The City’s Economic Development Division remains committed to helping businesses stay and grow here in Oceanside. Learn about Ionis Pharmaceutical’s new manufacturing site, Tri-City Psychiatric Health Care facility, Alta Oceanside’s mixed-use construction, and more in the November edition of the Economic Development Newsletter.
Concrete Pier Bridge & Lifeguard HQ Project Outreach Meeting
Funded by Measure X, the Pier View Way Bridge & Lifeguard Headquarters Improvement Project is exploring the rehabilitation or replacement of the white concrete structure known as the Pier View Way Bridge, which incorporates the City’s Lifeguard Headquarters. A second public outreach meeting on the project will be held on Thursday, November 10 at 6:30 p.m. at the Civic Center Library Community Rooms at 330 N. Coast Highway. Hear about the project’s progression, the recommended approach, and view schematic designs and initial renderings. Join us
November Carlsbad Government Affairs Committee Hears from Solutions for Change and California Restaurant Association’
By TR Robertson
This months Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce Government Affairs Committee featured presentations by Chris Megison, Executive Director of Solutions for Change and Peter Fenolio, Director of Political Engagement for the California Restaurant Association.
Peter Fenolio outlined the purpose behind the California Fair Pay and Employer Accountability Act proposal set for the 2024 election ballot. He said currently groundwork is being laid to stop the Private Attorney General Act (PAGA) which he said is a bad law that only works mostly for trial attorneys. He said since 2016 over $8 billion dollars has been paid out with most of the money going to attorneys collecting from decisions brought by lawsuits for mostly frivolous occurrences. He said each PAGA lawsuit has a probable payout of $200,000 dollars, mostly going to the attorneys. He gave several examples of now trial attorneys are reaping the rewards of these lawsuits such as a case where the attorney who brought the suits received millions of dollars in payment the individuals bringing the lawsuit only received $100 each. Peter showed charts listing the money awarded from business in Retail and Grocers, Healthcare and Hospitals, Manufacturing, Transportation and Warehousing, Food Services, Construction, Hotel and Lodging, Real Estate, Mining, Oil and Gas. Peter said the proposal for the 2024 ballot will help alleviate shakedowns and frivolous lawsuits, allow the administrative process to enforce the labor code not trial attorneys and assure that 100% of the settlements goes to the employee. Currently there is a $2 billion dollar tax on businesses. His group and others will be educating workers and employers about the new proposal. It has cost over $10 million dollars to get the proposal to the ballot with many of the funds coming from the Californian New Car Dealers and Western Growers Association. For more information go to www.fppc.ca.gov or www.CAfairPay.com or ReformPAGA@CalRest.org .
The next presentation came from Chris Megison, Executive Director of Solutions for Change. He said that since 1999 their organization has been involved in assisting and solving homelessness in communities. They have assisted over 1,350 families to change their lifestyle and gain independence through jobs and education. Chris gave a power point presentation that showed the three programs they use to assist families. Solutions Academy is a 700-day life skill and vocational readiness program. Solutions in the Community involves getting families involved in a variety of ways and Solutions Enterprises is a working agricultural enterprise many of the families are involved with. Solutions is currently involved in A New Era for Solving Homelessness program transforming Overcomers into viable community members. He said homelessness is not just about housing and you cannot build your way out of homelessness. The Solutions for Change program strives to Equip, Lead and Empower people to solve the situation they are in. The Solutions for Change approach has a 73% success rate and 93% of the people that complete their program do not go back to a homeless lifestyle. Chris said one growing issue is the mental health crisis children are going through. The current proposal going to the Carlsbad City Council is to build a new Solutions for Change campus at 945 Chestnut Avenue in Carlsbad. The new development plan to take the existing property and build a training academy with campus housing for 22 on campus two-bedroom apartments. The 16,000 square foot facility is located on a ¾ acre site. Chris is seeking support for the proposal.
Legislative Reports:
Jason Haber – City of Carlsbad – The City Council has adopted 5-year strategic plan developing priority objectives which will have an annual review. Department meetings are also being held reviewing how new state bills will affect their departments. New policies are possible from the Public Safety Agency. Traffic issues on ebike safety and other traffic violations are being discussed. Election Day is Nov. 8 – 2 candidates for Mayor, 6 candidates for District 1 City Council and 2 candidates for District 3 City Council. Fire Station 7 expansion will be discussed Nov. 15th. Discussion will begin on possibilities for the SDG&E Operating Yard development. December 6th Homeless program will be discussed and Dec. 13 the new Council will be sworn in.
Crystal Page from County Supervisor Terra Lawson-Remer – An education framework is being developed for schools concerning the growing fentanyl problem. There has been a spike in flu cases and flu shots and COVID boosters are recommended. Make sure to use approved election drop boxes for ballots. SANDAG has voted to remove the road usage charge.
Jack Cleary from State Senator Patricia Bates Office – The Senator is terming out. Selected Legislator of the Year in Orange County. Received awards for her support of businesses in the state.
Jessica Ramirez from U.S. Congressman Mike Levin’s Office – The Congressman recently completed a meeting and discussion concerning the coastal bluff erosion issues and its effect on the economy in coastal towns. Retired Major General Peggy C. Combs was recently honored. Congressman working on Veterans Affairs in lowering taxes on military pensions.
Bret Schanzenbach – CEO Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce – The Chamber has hosted 3 forums on various upcoming elections relevant to Carlsbad – Mayor, City Council and School Board. All forums are available on the Chambers web site – www.carlsbad.org .
Changes are Coming ‘Redistricting’
By Assemblymember Marie Waldron
Redistricting has rearranged legislative boundaries throughout California, including the 75th Assembly District that I have represented for the past 10 years. The current district includes the cities of Escondido, San Marcos and Temecula, along with Bonsall, Fallbrook, Palomar Mountain, Pauma Valley and Valley Center. But that’s changing.
Escondido and San Marcos will now be located in the 76th Assembly District, and Temecula will be in the 71st. The 75th has been expanded to the east, now taking in most of rural northern and eastern San Diego County from the Riverside County line to the Mexican border, and east to the Imperial County line. It covers about two-thirds of San Diego County.
Redistricting also creates some technical issues. On November 18, our legislative data system will go dark as technicians in Sacramento go to work transferring constituent records into the new districts. The data system will be live again on December 5th. Hopefully, records will be updated so that constituents are correctly included in their new districts and constituent needs can be handled by the appropriate Assembly offices.
The 2023-2024 session begins on December 5th. Normally, the one-day session welcomes new and returning members who get sworn in, sometimes introduce a few bills, then go home for the holidays. The new session begins in earnest after January 1st, but this time there may be more to it. Governor Newsom is talking about a special session to raise taxes on oil companies, which he says will make them cut the cost of gasoline. Yep, that’s the plan. Anyway, if there is a special session, it will most likely also occur on December 5th. In reality, nothing much is likely to happen.
The real work will begin after January 1st. Given the present state of California, we’ll have our hands full.
Assemblymember Marie Waldron, R-Valley Center, represents the 75th Assembly District in the California Legislature, which includes the communities of Bonsall, Escondido, Fallbrook, Hidden Meadows, Pala, Palomar Mountain, Pauma Valley, Rainbow, San Marcos, Temecula, Valley Center and Vista.
The Nutcracker
Ballet – 3D Animation with Live Dancers
A joyful event for local families, audiences can expect an uplifting and magical performance complete with a 3D animation, giant mice doing battle with toy soldiers, dancing snowflakes, a Nutcracker that transforms into a handsome prince and exotic dances from around the world.
*Military staff and families of 10 and more please contact us for a special discount
**Pre Schools, Kindergarten, Girl Scouts Contact us for group special discount of 10 and more
In Every Corner Sing!
Come hear the beautiful, exciting music of Vaughn Williams and Stanford sung by The Center Chorale and Pacific Coast Chorale with Full Symphony Orchestra and critically acclaimed baritone soloist Gregorio Gonzalez. Get in touch with your inner pirate as we embark on a choral adventure on the musical sea of the Stanford Songs of the Fleet and hear Vaughn Williams’ Five Mystical Songs mystical poetry that touches and inspires.
Hunt For Art
There are many hidden art treasures in Escondido to be found, and we will discover them All. The treasure hunt/scavenger hunt gives you clues to finding them. But just to be fair, we will all leave at the same time. You will be given your first clue Saturday evening at 4:00 PM online. Then the next one is at the next location.
Upon finding and arriving, you will find the next clue, and so on. Each week we will discover hidden treasures about Escondido art and the artist that made it. Each hunt will take somewhere between 1 to 5 hours depending on you and your team. You may choose to find the clue, and then quickly move on to the next clue, or you may want to simply stay awhile and enjoy the art at that clue’s location and then move on to the next one. You may opt to stay and enjoy the venue (Your 1st drink is on me and the theater tickets are paid for as well.) Teamwork is encouraged although not mandatory. The object is to have fun discovering Escondido’s hidden art treasures.
You will receive the link to the first clue online, and after your spot is reserved. All the other clues will be found in one of the hidden treasures in Escondido. You can take part in as many hunts as you like. They all start Saturday evening at 4:00 PM online, where you will be given your first clue for the night.
A donation will be made in your name after you pay for your entry to the Southern Sudanese Community Center of San Diego. Thank you for your participation. Good luck and have fun!
Your ticket gives you admission to hidden art treasures, admission to a few of the locations like the theater, and a glass of wine (if you are 21 years old.) You will receive your 1st clue at the start of the event on Saturday night at 4:00 PM.
Affordable Housing Development Opens In Carlsbad
By Anita Lightfoot, County of San Diego Communications Office
A ribbon cutting ceremony in Carlsbad Thursday celebrated the opening of a new affordable housing development, the first of its kind in the seaside community. Located on Harding Street and Oak Avenue, Windsor Pointe offers 50 affordable homes ranging from studios to three-bedroom apartments. The units are for veterans and their families earning between 25 and 60 percent of the area median income (AMI) and unsheltered individuals living with severe mental illness. Supportive services are available on-site to assist those individuals experiencing mental challenges and crisis.
The project is the result of partnerships between the County, the City of Carlsbad, Affirmed Housing Group and other community organizations. The development will remain affordable in the community of Carlsbad for 55 years.
The County of San Diego is supporting more than a dozen projects that are currently under construction across the region. Combined, the developments will add more than 950 affordable housing units to our local communities.
The Windsor Pointe complex aligns with the County’s Framework for Ending Homelessness, which was approved by the Board last year.
As part of the framework, the County has committed to investing more than $53 million to create supportive housing for persons with a serious mental illness who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness.
Anita Lightfoot is a group communications officer with the County of San Diego Communications Office.
It’s Time For The Carlsbad Village Street Faire This Sunday
More than 100,000 visitors come to town twice a year for the largest one-day street faire in the nation. The faire runs the first Sunday of May and November. This year it is on November 6th!
The Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce organizes the event, which features 900 arts and crafts booths, antiques, Kiwanis Club pancake breakfast, international food center, a huge section with children’s rides, and a certified Farmer’s Market.
To reach the faire, take Carlsbad Village Drive west from I-5. Free shuttle bus service is provided from the Shoppes at Carlsbad (Jefferson exit, south of Highway 78) and the Coaster Station (Avenida Encinas, Poinsettia exit, west of Interstate 5). For more information about the Faire, contact the Chamber at (760) 931-8400. If you would like more information about becoming a vendor, visit Kennedy Faires Event Management.
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