By Valerie Gutierrez

EASTVALE– Eastvale’s first Quarterly Town Hall meeting of 2016 was held on Tuesday, February 9, at Rosa Parks Elementary. The meeting was conducted to update the community on the latest news from various departments and organizations during the last couple of months.

Mayor Ike Bootsma updated residents on the issues the city is facing in 2016.

The Community Emergency Response Training (CERT)is continuing to offer free classes paid for by the city through a Homeland Security grant. An E-Notification App has been launched and will help in reporting non-emergency issues such as graffiti, pot-holes, sewer leaks, landscape and water waste.

Bootsma was proud to announce that Eastvale Gateway (South) has already opened Juice It Up! and Panera Bread. What has Eastvale residents really excited is the announcement of the Pacific Fish Grill restaurant coming to Eastvale Gateway.  It should open in early March.

The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department has been staying busy these past couple of months. Assistant Chief of Police for the city of Eastvale, Lt. Scott Forbes, said that residents have been reporting ongoing mail theft and vehicle burglary problems. Many vehicle burglaries have occurred in the shopping centers surrounding businesses on Limonite and Hamner Avenues.

Regarding mail theft, Lt. Forbes stated that mail theft in Eastvale is not something unique to the city; it is happening in the entire region. The Eastvale Police Department is working with the postmaster in San Bernardino to deal with individual thefts and trends that are occurring. The department has identified and arrested one individual involved with mail theft.

Since the school year started, traffic has been a huge concern for residents, especially those who frequent Limonite, Hamner, Archibald and Sumner Avenues, Citrus Street and many of the school routes and main intersections. There have been seven collisions since the school year started that involved students who were riding their bicycles to school. Of those students, the majority were found to be at fault for not following the rules of the road and not wearing their helmets.

Lt. Forbes articulated that they’re trying to find ways to get the kids to pay attention to how they ride. The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department is partnering with the City of Eastvale and the Department of Public Health to educate the community on safe routes to school. Educational events will include bike rodeos and helmet and bike giveaways.  Police Explorers will be used as facilitators and teachers.

The new City of Eastvale Code Enforcement Officer, Avis Hatcher was introduced by City Manager Michele Nissen. Officer Hatcher is certified with the California Association of Code Enforcement Officers and has over 20 years of experience in the field working for large cities such as Beverly Hills. Officer Hatcher’s duties include implementing programs such as rental inspection programs, housing development and CDBG Funding.

Between September 1 and December 31, Code Enforcement conducted 553 inspections, removed 2,100 illegal signs and 147 shopping carts. Within the past several days, the team has notified residents that “Christmas Display Lights” need to come down.

The Jurupa Community Services District (JCSD) informed residents about fun activities/events that are coming up. Movies in the park will be hosted once a month at Orchard Park. Spring registration for community classes will open on March 21, there will be an annual blood drive on March 28, and there will be a community campout at Harada Park, on April 8-9, which will include breakfast, lunch and dinner. “Picnic in the Park” will be one of the biggest events hosted by the JCSD, and will occur June 24 -26 at Harada Park. For additional information on upcoming events, visit www.parks.jcsd.us.

The Corona-Norco Unified School District (CNUSD) reported that Clara Barton Elementary School is going to begin a traditional school schedule.  The traditional academic calendar will replace the current year-round system effective July 1, 2016. CNUSD Board Member, Bill Newberry, discussed the STEM Magnet School that will place two additional buildings on the Eleanor Roosevelt campus. Newberry mentioned that the plans are completed and the opening is scheduled for the 2018-2019 school year. The first building will be placed facing Citrus Street and the second will be built on the softball field. The STEM school will focus on Science, Technology, Engineering and Math.

Animal Control Officer Mark Visyak gave an update on animal control in the area in 2015. Between January 1 and December 31, 2015, animal control made a total of 3,631 calls within the city.  Calls were made in response to 61 aggressive dogs, 99 animal welfare cases and 53 animal bites.  A total of 246 dead animals were picked up and 85 citations were issued throughout the year.