Tag Archives: Eastvale City Council

Eastvale: New Acting City Manager Selected

Photo Courtesy: City of Eastvale

Photo Courtesy: City of Eastvale

Staff Reports

Eastvale – During the closed session discussion at the Sept. 10 City Council Meeting, council members unanimously selected Robert Van Nort to serve as Eastvale’s Acting City Manager. Van Nort’s term as Acting City Manager becomes effective immediately.

Van Nort served as the City’s first Interim City Manager immediately following incorporation in October 2010. Under Van Nort’s prior leadership, the City was able to weather the loss of the Vehicle License Fee in July 2011 without drastically cutting critical services to the citizens of Eastvale. Despite the significant loss of general fund revenue, Van Nort laid a solid foundation of financial stability by taking aggressive cost-savings measures and creating a dedicated, hardworking team environment at City Hall.

Van Nort brings over 30 years of city management experience to Eastvale, including 11 assignments as Interim City Manager across the United States. He has previously managed the cities of Eastvale, Big Bear Lake, Diamond Bar, Chino Hills, and Snow Valley, Idaho to name a few.

The City staff is very excited to have Van Nort return to the helm at City Hall to continue implementing the successful policy vision of the City Council.

“We are really glad to have Bob back,” said Mayor Ike Bootsma. “He knows the City well and he will provide seamless, sound and uninterrupted management of the City. With Bob, there is no need to train anyone, no down time and we gain his invaluable experience and expertise.”

Eastvale: City Council Recap

BY JENNIFER MADRIGAL

Eastvale – This month there were two City Council meetings. The first meeting was held on August 13 at Rosa Parks Elementary. All Council members were in attendance and the meeting started at 6:30 p.m. Pastor Rob Norris from The Crossings church led the invocation, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance, led by new council member, Joe Tessari.

There were no presentations or announcements. During the public comment section of the meeting, Cynthia Ravaro, a resident of Eastvale, addressed the council. Ravaro has lived in Eastvale for many years and has been the victim of excessively loud noises coming from parties held at a home in her neighborhood. These parties have been going on for three years and she felt the Police Department should be doing more about it. The decibel level is reportedly so high in her house that even with the television on high and all her windows shut, she can still hear the noise. She pleaded with Council to help her find some type of resolution

Todd Corbin with JCSD reported to the Council about actions that would need to take place in response to the recent state drought regulations passed by Governor Brown. JCSD will need to come up with a water shortage plan and an ordinance to comply with these regulations. More information about this issue can be found on their website at http://www.jcsd.us. Once JCSD prepares their plan, it will be brought back to Council for review.

The Consent Calendar was approved 5-0, with the exception of item 5.3, an update on the City’s Strategic Plan. The item was pulled because new information was recently requested and staff needed time to update for accuracy.

There were no Public Hearings or Old Business Items.

The New Business section of the meeting included Item 8.1, which was tabled for discussion at a later date. Items 8.2 through 8.4 were passed, 5-0. Item 8.5, the approval of the City’s Local Hazard Mitigation Plan was also approved, 5-0. This resolution is for Eastvale’s eligibility for state and federal funding in the event of a major disaster. Even though the City is in the process of updating the plan, the approval was needed to ensure coverage for Eastvale. Item 8.6 was for the purchase of a Paramedic Squad for Eastvale Fire Services in the amount of $151,565. The cost was already included in the 2013-2014 budget, and the Item was approved, 5-0.

For Item 8.7, Temporary Signs in the Public Right of Way, an ordinance was passed earlier this year outlining guidelines for when and where signs may be placed on public property. This ordinance applies to campaign signs as well. There have been some issues with this as candidates who are not well known rely on signage to get their names out into the community. After much discussion, the ordinance will remain as is until another solution can possibly be found.

Item 8.8 discussed the Chain of Command in the City of Eastvale. It was decided that in the event the City Manager is unable to accomplish assigned duties due to an emergency event or vacancy, the City Attorney will be the next in command.

Item 8.9, called for an amendment to the 2014-2015 budget to fund crossing guards for the intersections at Peach Blossom and Scholar Way, as well as Scholar Way and Baltimore Street. This item passed, 5-0. Items 8.10 through 8.12 also passed, 5-0. There was not a City Manager’s Report.

In Council Communications, council members Tessari and Welch expressed their condolences over the passing of Lt. Patrick Libertone. The Meeting was adjourned at 8:40 p.m.

The second City Council meeting of the month was held on August 27, with all council members present. The invocation was led by Pastor Tim Eaton of Edgewater Lutheran Church. There were a few presentation’s given by the City. Certificates of Appreciation were given to the National Night Out Participants: WOLFF, Target, Eastvale Community Foundation, Tequila 88, and the volunteers from the Riverside Sheriff’s Department. Rollin Edmunds gave a presentation regarding school boundaries in the Corona-Norco Unified School District. Sharyn Link, with the Eastvale Community Foundation, gave an update and announced the two newest board members. City Manager, Carol Jacobs, gave an update for the Public Safety Commission, as they were unable to attend.

During the Public Comment/Citizen Participation section of the meeting, Dickie Simmons asked the Council to reconsider making any decisions regarding the City Manager position so close to an upcoming election. Mr. Simmons cited that many cities have a policy of not making decisions concerning City Managers within 60 to 90 days of an election.

Mangie Rios with the 88 iMPACT Foundation thanked the community for attending the first annual iMPACT Festival. They had over 30 vendors, 400 participants, and are excited to be working on several other future events. They also presented the Military Banner Program with a check for $1,419.76, enough to pay for eight more military banners.

The Consent Calendar was approved, 5-0. There were no Public Hearings.

In the Old Business Section of the meeting, Items 7.1 through 7.5 were approved, 5-0.

In the New Business Section of the meeting, Item 8.1, an agreement to enter into a professional agreement for Architectural and Engineering Services with WLC Architects for Eastvale Fire Station 2, in the amount of $436,000, was approved, 5-0.

For Item 8.2, staff asked the Council permission to close City Hall on Columbus Day to allow the staff a day for Records Retentions. With the amount of plans and other public record items increasing, staff felt the need to take an entire day to concentrate on organizing and properly handling the items. Council asked them to consider doing this on a Friday when the office is already closed to the public. The Item was continued to the next meeting.

Items 8.3 through 8.8 were also discussed. After brief comments and exchanges between the council members and the City staff, the meeting was adjourned. For a more in-depth look at the agenda please visit http://www.cityofeastvale.com.

 

Eastvale: Meet New Councilman Tessari

Staff Reports

Bio Courtesy City of Eastvale

city-councimember-joe-tessari

Last month, Joseph M. Tessari was voted unaminously to be Eastvale’s newest councilmember. (Photo Courtesy: Joe Tessari)

Eastvale – Recently selected to replace Jeff DeGrandpre at the August 6 City Council meeting – by unanimous vote – Joseph M. Tessari has taken the vacant council seat in Eastvale to fill the remainder of the term.

Tessari is a Marine Corps veteran who served with the Infantry and Military police. He is a Pennsylvania native who became a resident of California in 1987.  Tessari worked as an independent contractor in the real estate appraisal industry before being appointed as a Los Angeles County Deputy Sheriff in 1995. He currently works as a Detective for LASD, and is committed to a higher quality, proactive law enforcement presence in our community.

Tessari moved to the Eastvale area with his wife, Lanee, and their three children in 2006.  All of their children have attended or currently attend Eastvale Elementary, River Heights Intermediate and Roosevelt High.

Tessari was a proponent of Eastvale’s incorporation and served as one the City’s first Planning Commissioners until August 2014.  His new term as a City Council member will end in November 2016.

Tessari frequently volunteers in the community.  He is a board member for the Eastvale Kiwanis Club, and has served as the club’s President for the past two years.  He is a volunteer in his church and an active member of our community.  Tessari can be found at most local community events enjoying the company of fellow residents.

Moving forward, Tessari believes the City needs to remain focused on economic development, superior public safety, and fiscal responsibility.

Eastvale: Planning Commission Vacancy

CITY OF EASTVALE

Eastvale – The City of Eastvale has a vacancy on the Planning Commission which has been posted on the Employment page of the City’s website. Interested parties are encouraged to submit a Volunteer Application with a resume and cover letter. City applications are available on the Employment page. The filing deadline is Aug. 20, at 5 p.m.

The Planning Commission is a five-member commission composed of residents appointed by the City Council. The Planning Commissioners term of service runs concurrent with the council member that appointed the commissioner.

The Planning Commission has the authority to review all development proposals for approval consideration. The Commission may advise the City Council in the development and application of policies affecting land use and development within the City. The Commission may also review and make recommendations regarding any proposed changes to the General Plan, Zoning Regulations and Design Standards.

Additional details about the Planning Commission may be found on the City’s Planning Commission page (http://www.eastvaleca.gov/index.aspx?page=29&recordid=1213).

Please direct any questions on this position to the City Manager’s Office, at (951) 361-0900.

 

Eastvale: Nomination Period Extended – Notice of Election

City of Eastvale

Eastvale – An Incumbent for the City of Eastvale has opted not to file nomination papers. Council Member Ric Welch will not be running for re-election. Therefore, the City of Eastvale has extended its Nomination Period until August 13, 2014.

If you have additional questions, please contact the Eastvale City Clerk’s Office: (951) 361-0900.

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a General Municipal Election will be held in the City of Eastvale, California, on Tuesday, the 4th day of November, 2014, for the following officers:

Three Members of the City Council, Each of said officers to serve a full four-year term.

Prospective City Council candidates who wish to file papers for the November 2014 General Municipal Election must schedule an appointment with the City Clerk by calling (951) 361-0900.

The polls will be open between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. on Tues., Nov. 4, 2014 for the General Municipal Election.

 

Eastvale: City Council July Recap

BY JENNIFER MADRIGAL AND TIANA GOEGEBUER

Eastvale – The Eastvale Town Hall Meeting took place on Tues., July 29 at Rosa Parks Elementary. Various agencies within our community attended and gave updates concerning their respective departments.

The Meeting was emceed by Kathy Bogart of JCSD. After the Pledge of Allegiance, Mayor Ike Bootsma gave an update on the City. According to Bootsma, there will be a special session City Council meeting on Wed., Aug. 6, 6:30 p.m., at Rosa Parks Elementary. The meeting will be held to interview the 14 candidates for the vacant council position. A candidate will be chosen that same night.

Eastvale also launched the “E-Citizen” app, where residents can report graffiti and code enforcements issues, citing a specific geographical location.

The Mayor invited the City to attend the upcoming National Night Out on August 12. This is a collaboration between local law enforcement, fire fighters and other agencies, and will be held in the Eastvale Gateway shopping center parking lot by Target.

Eastvale now officially owns the land for the future Fire Station #2, as ownership was successfully transferred over from Riverside County. The Mayor also announced the realignment of Schleisman Avenue and a new traffic signal.

The Leal Property continues to move forward with an environmental report expected in late August. The Goodman-Bircher Project should be back on the council agenda in October.

San Antonio Hospital Medical Center is expected to open in late 2014, as well as few other local businesses.

Tyler Madary, a field rep from Senator Roth’s office, announced that his office has been eagerly working on SB 69 to restore funding to newly incorporated cities like Jurupa Valley, Eastvale, Wildomar, etc. Although the assembly is on summer break, he is hopeful that the bill be passed by the Assembly and then passed on concurrence from the Senate. The bill will go in front of the Governor on August 8 and the office remains “very optimistic that Governor Brown will sign it”.

The newest addition to Eastvale’s Police Department, Lt. Evan Petersen – who recently took over Lt. Michael Yates position – gave an update on crime and safety in Eastvale. Most of the crime statistics have stayed the same as last quarter, but there was a slight raise in robberies. Car burglaries continue to be mostly “crimes of opportunity” with people continuing to leave valuables in their vehicles out in the open. Most break-ins, in both homes and vehicles, continue to occur Tuesdays through Fridays, between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Eastvale has had approximately 13,886 calls for service this year so far, as well as 4,121 traffic and parking violations, 24 DUI arrests, 30 injury accidents, 64 non-injury accidents and 2 fatal accidents (both fatalities were DUI related). Response times for the Riverside Sheriff’s Department continue to improve, ranging from 5.5 to 20 minutes depending on the priority of the call. At this time last year we had 31 indoor marijuana grow houses, whereas at this point we have had only ten. This does not mean we have got them all, it just means that all the work the residents, the City and the Sheriff’s Department are doing is having a positive effect on lowering the number.

Bill Newberry, from the CNUSD School Board, announced that the district has approved a separate Sheriff’s patrol officer for the Eastvale Middle and Elementary schools starting this school year. This will free up other officers from the Eastvale Police Department and alleviate some of the school related calls. The district continues to make progress on Yorba Elementary, which should be open by fall 2015, as well as the purchase of a site for elementary school number seven, which would realistically open in six to eight years. The district has also been working on the alleviation of school overcrowding by more careful planning for the future. At this time, all of the schools in Eastvale have room for students. With a few exceptions, the number of children being bused outside of their home school has greatly diminished. When Yorba opens it will relieve Barton and Rosa Parks elementary schools of about 700 students. Boundaries for the elementary schools will need to be redrawn and residents should expect to see this item discussed more clearly early next year. New Asst. Superintendent, Mike Cobarrubias, announced that CNUSD has been working on establishing an Emergency Operations Center to help keep the 54,000 students and 5,000 employees of the district safe.

Ric Welch, Parks Director at JCSD said they will continue to hold their very successful Concerts in the Park through August. They will also be releasing information about Movies in the Park soon. Visit http://www.parks.jcsd.us for more information about upcoming community events.

Jackie Williams, Battalion Chief from CAL FIRE/Riverside County Fire Department’s Eastvale Station, announced that medical calls continue to be the station’s highest number of calls for service. She also reminded the community to be alert and watch children when they swim as drowning can occur very quickly. There is also an Arson Hotline that you can call to report arson anonymously, (800) 633-2836. Chief Williams hopes to see everyone at the National Night Out, and is excited for the community to see all the different fire trucks, Haz Mat, and all the equipment that they use.

The July 9 City Council meeting was attended by council members William Link and Ric Welch, as well as Mayor Pro Tem Adam Rush and Mayor Ike Bootsma. The invocation was led by Eastvale Police Captain Jason Horton, who also introduced new Lieutenant, Evan Peterson. Shirley Zink gave a presentation on Simple Acts of Kindness World Youth, who will be hosting an anti-bullying and depression event on July 17. Sharon Link then proceeded to give an update on the current projects and progress being made by the Eastvale Community Foundation.

During the Public Comment/Citizen Participation portion of the meeting, a citizen came forward to talk about a festival that their business will be putting on at the Mid-Hill Golf Center on Aug. 2. The festival will focus on showing appreciation for the people who keep the City of Eastvale safe, including but not limited to police officers, firemen, and members of the Public Safety Commission. The festival will be open to the public.

All items on the Consent Calendar were approved, 4-0.

There were no Public Hearings or Old Business Items, so the meeting progressed to the New Business portion. The New Business Items were as follows: 8.1 – Project Management Services approved 4-0 for the budget adjustment amount, and to appoint Bob Williamson to help manage the Fire Station No. 2 project; 8.2 – Options for Filling the Vacancy for the Unexpired Term of Former Councilmember DeGrandpre, voted 3-1 to appoint a new council member to fill the vacancy before the November elections; 8.3 – Approval of a Resolution Calling and Giving Notice of a General Municipal Election was removed from the Agenda based on the results of the previous item.

The City Manager did not give a report, and the meeting adjourned at 7:30 p.m. with closing statements from the Council.

The July 23 meeting was attended by council members William Link and Ric Welch, as well as Mayor Pro Tem Adam Rush and Mayor Ike Bootsma. The invocation was led by Pastor Dennis Morales from Calvary Chapel. Eastvale Police Captain Jason Horton presented Lt. Michael Yates with an award, and Melody Cruise updated the Council on the status of projects for the Public Safety Commission.

During the Public Comment/Citizen Participation portion of the meeting, Hari Dhiman gave an update on the upcoming safety expo that will take place on August 2, and Caesar Morales discussed some possibilities of beautifying the vacant lots around the City.

There were no Public Hearings or Old Business Items, so the meeting moved on to the New Business Items. The New Business Items were as follows: 8.1 – Resolution Authorizing Acceptance of Deeds or Grants of Interests or Easements in Real Property, passed 4-0; and 8.2 – Cash Account Application, Non-Corporate Resolution Form for Multi-Bank Securities, passed 4-0.

The City Manager did not give a report, and the meeting adjourned at 7 p.m. with closing statements from the Council.

 

 

Eastvale: Tessari Voted Into Eastvale Council

BY JENNIFER MADRIGAL

joe-tessari-sworn-in-eastvale-city-council

Joe Tessari being sworn in to Eastvale’s City Council on Aug. 6, 2014 (Photo Courtesy: Jennifer Madrigal)

 

Eastvale – After interviewing 14 well-qualified candidates at the special City Council meeting on Wed., Aug. 6, the decision was made to elect Joseph M. Tessari to fill the vacant seat recently left open by Jeff DeGrandpre.

Councilmember William Link felt that it was in the best interest of the City of Eastvale to select an individual that had an idea of how the council worked, and who needed less of a learning curve, especially with important council agenda items forthcoming.

Tessari, a Sheriff’s detective, who has long been involved with the community of Eastvale, fit the City’s criteria, and after the motion was made, council unanimously voted him in, with Mayor Pro Tem, Adam Rush, abstaining.

Eastvale: Councilman DeGrandpre Resigns in Controversy

BY JENNIFER MADRIGAL

jeff degrandpre

Jeff DeGrandpre

Eastvale – With accusations of shady behavior toward unnamed colleagues, councilmember Jeff DeGrandpre abruptly resigned from Eastvale’s City Council, effective July 1, 2014.

The June 25 council meeting progressed like any other, and then came to an awkward end when DeGrandpre stood to read a letter to the council and public expressing his discontent that the council was no longer about the residents of Eastvale. While he did not provide any examples or name names, he accused his colleagues of “engaging in back-door deals” and holding closed door meetings in direct violation of California’s open-meeting law; he then publically resigned his position.

DeGrandpre was first elected to the Eastvale City Council in 2010, serving as the first Mayor Pro Tem, and then as Mayor in 2011-2012.

The recent council meeting was not the first time that DeGrandpre has pointed the finger at his colleagues. In 2013 he accused fellow council member, Kelly Howell, of “abusing funds” during a conference held in Las Vegas that they attended on behalf of the City. Howell posted on a local Facebook page that there “was no need for an investigation – staff provided all financial documents to the City Council at the next meeting”. The request for an investigation was eventually dropped, but not without causing ripples in the City and council. According to Howell, “It was a very difficult time for me and my family”.

William Link, who was selected as a replacement after councilmember Kelly Howell resigned last November, was shocked by DeGrandpre’s announcement. “I was stunned that he resigned. I don’t think anyone knew he was going to. As far as his accusations, I am unaware of the issues he spoke of.”

The ripples and controversy that were provoked by DeGrandpre are expansive. Many residents took to Facebook to express their concerns about the fraud allegations and resignation. Mayor Pro-Tem, Adam Rush, posted, “I am not aware of any illegal meetings, and if they occurred, I am saddened by this. Eastvale will continue to grow smart and provide excellent service to our fabulous community.”

Bill Van Leeuwen, from Mt. SAC, posted, “Jeff, I do not know what is behind this, but it is your decision and I respect that. Thank you for all your work in organizing the city and the leadership you provided. Blessings to you and Deanne as you go forward form this point.”

DeGrandpre’s wife, Deanne, also resigned her position with the Eastvale Chamber of Commerce earlier that same week, stating that the family was moving out of the state.

When asked to further elaborate on what prompted his resignation, DeGrandpre elected not to respond. Regardless of his personal reasons for resigning, he has left a vacant seat on the council that will need to be filled prior to this November’s election. The City must now decide whether to hold a special election, or select a person to serve out DeGrandpre’s term, which will end in 2016.

And what, if anything, will transpire as a result of DeGrandpre’s allegations? That remains to be seen.

K.P. Sander contributed to this story.

 

 

Eastvale: Goodman-Birtcher Project Update

By Jennifer Madrigal

Eastvale – The Goodman-Birtcher warehouse construction project that was halted at the June 11 Eastvale City Council meeting, when the council voted 3-2 to not approve the re-zoning and other aspects of the project, has been given new life. After appealing to the council and asking to be put back on the agenda, the council voted 5-0 to grant the developer’s request for reconsideration.

This project, which has been met with some resistance from many members of the community, includes a general plan amendment, zone change and specific plan for a 205 acre site; a tentative parcel map for sub-division of a 193 acre area into five industrial parcels; two business park parcels and one commercial parcel. In addition, the project also calls for the major development of a 2,714,829 square foot light industrial space, including four industrial/warehouse buildings.

Before the council voted on the reconsideration, Bryan Birtcher, CEO of Goodman Birtcher, addressed the council and expressed his gratitude for the project being reconsidered. He also said that there was some general confusion in the community over the Lewis Retail activities. Randall Lewis then spoke and clarified that Lewis Properties are “major supporters of the project and it’s a major investment in the Eastvale community. It will be good for the City.”

The reconsideration calls for the developers to take the recommendations of the council and to resubmit their requests at a future meeting. In an effort to make this process more efficient, each council member gave their recommendations.

Councilmember William Link, who was previously concerned about the amount of projected truck traffic each day, the lack of business retail, and the overall recommendation, did not believe that this project would be good for the community. Link hopes that “ the project will come back to planning with changes that are in line with what most feel would be best for the nearby residents and what is best for the City overall. It is a prime piece of property that cannot be wasted with the wrong project. It will continue to be opposed unless some serious changes are made.”

Mayor Pro-Tem Adam Rush stated that the City has a lot of needs, and he believes that the project is the best opportunity for that specific piece of property. However, he would like to see the impact of traffic, noise, and air quality be less, but understands that can only be controlled so much. “When the revised plan comes before council, we will really need to look at the benefits versus the impacts and make the decision.”

Councilmember Ric Welch emphasized his desire to make more of an effort to separate the warehouse from the residents on Bellegrave, reduce the number of intersections and signals on Hamner, and include a more in depth consideration of Cantu-Galleano to avoid blocking the streets up with trucks. The fact that this area would be one of the first sights seen when coming into Eastvale from that direction makes it imperative that it be well planned.

Mayor Ike Bootsma would like to see more e-commerce retail to help build revenue from sales tax and to keep truck traffic to a minimum.

Councilmember Jeff DeGrandpre noted, “It’s important to strike a balance.” DeGrandpre emphasized the need to look more at a project like Goodman-Birtcher as opposed to the building of 1,750 homes and the revenue that would be lost.

The Goodman-Birtcher representatives will take these recommendations and come up with a revised plan for council and public evaluation at a meeting not yet determined. If the Goodman-Birtcher project is not approved, the current property will remain zoned for housing.

 

 

Eastvale: City Council June Recap

By Jennifer Madrigal

 

Eastvale – This month there were two City Council meetings. The first meeting was held on June 11, at Rosa Parks Elementary. All council members were present and the meeting started promptly at 6:30 p.m. The invocation was led by Susie Tanner of Life Church. There were no presentations, announcements or public comments.

All items on the consent calendar were approved 5-0.

During the Public Hearings portion of the meeting, Item 6.1 was approved 5-0, and since there were no public comments, the public hearing on that item was closed at 6:34 p.m. Item 6.2 concerning a request for a rate increase from Waste Management for the fiscal year 2013-2014 included an update by City Manager, Carol Jacobs. The item was approved by a vote of 5-0. Item 6.3 concerning the Goodman/Birtcher Commerce Center, Project No. 11-0271, also had a public hearing. Jacobs provided a background and update on the item and explained some of the latest events concerning the project.

According to the City of Eastvale council minutes for the June 11 meeting, Councilmember Bill Link made a request for more “definitive language regarding the condition that the developer would initiate construction of not less than 100,000 square feet of business park within one year of issuance of the first industrial certificate of occupancy, yet that language was still too vague”. Jacobs assured Link that if the council decided to move forward with the project, that condition would be more clearly defined. The item was then opened for public hearing at 6:41 p.m.

Many residents came out to share their opinions on this project. Resident Rania Hamdy requested that the council oppose the project until the occupant can bring something of quality and diversity to Eastvale. Hamdy was concerned that Eastvale would become part of a group where warehouses had not been prosperous. The public hearing portion was closed at 6:46 p.m. Council members were then able to ask further questions on this project. (A deeper look at the Goodman/Bircher project can be found in our cover story). A motion to adopt a resolution approving a General Plan Amendment from high density residential to light industrial, commercial retail and business park, as well as a motion to adopt a resolution approving a major developmental plan review for the development of four new industrial/ warehouse buildings totaling 2,714,829 square feet, subject to conditions of approval, ultimately failed to pass, 2-3, with Rush and DeGrandpre voting yes, and Link, Welch and Mayor Bootsma voting no.

There were no Old Business Items. In the New Business Items section of the meeting, Item 8.1, Adoption of the Annual Operations and Capital Improvement Budget for the Fiscal Year 2014-2015 was presented by Jacobs via Power Point Presentation. Council members raised questions about salaries of various employees and asked for further clarification on salaries, as well as police contract negotiations and police salaries. The item was passed 5-0, with the exception of the addition of an additional Code Enforcement Officer, until a staff report is presented. Items 8.2 through 8.8 also passed 5-0. After some further Council business was conducted, the meeting was adjourned at 7:58 p.m.

The second meeting of the month was held on June 25 at Rosa Parks Elementary. All council members were present, with the invocation led by Pastor Rick Morris of The Crossings Church.

There were no public comments and the consent calendar was passed in its entirety, 5-0.

The Public Hearing portion of the meeting began with Item 6.1 for Delinquent Residential Solid Waste Accounts and placement of such accounts on property tax rolls for collection. The item passed 5-0. The Planning Commission recommended that Item 6.2, for the Adoption of the Eastvale Design Standards and Guidelines, be adopted by the council, and it passed 5-0.

There were no Old Business items. In the New Business section of the meeting Items 8.1 and 8.2 passed 5-0. Item 8.3, Architectural Features for Limonite Avenue Interchange at Interstate 15, failed to pass with a vote of 2-3. Item 8.4, for the establishment of an Eastvale Parks Commission, was presented by JCSD’s Director of Community Services, Chad Blais. This committee would not give the City actual authority over recommendations to JCSD about parks in Eastvale; Councilmember and JCSD Director of Parks and Community Affairs, Ric Welch, left room during vote due to conflict of interest. The item passed 3-1. Item 8.5 passed 5-0. Item 8.6, a request for reconsideration regarding the Goodman/Birtcher Project, was also on the agenda. The item was discussed in great deal and eventually the request for reconsideration passed 5-0. The decision made concerning the project at the June 11 council meeting has been reversed, and the project will once again be put back on the agenda. Council members were able to give their recommendations to Goodman/Birtcher as to what they would like to see at the next meeting.

There was no City Manager report, as Jacobs was out of town. And then, in a shocking turn of events, councilmember Jeff DeGrandpre read a letter to the council and public, accusing three council members of wrong doing. He expressed his discontent with the council no longer being about the residents of Eastvale. Although, DeGrandpre did not cite any actual examples or name any names, he did put in his resignation and will be leaving the council effective July 1.

The next City Council meeting will be held on July 9 at 6:30 p.m. at Rosa Parks Elementary. For more information on City Council agendas and meeting minutes, visit the City of Eastvale website at http://www.eastvaleca.gov.

 

Eastvale: May City Council Recap

BY TIANA GOEGEBUER

eastvale-city-hallEastvale – Last month the City of Eastvale held two City Council meetings. At the May 14 meeting, Council Members Ric Welch, Jeff DeGrandpre, and William Link were present, as well as Mayor Pro Tem Adam Rush and Julia Vasquez, the student liaison to the City Council. Mayor Ike Bootsma was absent. The invocation was led by Pastor Rob Norris from The Crossings church.

Two presentations were given: the first a Mental Health Month Proclamation to Mental Health Board Member, Patricia Carrillo; and the second was a presentation of certificates of appreciation for Clara Barton’s Walking Wednesdays Program.

There were no Public Comments, so the meeting progressed to the Consent Calendar. Items 5.1, 5.2, and 5.3 were approved 4-0-1, with DeGrandpre abstaining from 5.2 and Mayor Bootsma absent.

There were no Public Hearings or Old Business Items. The New Business Items were as follows:
8.1 -The council members nominated Karen Patel to possibly become a member of the Economic Development Committee. The nomination was passed 3-1, with Link voting “no” and Bootsma absent;
8.2 – Renewal of the Animal Services Contract with the County of Riverside was approved 4-1, with Bootsma absent.

The meeting adjourned at 6:59 with the City Manager’s report, the student liaison’s update, and closing statements from the Council.

The second City Council meeting was held on May 28. The meeting began on time with all council members present.

The Riverside County Transportation Commission gave a presentation on the future installation of a 14.6 mile Express Toll Lane in both directions of the 15 Freeway. The express lanes will be implemented in the current median of the freeway with multiple exit points along the route. Construction is projected to begin in 2018 with completion by 2020.

CitySourced will be launching their free Non-Emergency Civic Engagement app. It is scheduled to go live during the Picnic at the Park event at the end of June. It will be available for all NON-Emergencies such as graffiti reporting, code enforcement and parks and recreation information
Kris Kiltz, with the Public Safety Commission gave a report. The number of pot houses is down from three to four a week, to one per month, on average. The excessive speeding on the River Road Bridge will also be more heavily patrolled by the Sheriff’s Department.

During the Public Comment section of the meeting, LEAFF President, Rigo Arellano, and Vice President, Kris Kiltz, both addressed the council about the importance of the military banner program. Arellano also presented them with some cost savings bracket ideas for the banners.
The Consent Calendar was approved with the exception of some items which were pulled due to the expected length of this council meeting.

Two public hearings were held. The first, and most controversial one, was about the rezoning for the Goodman Commerce Center project. During the public hearing many residents spoke about their concerns. After much discussion, the council voted to continue this decision at a future meeting. Some of the concerns regarding the project were that restrictions need to be implemented on the times in which trucks may access those warehouses, load capacity issues, and permits with accurate tracking. The current estimation is 1,850 trucks per day, averaging 78 per hour. Even though there are legal operating restrictions for the hours of operation, this number could be increased significantly.

There are plans for four additional traffic lights in the area near Canto Galleano Road; however, it was advised this may not coincide with the proposal given to the City of Ontario, as residential homes are proposed across the street north of Hamner Avenue. The building will also have the option for solar installation if the tenant so chooses. In addition, most of the property will be warehouses, but they cannot guarantee that the future business will be staffed or fully automated. One section is to be a business park, and the rest a possible full service hospital (if they can get someone like Kaiser to come in), a hotel and possibly some retail in Phase 2. Additional information will be discussed at the next City Council meeting.

The council also approved rate increases for both Burrtec Waste Industries and Waste Management Fiscal Year 2013-2014. New business Items were also discussed.

The next City Council meeting will be June 11, 6:30 p.m., at Rosa Parks Elementary.

Eastvale: Meet City Council’s Student Liaison

BY EMILY LUNDBERG

 

eastvale-city-council-student-liason-julia-vasquez

Julia Aquilar sits in on her first City Council meeting. (Photo Courtesy: Jennifer Madrigal)

On April 23, the Eastvale City Council’s first student liaison, Julia Vazquez, was introduced to the Council. Vazquez is a senior at Eleanor Roosevelt High School and currently serves as the Associated Student Body (ASB) President. She is also a member of the Senior Class Council, and plans to major in Psychology. As part of her position, Vazquez attended all City Council meetings during her tenure, and participated on the Board with the council members and Mayor Ike Bootsma. At the end of each meeting, she provided an update on the happenings at Eastvale schools, including activities, concerns, and anything else pertaining to the youth of Eastvale.

When asked why her position was of value, Vazquez said, “I think it’s important to have a student representative because it allows the students, the youth of the City, to have a voice and be a part of something bigger than just school… [and] be an active part of the community as well.” She went onto say she hopes, “With this position we will have more action taking place within the schools to make the students have an enjoyable, safe and fun learning environment.”

During the summer Vazquez will turn the reins over to the 2014-2015 ASB President and Vice President.

 

Eastvale: An Interview With Eastvale Council Member Adam Rush

eastvale-city-council-mayor-pro-tem-adam-rush

Eastvale City Council: Mayor Pro-tem Adam Rush

BY JENNIFER MADRIGAL 

Eastvale – Mayor Pro-tem, Adam Rush, has had the prestige of serving as the very first mayor of Eastvale when it was incorporated in October 2010. He was instrumental in the incorporation process as Fundraising and Education Subcommittee Chair for the Eastvale Incorporation Committee beginning in 2007. With a background in community planning and environmental compliance, he is an integral member of the City Council. Adam and his family live in Eastvale.

 

Q: What do you feel is the biggest challenge facing the City for 2014?

A: The most important challenge that faces the City of Eastvale for 2014 is the same concern we’ve had for the last three years, which is a continual threat to our funding. These threats come from both Washington and Sacramento and it is critical that we advocate and lobby Sacramento to halt their financial imposition on all California cities.

 

Q: What is your number one goal for the City this year?

A: Given our biggest challenge being threats to local funds, Eastvale will continue to grow as a “self-sustaining” city. This includes a diverse housing base, local jobs that can pay a mortgage for an Eastvale home, and a broad range of services and commercial opportunities.

 

Q: What “feels great” about Eastvale to you?

A: I love the community spirit that exists in our wonderful city. Eastvale is quickly growing into “the biggest little city” in the Inland Empire. We come together as one family – whether it is at a community or sports event – but still are becoming a local economic powerhouse.

 

Q: How long have you been here in Eastvale? What’s your history with the City?

A: My wife and I moved to Eastvale in August of 2005 and first lived at the Homecoming Apartments until we purchased our home on Corona Valley in 2009, shortly after our daughter was born. I was appointed by the EIC board as the Chair of Education and Fundraising Subcommittee in 2007 and managed nearly every community fundraising and education event up until the Cityhood vote. From friends and family, I was encouraged to run for Eastvale City Council from my background as a Community Planner for Riverside County for over ten years. A majority of my work was right here in the City of Eastvale, where I managed a majority of the residential and commercial developments in the City. In June of 2010, I was elected, with the highest number of votes, and was honored to serve as the City’s first Mayor. I am now asking residents to allow me a second term in office to continue the important work we have started to make Eastvale the safest and most vibrant city in Riverside County.

Eastvale: Leal Project Advances to Next Step

brad.leal.speaks.to.eastvale.city.council

Brad Leal speaks to the Eastvale City Council

BY JENNIFER MADRIGAL 

Eastvale – The Leal Property, a 160-acre parcel of some of the last open land in Eastvale, has been a popular subject around the community. The land is owned by dairyman Brad Leal, who has tried to work with the City of Eastvale in developing a plan that brings his ideas into juxtaposition with what is best for the City. Leal has long been a proponent of ensuring what is most beneficial to Eastvale as a neighborhood is built on his property. The idea for a “downtown feel” is one that Leal is adamant about maintaining. He has worked with the City on making that dream a reality and at the City Council meeting on Wed., April 21, it seemed that Leal and the City are one step closer to making his dream come to life.

The Leal Property is currently zoned for agricultural as well as some residential development. With the Land Use Plan, the area would be re-zoned to include mixed use purposes for retail, office, civic, etc., and pave the way for the development of a large downtown area that combines commercial and retail with open spaces and landmark features that would become a major part of Eastvale’s economy and esteem.

Since February’s Leal Property update, the Leal family and the City have been busy moving away from the strict “bubble map” version of the property layout, which included exact sections to be developed (i.e. commercial in one specific area, retail in another), and moved more toward a flexible approach. The City sat down with Mr. Leal, who was concerned with the property plan being “too specific” about where things are and showing too little retail development. The City then took his comments and came up with a new, more flexible approach.

The New Leal Property Plan allows more retail to occur, doesn’t specify locations and uses at this time, and focuses on setting a higher bar for the quality of development. The new plan calls for 326,700 to 1,300,000 square feet of commercial development, up to 920,000 square feet of office/medical development, up to 450 hotel rooms, a possible Civic Center, as well as medium and high density housing. The plan also includes many community features like open spaces and entry features.

Leal and the City have been able to agree on most of the plan with the exception of the high density housing. Leal wants to ensure that the city remains flexible to development and that there aren’t any “dead spaces.” Councilmember Bill Link seemed to have the same concern but was informed that this housing doesn’t necessarily have to be in a certain area of the property development, but instead can be a more integrated part of the overall plan. Also, according to Eastvale’s Planning Director, Eric Norris, if the project is successful, then high density housing may not even have to be built at all.

The next step is to formalize a Vision Plan that will reflect this new land use concept. The City hopes to get this reflected into some type of brochure that will describe the land use ideas to potential developers by showing them that this project is open for business and they need only bring us their ideas. Members of the City and City Council will be attending the International Council of Shopping Centers Conference in May 2014, where many developers attend; this will allow them to get the project out to interested parties.

Once this Vision Plan has been created, the next step is the Specific plan. This will provide processes and act as more of a rule book to continue to guide the project to fruition. The City Council agreed to harmonize with the general direction that the plan is going in.

Leal, who has remained adamant about emphasizing a Downtown Eastvale area and maintaining quality for the people of Eastvale, got up to speak many times during the presentation. He explained that his original idea for a downtown “contained pockets for whatever gets built there”. He wants to make sure that the City and future developers provide a destination where all the different aspects of a downtown area blend seamlessly together. According to Leal, “This is a big project and it will develop slowly. I don’t want some guy to just come in and build a big building.” Instead Leal hopes that it will come in phases of construction and establish a real downtown Eastvale feeling.

For this project, which is roughly the same size as Victoria Gardens, attention to the finer details and the overall feel of community is apparent in Leal’s determination to ensure that it is developed in the best interest of everyone involved. The project will be a large part of Eastvale and there are many who hope it will serve as a “landmark,” bringing in jobs, business and revenue for our ever growing city.

For a dairy farmer who has been an integral part of this community, it’s about seeing his dreams and hopes come together in unison with the ideas and hopes of both the City and the Eastvale Residents.

Eastvale: Election Season Kicks-Off at Bootsma Ranch

BY JENNIFER MADRIGAL

Eastvale – With November’s City Council election season getting closer, some candidates have already thrown their hats in the ring. Current Planning Commissioner, Joe Tessari, and current City Council member, William Link, took part in a Chili Dinner Fundraiser at the Bootsma Ranch Sat., April 12.

The event was a re-election fundraiser for Corona Norco School Board Member Bill Newberry, but Newberry also invited a few city council candidates to participate. The evening proved to be a great way for candidates to introduce themselves to the community and also to begin the fundraising process.

During the fundraiser event, City Council hopeful, Joe Tessari, spoke about his wish to continue his service to the community by becoming part of the council. Tessari has served on the Eastvale Planning Commission for the last three years. Current Council member, Bill Link, also addressed the community and promised to run an open campaign, as he is a very open person and always tries to find the answers needed.

According to the City of Eastvale website, “City Council members are elected at-large for a four year term. Council Members serve “staggered” terms, meaning that either two or three seats are open for election every two years. Council Members receive a $400 per month stipend as compensation for their service”.  The current City Council consists of Mayor Ike Bootsma, Mayor Pro-Tem Adam Rush, Jeff DeGrandpre, Bill Link and Ric Welch.  Adam Rush, Link (who replaced Kelli Howell’s vacated seat in 2013) and Welch’s spots are the three seats that will be up for election in November.

As the election season draws closer, more candidates are expected to come forward and announce their candidacy. Some have even begun to go door to door and introduce themselves to the community. Some previous candidates from the City Council Elections in 2012 and 2013 have already began “pounding the pavement” in hopes of getting their names out there and letting the community know their intentions. And there are others, who are quietly contemplating running and planning their next move.  In an affluent city like Eastvale – with its high public safety, education and income rankings, as well as an extremely active and in-touch community – a City Council seat holds a lot of prestige.

The process to become a candidate starts early and prior to soliciting or receiving any contributions related to candidacy, aspirants must file a Statement of Intention with the City Clerk’s Office. There are also additional filing requirements that are dependent on the amount of contributions anticipated. The official filing period begins on July 14 and ends August 8 of this year. To become a candidate, according to the City of Eastvale’s City Clerk’s office, you must first be issued a Nomination Paper which specifies the office you are seeking. You must also obtain the signatures of at least 20 and not more than 30 registered voters within the City of Eastvale.

To qualify as a candidate for the City Council, you must reside and be registered to vote within the jurisdiction at the time nomination papers are issued. More specifically, you must be:

  • At least 18 years old.
  • A U.S. Citizen.
  • A resident of the City of Eastvale.
  • Registered to vote in the city.
  • You must not be on parole or serving time for any felony conviction.

To find out more information about this process, visit the City of Eastvale’s website at http://www.eastvaleca.gov/.

 

Eastvale: Corona Norco Unified School District Begins Student City Council Liason Position

BY TIANA GOEGEBUER

 

Eastvale – At the City of Eastvale’s March 12 City Council meeting, CNUSD (Corona Norco Unified School District) Board Member, William (Bill) Newberry, was present to discuss the idea of instating a volunteer student liaison to the Eastvale City Council. The concept behind involving a student liaison in the Council meetings would be to engage local youth in the governmental process, as well as assisting elected officials who are seeking solutions to community problems.

 

According to Newberry, the concept involves one student per semester that would be selected by Eleanor Roosevelt High School staff. This student representative would join the City Council members at meetings, but would not be a voting member of the council.  The liaison would be responsible for conducting the flag salute at each meeting, coordinating and presenting special student certificates, working with the Eastvale schools to obtain an update to provide during the City Council meetings, and writing a brief report that will include bullet points from each school site.

 

This liaison is selected from either incoming or current seniors at Eleanor Roosevelt High School. Each student will serve for approximately three months, with one student covering the July-August Council meetings while school is not in session.

 

When presented with the idea, the Eastvale City Council expressed a few concerns, such as who would be in charge of selecting the student liaison and how long a single student would remain in the position.  Aside from that, the Council seemed pleased with the idea not only to further the knowledge of a select few students, but to encourage more of the local youth to be an active part of their community.

 

The first school liaison selected was Julia Vasquez, a senior. She attended her very first City Council meeting on April 9.

 

Leal Specific Plan To Be Discussed – April 23rd

Leal Property Aerial View Photo Courtesy: www.lealspecificplan.com

Leal Property Aerial View
Photo Courtesy: http://www.lealspecificplan.com

City council meeting is Wednesday April 23rd at 6:30 pm! Be there to hear more about this plan!

 Information: courtesy City of Eastvale
Posted Date: 4/21/2014 2:00 PM

CITY OF EASTVALE, CA (April 21, 2014) – At the April 23rd City Council Meeting, Council Members will be reviewing a draft of the proposed mix of uses to be built on the Leal Property at some point in the future. The land use mix includes retail for the “downtown” area, offices, civic uses (possibly a future city hall), and residential. If the proposed uses are approved by the City Council, the land use mix will be described in the “Vision Plan” and ultimately in the detailed planning document which will be prepared for the property.

The public will again have an opportunity to provide comments during this meeting. The City Council meeting will begin at 6:30 p.m. at Rosa Parks Elementary School: 13830 Whispering Hills Drive, Eastvale 92880. The Public is highly encouraged to attend and provide their input on the project.  The land use program staff report is available for download on the City’s website (www.eastvaleca.gov) or the Leal Specific Plan website under documents: www.lealspecificplan.com/documents.

The meetings are open to the public to listen and participate. If you were unable to attend the last meeting (February 26, 2014), you can view the PowerPoint presentation to the City Council and Planning Commission at: www.lealspecificplan.com/documents.

For more information about the Leal Specific Plan, please visit: www.lealspecificplan.com

Eastvale: City Council March Recap 2014

BY TIANA GOEGEBUER 

 

Eastvale – This month there were two City Council meetings.  At the March 12 meeting, Council Members Ric Welch, Jeff DeGrandpre, and Bill Link, Mayor Ike Bootsma and Mayor Pro-Tem Adam Rush were present.  The invocation was led by Pastor Sam Tanner with Life Church.

 

There were no Presentations, Announcements, or Public Comments.

 

All Items on the Consent Calendar were approved, 5-0.

 

There were no Public Hearings or Old Business Items, so the meeting continued on to New Business Items, as follows:

 

8.1:  School Liaison to City Council was approved 5-0; 8.2:  Selection of Anderson Penna, Consultant for Engineering Design Services, was approved 5-0; 8.3:  A Study Session was requested and approved 5-0 for the 2014-15 Fiscal Year Goal Setting Budget; 8:4:  Review of Expense Policy Reimbursement was approved 4-1, with DeGrandpre voting against; and 8:5:  Attendance at the International Conference of Shopping Centers (ICSC) was approved 4-0-1, with DeGrandpre abstaining.

 

In the City Managers Report, Carol Jacobs reminded the Council that they need to select a Planning Commissioner for the Economic Development Committee, as well as formally reappoint the Public Safety Committee.

During Council Communications, the Planning Commission and the Public Safety Commission’s attendance was requested at the next meeting, as well as an ‘after-action’ report on the robbery/dog shooting that recently occurred with Animal Services.

The meeting adjourned at 7:45 p.m.

 

At the March 26 meeting, Council Members Ric Welch, Jeff DeGrandpre, and Bill Link were present, with Mayor Ike Bootsma running the meeting; Mayor Pro-Tem Adam Rush was absent.  The invocation was led by Pastor Rick Morris with The Crossings Church.

 

There was a presentation by Melonee Cruse on behalf of the Public Safety Commission.

 

All items on the Consent Calendar were approved 4-0-1.

 

There were no Public Hearings or Old Business Items.  The New Business Items were as follows:

 

8.1: The motion to continue the appointment of the Planning Commissioner to the Economic Development Committee.  Dr. Albert Randall was recommended, and was approved 4-0-1; 8.2: The motion to appoint Council Member Ric Welch and Jennifer Rodriguez to the Eastvale Community Foundation Board of Directors was approved 4-0-1; 8.3: The discussion on The Leal Specific Plan was approved to be continued to a later date 4-0-1.

 

In the City Managers Report, there was a reminder that the State of City Address would be on March 27.  In the Council Communications section, the Limonite off-ramp discussion involving Link, and other members of the council was mentioned; and a recommendation to investigate and modify laws concerning marijuana use in vapor cigarettes was mentioned by Council Member Bill Link.

The meeting was adjourned at 6:42 p.m.

 

EASTVALE – An Interview with Council Member Ric Welch

By K.P. Sander                                           Council Member Ric Welch

Eastvale – Richard “Ric” Welch was elected to Eastvale’s City Council in 2010, serving a four year term. He has extensive municipal government experience, and has been an active member of our community since 2001. Ric and his family can often be seen enjoying Eastvale’s parks, trails and community events.

Q:  You are a member of Eastvale’s Inaugural City Council.  What is your number one goal for the City this year (2014)?

A:My number one goal for the City in 2014 is to either see the City realize the replacement of Vehicle License Fees or move on with the determination of realistic public service delivery levels for the foreseeable future. We have spent considerable time and effort attempting to recapture funding that was part of the budget projections that determined feasibility for cityhood. This year, we need to move forward, one way or the other. I believe that we’ve done a pretty good job of adjusting to the dramatic toll taken by the decisions in Sacramento and it’s time to view these adjustments as permanent, regardless of what is fair or ethical, and move forward with plans for a lean but healthy City government. Dramatic increases in service are not possible under the current budget, so we need to ensure the most efficient use of the revenue we have and search out new sources where appropriate. Comparatively speaking, Eastvale has sufficient means and will continue to thrive as long as we all agree to live within them.

Q:  What do you feel are Eastvale’s Biggest Challenges going forward in the next several years?

A: One of the more important challenges that we face is to engage a broader segment of our community in decisions about our future. I tend to see a lot of the same faces at most gatherings in our City and know that with a population of over 50,000, there are a lot of Eastvale residents that have yet to be heard from. As a city, we need to find ways to connect with more of our neighbors to get their input on the future of Eastvale. Decisions related to local spending, service delivery, planning, zoning, etcetera, should be made with input from as broad a spectrum as possible. The recent input on the Leal Specific Plan is an example of a successful outreach effort that needs to be replicated on other topics. There will always be difficult decisions to be made and elected officials need to hear from all perspectives to adequately represent the city.

Q:  You have children in several of Eastvale’s wonderful schools.  With all the new housing forthcoming, how do you see additional population factoring in to the current school capacities?

A: While I’m very proud of our school district and the way that they’ve handled such dramatic growth, I don’t think there’s any question that the city needs to see Yorba Elementary School built now to relieve pressure on Clara Barton Elementary, and yet another elementary school will likely be needed in the near future. I’m concerned that much of the new housing is being built farther and farther from existing schools and that means more vehicle traffic at bell time, to an already overwhelmed system, even if there is capacity remaining in the classrooms. The traffic issues will only be addressed by additional schools, changes in behavior that increase walking and biking, a return of school busses, or some combination, thereof.

Q:  How long has your family been in the area, and what attracted you to Eastvale?

A:We moved to Eastvale in 2001 and were attracted by the home prices and plans for the wonderful new schools and park system.

Q:  You are also Park and Community Affairs Director for JCSD (Jurupa Community Services District).  Have you finalized plans for the Desi Arnaz house, central to the Lennar Homes development on Citrus Avenue?

A: The Desi Arnaz house was really an afterthought to the original reason for discussing the property with the Altfillisch representatives. The original discussion was over land necessary to complete the Eastvale Trail between Riverwalk Park and the planned Eastvale Community Park. When presented with the possibility of also purchasing the home, I brought the Parks Committee in for a tour. We have and will continue to work with other groups and the general public to determine the ultimate use for the home, but will concentrate on the trail and surrounding property in the interim.

Eastvale: March 12 City Council Meeting Recap

BY: TIANA GOEGEBUER

EASTVALE – At the March 12, 2014 meeting, Council Members Ric Welch, Jeff DeGrandpre, and Bill Link were present.  Mayor Pro-Tem Adam Rush and Mayor Ike Bootsma were present as well.  The invocation was led by Pastor Sam Tanner with Life Church.

    There were no Presentations, Announcements, or Public Comments.

All Items on the Consent Calendar were approved, 5-0.

There were no Public Hearings or Old Business Items, so the meeting continued on to the New Business Items.  The New Business Items are as follows:

8.1: School Liaison to City Council was approved 5-0.

8.2: Selection Of Consultant for Engineering Design Services – Anderson Penna, was passed 5-0.

8.3: Goal Setting for Fiscal Year 2014-2015 Budget: a study session was requested and passed 5-0.

8.4: Review of Reimbursement of Expense Policy was approved 4-1, with DeGrandpre voting ‘no’.

8.5: Attendance At The International Conference Of Shopping Centers (ICSC) was approved in favor of staff members attending the meeting 4-0-1, with DeGrandpre abstaining.

In the City Managers Report, City Manager Jacobs reminded the Council that they need to select a Planning Commissioner for the Economic Development Committee, as well as formally re-appoint a Public Safety Committee member.

During the Council Communications, the Planning Commission and the Public Safety Commission’s attendance was requested at the next meeting, as well as an ‘after-action’ report on the robbery/dog shooting that recently occurred by the Animal Services.

The meeting adjourned at 7:45.