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 The Oceanside Chamber recommends a vote of YES on Proposition 20 as an important first step in addressing the criminal behavior associated with homelessness on our streets… behaviors including violence and repeated acts of theft. These behaviors have been a tremendous burden on our small businesses, a distraction they can ill afford as they focus on recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic.
 The Oceanside Chamber of Commerce Emerging Issues Forum, held the first Thursday of every month, provides an avenue for Oceanside Chamber members to learn about key community issues, interact with legislative representatives and receive updates on legislative items impacting business. May’s forum educated attendees on the evolving energy landscape and why the State is transitioning eligible residential customers to Time-of-Use pricing plans. Providing the information was Katie Scanlan, Public Affairs Manager at San Diego Gas & Electric.
 The Oceanside Chamber of Commerce Emerging Issues Forum, held the first Thursday of every month, provides an avenue for Oceanside Chamber members to learn about key community issues, interact with legislative representatives and receive updates on legislative items impacting business. April’s forum provided attendees with a detailed update on federal legislative issues impacting businesses and the Oceanside community as a whole. Providing the update was Jennings Imel, Executive Director at the Western Regional Office of the US Chamber of Commerce.
 In 2009, the City of Oceanside adopted the Coast Highway Vision and Strategic Plan. This plan serves as a blueprint for the revitalization and enhancement of the Coast Highway corridor between Harbor Drive in the north and Buena Vista Lagoon in the south. The Vision and Strategic Plan includes several recommendations to transform Coast Highway from an auto-oriented thoroughfare into a "complete street" that serves all modes of transportation from automobiles to pedestrians to bicyclists and transit vehicles.
 Daniel Butler, Municipal Relations San Diego County
Waste Management of North County The recycling industry is currently going through a serious downturn due to import policies being enforced by China to reduce trash in recyclables put into effect in early 2018. Their action stems from something that has become all too common in recycling programs across North America: recycling contamination, or the percentage of trash mixed with recyclables.  Chamber CEO, Scott Ashton and incoming Board Chair, Bill Birnie were included in a group of business and civic leaders invited to partipate in a forum with Congressman-Elect Mike Levin earlier this week. Levin is set to take over the 49th Congressional District seat, currently held by Darrell Issa, in January.
Representatives from the Manufacturing, Health Care, Transportation and Biotech sectors (including Oceanside's Genentech), were given the opportunity to share concerns related to their specific industries. Levin expressed an interest in following up with tours of many of the businesses in attendance. Oceanside Chamber, Farmers and city Council Candidates Instrumental in defeat of measure y11/7/2018  Oceanside's Measure Y, also known as the SOAR Initiative, has been defeated. With 100% of precincts reporting, 54% of Oceanside voters have rejected this initiative that would have "required voter approval of proposals to change land use designation or zoning in agricultural or open space land to any other use."
The Oceanside Chamber, along with local farmers, and City Council candidates, led the effort over several months to spread the word about the negative impact this measure would have on economic development and property rights. This past spring, the Chamber's Business and Community Political Action Committee commissioned an economic impact study on SOAR to highlight its threat to farming as well as a wide variety of opportunity costs this measure could pose. The report is still available at www.OceansideSOARStudy.com.  On November 6th, Oceanside voters will have the opportunity to vote on a ballot measure that will impact our local economy for decades to come. Measure Y, more commonly referred to as the SOAR initiative, not only could have lasting economic impacts, but also would eliminate local farmland, encourage sprawling estate lot development in Oceanside’s backcountry, and make “ballot-box planning” land-use restrictions a reality in Oceanside.
Measure Y would require voter approval for any change in the zoning of land currently designated for agricultural or open space. This takes away property rights from farms by making it cost prohibitive for farmers to mount a political campaign, not to mention the cost to the city taxpayers to hold an election. This past Spring, upon recognition of the potential detrimental effects of the measure, the Chamber commissioned Dr. Lynn Reaser of Point Loma Nazarene University to complete a study on the economic impact of Measure Y. The complete study is available for download at www.OceansideSoarStudy.com. According to Reaser’s report, Measure Y will fail on its core promise of protecting public recreational lands and open space “because most open space used for parks and recreational activities is City-owned and already requires a vote of the people for any zoning change.” Similarly, the claim that Measure Y will safeguard Oceanside farmland is false. In fact, Dr. Reaser’s study came to the opposite conclusion: “The Initiative will likely lead to the demise of active farms in Oceanside, with land either being left to go fallow or sold into large estates for the wealthy.” According to Chamber CEO, Scott Ashton, “This measure is not about saving open space or farms. Measure Y is simply an affront to property rights. It benefits a small group of estate owners at the expense of our farmers and the rest of our community.” Oceanside Farmers have deep concerns about the consequences of this measure. Neil Nagata, owner of Nagata Brothers Farms, Inc. in South Morro Hills, President of the San Diego Farm Bureau sees the initiative for what it truly is. “Measure Y doesn’t help agriculture, it hurts agriculture. Farmers must depend on land values as a significant part of how we borrow money to fund our farm. By stripping our property rights from us, [Measure] Y will actually hurt our ability to stay in business. Every burden that we add just makes it easier for foreign competition to move in and replace us. If farmers go bankrupt, we’d have to lay off employees, and the land won’t stay green. The decision would be to sell off 2 ½ acre lots or have the land be left as a blight to the area.” Leaders in the agritourism arena also see the unintended consequences. Agritourism has proved a successful approach to tying tourism, dining and craft-driven business to local agriculture as a way to stimulate economic activity while sustaining farming. According to Eric Larson, Executive Director of the San Diego County Farm Bureau, “Agritourism can only succeed with large numbers of visitors. To accommodate the crowds there will need to be infrastructure improvements. If the SOAR initiative prevents infrastructure improvements, there should be no expectation that agritourism will succeed.” He added, “If you look at the two most successful examples of agritourism in San Diego County, Bates Nut Farm and the Flower Fields, neither would be allowed in Oceanside under the SOAR initiative.” Reaser’s report goes into depth on a wide array of economic consequences that could result from this initiative. Some of the key takeaways from the report include… Family Farms Potentially Becoming Exclusive Estates for the Wealthy
According to Ashton, a no vote on Measure Y will preserve a wide variety of economic opportunities for Oceanside over the coming decades. “If Measure Y is defeated, it gives Oceanside flexibility in addressing issues such as workforce housing and the implementation of a thriving agritourism sector, while ensuring agriculture remains a vital part of Oceanside – as it has been for generations.”  At its May 9th meeting, the Oceanside City Council voted in favor of the Fairfield Inn Hotel project, slated for Oceanside Blvd, just west of I-5. The project had originally been denied by the planning commission, but was supported in a 3-2 vote of the council, with Mayor Peter Weiss and councilmembers Jerry Kern and Jack Feller voting in favor of the project.
The 99-room hotel project, which is supported by the Chamber, would provide an estimated $500,000 annually of additional TOT revenue to the City, along with the potential of increased sales tax revenue. On May 2nd, the Oceanside Chamber of Commerce Business and Community Political Action Committee (BACPAC) hosted a candidate forum for the 76th Assembly District, the seat currently held by Assemblymember Rocky Chavez.
The event was co-hosted by the MiraCosta College Associated Student Government (ASG), Vista Chamber of Commerce, Carlsbad Chamber, Encinitas Chamber and the Fallbrook Chamber and was sponsored by Genentech. Six of the eight candidates were in attendance to answer a dozen questions posed from the business community, audience members and ASG members. The event video was produced by MiraCosta College and includes the complete forum.  The Oceanside Chamber of Commerce Votes to Oppose the SOAR Initiative
Area business leaders site concerns with property rights, economic vitality On February 20th, the Oceanside Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors unanimously voted to oppose the Save Open Space and Agricultural Resources initiative, known as S.O.A.R. The proposed initiative would require a vote of the people of Oceanside for any request requiring a zone change to open space or agricultural property. This initiative destabilizes farmers’ rights, creates devastating community impacts, and denigrates the City Council.  Based on recommendations of the Emerging Issues Committee, the Board of Directors of the Oceanside Chamber of Commerce considered the following ballot measures on November 8th ballot. For those measures deemed to be business related, the following positions were adopted:
 by Amber Ter-Vrugt
The following is a quick overview of some of the key issues facing Oceanside's business community, as discussed at the Chamber's October Emerging Issues Committee meeting. Hot Topics! There’s a bunch… Have you read your general election guide?! Confused? Emerging Issues took a deeper dive on a few of the propositions… Prop 51: School Bonds, if this doesn’t pass, it will have a huge hit on school development across the state and will help Mira Costa if the Mira Costa bond passes. Emerging Issues Committee made a recommendation to support it. Prop 52: Critically important for Medical reimbursement for local health systems and hospitals. Emerging Issues Committee made a recommendation to support it. Prep 53: Niche revenue bonds proposal for water infrastructure billing, Emerging Issues Committee made a recommendation to remain neutral. Prop 54: Most important proposition on the ballot to revise legislative proceedings (NO MORE GUT AND AMEND or WORF)! Emerging Issues Committee made a recommendation to support it.  by Amber Ter-Vrugt
Hot Topics! There’s a bunch… Special presentation Scripps Health property at Jefferson and Vista Way. Scripps is proposing a new medical office building in Oceanside and presented on the design and plans. Scripps will come back to a future meeting to ask for support from the committee. Chamber will be taking a deeper dive to research and consider positions on 51, 52, 54, 55, 56, 58, 65, 67 and measure A in an upcoming meeting.  by Amber Ter-Vrugt
Hot Topics! There’s a bunch… Brian Butler, Career Education Advisor discussed the California Career Pathways Trust Grant
 by Amber Ter-Vrugt
Hot Topics! There’s a bunch… Special presentation on dead bills from Chris Marsh, District Director, Senator Bates;
 Emerging Issues Committee Chair, Bruce Tait, hold a Double Double from the newly opened In-N-Out Burger by Amber Ter-Vrugt
Hot Topics! There’s a bunch… Brian Rupp, Shopoff Realty. Shopoff is developing a handful of projects in North County. In Oceanside they are working on;
 by Marva Bledsoe, Business and Community Political Action Committee
At a recent meeting of the Oceanside Chamber of Commerce’s Emerging Issues Committee, Ray Major, an Economic Analyst for the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) provided a status report from the San Diego Forward Regional Plan, including a review of TransNet projects. What do we want our region to look like in 2050? Where will we live? How will we get around? How can we grow in a way that fuels our economy and preserves our environment, takes everyone’s needs into account, and still maintains our quality of life? San Diego Forward: The Regional Plan tackles these questions and provides a blueprint for a sustainable future for the San Diego region. TransNet is the voter-approved half-cent sales tax administered by SANDAG. To date, $3.3 billion in TransNet funds have been leveraged with more than $10 billion from federal, state, and local funding sources to deliver more than 650 projects throughout the San Diego region.  Tracey Bohlen, City of Oceanside Economic Development Manager
Two years ago, the five cities located along the Highway 78 corridor - Oceanside, Carlsbad, Escondido, San Marcos, and Vista - launched Innovate78. Innovate 78 is an economic initiative designed to increase prosperity through collaboration. Under Innovate 78, the five cities pledged to work together to attract and retain business and to not undermine each other’s economic interests. Innovate 78 grew from the realization that the five cities along the 78 Corridor have much in common and can benefit by collaborating to promote common business interests, whereas competing against each other could drive businesses, jobs and investment dollars away.  A quick overview of what was covered in the Oceanside Chamber’s March 2016 Emerging Issues Committee Meeting.
By Amber Ter-Vrugt Jennings – US Chamber – priorities for 2016! The Transpacific Partnership, a free trade agreement with 11 other nations along the Pacific Rim, is the #1 priority for the US chamber! This will open up trade markets for the US that never existed before. Other priorities include regulatory reform, tax reform, and combatting harmful legislation. Regulatory Onslaught…63 federal agencies have 3,305 regulations at various stages of implementation Two major regulatory rules that are coming down the pike…
 Colleen Foster Provides Chamber Members Info on Oceanside's Zero Waste Programs by Amber Ter-Vrugt
Texas Roadhouse coming to Oceanside! Like steak? Like ribs? Like ice cold beer? Like Peanuts? If so, come June, you’re going to be a happy camper…. ! Pay attention to the old Spoons location … Texas Road house is scraping it and building a new restaurant. Zero Waste in Oceanside… we’re on our way! What’s next? Single Use Bag Ban coming this year… Want more information … January 25th the City will be hosting a business, sustainability and policy workshop at Privateer at 6pm… or, if you can’t make it, contact Colleen Foster at 760-435-5021 cfoster@ci.oceansde.ca.us Interesting tidbits from Colleen…
 The City of Oceanside is committed to waste diversion and recycling. Through this commitment, the City of Oceanside passed a Zero Waste Strategic Resource Management Plan in June of 2012. The Zero Waste Plan has allowed the City to implement programs and provide resources to the community that has increased the City’s diversion rate from 58%-71% in less than 3 years. The Zero Waste Plan also outlines the implementation of policies that will minimize the use of single-use shopping bags. In line with this zero waste goal, the City of Oceanside is currently considering a Single-Use Carryout Bag Ordinance in Oceanside, and will be hosting a series of educational presentations for the public and business community during the month of January.
 by Marva Bledsoe, Business and Community Political Action Committee
In partnership with a Senior Experience Team from California State University San Marcos, the Oceanside Chamber of Commerce has recently explored the relationship between educational institutions and the needs of the local business community. The Chamber commissioned the three month project in order to gain new perspectives and insights on how to bridge the communication gap between educational institutions and businesses in Oceanside. The goal of this project was to find out what local businesses have experienced with past and current employees and to analyze the traits these employees are lacking and that the business is looking for, and then to compare these needs to the type of education and training that educational institutions have provided to students or future employees. As a part of their research, the Senior Experience Team conducted a series of interviews and surveys with local businesses and educational institutions. Based on their conclusions and recommendations, the Chamber will expand its programs to help solve the problems businesses are currently facing regarding new employees.  by Amber Ter-Vrugt
Interesting findings from the CSUSM Senior Experience Project for the Oceanside Chamber… CSUSM students surveyed Oceanside businesses and found out interesting information; including but not limited to, employers in Oceanside feel that in many cases new employees are lacking soft skills and trainability, Oceanside employers typically search from within and take recommendations from current employees when looking to fill positions, and employers look for employees at job fairs and on job websites. So, what does that mean? Why is there such a deficit in soft skills? The research findings give us a great basis to create programs to support our business community. Concerned with vagrant and homeless issues in downtown? The homeless shelter has opened downtown and there’s a great deal of work being done to create long-term solutions for the city.  by Marva Bledsoe, Business and Community Political Action Committee
The Oceanside Chamber of Commerce has joined the growing list of businesses and healthcare providers supporting the Medi-Cal Funding and Accountability Act initiative. Californians United is a coalition sponsoring this amendment to the existing Medi-Cal laws and focuses on closing loopholes and eliminating the Act’s current “sunset clause” scheduled for January 1, 2017. In an impartial review by the Legislative Analyst’s Office supports the initiative. That Office summarizes the fiscal effects of the measure as follows: 1) State savings from increased revenues that offset state costs for children’s health coverage of around $500 million beginning in 2016-17 (half year savings) to over $1 billion annually by 2019-20, likely growing between 5 percent to 10 percent annually thereafter; and, 2) Increased revenues to support state and local public hospitals of around $90 million beginning in 2016-17 (half-year) to $250 million annually by 2019-20, likely growing between 5 percent to 10 percent annually thereafter. |
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