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A Message from the City Manager

Dear Community Member,

November is a time for expressing gratitude as we celebrate Thanksgiving and the coming holiday season. In that spirit, our community has so much to be thankful for, especially over the last year. The recent passing of the one year anniversary of the Blue Ridge Fire provides us with an important reminder of how vital our public safety partnerships are to the success of Yorba Linda. We thank the brave men and women of the Orange County Fire Authority and the Orange County Sheriff's Department for their commitment and service to Yorba Linda, keeping us safe and secure. Similarly, our new Yorba Linda Public Library and Cultural Arts Center opened their doors one year ago, welcoming visitors into exceptional library and recreation spaces that elevate our community's experience of the services we offer. More recently, we have broken ground on our Adventure Playground Renovation project as we give this cherished facility a new life for generations to come.

Everywhere you look in Yorba Linda, it is easy to find reasons for thankfulness. Whether its the veterans in our community who we will honor next Thursday, our first responders and medical personnel who have worked tirelessly, our local businesses who have fought hard to continue serving us, our vibrant and engaged faith communities, or for the people who work hard to maintain our City's beautiful parks and trails, please join me in expressing your deep gratitude and appreciation to the people who make Yorba Linda special.

Finally, Yorba Linda would be far less wonderful without engaged residents like you. Thank you for being a part of this community.

Best Regards,

Mark Pulone

City Manager

City Council Meeting Recap

The City Council Meeting Recap for the November 2, 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.

Mayor Peggy Huang stands at a podium, smiling to the audience. There are American flags behind her, and the City's seal on the front of the podium.

City Celebrates 2021 State of the City

The 2021 State of the City Address, delivered by Mayor Peggy Huang on October 20 at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum, was a great success! This annual event celebrates the City’s accomplishments from the last year. Mayor Huang’s theme for this year’s address, “Alive Again” was a powerful reminder that the community has experienced great challenges this last year and a half, but because Yorba Linda’s greatest strength is its people who have always taken care of each other, this City will continue to rise to big challenges together.

Additionally, we are extremely grateful for the support of our event sponsors, including our title sponsor, Providence St. Jude Medical Center.

Kristen You poses with her husband, Dr. Timothy You, while holding the Citizen of the Year plaque.

Kristen You Recognized as Citizen of the Year

Introducing Yorba Linda's 2021 Citizen of the Year, Kristen You! A Yorba Linda resident since 2004, Kristen You embodies the highest ideals of our community through her years of volunteer service and acts of generosity. She has worked tirelessly on behalf of the students and staff of the Placentia Yorba Linda Unified School District, volunteering in numerous leadership roles in organizations across the district, including serving as the PTSA President at Yorba Linda High School. Kristen's work has been recognized with honorary service awards from the PTSAs of Bryant Ranch Elementary School, Travis Ranch Middle School, and Yorba Linda High School, in addition to two PYLUSD Superintendent Awards. Under Kristen's leadership, the YLHS PTSA was awarded "Outstanding Secondary PTA in all Orange County and part of LA County."

Additionally, Kristen has played a significant role in facilitating the Fellowship of Christian Athletes chapters for six local high schools, helped launch school bible studies and prayer groups, and regularly brings encouragement packages to people in the community. Famously, Kristen will pick up Costco chickens for a dozen people and drop them off around town. In everything Kristen does, she faithfully lives out her calling to love others generously. Her tenacious spirit for service greatly impacts Yorba Linda, and we are honored to recognize Kristen You as the Yorba Linda 2021 Citizen of the Year.

Learn more about the Citizen of the Year recognition on the City's website, including a list of past recipients.

Car Seat Safety Event Comes to City Hall This Weekend

Come test your child's car seat to ensure it's properly installed and functioning! The City of Yorba Linda, in partnership with the California Highway Patrol and Orange County Sheriff's Department, will be hosting a child car seat safety inspection and installation event on Saturday, November 6, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Yorba Linda City Hall (4845 Casa Loma Avenue). The event is free, but interested participants should make an appointment by emailing carseatsafety@yorbalindaca.gov.

Canned goods aligned in rows. Text says "Food For Fines: Waive fines with food donations!"

Settle Library Fines by Donating Canned Food

The Library's "Food for Fines" canned food drive is back! From today to December 18, library patrons can bring canned food to the library to pay for fines (excluding lost or damaged items) or make an online donation through a link on the Library’s website. All canned goods and donations benefit the Community Action Partnership of the Orange County Food Bank. To learn more about the program, please visit ylpl.org/foodforfines/.

Visit the Town Center Craft and Vendor Market

Sundays at the Yorba Linda Town Center just got more exciting with the recent launch of weekly Craft and Vendor Markets. These pop-up events feature local makers, artisans, live music, and delicious food. Whether you're shopping for the holidays or just love joining fun events around town, these markets support small businesses and offer something for everyone! The Town Center Craft and Vendor Market runs every Sunday through December from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., and makes for a great pit-stop before seeing a movie across the way at Yorba Linda's Regal Theater.

Winter Recreation is Coming!

It’s the most wonderful time of the year! The City's Winter Guide for 2022 is available now online and will be in residents’ mailboxes soon! The Winter Guide is packed with both returning favorites and brand-new offerings. Check out all the exciting recreation classes and activities that Yorba Linda has to offer and register early for your favorite programs at ylreconline.com. Resident registration opens on November 10 at 10 a.m. and non-residents can register on November 24.

Honoring Our Local Veterans on November 11

The Yorba Linda Veterans Memorial Association will be hosting its annual Veterans Day Ceremony on November 11 at 2:00 p.m. at Veterans Park. The program will recognize the 20th anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks and will include the dedication of a bronze plaque honoring the six men from Yorba Linda who were killed in action in Afghanistan during the 20 years of fighting. The Esperanza HS Air Force ROTC will present the Colors, pipers from the Los Angeles Police Emerald Society Pipes and Drums will be present, and the traditional Gold Star Roll Call will be conducted, followed by the playing of Taps. For more information, visit the Veterans Memorial Association website.

City Facilities Closed on Veterans Day

All City Services will be closed on Thursday, November 11, 2021, in observance of Veterans Day. Trash and recycling collection by Republic Services will not be interrupted and will run as normally scheduled.

Join Yorba Linda Police Services for Coffee with a Cop

Join your neighbors and the deputies of Yorba Linda Police Services for Coffee with a Cop, an opportunity to have casual conversations with Yorba Linda's finest There's no agenda or speeches, just a chance to ask questions and get to know the deputies who serve our community. Coffee with a Cop will take place on November 18 from 8:00 to 10:00 a.m. at the East Lake Community Clubhouse (5325 Village Center Drive), but all Yorba Linda community members are welcome.

Order a Yorba Linda Flag Now!

Show your community pride by purchasing an official City of Yorba Linda flag! These flags make great gifts showing your support and love for your community, and can be purchased for friends or family members that reside in Yorba Linda. The flags are 3' by 5' and can be displayed using a traditional flagpole. The flags are $35 each and can be purchased online, but act now! The deadline to place an order is December 14. To learn more or to fill out an order form, visit yorbalindaca.gov/cityflag.

Download the MyCivic 311 App Now! It's the New Way to Report Issues Around Yorba Linda

The City of Yorba Linda has launched the new MyCivic 311 Service Request Mobile App which allows residents to request repairs around the City. With just a few taps of a phone, users can report issues to the City including potholes, streetlights, graffiti, missing street signs, and much more! The City is excited to launch this new app after listening to feedback from the community and receiving many requests for a solution optimized for mobile devices so that residents can report issues on the go.

This new system provides several advantages for both citizens and the City:

You can now submit a service request on a mobile app. You can download the app on iOS and Android smartphone devices;
Greater insight and control over requests for the City, meaning issues can be routed and resolved more quickly; and
Integration with the City's enterprise resource planning system, allowing staff to better track resources and improve the City's overall efficiency in managing these service requests.

Requests can also be submitted through the MyCivic 311 web portal. As always, residents may also report issues and request repairs by calling our Public Works Department at 714-386-3140. Learn more at mycivic311.yorbalindaca.gov.

Temporary trail closure. A grove of redwood trees sit on a horizon of blue sky.

Redwood Grove Trail Access Temporarily Closed

A portion of the Redwood Grove Trail is temporarily closed until mid-December for a pipeline repair project by SoCal Gas. The closure limits start at the trailhead from Valley View Avenue near Red Pine Road and end at the trail connection to the Redwood Grove (part of Chino Hills State Park). However, access is still available to hikers, bikers, and horse riders through the Prospect trailhead at the intersection of Wabash Avenue and Prospect Avenue. Thank you for your patience while SoCal Gas makes their repairs.

Army Corps' Santa Ana Riverbed Project Continues

The Army Corp of Engineers' project contractor, Silverstrand Construction, continues their ongoing work in the Santa Ana Riverbed. Recent work includes the construction of a low flow channel and the installation of a curb along the new bike trail, as well as continued storm drain reconstruction. While major construction along the riverbed embankments has been completed, minor repairs are still in progress to correct some work that was completed by the previous contractor.

The import of over 30,000 cubic yards of dirt will start this week and is anticipated to be completed by Tuesday, November 30. The haulers have been permitted to operate from the hours of 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and continuous street sweeping is required during the operation. During these hours, motorists and residents in the area will see an increase in truck traffic on La Palma, Weir Canyon, and Gypsum Canyon. Drivers, bicyclists, and pedestrians are advised to watch for truck traffic or lane changes, proceed slowly, and to be alert. City staff will continue to work with the contractor and direct residents' concerns to help minimize impacts to the surrounding community. Additionally, City staff will continue participating in project update meetings to stay informed and help communicate residents' concerns during the course of the work.

City Launches Local Road Safety Plan

The City of Yorba Linda is developing a Local Road Safety Plan geared towards improving traffic safety for pedestrians, bicyclists, transit users, and drivers. To learn more about the project, please visit the project website at yorbalindaca.gov/lrsp and participate in a virtual map input workshop to tell us about your traffic-safety-related concerns on Yorba Linda's streets!

Fire Safety Tips for Holiday Cooking

More cooking fires are reported on Thanksgiving Day than any other day of the year, followed by Christmas and Christmas Eve. Help protect your family and your home by practicing cooking safety this holiday season by using the following tips:

Holiday Cooking Safety Tips

Stay in the kitchen when frying, grilling, or broiling food. Unattended cooking is the leading cause of home cooking fires;
Check food often while cooking. If you are entertaining guests, use a kitchen timer to remind you that the stove or oven is on;
Wear short, fitted, or tightly rolled sleeves when cooking;
Keep cooking areas clear. Potholders, paper towels, wooden utensils, and even cookbooks can be fire hazards if left too close to the stove, oven, or other kitchen appliances;
Clean cooking surfaces regularly to prevent grease buildup;
Make sure children and pets stay at least three feet from the oven or stove; and
Test your smoke alarms and never disable them while cooking.

What to do if there is a fire:

If the fire is on the stove, cover the pan with a lid and turn off the stove. Never try to move the pan to the sink and NEVER pour water on a grease fire;
If the fire is in the oven or microwave, keep the door closed and turn off the appliance; and
A multipurpose ABC fire extinguisher can also be used on a small cooking fire. An extinguisher should only be used if the fire is not spreading, smoke and heat have not filled the area, and you have a clear escape path.

To learn more fire prevention tips, visit OCFA's website or call 714-573-6200.

City Facilities Closed for Thanksgiving

In observance of Thanksgiving Day, all City facilities will be closed on Thursday, November 25, and Friday, November 26. Additionally, the Library will close at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, November 24, and will remain closed on Saturday, November 27. There will be no waste and recycling collection on Thanksgiving Day, and service will run one day late for the rest of the week.

Preventing Erosion on Your Property Prevents Storm-Water Pollution

After months of dry weather, heavy rain can cause erosion on your property. Erosion can not only cause an unsightly mess, but eroded soil can also block storm-water systems and release pollutants into the ocean. To do your part to help prevent soil from leaving your property, examine your yard carefully. Be aware of the slope, drainage patterns, and soil types. If your property is prone to erosion, consider the following:

Plant grass seed or other vegetation before the fall rains begin;
Apply netting and straw mulch on steep slopes;
Incorporate existing native vegetation into your landscape area;
Direct water runoff away from areas subject to erosion; and
Minimize impervious surfaces such as concrete and asphalt and maximize the absorption capacity of your land through vegetation.

Weekly Flag Raising Ceremony

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.