A MESSAGE FROM MAYOR NATASHA JOHNSON
Happy Holidays, Lake Elsinore! Welcome to the City's new monthly newsletter, The Elsinore Edition. Each month we'll be sharing City news, upcoming events, project updates, and so much more.
Last week, my colleagues on the City Council gave me the honor to serve as Mayor of Lake Elsinore for the 2022-2023 term. It is my absolute privilege to do so, and I would like to offer a huge thank you to outgoing Mayor Sheridan for his exceptional leadership and efforts to bring our community together over the last year. I look forward to working with Mayor Pro Tem Manos and the entire City Council to continue building on those efforts this coming year.
Lastly, I want to wish everyone a wonderful holiday season filled with family, friends, and joy. Take a look around, and let us know what you think!
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MEET LAKE ELSINORE'S NEW POLICE CAPTAIN, JIM RAYLS
In October, Lieutenant Jim Rayls assumed command of the Lake Elsinore Sheriff’s Station, which serves the cities of Lake Elsinore, Wildomar, Canyon Lake, and surrounding unincorporated areas of Riverside County. Captain Rayls began his career with RSO in 1996, serving most recently as Administrative Lieutenant at the Lake Elsinore Sheriff‘s Station.
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EVMWD SEDCO HILLS AND AVENUES SEPTIC TO SEWER CONVERSION PROJECT
To align with Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District’s Sewer Master Plan and Groundwater Protection goals, Sedco Hills and Avenues will be transitioned to the EVMWD sewer system in a phased approach over a period of 48 months. Eligible homes located in these communities can have their septic systems upgraded to sewer at no cost. To learn more, visit www.evmwd.com/septic.
Upcoming Town Hall Meeting: EVMWD is hosting a community meeting to discuss the future of this Project at the Cultural Center (183 N. Main St.) on Thursday, January 12, at 6:00 p.m. You can attend in person or virtually. Register for the meeting at bit.ly/evmwd-virtualtownhall.
View Meeting Flyer / Ver Folleto de la Reunión
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UPCOMING PROJECT: LAKE ELSINORE'S NEW CITY HALL
The 36,924 sq. ft., three-story facility will replace the current City Hall on the corner of Main St. and Graham Ave. in Historic Downtown. It will be a full-service “one-stop-shop” for public services, as well as house the new Council Chamber. The expansive lobby will also showcase Elsinore Engine No. 1, the City’s first fire truck, and many pieces from the Lake Elsinore Historical Society, telling the story of our 134-year history.
The facility is necessary to meet the current and expected growth of the City, while meeting the expectation of service excellence to the public. Stay tuned as we continue to share more information. Construction is expected to begin in early 2023.
COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT HAS TEMPORARILY MOVED: During the construction phase of the new City Hall building, the Community Services Department will now be located at the Lake Community Center at 310 W Graham Ave.
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WINTER DAY CAMP
Community Services is hosting Winter Day Camp, which offers fun-filled activities at the Lake Community Center for kids ages 6 to 12.
Camp is held from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. Extended care is also available as early as 7:30 a.m., and as late as 5:30 p.m. for an additional charge. Remaining sessions will be held December 26-30 and January 2-6.
Price: $80/week
Register
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GENERAL PLAN UPDATE COMMUNITY SURVEY
Let’s Talk Lake Elsinore!
We want to hear what you believe is most needed in your neighborhood. Topics include healthy lifestyle choices, and your thoughts on transportation, pollution, and housing.
This survey will help the City with updating its 2011 General Plan to address changes in the community that have occurred since adoption. Every resident’s opinion matters. The survey closes January 9, 2023.
Learn More
Take the Survey:
English | Spanish
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2023 HOMELESS
POINT-IN-TIME COUNT
Volunteers are needed for the Point-in-Time Count, which occurs across the County annually to measure how many individuals are experiencing homelessness in the City and surrounding areas.
Results are used to determine resources and funding needs to address homelessness.
This year’s count will take place on Wednesday, January 25, at 5:30 a.m. at the Cultural Center.
Sign Up to Volunteer
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CITY EVENT PHOTOS
Have you attended any of our recent community events? See if you can spot yourself in one of the many photos recently taken by Dustin Thompson Photography.
*Photos can be downloaded for personal, non-commercial use only. Please contact the City for other inqueries.
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DEPARTMENT DEBRIEF
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Engineering: Crews are continuing to make progress on the Main Street Interchange project. Currently, they are working on the tieback wall on the north abutments, which will be followed by work related to minor widening of the ramps. The Project is expected to be completed by September 2023.
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Building and Safety Division: At the December 13, 2022 meeting, City Council approved a construction agreement for the demolition and removal of the former Coco’s restaurant building on Casino Dr. Demolition is expected to occur soon.
RESIDENT QUESTIONS ANSWERED
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What is the status of the Lake, and what is the City doing so that the Lake can be reopened? Unfortunately, the lake remains closed due to the ongoing algae bloom that has made water quality unsafe for recreational use. In addition to the recent Prop 1 Pilot Study mentioned above, last week City Council approved a request from Staff to move forward with a grant application for an algae harvesting project. The project would deploy an AECOM algae harvester unit for up to 23 months in a 5 to 6-acre area in Lake Elsinore to demonstrate the effectiveness of the treatment as a long-term solution. If awarded, the City is responsible for 50% of the cost (up to $1.5 million) for the $3 million project over the 3-year project period. The grant is expected to be awarded in Spring 2023. To learn more, view the staff report from the December 13, 2022 City Council agenda.
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How can I find out what upcoming projects are planned by the City? Each year, staff provides a 5-year Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) Budget to City Council for approval, most recently for FY 2022-27. The budget is based on needs within the community and available funding from the City, grants, and 3rd parties. The current plan proposes 75 circulation, facility, infrastructure and park projects over the next 5 years. Just this year alone, 56 Capital Improvement Projects are proposed totaling $88 million this fiscal year. Click here to view the FY 2022-27 CIP Budget.
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What is the upcoming Holiday collection schedule for waste services? Due to Christmas Day and New Year's Day falling on a Sunday, there will be no change or interruptions to CR&R's service schedule. For more information, visit crrwasteservices.com.
Have questions you want answered? Click here to submit a question.
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SAFETY SNIPPET
Faces of Fentanyl – New Riverside County-wide Campaign
There is a drug killing thousands of people in our communities. It is called Fentanyl, a powerful synthetic opioid that is similar to morphine, but is 50 to 100 times more potent and deadly.
In November, the County of Riverside launched a public awareness campaign, known as Faces of Fentanyl, to inform the community about the deadly drug and underscore how fentanyl deaths affect all races, ethnicities and socioeconomic groups. This drug’s dangerous rise in use negatively impacts all of our communities. 5.6 pounds of Fentanyl is enough to kill everyone in Riverside County TWICE. To learn more, visit facesoffentanyl.net.
Do you or someone you know have a substance abuse problem? Call the RUHS Behavioral Crisis Line at (888) 724-7240 or 2-1-1 for information and 24/7 support.
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JANUARY 2023
- January 12, 2023 | EVMWD Septic to Sewer Conversion Project Town Hall Meeting | Cultural Center | 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
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January 25, 2023 | 2023 Homeless Point-In-Time Count | Cultural Center | Click Here to Volunteer
CITY MEETINGS
- January 10, 2023 | City Council | 7:00 p.m. | Cultural Center
- January 17, 2023 | Planning Commission | 7:00 p.m. | Cultural Center
- January 24, 2023 | City Council | 7:00 p.m. | Cultural Center
CITY HALL HOURS
- December 23, 2022 | Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. | Christmas Eve Observance
- December 26, 2022 | City Hall Closed | Christmas Day Observance
- December 30, 2022 | Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. | New Years Eve Observance
- January 2, 2023 | City Hall Closed | New Years Day Observance
- January 16, 2023 | City Hall Closed | Martin Luther King Day Observance
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This month, we are honoring former long time City employee, Joyce Teyler, who recently lost her battle with cancer on December 7, 2022.
She worked for the City of Lake Elsinore for over 15 years, beginning her career with us in 2006 as an Office Specialist I. At the time of her retirement in September 2022, Joyce was serving in the role of Community Development Technician II in the Code Enforcement Division.
She is remembered as being nothing short of amazing and was loved by all who worked with her. She will be greatly missed.
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JOB OPPORTUNITIES (Click Each Job Title to Apply)
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