Welcome to the June City Manager's Report. I am sharing with you highlights of events and projects that staff has worked on this month. I sincerely appreciate everyone's continued hard work to benefit the Brea community.
Art in Public Places 50th Anniversary
The City of Brea is proud to commemorate the 50th anniversary of its Art in Public Places (APP) program, marking five decades of steadfast commitment to public art. Established in 1975, the APP program was among the first of its kind in California, pioneering the integration of art into everyday public spaces. Through this initiative, private developers in Brea commission permanent outdoor sculptures that are accessible for the public to experience and enjoy.
Over the past fifty years, the APP program has commissioned 195 sculptures, with the collection continuing to expand each year. The artworks encompass a wide array of materials, styles, and artistic approaches, representing both nationally and internationally recognized artists such as Larry Bell, Magdalena Abakanowicz, and Niki de Saint Phalle.
The City of Brea is honored to celebrate this remarkable milestone in its cultural history and takes great pride in the enduring legacy of the Art in Public Places program. As we reflect on the past, we also look ahead with enthusiasm and anticipation for the continued growth and impact of public art in our community.
Wildfire Preparedness Workshop
Last month, the Fire, Police, and Public Works Departments hosted a community Wildfire Preparedness Workshop at the Brea Community Center. This well-attended event covered home hardening, defensible space, water infrastructure, preparedness, evacuations, and the resources available if the we were faced with a wildfire in our community. Keeping the residents of Brea safe and prepared is our priority. I want to thank everyone involved in creating this workshop in response to the wildfires and high wind events Southern California experience this past January.
OC Homicide Investigators Association Case of the Year
Each year, the Orange County Homicide Investigators Association (OCHIA) acknowledges Orange County homicide investigators who solved a challenging case and brought positive recognition to their unit, department, and OCHIA through exemplary performance, perseverance, and superior investigative techniques. Investigators from the Brea Police Department were awarded the Orange County Homicide Investigators Association Case of the Year. This award was presented for their incredible work in a 2024 homicide that occurred in Brea. We are very proud of the team for their continued hard work.
Annual Health & Wellness Expo
The Health & Wellness Expo brought energy and excitement to the Brea Community Center, drawing residents of all ages for a morning focused on healthy living. This free event featured a variety of screenings, demonstrations, and giveaways, including carotid and thyroid ultrasound screenings, massages, and wellness lectures provided by sponsor Providence St. Jude. Brea Fitness classes were packed as attendees explored ways to stay active and connected. One of the highlights of the day was a lively flash mob performance by the Fullerton Flashers, a senior dance group from Cal State Fullerton’s Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI). Dozens of raffle prizes were awarded throughout the event, making the Expo both fun and informative for the entire community.
New Financial Services Manager
The Administrative Services Department welcomes back Mary Ann Alcancia as our new Financial Services Manager, overseeing both Accounting and Auditing. With over 20 years of experience in the accounting field, Mary Ann brings experience from both the private and public sectors. For the past decade, she has dedicated her expertise to municipal finance, serving the cities of Carson, Brea, Garden Grove, and Anaheim. Mary Ann is not only a seasoned professional, but also brings great energy and enthusiasm to the team. While not at work, she enjoys staying active through fitness, Muay Thai, and jiu-jitsu training, and spending time with her family. We are excited to have her back!
Business Spotlight
The City of Brea continues to welcome businesses to the community to help with the economic development and future of Brea. Here are two of our newest businesses that recently opened.
TUMI, now open at the Brea Mall, is known for its elevated craftmanship and durability. With a product line that includes luggage, backpacks, bags, and accessories, TUMI distinguishes itself through repair services, product recovery programs, and personalized features like monogramming and accent customization. TUMI rigorously tests its products through a series of 70 unique evaluations to ensure long-lasting performance and integrates advanced components, such as its patented handle system to prevent wear-and-tear issues.
Voluspa’s second retail storefront is now open at the Brea Mall. The company is renowned for its luxurious, handcrafted candles, and scents. Made with natural, globally-sourced ingredients, Voluspa candles are free from sulfates, phthalates, parabens, and pesticides. All products are made in California at a solar-powered facility, blending signature fragrances with sustainable coconut wax. Beyond its iconic candles, the store offers a full range of home and personal fragrance products, including reed diffusers, room sprays, hand soaps, lotions, and perfumes.
Touring EDL Energy Facility
Earlier this month, I had the opportunity to tour the EDL Energy Power Facility in Brea. EDL owns and operates the Landfill Gas (LFG) Plant. The facility has capacity to generate 32MW of renewable energy for the local community. EDL partners with Orange County Waste & Recycling on this project to capture renewable landfill gas to generate enough electricity to power the equivalent of approximately 18,200 homes and businesses each year.
The Brea plant has an installed capacity of 32.2MW, comprising four Solar Taurus 60 turbines, heat steam recovery generators, and a steam turbine generator. They are committed to developing innovative solutions that deliver on their customers’ expectation of reliable, cost-effective and environmentally sustainable energy.
EDL works closely with local communities by contributing to food pantries, supporting education by donating school supplies, Toys for Tots, and more.
Brea Gallery Exhibits
Brea Gallery hosted Fresh {AIR}, a free weekend celebrating creativity and accessibility. Participating artists Jada Fonseca, Lex Harvey, Jose Loza, and April Bedard engaged visitors in hands-on artmaking experiences.
The 40th Annual Made in California Juried Exhibition wraps up this month with a free closing reception on June 29, from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m., featuring live music by Cadre Scott, food, drinks, and 10% off in the gift shop. With over 1,600 attendees so far, this is the final chance to see 90 exceptional works by California artists.
The Brea Gallery looks forward to presenting Mapping the Landscape: A 50 Year Dialogue with Art & the Community on July 26—celebrating Brea’s Art in Public Places Program. Join the opening reception on July 26, from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m., and explore how public art shapes everyday life.
The Brea Gallery will be closed June 30 - July 26 and will resume regular hours July 27, Wednesday – Sunday, 12:00 – 5:00 p.m. Gift shop items remain available online.
Bite of Reality
The Brea Resource Center partnered with Orange County’s Credit Union for the second time to present a “Bite of Reality” workshop. This workshop is designed to teach teens, ages 13-17, the financial realities of being an adult. Via a smartphone app, participants were given a fictional occupation, income, and various debts. Participants then used their budget to purchase life's needs which included housing, transportation, groceries, clothing, entertainment, child care, and household items. This fun, interactive program taught 18 participants how to spend wisely, distinguish needs from wants, and budget properly.
Mayor’s Youth Awards
The City is proud to announce that 38 Brea high school seniors received the Mayor’s Youth Community Service Award for 2024-2025 school year. The Mayor’s Youth Award is presented to graduating seniors who have worked to make a difference in the Brea community by volunteering throughout their high school years. Volunteerism and service to the community have continued to be a long-standing tradition contributing to Brea's spirit. To be eligible for the award, students must contribute at least 160 hours of volunteer service over their four years in high school.
Students were recognized at their Senior Awards Night by receiving a medal to wear during their graduation ceremony. They were also invited to attend the June 17 City Council meeting to be thanked for their service to the community. I am pleased to report that this graduating class logged in nearly 10,000 hours of service. I am extremely proud of their accomplishments and commitment to the community.
American Heart EMS Gold Award
The Brea Fire Department has received the American Heart Association’s Mission: Lifeline® EMS Gold achievement award for its commitment to offering rapid, research-based care to people experiencing the most severe form of heart attack, ultimately saving lives. Congratulations to the department for receiving this prestigious award.
Organics Program Presented to Brea Seniors
On June 5, the Recycle Brea team visited the Senior Center to present on the City’s latest recycling program updates. The Recycle Brea team covered many topics in their presentation such as, what Senate Bill 1383 is and the importance of properly separating waste into three streams (trash, recycle, and organic material). They were also informed that beginning July 1, residents can dispose of food waste and food soiled paper in their yard waste carts in the new SB 1383-colored carts, recycling tips, and ended the presentation with a fun “Trashy Trivia” with giveaways for participants.
Brea Fire Chief Retires
Congratulations are in order for Brea Fire Chief Terrill who will be retiring in July 7 effective. Terrill has 27 years of experience serving in the Brea Fire Department. He was hired by the department as a full-time Firefighter in March 1997.
During his career in Brea, Chief Terrill has lead fire academies, served on the training committee, and has been a strike team leader. Prior to being a full-time Firefighter, Terrill was first hired by the Brea Fire Department in 1993 as a Reserve Firefighter. By 1995, the program morphed into an apprentice program that Terrill applied for and was hired into. Inclusive of his part-time work, Terrill has been a part of the Brea Fire Department for 30 years. He has also served the Norco Fire Department and the Orange County Fire Authority.
Good luck on your much-deserved retirement, Chief.