City ServicesCity Hall (714) 990-76001 Civic Center...

City Services

City Hall (714) 990-7600

1 Civic Center Circle

Police (business) (714) 990-7625

1 Civic Center Circle

Fire (business) (714) 990-7644

1 Civic Center Circle

Post Office (714) 529-3000

700 E. Birch St.

In Emergency, Dial 911

Government City Council: John Sutton (mayor), Norma Arias Hicks (mayor pro tem), Clarice Blamer, Carrey Nelson, Gene Layton City Manager: Edward G. Wohlenberg

Fire Chief: Jerry McDowell

Chief of Police: Donald L. Forkus

Education

Adults over 25

Years of school completed:

0-11 years 16.6%

12 years 33.3%

13-15 years 27.2%

16+ years 23.0%

Median years completed: 13.0

FOCUS

Art as Identity From rowdy oil town roots and a landscape of oil rigs, Brea emerged as the county’s unlikely leader in public art. In a city of 30,000, more than 60 public artworks stand, and in at least one case--sit--at shopping centers, office buildings and apartment and condominium complexes. A city brochure guides visitors on a tour of the large-scale outdoor artworks. The impressive art program began in 1975, when foresighted city officials planned for a distinctive city identity at a time when empty Brea fields were rapidly sprouting urban developments. With the establishment of an “Art in Public Places” policy, developers who build projects of $500,000 or more are required to include a public artwork valued at 1% of that figure, or to donate the amount to the city art fund. The fund, now at $60,000, prompted the city arts staff to apply to the National Endowment for the Arts for a matching grant to launch an international sculpture competition. Hoping to attract an artist with a nationally recognizable style and name, the city plans to bring international noteriety to the existing collection of abstract and representational sculptures by emerging and mid-career artists. In 1980 the city opened the Brea Civic-Cultural Center, which not only houses City Hall, police, fire and school district offices, it offers an art gallery, a 200-seat theater, a television studio--where local shows, “Video Brea Line” and “Brea Beat” are taped--a county branch library, conference rooms and a 350-seat community room. Annual events include an author lecture series, a local talent show, three community theater group productions and summer children’s theater productions. The city is also planning to form an orchestra with funds from the privately-held Brea Foundation. The non-profit organization, which helps the city stage six art gallery shows each year, contributes grants to fund cultural, human and recreational services--including the city’s annual “Arty Party--” an educational art event for elementary school students.

Statistics

Population: (1986 estimate) 33,432 Area: 11 square miles Incorporation: Feb. 23, 1917 Median household income: $36,847 Median home value: $106,233

Racial/ethnic mix: white, 92.1%; Latino, 12.4%; black, 0.5 %; other, 7.3%

(Total is more than 100% because racial/ethnic breakdowns overlap)