Oceanside's Emerging Issues – Are you in the know? - January 2016

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 [email protected]
Interesting tidbits from Colleen…

• Today Oceanside is at a 77% recycling rate! That’s a direct result of businesses and schools getting involved!
• California generates about 19 million single use plastic bags!
• Single use plastic bags do not bio degrade.
• Single use bags are the 5th most commonly found littered item because of their lightweight makeup.
• Plastic bag materials are now being found in our food supply because marine life consumes plastic bags that make it into waterways. 
• What about ziplock bags? Those are not biodegradable, or recyclable… but they would not be part of an ordinance in Oceanside at this time
• Patio decking is the only area where single use bags can be reused / recycled, but that’s such a narrow market that only %5 of single use plastic bags are actually recycled and reused .
• 145 cities / counties have passed a single use plastic bag ban.

Beer and Bragging….
This year the Oceanside Chamber is second in the nation for its social media program!
 
Legislative tid-bits for your reading pleasure...
 
What’s happening in the State?
The legislature just reconvened… this is the second year of the session, so the two-year bills are being heard now…
Our local legislators are pushing bills for hospital medical reimbursement…
Rumors are circulating regarding bills to increase minimum wage…
 
What’s happening in Oceanside?
Ocenaside passed a medical marijuana ordinance; the city will maintain local control over medical marijuana dispensaries, cultivation deliveries, etc.  Oceanside does not allow dispensaries…
Support Congressman Issa’s bill to move the spent fuel from San Onofre to Texas…
 
What’s happening at the County?
Rob Roberts is the new chair…
Toxic algae bloom caused my El Nino is affecting our local fisheries (Carlsbad Aquafarm)…
Accepting applications of the community enhancement grant application…
State of the North County in March... stay tuned!
 
What’s happening at SANDAG?
SANDAG scheduled three teleconference meetings to gain input on how we about another sales tax increase. Thursday, January 28th is the north county coastal call for input…