West Covina Annual Report

YOUR WEST COVINA MANAGEMENT TEAM, Seated from left, Tom Hatch, Community Services; Christopher Chung, Redevelopment; City Manager Daniel Hobbs; Assistant City Manager Artie Fields; and City Clerk Janet Berry. Standing, from left, Tom Mayer, Public Works; Jack Keating, Communications; Carol Fox, Personnel; Richard Greene, Fire; Frank Wills, Police; Doug Mclsaac, Planning; Severo Esquivel, Finance; and Steven Samaniego, Environmental Management.

We have a great story to tell you! This is a hard-working city government, and I’m proud to be its City Manager.

In 2000, we have built on the successes of 1999 and used the year to implement additional progressive projects. These projects are making West Covina a leader among cities in the San Gabriel Valley and Los Angeles County.

Last year, we recognized our common commitment to maintain West Covina as a quality place in which to live, work and raise a family. However, as a maturing American suburb, we acknowledge that we cannot stand still, behind the status quo. Our challenges call for bold, strategic moves.

In response, the City Council adopted a budget calling for a Community Reinvestment Strategy. This strategy asks, “How can City Hall best leverage its limited public dollars to trigger consumer confidence in the community?” With that confidence, there can be a massive influx of private capital, which keeps this a quality community.

We successfully implemented the strategy this year in two target neighborhoods.
The mix of code enforcement programs, first-time homebuyer loans, housing fix-up loans and infrastructure improvements has had dramatic effects on these neighborhoods. The code enforcement element of the strategy has been one of the highest priorities of the City Council. The resale value of residents’ homes has increased.

The largest and most visible completed component of the Reinvestment Strategy has been the $5 million street rehabilitation project, the largest such project in the City’s history. The City has reconstructed 25 miles of arterial and residential streets, and the project passed 4,000 homes and businesses. The project had a positive impact on the curb appeal and value of homes in our neighborhoods. As we continue into 2001, the street-paving project will pass an additional 13,000 homes.

Some of our most exciting projects this year can be directly attributed to partnerships within the community.

The projects include the following:

*The Community Visioning Program — The City Council selected the Chamber of Commerce to coordinate the development of a Year 2020 vision of the City. The vision will assist with prospective planning and development projects in our community. Residents and groups interested in participating in the 18-month project are encouraged to contact the Chamber at (626) 338-8496.

*SFTPs (Standard Field Treatment Protocols) — The Fire Department worked with the County Health Department and area health providers to implement this program. Standard Field Treatment Protocols allow paramedics to treat patients for basic medical conditions before reaching the hospital. The protocols have greatly improved the efficiency and speed of the life-saving treatments offered by our paramedics. We are one of the first cities to implement this program in Los Angeles County.

*SHARPS - The Environmental Management Department and the Fire Department obtained local grant funding to implement this household medical waste program. SHARPS provides a hygienic and safe method for residents to dispose of needles and other medical waste generated by home treatments.

*Helicopter Joint Powers Authority (JPA) — This highly effective law enforcement program brings helicopter patrol to West Covina. Five jurisdictions in the San Gabriel Valley are implementing the JPA. Alone, these agencies could not afford to provide this service.

This year, we further activated the government cable channel to bring City Hall into the living rooms of our taxpayers. There are a lot of exciting things going on in local government and the community, and we want to show as much of it as we can. WCCT Channel 56 provides a superb forum for us to present all this good work.

We do have challenges here in West Covina. We all want to make sure we hand over a quality community to the generations that come after us.
I want to thank all the staff who work hard to preserve our City as one of the best places in the San Gabriel Valley. We are extremely proud of our achievements and our City, and we look forward to serving you in 2001.

Daniel Hobbs
City Manager