A Message from the City Manager

Dear Yorba Linda Community,

November is a time for expressing gratitude as we celebrate Thanksgiving and the coming holiday season. Whether you’re a newer resident or have invested your whole life here, there are bountiful reasons to be thankful in the Land of Gracious Living. We all know Yorba Linda is a special place full of distinct neighborhoods, exciting businesses, award-winning schools, engaged faith communities, beautiful parks and trails, and the best public amenities. In short, this City is a wellspring of joy, hope, and optimism -- essential ingredients for a great holiday season.

But what makes Yorba Linda so exceptional is its people. I want to take a moment to thank each and every one of you for your contributions to our community. Whether you have volunteered your time, supported local businesses, or simply been a good neighbor -- your collective engagement has made Yorba Linda a truly exceptional city. As we head into the holiday season, I encourage everyone to continue supporting one another and spreading kindness everywhere.

I am also thankful for the important work the Yorba Linda community has entrusted to our City staff. Under the guidance of the City Council, our team prioritizes excellence and works hard all year long to preserve and enhance everything that makes Yorba Linda so remarkable. In an article below in this e-newsletter, we provide a link to experience our State of the City highlight film, and I invite the community to watch it to learn more about the important work we do every day to ensure Yorba Linda's continued exceptionalism.

Thank you for making Yorba Linda such a special place to call home, and thank you for being an important part of this community.

Best regards,

Mark Pulone

City Manager

City Council Meeting Recap

Want to learn more about the decisions and actions of the Yorba Linda City Council? The latest City Council meeting recap is now available online. These recaps briefly summarize the City Council's activities until the official minutes are adopted (generally at the next meeting). In addition, City Council Meeting agendas and minutes from previous meetings are available on the Agendas and Minutes page on the City's website.

View the Yorba Linda State of the City Address

Yorba Linda’s 2023 State of the City was a big success! Hosted in the East Room of the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum, this event celebrated the City’s accomplishments over the last year and featured Mayor Hernandez's State of the City Address. This year’s theme, “Charting a Course for Excellence," highlighted the incredible efforts, planning, and vision that will ensure Yorba Linda remains an exceptional community for years to come.

Please visit our website to view our film highlighting Yorba Linda’s exceptional 2023 and to view the State of the City Address.

Also, we are so grateful for all our event sponsors whose support made the evening possible, including our title sponsor, Providence St. Jude Medical Center; Executive Sponsor, Building Industry Association; and partner sponsor, the Richard Nixon Foundation.

Meet the 2023 Citizen of the Year: Frank Stefano!

A Yorba Linda resident since 1991, Frank Stefano is a dedicated community leader and the owner of Stefano's Golden Baked Hams, a beloved Yorba Linda business that just celebrated its 20th anniversary. Beyond his business endeavors, Frank is a dedicated community servant who embodies the highest ideals of our exceptional City. He and his wife, Colleen, actively support St. Martin de Porres, organizing events like Oktoberfest and providing weekly meals to those in need. They are also involved with For Family of Active Military, assisting military families during the holidays and honoring fallen soldiers.

In 2022, Frank and Stefano’s donated thousands of pounds of surplus hams, turkeys, and side dishes to Bracken's Kitchen, ultimately providing over 1,500 meals per week to people experiencing food insecurity. Additionally, Frank supports a growing number of various local organizations, schools, and charities. As a leader, Frank has served on the Yorba Linda Chamber of Commerce's Board of Directors and has been a positive force for fellow businesses. During the pandemic, Frank mentored and supported other small business owners, helping them connect together and pivot their operations to stay open. For his efforts, the Chamber of Commerce named Frank the 2022 Business Advocate of the Year.

Frank's inspiration to give back to the community stems from the satisfaction of making a positive impact and helping others. His dedication to coaching young talents has led to several success stories among his former employees. With a thriving business and a close-knit family, Frank Stefano continues to be a cherished and integral member of the Yorba Linda community. Please join us in celebrating Frank Stefano as the 2023 Yorba Linda Citizen of the Year.

Veteran's Day Ceremony at Veterans Park

Saturday, November 11 at 2 p.m.

The Yorba Linda Veterans Memorial Association invites the community to join in their traditional Veterans Day Ceremony at the Veterans Memorial at Veterans Park (4766 Valley View Avenue) on Saturday, November 11, at 2 p.m. Highlights of the event include:

Keynote speaker Able Bodied Seaman Lloyd Clayton, Royal Canadian Navy, D-Day Veteran;
Remarks from Mayor Gene Hernandez and Colonel Thomas M. Siverts, Commanding Officer of the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit;
Presentation of the colors by Esperanza High School AF JROTC;
Pipers from the Los Angeles Police Emerald Society; and
Traditional Gold Star Roll Call following the playing of Taps.

A large tent will be set up with seating for attendees, and attendees may also bring their own lawn chairs. For more information, please visit the Yorba Linda Veterans Memorial website.

Yorba Linda Police Services Offers Community Safety & Crime Prevention Meeting

Tuesday, November 14 at 6 p.m.

Please join Yorba Linda Police Services as we update our community on recent crime trends and discuss crimes of opportunity, distraction crimes, and more. Our team, consisting of our Crime Prevention Specialist and Investigations unit, will review the importance of situational awareness and provide prevention and safety tips, along with ways to target-harden your home. We look forward to seeing you there and addressing your concerns. This informative event will take place on Tuesday, November 14, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Yorba Linda Cultural Arts Center (4802 Lakeview Avenue). See you there!

Public Comment Period Closing Soon for the City's Draft ADA Self-Evaluation & Transition Plan

The City of Yorba Linda strives to make Yorba Linda accessible for everyone! In accordance with the Federal Highway Administration, local agencies who want to remain eligible for federal funding must develop and adopt an ADA Transition Plan. Each agency is required to complete a self-evaluation and survey of its facilities, policies, and practices as they relate to requirements set forth in the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Repair and replacement of deficient facilities must be noted and addressed in a formal transition plan.

The City hired an ADA consultant to prepare the ADA Self Evaluation and Transition Plan, and the draft document is now complete. The City is seeking public comment on its Draft ADA Self Evaluation and Transition Plan document during a 30-day period that concludes on November 17. Learn more by visiting the City's website.

Register Now for Winter Recreation

The Winter 2024 issue of The Guide hit residents' mailboxes recently, and can also be browsed online. Visit YLRecOnline.com now to build your family's wish list or register! Popular winter programs include Breakfast with Santa, Mother Daughter Princess Tea, and Daddy Daughter Dance.

Yorba Linda residents can register for winter programs right now. Non-residents can register on November 22 at 10 a.m.

Library's Food for Fines Program Returns

The Library's Food for Fines canned food drive is back! From November 1 through December 16, library patrons can make an online donation through a link on the Library's website or bring canned food to the Library to pay for fines (excluding lost or damaged items). All donations benefit the Community Action Partnership of Orange County Food Bank. For more information on the program, please visit the Library's website.

Vote Now for the Best of Yorba Linda!

It's time to vote for your favorite Yorba Linda businesses! Do you have a favorite Yorba Linda coffee shop, fitness club, or even a non-profit organization? Help support Yorba Linda's businesses by voting for your favorites. There are 50 categories, so be sure to check out each one. To learn more or cast your votes, visit the Best of Yorba Linda website, but act quickly! Voting ends on November 17. Winners from each category will be awarded at the Yorba Linda Chamber of Commerce's Installation Gala on December 7!

City Recognizes Businesses of the Month

At the November 7, 2023 City Council Meeting, the City of Yorba Linda and the Yorba Linda Chamber of Commerce recognized several Businesses of the Month. Congratulations to the following businesses:

July 2023: The Weller Group at KW Realty
August 2023: MAC Speed and Custom
September 2023: High Roller Entertainment Rentals

City Facilities Closed for Thanksgiving Holiday Weekend

In observance of Thanksgiving Day, all City facilities will be closed on Thursday, November 23, and Friday, November 24. Additionally, the Yorba Linda Public Library will remain closed on Saturday, November 25. There will be no waste and recycling collection on Thanksgiving Day, and service will run one day late for the rest of the week.

City Invites Continued Public Review of Draft Housing Element

The Yorba Linda Planning Commission convened at City Hall on October 25 to review revisions to the 2021-2029 Housing Element proposed by the Housing Policy Resident Working Group. After careful consideration, the Commission supported the Working Group’s revisions to the draft 2021-2029 Housing Element and advised that the Working Group provide any additional input based on public feedback prior to the City Council’s review and submission to the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD).

The City Council is expected to review the revised Housing Element at the Council Meeting on Tuesday, December 5 at 6:30 p.m. This Council Meeting will offer another opportunity for residents to provide feedback before the draft is submitted to HCD for State review. After HCD completes their review, the City will take this effort through the required public hearing process to formally adopt the Housing Element and its accompanying General Plan Amendments and Zoning Code Amendments.

The City underscores its commitment to a resident-centered process, retaining local control, and ensuring a balanced and inclusive housing plan that protects Yorba Linda’s distinct character and living standards. Residents seeking a deeper dive into the details of the revised Housing Element are encouraged to view recordings of the October 12 workshop and Q&A webinar. For additional information and to stay updated on Yorba Linda’s Housing Element, please visit YLLocalControl.com.

Know Your Way in an Emergency

Wildfires and other emergencies can be chaotic and stressful, so planning ahead is critical! Yorba Linda is prone to damaging wildfires and other disasters that could require you to evacuate your home with little or no warning. While the City of Yorba Linda and our public safety partners have planned and trained extensively, including creating evacuation zones, we need you to do your part, too. Residents play an essential role in their own protection by making their own preparations for disasters. So, we encourage everyone to Know Your Way and identify all the ways to exit their neighborhood. Since there is no one way to safety that fits all disaster scenarios, knowing multiple routes to get out of your community is critical.

To help you identify your neighborhood exits, we encourage residents to visit yorbalindaca.gov/KnowYourWay. Then, search your address to learn your evacuation zone’s name and view your zone’s informational flyer to learn more about your neighborhood exits. During an evacuation, the City will refer to these zones by name when we send out AlertOC emergency alerts, so don’t forget to sign up to receive emergency notifications at www.alertoc.org.

New Landscaping Installed on Yorba Linda Boulevard

The City takes great pride in providing great landscaping that reflects our exceptional community. Recently, the City's Landscape Maintenance Assessment District (LMAD) staff replaced some sections of grass turf along Yorba Linda Boulevard near Village Center Drive with great-looking climate-adapted plants. The team also installed a drip irrigation system, which will reduce costs and save water. The beautiful new plant palette includes Bougainvillea, Carissa, evergreen Strawberry trees, and Pink Trumpet Trees that thrive during the warmer seasons. A big thank you to the LMAD team for making Yorba Linda’s landscapes look exceptional!

Bastanchury Widening Reaches Halfway Mark

Construction of the Bastanchury Road Widening Project between Casa Loma and Eureka avenues is now halfway to completion. Currently, crews are building the foundations for a retaining wall along the south side of Bastanchury Road. This effort required the removal of the existing block wall along the edge of several properties on that side of Bastanchury Road. Once the retaining wall is complete, the team will be able to raise the street elevation to its final height and finish off the remainder of the project. Please continue to exercise extra caution while driving in the construction zone.

City's Annual Pavement Project Now Complete!

The Annual Pavement Preservation Program keeps Yorba Linda's streets in good condition, provides residents with better driving surfaces, extends the lives of streets, and protects the public's infrastructure investment. This year's project, which just wrapped up, treated Maintenance Zone 5 and portions of Zone 6 that were deferred from last year's project to this year (view project map).

The project included a slurry seal phase that provides a maintenance treatment that prolongs the life of the asphalt. The slurry material consists of finely crushed rock, asphalt, and water that cures over a few hours in hot weather. As part of this year’s program, the contractor recently slurry-sealed Yorba Linda Boulevard between Village Center Road and Dorinda Road, as well as Village Center Drive from Yorba Linda Boulevard to North Fairmont Boulevard. For more information about the Annual Pavement Preservation Program, please contact the Public Works Department at 714-961-9170.

Be Thankful for These Holiday Cooking Tips

More cooking fires are reported on Thanksgiving Day than any other day of the year, followed by Christmas and Christmas Eve. Help protect your family and your home by practicing cooking safety this holiday season.

Holiday Cooking Safety Tips

Stay in the kitchen when frying, grilling, or broiling food. Unattended cooking is the leading cause of home cooking fires;
Check food often while cooking. If you are entertaining guests, use a kitchen timer to remind you that the stove or oven is on;
Wear short, fitted, or tightly rolled sleeves when cooking;
Keep cooking areas clear. Pot holders, paper towels, wooden utensils, and even cookbooks can be fire hazards if left too close to the stove, oven, or other kitchen appliances;
Clean cooking surfaces regularly to prevent grease buildup;
Make sure children and pets stay at least three feet from the oven or stove; and
Test your smoke alarms and never disable them while cooking.

What to do if there is a fire

If the fire is on the stove, cover the pan with a lid and turn off the stove. Never try to move the pan to the sink, and NEVER pour water on a grease fire;
If the fire is in the oven or microwave, keep the door closed and turn off the appliance; and
A multipurpose ABC fire extinguisher can also be used on a small cooking fire. An extinguisher should only be used if the fire is not spreading, smoke and heat have not filled the area, and you have a clear escape path.

Increased Coyote Sightings and Reporting

Encounters with coyotes are common in Yorba Linda due to our shared 19-mile northern wildlife interface with Chino Hills State Park and our southern boundary with the Santa Ana riverbed. Additionally, the City’s residential areas provide an abundance of water and food sources which encourage coyote habitation. Additionally, coyote sightings typically increase in the fall months during the dispersal season when young coyotes leave the family pack.

Typically, coyotes can coexist within the urban environment and will not affect our daily lives. The best way to minimize the nuisance and losses caused by urban coyotes is by being proactive in keeping coyotes at bay by following the helpful tips provided on the City’s Coyote Awareness webpage.

The general policy of the City of Yorba Linda, Orange County Animal Care, and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife is not to trap coyotes, as killing or relocating urban coyotes has proven to be ineffective over the long term.

The City does monitor coyote activity via reports made directly from residents, but it does not monitor social media platforms for coyote sightings. To report a coyote sighting or incident, please submit a Report a Coyote Sighting Form online.

Stormwater Management Tips for Rainy Season

After months of drier weather, rain can cause erosion on your property. Erosion can not only cause an unsightly mess, but eroded soil can also block stormwater systems and release pollutants into the ocean. To do your part to help prevent soil from leaving your property, examine your yard carefully. Be aware of the slope, drainage patterns, and soil types. If your property is prone to erosion, consider the following:

Plant grass seed or other vegetation before the fall rains begin;
Apply netting and straw mulch on steep slopes;
Incorporate existing native vegetation into your landscape area;
Direct water runoff away from areas subject to erosion; and
Minimize impervious surfaces such as concrete and asphalt, and maximize the absorption capacity of your land through vegetation.

These tips are provided on behalf of the City's stormwater management program.