​Oceanside's Emerging Issues – July 2016

by Amber Ter-Vrugt

Hot Topics! There’s a bunch…
Brian Butler, Career Education Advisor discussed the California Career Pathways Trust Grant

• $13M came to San Diego County and is being divided amongst all San Diego school districts
• Oceanside developed and e-portal to help students develop the essential skills to be successful in the work place and they are looking to engage with the business community to help augment the program by providing speakers, internships and other relevant experiences for the student

Improving WIFI access in Oceanside, Jim Falanc from Southern Contracting

• Southern Contracting is finishing street light conversion to LED’s – Oceanside is the first city in the US to install digital lighting controls which creates a huge economic development opportunity for the city as the city is basically plumbed for city-wide Wi-Fi… the economic development impacts are endless

Legislative tid-bits for your reading pleasure...
What’s happening in Washington? 
… HR2646 helping families in metal health crisis act to give families the tools to assist their loved ones (this is budget neutral) it will remove barriers with HIPPA and other issues to aid families in their work to support family members with mental health issues
… On June 30 the President singed the Freedom of Information Act of 2016
… Issa and Mayor Wood met regarding dredging and came to a resolution that twill help the city in coming years
 
What’s happening in the State?
SPECIAL GUEST Colonel Rocky Chavez, California State Assemblymember … Rocky is hosting a beer challenge at the Carlsbad Sheraton on September 15th for all the cities in his district
… Sergeant Major Valentine was the Veteran of the Year
… Senator Bates is in the district and is looking forward to meeting with constituents
… North County Lifeline honored as non-profit of the year
 
… Passed the budget, $2B in rainy day funding, $2B in mental health…but spending has been increased, so they are concerned that we are heading for another deficit
 
What’s happening in Oceanside?
… Not back in session until August 10th
… Dredging has been a disaster; we’ve had boats overturn in the harbor
… Downtown parking structure development will start in August and should be completed in 20 months
… Two new breweries opened
 
What’s happening at the County?
… Neighborhood reinvestment allocations began on July 1
… Mira Costa opened a new Veterans Training Center in Carlsbad
… Passed a $5.6M budget, increasing mental health spending (children, homelessness and mentally ill)
 
What’s happening at Mainstreet?
… Independence Day parade was great – streets were packed
… Establishing a mural painting program to improve aesthetics in downtown, planning commission will be discussing a policy on Monday
 
What’s happening in the chamber?
… Next Wednesday July 13th is the annual awards and recognition luncheon
… DAVID IS RETIRING! WHAT???