Dear Friends and District Five Residents:
This is the April Newsletter with some general information on economic development, infrastructure updates, and more.
I encourage you to stay connected by following me on Facebook @MayorBarajas or Instagram @MayorBarajas or sign up for my monthly newsletter below!
I hope you enjoy this e-newsletter. Please reach out to me if I may be of assistance.
Sincerely,
Chris Barajas
Mayor
COMMUNITY developmenT
SHOPPING CENTER (CORNER OF RIVERVIEW AND MISSION)
For the past few years, we've been working with the new owners of the property where Club Metro used to be (Corner of Riverview and Mission).
We can now share the latest update where the owners have decided to move forward with the plans approved by the County some time ago which are for a shopping center with retail shops and restaurants. We expect some potential minor modifications, but the general idea will be moving forward. We'll be providing updates as they become available.
PATH OF LIFE UPDATE
Attached is the Monthly Report from Path of Life Ministries on homelessness services provided in Jurupa Valley for the month of March.
As a reminder, we contract with PoL for homelessness services including funding of transitional housing units right here in Jurupa Valley. I've shared quite a bit of information regarding laws and protections for the homeless, I've also shared that I'm advocating, along with many others, for new legislation to address those who refuse services due to mental illness and/or substance abuse including the use of involuntary conservatorship. As you can see from the report, the majority of individuals contacted refuse services. For those that accept the help, we fund the services they need to help them get back on their feet which is also shared on the attached documents.
INLAND EMPIRE TRADE TECH CENTER
I had the honor of being a speaker at a presentation of the IETTC where local and state representatives, education leaders, labor, and more were present. I have been at the forefront of this project for well over a year and I'm excited to see the coalition of partners continuing to grow.
After the presentation, I had the pleasure of welcoming the group to the proposed site here in Jurupa Valley and provide an overview of the proposed Rio Vista specific plan where the IETTC would reside.
I want to thank Natalie Palugyai, Secretary of the California Labor and Workforce Development Agency and her team, LACCD, SBCCD, SJCC, RCCD, IELC, JUSD, Assemblymember Cervantes, Riverside County, and many more for attending and supporting the vision of what this Trade Tech Center could do to uplift the residents of our region. I look forward to continuing to work with this coalition to bring this project to fruition!
#jurupavalley #economicdevelopment #workforcedevelopment #tradetechcollege
HOUSING ELEMENT
I am keenly aware of the housing crisis across our great State, and the country, including the lack of housing options right here in Jurupa Valley. Growing up on my grandpa's ranch in Pedley in the 80's and into the early 2000's, I'm also appreciative of our equestrian communities and lifestyle.
With public input, multiple public study sessions, multiple public hearings at Planning Commission and City Council which spanned well over a year, we met the State's mandates and had our Housing Element certified by the State. Our housing element is a testament to continuing to preserve our rural communities whilst also allowing for a multitude of housing options along our transportation corridors. You can see the full report here: https://www.chrisbarajas.com/december-2021
You can email me at cbarajas@jurupavalley.org with any questions or concerns.
Follow link for more information: https://www.ocregister.com/2022/05/08/southern-california-housing-plans-contain-fake-sites-lack-analysis-critics-say/
infrastructure
Ever wondered which roads have been repaired and which ones are scheduled for repair in our City? You can view all that information at the following link:
Each year, during our public budget hearings we review available funds and approve the next set of projects on our CIP list.
Some current projects to note that have received funding are:
- Pacific Ave Road and Bicycle Lane rehabilitation between 42nd and Mission.
- Limonite between Felspar and Pedley
- Traffic Signal light at Jurupa and Pedley
- Mission phase 2 between Bellegrave and Pyrite
- Van Buren Widening between the Bridge and Limonite
Visit the link above for a full list of projects. I've asked staff to work on creating a more user friendly map by introducing interactivity through a GIS map instead of a flat file. More to come.
JURUPA ROAD GRADE SEPARATION UPDATE:
VAN BUREN BLVD. LANE CLOSURE:
Expect single lane closures on Van Buren Blvd. from Rutile St. to 56th St.
PLEASE REDUCE YOUR SPEED.
There will be trucks entering and exiting the job site, so please exercise caution when driving through the area.
SUBSCRIBE for project updates at
http://www.JurupaGradeSeparation.com
BUSINESS ACCESS REMAINS OPEN #ShopJurupaValley
CIERRE DE CARRIL VAN BUREN BLVD:
Espere cierres de un solo carril en Van Buren Blvd. de Rutile St. a 56th St.
POR FAVOR REDUZCA SU VELOCIDAD.
Habrá camiones entrando y saliendo del sitio de trabajo, así que por favor tenga cuidado al conducir por el área.
SUSCRÍBASE para recibir actualizaciones del proyecto en
http://JurupaGradeSeparation.com
ACCESO DE NEGOCIOS SIGUE ABIERTO #ShopJurupaValley
SUBSCRIBE for project updates at http://www.JurupaGradeSeparation.com.
BUSINESS ACCESS REMAINS OPEN buy local and #ShopJurupaValley
You can see more info and stay up to date with road closures and more here:
city manager updates
Our City Manager Rod Butler is releasing bi-weekly City Manager Updates. You can view the full updates at the following links:
View the Update Here
RESOURCES
council business/community news
I want to thank my fellow Jurupa Lions for their continued trust to serve as a Director this coming year. We have a great team of community oriented members and continue to grow our membership. If you're interested in serving our communities and learn about Lionism, let me know!
The next Community Service Event will be on April 30th, a Community Cleanup of Jurupa Valley District 4! We would love to see you all there!
I was honored to attend the Grand Opening of the #UnitedSikhMission Food Pantry this morning! I presented USM with a certification of recognition on behalf of the City of Jurupa Valley for the work they have done and continue to do for our residents.
Today's food distribution consisted of hundreds of boxes of produce and a couple hundred prepackaged wraps ready to eat. There are plans for a full kitchen to also provide hot meals in the future. It was great seeing the surrounding community walk up and grab their food! There is no doubt that this use will benefit our communities greatly! We'll be sure to share once regular distribution schedules are established and any one time events as time goes on.
This past Thursday, we presented a proclamation celebrating the 40th Anniversary of California Family Life Center. You can learn more about the great work they do here:
We also proclaimed April 2022 as Donate Life Month. Allen Jolley shared about losing his daughter and how donating her organs saved the lives of many others. He encourages others to also be donors. At any given moment, more than 100,000 people are waiting for lifesaving organ transplants. You can learn more here:
