City Erases Traffic Bottleneck

The annoying rush-hour traffic back-ups on southbound Cuyamaca
Street at the eastbound onramp to State Route 52 have been eliminated.

 

Former traffic headache is fixed

The problem? The lone left-turn lane couldn’t handle the heavy traffic volume during peak commuter hours. Motorists trying to access the freeway onramp were often forced to wait through two or even three cycles of the turn-signal light. 




Advisory for the additional lane

Earlier this month, the striping was redone to add a second left-turn lane. Ta-da. Problem fixed. “The new striping has improved traffic significantly and virtually eliminated congestion,” reports principal traffic engineer Minjie Mei.













Get Connected with Summer Programs at Rec Connect

With summer right around the corner, this is the time of year parents start looking at options for summer programs to keep the kids active and engaged. 

Santee Day Camp offers a summer of
fun, friends and adventure



The City of Santee Summer Recreation Activity and Camp Guide is coming soon. In addition to traditional Santee Summer Day Camp (grades 1-5) and X-Factor Camp (grades 6-9), new camps offered will include Soccer Shots, Jump Rope, Woodshop Wizards and Play-Well Sports Bots along with other sport, enrichment and performing art camps. New extended hours will also be offered for many of the specialty camps.

To learn more about recreation programs and camps offered through the City of Santee this summer visit one of two upcoming Rec Connect open houses. See table top displays from contracted specialty camps, watch fun program demonstrations, ask questions, meet the staff and register for recreation programs and camps. Receive $5 off each week of Santee Day Camp or X-Factor Day Camp that you register for at a Rec Connect (not valid with multi-family discount).

The free Rec Connect open houses will be held on Friday, May 18 and June 22 from 5:00 to 6:30 pm at Santee City Hall, 10601 Magnolia Avenue, Building 7.

Can’t make either date? Staff will be happy to answer any questions you have about camps or programs, or give you a tour of our camp operations. Feel free to give us a call at (619) 258-4100 ext. 222 or visit www.ci.santee.ca.us.

Buzz Kill: Mosquito Abatement Chopper to Visit Santee

The county’s Vector Control helicopter will be hovering over Santee on Wednesday, May 9 to deposit an anti-mosquito larvicide in vegetation surrounding ponds in the San Diego River and at Sycamore Creek.

The small pellets to be dropped contain two types of bacteria that target mosquito larvae, preventing them from maturing into biting adult insects.

County officials said the VectoMax larvicide affects only mosquito larvae and is harmless to humans, wildlife and vegetation.

Aerial applications of the larvicide are done about ever four weeks between May and September at more than 40 locations countywide with stagnant or slow-moving water favored by mosquitoes.

The county’s “Fight the Bite” campaign is aimed at reducing the risk to humans of mosquito-borne illnesses.You can read more about the program at the Department of Environmental Health website.

Fang Factor: Rattlers Get Active as Weather Heats Up

The “Rattlesnake Xing” signs posted at Santee City Hall are no joke. City Hall workers have learned to be alert and look down when walking outdoors, especially during spring when rattlesnakes emerge from hibernation.

From spring through summer, rattlesnakes occasionally wander down from the boulder-covered hills that surround City Hall in search of prey or a quiet place to sun themselves.

The pregnant female red diamond rattlesnake in this photo was captured May 2 near the Development Services building at City Hall by Nathan Hutcherson of Reptile Removal Services of Lemon Grove. The snake, which was not harmed, was relocated to a more remote area.

Photo by Nathan Edwards

“This was one of the larger ones I’ve seen, and I’ve seen a lot of them,” said Hutcherson, 31, who grew up in Oklahoma and at age 9 was taught by his father how to handle snakes.

When he was hired last year,  Hutcherson conducted four inspections at City Hall and found and removed two red diamond rattlesnakes.

Responding to snake sightings can be challenging, he said, because many times the reptiles are on the move when they encounter humans.

“I’ve spent up to four hours on a call searching,” he said.

Santee residents are advised to call 911 if they find a rattle snake on their property. The Santee Fire Department has staff members who are adept at capturing venomous snakes, and they will remove the reptile.

To learn more about rattlesnake safety, read this website article about the San Diego County Department of Animal Control.

Closeout Sale on Open Space T-shirts

Show your support for the boulder-strewn  hills, San Diego River trail and open spaces that define the city of Santee. Now is your chance to get a limited-edition T-shirt or sweat shirt bearing the logo of Santee R.O.C.S. (Recreation Open Space Conservation System.).

Community Services' Kathryn Rottenberg is a ROCS fan

The system creates a balance between development and the natural environment. It includes city parks, open space, trails, the San Diego River Park, and wildlife habitat.

The T-shirts, which features an image of the burrowing owl native to East County, are available for $10. Sweat shirts are $20. Limited sizes available. They can be purchased at the Community Services Office, Building 6, at Santee City Hall, 10601 Magnolia Avenue, 92071.

Got Trash? Get Your Free Landfill Pass

Have a pile of junk that won’t fit into your trash can?

Don't forget that Santee residents are eligible for two free passes per year to dispose of bulky items, concrete, or up to one ton of other forms of solid waste at the Sycamore Landfill.

Free disposal passes can be obtained at the landfill entrance at 8514 Mast Blvd. from 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. To obtain passes, Santee residents must show

a valid driver’s license and a residential water or electric bill.

Passes are valid for up to one year from the date of issuance. Recyclable materials can be disposed of at the recycle facility at the landfill entrance.

For more information visit the city web site or contact Community Services at (619) 258-4100 ext. 128.

Santee Named “Playful City USA” Community

4-year-old Joey Andrew of Santee tries out the slide

Today’s children spend less time playing outside than any previous generation, but Santee earned recognition today from national non-profit KaBOOM! as a 2012 Playful City USA community because of efforts made to prioritize play opportunities for children.

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, play is critical to healthy brain development because it allows children to use their creativity while simultaneously developing imagination, dexterity and physical, cognitive and emotional strength. Yet today’s children spend less time playing outside than any previous generation in part because only 1-in-5 live within walking distance of a park or playground. The resulting play deficit is having consequences for kids physically, socially and academically.

Santee is among 213 communities in 41 states that received the Playful City USA designation since the program began six years ago in partnership with the Humana Foundation.  The designation is given to communities that demonstrate a commitment to physical activity by developing local action plans to increase the quantity and quality of opportunities for children to play through community partnerships, as well as recreational facilities that promote exercise and fitness. Santee was acknowledged for partnering with local school districts to provide joint use playing fields for youth sports activities and leagues.

The recognition also means Santee is qualified to apply for grants to help pay for park improvements, playground equipment and recreation programs. The grants are offered through Let’s Play, a partnership led by the Dr Pepper Snapple Group.

A primary goal of the Playful City USA program is to encourage cities and towns to share ideas, concepts and programs to increase play opportunities for children. Other local cities sharing the 2012 designation are Chula Vista, La Mesa, and Encinitas. For a complete list of winners or additional information visit http://www.playfulcityusa.org/.