City Beat February 2023

By Don Reynolds, City Manager
As published in the February issue of the Mission Village Voice

Heading into 2023 in the midst of my fourth year with the City, and a two-year extension on my contract, I am very excited about San Juan Bautista’s future.  Prior to receiving the two-year extension, the City Council completed a constructive, interactive evaluation of the City Manager’s performance.  The recommendations have become “Resolutions” for me personally, and center around stronger, equitable communications, and strategic planning.

New City Councilmembers Jackie Morris-Lopez and E.J Sabathia are on board, and Leslie Q. Jordan has been reappointed as the Mayor for a third term, with John Freeman serving as Mayor Pro Tempore.  Hopefully on January 24, the City will have filled at least some if not all of the 4 vacancies on the Planning Commission.  We welcome our new Deputy City Clerk Elizabeth Soto January 9th, and soon we will be “hitting on all cylinders.”

The City plans to facilitate extensive community outreach and strategic planning work in February and March.  The goal is to fully align the new City Council and Planning Commission with current contemporary action plans.  These actions will then inform the budget, which based upon our recent audit, will be strong enough to support limited growth.  Building a recreation program, and a robust local senior program are priorities.

Please respond to the City’s invitations to participate in this community-wide strategic planning effort.  Respond to surveys, attend and be heard at the strategic planning workshops.

Finally, I want to recognize the incredible dedication of the City’s maintenance staff, MNS Engineering, CSG Engineering, Cypress Water who did not rest as the storms continued from December 27- through January 16th.  Many 12-hour days, late nights, (including holidays) were spent helping protect lives and property.  We are so fortunate to have such a dedicated team. “Hats off” to our crew!