Issue 137 – July 2023
RE: MEMBERS

California JPIA Welcomes New Member, City of Fountain Valley
Fountain Valley, previously a member of the California JPIA for 32 years, rejoins the Authority after a five-year hiatus. The city elected to participate in the California JPIA’s Excess Liability Program as of July 1, 2023.
Fountain Valley staff presented the opportunity to rejoin the Authority to its city council, citing cost savings but also a desire for access to training and support services.
“The California JPIA provides excellent customer service and valuable resources to assist its members from a liability standpoint. Their staff is personable, helpful, and knowledgeable in their areas of expertise,” said Fountain Valley City Manager Maggie Le. “We are excited that the Fountain Valley City Council supported our staff recommendation to rejoin the California JPIA.”
“The California JPIA’s customer service has always been great,” said Fountain Valley City Clerk Administrator Rick Miller, who administers the city’s risk management program. “The training program provided by the Authority is also highly regarded and welcomed by all of our employees.”
Fountain Valley, in northern Orange County, is bordered by the cities of Costa Mesa, Garden Grove, Huntington Beach, Santa Ana, and Westminster. It was incorporated in 1957, and its name refers to the area’s high-water table and artesian wells. It is home to a population of 55,496 residents.
“From our initial meetings with the City of Fountain Valley, it was clear that risk management is an important element of the city’s operations,” said California JPIA Chief Executive Officer Alex Smith. “We look forward to supporting the city and working with staff to take their risk management best practices to the next level.”
The city’s public safety resources include a police department and two fire stations.
Fountain Valley hosts more than 150 acres of neighborhood parks, recreational buildings, and athletic facilities. The city has twenty-one (21) parks, a community center, a 16,652-square-foot senior center, and a sports complex. Mile Square Regional Park is a 640-acre park that features two lakes, two 18-hole golf courses, playing fields, picnic shelters, and a 20-acre urban nature area that is in the city limit but is operated by County OC Parks. Annual special events managed and staffed by city employees and volunteers include Summerfest, movies and concerts in the park, a Lunar New Year Luncheon and cultural events, senior holiday luncheons, a Senior Expo, Classic Car and Truck Show, an Egg Hunt, a Crawfish and Lobster Festival, a Winter Dance, and a Tree Lighting Ceremony.
“I am enthusiastic to have the City of Fountain Valley join the California JPIA,” said California JPIA Senior Risk Manager Lucy Gonzalez, who supports the Authority’s members in Orange County. “During the application process, it was clear that the city’s management understands and adheres to proper risk management practices and values the safety of both residents and staff. I look forward to collaborating with Fountain Valley to further strengthen their risk management policies and protocols.”
Welcome back, City of Fountain Valley, to the California JPIA!
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