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

I would like to first congratulate all those promoting and graduating in the coming weeks. Approximately 2,000 local seniors will earn their high school diplomas from our award-winning Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District in June, amidst a year unlike any other. These young adults will continue to make their community proud as they turn to the next chapter of their exciting journeys, and we look forward to how they will contribute to Yorba Linda's future.

May was an important month for Yorba Linda with much to be thankful for. I want to thank every volunteer who participated in Love Yorba Linda day. Your efforts at different project sites around town have made Yorba Linda a more beautiful place to live, work, and play. Also, I would like to thank everyone who came out to our Meet and Greet with our weed abatement goats. Not only was this a fun experience for so many, but it was an educational opportunity about the importance of clearing weeds and dry brush to keep the City fire-safe. As the summer nears, we must all be on guard to reduce wildfire risks.

June will also be an important month for Yorba Linda as City staff prepares and finalizes the City's two-year budget for fiscal years 2021/22 - 2022/23. I am pleased to report that despite the challenges of the pandemic, the City will continue to have a balanced budget that maintains strong reserves. Additionally, the City will fund several capital improvement projects, such as the Adventure Playground renovation. The City's history of being fiscally conservative and maintaining strong reserves has allowed us to operate throughout the pandemic and reopen without reductions in services or projects.

Finally, the moment we have all been anxiously awaiting is nearly here. On June 15, the California Department of Public Health plans to fully reopen the State's economy, which has been restricted since May 19, 2020, when the first Stay at Home Order was issued. While there are more details about this story in an article below, the State is confident the major threat of COVID-19 is behind us. While this last year has been challenging and devastating for so many, I encourage the community to be steadfast in continuing the healthy practices that have made Yorba Linda strong during the pandemic, such as checking on your neighbors, volunteering to help at food drives, making donations to charitable causes, shopping and dining locally, and exercising more. Together, Yorba Linda's best days are ahead.

Best Regards,

Mark Pulone
City Manager
City Council Meeting Recap
The City Council Meeting Recap for the June 1, 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.
Yorba Linda Chamber of Commerce to Host E-Waste Recycling Event This Weekend at City Hall
The Yorba Linda Chamber of Commerce is hosting an e-waste recycling event this weekend on June 5 and 6 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Free to Yorba Linda businesses and residents, this event will be hosted in the parking lot at Yorba Linda City Hall (4845 Casa Loma Avenue). Many consumer e-waste products will be accepted, such as computer monitors, televisions, laptops, printers, cell phones, etc. However, refrigerators, washers and dryers, fluorescent light bulbs, and household batteries will not be accepted. For more information on what items will be accepted, visit the Chamber of Commerce's event page or send the Chamber an email.
California Set to Fully Reopen Economy on June 15
Because California has achieved its vaccination goals and significantly curbed the threat of COVID-19, the California Department of Public Health has announced that California's economy is set to fully reopen on June 15, 2021. On this day, the Blueprint for a Safer Economy will expire, meaning businesses and activities (such as restaurants, gyms, movie theaters, houses of worship, offices, etc.) can open without capacity limits. However, the CDPH will issue new health orders to continue some practices, including strong recommendations for mega-events and travelers. Additionally, Cal/OSHA will update its COVID-19 Emergency Temporary Standards affecting California workplaces on June 15. To learn more, visit the City's website. For more information about California's COVID-19 response plan, visit covid19.ca.gov.
Get Ready for Summer Recreation!
Registration is now available for the Parks and Recreation Department's summer classes, which begin June 21. Summer programs include a variety of specialty camps, swim lessons, Adventure Camp Yorba Linda, adult softball and soccer leagues, Movies in the Park, and the 4th of July Spectacular. View all summer offerings in the online issue of The Guide - Summer 2021 and register for classes at YLRecOnline.com. A weekly listing of Summer Camps is also available beginning on Page 17. For additional information, contact the Parks and Recreation Department at 714-961-7160, or send an email.

Celebration of the Arts
Yorba Linda Parks and Recreation is proud to join the Yorba Linda Arts Alliance Foundation by co-sponsoring the 20th annual Celebration of the Arts and Musical Festival on Sunday, June 6 from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Hurless Barton Park. This event will feature local artisans exhibiting and selling hand-crafted items including paintings, glass, woodworking, jewelry, home decor, and other unique creations, as well as live music and food trucks. The event will follow current State COVID-19 guidance, including social distancing and the use of face coverings. Reservations are strongly encouraged and free tickets can be reserved by visiting the Arts Alliance website.

Movies in the Park
Join us at Eastside Park on June 19 for our second Movie in the Park of 2021, featuring Trolls World Tour! The movie will begin at dusk (approximately at 7:45 p.m.). Lawn seating will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. Pre-registration is no longer required. This event is proudly sponsored by the Nate and Travis Real Estate Team.
Library Expanding Hours and Services
With California set to fully reopen soon, the Yorba Linda Public Library is excited to fully expand its operations. Beginning June 15, the Library will be open Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Friday and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Please note that the Library will be closed on Saturday, June 5, and Monday, June 14, while some construction details are completed.

Summer Programs
The Library will offer online Summer Reading Programs for all ages beginning Thursday, June 10 through Saturday, August 14. Library customers will be able to access the online reading programs through the Library's website to create accounts, log reading, complete activities and games, and enter for chances to win prizes. To learn more about registering for limited free events including family storytimes, DIY events for adults and teens, and other fun activities, please visit the Library's website.

Library Passport Services
Planning a trip overseas? Did you know that the Library offers appointment-based passport services? To learn more about passport services at the Library, including hours and availability, please visit ylpl.org/passports/.
City Hosts Housing Element Workshop
The City will be holding its fourth public workshop regarding the Housing Element update process on June 9 at 7:00 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. If the City does not meet the State’s obligations, the State could impose severe penalties including fines and revoking the City’s land use approval authority. 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.
Project Updates for Upcoming Yorba Linda Restaurants
The community's enthusiasm for supporting local businesses and eateries has attracted several exciting restaurants to come to Yorba Linda. Here's a sneak peek at what's currently in development:

Woody's Dinner: Local to Orange County with six other locations, this restaurant offers a wide variety of breakfast items, burgers, sandwiches, and salads. Located in the former Ruby's in the Canyon Village Shopping Center, the restaurant anticipates opening in mid-June.

In-N-Out: Street improvements have begun with curb, gutter, and sidewalk reconstruction. On-site improvements are also underway with the building foundation and utility installation. Most noticeably, the iconic In-N-Out palm trees have been planted. Located at the corner of Imperial Highway and Lemon Drive, In-N-Out plans to open this fall.

Clyde's Hot Chicken: This Nashville-style hot chicken restaurant will offer high-quality Southern-influenced cuisine in a fast-casual dining environment on the corner of School Street and Arroyo Street. Once the site preparation is finished, vertical construction can begin. Clyde's Hot Chicken initially anticipated opening in Summer 2022, but the project is ahead of schedule and could open sooner.

Brix on Main: This restaurant will be a two-story American fare restaurant and bar on Main Street. They received their approval from the Planning Commission and are currently in building plan check review. Brix on Main anticipates opening in early 2022.
Upcoming Weed Abatement Deadline: June 15
Last year's Blue Ridge Fire was an important reminder of why fire safety must be taken seriously. The City's annual weed abatement program exists to keep the City fire-safe by ensuring that yards and larger land parcels are cleared of combustible weeds and debris. To comply with California Government Code, and the City's Municipal Code, the City issued notices in April to homeowners with potential fire hazard conditions based on vegetation or rubbish on the property. Those who receive a notice must make sure their property is clear of all combustible vegetation, including dead leaves, weeds, brush, and tree limbs, as well as excess trash, wood, and other combustibles by June 15, 2021. It is the property owner’s responsibility to ensure that their property is maintained in a “fire-safe” condition to protect themselves and their neighbors. For additional information about the weed abatement program, please contact the Community Preservation Division at 714-961-7138. To view a sample of the City's 2021 Weed Abatement Notice, please visit the City's website.
Celebrate the 4th of July in Yorba Linda
The City of Yorba Linda is pleased to announce the exciting return of the annual 4th of July Spectacular! Attendees will enjoy food vendors, family activities, a live band featuring Rouge Radio, and of course: fireworks! The fun starts on Sunday, July 4 at 5 p.m. with live music and fireworks at 9 p.m. The event can be enjoyed from Veterans Park or Yorba Linda Middle School.
City Facilities Closed on July 5
In observance of the Fourth of July holiday, all City facilities will be closed on Monday, July 5, 2021. Please note that refuse and recycling collection will also not take place on July 5, and collection will be delayed by one day for the rest of the week.
City Adopts Official Yorba Linda Flag
The City of Yorba Linda would like to thank everyone who participated in the City flag design contest. After receiving many great submissions, a winning design was officially adopted by the City Council on May 18, 2021. The adopted flag was designed by Yorba Linda resident Michelle Pohl. The flag is composed of two gentle sweeping lines, depicting the rolling hills of Yorba Linda, the literal foundation upon which Yorba Linda thrives. A star adorns the upper left corner, or west side of the flag, as a symbol of the westerly location of the treasured Richard Nixon Birthplace and Museum. The color yellow represents “Gracious Living” and friendship; the color blue represents the intelligence stemming from Yorba Linda's high achieving, award-winning schools; and the color white represents peacefulness, a trait rooted in the City’s pastoral, equestrian beginnings. To learn more about the City's official flag, visit the City's website.
Santa Ana Riverbed Project Continues
Progress continues at the Army Corp of Engineers (ACOE) project site in the Santa Ana riverbed. Recent work includes excavation of the site, the installation of gravel and rocks along the embankments on the west end of the project, as well as continued dewatering efforts and storm drain reconstruction. Over the next four weeks, the contractor will backfill excavated areas and continue installing rocks and grout east of the recently completed area. The contractor is working with the ACOE to approve the soil they would like to begin hauling into the project site within the next few weeks. During the operation, motorists and residents in the area will see an increase in truck traffic on La Palma. City staff will work with the contractors to issue a dirt haul permit and closely monitor the operation to help minimize impacts on the surrounding community. Additionally, City staff will continue participating in project update meetings to stay informed and help address residents' concerns.
Don't Lite Fireworks in Yorba Linda
Yorba Linda Police Services and the City of Yorba Linda remind residents that, like most Orange County cities, the possession or discharge of fireworks within City limits is prohibited. In Orange County, fireworks pose a severe fire risk, as well as a health and safety risk to kids and adults. An estimated 59% of fires started by fireworks escalated into brush, grass, or forest fires. Additionally, about 10,000 people are treated for injuries in emergency rooms every year due to the mishandling of live and misfired consumer fireworks. Sadly, children ages 10-14 had the highest rate of fireworks injury, with more than 36% of all victims of injuries under age 15. Also, the unexpected explosion of fireworks can trigger a startle-response in people who have post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This psychiatric disorder can occur in people who have experienced or witnessed a traumatic event and most often affects veterans.

For your safety and the safety of others in the community, please do not light fireworks in Yorba Linda. To report illegal use of fireworks, please don't call 9-1-1. Instead, call the Orange County Sheriff's Department Dispatch at 714-647-7000 to report the use of illegal fireworks. A great alternative to personal fireworks is the City's 4th of July Spectacular, announced earlier in this newsletter. Additional information about local firework regulations and safety can be found in the Orange County Fire Authority's fireworks fact sheet.
Tip, Toss, and Take Action to Stop Mosquitoes
The Orange County Mosquito and Vector Control District (OCMVCD) is already receiving many complaints about mosquitos across Orange County and would like to 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.
Keep Our Local Beaches Clean by Preventing Urban Runoff
Summer is almost here, and that means the return of warm-weather activities like trips to the beach. However, pollution in local creeks and channels can decrease opportunities to enjoy the surf and sand by making beaches unsafe for swimming. By simply changing one or two home practices, you can help reduce urban runoff, improve the health of waterways, and keep local beaches open all summer long:

  • Keep trash off the ground and pick up pet waste;
  • Sweep sidewalks and patios, instead of hosing them down. Not only does this prevent wasted water, but it also reduces runoff which picks up pollutants on the ground carrying them to nearby storm drains, which drain to the ocean;
  • Clean up outdoor spills with mops or absorbents instead of washing spills into a gutter or storm drain; and
  • Do not overwater your lawn.

For more information about preventing urban runoff to the oceans, visit the OC stormwater website.
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.
Help Protect California and Orange County Citrus Trees From HLB Disease
Between April 2017 to April 2021, the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) confirmed the presence of the citrus disease Huanglongbing (HLB) in citrus tree tissue samples collected in several Orange County cities, including Yorba Linda. HLB is considered one of the most devastating citrus diseases globally and is spread through feeding action by populations of the Asian citrus psyllid (ACP), a small insect. Two years after infection, diseased trees will produce misshapen and discolored fruit that is bitter and inedible. There is no cure for HLB, and infected trees will eventually die within two to five years. The Secretary of the CDFA has determined that HLB poses a statewide imminent danger to the environment and economy and has enacted an emergency program to abate and monitor the threat. For more information, visit the CDFA website or watch this informational video.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Saturday, June 5 & Sunday, June 6, 2021
9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
4845 Casa Loma Avenue
Movies in the Park:
Saturday, June 19, 2021
Dusk (approx. 7:45 p.m.)
Eastside Park
Sunday, July 4, 2021
5 p.m. Live Music
9 p.m. Fireworks
Veterans Park • Yorba Linda Middle School
Independence Day (Observed)
Monday, July 5, 2021
*All City facilities are closed
QUICK LINKS
4845 Casa Loma Avenue
Yorba Linda, CA 92886
714-961-7100
CONNECT WITH THE
CITY OF YORBA LINDA