• City Council Meeting October 2019

The key takeaways from this meeting include shade structures at two of our parks, and the tabling of changing Wildomar Road's name to Old Wildomar Road, but let's begin by highlighting the presentations.

Proclamation: David Lower’s 100th Birthday. He's lived in Wildomar since 1987, and is both a WWII and Korean War veteran.

R to L: Joseph Morabito, Marsha Swanson, David Lower, Ben Benoit, David Lower's daughter, Dustin Nigg and Bridgette Moore. 

Photo courtesy city of Wildomar's facebook page. Original caption: Tonight, we celebrated Mr. David Lower’s 100th birthday. He served in both WWII and the Korean War. Happy birthday, young man... and thank you for your service!

Mr. Valdez gave a presentation of happenings at William Collier Elementary School.

Link to William Collier Elementary School's website.

There was also mention of a Community Candlelight Tribute (19th annual ceremony is set for November 30th, sorry not sure of the details) and an Acknowledgement that Wildomar is a Purple Heart City.

Items 3.1 and 3.2 were GPIPs (General Plan Initiation Proposal). I love every chance I get to dust off my old Mario and Peach cartoon to illustrate what a GPIP is... so here goes.

I see a GPIP as asking if you can ask, because if you were actually asking in the first place, you'd go directly with the GPA (General Plan Amendment).

In the end, both applicants were given the green light to position themselves for a full GPA (General Plan Amendment) in the future. 

One GPIP asked if they could change an old approved plan of 108 single family homes to 288 apartments. 

The key concern from the council was the traffic impacts.

The other GPIP dealt with a 3+ acre property on Grand that asked to be subdivided into four lots, all greater than half an acre. 

Neither were given unanimous attaboys, but enough encouragement to reach for the next level. I don't anticipate seeing either project come back for at least six months, more likely a year.

3.3 First Quarter Budget Report
The important news from this item involves the sidewalk project along Mission Trail in the Sedco Hills part of the city.

Councilmember Ben Benoit asked if this will finish the sidewalk project all the way to Malaga Park, and that was confirmed.

I had asked in an email what the estimated start/finish dates are and the answer I received was: Estimated start date is January 6th and the estimated completion date is February 7th. 

3.4 Award of Construction Contract – Installation of Park Shade Structures at Wildomar Parks Project
This was approved by unanimous vote, but not without discussion. What started out in 2018 as a $50,000 project, morphed into $157K. 

Artist's rendition of Marna O'Brien park's play area.

Reminder/Disclaimer
Being a member of the city council makes being a blogger difficult in situations like this. I want to tell you how I saw it, but I'm not here to "throw shade" in any direction. I want to maintain a good working relationship with all that are part of the city machine. So, out of an abundance of caution and respect for others that don't have their own blog to give you their "side", I won't be getting into specifics here. If you'd like to see the video below at the 1:28:30 mark for this item. 

The good news is that there will be shade structures at both Marna O'Brien and Windsong parks before next Summer.

3.5 Santa Rosa Plateau Special Event
There was an agreement to hold the SRPNEF brewfest event at Marna O'Brien park for the next two years. It was also reiterated that Santa Rosa Plateau is CLOSED for all uses... so please don't even go up there if you don't live in one of those communities.

3.6 2020 Parks Special Events Calendar
Below is the tentative 2020 city event calendar. I asked if we could add an Earth Day event/recognition, and Mayor Pro-Tem Dustin Nigg suggested the same thing during future agenda items.

Might as well mark your calendars now... I have. ☺

3.7 Resolution to Change the Name of Wildomar Road to Old Wildomar Road

Remember that green box up above with the reminder? Yep, it sort of applies here too. In the end, this item was tabled.

As for me, I was against changing the name of Wildomar Road to Old Wildomar Road without direct input from the residents on that street. 

Councilmember Ben Benoit, who represents the district that Wildomar Road is in, also wasn't in favor of this the way it was presented, and he motioned that we put this off for a month to get more information. 

3.8 Business Registration Program Amendment
This was supposed to be an easy item, but I didn't like the way part of it read. The part I didn't like was removing the exemption for some home based businesses.

Since I have a home based business that got the exemption, I spoke with the city attorney before the meeting to see if there was a conflict of interest for me to be part of this item. It was determined not to be a problem so I played my part.

If you watch the video, you'll see that I was primarily concerned with very small home based businesses. Businesses that don't have employees, customers, inventory etc. Imagine a house cleaner that lives in Wildomar but works in other cities, or someone that sells crafts on Etsy. To me, it would be better to offer business registration at a reduced rate, than have them skip it because they'd rather save the $75 or $50.

I compared other public things, like RTA, where the fare they charge does NOT cover their overhead. The same applies to parks too. They cost us, but are a benefit to the community. 

I was trying to suggest that keeping track of smaller home based businesses, through a low cost registration for those that qualify, would be a good way to keep track of such businesses. My suggestion continued that by removing the exemption, we were disincentivizing very small home based businesses from participating.

I'm not the most articulate person when doing public speaking, and it showed as I failed at conveying that point.

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The last bit of news came during the future agenda items portion of the meeting.

I asked for a future agenda item where the city council can discuss citywide clean up days where volunteers can help keep the city clean. That seemed to get a majority of the council to give a head nod.

I then asked for a future agenda item where the city council could discuss the merits of using the city's email and social media to advertise/promote local, approved, nonprofits and their events. Three of us agreed, and it should be coming to a future city council agenda.

The last news nugget came when Councilmember Bridgette Moore asked that there be a special meeting to discuss commercial cannabis. I quickly agreed, but there wasn't a third member that wanted to see it happen.

Green box reminder time again... I'm going to try and give an opinion, but I'll be pulling punches and going with kid gloves here.

I'm still new to being on city council, and I'm still somewhat of an idealist when it comes to my approach to the job. For me, if one of my colleagues were to ask for a future agenda item that I didn't get, or did get but didn't support, I'd STILL approve it to be on a future agenda.

Again, perhaps I'm being idealistic, but there should always be room for more discussion. Discussion doesn't equate to support.

Note: the meeting doesn't start until about the 4:30 mark of the video.

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"Consider the postage stamp, son. It secures success through its ability to stick to one thing till it gets there."
– Josh Billings

Wildomar Rap has always been delivered without postage of any kind.

This blog was produced for viewing on a desktop or a laptop. Though it's been optimized for smartphones, the formatting can look odd on a smartphone or if you get this delivered through email (such as missing video links). Link to proper format.

• City Council Meeting March 2019

This was a presentation heavy/regular agenda light type of meeting. Even the items on the agenda were mostly rubber stamp type items. Things that needed to be passed and didn't come with any controversies. 

PRESENTATIONS 
1. William Collier Elementary School 

Principal Manny Valdez led the presentation and students Blake Baoloy, Eveny Leon, Crista Kerr, Katelyn Parckys and Isabella Herrera each participated as well. Watch the video below to hear what a good job they all did.

2. Eagle Scout – Damion Gonzalo 
3. Eagle Scout – Josh Robles

Eagle Scouts Damion Gonzalo (left) and Josh Robles (right) watch as Mayor Marsha Swanson passes the microphone to Senator Jeff Stone's Chief of Staff Glenn Miller, while Congressman Ken Calvert's representative Brenda Dennstedt looks on. 

4. Library Update 
5. Animal Shelter Update 
6. Reality Rally Presentation

To get the details from presentations 4, 5 and 6 please watch the video at the bottom of the blog starting around the 20:00 mark.

Consent Calendar item 1.5 Measure AA Citizen’s Oversight Advisory Committee

To me, this was the key news from the meeting. 

The city is looking for five interested residents to fill this committee. I'll add language from the agenda packet so you'll have a clear understanding of what this committee is. 

ROLES, RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES

A. The responsibilities and duties of the Committee shall be limited to:
1. Review expenditures of Measure AA revenues to ensure the monies have been expended in accordance with the authorized purposes of Measure AA. 
2. Understand allowable expenses of Measure AA monies, which is a general purpose tax.
3. Understand municipal revenue collection and distribution from local, state and federal sources.
4. Prepare and submit to the Chief Fiscal Officer of the City an annual public report on the expenditures of Measure AA tax revenues for the previous fiscal year. The Chief Fiscal Officer will then submit the public report to the City Council per Government Code section 50075.3.
5. Receive and review the independent auditor’s report as required by Section 3.22.050 for Measure AA revenues and expenditures.
B. The Committee shall not have any budgetary decision authority and shall not allocate financial resources.
C. The Committee shall have no authority to direct, nor shall it direct, City Staff or Officials.

For purposes of clarification, it is important to note that this committee is an oversight committee, much like the Measure Z Oversight committee. Because of this the committee will not have any oversight in how the monies are to be spent, but rather how the monies were spent, ensuring they were spent in accordance with Measure AA. 

If you'd like to be part of this committee, please email the city clerk and request an application. dlee@cityofwildomar.org

3.1 Update Participation in the Transportation Uniform Mitigation Fee (TUMF) Program
When new homes are built, they contribute to the TUMF fund (Transportation Uniform Mitigation Fee). The key to this agenda item was to shift the collection of such fees from the city, directly to WRCOG (Western Riverside Council of Governments).

By eliminating the two step process in the fee collection, it frees up valuable time for city staff to attend to other matters. There is a yearly audit that no longer needs to be prepared by the city, and WRCOG will not have to do their end of the audit at the 18 cities they service.

To read more about the TUMF fund/fees, use this link.

3.2 Ordinance Regulating Wireless Telecommunication Facilities in the Public Right-of-Ways

DISCUSSION:
Typically, the wireless carriers seek to install antennas and other equipment on existing poles in the public right of way, including street lights and utility poles. These facilities are called “Distributed Antenna Systems” (DAS) and are more commonly referred to as “small cells.” The proposed Ordinance (Attachment A) establishes permit requirements for the installation of wireless telecommunication facilities in the public right-of-way.

A streamlined permit is available for proposed small cell facilities that will be collocated on an existing pole in the public right of way. A standard permit is available for proposed small cell installations that require the construction of a new pole. In the unlikely event that a wireless carrier proposes to install a larger facility in the right-of-way, it would be subject to the established Wireless Communication Facility permitting process that applies to private property in the Zoning Code. Streamlined and standard permits would be issued administratively unless appealed.

Small cells that are proposed to be located on City-owned street lights or other poles would be exempt from permitting requirements under this Ordinance. To install small cells on a City-owned pole, each carrier would be required to enter into a Master License Agreement with the City that will govern the review and approval process for each installation, and include a license fee that the carrier must pay to the City for the privilege of installing its equipment on a City-owned pole.

It should be noted that on September 27, 2018, the FCC released a Declaratory Ruling and Report and Order entitled “Accelerating Wireless Broadband Deployment by Removing Barriers to Infrastructure Investment; Accelerating Wireline Broadband Deployment by Removing Barriers to Infrastructure Investment.” This Declaratory Ruling limits local control over small cells in several respects. The Ruling imposes new “shot clocks” on the time a municipality can take to review applications to install small cells, limits the processing fees and license fees that municipalities can charge, and limits the scope of aesthetic review.

The Report and Order went into effect in late January 2019. Several cities across the country have filed lawsuits on the grounds that this Ruling oversteps the FCC’s authority, and those suits were consolidated and are currently pending in the 10th Circuit. Because the 10th Circuit has declined to issue a temporary injunction blocking the implementation of the Report and Order, this Ordinance was drafted to be compliant with the Report and Order. Depending on the outcome of this litigation, amendments may be needed to this Ordinance in the future.

City Manager Report:
There will be a meeting at the Lake Elsinore Cultural Center on Wednesday, April 17th at 6pm discussing homeless issues in the Wildomar/Lake Elsinore/Lakeland Village areas.

Future agenda items:
Joseph Morabito asked to strengthen code enforcement. 

If you watch the video, starting at about the 1:37:00 mark, you'll see that I need a ton of polishing still. 

I'm finding out that it's a lot easier being eloquent when I'm on this side of the keyboard, than that side of the dias. ☺

Bridgette Moore asked about a spay and neuter program (which had been brought up in the animal shelter update earlier in the meeting).

Ben Benoit mentioned wanting a letter to Caltrans regarding freeway safety in the Sedco area where there is no guardrail to keep cars from crashing down into the city. He also asked staff to prepare a basic report regarding commercial cannabis so that the council can take a look at and discuss from there.

This is where I'm handcuffed with posting my opinion (the Brown Act). I'd love to add more thoughts here, but it's best to wait until it officially hits the agenda. 

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Life is always a tightrope or a feather bed. Give me the tightrope.
– Edith Wharton

Not sure where Ms. Wharton grew up, but in Wildomar Rap's world, it's more of a choice between regular and decaf... and decaf is NEVER opted for. (Maybe that's what she meant?)

This blog was produced for viewing on a desktop or a laptop. Though it's been optimized for smartphones, the formatting can look odd on a smartphone or if you get this delivered through email (such as missing video links). Link to proper format.

• Lights On Afterschool/THINK Together 2018

Lights On Afterschool is national day to raise awareness for the importance of afterschool programs like THINK Together.

Miss April reads to the kids.

David A Brown middle school was the site where three THINK Together programs met for a couple of hours of fun and learning.

Students decorate the mural.

The program began at 4pm and lasted until 6pm. It started off with Miss April reading a book to the 250 kids, and at designated times some students would come up and decorate a mural. 

The finished work of art.

After the story was finished, William Collier Elementary was pitted against Wildomar Elementary in a Socratic Conversation (which members of a group think carefully, slowly, and deliberately).

Link to further definition of Socratic Conversation/Dialog.

The topic of debate was: Are mermaids real or fiction?

Wildomar Elementary had the con side of the argument and made solid arguments why mermaids aren't real.

Wildomar Elementary takes to "no" on mermaids stance.

Collier Elementary had the task of proving that mermaids were true, and they also presented solid arguments.

William Collier Elementary takes to "oh yes they are real" side.

Each side had opening remarks, then rebuttals.

Wildomar Elementary.

Collier Elementary.

Wildomar Elementary.

Collier Elementary.

One of the middle school students had the honor of telling the crowd the verdict:
Mermaids do exist.

After all the testimony was presented, it was found that mermaids are indeed REAL! (Take that science guy ☺)

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The second topic, which was argued both for and against by DABMS students was: Is animal testing necessary or not?

Con side.

Pro side.

Con side.

Pro side.

Con side.

Both sides spoke eloquently, but in the end, the judges found that animal testing is necessary. (considering their first decision, I'm not sure that I'd get overly concerned about this one... either which way. ☺)

THINK Together is a terrific program that some of Wildomar's schools have access too. There was a petition being passed around to the adults present that alerted policy makers as to how important such programs are. 

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I cannot teach anybody anything, I can only make them think.

– Socrates

Wildomar Rap cannot teach anybody anything, and only rarely manages to make them think. 

This blog was produced for viewing on a desktop or a laptop. Though it's been optimized for smartphones, the formatting can look odd on a smartphone or if you get this delivered through email (such as missing video links). Link to proper format.

• THINK Together Honors Veterans

The kids of THINK Together did a great job honoring veterans this year with their Freedom Celebration.

The kids hold up the letters spelling VETERAN.

Wildomar Elementary teamed up with Withrow Elementary and sang several patriotic songs, did a jump rope demonstration and then sang the themes from each of the branches of service (not an easy task). ☺

The final pose of one of their singalong performances.

Afterward, they presented VFW Post Commander Steve Regalado and Mike Sheehan with a rather impressive American flag made from tongue depressors. 

Left to right is Post Commander Steve Regalado, Withrow THINK Together coordinator,
Mike Sheehan and Wildomar Elementary THINK Together coordinator April Watkins.

Last year they made blankets for disabled veterans.

Link to blog about last year's presentation

THINK Together is an after school program. To read more about it, click one of the following links.

THINK Together Website

2014 Blog discussing THINK Together

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Earlier in the day, over in Murrieta's Town Square Park, the 5th graders from William Collier Elementary visited the Field of Honor in Murrieta. 

The other local elementary school 5th graders also visited the site, and took the tour, earlier in the week.

The students listen to the presentation by a Murrieta Rotary Club member as he tells them about the Local Heroes station. These flags represent military deaths since September 11th, 2001. 

They went through six stations as they learned about the flag, patriotism and the veterans that have maintained the liberty of our great nation.

The stations include: California Medal of Honor recipients; Chalk Art Sidewalk; Historic United States Flags; 50 State Flags; Local Heroes; and Veterans Memorial Obelisk/Walls.

A glimpse of the main field of flags under the backdrop of a picturesque sky.

There will be a Veterans Day potluck at the Wildomar VFW starting at 1pm. If you've wondered about the VFW but haven't been there, today (11-11-17) would be a good day to pay a visit.

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Our obligations to our country never cease but with our lives.
– John Adams

Wildomar Rap never tires of thanking veterans of the US Armed forces for their service to our country.

• Wildomar Rotary 3rd Grade Literacy Program 2017

The Wildomar Rotary Club just completed its 6th annual distribution of dictionaries to the local third graders. 

The first school to get their dictionaries was Sycamore Academy. 

An eager student looks into her new dictionary.
Photo courtesy Sycamore Academy.

Their school has a unique feature where "barn doors" separate the classrooms, and the presentation and distribution was done in class.

As the dictionaries were being handed out.
Photo courtesy Sycamore Academy.

Smiling faces of some of the students. 
Photo courtesy Sycamore Academy.

The next school to get their dictionaries was Ronald Reagan Elementary.

Rotary members Stewart Moore and Paul Bakeman handout dictionaries
as the students file into the multipurpose room (also known as the MPR).

Rotarian Andy Morris addresses the third graders at Ronald Reagan Elementary.

Below is the video of the 11 minute presentation at William Collier Elementary (WCE).

Donald Graham Elementary was the next school to receive their dictionaries. 

I had the high honor of addressing the students at this presentation. Before dismissing the kids to return to their classrooms, I had them all hold up their new books for a photo. One was a super serious photo, the next one was the super silly photo.

Wildomar Elementary was the final school to get their dictionaries. I had so much fun talking to the kids earlier in the week that I asked to be able to get in a repeat performance; such an honor.

Happy faces all around.

The presentations consisted of telling the kids a bit about the Rotary Club. That we're part of a world wide service organization that has 1.2 million members. 

That locally we send high school juniors to a leadership camp (RYLA), we put on the yearly Bicycle Safety Event that is held at Marna O'Brien Park and the tradition of Breakfast With Santa at the fire station... to name just a few things.

The kids read the Rotary's 4 way test, which was affixed to the inside covers:

• Is it the TRUTH?
• Is it FAIR to all concerned?
• Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?
• Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?

They then tested out their new dictionaries by looking up a word of their choice. Of all the words this year, I think I liked "twinge" the best. 

If you've ever wondered about the Rotary Club, what they're about or what they're up to, we meet for lunch on Thursdays at The Elks Lodge on Mission Trail at 11:45am... or just ask us if you see us at a local event.

We have a guest speaker each week, often from a local business or organization, and enjoy about an hour camaraderie.

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Life isn't about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself.
– George Bernard Shaw

Wildomar Rap isn't about telling you what to think. It's about telling you what I think.