US Race Walking Championships Here on Nov. 22

America’s best race walkers will be in Santee Nov. 22 to compete in the USA Track & Field Race Walk National Championship.  The fast walkers will vie for the national title as well as a chance to represent the USA in international competitions.

The competitors will walk a 1.25 kilometer loop course on Mast Boulevard between Magnolia Avenue and Jeremy Street, which is south of Santana High School.

Race organizers are expecting about a dozen athletes to compete in the 50-kilometer (31-mile) race, which begins at 7:30 a.m. and will conclude around 2 p.m.

 Santee was previously the site of the U.S. national championship race walk in 2009 and the US Olympic race walking qualifying trials in January 2012.

To accommodate the upcoming race, the westbound lanes of Mast Boulevard between Magnolia Avenue and Jeremy Street will be closed.  The eastbound lane will remain open. Watch for detour signs on Jeremy Street and Second Avenue.  Race organizers will have amplified sound during the event from 7:20 a.m. to 2 p.m. Information on the event is available on the USA Track & Field website at www.usatf.org

Recycle Your Christmas Tree in Santee

Help divert green waste from the landfill by recycling your Christmas tree at the end of the season.

 

Trees will be picked up for recycling the first two weeks following Christmas through Jan. 11, 2016.

Residents with curbside collection can recycle their Christmas trees by placing the trees in their yard waste bins on their regular pick-up day. Trees must be cut into maximum four-foot sections and must fit into the green yard waste container. Ornaments, tinsel and tree stands must be removed before being recycling.

Flocked trees cannot be recycled, but will be collected if cut into four-foot sections and placed into the regular trash cart.

Santee residents without curbside collection, primarily those living in apartment complexes, can drop off trees, from Dec. 26th through Jan. 11, 2016, at the Waste Management Recycle Center in El Cajon, located at 925 O’Connor Street, one block south of the West Bradley Avenue and Johnson Avenue intersection. The recycling center will be open 7:00am to 7:00pm Monday through Friday, and 7:00am to 12:00pm on Saturday.

For more information contact Senior Management Analyst Ed Ruiz at (619) 258-4100 ext. 128.

 

Santee Awarded Major Grant for Mast Park Upgrade

Santee's Mast Park

The City of Santee has been awarded a grant of $1.2 million to aid in the redevelopment of Mast Park, including drainage, stormwater treatment and habitat improvements.

The grant reinforces the city’s commitment  be an integral part of a 52-mile-long river park and trail system envisioned to someday parallel the San Diego River from the Cuyamaca Mountains to the Pacific Ocean.

The funding was approved Nov. 13 by a unanimous vote of the board of the San Diego River Conservancy, a state agency charged with enhancing the river’s ecology and to help create the crest-to-coast trail. The grant funds originated from Proposition 1, a ballot measure approved by voters in November 2014 to pay for water infrastructure and ecosystem and watershed protection projects.

The grant awarded to Santee will supplement city funding earmarked for a $7.2 million project to upgrade facilities, parking and other amenities covering 31 acres of the park on the north side of the San Diego River. The city plans to begin engineering and design work in 2016.

The grant funds are specifically targeted to pay for water quality, habitat and public access improvements. These include:

·        Replanting 13 acres at the east end of the park with low-growing native vegetation to create a stormwater infiltration area;

·        Creating a dry retention basin to capture and treat stormwater runoff that enters the park from adjacent residential uses;

·        Re-grading the park to create a system of bioswales and vegetated creek beds to capture runoff, reduce flooding and improve drainage;  

·        Removing an existing asphalt path and replacing it with a pervious, decomposed granite surface;

·        Moving the trail away from the river and planting a vegetated buffer consisting of 5.1 acres of riparian habitat;

Updated Slurry Seal Schedule

Slurry Seal Application to Trigger Temporary Street Closures

Temporary street closures will be required between Oct. 13 and Oct. 22 in four Santee neighborhoods to accommodate the application of a two-step slurry seal on the streets.

The application of slurry seal, a preventative maintenance aimed at extending the lifespan of a street, is part of a citywide pavement repair and rehabilitation project that began earlier this year.



click on map to enlarge
 

The affected streets include Ganley Drive, Kerrigan Street, Princess Sarit Way, Michala Place, Trechard Street, Wycliffe Street, Celita Court, Settle Road, Settle Court. Gaslton Drive, Highdale Road, Bellagio Road, Carita Road and Carita Court.

Residents will receive advanced notice of when the work will occur on their street along with a map showing which adjacent streets are available for alternate parking.

The slurry sealing is done in two layers, the first containing large aggregate and a second with finer aggregate to provide a smoother finish.

Streets scheduled to receive a slurry seal will be closed to all traffic from 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. to allow the slurry seal to dry.  Residents who need to use their vehicles should park on adjacent streets prior to 7 a.m. on the morning of the application to ensure they are not blocked in.

The fire department has been notified of the street closure schedule and access will be provided in the event of an emergency.

click on chart to enlarge
 

Questions can be directed to Senior Civil Engineer Toby Espinola, P.E. at (619) 258-4100 ext. 174

Prospect Avenue Project Update

Work continues on removing overhead wires and installing  undergrounding utility lines along the mile-long project from Cucamaca Street to Magnolia Avenue.

SDG&E, Cox Cable and AT&T are coordinating with property owners with the goal to complete the electrical conversion work by November.

Once the underground utility system is functioning, the overhead wires and wood power poles will be removed. This is expected to take six to eight weeks.

After the wires and poles are removed, workers will restore the disturbed areas with concrete and asphalt and should be finished in two or three weeks.

Additional landscaping, including shrubs and decorative rocks, will be installed after the undergrounded utility lines are functioning.  In the meantime, the trees planted earlier this year are being hand watered.

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

Learn How to Save Energy And Stay Comfortable at Free Workshop

Has your home been uncomfortably warm during this year’s heat waves? Does your electric bill spike every summer?

If so, it’s time for a home energy upgrade, according to experts at the nonprofit Center for Sustainable Energy (CSE). Sealing air leakage and adding insulation can help lower home energy bills and keep indoor temperatures comfortable year-round.

“When you seal air leaks and insulate, it reduces the amount of heat penetrating your home in the summer, or escaping from your home in the winter,” explains Chris Foster, a home energy coach at CSE. “This means your furnace and air conditioner don’t have to work so hard.”

Replacing old ducts – which often leak 25-35% of a home’s conditioned air – can also help lower energy bills and improve indoor air quality.

Incentives are available to help pay for upgrades. Through Energy Upgrade California® Home Upgrade, homeowners can access rebates ranging from $1,000 to $6,500. Homeowners work with local participating contractors specially trained in home energy efficiency and subject to the program’s quality assurance standards. The rebates are not income qualified.

 “It’s amazing what a difference these improvements can make in a family’s quality of life,” says Foster. “We love hearing from local families about how much more comfortable they are in their own homes.”

Santee homeowners have an opportunity to learn more about energy upgrades and rebates at a free workshop at City Hall. At the workshop, CSE’s home energy coaches will explain how to prioritize upgrades, choose a contractor and access rebates.

 

Home Energy Upgrade Workshop

Wednesday, October 21, 2015

6:00 – 7:30 p.m.

Santee City Hall – Building 8A

10601 Magnolia Ave

 

Register at www.energycenter.org/Oct21

New Mobile Phone App to Report Water Leaks and Water Wasters

To help Californians save more water this summer, the State Water Resources Control Board, the California Department of Technology and Save Our Water announced the launch of SaveWater.CA.Gov.

 The new mobile-optimized website will allow residents to report suspected leaks and water waste anywhere in the state from their smartphones, tablets and computers. Today’s announcement was made following the release of June 2015 statewide conservation progress.

“Everyone needs to save water, and this is one effective way alert residents can help everyone – and every community – save water during this historic drought,” said State Water Resources Control Board Chair Felicia Marcus. “Every drop saved – and every suspected leak or water waste reported and corrected – will help stretch the state’s limited water supply, because we don’t know if next year will be a fifth year of drought.”

Many local water agencies have their own methods for reporting water waste, whether by email, phone or online app. (To find a specific agency, click here.) Modeled on sites maintained by water suppliers throughout the state, SaveWater.CA.Gov is a tool for Californians to help their communities and state save water and assist those water suppliers that may not have the resources to build their own online reporting system. The site is available statewide and compliments local efforts by providing an easy-to-use tool that directly reports water waste to the proper authority – anywhere in California.

Through SaveWater.CA.Gov, users can easily report and send pictures of leaks or water waste from their smartphone, tablet, laptop or desktop computer. Users can select the type of water waste from a list of common problems, type in the address where the potential waste is occurring and click send.

The anonymous report is transmitted directly to the water agency that serves the geographic area where the report is made. Users don’t need to know the name of the local water agency or how to contact them. The SaveWater.CA.Gov site does it for them.

More than 300 water agencies throughout the state have already signed up to use the tool. All waters suppliers are encouraged to join SaveWater.CA.Gov to access detailed reports of apparent water waste in their areas.

“The beauty of this system is that it sends reports directly to the water suppliers,” Marcus said. “Since the State Water Board passed emergency water conservations regulations in July 2014, hundreds of state residents have emailed us and called asking what they can do to report suspected water waste. This tool is a valuable step in the right direction for water suppliers to find out about suspected leaks or overwatering in their communities.” 

 

Work Started on Citywide Pavement Repair Project

 

Work has begun on a $4 million citywide street improvement project that will upgrade pavement, curbs, gutters and sidewalks in five neighborhoods.

The project, which is funded through the Sandag Transnet program, began July 20 and will be completed in four to five months.

The city’s subcontractor, YBS Concrete, is currently working in the Settle Road area, where asphalt patching is set to begin August 17 and finish in five days. Earlier this year, a crack seal was applied to the road to prevent further damage.

 Final resurfacing of Settle Road and adjacent streets will be scheduled after the asphalt repair work is completed.  Next up: Concrete replacement along Strathmore Drive is scheduled to start August 10.

“No Parking” signs will be placed 48 hours in advance at locations where curb, gutter or sidewalk work is scheduled.

 Workers are currently identifying the locations of utility lines in advance of storm drain replacement work planned for Alphonse Street, Princess Joann Road and Ironwood.

We’ve included (below) a map of the streets and neighborhoods that comprise the project.  

Questions or feedback can be directed to Senior Civil Engineer Toby Espinola at (619) 258-4100 x 174 or via email at tobyespinola@CityofSanteeCA.gov

Curb and gutter and sidewalk work on Settle Road

 

 

 

 

 

Girl Scouts Paint New Mural at Mast Park

Park and Landscape Supervisor Annette Saul views the new mural

Santee's Mast Park is a more enchanting place today, thanks to Girl Scouts from Troop 6170.

Over the July 25 weekend, the young ladies painted a nature-themed mural on a bridge support beneath the Carlton Oaks Boulevard bridge. 

The Girl Scouts used funds from cookie sales to pay for the painting supplies. They painted the artwork under the expert guidance of professional muralist Thom Guerra and troop leader Christy Knight. 

The same Girl Scout troop has been beautifying the park for the past six years. The scouts planted trees during SanTree Fest, and they would routinely replant flowers beneath the park’s entrance sign until it recently collapsed.

The underpass, which is the transition between the main park and the Mast Park West recreational trail, has other murals previously painted by local Boy Scout troops under Guerra's supervision.

Don't Abandon Trees During the Drought

Sportsplex USA Santee Hosts Major Tournament

Massive crowd at opening ceremonies today

If you see an abundance of youngsters in baseball uniforms around town, it’s likely they are among the hundreds of competitors in the Extreme Diamond Sports World Series being played at Santee’s Sportsplex USA.

Several hundred players and their family members mobbed the sports field complex this morning for the opening ceremonies, which included a fly-over of World War II-era fighter planes.

 

More than 160 teams from 20 states are vying for championships in several divisions featuring players from ages 8 to 18.

The major hardball tournament means that restaurants, retail shops and traffic in Santee may be more packed than usual this weekend.

 “This event will have a several million-dollar economic impact on the region,” said Bill Berghoff, president of Sportsplex USA. “This tournament alone will generate several thousand hotel room nights.”

The 15-acre Sportsplex facility was built by the city in June 2010 to increase local playing field capacity, provide income to the city’s coffers and generate economic activity from regional and national sports tournaments.

 

Prospect Avenue Enhancement Update

Final paving of Prospect Avenue and the intersections at Magnolia Avenue and Cuyamaca Street has been completed except for areas where the old power poles need to be removed.

Telephone, power and cable companies are installing cable and wire into conduits below the surface, the next step toward converting  overhead wires to the new underground system.   The conversion work will be performed and coordinated with property owners by SDG&E, Cox and AT&T.

 

Once the utility and cable companies have converted all properties to the underground system, the overhead wires and the wood power poles holding them up will be removed.

Asphalt and concrete near the old power poles will be replaced once the poles are gone.

The new LED street lights will be turned on in segments as the power system is undergrounded.

Arrival of Summer Brings Live Music to Santee

The Cat*illacs

Here’s the scenario: It’s Friday-eve and you’re looking for something to bust you out of your normal humdrum routine.

Here’s the solution: Head down to Town Center Community Park East to enjoy live music, food trucks that rival the best gastro-pubs, and a venue where the best seats in the house are free.

Yep. Free.

The city of Santee offers this phenomenal combination each summer during a 10-week concert series at our expansive park at 550 Park Center Drive (north side of the San Diego River east of Cuyamaca Street).

The series begins June 18 with the classic rock sounds of the Cat•illacs. There will also be a classic car show, booths and plenty of room to throw a Frisbee or bounce a beach ball.

 “The concerts are all about having fun in the sun with neighbors and friends,” said Bree Humphrey, the city’s special events supervisor. “People have figured out the formula for comfort by bringing a beach chair, sunscreen and something cold to drink.”

You’re welcome to bring your own refreshments, but no glass containers are allowed.

Metro Transit System has a message for out-of-towners who want to attend the concerts: “Let MTS do the driving. Take the Green Line to Santee Trolley Square.” The shopping center is within a half-mile of the park, so bring a bicycle or walking shoes.

Performances are every Thursday from 6:30- 8:00 p.m. through August 27.  There’s no July 2 concert because of the 4th of July holiday.

Each concert will have food trucks serving cuisine that echoes the theme of that evening’s style of music.

Returning this summer are two specialty concerts, Blues & BBQ on July 16 and Wingstock on August 13. These two concerts run 5:30-8:30 p.m. Blues & BBQ will feature Whitney Shay & the Robin Henkel Band along with Len Rainey & the Midnight Players and a special appearance by legendary bluesman Bill Magee. Phil’s BBQ will return this year as the designated food vendor at Blues & BBQ.

 At Wingstock, the crowd will be entertained by Back to the Garden with special guests Larry Grano and Mattie Mills and fill up on fare from Wings•n•Things.

 The Summer Concert Series is made possible by our generous sponsors: Barona Resort & Casino, Cox Communications, Pardee Homes, Walmart, Waste Management, Wings•n•Things, MTS and Daphne’s California Greek.

 The full concert schedule and band lineup is posted at http://goo.gl/C9f0fo

Santee's Efforts to Conserve Water

Santee’s Community Services Department is responsible for maintaining parks, roadside landscaping funded by gas tax revenue and municipal facilities such as the Civic Center Complex.  These facilities require either drinking water, irrigation water or both.

Santee was monitoring its water usage before the state enacted mandatory cutbacks on June 1 seeking a statewide reduction of 25 percent.  However, the ongoing drought has made us look for ways to conserve even more water. Even though the city is not a water purveyor—Padre Dam Municipal Water District fills that role -- we’re paying attention and taking conservation seriously.

Measures we’ve taken to reduce our water usage include:

·         Installed drip irrigation for landscaping at the Civic Center Complex

·         Using reclaimed water for roadside landscaping under the city’s control that is served by purple piping

·         Using  “smart” irrigation controllers that shut off when rain is in the weather forecast

·         Planted native, drought-tolerant plant species in landscaped areas at city parks

·         Installed artificial turf surfaces for one football and one soccer field at Town Center Community Park

·         Using recycled water at 10 landscaping fountains citywide

·         Installed metered water faucets in park restrooms

·         Planning to convert all overhead spray irrigation to drip systems and upgrade drip equipment that needs repair.

·         Replacing landscape turf on Fanita Parkway with drought-tolerant trees and shrubs

·         Using recycled water for street sweeping since 2013

·         Using reclaimed water at six of the city’s eight parks; the remaining two lack purple piping

·         Conducting daily inspections for leaks and sprinkler vandalism at all parks, right of ways and landscape maintenance districts. Leaks are isolated, shut off immediately and usually repaired within 24-hours. The city receives email notifications from Padre Dam MWD for when water meters indicate abnormal flows

 

 

 

Final Paving Set for Prospect Avenue Project

The final asphalt cap will be installed along one mile of Prospect Avenue between Cuyamaca Street and Magnolia Avenue beginning this weekend.
Paving will start at 4 a.m. Saturday, May 30 and continue into the late afternoon.  The same schedule will be followed Sunday, May 31.
On Monday, June 1, the intersection of Cuyamaca and Prospect avenues will be repaved from 8:30 p.m. and continue through 6 a.m. Tuesday.
The intersection of Magnolia and Prospect will be repaved on the night of Tuesday, June 2 from 8:30pm until 6:00 am.
During all phases of paving, there will be one travel lane in each direction open at all times.
Questions or concerns can be directed to Principal Civil Engineer Carl Schmitz at 619-258-4100 ext. 175.

Mosquito Control in Santee

A helicopter under contract with County Vector Control will be dropping  pesticide granules on Wednesday over ponds in the San Diego River in Santee to control mosquitos.

 The pesticide consists of corn cob or sand granules coated with naturally occurring bacteria that target mosquito larvae and prevent them from developing into biting adults.

 Vector Control says the granules are not harmful to people, pets, plants or wildlife.

 The aerial pesticide applications take place between April and October as part of a public health effort to control West Nile virus.

More information about the program is available on the Vector Control website at www.sdcounty.ca.gov/deh/aerials

 

Prospect Avenue Enhancement Project Update

 

 

 

New textured crosswalk at Magnolia and Prospect avenues

There’s a bustle of activity this week on Prospect Avenue, where construction continues on a mile-long street beautification project.

Final paving originally scheduled for early May has been postponed.  New dates will be posted after the contractor has completed all pre-paving work items.

Boxes containing more than 100 trees and shrubs have been unloaded and they will be planted as soon as new electrical service boxes have been installed. More street lights are going up.
This week, the newly installed raised median along the Gillespie Field frontage will be completed.  Workers will also finish paving Ian Way and Hacienda Road on the north side of Prospect.

Electrical conversion boxes and other equipment related to the undergrounding of overhead wires is continuing. Electrical cables have been installed between Magnolia and Railroad avenues.

Nearly all of the new concrete curbs, gutters, sidewalks and driveways have been installed.

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

Santee to Host Regional Fire Training Exercise

If you see a large number of fire engines this week on Summit Avenue and adjacent streets, it’s because Santee is hosting a regional wild land fire training exercise that begins today, May 4.

More than 300 firefighters from Santee, El Cajon, La Mesa, Lemon Grove, Lakeside, Alpine, Viejas, Barona and Bonita fire departments will be participating.  In addition to classroom instruction, the firefighters will be outdoors performing live training exercises, including mock evacuations, laying out fire hoses and structure defense.

The training exercises –all simulations with no actual fires– will continue through May 29.

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.

Public Meeting April 2 on Via de Cristina Park Project

Santee residents and property owners are invited to attend a public meeting  at 7 p.m. April 2 to discuss a preliminary design for Via de Cristina Park. The meeting will be held at Building 8A at the City Hall Complex at 10601 Magnolia Avenue.

The park is proposed for a half-acre parcel east of Fanita Drive adjacent to State Route 52. The property is excess right-of-way that the city of Santee has leased from the State Department of Transportation, (Caltrans).

 City officials and consultants from Dokken Engineering  will provide an overview of the proposed park’s layout and amenities. . The preliminary design incorporates suggestions offered at an initial public meeting held in April 2013.

The current vision calls for a family friendly park that would include a playground structure and an interactive bikeway where children could play.  The park would have a perimeter pathway , benches, a small shade structure and drought-tolerant landscaping.

The project schedule calls for construction to start in January 2016, followed by four months of construction. The park would be open for public use in April 2016.

Questions about the project can be directed to Terry Rodgers, Special Projects Coordinator, at (619) 258-4100 ext. 127 or trodgers@cityofsanteeca.gov

 

Zero Tolerance for Graffiti in Santee

The city of Santee is doing its best to deter and penalize those who make a sport of defacing property.

The city has a track record of prosecuting vandals regardless of the size or frequency of their illegal graffiti.  One teenager was recently prosecuted for defacing a picnic table at a city park with a marking pen.  The damage was only $25, but the youth paid a fine and was sentenced to 40 hours of community service. Three years ago, a prolific graffiti tagger was arrested, convicted and ordered to repay the city $20,000 in restitution.
“It doesn’t make a difference how big or small it is, graffiti is graffiti,” said Community Service Director Bill Maertz. “If you deface public property, we’ll find you and you’ll pay.”

For the past five years, Santee has participated in the regional Graffiti Tracker program, a sophisticated, web-based graffiti reporting system that creates a data base that allows crime analysts to identify each tagger’s graphic signature.  Taggers are actually providing new evidence against themselves each time they leave their mark.

The city’s Public Services staff moves quickly – usually within 24 hours—to erase graffiti after it is reported on the city’s graffiti hotline or on the city’s smartphone app.

“We utilize the ‘broken window’ theory,” said Sgt. Kelly Moody, referring to the criminology theory that responding quickly to vandalism or dumping when the damage is small prevents similar crimes from proliferating. 

“As soon as we identify (graffiti), we immediately try to take care of the problem so it doesn’t get worse,” said Moody, who heads the Community Oriented Policing and Problem Solving Team at the Sheriff’s Dept. Santee Station.

Bluegrass Festival Tickets on Sale Now

The sixth annual Santee Bluegrass Festival will be held Saturday, September 12. Don’t wait until the last minute to get your tickets because, without a doubt, this event will sell out.

Tickets can be purchased in advance online or at Santee City Hall, Building 6, 10601 Magnolia Avenue. Early bird pricing of $40 per ticket is effective through March 31. After that, the price increases to $45 for advanced sales and $50 at the door, pending availability. Designated driver tickets are available for $35.

The event will take place from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. at Town Center Community Park East, 550 Park Center Drive. Live music will be performed by two renowned bluegrass bands, Box Canyon and High Mountain Road. Plenty of food and drink will be available with samplings from local breweries, wineries and restaurants. There also will be a fabulous silent auction, so be ready to bid.

This event is a fundraiser to help support the Santee Teen Center, park improvement projects and the Recreation Scholarship Program that assists qualifying families to participate in our recreation programs at a discount.

For a list of participating vendors, parking information and frequently asked questions, visit the event webpage.

Hope to see you at the festival

City Workers Honored for Displaying Values in Their Work



Six City of Santee employees recently  received recognition awards for displaying one of the City’s five core values in their work on the job at the annual Values-in-Motion Awards Ceremony at City Hall.

During a Values-In-Motion Recognition Ceremony at City Hall, the six award recipients were selected from among 14 city employees nominated during 2014 and received a diamond shaped trophy for exemplifying one of the following Core Values: Accountability, Professionalism, Vision, Integrity or Commitment in their work.

The honorees were: Kathy Valverde, Assistant to the City Manager; John O’Donnell, Associate Planner; Heather Heckman, Administrative Secretary; Eddie Adame, Fire Engineer; Ian O’connor, Firefigher Paramedic; Terry Rodgers, Special Projects Coordinator.

The awards are part of the City’s Mission Vision Values (MV2) program aimed at encouraging performance that is based on a set of Core Values in support of the City’s Mission and Vision for the community.  

 

MV2 Award
 

Update on Prospect Avenue Project

Installing purple pipe for reclaimed water

New pavement is scheduled to be installed on Ian Way and Hacienda Road on the north side of Prospect on Feb. 25 and 26. Residents are being notified so they can prepare.

The southbound lane of Cottonwood Avenue where it meets Prospect Avenue will be closed March 3 -16 to allow for the installation of a decorative concrete crosswalk.   Detour signs will be put up to alert motorists and to divert traffic to surrounding streets. The northbound lane of Cottonwood Avenue will remain open.

Storm drains are being installed near Cuyamaca Street, where a stormwater bioswale is also being constructed.

Work continues on the installation of underground electrical conduit and conversion boxes in front of businesses and residences, which will eliminate the need for overhead electrical wires.

Workers are also continuing installation of curbs, gutters, sidewalks and driveways, and street surface work is continuing on the north side of Prospect Avenue.

Questions about the project can be directed to Senior Civil Engineer Toby Espinola at (619) 258-4100 ext. 174 or by email at TobyEspinola@CityofSanteeCa.gov