MORE MURRIETA · FEBRUARY 2023 · UPDATES FROM THE CITY OF MURRIETA | |
Message from the City Manager
February 2023
It’s a new month, and there is a lot going on at the City of Murrieta. We are working hard to make doing business with the City as convenient as possible. Our team has been working to implement new electronic permit tracking and land management software, which will launch later this month. Our Fire Department launched electronic billing software for fire inspection fees, meaning you don’t have to take a trip to a City facility to take care of business. Throughout the year we will continue to share about efficiencies and improvements, so make sure to follow us on social media, our website, and sign up to get this newsletter directly to your inbox each month.
We have a lot of exciting updates to share as we start the new month. In this edition, you’ll find information about the following and more:
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Share your input on our housing design standards. Take a quick survey!
- Murrieta restaurant, Nonno’s Ristorante, lands on Yelp Top 100!
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Citizens Police Academy starts this month
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Murrieta Fire & Rescue launches electronic billing software for fire inspections
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Check out new programming at the Murrieta Public Library
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And much, much MORE!
We are always trying to enhance our services and provide an excellent customer service experience. If you have an idea to share, email us. We’d love to hear from you because we are connected by community.
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Kim Summers
Murrieta City Manager
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Nonno's is Ranked #46 on Yelp's Top 100 Restaurants in America - the only Italian restaurant in California on the list!
We are thrilled to share that Nonno's Ristorante has been selected as one of Yelp's Top 100 restaurants in the nation! Nonno's is proud to offer a wide array of authentic Italian dishes and desserts made from the finest ingredients available, including natural meat sources and organic produce.
Here's what Yelp says about its Top 100 list:
To create Yelp’s Top 100 US Restaurants list, we first reached out to Yelpers for their favorite dining spots. Then, we ranked each by total number of submissions, ratings, reviews, and geographic representation, among other factors.
Want even better news?! Nonno's participates in Murrieta Money Match, meaning you can purchase a gift card for $50 and $100, and the City will MATCH the money you can spend on a nice meal supporting a local Murrieta business. Buy yours online.
Visit Nonno's at 40711 Murrieta Hot Springs Road, Murrieta, CA 92563, Tuesday - Saturday: 12 p.m. - 9 p.m., or give them a call to learn more: (951) 461-7998.
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Deadline Extended to Share Your Input
City's Development Services Department collecting data on design standards until Friday, February 3
The City is extending the survey deadline to share your input on housing design. To gather more public input on the architectural styles preferred in the city, a project team has put together an online survey. We want to know what designs catch your eye, what architectural styles you prefer, and other comments or concerns you may have regarding residential design.
Please take five to 10 minutes to complete the Objective Design Standards Survey here.
Additional questions? Contact Carl Stiehl, Senior Planner, by email or phone at (951) 461-6063.
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New City Services to be Offered Online
Online permitting and plan check system launches at the end of the month
The City of Murrieta is always looking for ways to enhance customer service. New online services launching at the end of this month will make doing business with the City easier than ever. The permit software will include a Customer Self Service (CSS) portal allowing the public to interact with the EnerGov permit tracking and land management system. Through CSS, users will be able to look up permit details, pay fees, and schedule building inspections. The systems will also allow licensed contractors to apply for specific construction permits.
This new software will mean 24/7 accessibility and no trip to City Hall required, saving gas, time, and money.
Check out next month's edition for more information on how to use this new software after it launches!
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Murrieta Police Department
Murrieta PD invites you to the 6th annual K-9 trials, shares about enhanced communication capabilities, and invites you to join the citizens police academy
Murrieta K9 Trials - Save the Date
The community is invited to the 6th Annual Murrieta Police Department K-9 Trials on February 18, 2023 from 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. at Murrieta Mesa High School (24801 Monroe Ave, Murrieta, CA 92562). Watch teams compete for the honor of Top Dog, support the explorer post by purchasing food, and visit the great vendor selection. In addition, Theresa Ann from Running 4 Heroes - K9s will run a mile to honor Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department K9 Jack who was killed in the line of duty last year.
Hollingsworth PSEC Tower Now in Use
In 2018, some coverage issues were detected with the Public Safety Enterprise Communication (PSEC) radios in the Copper Canyon/Bear Creek area of Murrieta. Due to the area's topography, similar issues were being experienced throughout the county and 100% coverage was not possible without a significant investment. At that time, there were no plans or budget to address the concern. In Murrieta, a decision was made to provide 100% coverage for officer safety. The arduous process of building a second PSEC Tower in our city began and the City of Murrieta set aside $800,000 to help resolve the issue. Throughout 2019 and 2020, negotiations began with Motorola, Riverside County, and the Hollingsworth family. Cost sharing agreements were made (50/50 between the City and the County), multiple memorandums of understanding were drafted, entitlements were set, and contractor selection was completed in 2021. Elected officials from the County and City ultimately approved the tower build at a cost of $1.6 million. The Hollingsworth PSEC Tower was constructed and powered up in mid-November. The tower is focused on Bear Creek, Copper Canyon and La Cresta. In January, Murrieta PD completed testing with PSEC engineers and the City is happy to report the tower is meeting expectations. After years of effort, first responders and residents are now safer.
Citizens Police Academy
The next Murrieta PD Citizens Academy begins February 22. The 12-week Citizens Police Academy is designed to increase public awareness and understanding of the Police Department's operations.
Participants will be taught by an expert panel of department personnel on the topics of:
- Criminal investigation
- Crime free multi-housing
- Dispatch
- Narcotics
- Neighborhood watch
- Patrol tactics
- Police canines
- Special Weapons and Tactics
- Traffic enforcement
- Use of force
Students will participate in practical demonstrations, simulations, and attend a ride-along with a patrol officer during the academy.
The course is open to people 21 and over who live or work in Murrieta. For further information please contact Corporal Matt Mozingo 951-461-6375 or mmozingo@murrietaca.gov.
Visit the Murrieta Police Department website for more Murrieta PD news.
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Murrieta Fire & Rescue Department
Murrieta Fire & Rescue launches electronic billing, City approves purchase of new equipment
Unity in Safe Schools Planning
Murrieta Valley Unified School District held a safe schools planning meeting where district administrators updated current plans and goals for site safety teams. Murrieta Fire & Rescue, Murrieta Police Department, and Riverside Sheriff's Office participated in the event. The meeting provided first responder input to ensure plans were integrated with each agency's emergency response procedures. This is one of many planning meetings the city's public safety agencies participate in with the school district. Regular meetings occur to discuss active shooter training and response, evacuations, and student safety. The school district also maintains a position in the city's emergency operations center and participates in exercises and drills. Murrieta’s Disaster Preparedness Coordinator, Rachel Hollinger, shared, "We want the community to know that we have close relationships with our schools and our students are a priority."
Electronic Billing
Fire inspectors have a new feature in their inspection software that will allow electronic bill processing. The new process is entirely digital and conveniently enhances the customer service experience, so residents no longer need to go to City Hall to pay for inspections.
New Tiller Truck
In January, the Murrieta City Council approved the purchase of a new tiller truck. This type of truck has a long aerial ladder on the top and someone who drives from the rear as well as the front of the fire engine. The new truck will take several years to build and is an eagerly anticipated enhancement to the Murrieta Fire & Rescue Department, ensuring they are ready to respond to the growing needs of the community.
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Murrieta Community Services
Parks and recreation updates
Community Center Sealing and Painting Project
The Community Center sealing and painting project has started and will be completed by early March 2023. The work will provide a refresh to this beloved community activity space.
Tax Appointments for Seniors
From February 6 – April 17, AARP is sponsoring tax form filing appointments for seniors and the Murrieta community at the Senior Center on Mondays from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Appointment booking has now begun. AARP is taking 25 appointments per day for a total of 250 openings, plus an additional 30-50 total walk-in appointments.
Adult Recreation Program - Endless Love Valentine's Dance
Did you know that the City of Murrieta has an Alternative Recreation Program (ARP)? ARP offers activities for special needs and differently-abled adults 18 years and older at least once each month. Program activities include dances, potlucks, movies, field trips, and pool parties. The next scheduled activity will be the Endless Love Valentine's Dance on Friday, February 10, at the Community Center from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. There is a nominal fee of $2 per participant, and guardians or caregivers are free except for field trip admissions, where prices are to be determined.
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Updates from the Murrieta Public Library
Library offers programming, Zip Books, state park passes, new eBook app, and food for fines program
New Programming
The Murrieta Public Library will offer new programming in February for all ages: The Children’s Department is hosting its new monthly “Art Studio” geared toward elementary school-aged children on Thursday, February 23, at 4 p.m. Teens can attend “Teen Arcade” on Thursday, February 16, at 3:30 p.m. All programs will be held in the Library’s Community Room unless otherwise noted.
Zip Books
The Library team is very excited to once again offer Zip Books, a program in which patrons can request books not found in the Library’s collection, which will be purchased on Amazon, shipped directly to the patron, and then added to the Library’s collection when returned to the library. Patrons can request one book per day and up to five books per month. The link to request books is https://bit.ly/murzipbooks.
State Park Passes and Kits
The Murrieta Public Library has received eighteen more State Park Passes for patrons to reserve and use at more than 200 California parks. Children’s Department staff also put together Park Pass Library of Things Kits. Some of the kits available include Road Trip Fun, Water Play, Hiking, Picnic, and Birdwatching.
Palace Project App
The Library has launched The Palace Project App, an eReader app available through the California State Library’s eBooks for All program. The app can be downloaded via the Apple App store or through Google Play for Android. This allows patrons to access various eBooks and audiobooks via their mobile devices.
Food for Fines
From February 1 – 28, the Library will be offering its annual “Food for Fines” program. The Library will remove $1.50 of overdue fines (up to $15) for each non-perishable, nutritious, pre-packaged food item donated. All collected food items will be given to the Murrieta United Methodist Church Food Pantry.
Stay Current with the Library
To stay current with what is happening at the Murrieta Public Library, sign up for the Library’s Newsletter at bit.ly/murlib. As always, staff are available to answer questions by phone Monday through Saturday during regular hours by calling (951) 304-BOOK.
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Mark Your Calendar
Upcoming special events and public meetings
February Special Events
February Public Meetings & Closures
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City Council Meeting | February 7 and February 21
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Parks and Recreation Commission | February 2
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Planning Commission | February 22
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Library Commission |February 13
Meeting times and dates are subject to change. Please visit the City's agenda webpage for meeting details and full agendas.
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Economic Development Updates
Check out a new Murrieta business and make your dollars go further with Murrieta Money Match
Aerostat Creamery Now Open
Aerostat Creamery makes all its ice cream in-house with locally sourced dairy products, fruit, and real ingredients. Enjoy traditional milkshakes, banana splits, root beer floats, and seasonal treats at 28210 Clinton Keith Suite 500 (The Vineyard Shopping Center).
Mochinut Now Open in Murrieta
Are you looking for a unique treat or meal? Check out one of Murrieta's newest food options, MOCHINUT!
Now open at 25175 Madison Ave #102 in Murrieta, Mochinut is a popular brand of mochi donuts. Their main menu items are mochi donuts, Korean rice flour hotdogs, bubble tea drinks, and soft serve.
Did you know there are more than 100 locations in the U.S., with 75 more coming soon?! We are excited to be one of them!
Make Your Dollars Go Further with the Murrieta Money Match Program
Your shopping can support local businesses and save you money by using our Murrieta Money Match program. Buy a gift card accepted at nearly 80 Murrieta businesses, and the City of Murrieta will match your dollars with a bonus card of equal value! Check out the Murrieta Money Match webpage to purchase the special gift card and view the list of participating businesses. Approximately $500,000 has already been purchased by community members, and $500,000 has been matched by the City. If your business would like to be included, please reach out to our Economic Development team here MurrietaCA.gov/EconDev.
We love supporting our community, and thank you for supporting local businesses!
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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 region 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. The following positions are currently posted on the City's website:
Visit Murrieta's Jobs website today!
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Lawnmower Rebate Offer
Check out this offer from our partners at the South Coast Air Quality Management District
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