EL C ESPRINGNCOMMUNITY NEWSLETTER … Manager...5 6 7 8 8 8 9 In this Issue 1 /ElCentroCA The Online Action Center becomes more Interactive for Citizens and Contractors Anyone planning

CITY OFEL CENTRO

COMMUNITY NEWSLETTERSPRING-SUMMER 2014 EDITION

CITY OFEL CENTRO

COMMUNITY NEWSLETTER

• List of Events

• Online Action Center

• City of El Centro Wins Award

• 2014 Mardi Grass King and Queen

• Introducing ZIP Books

• SCORE Imperial Valley 250

• Summer Programs

• El Centro Public Library Summer Reading Program

• New Sports Pavilion

• New Fireworks Ordinance

• Transfer Terminal Grand Opening

• Thank You to our Sponsors

1

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

8

8

9

In this Issue

1www.cityofelcentro.org /ElCentroCA

The Online Action Center becomes more Interactive for Citizens and ContractorsAnyone planning or doing construction within the City will be glad to know that the City of El Centro is making the process easier and more efficient.

The Online Action Center encompasses permits and inspections, code enforcement and public works divisions of the City of El Centro. The Online Action Center is already in use on the city’s website and is allowing citizens and contractors to download information, check status of permit, estimtate fees, report code enforcement violations, check status of a complaint, file a report or complaint. The city will be adding several new program enhancements with some beginning as early as this summer.

Beginning the first part of June, contractors will no longer have to wait to get a permit to install an air conditioner over a weekend. This streamlined process will make it more convenient and comfortable for residents and businesses to keep cool during our hot summer months.

Also due in June is a new program allowing contractors to check the status of their building permits, request inspections and see approval status of their pending inspections along with any notations from building inspectors. Apps for both of these features are expected by next year making it even easier for contractors using smart phones or mobile pads.

To see the new features log onto www.cityofelcentro.org and click the icon “Online Action Center”

For more information contact the Building Division at 760-337-4508.

CITY OFEL CENTRO



City of El Centro Wins Public Works Project of the Year Award

The City of El Centro department of Public Works gets to step into the spotlight as they are the recipient’s of American Public Works Association (APWA) Public Works Project of Year for the downtown transfer terminal located at 7th/Main Street in El Centro. The awards ceremony took place on May 8, 2014 in San Diego.

According to the APWA of San Diego and Imperial Counties the Public Works Project of the Year Award was established to promote excellence in Public Works Projects by recognizing the partnership between the managing agency, the consultant/architect/engineer team, and the contractor, who all work together to successfully complete Public Works Projects.

For the City of El Centro, the transfer terminal means a great deal not only to the city but to the public as well. The new transit terminal hub connects many Imperial Valley Transit and other express routes throughout the Imperial Valley and Yuma, AZ. Routes stop at the new bus terminal, whether they’re coming from Calexico, Ocotillo, Seeley, Holtville, Winterhaven and even Yuma and accommodate route transfers at a central location,

providing a safe and pleasant setting for riders.

Beyond the usefulness of the new terminal, great thought was given to its overall design as well. The design was guided to accomplish a lasting and easily maintained structure. The building materials and furnishing selections were done with this in mind. The existing travel ways and alley were utilized as part of the site circulation to accommodate the number of bus bays. Sustainable design features were incorporated including photo-voltaic system, mechanical storm water treatment units, drought tolerant landscape and irrigation, concrete drive surfaces that would last longer and required less maintenance. A section of the project was set aside for a future art piece to be

provided by local community groups.

“This is a project that the city has worked diligently on because it serves the entire Imperial Valley by literally becoming a connection hub for so many residents moving about the area” states Terry Hagen, Director of Public Works/City Engineer for El Centro. “We as a city are very proud to be honored with this award and look forward to many

CITY OFEL CENTRO



Joe and Ruth have been actively involved serving our community for many years. Joe is the District Operations Manager for the Gas Company and the Honorable Ruth Montenegro currently serves as the Family Support Commissioner for the Superior Court in Imperial County.

Both have received numerous accolades throughout the community for their support and efforts to improve the quality of life

2014 Mardi Gras King and Queen Joe and Ruth Montenegrothrough many diverse programs and foundations. Recently Joe was recognized as “Man of Distinction” by the Valley Women’s magazine and Ruth was the third female judge in the history of the County and the first female Mexican-American judge appointed.

They have been married for more than seventeen years and have one daughter, Miranda, who is sophomore at Southwest High School.

CITY OFEL CENTRO



After two years of extensive planning with assistance from numerous individuals, multiple businesses and several government agencies from across the Imperial Valley, the City of El Centro presented SCORE’s first race in this portion of Southern California and first SCORE race in California since 1998.

An estimated 7000 spectators flocked to Plaster City for the inaugural SCORE Imperial Valley 250. Race fans braved the gale-force high winds and desert sandstorms that pummeled the area for much of the day. Despite the weather, the event was a huge success with talks of possibly more races to follow.

Nearly 150 entries competing in 35 Pro and 6 Sportsman classes for cars, trucks, motorcycles, UTVs and ATVs were registered to cross the starting line. Entries came from 17 U.S. States along with Austria, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Mexico and approximately two dozen racers from the Imperial Valley area including El Centro, Imperial and Holtville. When the course officially closed at 9:32 p.m. Saturday night, there were only 53 finishers.

The winners were:

• SCORE Trophy Truck - Andy McMillian

• Open Motorcycle - Ian Young and Mark Samuels

• ATV and Class 25 - Javier Robles Jr. Mike Cafro, Jorie Williams and Robbie Mitchell

• Class 40 - Matney, Brabec, Robles Jr., Giovanni Spinali - Class 7SX – James Burman - Class 50 – Earl Roberts - Class 3000 – Paige Sohren

• Class 5-1600 - Donald Harper and Guy Savedra - Class 5 – Steven Hall and Alex Cardenas - Class 7 – Dan Chamlee - Class 8 – Noah Ostanik

• Stock Full - Wes Bevly

The race will be televised as a one-hour special on the CBS Sports Network at 9 p.m. ET on Sunday, June 15, 2014.

SPECIAL EVENTS• Ice Cream Social To Be Determined 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. FREE• El Grito de Independencia & Taco Cook Off Saturday, September 19, 2014 * Stark Field 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. FREE• Seasonal Tree Lighting and Street Fair Friday, December 5, 2014 * 11th & Main 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. FREE

Public Swim Hours & Fees @ Central Union High School• Open Swim Pool Dates - June 17th to August 8th Tuesday through Friday 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm Saturdays 3:00 pm to 8:00 pm General Admission 12 years and under $1.00 Teens 13-17 years $1.50 Adults 18– 54 years $2.00 Senior 55+ $1.50• Special Olympics and Recreation Inclusion Program• Swim Lessons• Jr. Lifeguard Program

Adult Center Programs• Sewing/Crotchet• Senior Movie Day• Senior Game Day

Summer Programs

For more information call Parks & Recreation at 760-337-4555

CITY OFEL CENTRO



• Computer Lab• Exercise Day • Art Day• Bingo• Intro to Computers• Senior Nutrition Program

Excercise Programs• Aerobics• Zumba• Insanity

Youth ProgramsYouth Attaining Leadership Skills ProgramCommunity Programs• USDA Summer Feeding Program• Community Garden• Community Center Splash Pad

Summer ProgramsOur summer programs provide the opportunity for children to participate in indoor and outdoor adventures in a group setting. We promote health, knowledge, teamwork and entertainment. It is also a place to expand a child’s creative mind through arts and crafts, theater, music and other activities. Our priorities are safety and to have a memorable summer! We hope you have a wonderful summer and we look forward to seeing you this 2014 season!

Recreation Inclusion ProgrammingCity of El Centro Parks and Recreation Department is dedicated to providing and serving the needs of everyone in our community. Persons with special disabilities are encouraged to participate in our City Recreation programs. A one-week advance notice is required to complete an assessment of the participant so planning for the appropriate program is available and to determine if an aide is required.

Summer Camps• Half Pint Summer Camp• 8 -10 Year Olds• 12 -14 Year Olds• Nothing But Net (NBN) Basketball• Sunrise Camp

SPECIAL EVENTS• Ice Cream Social To Be Determined 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. FREE• El Grito de Independencia & Taco Cook Off Saturday, September 19, 2014 * Stark Field 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. FREE• Seasonal Tree Lighting and Street Fair Friday, December 5, 2014 * 11th & Main 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. FREE

Public Swim Hours & Fees @ Central Union High School• Open Swim Pool Dates - June 17th to August 8th Tuesday through Friday 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm Saturdays 3:00 pm to 8:00 pm General Admission 12 years and under $1.00 Teens 13-17 years $1.50 Adults 18– 54 years $2.00 Senior 55+ $1.50• Special Olympics and Recreation Inclusion Program• Swim Lessons• Jr. Lifeguard Program

Adult Center Programs• Sewing/Crotchet• Senior Movie Day• Senior Game Day

El Centro Public Library Summer Reading Program 2014June 16th-July 31st

Help your children maintain and improve skills through reading during the summer months.

El Centro Public Library provides free, voluntary reading programs throughout the summer for children, teens, and adults. The programs encourage reading through contests and prizes, through activities that engage children in their personal lives and interests and by hosting special performances to motivate children.

Children become fluent readers through sustained reading and by seeing others choose reading. Our library can give you information on family literacy skills and they provide developmentally appropriate programs for a wide range of ages to create fluent readers.

El Centro Public Library can help your child maintain and even improve their reading skills over the summer. The 2014 program theme is Science and literacy programming will be based on science topics. With encouragement and time, your children can “Fizz, Boom, Read!”

Theme: Science

Pre-kinder:Fizz, Boom, Read!1st-6th grade:Fizz, Boom, Read!

Teens:Spark a Reaction

Adults:Literary Elements

1140 N. Imperial Ave. (760)337-4565For full summer program log ontowww.cityofelcentro.org/parkandrec or call 760-337-4555

• Computer Lab• Exercise Day • Art Day• Bingo• Intro to Computers• Senior Nutrition Program

Excercise Programs• Aerobics• Zumba• Insanity

Youth ProgramsYouth Attaining Leadership Skills ProgramCommunity Programs• USDA Summer Feeding Program• Community Garden• Community Center Splash Pad

Summer ProgramsOur summer programs provide the opportunity for children to participate in indoor and outdoor adventures in a group setting. We promote health, knowledge, teamwork and entertainment. It is also a place to expand a child’s creative mind through arts and crafts, theater, music and other activities. Our priorities are safety and to have a memorable summer! We hope you have a wonderful summer and we look forward to seeing you this 2014 season!

CITY OFEL CENTRO



Recreation Inclusion ProgrammingCity of El Centro Parks and Recreation Department is dedicated to providing and serving the needs of everyone in our community. Persons with special disabilities are encouraged to participate in our City Recreation programs. A one-week advance notice is required to complete an assessment of the participant so planning for the appropriate program is available and to determine if an aide is required.

Summer Camps• Half Pint Summer Camp• 8 -10 Year Olds• 12 -14 Year Olds• Nothing But Net (NBN) Basketball• Sunrise Camp

New Fireworks Ordinance In PlaceFor the first time in many years, the City Council has adopted a ordinance for the sale and use of fireworks within the city limits. The new ordinance has been set in place to help increase public safety and reduce the risk of fires.

The new ordinance will allow the sale of “safe and sane” type fireworks by nonprofit organizations with a temporary use permit. Four permits will be issued each year and sales to the public can begin as early as the 28th of June through the 6th of July of each year.

New Sports Pavilion To Open Soon

Transfer Terminal Grand Opening

If you’ve driven anywhere near Adams Avenue and 8th Street you can’t help but notice the big new Sports Pavilion taking shape.

The new pavilion is set to open this fall and will offer many types of sports activities to our residents that will include: soccer, track, field hockey, volleyball, badminton, basketball and a walking club. The City of El Centro Sports Pavilion will also host many adult and youth leagues throughout the year.

Some improvements to the existing youth center will be completed. A new paint job, landscaping and a new fence will be installed before the pavilion opens.

The city has also started the design process of a new Aquatics Center that will be located just east of the Sports Pavilion. The modern aquatics center will encompass two cities blocks from 4th Street to 6th Street. The opening is anticipated to be in 2016.

On January 27, 2014, the City of El Centro and Imperial County Transportation Commission welcomed guests at a ribbon cutting ceremony for the City’s Regional Bus Transfer Terminal.

The project includes waiting areas, restrooms, a remote police substation, camera surveillance, bike racks and many more additions that make this bus transfer terminal a first class enhancement for commuters in the Imperial Valley.

The new location is at 7th and State Streets.

CITY OFEL CENTRO



Thank you to all our Sponsors

CITY OFEL CENTRO



BOURBONS & BISTRO

Documents

EL C ESPRINGNCOMMUNITY NEWSLETTER … Manager...5 6 7 8 8 8 9 In this Issue 1 /ElCentroCA The Online Action Center becomes more Interactive for Citizens and Contractors Anyone planning