Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutReporter Winter 2020Getting Ready for the 2020 Census Make yourself count, make Rancho Cucamonga count! Give Support, Get Support pg 3 RC’s Very Own Super Hero pg 6 Jazz Pianist Appearing at Lewis Family Playhouse pg 8 Volume 15, Issue 4 Winter 2020 The Census is essentially a self-portrait of the nation and participating in the upcoming count is both your right and responsibility. Every ten years, the U.S. Constitution mandates the federal government to count every person living in the country, regardless of age, race, or citizenship. Thus, every household should complete a census form by mail, by phone, or online by April 1, 2020. Census data shapes the future of our community and defines our voice in Congress. The results determine how more than $700 billion in federal government resources will be distributed across the entire country each year for the next decade, including where schools, roads, hospitals, child care centers, senior centers and other services should be built. It also dictates the apportionment of Congressional seats and redistricting at all levels of government. Under the law, Census data can only be used for statistical purposes. Title 13 of the U.S. Code requires respondents’ information to be kept confidential, guaranteeing personal information will not be used against respondents in court or by a government agency. In March 2020, every household will receive a mailing from the U.S. Census Bureau with instructions to visit their website and fill out a simple 10-question form. Other options for completing the form via telephone or mail will be available. For more information, call the U.S. Census Bureau at 800-923- 8282 or visit www.ask.census.gov. Public Safety in Rancho Cucamonga Public Safety has always been a critical priority, number one in fact, for your City Council. Thanks to the high quality education provided by our local schools, and the presence of numerous businesses and shopping amenities, the final leg in the tripod that makes Rancho Cucamonga a desirable place to live and raise a family is our high level of public safety. The City receives services from the San Bernardino County Sheriff Department, and the more than $40,000,000 contract is the City’s largest. The service we receive from the Sheriff is excellent, but despite that, we regularly review and study the initial start-up and ongoing operating costs of establishing our own police force. Each time we review this option comparable costs are 20-30 percent higher, not including one-time costs. As we grow, the City Council continues prioritizing maintaining a low response time for emergency calls and easing access to reports, fingerprinting, and other related services. To further that priority, the City broke ground on a Public Safety Facility that will include a sub-station and evidence storage. At present, we have the main Police Station located off Haven, south of Foothill, adjacent to the Civic Center and an east-side substation in Victoria Gardens. The new facility will sit on the northwest corner of San Bernardino Road and Vineyard Avenue, helping us meet current and future demands for many decades to come. In September, we broke ground on the Public Safety Facility following the award of the contract in August. Among the unique features of the facility is a Fire station. This new location for the old San Bernardino Road Station (#172) will mean larger space, less neighborhood impact, more room for equipment and off-street parking, and increased security. Co-location allows the costs of development to be amortized and ensures the public can access police or fire services at a single location. This new facility will improve response times for both police and fire on the west side of the City and provide a convenient neighborhood resource for residents. Eventually, the City hopes to open a substation facility in the Empire Lakes development and possibly even the northern portion of the City, as public safety continues to be a top priority in Rancho Cucamonga. Even though public safety remains a critical priority, your City Council is also conscious of cost savings opportunities. The elimination of Redevelopment increased the stability and predictability of the property tax base for the Rancho Cucamonga Fire Protection District. In recognition of that fact, in FY 2013-14 the City Council waived the collection of most Fire Prevention fees, a first among cities in San Bernardino County. This change saves the business community valuable funds that can be reinvested. Additionally, the community facility district assessments rates for CFD 88-1 and 85-1 (both for fire protection) have been frozen even longer, and several years ago CFD 88-1 was reduced by five percent. This year, after an additional fiscal analysis of the Fire District, we determined that the rates in CFD 88-1 (generally the newer areas north of the 210 freeway and east of Haven Avenue), which are based on square footage of the residential structure, could be lowered to the same level as CFD 85-1. This change in methodology will result in a reduction of approximately $800,000 per year in taxes for the residents of Rancho Cucamonga, while still maintaining high quality fire and emergency medical services that are among the best in all of Southern California. Together with their partners in Community Improvement and Animal Services, the Fire and Police Departments of Rancho Cucamonga will continue to ensure Rancho Cucamonga remains a safe place to live, work and play. — John R. Gillison Cit y Manager City Manager’s Message 2 Improvements Coming to Local Traffic Signals Shining a new light on safe streets. The Engineering Department will soon solicit construction bids for the installation of two new traffic signals and five Flashing Yellow Arrows (FYA) at several locations within the City. An FYA is a “permissive” signal phase that benefits left-turn movements. Left turn movements start with a solid green or “protected” arrow signal that allows motorists to complete a protected left turn while opposing traffic is stopped. Next, the “permissive” FYA signal permits motorists to make a left- turn when there is an available gap in the opposing traffic. Benefits of the FYA include increased driver awareness and added operational flexibility. An explanation of the new signal arrows is outlined below. Engineering staff anticipates starting construction in mid December 2019 and funding was apportioned through development impact fees. For more information about how the FYA operates, please visit www.CityofRC.us/news/flashing- yellow-arrow-fya to visit the City of Rancho Cucamonga’s Public Service Announcement. Steady Red Arrow Drivers turning left must stop and wait (except where permitted by law). Steady Yellow Arrow Stop, if you can do so safely. Steady Green Arrow Proceed with left turn. Flashing Yellow Arrow Proceed with left turn after yielding to oncoming traffic and pedestrians. We Love Our Neighborhood Parks! Preserving our parks is a community effort. It is no secret that parks are important to our neighborhoods. They give us a place to come together for community and family events. Rancho Cucamonga parks, shaded by trees, create cooler temperature areas during peak summer months and, most importantly, provide residents of all ages a place to get a mental and physical boost through a variety of activities. Thanks to our residents, neighborhood parks receive funding through our Landscape Districts. If you want to know more about your neighborhood Landscape District, the parks in your neighborhood, the services included, and what you pay annually to support them, visit the City of Rancho Cucamonga’s website. Navigate to www.CityofRC.us, search for Special Districts, click the “FIND MY DISTRICT” map and type your home address. Celebrate in the Outdoors — Reserve a Park Shelter Use a breath of fresh air to blow out those birthday candles. Plan your next family reunion, birthday party, company picnic or special event at a Rancho Cucamonga park. Gather and enjoy the great outdoors at one of 12 parks available for reservation. Each one provides a unique event space with accommodations suited for a variety of events. Park reservations must be made a minimum of three business days in advance of desired date and completed in person at Central Park, 11200 Base Line Road, Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m. and Saturday from 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Visit www.RCpark.com for a full list of City parks with shelters eligible for reservations, or call (909) 774-3869 for additional information. Quick Facts • Residents may reserve picnic shelters and special event areas up to one year in advance. Non- residents may reserve picnic shelters one month in advance and special event areas six months in advance. • Alcohol and smoking are prohibited in City parks. • Electricit y and water are not provided for picnic reservations. • Picnics are allowed at any Rancho Cucamonga park, but events with bounce houses, canopies, and catering can only be scheduled at a reservable picnic park. Reservation Options Picnic Shelters • Three-Hour Blocks: 8:00 - 11:00 a.m., 12:00 - 3:00 p.m., 4:00 - 7:00 p.m. • All Day: 8:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. Special Event Areas: Hourly Give Support, Get Support Connect to the community your business serves for benefits beyond the bottom line. The City of Rancho Cucamonga proudly offers a variety of ways to promote your business. You can take advantage of sponsorship opportunities that enhance visibility through community engagement and outreach. These events are a great way to market your business to the community at family-friendly events while also enjoying exposure to potential customers of all ages. We play host to several special events throughout the year thanks to support from local businesses and organizations. If you’re looking for a way to reach the masses while supporting your local community, we want to hear from you. Depending on the level of sponsorship you select, your organization will have the opportunity to engage with the community through a variety of advertising vehicles such as social media, print and digital ads, event flyers, City website, t-shirts, booth space, and much more. For more information on sponsorships opportunities with the City of Rancho Cucamonga, call (909) 774-2212. 3 Walk to School with Healthy RC! Learning starts with getting to school safely. On October 2nd, the City of Rancho Cucamonga’s Safe Routes to School program celebrated ‘International Walk to School Day’ with Vineyard Junior High School. Parents, families, teachers, local elected officials, school administrators, city staff and law enforcement personnel joined over 200 middle school students as they walked to school. This was a celebration to remember! Every student that participated was entered into a raffle, and one lucky student won a brand-new bike donated by Caramel Connections. This event builds yearlong excitement around walking, biking, and rolling to school. What a fun way to start off the school year and encourage healthy habits! Be on the lookout for more Safe Routes to School events and activities this year: Walk Wednesdays, Safe Driving Campaigns, Walk Audits, and Bike to School Day in May! Did you miss Walk to School Day? You can still host one at your school! Set a date that works for you and make it your very own celebration! Check out the resources below: • Visit Walkbiketoschool.org • Reach out to the City at SRTS@CityofRC.us for more information and resources. It’s not too late to join Healthy RC’s Safe Routes to School — a program that is all about promoting physical activity and safety in and around school campuses. It involves parents, teachers, students, and city staff working together to address street safety issues through education and encouragement. Looking for a guide to help you start your own SRTS program? We have a Starter Kit that has a variety of resources for those who are interested in starting a Safe Routes to School program at their school. If you would like to learn more, please reach out to SRTS@CityofRC.us or call (909) 774-2045. 4 Save the Date for the 3rd Annual Teen Summit Speak up, speak out, make a difference. The 3rd Annual Teen Summit is fast approaching! This year’s event will take place on Wednesday, March 25, 2020. Join us for a full day devoted to empowering teens. All teens currently in high school are welcome to attend. Come and learn how you can make your voice heard. We can’t wait to meet you on March 25th! Your Chance to Work for Team RC Team RC is now hiring for multiple job vacancies. Join our team and positively impact the City you love. Visit our website at www.CityofRC.us/rcjobs for more detailed information on current job opportunities and employment events. 55 Make Your Voice Count! You can help make Rancho Cucamonga the healthiest it can be. Healthy RC is asking residents about their quality of life and we want to hear from you! Be a part of the process to improve health and wellness for you and your loved ones. Take our Quality of Life Survey at an upcoming community meeting or event, or by visiting www.bit.ly/qlhrcsurvey. Healthy RC works to promote environments where anyone can establish healthy behaviors, connect to resources, and lead healthy resilient lives. The information collected will serve as a catalyst to create innovative programs and targeted strategies to address health issues and gaps in access to resources within our community. * The survey is available in other languages. If needed, please send a request to RC.Healthy@ CityofRC.us and we will do our best to accommodate you. ** All information collected is anonymous and confidential. Be a Sustainability Hero! Support renewable energy efforts in our community. Rancho Cucamonga has partnered with GRID alternatives, a non-profit organization to offer low-income families the opportunity to install solar energy systems on their homes free-of-charge, thanks to a state program administered through the Public Utilities Commission’s Disadvantaged Community - Single- family Affordable Solar Homes (DAC-SASH) program. Here is how you can participate: • Complete a GRID application for solar on your home and meet specific guidelines: • Own and live in the home • Live in a qualified section of the community • Meet income requirements • Pass a roof inspection • Want to bring solar to Rancho Cucamonga? Refer a family or friend to the program and receive a $200 referral fee. • Volunteer to help with a solar installation (no experience is required) Utilizing a workforce program that enables volunteers to take part in solar installations has also largely contributed to the GRID Alternatives program’s success. Volunteers must be at least 18 years of age to participate in the hands-on training and experience with solar technology. For more information, please contact Deborah Allen, Management Aide, at (909) 774-2047 or by email at Deborah.Allen@CityofRC.us. Rancho Cucamonga Receives Gold Award for Municipal Greenhouse Gas Reductions Long Beach, CA - October 17, 2019. The City of Rancho Cucamonga attended the League of Cities Annual Conference to receive the Gold Level Beacon Spotlight Award from the Institute for Local Government. The award comes as part of the City’s involvement in the Institute’s respected Beacon Program, which recognizes California cities and counties that promote sustainability, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, save energy, and adopt policies and programs that address climate change. The Gold Level award recognizes Rancho Cucamonga’s success in reducing municipal greenhouse gases in City operation by 10 percent. These impressive accomplishments were achieved by implementing various sustainability initiatives, including installing 1.8 megawatts of solar powered systems at five city facilities, retrofitting streetlights to LED and transitioning our fleet to alternative fuel vehicles. For more information on the Beacon Award and the City of Rancho Cucamonga’s sustainability efforts, please contact Deborah Allen, Management Aide, at (909) 477- 2047 or by email at Deborah.Allen@ CityofRC.us, or visit our website at www. HealthyRC.info. Save Lives with Hands-Only CPR Get hands-on about the safety of your community. Did you know that according to the World Health Organization, heart disease is one of the world’s leading causes of death? Having heart disease leads to blocked arteries which can unfortunately lead to cardiac arrest, more commonly known as a heart attack. As part of the emergency medical services (EMS) provided by the Rancho Cucamonga Fire District (RCFD), fire personnel hope to bring down this startling statistic along with the community’s help. This fall, state-of-the-art cardiac heart monitors were placed on all fire engines and trucks to assist firefighters in performing a higher level of CPR. While on scene of a cardiac arrest, the heart monitors provide firefighters with immediate feedback on their delivery of chest compressions. Firefighters are then able to adjust their performance of CPR in real-time to help increase the patient’s survival rate. Not only do the heart monitors have an immediate role in helping save lives, but the technology also allows personnel to evaluate their performance back at the fire station to continue assisting in further training. “We are working hard to move the cardiac arrest survival rate in Rancho Cucamonga above the national average so we can continue to see our community thrive, but we also need the community’s help,” said Sandy Griffin, RCFD’s EMS Coordinator. Although it may seem intimidating to some, Hands-Only CPR can begin on scene with the help of a bystander in our community before the professional help arrives, adding minutes of precious time to help save a life. If you’re interested in learning the life-saving skill of CPR, the Rancho Cucamonga Fire District offers a monthly training course for anyone ages 12 and older. More information about class dates and times is available at www. RCPark.com. Community groups, schools, businesses, and organizations can also request onsite Hands-Only CPR training at events and functions by contacting RCFD at (909) 477-2770. Get notified with the Pulse Point app whenever someone is in cardiac arrest near you by downloading the app on your mobile device and you can put your life-saving skills in action. Join RCFD personnel in fostering a Healthy RC by learning Hands-Only CPR and you too could make a difference and help save a life. Rancho Cucamonga’s Very Own Super Hero Heroes aren’t just in movies anymore. When was the last time you met a real-life super hero? Probably never since they don’t exist. But some people come pretty close – people like Deputy Gina Kuhn. You would never know just by looking at her, but not only is she a deputy for the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department, she is also a Captain with the United States Army Reserve and is currently on a nine-month deployment in Kuwait. While she admits to goofing off in community college, she completed classes there and her father wasted no time dragging her to California State University San Bernardino to complete her degree – where she met an Army recruiter. The recruiter managed to make the ROTC Program sound like so much fun that she was easily convinced and joined while earning her Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science. In 2009, Gina was commissioned in the Army Reserves as a Second Lieutenant, or 2LT. During that time she also completed the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department Training Academy and graduated with honors. A year later, the Army sent her to flight school where she became a pilot and learned to fly the UH-60 Black Hawk Helicopter. Gina humbly describes her dual careers as “no big deal,” but her compassion for kids and belief in being a good role model suggest otherwise. She also serves as a School Resource Officer at Etiwanda High School. There she bonded with a special needs student and when it came time to deploy, worried about the impact it might have on him. On her last day of school (before deploying) she spent a day with him and promised to return safely. We all hope that is a promise she keeps. Deputy Kuhn gives much of the credit for her success to her parents who are both retired sergeants with the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department. Way to make us proud, Deputy Kuhn. 6 End the Holidays on a Green Note: Recycle Your Holiday Waste Make the most of the holidays, even once they’re over. Did you know that recycling your holiday waste could be a gift to the environment? All you need to do is place gift boxes, wrapping paper, greeting cards, and cardboard packaging in your recycling barrel for pick-up on your regular service day. Burrtec Waste Industries will collect your excess holiday trash and recyclables beginning December 26, 2019, through January 10, 2020. You can also place excess holiday trash and recyclables in bags alongside your containers on your regular collection day. Don’t forget to recycle your Christmas tree with Burrtec after the holidays. Trees over six feet tall need to be cut in half. Before you set your tree out for pick-up be sure you remove all ornaments, lights, and metal stands. Then, simply place your tree at the curb from December 26, 2019 through January 10, 2020, on your regular collection day. Temporary Signs Follow these guidelines to keep Rancho Cucamonga beautiful. Signs in the right-of-way are a highly visible and cost-effective way to communicate with members of the community, whether political, commercial, or a simple neighborhood yard sale. However, improperly placed or abandoned signs can become hazardous or erode our community appearance. Follow these guidelines to ensure your sign remains in compliance: • Freestanding signs only. Do not attach to poles, structures, or existing signs. • Signs may measure a maximum of nine square feet and stand no more than three feet from the ground. • Place signs 20 feet away from any corner and never in the median. • Only one t wo-sided sign allowed on each side of the street per city block. • Signs may be continuously displayed for 60 days, and intermittently displayed for up to 90 days per year. • Commercial signs are limited to 12 at any time. • Remove signs promptly after an event or when they become damaged or faded. Volunteers are essential in removing abandoned signs and maintaining the beauty and safety of the community. Anyone interested in participating in this effort is encouraged to submit a volunteer application through the City website. For more detailed information on temporary signs, please contact Community Improvement at (909) 774-2712. Don’t Trash that Turkey! Many Americans will gather together with friends and family to celebrate the holidays. When the fun is done, you may be left with more turkey than you anticipated. Don’t trash that turkey! Feed your family, not the landfill. Discover five new and exciting ways to use those turkey leftovers with delicious recipes from MyPlate by visiting www.go.usa.gov/ xnTVB. 7 A Safe and Healthy Home Starts in the Bin One small step can ensure proper disposal of hazardous materials. Keep your home healthy and safe by staying up-to-date on which household items you should keep out of your regular trash bins. Some surprising everyday products qualify as hazardous and require disposal at the City’s Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Collection Facility. Make sure to research which items qualify as hazardous materials including cooking oil, leftover household cleaners, paint, motor oil, and electronics. Visit the HHW facility to properly dispose of these and other toxic household products. The facility 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. Please place waste in containers no larger than 5 gallons. Business waste is not accepted. The Rancho Cucamonga collection facility is located at 8794 Lion Street, off of 9th Street between Vineyard and Hellman, and is open Saturdays only from 8:00 a.m. to noon. The HHW collection facility is closed on: November 30, 2019; December 21, 2019; and December 28, 2019. It is illegal to abandon hazardous substances outside the facility when it is closed. Call the Environmental Programs Info Line at (909) 919-2635 for a complete list of acceptable items. Residents can also use any of the other participating HHW collection facilities in San Bernardino County. Days and hours of operations vary. Call (800) OILYCAT (800-645-9228) or visit www.tootoxictotrash.com for details. Find these turkey recipes here: https://go.usa.gov/xnTVB For more recipes go to: www.whatscooking.fns.usda.gov SHEPHERD’S TURKEY PIE + Turkey breast + Onions + Garlic + Vegetable oil + Whole wheat flour TURKEY & RICE SOUP + Turkey roast + Celery stalks + Carrots + Onion + Green beans TURKEY TOSTADAS + Turkey + Taco seasoning + Corn tortillas + Water + Refried beans + Cheddar or Jack cheese + Tomatoes + Lettuce + Onion + Taco sauce TURKEY POTATO SALAD + Turkey + Potato + Onion + Green pepper + Salad dressing, mayo TURKEY TETRAZZINI + Turkey + Light butter + Mushrooms + All-purpose flour + Chicken broth + Chicken bouillon cube + Rice + Water + Margarine + Pepper to taste + Celery + Mustard + Salt + Chicken broth + Carrots + Tomatoes + Potatoes + Dried rosemary + Skim milk + Peas + Parmesan cheese + Dried thyme TURKEY 5 W A Y S 8 Critically Acclaimed Jazz Pianist Appearing at Lewis Family Playhouse Raising the curtain on another season of entertainment! Justin Kauflin, award-winning American jazz pianist, composer, producer, and educator, comes to Lewis Family Playhouse this Winter for a documentary screening and live concert. The 2014 documentary Keep on Keepin’ On follows the mentorship between jazz legend Clark Terry and Kauflin and delves into the pressures of an elite international competition and Kauflin’s struggles with crippling stage fright. Following the movie, The Justin Kauflin Trio will continue their world tour with a performance including songs from their recently released album “Coming Home,” produced by Quincy Jones. Not only is his story featured in Keep on Keepin’ On, but Kauflin is also the film’s composer. His work on the score earned him recognition and ultimately representation by music icon and impresario, Quincy Jones and his musical journey now includes performances around the world, features on 31 albums, 51 published original compositions, and four albums produced as leader. Kauflin is a person of great faith and humanity with an inspiring story. Despite an Exudative Retinopathy diagnosis at seven months old, he began playing classical violin by age four. After completely losing his sight at age 11, the undeterred classical musician gravitated towards playing jazz piano and began performing professionally at age 15. In a recent interview Justin stated, “I fell in love pretty quickly with what I discovered in jazz, which was this incredible freedom of expression. There is something about being able to truly make a piano sing. It does take a lifetime. But, you know, just sitting down and having no agenda also helps. Just to play and find out what the piano has to say. I’m mostly interested in how to be more vocal on the piano.” Don’t miss this event at the Lewis Family Playhouse on Friday, January 17. The screening will begin at 7:00 p.m., followed by the live concert at 9:00 pm. For tickets, please visit www.lewisfamilyplayhouse.com or call (909) 477-2752. www.CityofRC.us 10500 Civic Center Dr., Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91730 · (909) 477-2700 • Fax (909) 477-2846 Abstract Art Exhibition at Chaffey College The City of Rancho Cucamonga and Chaffey College’s Wignall Museum of Contemporary Art proudly present Abstraction: Recent Work from Chaffey College Alumni Artists, an art exhibit currently available for free public viewing at City Hall. In its second iteration, ten alumni of the long-running Chaffey College honors course and Student Invitational exhibition program will share their recent work. Artists Christopher Alday, Bly Cannon, Raylene De La Torre, Mora Douk, Dylan Fleury, Timothy Haerens, Beatriz Helton, Brittany Hennon, Ryan Perez, and Donel Rickie Williams all share art making practices that use abstraction as a device. This exhibition has been made possible by the curatorial staff of the Wignall Museum at Chaffey College in partnership with the City of Rancho Cucamonga, as well as the support of the City of Rancho Cucamonga Public Art Committee. Exhibition on view at: City of Rancho Cucamonga August 5, 2019 - June 6, 2020 10500 Civic Center Drive, Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91730 (909) 477-2700 Public Hours: Monday-Thursday 7:00 am - 6:00 pm Brittany Hennon, Tears, Quiet, Vein, 2019, archival pigment prints, 20x16 inches each. Courtesy of the artist.