Meeting Agenda for May 3, 2012

Location: 5105 Jurupa Ave. in the ARC facility next to the Laundromat

6:30 p.m.-8:00 p.m.

6:30     Welcome, Wendy DeBoer, GNA Chair

6:35     Introductions by all meeting attendees

6:40     Grand Area Update, Mike Gardner, City Councilman

6:50     Update on Activities in the Grand Area, Officer Michael Dillon, North NPC POP Team, Riverside Police Department

7:05     Animal Services, Frank Corvino, Deputy Director, County of Riverside, Dept. of Animal Services

7:30     Senior Housing Proposal, Bill Allen, W.B. Allen Development

7:50     Santa Ana River Adopt-a-Trail Program, Cynthia Shields, GNA Co-chair

Please e-mail questions and comments to gnariverside@yahoo.com

For more information about GNA, visit our website at www.grandareariverside.wordpress.com

Save the dates for the 2012 meetings!

Thursday, May 3, 2012

Tuesday, August 7, 2012 (National Night Out at Old Mill Road)

Thursday, November 1, 2012

The new Jurupa Grand Shopping Center owners are working with Riverside’s economic development team. There is a possibility that the space left empty by El Rancho Sol market could be filled by Mommie Helen’s Bakery, a very popular pie-making company currently in Colton. This space could work as a place for baking and shipping pies, with possible small restaurant space.

Owners have also been in talks with 99 cent store, but we don’t know if it will be one of the lower end 99 cent stores or better ones.

Comment: We don’t need a 99 cent store. There is already one close by and attracts wrong element. Our residents won’t be likely to shop there.

Q: Did the new owners by the lot behind the center? A: No, they did not. It is not cheap to purchase that land.

Q: What happened to the dog groomer? A: She seems to have packed up and left.

Q: How can we encourage the new owners to choose the bakery over the 99 cent store. A: A subgroup of the GNA is meeting with the new owners in a couple of weeks and we will share with them our lack of enthusiasm for that option.

Q: Can we write to the owners of Mommie Helen’s to let them know that we are very supportive of their possible relocation to the center? A: Yes, that would be a great idea. [Please send all letters of support to gnariverside@aol.com]

Q: How will they ship the pies? A: Probably using Jurupa to Van Buren, a good artery for connecting to major freeways.

Q: How possible is it to get speed bumps on Grand? A: Not likely given all of the steps that would need to go through to get approved. Need for Grand to allow for smooth flow of traffic.

Q: Why is the speed limit on Grand higher than it is on Brockton, which is a bigger and more utilized street with 4 lanes? A: The calculations for speed limits are not necessarily straightforward. Has to do with many factors.

Q: Would it be possible to put a stop sign at Carlingford and Grand? A: Can look into it but residents at Carlingford may not be pleased with that decision due to traffic, exhaust and noise.

Q: Will Grand ever widen to 4 lanes? A: No, master plan for Grand is 2 lanes.

Mike discussed the convention center remodel. Architect drawings are finally looking good and council will vote on the plans. Folks may not be entirely thrilled with design of new center, but it was created with the intention of making the center stand out. He also discussed the main library and whether it will be remodeled or demolished/rebuilt. Loss of redevelopment money has made demo/rebuild very difficult. Going to look at costs of each option when have clearer plan for rebuild.

Q: How much would it cost to knock down and rebuild? A: It could be as much as 40 million dollars due to amount of square feet needed.

Update from Riverside Police Department, Nancy Castillo

[POP Officers were unable to attend due to having worked on the “Recycle Scavengers Enforcement Effort earlier the same day]

Nancy talked about the success of the dumpster diving effort earlier in the day. As indicated in the RPD press release:

At approximately 0600 hours, members of the North Neighborhood Policing Center, initiated a targeted enforcement effort to combat the trend of various subjects removing recyclables from curbside trash containers. This activity affects the quality of life across the city. Not only are there pedestrian violators, but also individuals who operate this enterprise from their personal vehicles.

As a result of this effort, thirteen (13) citations for 6.04.475 RMC (Riverside Municipal Code) were issued. Additionally, one (1) violator was cited for being an unlicensed driver (12500 CVC) and his vehicle was impounded.  

The Riverside Police Department is committed to addressing quality of life issues throughout the city. This effort will be ongoing and residents are encouraged to notify the department when they observe violators. To do so, please call (951) 787-7911.

She also pointed out that crime in the city is actually down from previous year but communications about burglaries, thefts, etc. between residents have increased, creating the impression that it is on the rise. These communications should continue and residents should be sure to call the non-emergency number (951.787.7911) when they see something suspicious.

She also announced the 9^th annual senior conference on Wednesday, March 28 8:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Janet Goeske center. Should be a great event!

Presentation on Historic Street Light Replacement by Steve Badgett, Deputy General Manager for Riverside Public Utilities

The City is undertaking a major project to replace obsolete and historic street lights. This project has some urgency as the #2 phone call that RPU receives (besides questions about bills) is to report non-functioning lights.

The lights in question are 100 years old and therefore have historical significance. They help to define the character of our neighborhoods. However, the wires have burned up underground. They are breaking and falling down. RPU has worked with a historical preservation officer to replicate what currently exists. After numerous designs and attempts, they have a street light that successfully meets all historical goals and city needs. There is one currently in place near White Park, close to the sex shop.

13,000 lights will be replaced in all, with 290 of those in the Grand neighborhood. The project is expensive, between 8 and 12 million dollars, and construction should begin in July or August. The Wood Streets are has the most lights, so the project will begin there. (Their lights are also the oldest.)

Mike Gardner commented that there are only a few of the older lights in our area because most of the homes and streets were constructed later during the late 50s and 60s.

Comments: numerous concerns were expressed about the use of LED lights in the new street lights and the amount of glare that they create. (They are similar to the lights currently at Evergreen Cemetery.) Some residents felt that these lights make it harder to see at night when driving and cast a very harsh and unattractive glow. Steve Badgett said that this is the challenge that they face: they are taking that into account but have to meet the needs of the city with respect to lighting and safety issues. He also assured that the lights will not project brightness onto the homes, but rather onto the streets.

Please e-mail gnariverside@aol.com for full Powerpoint presentation presentation on historic street light replacemetn.

Presentation on the initiative for a community garden at Tequesquite Park by Justin Scott Coe and Pat Silvestri of the Wood Streets Green Team (when writing these notes, I accidentally put Wood Streets Dream Team, but I think it fits!)

Justin discussed a number of great things that are happening and that have recently happened in Riverside to improve sustainability throughout the City. Last night there was the Green Riverside Summit which was a huge success. It brought together over 100 people to discuss these issues. Also, the City Council will soon be voting on changes to the charter to improve sustainability. (Read more here: http://www.pe.com/local-news/riverside-county/riverside/riverside-headlines-index/20120125-riverside-charter-changes-headed-for-workshop.ece)

WSGT worked on a community garden at RCC which has been very successful and now they are looking to create one at Tequesquite Park.

Pat Silvestri talked about the history of community garden initiatives linked to the WSGT. (See end of notes for greater detail.) In the last two years they have focused on building community gardens locally. Want the gardens to both be productive and bring people within a community together. They recognizes that gardening can be challenging and require a good deal of work, but they are committed to making it successful.

It has been hard to find properties for the gardens. They need to be long-term spaces, best if public lands. They work with the City’s Parks Department and Ralph Nunez. The City approved their having an acre of land at Tequesquite Park, which is nearest to the bike path and on the far side of Tequesquite Park alongside a native garden. Pat showed two maps to indicate the location of the garden and scale. Maps and details can be viewed here: http://woodstreetsgreenteam.ning.com/group/tequesquite-community-garden

The garden is very much in its planning stages and Pat and Justin strongly encourage anyone interested in the garden to attend the planning meetings which take place on the first Wednesdays of each month at the RCC alumni house. The upcoming meeting is on February 8 at 7:00 p.m. They would very much like participation from members of the Grand Neighborhood Alliance.

Q: Has the soil salinity been tested? A: Yes, chemist at UCR tested and says the soil is very good with good drainage.

Q: Will it be drip irrigated? A: Yes. Some hose irrigation in the very beginning just to get things established. It is a little over an acre of land with low water needs.

Mike Gardner comment: construction the park has begun! City is very supportive of this community garden effort.

Q: Who pays for the water? A: Still working that detail and others out.

Q: Was this part of the original park plan and EIR? A MG: No, it was not and the original plan has not been amended, however, the city is generally supportive of it.

Q: Who will pay for the construction of the garden? A JSC: So far WSGT has raised an impressive $2,000 dollars through garden tours. Will continue fund raising efforts.

Q: Concerns about impact of garden and its use. Will it be studied? A: Yes, this is intended to be a very public process.

Q: Was there a public notice about community garden? A: No.

Q: Numerous comments and concerns about how the garden will be protected by wildlife and humans. Even if there is a fence, creatures of all kinds can scale it. Concerns that will attract increased wildlife and transience. Concerns about drainage of fertilizer and other issues. A: Everyone with concerns should attend the planning meetings. These comments are welcome and this is just the beginning of the conversation about the garden.

Open period for final questions/comment

One resident expressed safety concerns about the narrow part of Old Ranch Road. When cars are parked on both sides of street, it is very dangerous. Mike Gardner said that he would follow up on this.

Another resident said that trash pick-up trucks squeeze the bins so tightly that they break and this will end up costing the city a lot of money. Mike said he would also follow up on this.

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Additional background notes on Tequesquite Community Garden:

The following is a review of the background and activities related to our Community Garden Initiative which includes our work to have a garden in the future Tequesquite Park.

“The Wood Streets Green Team began to discuss the development of community gardens in the Wood Streets area in August of 2010.  At that time, about thirty members of the Green Team met to identify the features that they would like to see in a community garden and the sites that might be appropriate for them.  Several working groups were established at that time to follow up with specific tasks that the group wanted to accomplish.  The group to locate possible sites was the primary focus in the fall of 2010.  After several meetings, the group identifed several sites that could be used for a community garden.  Private land adjacent to the Tequesquite Park site was identified as one possible site, RCC Riverside Campus, land owned by the Riverside Medical Society and a parcel on the campus of Magnolia Elementary School were also identified at that time. During the winter of 2010 and the spring of 2011, meetings were held with representatives of each potential site.

By the end of 2010, the only site that appeared to be realistically available at the time was a plot on the campus of RCC Riverside. A work group to design and plan for that garden was organized at the beginning of 2011 including faculty and students at RCC . After several meetings, a rough plan was developed but in the spring of 2011, RCC changed the location of the community garden and the plans had to begin again anew. Ground will be broken for this garden in the next month or so.  The site is behind the new Math and Science building which will be open in February.

During the summer of 2011, Councilman Rusty Bailey arranged for us to meet with the Director of the Parks Dept, Ralph Nunez, to look at some land that the Parks Dept considered potential sites for the community garden.  About one acre in the northwest corner of the proposed Tequesquite Park was suggested as a possible site.  The Green team began meeting in October of 2011 to begin planning for a garden at this site.  Several meetings have been held since  October and it is expected that the planning will continue throughout the year of 2012.  Access to the land is expected to be early in 2013. Construction of the park is scheduled to begin in January of 2012 and to continue for 12 months.”

This is a brief background and update of our activities related to the garden at  Tequesquite Park.  I know it is too long so please feel free to delete anything that you think is not needed.  Please let us know if you have any questions about this information.

As always, we have a full and promising agenda! Riverside Police Department will provide an update on recent crime in our area and City Councilman Mike Gardner will discuss progress on the Jurupa/Grand shopping center as well as other Ward 1 news. Deputy General Manager Steve Badgett of Riverside Public Utilities will discuss the project to replace historic street lights. Also, members of the Wood Streets Green Team will talk about creating a community garden at Tequesquite Park and encouraging local input for that garden.

Future 2012 quarterly meetings to be held on May 3, August 7 (National Night Out), November 8.

It’s a potluck, so please bring your favorite side dish. There will also be a toy drive for Riverside County Mental Health Department (gift cards are great too).

Come, have fun, celebrate the holidays and meet your neighbors!

**December 19 at 6 p.m. in the Izaak Walton Building in Fairmount Park**

Click on flyer for more detailed information: HolidayPartyFlyer2011

Representative for Riverside Public Library spoke in favor of Measure I. It will be on the November 8 ballot and supports the Riverside libraries. Will continue funding for library programs without raising taxes. Funds can only be used for library and locally. Please vote yes!

Councilman Mike Gardner encouraged residents to vote and indicated that absentee ballots may not get counted if sent in too late but before the 8^th. A large portion of the library budget comes from Measure C and I (if passed by voters).

Grand Area and Ward One update from Mike Gardner

Progress continues to be made on Tequesquite Park. Have received bids between 6 and 6.5 million dollars. There is 4 million dollars budgeted, and another 2 will come from the general fund. Mike encouraged folks to send letters of support for the park to their councilmen/women.

Q: What is happening with the Jurupa Grand shopping center?

A: It is still in escrow. The buyers are also purchasing a property at Arlington that has issues that have prevented the joint escrow from closing. However, in conversations with the buyer’s representatives, Mike has been reassured by their willingness to meet with the subcommittee (and later with larger group) to discuss improvements.

RPD Update from Officer Mike Dillon

Occupy Riverside has occupied much of RPD’s time. They moved the tents off of the downtown mall today. RPD conducted a clean-up of the Santa Ana River bottom about a month ago. There is a County employee who is responsible for monitoring the trail. She was assaulted by someone with an axe in the river bottom.

Mike Gardner added that there were recent arrests made by RPD of a couple who seemed to play a very large role in mail theft throughout the city. He also added that there is a project to restore native habitat near 5900 block of Old Ranch Road.

Q: How much is this costing and won’t it help to fuel fires?

A: It is costing “a lot,” however, the native plants will do a better job of preventing fires than non-natives.

Officer Dillon reported on the GNA Block Walk in October 2011 which was very successful. He also discussed the effectiveness of the noise ordinance. When residents are cited, the fine is substantial and if they don’t pay it, it is attached to their utility bill so there is motivation to keep quiet.

Q: What should I do if I hear gunshots but don’t know exactly where they’re coming from?

A: Call the non-emergency number and report it. Chances are others will call and that will help the police pinpoint where the shots are coming from.

Q: Why don’t the police respond to calls about fireworks?

A: Unfortunately, they are not top priority for RPD to respond to instantly, however, residents should call because the house responsible for the fireworks will get a visit from RPD the next day to advise them against fireworks.

Patricia Lock-Dawson, PLD Consulting, on the Santa Ana River Trust

See SART flyers at end of post for details

The goal of the trust is to make the SAR trail a good neighbor. PLD applied for a small grant for a section between Martha McLean and Tequesquite park to increase use and make improvements. At this point, the trust is only engaged as a study.

The trust grew out of intercounty partnership to get the trail done. Like a “friends of” group to encourage use and make a more positive feature of city. It was established just this year. Seeks to work with the community and improve access. There will be five community meetings between Nov. and April.  Other agencies such as Riverside Land Conservancy and Flood Control are involved.

Resident comment: There is plenty of trail access. Our area doesn’t need more. Would like to see the Trust improve what we already have.

Resident comment: I live where the proposed path for increased access would be. Already dealing with multiple problems due to transience from river bottom: urinating on yard, sleeping on easement, trash, theft. It is a constant battle. Has had to install flood lights and own dogs are constantly barking because of traffic from river bottom to shopping center. Would not in any way support putting a formal access path between Old Mill and Carlingford easement.

Ralph Nunez: This is a good opportunity for the community to voice its concerns.

Resident comment: There are six public access points to the trail. Why not improve those six instead of adding more?

Resident comment: The easement/road is a private road. Wouldn’t the city have to acquire the road through eminent domain? A: Yes. Owner could deny the plan.

Resident comment: Access is not an issue. Should not be a focus of the trust to create additional access. Safety is the issue. The current trail and access points should be better maintained and made more secure, safer.

PLD: The intent of the Trust is to make the SAR safer and increase usage. She encourages everyone to attend the community meetings.

Eliza Echevarria, Riverside County Transportation Commission, on the 91 Fwy HOV Lane

Click on HOV flyer for details. See also websites:  http://www.sanbag.ca.gov/projects/mi_fwy_215-sb-riv.html

http://rctc.org/

http://rctc.org/stateroute91.asp

Sales tax passed in 1998 and 2002 supports the construction of an HOV lane on the 91 freeway, from Adams St to the 60/215/91 interchange.

The project has environmental clearance and is partnering with Caltrans.

Will cost 279 million and already have funds to support project, funded by a state bond. Won’t begin to see construction activity until Feb/March 2012, with 2015 completion.

Residents should check the www.rctc.org site for updates on the project and flyers at end of post for details

Q: Who created the bond to pay for this project?

A: It’s a state bond that is paid out of state tax dollars.

Q: Does the project take into account increased traffic over time?

A: Yes, the plans are developed with traffic projections of 20 to 30 plus years.

Wendy DeBoer on GNA Business

There will be an Area 1 holiday party on 12/19 at 6pm Fairmount Park

2012 schedule of GNA meetings is listed on our website and on tonight’s agenda

2011 has had many successes and we’re hoping to spread them out to other parts of neighborhood. Would like to create a leadership team made up of folks in different areas throughout Riverside who can serve as GNA representatives and help plan for 2012.

Volunteers for Leadership Team:

Old Mill Road: Geoff Showell and J.B. Harrison

Jurupa Ave: Karen Shiels

Park Cliff: Steve Whatley

Carlingford/Londonderry: Debbie Darling (Londonderry)

Old Ranch Road: Rhonda Marquis

Charlotte Way: Shirley Camp

Tower Road: open seat

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Flyers:

SART

SARTb

HOV91a

HOV91b

A number of residents have expressed concern about the potential negative impact of this access path for our area, pointing to likely increases in transience and crime.  I strongly encourage GNA members to participate in the discussion of this path at the Nov. 3rd meeting.

See below for details and agenda.

Meeting Agenda for November 3, 2011

Location: 5105 Jurupa Ave. in the ARC facility next to the Laundromat

6:30 p.m.-8:00 p.m.

6:30     Welcome, Wendy DeBoer, GNA Leadership Team

6:35     Introductions, All meeting attendees

6:40     Grand Area Update, Mike Gardner, City Councilman

6:50     Update on Activities in the Grand Area, Officer Michael Dillon, North NPC POP Team, Riverside Police Department

7:00     Santa Ana River Trust Grant Study, Patricia Lock Dawson, PLD Consulting

7:30     91 Freeway HOV lane—Design, Construction and Impacts, Dennis Green, Consultant, Riverside County Transportation Commission

7:50     GNA Business and 2012 Plans (time permitting)

Please e-mail questions and comments to gnariverside@yahoo.com

For more information about GNA, visit our website at www.grandareariverside.wordpress.com

Save the dates for the 2012 meetings!

Thursday, February 2, 2012

Thursday, May 3, 2012

Tuesday, August 7, 2012 (National Night Out)

Thursday, November 8, 2012

Join the Walk with the Mayor scheduled specifically for the Grand Area. These walks with Mayor Loveridge have taken place throughout Riverside and offer a unique opportunity to highlight the parks and neighborhoods of Riverside, and to meet the Mayor. Our very own Councilman Mike Gardner will also be in attendance to add to the conversations about our area’s history, landscape, and character. Water will be provided. Be sure to wear good walking shoes and sunscreen.

GNA Block Walk on Wednesday, September 14, 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., starting at the corner of Jurupa Ave. and Sunland Place

Join us on a group walk through the smaller neighborhoods bordering Jurupa and Grand Aves. (Streets to be covered during this walk include Sunland Place, Grassy Trail Drive, Deerfield Ave., Greenbrier Drive and Old Mill Road.) This walk will include members of the Riverside Police Department, Code Enforcement, and residents from the Grand area in an effort to identify trouble spots in the neighborhood and work collaboratively toward improving these areas. We will also be talking about larger safety issues. Bring your flashlights and wear comfortable walking shoes.

Last Quarterly Meeting of 2011: Thursday, November 3^rd from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. at the ARC facility at 5105 Jurupa Ave.

Guest speakers to be confirmed…but we’re hoping to have a “meet and greet” with the new owners of the shopping center at Grand and Jurupa Aves. This would be a great opportunity for them to talk about their plans for the Center and for local residents to provide input concerning our community’s concerns, needs, and goals.

Just a quick reminder that this Tuesday, August 2nd from 6pm to 8pm will be the GNA’s National Night Out event at the 5400 block of Grassy Trail Dr. (right at the corner of Grassy Trail Dr and Greenbrier Dr) We’re very much looking forward to seeing everyone and meeting new friends and neighbors, in addition to having the opportunity to chat with members of RPD, Councilman Mike Gardner, and other City of Riverside folks. We’ll have lots of chairs, tables, snacks and drinks. It’s our very own neighborhood block party! Please join us and show your support for our community.

*Please note that this event will serve as our August meeting and will replace the one originally scheduled for the first Thurs. of August.*

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I’d also like to invite folks to join the Walk with the Mayor scheduled specifically for the Grand Area on August 13. These walks with Mayor Loveridge have taken place throughout Riverside and offer a unique opportunity to highlight the parks and neighborhoods of Riverside, and to meet the Mayor. Our very own Councilman Mike Gardner will also be in attendance to add to the conversations about our area’s history, landscape, and character. This walk will begin at 7:30 a.m. and will start at the corner of Jurupa and Grand Aves. Water will be provided. Be sure to wear good walking shoes and sunscreen.

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Many of you know that the shopping center at Jurupa and Grand Aves. is in escrow with the Hopkins Group. (The escrow has taken longer than expected but is expected to close next month.) You can see more about them and their development history here: http://hopkinsgroup.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=dsp&page=development_history_key&section=0 Once escrow closes, our subgroup of GNA members will be meeting with them. By all accounts, Hopkins is enthusiastic about meeting with the GNA and it is our hope to have them attend the last quarterly GNA meeting of the year on Thursday, November 3rd. Please mark it on your calendars.

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As Mike Gardner mentioned at our last GNA meeting in May, the City of Riverside has taken over Martha McLean-Anza Narrows Park, a true natural gem of our area, from the County. Though I have not seen it yet myself since this transition, my park peeps tell me that it looks better than it has in a long, long time. There has been extensive clean-up and tree trimming. I met with Mike Gardner last week and he was kind enough to share with me the original plan for the park when it was very first developed. He hopes to work toward returning it to its original glory, restoring its ponds and other natural features. I also hope that the GNA will work to actively support improving this beautiful park in the upcoming year. (Perhaps we could schedule regular GNA member weekday morning walks through the park?) If you’re interested in being part of that effort, please let us know. You can read more about the City’s take over of the park here: http://www.pe.com/localnews/riverside/stories/PE_News_Local_D_wparks27.27c7bcd.html

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Finally, I am pleased and proud to announce that the Grand Area is prominently featured in the June-July issue of Riverside Magazine. There is an AWESOME article about the wonderful and unique aspects of our area, with some great photos and highlights of individual properties we are all familiar with. You can link to the article here: http://www.riversidethemag.com/issues/june_july_11/ Just click onto the issue named City of Renewal and go to page 38. It’s a great piece and it’s totally worth the time to check it out. You will feel big feelings of love for our area after reading it, I promise! Really, go look at it right now.

See you Tuesday at National Night Out!

Wendy DeBoer
Grand Neighborhood Alliance
Leadership Team