Category Archives: Eastvale Front Page

Breaking News Stories from Eastvale and surrounding communities.

Eastvale Cracks Down on Trash Scavengers

Staff Reports

 

EASTVALE–  Did you know that Eastvale has an anti-scavenging ordinance?  It is illegal to search through trash containers in the city of Eastvale.  The purpose of the ordinance is to deter people from removing solid waste or recyclables from a public or private container.

The ordinance passed November 2012, after a rash of complaints from homeowners and businesses about trash scavengers.   The law states that, “It shall be unlawful for any person to do any of the following: scavenge from, tamper with, move, steal, tip, deface, or destroy any solid waste collection container, or the contents thereof.”

After State Assembly Bill 341 was signed into law July 2012, requiring cities to achieve a 75% reduction in waste by 2020, it became important for the city to accurately capture and report the amount of recycling and solid waste diversion taking place in Eastvale, in order to meet the mandatory state requirements. For waste measurement purposes, diversion is any combination of waste prevention (source reduction), recycling, reuse and composting activities that reduce waste disposed at landfills and transformation facilities.
The ordinance imposes a $100 fine for the first offense; $200 for the second offense within one year; and $500 for each additional violation within one year.

In addition, the City of Eastvale has the right to confiscate all solid waste or recyclables from any person who is in violation of or who is failing to comply with any of the requirements of the ordinance.

The anti-scavenging ordinance is enforced by the city’s Code Enforcement Department. Residents are encouraged to report any instances of scavenging to the Eastvale Code Enforcement Department by calling (951) 361-2888 or emailing:  Code_Complaint@eastvaleca.gov.
For more information about the City of Eastvale and useful recycling programs and resources, please visit: www.EastvaleCA.gov.

 

Eastvale City Council Recap

By Emily Aguilar

 

EASTVALE– The Eastvale City Council had a busy February, with  two city council meetings and a lot of discussion about a variety of issues facing the city.

The first meeting, which occurred on February 10th, began with a quick Public Safety Commission update. It was shared that Fire Station 27 is working on their mass communication systems in an attempt to connect with over 16,000 households via phone calls, text messages, and social media for emergency alerts and traffic updates. The police department also showed interest in attaining new electronic devices, which can create documents and issue warrants and citations more rapidly upon receiving 911 calls. This topic would be discussed later. Following the update, Peggy Carbrite announced that Riverside City College will be celebrating its 100-year anniversary on March 13th, while Norco College and Moreno Valley College will be celebrating their 25th anniversary on the same date. Bootsma handed Carbrite an award of recognition.

Before moving onto the Student Liaison Report, Michele Nissen quickly introduced Craig Bradshaw, Senior Engineer with Eastvale’s Public Works Department.

Julia Sung then took the opportunity to announce that Eleanor Roosevelt High School is looking forward to opening its STEM Academy in 2018. Current ERHS Vice-Principal Kim Lawe will be the STEM Academy’s principal. While 2018 is still far away for aspiring STEM students, ERHS is currently holding after-school clubs to prepare students interested in medicine for the school’s opening.

Next, Jeremy Hutman, a representative from California First, briefly spoke about the California First project in order to persuade the city to participate. His goal was to make the project available to property owners. The council thanked him for his presentation.

After motioning the items on the consent calendar, city staff gave a presentation on the city’s El Nino Emergency Plan. In anticipation of this year’s heavy rainfall, the plan makes sandbags available to citizens, makes sure ditches and channels are cleaned and drained, and a map to guide drivers through traffic in case certain streets become flooded will be available. The plan was filed and received.

Next, Captain Jason Horton from the Eastvale Police Department persuaded council members to motion approval for electronic citation devices. Traditionally, Captain Horton argued, writing a citation takes anywhere between 5-10 minutes. If the police department had electronic citation devices, officers would have the ability to submit the time and place of the citation, and they would also be able to record the violator’s information. The biggest benefit of the electronic devices, as Captain Horton illustrated, would be that once the violator’s information is recorded, it could quickly be sent to the Jurupa Valley Department. After the presentation turned to a Q&A discussion, Rush and other council members expressed concern that a person’s information would be automatically recorded, meaning that an innocent person may be automatically branded as a criminal. Horton explained that while a person may have their information submitted into the police department’s database, the person would still have an opportunity to have their name cleared if they abide by the next steps in the process. Another aspect that did not draw the council’s support was the fact that the citation devices would cost $14,807, which would come from the council’s budget. After an elongated discussion, the motion was passed 4-1, Lorimor having voted against the plan.

Following Horton’s presentation, the council moved on to a series of other presentations. City staff asked the council to approve a contract with Blackboard to create a mass communication system for the city. While similar to the police department’s mass communication system, this one in particular would include citizen registration to receive notification about severe weather, floods, wildfires, and police enforcement incidents. The request was rejected by a 3-2 decision. The council also rejected the recommendation to join the Safety Joint Powers Authority Study, due to the fact that the city would have to pay fees close to $32,000. The request for frontage landscape revitalization on Hamner and Jamestown was approved. The plan calls for approval of drought tolerant landscaping in order to have green spaces during the drought. The council also approved the new budget calendar and the authorization of professional auditing services.

During the city staff update, the Sheriff Department stated that the Riverside Police Department would be in Palm Desert helping to guard President Obama, who visited that weekend. The police were anticipating a heavy protester presence.

In closing, Bootsma announced that the WRCOG street project was moving forward in its progress.

The meeting held on February 24 began with a thirty-minute closed session. When the council emerged, it stated that there wasn’t any action to be reported at the moment; and thus, the regular meeting began.

Sharon Link once again announced good news regarding military banners. Currently, four are undergoing approval, and the community is also looking to extend banner posts on Schleisman Ave. because there is no longer enough space on Archibald. Link also announced that flyers will soon be passed out to promote the “State of the City” event set to occur in April.

During the Public Comment portion of the evening, resident Patty Duro spoke regarding the traffic issues near the Homecoming entrance of Aldergate. As a result of heavy traffic on Hellman and on nearby streets, cars have resorted to cutting through Aldergate to reach their desired destinations, such as the local park. Duro feels that this influx of traffic will cause accidents, especially since the street does not contain any road signs or traffic lights. Duro was then directed to a city staffer who took time to speak with her independently.

Next on the agenda list were two resolutions to collect assessments for landscaping and lighting maintenance districts for the 2016/2017 fiscal year. The resolutions were approved.

During the city staff reports, Michele Nissen announced that City Hall had applied to begin a program offering paid internships to undergraduate and graduate students. They should know if it will be approved by the summer. Also, the city received an $84,000 grant to install flashing radar speed signs near school zones.

The City Council Communications Report showed that the Eastvale Police Department and CNUSD schools had partnered to hold events to educate citizens about bicycle safety. The police department also announced that they had distributed 221 traffic citations, and addressed the fact that some neighborhoods had fallen victim to mail theft. Thankfully, one thief has been arrested, and there is a warrant for another suspect.

In closing, Lorimore stated that he will be attending a SCAG meeting on May 4th. Rush also announced that the 91 freeway project is “moving forward”. Lastly, Bootsma reminded the audience that ERHS’ “Every 15 Minute Program” would be held once more in April, and invited everyone to attend.

Eastvale Quarterly Town Hall Meeting

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.

Keep Your Family Cozy, We’ll Help With The Cost.

Courtesy of SoCalGas

As temperatures dip lower, the cost for heating your home gets higher. We, at SoCalGas®, want all of the families in our community to get the heat and the help they need to stay healthy and warm this season. That’s why we want you to know about our family of customer assistance programs that can help you cover the costs to keep your family comfortable this winter.

If you or a loved one has a serious medical condition that requires using extra heat during cold weather, the Medical Baseline Allowance provides you with natural gas at the lowest rate. Your eligibility for this program is based on your medical need, not your income. Plus, you can still qualify for other assistance programs.

The California Rates for Energy (CARE) program offers eligible customers a 20 percent discount on their monthly natural gas bills. It takes just a few minutes to apply, and you’ll see the savings on your next bill.

The Gas Assistance Fund (GAF) provides a one-time grant of up to $100 toward the natural gas bill for customers who qualify.

One way to save money and make your home more energy efficient is through the Energy Savings Assistance Program. This program offers no-cost energy-saving home improvements to qualified renters and homeowners. Improvements include: Attic insulation, water heater blankets, door weather-stripping, minor window repairs and more.

Visit socalgas.com (search “ASSISTANCE”) to see the full list of customer assistance programs that can help you save money and conserve energy.

When heating your home during cool weather:

 

  • Thermostats should never be turned up high to heat a home quickly. The heater will stay on longer and waste energy.

 

  • Save up to 25 percent of your heating costs by installing or upgrading insulation in your attic and walls (may be covered by the Energy Savings Assistance Program)

 

  • For safety and efficiency, keep all heating vents and furnace registers free of dirt, lint and obstructions.

 

When cooking:

  • Don’t preheat your natural gas oven if you don’t have to.
  • Don’t open the oven door while food is cooking. You could lose up to 50 degrees in temperature, which wastes energy and money.
  • Keep oven and burners clean. A clean oven uses energy more efficiently.
  • Cook by time and temperature guides.
  • Cook several meals at the same time.
  • Use pots and pans that fit the range top. Pans that fit a burner absorb more of the energy, reducing the amount of heat lost.
  • Cover pots when cooking.

Southern California Gas Company is not responsible for any goods or services selected by customer. This program is funded by California utility customers and administered by Southern California Gas Company under the auspices of the California Public Utilities Commission. Program is available on a first-come, first-served basis, until program funds are no longer available. Other terms and conditions apply.

Californians Meet Water Goals

Courtesy of CA Water Board

SACRAMENTO– Californians have reduced water use by 25.5 percent since June, and are continuing to meet Governor Brown’s 25 percent mandate, despite a decline in the statewide water-savings rate during the last three months of 2015.

In December, the statewide conservation rate was 18.3 percent, down from 20.4 percent in November, compared to the same months in 2013.  A drop in the water conservation rate was expected during the cooler fall and winter months, when Californians use less water and there is less opportunity to save on outdoor water use compared with the hot summer months.   Statewide water use declined from 76 gallons per person per day in November, to 67 gallons in December, the second lowest per-person rate since water use reporting began in June 2014.

Nonetheless, Californians are urged to keep up their efforts to conserve through the winter months.  This includes complying with urban water supplier directives to switch to once-a-week watering schedules, and not using outdoor irrigation during and within 48 hours following a rain event.

“While the recent rains and growing snowpack are wonderful to behold, we won’t know until spring what effect it will have on the bottom line for California’s unprecedented drought,” said Felicia Marcus, chair of the State Water Resources Control Board.  “Until we can tally that ledger, we have to keep conserving water every way we can.  Every drop saved today is one that we may be very glad we have tomorrow.”

In November 2015, the Governor issued an Executive Order directing the State Water Board to extend and revise the drought emergency water conservation regulations based on conditions through January.

Man Dies after being Hit by Train

Courtesy of Google Images

Courtesy of Google Images

Staff Reports

CORONA– On Jan. 22 at about 1:55 p.m., Corona Police Officers responded to a train versus pedestrian collision in the 100 block of North McKinley Avenue. Through investigation, officers determined that 19-year-old Anthony McRea of Riverside was walking northbound on McKinley with his girlfriend. As they approached the railroad tracks just south of Sampson, they stopped for an eastbound train travelling on the north set of tracks. The crossing arms were down, lights flashing, and alarms sounding.

As the end of the train passed, McRea stepped out in front of a train travelling westbound on the south set of tracks. The train struck McRea, killing him instantly.

According to the Delaware Undergraduate Student Congress and the CSX Corporation, more people are killed in pedestrian/train accidents than airplane crashes in the United States each year. Here are some tips for staying safe around railroad tracks:

• Remember, trains may be closer than they appear. It is very difficult to accurately judge the distance and speed of an oncoming train.
• Trains are wider than they appear; most trains extend three feet on either side of the track.
• The force of a train hitting a car is comparable to the force of a car running over a soda can.
• Most trains will not be able to stop if something is in their way, so remember to never cross the guardrails. They are there for your safety.

Eastvale City Council Recap

By Emily Aguilar

Eastvale – While the rest of the world celebrated the arrival of 2016, Eastvale city council members welcomed the new year by addressing exciting legal matters; such as the city amendment regarding marijuana dispensaries, and the selection of the PFM Asset Management LLC as the city’s investment advisor.

The January 13th meeting began with a closed session where the council members dealt with an existing proceeding entitled City of Eastvale v. County of Riverside. After discussing behind closed doors, the council announced that they would not take action on the unnamed case.

The first announcement of the evening was the introduction of the city’s New Fire Paramedic Squad Truck. Justin Schneider, who spoke on behalf of his squad, accompanied the council outside to show them the truck that was purchased. The truck comes with features including open space for the firemen to change into their attire and tools such as the Jaws of Life.

Also introduced this evening were the new Code Enforcement Officer, Avis Hatcher, and Senior Management Analyst, Tamara Irwin. Both women were selected because of their impressive employment history, education, and willingness to work with the city; they are expected to begin work soon.

All items on the consent calendar were motioned. The first request regarding business items for the council was to approve the selection of PFM Assessment LLC Management as the city’s investment advisor. At the moment, Eastvale currently invests funds with the State of California Local Agency Investment Fund (LAIF) and in Certificates of Deposits (CD’s). However, the city is seeking to improve the annual rate of return fees; thus, the city’s Finance Committee has sought business with PFM Assessment. The fiscal impact of the decision would include 10 basis points for the initial $25 million in assets managed, as well as 8 basis points for the next $25 million. Under this investment advisor, the city is expected to earn 1.12% yearly return fees. The city motioned the approval of this recommendation. Moving on from this item, the council then listened to an update status on the Flood Control Project. During a rainstorm in early January, the Public Works Staff noticed that the intersection between Citrus and Country Fair Drive, and the northeast corner of Hamner Avenue and Limonite Avenue both amassed heavy flooding. Due to the lack of drainage on these streets, the flooding was high enough to spill to other streets and reach over the sidewalks. The city is looking to install water drainages to not only get rid of the excess water, but to conserve it for later use as well. The city hopes to talk to JCSD and develop the water conservation plan soon.

Before concluding the first meeting, the council took a moment to share their committee reports. Council Member Adam Rush reflected on his trip to Washington, where he discussed the construction project on the 15 Freeway. There was also a Southern California Association of Governments meeting held on January 7th, where attendees discussed the possible growth of job employment in local counties. Mayor Ike Bootsma discussed the Fallen Soldiers event he attended, where in which the city council members were complimented for their contribution to respecting the legacy of the soldiers lost in the line of duty.

Two weeks later, on January 27, the second council meeting for January began with Sharon Link’s Community Foundation Update. Link first addressed the issue regarding damaged banners; a failure that is attributed to the company the Foundation hired to handle the banners. While the Foundation is hopeful that the replacement banners will arrive soon, they are also seeking to work with a different company. On a lighter note, the Sponsor Campaign is set to begin soon, a celebration for which fliers will soon be handed out. Also, Link overviewed some events for the upcoming year, including the State of the City event on April 5th.

Following the Community Foundation Update, the council took the opportunity to award Richelle Barrios, Alexia Hernandez, and Yvette Hernandez for volunteering their time to the Spark of Love Toy Drive.

Julia Sung, the Eleanor Roosevelt High School ASB member responsible for the Student Liaison Report, announced that RHIS had held their first Science Fair Exposition, where in which students showcased their science projects. Weeks ago, thirteen Eastvale Elementary students were recognized for academic achievements by the district, a testament to the good education that Eastvale schools deliver. In her final report, Sung announced that ERHS was visited by a business named LCAT, who hope to assist the school in the development of “real life” and “college readiness” programs.

All items were motioned on the consent calendar.

It should be noted that Adam Rush had not arrived when the meeting began, and because the heart of the meeting would be discussing the medical marijuana dispensaries and ordinances (which were initially going to be discussed after the consent calendar items were motioned), the council took a moment to reorganize the agenda items in hopes that Rush would arrive. Thus, the council sat in and listened to item 9.1 under the City Council Business Items: the comprehensive annual financial report for the 2014-2015 fiscal year. The only recommendation for this item was that the council receive and file this information.

The council took a ten minute break hoping that Rush would arrive. He did not, and so the meeting proceeded without him.

In November of 1996, the passage of Proposition 215 legalized marijuana use for patrons who need the drug for health concerns.  Throughout the years, other bills have been introduced to protect these legitimate patrons from legal punishment. Whether or not marijuana use (be it for medical purposes or leisure enjoyment) is questionable on a legal scale, Governor Brown has signed three bills into law, jointly called the Medical Marijuana Regulation and Safety Act, or MMRSA, which allows California cities and businesses to prohibit the use of medical marijuana as long as the businesses have licenses to prohibit such actions. Brown’s law was taken into effect this year, and cities must conceive an ordinance by March 1st that claims whether or not they would allow the cultivation and use of medical marijuana.

Eastvale has already prohibited the use of marijuana dispensaries, but in the face of the MMRSA bills, the council was asked to motion two ordinances entitled Ordinance 16-03 and Ordinance 16-04, of which the council ultimately chose to motion. The first ordinance was motioned as an urgency ordinance, meaning that 16-03 would be taken into effect immediately; on the contrary, 16-04 was motioned as a non-urgency ordinance. The council chose to motion these two ordinances and prohibit access to medical marijuana under the pretenses that they want to “avoid the risks of criminal activity, degradation of the natural environment, malodorous smells and indoor electrical fire hazards that may result from such activities.”

After this discussion, the council listened to the Staff Reports. It was stated that Eastvale’s police department has organized a Homeless Outreach Team, which seeks help for homeless individuals in the city. As of now, they have reported that while the city has handled problems with panhandlers and other individuals, they debunked the rumor that homeless people were living near river bottoms or other out-of-zone areas.

Before concluding, the council members gave their communications report. Tessari gave an overview regarding the creation of the new STEM academy, stating that the groundbreaking event is set to happen in 2017, with Phase 1 of the construction being completed in 2018. The school will to be built near the Roosevelt campus. Mayor Bootsma shared the fact that the Riverside Transit System has increased the amount of riders over the past year, while other transit systems, such as those in the Los Angeles area, have decreased. Mayor Bootsma also mentioned that the city council members came together to discuss the traffic issue caused by entering and exiting Silver Lakes Park, and are  hoping that the issue can be resolved through further communication and appropriate planning.

Socially Speaking

By Sarah Sanchez

Eastvale – The holidays have come and gone, but the news didn’t stop for the celebrations. A variety of events occurred in Eastvale during the season, and articles about them were posted on our Facebook page (Facebook.com/EastvaleCommunityNews) during the month of December.

Last month, our trending posts included these stories: Burglary and mail theft suspects arrested; a Lake Norconian Club Pavilion event that honored Pearl Harbor Sailors, Soldiers, and Marines; a Juice It Up Grand Opening announcement; and a Riverside County Sheriff’s Department reminder that firing guns into the air on New Year’s Eve is dangerous and forbidden.

Our most popular post on Facebook last month was a warning to the community about coyotes in the area, along with a flyer on what to do if a coyote is seen. The post originated from an Eastvale resident that said coyotes had attacked his 50-pound dog, who later underwent surgery. The attack occurred at his home, which is near the River Walk trail. Many community members commented on the post, saying that they’ve seen coyotes in other places, including off Orange and Sumner, off 68th and Pats Ranch Road, near Vandermolen Elementary, near the Jurupa Hills Golf Course, and in Mira Loma off Bain.  About 120 community members shared this post to warn their families and friends about the coyotes having been seen in the area. The community also discussed ways to keep pets safe from coyotes.

Don’t miss out on important announcements that happen in our community. Follow us on our Facebook page (Facebook.com/EastvaleCommunityNews) for articles, meetings, city news releases, yard sales, and events posted on a daily basis.

Every Thursday, we post notices of local yard sales for the weekend and allow you to post your own yard sale notice in the comments. On Fridays, we post the weekend events and link it to our local monthly calendar. We also post the online version of the full Eastvale Community Newspaper for you to download, save, or print out.

Don’t forget to follow us on Instagram at @EastvaleNews, and subscribe to our website at anapr.com in order to stay up to date on what’s happening in the community. Use #ILoveEastvaleNews to tell us why YOU love Eastvale News.

Keep on Trending, Eastvale!

Eastvale Debt Forgiveness Lawsuit Fails

By Raymond Mendoza
Eastvale – A recent Riverside County Superior Court ruling has Eastvale city government employees baffled after their city was denied debt forgiveness and use of Senate Bill funds after Jurupa Valley, Menifee and Wildomar had theirs granted.
The ruling came down from Riverside County Superior Court Judge Daniel Ottolia on Monday, Nov. 30, stating that he did not have the authority to erase the city’s debt- thereby making the city financially responsible for nearly $5 million in unpaid bills.
The question of debt forgiveness and who would receive part of the beneficial $23.7 million comes from Senate Bill 107- which was signed by Governor Jerry Brown in September. The bill was created to provide relief for the debts of Jurupa Valley, Menifee, Wildomar and Eastvale since these cities were affected by the loss of vehicle-license fee revenue. Brown signed the bill which stipulated that Riverside County would provide these funds to the debt-ridden cities.
However, by March, Eastvale had already paid all of its outstanding debts. When Riverside County was in the process of providing accounting processes of debts owed by each of the aforementioned cities to the State Department of Finance, Eastvale was shown to not need the funds because it had already paid its debts.
As a result of hearing about the newly approved funds, Eastvale government officials stopped paying their bills for law enforcement and other Riverside county-provided services under the assumption that SB 107 funds would apply to them- resulting in nearly $5 million in unpaid bills.
Eastvale City Manager Michele Nissen stated that she was unable to comment on matters regarding the ongoing lawsuit, but that an appeal was filed last week.

Groundbreaking at Fire Station 31

Photo by: City of Eastvale/JAB Photography City officials and CAL FIRE/Riverside County Fire Department personnel take part in the ceremonial groundbreaking on Dec. 8 for Eastvale’s Fire Station No. 31.

Photo by: City of Eastvale/JAB Photography
City officials and CAL FIRE/Riverside County Fire Department personnel take part in the ceremonial groundbreaking on Dec. 8 for Eastvale’s Fire Station No. 31.

By Emily Aguilar

The groundbreaking ceremony for Fire Station 31 made December 8 a special day in Eastvale.  Although Eastvale already has one fire station on Hamner Avenue, the city decided that it would be best to build a second fire station on Chandler Avenue to serve the western portion of the city.  Construction has already started and should be completed within the next year or so. Numerous guests, ranging from city officials to Cal Fire firefighters, were invited to commemorate the groundbreaking in a city that makes safety a “number one priority”.

The ceremony proved to be an event praising Eastvale’s “smart, progressive” steps toward public safety. A passionate Cal Fire Chief John Hawkins opened his statement by speaking about the recent terrorist attacks that have devastated the country. He stated that we as Americans must not “run fearfully” from cowards who want to deprive the country of peace. Chief Hawkins said that he regards Eastvale as a “lead horse” that leads its citizens towards safety, and he praised officials for caring deeply about those who inhabit the city. To conclude the speech, he stated that he and his workers feel like it is an honorable obligation to ensure that city residents receive the safety they expect and deserve. His speech was met with applause.

The city also received two certificates of recognition from Assemblyman Eric Linder and Senator Roth. Mayor Ike Bootsma took a moment to thank construction planning personnel, Cal Fire, and city members for working with the city to plan the construction of the fire station, emphasizing once again that it is the city’s obligation to attend to the “growing needs” of the community.

Photo by: City of Eastvale/JAB Photography Eastvale Mayor Ike Bootsma and City Manager Michelle Nissen stand proudly next to a CAL FIRE engine truck at the groundbreaking ceremony for the city’s second fire station.

Photo by: City of Eastvale/JAB Photography
Eastvale Mayor Ike Bootsma and City Manager Michelle Nissen stand proudly next to a CAL FIRE engine truck at the groundbreaking ceremony for the city’s second fire station.

Eastvale: Coyote Attacks on the Rise

Photo courtesy of Christopher Martin Photography

Photo courtesy of Christopher Martin Photography

By Carol Heyen

EASTVALE-Coyote spotting has become commonplace in Eastvale and the Inland Empire.  Coyotes primarily hunt rodents and wild rabbits for food, but they have seemed to acquire a taste for our pets the last few years.

As wild spaces are developed, coyotes are being pushed out of their wild habitats and into our backyards.  Attacks that have resulted in severe injury or death to pet cats and dogs have occurred all around Eastvale in the last few months -near the River Trail, close to Harada, Vandermolen and Ronald Reagan Elementary schools, and in the Avonlea neighborhood.

Coyotes are opportunists by nature, and they will take advantage of every possibility for food that is presented.  Coyotes are attracted to garbage cans, fruit trees (and the rodents who feed on the fallen fruit) and of course, our pets.  What can you do to keep your beloved Fido and Fluffy safe?

Neighboring cities and the Inland Valley Humane Society have released a list of strategies to help:

  • Securing garbage in tightly-closed containers
  • Removing sources of water
  • Locking pets inside at night
  • Trimming shrubbery, as to not give the coyotes any hiding places
  • Never let your dog off-leash in wild areas – Coyotes sometimes hunt in packs and have been known to lure dogs into ambushes

Other common-sense measures include not trying to tame the coyotes (or any other wild animal), and keeping your dog on a short leash while walking. Never leave small children or pets alone in your yard- coyotes can easily jump a 6-foot wall or fence, and there have been many dogs and cats in Eastvale and the surrounding areas that have been attacked while in their own backyard.

Coyotes are most active at dawn and dusk.  They will be even more active in the next few months as they will need to find food and water for the pups that will be born this spring. If you come in contact with a coyote, raise your hands above your head, making yourself seem as large as possible, and shout loudly or throw something, like a rock, to scare it off.  Garden hoses, air horns, pepper spray and whistles are also good deterrents, according to the Indefinitely Wild website.

If coyotes are afraid of human contact, and they don’t have any readily-available food or water sources, they may stay away from our neighborhoods.  Until then, be vigilant to keep your pets and families safe.

Bootsma Named Eastvale Mayor for Fourth Time

Photo by JAB Photography

Photo by JAB Photography

Staff Reports

Eastvale – The City Council has selected Ike Bootsma as its mayor and Joseph Tessari as its mayor pro tem for 2016.
Each December, the council selects a new mayor and mayor pro tem from among its five members. Bootsma, a retired cattleman, has served on the council since its incorporation in 2010.
The appointments to the one-year terms took effect immediately during the Dec. 9 council meeting.

In a city-issued press release, Bootsma said he is proud and honored to be selected by the city council to continue to serve as mayor.

“I look forward to working with the community for the best interest of Eastvale,” Bootsma added.
Tessari says he is honored to have been chosen as mayor pro tem and will do his best to maintain the growth and prosperity of the community.
Both mayors are to serve a one-year term in their assigned positions.
Eastvale residents are encouraged to meet their mayor and new mayor pro-tem by attending a regular City Council meeting held on the second and fourth Wednesdays of every month at 6:30 p.m. Council meetings are held at Rosa Parks Elementary, 13830 Whispering Hills Drive.

 

El Niño: Eastvale Preparedness

Photo courtesy: City of Eastvale

Photo courtesy: City of Eastvale

By Valerie Gutierrez

Eastvale – After several months of preparations for El Niño by local agencies, Southern California received the first storm of the year rattling the region causing strong winds, flooding, mudslides and road closures.

Although the city of Eastvale is being responsible for maintaining the storm drains, channels and ditches clean for sufficient water to flow by, the city did receive minor flooding due to heavy rainfall.
“We were out in the field during the storm to monitor and learn firsthand what the affects would be,” Eastvale’s Deputy City Engineer Joe Indrawan said. “We observed where actual water accumulates and we are taking proper measurements by adding catch basin inlets to eliminate these issues in the future should it happen again.”

City officials also point out that they worked together with the Jurupa Community Services District (JCSD) to ensure that James Huber Park and Harada Park, which temporarily hold excess stormwater, were properly cleaned and functional.
During this potentially strong El Niño, in the event of minor flooding, Eastvale residents may protect their homes by securing them with sandbags.
The city’s Public Information Officer Daniella McClister says that sandbags will be available for residents to pick up at Fire Station No. 27 located at 7067 Hamner Ave.
Reminders for those needing sandbags:

  • Residents picking up sandbags must show proof of Eastvale residency by providing a valid ID and recent utility bill.
  • Sandbags will be distributed per household in rolls of ten bags.
  • Sandbags are self-service only.
  • Available while supplies last.

The city started their emergency preparedness since June 2015, according to the city’s Senior Administrative Analyst Tamar Irwin.

Irwin mentioned that the city has undertaken several preparedness activities including multiple meetings with the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (CalOES), California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE), Corona-Norco Unified School District and city of Chino  to name a few.

McClister says that all city personnel is FEMA and NIMs trained in the event that the city’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC) needs to be activated.

“Some staff, council and commissioners are CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) trained,” McClister added.

CERT is a program that teaches citizens how to approach an emergency or disaster situation by bringing the community together to help one another. The next free CERT Training will be held on Jan. 29-31.

Eastvale City Council Report

By Emily Aguilar

The city council heard lots of ideas from a range of sources — from students to professionals — during its regular council meetings in December.  The agenda included several commission appointments as well as a request to amend a section of the Ranch at Eastvale’s Specific Plan to create more street space.

To begin the evening, Eastvale Community Foundation’s Sharon Link previewed a few events that residents can look forward to in 2016, such as the State of the City event to be held on Tuesday, April 5. Link also stated that the Annual Sponsorship Drive will begin in January, and that applications are now open to those interested in being a sponsor.

Next, a Public Safety Commission representative stated that they are looking at distributing safety liaisons throughout the school district.  They also wanted to recognize Student Resource Officer Deputy Chad Thompson, who apprehended a homeless man asleep on a CNUSD campus in late 2015.

The council then took a moment to recognize local boy and girl scout troops for their contributions and active participation in the community. The council also awarded John Canvot, who has diligently worked to improve Eastvale’s growing communities.

After the small award ceremony, the council moved on to appointing a new mayor and mayor pro tem; Ike Bootsma and Joseph Tessari were unanimously selected. The council also announced their appointments for the Planning Commission, which included Karen S. Patel, Howard Feng, Daryl Charleson, Larry Oblea, and Bill Van Leeuwen. The council then announced the appointees for the Public Safety Commission: David Flores, Anwer Khan, Christopher Hook, Sean Parilla, and Christian DeCosta. These appointments were motioned for approval. The council then announced their regional appointments, including the Western Riverside Council of Governments, Regional Conservation Authority, Riverside County Transportation Commission, Southern California Association of Governments, and Northwest Mosquito and Vector Control District. Each member also stated which sub-committee they would appoint; which included the Eastvale Finance Committee, School Committee, Economic Development Committee, Eastvale Parks Commission, City Hall Relocation Sub-Committee, I-15 Interchange Design Committee, Fire Station Design Committee, and the Library Committee. These appointments were motioned for approval by the council.

Julia Sung announced the upcoming events that local schools will be able to look forward to before the end of the school year. One of the events mentioned was Eleanor Roosevelt High’s Winterfest, which was held on December 12. She also mentioned that River Heights Intermediate School (RHIS) is asking for donations to fund their Positive Behavior Program — a program that awards students for good behavior, such as earning good grades.

For the Public Comment section of the evening, Wives of Law Enforcement and Firefighters (WOLFF) representative Dani Medrano presented Mayor Bootsma with a plaque to honor the city’s dedication in respecting and protecting those who make it an obligation to keep the city safe. Afterwards, RHIS ASB leader Catherine Green asked if people were willing to make donations to support the school’s Adopt a Soldier Campaign. The campaign is centered on mailing gifts to soldiers currently serving in Iraq, and the ASB committee is eager to bring joy to those who continue to defend the country.

All items on the consent calendar were approved, so the council decided to listen to the Public Hearings. The first item, the consideration of the Leal Master Plan, was taken off the agenda list. The following item was a recommendation to repeal ordinance 859 and adopt a personal water efficient landscaping model for the new Eastvale homes. Because of California’s drought, the state requires every city to organize a water ordinance (a plan to regulate and retain water) by the end of the year. Cities failing to do so will have to adopt a state-organized water ordinance, which would not benefit the city because the plan would most likely not address personal conflicts the city needs to address when it comes to water usage. Eastvale’s water ordinance plan would apply to the development of landscape areas that are 2,500 square feet, and will include sprinkler and nozzle efficiency as well as less turf grass. The council motioned the idea. The final item was a request to amend a section of the Ranch at Eastvale’s Specific Plan. The Ranch will be located at Hellman and Limonite. It was asked that the Ranch’s design be minimized in order to create more streets in the area. The council approved the recommendation, which will ultimately reduce the plan from 2.2 million square feet to approximately 1.8 million square feet.

Following the Public Hearing, the council then changed focus over to the business items. The first item was a request for Eastvale to fund the reconstruction of the bridge over the Santa Ana River going into Norco via Hamner. The bridge, which was first built in 1939, is in need of being replaced as a result of its structural deterioration, hydraulic deficiencies, and its inability to support heavy traffic. The proposed bridge is set to include 4 to 6 lanes, sidewalks, multi-purpose lanes, and channel improvements to support the rising of water. Overall, Eastvale would have to pay a cost not exceeding $240,000 for the next three years. The idea, though necessary, did not sit well with the council, who agreed that they did not see the need to pay for a project Norco should be taking care of. After some discussion, the council decided to set the proposal aside and discuss it in the future during a joint meeting with Norco. Although this item was not motioned, the recommendation to approve an agreement for Fire Station No. 31 to execute testing laboratory services with Geocon West Inc. was approved.

Before concluding the meeting, the council members took a moment to share their committee reports: Adam Rush announced that on Dec. 4, Perris celebrated the inauguration of its first public transportation ride, and Clint Lorimore announced that California Gold would be hosting an event in Los Angeles on Jan. 7. Finally, the council members wished everyone happy holidays and adjourned the meeting.

Regular City Council Meetings: 6:30 p.m. on the second and fourth Wednesday of the month
Location: Rosa Parks Elementary 13830 Whispering Hills Drive, Eastvale, CA 92880

Socially Speaking

By Sarah Sanchez

Eastvale – The holiday season is flying by but don’t miss out on what’s happening in our community. To avoid missing out on current news, events, and happenings, make sure to follow us on our Facebook page (Facebook.com/EastvaleCommunityNews).
Last month, our trending posts included: a new Eastvale STEM academy in development at ERHS, an armed robbery suspect caught, an individual that was arrested for transporting marijuana for sales, and a reminder of Eastvale’s Curfew Ordinance. The community also showed their condolences on our Facebook page after a San Bernardino Police Officer and a Downey Police Officer were killed.
But our most popular post was a story announcing that Eastvale ranked No. 2 in the State for families. Many community members commented, liked, and shared our article to their family and friends.
Our Facebook page consists of articles, yard sales, meetings, and events on a daily basis. Every Thursday, we post local yard sales for the weekend and allow you to post your own yard sale in the comments. On Fridays, we post the weekend events and link it to our monthly calendar, which includes a variety of meetings and outings in the surrounding areas. We also post the online version of the full Eastvale Community Newspaper for you to download, save, or print out.
Don’t forget to LIKE our page at Facebook.com/EastvaleCommunityNews, follow us on Instagram at @EastvaleNews, and subscribe to our website at anapr.com in order to stay up to date on what’s happening in the community. Use #ILoveEastvaleNews to tell us why YOU love Eastvale News.
Keep on Trending, Eastvale!

 

Big Rigs Causing Big Headaches for Some Residents

By Emily Aguilar

Ontario/Eastvale – For the past few months, Ontario and Eastvale neighborhoods have had to deal with the disruptive presence of Jauregui Trucking semi-trucks passing through Sumner and Bellgrave.

The disruption has ruined the calm serenity of the neighborhood to the point where some citizens have expressed that they need ear plugs to silence the trucks bothersome work (which starts as early as 4 in the morning). Worst of all, this trucking operation is allegedly illegal.

As a result of Edison and Haven being closed off, the trucks have no choice but to drive through Sumner to Limonite or Bellgrave to Hamner. The trucks do not have a permit to drive through the area; there is even a sign erected on Hamner that specifically prohibits trucks from passing through, but it has not been enough to stop them.

Luckily, Kenneth Cheung and Kyle Vander Hill have initiated a plan to bring an end to the trucking.

Through various meetings and emails, the men have attempted to find a solution to the problem. After filing a complaint to the Code Enforcement in Ontario, speaking to Eastvale city council officials, and exchanging emails with Donna McKnight in Ontario and Joe Indrawan of Eastvale, the men were met with little change. Donna McKnight issued a Stop Notice to Jauregui Trucking. Cheung has also ordered signs to be set up in order to guide trucks where they should and should not drive. However, according to them, nothing has come of the matter.

To make matters more difficult, Motor Officer Scott Forbes looked into the legality of issuing tickets to the truck drivers and stated that the trucks might have a right to drive through Bellgrave. Of course, this only to some extent; they are not permitted to drive through the trucking yard.

Both men, as well as their neighbors, believe the truckers have failed to show respect in the situation, and are “getting away” with the fact that they know they “can’t be touched by the police.”

While the matter is frustrating, the men are nevertheless determined to restore peace in their neighborhood. At present, Cheung is looking forward to speaking to McKnight and Indrawan in order to set up necessary signs for the semi-trucks.

 

Eastvale’s Development Boom Continues

Photo by Michael Armijo Panera Bread at Gateway South retail center brings some delicious goodness to Eastvale on December 15th.

Photo by Michael Armijo
Panera Bread at Gateway South retail center brings some delicious goodness to Eastvale on December 15th.

Staff Reports

Eastvale– If you haven’t noticed the construction taking place all over Eastvale, then you must be living under a rock. City officials and residents alike agree that this growth is all part of building a strong, vibrant community.

Here is a list of just a few of the latest projects that are planned, under construction, and breaking ground.

 

BREAKING GROUND:
Chandler Fire Station No. 31

Eastvale broke ground on its second fire station Tuesday morning, Dec. 8. The 1.75-acre property located on the northeast corner of Chandler and Selby will serve the western portion of the city. The new building will also serve as the City’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC).

With Eastvale’s housing and population boom, the new fire station will be a much needed resource, according to city officials.  The funds came from the city’s Fire Fund and will not impact the City’s General Fund.

The City’s Fire Fund will be able to fund the building, staffing and equipment at the new fire station, city officials said.

 

COMING SOON:

Panera Bread is the newest eatery that will be open for business soon at the Gateway South retail center. Panera will officially open its doors on December 15th just in time for the holiday hustle and bustle. It joins the 24-Hour Fitness, San Antonio Medical Plaza, Walgreens, Chevron and other quick-service options.

OPEN:

The William Lyons Homes (Nexus Residential Development) model homes are in the market for new residents. The neighborhood consisting of 220 townhomes and a recreation area on a 10-acre lot is located behind 24-hour Fitness Center in the Eastvale Gateway South retail center. Construction of the homes is currently underway.

 

UNDER CONSTRUCTION:

“The Lodge,” a KB Homes residential development, started construction of 205 detached family homes to the northwest corner of Limonite Avenue and Scholar Way. A second phase of this project is currently under review.

“The Trails,” a D.R. Horton residential development on the northwest corner of Archibald and 65th is under construction. The development will feature 256 dwelling units with a 5-acre park.

“Estancia,” a Lennar residential development located on the south of Citrus Street, west of Scholar Way is also undergoing construction.

Construction of the commercial/industrial development Goodman Commerce Center located along Cantu-Galleano Ranch Road is in high gear. The approximately 205 acres site, its commercial section hopes to accommodate hotels, restaurants, entertainment, and services for the local community and commuters along the 15 freeway.

Landscaping is also underway for the K-Mart distribution center.

 

UNDER REVIEW:

City and resident input continues to pour in over the proposed Walmart store at Eastvale Crossings. Located on the southeast corner of Limonite and Archibald, Walmart is positioning itself on a 23.37 acre lot with a 177,000 sq. ft. retail store. There is no hearing yet set but the Environment Impact Report drafts are currently under public and agency review.

A proposed retail center is coming to fruition on the northeast corner of Limonite and Sumner known as The Eastvale Marketplace. The center will consist of a retail center and multi-tenant and single tenant buildings. Potential uses include grocery, banking, drug store, restaurants, general retail, service, and a tire store. The city’s planning commission is currently waiting for additional architecture and landscape submittals and an updated tentative map.

A new Verizon antenna is being proposed at 8306 Grapewin Street. Verizon looks to construct a new wireless telecommunication facility to be disguised as a 50 feet tall monopalm consisting of 12 antennas, one parabolic antenna, and other equipment. The city’s planning commission is currently reviewing the proposed antenna.

 

For more information about the city’s development, visit www.eastvaleca.gov

Eastvale Council Meeting Recap

By Emily Aguilar

Eastvale– In honor of Veterans Day, the City Council Meeting was held on Tuesday, Oct. 10. Even though the meeting was held a day earlier, the agenda was no less serious as it usually is.

Skipping straight to the Public Comment, the council was introduced to Eastvale resident Thomas Tallagua, who came to talk about a problem in his neighborhood. In his unnamed neighborhood, Tallagua stated that an abundance of families have been moving into houses, causing the streets to overflow with more cars than necessary. The problem has escalated to the point where police involvement has been addressed.

“It looks like East LA,” he claimed. In order to solve the problem, Tallagua pitched the possibility of the city warranting overnight parking permits. According to his research, San Dimas had a similar situation, and they solved their problem with parking permits. The council said they would look into the idea.

All items were passed in the Consent Calendar, so the council then focused on the City Council Business items. The first to speak was Bob Williamson, the project manager for the construction of Fire Station No. 31. Throughout the construction process, the developers have received an abundance of support, the most recent being that the City Clerk received 18 bids from various construction companies to help fund the creation of the fire station. One such bid came from the Horizons Construction Company for $4,107,000, leading to the Notice of Intent to Award the Project. In his presentation, Williamson asked the council if they could use the award to reallocate previous appropriations with the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) for $875,000, seal the contract with Horizons, as well as execute other appropriate funds and documents to move forth with the project. After consideration, the council motioned all requests.

The following speaker, George Alvarez, presented his topic on constructing new traffic signals on Sumner and 65th Street. In his presentation, Alvarez stated that nine engineering firms have offered to fund and design the traffic signals. Of the nine, the one most appealing was Advantec Consulting Engineers, who are willing to provide $16,392 to construct and design the signal lights. Alvarez asked the council to approve the plan, which they happily did.

Moving onto City Manager and Staff Reports, it was announced that Fire Station No. 31 will be celebrating their intended Ground Breaking celebration on Dec. 8 at 10 a.m. It will be a public event, and many are welcome to come. Also, it was stated that Clara Barton Elementary School has changed their year-round schedule to match that of local high schools and middle schools. This means that Clara Barton will no longer follow the traditional track schedule, allowing the entire student body to be in school and out of school at the same time.

For the City Council Communications report, it was announced that the city will be looking forward to numerous street projects, such as the traffic signal project on 65th and Sumner, as well as the construction of a high pressure gas line extending from Limonite to Citrus and Harrison to Hamner.

Before the conclusion of the meeting, Don Hook was introduced and welcomed as the newest member of the Eastvale Foundation. The council said they look forward to seeing her helping with city projects. Afterwards, Council Member Lorimore announced that he will be going to Northern California to analyze water construction projects. Finally, the council wished everyone a happy Veterans Day and Marine Birthday, and stated that the next meeting will be in December.

Socially Speaking

By Sarah Sanchez

Eastvale – The busy holiday season is here but don’t forget to make time for some fun. If you’re looking for something to do during this holiday season, follow us on our Facebook page (facebook.com/EastvaleCommunityNews) for updates on events and activities in the surrounding areas. We also post local news, meetings, city press releases, yard sales, and our monthly calendar.
If you missed what happened last month, below is a recap of the most popular posts on our Facebook page.
The most popular post last month was about a Felony Arrest in Eastvale on Oct. 22. A 21-year-old male was arrested for possession of narcotics, possession of narcotic paraphernalia, child endangerment, burglary, and for an outstanding felony warrant. The suspect was seen spotted sleeping in the playground area at Rosa Parks Elementary School, which caused the school to go on lockdown. Local residents commented how frightening this experience was for them and their families.
The most popular event posted was about the Halloween “Bright Night” event at Orchard Park. This was a free event hosted by Calvary Chapel Eastvale and the community was very excited about it. Many local residents tagged their family and friends on the post.
Lastly, there were two popular pictures posted last month that the community loved. The first was of students lined up on Inernational Walk to School Day on Oct. 7. The picture was taken by K.P. Sander. The second most popular picture was of members of the Eleanor Roosevelt High school football team after their Homecoming game. This picture was taken by ERHS student Miguel Becerra.
Don’t forget to check our Facebook every Thursday for the local weekend yard sales. On Fridays, you will find a link to our monthly calendar, which includes a variety of meetings and outings in the surrounding areas. We also post the online version of the full Eastvale Community Newspaper for you to download, save, or print out.
Make sure to LIKE our page at Facebook.com/EastvaleCommunityNews, follow us on Instagram at @EastvaleNews, and subscribe to our website at anapr.com in order to stay up to date on what’s happening in the community. Use #ILoveEastvaleNews to tell us why YOU love Eastvale News.
Keep on Trending, Eastvale!

Eastvale’s October Council Meeting Recap

Photo By: Emily Aguilar New Eastvale Motor Cop Aaron Hownbeck was welcomed by Eastvale City Council on Thursday, Oct. 28. (Pictured L-R) Mayor Ike Bootsma, Mayor Pro Tem William Link, Councilman Adam Rush, Officer Hownbeck, Councilman Clint Lorimore and Councilman Joseph Tessari.

Photo By: Emily Aguilar
New Eastvale Motor Cop Aaron Hownbeck was welcomed by Eastvale City Council on Thursday, Oct. 28. (Pictured L-R) Mayor Ike Bootsma, Mayor Pro Tem William Link, Councilman Adam Rush, Officer Hownbeck, Councilman Clint Lorimore and Councilman Joseph Tessari.

“Big Ike” Pumpkin, New Motor Cop Welcomed While Residents Put Brakes on Trucks

By Emily Aguilar

Eastvale – A pumpkin by the name of “Big Ike” was just one of the “spooktacular” moments during Eastvale’s bimonthly City Council meetings. There were also some newly awarded construction contracts for Chandler Street and River Road street improvements as well as discussions on the Hamner Traffic Signal Synchronization Project.
Here are a few highlights from the City Council’s Oct. 14 meeting.

During Presentations and Announcements, the council proclaimed Red Ribbon Week, Oct. 23-31, and Freedom from Workplace Bullies Week, Oct. 18-24. Certificates of appreciation were presented for the City’s 5th Birthday Celebration. Additionally, the Vice-Chair of the Public Safety Commission Chris Hook provided an update and it was decided that a joint workshop will be held.

During the Public Comment, community members discussed their upcoming events. Roth Heng of the Eastvale Garden Group presented the City Council with a pumpkin named “Big Ike.” The group was seeking the Council’s support in creating a community garden in the future. Noah Reyes of Live 2 Give Crusade organization discussed a thanksgiving food drive to be held Nov. 22.

Preparing for the winter storm and revised water efficient landscaping regulations were discussed during the City Council Business. City staff recommended that the City Council prepare an updated water efficient landscape ordinance; propose changes to the City’s regulations to expand the requirement for landscaping plans and permits to cover re-landscaping of existing homes and businesses; and update the City’s zoning code and design standards and guidelines to be consistent with the new landscape ordinance.

During the City Council Communications, Councilmember Rush discussed the bridge collapse on the 91 freeway. Councilmember Tessari discussed the recent annual conference of the League of California Cities. He asked staff to look into hiring an economic development consultant. Councilmember Lorimore discussed the recent annual conference of the League of California Cities. He discussed a tour of the central valley to examine water infrastructure with Western Municipal Water District. Mayor Bootsma expressed his concern for trucks that are speeding in the City. He noted that the City’s 5th birthday celebration was a great success.

The City Council’s Oct. 28 meeting spotlighted a new hire in the Police Department’s Motor Division. Here is a review of what occurred during the Oct. 28 meeting:

Before the meeting, the council agreed to move their closed-session items to the end of the evening.

After closed session, the Community Foundation discussed the city’s military banners. They announced with enthusiasm that they were currently working on four new banners, and are always happy to take in new applications. They took this opportunity to say that two military banners were taken down because they were not placed on the proper street. Afterwards, the Foundation informally presented the new Vice Chair of the Public Safety Commission Don Hook, who will be officially approved in the next meeting.

Someone who was formally introduced to the council by Chief of Police Jason Orin, however, was the city’s new motor officer, Aaron Hownbeck. Hownbeck is a former Marine who fought in Operation Iraqi Freedom, and has trained officers as well. He has served as an officer for 12 years, and he will be monitoring Eastvale drivers who “jeopardize the lives” of our citizens. Hownbeck told the council that he would “hate to see anything happen” to the residents and vowed to keep the city safe.

The Student Liaison Julia Sung announced that all schools in the area had concluded Red Ribbon Week, which promotes drug prevention education and healthy, drug free youth.

Sung also mentioned that Eleanor Roosevelt High School (ERHS) is looking forward to organizing a winter festival, which is still in the planning stages. Updates will be announced as event moves forward.

There were three items for the Public Commentary section of the evening. The first to speak were two Eastvale citizens named Kenith C. and Louis R., who addressed the illegal trucking by Bellegrave and Sumner. The men feel that it is unfair to keep these drivers in their neighborhoods since it is not permitted for them to be there. While the council is aware of the issue, they admit that they are unsure of what they can do. They were especially uncertain of what to do since those trucks come from Ontario; they most likely cross their neighborhood because Eucalyptus is closed off. Although Kenith did display his annoyance with the council, one city manager promised to talk to the two men personally at a later time.

Chamber of Commerce President Arie briefly discussed that membership with the Chamber has increased to 124 members. He also invited the council to attend its chamber meetings every second Friday of the month from 7 a.m. to 8 a.m.

The final presenters were Chris Villamore and her husband, who are in a “battle” with the Homeowner’s Association. They are currently living next to a resident who has six exposed antennas throughout the property. The family has found that they have faulty WiFi access and have trouble using other electronic devices such as their cellphones because of their neighbor’s excessive antennas. Villamore has reached out to countless people ranging from the FCC to the police, all of whom have not helped the couple because the city does not have an ordinance on the sizing and amount of antennas homeowners can display. The council advised the couple to file a report to the city manager, and they promised to look into both this particular situation as well as looking into the municipal code in order to see how they can deal with this problem like this in the future.

All items were motioned in the consent calendar.

The only item in the public hearings was a request to have the Leal Master Plan taken off the calendar to discuss at a later date.

The three items in the city council business, all of which had to do with street projects, were motioned. The items included approving a contract with the All American Asphalt company to work on Chandler Street and River Road improvements, approving a contract with Crosstown Electrical and Data Inc. for the Hamner Traffic Signal project, and finally, approving a grant application submitted to the development of Safe Routes to School master plan.

To conclude the evening, the city manager announced that the city will be working alongside other districts to clean up public spaces such as Walmart, Corona Park, and locations near Citrus Street. Council member Lorimore spoke of his experience at an ERHS event to raise awareness for breast cancer, and stated that he had a good time. Council member Rush stated that he will be going to Washington DC to lobby federal funds that will help with the construction of the 91 freeway.

The next city council meeting will be held Nov. 10 at 6:30 p.m. at Rosa Parks Elementary. City Hall will be closed on Nov. 11 in observance of Veteran’s Day.