Show Us How You Love Brea
on May 15!

Although our annual Love Brea service day was cancelled due to COVID-19, we have found a new way to celebrate and stay connected. While we must adhere to physical distancing guidelines, we can still virtually come together to show our tremendous community spirit. On May 15, show us how you Love Brea! Thank a first responder, celebrate a graduate, show your neighborhood pride, express your school spirit, patronize a Brea business, the list is endless. Share a photo or video with us on social media using #lovebrea2020. We can't wait to see them.

Summer 2020 Brea Line
Newsletter Cancelled

In an effort to keep the community safe from the spread of COVID-19, City facilities and park amenities have been closed, programs and events have been cancelled or postponed. Although California has moved into Stage 2 of modifying the Stay-at-Home order, we do not know when it will be completely lifted. But, we are still looking toward the future. The Community Services Department continues to evaluate and prepare for when programs, classes and special events can resume. Until then, we have suspended the quarterly Brea Line newsletter and plan for it to resume in the near future.

There are still many ways to continue staying informed. For the latest Brea news, including programs, classes, and special events, visit cityofbrea.net, sign-up to receive the Brea Online email newsletter, read your water bill inserts, and follow us on social media, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. A list of all the City’s social media accounts is available on the City’s website. You can also leave a message for the Community Services Department by calling, 714-990-7101.

Mayor's Youth Award Submissions Extended to Thursday, May 14

Are you a Brea junior or senior who has been working toward obtaining the Mayor’s Youth Community Service Award? The deadline to submit your tracking forms has been extended to Thursday, May 14. Please take pictures of your forms and submit them via email to brc@cityofbrea.net. We understand the current uncertain situation our community is under during this pandemic and want to provide extra time so we are able to recognize the outstanding youth in our city. As a reminder, students still need to check that tracking forms are signed by a parent, as well as their supervisors. For more information, please call 714-990-7150.

Slurry Seal Work Scheduled to Begin on Selected Brea Streets on May 26

The City of Brea Public Works Department is conducting a routine street maintenance project. Several streets in Brea are scheduled for routine slurry sealing beginning Tuesday, May 26. Construction work will be staggered to minimize traffic impacts and is anticipated to last for 10 days. Slurry sealing will take place on all lanes of Brea Blvd, between Lambert Rd and Imperial Hwy. Work will also occur on several residential streets in the Glenbrook tract, located off Imperial Hwy and Associated Rd.

As the slurry sealing work takes place, traffic on major roadways will be reduced to one lane from 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. In the residential tracks, hang tags will be distributed to notify residents within the affected work areas. On selected work days, no parking or driving will be permitted between 7:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Residents will be asked to park on an adjacent street. Cooperation is appreciated to clear streets while work progresses. Questions on this project can be directed to the Public Works department by calling, 714-990-7691.

May is Building Safety Month

May is International Building Safety Month. This 40th annual campaign raises awareness about building safety and the importance of building codes to keep communities safe and resilient. It is fronted by the International Code Council, an organization who explores the role building codes play in our day-to-day lives, such as disaster mitigation, access to safe water, job opportunities in the building industry, and innovations in building safety. Every week will have a different focus on important issues. Week one is touches on the importance of disaster preparedness. Learn more about Building Safety Month and how to get involved at buildingsafetymonth.org. Join the conversation on social media using the hashtag #BuildingSafety365.

Supporting our Seniors

During this pandemic, it’s important that we continue to support the most vulnerable Senior members of our community. Over the past month, our Brea Senior Center has received very generous donations that has helped us continue to serve our elderly population. Senator Ling Ling Chang partnered with La Brea Bakery to donate 250 packs of bread to deliver to seniors as part of the Home Delivered Meals program, and to those picking-up daily meals. Senator Chang also donated 12 Care Packages that were distributed to case management clients. Brookdale Brea showed their support by donating 300 packs of cookies to the Senior Center that were also distributed by our Home Delivered Meals program. And, Islands Restaurant in Brea has contributed over 220 fresh meals to support home-bound seniors.

With all that’s going on during uncertain times, it’s a positive sight to see our community rally in support of our seniors. We thank all our local community partners for their generous donations! 

Staying Active While
Social Distancing

The warmer weather is here! By yourself or with those from your household, there are still many safe and responsible activities to do while adhering to the State’s Stay-at-Home order. Go for a walk, run or hike; order take-out; ride a bike; garden in your yard; fly a kite; take pictures; meditate; throw a football or baseball; watch the sunset; or check-in with neighbors, friends and family. Brea’s parks, trails and golf courses are open to the public so long as proper social distancing and safety protocols are followed. Wildcatters Dog Park, the skate parks, and park amenities, such as playgrounds, picnic shelters, sports courts, fitness equipment, and drinking fountains, remain closed until further notice.

Citrus Tree Gardening Tips

For many Californians, gardening is a relaxing outdoor activity that helps clear the mind, while adding beauty to their yards. While we’re all practicing social distancing at home, it’s a great opportunity to get some fresh air and give your yard some TLC. In California, we have many different types of beautiful plants, and our bright and fragrant fruit trees are a wonderful part of our state’s tradition – now, about 6 in 10 California residences have a citrus tree on the property.

Pass the time by practicing your green thumb with these tips:

• As we have a bit more time on our hands lately, now is a good time to inspect your citrus trees for pests and diseases. It’s extremely important to look for signs and symptoms of the deadly and incurable citrus tree disease, Huanglongbing (HLB), which can be spread by a pest called the Asian citrus psyllid. Symptoms of HLB include asymmetrical blotchy and yellowing leaves, corky veins, premature and excessive fruit drop, lopsided fruit, and rancid-tasting fruit. Call the state’s pest hotline at 800-491-1899 if disease symptoms are seen on your tree. For photos and to learn more about HLB and the psyllid visit: californiacitrusthreat.org/pest-disease/. 
  
  
• Apply products to treat your tree for the Asian citrus psyllid. This is the best way to stop HLB – stop the pest that can spread the disease. The University of California Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources has a helpful list of recommendations: ucanr.edu/sites/ACP/Homeowner_Options/. 
  
  
• Your nutritious backyard citrus can serve as a kind neighborly gift while we practice social distancing. Be sure to wash your fruit thoroughly and remove any leaves/stems before sharing to limit the spread of the Asian citrus psyllid and HLB. Additionally, if you choose to prune your citrus tree as part of your tree care, dry out the citrus tree clippings or double bag them before disposing plant material to avoid inadvertently spreading the pest to new areas. 

Learn more about citrus tree care tips at californiacitrusthreat.org.

Preventing Mosquitoes:
Tip, Toss, Take Action

The Orange County Mosquito and Vector Control District continues to stress the need for residents to take an active role in mosquito control by checking their property for any standing water. Even a bottle cap full of water can breed mosquitoes.

Any standing water should be emptied, containers should be sealed tightly to prevent mosquito entry, unnecessary containers should be removed from yards, and green, unmaintained pools should be cleaned or treated. Remember, it only takes 5-7 days for mosquitoes to go from egg to biting adult.

Residents should take the following precautions to help reduce the chances of breeding mosquitoes:

• Dump and drain any containers filled with water at least once a week
• Clean and scrub bird baths and pet water bowls weekly
• Dump water from potted plant saucers
• Do not transport or share plant clippings rooted in water
• Drill a hole or puncture containers to eliminate standing water

       For more information visit: www.ocvector.org