Los Alamitos’ permit rebate program, arrest of a serial bank robber and re-implementing of a school resource officer at Los Alamitos High School, were just a few of the highlights of 2013 that were noted at the annual State of the City Address on Jan. 15.
Los Alamitos’ permit rebate program, arrest of a serial bank robber and re-implementing of a school resource officer at Los Alamitos High School, were just a few of the highlights of 2013 that were noted at the annual State of the City Address on Jan. 15.
Mayor Gerri Graham-Mejia delivered the address at the Eagle’s Nest restaurant in Cypress, noting that she and the council will look to continue recent team efforts to help the city. Not only has the city council had an improved working relationship among itself, Graham-Mejia also made mention of recent collaboration of local cities to work together for common interests, such as opposing the 405 toll lane proposal. She said she hopes there will be continued collaboration in 2014.
“We are public servants, and we are here to serve the community,” Graham-Mejia said.
In response to more school shootings and attacks around the country, the City of Los Alamitos worked closely with the City of Seal Beach and the Los Alamitos Unified School District to bring back a sworn police officer (school resource officer) assigned to Los Alamitos High School. Graham-Mejia called this a huge accomplishment.
The ground-breaking and construction of the Los Alamitos Medical Center offices and parking structure also took place in 2013 and the parking structure is rising fast along Katella Avenue. This project as well as other projects such as the permit fee rebate program have started Los Alamitos on a path to more economic growth. The permit rebate program offered residents an opportunity to get city fees back, if their home improvement projects were done with local businesses and materials purchases.
Graham-Mejia said that the program was more successful than anticipated and the city hopes to expand on it to continue to spur the local economy. She also said the city will begin more planning of the downtown revitalization issue.
Graham-Mejia also made note of many small but key improvements in city services and improvements. She said that the city was able to replace many aging street signs, removal of aging and dangerous trees and the safety improvement of alleys by adding speed bumps. Despite budget cuts and revenue decreases, the city of Los Alamitos was able to continue or bring back events and services. Notably, the Fourth of July event on the Joint Forces Training Base and free summer day camps for children.
“We were very excited to see that happen,” Graham-Mejia said.
The number of swim lessons given through the Recreation and Community Services Department was the highest in the city’s history, Graham-Mejia said. And a collaboration between city officials and community members helped bring back the Second Annual Winter Wonderland event that included a Christmas tree lighting and snow play areas. The event was put on with no impact on the general fund, due to business sponsorships. Many senior events and programs were also kept available to area residents.
The city also concluded its search for and hiring of a new city manager. Seal Beach resident Brett Plumlee was the person tabbed to lead the city staff and Plumlee also spoke at the event. He offered some statistics of the city budget, noting that sales and property tax make up almost 50 percent of the city revenue. He said they will continue to help improve those areas and noted that 17 new homes were built in Los Alamitos in 2013 and two significant businesses are set to open. The Spin Pizza restaurant on Los Alamitos Boulevard and a new Chase Bank on Ball Road were recently finished and set to open in early 2014.
“We’re very excited about that,” Plumlee said.
The event also included a presentation of the state of the Los Alamitos Unified School District. LAUSD Board Member David Boyer delivered the statistical report, noting that LAUSD has top performing elementary schools in Orange County and Los Alamitos High School has the highest college enrollment rate in the county, according to Boyer’s report. He also praised the districts overall Academic Performance Index rating of 922. The score is out of a possible 1,000 points and is well above the state target score of 800.
Boyer also made note of recent modernization and technology upgrades, playground fields and infrastructure at several schools. He noted the school resource officer, adding that the district has improved programs such as substance abuse task force, bullying prevention and violence prevention and response task force.
“Safety is one of our No. 1 missions,’ Boyer said.
LAUSD Board President Jeffrey Barke also spoke briefly, recognizing the efforts of the Los Alamitos Education Foundation and saying that the job of the LAUSD is not only to educate students, but also to help prepare them for life after kindergarten through 12th grade.
“We take our responsibility very seriously,” Barke said.
The event is organized by the Los Alamitos Area Chamber of Commerce and is also the opportunity for them to present their donation to the JFTB Morale Welfare Recreation fund. The money donated is a portion of the proceeds collected through the annual Wings, Wheels, Rotors & Expo event at the JFTB. This year the donation was $16,688. The check was presented to JFTB Major Keith Jones.
“The donation is much appreciated and will be put to good use,” Jones said.