Yucaipa 360. Real. Local. Talk.

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Latest Episodes:

Episode #12 - Public Safety Power Shutoffs with Southern California Edison Spokesperson Jeff Monford Feb 11, 2025

Yucaipa experienced widespread power outages spanning several days in relation to a strong wind event in early January. These outages were not caused by downed power lines or planned rolling blackouts due to high demand. Rather, Southern California Edison (SCE) intentionally switched off the power to many circuits in the area as part of a program known as Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS). The PSPS approach is designed to prevent the start of fires caused by electric infrastructure in windy conditions. The January PSPS event was among the largest in recent memory, resulting in long power outages. Naturally, this caused a tremendous amount of concern in the community and raised questions about PSPS, the execution of the shutoffs by SCE, and the City’s ability to effectively respond to such events in the future.

In this episode, City Manager Chris Mann sits down with Southern California Edison spokesperson Jeff Monford to discuss the history and reasoning behind Public Safety Power Shutoffs, what SCE is doing to reduce the frequency and duration of future PSPS events, what the City is doing to help the community withstand future events, and what residents can do to be better prepared.

Episode #11 - The City Charges HOW MUCH to Use the Ballfield?! Enhancing Recreational Opportunities Through Effective Facility Use Agreements Jan 28, 2025

Yucaipa is known as a baseball town, having produced 8 ballplayers who have made it to the Major Leagues. Over the years, demand for ball fields has grown as the population has increased and club/travel ball teams have risen in popularity. These organizations now compete with Little League for the usage of limited field space. To complicate matters, local governments everywhere are struggling with skyrocketing costs of providing critical services such as police, fire and road maintenance. Budgetary limitations have made it difficult for cities to build additional fields and to maintain current facilities at optimal levels. Financial pressure has made achieving greater cost recovery more important than ever, which has driven up fees for residents. These challenges are not limited to baseball, but are being experienced with all municipal-owned recreational facilities.

In this episode, City Manager Chris Mann sits down with Community Services Director Megan Wolfe and Finance Director Phil White to discuss Yucaipa’s new approach to field usage agreements, which aims to increase the number of participants that can utilize and benefit from these facilities while providing the revenue needed for the City to continue offering the quality recreational services residents deserve.

Episode #10 - Meet Yucaipa's Newest City Council Members with Bob Miller and Judy Woolsey Jan 14, 2025

Every city election has the potential to change the face of local leadership and alter the direction of a community for years to come. The 2024 election cycle was unusually significant in Yucaipa. In addition to three of five city council seats being up for election, a fourth seat was subject to a recall, and there was a city sales tax measure on the ballot. In the end, the voters spoke definitively. In this episode, City Manager Chris Mann sits down with newly sworn-in Councilmembers Bob Miller and Judy Woolsey, introducing the community to their new representatives on the City Council, discussing the priorities of the new Council and the implications for the future of Yucaipa.

Episode #9 - Communications and Transparency in Local Government with Social Media Guru Sam Toles Dec 31, 2024

As residents expect and demand a greater level of transparency from all levels of government, cities everywhere are faced with a rapidly changing media and communications landscape. Local governments grapple with how to adjust to new challenges, such as the rampant spread of misinformation over social media and vicious personal attacks aimed at elected officials and employees. In this episode, City Manager Chris Mann sits down with social media guru Sam Toles, a former elected official and communications executive at companies such as Bleacher Report, MGM, Vimeo and Paramount. The Founder and CEO of CiviSocial, Sam Toles now consults with cities all over the country on improving public communications, transparency, and trust in local government, in today’s social media and video-driven world.

Episode #8 - The City Management Profession with Joe Turner & Will Kolbow Dec 17, 2024

What is a city manager? What role does a city manager play within a local government organization? How does someone become a city manager? Is city manager compensation too high, or perhaps not high enough? Yucaipa City Manager Chris Mann and Calimesa City Manager Will Kolbow sit down with city management professional Joe Turner, founder of the American Association of Municipal Executives and host of “City Manager Unfiltered,” which many consider to be the most influential local government podcast in America.

Episode #7 - Economic Development: Exciting New Shops and Restaurants Coming to Yucaipa Dec 03, 2024

Yucaipa is experiencing significant growth, and the City is working hard to balance the need for economic development with the desire to hold on to a more rural feel. Housing and Economic Development Analyst Ryan Miller and City Manager Chris Mann discuss current and future commercial development projects bringing restaurants and shops residents will be excited about, and dive into the role of economic development in the City of Yucaipa. From coordinating with housing and commercial developers to helping small businesses thrive, this episode unpacks how the City is working to create a vibrant, sustainable community for generations to come.

Episode #6 - The Future of Ambulance Service in Yucaipa Nov 19, 2024

Ambulance service is changing in Yucaipa and throughout San Bernardino County. CONFIRE (Consolidated Fire Agencies) is a joint effort supported by cities throughout the County to provide emergency medical dispatch and now ambulance services. As CONFIRE prepares to take over the provision of ambulance services from American Medical Response (AMR), the City of Yucaipa was able to secure an ambulance operations center within its borders. City Manager Chris Mann sits down with Yucaipa Fire Chief Grant Malinowski and CONFIRE Interim Director Nathan Cooke to discuss how ambulance service works in San Bernardino County, and how CONFIRE will serve the residents of Yucaipa and beyond.

Episode #5 - Election Day with State Assemblyman Greg Wallis and City Clerk Ana Sauseda Nov 05, 2024

State Assemblyman Greg Wallis and Yucaipa City Clerk Ana Sauseda delve into campaigns and elections from both the political/candidate perspective and the government/Elections Official side of the equation. From the mechanics of the City Clerk's office planning for a fair and smooth election process and a candidate deciding to run for office, to Election Day and beyond, this episode provides a candid, behind-the-scenes look at local elections.

Episode #4 - Halloween Special - Behind the Scenes at Yucaipa's Famous Pumpkin Patch Oct 22, 2024

Get a behind-the-scenes look at the magic behind Yucaipa's famous Live Oak Pumpkin Patch! In this special Halloween episode of Yucaipa 360, City Manager Chris Mann chats with Chris Rameson, co-owner of the Pumpkin Patch, along with Tony Hicks and Willie Palmer, to explore its history and growth. Plus, Assistant City Engineer Landon Kern shares how the city’s traffic improvements are making visits smoother than ever. Whether you're a pumpkin patch fan or curious about how Yucaipa is improving community events, this episode is a must-watch for all the inside scoop!

Episode #3 - Death or Taxes Oct 08, 2024

A multi-million dollar structural budget deficit leads to difficult decisions. The City has tightened its belt, cut back on spending, and frozen vacant positions, but further cuts are not possible without impacting services, including deep cuts to public safety. To balance the budget and avoid insolvency, will the community approve Measure S (a 1% sales tax measure), or will the City be forced close Fire Station 2 and eliminate 30% of its firefighters/paramedics, cut a quarter of its sheriff's deputies, close the senior center and community pool, and make other across the board cuts to services? Director of Finance Phillip White and Deputy Director of Finance Ryan Blackerby sit down with City Manager Chris Mann to break down the current financial situation, how we got here, and how, one way or the other, the City will balance its budget next fiscal year.

Episode #2 - Roads & Roundabouts with Fermin Preciado Sep 24, 2024

Did building roundabouts sink our budget? Join City Manager Chris Mann and Director of Development Services/City Engineer Fermin Preciado as they discuss the “World’s Largest Speed Bump,” the utility pole debacle at County Line Rd. and 5th St., and the City’s plan to fix Yucaipa’s roads.

Episode #1 - Public Safety with Trevor Benson Sep 12, 2024

Public Safety Manager Trevor Benson discusses the success of Yucaipa's Homeless Strategic Plan, "Saturation Operations," and a recent active shooter training at Yucaipa High School.

Watch this episode on the "City of Yucaipa" Youtube channel. https://youtu.be/0_WPOzdbOlo

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