HomeMy WebLinkAboutReporter Winter 2018Proposed Annexation Moves Into Public Input Phase
Discussions about the North East Sphere Annexation Project (NESAP) reach local levels this fall.
eporterR
RC Welcomes
Goals Soccer Center
pg 3
Avoiding Mail Theft
pg 5
Broadway is Coming
to Rancho Cucamonga
pg 7
Volume 13, Issue 4 Winter 2018
The City has been sharing initial NESAP concepts with residents and
homeowners associations from neighboring developments after nearly
a decade of careful planning and investigation.
The NESAP area is situated along the northern edge of City limits.
The property boundaries extend easterly from Haven Avenue to the
City’s boundary with Fontana, and northerly from the City limits to the
National Forest boundary. It is currently subject to County zoning and
development standards. Annexing the approximately 4,115 acres of
land in question into Rancho Cucamonga offers several benefits for the
community, without increasing resident taxes.
Firstly, as part of the City of Rancho Cucamonga, the northern
2,916 acres would become a “conservation priority area” as part of
the City’s objective of maximum open space conservation. Secondly,
the remaining approximately 1,200 southern acres would be eligible
for development under Rancho Cucamonga’s development review
process, which is more focused on local environmental and economic
impact than County standards.
In addition to land use considerations, annexation poses the potential
for impacts to tax revenues vital to local programs and resources.
Without annexation, it is reasonable to assume that population would
use Rancho Cucamonga resources like City parks, libraries, and police
and fire services without paying any of the property taxes that fund
them.
The City has invited residents to attend a series of Community
Information Workshops to learn more. Residents are encouraged to
visit www.CityofRC.us/NESAP for project information, a current and
past Fact Sheet, and all future updates on this effort.
±North Eastern Sphere Annexation Project
Legend
North Eastern Sphere Annexation Specific Plan Boundary
North Eastern Sphere Annexation Boundary
Development Priority Area
Conservation Priority Area
City Boundary
As we move into 2018, the City of Rancho Cucamonga
enters a new era. Not our 5th decade, not the 21st Century,
not even the transition to mixed use in a nearly built out city.
No, it’s the transition to City Council Districts.
In 2016, the residents of this City overwhelmingly approved
transitioning to City Council Districts. At the time, the City
was facing a terrible choice. Spend millions of dollars
defending a California Voting Rights Act lawsuit that no
defendant has ever won, or change our longstanding and
successful electoral system to a Council District format for
which there was minimal if any actual resident demand. The
City Council chose to put this issue in front of the voters and
ultimately the electorate chose the latter.
2018 marks the first of the City Council District elections.
The position of Mayor will remain at large, however District
2 and District 3, essentially southern Rancho Cucamonga
and Terra Vista/Victoria will be the first two districts to go to
election. In 2020 the remaining two districts, 1 and 4 will go
in front of the voters.
Many residents have expressed their concern with this
change, and it is understandable. By District systems do
not have the best track record of success. In large part,
however, this is due to apathy and lack of voter turnout.
What can you do to ensure this same fate does not befall
Rancho Cucamonga? VOTE! Exercise your democratic
rights. Take the time to become involved and make an
educated decision on your City. Failure and apathy are best
friends but they can be overcome by civic involvement and
educated decision making.
— John R. Gillison
City Manager
City Manager’s Message
City Recognized for Latest Park
Los Amigos Park celebrated for community engagement.
The City of Rancho Cucamonga received the
prestigious Helen Putnam Award for Excellence
for the second year in a row at the recently held
League of California Cities Conference for the City’s
community engagement efforts in developing Los
Amigos Park.
Residents in southwest Rancho Cucamonga got
together with staff at City-led community forums
and workshops well before ground broke at the
site to share their input about the recreational
amenities they wished to see featured at their
future neighborhood park. This collaboration led
to the development of several popular features now in place at the finished park,
including a skate spot, vineyard space, shaded adult exercise area, youth spray play
area, centrally located children’s playground, full-size basketball court, and open
playfield area for drop-in sports.
Local fourth and fifth grade students from Los Amigos Elementary School also
helped beautify the park by participating in the community tile art project. Their
creations are on permanent display at the southeast corner of the park. Park naming
exercises also allowed community members to help personalize the space.
Los Amigos Park, located at 8625 Madrone Avenue, officially opened in April 2017,
drawing large crowds of local families for an afternoon of refreshments, crafts, and
activities. The park has played host to the City’s popular and family-friendly Summer
Movies in the Park Series ever since. Casual park-goers, residents, and visitors alike,
are welcome to drop in at Los Amigos Park, or any of Rancho Cucamonga’s 30 parks,
daily between the hours of 6:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m.
2
3
Rancho Cucamonga Welcomes Goals Soccer Center
Get ready for some soccer fun for the
whole family!
The City of Rancho Cucamonga is excited to
welcome Goals Soccer Center to the Rancho
Cucamonga Epicenter Sports Complex in January
2018! As the third club location in the United States,
Goals Soccer Center offers a variety of options for
all ages as the world’s largest and most popular
operator of small-sided soccer. This club location
will feature eight ProTurf floodlit 5x5 fields and two
ProTurf floodlit 7x7 fields. Goals will offer league
play, pickup games, tournaments and coaching
for children ages 3 and older. Also included is a
restaurant, bar and a function room perfect for
hosting parties or company meetings.
The City of Rancho Cucamonga is committed to
continued focus on enhancing sports amenities to
provide active family opportunities with the addition
of the new Goals Soccer Center. If you have a heart
for the sport of soccer, we encourage you to visit
this new community facility, opening winter of
2018 at 11747 Stadium Way, Rancho Cucamonga,
CA 91739. For more information, visit www.goals-
soccer.com/rancho-cucamonga.Teen Program Gets an Overhaul
RC Teenworks debuted fall 2017.
The Teen Recreation Activity Club (TRAC) is now RC TeenWorks, a comprehensive youth
development program for tweens and teens in grades 5-12. RC TeenWorks builds character
and leadership skills through recreation programs, workshops, volunteer opportunities,
and internships throughout the year. Along with familiar TRAC favorites like Teen Summer
Camp and Babysitters Workshops, RC TeenWorks offers an Afterschool Activities Club
and Explorers Program that offer a variety of weekly classes and recreational activities
designed with teens’ interests in mind.
Put your passion for helping your community to work in the monthly community service-
based Volunteer Coalition. Members have the opportunity to gain experience in a
variety of events and programs, like the annual 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular and the
Founder’s Day Community Parade.
For teens committed and interested in developing work skills and learning from a
mentorship, sign up for the yearlong Internship Program. Interns work alongside City
employees from many different departments, gaining not only work place skills, but also
insights into the inner workings of local government. Your experience will give you the
self-confidence and training that will help you succeed outside of school.
RC TeenWorks offers a wide variety of seasonal supervised programs, activities, and
events. Teens participating in programs and workshops, or visiting during drop-in times,
also have access to the Lions West Community Center’s Art Studio. Don’t miss your
opportunity to showcase your talent with creative and unique rotating art projects.
The Community Services Department strives to provide a safe, positive and fun
environment for youth in Rancho Cucamonga. RC TeenWorks staff especially take pride
in serving as mentors and positive role models.
For more information visit www.CityofRC.us/cityhall/cs/teens/teenworks.
4
Celebrate Energy Efficiency This Holiday Season
Join the City of Rancho Cucamonga and the San
Bernardino Council of Governments at a community
holiday light exchange this year. Swap up to of your old
working lights for energy efficient LED lights at no cost!
Please bring your Southern California Edison and Southern
California Gas Company residential utility bill indicating a
San Bernardino County address to participate.
You can also receive a FREE energy efficient starter kit that
helps make our community more sustainable. The holiday
LED lights and energy efficiency starter kits are available
on a first come, first served basis. For more information,
contact Deborah Allen at (909) 774-2047.
Event Dates and Location:
RC Family Resource Center
9791 Arrow Route
Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91730
Tuesday, November 28, 2017
12:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Friday, December 15, 2017
5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
End the Holidays on a Green Note: Recycle Your Holiday Waste
Your post-festivities cleaning can help keep our planet
healthy. Approximately 80 percent of your holiday trash is
recyclable. All you have to do is place gift boxes, wrapping
paper, greeting cards, and cardboard packaging items in
your recycling barrel.
Burrtec Waste Industries will collect your excess holiday
trash and recyclables beginning December 26, 2017,
through January 12, 2018. Place excess holiday trash and
recyclables in bags alongside your containers on your
collection day.
You can also recycle your Christmas tree through Burrtec.
Trees over six feet tall need to be cut in half. Please remove
all ornaments, lights, and metal stands from the tree. Then,
simply place the tree at the curb from December 26, 2017
through January 12, 2018, on your regular collection day.
Organic Salon is Welcomed into the Green Business Recognition Program
Beauty and relaxation go green at Tu Organics Salon and Spa.
Rancho Cucamonga’s Green Business Recognition Program is excited to welcome
Tu Organics Salon and Spa - its first ever salon. The program recognizes businesses
that have demonstrated a commitment towards environmental sustainability.
Tu Organics is a premier full-service organic beauty salon and spa located at 8977
Foothill Blvd. that offers high-quality, professional hair care services for men and
women using solely organic hair color and products. Available services are optimal
for any type of client, but Tu stylists cater to those who prefer to avoid the use of
harsh chemicals.
As an eco-friendly salon, Tu Organics protects the environment and the health and
safety of their clients’ hair and skin by using natural, organic products that are proven
to be of the highest quality and toxin-free. It is also part of a comprehensive recycling
and sustainability program, Green Circle Salons, which sets out to significantly
reduce the industry’s environmental impact on the planet. The Salon is also part of
a comprehensive recycling and sustainability program, Green Circle Salons, which
sets out to significantly reduce the industry’s environmental impact on the planet.
Since joining, Tu Organics diverted its total waste by 85-95 percent by recycling hair,
color tubes, foil, and plastic.
The Green Business Recognition Program showcases the sustainability efforts
of Rancho Cucamonga businesses and encourages green business practices in
the community. Businesses that demonstrate environmental practices in various
categories and complete no-cost resource assessments are eligible to be recognized
as a Healthy RC Green Business. Assessment categories include waste reduction,
pollution prevention, recycling, purchasing, energy efficiency, transportation, water
efficiency, and stakeholder engagement.
The Green Business Recognition Program is part of the Healthy RC Program. For
more information please contact Deborah Allen, Management Aide-Sustainability,
at (909) 774-2047, or by email at Deborah.Allen@CityofRC.us. For more information
on Tu Organics Salon and Spa’s achievements and the Green Business Recognition
Program please visit www.CityofRC.us/GreenBusiness.
Collection Service Helps Keep Homes
Healthy and Safe
A noteworthy accomplishment
in pursuit of a healthier, more
sustainable future.
Keep your home healthy and safe by
properly disposing of hazardous household
items at the City’s Household Hazardous
Waste (HHW) Collection Facility.
Dispose of unused household cleaners
and paint, used motor oil, and electronics
at 8794 Lion Street (off 9th Street, between
Vineyard and Hellman). Operating hours are
Saturdays only from 8:00 a.m. to noon. The
facility only accepts waste from residents
of Rancho Cucamonga or San Bernardino
County. There is a limit of 15 gallons or 125
pounds of waste per trip, and all materials
bust be in containers no larger than 5
gallons. Business waste is not accepted.
It is illegal to abandon hazardous
substances outside the facility when it is
closed. Residents can also use any of the
other participating HHW collection facilities
in the county. Days and hours of operations
vary. Call (800) OILYCAT (800-645-9228) or
visit www.sbcfire.org/default.aspx and click
on “Household Hazardous Waste” for more
information.
Call the Environmental Programs Info Line
at (909) 919-2635 for a complete list of
acceptable items, transportation guidelines,
and for holiday closure information. The
HHW collection facility will be closed on the
following dates in 2017: November 25th,
December 23rd, December 30th.
5
Avoiding Mail Theft
Just a cautionary few steps can make a big difference.
The Rancho Cucamonga Police Department (RCPD) wants to help you keep your mail, and
your identity, safe. Deputies routinely respond to some all too familiar calls: mailboxes opened
and emptied throughout entire neighborhoods; opened mail discarded in public trash cans and
scattered in city streets; and personal banking accounts drained and fraudulent credit cards opened
in victims’ names.
“Mail theft is an issue for every Southern California community, and it can be challenging to
investigate,” said RCPD Patrol Operations Lieutenant Joe Bustamante. Thieves looking to steal
personal information, checks, and cash are in and out within minutes, leaving entire neighborhoods
scratching their heads and demanding answers. “RCPD proactive patrol efforts have alleviated
some of the problems, but to completely stop these thefts, residents and the Rancho Cucamonga
Police Department must work together,” said Bustamante.
One watchful neighbor who noticed a suspicious vehicle casing his neighborhood initiated the
recent arrest of a mail theft suspect. Deputies responded to the neighbor’s call immediately,
captured the suspect in the act, and recovered hundreds of letters containing the personal
information of multiple victims. “That resident’s actions to ‘See Something, Say Something’ saved
countless victims’ bank accounts from being drained,” Bustamante said. Deputies also utilize the
U.S. Postal Inspectors during their investigations and subsequent prosecutions. Evidence recovered
is forwarded to local Postal Inspectors for use in filing federal charges for these offenses.
So, how can residents be proactive in protecting their mail? Detectives assigned to mail theft
investigations have some simple but effective ways to prevent these thefts:
• Pick up your mail promptly after delivery and never leave mail in your mailbox overnight.
• Contact your post office and request a hold on your mail whenever you go out of town.
• Purchase a locking mailbox if your home has its own box.
• Report all suspected mail thefts to the Postal Service and the Police Department.
• Sign up for “Informed Delivery” at informeddelivery.usps.com to receive free scanned images
of incoming mail envelopes directly in your email.
• For more information, please contact RCPD at (909) 477-2800. Remember: always report any
suspicious activity to the Rancho Cucamonga Police Department.
5
6
Fire District Performs Fire & Safety Assessments for Small Businesses
The Fire District aims to ensure safe operation of local
businesses through the Small Business Fire & Safety
Assessment program.
We know that small businesses are most vulnerable, and a startling 40 percent
of businesses never re-open after a major disaster. Since our businesses are
the heart of our community’s economic well being, this program encourages
critical disaster planning. A team of Fire District inspectors, led by the Fire
Marshal, will work with local businesses throughout the City to ensure they are
free of hazards that could injure employees or customers, or cause enough
damage to close the business for days or weeks.
“When a small business suffers an emergency or disaster, we know that
puts employees out of work, disrupts business operations and cash flow,
and adversely impacts the local economy,” says Fire Marshal Rob Ball.
“The employees or business owners, in turn, may suffer personal financial
challenges as a result of these emergencies and disasters, most of which can
be prevented and avoided.”
With small businesses accounting for 99 percent of all companies and
50 percent of all private sector employees in the U.S., they are vital to a
strong local economy. Conducting a fire and life safety assessment in these
businesses can help identify hazards and conditions that could lead to a fire or
other preventable disaster. This detection helps avoid harmful impacts to our
community’s economic engine.
Annual inspections of schools, hospitals, apartments, hotels, and places of
assembly, such as churches and larger restaurants, are already required by law.
Inspections of businesses, though valuable, are conducted at the discretion
of the local Fire Department. The Fire District, which has historically focused
its discretionary inspections on high hazard businesses in industrial areas, also
allocates inspection time in commercial and retail centers where a disaster
could affect many businesses and the economy at large.
“Commercial and retail centers are where many of our small businesses
operate,” explains Fire Marshal Ball. “A fire or other significant event in one
business often adversely impacts other businesses in the center. Combine
that with the fact that many small businesses have a difficult time
recovering from temporary closures and the result is our most
vulnerable businesses are generally not those that are strictly
regulated by the Fire Code.”
The Fire District’s Small Business Fire & Safety Assessment
program is much more than an inspection program. “What we are
offering to the commercial and retail centers and the businesses
that operate in them,” explains Community Affairs Coordinator
Kelley Donaldson, “is the combined safety and preparedness
services of our Prevention, Community Engagement, and
Emergency Management programs. We want our businesses to be
safe, be aware of what they can do to avoid disruptions to business
operations, and be resilient with the ability to recover quickly from
unavoidable disasters.” For more information
on the assessment
program, please visit
www.RCFire.org.
Rancho Cucamonga State of the City Address
Business Sponsorship Opportunities
SAVE THE DATE
Date:
Time:
Location:
Thursday, February 22, 2018
5:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Presentation 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm
Victoria Gardens Cultural Center
12505 Cultural Center Drive
Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91739
Rancho Cucamonga Mayor’s
State of the City Address
The City of Rancho Cucamonga in partnership with the
Rancho Cucamonga Chamber of Commerce present
$25.00
Available Friday, December 1st at the Victoria
Gardens Cultural Center Box Office (909) 477-2752
or on-line at www.lewisfamilyplayhouse.com
Use Code: CHAMBER for ticket proceeds to benefit
the Rancho Cucamonga Chamber of Commerce
Tickets:
For sponsorship opportunities for this event, please contact
Dianna Lee at 909-774-2208 or Dianna.Lee@cityofrc.us
TITLE SPONSOR:
7
Broadway is Coming to Rancho Cucamonga
Don’t miss Broadway at the Gardens’ 2018 production of In The Heights.
Lin-Manuel Miranda’s high-energy, contemporary musical showcases a vibrant community of
Latino characters in Washington Heights, New York, over three extraordinary days.
Broadway at the Gardens is delighted to welcome Director Benjamin “Benny” Perez, who is at
the helm of the production. Benny starred as Kevin on the second national tour of In The Heights,
training under the guidance of the original creative team including Alex Lacamoire (orchestrator and
musical supervision), Andy Blankenbuehler (choreography), Thomas Kail (director), and Lin-Manuel
Miranda (writer and star of the Broadway production). Benny’s unique experience and passion for
the musical has led him to perform in nine different productions of the show as Kevin, and direct
two local productions.
Associate producer Nicki Heskin sat down with Benny to talk about the upcoming production,
what audiences can expect, and what interests him about working at the Lewis Family Playhouse.
“I think people who come to see the show don’t really know what to expect. They hear that it’s a
contemporary story set in New York City and there’s rap music and there’s Latin rhythms, [but it’s]
nothing to be afraid of in terms of a night of theatre, it’s very heartwarming, it’s very authentic. I
think the show In The Heights is a universal immigrant story. It’s a 21st century version of Fiddler
on the Roof about a community on the verge of change. [It’s about] parents who are hardworking,
who don’t always understand their children’s choices, about friendship, about the family that you’re
born into and also the family that you choose. You will recognize the people in this neighborhood
as people that you know, people that you could be related to, even if you are not of Latin descent.
It’s definitely one of the big ships that is charting a new course for the genre of musical theatre in
the 21st century. Many shows are still following a format that Rodgers and Hammerstein or Andrew
Lloyd Webber laid down — [In The Heights has] a lot more sass, a lot more fun, a lot more energy,
a lot of usefulness, [and more] heart than some musicals allow themselves to have,” says Perez.
“I was so thrilled when I found out there’s this 560-seat theatre here that was producing wonderful
quality theatre for all ages. I think we have a responsibility as people in the arts to cultivate new
stories, new forms of theatre, new audiences and I feel like the Lewis Family Playhouse is doing
that. To use local talent is also another thing exciting about this. We’re going to have a lot of
people auditioning and you’re going to have a spectacular cast here at this theatre. It’s going to be
beautiful.”
In The Heights runs from March 9th-18th with performances on Fridays (March 9 & 16) and
Saturdays (March 10 & 17) at 7:30 pm and Sundays (March 11 & 18) at 2:00 pm at the Lewis Family
Playhouse, 12505 Cultural Center Drive, Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91739.
Be sure to purchase your tickets before they sell out at lewisfamilyplayhouse.com, on the LF
Playhouse app (available in the App & Google Play store), or through the Box Office at (909) 477-2752.
Audition information will be made available soon and can be found at www.lewisfamilyplayhouse.
com/broadway/auditions.
Black History
Night at the Library
The Rancho Cucamonga Library will
celebrate its 11th Annual Black History
Month Cultural Arts Night on Friday,
February 2, 2018 from 7-9:00 p.m. at the
Paul Biane Library. This year’s program
will build on the success of previous years
by celebrating music and culture with
entertainment, displays, and a variety of
activities for the entire family. Free tickets
will be available at both the Biane and
Archibald libraries beginning January
22nd.
Photo Credit: In the Heights 2nd National Broadway Tour
8 www.CityofRC.us
10500 Civic Center Drive, Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91730 · (909) 477-2700 • Fax (909) 477-2846
FY 2017/18 Budget Update
The City of Rancho Cucamonga recently adopted a balanced operating budget for Fiscal Year
2017/18. This year’s budget incorporates the planned use of Library Fund reserves to replace
the City’s Bookmobile and focuses on “Preparing for the 21st Century.” The City of Rancho
Cucamonga knows how critical it is to prepare for the future, as it was created to be “the City with
a plan,” a world-class community where excellence is expected and success is always the result
of hard work.
Modernization of the City’s General Plan, Development Code, and Municipal Code has been
underway for several years now. With a new Economic Development Strategic Plan, the City has
a clear set of goals for a healthy economic future. By reinvesting in infrastructure and focusing
on all the elements of a world-class community – housing, schools, leisure, shopping, fiscal
sustainability, public safety, community health and vitality – Rancho Cucamonga is sowing seeds
today that bring benefits that the residents of tomorrow will reap.
The City’s operating budget is comprised of the City General Fund, Fire District Operational
Funds, and the Library Operational Fund. General Fund revenues increased $3.3 million primarily
due to increased sales tax, Motor Vehicle In-Lieu fees, and property tax revenues. The principal
revenue source for both the Fire District and the Library is property tax. Property tax revenues are
projected to increase by $823,340 and $114,460, respectively, for each of these funds. The pie
chart below illustrates, by department, how the City’s operating revenues are spent.
For more detailed information on the City’s Fiscal Year 2017/18 Adopted Budget, please visit
the City’s website at www.CityofRC.us/cityhall/admin/finance/budgeting.asp. For information
regarding the 2017 City Council Goals that provided guidance for the development of the Fiscal
Year 2017/18 Adopted Budget, visit www.CityofRC.us/cityhall/council.
2017/18 City Council Objectives
Public Safety
Proactively develop public safety programs and facilities to meet community needs.
Parks and Recreation Development
Proceed with planning and development of major parks and recreational projects.
Enhancing Premier Community Status
As the community matures, undertake programs and projects to enhance Rancho Cucamonga’s
position as the premier community in our region.
Mid and Long Range Planning
Begin efforts to develop mid-range and long-term goals and vision for the City.
Other Objectives
Begin multi-year process of revising and/or implementing major City documents and systems.
2.00% Engineering Services
1.51% Planning
8.95% Public Works Services
2.18% Governance
30.90% Police28.95% Fire District
2.68% Animal Care & Services
0.42% Records Management
4.32% Community Services
4.27% Library Services
6.15% Administrative Services
3.08% Innovation & Technology
0.83% Human Resources
1.56% Finance
1.53% Building & Safety Services
0.67% Economic & Community Development
$0.17
Etiwanda Colony
Elementary School
$0.16
Chaffey Union
High School
$0.15
County General Fund
$0.12
Rancho Cucamonga
Fire District
$0.05 Rancho Cucamonga
General Fund
$0.04 Chaffey
Community College
$0.04 Inland Empire
Utilities Agency
$0.03
Flood Control Zone 1
$0.02
Other Agencies
Property Tax Dollar
Breakdown
For every dollar paid in property taxes,
here’s where it goes:
$0.22
Education Revenue
Augmentation Fund