Wednesday, October 26, 2005

IN THIS ISSUE

IT’S NO MISTAKE.  YOUR TRASH BILL WENT DOWN!

Bulky item pickups now done on demand.
It’s one of those rare, but pleasant experiences in life, a time when the price of something goes down.  And that’s what’s happened with Murrieta’s residential trash and recycling rates, which declined 9% -- or $1.50 a month – with the billing cycle that started July 1.

The city negotiated changes to its trash hauling contract with Waste Management of the Inland Empire, and the drop in rates resulted.  A flyer outlining more revisions is coming your way shortly, but another major change is in bulky item pickups.

These curbside collections have previously been done in the spring and fall, but have been dropped in favor of an RSVP system that allows customers to get bulky pickups when they need them.  Residents can call up to twice a year for the collections when those too big for the trash bin items will be picked up.  There are limits on how much will be collected each time, though there always have been limits.

Call Waste Management’s customer service line to request these special collections:  1-800-423-9986.

PUBLIC PROJECTS

New park greatly increases sports fields.
Work is well along on Murrieta’s latest addition to its parks system, the 45-acre first phase of Los Alamos Hills Park that will vastly expand sports fields for youth and adult leagues.  Field and parking lot lighting has been installed, restrooms and concession stands erected and irrigation systems are being laid.  Then comes seeding and waiting for the grass to grow and mature enough to handle the heavy foot traffic it will be enduring.

When ready for use, perhaps by February, depending on weather, the park will feature six full-sized soccer fields, four baseball fields, three football fields, tot lot and picnic areas and walking trails.

Cal Oaks interchange work half done.

Construction that will ease traffic flow through the Cal Oaks Road/I-15 interchange is about half done and is headed for a December finish.  The work includes widening to two lanes both on-ramps at the intersection and creating double left-turn lanes feeding vehicles onto the freeway more efficiently.  Traffic signal modifications also will be done to accommodate the changes.

The improvements are an interim measure to aid traffic flow while plans are finished and funded for a rebuilt interchange at that location, which is several years off.

AT YOUR SERVICE

Rebuilt web site to bring more of city hall to the screen.
A host of new features, including a versatile on-line service request system and streaming video of council meetings, are planned for a revamped city web site that is expected to debut by the end of November.  Changes being made are taking advantage of technology that has become available since the city’s current site was turned on five years ago.

Among the new features is At Your Service, which folks can click on to access well over 100 city activities.  By clicking on a selected topic, users can get answers to frequently asked questions, but also offer comments and request services.  Streaming video capability is being added as well to provide access to City Council meetings and eventually other official sessions, too.  The meetings will be recorded by the system and those interested will be able to access the archived tapes later whenever they wish.

What was more a novelty just a few years ago, the web site has become an essential business tool.  Over time, the city wishes to make it possible for customers to do on the website most things they now come to city offices to take care of.

AN EXTRA MEASURE OF SAFETY

New fire station answers calls in NE Murrieta.
Folks along the I-215 corridor from Clinton Keith Road north now have an extra measure of safety as the opening of the city’s fourth fire station is cutting emergency response times in the area.  A full crew began answering fire and medical aid calls there Oct. 16 and will work out of the temporary facility on Baxter Road just off Antelope until a permanent station house is built nearby in about two years.

The station is operating with three-person crews, including a paramedic, the same as at other fire stations in town.

CALL IT HISTORIC DOWNTOWN MURRIETA

Businesses organize to promote downtown.
With the completion of an almost $5 million renovation of Murrieta’s downtown, business owners there have formed a partnership to seize the momentum and plan for ongoing promotion of the area.  Calling itself the Historic Downtown Murrieta Association, the group is currently organizing and planning ways to bring attention to what was the community’s original business core.

The city and Murrieta Chamber of Commerce are helping the group get up and running.  The association is having regular meetings at 8:30 a.m. the second Tuesday of the month, and property and business owners in the downtown are invited to participate.  Call 461-6007 for details.

Among its first activities, the downtowners are doing the Harvest of Goodwill collection to benefit the victims of recent hurricanes.  Donations are being accepted at participating businesses until Dec. 10, when proceeds will be sent to the American Red Cross and the Salvation Army.

SENIOR CENTER OPENS TO RAVE REVIEWS

Meals being added to the menu.
The building’s up and open and now meals are being added to the menu of offerings to Murrieta’s seniors.  A starting date for lunches to be served on Monday, Wednesday and Friday noons is expected any day, a welcome addition to what’s available at the city’s new Senior Center that opened in September.

The 9,000-foot structure, located in Town Square at the corner of Adams Avenue and Juniper Street, is offering an array of activities.  There are line dancing, exercise and embroidery classes, art and computer workshops, monthly driving lessons and movies (with popcorn, of course).  Counselors are available on select days to help seniors with social services and veterans programs.  And a pool table’s on the way.

The center’s open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays through Fridays.