HOLIDAY TREE LIGHTING CELEBRATION

Save the date for this holiday tradition that is held on Brand Boulevard between San Fernando Road and Celis. The evening features entertainment, face painting, and crafts for young people. Of course, all ages will be welcome to take a photo with our special invited guest, Mr. Claus, who has already confirmed his visit.

This year, in addition to the Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony, there will be a Bike Safety Skills Workshop in an enclosed area which will culminate in a Holiday Light Bike Parade through the San Fernando Mall. This event is open to all ages!

Click here to avoid the line and register online!

December 5, 2019 | 6 pm to 9 pm

Brand Blvd

(between San Fernando Rd and Celis St)

818.898.1290

HOLIDAY HOURS

In observance of the below holidays, City facilities will be closed on the following days:

All emergency services will remain operational.

DON'T BE A VICTIM OF A SCAM!

Several San Fernando residents have reported that they've received calls from individuals impersonating agencies such as the City of San Fernando, the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (DWP), the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), among others. Don't be a victim of this scam! No legitimate agency will ask for your personal information, or payment over the phone.

The Better Business Bureau (BBB) offers an abundance of information regarding legitimate businesses, as well as an opportunity for consumers to report potential fraud. The BBB also offers a great resource if you are considering donating to a charity, but are doubtful of its legitimacy. Please note: if the charity is not listed, it does not necessarily mean it's not genuine. At your request, the BBB will conduct an evaluation of the charity's legitimacy.

BBB Scamtracker: https://www.bbb.org/scamtracker/us

BBB Wise Giving Alliance: http://give.org/about-bbb-wga/more-about-us/

EMPLOYEE WORKSHOPS

Eighteen employees attended workshops on: “Performance Management and Evaluations,” and “Disaster Service Work and Applicable Laws.” The two workshops took place on December 4, 2019, at the Almansor Court, Alhambra, from 9 am to 4 pm, and were provided by labor attorneys from Liebert Cassidy Whitmore, as part of the City’s membership in the Employment Relations Consortium.

RECRUITMENT

Interview of top candidates for the following full-time positions were recently concluded: Deputy City Clerk/Management Analyst and Police Lieutenant, and selections have been made. Interviews have also been concluded for the following part-time positions: Police Records Specialist and Public Works Maintenance Helper, and selections have been made. A written promotional examination for Police Sergeant was concluded on November 22, 2019, and six successful candidates have been scheduled for interviews by an outside panel on December 11, 2019.

Recruitment for the Director of Public Works position is progressing well. A number of applications and resumes have been received, and first review of applications will take place in December 2019. Staff is still receiving applications for Recreation Leader I and II, and those are open until filled.

SAN FERNANDO IS HIRING; JOIN OUR TEAM!

Have you thought about a career where you can be involved in serving the community and helping others? Applications are currently being accepted for full-time Director of Public Works, Police Officer, as well as for part-time Public Works Maintenance Helper, Junior Cadet, and Recreation Leader I and II. Filing deadlines vary for each position. 

Visit the City website ( WWW.SFCITY.ORG) to view the job bulletins and download a City Employment Application.

LOS ANGELES COUNTY MOCK ELECTION: UNVEILING THE NEW VOTING SYSTEM

In late September 2019, the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk’s (RR/CC) office unveiled the new voting system, Voting Solutions for All People (VSAP). Fifty mock Vote Centers, with 1,000 Ballot Marking Devices, were open to the public and residents across the County got the chance to experience the new voting process and vote on a fun Los Angeles-themed ballot.

The RR/CC has established numerous Demo Center sites throughout the County for the purpose of allowing members of the public to interact with, and learn about, the new voting experience. The centers will be open regularly during both weekdays and weekends. Anyone may visit a Demo Center to try out the new fully accessible Ballot Marking Device, preview the electronic poll book, and examine other features of the new voting experience.

San Fernando Library (217 N. Maclay Ave) will host a Demo Center from December 2, 2019 through December 23, 2019. The hours are:

All are encouraged to stop by and become familiar with the new VSAP voting experience!

STUDENT OF THE MONTH

For the month of November 2019, Mahika, a student from the Academy of Scientific Exploration, was recognized by the City Council under the “Giving Back” category and was presented with a gift certificate from Horchateria Rio Luna in San Fernando. Congratulations Mahika!

EDUCATION COMMISSION

At their November 26, 2019 meeting, newly appointed Education Commissioners, Suzanne Llamas and Nicole Mohr were given the Oath of Office by Deputy City Clerk Cynthia Alba. Commissioners also discussed implementation of the San Fernando Teacher Spotlight Program and talked about the Fifth Annual Scholarship Awards Ceremony and process.

PUIG'S HOUSE YOUTH-FOCUSED CENTER CONSTRUCTION UNDERWAY

After breaking ground earlier this summer, construction is well underway on the Puig’s House youth-focused health and wellness center project at Pioneer Park. Earlier this year, the City and the Wild Horse Foundation, led by Major League Baseball star and former Los Angeles Dodger, Yasiel Puig, signed a lease to renovate an existing building at Pioneer Park into Puig’s House, a center for community services and enrichment programming focused on serving youth.

Mirage Construction Inc. is spearheading the construction work, which is anticipated to be completed later this winter. Thank you to Republic Services for donating waste disposal resources to the construction effort.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT HIGHLIGHTS: MONSTER BEVERAGE CORPORATION PURCHASES LOCAL INDUSTRIAL PROPERTY

Monster Beverage Corporation, the American beverage company that manufactures energy drinks including Monster Energy, has purchased the industrial property at 510 Park Avenue for $33.7 million. The 7.6 acre site, which formerly served as a service yard for Frontier Communications, was entitled last October 2nd by its previous owner, Overton Moore Properties, for redevelopment of a new 116,000 square feet industrial development. The Planning and Preservation Commission approved an application for a site plan review and conditional use permit for the project, including an environmental assessment, in approximately six months. The City is excited for the upcoming redevelopment of the site to support global manufacturing for Monster Beverage Corporation.

PLANNING AND PRESERVATION COMMISSION

The next regular monthly meeting for the Planning and Preservation Commission is scheduled for December 9, 2019.

COMMUNITY PRESERVATION STATISTICS, JULY 2018 TO OCTOBER 2019

Data provided below describes efforts in code enforcement and graffiti abatement for Fiscal Year 2018-2019 to date and Fiscal Year 2019-2020 to date.

DIRECTOR OF FINANCE APPOINTED

The City of San Fernando is pleased to announce the appointment of J. Diego Ibañez as the new Director of Finance. His first day with the City was November 12, 2019.

Diego comes with over 20 years of finance experience in the private and public sectors having held the following prior positions: Analyst for the City of Santa Monica and Finance Director with the City of California City.

In addition to holding a BA in Political Science from UC Santa Cruz, Diego also earned an MPA from Columbia University and an MBA from Indiana University. Currently, Diego lives in Canoga Park with his wife of nine years, Celine and their four Chihuahuas.

Join the City of San Fernando in welcoming Diego!

MEASURE A

In February 2020, staff will hold a town hall meeting for Measure A. Please refer to the City's website and social medial, in January 2020, for details on the date and time of the meeting.

On September 16, 2019, staff presented the annual Measure A report that provides a summary on how Measure A revenues were spent in the prior fiscal year. Copies of the current and past reports are available on the City's website ( http://ci.san-fernando.ca.us/finance/financial-documents/).

WATER BILLING AND HOLIDAY SCHEDULE

Due to the holidays, please see the important billing dates and City Hall closures below:

Simplify your life and avoid late fees at the same time by signing up for AutoPay and have your Water Bill debited directly from your account automatically. There is no charge to you from the City, but some financial institutions may charge a fee for electronic fund transfers (ask your bank regarding any possible fees). You may also pay your Water Bill in person at City Hall; acceptable payment methods include cash, check, and debit card ($1.50 processing fee for debit card transactions). For more details, contact the Finance Department at 818.898.1245.

INCREASE IN WATER RATES

Beginning in January 2020, water rates will be increasing. Residents should starting seeing an increase in their billing rates in February 2020 with the November 2019 – January 2020 billing period.

The City has a new low-income bill assistance program for qualified residents. Please check your January 2020 water bill for additional details on eligibility and an application for this program.

FINANCIAL REPORTS

As a reminder, all of the City's financial reports, including annual budgets, audited financial statements, quarterly sales tax reports, and the Measure A Annual Report can be found under the Finance Department page on the City's website ( WWW.SFCITY.ORG).

32 ^nd ANNUAL CHRISTMAS BASKET PROGRAM

The Police Department and the San Fernando Police Advisory Council are accepting donations of new children's toys (ages infant to 12 years old) and financial contributions for food purchases through December 13, 2019.

Since it's inception, over 43,437 toys and 195,096 lbs. of food have been distributed by Police Officers and City personnel to families in need within the City of San Fernando.

REPORT OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE LEADS TO SHORT PURSUIT, ROLL OVER TRAFFIC COLLISION AND DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE (DUI) ARREST

On October 4, 2019, at approximately 9:00 pm, officers were dispatched to the area of The Home Depot, located at 12920 Foothill Blvd, regarding reports of a male and female fighting inside of a vehicle. While enroute, Officer Delgado located the described suspect vehicle travelling away from the scene at a high-rate of speed. Officer Delgado made a U-turn in an attempt to catch the vehicle when he observed the driver run a red light at Glenoaks Blvd and Arroyo Avenue. Officer Delgado continued his vehicle pursuit and saw the suspect’s vehicle collide with several parked vehicles and flip over at Glenoaks Blvd and Vaughn Avenue. 

Officers determined that the male driver fled the location and they established a perimeter with the assistance of the Los Angeles Police Department. A short while later, Sergeant Woodward, Field Training Officer Dominguez, and Officer Najera located the suspect hiding under a parked vehicle in a yard and he was taken into custody without incident. The male driver was arrested and booked for felony evading, felony driving under the influence, resisting arrest and driving without a license. Excellent observation by officers that led to the arrest of an obviously impaired and dangerous driver.

REPORT OF ASSAULT WITH A DEADLY WEAPON LEADS TO RECOVERY OF 16 LBS. OF MARIJUANA, ITEMS CONSISTENT WITH IDENTITY THEFT AND A STOLEN HANDGUN

On October 22, 2019, at approximately 9:30 pm, the Police Department Communications Center received a call from a victim reporting that he had been assaulted by a male armed with a handgun. Sergeant Aguirre, Field Training Officer Pak, and Officers Mendoza, Patino, Willmont, and Najera responded to the 1900 block of Lucas St and contacted the male victim who had visible injuries to his face and head. The victim told officers where the assault occurred and officers responded to a nearby town home. While detaining the occupants inside, officers located multiple items consistent with identity theft. 

Officers obtained a search warrant and subsequently located additional items used for identity theft, including fraudulent money orders, blank money orders, checks, notebooks containing personal identification information, printers and other equipment. Officers also located over 16 pounds of marijuana packaged for sale, narcotic paraphernalia, and a reported stolen handgun.  Three males and one female were arrested for a myriad of charges including assault with a deadly weapon, forgery, identify theft, carrying a concealed firearm, and felon in possession of a firearm. Awesome job by SFPD officers who prevented further identity theft and recovered a stolen handgun!

TRAFFIC/PARKING CITATION UPDATE

The Police Department's Traffic Division is responsible for enforcing traffic and parking regulations in the City of San Fernando. Data provided below describes efforts in traffic and parking enforcement during November 2019.

ANNUAL STREET RESURFACING PROJECT

During the month of December 2019, Excel Paving will be upgrading the water mains and repairing sidewalk, curb and gutter and access ramps on North Workman Street between Glenoaks Boulevard and Seventh Street and Lucas Street between North Workman Street and North Huntington Street. Additional sidewalk repairs, curb and gutter repairs and construction of access ramps will take place on Alexander Street between Library Street and Lucas Street. During construction, these streets may experience temporary road closures.

TRANSPORTATION AND SAFETY COMMISSION: NEW COMMISSIONERS

In November 2019, the Transportation and Safety Commission welcomed two new commissioners, Clarisa Tolentino and Nicole Mohr. The Transportation and Safety Commission advises the City Council and staff on traffic and traffic safety related issues.

UPDATE ON GLENOAKS BLVD WATER/SEWER PROJECT

Your water and sewer money at work! The City is in the process of improving the sewer and water infrastructure. The contractor is currently working on replacing the sewer main on Glenoaks Boulevard from Harding Avenue to Orange Grove Avenue. Approximately 1,880 linear feet of sewer main have been replaced. Once this area is complete, the contractor will remove and replace sidewalk, driveway approaches, and curb ramps on Glenoaks Boulevard from Harding Avenue to Orange Grove Avenue and resurface the sewer trench. Construction is tentatively scheduled to be completed in December 2019.

TEENS FOR A BETTER COMMUNITY (TBC) FOOD DRIVE

TBC will be conducting a canned food drive to help Meet Each Need with Dignity's (MEND) Christmas Program. The program provides food baskets during the holidays to underserved families in Pacoima and the surrounding communities.

There will be four drop off locations: Las Palmas Park, Recreation Park, Public Works Operations Center and City Hall. All un-expired canned goods will be accepted through December 6, 2019. For more information, contact Las Palmas Park at 818.898.7340.

WINTER CAMP

Register now for Winter Camp! This year's camp begins on December 23, 2019 and ends on January 10, 2020. Contact Recreation Park for additional information: 818.898.1290.

TUTCINT YOUTH EMPOWERMENT

On November 12, 2019, Tutcint Youth Empowerment, held an Open House in the Learning Center at Las Palmas Park. This was an opportunity for local community members and stakeholders to learn more about the program, meet staff, and tour the facility. Approximately 50 people attended the two sessions.

Tutcint Youth Empowerment program is open to youth ages 13 to 17 who live in the City of San Fernando and surrounding communities, and began on December 3, 2019. 

NEW TECHNOLOGY AT LAS PALMAS PARK

WiFi has been installed in Las Palmas Park facilities. This service is currently only available to staff; however, WiFi for public use is projected to be available in 2020.

LOS ANGELES REGIONAL FOOD BANK

The Los Angeles Regional Food Bank offers a monthly food package distribution program at Las Palmas Park. On the first Monday of the month, eligible seniors ages 60 and over are provided with a free food kit with specific nutritional needs such as meats, canned fruits and vegetables, dry milk and related products, cereals and other grain products, and much more. Contact Las Palmas Park for additional information: 818.898.7340.

FALL BILLIARDS TOURNAMENT

On November 8, 2019, Las Palmas Park hosted a billiards tournament for seniors who play pool at all levels. A total of nine players registered for the tournament. Along with some friendly competition, light snacks were provided. Below are the First and Second place winners who received a certificate and prize.

HOLIDAY CARD MAKING WORKSHOP

In conjunction with LA WORKS and the Department of Aging, Las Palmas Park hosted a craft making workshop for seniors. Approximately 18 participants took part in making craft holiday cards for isolated seniors living in the Los Angeles area. The Department of Aging will distribute these cards along with a warm meal and a small gift. This workshop was sponsored by LA WORKS.

MALIBU CREEK FAMILY HIKE

Families joined the Recreation and Community Services Department and National Parks Conservation Association on a family hike on November 16, 2019, to Malibu Creek. The group of 20 met up at Las Palmas Park first to prepare a lunch that is convenient for taking on a hike. The group walked one mile to the Malibu Creek Visitor Center to learn about the ecosystem and the wildlife that live in the Santa Monica Mountains. Participants were able to touch real animal skin and fur of various animals, such as the raccoon and bobcat. In addition to the visitor center, participants traveled two miles to reach the creek which offered beautiful scenery. Stay tuned for more workshops and hikes coming in Spring 2020.