March 2026 Newsletter

Council Update

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

• City Council adopted a resolution approving a Development Plan, Conditional Use Permit, and Regular Coastal Permit to allow the demolition of the existing structure and construction of a full-service electric vehicle charging station with up to 51 EV chargers, two Tesla battery energy storage systems, and a 3,457-square-foot convenience market located at 1501 North Coast Highway. Approved: 4-1 (Joyce - No).

• City Council adopted an ordinance amending the Oceanside Traffic Code by the amendment of Article X, Section 10.28 regarding parking of oversized vehicles. Approved: 5-0.

• City Council approved Amendment 1 to Professional Services Agreement with Dreams for Change to modify the scope of work and establish an annual contract amount of $329,329 for the period January 1, 2026 through December 31, 2026, for a revised total contract amount not to exceed $558,697. Additionally, Council appropriated $166,671 from Measure X assigned fund balance to support Safe Parking Program operations for the period January1, 2026 through June 30, 2026. Approved: 5-0.

Our next City Council meeting will be on Wednesday, March 25th at 5:00pm.

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

 Getting Out in the Community in February

In February, the Libby Lake Community Center hosted a Civic Engagement Workshop as part of an ongoing series aimed at empowering residents to better understand and participate in local government. The February session focused on the Capital Improvement Program (CIP) Process Overview, giving attendees a closer look at how the city plans and funds infrastructure projects. The bilingual workshops are open to all community members and is part of a broader series covering topics such as city departments, the budget process, city council meetings, and how to effectively advocate for community needs.

The Cal Cities San Diego County Division met again in February. The meeting covered several key topics, including a proposed $150 increase in 2026 division dues and a legislative update from Cal Cities. A highlight of the meeting was a presentation from the San Diego County Community Choice Aggregators: Clean Energy Alliance and San Diego Community Power, who provided updates on recent board actions related to energy rates and programs. The meeting also included member and Board of Directors' reports.

I attended the Hong Konger Club San Diego, North County's Lunar New Year Festival at the Oceanside Civic Center Library in February. The Civic Center Library Community Room were filled with energy and joy as community members of all ages came together to ring in the Lunar New Year in style. Guests enjoyed an incredible lineup of activities including traditional performances, lion dancing, Chinese calligraphy, crafts, fortune god appearances, a photo booth, red pocket giveaways, and traditional snack tastings, all completely free! It was a beautiful reminder of the rich cultural diversity that makes Oceanside such a special community. A big thank you to the Hong Konger Club San Diego, North County and the Oceanside Public Library for putting on such a memorable event. I can't wait to see what they have in store next year!

The City hosted two community meetings at Melba Bishop Community Park to gather resident input on potential improvements to the park and community center. With $500,000 in funding available, Oceanside residents were invited to attend either the February 24th session or the February 25th session at the Melba Bishop Community Center to share their priorities for how those dollars should be spent. The meetings represented a meaningful opportunity for community members to have a direct say in shaping the future of a beloved local space.

The Oceanside Chamber of Commerce hosted another Rising Star Student of the Month Awards. This event remains one of my favorite events to attend each month. I always leave feeling deeply inspired by the incredible stories of our students who excel academically and personally while overcoming significant adversity. A huge congratulations to February's outstanding honorees: Alex Aguilar of Surfside Academy, Emily Garcia of Oceanside High School, Sienna-Farryn Miles of El Camino High School, Courtney Brown of Coastal Academy High School, and Melany Solano-Guizar of Pacific View Charter!

In February, the North County Dispatch JPA (NCDJPA) Board of Directors convened at Oceanside City Hall for our regular meeting, bringing together representatives from cities and fire districts across the region. The meeting opened with meaningful recognition of both service milestones and exceptional staff performance, including honors for three dispatchers: Jazmyn Bortness, Grace Goode, and Anne Marie Beissel, who each guided callers through life-saving CPR. The board also received a proclamation designating April 12–18, 2026 as National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week, recognizing the critical role dispatchers play as first responders. Key agenda items included a discussion on the preliminary FY 2026–2027 budget and an update on plans for a new standalone Emergency Communications Center to be built in Harmony Grove. The meeting also included a presentation on workforce vacancy and recruitment efforts.

What's New in District 2?