Latest News from the City of Yorba Linda
A Message from the City Manager
Dear Community Member,

Summer is in full swing here in Yorba Linda, following a very festive and successful 4th of July Spectacular. Seeing so many people gathering together this past Sunday to celebrate for the first time since the pandemic began filled me with encouragement over how far we have come this past year.

This July brings us the return of many in-person opportunities. Summer Concerts in the Park begin on July 18 after not being offered last year. Additionally, our Saturday Movies in the Park are already well underway, with no registration required. With more people visiting the Library than ever before and many of the City's recreation classes and programs at full capacity -- it is clear that Yorba Linda is roaring back to life!

However, let's be mindful of the realities that Yorba Linda's businesses have endured during this difficult time. With the State of California moving past the color-tiered system and fully reopening the economy in mid-June, there has never been a more important time to continue supporting local businesses and restaurants on their long road to recovery. Your support is vital, so please remember to shop where your heart is: Yorba Linda.

Best Regards,

Mark Pulone
City Manager
City Council Meeting Recap
The City Council Meeting Recap for the June 15, 2021 City Council Meeting is now available online. These recaps are intended to summarize the City Council's actions 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.
Mark Your Calendars for Movies in the Park
Come enjoy family movie nights at the park on our 20-foot inflatable movie screen! Grab your chairs and blankets and check out the following Saturday-night showings:

  • July 17 at Eastside Park - The Croods: A New Age;
  • August 21 at Hurless Barton Park - Abominable;
  • September 18 at Hurless Barton Park - Onward; and
  • October 16 at Hurless Barton Park - Cars 3.

Each movie begins after dusk, with approximate showtimes advertised on the City's social media sites. Movies in the Park are free and do not require registration. For more information, visit the City's website or call 714-961-7192.
Sunday Evening Concerts in the Park Return!
End your summer weekends on a high note by enjoying great live music and dancing at the Hurless Barton Park Amphitheater. Bring chairs, blankets, and a picnic dinner to enjoy beautiful Sunday evenings with the following performers:

  • July 18 - Flashback Heart Attack (80's covers);
  • July 25 - Tommy C & The Black Widow Grease Band (50's & 60's tunes);
  • August 1 - Mark Easterday (Modern Country);
  • August 8 - Film @ Eleven (Rhythm & Blues);
  • August 15 - The Trip (Classic Rock); and
  • August 22 - Crowd Theory (Modern Hits).
 
Concerts in the Park are completely free and do not require reservations. Each concert begins at 5:30 p.m. and lasts about two hours. For more information, visit the City's website or call 714-961-7192.
New Rose Garden Dedicated at The Library
Next time you visit the Library, don't forget to stop and smell the roses. On June 29, the Yorba Linda Woman’s Club (YLWC) held a dedication ceremony for the new rose garden installation at the library. The YLWC generously donated and recently planted 26 roses of different varieties outside the south terrace of the Community Room, and is easily visible while entering and exiting the vehicle parking lot. The Library had traditionally hosted a rose garden since 1959 when the first rose garden was planted and dedicated at the previous library site. Roses are the official flower of both the City and the YLWC and are a wonderful addition to the already stunning Yorba Linda Public Library and Community Arts Center.
City Temporarily Waives ADU Fees to Stimulate Affordable Housing Production
In an effort to spur the construction of Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU's) to help the City meet its State-mandated share of providing affordable housing units without relying solely on more housing developments, the City of Yorba Linda is temporarily waiving all City plan check and permit fees associated with ADU projects. Commonly known as "granny flats" or "second units," ADUs tend to be relatively small with modest amenities, making them a more affordable option for seniors, students, caretakers, young families, and people with disabilities. Through considerable public outreach, ADUs have been identified as an attractive gentle-density option for providing and distributing small, affordable units throughout single-family districts in the community. Because California State law now requires jurisdictions, such as Yorba Linda, to allow for nearly every residential property to construct at least one ADU and one Junior ADU, encouraging this type of construction helps the City meet its Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA) obligation of planning for 2,415 new housing units through 2029. Additionally, by maximizing ADU production, the City will have more flexibility and control over new housing developments to meet the remainder of the RHNA obligation.

By waiving City plan check and permitting fees, residents constructing an ADU on their property will save approximately $4,500. However, these fees will be reinstated after June 30, 2023. For more information or to begin a project, please contact the City's Planning division.
City Hosts Fifth Housing Element Workshop
The City will be holding its fifth public workshop regarding the Housing Element update process on July 14 at 5:00 p.m. via Zoom. The State of California requires the City to update the Housing Element, part of the City's General Plan, every eight years and must include a local housing plan detailing where the City could locate the State-mandated number of housing units. Yorba Linda has been assigned 2,415 housing units for the housing cycle from 2021-2029. The City is in the process of identifying potential housing sites where rezoning could potentially occur in order to meet the State’s requirements. During the public workshop, the City will present an update on the draft Housing Element to the Planning Commission and welcomes public input in the process. More information can be found on the Housing Element webpage and comments can be submitted via email.
Republic Services' Rate Adjustment Takes Effect
As of July 1, 2021, residential and commercial waste and recycling customers will see an annual Consumer Price Index (CPI) rate increase on their quarterly billing statement. The rate increase is pursuant to the Republic Services and City of Yorba Linda solid waste franchise agreement. Residential customer rates will increase by 40 cents for a standard rate with three carts (waste, recycling, and green waste). Commercial customer rates will increase by $2.51 for a standard 3 cubic yard bin with one pick up per week. For detailed information on the new residential and commercial rates, please visit Republic Services' website.
Weed Abatement Makes Yorba Linda Safer
As required by CA State law, the City implements a weed abatement program every year to minimize hazardous fire conditions within Yorba Linda. The City’s program involves several steps, including sending notices requesting property owners who have large areas of undeveloped property that may be prone to wildfire hazards to clear their property of vegetation overgrowth before the height of wildfire season. The notice recognizes that some property owners may already have completed their weed abatement and fire hazard reduction efforts before receiving the City’s reminder notice.

This year's annual weed abatement letters were sent to approximately 1,200 properties and requested abatement by June 15, 2021. Community Preservation staff then began surveying these properties to confirm compliance. After each inspection, property owners are provided a pass or fail notice. Properties that remain non-compliant and represent a potential wildfire hazard are asked to remove overgrown vegetation from their properties within two weeks of a failed inspection.

The City truly appreciates property owners’ sensitivity and diligent attention to helping minimize property damage and potential loss of life from this significant threat to the City. For additional information about the weed abatement program, please contact the Community Preservation Division at 714-961-7138.
Army Corps' Santa Ana Riverbed Project Continues
The Army Corps of Engineers (ACOE) project in the Santa Ana riverbed continues to move forward. The initial slope preparation work is complete for the entire stretch of the project. However, much work remains with additional slope backfill, sand, and rock placement. The ACOE has installed vibration monitors at locations near homes close to the project site and will be communicating directly with residents regarding their concerns. Increased noise and potential vibrations are anticipated later this summer, but the ACOE will engage in an outreach effort to affected housing tracts to provide advance notice of what to expect. City staff will continue working with the contractors to help minimize impacts on the surrounding community and continue participating in project update meetings to help address residents' concerns.
City Offers Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Training for Volunteers
The Yorba Linda Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program educates people about disaster preparedness and trains them in basic disaster response skills. The goal of Yorba Linda CERT is to provide citizens with the basic skills to protect themselves, their families, and neighbors in the aftermath of a disaster.

Training topics include Fire safety, CERT Team Organization, Light Search and Rescue, Disaster Psychology, Terrorism Awareness, and Disaster Medical Operations. The next trainings will be held on 9/7, 9/9. 9/14, and 9/16 from 6:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. at the Yorba Linda Community Center (4501 Casa Loma Avenue), and 9/18 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at a location to be determined. For more information or to register for the training, please visit the City's website or call 714-961-7118.
City Seeks Nominations for 2021 Citizen of the Year
The City of Yorba Linda is currently accepting nominations for the 2021 Citizen of the Year recognition. Please help us honor local heroes whose selfless dedication to serving others stands as the ultimate example for all of us to follow. Nomination forms and detailed information are available on the City's website. Completed nomination forms must be submitted by Monday, September 6, 2021.
Tip, Toss, and Take Action to Stop Mosquitoes
The Orange County Mosquito and Vector Control District (OCMVCD) and the City of Yorba Linda remind residents to take an active role in mosquito control by regularly inspecting their property for any stagnant water where mosquitoes can lay eggs. Mosquitoes can complete their life cycle from egg to adult in about a week and only need a body of water the size of a bottle cap to develop. OCMVD would like to remind you to tiptoss, and take action by doing the following:

  • TIP: Eliminate breeding sources around your property;
  • TOSS: Throw away any unused containers to prevent eggs from hatching; and
  • TAKE ACTION: use these tips to help you combat mosquitoes.

Common sources for mosquito breeding include plant saucers, buckets, tires, pet water bowls, trash cans, water-holding plants such as bromeliads, and landscaping with low-lying areas. Any collected water should be emptied or drained, containers should be tightly sealed to prevent mosquito entry, unnecessary containers should be removed from yards, and green unmaintained pools should be cleaned or treated.

For more information about OC Mosquito and Vector Control, visit ocvector.org.
Prevent Stormwater Runoff and Protect Water Quality
Stormwater runoff refers to the rainwater that falls on streets, parking lots, grass, rooftops, developed land, and other areas that ultimately flow into the ocean through storm drains. Unfortunately, runoff water picks up lots of pollutants and debris as it drains. Although rain is not common during the summer, the City of Yorba Linda encourages residents to be mindful of runoff water and use the following tips to prevent the spread of pollutants during the next rain:

  • Sweep up all cut grass, trimmings, and leaves and dispose of them as green waste;
  • Maintain your car to prevent leaks;
  • Follow directions when applying fertilizers and/or pesticides; do not over-apply or irrigate immediately after application;
  • If washing your car at home, use biodegradable soap;
  • If your pet spends time in the yard, promptly pick up pet waste; and
  • Consider volunteering for a beach clean-up event by visiting the California Coastal Commission's website.

Thank you for being an environmental steward and committing to protecting local water quality by preventing stormwater runoff. For more tips and information about stormwater runoff, visit the City's website.
UPCOMING EVENTS
The Croods: A New Age
Saturday, July 17, 2021
Dusk (approx. 7:45)
Flashback Heart Attack
Sunday, July 18, 2021
5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Hurless Barton Park
Tuesday, July 20, 2021
6:30 p.m.
Tommy C & The Black Widow Grease Band
Sunday, July 25, 2021
5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Hurless Barton Park
Mark Easterly
Sunday, August 1, 2021
5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Hurless Barton Park

Tuesday, August 3, 2021
6:30 p.m.
QUICK LINKS
4845 Casa Loma Avenue
Yorba Linda, CA 92886
714-961-7100
CONNECT WITH THE
CITY OF YORBA LINDA