BY JENNIFER MADRIGAL
Eastvale City Council members present Shawna Townsend with a proclamation declaring September as Adult Literacy Month in the City of Eastvale. (Photo Courtesy: Jennifer Madrigal)
Eastvale – In the month of September there were two City Council meetings. The first meeting was on Sept. 10, with all council members present. The invocation was led by Pastor Tim Eaton of Edgewater Lutheran Church, and the Pledge of Allegiance was led by Jakob Rivera. Sean Parilla was sworn in as the newest Public Safety Commissioner for the City of Eastvale, and Bill Van Leeuwen was sworn in as the newest Planning Commissioner.
During the Public Comments portion of the meeting, Cesar Morales, a resident and candidate for City Council, stated that he felt that the citizens had a right to know what was going on with the City Manager position. Then Joel Seigler from the Eastvale Chamber of Commerce gave an update on upcoming Chamber events.
The consent calendar included Item 5.1, which passed 4-0 (with Welch recusing); and Item 8.2, which passed 5-0.
There were no Public Hearings, nor any Old Business items.
Deputy City Engineer Indrawan summarized new Business Item 8.1, concerning a funding agreement with Riverside Flood Control and the Water Conservation District for Storm Drain Lateral Construction. After some questions from council members, the item was passed 5-0. Item 8.3, Ready Eastvale Campaign was also approved 5-0.
A brief Student Liaison report was given by ASB President, Jakob Riviera, who provided an update on upcoming school activities at ERHS. Michele Nissen, City of Eastvale’s Public Information Officer, provided an update on a Bicycle Skills Clinic and spoke about the new “I Give 3 Feet” law, which took effect on Sept. 16. After a few more brief comments from council members, the meeting was adjourned at 8:45pm.
The second meeting took place on Sept. 24. All council members were in attendance, as well as new Acting City Manager, Robert Van Nort.
There was a presentation of Eastvale’s newest Lieutenant, Joseph Pemberton. Chief Horton introduced Lt. Pemberton and allowed him to introduce himself to the council and the public. The Council also presented a proclamation declaring September as “Adult Literacy Awareness Month” to Ms. Shawn Townsend of the Riverside County Public Library. Safety Commissioner Melonee Cruse gave the council the most recent update from the Safety Commission.
During the Public Comment portion of the meeting, a homeowner who owns two homes and rents them in Eastvale declared his dissatisfaction and confusion over the ordinance that requires landlords to hold business licenses in order to rent their units. He questioned the validity and the need of such an ordinance. Citizen Brad Lester asked the council to consider the possibility of allowing a legal marijuana dispensary to operate in Eastvale. He hopes that this item can be added to the agenda of a future meeting.
The consent calendar passed 5-0. There were no Public Hearings or Old Business items.
In the New Business section, Item 8.1, a Public Safety Outreach, Education and Mitigation Update was presented. Chief Horton from the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department also gave a traffic safety report (see story on page 4), and the Public Works Department gave a brief update on items that have been improved, including sidewalks that have been built, updated or are in the process of being planned. ERHS ASB President, Jakob Rivera, also gave an update on the school and the recent Homecoming activities. Acting City Manager Van Nort thanked the Council for bringing him back to act in a temporary capacity while the City seeks a replacement for Carol Jacobs, who resigned last month.
After brief comments from council members, the meeting was adjourned around 7:30 p.m.
