Rancho CordovaWINTER 2011Rancho Cordova

2010

Holiday On Ice page 2

Growing Strong Neighborhoods page 4

City Streets & Commercial Development page 5

PAL’s Holiday Run page 6

www.cityofranchocordova.org

Ice Skating Rink November 10th to January 16th 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Community Christmas Tree Lighting Event Sunday, November 27th 4:30 to 8 p.m.

The Holiday Ice Rink at 3151 Zinfandel Drive will serve as the centerpiece of the Cordova Community Christmas Tree Lighting, which will be held rink-side from 4:30 to 8 p.m. on Sunday, November 27th to officially kick-off the holiday season in Rancho Cordova.

The City and Cordova Community Council teamed up to open the first Holiday Ice Rink in the Capital Village shopping center.

For the 12th straight year, Rancho Cordovans, friends, and family can top off the Thanksgiving weekend

with music, special treats, amusement rides, and other attractions at the Tree Lighting event that starts at 4:30 p.m. Our spectacular 30-foot Christmas tree will be lit at 7:30 p.m.

There are always a few surprises in store but none more stunning than the regular snowstorms which give this event its nickname: “Let it Snow!” Add a visit by Santa Claus, a hay ride and an ice rink and no holiday kick-off could be merrier. Tree-lighting event admission is free, as are most attractions; however, there is a charge for ice skating.

Skating will continue daily through January 16th, offering ample opportunities to slip, slide, and celebrate.

The rink is approximately 5,000 square feet in size, built over rows of pipes filled with cold water, then topped

with more water which forms the ice to skate on top. A Zamboni machine makes regular sweeps across the ice, firming and freshening the surface.

Cordova Recreation and Park District is offering skating lessons and Thursday nights are designated “Teen Nights” with music and other activities. Late night rentals are also available. Plus, there are special events, group rates, birthday party packages, and more.

For information about holiday schedules, online ticket sales, and rink activities, go to www.ranchocordovaicerink.com or contact the Cordova Community Council at 273-5704.

Holiday on Ice O u R F I R S T- E v E R O u T S I d E R I N k

It’s a

2010 Community Christmas Tree

2

Are You a “Fan” of the City’s Facebook Page Yet?

We’re still looking for our Lucky 1000th fan!

How would you like access to City information plus be one of the first to hear “breaking” City news and participate in discussions on City issues? The answer is to become a fan of the City’s Facebook page.

The City’s page has 900+ fans and is quickly growing—the number of monthly active users is up 23%. Users represent 12 countries and speak nine languages. The largest age user group is 35 to 44 years.

If you become the City’s 1,000th fan, you will receive a bag of Rancho Cordova mementos and a $25 Starbucks gift card.

Need assistance with becoming a Facebook user? Contact Megan Hoffman, the City’s Facebook Coordinator, at 851-8782.

Teen Haven Monday through Friday 3 to 6 p.m. A place for teens in the Riverview Community Center, 10700 Ambassador Drive, for grades 6 through high school students. Games such as pool tables and ping pong, sports activities, computers for homework research, and areas for chatting and lounging.

Progressive Christmas Caroling Party Friday, december 9th 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Meet at Village Green Park, 3141 Bridgeway Drive, for hot chocolate and an evening of neighborhood caroling. No charge, even the songbooks are provided, but dress for the weather.

Winter Woof Fest Saturday, december 17th 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. “Howl-iday” fun for your furry friends at the Cordova Community Center,

Special Events Are Happening2197 Chase Drive. Pictures with Santa-Paws, activities, and vendors with dog-related holiday items.

4th Annual Business Outlook/Annual Corporate Report Friday, February 24th Part 1: Breakfast session will feature lively presentation from Christopher Thornberg, Ph.D., Chair of the California State Controller’s Council of Economic Advisors and an expert in economic forecasting, regional development, real estate dynamics, and labor markets.

Part 2: Luncheon session will focus on City’s fiscal condition: looking at audited results of last year’s fiscal year; presenting a mid-year budget review; and discussing projections for the next three years and priorities for the 2012/13 budget.

Information/Tickets: Chamber of Commerce, 273-5688.

For more information about any of the programs, call Allied Waste at 638-9000.

New Garbage Services & Christmas Tree RecyclingCity residents have two new free garbage services from Allied Waste.

• Front door pickup of sharps such as syringes, lancets, scalpels and needles used for medical purposes. Items must be placed in an approved container. Call 638-9000 to schedule a pickup and obtain a container.

• Collection of household batteries on the same day as your recycling pickup. Put batteries in a quart-size plastic bag and place on top of your recycling bin.

Disposing of Your Holiday Tree

• Remove all ornaments and decorations.

• Artificial trees should be broken down to fit inside your regular trash bin.

• Natural trees should be cut into pieces to fit inside your green waste bin.

• Or between January 2nd and January 13th, you can set your whole natural tree at the curbside next to your trash bin on your regular collection day.

3

This is the third in a series of articles that shares aspects of the City’s Growing Strong Neighborhoods (GSN) program.

As GSN matures, the City is adding new programs. Focus on 50 is an on-going, pro-active program that allows enforcement agencies to identify troubled areas. Using the City’s Geographic Information Systems (GIS) database, staff pinpoints 50 areas that have a large number of police calls for service, code enforcement complaints, and other issues.

Since spring, the Rancho Cordova Police Department, Code Enforcement Division, Animal Services staff, and Probation Officers have conducted six sweeps to inspect and deal with areas that were identified as hot spots. In one sweep, 23 rooms of a hotel were closed because of substandard housing issues. Several probationers were arrested, firearms were recovered and drugs confiscated. A couple of animal hoarders were discovered and assisted.

Focus on 50 enables enforcement agencies to abate identified problem

The number of visitors to the Sacramento Children’s Museum that is located next door to the Rancho Cordova City Hall has exceeded all expectations. As of November 1st, more than 13,000 children and adults from 16 states have visited the Museum since it opened in August. Visitors have been from as far away as Georgia, New York, and Hawaii; about 20% have been from Rancho Cordova.

Designed for children who are eight years and younger, Museum exhibits offer hands-on learning, exploring, and playing activities. Different art projects are featured each month. Special events include Story Time every Tuesday at 10 a.m. and Zumba movement classes on Fridays at 10 and 11 a.m.

Sacramento Children’s MuseumIn support of the City’s Holiday Ice Skating Rink, “Dream Big Little Pig” by Olympic ice skating gold medalist Kristi Yamaguchi will be the featured story at various times in December at the Museum.

The museum is located at 2701 Prospect Park Drive #120 and is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday; noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday; and closed on Monday. The Museum will be closed on Christmas Day but will be open on New Year’s Day.

For information about admission fees, programs, field trips, birthday parties, and volunteer opportunities, call 638-7225 or go to www.sackids.org.

areas in an efficient, cooperative, and thorough manner. Staff also uses the program as an opportunity to educate and inform residents and businesses about City regulations and programs.

And not only does the GIS highlight problem areas, it also tracks progress after staff intervention by noting the reduction in calls for service. Subsequent records show that Focus on 50 is a pro-active GSN program that makes our community even better and stronger.

Focus on 50

4

Streets & RoadwaysFolsom BoulevardStorm drain work is underway in several areas along Folsom Boulevard. Also under construction and almost finished is a retaining wall under the Highway 50 bridge, near Kilgore Road. The retaining wall will allow Folsom Boulevard to be widened and a median installed.

An important part of the work being done on the Boulevard is adding sidewalks on the south side of the street for the safety of the many pedestrians who use light rail. The sidewalk from Mather Field Road east to Village Lane is under construction and depending on the weather, is expected to be finished by early 2012. Work will soon begin on the sidewalk from Rod Beaudry Drive east to Mather Field Road and Zinfandel Drive to Kilgore Road. All work is anticipated to be completed by next fall.

Zinfandel drive ExtensionAlso under construction is a Sacramento County project that will affect City traffic. The two-lane road will extend Zinfandel Drive south from Rancho Cordova city limits to Douglas Road and will include a new traffic signal at the intersection of Douglas Road and Zinfandel Drive/Eagles Nest

Road. The extension will improve traffic and relieve congestion on Sunrise Boulevard south of U.S. 50 and provide better access to South Mather parcels which could serve as a catalyst for future development and job growth. Completion is anticipated by the end of this year.

Commercial DevelopmentSeveral new development projects, currently under construction around town, can be great additions to our local economy.

Crossings @ New Rancho Housing Complex december 2011 completion

This multi-family housing complex of 18 affordable two- and three-bedroom housing units at 2708 Woodberry Way will soon be completed. Dedication and grand opening celebrations are planned for December. The project is

LEED Gold Certified with a focus on public transportation access and on-site family support amenities, including a community garden and children’s play area. Rental applications are currently being accepted by AWI Management Corporation, (530) 745-6170.

koreana Plaza Expansion and Food Court Early 2012 completionThe Koreana supermarket at 10971 Olson Drive is expanding, growing from 30,000 square feet to 77,000 square of international groceries, products, and services, plus a Food Court Mall flanked by retail shops. The Market’s grand re-opening is scheduled for next March. The added businesses will be a great addition to the “Olson Island” shopping center.

uC davis Medical Clinic 2012 completion

A UC Davis medical clinic will occupy a portion of the 18,000 square foot building being built in the Capital Village shopping center at Zinfandel and Data Drives. Relocating from its current Olson Drive location, the facility will be operated as a walk-in, daytime medical clinic.

Crossings @ New Rancho Housing Complex

UC Davis Medical Clinic

CITY STREETS & COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT NEWS

5

Calendar of Events NOVEMBER–FEBRUARY

Wednesday, November 23 City Furlough Day—City Hall closed

Thursday & Friday, November 24-25 Thanksgiving Day observance—City Hall closed

Friday, December 16 Cordova Community Council and Chamber of Commerce Luncheon, American River Room, Rancho Cordova City Hall, 2729 Prospect Park Drive. 11:30 a.m. Reservations/information: 273-5704 or www.cordovacouncilorg. Annual Reindeer Games – a wild and wacky holiday lunch.

Friday, December 23 Christmas Eve observance—City Hall closed

Monday, December 26 Christmas observance—City Hall closed

Friday, December 30 City Furlough day—City Hall closed

Monday, January 2 News Year’s Day observance—City Hall closed

Monday, January 16 Martin Luther King Jr. Day—City Hall closed

Friday, January 20 Cordova Community Council and Chamber of Commerce Luncheon, American River Room, Rancho Cordova City Hall, 2729 Prospect Park Drive. 11:30 a.m. Reservations/information: 273-5704 or www.cordovacouncilorg. New Mayor will share hopes and aspirations for 2012.

Friday, February 17 City Furlough Day—City Hall closed

Friday, February 17 Cordova Community Council and Chamber of Commerce Luncheon, American River Room, Rancho Cordova City Hall, 2729 Prospect Park Drive. 11:30 a.m. Reservations/information: 273-5704 or www.cordovacouncilorg.

Monday, February 20 Presidents’ Day—City Hall closed

City Council Meetings 1st and 3rd Mondays at 5:30 p.m. City Hall—2729 Prospect Park Drive.

Due to holidays, January meetings will be Tuesday, January 3 and Tuesday, January 17. February 20 meeting will be Tuesday, February 21.

PAL’s Holiday Run and RCPD Toy DriveThe 3rd Annual Holiday Run that promotes health and exercise for all ages, is scheduled for Saturday, December 10th at the Village Green Park, 3141 Bridgeway Drive. Sponsored by the Police Activities League (PAL), kids’ races will begin at 8:30 a.m. and main races which include a one-mile, 5k, and 10k walk/run will start at 9 a.m. For more information or to register, call 875-9627 or go to www.rcpdpal.com. For sponsor information, contact Officer Zach Hatch at 606-4974.

The Holiday Run is the kick-off for the Rancho Cordova Police Department’s annual toy drive that benefits underprivileged families in the area. Unwrapped, new toys and monetary donations can be brought to the Holiday Run or to the Rancho Cordova Police Station, 2897 Kilgore Road, during business hours. Deserving families in the community will receive toys and a food basket at the Christmas in Cordova Event in December. For more information, contact Officer Hatch at 606-4974 or go to www.ranchocordovapd.com.

Coffee with a Cop and Spring Citizens’ Academy For information about upcoming dates and locations, go to www.ranchocordovapd.com.

6

John Samuelson Streets Operations & Maintenance Manager

Community Profile

“My job revolves around City rights-of-ways,” says John Samuelson, Streets Operations and Maintenance Manager in the City’s Public Works Department.

A licensed civil and traffic engineer, John oversees the upkeep of all City roads and streets, traffic signs and signals, and median and street-side landscaping. While the City’s Neighborhood Services Division deals with private property issues, John is the go-to person regarding public right-of-way matters. For example, he supervises signal light timing; deals with litter, graffiti, and weeds; and coordinates street humps and striping installations.

John said that he is “very proud that the City has repaired a lot of Rancho Cordova streets since the City’s incorporation.”

After graduating from Sacramento State with a B.S. in Civil Engineering, John worked on Capital Improvement Projects at Sacramento County’s Transportation Department. While a student, he was a CalTrans intern for two years.

John and his wife, Heather, are residents of Rancho Cordova. They have three children: 8-year-old Khylia, 4-year-old Ammon, and 1-year old Wyatt and are expecting another baby in April.

“If you see graffiti on traffic walls or have concerns about street signs, please contact us,” John said. His contact information is 851-8710 or reports can be made online at www.cityofranchocordova.org.

Deck the Halls, Rancho Cordova-style!Celebrate our first, very special Rancho Cordova Holiday Ice Rink with a keepsake shatter-proof Christmas ornament—the second in the Rancho Cordova Holiday Series. They’re $10 each or three for $25, while supplies last. Pick them up at the Cordova Community Council office, Suite 117, inside the Rancho Cordova City Hall.

A limited supply of the first in the series—the 2010 All-America City ornament—is available for $10 or three for $25. Trim your tree with these Rancho Cordova collectibles and support community events at the same time.

13th Annual Community Volunteer Award Ceremony Friday, February 24th—6 p.m. City Hall’s American River Room

The great Sir Winston Churchill once said: “We make a living by what we do, but we make a life by what we give.” In Rancho Cordova, individuals and organizations make the truth of those words come alive through extraordinary volunteer contributions. On February 24th, the Cordova Community Council will shine the spotlight on a few of them.

Each year, volunteers in our community help neighbors care for their homes, meet the needs of the hungry and needy, and create memories through events like Kid’s Day and the Fourth of July. Volunteers help at schools and libraries, rescue unwanted pets, mentor youth, and provide comfort to the elderly.

Do you know an extraordinary volunteer or organization? The search is on for the latest group of community volunteers who deserve special recognition. Nomination forms, information, and tickets are available by contacting the Cordova Community Council at 273-5704. A nomination form can be downloaded at www.cordovacouncil.org.

Volunteers in the Spotlight

7

Robert McGarvey, Mayor rmcgarvey@cityofranchocordova.org David Sander, Vice Mayor dsander@cityofranchocordova.orgLinda Budge, Council Member lbudge@cityofranchocordova.org Ken Cooley, Council Member kcooley@cityofranchocordova.orgDan Skoglund, Council Member dskoglund@cityofranchocordova.org

City Views is mailed to all residents and businesses in zip codes 95741, 95742, 95655, 95670 and areas of 95827 which also fall within the city limits of Rancho Cordova.

Who to contactPolice Emergency: 911 or 362-5111 Non-Emergency: 362-5115 Traffic Hotline: 876-7558

California Highway Patrol Emergency: 911 Business Office: 464-2090

Fire Emergency: 911 Non-Emergency: 859-4300

Parking Enforcement 876-7558

Sewer (24-hr) 875-6730

Stormwater 875-7246

SMUD Emergency: 1-888-456-7683 Information: 1-888-742-7683

PG&E Emergency & Customer Service 1-800-743-5000

Allied Waste Garbage & Recycling 638-9000

AT&T 1-800-310-2355

Sacramento County Water Agency 874-6851

Animal Services 851-8852

Building & Safety 851-8760

Chief of Police Doug Diamond 875-9600

City Clerk Mindy Cuppy 851-8721

City Manager Ted Gaebler 851-8800

Economic Development Curt Haven 851-8780

Finance Donna Silva 851-8730

Human Resources Stacey Peterson 851-8741

Neighborhood Services/ Code Enforcement Kerry Simpson 851-8770

Planning Paul Junker 851-8750

Public Information/ Legislative Affairs Manager Troy Holt 851-8847

Public Works Cyrus Abhar 851-8710 207-9708—after hours

Rancho Cordova City Hall Room Rentals Laurel Bane 851-8953

City OfficesGolden State Water Company 1-800-999-4033

American Water Company 1-888-237-1333

Cordova Recreation and Park District 362-1841

Cordova Community Council (916) 273-5704

Rancho Cordova Chamber of Commerce 273-5688

Rancho Cordova Library 264-2700

Folsom Cordova Unified School District 355-1100

Sacramento City Unified School District 643-7400

Elk Grove Unified School District 686-5085

Sacramento Regional Transit District 321-2877 TDD 483-4327

Important Contacts

City Council

City ViewsCity of Rancho Cordova2729 Prospect Park DriveRancho Cordova, CA 95670(916) 851-8700

cityviews@cityofranchocordova.orgwww.cityofranchocordova.org

ECRWSS LOCAL POSTAL CUSTOMER

PRSRT StandardU.S. Postage

PAIDPermit No. 1246Sacramento, CA

Find Us on Facebook City of Rancho Cordova