A Message from the City Manager

Dear Yorba Linda Community,

Tomorrow, Americans worldwide will gather together to celebrate our nation's Independence Day, but there's no place like home. The Fourth of July is packed with rich patriotic traditions ingrained deeply in this community, and I know I am not the only one who enjoys seeing the incredible flag displays and festive decor across Yorba Linda. Celebrating our country by gathering with friends and family, sharing great food, and enjoying Yorba Linda's 4th of July Spectacular is always a highlight of summer. As we celebrate our freedom, let's remember to thank the brave service members, veterans, and fallen heroes whose sacrifices have made our celebrations possible.

As summer kicks into full swing, the City has been busy completing our efforts to build a two-year operating budget and update to our seven-year Capital Improvement Project budget, which the City Council adopted at their latest meeting. Creating a City-budget takes a lot of work, but the community can have confidence that the City of Yorba Linda is fiscally strong. Additionally, we are continuing to prioritize public safety while funding exceptional improvement projects. Transparency and open government are two important values we all share, so we are excited to debut our OpenGov budget book to the public very soon. This new effort will transform our budget information from a 200+ page document into an exciting website that is easier for the community to access and understand. We are putting the finishing touches on it right now, so stay tuned!

Have a safe and fantastic Fourth of July,

Mark Pulone

City Manager

Celebrate the 4th of July in Yorba Linda!

July 4 | Veterans Park & Yorba Linda Middle School

Get excited for Yorba Linda's annual 4th of July Spectacular! Attendees will enjoy food vendors, family activities, live music, and spectacular fireworks! The fun starts tomorrow at 5 p.m. with live music featuring Kayln & The New Frontier and fireworks blasting off at 9 p.m. The event can be enjoyed from Veterans Park or Yorba Linda Middle School. For important updates about this event, including road closures and more, follow our social media accounts and visit our website.

Closed on the 4th of July!

All City facilities will be closed on Tuesday, July 4, 2023, in observance of Independence Day. Please note that waste pickup will not occur on July 4 and will be delayed by one day for the remainder of the week.

Want to Serve Yorba Linda as a Traffic Commissioner?

The City of Yorba Linda is seeking applications from Yorba Linda residents to fill one vacancy on the Traffic Commission. The Commission, appointed by the City Council, is comprised of five members who serve alternating four-year terms and advise the City Council on traffic, parking, and safety issues. The term for this appointment will terminate on December 31, 2026. The Traffic Commission meets on the fourth Thursday of each month at 6:30 p.m.

Yorba Linda residents interested in applying are encouraged to file a brief application form with the City Clerk's Office prior to 5 p.m. on Friday, July 14, 2023. Application forms may be obtained at Yorba Linda City Hall, 4845 Casa Loma Avenue, in the Office of the City Clerk, or by going to the City’s website. For information, call 714-961-7150.

New Summer Hours at Adventure Playground

Adventure Playground summer camps are well underway at Adventure Playground! Campers are enjoying fort-building in addition to the other activities and amenities at Adventure Playground. Because Adventure Playground is hosting summer camps five days a week, the park opens to the general public at 5 p.m. on summer weekdays until mid-August. Additionally, due to Adventure Playground's popularity, FREE reservations are required for Saturday and Sunday visits. The modified summer hours at Adventure Playground are as follows:

Monday to Friday: 5 p.m. to dusk (approximately 7:45 p.m.)

-The waterslide will be open until 7:30 p.m.

Saturday & Sunday: 10 a.m. to dusk (approximately 7:45 p.m.)

-The waterslide will be open noon to 5 p.m.

-Reservations required.

To learn more about the weekend reservation system and the summer hours of operation, please visit www.yorbalindacap.gov/AP.

Help Us Find Unsung Heroes

All year, we are focusing on honoring Yorba Linda’s unsung hometown heroes – the people who live up to our community’s highest ideals of service and engagement – but we need your help! Please tell us if you know someone who deserves to be highlighted. Email us a brief description of the community member and their worthy deeds. Selected individuals will be honored at a council meeting, and we will share their stories on our social media channels. Thank you!

Mark Your Calendar for National Night Out!

Yorba Linda Police Services will be hosting the annual National Night Out event at the Yorba Linda Community Center (4501 Casa Loma) on Wednesday, August 2, at 6 p.m. This is a national crime prevention event fostering community partnerships and unity in support of our safe neighborhoods. There will be an array of static displays available from our specialty units for families to explore, a K9 demonstration, community resources, and much more. Please follow Yorba Linda Police Services on social media for more information to come.

Mark Your Calendars for Summer Family Fun!

To help your family have a great summer, we are once again offering Saturday Movies in the Park, Sunday Concerts in the Park, and of course, our 4th of July Spectacular! Mark your calendars now for these great events:

Register Now for the Library's Summer Reading Program

The Library's annual Summer Reading Program is back for children, teens, and adults! Register online to log reading, complete fun activities, play games, earn digital badges, and win prizes! Learn more at the Library's website.

Help Us Find the Citizen of the Year!

Who will this year's Citizen of the Year be? It's a great honor to be recognized, and you can help us ensure it goes to someone deserving by nominating a local hero who goes above and beyond for Yorba Linda! We are currently accepting nominations for the 2023 Citizen of the Year recognition and invite you to participate. Nomination forms and detailed information about the program, including a list of past recipients, are available on the City's website. Please submit completed nomination forms by September 8, 2023.

Going on a Trip? Sign Up for a Vacation Home Check!

Yorba Linda Police Services is proud to offer vacation home checks. This free service is performed by local deputies who will physically check your residence to ensure your home remains secure while you are away on vacation. Signing up is easy! Visit our website to find the form, fill it out, and then email it to Yorba Linda Police Services. If you have any questions, please call 714-779-7098.

Be a Good Neighbor: Leave Fireworks to the Professionals!

Yorba Linda Police Services and the City of Yorba Linda remind residents that possessing or discharging fireworks within Yorba Linda City limits is prohibited. If you light it, we'll cite it!

For your safety and the safety of others in the community, please do not light fireworks in Yorba Linda. To report illegal fireworks, please don't call 9-1-1. Instead, call the Yorba Linda Police Services' dispatch at 714-647-7000. The City's 4th of July Spectacular, announced earlier, is a great alternative to personal fireworks. Additional information about local fireworks regulations and safety can be found in the Orange County Fire Authority's fireworks fact sheet.

Keep Your Pets Safe at Home on July 4

Fireworks are loud, especially for animals with sensitive hearing. Explosions from fireworks can frighten pets, causing them great levels of distress. In preparation for the evening of the 4th of July, pet owners should:

• Get in a workout earlier in the day to tire out your pet;
• Make sure your pet has current identification and a microchip in case your pet panics and escapes during the festivities;
• Leave your pet at home, inside if possible, before heading to a large event or party;
• Leave on the TV or radio at home to drown out the sound of fireworks;
• Secure your yard to prevent escapes; and
• Do not leave your pet in the car while enjoying fireworks.

The 4th of July is one of the highest intake days for animal shelters across the country. If your pet goes missing, visit OC Animal Care's Lost Pets webpage to search their database of found pets. For more 4th of July pet safety tips, visit OC Animal Care's website.

Learn the ABCs of Drowning Prevention

With prime swim weather upon us, it’s important to remember the key elements of water safety. Keeping yourself and others safe in and around the water is as easy as ABC! Follow the safety tips below to help prevent drownings:

A is for ACTIVE ADULT SUPERVISION

• Assign an adult to be a Water Watcher, actively keeping their eyes on the water without ANY distractions;
• If a child or adult is missing, every second counts! Check the water FIRST!; and
• Wear a water watcher tag (details below).

B is for BARRIERS

• Install and maintain proper fencing around the pool and spa to isolate swimming areas; and
• Use multiple layers of protection, such as fences, gates, doors, alarms, and safety covers.

C is for CLASSES

• Learn to swim by taking lessons;
• Learn first aid and CPR. Always keep a phone nearby to call 9-1-1; and
• Teach children that running, jumping, and pushing others on pool decks is dangerous and can cause injuries. Always enter the pool feet first to know how deep the water is in that area.

Water watcher tags, which can be worn as a reminder of the water watcher duties and identifies which adult is currently responsible for monitoring swimming children, are available at Yorba Linda City Hall, the Thomas Lasorda Jr. Field House, Community Center, and Cultural Arts Center. For more drowning prevention tips, visit OCFA’s website.

Tip, Toss, and Take Action to Stop Mosquitos

The Orange County Mosquito and Vector Control District and the City of Yorba Linda remind residents to take an active role in mosquito control by regularly inspecting their property for any stagnant water where mosquitoes can lay eggs. Mosquitoes can complete their life cycle from egg to adult in about a week and only need a body of water the size of a bottle cap to develop. Vector Control would like to remind you to tip, toss, and take action by doing the following:

• TIP: Eliminate breeding sources around your property;
• TOSS: Throw away any unused containers to prevent eggs from hatching; and
• TAKE ACTION: apply repellant and use these tips to combat mosquitoes.

Common sources for mosquito breeding include plant saucers, buckets, tires, pet water bowls, trash cans, water-holding plants such as bromeliads, and landscaping with low-lying areas. Any collected water should be emptied or drained, containers should be tightly sealed to prevent mosquito entry, unnecessary containers should be removed from yards, and green unmaintained pools should be cleaned or treated.

For more information about OC Mosquito and Vector Control, visit ocvector.org.

Prevent Stormwater Runoff and Protect Water Quality

Rainwater that falls on streets, parking lots, grass, rooftops, developed land, and other areas that ultimately flow into the ocean through storm drains is called stormwater runoff. Unfortunately, runoff water picks up lots of pollutants and debris as it drains. Although rain is not common during the summer, the City of Yorba Linda encourages residents to be mindful of runoff water and use the following tips to prevent the spread of pollutants during the next rain:

• Sweep up all cut grass, trimmings, and leaves and dispose of them as green waste;
• Maintain your car to prevent leaks;
• Follow directions when applying fertilizers and/or pesticides; do not over-apply or irrigate immediately after application;
• Wash your car at a facility that recycles water and uses biodegradable soaps;
• If your pet spends time in the yard, promptly pick up pet waste; and
• Consider volunteering for a beach clean-up event by visiting the California Coastal Commission's website.

Thank you for being an environmental steward and committing to protecting local water quality by preventing pollution. For more tips and information about stormwater runoff, visit the City's website.