June 2025 Newsletter

Council Update

We had two Council Meetings in May, these are some of the items we took action on:

• City Council adopted a resolution upholding the Planning Commission’s certification to allow the construction of a 199-unit, 100 percent affordable housing project for low-income households earning no greater than 80 percent AMI, located at the western terminus of Olive Drive.

• City Council adopted a resolution upholding the Planning Commission’s approval of a development plan and density bonus for a 1.74-acre site at 503 Vista Bella.

• City Council voted to approve the appeal challenging the proposed Eddie Jones Warehouse. This action overturned Planning Commission Resolution 2025-P05. As a result, the proposed project has been denied.

• A resolution was proposed to authorize the display of the Pride Flag below the City of Oceanside flag at City Hall during the month of June. After discussion, the City Council voted 3-2 against the resolution. The decision means the Pride Flag will not be displayed at City Hall as proposed.

Our next City Council meeting will be on Wednesday, June 4th, 2025 at 5:00pm.

For summaries of all City Council meetings, please click here.

 Getting Out in the Community in May

I attended the Oceanside Chamber of Commerce’s Emerging Issues Forum in May. This monthly event offers members a valuable opportunity to stay informed and engage with community leaders. Jayme Timberlake, Coastal Zone Administrator for the City of Oceanside, delivered a compelling update on the RE:BEACH Initiative, the City’s key resilience building effort focused on sand restoration and retention. The presentation highlighted the latest developments and implementation phases of this vital project aimed at enhancing our coastal environment. Thank you Jayme for an excellent update and thank you to the Chamber for hosting another impactful Emerging Issues Forum.

I took part in KOCT’s 18th Annual Luncheon Fundraiser in May at Texas Roadhouse. This event brought together community members to support the KOCT mission of showcasing arts, culture, and local government. The luncheon featured a great meal, a silent auction, and opportunities to connect with community advocates, highlighting KOCT’s vital role in promoting Oceanside’s vibrant stories and initiatives. Thank you to KOCT for organizing another successful fundraiser that strengthens our community’s voice!

I attended the League of California Cities San Diego County Division meeting in May. The meeting featured a comprehensive discussion on food insecurity in San Diego County, with insights from Michael Minjares and Andrea Caldwell of the Jacob & Cushman San Diego Food Bank, Patty O’Connor of Feeding San Diego, and Alondra Alvarado of the San Diego Hunger Coalition. They highlighted services and strategies for cities to address community needs. Additionally, the Cal Cities legislative team provided updates on key 2025 legislation.

The 2025 Oceanside Tourism Summit at Frontwave Arena took place in May. Hosted by Visit Oceanside, the event celebrated the first year of implementing the 10-year Sustainable Tourism Master Plan, with notable progress in group travel demand and sustainability efforts. Leslee Gaul, CEO of Visit Oceanside, highlighted a 29% increase in group room night demand for 2024, alongside the city’s growing appeal for high caliber events like the CalTravel Summit and upcoming Sports Illustrated Women’s Games. The summit, coinciding with California Tourism Month, featured a keynote by Olympian Deena Kastor and the presentation of tourism awards, including the California Welcome Center Volunteer of the Year to Linda Aviles. Thank you to Visit Oceanside for hosting this vibrant event that showcased tourism’s vital role in boosting our economy and community.

In May, I also attended the 12th Annual North County Economic Summit at California State University San Marcos, hosted by the San Diego North Economic Development Council. Over 400 business leaders gathered to explore national and international economic trends impacting North County. Naomi Young, Principal Economist at SANDAG, delivered a regional economic analysis, emphasizing the significance of San Diego County’s proximity to the border. A dynamic panel discussion followed, focusing on critical industries driving North County’s prosperity and strategies to address their opportunities and challenges. The event provided each attendee with a copy of the 2025 North County Indicators report, offering valuable insights into the region’s economic ecosystem. Thank you to SDNEDC for hosting this impactful summit that fostered collaboration and economic growth!

I had the pleasure of attending the Armed Forces Day Operation Appreciation at the Junior Seau Pier Amphitheater, hosted by the Oceanside Chamber of Commerce. This annual celebration brought together the business community and residents to honor active duty military personnel and their families. Thousands of attendees enjoyed a day of free food, live entertainment, and a children’s fun zone featuring inflatable jumps, crafts, and face painting, all made possible by generous sponsors. The event fostered a strong sense of community gratitude, highlighted by a catered meal served by local military and civic leaders. Thank you to the Oceanside Chamber for organizing this heartfelt tribute to our service members.

It was an honor to attend the Veterans Writing Group San Diego County book launch party at the Veterans Association of North County. This inspiring event celebrated the release of "A Seat at the Table," a collection of veterans’ stories, featuring food, book sales, and autograph sessions with the authors. The gathering provided a meaningful opportunity to honor Veterans’ experiences and connect with the community. Thank you to the Veterans Writing Group and VANC, including Garry Garretson, for hosting this memorable event that showcased the power of Veterans’ voices. Get your copy of the new book by clicking here!

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