On December 16, 2016, the Visalia City Council held a special meeting at which we said goodbye to council member Amy Shuklian, and welcomed new council member Phil Cox. The council was then reorganized whereby I was appointed mayor, and veteran council member Bob Link was appointed vice-mayor. Bob and I look forward to serving for the next two years in these positions. I am frequently asked how the mayor and vice-mayor are selected, so let me explain.
Visalia previously elected its five council members citywide for four-year terms, but beginning in November 2016, council members are elected by district. Two council member positions were on the ballot in 2016, the other three positions will be on the 2018 ballot and voting will continue accordingly. After each such election, the council meets to swear in the newly elected. The five council members then take nominations for mayor and vice-mayor from amongst themselves, and then vote on the same.
Certain issues that I would like to emphasize in the next two years include:
∙ Reevaluating our work with the homeless, to build on our successes and to see how we can better partner with non-profits, churches, the county and other local cities to address this need. In particular, I'd like to add a work component to our outreach whereby we give opportunities to the homeless to give service back in return for what they receive, thus assisting them to be responsible for themselves, to become employable again, and to eventually afford housing.
∙ A delegation just returned from visiting our sister city in Miki Japan in November 2016. Visalia will be dedicating our Miki City Park in April 2017. I'd like to continue to work on strengthening our ties with our sister cities in Japan and Italy.
∙ Visalia has not held a Fourth of July fireworks celebration the last two years. I look forward to the city partnering with a service club(s) to reinstate such celebration on July 4, 2017. This will hopefully cut down on the 50-60 citations issued last Fourth of July, when we also had five fires attributable to fireworks over the Independence Day weekend.
∙ We thank local citizens for recently passing Measure N, and the council looks forward to using these new sales tax revenues as promised, to strengthen public safety, for road improvements, and for parks and recreation.
∙ I'd like to reinstate the mayor's dinner whereby we honor past mayors and councilmembers for their service to the community. Additionally, I will hold monthly "meet the mayor" office hours at City Hall so that citizens can meet with me to express their ideas and concerns.
Of course, the foregoing are just a few ideas and initiatives I'd like to push, on top of the ongoing day-to-day operations of our grand city.
Mayor Vollmer
Ed Vollmer served as mayor of Visalia from 1965-1973. He was a big man with a big personality, he loved his family and community. Ed was born April 15, 1923. His wife Betty was also born on April 15, and they were married on April 15. A great date for a CPA/tax advisor like Ed! Ed made many contributions to this community both as a mayor, family man and businessman. I consider him a mentor, and he was one of those that encouraged me to run for city council. On December 16, 2016, after the council meeting where I was appointed mayor, I dropped by the local hospital ICU to visit briefly with the Vollmer family. Ed passed away later that night at age 93. From Visalia's newest mayor to Visalia's oldest mayor, I will say that Ed will be greatly missed, and I express my personal as well as the city's condolences to the wonderful Vollmer family.
2017 Visalia Senior Games
Visalia is hosting its Second Senior Games, March 17-19 and March 24-26, 2017. Planning has been going on for months. This year we have added track and field, swimming, disc golf, race walk, and team mens soccer, men's softball, men's volleyball, women's soccer and women's volleyball. We encourage everyone 50 and over to start getting in shape, and to participate. Registration is now open, and can be done online at www.visaliaseniorgames.com. Or go to the same website to volunteer. As before, we will have an opening ceremony event but this time Downtown, a Friday night social and lots of other fun activities. We thank the Visalia Parks and Recreation Department and all of our sponsors and volunteers, and look forward to these games being even bigger and better than our inaugural event.
If you have questions or topics regarding the city which you would like to have addressed in future articles, please email Warren at warren.gubler@visalia.city. For past articles, visit directfromwarren.blogspot.com.
Wednesday, February 1, 2017
Sunday, January 1, 2017
ANOTHER NEW YEAR
Is 2017 really here already? It's fitting to look back and reflect on the accomplishments of Visalia and its business community in 2016.
Mooney Boulevard
Outback Steakhouse is replacing the former Mimi's Café and construction will be finished soon. There's a 30,000 square foot regional retail use moving forward on the bare land just west of Costco, which will hopefully spur development of The Grove at Packwood Creek. Also at The Grove, a second Surf Thru Car Wash is going through the permitting process.
The Weatherby's Furniture site at Walnut and Mooney sold, and will soon be redeveloped into a new multi-tenant retail building that will feature at least one new restaurant. The vacant Circuit City building was back-filled with a new Joann's, and a new Smart & Final Extra will be moving into the old Joann's location. Blaze Pizza opened in front of the Visalia Mall, Rubio's opened in Packwood Creek and Pieology opened in the Dick's Sporting Goods center, along with designer shoe retailer DSW. A new building is being erected next to IHOP which will include three to four new retail/restaurant tenants.
Historic Downtown
Suncrest Bank will soon be moving into the old Citibank building on Main Street which is currently being remodeled. The city council approved a micro brewery overlay district in east downtown this year, which will hopefully spur development in that area. This means that microbreweries and micro-wineries can operate there, no longer require a food service component, and can sell their product off-site to restaurants and other entities. There is already a proposed tap room and beer garden slated for the 500 block of East Main Street. The former Caskey Paper building on East Center is being repurposed for office use and as the new location for the Planing Mill Artisan Pizzeria. This mixed-use development may also include residential units and a microbrewery. Deli Delicious has opened across from the Convention Center. Left of Center is a new dining option in Sue Sa's Clubhouse on Center Street. Chelsea Street Boutique is opening their second store at 110 West Main Street. The old Link's building on Main Street is nearly complete. This development features six residential units and two retail spaces on the ground floor, one will be used by Provoke Salon, and Blend Wine Room is expected to occupy the other.
North Visalia
Del Taco will soon be completed, as part of a new gas station/convenience store complex currently open on the southeast corner of Dinuba and Riggin. Four new retail spaces have been built at the Orchard Walk East Shopping Center, and are expected to bring in new retail and restaurant tenants. Self Help Enterprises recently opened Highland Gardens, their 36-unit rental community featuring single family homes, a community center, garden and more on Ferguson near Dinuba Blvd.
Industrial Park
AGCO Parts opened its West Coast distribution center, relocating from Stockton, as Visalia offers improved regional shipping turnaround and next day delivery. Approximately 30,000 square feet of new industrial warehouse space is being built at the Able Industries location. New construction is proceeding for ServiceMaster on West Sunnyview. Cencal Movement, a fitness facility that features a ninja warrior training course is now on West Pershing Avenue. Perfection Pet Foods continues to grow and will be adding 148,000 square feet at their existing site. Visalia Ceramic Tile also expanded with a new 10,000 square foot building for their manufacturing process, while a new 25,000 square foot distribution warehouse has been constructed for RSD (Refrigeration Supplies Distributor). Diversified Development Group will soon begin construction of a 402,000 square foot project at American and Riggin, including at least three spec facilities.
Other Developments
A Planet Fitness will soon be opening in the former Young's Market at Demaree and Walnut. A gym is also proposed at the former Marinello School of Beauty on Mooney. Construction is going forward on a new Holiday Inn Express across from Adventure Park, bringing 104 new rooms. In the old Vons shopping center, a new gym facility and a Skywalk Trampoline Park are still in the works, making this a key family entertainment destination.
The FBI in September released its annual compilation of crimes reported by law enforcement agencies around the nation. The Visalia-Porterville Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) listed a crime rate of 395.8 per 100,000 population, the lowest in Central California. Compare this to Fresno 537.3, Bakersfield 556.3, Merced 621.1, and the highest Stockton-Lodi 797.1, more than double Visalia's MSA rate. Kudos to our public safety officers for achieving this remarkable result!
Happy New Year to all in 2017!
If you have questions or topics regarding the city which you would like to have addressed in future articles, please email Warren at warren.gubler@visalia.city, or call (559) 713-4400 x 3313. For past articles, visit directfromwarren.blogspot.com.
Mooney Boulevard
Outback Steakhouse is replacing the former Mimi's Café and construction will be finished soon. There's a 30,000 square foot regional retail use moving forward on the bare land just west of Costco, which will hopefully spur development of The Grove at Packwood Creek. Also at The Grove, a second Surf Thru Car Wash is going through the permitting process.
The Weatherby's Furniture site at Walnut and Mooney sold, and will soon be redeveloped into a new multi-tenant retail building that will feature at least one new restaurant. The vacant Circuit City building was back-filled with a new Joann's, and a new Smart & Final Extra will be moving into the old Joann's location. Blaze Pizza opened in front of the Visalia Mall, Rubio's opened in Packwood Creek and Pieology opened in the Dick's Sporting Goods center, along with designer shoe retailer DSW. A new building is being erected next to IHOP which will include three to four new retail/restaurant tenants.
Historic Downtown
Suncrest Bank will soon be moving into the old Citibank building on Main Street which is currently being remodeled. The city council approved a micro brewery overlay district in east downtown this year, which will hopefully spur development in that area. This means that microbreweries and micro-wineries can operate there, no longer require a food service component, and can sell their product off-site to restaurants and other entities. There is already a proposed tap room and beer garden slated for the 500 block of East Main Street. The former Caskey Paper building on East Center is being repurposed for office use and as the new location for the Planing Mill Artisan Pizzeria. This mixed-use development may also include residential units and a microbrewery. Deli Delicious has opened across from the Convention Center. Left of Center is a new dining option in Sue Sa's Clubhouse on Center Street. Chelsea Street Boutique is opening their second store at 110 West Main Street. The old Link's building on Main Street is nearly complete. This development features six residential units and two retail spaces on the ground floor, one will be used by Provoke Salon, and Blend Wine Room is expected to occupy the other.
North Visalia
Del Taco will soon be completed, as part of a new gas station/convenience store complex currently open on the southeast corner of Dinuba and Riggin. Four new retail spaces have been built at the Orchard Walk East Shopping Center, and are expected to bring in new retail and restaurant tenants. Self Help Enterprises recently opened Highland Gardens, their 36-unit rental community featuring single family homes, a community center, garden and more on Ferguson near Dinuba Blvd.
Industrial Park
AGCO Parts opened its West Coast distribution center, relocating from Stockton, as Visalia offers improved regional shipping turnaround and next day delivery. Approximately 30,000 square feet of new industrial warehouse space is being built at the Able Industries location. New construction is proceeding for ServiceMaster on West Sunnyview. Cencal Movement, a fitness facility that features a ninja warrior training course is now on West Pershing Avenue. Perfection Pet Foods continues to grow and will be adding 148,000 square feet at their existing site. Visalia Ceramic Tile also expanded with a new 10,000 square foot building for their manufacturing process, while a new 25,000 square foot distribution warehouse has been constructed for RSD (Refrigeration Supplies Distributor). Diversified Development Group will soon begin construction of a 402,000 square foot project at American and Riggin, including at least three spec facilities.
Other Developments
A Planet Fitness will soon be opening in the former Young's Market at Demaree and Walnut. A gym is also proposed at the former Marinello School of Beauty on Mooney. Construction is going forward on a new Holiday Inn Express across from Adventure Park, bringing 104 new rooms. In the old Vons shopping center, a new gym facility and a Skywalk Trampoline Park are still in the works, making this a key family entertainment destination.
The FBI in September released its annual compilation of crimes reported by law enforcement agencies around the nation. The Visalia-Porterville Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) listed a crime rate of 395.8 per 100,000 population, the lowest in Central California. Compare this to Fresno 537.3, Bakersfield 556.3, Merced 621.1, and the highest Stockton-Lodi 797.1, more than double Visalia's MSA rate. Kudos to our public safety officers for achieving this remarkable result!
Finally, Visalia has a new
mayor, yours truly, for the next two years. I consider it a privilege and
look forward to serving you in that capacity.
If you have questions or topics regarding the city which you would like to have addressed in future articles, please email Warren at warren.gubler@visalia.city, or call (559) 713-4400 x 3313. For past articles, visit directfromwarren.blogspot.com.
Thursday, December 1, 2016
VISIT TO JAPAN
As promised, the following is a brief report on our Visalia delegation's recent visit to Miki Japan, celebrating the 50th anniversary of our sister city relationship.
Miki is located next to Kobe, Japan. Unlike Kobe, which is a major city, Miki has a population of about 81,000 people. There is much farmland surrounding it, and the population is not densely packed in, giving it the impression of a country town. Miki is well known in Japan for carpentry and hardware production, and for a special brand of rice which is used to make sake. The name "Miki" means "three trees." They are also known for their beautiful giant chrysanthemum flowers on individual stalks. While we were there, the weather was pleasant and in the 60's.
On Thursday evening, November 3, our delegation of eleven arrived and were greeted at Osaka International Airport, then bussed to Miki where we met our host families. Other than a couple of nights' stay in hotels, we spent the nights with our host families and were fed by them. We ate rice with every meal, breakfast, lunch and dinner. In fact, another name for breakfast in Japanese is "asa gohan" which translates as "morning rice." Other than rice, their foods were colorful, varied and delicious.
Friday morning, we were met at city hall by their city staff and employees, who lined up and applauded as we walked in. We felt like celebrities. We had a Welcome Ceremony where their Mayor Yabumoto and I as vice-mayor of Visalia addressed the group. Miki has a mayor, two deputy mayors, and sixteen city council members. All of their jobs are full time and they are paid commensurately.
At the Welcome Ceremony, we presented a large clock as a gift to the city of Miki from our city, and we also presented their council members with gift bags including locally grown pistachios, honey and olive oil along with brochures about Visalia. That afternoon we toured a local junior high where the students demonstrated judo, and showed various types of artwork and activities they were involved with. We then toured the Okada Manufacturing plant, whose specialty is the manufacture of all types of saw blades. They are completely mechanized and make over 6 million blades per year.
Saturday was a free day. Most of us went with our host families to tour nearby Himeji Castle, a 400 year old castle. This magnificent seven-story edifice is also known as the White Castle, and compares favorably with any of the castles of Europe. This castle was spared in World War II, and is surrounded by high rock walls and an elaborate moat.
Sunday was their hardware festival (Kanamono Matsuri). Their festival is on par with the World Ag Expo locally. We were given "hopi" coats (happy coats) to wear and our entire delegation was on stage. After a band played several numbers, their mayor and I addressed the attendees, then the confetti and streamers flew. We had the afternoon to visit the many booths. That evening we had a gala golden anniversary party. Our delegation was dressed in kimonos which were provided. After a drum show and more speeches, we visited and ate various Japanese appetizers and delicacies.
Monday morning our group was put on the Shinkansen (bullet train), then toured the peace memorial at Hiroshima as well as the temples and shrines on Miyajima Island. On Wednesday morning farewell speeches were given, goodbyes were said, and the flight home.
In summary, the wonderful people of Miki, Japan treated us like royalty. Really, the main cost to our delegation was the flight over and back, which the delegation members paid for on their own.
The city of Visalia is currently constructing Miki city park on Mineral King Avenue near city hall. The city has had grant money for a number of years to build this park but it was put on hold during the recent recession. We look forward to a visit by a delegation from Miki in April 2017 when we will dedicate our new sister city park. That will be a fitting start to the next 50 years of our sister city relationship.
If you have questions or topics regarding the city which you would like to have addressed in future articles, please email Warren at warren.gubler@visalia.city. For past articles, visit directfromwarren.blogspot.com.
Miki is located next to Kobe, Japan. Unlike Kobe, which is a major city, Miki has a population of about 81,000 people. There is much farmland surrounding it, and the population is not densely packed in, giving it the impression of a country town. Miki is well known in Japan for carpentry and hardware production, and for a special brand of rice which is used to make sake. The name "Miki" means "three trees." They are also known for their beautiful giant chrysanthemum flowers on individual stalks. While we were there, the weather was pleasant and in the 60's.
On Thursday evening, November 3, our delegation of eleven arrived and were greeted at Osaka International Airport, then bussed to Miki where we met our host families. Other than a couple of nights' stay in hotels, we spent the nights with our host families and were fed by them. We ate rice with every meal, breakfast, lunch and dinner. In fact, another name for breakfast in Japanese is "asa gohan" which translates as "morning rice." Other than rice, their foods were colorful, varied and delicious.
Friday morning, we were met at city hall by their city staff and employees, who lined up and applauded as we walked in. We felt like celebrities. We had a Welcome Ceremony where their Mayor Yabumoto and I as vice-mayor of Visalia addressed the group. Miki has a mayor, two deputy mayors, and sixteen city council members. All of their jobs are full time and they are paid commensurately.
At the Welcome Ceremony, we presented a large clock as a gift to the city of Miki from our city, and we also presented their council members with gift bags including locally grown pistachios, honey and olive oil along with brochures about Visalia. That afternoon we toured a local junior high where the students demonstrated judo, and showed various types of artwork and activities they were involved with. We then toured the Okada Manufacturing plant, whose specialty is the manufacture of all types of saw blades. They are completely mechanized and make over 6 million blades per year.
Saturday was a free day. Most of us went with our host families to tour nearby Himeji Castle, a 400 year old castle. This magnificent seven-story edifice is also known as the White Castle, and compares favorably with any of the castles of Europe. This castle was spared in World War II, and is surrounded by high rock walls and an elaborate moat.
Sunday was their hardware festival (Kanamono Matsuri). Their festival is on par with the World Ag Expo locally. We were given "hopi" coats (happy coats) to wear and our entire delegation was on stage. After a band played several numbers, their mayor and I addressed the attendees, then the confetti and streamers flew. We had the afternoon to visit the many booths. That evening we had a gala golden anniversary party. Our delegation was dressed in kimonos which were provided. After a drum show and more speeches, we visited and ate various Japanese appetizers and delicacies.
Monday morning our group was put on the Shinkansen (bullet train), then toured the peace memorial at Hiroshima as well as the temples and shrines on Miyajima Island. On Wednesday morning farewell speeches were given, goodbyes were said, and the flight home.
In summary, the wonderful people of Miki, Japan treated us like royalty. Really, the main cost to our delegation was the flight over and back, which the delegation members paid for on their own.
The city of Visalia is currently constructing Miki city park on Mineral King Avenue near city hall. The city has had grant money for a number of years to build this park but it was put on hold during the recent recession. We look forward to a visit by a delegation from Miki in April 2017 when we will dedicate our new sister city park. That will be a fitting start to the next 50 years of our sister city relationship.
If you have questions or topics regarding the city which you would like to have addressed in future articles, please email Warren at warren.gubler@visalia.city. For past articles, visit directfromwarren.blogspot.com.
Wednesday, November 2, 2016
MIKI SPEECH
By the time you read this article, my wife and I
along with a delegation of nine others from Visalia will be in Miki Japan
celebrating the 50th anniversary of our sister city
relationship. I have been asked to speak
at their Hardware Festival, which attracts 160,000 people annually. I thought for my article this month that I
would provide you with a copy of the speech which I've written. I will actually be delivering my remarks in
Japanese, as I lived for two years in Japan and have a little fluency in the
language. I suspect that since Visalia’s
founding in 1852, I am the first city council member who speaks Japanese, which
is convenient since our sister city is in Japan. I’ve included a translation of the first
paragraph of my speech in two different versions of Japanese – Kanji and
Romaji, so that you can see what it looks like.
Enjoy!
I am happy to be here at your Hardware
Festival with 10 others from Visalia, California, in America. As the
vice-mayor of Visalia, I bring you the greetings of our mayor and city council.
アメリカ、カリフォルニア州バイセリア市の副市長として、市長並びに市議会を代表しご挨拶させていただきます。三木市の金物祭りに、他の１０名の訪問者と共に参加できますことを嬉しく思っております。
America, Kariforuniashu,
Vaiseriashino fukushichou toshite, shichou narabini sigikaio daihyousi,
goaisatsu saseteitadakimasu. Mikishi no kanamono-matsurini, hokano jyuumei no
houmonsyato tomoni sankadekimasukoto o ureshikuomotte orimasu.
This year marks the 50th anniversary of
the sister city relationship between our two great cities. We have come to help celebrate that
friendship.
Although I lived in Japan 40
years ago as a young Mormon missionary, this is my first visit to the Garden
City Miki. Even though I have only been
here a short time, I can already see that you are a community with a great deal
of pride and beauty. And you manufacture
high quality tools and hardware, some of which my wife and I plan to buy and take
home with us!
Our sister city relationship began
when a student from your city, Seiro Takehara was a student at our College of
the Sequoias. He dreamed of seeing Miki
and Visalia form a sister city relationship.
Since 1966, many delegations of
students and citizens from each city have visited the other. The last time that Visalia sent a delegation
here was in 2008.
I have fond memories of a group
from Miki which came to visit Visalia in 2011.
My family hosted Ami Maruki for a week.
She was a high school student at the time. She later returned to America as a college
student to visit our family.
In some parts of the world today
there are wars, danger and destruction.
But through exchanges of ideas, and visits between our people, we are
doing our small part to promote friendship, peace and understanding.
I want to thank you for the warm
welcome which we have received from your city.
We look forward to your visit to Visalia
next spring when we will dedicate the Miki Japan Park which we are
currently building. That will mark the
beginning of our next 50 years of friendship.
While our cultures may be different, we share the desire to build a
world based on peace and understanding.
We can learn much from each other.
We look forward to your visit and reciprocating your hospitality.
Again, on this 50th
anniversary, we thank you for hosting us and helping us to learn more about
your great city.
If you have questions or topics
regarding the city which you would like to have addressed in future articles,
please email Warren at warren.gubler@visalia.city.
For past articles, visit directfromwarren.blogspot.com.
Saturday, October 1, 2016
LATEST NEWS
Micro-World
The city council recently voted to create an overlay district which will allow micro brewery/wine businesses to open in the east downtown area. This will encompass approximately 220 acres bounded by Murray Avenue on the north, Ben Maddox Way on the east, Mineral King on the south, and Santa Fe to the west. While some sought to expand the area covered by this new overlay, the council declined in order to see if these new types of businesses will be the impetus needed for the development of east downtown. The new zoning amendment will remove existing requirements for a micro brewery/winery to include a restaurant component and allows retail sale for offsite consumption. However, these establishments must be at least 200 feet distant from any existing sensitive uses, including elementary schools, children's museums, parks or places of worship.
District Elections
We're only one month away from Visalia's first district elections. The City Council amended the city code a couple of years ago to change from citywide to district elections, and to hold council elections in even-numbered years. Districts 1 and 2 are now up for grabs. Amy Shuklian will not be running in District 1, since she recently was elected to the county Board of Supervisors. Incumbent Bob Link is running again in his District 2. As an amateur political scientist, I am interested to see how district elections will change the way local campaigns are run. For instance, it should be a lot less expensive for a candidate to campaign in just one area of the city as opposed to citywide, fewer signs will be needed, and it will be much easier to walk precincts and meet the voters in a more limited area. District elections were also supposed to serve as encouragement for more minority candidates to run for local office, but none did this go-around. Maybe next time? We have some excellent candidates running in both races and we wish them all the well.
Pickleball
At our August 15th council meeting, the city council approved converting two of the tennis courts at Plaza Park into eight pickleball courts. The increasing popularity of this sport in Visalia and elsewhere has been amazing. At our meeting, we had a vigorous discussion by members of the public, both pro and con on this issue. Everyone agreed that we need more pickleball and tennis courts. The two separately fenced courts on the south side of the tennis complex at Plaza Park will be resurfaced, and will have permanent posts and nets installed with new striping and fencing. We hope to have these courts ready for our 2017 Senior Games and to host future tournaments. To host a tournament, a city must have at least eight pickleball courts. People who play pickleball usually stay and spend, populating our local hotels, restaurants and shopping areas.
Miki Japan Trip
We're down to one month until our delegation of 11 Visalians depart for a seven-day visit to Miki Japan, to commemorate the 50th anniversary of our sister city relationship. I'll write more later to give you the details of that visit and about the experiences of our hardy adventurers/ambassadors!
What a wonderful surprise!
The city recently received the following "thank you" note from Michelle Pimentel of the Stonebridge neighborhood: "I took my dog on our morning walk, and lo and behold! I found five new crepe myrtles planted along the creek bank, replacing the poor dead roses that were recently removed. What a wonderful surprise! And they'll do well as they have dedicated water used at one time for the roses. The crepe myrtles will really perk up our section of the Packwood Creek trail. I don't know who to specifically thank so I've addressed this thank you to all of you who have been working on this area (I'm sure it's purely coincidental that you chose my favorite crepe myrtle color!!)." Thank you Michelle for noticing and for your nice comments.
If you have questions or topics regarding the city which you would like to have addressed in future articles, please email Warren at warren.gubler@visalia.city, or call (559) 713-4400 x 3313. For past articles, visit directfromwarren.blogspot.com.
Warren Gubler
Vice-Mayor
The city council recently voted to create an overlay district which will allow micro brewery/wine businesses to open in the east downtown area. This will encompass approximately 220 acres bounded by Murray Avenue on the north, Ben Maddox Way on the east, Mineral King on the south, and Santa Fe to the west. While some sought to expand the area covered by this new overlay, the council declined in order to see if these new types of businesses will be the impetus needed for the development of east downtown. The new zoning amendment will remove existing requirements for a micro brewery/winery to include a restaurant component and allows retail sale for offsite consumption. However, these establishments must be at least 200 feet distant from any existing sensitive uses, including elementary schools, children's museums, parks or places of worship.
District Elections
We're only one month away from Visalia's first district elections. The City Council amended the city code a couple of years ago to change from citywide to district elections, and to hold council elections in even-numbered years. Districts 1 and 2 are now up for grabs. Amy Shuklian will not be running in District 1, since she recently was elected to the county Board of Supervisors. Incumbent Bob Link is running again in his District 2. As an amateur political scientist, I am interested to see how district elections will change the way local campaigns are run. For instance, it should be a lot less expensive for a candidate to campaign in just one area of the city as opposed to citywide, fewer signs will be needed, and it will be much easier to walk precincts and meet the voters in a more limited area. District elections were also supposed to serve as encouragement for more minority candidates to run for local office, but none did this go-around. Maybe next time? We have some excellent candidates running in both races and we wish them all the well.
Pickleball
At our August 15th council meeting, the city council approved converting two of the tennis courts at Plaza Park into eight pickleball courts. The increasing popularity of this sport in Visalia and elsewhere has been amazing. At our meeting, we had a vigorous discussion by members of the public, both pro and con on this issue. Everyone agreed that we need more pickleball and tennis courts. The two separately fenced courts on the south side of the tennis complex at Plaza Park will be resurfaced, and will have permanent posts and nets installed with new striping and fencing. We hope to have these courts ready for our 2017 Senior Games and to host future tournaments. To host a tournament, a city must have at least eight pickleball courts. People who play pickleball usually stay and spend, populating our local hotels, restaurants and shopping areas.
Miki Japan Trip
We're down to one month until our delegation of 11 Visalians depart for a seven-day visit to Miki Japan, to commemorate the 50th anniversary of our sister city relationship. I'll write more later to give you the details of that visit and about the experiences of our hardy adventurers/ambassadors!
What a wonderful surprise!
The city recently received the following "thank you" note from Michelle Pimentel of the Stonebridge neighborhood: "I took my dog on our morning walk, and lo and behold! I found five new crepe myrtles planted along the creek bank, replacing the poor dead roses that were recently removed. What a wonderful surprise! And they'll do well as they have dedicated water used at one time for the roses. The crepe myrtles will really perk up our section of the Packwood Creek trail. I don't know who to specifically thank so I've addressed this thank you to all of you who have been working on this area (I'm sure it's purely coincidental that you chose my favorite crepe myrtle color!!)." Thank you Michelle for noticing and for your nice comments.
If you have questions or topics regarding the city which you would like to have addressed in future articles, please email Warren at warren.gubler@visalia.city, or call (559) 713-4400 x 3313. For past articles, visit directfromwarren.blogspot.com.
Warren Gubler
Vice-Mayor
Thursday, September 1, 2016
SOCIAL HOST LAW
The Visalia city council recently passed a new ordinance recommended by our police department relating to underage parties where alcohol is served. According to Police Chief Jason Salazar, since 2013, the Visalia P.D. has had 5,800 calls to respond to such parties. Taking an average time for the responding officer of 39 minutes per event, the police department lost approximately 3,700 hours of time which they could have better spent on combating other criminal activity. Most of these parties occur on weekends, or around graduation time. The purpose of this new law is to hold parents or property owners responsible for such conduct if it occurs on their premises.
Underage drinking is a major threat to the health and safety of our youth, and not only for highly publicized drinking and driving concerns. The new ordinance establishes penalties of $100.00 for the first violation, $200.00 for the second violation, and $500.00 for further violations within a twelve- month period. The parent or adult who is hosting such a party, or upon whose property the party occurs, will be subject to the fine. The police department hopes that these potential fines will cause adults to think twice about the consequences of allowing underage parties, and get them to better monitor the activities of their teenagers. This also gives officers another tool to help control underage drinking.
Pervious Concrete Parking Lots
Fred Lampe, the city's senior civil engineer, announced that Visalia has received a grant from the State Water Resources Control Board for re-constructing seven public parking lots downtown using pervious (permeable) concrete pavement. Such pavement captures storm water and allows it to percolate back into the ground. The benefits include reduced storm water flows into Mill Creek, filtering and treating storm water as it percolates into the ground, and recharging our groundwater, particularly during this drought. Currently, Visalia has just one public parking lot with a pervious concrete surface, located on Murray Avenue just east of Bridge Street. Construction is scheduled to begin in September and all lots should be completed by November. Each lot will take approximately five weeks to complete, and two parking lots will be closed at a time to meet the grant schedule. While there may be some temporary inconvenience for those wanting to park downtown, the long term benefits should outweigh that.
Sequoia National Park Holiday Update
According to Woody Smeck, Superintendent of our local national parks, every parking space in Sequoia National Park was filled over the July 4th holiday weekend, including the very remote overflow parking lots behind Wuksachi Lodge. 750 cars per hour were welcomed at the park entrance station (a big challenge on a narrow mountain road). Woody indicated that Visalia's Sequoia shuttle was instrumental in moving people from remote lots to various attractions, and it probably set a single day record for ridership.
Illegal Fireworks.
Per Fire Chief Doug McBee, our fire department was kept busy over the same July 4th weekend. They had two-person teams on fireworks patrol issuing citations in all quadrants of the city, with the greatest action on the east side. Somewhere between 50 and 60 citations were issued for the possession of illegal fireworks. Over that weekend, there were five fires attributed to fireworks, and all fires required multiple engines, multiple chiefs and fire personnel. At one point, Cal Fire provided mutual aid to our city fire department on an apartment building fire. The Visalia Fire Department reminds residents that illegal fireworks are dangerous and those in possession will be issued a $1,000.00 citation. Is it time for Visalia to re-institute the city fireworks display on Independence Day?
Multi-Family Units
Visalia is on track for construction of the most multi-family units in Visalia since 2007, with 110 units permitted through July 2016. Of particular note is a 236-unit apartment complex which recently went through site plan review and which will be constructed just east of Costco on Visalia Parkway.
Visalia Senior Games
The kickoff organizational meeting for the 2017 Visalia Senior Games was held in July at our Senior Center. Tentative dates for this second time event are Thursday through Sunday, March 16-19, and Friday through Sunday, March 24-26, 2017. We are looking to expand the format to include new events such as track and field, swimming, women's volleyball and soccer. If you'd like to get involved and volunteer, contact Parks and Recreation at 713-4365 and join us as we plan the 2017 Senior Games!
If you have questions or topics regarding the city which you would like to have addressed in future articles, please email Warren at warren.gubler@visalia.city, or call (559) 713-4400 x 3313. For past articles, visit directfromwarren.blogspot.com.
Underage drinking is a major threat to the health and safety of our youth, and not only for highly publicized drinking and driving concerns. The new ordinance establishes penalties of $100.00 for the first violation, $200.00 for the second violation, and $500.00 for further violations within a twelve- month period. The parent or adult who is hosting such a party, or upon whose property the party occurs, will be subject to the fine. The police department hopes that these potential fines will cause adults to think twice about the consequences of allowing underage parties, and get them to better monitor the activities of their teenagers. This also gives officers another tool to help control underage drinking.
Pervious Concrete Parking Lots
Fred Lampe, the city's senior civil engineer, announced that Visalia has received a grant from the State Water Resources Control Board for re-constructing seven public parking lots downtown using pervious (permeable) concrete pavement. Such pavement captures storm water and allows it to percolate back into the ground. The benefits include reduced storm water flows into Mill Creek, filtering and treating storm water as it percolates into the ground, and recharging our groundwater, particularly during this drought. Currently, Visalia has just one public parking lot with a pervious concrete surface, located on Murray Avenue just east of Bridge Street. Construction is scheduled to begin in September and all lots should be completed by November. Each lot will take approximately five weeks to complete, and two parking lots will be closed at a time to meet the grant schedule. While there may be some temporary inconvenience for those wanting to park downtown, the long term benefits should outweigh that.
Sequoia National Park Holiday Update
According to Woody Smeck, Superintendent of our local national parks, every parking space in Sequoia National Park was filled over the July 4th holiday weekend, including the very remote overflow parking lots behind Wuksachi Lodge. 750 cars per hour were welcomed at the park entrance station (a big challenge on a narrow mountain road). Woody indicated that Visalia's Sequoia shuttle was instrumental in moving people from remote lots to various attractions, and it probably set a single day record for ridership.
Illegal Fireworks.
Per Fire Chief Doug McBee, our fire department was kept busy over the same July 4th weekend. They had two-person teams on fireworks patrol issuing citations in all quadrants of the city, with the greatest action on the east side. Somewhere between 50 and 60 citations were issued for the possession of illegal fireworks. Over that weekend, there were five fires attributed to fireworks, and all fires required multiple engines, multiple chiefs and fire personnel. At one point, Cal Fire provided mutual aid to our city fire department on an apartment building fire. The Visalia Fire Department reminds residents that illegal fireworks are dangerous and those in possession will be issued a $1,000.00 citation. Is it time for Visalia to re-institute the city fireworks display on Independence Day?
Multi-Family Units
Visalia is on track for construction of the most multi-family units in Visalia since 2007, with 110 units permitted through July 2016. Of particular note is a 236-unit apartment complex which recently went through site plan review and which will be constructed just east of Costco on Visalia Parkway.
Visalia Senior Games
The kickoff organizational meeting for the 2017 Visalia Senior Games was held in July at our Senior Center. Tentative dates for this second time event are Thursday through Sunday, March 16-19, and Friday through Sunday, March 24-26, 2017. We are looking to expand the format to include new events such as track and field, swimming, women's volleyball and soccer. If you'd like to get involved and volunteer, contact Parks and Recreation at 713-4365 and join us as we plan the 2017 Senior Games!
If you have questions or topics regarding the city which you would like to have addressed in future articles, please email Warren at warren.gubler@visalia.city, or call (559) 713-4400 x 3313. For past articles, visit directfromwarren.blogspot.com.
Monday, August 1, 2016
50th ANNIVERSARY OF SISTER CITY RELATIONSHIP
50TH ANNIVERSARY OF SISTER CITY RELATIONSHIP
Visalia has had a sister city relationship with Miki, Japan since 1965. This year celebrates the 50th anniversary of that relationship. It has been at least 10 years since Visalia last sent a delegation to Miki. To celebrate the 50th anniversary, my wife Alisa and I will be hosting a delegation of citizens and city officials traveling to Miki, Japan, November 3 through 9, 2016. The planning for this event has been underway for quite some time, such that we can now start promoting this event.
Miki officials asked us to visit during this time frame because it coincides with their annual Hardware Festival. According to an article I googled, Miki is famous throughout Japan as one of their country's largest producers of hardware, from kitchen knives to hedge trimmers, almost every kind of hand tool is manufactured in Miki. This festival is said to attract 160,000 visitors annually. You can expect to see people pounding mochi (rice cakes), dance and drum performances, people in traditional costume, and stalls selling delicious festival food. Beneath the rows of brightly colored tents are tools of every kind. One can browse through metal rakes and hoes, saws, axes, nata (Japanese hatchets), scissors, thread cutters, Ikebana (flower arrangement) shears, shovels, saws and a plethora of knives. Produce from local farmers can be picked up for cheap. There is also an eclectic mix of other local handicrafts, baked goods and various products, and the nearby cultural center has flowers, bonsai and local art on display.
We plan to fly into Osaka International Airport on Thursday evening, November 3, where we will be greeted by a Miki sister city delegation, and transported by bus to Miki City Hall. From there, we will fan out to our host families' homes or to hotels. Accommodations may be either Japanese style, i.e., the use of futons on Tatami mats, or American style, with tables, chairs and beds.
On Friday we will visit schools and public places such as Shinto/Buddhist temples or factories. Saturday will be free time with the host families. Sunday will include visits to Miki City Hall, the hardware festival, and Horseland Park. On Monday, the group will be hosted on a visit to Hiroshima and the Peace Memorial Park, and on Tuesday to Miyajimi, a scenic island which is the site of one of Japan's most famous Shinto shrines, a Torii in the ocean, pictures of which you may have seen. The group will be bused back to Osaka Airport on Wednesday for the return flight home.
The cost for this trip will be the responsibility of each of the attendees. Likewise, my wife and I will be traveling on our own dime, with no cost to the city of Visalia. However, much of the price for this fabulous trip will be defrayed by Miki and the host families, who will assist with travel arrangements, food and overnight accommodations.
Visalia received a grant a number of years ago to build a Japanese sister city park, which park is now under construction on Mineral King Avenue, near City Hall just east of Redwood High School. We look forward to a reciprocal visit from a delegation of Miki city officials and citizens in Spring, 2017, as they come to attend the dedication of our new park. At that time, we will be looking for host families to help with their transportation and accommodation needs here.
If you are interested in being part of Visalia's delegation for this visit to our sister city in Japan, or being part of next Spring's celebration here in Visalia, please contact Gladys Ruiz at the City, 713-4314, gladys.ruiz@visalia.city.
Additional Kudos to Fire Department
During the public comment portion of our June 6 city council meeting, local citizen Larry Pruitt thanked the fire department for saving his house that afternoon! Apparently, there were problems with sparks caused by the transformer on his property line, which set his fence and trees in his backyard on fire. Three fire engines and a fire truck with a total of 13 personnel responded, and while the fence and trees were lost, no damage was done to his adjacent home. The fire was contained in 15 minutes and there were no injuries. Mr. Pruitt indicated that he shook the hand of every firefighter and thanked them for saving his home. He said he still smelled like smoke, the fire was so recent. During a break in our meeting, I spoke to Larry personally and told him that I was impressed that he had come to city council meeting the same day as the incident to thank the fire department. Larry replied that coincidentally he was planning on being at our meeting anyway for another agenda item, but wanted to voice his thanks to our fire department for a job well done.
Visalia has had a sister city relationship with Miki, Japan since 1965. This year celebrates the 50th anniversary of that relationship. It has been at least 10 years since Visalia last sent a delegation to Miki. To celebrate the 50th anniversary, my wife Alisa and I will be hosting a delegation of citizens and city officials traveling to Miki, Japan, November 3 through 9, 2016. The planning for this event has been underway for quite some time, such that we can now start promoting this event.
Miki officials asked us to visit during this time frame because it coincides with their annual Hardware Festival. According to an article I googled, Miki is famous throughout Japan as one of their country's largest producers of hardware, from kitchen knives to hedge trimmers, almost every kind of hand tool is manufactured in Miki. This festival is said to attract 160,000 visitors annually. You can expect to see people pounding mochi (rice cakes), dance and drum performances, people in traditional costume, and stalls selling delicious festival food. Beneath the rows of brightly colored tents are tools of every kind. One can browse through metal rakes and hoes, saws, axes, nata (Japanese hatchets), scissors, thread cutters, Ikebana (flower arrangement) shears, shovels, saws and a plethora of knives. Produce from local farmers can be picked up for cheap. There is also an eclectic mix of other local handicrafts, baked goods and various products, and the nearby cultural center has flowers, bonsai and local art on display.
We plan to fly into Osaka International Airport on Thursday evening, November 3, where we will be greeted by a Miki sister city delegation, and transported by bus to Miki City Hall. From there, we will fan out to our host families' homes or to hotels. Accommodations may be either Japanese style, i.e., the use of futons on Tatami mats, or American style, with tables, chairs and beds.
On Friday we will visit schools and public places such as Shinto/Buddhist temples or factories. Saturday will be free time with the host families. Sunday will include visits to Miki City Hall, the hardware festival, and Horseland Park. On Monday, the group will be hosted on a visit to Hiroshima and the Peace Memorial Park, and on Tuesday to Miyajimi, a scenic island which is the site of one of Japan's most famous Shinto shrines, a Torii in the ocean, pictures of which you may have seen. The group will be bused back to Osaka Airport on Wednesday for the return flight home.
The cost for this trip will be the responsibility of each of the attendees. Likewise, my wife and I will be traveling on our own dime, with no cost to the city of Visalia. However, much of the price for this fabulous trip will be defrayed by Miki and the host families, who will assist with travel arrangements, food and overnight accommodations.
Visalia received a grant a number of years ago to build a Japanese sister city park, which park is now under construction on Mineral King Avenue, near City Hall just east of Redwood High School. We look forward to a reciprocal visit from a delegation of Miki city officials and citizens in Spring, 2017, as they come to attend the dedication of our new park. At that time, we will be looking for host families to help with their transportation and accommodation needs here.
If you are interested in being part of Visalia's delegation for this visit to our sister city in Japan, or being part of next Spring's celebration here in Visalia, please contact Gladys Ruiz at the City, 713-4314, gladys.ruiz@visalia.city.
Additional Kudos to Fire Department
During the public comment portion of our June 6 city council meeting, local citizen Larry Pruitt thanked the fire department for saving his house that afternoon! Apparently, there were problems with sparks caused by the transformer on his property line, which set his fence and trees in his backyard on fire. Three fire engines and a fire truck with a total of 13 personnel responded, and while the fence and trees were lost, no damage was done to his adjacent home. The fire was contained in 15 minutes and there were no injuries. Mr. Pruitt indicated that he shook the hand of every firefighter and thanked them for saving his home. He said he still smelled like smoke, the fire was so recent. During a break in our meeting, I spoke to Larry personally and told him that I was impressed that he had come to city council meeting the same day as the incident to thank the fire department. Larry replied that coincidentally he was planning on being at our meeting anyway for another agenda item, but wanted to voice his thanks to our fire department for a job well done.
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