Dear Friends and District Five Residents:
This is the September 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
STATE OF THE CITY
We had a wonderful Community of Communities State of the City at Patriot High School! A huge thank you to JUSD Board and staff and City Staff for all the work behind the scenes to make this event possible.
I shared summaries of projects in construction, recently entitled, and those currently in review. These include 1/2 acre housing, single family housing, and more. I also shared about the Van Buren Marketplace, Shops at Jurupa Valley, Bellegrave Marketplace, District at Jurupa Valley, Sprouts and Harbor Freight on Limonite, Limonite Plaza, Tractor Supply, Mission Village Shopping Center on Mission and Opal, and much more. I also provided updates on the Inland Empire Trade Tech Center which will provide a pathway for our residents from poverty to prosperity!
Lastly, I shared about the over $30 million investment in our infrastructure that will take place over the next 3 to 5v years. Some examples would be Mission from Pyrite to Bellegrave, Limonite between Felspar and Pedley, Van Buren widening from Limonite to the Santa Ana River, Bain Phase 2, Mira Loma Phase 2, Rubidoux from SR60 to Market, and much much more!
We have a balanced budget and continue to build our reserves while investing in our communities and improving quality of life through policy initiatives and supporting our first responders by providing the resources they need. The future for Jurupa Valley is bright where all are welcome and all belong!
INTERAGENCY COORINDATING COUNCIL
Had a great Interagency Coordinating Council Meeting. Agencies and/or organizations in attendance were JARPD, JUSD, JCSD, RCSD, CalFire, JV Chamber, Assemblymember Cervantes representative, JMDC, and City of Jurupa Valley.
It is crucial that we work together as we begin the work of over $20 million in infrastructure projects over the next 3 to 5 years as a result of ARPA. These projects will require coordination with our local agencies and development projects such as the various shopping centers getting ready to break ground across the city. The goal is to mitigate redundancy and look at other potential projects like sewer and water that could be done in parallel.
In addition, we allocated $2.5 million of our ARPA funds to begin the work of creating the backbone of a city high speed internet network. This will be accompanied by a matching grant bringing the total to $5 million. Once in place, we can begin looking at offering services to residents, being able to manage our own traffic control system, and more.
COMMUNITY OF BUSINESSES
We had an extraordinary attendance at our Community of Businesses State of the City! I shared we currently have over 300 registered businesses in our City and the Council is a huge proponent of small businesses which are the backbone of a healthy economy! I shared about major projects recently completed, those in construction, and many more in review status.
We are building a City where everyone is welcome from protecting our equestrian communities to planning for the future of our children and grandchildren. The future is bright for Jurupa Valley. Please join us this Thursday for our resident based State of the City which is open to all residents followed by light snacks and beverages.
LOCAL ECONOMIC ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
Your Council's continued commitment to local businesses has resulted in additional funding for a program we created during COVID-19
Attention Jurupa Valley Small Businesses! During last night's council meeting, the City Council approved to administer 45 grants at $10,000 per qualifying business through the City's Local Economic Assistance Program (LEAP). For the past two years, the City Council has funded direct financial assistance to local businesses, awarding over $600,000 in grants to 74 local businesses.
Small businesses eligible for assistance are those that experienced negative economic impacts or disproportionate impacts of the pandemic and meet the definition of “small business” (no more than 50 employees). Applications will be accepted, on a first-come, first-serves basis, until all funds have been awarded.
To see if your business qualifies and to submit an application, please visit http://ow.ly/CJa750KJNb9
NORTH PYRITE MASTER PLAN
Project planned near Stringfellow acid pits in Jurupa Valley
Read the full article here:
https://www.pe.com/.../project-planned-near-stringfellow...
The proposed master plan would mitigate illegal dumping and improve infrastructure in the area.
Had the opportunity to attend and listen to RCCD's "Growing a Future Regional Workforce" panelists and working sessions. It's exciting to hear leaders at the local, regional, state, and federal level, including labor, all discuss how the Inland Empire Trade Tech Center is part of regional workforce development plans right here in Jurupa Valley!
infrastructure
The current Council, as recently shared, has made the largest investment in infrastructure allocating over $20 million of our ARPA funds to our roads!
You can see our full CIP list here:
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=502204758380341&id=100057724644750
Council Meeting Highlight: During last night's meeting, the Jurupa Valley city council approved a construction agreement of over $2 Million to be used for citywide pavement rehabilitation.
The project consists of grinding and overlaying streets, reconstruction of curbs and gutters, sidewalks, driveway approaches, as well as paving with rubberized asphalt pavement and adjusting the manholes and water valves to grade and striping.
The project locations are Limonite from Felspar Street to Pedley Road, Jurupa road from Agate Street to Galena Street, Rubidoux from Highway 60 to 29th Street and Agate Street from Jurupa Road to Mission Boulevard.
This funding is in addition to the approximately $20 Million that city council has already allocated to street improvements through ARPA
#JurupaValley #RoadImprovements #infrastructure
I had the opportunity, alongside Mayors from San Bernardino and Riverside counties, to meet with the Governors office, more specifically, the new California Infrastructure Advisor, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa.
An item of discussion was housing. I shared that the State should be including funding and incentizing cities who meet state housing mandates and have certified housing elements.
We also discussed the need for workforce development. I shared information about the Inland Empire Technical Trade Center planned for Jurupa Valley that will be a path to lift our communities out of poverty and into skilled and well paying jobs.
Overall a productive conversation and look forward to the next meeting and securing funding for not only Jurupa Valley, but the region!
Mission Bridge Replacement
The County of Riverside, in cooperation with the Cities of Riverside and Jurupa Valley, proposes to replace the existing Mission Boulevard Bridge over the Santa Ana River. The proposed project will accommodate two 12-foot lanes, two 14-foot lanes, two 8-foot shoulders, and a 4-foot median. A 12- foot multipurpose trail with barrier separation from vehicular traffic will be located along the south side of the bridge in lieu of standard sidewalks on each side.
The new bridge will be approximately 88 feet wide and 1,100 feet long. The replacement bridge profile will be raised slightly to accommodate current standards for the roadway design. At mid-span, the profile will be approximately 4 to 6 feet higher than the existing bridge. Learn more about the project.
Market Bridge Replacement
The County of Riverside, in cooperation with the Cities of Riverside and Jurupa Valley, proposes to replace the existing Market Street Bridge over the Santa Ana River. A new 4-lane bridge will be provided to enhance public safety and traffic circulation in the area. The work will include reconstructing approach roadways, providing necessary channel improvements, and a multi-purpose trail connecting to the existing and proposed regional trails. The new bridge will be approximately 88 feet wide and 1,200 feet long. Learn more about the project.
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:
SUBSCRIBE: WEEKLY UPDATES
http://www.JurupaGradeSeparation.com
TRAFFIC CONTROL:
August 8-12
Monday - Friday
6 a.m - 4 p.m.
NB and SB Felspar St. from north of Jurupa Rd. to Galena St.
Expect traffic flagging.
BUSINESS ACCESS REMAINS OPEN
>Use Van Buren Blvd. to Rutile St.to Galena St. to Felspar St.
>or Van Buren Blvd. to Pedley Rd. to Jurupa Rd.-->
RESOURCES
council business/community news
Thank you to Congressman Mark Takano for holding an in-person Town Hall right here in Jurupa Valley. We had well over an hour of Q&A with residents and closed by recognizing local JUSD Bull Riders!
Topics discussed were Social Security, Veteran Services, Homelessness, and more.
Our local VFW Post 10267, Jurupa along with members of our first responders such as CAL FIRE/Riverside County Fire Department and Jurupa Valley Sheriff's Station held their 21st Annual #PatriotDay remembrance ceremony. Let us #NeverForget
We had a great Veterans Parade and Celebration meeting! We would love to have all Jurupa Valley nonprofits and youth groups be a part of it! Please submit your application here:
Had the opportunity to meet with parents of G.A.T.E students across our City from schools such as Rubidoux HS, Jurupa Middle, Del Sol, Stone Ave, Indian Hills, Pedley, and more. We discussed what G.A.T.E. means to us and our children as it currently exists and what we would like it to be.
I want to thank JUSD Staff and Board for the opportunity and inclusiveness of these meetings to enhance the G.A.T.E program for our students. Looking forward to continuing these meetings as a representative for my children's school.
The C.A.R.E Court is now law and a step in the right direction in addressing homelessness and mental health. As I shared a few months back, the IE Coalition of Mayors have been advocating for its passage among other initiatives to address the growing public health crisis. It is also important to note that Riverside County has been designated as a priority County for implementation.
You can learn what the C.A.R.E Court system is here: https://calmatters.org/.../california-lawmakers-approved.../
You can read my newsletter when I first shared this here: https://www.chrisbarajas.com/march-2022
I am a proponent of involuntary conservatorship through the C.A.R.E Court system and believe it to be the next legislative priority in addition to facilities that provide the needed services and housing.
I want to thank staff and Board Members at both JCSD and RCSD for continously working to protect our residents. Our residents deserve clean water and restitution for the costs incurred to provide clean water.
#JCSD has filed a lawsuit through SL Environmental Law Group against 3M Company, E.I. DuPont de Nemours, Inc., and other manufacturers involved in the production and sale of PFAS that have contaminated water supplies. For more information, visit http://ow.ly/8G7I50KNrBv.
Rubidoux Community Services District is doing the same.
Had a blast at the Jurupa Valley Foodfest with good friends and residents from throughout our City! The food was great as was the silent and live auctions. Special thanks to my good friends Rich Leach and his band for the live entertainment! The best part is that all proceeds go right back into our community in the form of scholarships for our JUSD Youth.
Thank you to Jurupa Valley High School. I am extremely grateful and honored to be inducted into the JVHS Hall of Fame. A special thanks to Ms. Bennett, Mr. Mangiamelli, and Mr. Hansen for the lasting impact they had on me. Go Jags!
