March 2025 Newsletter

Council Update

We had two Council Meetings and a Workshop on homelessness in February, these are some of the items we took action on:

• Staff presented the General Fund Five-Year Financial Forecast for review and asked for direction to proceed with the development of a fiscally sustainable budget strategy that aligns with the City’s long-term goals and priorities. Staff recommended the City Council approve the allocation of 50% of the FY 23-24 General Fund surplus ($8.25M) to the San Luis Rey River project reserve account and the appropriation of the remaining 50% of the surplus to the El Corazon Park Site 1 project. City Council voted 5-0 to approve staff's recommendation and to direct staff to schedule a workshop for budget discussion to prioritize unfunded Capital Improvement Projects.

• Mayor Sanchez requested to make appointments to some of the City’s advisory groups. Motion: Sanchez. Second: Joyce. Approved: 4-1 (Weiss - No).

The City Council reviewed staff recommendations for a cannabis storefront retail license and provided direction on its framework. The Council approved issuing four storefront retail licenses, with two open to the public and two reserved for existing operators who meet the evaluation criteria. If the qualifications are not met, the reserved licenses will also be open to the public. Existing Type 9 licenses (retail delivery) will be eliminated.

The Council also approved staff’s zoning criteria with an appeal review process, evaluation criteria that includes no penalty for current operators’ length in business, incentives for dedicating 1% of revenue to youth oriented nonprofits, and a merit based awarding process. The top eight applicants will proceed to a final selection panel composed of city officials, with a blind ranked-choice voting system to break ties. The City Clerk will announce the winners publicly.

Additionally, the Council approved staff recommendations on separation requirements, integrity and safeguards, and tax structure. All motions were approved 4-1, with Mayor Sanchez dissenting.

Our next City Council meeting will be on Wednesday, Mar. 12th, 2025 at 5:00pm.

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

Workshop Update

The City Council recently took steps to strengthen Oceanside’s approach to homelessness. After reviewing a comprehensive report, the Council directed staff to refine the Homelessness Action Plan, focusing on expanding outreach, increasing housing options, and improving sustainability.

Key strategies include partnering with social service and behavioral health professionals to reduce police intervention, expanding affordable long-term housing, and diversifying short-term solutions like safe parking, hotel vouchers, and tiny homes. The Council also emphasized public health and safety, regional collaboration, and securing additional funding.

The Council approved several motions made by Councilmember Joyce, including adopting the Standardized Encampment Resolution Fund Model and the By-Name List approach, issuing a Request for Proposal for homeless shelter operations, expanding housing options, and prioritizing affordable housing preservation. While most motions passed unanimously, Councilmember Weiss and I opposed the motion to issue an RFP for homeless shelter operations.

 Getting Out in the Community in January

The Oceanside Fire Department recently hosted its Oceanside S.A.F.E. workshop at Melba Bishop Recreation Center, and it was a resounding success! This free event brought community members together to learn essential life-saving skills, including CPR, AED usage, fire prevention, and emergency preparedness. Attendees left feeling empowered with valuable knowledge to keep their families and neighbors safe. Thank you to everyone who participated and helped make our community more resilient! Stay tuned for future safety workshops and training opportunities. Thank you to the Oceanside Fire Department for hosting such a great event!

The Oceanside Chamber of Commerce hosted another insightful Emerging Issues Forum, featuring an update from MiraCosta College Leadership on-campus construction projects and programs benefiting the business community of Oceanside and North County. Attendees learned about Measure MM bond improvements, apprenticeship opportunities in career education and biotech, and the college’s overall impact on workforce development. Thank you to Tim Flood, Mike Fino, Ben Gamboa, and Kristen Gonzales for sharing their expertise. Stay engaged with the Chamber’s monthly forums to stay informed on key community and business issues!

The League of California Cities - San Diego County Division Meeting brought together city leaders from across the region for an engaging discussion on key local government issues. Highlights included the election of Escondido Council Member Joe Garcia as the Division’s 2nd Vice President, updates from Policy Committee representatives on legislative priorities, and an overview of critical measures impacting cities in the 2025 Legislative Session. Thank you to all who participated and contributed to this important conversation on the future of our communities!

The DRE (CA Department of Real Estate) Enforcement Trends & California’s Homeowners Insurance Crisis event provided valuable insights for real estate professionals and homeowners alike. Held at the El Camino Country Club in Oceanside, the event featured expert speakers, including Veronica Kilpatrick from the DRE, Fred Pfister from White & Bright, LLP, and Sharon Smith from the California Department of Insurance. Topics ranged from real estate licensing & enforcement trends to new insurance regulations & sustainable market strategies.

Congressman Mike Levin hosted a dedication ceremony to celebrate the official designation of the post office on Seagaze Dr. as the “Charlesetta Reece Allen Post Office Building.” I was honored to be the first person to mail a letter from the newly renamed Post Office! Charlesetta Reece Allen moved to Oceanside in the 1930s where she met and married local resident John Callen Mann. She established the Church of God and Christ in 1941 with her sister and served as the minister of the Church. She worked as a cook in a downtown Oceanside restaurant before she began to cater food out of her own home and eventually opening her own restaurant, the first Black-owned storefront in Oceanside. In 1965, Charlesetta was installed as the first President of the North County NAACP. She also founded the Oceanside Girls Club where she served as Director.

Nichols Elementary School’s second graders delighted audiences with their performance of The Barnyard Moosical! This charming play showcased the students' hard work and enthusiasm, earning praise from teachers, parents, and fellow classmates. Congratulations to the young performers for putting on an amazing show and bringing the barnyard to life on stage!

I had the opportunity to lead this month’s North County Dispatch Joint Powers Authority Board meeting, where we discussed important topics related to regional emergency communications. We recognized outstanding staff members for their dedication, reviewed budget updates, and considered policy initiatives aimed at improving our dispatch operations. The Board also addressed contract authorizations and recruitment efforts to ensure we continue providing top-tier fire and medical dispatch services. I appreciate the collaboration of my fellow Board members and look forward to continuing our work to enhance public safety across North County.

The Oceanside Chamber of Commerce recently hosted another Rising Star Student of the Month Award Ceremony! This is one of my favorite events to attend every month. I always leave feeling inspired by the incredible stories of our students who excel in their studies despite significant adversity. Congratulations to the students who were recognized:

• Vivian Ishida, Surfside Academy
• Mikayah Redd, Oceanside High School
• Leslie Zarate, El Camino High School
• Pang Wu, Coastal Academy High School
• Gabriel Fregoso, Pacific View Charter School

What's New in District 2?