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.

By Emily Aguilar

Eastvale – From the groundwater pipeline expansion project to ongoing school traffic concerns, the

Eastvale City Council rolled up their sleeves and took action on some of the City’s toughest issues during the September meetings.

On Sept. 9, the Public Safety Commission provided an update on traffic problems during school hours. They will be working together with the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department to educate the public on traffic safety and hopefully provide some solutions to the issues.

New City Planner, Malinda Lim, was introduced and welcomed as one of the newest members of the City staff.  Council also officially recognized the week of Sept. 17 to 23 as “Constitutional Week,” in commemoration of the 228th anniversary of the drafting of the United States Constitution.

During Public Comments, a resident spoke about the faulty mosquito pesticide application, and asked for a better notification protocol to warn the City of any future pesticide applications.

During Public Hearings, the Council motioned to rename Cleveland Avenue to Scholar Way between 58th St. and Bellegrave Ave. They also motioned to informally name Fire Station No. 31, forthcoming on Chandler St. and Selby Ave. – as the “Chandler Station.”  Council also discussed the possibility of hosting a 5^th Annual State of the City address in 2016.

One item that was not motioned was to approve the future Schleisman Road and I-15 Interchange on the Master Plan.  The presenter suggested amending the Master Plan, which would require $150,000 over a ten year span.  The Council agreed that there were other priorities, and chose not to take action at this time.

The Council also reviewed the updated ALUC Open Space Requirement for the Sendero residential development, which was rejected in June because of spacing infringements. The new plan, which reduced the number of units from 323 to 312, made improvements to the original map, and was both criticized and praised by Council.

The City Manager report announced that the Library Subcommittee would hold its first meeting on Sept. 14.

To conclude the meeting, the City announced it would be holding a 9/11 Flag Ceremony at Cal Fire 27.

The Sept. 23 Council meeting opened to the Community Foundation announcing the City’s 5^th Birthday celebration would be held on Oct. 3.

Next, the Chino Basin Desalter Expansion Project – which will provide 10 million gallons of drinking water to Eastvale and surrounding cities – was highlighted. Chino Basin Desalter Authority General Manager, Curtis Paxton, presented construction updates on the upcoming project – which will require the installation of several groundwater pipelines that will extend from Bellegrave Ave. to Harrison Ave. and 65th Street. While the addition of water will not excuse the City from regulating water use, it will increase the water supply. Paxton emphasized that “safety is our concern,” saying traffic would be regulated on Bellegrave Ave. when construction begins.

Council then approved the second ordinance reading of the Goodman Commerce Center Specific Plan.

All items on the Consent Calendar were approved.  The staff also announced the annual Food Truck Festival at Ramirez Intermediate on Sept. 25, and International Walk To School Day, which will be held on Wed., Oct. 7.

Council then reviewed a proposal for JCSD’s Capacity Charge, a developer impact fee planned to collect more than $67,000 from new Eastvale citizens to provide water for the growing City.  After listening to this and other projects that would increase fees, Council stated that there is a “lack of outreach” that would affect economic principles.

Moving on, Council approved the Freeway Agreement with the State Department of Transportation to allow the City and/or state to maintain and regulate the construction of roads and right of way traffic.

City Staff reported that Gov. Brown signed AB-107 – with Mayor Bootsma calling the bill a “joke.”  This bill was meant to make a county whole, but there isn’t any money coming into the City at this time.  Two Council members will have to attend a meeting about the bill on Sept. 28.

Before the conclusion of the meeting, the League of Cities Golf Tournament was announced, to be held on Oct. 12.  Also, the outbreak of West Nile Virus cases is currently the worst Riverside County has seen in years.  As a result, the City will take action to help keep its citizens safe.