Up to 11! Lots of 11-11-11 Weddings Friday in Heisler Park

City Manager John Pietig's weekly report ...

11 Weddings on 11-11-11 – November 11, 2011 is a popular date for weddings. A total of 11 wedding permits have been issued for various locations in Heisler Park, with the gazebo being the most popular.

City Hall Closed Friday, November 11th – City Hall will be closed in observance of Veterans Day.

Canyon Acres Flood Plain Study – The most recent flood plain mapping done by FEMA increased the number of homes in Canyon Acres that are within the mapped 100 year flood plain. Those property owners have been required to purchase flood insurance. The FEMA study did not take into consideration the Canyon Acres storm drain constructed by the City two years ago. In March, the City Council authorized a $26,000 engineering study to revise the flood plain mapping. The revised map prepared by Harris & Associates was submitted to FEMA in September and has been approved. The revised map removes all homes from the 100 year flood plain. The new map will become effective on March 12, 2012.

Swearing In Ceremony for Four Officers - Once our police officers complete training and their probationary period, which takes about one year, they are invited to an official swearing in ceremony in front of their peers, families and friends. On November 3rd, Officers Abe Ocampo, James Michaud, Luke Gilbertson and Matt Gregg were recognized for accomplishing this important milestone. Officer Gregg worked as a civilian employee for ten years at the Garden Grove Police Department. Officer Gilbertson has experience with two other Orange County Police Departments and has served as a Civilian Beach Patrol Officer and part-time Jailer with our department. During the police academy, Officer Ocampo received the “Director’s Award” for demonstrating a high level of character, maturity and professionalism. Officer Michaud graduated from the academy in the top of the class and was awarded the Returning Combat Veterans Scholarship. These officers are outstanding additions to the Police Department.

Heisler Park Amphitheater – After the initial five months of public use of the new amphitheater in Heisler Park, the Recreation Committee discussed use of the area at its meeting this week. The amphitheater has become a popular venue in the park and the Committee supports continuing use the facility for City-sponsored concerts and cultural arts events, Junior Lifeguard meetings, Tide pool education programs, and general public use.

Fire Department Promotional Ceremony – The Fire Department will be holding a badge pinning ceremony for six newly promoted personnel on November 14 at 9:00 a.m. in the City Council Chambers. Recent retirees will also be recognized for their years of service to the community and five new hire firefighters will be introduced.

Bike Route Installed in North Laguna – On September 20th, the City Council directed the installation of bike route signage and shared roadway pavement markings (sharrows) along streets in North Laguna to direct bicyclists along a route between North Coast Highway and Broadway that is off the major highways. The signage and sharrows were installed this week. The route north is from Broadway, up Cliff to Rosa Bonheur, to Monterey, to Hillcrest, to Ledroit, and down to North Coast Highway. The route south is generally the same in reverse, except south on Cypress Drive rather than on Monterey.