APRIL 2022 · UPDATES FROM THE CITY OF MURRIETA · MORE MURRIETA | |
Message from the City Manager
April 2022
Spring is here and the City of Murrieta team is ready to connect. We have many, many exciting events coming up this month and throughout the spring so make sure to read on and learn more.
We also have new staff to introduce you to, programs to highlight, and awards to share about. Read on to learn more about the following stories and more in this edition of More Murrieta!
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Murrieta welcomes new fire chief and administrative services director
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City receives Distinguished Budget Presentation Award
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$1.1M in federal funding approved for Murrieta projects providing regional impact
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Murrieta Fire & Rescue turns 75 and hosts their annual Firefighter's Barbeque this month
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Murrieta PD joins Inland Empire Mail Theft Task Force
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Mark your calendar for upcoming events and meetings
I hope to see you out and about in Murrieta this month, because, as you know, we are Connected by Community.
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Kim Summers
Murrieta City Manager
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City Welcomes New Fire Chief and New Administrative Services Director
New chief and director both joined City of Murrieta in March
Bernard Molloy II, Fire Chief
The City is pleased to announce Bernard Molloy II as the department’s new Fire Chief. Officially appointed on March 21, Chief Molloy is the 10th chief in Murrieta Fire & Rescue’s 75-year history.
Chief Molloy comes to Murrieta as a division chief for the Lakeside Fire Protection District and has lived in Southwest Riverside County with his family for the past 20 years. Chief Molloy is a motivated and progressive public servant with a positive attitude and passion for fire service and leadership. Throughout his 22-year career Chief Molloy previously served as a firefighter/paramedic, engineer, captain, fire academy instructor, and a division chief. He is experienced in fire department operations, budgeting, overseeing emergency medical services (EMS), as well as community risk reduction.
Chief Molloy has a Master of Science in Emergency Services Management, is a National Fire Academy Executive Fire Officer Program graduate, and holds a California State Fire Marshal Chief Officer Certification. In addition, he has served as a hazardous materials first responder and a strike team leader. He has also been involved with firefighting organizations on a statewide level, including the California Fire Chiefs Association, San Diego County Emergency Medical Care Committee, and the San Diego County Fire Chiefs Association.
Chief Molloy will be ceremoniously pinned at the April 5, 2022 Murrieta City Council meeting.
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Diego Chavez, Administrative Services Director
Diego Chavez was selected as the City's new Administrative Services Director. Diego was the Human Resources & Risk Management Administrator for the City of Rancho Santa Margarita where he oversaw human resources, risk management, and emergency management. He has nearly 20 years of experience in human resources and personnel management and is passionate about the field.
"Murrieta is a thriving city with a rich history and shared values. I am humbled and excited to join the Executive Team as the next Administrative Services Director. I want to thank Kim Summers for this opportunity, and I can't wait to contribute to the connected culture she has developed. Work quality and teamwork are essential to me, and I plan to be an approachable and positive leader for my staff and the City."
Diego has a Bachelor of Science from the University of Idaho in Business Management and Human Resources and holds the professional designations of Professional in Human Resources (PHR) and is certified by the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM-CP). He is also bilingual. He has been a valued member of Rancho Santa Margarita's Executive Team and is very excited to join the City of Murrieta team and get to know the employees and community.
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Mark Your Calendar
Upcoming special events and public meetings
Spring Special Events
April Public Meetings
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City Council | April 5, 19
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Parks and Recreation Commission | April 7
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Library Advisory Commission |April 18
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Planning Commission |April 27
Meeting times and dates are subject to change. Please visit the City's agenda website for meeting details and full agendas.
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Murrieta City News
Check out general City updates and information
City Receives Distinguished Budget Presentation Award
The City of Murrieta is proud to be the recipient of the Government Finance Officer Association’s (GFOA) Distinguished Budget Presentation award for its biennial budget document. This award represents a significant achievement for the City of Murrieta and its Finance Department. It reflects the commitment of City Council and staff to meeting the highest principles of governmental budgeting.
This is Murrieta’s first Distinguished Budget Presentation award since 2007, highlighting the substantial effort that went into the most recent budget document.
To view the City’s award-winning biennial budget, visit the Finance Department’s website at www.murrietaca.gov/finance.
Murrieta Receives Federal Funding for Projects Providing Regional Impact
The City of Murrieta is excited to share that federal funding was approved as part of the Fiscal Year 2022 Appropriations bill bringing $1.1 million to Western Riverside County to fund homeless prevention efforts and emergency preparedness.
The City’s regional homeless services will receive $500,000 and an additional $600,000 was allocated for emergency operations equipment at Loma Linda University Medical Center Murrieta. The funds are the result of Community Project Funding requests supported by the 42nd Congressional District.
For more information on the City of Murrieta’s legislative affairs program, please visit the City’s website.
SCE Conducting Aerial Inspections Over Murrieta
Over the past few weeks, Southern California Edison (SCE) conducted aerial inspections in various areas of Murrieta utilizing drones and/or helicopters. SCE inspectors are doing this so they can inspect equipment in hard-to-reach areas and from difficult angles. These inspections are just one part of SCE’s broader wildfire prevention and mitigation program focusing on keeping the community safe. The amount of time it takes to conduct aerial inspections varies. Please visit SCE's website for more information on their wildfire prevention efforts.
Please help us share this information with your friends and neighbors in case you see an SCE drone or helicopter in the area.
Updated City Council Districts Take Effect April 1
The City of Murrieta has five districts with a City Council member representing each. During the fall and winter of 2021/2022, the City completed a comprehensive redistricting effort. All cities with City Council districts must engage in redistricting every ten years following the decennial census in order to ensure that there is a balanced number of constituents living in each council district.
The City held a total of eight meetings regarding the redistricting process, resulting in the adoption of Ordinance 572-22 amending the City Council district boundaries during the March 1, 2022 City Council meeting. As of April 1, the new Redistricting Ordinance is now in effect. To see the current map, please visit MurrietaCA.gov/Redistricting.
Have questions? Please contact City Clerk Cristal McDonald at Redistricting21@MurrietaCA.gov or (951) 461-6030.
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Murrieta Fire & Rescue
MFR celebrates 75 years of service and safety
Murrieta Fire & Rescue celebrates its 75th anniversary
On April 16 of this year. It was on that day in 1947 that the citizens of Murrieta voted to form the Murrieta Fire Protection District. With $1,400 donated by the community, the Fire District purchased a 1941 International 4x4 crash truck. At the toll of a bell atop the Methodist Church, the 10 Fire District volunteers responded to six calls that first year. In 1987, Murrieta Fire & Rescue changed from an all-volunteer fire district to a combined career and volunteer-staffed Fire District. Always on the cutting edge of fire protection, in July 1990, it was the first fire department in Riverside County to implement the Emergency Medical Technician - Defibrillator (EMT-D). In August of 2018, MFR became the first accredited fire agency in Riverside County and the 18th in the state. The department now employs 62 sworn personnel and 11 administrative staff.
Murrieta Firefighters BBQ
After a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic, Murrieta Fire & Rescue (MFR) is hosting its annual Firefighter’s Barbeque on Saturday, April 23, 2022, from 12 p.m. - 6 p.m. at Murrieta’s Town Square Park. In celebration of MFR’s 75th anniversary, this year’s event will be bigger than ever with live music at Murrieta’s Town Square Park Amphitheater, in addition to a variety of activities throughout the day. The Murrieta Firefighter’s Barbeque is one of Riverside County’s longest running events, with the first barbeque held in 1948. As is the tradition, barbeque guests will enjoy a smoked tri-tip lunch, music, beer and wine garden, bag toss tournament, and vendors’ market. Attendees will also get to cheer on fire explorers from throughout Southern California in the annual Fire Explorers “Muster” Competition.
The day will be filled with fun, food, and entertainment, and is a way for the community to show their support for the dedicated public safety personnel serving at MFR. It is also a way for MFR to show its appreciation for the community it has served the past 75 years. In addition to the traditional barbeque fare, this year’s event will feature additional food options and general vendors, live music, and a DJ. Fun for all ages, this is an event the Murrieta community won’t want to miss. Visit the Murrieta Fire & Rescue Firefighter's Barbeque website for more information.
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Community Services Department Updates
Creating community through people, parks, and programs
Tour de Murrieta
The Tour de Murrieta cycling race will take place on Saturday,
April 2 and Sunday, April 3. This will be the Tour de Murrieta’s 17th anniversary. Additional information about this event can be found on the Tour de Murrieta website. The first of several race categories is expected to begin at 7:30 a.m. The start/finish line is on Juniper Street in front of the Senior Center. The 3.5-mile Circuit Race will take place Sunday, April 3 beginning at 7:30 a.m. and is expected to conclude around 4:30 p.m.
Alternative Recreation Program
The City’s Alternative Recreation Program (ARP) offers activities for special needs adults 18 years and older, the purpose of which is to promote social skills, verbal and non-verbal communication, creative expression, and special friendships. It will be a “hoppin’ good time” at the ARP event on Friday, April 8 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.! Come join in the fun as all things spring are celebrated. The cost for participants is $2 with guardians and caregivers free. This program takes place in the multipurpose room at the Community Center located at 41810 Juniper Street.
Spring EGGstravaganza
This year’s Spring EGGstravaganza will take place on Saturday, April 16 from 9 a.m. until 11 a.m. at Town Square Park. There will be six egg hunt categories broken down by ages. There will also be an under 2-year-old and special needs area cordoned off. Over 10,000 eggs will be ready for the hunting and there will be lots of fun activities for the kids throughout the morning, as well as bunny photo ops! In addition to the egg hunt, families can review class information and ask questions of various instructors at The Rec Expo, which takes place at the same time. The Recreation Expo showcases the talents of our recreation class instructors. The Community Services Department has ten recreation class instructors participating and ten vendors for the event. Check out the City's special events webpage for addition information.
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City Seeks Input on ADA Efforts
Residents and visitors encouraged to share their experiences
The City recently launched surveys to receive input from both the community and organizations assisting persons with disabilities. This feedback will assist in addressing and prioritizing current and future accessibility needs. Residents and visitors are encouraged to share their experiences so the City can learn what is currently meeting constituent needs and what additional improvements might need to be considered. These comments and opinions are important to the City of Murrieta and will provide valuable information regarding how the City can better serve the community.
Surveys for the public and for organizations serving those with disabilities are open until Monday, May 23, 2022 at 5:30 p.m. They are available from the City’s ADA Coordinator (details below) and at the following websites:
Individuals can also send an email or call the ADA Coordinator with comments and suggestions without completing a survey. The City of Murrieta’s ADA Coordinator is Human Resources Manager Mike McGhee. Please contact the ADA Coordinator with questions, comments, or to request a survey in an alternate format.
ADA Coordinator Contact:
Mike McGhee
1 Town Square
Murrieta, CA 92562
Email: ada@MurrietaCA.gov
Phone: (951) 461-6432
TTY through California Relay at: 7-1-1
Information regarding the Americans with Disabilities Act can be obtained from the ADA Coordinator and additional details about City of Murrieta’s ADA efforts and resources for those with disabilities can be found at MurrietaCA.gov/ADA.
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Public Library Activities
Earth Day celebration, In-N-Out cover to cover reading program, free programs, and more
Earth Day Celebration
The Murrieta Public Library is presenting a special Earth Day Celebration on Saturday, April 9, at 10:00 a.m. The all-ages event will feature crafts, planting activities, and a festive, free plant trade. The program will be held behind the Library.
In-N-Out Cover To Cover Reading Program
The In-N-Out Cover to Cover Reading Initiative continues at the Library! Read five library books and earn a free hamburger, cheeseburger, or grilled cheese (limit of three per participant). The program lasts until Saturday, April 16 and is for children ages 4 to 12 years. Reading logs are available at the Children’s Desk.
Children Services Department
The Children’s Services Department will host a 3D Create & Print event on April 14, at 4:30 PM. Reservations are required to attend this free program. Click here to reserve a spot.
Adult Services Department
The week of April 11, the Adult Services Department will be offering a DIY Multi-Necklace Kit. Each kit includes various beads, charms, and chains to produce five different necklaces.
Library Closed April 2
The Library will be closed on Saturday, April 2, for the Tour de Murrieta bike races. No items will be due that day and book drops will be unavailable.
Sign Up for the Library Newsletter to Stay Up-to-Date
To stay current with what’s happening at the Murrieta Public Library and have a chance to win a prize every month, sign up for the Library’s monthly Newsletter. Please visit bit.ly/murlib to sign up. As always, staff are available to answer questions via phone by calling (951) 304-BOOK.
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Murrieta Police Department
Murrieta PD joining Inland Empire Mail Theft Task Force
Every year, the citizens of Murrieta trust the US Postal Service to deliver letters and packages to their intended destinations, the vast majority of which ultimately arrive with no issue. Unfortunately, there are thieves who target the mail in order to commit identity theft and other forms of fraud, or theft of gifts, money, prescriptions, etc.
In order to help combat the issue and to provide further service to the citizens of Murrieta, the Murrieta Police Department Detective Bureau has partnered with the Unites States Postal Inspection Service to place two of our detectives on the Inland Empire Mail Theft Task Force. This will also allow Murrieta PD to investigate and prosecute mail theft crimes in the city. The detectives will receive specialized training on mail theft and fraud crimes associated with the US Mail, have access to federal databases and resources to assist in their investigations, and will be able to file the cases Federally where the penalty is typically higher than at the State level.
This approach facilitates a coordinated response between our local police department and USPIS to combat mail theft, deter future mail theft and identity crimes, as well as the sharing of information between agencies. This is another step the Murrieta Police Department is taking to provide the highest level of police services to our community.
Visit the Murrieta Police Department website for more information.
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Economic Development Updates
New shop local incentive program with bonus gift card offer coming to Murrieta
The City of Murrieta is proud to implement an exciting shop local small business incentive program to support the Murrieta community and help local businesses overcome some of the challenges they faced during the COVID-19 pandemic. The program is expected to launch in the summer of 2022 and is slated to last until the end of 2026.
Approved by the Murrieta City Council at the March 15, 2022 meeting, the program allocates $1 million from the City’s American Rescue Plan Act funds to support residents and businesses alike. Through this program, the City will offer a digital gift card that makes it fun and easy to keep local spending local. A key element of the campaign is the City-provided bonus gift cards given to shoppers when they purchase eGift cards through the program. For example, someone can purchase a $50 card and get a $50 bonus gift card funded by the City.
The City is planning a comprehensive outreach campaign to educate businesses about this opportunity and promote it to residents and shoppers. “We encourage all Murrieta businesses to take advantage of this great program and take part in the various promotions the City will launch throughout the course of the program,” said Scott Agajanian, Deputy Director of Economic Development at the City of Murrieta.
Participating in the shop local incentive program means supporting the heart of what makes our community unique. The purchase of a Murrieta eGift card creates a pool of cash that local businesses in Murrieta can rely on. Studies have shown that local independent retailers recirculate 47% of their revenue back into the community, while only 14% of national chains’ revenue stays in the community. More dramatically, local restaurants recirculate 73% of their revenue back into the community, versus 30% for national chains.
If you are a Murrieta business and would like to participate, email Scott Agajanian at SAgajanian@MurrietaCA.gov to be added to the interest list.
Participate in Regional Start-up Competition
Every April the County of Riverside celebrates Innovation Month. Do you have a start-up? Come make your pitch for the judges! Participants will be given the opportunity to deliver a 5-minute pitch to a panel of judges. The grand prize winner will receive $1,000 compliments of the Law Office of Benjamin Diederich and Kristin Harrison DIY Divorce. The grand prize winner, which must be a technology-focused business, will move on to participate in the Riverside County Innovation Month Grand Finale with total prizes of $30,000.
The competition takes place on Monday, April 4 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Menifee City Hall. The deadline to register is Friday, April 1. You can find the flyer and link to the application at Murrietaca.gov/econdev.
The City of Murrieta would love to see members of the Murrieta start-up community represented at this regional event! This is the time to put yourself and your start-up idea out there!
Rediscover Downtown Murrieta
Make sure to check out Market Nights in downtown. The first and third Thursday of the month join Downtown Murrieta 395 for an evening of vendors, entertainment, food, and fun from 5 p.m. - 9 p.m. Find details on the Downtown Murrieta 395 website.
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Have you downloaded the City's new app yet?
Murrieta Fix It app is convenient way to report issues
The City of Murrieta launched a new app to make it quick and convenient to report issues throughout the city: Murrieta Fix It. The Murrieta Fix It app makes connecting with the City of Murrieta simple. This is your tool to help improve Murrieta by reporting local issues like potholes and graffiti or damaged trees, playground equipment, street signs, and sidewalks.
The process to report an issue is handled quickly and easily by opening the app and submitting a service request. You can then track the City’s response. The app harnesses the power of GPS to provide a precise location for staff so that they can begin fixing the problem quickly. You can also include a photo with your report to help the City easily identify the problem. Downloading and using Murrieta Fix It is free and helps you proactively help create the best Murrieta, where we are Connected by Technology.
Visit MurrietaCA.gov/fixit to learn more or download the app on Google Play or the Apple Store on mobile devices.
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Murrieta's Birthday Bash is Back!
Mark your calendar to celebrate the City's 31st birthday in June
The City's Community Services Department is excited to spread the word about this year’s Birthday Bash! On Saturday, June 25 from 2 p.m. – 9 p.m., the City will celebrate its 31st birthday with the community. Together, we will rock out to live bands (Rock By Night and Queen Nation) and enjoy vendors, the always-popular firefighter’s hose down, fireworks, and family-friendly fun! If you hear of people/businesses/organizations who would like to be a vendor, they can visit the City's events website at www.MurrietaCA.gov/events.
We hope you will join us as Murrieta celebrates 31 years of cityhood!
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Join the Murrieta team!
Check out jobs at the City of Murrieta
The City of Murrieta is consistently ranked one of the best places to work in the Inland Empire and has a strong organizational culture and dedicated workforce.
Have you considered looking for the next step in your career by serving your community? Check out the City's jobs website and learn more about current openings. Make sure to check back often, as new positions are listed frequently.
Visit Murrieta's Jobs website today!
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