Accomplishments
Accomplishments
Mayor Vasquez provided steady leadership to help the city overcome unprecedented challenges. With her guidance, the City of Lemon Grove delivered:
Responsible City Finances
- The 2016 independent audit reviled six major discrepancies. All of these discrepancies were fixed.
- Budget transparency, uncovering 20 years of deficit spending.
- New transparent budget reporting system.
- Improved the city credit score from a BBB- (unable to bond or secure a loan) to a BBB+ investment grade. With this new and improved credit score, the city can bond or secure a loan.
- Created a 115 trust to deposit one-time money received for the city use to pay down future long-term liabilities. The money in the trust is currently earning 9% interest.
- Accountable funding for law enforcement and fire protection services.
New Money for the City
- Public/private partnership with OUTFRONT Media to build a new Lemon Grove gateway sign next to the 94 freeway near the Lemon Grove exit that will generate $325,000+ annually for the City for 20 years.
- The city is now a Passport Acceptance Facility. Take care of your passport needs at the City of Lemon Grove.
- Received $4 million in grants to pay for Phase 3 of the Connect Main Street Linear Park Project.
- Grants for Public Safety Bike Patrol.
- Grants for the Tobacco Retailer Licensing Program.
- Grants to provide healthy lunches for youth and seniors.
- Secured new sponsorship funding for park improvements, public art projects and community cleanups.
- 272 storefront and home based businesses operating in the city.
Revitalizing the City
- Paved 54 lane miles of roads throughout the City of Lemon Grove in four years.
- Fixed more potholes and removed more encampments, graffiti and illegal dumping sites.
- Created new policy and provided land for the new Lemon Grove Community Garden to grow.
- City parks are now smoke free and alcohol free, added more gazebos for residents to rent for special events.
- Completed a comprehensive Climate Action Plan.
Homeless Services
- Created a Homeless Outreach Program. This program is grant funded by the Homeless Emergency Aid Program (HEAP).
- Partnered with HomeStart, Crisis House, Salvation Army and the Family Health Center of San Diego to provide direct services to homeless individuals.
- Through this partnership, 110 homeless individuals received hygiene kits, housing vouchers, and an individualized work plan, if interested, to find permanent housing.
- Dedicated $100,000 to boost the Homeless Outreach Program.
Community Workshops and Events
- Held 12 budget community input workshops.
- Held 4 street paving community input workshops.
- Community cleanups and bulk item drop off events. These events inspired Lemon Grove non-profits, groups and individuals to adopt-a-park and host smaller community cleanups and bulk item drop off events.
- More concerts, movies and cultural events in city parks.
- New volunteer based public artwork installations throughout the city and a Family Art Fest in Lemon Grove.
- Free spring and fall Old Globe theater performances (Globe for All) at the Lemon Grove Academy.
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