Council Meeting Results

Tuesday was an interesting day. We had the recall election, which failed. Councilman Buckley will retain his position on the council. It's just too bad the taxpayers have to foot the bill for an election that clearly by the results, no one wanted to see succeed.

We also heard the appeal made by Trevi owner Michel Knight. There was much discussion, but in the end we voted not to revoke his C.U.P. at this time. Rather, we made an offer; Trevi brings everything up to code standards and agrees to drop the lawsuits he has brought against the city. He has until March 23 to accept the offer. If he does not accept, his C.U.P will be revoked.

Tough Times, Simple Solution

http://www.thetreasurebox.org/video.php

Elsinore First Assembly, located at 19740 Grand Avenue has teamed up with an organization called Treasure Box.

This organization provides quality nutritious food for significantly less than what you would pay at the grocery store.

The food is name brand and costs $30 per box. If you click on the link at the top of this post you can watch the news video about this organization.

This is not government assistance. This is not food stamps or WIC.

We have a lot of folks out of a job. We have seniors who are having a tough time paying the bills. We have families struggling. We have kids who are hungry and parents who can't afford to feed them.

This organization may be the help you need during these tough times.

**I have not tried the food myself so I cannot comment on the quality**

Pick up is at Elsinore First Assembly once a month. Go to www.thetreasurebox.org/pr to order. You must pre-order your box.

Tidbits

I thought I would share a few items of interest with all of you.

1) Plan were submitted the week of Feb 1st for a new Italian Restaurant called Grapes & Tomatoes, to be located in the Canyon Hills Shopping Center. That's good news, we could use more restaurants.

2) Last week, roughly 300 people from the Lambs Fellowship worked in the city to help those in need. Volunteers worked on two properties. One was a home owned by a 101 year old woman who was in desperate need of roof repairs.

3) The other home, occupied by a senior citizen, had no landscaping in the front yard, just dirt. Volunteers helped to landscape the front yard. Looks like good things happen when the community pulls together to help each other out.

4) Plans are still going forward for Walgreens to move into the old Burger King site on Mission Trail. They submitted their initial plans in January.

5) Saturday auditions were held at the Diamond Stadium to select who will sing the National Anthem on opening day, April 8th. And no, I don't know who won!

6) The recall election is set for Tuesday, February 23rd, which is next week. No matter your opinion, you need to vote. This election could be decided by one vote, will it be yours?

Feb 9 Council Meeting Stats

First, to those of you who visited this site earlier today and instead found an obnoxious Go Daddy advertisement, SORRY! I don't know what happened, but it was fixed fairly quickly.

And now, the update on what we'll be looking at on Feb 9th.

PUBLIC HEARING
1) Resolution declaring weeds, rubbish, refuse and dirt a nuisance: property owners to be notified.

There are about 8,200 vacant properties subject to this notification. If the resolution is adopted, notices will be mailed to these property owners. They will be asked to abate the weeds, rubbish, etc. or they will be assessed the cost for the city to conduct the abatement.

BUSINESS ITEMS
1) Consideration of Citizens Activity Teams Volunteer Program

This is a program brought forward by Mayor Pro Tem Bhutta. It is a program designed to use volunteers from the community for services such as: mail delivery between city facilities, light clerical, reception desk, illegal sign removal, on-site work at City Yard, Senior Center, Lake facilities, citizens patrol, business patrol, shoreline patrol, parking/traffic control, event assistance, neighborhood watch.

The estimated cost to implement the program without grant funding is $6,000.00
The estimated cost to implement with grant funding is $3,500.00


2) Modification to Grading Permit for the project known as La Strada

The applicant is requesting a modification to their grading permit to allow quarry/processing of material on-site, as well as acceptance of an addendum to their Mitigated Negative Declaration (MND). An MND is a document that shows how an applicant will reduce the effects their project will have on the environment (ie: air quality, noise, biological resources, transportation, etc.)

Recall Information

I know there has been a lot of media coverage about the recall over the past few days. I thought I would try to clear some things up.

First, I personally had no idea that any raids were going to be conducted anywhere. I found out when the press called me and asked if I knew what was going on. Imagine my surprise when the reporter asked if I'd heard anything interesting going on? I said no, have you? He said, actually yes, I have.

Second, I have absolutely no idea whatsoever why they searched City Hall. I also didn't know about that one until the press called me asking questions. Nothing like being the last to know. Although in this case, I'm not even the last to know, since no one has told me anything.

If they are looking at campaign finance forms and land purchases, that's all public record so they would not need a search warrart to look at those items. So I really don't know what they were looking for and they sure aren't telling anyone.

So, the short answer is I know only what I have read in the paper. I wish I had more information, but I don't. Guess we'll just have to keep watching the papers.

If you have any questions I'll answer them as best I can but at this point I don't have much to offer.

Coffee Talk

Hello again everyone! This post will be short and sweet, but I do have a bit of news to share with you.

Every second Wednesday of the month, from 9:00 - 10:00-ish, I will host a "Coffee with the Mayor" at Flour Fusion Bakery on Main Street.

This is a chance for residents and business owners to come by and let me know what's on their minds, get answers to their questions, or just come by to introduce themselves to me.

I know how much most people hate the thought of standing at that podium with the camera on them at a council meeting to make a comment.

So...let's take a more informal approach once a month shall we?

I hope if you have the time you'll stop by. The first Coffee is next Wednesday, February 10th, and it's my treat!