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The City of
Murrieta sends out the "City Scene" newsletter every month
to residents that are subscribers. This is a
"text-only" copy of that document. To view the full PDF
document, go to the City of Murrieta's e-Scene archive located HERE.
Murrieta Commission Vacancy
The City of Murrieta invites interested residents to apply to serve on the following Commission for a term expiring June 30, 2008: Community Steering (At-Large Representative from Central Area between I-15 & I-215) 1 seat meets 2nd Monday at 6:30 p.m.
Only Murrieta residents 18 years of age or older may apply for appointment. It is anticipated that the City Council will make appointments on February 19, 2008. Those selected serve without compensation, are required to: take an oath, agree to an ethics code and take an ethics class, and may be required to file a Statement of Economic Interests.
An application, along with a description of duties, may be obtained from the City Clerk’s Office at City Hall, 26442 Beckman Court, Murrieta between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. An on-line application and Commission information may also be obtained here.
The deadline for returning applications to the City Clerk is 5:00 p.m., January 25, 2008.
Stay Prepared Murrieta
California is known for its earthquakes and wildfires, but Mother Nature added heavy winds, rains, mudslides and blizzards to the mix this winter, according to the American Red Cross.
Residents and tourists are reacting to a winter storm that began blowing in from the Pacific Ocean yesterday bringing rain, snow and high winds. Hundreds of thousands have been affected by power outages, road closures and mudslide, flood and blizzard warnings.
To be better prepared for the next winter storm, the Red Cross offers the following tips:
Know your area's flood risk--if unsure, call your local emergency management office or planning and zoning department. If it has been raining hard for several hours, or steadily raining for several days, be alert to the possibility of a flood.
When a Winter Storm WATCH is issued listen to NOAA Weather Radio, local radio or TV stations for further updates. Be alert to changing weather conditions. Avoid unnecessary travel.
When a Winter Storm WARNING is issued stay indoors during the storm. If you must go outside, several layers of lightweight clothing will keep you warmer than a single heavy coat. Avoid traveling by car in a storm, but if you must... Carry a disaster supplies kit in the trunk. Keep your car's gas tank full for emergency use and to keep the fuel line from freezing. Let someone know your destination, your route and when you expect to arrive. If your car gets stuck along the way, help can be sent along your predetermined route.
When the power goes out do not use candles for lighting. Use flashlights only. Use items in the refrigerator first, then freezer, then non-perishable foods. Use generators correctly – If you have a portable generator and the power goes out, always plan to keep the generator outdoors. Never operate it inside, including the basement, garage, carport or near any open windows. Connect the equipment you want to power directly to the outlets on the generator. Do not hook up a generator directly to your home's wiring.
Conserve and Stay Warm
Southern California Gas Company expects natural gas bills this winter to be about the same as last year. Based on current energy industry price projections, residential customers that consume 75 therms of natural gas per month this winter are likely to see a monthly average heating bill of about $80 to $90 compared to $85 last year. Customers living in apartments can expect their monthly average bill for 30 therms to be about $30 to $40 this winter compared to $35 last year.
Help conserve energy and keep your winter energy bills lower. Since home heating accounts for 65 percent of your winter natural gas use, the best way to help keep winter gas bills low is to focus on the furnace.
Keep heating systems operating safely and at peak efficiency with regular maintenance and repairs.
Check furnace filters monthly and clean or replace according to manufacturer recommendations.
Lower the furnace thermostat three degrees to five degrees, health permitting, and turn it off when away from home. This can help save up to 20 percent on the winter bill.
Safe Winter Driving
Winter driving on roads and highways in the snowcapped mountains of California can be a pleasant adventure or it can be frustrating, tiring and sometimes even hazardous. The California Department of Transportation provides the following information to help make your mountain driving safe and pleasant.
Before Heading for Snow Country:
Make sure your brakes, windshield wipers, defroster, heater and exhaust system are in top condition.
Check your antifreeze and be ready for colder temperatures. You may want to add special solvent to your windshield washer reservoir to prevent ice from forming.
Check your tires. Make sure they are properly inflated and the tread is in good condition.
Always carry chains. Make sure they are the proper size for your tires and are in working order. You might want to take along a flashlight and chain repair links. Chains must be installed on the drive wheels. Make sure you know if your vehicle is front or rear wheel drive.
Other suggested items to carry in your car are an ice scraper or commercial de-icer, a broom for brushing snow off your car, a shovel to free you car if it is "snowed in", sand or burlap for traction if your wheels should become mired in snow and an old towel to clean your hands.
It is also a good idea to take along water, food, warm blankets and extra clothing. A lengthy delay will make you glad you have them.
Weather conditions may warrant detouring traffic from the main roadway. It is strongly suggested that drivers always keep an updated map containing the areas of travel.
If you have a cellular telephone, pre-load the Caltrans Highway Information Network (CHIN) phone numbers for convenient, updated road conditions.
Put an extra car key in you pocket. A number of motorists have locked themselves out of their cars when putting on chains and at ski areas.
Driving Tips:
Allow enough time. Trips to the mountains can take longer during winter that other times of the year, especially if you encounter storm conditions or icy roads. Get an early start and allow plenty of time to reach your destination.
Keep your gas tank full. It may be necessary to change routes or turn back during a bad storm or you may be caught in a traffic delay.
Caltrans officials urge you to check road conditions often. To help keep abreast of changing conditions, Caltrans operates the Caltrans Highway Information Network which motorists may telephone - 800.427.7623 - for up-to-the-minute information in California and Western Nevada (Lake Tahoe/Reno Area).
Come Enjoy Murrieta's Newest Parks
Just in time for our summer schedule of events, phase one of Town Square Park and Amphitheater officially opened to the public on March 17, 2007. The park amenities include open turf, an amphitheater and stage, a dirt and gravel walking path along the perimeter of the site with benches, and eventually our Veteran’s Memorial and the “Murrieta Through Time” exhibit. The park lends itself to such activities as concerts-on-the-green, movies-in-the-park, theatrical stage performances, picnicking, and walking. The Murrieta Community Services Department (CSD) has also expanded two of its existing parks.
We have added a second soccer field and a second ball field to Copper Canyon Park as well as public parking, a restroom, tot lot, basketball courts, and trail extensions. Mira Mosa Park saw the installation of public parking, basketball courts, open turf, and a covered picnic shelter. Earlier this fiscal year, the city opened its largest park complex to date. The first phase of Los Alamos Hills Sports Park encompassing approximately 40 acres is the city’s premier sports complex including four baseball fields, three football fields, and six soccer fields, all of which are lit to accommodate extended play into the evening hours. In addition, the park has three tot lot areas, three covered picnic shelters, and a multi-use trail system.
The CSD has also accepted three developer constructed parks: Springbrook, Palomar, and Sykes Ranch Parks. Developer-built parks are constructed by the developer of a particular residential tract as part of a development agreement and then turned over to the city for public access and on-going maintenance. With the city’s acceptance of these three developer-constructed parks, the Murrieta CSD now maintains 44 parks and over 1,400 acres of park, streetscape, open space, and trails. Next year, we have are hoping to complete the design of several major CSD projects:
Los Alamos Hills Sports Park Phase 2, Torrey Pines Park, the Teen Center, and the Veteran's Memorial at Town Square Park. We anticipate the acceptance of Blackmore Ranch, Northstar, and Creekside Village Parks. These are developer built park sites. We also hope to complete the update to our Parks and Recreation Master Plan. For a full listing of park facilities and their associated amenities, please visit our website at www.murrieta.org under the Parks and Recreation page.
City Manager's Report
The new numbers are out and Murrieta's growth continues at an outstanding tempo. The city has now reached more than 97,000 residents. This is a growth rate of 130 percent since the year 2000. While this is occurring, the City Council continues to establish policy direction to ensure a high quality of life and the city staff is working hard to keep up with the pace. In a community survey conducted this year, 86 percent of city residents rated Murrieta's quality of life “good" and “excellent.”
The services that rated “very" and “extremely important" to residents included maintaining a low crime rate, providing fire protection and prevention services along with emergency medical services, managing traffic congestion on city streets, and suppressing gang activity. I believe as you read through this annual report edition of CityScene, you will see that we are working to improve in each of these areas. This past year, the city was recognized as the 39th most crime free US city with populations more than 75,000. We continue to hire additional officers each budget cycle. The police department is also participating in gang suppression by hosting a regional Gang Task Force that brings together local, state, and federal law enforcement officials at our police station.
We are improving fire and emergency services with the groundbreaking of permanent Fire Station Four near Antelope Road, in the north side of the city, and in July, fire engine five, along with its crew, will be activated and will move into their site on Vineyard Parkway near Calle Del Oso Oro in 2008. This will substantially decrease response times within the city. The Engineering Department has been collaborating with Caltrans and has begun the interchange improvements at Los Alamos and Interstate 215. These are scheduled to be completed in November 2007. There are four more projects slated for construction during the next five years, two along Interstate 215 (Linnel Lane and Clinton Keith Road) and two on Interstate 15 (Los Alamos and California Oaks Roads). City streets and road improvements continue to be a priority. This year we completed major improvements on Jefferson and Adams Avenues along with Murrieta Hot Springs Road. Town Square continues to be built out. This year we finished the new Murrieta Library, a 24,000-square-foot facility that will house a collection of 75,000 items, and Town Square Park, the centerpiece of Town Square, that will host a variety of city events and local activity.
City Hall, also located at Town Square, is under construction and will be completed early 2008. It will represent the city well and host the new City Council chambers. Economic development has been established as a top priority for the Council. With the announcement of The Garrett Group as the development partner for The Golden Triangle, the city will soon have Southwest County's premier office, retail, and entertainment project complex. The lifestyle center will include Class A offices, a hotel with conference facility, a theater, upscale retail, restaurants, and entertainment venues for everyone to enjoy. The site, located at the confluence of Interstates 15 and 215, will total 1.3 million square feet. It is scheduled to break ground in fall of 2008 with phase one opening in fall 2009. To assist with development, the Planning Department has begun reviewing the MU-2 and MU-3 (multi-use) zoning codes and this year the Council has approved realignment of both Antelope Road and Monroe Avenue. Lastly, I would like to thank the City Council and staff for all their hard work along with the volunteers and commissioners who make this city an exciting place to live and do business. You truly make Murrieta “A Great Place to Grow.”
Ronald E. Bradley
Murrieta is Recognized as a SAFE City
Murrieta remains the safest city in Riverside County and one of the safest in the state and nation for populations between 50,000 and 100,000 according to the most recent crime statistics published by the F.B.I. for 2005. The city was also cited as the 39th safest city in the nation by the Morgan-Quinto Press in 2006. The Murrieta police department holds the unique distinction as the only municipal police department in Southwest Riverside County.
Most of our police personnel live within the community and have a vested interest in providing safety and customer service to Murrieta’s almost 98,000 residents, visitors, and business populations. In keeping with the ever-increasing demand for police services, the City Council added seven officers during fiscal year 2006/2007. These positions included a new police service dog and handler, two detectives, two lieutenants, and two patrol officers. Twelve additional officer positions are planned for fiscal year 2007/2008 beginning July 1, 2007. Tentatively, five of the officer positions are slated for patrol duties, two for traffic enforcement, two detectives, one administrative lieutenant, a crime analyst, three dispatchers, and two clerical staffers will be added to better assist public requests for police reports and other documents.
In an effort to better serve our juvenile population, an additional School Resource Officer will be assigned to a middle school. A Youth Accountability Team (YAT) officer position and a Youth Court program will be created this fall. Preliminary architectural plans have also been drawn for the final 15,000-square-foot expansion of the existing police facility to accommodate the allocated 92 sworn, 41 civilian, and future police personnel as the city continues to its build-out phase. In addition to staffing increases, technological and equipment capital has been added over the past year. Murrieta officers are one of the first in the county to be equipped with the Dodge police vehicles, which have enhanced safety features and are more cost efficient. Digital cameras, recorders, surveillance, and safety equipment have recently been implemented to aid officers with criminal investigations.
Over the next year, mobile data browsers (MDBs) inside police vehicles will decrease response times by mapping the quickest route to a location and allow officers to view pending calls for service, enabling the closest or most appropriate officer to be dispatched. Additional MDB features will allow officers to view important safety information in an electronic format such as photo, video, and audio files.
Fire Department Continues to GROW
The Murrieta Fire Department celebrates 60 years of service in 2007. In 2006, the department responded to 5,790 calls for service. Medical aid requests accounted for the majority of those with 3,716 calls. There were 720 fire related calls, including requests for assistance involving fireworks response and investigation of ringing alarms. The remaining 1,358 calls were classified as other, and include such things as help with animals, lock-outs, public assists, and requests for support by other agencies. This represents a nine percent increase over similar calls the previous year. According to Chief Paul Christman, who has now been with the department for approximately one year, "The fire department continues to grow along with the community. We are adding additional stations and expanding others.”
This is evidenced by the groundbreaking and start of construction on permanent Fire Station Four in the northern portion of the city, the award of the construction bid for the fire administration expansion, and preparations for fire engine five that will become operational in July and housed in another facility until the permanent station is built in 2008. To prepare for Fire Station Five, the department has conducted promotional testing for three captains and three engineers and has held recruiting tests for 12 additional firefighter/paramedics. They have also purchased a new fire engine that will be delivered soon. "An additional priority for the fire department is our emergency disaster response systems,” says Christman. "We need to constantly be updated, trained, and practiced so that if, and when, a disaster occurs, we are ready.”
This past year, the department adopted the National Incident Management System (NIMS) to remain federally compliant in the area of disaster readiness and conducted five Emergency Preparedness Community Forums. The team also coordinated online NIMS training of all city staff tasked with responding during an emergency, and participated in the Office of Emergency Services (OES) region-wide disaster response drill along with training 48 city staff who would work in the upgraded Emergency Operations Center (EOC) facility in the event of a city-wide disaster. Additionally, eight fire and police department personnel were trained to serve as instructors in the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program. The Fire Department estimates that they will respond to 6,000 calls in 2007. With the addition of engine five, response times throughout the city will be reduced, improving the delivery of critical public safety services in Murrieta.
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