Susan Sweica from Supervisor Tavaglione’s office gave us an update for the county. With the state’s current economic crisis, there will be some consequences for the county. They are trying to maintain a balanced budget without cutting services to our fire and safety. Tavaglione’s office has assured us that we can expect to see the same level of service from the Sheriff’s Dept. and code enforcement that we’ve seen in the past. The planned community center and fire station slated for the SW corner of Hamner and Schleisman has been put on hold. They are working on a joint venture with the JCSD and we should have an update in July. Another hot topic was the change in zoning to allow for approximately 700 apartments adjacent to the proposed Ramirez intermediate school at Harrison and Schleisman. The builder, Richland American, was not prepared to present us with their plan and has postponed their presentation. The Supervisor’s office stated that this zone change has not happened and is in the very early stages. They assured us that we will have ample time to voice our opinions on this matter.
Kathie Bogart, President of the JCSD Board of Directors, and Ric Welch, our parks Director for the JCSD, discussed our parks and the benefits to Eastvale. Eastvale will soon have over 200 acres of parks and 30+ miles of frontage to maintain by JCSD. The Jurupa Community Services District’s Parks Department also provides great community events and recreation programs. Since 1999, the JCSD has opened 9 parks and their recreation program offers over 43 different classes, not including aquatics. Some of the capital improvements have been the handicap swings at Cedar Creek Park; sun shades at Harada Park; snack bar improvements at McCune Park; Showmobile stage; dog park equipment, field maintenance machines; Harada basin fence replacement, surveillance equipment, dugout covers, backstop netting, field equipment boxes, fitness stations at Riverwalk park.
Planned improvements include the Eastvale Community Center; neighborhood centers at McCune Park, Cedar Creek Park, Orchard Park, and Half Moon park; covered seating at Dairyland Park; a restroom facility at Riverwalk Park; benches at the Cedar Creek Park water play area; a picnic shelter at Dairyland Park; a Gazebo at Riverwalk Park phase one; Harada Park improvements include a neighborhood center, additional parking, handicap ramps in basin; batting cages and additional fields at McCune Park and a full basketball court at Orchard Park.
Upcoming park openings are Half Moon Park, Mountain View Park, and American Hero’s Park. View locations and amenities at these parks at www.jcsd.us
Our parks department is funded through our Operation and Maintenance fees assessed on each home. These fees are for perimeter landscaping of the housing tracts, general park maintenance and up keep, park equipment replacement, field preparation and staffing. It does not fund recreation programs, youth sports, or capital improvements.
The parks are built by the developers and backed by CFD funds. When a CFD is formed, a certain amount of the assessment is allocated for park construction for both a local park and the regional park/community center. From that amount, the price of construction is agreed upon by the developer and once the park is complete and accepted by the JCSD, the developer gets reimbursed. The balance of the park construction funds are put into a capital improvement fund that allows later improvements to be made for the parks and/or equipment to be purchased.
Recreation activities and programming were not built into the O& M fees therefore in order for the Parks Department to offer activities, additional funding is required. The JCSD parks and recreation has been able to secure several different funding revenues to help keep fees affordable. Thanks to Supervisor Tavaglione’s investment to start up our recreation fund, the JCSD has been able to grow it through new revenue sources such as the cell tower lease at Huber Park and rental fees charged to the fire station at Cedar Creek Park. Another new revenue stream procured by the district is the Showmobile stage. This portable stage will be rented out to local agencies, churches, and other local recreational departments when its not in use for Eastvale activities. The Showmobile investment has potential revenue income of over $50,000 a year.
Jeff DeGrandpre gave us an update on the incorporation effort. The comprehensive fiscal analysis is in and can be viewed in its 85 page entirety at www.eastvaleinc.org. The report shows that Eastvale is viable as a city with two scenarios. The first one has our eastern border at Wineville in Mira Loma and the 2nd scenario has our border at the 15 freeway. LAFCO will decide the boundary line. Here are some dates to be aware of:
Riverside County departments to have comments back to LAFCO on April 30th.
Consultant makes necessary changes.
LAFCO issues a public review draft on May 20th. 30 day review period begins then and ends on June 22nd.
BOS to approve revenue neutrality agreement by June 16th.
Responses to public comments will be issued by July 13th.
LAFCO staff report issued August 19th.
Public LAFCO hearing on August 27th.
BOS to set election date...probably April 13, 2010.
Effective date of incorporation is July 1, 2010
These dates are tentative and subject to change. Please visit the website for updates.
Bob Taylor, Administrative Director of Educational Services for CNUSD gave us an update on the district. CNUSD has two new California Distinguished Schools, JFK Middle College High School on the RCC campus and El Cerrito Middle School. Five high schools in the district received models of excellence; Roosevelt, Centennial, Corona, Norco and Orange Grove. CNUSD is the 9th largest district in the state and CNUSD ranked #4 in the highest API scores for all of Riverside County. Roosevelt High School has the highest API scores in our district.
There are many budget concerns with regard to our schools. CNUSD must cut $42 million from the 2009-2010 budget. They employ four goals: to remain fiscally sound; maintain academic programs; provide post high school preparedness; and help for people to retain their jobs.
Lt. Doug McGrew of the Riverside County Sheriff’s Dept. gave us an update on crime in Eastvale. There has been a 3% increase in vandalism, but all other crimes are down by 24%. Their response time has decreased by 16% from last quarter and calls for service and alarm calls are down 13%. Make sure you report all crimes to the sheriff’s department. Call their non-emergency line at (951)776-1099.
The Captain from the CHP gave an update for their patrol area which includes the 60 fwy. Accidents are down 17%, DUI arrests are up 17%. Fatal accidents are up 28%. He stated that most of the fatal accidents are people who are speeding and not wearing a seat belt. There is a car seat technician at their office in Riverside from 8-5 most days to assist you with your car seats. And they have started a new program for new drivers called Smart Start where they teach good driving habits and share horror stories. Contact Officer Sylvia Mosley at 951-637-8000.