"The past several years have shaped who we are and where we are headed as a city," said Mayor Parris. "Our achievements have been successful because we have refined our perspectives and our visions to not only tackle the everyday needs of a sustainable city, but also prepare ourselves for a global presence in a very competitive marketplace."

 Noting that a community cannot flourish with an unhealthy citizenry, Mayor Parris highlighted early on the City's numerous approaches to impacting local health and wellness. The addition of more than 300,000 square feet of new medical facilities (Kaiser Permanente, City of Hope and L.A. County High Desert Regional Care Center), along with the annual Lancaster Corporate Challenge and the new YOLO Wellness Challenge continue to provide Lancaster citizens with the available facilities, as well as professional and personal motivation, to improve and excel at maintaining healthy lifestyles. By continuously striving to shift the historically alarming statistics of poor health in the Antelope Valley, Lancaster's leadership aims to create a community in which healthy habits are the norm and not the exception.

"2014 was an extremely productive year for the City of Lancaster," Mayor Parris added. "I've only cited some of the larger-scale developments to you from an extensive list of accomplishments. What is most important is that each of you consider how you can become a better business owner, a better resident, and a better citizen of the City of Lancaster. Where this City goes in the future is truly up to the individuals who live in, work in and love this community the way I do. What are you willing to do to make a real difference in the success and well-being of our city?"

 Mayor Parris concluded his address with the notion that the key to Lancaster becoming the best community it can be is found not only in maintaining a momentum for progress and innovation, but also in understanding and embracing the community members' ability to take control of their future, in spite of the world's economic, social and environmental vices. He hopes that by continuing to charge forward, the City of Lancaster will reach its full potential and continue to grow an exemplary foundation for economic, social, environmental and cultural excellence.  

 On the renewal energy front, Lancaster remains on a diligent path to become a Net Zero city. Lancaster not only reached 54% of this goal before the close of 2014, the City helped numerous "green" advancements take place which will contribute to its long-term sustainability. The list includes the rollout of KB Home's Zero House 2.0; the option of a grey water system for new homes; Nexus E-Water's advanced system for capturing and reusing residential water; and, the unveiling of BYD's first 60-foot articulated electric bus, named "The Lancaster" after its local production site.

 Adding a bit of excitement to this lineup of "green" accomplishments, Mayor Parris announced his invitation from the French Ambassador to the United States to speak at FOCUS 2015, a forum of communities for urban sustainability being held at the French Embassy in Washington, D.C. next month. This forum is a precursor to the international Paris Climate Change Conference to be held in December 2015, a global event which will offer an interface between government negotiators, civil society and businesses.

 Mayor Parris continued to address the City's progress on the energy front by discussing what the acquisition of 18,000 streetlights from Southern California Edison truly means to the community. The investment alone will save the City significant funds in maintenance costs. The added benefits are the countless options for retrofitting streetlights to better enhance public safety and community services.

 Undoubtedly, the City's grandest and most exciting venture is the coming implementation of the Community Choice Aggregate (CCA) program, "Lancaster Choice Energy."  Lancaster is taking control of its power in order to give citizens control over their power. Last year, City staff set the foundation in place, and this year, the City will roll out its own utility service at lower rates than Southern California Edison. The rollout begins in May, and by October of this year, everyone in Lancaster will have the power to choose the energy options which work best for their homes and businesses. The savings throughout the City are proposed to amount to more than $3 Million annually, freeing up those funds to be reinvested into the local economy.

 "Being able to provide this affordable, greener service to our citizens is a great incentive for pursuing Community Choice Aggregation. The icing on the cake is the fact that becoming a CCA is a real game-changer for the City, as well as the community at large," said Mayor Parris. 

 "There are so many avenues of growth, expansion and energy independence associated with this venture. The many advantages this gives our residents, businesses and local economy are immediate, long-term and extensive."

 The State of the City Address was rounded out by a call-to-action, emphasizing how instrumental community stakeholders and business leaders are in motivating and moving the City in the right direction. The demands and endurance of the local economy have influenced City officials to persistently seek new avenues for strengthening Lancaster's economic infrastructure to ensure future sustainability.

 The past year speaks to Lancaster's resourceful ability to thrive even in the toughest of times. With ten more new businesses launched on The BLVD; 18 new eateries throughout the City; two new high-end hotels; and a more than $12 million renovation project led by the dealership owners of the Lancaster Auto Mall, the Lancaster community now has more than 7,500 local businesses. For Mayor Parris, the Lancaster City Council, and City staff, this is positive, but not nearly enough to properly position the City to thrive in this highly competitive environment of economic recovery.

 City officials intend to heavily leverage Lancaster's assets and innovation to attract more businesses. When Lancaster Choice Energy launches in May, it will be strategically marketed as an incentive for key job creators and revenue generators to locate, expand or remain in the City of Lancaster.  By fervently addressing community wellness, engagement, social health and environmental responsibility, along with championing a "most business-friendly" mantra, the City is creating a sustainable marketplace, conducive to jobs, education and personal success for all citizens.

 Focused on improving cultural and social wellness, as well; Mayor Parris spoke to the never-ending atmosphere of activity which permeates the City of Lancaster year-round. In addition to the many large crowd-drawing events, including the California Poppy Festival, Summer Concert Series, Fireworks Extravaganza, Bark at the Park, BooLVD, Field of Drafts, and The BLVD Magical Christmas; the Lancaster Performing Arts Center hosts hundreds of programs and shows annually, and engaged more than 15,000 local children in the performing arts throughout the past year. In addition, the Lancaster Museum of Art and History (MOAH), along with the refurbished MOAH: CEDAR, presented more than 40 art exhibitions in 2014. The City will continue to provide endless opportunities for residents and visitors to experience culture, art and entertainment in the Antelope Valley.

 While wellness and cultural experiences are essential elements for a successfully growing community, public safety is a non-negotiable factor. Recognizing the need to increase safety and accountability at Lancaster's local transportation hub, City officials negotiated with Metrolink and the County of Los Angeles to heighten service and protective measures at the downtown Metrolink Station. Parris pointed out that the addition of onboard officers and a security fence on site, has already had a dramatic impact on the integrity of the train's service, along with passenger security.

 More important than the enhancements made at the Metrolink Station, however, is what developed further from the discussions leading up to these improvements. In partnership with the County of Los Angeles and the local faith-based community, the previous High Desert Regional Care Center located on 60^th West, south of Avenue I, is on track to be converted into a multi-service facility for the Valley's homeless population. At this new facility, the possibilities are tremendous for enabling a healthy and successful transition from transient living to personal wellness and independent sustainability. This endeavor will provide the first true opportunity for Lancaster's many varied organizational resources to pool together, in order to have an even greater impact on this segment of the community. Faith-based organizations, Grace Resource Center, the Lancaster Community Shelter, and other service and mental health entities will now receive assistance and support from the County and City to help facilitate the proper offering of services for people truly in need.