Real Estate Open House Signs

 

While temporary open house signs are exempt from sign permit requirements, if these signs block public sidewalks, a potential obstacle is created for pedestrians and for those reliant on wheelchairs and scooters to get around.  Please take note that Santee Municipal Code Section  17.32.040(A)(3) prohibits these signs on the sidewalk which is part of the public right-of-way.  Such signs may be placed beside the sidewalk to maintain visibility while being sensitive to those who use the sidewalks.   Residents who encounter these signs within the sidewalk may be tempted to remove them.  Please contact the City’s Code Compliance Officer at (619)-258-4100, extension 206.  City staff will arrange for removal. 
Thank you

Santee's Commercial Recycling Champions

The city and Waste Management Inc. honored GTM Discount General Stores and Meadowbrook Mobile Home Estates with the inaugural Commercial Recycling Champions Award at the April 22 City Council meeting.

The award acknowledges one commercial customer and one multi-family community for exemplary efforts in implementing recycling services at each of their properties.

GTM Discount General Stores was honored for recycling more than 50 percent of its monthly 40 cubic yards of waste and for not allowing non-recyclable materials to get into its recycling dumpsters.

Meadowbrook Mobile Home Estates, which has 338 units, recycles more than 1,700 pounds of recyclable materials annually. They also encourage residents to recycle by publicizing their goal to increase recycling and by educating residents with clear instructions on which materials are recyclable.

 

Santee to Receive Mosquito Abatement Treatment

On Wednesday, April 22, a County Vector Control  helicopter will be hovering over ponds in the San Diego River to deposit tiny pellets that prevent mosquito larvae from growing into biting adults. 

This will be the first  of several aerial pesticide applications during the mosquito-breeding season, which runs from April to October. The pesticide consists of corn cob or sand granules coated with three types of bacteria that specifically target mosquito larvae.

The mosquito reduction effort is aimed at preventing West Nile virus.  More information is available at www.sdcounty.ca.gov/deh/aerials

Time to Go on a Water Diet

It’s time for all of us to go on the quarter-back water diet.

Whenever you take a shower or irrigate your landscaping, reduce your previous water usage by a quarter—25 percent.

Water conservation is necessary because California and much of the West has experienced four years of severe drought coupled with record high temperatures. It’s going to get worse: Scientists this month recorded a record-low winter snowpack in the Sierra Nevada.

Last week, these circumstanced prompted California Governor Jerry Brown to announce the state’s first-ever mandatory water restrictions.

Santee’s water supplier, Padre Dam Municipal Water District, has positioned itself to deal with the crisis by moving forward on its Advanced Water Purification Demonstration Project, which is scheduled to be operating in 2016. The project may eventually provide a new water supply for Padre Dam’s water customers and the entire East County region.  

Residents and businesses shouldn’t wait for the state’s new regulations to be finalized.  Start conserving now by:
·         Taking shorter showers. Even better, use a bucket to capture water while your shower warms up and use that water on your plants.  
·         Promptly fix leaks inside and outside your home. Also remember to wash only full loads of laundry and dishes.
·         Turning off irrigation systems for as long as possible before rainstorms and up to several weeks after.
See more at: http://www.sdcwa.org/whenindrought#sthash.h3yzmdPH.dpuf

Rattlesnake Season is Here

Yes, it’s rattlesnake season in San Diego County. Most bites from the four species of rattlesnakes that live in Southern California occur between the months of April and October, with May being the month with the highest number.

Rattlesnakes typically come out of hibernation in the spring, which is also their breeding season. You can discourage rattlesnakes from taking up residence in your yard by getting rid of wood piles, mice and rats.

If you see a rattlesnake on your property, keep an eye on it from a safe distance and call County Animal Services at (619) 236-2341.  They will capture the snake and remove it to an area where it doesn’t pose a risk to the public.

To prevent snakebites, herpetologists say to keep your children and pets close to you on walks and hikes. Wear boots or other closed toed shoes and don't under any circumstances pick up a snake - even if it looks like its dead.

A couple of other snake bite don'ts:

Do not apply a tourniquet, do not try to put heat or ice on the wound and do not give the victim alcohol, coffee or any medication. For more info online:
http://www.countynewscenter.com/news/spring-brings-warm-temps-scaly-critters

Prospect Avenue Project Moving Ahead

Decorative pedestrian crossing at Cottonwood Ave.

Expect a bustle of activity in the “cone zone” along Prospect Avenue this week.

On Wednesday, April 1, pavement work will be occurring at the western end of Prospect between Railroad and North Magnolia avenues, the last major section of asphalt to be removed and replaced.

On Thursday, April 2, traffic lanes between Railroad and North Magnolia avenues will be re-routed to the outside lanes to allow workers to remove the center lane, which will be rebuilt.  For the duration of this work, turns across the construction zone will not be allowed. However, motorists can access businesses on the opposite side of the street by taking a U-turn at either Railroad or North Magnolia avenues.

The repaving of Hacienda Road on the north side of Prospect has been scheduled to begin in the next two weeks.  Flyers detailing the construction schedule will be distributed to residents.

A decorative sidewalk similar to the one recently installed at Cottonwood Avenue will be under construction at the North Magnolia Avenue intersection.

Workers this week will be installing street lights, installing electrical conduit  and equipment at businesses and residents to convert the overhead wires to an underground system.  Contractors will also be pouring concrete driveways and curbs throughout the project area, which stretches for a mile between Cuyamaca Street and North Magnolia Avenue.

Questions or comments about the project can be directed to Senior Civil Engineer Toby Espinola at  (619) 258-4100 ext. 174.

 

Mountain Bikers Trespassing on Marine Base Face Citations

The Marine Corps is urging mountain bikers to heed the “No Trespassing on Federal Property”  signs at the east end of the Miramar Air Station.

Military police are patrolling the area, which abuts Mission Trails Regional Park and Sycamore Canyon Reserve, and they are issuing citations to violators.  

The Marines’ latest warning was issued in response to a March 16 incident in which civilian mountain bicyclists rode on to a rifle range while Marines were conducting life firing exercises. An emergency cease fire was called and no one was injured.

In addition to the danger posed by live firing ranges, trespassers are also in peril from unexploded ordinance left on the ground during artillery, tank and mortar training dating back to the 1930s.
Even though these ranges are no longer active, many of them have not been fully cleared of explosives and are considered unsafe.