Fountain Valley’s City Hall fountain is back after a year of repairs
Fountain Valley can officially live up to its name again.
The City Council re-dedicated the refreshed centerpiece fountain outside its Slater Avenue headquarters Tuesday by ceremoniously pouring cups of water into the main basin, which had already been filled. As the water pierced the glassy surface, the fountain’s jets gurgled to life and water danced about the newly resurfaced, 5,800-gallon pool closest to the street.
The city has been working for about a year to bring back the fountain, which was drained in 2015 during the drought. With a budget of about $260,000, the city repaired sections of the overall 17,000-gallon fountain that had become dilapidated. It also partially restored flow and added landscaping to the upper sections where water no longer runs.
The large bowl closest to the City Hall entrance now features a sago palm and fountain grass to mimic a bursting spray, with a bed of aloe and succulents with greenish-blue, finger-like leaves.
City manager’s pay raised again
City Manager Rob Houston on Tuesday received his second raise in about six months.
The council unanimously approved a merit increase of nearly $7,000, or 3%, bringing Houston’s annual base salary to $236,800 from $229,900. The bump comes after a positive employee review following his first year as the city’s top appointed executive.
Houston joined Fountain Valley in July 2017 with a salary of $210,000. He received a raise of nearly $20,000 in March so he would make a 5% higher annual base salary than the police chief, whom he supervises.
General Plan Advisory Committee appointments
The council appointed four residents to the General Plan Advisory Committee.
Karl Lutke, Clarence Alvey Jr., Robert Alcantara and Sheri Vander Dussen will serve on the 15-member panel as the city begins the first comprehensive update of its planning blueprint in 23 years.
The four new members represent geographic quadrants of the city. The committee also will have representatives of the City Council, the business community and school boards.
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