BITS AND PIECES

Live Video Stream
Not long ago, I was asked about when council meetings would be aired live by video.  That day has now arrived.  A live video stream of all Visalia City Council meetings held at the council chambers is now being provided by the city.  During the scheduled meeting times, go to the City’s website at www.ci.visalia.ca.us, click on “City Government” at the top of the page, then go to “Council Live Video Stream.”  You can view city council meetings in the comfort of your own home on your computer.  Again, this is a live feed such that you need to be watching during the actual council meeting.  Of course, we invite the public to attend in person whenever they can, but it’s nice that modern technology has brought this live video stream alternative to us.

Recycling
The city again ran their free annual fall yard waste recycling event, put on by the Visalia Solid Waste department.  From November 23 through Jan 5, citizens of Visalia were able to dispose of their yard waste compostables at no cost, by delivering them to the Tulare County Compost Biomass location on South Lovers Lane, or West Coast Wood Industries off West 198.  For gardeners like myself, this convenience was greatly appreciated.  It’s an opportunity to clean up our yards and prune our dormant trees and bushes during the winter months.  I anticipate that the city will have a similar program again in the springtime.  Kudos to Visalia Solid Waste for this outstanding program.  At the same time, the city provided for free Christmas tree recycling at various locations around the city.  These trees were composted and will be used for landscaping city medians and parks.  Mark your calendar for April 13, 2013, the next free “dump on us” event at the Visalia City Yard located at 335 N. Cain Street.

Cal-State All-Star Football Game
On December 22, 2012, 100 of the top high school football players throughout the State of California converged upon Visalia for an all star game at Mineral King Bowl.  With these players come their families who stay in local hotels and shopped and dined in Visalia.  By some estimates, this game, scheduled during the usually slow month of December in Visalia, generated spin-off business of over one million dollars.  Additionally, we were entertained by these top-ranked high school football players, most of which have already accepted future scholarships in the college ranks.  Thanks to all who helped make this event a success.  These are the types of signature events we want to encourage in Visalia, particularly on an annual basis.  We have the facilities, scenery and weather to compete for the tourist dollars.

Building Permits Up
Through November 2012, the number of permits for new homes was up 26%, with a 19% increase in valuation.  New commercial permits were up 31%.  Likewise, for the third quarter, we witnessed a substantial increase in sales tax revenues generated in the city.  I predict that the last quarter of 2012, which includes the holiday shopping season, will continue that trend upwards.  Remember to buy local.

If you have questions or topics regarding the city  which you would like to have addressed in future articles, please email Warren at wgubler@ci.visalia.ca.us, or call (559) 713-4400 x 3313.  For past articles, visit directfromwarren.blogspot.com.

Warren Gubler
Visalia City Councilmember