping.

Wall of Fame Nominations Accepted through February 28

There is still time for the community to nominate exceptional local athletes for the Athletic Achievement Recognition Wall of Fame. The program honors athletic accomplishments by individual athletes or sports teams in Yorba Linda as well as outstanding contributions by athletic organizations serving Yorba Linda. Visit the Wall of Fame page of the City website for a list of previous recipients and to complete the nomination form . Nominations will be accepted through Friday, February 28, 2020. For additional information, please call 714-961-7192.

Coyote Awareness Meeting Scheduled

This time of year residents may begin to notice an increase in coyote presence as the coyote mating season takes place in late January through February. Coyote pups are typically born in March and April, and coyotes may be more aggressive when protecting and gathering food and water for their young pups. As we approach the spring, water and food sources become more readily available to coyotes, and wildlife in general, and the extensive growth of vegetation provides ideal conditions for coyote dens. Last year, the City received four confirmed reports of coyote dens being established on private property in large part due to overgrown vegetation, rodent-attracting fruit tree droppings, and pet food and water left outside. The City encourages residents to be proactive and take the following precautions to minimize the nuisance and pet losses caused by urban coyotes.

Fully enclose all outdoor animal areas;
Keep cats and small dogs indoors or in the close presence of an adult;
Keep trash containers closed;
Keep yards free from potential shelter such as thick brush or weeds;
Enclose the bottoms of porches and decks;
Eliminate all potential food and water sources; and
Report coyote sightings on the City website.

The City will co-host a Coyote Awareness Presentation with OC Animal Care on Tuesday, March 10, 2020 at 6:00 p.m. at the City Hall Council Chambers at 4845 Casa Loma Avenue. For additional information about coyote prevention, or to report a coyote sighting, visit the City website .

Honor a Local Hero with a Military Banner

The Parks and Recreation Department is accepting applications for the 2020-2021 Military Banner Program, which recognizes active duty and Gold Star military personnel. Each banner will list the name of the honoree and the branch of the military in which they serve and signifies the community's gratitude for their service. Banners will be displayed on light poles on Yorba Linda Boulevard beginning at Valley View Avenue and continuing east for a one-year period beginning in mid-May. Applications are available on the Military Service recognition page of the City website and will be accepted through April 1, 2020. The cost to purchase a banner is $85.

Residents Can Properly Dispose of Old and Tattered Flags

If your home's American flag is worn or tattered, now is the time to properly retire it. According to the United States Flag Code, "The flag, when it is in such condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem of display, should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning." The City of Yorba Linda serves as a drop-off site for retired American flags; old, unserviceable flags can be dropped off in a specially marked box at the Thomas Lasorda Jr. Field House or at City Hall. Flags will be destroyed in a proper flag retirement ceremony. For more information, please call 714-961-7192.

Tips to Prevent Over-Watering

During the rainy season, one of the biggest challenges for the home gardener can be determining the the correct frequency and amount of water needed to maintain a healthy lawn and garden. When plants appear droopy or discolored, more water might seem like the answer, however, over-watering is often the culprit of plant discoloration and other issues. Preventing over-watering in your yard will not only help the health of your plants, but will also prevent harmful pollutants from entering the oceans as excess irrigation can wash pesticides, fertilizers, and other pollutants through the storm drains. Improve the health of your garden while preventing pollution by following these simple tips:

During the fall and winter months, your lawn needs far less water than during the summer. Adjust sprinkler controls to water less during these seasons;
Determine if your lawn is adequately watered by using his trick - if your blades of grass spring up after you step on them, they are adequately watered;
Evaluate your lawn's health by its color - if it is vibrant green and is not pale, it is receiving enough water. If your lawn becomes less verdant, it may need nutrients and not water; consider consulting a gardening professional; and
Water in the early morning before sunrise to reduce water loss due to evaporation.