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Council Update
February was a slower month than usual, however we had two City Council meetings. We presented a proclamation in honor of National Black History Month. Additionally, we honored individuals in the community for Legacies in Leadership: Lillian Adams, Willie Buchanon, Raye Clendening, June Parks, and Gwen Sanders. We adopted an ordinance amending Chapter 14C of the Oceanside City Code. Finally, we conducted the second reading and adoption of an ordinance to renew the Oceanside Tourism Marketing District.
Our next Council Meeting will be held on March 13th, 2024 at 5:00pm.
Getting out in the Community
I attended various community events/meetings in the month of February. Here is a recap of them. The month started off with the Oceanside Chamber of Commerce hosting their monthly Emerging Issues Forum. I attended the League of California Cities, San Diego County Division meeting. Additionally, I attended a Board meeting for North County Transit District. I met with the SANDAG Public Safety Committee after recently being appointed to this committee. I really enjoyed the opportunity to attend Oceanside Theatre Company's Black History Month presentation titled "Generational Black Pioneers." The Oceanside Police Department hosted their Annual Member Recognition Luncheon. I attended the gym rededication at Melba Bishop Rec Center. In addition to the rededication, we also celebrated the Oceanside's Finest basketball program led by Donal Yasukochi, one of our local farmers. County Supervisor Jim Desmond was present to be recognized for his efforts in securing funding for Oceanside's Finest through the Neighborhood Reinvestment grant program. The Chamber of Commerce also hosted their Rising Star of the Month award. I attended a board meeting for the North County Dispatch Joint Powers Authority. Finally, I toured the new Frontwave Arena, I believe it will be a great addition to our city.
District 2 Landscaping Update
For the past few months, I have worked with city staff to identify areas in the district which require landscape maintenance. These areas are know as Landscape Maintenance Districts (LMDs). These districts are funded through homeowner assessments, some of which have not kept up with the rising costs of the maintenance. The significant rain received over the past months, has created a significant amount of growth of weeds, grasses, and other undesirable vegetation. Thanks to the excellent work of our recently hired Contract Coordinator, Valerie MacAdam, you have probably noticed a significant improvement in our roadside vegetation planted areas. Also, many of our roadway dividers have also seen improvement. What you should know, is that vegetation management is complicated in that not all areas are the city’s responsibility to maintain. Planted areas, fall into the responsibility of either, the City, the State, the Federal Government, a Landscape Maintenance District, a Homeowners Association (HOA), a homeowner, or a private business. For instance, the center dividers and roadside planters running down Douglas Drive, from Mission Ave., to North River Road, have sections where all of these entities have responsibility. This is why you see such variation in maintenance. Sometimes it takes action by the City Code Enforcement Division to get the responsible party to clean up their respective area.
On February 19th, I toured all of District 2 with Valerie MacAdam, Public Works Division Manger Nathan Mertz, and City Manager Jonathan Borrego. All areas the City is responsible for maintaining has either had work done, or has a written plan in place and a schedule for work to be completed in the near future. Other areas of private responsibility that need attention have been put on notice to do the work or be cited. Please keep in mind that funds for this work is limited and staff sometimes has to make decisions as to where the greatest need is. For instance, there are areas where it was determined that the irrigation system was completely inoperable. The replacement of these systems may take up all the allotted funds for that area, which means that additional work make have to wait until the following budget year. Landscape maintenance in a city our size is not an easy task. With time and dedication of staff, such as Valerie MacAdam, you will continue to see improvements as you drive through the city. Should you know of an area that needs attention or see an irrigation system that is malfunctioning or not working at all, contact Customer Care at (760) 435-4500.
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