“Getting sand on the beaches is the city’s first priority”, Mayor Esther Sanchez told the first MainStreet Monthly Meeting in a year and five months Tuesday.
About 30 people attended.
The second priority for the city going ahead, Sanchez said, is dealing with the homeless and the third is revitalizing businesses.
About $5 million is programmed for sand replenishment by 2024, $2 million for retrofitting a shelter for the homeless and $1 million to help businesses recover from the pandemic, she said.
Sanchez told of plans to renovate the former Ocean Shores continuation high school into the city’s first permanent shelter (50 beds) for the homeless. She said she would have preferred to have the job done by Interfaith Community Services and believes it has a more-local approach, but the council majority chose San Diego Rescue Mission, which she said presents a more-regional outlook. (Interfaith lost its bid on a 3-2 vote of the council, Sanchez and Councilman Ryan Keim dissenting).
”Congratulations to downtown businesses”, Sanchez said, referring to re-openings after months of pandemic. “You helped us get through a very difficult time,” she said. Sanchez particularly cited the re-opening of the Farmers Market and said “it made us feel somewhat normal.”
“There are still challenges,” Sanchez said, “but we are coming back stronger.”
“A survey asking about city priorities has been returned by 800 people so far, Sanchez said, and is still ongoing and can be accessed on the city’s Website. Businesses are doing a really good job of getting the surveys back,” she said. Access the survey here.
Sanchez asked local businesses to participate in a Job Fair Sept. 25, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. at Civic Center Plaza.
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“City staff estimates that municipal revenues suffered a $12-million loss due to COVID-19,” Sanchez said.
About 60 percent of Oceanside residents have been vaccinated against the disease, compared to about 80 percent in San Diego.
She spoke briefly about the city’s role in the County Water Authority and said the city’s own Pure Water Project goes “above and beyond” efforts elsewhere, “We’re leaders in the county,” she said.
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Next, Darra Woods, Senior Civil Engineer with the city, told of plans for Phase II of beachfront improvements, part of a project which began in 2006/7 and includes the Junior Seau Beach Community Center, amphitheater and Betty’s (parking) Lot. She said Phase I is under construction, and a contract for Phase II planning has been let to the design firm of Johnson Favaro (Culver City).
There will be a public-outreach program from 10 a.m. to noon Aug. 28 at the Community Center. The goal is to complete a plan for council consideration next year.
In other business:
Gumaro Escarcega, Director of Business Development, announced MainStreet’s Ambassador program is back in full swing to help both tourists and locals downtown; the Sunset Market is back in operation and the Taste of Oceanside will return Oct. 2.
Escarcega told of the mosaic mural, the fourth mural of the Art that Excites program, and said a committee is still working on landmark signs for different areas.
Fred Armijo, named Police Chief earlier this year, said the city is trying to recruit more officers and marketing in other departments to save the $70,000 cost of initial training. It’s hard to lose an officer for four hours at a time when one has to accompany a homeless person to Palomar Medical Center in Escondido for mental evaluation. He was asked why someone else can’t do that task, but he said there are times when a trained officer is needed for safety’s sake.
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Armijo, an Oceanside native, pushed hard for more group activities for youth, saying he benefitted greatly from the Boys and Girls Club when he was a youngster.
Kristal Jabara, Director of Community Affairs for County Supervisor Jim Desmond, said the board has been on summer break, but the supervisor has been working on a new coalition in partnership with Orange County.
Fernando Hernandez, aide to Assemblywoman Tasha Boerner Horvath, D-Encinitas, said he has been contacting small businesses about their needs.
Kathy Kinane, founder of the annual Thanksgiving Turkey Trot, said she is expecting a great turnout this year and the associated foundation has been contributing to local charities.
Sanchez announced the Aug. 21 Grand Opening at 9 a.m. of the city’s new aquatic center at El Corazon, off Rancho del Oro Drive north of Oceanside Boulevard. “It’s a party,” she said.
Maureen Sullivan, communications specialist at KOCT, North County Community Television, said it is airing programs on retail vendors at the Sunset Market and that it will help present a Dia de Los Muertos program Oct. 24 in downtown Oceanside (where it began). She said it will include a classic car show with more than 50 vehicles, altars, a chalk cemetery and flowers by Mellano Farms. More information is available at msullivan@koct.org.
The MainStreet Morning Meeting is held on the first Tuesday of each month at 8:30 a.m.
We welcome all parties interested in the progress of Downtown Oceanside, including businesspeople, residents, and City staff.
This informative one hour meeting is held in an informal discussion format. The general public is always welcome! Come meet your city officials, MainStreet Oceanside staff and members and find out about upcoming events and changes to YOUR downtown and city.
The MainStreet Morning Meeting is held at the MainStreet Oceanside meeting room at 701 Mission Avenue. Call our office for directions at (760) 754-4512.
