Dear Moreno Valley Residents:

I am proud to announce that the City of Moreno Valley is exploring the opportunity to build a new skate park. After much discourse between local skate groups, I decided to plan a workshop to help these groups come to an agreement regarding their needs for a new skate park. On January 5th, 2018 we came together and established a unified vision for the creation of a new skate park in Moreno Valley.

Local skate groups and high school students collected thousands of signatures through formal and online petitions supporting the need for a free public skate park in Moreno Valley. It was invaluable to discover how a new skate park will benefit our community. Most significantly, a new skate park will provide a fun and safe place for our youth. The new skate park also coincides with our “Youth Programs” and “Beautification, Community Engagement & Quality of Life” priorities in our strategic plan, Momentum MoVal. 

Mayor Pro Tem Victoria Baca, City Manager Tom DeSantis, Parks & Community Services Director Mel Alonzo and students/parents from local schools attended this workshop to provide support, gain insight, and offer valuable suggestions for a new skate park. Students from Moreno Valley College, Valley View, and Moreno Valley High School eloquently discussed the proposed skate park. Many great ideas were considered during this community meeting. 

To create a shared vision for the new skate park, I separated the students into small groups. The groups were then asked to answer the following questions:

1. What is essential to make this skate park a valuable resource for our community?

2. Where should the new skate park be located?

3. When would the groups like to see this project take place?

4. How can The City of Moreno Valley help turn their idea into a reality?

Together, we came to an agreement of ideas and found the answers to many of those questions during this assembly. We also discussed the type of equipment and environment that would accommodate our skilled local skaters. The groups would like the new skate park to be located centrally in Moreno Valley. The groups decided that quality was more important than expediency, and came to an agreement that the project should begin within an eight months time frame. 

I was pleased to collaborate with these groups and constructively outline their ideas for building a new skate park in Moreno Valley. With support from the City Council, we could allocate a small portion of our Development Impact Fees, which are specifically set aside for creating local recreational opportunities. This vision can become a reality for our youth and has my full support. 

I was honored to champion a community process to create a safe space where our youth can develop their skills and meet new friends. The City of Moreno Valley promotes an active and engaged community, where we work together to beautify our shared environment, care for each other, and enjoy access to cultural and recreational amenities that support a high quality of life for all residents. These ideas are envisioned and articulated throughout the City's Strategic Plan. As Mayor and fellow resident of Moreno Valley, I am proud to live and serve in a City where the dreams of our youth can soar!

Dear Moreno Valley Residents:

As Mayor of Moreno Valley, I take pride in improving our City, which is why I have championed several important road and turf repair programs. In Fiscal Year 2017/2018, the City received $1.2 million from the State to be used for roadway maintenance. We authorized these funds to be used for the Citywide Slurry Seal Capital Improvement Plan project. During this year, you will notice that approximately 105 residential street segments throughout the City will receive maintenance using these funds.

In addition to these funds, I also championed another effort, authorized by the City Council, to allocate from our budget an additional $1.2 million to be used for arterial (main streets) roadway repairs. These repairs will save our residents hundreds of dollars each year in auto repair costs. These projects represent our commitment to infrastructure. These important road repairs also satisfy an important initiative in the City's strategic plan, Momentum MoVal. Construction work is anticipated to start in the summer of 2018. We are taking back our streets by maintaining our infrastructure!  

We also dedicated $2.6 million to replace the synthetic turf on the Community Park Soccer Field. We will also make other necessary improvements to the field to provide a better playing experience for our soccer teams. The current synthetic turf at Community Park has exceeded its expected life and must be replaced. The new turf will create a better field surface, and enhance playability under all weather conditions. Community Park’s new synthetic turf will serve our community for many years to come.

It is my hope that you will benefit and take pride in the City working to improve our roads and quality of life. 

[END]

Dear Moreno Valley Residents:

The Moreno Valley Public Library System and its many programs play an important role in the City. Our library services are in high demand, so we recently opened a second library branch at the Moreno Valley Mall. Empowering our residents through open access to knowledge is a key component in our strategic vision for the City.  

A Moreno Valley library card provides access to a wealth of resources. The Library also offers special events and services for military veterans. First-time library cards are free for residents. The library card allows residents to check out books, movies, music, video games, and utilize computer services. The card also allows you to download eBooks, and access online research tools and magazine articles from home. 

The Moreno Valley Public Library offers the following programs and services: 

• The Adult Literacy Program provides free literacy training for individuals that are 18 years and older. 

• Online Book Club allows residents to sign up for our free online book club. Just provide your e-mail address, and you can enter the exciting world of reading!

• Preschool Storytime is hosted every Tuesday at 11:00 a.m. for kids.

• Teen Night is an exciting event featuring group discussions, video games, guest speakers, crafts, and much more. Teen Night occurs every Wednesday at 5:00 p.m. 

• Bilingual Storytime offers exciting storytelling in English and Spanish every Thursday at 11:00 a.m. 

• Family Fun Night includes crafts, music, and stories for the whole family every Thursday at 6:00 p.m.

• The Beginning Computer Class teaches basic computer skills on the last Saturday of each month at 11:00 a.m.

For more information about library services, or the exciting events and programs we offer, visit www.moval.org/library. I encourage residents to take advantage of our great libraries, and the many resources they provide. 

[END]

Dear Moreno Valley Residents:

I'm proud to announce that the City is applying innovation to help address mailbox theft in our community. While such thefts are affecting the entire region, we're taking extra steps to assist our residents.

Although the Post Office has a number of replacement Cluster Boxes on hand, the USPS installation vendor faces a high number of work requests through the region. To assist our residents, we've received USPS approval to allow City staff to begin assisting USPS with installing these devices. While this is outside the City's traditional responsibilities, it will address an extraordinary situation which impacts City residents on a daily basis. To date, City teams have installed 11 replacement boxes in residential areas...with more on the way.

Because cluster mailboxes in our community continue to be vulnerable to break-ins, staff researched potential options for stronger boxes that offer increased tamper resistance. Although we identified what appears to be a robust mailbox being used in communities on the East Coast, postal officials initially declined to approve its use here.  Undeterred, our Team won USPS approval for a Pilot Program through which the City will purchase, install and test several of the new Cluster Boxes. If the Pilot Project works well, the City will consider a requirement for installation of these devices in all future developments, and to recommend them as the replacement for existing boxes which are no longer serviceable.

In addition, we plan to expand our Citywide camera program to help deter theft from cluster mailboxes. We’ve already begun testing this technology, and are encouraged by the initial results.

Although mail theft continues to be a regional challenge, we are proud that Moreno Valley continues to creatively assist our residents. For more information, please contact the Post Office at 800.275.8777.

[END]

Dear Moreno Valley Residents:

With more than 32,000 students enrolled in Moreno Valley schools, our City is a City of youth. From kindergarteners to seniors in high school, these children represent the future of Moreno Valley.

In adopting our Momentum MoVal strategic plan, the Moreno Valley City Council recognized the importance of our young people, selecting Youth Programs as one of just six strategic priorities.

We have worked tirelessly to develop and maintain a wide range of programs and events designed to engage, entertain, and challenge our youngest residents.

From Toddler Time at the Library’s new branch location to watercolor painting and even classes that teach children how to play the electric guitar, we offer something for everyone. An investment in our children is an investment in the future of Moreno Valley.

That investment strategy includes strengthening our already strong relationship with our school districts in order to better serve our children. Together, we continue to create innovative opportunities for our young people – in and out of the classroom.

As part of our ongoing commitment, Council Member Ulises Cabrera and I are hosting an informal joint forum with Moreno Valley Unified School District School Board Members Jesus Holguin and CJ Johnson February 17.

This forum will provide residents to meet some of their elected representatives, City Manager Tom DeSantis and MVUSD Superintendent Dr. Martinrex Kedziora, and participate in an informal question and answer session.

Coffee will be provided for attendees.

Meet & Greet

Saturday, February 17

11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Cupcake & Espresso Bar, 14475 Moreno Beach Dr #102, Moreno Valley.  

Residents who are unable to attend are encouraged to contact the City Council office at 951.413.3008 to make an appointment to meet with me or Council Member Cabrera.

I look forward to meeting you on February 17!

[END]

Dear Moreno Valley Residents:

We are breaking down barriers to education and helping put our residents to work through the award-winning Moreno Valley College Promise Initiative and Hire MoVal programs.

The Promise Initiative was created to help fund the first year of community college for first time students at Moreno Valley College, which also happens to be my alma mater! The program covers the cost of any tuition, fees, and textbooks not paid for by financial aid for the student’s first year of college.

I knew that we, as a City, could do more.

As a result, I championed the effort by convincing my council colleagues to partner with Moreno Valley College on the Promise Initiative. As a City, we pledged financial assistance to pay for the second year of college for Moreno Valley residents attending the college. Although it is uncommon to see cities supporting free college tuition programs, I think it is imperative that we reduce barriers for our youth and future leaders.

In addition to financial support, Promise students are assigned a success coach for the first year to guide students through the college process and are given priority registration to ensure they carry 12-15 units per semester.

Graduates from any high school within Moreno Valley Unified and Val Verde Unified School Districts are given priority to participate in the Promise Initiative.

The program funded more than 500 students in just its first year, providing these students much needed financial and emotional support to help them achieve their educational goals.

It’s not just the students who benefit; the entire Moreno Valley community benefits.

The Promise Initiative helps create a highly skilled workforce to serve our businesses. A highly skilled workforce attracts companies to Moreno Valley, providing more job opportunities for our residents.

Thorough its Hire MoVal program, the City further encourages local businesses to hire recent graduates by providing up to $5,000 in incentives.

These efforts are being recognized. The California Association for Local Economic Development (CALED) just named Moreno Valley its 2018 Programs Award of Excellence recipient for the Promise Initiative/Hire MoVal programs.

Together, we are working to brighten the futures of our residents, our businesses and our City. As your mayor, I couldn’t be prouder.

[END]

Dear Moreno Valley Residents:

We did it!

The City of Moreno Valley was named one of just 35 Champion Cities in the 2018 U.S. Mayors Challenge, a national competition which tasks city leaders with using creativity and ingenuity to overcome some of their city’s most daunting issues.

More than 320 cities - large and small, urban and rural - applied.

The ideas ranged from using autonomous vehicles to reduce downtown traffic congestion to creating a city-wide air quality monitoring program to decrease incidences of asthma, and enhancing infrastructure through the installation of solar micro-grids to ensure public safety services continue during natural disasters.

Out of hundreds of great ideas, just 35 rose above the rest to be named a Champion City. I am honored that Moreno Valley was selected to be a Champion City.

Our idea is a bold one.

For the majority of Moreno Valley residents, formal education and career training stopped at high school, creating a barrier to advancement into positions with higher wages and greater opportunity. We propose to incentivize and support working adults to pursue education and technical training, allowing them to overcome the “earn vs. learn” dilemma and advance their skills while still providing for their families.

This idea – the result of collaboration with our educational partners – has the power to transform the lives of our residents and the very fabric of the City we call home.

As a Champion City, we now move on to the six-month “Test, Learn, and Adapt” phase of the competition. We will receive up to $100,000 to test and fine-tune our prototype, with the help of tailored support from innovation experts. We will submit a new application in August. In October, four cities will receive $1 million awards and one will receive a grand prize of $5 million.

Our City has always been a City of ingenuity and resourcefulness. When I learned about the Mayors Challenge at the 2017 U.S. Conference of Mayors, I decided to compete because Moreno Valley was uniquely situated to succeed in the competition.

The opportunity provided to us by Bloomberg Philanthropies will mean that our residents will no longer have to choose between earning a living and receiving an education. They can have both. And our businesses will have ready access to an educated workforce.

I’m looking forward to updating you on the next steps in this exciting competition. 

Go Team MoVal!

[END]

Dear Moreno Valley Residents:

Public safety remains a top priority of mine.

As we mourn the senseless loss of children and educators in Parkland, Fla., we are making preparations to protect our City family.

Our Police Department will be training City employees how to react if faced with an active shooter situation. Hopefully, this is a training that our employees will never need. But they will be prepared - just in case. 

That preparation is being echoed by our school districts in the hopes of keeping our students and those who have dedicated themselves to educating our children safe.

We are also continuing to protect our public safety personnel and equipment. As your Mayor I supported expanding our Citywide Camera system to include installing cameras at all seven of our fire stations.

These cameras will keep a watchful eye on our fire stations while our firefighters are fighting fires, treating car accident victims and responding to 911 calls. The Citywide Camera system has already proven effective - serving as extra eyes to help our officers solve crimes and prevent countless others.

Public safety is a priority in the City of Moreno Valley - and we will continue to provide the quality services our residents expect and deserve in a cost-efficient manner. 

[END]

Dear Moreno Valley Residents:

The City of Moreno Valley offers exciting events all year long to entertain, educate, and engage our residents. From movies in the park and community cleanups to workshops for aspiring authors and guided hikes– we have something for everyone.

We are gearing up for two more exciting events – the Springtastic Festival and Egg Hunt and the March Air Force Reserve Base 1918-2018 Centennial Air Show – and I hope you can join us.

On Saturday, March 31, children from two to ten years old will be on the hunt for candy and prize-filled eggs at the City’s free egg hunt at Springtastic at Sunnymead Park. The egg hunt starts at 9 a.m. sharp.

Enjoy a delicious breakfast of spring-themed waffles immediately following the egg hunt until noon. At just $5 a person, it’s a bargain.

This year’s Springtastic includes free Rock Wall climbing, pictures with our Easter Bunny and plenty of spring-themed activities.

And I’m excited to announce that the City of Moreno Valley is co-sponsoring the March Air Force Reserve Base 1918-2018 Centennial Air Show on April 7 and 8, celebrating a century of military and aeronautic achievement right here in Moreno Valley.

What began as a dusty airstrip named Alessandro Field and staffed by just four people evolved into March Air Force Base, one of the most strategic points in the Western United States during the Cold War. For nearly 50 years, March was a Strategic Air Command Base. Now it is the largest and most active Reserve Base in the U.S. Air Force.

March Air Reserve Base (MARB) is home to the Air Force Reserve Command’s 4th Air Force Headquarters; the base’s 452nd Air Mobility Wing serves as the host unit, supporting the Army Reserve, Navy Reserve, Marine Corps Reserve, Active Duty Air Force, California Air National Guard, and California Army National Guard.

In addition to providing disaster relief around the globe, MARB units ensure that our aircraft, military personnel, vehicles and equipment are deployed rapidly and safely to destinations around the world.

This year, we have an opportunity to celebrate the last 100 years with the MARB Air and Space Expo 2018, a two-day Air Show spectacular on April 7 and 8 featuring the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds along with other power-packed aerial acts.

More than half a million people are expected to attend.

Make sure you’re one of them!

[END]

Dear Moreno Valley Residents:

We’ve made it even easier for local businesses to earn incentives just for hiring Moreno Valley residents who have recently graduated from college or vocational training. 

Under the City’s Hire a MoVal Grad program, Moreno Valley businesses who hire recent college or technical/vocational school graduates can apply for a $1,000 stipend. Businesses can earn a $1,000 incentive for each new hire, up to five new hires.

Graduates now only have to work a minimum of 20 hours a week for six months before businesses are eligible to apply for the Hire a MoVal Grad incentive.

Hire a MoVal Grad is part of our award-winning Hire MoVal program, designed to help Moreno Valley residents find jobs with local employers.

In order to qualify for a Hire a MoVal Grad stipend, Moreno Valley businesses must be licensed by the City of Moreno Valley and hire a Moreno Valley resident who has graduated or completed a specialized training program from any accredited college, university, vocational technical school, or any other specialized training program within the past two years.

Businesses are encouraged to hire local – and are being rewarded for doing so. Local graduates are getting their foot in the door.

It’s a win-win.

If you are a local business owner, I encourage you to hire a recent Moreno Valley graduate – and apply for the Hire a MoVal Grad incentive. If you are a Moreno Valley resident who recently graduated from college or a technical/vocational school, I encourage you to let your employer or potential employer know that they could be earning money just for hiring you.

Stipends are provided on a first come basis. 

For more information, visit the Hire MoVal website. Don’t miss out on this great opportunity to Hire MoVal!

[END]

Dear Moreno Valley Residents:

I will be hosting a Telephone Town Hall on Thursday, March 29 at 6 p.m. to answer your questions about the City of Moreno Valley and listen to your concerns. 

Our Telephone Town Halls are a convenient way for you to learn about all of the exciting things going on in City without having to leave your home. It’s also your opportunity to let me know how the City can better serve you. 

We’ve made it easy to participate. Just visit www.moval.org/telephonetownhall and register. At 6 p.m. on March 29 we’ll call you to connect you to the call. All you have to do is pick up the phone. It’s that simple. 

Callers can choose whether they want to listen to the call in English or Spanish. Translators will be on hand to take questions from Spanish-speaker callers and translate the answers. 

I try to answer as many questions as I can. If I can’t get to your question before the end of the call you will have an opportunity to leave a voicemail with your question and your contact information. City staff will call you back with an answer.

Thousands of residents have participated in previous Telephone Town Halls. Don’t miss out on this great opportunity to learn more about the wonderful things that are happening in Moreno Valley.

Registration closes at noon on Thursday, March 29.

[END]

Dear Moreno Valley Residents:

The City of Moreno Valley is working hard for you.

We are making it easier for you to get to school and work by repairing and replacing some of the City’s most heavily used streets through a $1.2 million arterial road repair project. These repairs are in conjunction with the $1.2 million Citywide Slurry Seal Project which will fix 105 residential streets throughout the City. 

The following arterial segments will be repaired as a result of the additional funding: 

• Westbound Cactus Avenue, from Heacock Street to Graham Street 

• Kitching Street, from Iris Avenue to Krameria Avenue 

• Alessandro Boulevard, from Frederick street to Elsworth Street 

• Eucalyptus Avenue, from Lasselle Street to Kitching Street 

• Alessandro Boulevard from Elsworth Street to west City Limits

Work is expected to begin in mid to late summer.

The City is expected to receive another $3.4 million from the State over the next fiscal year for road repair, allowing even more streets to be repaired or replaced.

And we recently paved the way for food trucks to set up shop in Moreno Valley, doubling the number of days food truck operators can operate in the City from 18 to 36 days a year. 

The Council also approved rules to allow food trucks to sell their food in City parks on a daily basis, providing our residents with even more exciting dining options. 

We’ve also built in protections for our existing restaurants - creating a buffer to prevent food trucks from getting too close to restaurants that sell similar food.

It’s a win-win for everyone!

As Mayor, my hope is that with the road repairs and food trucks, we are making Moreno Valley work for you!

[END]

Dear Moreno Valley Residents:

As your Mayor, I am thrilled to invite you to two exciting events in our community.

Mark your calendar for Saturday, April 14 for Moreno Valley’s 2018 Public Safety Expo!

Experience the region’s largest, most interactive public safety event from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. – conveniently located at the Moreno Valley Civic Center. 

See how our police officers and firefighters do what they do best – keep Moreno Valley safe.

Live demonstrations, hands-on displays, giveaways, music and more make this the perfect family-friendly event!

McGruff, the Crime Dog, and Smokey Bear and Sparky, the Fire Dog, will be there to join in on the fun.

There is something for everyone – and it’s free!

For more information please visit the City's website.

Another exciting event for our youth is the Moreno Valley Youth Conference on Saturday, April 21. 

This is the perfect opportunity for Moreno Valley teenagers between the ages of 16 and 18 to learn from the experts how to land their first job – and keep it!

Join us on Saturday, April 21 from 10:30 a.m. – 2 p.m. in the Council Chamber at City Hall, 14177 Frederick Street in Moreno Valley. Learn what it takes to get hired, participate in mock interviews, and enter to win cool raffle prizes.

This event is being offered by the City of Moreno Valley Emerging Leaders Council.

[END]

Dear Moreno Valley Residents:

Calling all Star Wars fans!

Start planning your perfect Anakin Skywalker, Princess Leia or Chewbacca costume to enter the City of Moreno Valley’s Star Wars Costume Contest on Friday, July 27.

The Star Wars fun is all part of May the Fork Be With You Food Truck Food Truck Fest at the Conference & Recreation Center. It's our first Food Truck fest.

Join us for a delicious selection of food truck offerings, participate in a Star Wars costume contest and make your own light saber. There is fun for the entire family.

May the Fork Be With You Food Truck Fest

Friday, July 27, 2018

Conference & Recreation Center

14075 Frederick Street

Starting at 6:30 p.m.

Do you know your Banthas from your Ewoks? What color was Luke Skywalker’s light saber? Test your Star Wars knowledge at the Star Wars Trivia Game.

Musical guest Dead Ringer will provide the entertainment with music from the 80s through today. 

Then grab a chair or a blanket, some popcorn and watch Star Wars: The Last Jedi. The movie starts at 8:15 p.m.

Enjoy a fun night out with the entire family. Eat, dance, and catch a movie under the stars with us!

[END]