Directory:Santa Clarita, California
The City of Santa Clarita was formed by incorporation on December 15, 1987. The original City Council included Mayor Howard "Buck" McKeon, Mayor Pro-tem Jan Heidt and Councilmembers Jo Anne Darcy, Carl Boyer and Dennis Koontz.
The first city hall was a rented storefront on Soledad Canyon Road adjacent to a Suzuki motorcycle shop. "I can remember sitting in my office and hearing those revving motorcycles," laughed former Mayor and Councilmember Jo Anne Darcy.
The achievement of a new city was a 20-plus year process that actually began with the goal of creating a new county. Although the proposal for a new city was met with resistance, the popular vote brought Los Angeles a new city by a landslide vote.
"The ability to keep local tax dollars local was a huge reason why the City incorporated and continues to be a big reason for this City's success," comments Councilmember Frank Ferry.
In 1989, the City moved into its new City Hall building on Valencia Boulevard where the City government headquarters remain today. The three-story brick building houses city departments and the City Council Chambers where city council, planning and parks and recreation commission meetings are held. City Council meetings are held on the second and fourth Tuesday of every month at 6 p.m. and can be viewed live on channel 20.
Since incorporation, Santa Clarita has won annual awards for its strong fiscal management and investments. The City's growth in sales tax revenue, outside grant funding and a "good business budget" have helped to keep Santa Clarita a strong city. "We've worked hard to be fiscally smart and continue the trend of higher revenues to expenditures, with a continued growth in our reserves," explains Mayor and Councilmember Cameron Smyth about the City's annual budget.
There are five city councilmembers elected at large to four year overlapping terms. City elections are held every two years. Residents of the City who are 18 years and older are encouraged to seek election to the Council or appointment to a commission or committee.
"We encourage residents to get involved in their City, to participate by joining a committee or applying for a commission appointment or even by speaking at a City Council meeting," explains Councilmember Marsha McLean.
Santa Clarita opened its first new park in 1989 in Canyon Country. The 17-acre Canyon Country park was the first of many new facilities and amenities built by the City. Others include Begonias Lane Park, Creekview Park, Circle J Ranch Park, Central Park, Pamplico Park, the Newhall Community Center, the Santa Clarita Sports Complex, including a skate park, activities center, gymnasium and aquatics center, 14 miles of off-street trails, three Metrolink stations, new landscaped medians, new roads, and more.
"Bringing more parks on line, adding recreation programs and new trails that residents want is one of the best things to come from cityhood," said Councilmember Laurene Weste.
Since incorporation, the City has increased recreational opportunities by more than 400%. A variety of low-cost classes, sports programs, special events and lessons are offered quarterly through the SEASONS booklet that is mailed to every household. Some of these include: the annual Cowboy Poetry and Music Festival, River Rally, Arbor Day, Marathon and half Marathon events, Concerts in the Parks, Emergency Expo, and the 4th of July fireworks show.
The city oversees a variety of high quality programs and services for residents. Some of these include: free graffiti removal service, free pothole service, free parkmobile service, free used oil pickup, free sidewalk repair, free parenting programs, free street tree care and planting, free skate park use, free one stop career center services and more. More information about these and other City services and programs are available on the City's website or by calling the City at 661/259-CITY.
"Our City truly cares about providing timely, quality services and programs for residents. It's about top notch customer service and a willingness to be the best!" comments Councilmember Bob Kellar.
