Community Services and Economic Development
Program Title: Long Beach Rotary Support of Rotary Centennial Park
To celebrate the 100th anniversary of Rotary International, Long Beach Rotary raised $100,000 to help design and build a 1.2-acre park in an area of the city that was population dense and lacking in sufficient open space. Since the opening, Long Beach Rotary has held monthly work parties to address maintenance issues and complete beautification projects. This volunteer effort continues to grow and highlights their commitment to the City.
Enhancing Public Trust, Ethics, and Community Involvement
Connect with your Community and its Burbank partners have effectively engaged and strengthened once isolated focus neighborhoods through outreach and education. Community trust is building as residents are increasingly involved in program efforts, provide meaningful input to community project designs and requirements, experience the City's willingness to invest in much needed infrastructure enhancements, and participate in formal dialogue about important equity issues through efforts like the Neighborhood Leadership Program.
Housing Programs and Innovations
Today, Vista Dunes is the national's largest multi-family affordable workforce housing project to received LEED platinum certification in the LEED for Homes program. It stands as a testament to what can be achieved through public/private partnerships in terms of sustainable, affordable workforce housing that contributes to neighborhood vitality. The development process was arduous and fraught with challenges to overcome; the development team was working with new green technologies and products. For that reason, Vista Dunes is a best practice model that other communities can learn from and replicate.
Internal Administration
The Residential Abandoned Property Registration Program is intended to address those properties that are vacant and financially distressed. The program requires mortgage lenders to inspect defaulted properties to confirm occupancy. If a property is found to be vacant, the program requires that the lender exercise the abandonment clause within their mortgage contract, register the property with the City and immediately begin to secure and maintain the property to the neighborhood standard. In short, the program requires that the out of area, state "lender" be a good neighbor and maintain their properties as if they properties were their own neighborhood.
Planning and Environmental Quality
From Landfill to Landmark! Originally a rally cry that galvanized a community and allowed resident to fulfill their dream transformation the infamous BKK landfill from a toxic waste site into vibrant commercial and recreational uses. Today, the West Covina Commercial and Sportsplex is a shining example of residents and City Hall working together, resulting in over 1,000 new jobs, improved property values and $74 million economic benefit regional-wide. The project has erased the BKK stigma and transformed the site into a symbol of pride, affectionately referred to as " Landfill to Landmark!"
Public Safety
The Grandma Cop Child Safety Program is a highly effective program of citizen volunteers teaching safety lessons to elementary school age children. Topics include Personal Safety, Home Alone, Safety Check People, Strangers Asking for Help, Bullying, Dares, Traffic Awareness, Avoiding Gangs, Being Lost and many others. It was developed to teach young children to be aware
Public Works, Infrastructure, and Transportation
The City of Cupertino successfully saved the iconic "Gateway to Silicon Valley", the Mary Avenue Bicycle Footbridge (MABF)- the first cable-stayed bridge to cross an interstate in California. Aside from being a piece of public art, the MABF is a tribute to alternative transportation by completing two major countywide bicycle arteries. To save this dream-of-a-decade the City miraculously redesigned the structure from concrete to still in less than 6 weeks.
Ruth Vreeland Award for Engaging Youth in City Government
Recognizing the importance for youth to have the opportunities to participate in meaningful activities, the City of La Mirada actively designed its Youth Development program for youth to grow and develop professional skills, while engaging in leadership activities to assist the community. The Youth Council, Leaders In Training and Youth in Government programs foster public participation by nurturing the skills of the youth involved to better the community.
Health & Wellness Programs
The City of La Mesa has established a growing network of community partners whose shared vision is to perform outreach to all residents in our community, provide educational presentations and materials, create and demonstrate easily accessible everyday opportunities that promote physical activity and good nutrition, and provide encouragement and incentive for community members to embrace habits that leads to lifelong health and wellness.
League Partners Award for Excellence in City-Business Relations
The City worked closely with residents and stakeholders to determine the best use for a blighted parcel of land that was impacting home values negatively. Through public outreach, residents made it clear to the City that they wanted a place where they could gather as a community. In October 2008, Fontana Oak became a place where residents could gather and much more. Fontana Park features the City's largest health and fitness center, aquatic complex, extreme sports park, children's park, dog-park and so much more. The City learned he importance of a proactive City-Business (or Community-City) relationship. Residents that have an investment in their community, and pride of ownership, want to be informed and included in process that affects the largest investment they'll ever make in their lives....their homes within their community.