October 2026 Newsletter

Halloween Trunk or Treat

Get your costumes ready! Oceanside Parks and Recreation is bringing back the Halloween Spooktacular: Trunk or Treat on Saturday, October 17, from 2:00 to 5:00 PM at Mance Buchanon Park. Children 12 and under are welcome to trick-or-treat from decorated trunks, and the afternoon also includes a crafts booth, inflatables, and group games for the kids. Best of all, the event is free. It's a great chance to get out and enjoy a fun, family-friendly afternoon with your neighbors. For more information, you can contact Oceanside Parks and Recreation at (760) 435-5041.

San Luis Rey River Flood Control Project Mowing

If you live or travel near the San Luis Rey River, you may have noticed crews at work. In September, the Public Works Department began mowing the Phase 1 and 2 sections of the San Luis Rey River Flood Control Project. Vegetation flagging and focused bird surveys were completed earlier in September, before the mowing started. So far, crews have finished the stretch from Benet Road to upstream of Foussat Road and have moved on to the area downstream of the Douglas Drive bridge. Public Works anticipates the mowing will take about six weeks in total, which would put completion around the end of October. If you have questions about the work, please reach out to our office and we will connect you with the right people at the City.

Mobile Home Updates

October Community Events

 Getting Out in the Community in September

I had a wonderful time attending the Honoring First Responders, hosted by Assemblywoman Laurie Davies. The event celebrated dispatchers, crisis responders, law enforcement, firefighters, lifeguards, medical professionals, utility crews, and volunteers, including many from right here in Oceanside, such as members of our Oceanside Police Department, Fire Department, and Lifeguards. It was a powerful reminder of the dedication it takes to serve and of how much our community depends on the people who run toward danger. To everyone who answers the call every day, often putting the safety of others before their own: thank you for your courage, service, and sacrifice.

I arranged a meeting that brought together relevant personnel from Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, the Oceanside Police Department, and City staff to address public safety concerns in the neighborhoods near the base gate. We discussed ongoing issues affecting nearby residents, including speeding, street racing, and excessive vehicle noise, and explored how local and base partners can better coordinate on enforcement and accountability. Our neighbors deserve safe streets and quiet nights, and I appreciate everyone who came to the table. I will keep working with all parties to find lasting solutions that protect our community and respect the service members who are part of it.

I attended the City of Oceanside's 9/11 Memorial Remembrance Ceremony to honor the nearly 3,000 lives lost on September 11, 2001, and to pay tribute to the first responders who ran toward danger that day. It was a solemn reminder of the sacrifice and heroism of so many, and of the unity our country showed in the aftermath. I am grateful to the firefighters, police officers, lifeguards, military members, and neighbors who gathered together to remember. We will never forget, and we will continue to honor those who serve and protect our community every day.

Save Our Streets' hosted its 8th Annual 9/11 Tribute at Melba Bishop Park, where I was proud to host a table and offer remarks during the opening ceremony. On the 25th anniversary of that tragic day, we gathered in memory of the innocent victims and in gratitude for our first responders, including the Oceanside Fire Department, Lifeguards, and Police Department, along with our military veterans and their families. It was a meaningful morning of community, with music, a free BBQ, and neighbors from across Oceanside coming together. Hosting a table gave me the chance to connect with residents and hear what matters most to them. Thank you to Save Our Streets and all of the community partners who made this tribute possible.

I enjoyed attending The Ruby Revelry, Oceanside Theatre Company's housewarming celebration and fundraiser at the historic Sunshine Brooks Theater. The event marked OTC's 15th anniversary and supported the next chapter of the organization, including its professional productions, youth theatre education, apprenticeship opportunities, and community programs. It was a joy to celebrate with fellow arts supporters, and to see Ajay and Toni Junious, co-founders of Soultry Sisters, honored with the Hattie "Sunshine" Brooks Award for their contributions to the arts in our community. The arts are part of what makes Oceanside special, and I am proud to support the people who keep downtown's cultural district thriving. Congratulations to everyone at Oceanside Theatre Company on 15 years, and here's to many more.

The Oceanside Utilities Commission met in September. The commission advanced a recommendation to the City Council on a change order for water infrastructure purchasing, made appointments to the Water/Sewer Committee, and received staff updates on the city's sewer operations, San Diego County Water Authority activity, and upcoming Green O events. Reliable water and sewer service is something every Oceanside resident depends on, and I appreciate the commissioners and city staff for the time and care they put into protecting it. I look forward to continuing to serve as a link between the commission and the City Council.

I attended the North County African American Women's Association's 29th Annual Gentlemen's Gourmet, "A Moonlight Affair," at MiraCosta College, and I was honored to serve as a judge. The evening is a spirited cooking competition and scholarship fundraiser where local gentlemen team up with professional chefs. It has helped NCAAWA award over half a million dollars in scholarships to students across North County. Tasting the creativity and care that went into each dish was a real treat and it was inspiring to spend the night with community leaders, educators, and neighbors who are investing in the next generation. Congratulations and thank you to NCAAWA, its volunteers, and its sponsors for their continued commitment to opening doors for our students.

The League of California Cities Annual Conference and Expo was held in Anaheim last month. City leaders from across the state gathered to learn from one another and shape policy that affects every community. I came away with fresh ideas on topics that matter to Oceanside, including municipal resilience, economic relief for residents, and new approaches to protecting our communities. Conversations with fellow elected officials were just as valuable because so many cities face the same challenges we do, and the best solutions often come from sharing what works. I'm grateful for the opportunity to represent Oceanside at the conference, and I look forward to bringing these ideas home.

I attended the Libby Lake Community Meeting at the Libby Lake Community Center, where residents came together to discuss the College Avenue bridge project and its current delay. Neighbors shared their questions and concerns about the project timeline, pedestrian safety, and the need for enforcement, and they also brought forward solutions of their own. The conversation was open and constructive, with city staff on hand to provide an update and clarify next steps. I will continue working with staff and the Libby Lake community to keep the bridge moving forward. Thank you to everyone who showed up and spoke up.

I attended the San Diego Rescue Mission's North County Huddle Luncheon, where community leaders gather to learn about homelessness in our region and the approach needed to solve it. We heard an overview of the Mission's regional system of care, insights from local civic and business leaders, and a powerful testimony from a student in recovery. According to the Mission, 938 men, women, and children have permanently exited homelessness through its programs in the past three years. Stories like those are a reminder that lasting solutions are possible when government, nonprofits, and the community work together. I'm grateful to the San Diego Rescue Mission for the invitation and for the work they do to restore lives across North County.

Council Update

We held two Council Meetings in September, here are some of the items we discussed:

• Staff recommended the City Council approve a 5-year agreement with World Triathlon Corporation to host the annual Ironman 70.3 Oceanside triathlon, with payment to the City for municipal services not to exceed $57,000.
• Item pulled for discussion by a member of the public. Motion: Approve, Robinson. Second: Weiss. Approved: 5-0.

• Staff and the Police and Fire Commission recommended the City Council adopt a resolution accepting $57,403 in grant funds from the FY 2025 U.S. Department of Justice Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant for crime suppression.
• Item pulled for discussion by members of the public. Motion: Adopt the resolution, Sanchez. Second: Robinson. Approved: 4-1 (Joyce - No).

• Staff recommended the City Council adopt a resolution amending City Council Policy 100-55 concerning policies and procedures for naming City facilities.
• Motion: Adopt the resolution, Weiss. Second: Robinson. Approved: 5-0.

• Staff requested the City Council receive the Capistrano Access Study and provide direction to staff.
• Motion: Explore options 6, 7, and 8, the possibility of a new offramp for Camp Pendleton, creating defensive space, and consider feedback directed by the Council, Sanchez. Second: Weiss. Approved: 5-0.

• The City Attorney recommended the City Council, Harbor District Board, and Community Development Commission adopt resolutions approving amendments to the City's local conflict of interest code.
• Motion: Adopt the resolutions, Weiss. Second: Joyce. Approved: 5-0.

• Mayor Sanchez requested to make appointments to, or motions for removal from, some or all of the City's advisory groups.
• Motion: Approve, Sanchez. Second: Robinson. Approved: 5-0.

• Staff recommended the City Council approve a five-year contract with Axon Enterprise, Inc. for two Skydio Drone as First Responder (DFR) drones, in an amount not to exceed $682,556, with an additional ongoing annual appropriation increase of $45,833 to the General Fund starting in FY 2027-28.
• Motion: Approve the contract, Sanchez. Second: Robinson. Approved: 4-0 (Weiss absent).

• Staff recommended the Community Development Commission adopt a resolution certifying the Program Environmental Impact Report (PEIR) and Mitigation, Monitoring, and Reporting Program (MMRP) for the Pier View Way Bridge, Lifeguard Headquarters, and Beachfront Phase II Project.
• Motion: Adopt the resolution, Robinson. Second: Figueroa. Approved: 4-0 (Weiss absent).

Our next City Council meeting will be on Wednesday, October 7th at 5:00pm.

Click here to view the Agenda for the next meeting!

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