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City, Police and Fire News

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City seeks public input on General Plan Housing Element

The City of Redlands has begun updating the Housing Element of the City’s General Plan. The current Housing Element details the City’s housing goals from the year 2013 through 2021 and must be updated every eight years.

The Housing Element performs the following functions:

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Redlands residents warned against utility payment scam

The City of Redlands wishes to warn residents about a phone scam reported by a City water utility customer recently.

A resident contacted the City’s Customer Service office this week to report multiple phone calls from a local telephone number demanding payment of past due utility bills and threatening to disconnect the customer’s water service if the bill is not paid immediately.

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Smiley Library closes in-person services through Jan. 4, 2021

As a result of new State public health orders and increased COVID-19 hospitalizations in the Inland Empire, the Board of Trustees of the A.K. Smiley Public Library voted unanimously Tuesday, Dec. 8, to suspend in-person library services through at least Jan. 4, 2021.

“We regret having to take this step and are hopeful that conditions will allow us to resume in-person services sometime early in the new year,” said Board of Trustees President Bill Hatfield.

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City Hall, facilities to close for holiday season

Most Redlands City Hall administrative offices will be closed beginning Monday, Dec. 21, reopening Monday, Jan. 4. Essential City services, including public safety, Code Enforcement, water distribution and solid waste collection will be in full operation. The City Manager, Assistant City Manager, department directors, City Attorney, Public Information Officer and other executive staff will continue to monitor operations, provide appropriate staff direction and respond to emails and messages as necessary.

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Stationary COVID-19 test site to open at University of Redlands

The San Bernardino County Department of Public Health will open a new stationary COVID-19 testing site at the University of Redlands University Hall beginning Nov. 30. The Department of Public Health is currently taking appointments for the site.

Free testing for the coronavirus will be available from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday at the campus, located at 1200 E. Colton Ave. The site has capacity for up to 800 appointments a day.

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City begins preparations to implement Measure T in spring 2021

With the apparent passage of Measure T, the City of Redlands has begun preparations for next year’s implementation of the one percent local sales tax.

With 100 percent of precincts reporting, the Nov. 3 ballot measure passed with more than 57 percent of the vote to approximately 43 percent of votes against. The San Bernardino County Registrar of Voters is expected to certify the election results in December.

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City wins 17th consecutive annual award for financial reporting

The City of Redlands was recently awarded the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting by the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada for its FY 2018-2019 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR), the 17th consecutive year the City has been recognized with the prestigious honor.

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Bruder Fire at 170 acres; 30 percent containment

The Bruder Fire has burned approximately 170 acres in the Live Oak Canyon area. Containment is 30 percent.

Mandatory evacuations are ordered for East Sunset Drive South from Edgemont Drive to Puesta Del Sol and along Live Oak Canyon Road. Voluntary evacuations are in place on Edgemont, Fairmont and Lantern Crest.

The American Red Cross is providing assistance to anyone who has been evacuated.

Large animals may be taken to El Camino Ranch, 11363 Walnut St. Redlands.

No injuries or structure damage has been reported.

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Redlands playgrounds reopen under new state guidelines

The City of Redlands reopened playgrounds at City parks on Wednesday, in compliance with new state guidelines. It has been a common site for anyone visiting a county or city park: yellow caution tape closing off playgrounds. On Tuesday, the California Department of Public Health released guidelines that allow for the reopening of outdoor playgrounds and other outdoor recreational facilities.

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City hosts ‘Flick or Treat’ Halloween drive-thru, drive-in events

In order to help residents safely enjoy Halloween this year, the City of Redlands will sponsor family-friendly “Flick or Treat” Halloween drive-thru and drive-in movie events. The free events will observe all public health recommendations to keep participants safe.

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Proposed Redlands polling places for 2020 Presidential Election

As a result of the public health emergency from the COVID-19 pandemic, the State of California enacted a series of executive orders and bills aimed to ensure the 2020 Presidential General Election is accessible, secure and safe for voters and election workers alike.

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Cooling centers will be open this weekend, beginning Friday

In response to a local heat advisory from the National Weather Service, the City of Redlands will expand hours this weekend at its cooling centers, located at the Redlands Community Senior Center and the Joslyn Senior Center, beginning at noon Friday, Sept. 4, and extended through 5 p.m. Monday, Sept. 7.

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Applicants sought for opening on Planning Commission

The City of Redlands invites individuals to apply for an open position on the Planning Commission.

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Community Center to host virtual watercolor classes

The City of Redlands Recreation Division will offer virtual watercolor classes for adults 18 and older at 10 a.m. Mondays, beginning Sept. 14 and continuing through Oct. 5.  Classes will be taught by Cindy Sullivan. The fee is $37 for all four classes. 

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A.K. Smiley Public Library to reopen to the public on Sept. 9

The A.K. Smiley Public Library, which has been closed to the public for nearly six months in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, will resume in-person services on Wednesday, Sept. 9, with new public health measures in place to protect patrons and employees.

“All of us here at the Smiley are eager to welcome our patrons back into the building,” said Library Director Don McCue.  “We have taken many steps to keep everyone as safe as possible.”

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Redlands Senior centers to provide Cooling Center hours

The City of Redlands Recreation Division will offer Cooling Center hours for the public at the Redlands Community Senior Center and the Joslyn Senior Center on days when the National Weather Service issues a heat advisory.

During those days, when temperatures are expected to reach at least 100 degrees, the Redlands Community Senior Center, 111 W. Lugonia Ave. and the Joslyn Senior Center, 21 Grant St., will open from noon to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Designated cooling areas with restricted occupancy to encourage social distancing will be available.

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Possible Rotating Power Outage

The City of Redlands has received a warning from Southern California Edison and the California Independent System Operator (CAISO) that could lead to potential rotating customer power outages today.  If these CAISO rotating outages occur, they typically last about an hour. This warning expires tonight at midnight. Please reduce energy use to help avoid CAISO rotating outages.

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City, Bowl host virtual theater workshop with Stars of Tomorrow

The City of Redlands Recreation Division offers a free virtual theater workshop sponsored by the Redlands Bowl Performing Arts and taught by Stars of Tomorrow. The workshop theme is the classic story, “The Adventures of Robin Hood,” and is designed for children ages 6-16.

Enrollment is now open and students may choose one of six workshop times at 9, 10 or 11 a.m. on Aug. 5 or 6. The workshop will be conducted online via Zoom.

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Community Gardens reopen with health and safety guidelines

The City of Redlands Recreation Division’s three community garden sites — Lugonia Gardens, Smiley Gardens, and Clement Gardens – have reopened with new health and safety guidelines in place for all gardeners.

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Redlands to host blood drives with LifeStream, Red Cross

The City of Redlands is partnering with LifeStream and the American Red Cross to host separate blood drives next week. The City and LifeStream will host a blood drive from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday, July 22, at Redlands City Hall, 35 Cajon St. A second blood drive with the American Red Cross will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Thursday, July 23, at the Redlands Community Center, 111 W. Lugonia Ave.