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City Manager's Report January 2025

City Clerk's Corner

🌟 Leaders of the Pledge 🌟

Introducing the Youth Initiative Pilot Program “Leaders of the Pledge” – an exciting new opportunity designed to empower the youth with the skills and enhance their understanding of civic duties. Students in grades 1 through 12 are invited to register to attend an upcoming City Council meeting and lead the Pledge of Allegiance. For more information on how to register please visit our webpage using the button below or contact the City Clerk’s office at cityclerk@pico-rivera.org. Join us as we invest in the next generation of leaders!

Bi-annual Records Clean-Up:

The City Clerk’s Office has successfully completed its bi-annual records destruction cleanup, in collaboration with the IT Division, which took place December 2, 2024 through January 8, 2025. We extend our gratitude to all department staff for their participation in this initiative, helping to keep City Hall organized and in line with the City’s Records Retention Schedule, as well as assisting the IT Division with their efforts in transitioning the City into SharePoint.

During the holiday season, we introduced another exciting competitive element with our “Naughty List Purge.” The winners of this spirited challenge were as follows:

  • 1st Place - Administration Department
  • 2nd Place - Community and Economic Development
  • 3rd Place - Human Resources Department

In total, an impressive 16,532 digital files and 32 record boxes were destroyed!

Great job, Pico Rivera Team! On behalf of the City Clerk’s Office, thank you for your ongoing support and participation!

Elections

In accordance with City law, elections in Pico Rivera are held in even-numbered years. As a result, 2025 is a non-election year for the City. For the latest information on future elections, voter registration, and election deadlines, please visit the City's elections webpage using the button below.

  • Gubernatorial Primary Elections are tentatively scheduled for Tuesday, June 2, 2026.
  • City and Gubernatorial Elections are tentatively scheduled for Tuesday, November 3, 2026

City Commissions

67 Years of Pico Rivera!

An election was held on January 7, 1957 where 5,070 votes were casted in favor of the incorporation of a general law city to be known as the City of Pico Rivera. On January 29, 1958 Pico Rivera was declared a City by Resolution from the State of California. Happy 67th Year to the City of Pico Rivera!

Departmental Updates

Office of the City Manager

Pico Rivera Sports Arena Offers Shelter for Horses and Livestock Evacuated from Areas Impacted by Wildfires.

The City of Pico Rivera has partnered with La Noria Entertainment and the Pico Rivera Sports Arena to offer free boarding for horses and large livestock owners in areas impacted by fires that decimated the communities of the Pacific Palisades and Altadena. This facility is the most prominent Mexican Rodeo, or Charreria venue in the country. Horse and large livestock owners can bring their animals at any time. Read more about the Pico Rivera Sports Arena and its livestock shelter below.

City Continuing Partnership with the USC Sol Price Urban Planning Graduate Program

The City of Pico Rivera has partnered with USC to provide graduate students with a unique opportunity to apply their education toward real-world challenges. As part of the City’s corridor revitalization efforts, student cohorts have incorporated the Historic Whittier Boulevard Revitalization Program and the Downtown Pico Rivera Master Plan into their curriculum. This collaboration aligns with the City’s vision for sustainable and community-focused redevelopment.

Highlights include:

  • USC graduate students develop innovative visions for corridor revitalization in Pico Rivera.
  • Local youth engage with USC students, gaining hands-on exposure to urban planning.
  • Student work integrates the City’s Historic Whittier Boulevard and Downtown Master Plan initiatives.
  • Recommendations include designs, policies, and strategies aligned with the PR 2035 vision.
  • Supports future public-private partnerships and grant funding opportunities.
  • Provides the City with actionable plans and fosters community-focused growth.

City of Pico Rivera Awarded $900,000 Grant for the Pio Pico State Historic Park Bikeway Connector Project

The City of Pico Rivera has been selected as a recipient of a $900,000 grant from the Southern California Association of Government's (SCAG) Connect SoCal 2024 Sustainable Communities Program.

This project is part of Pico Rivera's Historic Whittier Boulevard Revitalization Plan, a transformative initiative to create safer, greener, and more connected spaces along the historic corridor. The plan focuses on improving active transportation, enhancing public spaces, and supporting sustainable development.

The funding will support:

  • Class I and IV Bikeways
  • Native drought resistant plants and decorative features
  • Wayfinding, maps, and gateway signs.
  • Hydration stations, benches, repair stations, and LED Lighting.

Office of Sustainability/PRIME

Power Through Blackouts with PRIME Power Choice

Winter’s unpredictable weather often means power outages, as many experienced during the holiday season. However, residents who chose solar and battery systems through the PRIME Power Choice Program enjoyed uninterrupted celebrations. Why?

Rooftop solar panels generate energy during the day, storing excess power in a battery backup for nighttime use. This creates a sustainable, reliable energy source—keeping the lights on and the festivities alive, no matter the weather.

With summer just around the corner, now is the perfect time to get prepared. Residents can avoid the strain of high AC bills and power blackouts with PRIME Power Choice. Here is what residents will get:

  • No upfront costs and no credit checks.
  • Emergency home backup power system.
  • Monthly tariff of $115 per month for the first battery.
  • Consistent low energy prices of $0.145 kWh.
  • Energy rate increases capped at 1.9% annually.

Do not wait—sign up now to enjoy a cooler home, lower energy bills, and reliable power for summer 2025!

PRIME customers can sign up now using the button below.

Climate Action and Adaption Plan Adoption

On January 28, 2025, the Pico Rivera City Council approved the Climate Action and Adaptation Plan (CAAP). This is a historic milestone—Pico Rivera is now the third city among the 27 in the Gateway Cities region to adopt a plan like this!

The CAAP highlights Pico Rivera's commitment to reducing harmful greenhouse gases (GHG) to continue improving public health, enhance community well-being, promote sustainability, and contribute to regional and global environmental efforts.

Serving as a roadmap to a resilient and sustainable future, the CAAP outlines ambitious GHG emissions reduction targets aligned with state goals:

  • 40% reduction by 2030.
  • 75% reduction by 2040.
  • Net-zero emissions by 2045.

By setting bold targets and committing to transformative climate action, this CAAP establishes practical steps to achieve the city’s climate objectives and broader community goals!

Pico Rivera Receives the Platinum Energy Award from Gateway Cities!

Pico Rivera is kicking off 2025 with a major achievement! The City is proud to announce it has received the first-ever Platinum Energy Award from the Gateway Cities Council of Government. This prestigious recognition honors our City as the leader in energy efficiency and sustainability accomplishments among 27 cities in the Gateway Cities Region.

Pico Rivera's journey to the top has been years in the making:

  • 2021 – Silver
  • 2022 – Gold
  • 2023 – Gold
  • 2024 – Platinum (First year this award is available)

This historic win highlights the Pico Rivera community’s commitment to sustainability and resilience, led by the Office of Sustainability/PRIME. Their dedication and leadership have been instrumental in positioning Pico Rivera as a regional sustainability leader. Key initiatives that propelled us to this milestone include:

  • Launching the PRIME Power Choice Program: Making solar energy and battery storage accessible to the Pico Rivera community with no upfront costs or credit checks.
  • Completing Energy Efficiency Projects: Replacing eight heat pump water heaters at City facilities, further advancing energy conservation efforts.

This milestone would not have been possible without the collaboration and hard work of all City departments. Together, City staff is creating a greener, more sustainable future for our community.

Let’s build on this momentum and continue to lead the way in sustainability innovation!

Kick Off the New Year with XeroHome Energy Savings for Pico Rivera Residents!

Exciting news for Pico Rivera residents! PRIME, in partnership with XeroHome and Southern California Edison, is offering free energy audits for single-family and duplex homeowners.

Discover personalized energy insights, practical efficiency tips, and exclusive incentives to help you save money and reduce your carbon footprint this year. Plus, the first 100 residents to visit XeroHome.com will receive a $10 gift card!

Take advantage of this opportunity to improve your home's energy efficiency and sustainability in 2025.

For more information, visit the Xerohome website using the button below.

ReLove your Old Stuff!

Composting Workshop

Community and Economic Development

2025 Greater Homeless Count - VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

  • The Los Angeles Homeless Services Housing Authority (LAHSA) has postponed the annual Homeless Count due to the ongoing wildfire crisis. It is anticipated that the Homeless Count will be rescheduled mid to late February 2025.
  • The City is still in need of several volunteers to help carry out the count in Pico Rivera. We are encouraging families, friends, and colleagues to help with this meaningful endeavor.
  • Volunteer participation directly contributes to efforts to address homelessness in Los Angeles County.
  • To register please visit the LAHSA website at https://count.lahsa.org . Please contact Julia Gonzalez at (562) 801-4447 for more information.

Addressing Life Safety Concerns at Villa Nova Mobile Home Park

  • On September 28, 2024, several residents reached out to the City Council, seeking assistance with a critical life safety concern regarding a block wall on Beverly Blvd. The wall obstructed the view of oncoming traffic, posing a significant hazard.
  • Residents expressed their concerns and frustrations about the issue, which was located in the Villa Nova Mobile Home Park. The City Administration promptly contacted the Code Enforcement team to address the residents' concerns.
  • Demonstrating their commitment to public safety, the team wasted no time in coordinating a meeting with the Site Manager of Villa Nova Mobile Home Park. The discussion focused on finding a solution to mitigate the life safety hazard while preserving the development's design integrity.
  • We are pleased to report that on Saturday, November 23, 2024, Villa Nova Mobile Home Park reduced the height of the block wall, significantly improving the visibility of oncoming traffic and eliminating the safety hazard.
  • On December 10, 2024, Mrs. Ruth Briggs, a resident of Villa Nova Mobile Home Park, attended the Council meeting to express her heartfelt gratitude to the Mayor, City Council, and City Manager for their swift action and resolution of the life safety concerns.
  • This case highlights the City's dedication to addressing resident concerns and ensuring community safety through proactive measures and collaboration.

9406 Washington Boulevard - Altamed Health Services

  • On December 16, 2024, the Planning Commission approved a Conditional Use Permit application for the development of an AltaMed facility at 9406 Washington Boulevard. The project involves both interior and exterior tenant improvements, along with onsite enhancements, including landscaping, perimeter fencing, and parking lot upgrades.
  • The building will feature a light yellow and cream color scheme, complemented by a low brick veneer that wraps around the structure.
  • Parkways along Passons Boulevard and Washington Boulevard will be removed and replaced with new sidewalks extending from the curb to the property line. Additionally, all existing landscaping along the building frontage will be removed and replaced with drought-tolerant landscaping, including groundcover.
  • The parking lot will be slurry-sealed, restriped and enhanced with new landscaping. Three existing planters along the eastern perimeter and southern perimeter will be removed to accommodate additional parking stalls.

Community Events & Programming Recap

Senior Club Installation Events

  • Mayor John Garcia and City Council member Erik Lutz attended the Friendly and Shade Lane Senior Club meetings on Wednesday, January 15th and Thursday, January 16th.
  • At the meetings, the Mayor led a ceremony to recognize and present certificates of appreciation to the 2024 outgoing senior club board officers and install the 2025 senior club officers.
  • The latest senior club ceremony / installation was held on Monday, January 27th at the Forever Young Senior Club meeting.

Upcoming Events & Programs

Volleyball Clinic

Futsal Spring 2025

Spring Camp 2025

Views of Pico Rivera

Stunning views, landmarks, and moments around Pico Rivera as captured by City Photographer Robert Moreno

Amid the growing wildfire disaster sweeping through Los Angeles, La Noria Entertainment, in collaboration with the City of Pico Rivera, graciously welcomed large livestock in need of refuge to the Pico Rivera Sports Arena as a sanctuary, offering a safe haven for those displaced by the fires
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