Month In Review – March 2019

A reflection on our communities past month’s achievements, community development and awesomeness!

New Restroom at Copper Hill Park

The City of Santa Clarita recently completed construction on a new restroom building at Copper Hill Park, located at Copper Hill Drive and Deer Springs Drive. The restroom, which is now open to the public, enhances amenities at the park and was identified as being the first step in supporting future development at the site. With the restroom building completed, the City will move forward with other planned amenities at Copper Hill Park. A play area for children will be installed adjacent to the restroom building and construction is anticipated to begin later this year.

Many Families, One Community Family Resource Fair

Sulphur Springs Union School District and William S. Hart Union High School District have partnered to bring the Santa Clarita community a family resource fair. This was an opportunity for residents living in the southeast area of the Santa Clarita Valley to see what resources are available to them and their families, plus attend breakout sessions that showed attendees ways to help kids transition from elementary to junior high schools and junior high schools to high schools, high-risk teen behaviors, what is and isn’t bullying, and much more.

Sheriff Thank You Press Conference

Santa Clarita City Council, Los Angeles County Assistant Sheriff Tim Murakami, Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station Captain Robert Lewis and other members from the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station, elected representatives, community Members came out to the Sheriff’s “Thank you” press conference. Mayor Marsha McLean led a press conference dedicated to thanking the men and women from the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station who protect Santa Clarita, and have helped achieve the lowest crime rate on record in 2018.

Wilk Proposes Bill for Foster Youth

Senator Scott Wilk introduced a new, proposed legislation to benefit foster youth. Senate Bill 219 or SB 219 is said create a pilot program for foster youth to receive a grant for extracurricular and enrichment activities. This grant allows foster youth to have more opportunity to succeed. Foster youth is considerably the most at risk youth and with this bill Wilk hopes to lessen the negative statistics. Studies have shown that extracurricular and enrichment activities help build the necessary characteristics a child needs to be a well-adjusted adult.

Skate Park Public Art Project

The City of Santa Clarita is skating forward with the Santa Clarita Skate Park Public Art Project, which will create a permanent public art piece at the park. The City is asking for community input through an online survey to help determine the look and specific location for the design. The survey can be found at scskatepark.com. The City of Santa Clarita Arts Commission 2018 Work Plan and Public Art Proposal, identified the Skate Park Public Art Project as a public art project, and in 2018, the Arts Commission gave approval for mural artist Miguel A. Del Real to carry out a skate park community engagement plan in order to create a project proposal.

Sammy Clarita Is Back – And He Has His Very Own Book!

Sammy Clarita is galloping back into town this winter with plans to promote his new book at the Santa Clarita Public Library! Beginning this month, community members can head to any Santa Clarita Public Library branch and check out his first book, titled Sammy Stories—Meet Sammy Clarita. Sammy, a fun-loving mustang who loves chocolate almost as much as he loves Santa Clarita, has been busy putting the finishing touches on his new book. He’s even had a makeover in honor of the occasion, and now sports a spiffy green library vest and glasses!

Hyatt Showcases SCAA artists

Hyatt Regency Valencia opened its facility to the local artists of the Santa Clarita Artists Association to display fine art in the newly remodeled hotel and restaurant! “Santa Clarita Artist Association members’ art is showcased throughout the Hyatt’s renovation,” said Laurie Morgan, Hyatt Venue Chairperson. General Manager Mark Kirsch, assisted by the SCAA committee, Laurie Morgan, Zony Gordon, and Bruce McFarland, selected from nearly 100 pieces of artwork that conform to the hotel’s theme and motif. All mediums are represented in the selection: acrylic, oil, watercolor, dry media, photography, mixed media, giclées and sculpture.

SCV Water Board Conducts First Integrated
Strategic Planning Public Workshop

Maintaining a diverse and resilient water supply, protecting the watershed, and fostering transparent and “plain language” communication with customers were among the goals put forth by the SCV Water’s Board of Directors at the two-day strategic planning public workshop recently. Directors and management staff looked back on key accomplishments from the first year as a regional water agency, then turned their focus to the next five years. More Information can be found at www.YourSCVwater.com

New Fleet Of Environmentally Friendly Buses

Through the use of federal funds, a total of seven new vehicles, including three commuters and four local buses, recently began service with the City’s transit fleet. These buses may look similar to existing buses in operation; however, they represent the height of modern bus technology including electronic cooling fan systems, web-based real-time engine management systems, and near-zero emission engines which are in line with Santa Clarita’s dedication to green transportation alternatives.

City Awarded Measure H Funding for Homeless Plan Implementation

The Los Angeles County Homeless Initiative and United Way of Greater Los Angeles recently announced the recipients of increased Measure H funding to combat homelessness in cities throughout the county. The City of Santa Clarita is one of 20 cities receiving new grant funds to help implement the next phase of its plan to address and prevent homelessness. The City of Santa Clarita will receive $300,000 from the L.A. County Homeless Initiative under the organization’s Priority Area 1 plan. These funds will be used to increase the supply of interim and permanent housing for people experiencing homelessness. The City was also awarded $75,000 under Priority Area 2, which will be used to enhance services for people experiencing or at risk of homelessness.

Santa Clarita Public Library One Story One City Program

Every year, the Santa Clarita Public Library’s One Story One City program encourages discussion amongst Santa Clarita residents and promotes reading through the celebration of one story during the month of March. The Santa Clarita Public Library is excited to announce this year’s 2019 book selection is “The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane” by #1 New York Times bestselling author Lisa See. This is a powerful tale about tradition, tea farming, and the enduring connection between mothers and daughters. The moving story focuses on two women separated by circumstance, culture and distance. Due to the nature of some of the topics covered in the book, this story is recommended for adults and not suitable for young readers under the age of 16.

City Held Second Round Of Community Workshops For Transit Development Plan

Santa Clarita Transit, along with staff from transportation consulting firm Moore & Associates, Inc., hosted its second round of community workshops in support of the City’s Transportation Development Plan (TDP). Workshops were held at various locations throughout the City. While the TDP serves as a blueprint for Santa Clarita Transit services over the next five to ten years, it is also designed to help staff in developing route changes, timing of new bus purchases, and planning for future capital improvements. The City, along with neighboring unincorporated communities, has seen significant changes since the last TDP was drafted in 2011.