Welcome to the September 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.
Annual Inner Coastal & Watershed Cleanup Day
The Public Works Department participated in the California Coastal Commission’s Annual Inner Coastal & Watershed Cleanup Day which was held on Saturday, September 20. There were over 120 volunteers who removed over 1,000 pounds of debris from the Brea Creek Channel, west of the Downtown area. This annual event is a great way to support a healthier watershed. We want to thank all the volunteers who are helping make Brea, beautiful.
Brea Gallery Opening Reception
The Brea Gallery is presenting a collaborative exhibition with Yo Gabba Gabba! featuring over 80 artists who have combined their creativity and nostalgia to reinterpret the beloved world, characters, and themes of Yo Gabba Gabba!. This exhibit will honor and celebrate the whimsical creativity that sparked right here, 20 years ago, in Brea!
Tickets are now available to purchase for the Brea Gallery’s final exhibition of the year, Yo Gabba Gabba! The Super Art Friends Show. Tickets include early access to the exhibition from 4:00 – 5:00 p.m., the opportunity to connect with artists, complimentary refreshments, live entertainment, early access to purchase original artwork, the potential to interact with some familiar faces, and more! The FREE Opening Reception will be held immediately following from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Community Services Difference Maker
The Community Services Difference Maker Program is designed to shine a light on a part-time staff member that has made a difference in someone’s experience. Each nominee exemplifies the characteristics of a Community Services Difference Maker and they make a difference not only in the department but in the community. This quarters’ nominee was Alva Fox, Community Services Coordinator with the Special Events Division. Alva was nominated for her unwavering commitment and genuine passion that she displays in every aspect of her work. Alva’s meticulous attention to detail is a significant asset and she has a remarkable ability to see the big picture. Beyond her technical skills, Alva has a natural gift for building relationships, with our valued community members and vendors. We are so proud to have Alva part of the City of Brea who makes a positive impact to the community.
Paper Shredding & Compost Giveaway
The City of Brea hosted a Paper Shredding and Compost Giveaway event on September 6 at the Brea Community Center. Over 300 Brea residents attended this successful event to shred their documents and retrieve compost, and approximately 1,500 bags of compost were distributed. The Recycle Brea team will be providing this event on an annual basis, stay informed about upcoming Paper Shredding and Compost Giveaway dates by following the City’s social media. More information about the organics program is available by checking out the Recycle Brea webpage.
Dine Brea
The Economic Development Division is proud to announce Dine Brea, the City’s first, weeklong celebration of dining and community. This new initiative reflects the City’s commitment to support local businesses by creating opportunities for growth and success, while encouraging residents and visitors to experience Brea’s unique culinary offerings.
During the week of November 3-9, participating restaurants will feature special menus, discounts, and promotions designed to provide a taste of what makes Brea’s food scene unique. The City encourages residents and visitors to take part, share their experiences, and help celebrate the businesses that contribute significantly to the vitality of our City! Stay tuned for the full list of participating restaurants.
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.
Our Nest restaurant is now open at the Brea Center. Known originally for their flavorful breakfast and lunch options, Our Nest has expanded its menu exclusively at the Brea location with D.I.S.H. – “Dinner Is Served Here.” Each meal is crafted with quality ingredients and no seed oils, featuring standout meals such as Chilean seabass, Checca pasta, dry-aged tomahawk steak, and more. Inspired by the idea of “celebrating the small wins in life,” Our Nest is a place to gather, connect, and build community.
The NOW Massage, located in La Floresta, provides a welcoming space to recharge and de-stress through the healing benefits of massage therapy. Guests can select from different types of massages including Swedish, Healing, and Athletic – all of which help to rejuvenate the body. To further enhance the healing effects, various add-ons are available, including crystal hot stones, herbal heat therapy, gua sha, pre-natal glow, and more.
Welcoming New Employees
The City of Brea welcomed a few new employees to the team. We enthusiastically welcome them and look forward to their contributions to the City.
The Management Services Department welcomed Christina Dizol as their newest Deputy City Clerk/Records Supervisor. With a strong background in local government, having held supporting roles in neighboring cities of Whitter, Irvine, Fullerton, and most recently, the City of Cypress, Christina brings her extensive knowledge and experience to the City Clerk’s Office. She is eager to expand her skillset with the City of Brea and looks forward to serving the Brea community. Outside of work, Christina enjoys camping, reading, spending time with her family, and attending church. Leveraging her extensive expertise and dedication to public service, Christina is a valuable addition to the team.
Sabina Schaefer joined the Building & Safety Division as an Administrative Clerk in early September. She holds a bachelor's degree in business administration from University of California, Irvine (UCI). Prior to joining the City, Sabina gained three years of procurement experience at the UCI Clean Energy Institute. She is also currently a Master of Public Administration graduate student at California State University, Fullerton. In her free time, Sabina enjoys drinking matcha and reading a good book.
The Police Department would like to welcome Cassidy Lopez as the new Police Records Technician. Cassidy was born and raised in Anaheim. She graduated from Anaheim High School and has an Associate Degree in Administration of Justice from Fullerton College. Cassidy was a former Police Officer from the Cypress Police Department and was a Deputy Sheriff with the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her husband and two kids, running, swimming, and watching her daughter play softball and flag football.
The Public Works Department welcomed José Mosqueda in early September as a Full-Time Provisional Maintenance Worker-I in the Streets Division. José has worked in construction, with a background in concrete, masonry and pavers. In his spare time, he likes watching football and UFC. His motto is “the sky’s the limit; there’s never a stopping point!” and he is eager to join the Streets Division.
Also joining the Public Works Department is Jacqueline Lizarraga, the new Management Analyst II. She is working with the Parks, Buildings, Streets, and Utilities Divisions at the Public Works Yard providing high-level administrative support. Jacqueline comes to us with 12 years of public service experience from municipal governments and higher education. Jacqueline has worked with the Cities of Anaheim, Newport Beach, Cypress, and the California State University, Office of the Chancellor. She received a bachelor's degree from California State University, Long Beach and a master’s degree from California State University, Dominguez Hills. In her free time, Jacqueline enjoys going to the park with her Miniature Schnauzer, Roxy, and watching the 49ers almost win their division.
2025 State of the City
For the third year, the City of Brea has delivered its State of the City address virtually. This format allows for the presentation to be free and accessible for anyone to view, at their convenience. Hosted by Brea Mayor Blair Stewart, the City’s Executive Team provides updates on what Brea has accomplished in the past year. Topics covered include, the City budget, development, new businesses, public safety enhancements, the new organics program, and an update of the Arovista Park modernization project.
The State of the City premiere was a success with over 100 views of the address in less than 24 hours. The Communications and Marketing Division worked on developing the theme, graphic design, editing, promoting, and connecting with all departments to research the accurate information.
To view the 2025 State of the City, visit the City’s website (cityofbrea.gov), the City of Brea’s YouTube channel, or watch it on the City’s BREAtv streaming app.
Employee Health Expo
The City's Human Resources Division successfully organized a vibrant and engaging Employee Health Expo, bringing together a wide range of wellness vendors and healthcare professionals that focused on promoting employee well-being such as Cigna, Providence, Kaiser, United Healthcare, OC Vector Control, and UC Irvine Health. The event featured free health screenings and informative materials that focused on nutrition, mental health, and preventive care. Employees appreciated the opportunity to learn more about their health in a fun, supportive environment. The expo not only boosted awareness but also reinforced the agency’s commitment to fostering a healthy and thriving workplace.
Community Services Upcoming Events
The Community Services Special Events Division already has a few events for you to add to your calendar. Save the date for these future events.
Veterans and community members are invited to gather for the Annual Veterans Day Ceremony at the Brea Veterans Memorial, located at the Brea Civic & Cultural Center, at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, November 11. This event honors and celebrates military families and remembers Breans who paid the ultimate price for their country.
The annual Nutcracker Craft Boutique will be held on November 14 and 15, at the Brea Community Center. This event brings the holiday cheer to the community while giving over 250 vendors the opportunity to promote their products to the Brea Community. Local vendors offer one-of-a-kind products and give shoppers a chance for early holiday shopping.
The community is invited to attend Movies Under the Stars on Friday, October 17, at City Hall Park, where Matilda will be played at 7:00 p.m. Movies Under the Stars is sponsored by Sheila Buonauro and her team will provide snacks and drinks to attenders. The Special Events Division is looking forward to this fun fall movie night.
Cultural Arts Recognition Program
In honor of National Arts and Humanities Month in October, the City of Brea is looking to recognize individuals or organizations making a difference in the Brea community through the arts.
Brea's Cultural Arts Commission has established a set of values to guide their efforts. The Commission is looking to recognize artists, individuals or organizations that align with their values and are making a substantial impact through art, including but not limited to:
● Connects our Community through the Arts
● Upholds Brea’s Commitment to Arts
● Elevates Brea’s Art Experiences
● Pursues Sustainability & Stimulate Local Economies
● Engages New Audiences through Inclusive Opportunities and Experiences