By TR Robertson
The June meeting of the Vista Chamber of Commerce Government Affairs Committee covered a range of reports. The meeting began with Steve Harrington, Board of Directors member of the Tri-City Foundation, giving an update on the Foundations work with Tri-City Medical Center. Steve said the Foundation is a non-profit, separate entity for the hospital. Their group is responsible for seeking and obtaining donors whose funds will be used to purchase equipment for the hospital as they seek to improve the health service for the hospital. The Foundation has been around for sixty years. Their office consists of three staff members and contract employees. Some of the purchases they have recently made include a MRI machine, funding the remodel of the hospital’s ER waiting room and an Endobronchial Ultrasound Machine. He said the Corporate Council for the Foundation deals with seeking large companies and significant donors who have larger donations they are willing to give to the hospital. Another major addition the Foundation assisted with is the continued purchase of Mobile X-Ray Machines for the hospital. Ideas for needed equipment comes from grant requests from the Executive Committee for both restricted and unrestricted funds. Tri-City Hospital Foundation
Next on the agenda was Kristal Jabara from County of San Diego, Supervisor Jim Desmond’s Office. Kristal reported along with the County’s assistance, they are close to completing the $20 million-dollar psychiatric wing for the 16 bed Behavioral Health Unit at Tri-City Medical Center. The Supervisor supported a Foster Youth Care Program that would support making foster youth eligible for benefits. He also sent a letter to the Governor in opposition to a .02 cent state gas tax hike. The Council is studying four vehicle mile travel plan proposals.
Kristal also gave an update on the proposed sale of Green Oak Ranch and the County Supervisor’s interest in purchasing the property. The proposed asking price for the sale of 138 acres of Green Oak Ranch is $12 million. Green Oak Ranch is owned by the trustees for the property. The Green Oak Ministry will remain on the property and sits on 28 acres. The County’s proposal for the property is to begin a Sober Living Behavioral Health Services facility serving around 200 people on part of the property, a County Park on part of the property and a Preservation for Sensitive Habitat on part of the property. The Supervisor wanted to make it perfectly clear that the County does not want to put homeless shelters on the property, does not want to put a migrant processing center on the property and does not want to start a walk-in/walk-out health service on the property.
· We want to ensure that there are parameters on any future County use of the site, so that it doesn’t become a shelter or encampments, or a facility where people are coming and going all day and night.
· It is a 166-acre site, the owners are selling 138 acres and keeping 28 acres for the current, family operated, rehabilitation services.
· Leaving 138 acres of potential purchase, with 46 developable acres.
· The parcel that is not for sale (Parcel B, 28.1 acres)
o Greek Oak Ranch has historically operated as a sober living ministry, and that work will continue on the land that is not for sale.
· Designated open space and protected land (Parcels A, 57.8 acres & Parcel D, 5.5 acres)
o County Parks will secure, manage, and preserve the open land and trails, as well as the protected habitat, there will not be people living in the bushes or woods, not a place for homeless and encampments.
· Green Oak Ranch (Parcel C, 46.7 Acres)
o This parcel is south of the entrance and away from Shadowridge.
• What is envisioned for this property:
o Maximum number of people served 200
o A campus for healing
o Sober living
o 24/7 staff and services
o 24/7 security
o Monitored
o Longer term care, not a revolving door.
o No walk-ins, only referrals.
· The people coming here would either be participating in programs voluntarily or they would be under a conservatorship.
Withdrawal management beds: A withdrawal management or detox bed is a specialized clinical facility providing supervised care for individuals undergoing withdrawal from substance abuse, aiming to ensure safety and comfort during the withdrawal process.
Recovery residences: A sober living home is a residential facility providing a supportive environment for individuals with Substance Use Disorder, fostering recovery, accountability, and community.
Board and Care facilities: A board and care facility is a residential setting offering housing, meals, and assistance with activities of daily living for individuals who require some level of support but do not need full-time nursing care
She said the Supervisor is currently meeting with various groups around the district concerning the purchase and possible use of the property. The City of Vista has requested an appraisal of the property. One interested group concerning the purchase of Green Oak Ranch is Solutions for Change. Other parties may be interested in purchasing Green Oak Ranch. In order for any group to purchase and add additional structures a Secondary Easement must be added for Fire Department access. Additional sewer lines would also be needed. County Supervisor Jim Desmond will be giving his State of the County address on Tuesday, June 11, beginning at 9:30 at Sunshine Brooks Theater, 217 N Coast Highway, Oceanside. www.supervisorjimdesmond.com
Governmental Updates
From Congressman Mike Levin’s Office – The Congressman supports the recent proposal on changing border asylum requests to no more than 2,500 per day. Mike Levin helped change the name of the Oceanside Post Office to honor local trailblazer Charlesetta Reece Allen. The Congressman’s web page now has an interactive map that lists and points out all of the funding project the Congressman has assisted in obtaining for the district. www.levin.house.gov
From State Senator Catherine Blakespear’s Office – The State Senate is currently reviewing bills they received from the State Assembly. The Senator supports the Safer California package that includes bills helping with retail theft and Fentanyl issues. The Senator also supports bills to help lower fire insurance costs to homeowners. www.sd38.senate.ca.gov
From Assembly Member Laurie Davies Office – Eight bills have left the Assembly to the State Senate. One of the bills deals with the establishment of apprenticeship programs as an alternative for students after high school. The Assembly Member will be sponsoring a Senior Scam Event to educate Seniors on avoiding text scams. To be held at the McClelland Adult Center. The Assembly Member will be sponsoring a diaper drive for North County residents. On August 2nd at the Assembly Member’s Office a Community Event saluting First Responders will be held that will include finger printing children. The Assembly Member will also be sponsoring a mini library drive targeting selected neighborhoods, one held on August 24th in Vista. For more information go to the Assembly Member’s web site. www.ad74.asmrc.org
From the City of Vista – There will be periodic street closures in Downtown Historic Vista for repairs and additions. This Saturday will be an EDCO shredding event. An EBike safety Training will soon be held. June 20th there will be a Fire Apparatus Ribbon Cutting. June 27th is the next meeting of the Avo Use Committee. The City Council will be holding Green Oak Ranch discussions. The City Council will be dark in July. www.cityofvista.com go to Calendar.
From the Vista Irrigation District – The VID Budget was passed. VID will begin a rate study.
The next Government Affairs Meeting will be at the Film Hub at noon on Thursday August 1st.
