MAY 2022 · UPDATES FROM THE CITY OF MURRIETA · MORE MURRIETA | |
Message from the City Manager
May 2022
While it may not be summer yet, there is an excitement in the air in Murrieta. The hard work put in in recent months is coming together with new programs launching, events regularly on the calendar, and opportunities to connect.
Read on to learn more about the following stories and more in this edition of More Murrieta:
- U.S. Department of Commerce invests $2.4 million in the Murrieta Innovation Center
-
Amazon Fresh opens May 5
-
Murrieta Money Match local shopping incentive program coming soon
-
Murrieta Police officer awarded Alumnus of the Year and Murrieta PD Citizens Academy accepting applications
-
Mark your calendar for upcoming events and meetings
Next weekend is Mother's Day; if you are a mom (in any fashion), I wish you a beautiful day. Our community wouldn't be the place it is without the love and compassion of all those who nurture others. You are one of the many reasons in Murrieta we are Connected by Community.
| |
|
Kim Summers
Murrieta City Manager
| |
Murrieta City News
Check out general City updates and information
U.S. Department of Commerce Invests $2.4 Million in the Murrieta Innovation Center
The City of Murrieta and Impact Southwest Riverside County (Impact SWRC) are proud to announce the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Agency (EDA) is awarding a $2.4 million grant to the City of Murrieta to support extensive improvements to the Murrieta Innovation Center (MIC), creating a hub for science and innovation in the region. The funds will support a new wet lab, a cleanroom, a new dry lab, and the renovation of existing office and conference spaces to the MIC.
This investment will strengthen business growth and create high-paying jobs in the region through supporting entrepreneurs in the life sciences, specifically biotech, medtech, and healthtech. The City of Murrieta and Impact SWRC will support the EDA investment with $607,478 in local funds.
The funding from this grant will allow the construction of only the second wet lab in all of Riverside County and the first in the Southwest Riverside County area. City of Murrieta’s Director of Economic Development, Scott Agajanian, stated “The Murrieta Innovation Center has been successful in showing that Southwest Riverside County is home to many high concept, investable startups with an entrepreneurial culture and capable innovators. These life science companies will immensely benefit from the new resources that will be made available by this grant.” Patrick Ellis, President/CEO of Impact Southwest Riverside County, added “This investment in the Murrieta Innovation Center is a game-changer for so many startups and entrepreneurs. The addition of the wet lab, dry lab, and cleanroom will create a space for them to truly innovate and alleviates the precious time and energy it takes to commute to San Diego, Irvine, or Los Angeles.”
The next step will be a request for proposals (RFP) for the design of the new wet lab, clean room, creative office space, and MIC renovations. Sign up to receive RFP updates at
murrietaca.gov/Bids. Read more here.
Clinton Keith Road Extension Project
Stay in the know - the final section of the Clinton Keith Road extension project is now being completed! Over the next 16-18 months, we will be sharing updates from the County of Riverside to keep the community informed about the progress. Follow us on social media and on Nextdoor for weekly updates.
| |
|
Mark Your Calendar
Upcoming special events and public meetings
Special Events
May Public Meetings
-
City Council | May 3, 17
-
Parks and Recreation Commission | May 5
-
Planning Commission |May 11, 25
Meeting times and dates are subject to change. Please visit the City's agenda webpage for meeting details and full agendas.
| |
|
Economic Development Updates
Amazon Fresh opening and Murrieta Money Match incentive program gets ready for launch
Amazon Fresh Opening this Month
The wait is over: Amazon Fresh will open its doors to the public on May 5! The store is packed full of freshly prepared foods and produce from Whole Foods and local growers. More than 200 staff members have been hired for the Murrieta store. The store opens its doors at 7 a.m. on Thursday, May 5, with a ribbon cutting just prior to officially kick off the fun. Follow the City’s social media to find out about their opening specials.
Be on the lookout for the Murrieta Money Match Shop Local Incentive Program
The City of Murrieta is proud to implement an exciting shop local small business incentive program to support the Murrieta community and help local businesses overcome some of the challenges they faced during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Participating in the Murrieta Money Match program means supporting the heart of what makes our community unique. The purchase of a Murrieta eGift card creates a pool of cash that local businesses in Murrieta can rely on. Studies have shown that local independent retailers recirculate 47% of their revenue back into the community, while only 14% of national chains’ revenue stays in the community. More dramatically, local restaurants recirculate 73% of their revenue back into the community, versus 30% for national chains.
If you are a Murrieta business and would like to participate, email Scott Agajanian at SAgajanian@MurrietaCA.gov to be added to the interest list.
Rediscover Downtown Murrieta
Make sure to check out Market Nights in downtown. The first and third Thursday of the month join Downtown Murrieta 395 for an evening of vendors, entertainment, food, and fun from 5 p.m. - 9 p.m. Find details on the Downtown Murrieta 395 website. The City will have a booth at the May 5 Market Night. Make sure to stop by and say hello!
| |
|
Murrieta Police Department
Murrieta PD K9 trials, Officer awarded Alumnus of the year, and Murrieta Police Department Citizens Academy
Join the Police Department Citizens Academy
The Murrieta Police Department is excited to be taking applications for its Citizens Police Academy. The 12-week Citizens Police Academy is designed to increase public awareness and understanding of the Police Department's operations. Citizen students will be taught by an expert panel of department personnel on the topics of patrol tactics, criminal investigations, S.W.A.T., police canines, narcotics, crime free multi-housing, neighborhood watch, dispatch, traffic enforcement, use of force and many other related fields. Students will ideally participate in practical demonstrations, simulations, and attend a ride-along with a patrol officer during the academy. All citizens over the age of 21 who are in good physical condition to sit in a classroom setting, participate in simulation exercises, and reenact tactical scenarios are encouraged to apply.
The next Citizens Police Academy is currently open for enrollment. The next academy is scheduled for May 4 to July 20, with another academy beginning in September of this year.
Prospective participants for the Citizens Police Academy must meet the following criteria:
- Live or work in the city of Murrieta
- Be a minimum age of 21 years
- Have no felony convictions, outstanding warrants, or pending criminal cases
- Successfully complete a background check and selection process
For more information, please contact Corporal Matt Mozingo at mmozingo@murrietaca.gov.
Murrieta PD Hosted Popular K9 Trails
Murrieta PD hosted the 5th annual Murrieta PD K9 Trials in April. 50 teams from the United States and Mexico competed in the detection portion of the trial. This consisted of narcotics detection in a vehicle, parcel, and building. Teams also competed in an article (evidence) search.
32 teams competed in the patrol portion of the scenario. Teams from the U.S., as well as Mexico, competed in the events. The morning events included obedience, agility, building search, pool deployment and an area search. The area search, for the first time ever in a trial, included a medical portion where handlers were forced to treat and evac K9 Diesel, an injured “sim dog.” K9 Diesel is a $60,000 simulation dog that was flown in from Texas by one of the event judges just for use at his event. The afternoon events consisted of 3 patrol scenarios.
Murrieta PD is very proud of their own Officer Bock and K9 Lew for placing 3rd overall in the Patrol competition. Plans are already underway for next years event.
Officer Eric Velazquez - Concordia University Alumnus of the Year
In mid-career, Eric Velazquez went from sports and fitness journalism to walking a police beat on the streets of his home city, Murrieta. Recently, Velazquez won the Alumnus of the Year: Distinguished Service Award from Concordia University.
Velazquez entered the police academy at age 38, graduated as class president and won its highest honor, the integrity award. He first served on the City of Orange police force, then took an opening in Murrieta where he recently made the SWAT team. His primary duty is as a patrol officer.
"For me, it's incredibly rewarding, as tough as it is to see and hear the things we do on a daily basis," says Officer Velazquez. "It's rewarding to come home at night and know you made a little bit of a difference."
Congratulations Officer Velazquez! Thank you for serving this city!
Visit the Murrieta Police Department website for more Murrieta PD news.
| |
|
Community Services Department Updates
Creating community through people, parks, and programs
Cool Off at California Oaks Sports Park this Summer
If you're looking to cool off from the heat, the California Oaks Sports Park Pool will open its gates again this summer. Located at the corner of California Oaks Road and Lincoln Avenue, the City pool offers a variety of programs, including Learn-to-Swim Programs (group swim lessons), lap swim, water exercise, and public swim. Costs vary by program. Please visit the City's website at www.MurrietaCA.gov/Aquatics to view the upcoming summer schedule and the learn about the pool rules. You may also contact staff at (951) 304-PARK (7275) for more information.
Youth Advisory Committee
The Youth Advisory Committee and the Community Services Department are proud to present its Youth Art Showcase at the Murrieta Youth Center, Saturday, May 21, from noon to 2 p.m. At the showcase, Murrieta's own local, amateur artists ages ten to eighteen years show off their creations. The showcase is open to any form of visual art including digital, photography, clay, sculpture, and more. Admission and participation are FREE. Submission deadline for all artwork is Monday, May 16. The top three artworks as voted by the audience will be awarded a gift card! Applications are available at www.MurrietaCA.gov/youthcenter. Please contact staff at (951) 461-6117 for additional information.
Alternative Recreation Program
Murrieta’s Alternative Recreation Program (ARP) is a social program for adults, 18 years and older, with intellectual and developmental challenges. Programs take place on select Fridays from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. The cost is $2 per participant (unless otherwise specified); guardians and caregivers are free. May events include a Backyard Picnic at the Youth Center on May 13, and a Paint Party class on May 27 at the Murrieta Community Center (additional $6 fee for participants wishing to paint). For registration and additional information please refer to the City's recreation program listing here or for more information call 951-304-PARK (7275).
Memorial Day Observance
The City's Memorial Day observance will take place at Town Square Park on Monday, May 30, beginning at 8 a.m. The City will honor and pay tribute to those service persons who have selflessly laid down their lives defending our freedoms.
The program for the day will include honorary guest speakers Colonel Gregory Haynes, U.S. Air Force, and Major General Jeffrey Pennington, U.S. Air Force M, and will also include a flyover during the event.
| |
|
Public Library Activities
Library offers day-use state park passes, presents free programs and kits, announces Summer Reading Challenge dates
Complementary State Park Passes Available
The Murrieta Public Library is now offering State Park Passes for vehicle day-use entry to over 200 participating State Parks. Patrons can check out the passes at the Children’s Services desk. These passes are available through a new partnership with the California State Library State Parks program. The Murrieta Library will also be applying for a supplemental grant through this program to purchase additional passes.
LEGO Derby
The Children’s Services Department is presenting a special LEGO Derby event on Saturday, May 7 at 10 a.m., for ages 5 - 12. The department will also host a 3D Create & Print event on May 12 at 4:30 p.m. Reservations are required to attend this free program. Sign up at murappointments.as.me/3d-create-print.
Adult Services Department
The week of May 9, the Adult Services Department will be offering a Bonsai Tree Kit. Each starter kit includes instructions and all the materials needed to grow your own Bonsai tree.
Summer Reading Challenge
Our annual Summer Reading Challenge begins on Monday, June 6. For six weeks, the Library will present free events, mobile museums and take-home kits. Stay tuned for more information!
Sign Up for the Library Newsletter to Stay Up-to-Date
To stay current with what’s happening at the Murrieta Public Library and have a chance to win a prize every month, sign up for the Library’s monthly newsletter. Please visit bit.ly/murlib to sign up. As always, staff is available to answer questions by phone by calling (951) 304-BOOK. Please email circ@murrietaca.gov for account questions and reference@murrieta.gov for general questions.
| |
|
Murrieta's Birthday Bash is Back!
Mark your calendar to celebrate the City's 31st birthday in June
The City's Community Services Department is excited to spread the word about this year’s Birthday Bash! On Saturday, June 25 from 2 p.m. – 9 p.m., the City will celebrate its 31st birthday with the community. Together, we will rock out to live bands (Rock By Night and Queen Nation) and enjoy vendors, the always-popular firefighter’s hose down, fireworks, and family-friendly fun! If you hear of people/businesses/organizations who would like to be a vendor, they can visit the City's events website at www.MurrietaCA.gov/events.
We hope you will join us as Murrieta celebrates 31 years of cityhood!
| |
|
Murrieta Fire & Rescue
MFR celebrates 75 years of service and safety
Murrieta Fire & Rescue Hosted Successful Firefighters BBQ
The City of Murrieta loves bringing the community together and this past weekend the community came out in a BIG way to celebrate Murrieta Fire & Rescue’s 75th anniversary and their Annual Firefighters BBQ.
Thousands of residents, hundreds of Fire Explorers from throughout Southern California, dozens of vendors, two live bands, and LOTS of food all came together at Murrieta’s Town Square Park & Amphitheater on Saturday, April 23, to celebrate Murrieta's own fire department.
Events like this bring people together, they educate, they build relationships, and they create a fun, safe environment. But they wouldn't be what they are without the community's support and attendance.
Congratulations Murrieta Fire for serving diligently for the past 75 years and congratulations to the event planning committee for going above and beyond to put together this stellar event. We already can't wait for next year's BBQ!
Local Business Thanks Murrieta Fire
On April 22, staff from Pesh Orthodontics made a special visit to Murrieta Fire & Rescue Fire Station 2. One year prior, the or office building suffered an electrical fire and thanks to the swift response of Murrieta Fire they were able to carry on with minimal damages. As a sign of their appreciation, they delivered cookies to Murrieta firefighters who appreciated the sweet gesture.
| |
|
City Seeks Input on ADA Efforts
Residents invited to share suggestions and comments through May 23
The City recently launched surveys to receive input from both the community and organizations assisting persons with disabilities. This feedback will assist in addressing and prioritizing current and future accessibility needs. Residents and visitors are encouraged to share their experiences so the City can learn what is currently meeting constituent needs and what additional improvements might need to be considered. These comments and opinions are important to the City of Murrieta and will provide valuable information regarding how the City can better serve the community.
Surveys for the public and for organizations serving those with disabilities are open until Monday, May 23, 2022 at 5:30 p.m. They are available from the City’s ADA Coordinator (details below) and at the following websites:
Individuals can also send an email or call the ADA Coordinator with comments and suggestions without completing a survey. The City of Murrieta’s ADA Coordinator is Human Resources Manager Mike McGhee. Please contact the ADA Coordinator with questions, comments, or to request a survey in an alternate format.
ADA Coordinator Contact:
Mike McGhee
1 Town Square
Murrieta, CA 92562
Email: ada@MurrietaCA.gov
Phone: (951) 461-6432
TTY through California Relay at: 7-1-1
Information regarding the Americans with Disabilities Act can be obtained from the ADA Coordinator and additional details about City of Murrieta’s ADA efforts and resources for those with disabilities can be found at MurrietaCA.gov/ADA.
| |
|
Have you downloaded the City's new app yet?
Murrieta Fix It app is convenient way to report issues
The City of Murrieta launched a new app to make it quick and convenient to report issues throughout the city: Murrieta Fix It. The Murrieta Fix It app makes connecting with the City of Murrieta simple. This is your tool to help improve Murrieta by reporting local issues like potholes and graffiti or damaged trees, playground equipment, street signs, and sidewalks.
The process to report an issue is handled quickly and easily by opening the app and submitting a service request. You can then track the City’s response. The app harnesses the power of GPS to provide a precise location for staff so that they can begin fixing the problem quickly. You can also include a photo with your report to help the City easily identify the problem. Downloading and using Murrieta Fix It is free and helps you proactively help create the best Murrieta, where we are Connected by Technology.
Visit MurrietaCA.gov/fixit to learn more or download the app on Google Play or the Apple Store on mobile devices.
| |
|
Join the Murrieta team!
Check out jobs at the City of Murrieta
The City of Murrieta is consistently ranked one of the best places to work in the Inland Empire and has a strong organizational culture and dedicated workforce.
Have you considered looking for the next step in your career by serving your community? Check out the City's jobs website and learn more about current openings. Make sure to check back often, as new positions are listed frequently.
Visit Murrieta's Jobs website today!
| |
| | | |
