Give 'Change That Counts' The City, in collaboration with faith-based, service provider and business community partners has launched an awareness campaign entitled: “Change That Counts – Help Those Who Help the Homeless” which is designed to educate the public on how to deal with aggressive panhandlers. The campaign will use a variety of different mediums – a website, social media outlets, flyers, bus billboards, and presentations – to encourage individuals to give their money to service providers to provide real help to the truly homeless.  “Giving money seems like a compassionate act and it may help people for the moment, but it often encourages destructive habits or stops them from seeking out help that could actually improve their lives," said Visalia Mayor Steve Nelsen. "Instead, give your donation to those who help the homeless get off the streets and take steps to change their lives forever.” Visalia Police Lt. Steven Phillips said it’s easy to confuse panhandlers with those who are truly homeless. “But, according to the U.S. Department of Justice, most panhandlers have places to live, and most homeless people do not panhandle.” The City's Aggressive Solicitation Ordinance was recently amended and now prohibits solicitation in parking lots during all hours. Solicitation means any request made in person seeking an immediate donation of money or other items of value. The ordinance doesn't interfere with the rights of parking lot owners or tenants to utilize their property or allow others to use the parking for solicitation with permission. For more information on how you can help those who help the homeless with your money, go to www.helpvisaliahomeless.com. An online list of service providers gives avenues of options for your donation. In addition, "Steps to Success" stories highlight the differences service providers and faith-based organizations are making in the lives of members of the homeless community. If your faith-based or service club organization or business is interested in assisting with this effort, please contact Community Relations Manager Nancy Loliva at [email protected] or call (559) 713-4535.

OnTrac expands Visalia operation Due to rapid growth, OnTrac, the leader in regional overnight package delivery, is expanding its operation in Visalia. The new building will consolidate the existing Fresno, Visalia, and Kettleman City operations under a single roof and will be OnTrac’s largest facility in the Central Valley.  “We are truly excited about the increased capabilities that this new facility brings to us,” Regional General Manager Ian Burton said. “The consolidation of operations will optimize service by increasing efficiency and will provide our customers the high standard of service they expect from a regional carrier.  We are confident that these increased capabilities will give us the ability to both reduce cost and improve service.”  The facility includes four times as many dock doors as the previous Visalia operation, enabling OnTrac to move packages more efficiently and offer its customers faster service. “The City of Visalia welcomes OnTrac’s new 90,000 square foot facility to our Industrial Park, the largest in the region for the overnight package delivery company,” Visalia Mayor Steve Nelsen said. “The additional employees OnTrac will bring to the City is a welcome boost to the local economy.”

Two Utility Bills Coming in February City utility customers will begin receiving a Cal Water AND a City of Visalia utility bill in February. Cal Water's bill will be solely for water service, and the City's utility bill will be for garbage, sewer, groundwater and storm drain services. Same services, same cost, two bills.  There are no changes to how you pay your Cal Water bill, including auto debits, online bill payments, mail-in, or walk-in payment options. City Utility Services bills will now come from the City's utility vendor, Fathom. To pay your new City Utility Bill either automatically or online, you will need to sign-up separately with automatic debit and/or bill pay. Additional information on payment options will be provided with your new bill. Effective Feb. 6, customers who choose to pay their City Utility Services bills in-person will now be able to make walk-in payments at the 336 N. Ben Maddox Way location. Office hours are Monday-Friday from 8 am to 4 pm. A 24-hour drop box will be available at this location. For more information, go to www.ci.visalia.ca.us/utilitybill.

First Dump On Us for 2014 Saturday The City’s first Dump On Us event of 2014 is scheduled for this Saturday, January 25th from 7 am. to noon at the Corporation Yard at 335 North Cain.  During last October’s Dump On Us event, the City set a new record of 942 vehicles participating in the program.   The event is free for all Visalia residents to rid their property of any garbage, electronic, green and household hazardous waste items.  Also accepted are tires without rims, concrete, large appliances and all mixed recyclable materials (i.e. scrap metals, plastics, etc.)   A commercial shredding service will be available to take up to 3 banker boxes for offsite shredding. Home-Generated Medical Sharps, are also accepted in certified sharps containers..    Call 713-4500 or go to www.DumpOnUs.org to learn more.