Council Follow-Up
Staff Responses to City Council from the April 12, 2022 Meeting
Parking
In preparation of a future Ad Hoc Committee of the City Council to discuss parking issues in the City, Community Development staff is providing summaries of the Walker Consultants Parking Study and parking solutions for impacted neighborhoods and industrial zones.
Sister City Commission
Community Development staff is preparing for liaison and administration duties associated with the Sister City Commission, which will be re-instituted after a five (5) year hiatus.
COVID-19 Updates
Supervisor Janice Hahn's mobile vaccine van is tentatively scheduled to offer free COVID-19 vaccinations at Smith Park on Thursday, May 26th from 3:00 PM - 7:00 PM.
Departmental Updates
City Clerk's Office
- Municipal (City) Clerk is one of local governments’ most deep-rooted titles and, although it is one of the oldest positions in local government, few people realize the vital services City Clerks perform for their community.
- Maintaining the City’s records, serving as the local Elections Official and Compliance Officer, and providing legislative and administrative support to name a few.
Stop by the City Clerk’s Office during the week of May 1-7 to say hello, ask questions, and become familiar with the services your trusted public servants perform.
Administrative Services
The City of Pico Rivera Receives AA Rating from Standard & Poor's (S&P)
S&P Global Ratings has recently assigned its “AA” long-term rating to the City of Pico Rivera for its pro-forma $19.32 million series 2022 Pension Obligation Bonds. This is an improvement from its previously assigned “AA-“ rating back in 2016. At the same time, S&P affirmed its “AA-“ long-term rating on the City’s existing lease revenue bonds. S&P commented on the stability in the City’s fiscal outlook.
- Most notably highlighted by S&P was the City’s strengthened reserve policy target by implementing a “Risk-Based” Reserve approach in 2020 to 50% of revenues, which provided additional cushion against downside risk.
- S&P highlighted the City’s financial management policies and practices that provide guardrails on financial performance, the City’s responsible reserve set-aside practices.
- Other highlights of the rating include: consistent operating surpluses during the past three fiscal years with substantial reserves despite the pandemic that provides cushion against downside risks, the fact that pension liabilities will decline once the POB bonds are issued, and the City’s strong institutional framework score.
Pension Obligation Bonds
- The City is in the process of issuing Pension Obligation Bonds (POB) to refund the City's Unfunded Accrued Liability (UAL) to the California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS) to reduce long-term obligations to CalPERS.
- Upon Council approval, the bonds will be issued for approximately $19 million.
- Debt service payments on the POBs are expected to reduce the current scheduled UAL payments by approximately $7 million.
FY 2021-22 3rd Quarter Review - Will be Presented to Council on May 10, 2022
- The review will show year-end estimates for the General Fund and the current revenues and expenditures for the first nine months of the this fiscal year, with a projected year-end surplus.
- The third quarter budget review includes the nine month period beginning July 1, 2021 through March 31, 2022 and year-end projections for the remainder of the fiscal year.
FY 2022-2023 Preliminary Budget - Will be Presented to Council on May 10, 2022
- The FY 2022-23 Preliminary Operating Budget presentation will be the first look at the City's operating budget, with a focus on our largest operating fund, the General Fund.
- FY 2022-23 is the second year of the FY 2021-23 Two-Year (Biennial) Budget that was developed with the City Council's priorities and policies for the upcoming two (2) fiscal years.
- Each department will present its General Fund operating budget and Enterprise funds (Water Authority, PRIME, Golf Course, and Sports Arena). This presentation will also include the next steps and key dates as we get closer to budget adoption.
FY 2022-27 Capital Infrastructure Program Review - Will be Presented to Council on May 10, 2022
- Development of proposed CIP projects - Public Works and Parks & Recreation Departments proposed 36 new CIP Projects.
- Prioritization of CIP Projects - Public Works, Parks & Recreation and Administrative Services Departments are evaluating existing and new project priorities and needs.
- Financial Review/Funding Analysis - The Administrative Services Department evaluates the CIP projects to ensure the City's priorities, infrastructure needs, financial capacity and impact the projects could have on the City's operating budget are addressed.
Community and Economic Development
Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Update
- Community and Economic Development staff are in the process of reviewing the second round of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Business Grant applications. This second round of Business Grants was authorized by the City Council on March 8, 2022 through approval of a substantial amendment to the CDBG Annual Action Plan.
- The application deadline closed on April 14, 2022 and 19 applications were received. The Business Grant Program offers $10,000 grants to eligible businesses to help them fund overhead expenses, rent, utilities and other financial assistance to businesses impacted by COVID-19.
- Staff is working with a consulting team who has been working independently with each business to ensure application submittals are complete per federal regulations.
New Businesses and Developments
- Grading has been completed for the new 4,240 sq. ft. Chase Bank located at 9270 Whittier Boulevard. Chase Bank is part of the Crossroads Shopping Center renovation on Whittier Boulevard, which includes Burlington, Ross and DD’s Discount store.
- Building permits have been issued for the building shell and the contractor has begun work on the foundation. The project is estimated to be completed in early fall and has an estimated project valuation of $2.13 million.
- Community Development staff is obtaining an appraisal for the sale of the remnant properties created from the intersection widening at Beverly and Rosemead Boulevards. This intersection widening was funded through the LA County METRO Hotspots project and administered by the City’s Public Works Department.
- In accordance with Section 54222 of the Government Code a Notice of Sale of Surplus Property was circulated in September 2018. After 60 days, no interested affordable housing, school, public recreational agencies or other interested parties responded to the surplus property notice, so the City began a competitive Request for Proposals from retail developers.
- In 2019, Optimus Properties, LLC was selected as the successful developer, for the development of a Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf drive-thru or comparable use as directed by the City.
Baybar Road - General Plan Conformity
- On August 10, 2020, the City approved the construction of a distribution building, which consists of a 40,900 sq. ft. distribution building and a 3,720 sq. ft. maintenance building at the former horse stables (L Bar S Ranch) located at 3900 Baybar Road.
- As part of the development negotiations, the City agreed to vacate and sell a portion (approximately 0.93 acres) of Baybar Road (this portion of Baybar Road only serves this subject site).
- On April 18, 2022, the Planning Commission adopted a resolution approving a Finding of General Plan Conformance (per Government Code Section 65402) for the vacation and subsequent sale of the road.
- Staff is currently working on finalizing an appraisal and the agreement for the sale of the property which will be presented for City Council consideration/approval. The sale proceeds of the road are estimated at $1 million. For more information, please contact Mike Garcia, Community and Economic Development Director.
Meet the Strategic Working Group
- Earlier this year the City Council approved a five-year Strategic Plan to set the priorities and guide the policy direction for the City.
- The Strategic Working Group (pictured) is comprised of interdepartmental and interdisciplinary staff members who helped implement a multi-phased approach to identify and compile draft goals, strategies, and actions under the direction of the Executive Team.
The Strategic Plan is a result of several months of input from City residents, City staff, and City Councilmembers.
Public Works and Citywide Project Updates
Rosemead Blvd. Road Rehabilitation
- Rosemead Boulevard is a one of the most important major north-south arterial roads in the City. The segment from Whittier Boulevard to Gallatin Road was identified in the recently adopted Pavement Management System (PMS) survey as being in poor to very poor condition and recommended for pavement rehabilitation in 2021.
- The Rosemead Boulevard Road Rehabilitation Project started with preliminary concrete and trench work in late February 2022 and is scheduled to begin grinding and overlay work in early May 2022, with an anticipated completion date in early June 2022.
- The Project is estimated to cost $1.5 million and is made possible through Senate Bill (SB) 1 funds and Capital Improvement Plan Series A funds.
This project will improve the smoothness of the road by resurfacing the pavement, replace the damaged sidewalk, replace damaged curbs and gutters, upgrade ADA access ramps, and install new signage and striping. It will also reduce maintenance costs of repairing potholes and concrete on a “triage” or temporary basis.
Pavement Rehabilitation - Overlay and Construction Project
- The Capital Improvement Program (CIP) includes funding for citywide street resurfacing and reconstruction improvements based on the City’s adopted Pavement Management System (PMS).
- The Pavement Rehabilitation Overlay and Construction Project will improve street smoothness by resurfacing the pavement, replace damaged curbs and gutters prone to local flooding, install new durable thermoplastic roadway paint, improve sidewalk access, and install higher visibility regulatory and warning signs.
- The pavement rehabilitation project is scheduled to start in early May 2022 and is anticipated to be completed in late August 2022.
- The Project is estimated to cost $10.4 million and is made possible through Senate Bill (SB) 1 funds and Certificate of Participation Funds.
The scope of this project also includes upgrading a total of 183 ADA curb ramps as identified in the City’s ADA Self-Evaluation and Transition Plan.
Government Relations
- Established in 1982 by the League of California Cities, the Helen Putnam Award for Excellence Program recognizes outstanding achievements by California's 482 cities.
- The winning cities have made unique contributions to community residents and businesses, which have resulted in lower costs or more effective delivery of services.
- The purpose of the Helen Putnam Award for Excellence Program is to recognize and promote the outstanding efforts and innovative solutions by city governments. City staff have submitted applications for the 2022 Helen Putnam Awards.
City staff have diligently and enthusiastically submitted applications for the following projects for the 2022 round of awards highlighting the City's tireless efforts to modernize governance and improve the quality of life of all Pico Rivera Residents:
- The Historic Whitter Boulevard Revitalization Program
- The opening of the Roldan Futsal Pitch and Basketball Courts
- The PFAS Groundwater Treatment Project
- The City's first adopted Strategic Plan.
Community Events & Programming Recap
Senior Center Meet and Mingle - April 13, 2022
On April 13, 2022 the Pico Rivera Senior Center held its first in-person event in over two years. The Senior Center Meet and Mingle event had over 100 registrants and featured live music by Chico Entertainment.
Easter Eggstravaganza - April 9, 2022
On Saturday April 9, 2022, the City of Pico Rivera hosted its annual Easter Eggstravaganza. The event included amusement jumpers, carnival games, a petting zoo, magic show, food, artisan vendors, characters and an Easter Village. Over 6,000 residents participated in the event.
Upcoming Events
Part Time Job Fair - April 23, 2022
The City of Pico Rivera is hiring for seasonal positions! Day Camp Program Recreation Leader and Summer Food Service Program Recreation Leader positions are needed between June 13 and August 5, 2022. General Recreation Programs Recreation Leader and Public Works Maintenance Aide positions are available on a part-time basis.
Community Meeting for Proposed Warmington Residential Development - April 27, 2022
- On Wednesday, April 27, 2022, a second community meeting will be held at Pico Park to answer public questions on the proposed 45 unit townhome development located at 4820 Durfee Avenue.
- The project will serve as a multi-unit residential for-sale condominium project with all units accessible from secured, exterior private entries and will include 90 vehicular parking spaces and seven (7) guest parking spaces.
- The proposed project will require multiple discretionary applications consisting of a Conditional Use Permit (CUP), Tentative Tract (Subdivision) Map, and Variance. The project is in the application phase and will require Planning Commission and City Council review.
Memorial Day Ceremony - May 30, 2022
The Memorial Day Ceremony will be held at the Veteran's Memorial on May 30, 2022 at 10:00 AM.