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A Message from the City Manager

Dear Community Member,

With students returning to school earlier this week, the City warmly welcomes them back for another year of great educational opportunities, and we remind everyone to make school safety a priority. While driving, please remember to always stop for school buses loading or unloading children, slow down in school zones, and be aware of pedestrians at all times. We wish students a safe and great year of learning, friendship, athletic achievement, and participation in our community.

Around the City, our staff has been hard at work delivering exceptional services to the Yorba Linda community. From a new traffic signal on Bastanchury to the Library adding mobile hotspots to their growing list of helpful technology available to cardholders -- great things are happening every day in Yorba Linda. While subscribing to this eNewsletter is a great way to connect with City-news, I encourage community members to follow the City on our social media channels for interesting stories, verified information, and engaging content.

The City is accepting nominations for the 2021 Citizen of the Year recognition for only a few more days. This program honors a local hero whose selflessness, volunteerism, and dedication to the community sets an example for all of us to follow. If you know someone well-deserving of this honor, please nominate them via the City's website before September 6. This year's recipient will be publicly announced at the 2021 State of the City on October 20.

Finally, while it is tempting to think summer is behind us, we know there's still plenty of hot weather in the months ahead. These high temperatures, mixed with dry fall Santa Ana winds, will create periods of hazardous "Red Flag" fire conditions, such as those that caused last year's Blue Ridge Fire. Additionally, these same conditions could lead to some residents losing power if Southern California Edison must perform Public Safety Power Shutoffs to avoid sparking a wildfire. Therefore, the need to be prepared for all emergencies is paramount. Accordingly, the City is joining other local agencies in recognizing September as National Preparedness Month. The City will be providing safety tips all month long on the City's social media channels, website, and Spectrum Channel 3 (U-Verse 99) to help you and your family prepare for an emergency. Additionally, please take a moment to ensure your contact information is up to date in AlertOC, the County's mass notification system.

Best Regards,

Mark Pulone

City Manager

Honoring the Service Members Lost in Afghanistan on August 26

Our community is devastated by the tragic loss of 13 American service members and scores of innocent civilians from the August 26 terrorist attack outside the Kabul airport in Afghanistan. Our hearts are with the loved ones of our fallen heroes who were working to evacuate fellow Americans, Afghan partners who have supported our mission for 20 years, and Afghan civilians. We join our nation in mourning this terrible loss.

Yorba Linda has responded in our characteristic fashion: with deep love and support. Tonight, September 2, For Families of Active Military and Veteran Air will install 13 embroidered flags on the southwest corner of Village Center Drive and Yorba Linda Boulevard to honor the 13 fallen service members. These flags will remain on display for 13 days, and we will remember the names of the fallen as we honor them:

Marine Corps Lance Cpl. David Espinoza, 20, of Rio Bravo, Texas.

Marine Corps Sgt. Nicole Gee, 23, of Roseville, California

Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Darin Taylor Hoover, 31, of Utah

Army Staff Sgt. Ryan Knauss, 23, of Corryton, Tennesee

Marine Corps Cpl. Hunter Lopez, 22, of Indio, California

Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Rylee McCollum, 20, Jackson, Wyoming

Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Dylan R. Merola, 20, of Rancho Cucamonga, California

Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Kareem Nikoui, 20, of Norco, California

Marine Corps Cpl. Daegan William-Tyeler Page, 23, of Omaha

Marine Corps Sgt. Johanny Rosario, 25, Lawrence, Massachusets

Marine Corps Cpl. Humberto Sanchez, 22, Logansport, Indianna

Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Jared Schmitz, 20, of Wentzville, Missouri

Navy Hospital Corpsman Max Soviak, 22, of Berlin Heights, Ohio

The emotional impact of this loss may be felt most by our veteran community. If you feel alone, there is help. Free, confidential support is available for veterans 24/7 at the VA’s crisis line. Call: 1-800-273-8255 (Press 1) or Text: 838-255.

City Council Meeting Recap

The City Council Meeting Recap for the August 17, 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, and recaps from previous meetings, are always available on the Agendas and Minutes page of the City website.

Last Chance to Nominate a Local Hero as the 2021 Citizen of the Year

The City of Yorba Linda is currently accepting nominations for the 2021 Citizen of the Year recognition. Would you please help us honor local heroes whose selfless dedication to serving others stands as an example for all of us to follow? Nomination forms and detailed information are available on the City's website. Please submit completed nomination forms by Monday, September 6, 2021.

All City Facilities Closed for Labor Day

In observance of Labor Day, all City facilities will be closed on Monday, September 6. City offices will reopen to regular business hours on Tuesday, September 7. Please note, Republic Services will not conduct regular waste and recycling collection service on Monday, September 6, and service will run one day late for the remainder of the week.

City Council Meeting Schedule

The September 7 City Council Meeting has been canceled. The Yorba Linda City Council will reconvene at its next regularly scheduled City Council Meeting on Tuesday, September 21 at 6:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall. The meeting agenda will be available on the Agendas and Minutes page of the City website.

Mayor's Prayer Breakfast Scheduled for September 16

The annual Mayor's Prayer Breakfast is scheduled for Thursday, September 16, from 6:45 to 8:45 a.m. at the Yorba Linda Community Center. This annual event, sponsored by the Yorba Linda Mayor's Prayer Breakfast Committee, has allowed the community to congregate and share an inspirational message for over 30 years. This year's keynote speaker is William Franklin Graham IV, Vice President and Associate Evangelist, at the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. Tickets are $40 and may sell out fast. For more information, please contact the Yorba Linda Chamber of Commerce at 714-993-9537 or purchase tickets online.

Last Call for Movies in the Park!

There are two more opportunities to enjoy our FREE family Movies in the Park. Be sure to bring your chairs, blankets, and a picnic dinner while enjoying the following films on our 20-foot inflatable movie screen:

Saturday, September 18 - Onward; and
Saturday, October 16 - Cars 3.

Each movie starts at dusk and is hosted at Hurless Barton Park. For more information, call the Parks and Recreation Department at 714-961-7192 or view the advertisement in The Guide. Registration is not required.

A Library Card Is Your Ticket to Everything!

Fall is just around the corner, and the Library has a variety of upcoming programs for all ages. Join us for storytimes, DIY craft events, instruction classes, and small business workshops. Plus, September is National Library Sign Up Month. Get access to all the Library has to offer, including digital books, downloadable audiobooks, streaming music, and so much more by signing up for a Library card today!

Also, did you know that your library card is your key to borrowing cool tech? The Library now has Hotspots and Chromebooks available for loan to library cardholders so you can connect to WIFI while on the go! To learn more about Chromebook and Hotspot availability, please visit the Library's website.

Annual Pavement Preservation Project Now Underway in Zone 4

This year’s Annual Pavement Preservation Project is now underway in Zone 4 (view map). This area is generally surrounded by Kellogg Drive to the west, Yorba Linda Boulevard to the north, Village Center Drive to the east, and City-limits to the south. The first phase of this year’s project involves upgrading some existing wheelchair ramps at pedestrian crossings. The second phase of the project, launching later this month, will include asphalt overlays to repair roadway sections that do not meet our high-quality standards. The City will place electronic message boards to notify motorists of traffic impacts between 9 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. In addition, any properties directly impacted by asphalt work will be notified in advance by door hangers specific to the impacted area.

Join the Parks and Recreation Department for exciting fall programs with some new events and classes along with some of your seasonal favorites, including:

Senior Citizen Wellness Expo;
Santa Express Letters;
Trails & Treats;
Breakfast with Santa;
Spiketime Volleyball;
Movies in the Park;
Youth Empowerment Service Day;
Family Fun Wilderness Hike (New); and
Art Hallow’s Eve (New).

The Guide Fall 2021 edition was mailed to residents' homes last month and is also available online. For updated program information and to register online now, visit www.ylreconline.com.

September is National Preparedness Month

Every year, the City of Yorba Linda joins cities across the nation to recognize the month of September as National Preparedness Month. With Yorba Linda susceptible to damaging earthquakes and unpredictable wildfires, there is nothing more important than preparing yourself, your family, pets, and coworkers for an emergency. The City of Yorba Linda, along with Orange County Fire Authority and Yorba Linda Police Services, encourages residents and business owners to take the following steps to prepare:

Review OCFA's Disaster Preparedness website;
Assemble a home disaster supply kit with enough provisions to last three to five days. Supplies should include food, water, and medicine for each member of your family;
Make a Family Disaster Plan with a pre-arranged meeting location in the event the family home is unavailable or not accessible;
Develop a communications plan that might include email or social media if landlines and cell phones are not working. If possible, establish an out-of-state contact that each family member can check in with;
Keep an emergency backpack in your car. Contents should include comfortable walking shoes, a light jacket, snacks, water, and a flashlight; and
Get involved! After preparing yourself and your family for possible emergencies, take the next step and get involved in preparing your community. Learn more about the City's Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), a program designed to train community volunteers in basic disaster response skills, in the article below.

Finally, residents and business owners are encouraged to register for the City's mass notification system, AlertOC. Register for AlertOC, or manage your existing profile and notification settings by visiting AlertOC.org.

For additional emergency preparedness information and tips, visit the City website and readyoc.org.

City Offers Hybrid 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. Yorba Linda's CERT program aims 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 City is now offering an Online/In-person hybrid CERT course. The online portion of the CERT course was developed to meet the lecture portion of the CERT training requirements and provides the same FEMA standardized 2019 curriculum to learners. Once completed, participants will follow up with the Yorba Linda CERT coordinator to complete the 2-day hands-on practical portion with other hybrid learners and receive their full CERT credentials. The new online training includes some new features, such as virtual reality and videos, to make the experience more engaging. While CERT will always have a classroom and in-person training component, the Online CERT platform will help make CERT more accessible by allowing participants to study portions of the curriculum at their own pace.

For more information or to register, please visit the City's website or call 714-961-7118.

Coming Soon: The 2021 State of the City!

Join Mayor Peggy Huang as she shares her insight into the City’s projects, initiatives, and future planning efforts! The 2021 State of the City Address will be held on Wednesday, October 20, 2021, at 5:30 p.m. and will include the Honorable Mayor Peggy Huang’s informative State of the City Address and an exclusive “Year in Review” video, all accompanied by a dinner served in the magnificent East Room of the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum.

To purchase a ticket or learn more about tax-deductible sponsorship opportunities, please visit yorbalindaca.gov/stateofthecity or contact the Yorba Linda Chamber of Commerce at 714-993-9537. Live video from the event will also be available on Facebook Live during the Address.

Two rows of seating booths. The headline reads: Woody's Diner now open.

Woody's Diner and Other Restaurant Locations Opening Soon in Yorba Linda

Woody's Diner: This 1950s surf-themed restaurant with an All-American menu is now open at 21450 Yorba Linda Boulevard. For menu information, visit the Woody's Diner Yorba Linda webpage.

Starbucks Pickup: The new Starbucks Pickup located near the corner of Lakeview Avenue and Yorba Linda Boulevard has officially opened. This Starbucks Pickup is a new concept that will only allow for the pick-up of orders placed online or through the Starbucks app.

Furai Chicken: Moving into Packing House Square, Furai's Chicken is a Korean BBQ fried chicken restaurant offering sandwiches, bowls, fried chicken, and more. The restaurant anticipates opening sometime in September.

Two tractors working in a dirt channel. The headline reads Santa Ana Riverbed Project update.

Army Corps' Santa Ana Riverbed Project Continues

Progress continues for the Army Corps of Engineers project in the Santa Ana riverbed. The Army Corps' contractor, Silversand Construction, continues to move east along the river, installing slope backfill, sand, and rock. The work is moving closer to the homes east of Gypsum Canyon, and as a result, residents in the area will likely experience more disruption. As reported last month, the contractors continue to monitor vibration levels. In addition, they will proactively reach out directly to residents to address concerns and 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 Initiates ADA Self Evaluation and Transition Plan

The City of Yorba Linda strives to be a place where all of its diverse community members feel welcome and can fully participate in City programs. To help accomplish that goal, the City has hired a consultant to perform a Self-Evaluation and Transition Plan in accordance with Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). This video, created by the consultant, gives a brief overview of that process. Over the next several months, the consultant will evaluate the accessibility of the City’s buildings, public rights of way, and the City’s programs, services, and activities. Once all evaluations are complete, members of the public will be invited to review the findings and provide public comments.

The City will provide ample public notice when the plan is ready for public review and will include more information about how to participate in future editions of the Yorba Linda Connection and on the City's website.

New Traffic Signal on Bastanchury Road

A new traffic signal has been installed on Bastanchury Road at the entrance to Yorba Linda High School. The signal became operable in early August and allows residents of the Enclave development and local students to cross Bastanchury Road via a signalized crosswalk just in time for school to return! So please, drive safely and stay alert to keep the community safe.

Two lines of cones diverting car traffic past a tractor.

Lakeview Avenue Sewer Extension at ETCO Project

Construction of a sewer line extension under Lakeview Avenue is currently in progress on the west side of Yorba Linda. This Yorba Linda Water District project includes the construction of a sewer main along Lakeview Avenue from Timberlane Drive to just north of Mariposa Avenue. The sewer main will provide sewer services to the Senior Living Facility (ETCO) currently under construction near Lakeview Avenue and Mariposa Avenue. The sewer line extension will also provide adjacent parcels on septic systems the opportunity to connect to the District’s sewer system. Construction is anticipated to last six to eight weeks. Traffic flow will be impacted during construction as travel lanes are reduced to one lane in each direction. City staff are working with the District and their contractor to minimize impacts on Yorba Linda residents and motorists.

A large tree with a headline saying Free trees for your streets.

City Offers Free Trees to Beautify Neighborhoods

As part of the ongoing beautification efforts by the City of Yorba Linda, the City is once again offering free trees to residents. At the property owner's request, the City will select and plant one 15-gallon tree within their public parkway. The selected tree will be complementary to the neighborhood. Up to fifty 15-gallon trees are available each fiscal year on a first-come, first-served basis. If you wish to have a tree planted in your public parkway, please contact the Public Works Department at 714-961-7170. For more information about the Street Tree Beautification Program, visit the City's website.

Review the City's Draft Housing Element

Every eight years, the City of Yorba Linda must prepare a Housing Element update for State certification. The Housing Element is part of the City's General Plan, and it serves as Yorba Linda's "blueprint" for how the city will adopt plans and regulatory systems that enable private market housing development. To keep the public involved in the process over the past year, the City has conducted six public workshops with the Planning Commission, given several public updates to the City Council, issued public surveys, and provided monthly updates in this e-newsletter. Additionally, the City has launched a website to keep the public informed and provide opportunities to participate in the Housing Element update. The City encourages residents to visit ylhousingelementupdate.com to review and comment on the draft 2021-2029 Housing Element. If you have any questions or wish to submit a comment, please email our Housing Element team.

City Launches New Agenda Management Software

The community may notice a new look to the City's public meeting agendas, minutes, and video live-streaming webpages. In August, the City launched a new agenda management software to help conduct public meetings, such as City Council meetings. The new system is a full-service solution that integrates electronic voting, staff report collaboration and submissions, and even video streaming. Check out the new system on the City's website. Please note that while the City migrates past meeting agendas, minutes, and video recordings to the new software provider, these items can be located on an archive page.

A young golden retriever getting washed in a bucket.

Pet Care Tips to Protect the Environment

Animal lovers know that pets are a part of the family. But did you ever consider your pet's impact on the environment? The City of Yorba Linda encourages pet owners to adopt a few simple, sustainable pet care practices that are environmentally friendly:

Never let any pet care products or wash water run off your yard and into the street, gutter, or storm drain;
If possible, bathe your pets indoors using less-toxic shampoos or have your pet professionally groomed. If you bathe your pet outside, wash it on your lawn or another absorbent/permeable surface to keep the wash water from running into the street, gutter, or storm drain;
Spay or neuter your pet to reduce overpopulation;
Adopt your next pet from a shelter, such as Orange County Animal Care; and
When taking your dog for a walk, always bring a bag to pick up pet waste. Dispose of the pet waste in the trash or toilet at home.

Collectively, these small steps make a big impact. Thank you for your help and commitment to protecting the environment.

A United States flag flowing in the wind

Weekly Flag Ceremony at the Veterans Memorial

Members of the community are encouraged to honor our local military personnel and veterans at a weekly flag-raising ceremony held at the Yorba Linda Veterans Memorial at Veterans Park. The ceremony is held every Thursday at 4:15 p.m.