City of Eastvale Eastvale – Your next planning question in the City of Eastvale might be answered by a Planning expert who is miles from the City’s planning counter. Through the use of existing technology, residents of Eastvale can speak to and see a planner immediately from Eastvale City Hall via a live video link. The new system increases coverage at the planning counter from a day or two a week to full time, without increasing costs to the City. “In order to provide Eastvale residents with a friendly face at City Hall at all times, the City has instituted a Virtual Planner option,” said Carol Jacobs City Manager. “If a customer comes into City Hall and a planner is not available in person, we will now have a Virtual Planner for the face to face experience through FaceTime on an iPad at the front counter.” PMC, the City’s planning services provider, brought the Virtual Planner system to the City of Eastvale. “Continual improvement in customer service is one our goals, and the Virtual Planner lets us do that. Even when a planner is not available at city hall, customers who come to the public counter can talk face-to-face with one of our staff and get immediate answers to their questions,” said Eric Norris Planning Director. “The Virtual Planner service lets us provide better customer service in a more cost-effective way, said Norris. “Our customers enjoy using the Virtual Planner service. It’s fun, and it has the benefit of providing personal, face-to-face interaction.” City Manager Carol Jacobs personally tried the Virtual Planner when the service went live at City Hall and she felt, “it’s a great way to communicate and have the added ability to discuss plans, layouts and drawings without having planning staff in the office.” “Eastvale is a very technology savvy community and I’m hoping our residents will be as excited about the Virtual Planner option as we are. It is a great tool for the community and it provides an affordable solution with an improved level of service,” said Jacobs. The Virtual Planner is not going to replace the quality planning services the City provides therefore, PMC is scheduled to have staff at City Hall regularly, but this new system enables that time to be used more efficiently. The new planning system is the perfect fit for the young community of Eastvale.