50 Things We've Done
 |
 |
The purpose of this report is to briefly memorialize
the programs and significant accomplishments that
occurred in the City of La Palma over the past year
or so. While this is not an exhaustive list, it highlights
the most important things that the City has done
to improve the quality of life for La Palmans. | The List
- Constructed a new median on La Palma Ave. west of Moody St., revising the City’s standard design to be more water efficient. The project was completed 1 month ahead of schedule and 10% under budget.
- Fully upgraded the Denni St. pocket park in 6 days with the assistance of volunteers from BP/ARCO.
- Issued 410 building permits, performed 878 building inspections, performed 40 plan check reviews for new developments and tenant improvements, and adopted new Building, Fire, Electrical, and Plumbing Codes.
- Created the Police Interaction with Youth (PIY) school drug education, decision making, and conflict resolution program.
- Changed the City’s water disinfectant system to create chlorine out of common table salt, which is safer than the chlorine gas that was used before. For this, the City received an award from the American Public Works Association.
- Partnered with City of Los Alamitos to provide swim lessons at the USA Water Polo National Training Center.
- Completed a $364,000 rehabilitation of Orangethorpe Ave. west of the 91 Freeway using grant funds.
- Guided 20 local teenage volunteers, who put in over 4,000 hours during the summer.
- Installed 5,522 square feet of new sidewalks, 210 linear feet of curbs and gutters, and 31 new street trees.
- Assisted the expansion of Unisource Worldwide and helped to attract Southern CA Edison, Yogurt Time, Innovative Operations Solutions, Texas Loosey’s, MMC, Pamarco, Flame Broiler, Rosendin Electric, and other new businesses to the City, which has increased the number of jobs in La Palma.
- Reduced overall crime by 12%, violent crime by 23%, and property crimes by 2%. All of these are at historically low levels.
- Installed a new storm drain on Indigo Lane to end flooding in the area.
- Processed over 10,500 financial transactions worth more than $19 million to keep the business of the City moving forward.
- Obtained a $185,000 grant to install a state-of-the-art wireless security system for the City’s water wells.
- Worked with Kennedy High School to facilitate a Safety Belt Challenge to help teenagers better understand road safety.
- Completed the $3.66 million Community Center Rehabilitation Project, including a small expansion, to provide modern public meeting spaces that can accommodate groups from 10 – 200.
- Launched a fully redesigned City website (www.cityoflapalma.org), providing residents with a useful, interactive resource to gain access to their government.
- Began a 7-year residential street rehabilitation project by installing 10 lane miles of asphalt and slurry that used recycled tire rubber.
- Developed a Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training program. 160 volunteers are now trained in disaster preparedness, light rescue, and how to lead their neighborhoods in the event of a major disaster.
- Switched to street sweepers that use alternative fuels.
- Designated 3 seats on the Community Activities and Beautification Committee for youth members to develop the next generation of volunteers.
- Held monthly Neighborhood Street Rallies, providing residents with the opportunity to talk to police officers about neighborhood concerns, crime prevention, and disaster preparedness.
- Selected several different cultural groups to appear at La Palma Days, which included Polynesian Dancers, Taiko Drummers, Flamenco dancers, Henna artists, literature from India and Pakistan, and Peruvian clothing. This year’s event hosted 30 bands and welcomed 8,000 visitors to La Palma.
- Closed 352 code enforcement cases for achieving compliance.
- Implemented a Green purchasing policy that allows the City to remain fiscally responsible while promoting practices that reduce pollution and conserve natural resources.
- Held 7 Concerts in the Park. This year’s theme was “Rockin’ Through the Decades”, which provided a variety of musical genres, including the first concert, which featured three multicultural groups.
- Worked with OCTA to remove a long-time graffiti nuisance along the railroad right-of-way. In addition, we removed over 10,000 square feet of graffiti along arterial streets.
- Installed a shade structure and sandbox in the Tiny Tot playground at Central Park.
- Conducted a General Municipal Election for three vacant City Council seats in conjunction with the National Presidential Election.
- Joined the North County Regional SWAT team to resolve critical emergency incidents. The SWAT team assisted in responding to the recent wildfires in Yorba Linda.
- Repaired 68 water leaks, replaced 24 water service lines, installed 9 new water sampling stations, took over 26,800 water meter readings, and replaced 652 outdated water meters and 66 meter boxes/lids.
- Prepared 30 proclamations, responded to 19 public records requests and 3 subpoenas, and conducted 2 elementary school tours.
- Eased congestion at the intersection of La Palma Ave. and Valley View St. by adding a second left turn pocket.
- Received two prestigious statewide awards for our recreation programs and activities, including the new departmental motto, “Creating Unity in the Community.”
- Facilitated the development of a new 12,803 square foot Walgreens store and modernization of the rest of the La Palma Convenience Center.
- Upgraded the traffic signals on Walker St. at the intersections of La Luna Dr. and Orangethorpe Ave. to increase safety, provide better visibility, and improve circulation.
- Replaced 14 leaking/inoperable fire hydrants, installed 2 new fire hydrants, and repainted 69 hydrants.
- Named the “Best Small City to Raise a Family in Orange County” by Parenting Magazine.
- Installed new fencing around the basketball courts and softball field in Central Park.
- Initiated a mass notification system as a means of informing residents, schools, and businesses of emergencies. Over 1,000 calls per minute can be placed to La Palma phones to provide timely information.
- Hosted the 29th Annual Fitness Fun for Fun, which had a 27% increase in attendance.
- Received an award for Best Overall Performance – General Liability Insurance Program.
- Offered 732 recreation and educational classes with a total of 3,980 participants.
- Adopted Water and Sewer System Master Plans, rehabilitated a water well, and installed a new software system to manage water flows, which will help to provide another 25 years of clean, safe drinking water for La Palmans.
- Provided electrical, lighting, and other safety upgrades to the pavilion stage area in Central Park.
- Obtained grants for battery, motor oil, and sharps recycling programs. The City also participated in an E-waste recycling event and hosted a Green Expo.
- Accommodated up to 120 youth day campers each week over the summer.
- Rehabilitated La Palma Ave. from Walker St. to Valley View St. with rubberized asphalt concrete and upgraded curb ramps to meet accessibility standards.
- Responded to over 2,350 general calls for services and inquiries.
- Doubled the City’s General Fund Reserves while lowering the Utility Users Tax by 20%.
|
|
