CITY UPDATE

July 20, 2023

State Route 74 Paving Begins Next Week

The City is excited to receive improvements along State Route 74 as part of the Caltrans State Route 74 Corridor Improvements Project. These improvements will rehabilitate 49 lane miles of roads from Winchester Road to Fairview Avenue (shown in red below).

This construction will occur Mondays through Fridays from 8:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. and is expected to cause delays, so please plan accordingly. Construction is expected to last for up to 26 months. Weather permitting.

To check Caltrans traffic delays in real-time download the QuickMap mobile app here.

Community Clean-Up - Bulky Item Drop-Off

The Hemet Public Library will be hosting a bulky item drop-off on Saturday, August 19th, from the hours of 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.

Did you know that CR&R includes two free residential bulky item pick-ups per calendar year? For more information, click here.

The Hemet Public Library was recently outfitted with branding wrapping on its main lobby elevator in commemoration of the 20 year milestone of the library's opening in 2003.

Fun facts about the Hemet Public Library:

• The library is the largest building built by the City of Hemet to date since the City's incorporation in 1910.

• Many community organizations and families contributed to the construction of the Hemet Public Library, including the City of Hemet, Brubaker & Culton Real Estate & Development, Kali Pradip Chaudhuri Charitable Foundation, and the Duffin Family, each contributing a $50,000 official sponsorship. Additional contributors were John and Pat Brudin, Gosch Auto Group, Friends of the Hemet Public Library, Dorothy S. Searl Family Trust, Jack and Dorothy Stuckeman, The Valley Chronicle, and the Riverside County Board of Supervisors, each contributing a $25,000-$49,999 gold sponsorship. Other contributors were All Star Super Storage, The Bank of Hemet, Burke, Williams & Sorensen LLP, Doris Cole, The Crimeni Family, Frances Domenigoni Trust, Howard and Sandra Huseth, Millar Jones Mortuary, Frances Jones and Don Jones, Richard Kokes, Mayer's Glass, Merlyn and Eleanor McIntyre and Family, Former Mayor Ken Nishino and Family, Sam and Eloise Norton and Family, Page Plaza, John Petty, PIP Printing, Premier Pizza and Pasta, Rancho Diamante, Sail Drug, Leonard and Joyce Searl and Family, Jam-It Graphics, In Memory of D.W. and Mary E. Gauld, In Memory of Alice Jane Temple, Lori VanArsdale and Saad Aljanabi, and Charles and Jean White, each contributing a $10,000 silver sponsorship. 20 years later, the City sends its gratitude to the supporters of this effort.

• The library is complete with a spacious patio and conference rooms, which are available for public use by reservation at a reasonable cost. Contact Kathye Caines at (951) 765-2447 or kcaines@hemetca.gov to request a reservation.

City Council Approves

Community Development Block Grant

Annual Action Plan 2023/24

During a regular City Council Meeting on July 11, 2023, the Council approved the FY 2023/24 Community Development Block Grant Annual Action Plan.

The 2023/24 Annual Action Plan delineates the fourth year of the 2020-2024 Consolidated Plan and serves as the budget that addresses the City’s annual goals and quantifiable objectives established in the Consolidated Plan. The City Council, at its meeting of May 23, 2023, approved the funding recommendations for the 2023/24 program year. These allocations were incorporated into the draft CDBG 2023/24 Annual Action Plan and will be used in eligible areas such as Public Facilities and Improvements, Public Services, Housing Rehabilitation, Code Enforcement, and Planning and Program Administration.

The Annual Action Plan has been submitted to Housing and Urban Development (HUD) via their IDIS system and the City is not waiting for their approval of the Plan.

To view the Annual Action Plan Document click here.

The City is on target to complete the long awaited Skate Park construction in the fall of this year. This is a huge accomplishment for the City, and we will be sure to keep you in the loop with pictures along the way as we complete the construction.

As the completion date approaches, City staff will begin planning a Ribbon Cutting ceremony with special guests and demonstrations to commemorate this project coming to fruition.

If you are a skateboard professional or a local skate shop and would like to join in this event, please contact Brenda Chavez at (951) 765-2417.

On Monday, July 17th, the Hemet Police Department's Police Explorers and Explore Advisors traveled to Gatlinburg Tennessee, as they set out to compete in the National Competitive Training Conference (NCTC).

During this event the Explorers will compete against teams and agencies from all over the nation. They will be judged on different law enforcement scenarios, such as felony traffic stops, marksmanship, arrest and search and more!

Wish them luck as they compete and safe travels on their return home.

If you know a young person who is interested in a career in law enforcement but doesn't know where to start, we invite you to refer them to our Police Explorer program here.

Just in time for summer, the Hemet Public Library's children's patio received two shade structures.

This project was funded with American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds.

Public Works Crews recently repaired damaged road areas next to Pep Boys due to a collision that involved a fire hydrant as well as a failed valve on Lyon Avenue.

Members of the Hemet Police Department's Multidisciplinary Team continue to meet with residents about their continuous focus on quality of life issues such as trespassing, homelessness, and panhandling within the City.

They also covered topics on reducing crime in their area through Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) and ways to collaborate and improve their existing Neighborhood Watch program.

You and your neighbors can also create a safer street, neighborhood, and community by participating in and working together through a Neighborhood Watch Program. A proactive Neighborhood Watch Program will build a stronger, safer, and enduring community for all.

Looking to learn more about forming a Neighborhood Watch Program? Is your community/HOA interested in a presentation from the Hemet Police Department? Email jgonzalez@hemetca.gov for more information or to schedule a presentation.

On Wednesday, July 19th, City Manager Mark Prestwich provided a Community Update at a local Rotary Club meeting. This event was well attended and was a great opportunity to connect with stakeholders in the community.

Next week, on Monday, July 24th, City Manager Prestwich will be a special guest speaker at the Hemet San Jacinto Chapter of the California Congress of Republicans monthly meeting. To RSVP for this event, call Johanne Dieleman at (951) 663-7870 by Friday, July 21st.

If your neighborhood community, church, or organization is interested in hosting City of Hemet staff as a special guest speaker during one of your regularly scheduled meetings, please reach out to City Manager's Office staff at admnstaff@hemetca.gov.

On Saturday, July 1st, a technical rescue was provided for a male patient that needed to be rescued from a 150-foot ravine near Park Hill. The gentleman was trying to find his dog, which had gone missing the night before as a result of loud sounds from illegal fireworks being set off in his neighborhood.

Hemet Fire Department staff hiked down to the patient, delivered advanced life support and ensured the patient and his dog got the help that they needed.

Mayor Joe Males

Participates in a Ride Along with Fire Staff

On Friday, July 14th, Mayor Joe Males joined in a ride along with Fire staff.

He got the opportunity to see firsthand the types of calls that the City serviceson a regular basis. The Mayor is passionate about staying connected to those who provide boots on the ground type services.

City Council Presents a Certificate to Elk's Lodge #1740 for their 75th Anniversary

Mayor Pro Tem Malcolm Lilienthal and Council Members Linda Krupa and Carole Kendrick joined in the Hemet Elk's Lodge 75th Anniversary Celebration.

In the spirit of community, Elks Lodge #1740 has dedicated itself to impacting the community, whether through donations to the Community Pantry for their new fridge, to the purchase of K9's to assist our public safety, to donations to our Police Explorer program.

Additionally, the Elks National Foundation’s Scholarship Program has paved the way for countless young individuals, enabling them to pursue their dreams and shape a brighter future.

One of the key pillars of Elks Lodge #1740’s dedication is their unwavering commitment to our Nation’s veterans. Through their Veterans Services program, they have exemplified the Elks’ mission: “So long as there are veterans, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks will never forget them.” Their tireless efforts have provided support, resources, and care to those who have valiantly served our country.

The Elks Lodge #1740 is a very important fixture in the community for their efforts and longevity in the town. We are grateful to them their community spirit and send congratulations once more on 75 years in Hemet.

Check out their website for information on events here.

NOW OPEN & COMING SOON

The City is excited to announce that Bath and Body Works has opened a second location and currently has plan checks in process for Old Navy and Dutch Bros. that are coming soon to the Village West Shopping Center on the Southeast corner of Florida Avenue and Sanderson Avenue.

For more information on the Lawnmower Rebate Program click here.

To sign up, click here.