Category Archives: San Marcos News

Organics recycling kicks off March 1 in San Marcos

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Beginning March 1, it’ll be easier than ever to recycle leftovers and organic waste along with yard waste in San Marcos.

EDCO Disposal’s new Organic Waste Recycling Program will collect food scraps and yard debris mixed together in your green cart on your regularly scheduled trash and recycling pick-up day. Organic waste includes: food scraps, landscaping and pruning, non-hazardous wood cuttings and food-soiled paper waste. If it grows, it can now be recycled in your green cart!

Mandatory recycling of organic waste is the next step to achieving California’s Zero Waste goals. EDCO is now utilizing a state-of-the-art Anaerobic Digester at its Escondido facility which breaks down organic material collected from San Marcos and other service cities into renewable natural gas to fuel vehicles and fertilizer for farms. Anaerobic Digestion is an efficient and environmentally sustainable technology that can make a significant contribution to the management of organic waste in California. Capturing and reducing the amount of methane released into the atmosphere is critical in ensuring a safe and healthy environment.

The new facility will help local cities meet a statewide target of diverting 75% of organic waste from landfills by Jan. 1, 2025, as set by state law. Organic waste including food scraps and yard cuttings make up nearly half of the trash dumped into California’s landfills each year. Organic material cannot break down when it is buried in a landfill as it would in nature or in a compost pile. That’s because it decomposes without oxygen, and in turn releases harmful methane gas into the atmosphere.

ORGANICS RECYCLING SPECIFICS:

San Marcos’ residential trash service, EDCO will begin picking up organics recycling March 1 on your regularly scheduled trash collection day.  Learn more below on how to request a kitchen caddie and easily capture food scraps in the kitchen before transferring to your green waste cart.

RESOURCES: 

Twin Oaks Valley/San Elijo corridor paving project begins Feb. 16

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A major paving project along Twin Oaks Valley Road and San Elijo Road is set to begin Feb. 16 with an anticipated completion date of June 2021.

The roughly $2 million project will repair and resurface one of San Marcos’ most highly traveled corridors stretching between Rancho Santa Fe Road and State Route 78. Work is scheduled to begin Feb. 16 with traffic signal work and pavement repair through April. The last order of work will include applying slurry seal and restriping the entire corridor.

Traffic will be impacted throughout the construction period with lane closures and delays. For the latest details, visit the City of San Marcos’ Road and Traffic Alerts webpage, which will be updated throughout the run of the project.

“This important project is part of necessary street maintenance to prevent premature failure of our roads,” said Lewis Clapp, Principal Civil Engineer for the City of San Marcos. “This project will ultimately extend the life of the pavement and it is an important component of the City’s strategic Pavement Management Program.”

Pavement Coatings Co. has been contracted by the City of San Marcos to make these improvements. Property owners along the corridor directly impacted by the project will receive additional information via mail from Pavement Coatings Co. prior to their work in each area. During the slurry seal period, directly impacted property owners will receive an additional written notification two days prior to work beginning, and “No Parking” signs will be placed on roadways to define the work areas for each day.

TWIN OAKS VALLEY/SAN ELIJO CORRIDOR PAVING PROJECT

WHEN:                 Feb. 16-June 2021

SPECIFICS:           The project includes signal modifications, road resurfacing and striping

IMPACTS:            Traffic will be impacted during construction with lane closures and delays              

MORE INFO:       Road and traffic alertsCONTACT:           Kyle Wright, Construction Manager, (760) 744-1050 Ext. 3209

Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) questions? We’ve got answers.

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San Marcos residents who are interested in learning about the possibility of adding an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) or Junior Accessory Dwelling Unit (JADU) to their property will find answers to the most frequently asked questions (in English and Spanish) on the Zoning Information Page.

A change in California State law earlier this year has made it easier to add a second house (called an ADU) to a residentially-zoned property. An ADU is an attached or detached residential dwelling unit that provides complete independent living facilities for one or more persons. ADU’s must include permanent provisions for living, sleeping, eating, cooking and sanitation on the same parcel as a single-family or multifamily dwelling. A JADU is 500 square feet or less and is contained entirely within an existing or proposed single-family residence. It must include a separate entrance from the single-family residence.

Both ADUs and JADUs can be integrated into existing single-family or multi-family properties and can be designed in a variety of ways, including converting part of an existing home, adding on to the existing home, converting an existing garage or constructing a new detached structure.

San Marcos residents who are considering adding an ADU or JADU to their property are encouraged to review all of the detailed information outlined here, which includes applicable regulations, requirements and contact information.

San Marcos Construction Updates

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Beginning in the Fall of 2020, several other projects started active construction in and around the Creek area. To make it easy for you and other members of the community to find out what’s happening and when, the City worked with other public agencies and private developers to create a map highlighting major construction projects in the area over the next two years.

The City will update these maps as project timelines change and more information is available.

While these projects are starting construction now, each one went through a comprehensive planning and review process, which took several months, years, or even decades (in some cases), to complete.

All projects were approved under the current San Marcos General Plan which serves as the guiding documents for future development. All projects were also reviewed for consistency with the City’s planning policies, which are designed to preserve the small-town atmosphere of San Marcos’ past, while thoughtfully balancing growth for the future.

Questions?

If you have additional questions about Creek area construction, please visit the City’s webpage or contact the City’s Planning Department at planningdivision@san-marcos.net or (760) 744-1050.

City of San Marcos: Climate Action Plan Update Public Hearing Notice

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The San Marcos City Council will hold the following public hearing telephonically; at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, December 8, 2020.

Project No: PA18-0003/ND20-004-Climate Action Plan update
Applicant: City of San Marcos
Request: The City of San Marcos intends to adopt an update to its Climate Action Plan (CAP) to be consistent with the State’s requirement to meet the Greenhouse Gas reduction targets as stipulated in AB 32, SB 32 and Executive Order S-3-05.

Environmental Determination: The City prepared a Negative Declaration (ND20-004) pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
Location of Property: Various/Applies to all area within the City limits

Planning Commission Action: The Planning Commission recommended approval of the proposed project to the City Council by a 7 to 0 vote.

Further information about this notice can be obtained from Saima Qureshy, Principal Planner, by calling 760-744-1050 ext. 3222, or via email at squreshy@san-marcos.net.

Pursuant to Governor Newsom’s Executive Order N-25-20: Members of the San Marcos City Council and staff may participate in this meeting via a teleconference. In the interest of reducing the spread of COVID-19, members of the public are encouraged to submit comments via email. As a standard practice, City Council meetings are streamed live on our City website at: https://www.san-marcos.net/your-government/agendas-minutes/city- council-agendas. All relevant project plans, reports, and resolutions will also be posted on the City’s website a week before the hearing date and project presentations will be posted the day of the public hearing. To provide comments on the project during the hearing, please follow the instructions below.

Public Comment: To submit a comment in writing, please email pscollick@san- marcos.net and write “Public Comment” in the subject line. In the body of the email, include the project number PA18-0003/ND20-004 and/or the title of the item as well as your comments. If you would like the comment to be read out loud at the meeting (not to exceed 3 minutes), please write “Read Out Loud at Meeting” at the top of the email.

Comment emails will be accepted until the end of the comment period of the public hearing on this project. Comments can also be submitted via telephone, by calling (760) 744-1050, extension 3145, and leaving a message indicating that you are providing public comment for the City Council on Climate Action Plan update and then state your comments. All comments received via email will be included in the Public Hearing for the item. All comments received via telephone by 4 pm on December 8, 2020 will also be included in the Public Hearing.

NOTICE:

The hearing before the City Council is a de novo hearing and any correspondence submitted to the Planning Commission that you wish presented to the City Council must be resubmitted for the Council’s consideration. Contact the City Clerk for resubmittal of any correspondence and/or petition for/or against the project.

The City of San Marcos is committed to making its programs, services and activities accessible to individuals with disabilities. If you require accommodation to participate in a public hearing or any other city program, service, or activity, please contact the City Clerk’s office at 1 Civic Center Drive, San Marcos, CA 92069, or call (760) 744-1050, Extension 3145.

Shop small this holiday season to make a big impact in your community

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Small businesses are the heart of a city’s character and vibe. That’s why this season’s Small Business Saturday, happening Nov. 28, is more important than ever.

It’s no surprise that small businesses have been hit particularly hard throughout the pandemic. San Marcos residents are encouraged to show their support by shopping local on Small Business Saturday and throughout the holiday season. Mayor Rebecca Jones announced the City of San Marcos’ participation in the 11th annual national effort to support the independent businesses that make our community unique and provide valuable contributions to the local economy.

“When you treat your loved ones to a special present or gift certificate from our local businesses, you’re truly investing in our community and helping our small businesses thrive,” Jones said. “That’s something we can all feel great about this holiday season.”

Created in 2010, Small Business Saturday serves as the ceremonial kickoff to the holiday shopping season for small businesses across the United States. An average of two-thirds of every dollar ($0.67) spent at a small business in the U.S. stays in the local community, according to the 2018 Small Business Economic Impact Study by American Express. That means consumer’s local impact during the important holiday shopping season could be significant.

“During this pandemic, I’m amazed and energized by the passion and creativity of business owners to continue to do business in the face of unparalleled adversity,” said Rick Rungaitis, CEO of the San Marcos Chamber of Commerce. “Now, more than ever, it’s critical for the community to support our local businesses. This holiday season, think of supporting them by shopping locally.” 

In 2019, 800+ mayors and city officials joined together to support Small Business Saturday. Highlights include:

  • U.S. shoppers who visited independent retailers and restaurants on Small Business Saturday reported spending a record high of an estimated $19.6 billion.
  • Seven in ten American adults reported being aware of the day.
  • 96 percent of respondents who shopped on Small Business Saturday agree that shopping at small, independently owned businesses supports their commitment to making purchases that have a positive social, economic, and environmental impact.
  • 97 percent of consumers who shopped on Small Business Saturday agree that small businesses are essential to their community.
  • 95 percent of consumers who shopped on Small Business Saturday reported the day makes them want to shop or eat at small, independently owned businesses all year long, not just during the holiday season.

Learn more about Small Business Saturday and the Shop Small initiative here.

City of San Marcos launches podcast to inform and engage community members

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Your city news. On your time. That’s the idea behind the new ‘San Marcos City Podcast,’ hosted by City Manager Jack Griffin and other city staff. As a podcast aficionado himself, Griffin knows the podcast platform allows and encourages listeners to take a deeper dive into issues they care about.

So why not offer San Marcos residents podcasts that demystify city government and offer a transparent listening opportunity about current projects and how government works?

“Most cities are increasingly challenged getting communications out to the public,” Griffin said. “The podcast is a great platform to engage our residents in thoughtful, in-depth discussions about the city they call home. We won’t be talking politics here, but we will be focusing on important city issues and updates.”

Listeners can tune in to listen to interviews with local experts, business owners, higher education leaders and more. As a leader in public safety, infrastructure, recreation, industry and cultural programs, the City of San Marcos features a wide variety of innovative offerings and services to share with the community.

The San Marcos City Podcast currently features four podcasts:

–        Introduction

–        Interview with Fire Chief Dan Barron and District Chief Dean White regarding wildfires

–        A summary of key items the San Marcos City Council approved in September

–        San Marcos Creek Project update with Project Manager Isaac Etchamendy

To learn more and tune in, go to the San Marcos City Podcast webpage where you will find links to a variety of podcast platforms to listen in from.

To provide feedback or submit podcast topic requests, email podcast@san-marcos.net.

Voting information from The City Of San Marcos

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The next general election is right around the corner on Tuesday, Nov. 3 – make sure you’re registered to vote! In addition to the presidential election, you’ll also have the opportunity to vote for a San Marcos City Council Member for District 3 and District 4.

The deadline for voter registration is 15 days prior to the election.

How to register to vote

  • In person: Complete a voter registration form with the City Clerk at San Marcos City Hall located at 1 Civic Center Drive.

What to consider before you vote

Who and what is on the ballot? Do you want to vote but are unsure who is running or what issues are on the ballot? The County of San Diego has compiled a list of candidates on the ballot in November 2020. Campaign statements and campaign status for San Marcos City Council candidates are now available.

Mail-in vote or in-person polling? In light of COVID-19, many residents have questions about how and where voting will happen. Per the Governor’s executive order in August 2020, postcards have been mailed to registered voters in San Diego County to encourage voting by mail ballot. If you’re registered to vote by mail, ballots are expected to start to arrive in early October. Voters can still visit their local polling place to vote in-person, but there will be fewer polling locations and some locations may have changed from previous elections. The County of San Diego encourages you to vote early and be prepared. Bring a copy of your mail ballot with you and expect long lines.

San Marcos district elections

San Marcos residents now vote for City Council members by district instead of an at-large election. During the November 2020 election, only residents from District 3 and District 4, as determined by their voting address, will be selecting a council member. The filing deadlines for candidates has closed and the list of San Marcos City Council candidates is now final.

  • District 3 includes area around Cal State San Marcos, the Creek District and Civic Center area, and extends east to the Nordahl Marketplace, west to Rancho Santa Fe Road and north to the 78 Freeway.
  • District 4 includes Santa Fe Hills, Palomar College, and neighborhoods north of Borden Road and Santa Fe Road to the west.

Still not sure what district you live in? The City has developed a district map as a resource for residents. To learn more, watch the City’s Know Before You Vote video or visit the City’s webpage on district elections.

About the San Marcos City Council

The City of San Marcos is a Charter City governed by a five-member City Council consisting of a Mayor and four Council Members from four districts. The term of office for each member is four years with staggered terms. There is a limit of three consecutive terms for each position.

Questions?

For more information, please contact the City Clerk’s Office at (760) 744-1050, ext. 3100.

Quick Links and Resources

City of San Marcos launches ‘Learning Hubs’ program for employees

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Thousands of San Marcos students were scheduled to start school in-person on Aug. 18. In the weeks leading up to the start of school, COVID-19 numbers spiked, and plans to start in-person learning vanished. City of San Marcos leadership recognized an opportunity to support City employees as they prepared to balance the demands of their essential jobs and distance learning with their children.

The Parks and Recreation and Human Resources departments teamed up to quickly determine how to best assist City employees. That’s where the idea for ‘learning hubs’ was born.

Learning hubs are socially distanced classrooms providing online learning support for students of different ages and grade levels at the San Marcos Senior Activity Center. There are two classrooms with an average of 18 students that attend daily. Desks are spaced out and aisles are lined with power strips where students can charge the devices they need for online learning. While there are not on-site teachers, City staff members oversee the classrooms and provide support to students when needed. The City follows CDC guidelines by checking temperatures before students enter, prohibiting visitors (including parents) from entering the classroom, providing hand sanitizer and wipes to students, and following a strict cleaning protocol.

“The City has a number of staff members, across several departments, who have limited or no ability to work from home,” said Darren Chamow, program manager for the City of San Marcos Parks and Recreation Department. “When we got the news about school districts continuing distance learning due to COVID-19 numbers, we saw challenges ahead for City operations. The City is providing critical services and programs to the community. Without the learning hub, it would not have been possible for some of our employees to continue to work and support our community and assist their kids at the same time.”

The concept of the learning hub not only supports the City’s essential workers and their children, but also provides new job responsibilities for other City employees whose programs were put on hold or canceled for the year due to COVID-19. In addition, the learning hubs program provides the City with an opportunity to leverage underutilized facilities to provide support to City employees, who are providing essential services during the pandemic.

“Launching the program was a perfect example of timing meeting opportunity,” said Janelle Laughlin, human resources manager for the City of San Marcos. “The demands on our employees, as public servants, have never been greater. Overnight, we had to completely change the way we do business and how we provide programs and services to the San Marcos community.”

Program costs for this new offering have been largely covered by funds available from programs that were canceled due to COVID-19. The program will likely continue to provide support for City staff through the end of 2020 and potentially beyond.

“The math made sense and we got buy-in from City leadership, allowing us to quickly launch a program to support our employees, at a time when they needed it the most,” Laughlin said.

 

Join the City’s Bilingual Virtual Housing Workshop

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The City will be hosting a “live” virtual presentation online using Zoom Meetings Tuesday, September 29 at 6 p.m. The meeting will be facilitated in English and Spanish and the project team will be available to answer questions from the public. The link to the Zoom presentation will be provided on this site prior to the presentation.

For more information about community workshops please visit this link.

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