Correction: See What's New in the City of Yorba Linda

Latest News from the City of Yorba Linda

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A Message from the City Manager

Dear Community Member,

Happy New Year, Yorba Linda! It's that time of year when many of us are making new year's resolutions. Resolutions don't have to be difficult to change your life in a meaningful way. Make a commitment to give just a few hours of your time this year to engage with your community; some opportunities include:

Get involved close to home by joining your local Neighborhood Watch;
Attend a meeting of the City Council or one of the City's Commissions to learn more about the inner workings of the City;
Participate in one of the volunteer opportunities offered by the Parks and Recreation Department or the Friends of the Library; or
Spend one morning joining with hundreds of your fellow community members at Love Yorba Linda Day on Saturday, April 25, 2020. Stay tuned for event details in future issues of the "Yorba Linda Connection."

Even if you do not have time to volunteer, I encourage you to make a commitment to being an engaged citizen. The recent earthquakes in the area are an excellent reminder to ensure your home is prepared for a natural disaster. Take a few minutes to view the City's Emergency Preparedness page and ensure your contact information is updated with AlertOC (especially if you initially signed up with your landline) and connect with the City through social media . Finally, review the information on the County's "If You See Something, Say Something" campaign included in this issue. Together we can all make our community a safer place.

I'd like to thank you for taking the first step towards being engaged in your community by subscribing to the "Yorba Linda Connection." Please be sure to encourage your friends and family to subscribe as well. I look forward to sharing updates with you throughout the year.

Sincerely,

Mark Pulone

City Manager

Library & Cultural Arts Center Construction Update

Progress continues to be made on the new Library and Cultural Arts Center. During the month of December, the interior mechanical, plumbing, electrical, framing, and quarry stone fabrication continued. This month, the plaster and curtain wall framing will commence and quarry panels will be laid out in the quarry for final verification before shipment. View drone footage of the site from the past month on the project website .

Residential Rate Increase for Green Material in Effect

Yorba Linda residents may have noticed an increase in the amount of their Republic Services bill this month. The increase is due to legislation resulting from California Assembly Bill (AB) 1594 . Per the bill, as of January 1, 2020, green waste, which is largely composed of residential landscape vegetation, can no longer be used as alternative daily cover at landfills. Instead, the City and Republic Services were required to find other green waste solutions, such as composting. Composting is a more beneficial reuse of green waste material than alternative daily cover, as it helps improve soil structure by increasing nutrient content and enhancing water retention. However, composting is also more expensive than reusing green waste as alternative daily cover so it has a direct impact on residential rates.

Residents will see an increase of $2.88 per month which increases the monthly Basic Service rate from $21.54 to $24.42. The cost of additional green waste carts will increase from $4.98 to $7.86 monthly. Residents may contact Republic Services at 800-700-8610, or visit their website , for additional information. Please note: A previous version of this issue of the "Yorba Linda Connection" listed an incorrect phone number for Republic Services.

Terra Wood-Fired Kitchen Receives Business of the Quarter Recognition

At the City Council Meeting on December 17, 2019, Terra Wood-Fired Kitchen was recognized as the City's Business of the Quarter for the second quarter of Fiscal Year 2019-20. Terra Wood-Fired Kitchen originated in 2001 from a wood-fire pizza oven in the backyard of chef and owner Nick Saba. In 2015, Mr. Saba founded Pizzeria Terra, a mobile pizzeria specializing in artisan pizzas that was a fixture at the Yorba Linda Farmer's Market and other community events. Earlier this year, Mr. Saba opened the doors to Terra Wood-Fired Kitchen, which offers diners a unique indoor/outdoor dining experience in the heart of the Main Street Historic District. Terra has quickly gained the attention of food critics, Yorba Linda residents, and diners from neighboring cities, who enjoy Terra's wood-fired pizzas, rotisserie chicken, Mediterranean-inspired dishes, and Mr. Saba's famous carrot cake. The City of Yorba Linda values the notoriety Terra has brought to the community, as well as the investment Mr. Saba made into the building, transforming an aged office building into the sophisticated restaurant so many residents enjoy today.

For more information about Terra Wood-Fired Kitchen, visit the restaurant website . For more information about the Business of the Quarter Recognition, including a list of previous recipients, visit the Business of the Quarter page of the City website.

West Bastanchury Property in Escrow

The sale of the lower 12.64 acres of the West Bastanchury property (known as the Base Site), reached an exciting milestone at the City Council Meeting on December 3, 2019, when the City entered into a Purchase and Sale Agreement and Joint Escrow Instructions (PSA) with developer Shea Homes. The City-owned land, which is located north of Bastanchury Road between Casa Loma and Eureka Avenue, was earmarked to sell by City Council in 2017 to assist in funding the construction of the Cultural Arts Center. Consistent with the zoning, Shea Homes plans to build 23 single-family estate lots on the property. The City Council continues to assess land use alternatives for the upper 27 acres of the property. For additional information on the West Bastanchury site, please view the City website .

Construction Scheduled on 91 Freeway

Motorists can expect overnight lane closures on the 91 Freeway (SR 91) throughout the coming months due to improvements being made by Caltrans. Scheduled construction activities include replacing precast slabs, cold pane AC pavement, and placing rubberized mixed asphalt. For the month of January, closures will be in place on SR 91 between the Lakeview Avenue Overcrossing and the Riverside county line (both in eastbound and westbound directions). All lane closures during January will be for periods between the hours of 9:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. and at no point is the entire freeway scheduled to be closed. For freeway conditions, visit the Caltrans website . Look for additional project updates in future issues of the "Yorba Linda Connection."

City Completes Speed Limit Study

Per the California Vehicle Code, public agencies are required to conduct an Engineering and Traffic Survey every five years to determine the validity of posted speed limits. The survey results are used to establish or adjust posted speed limits on streets where radar is used as an enforcement tool. Typically, speed limits are set near the 85th percentile speed that statistically represents one standard deviation above the average speed and establishes the upper limit of what is considered reasonable and prudent. As with most laws, speed limits need to depend on the voluntary compliance of the greater majority of motorists. Speed limits cannot be set arbitrarily low, as this would create a situation where a majority of drivers would violate the law. The findings of the recently completed Engineering and Traffic Survey determined the City's current speed limits are accurate and no changes were proposed. View the 2019 Engineering and Traffic Study on the City website .

City Seeks Nominations for Wall of Fame

The City of Yorba Linda is encouraging 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.

Map Yorba Linda Puts Property Information at Your Fingertips

Have you visited Map Yorba Linda , the City of Yorba Linda's user-friendly web-based mapping application? The application allows residents, business owners, or anyone looking to live in the city to easily retrieve property information, including details about street sweeping, refuse collection, street lighting and landscaping maintenance district zones, water and sewer providers, hazard zones, and other general property information with the click of a button. Additional functionalities are added often; most recently, school information for properties was added, and additional enhancements will be added in February. Visit Map Yorba Linda today from a computer or mobile device!

Residents are Reminded to "See Something, Say Something"

With recent incidents increasing tensions throughout the world, Yorba Linda Police Services, along with the City of Yorba Linda, urges citizens to be vigilant by joining Orange County’s “If You See Something, Say Something” campaign. This means you can help keep our community safe by reporting questionable objects or activity to the proper law enforcement authorities. Types of behavior that could be considered questionable include:

An unattended bag, briefcase, or box in a public venue;
Someone drawing or measuring important buildings;
Strangers asking questions about security or building security procedures;
Cars or trucks left in Parking Zones in front of important buildings or venues;
Unusual smells or smoke that worries you; and
The purchase of supplies or equipment that can be used to make bombs or weapons.

If you see any of the behaviors listed above do not take direct action or be confrontational, just call 9-1-1 and report to the authorities. Make sure in your report you state who or what you saw, when you saw it, where it occurred, and why it was suspicious. However, this campaign does not promote spying or making judgments based on race, ethnicity, national origin, or religious affiliation. Residents are encouraged to report situations and behavior as possible violence rather than beliefs, thoughts, ideas, expressions, associations, or speech related criminal activity. For more information on the “If You See Something, Say Something” campaign, visit their website or watch their Public Service Announcement .

Download the See Something, Say Something Flyer and share it with your family and friends.

Safely Dispose of Unwanted Electronics at E-Waste Recycling Event

Did you know electronic waste, or e-waste, as it is called, is the fastest growing waste stream in the country and improper disposal of e-waste can release hazardous materials? You can be a good environmental steward by properly disposing of your unwanted electronics at the E-Waste Recycling Event scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, February 1 and 2, 2020 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 pm. The event will be held at the Chamber of Commerce Parking Lot, 17670 Yorba Linda Boulevard. For additional details and a list of accepted items, view the event flyer , or contact the Yorba Linda Chamber of Commerce at 714-993-9537.

Republic Services to Host Compost Give-Away

Do your garden a favor and stop by Tri-City Park, 2301 N. Kraemer Blvd., Placentia, on Saturday, February 15, 2020 where Republic Services will be giving away free compost to customers from 7:30 to 10:30 a.m. Up to 60 gallons of compost per household will be given away on a first come, first served basis and individuals are required to bring their own containers (no bags, please). Compost creates healthier soil by adding organic matter and improving soil structure. Healthy soil uses water more efficiently, allowing available water to flow toward your plants’ roots, storing water in the soil longer, and reducing runoff and erosion. To receive free compost, residents must provide proof of being a Republic Services customer (California driver’s license or utility bill with address). For more information, contact Republic Services at 714-238-2444.

Show Your Love for Yorba Linda in 2020 Photo Contest

The Parks and Recreation Department is seeking submissions for their 2020 Photo Contest. Contestants are encouraged to share their experience and love for Yorba Linda by submitting photographs showcasing the beauty and character of Yorba Linda. Photo categories include:

Parks and Recreation Programs;
Nature; and
Hometown Pride.

The first 50 entries will receive "Parks Make Life Better" gear and the winning entries will receive registration credit to participate in Parks and Recreation programs of their choice. In addition, winning photos may be highlighted on the City website and promotional materials. For detailed information, and to submit your entry, please visit the City website . Submissions will be accepted through Friday, March 6, 2020.

Honor a Veteran in Your Life with a Commemorative Brick

Make the hero in your life a permanent part of Yorba Linda history by purchasing a commemorative brick at the Yorba Linda Veterans Memorial in their honor. The Yorba Linda Veterans Memorial Association accepts brick orders to honor veterans of the United States Armed Forces from any era. Brick orders are accepted year-round and are installed on a quarterly basis. For more information, please visit the Yorba Linda Veterans Memorial website , or call them at 714-588-7080.

Preventing Urban Runoff is Everyone's Responsibility

This year many of us may be making a resolution to be more environmentally conscious - but have you thought about the impact of urban run-off from your home or business?

Urban runoff is the water that flows off our driveways, yards, streets, and parking lots during dry weather from over-watering and other sources. This water mixes with anything used or placed outside our homes and businesses including trash, oil, yard and pet waste, as well as pesticides and fertilizers. When this polluted water enters the storm drains, it empties into waterways and eventually the beach and ocean, posing a health threat to animals, humans, and the environment.

The City of Yorba Linda encourages you to do your part to reduce urban runoff. By simply changing one or two of your individual practices at your home or business, you can help reduce runoff and protect water quality. Here are some general tips:

Protect the environment by using commercial car washes. If you must wash you car at home, use a nozzle on your hose to turn off the water when not in use, utilize biodegradable soap, and, if possible, wash your car on grass or gravel to help absorb the water;
Check your sprinklers to conserve water and prevent over-watering or runoff. If any water runs off your lawn or yard, you're using too much;
Sweep up dirt, soil, landscape and green waste. Never hose these materials into the storm drain; and
If your pet spends time in your yard, check regularly for pet waste, pick it up, and dispose of it in the trash or toilet.

City Facilities to Close in Observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day

In observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, all City offices, including City Hall, the Library, the Police Services Substation, and Parks and Recreation facilities will be closed on Monday, January 20, 2020. City offices will reopen to normal business hours on Tuesday, January 21. The holiday will not affect scheduled refuse and recycling collection or street sweeping.