NOVEMBER 2022 · UPDATES FROM THE CITY OF MURRIETA · MORE MURRIETA | |
Message from the City Manager
November 2022
November is a month to give thanks, and we have so much for which to be thankful here in Murrieta. First, I’d like to thank the thousands of residents who came out to enjoy our 2nd Annual Trunk or Treat and Dark in the Park movie event this past weekend. What a fabulous way to celebrate the season safely and with the community. We asked families to come out and enjoy the evening with us, and they sure did. More than 8,000 kids of all ages showed up at Town Square Park in their most creative Halloween attire to enjoy booths by every City department and community volunteers, and watch Ghostbusters. We hope you had as much fun as we did.
As we head into November, there are many more opportunities to come together as a community and show gratitude. From the majestic Field of Honor put on by our partners at the Murrieta Rotary to our patriotic Veterans Day Parade, please join us as we thank our veterans for their sacrifice and service.
We are also preparing to head straight into the rest of the holiday season festivities, so mark your calendar for the fun to come in December.
Here’s a sneak peek at what’s included in this edition of More Murrieta:
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Murrieta will have a General Municipal Election on Tuesday, November 8
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Plan now to attend the Murrieta Field of Honor and Veterans Day Parade
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Mark your calendar to kick off the holidays with the City of Murrieta for a week of Holiday Magic planned throughout the community
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Community receives donation of close to 5,000 pairs of socks from local elementary school
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Murrieta Public Library receives $1.5 million grant to expand Children’s Library
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Mark your calendar for other upcoming events and meetings
Hopefully, this month you will get the chance to pause and recognize the many wonderful things we have around us all year long. I am filled with gratitude for the opportunity to serve this community.
Thank you for being the reason we are connected by community.
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Kim Summers
Murrieta City Manager
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Murrieta Election News
Remember to vote in General Municipal Election
Make plans to vote in the November 8, 2022, election. The City of Murrieta has multiple ballot drop-off locations, including Murrieta City Hall, the Murrieta Public Library, and Fire Station 4.
On election day, you can vote in person at one of the official voting centers, including the Murrieta Public Library and Fire Station 4. Visit the website at MurrietaCA.gov/Elections for additional information on voting locations and to find your Murrieta City Council district.
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Murrieta Fire & Rescue
Murrieta Fire & Rescue receives award, moves to convenient online billing
Murrieta Fire & Rescue Receives Partner in Care Award
Murrieta Fire & Rescue (MFR) was awarded a Partner in Care by Loma Linda University Medical Center - Murrieta (LLUMC). Partner in Care is an award recognizing the specialized training and commitment to excellence MFR has demonstrated in treating patients suffering from cardiac emergencies. As an accredited Chest Pain Center, LLUMC - Murrieta and MFR have worked closely to ensure the community receives exceptional cardiac care. Thank you, LLUMC - Murrieta, for recognize Murrieta Fire & Rescue's commitment to the community.
Online Billing
MFR has moved to online billing for all fire prevention efforts and activities. This will include business inspections, permit issuance, and defensible space inspections during the escrow of a property. This new system allows MFR to issue permits quickly and make the process more convenient for residents and businesses.
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Murrieta receives "Socktober" Donation
Oak Meadows Elementary School donates 5K pairs of socks
On November 4, Mayor Jonathan Ingram will accept a generous donation of close to 5,000 pairs of socks collected by Oak Meadows Elementary School students. The socks will be used to create wellness kits for those less fortunate in our community and will be especially helpful throughout the winter months. Thank you for this generous donation Oak Meadows Elementary School students!
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Murrieta City News
City kicks off the holidays with week of magic throughout the community
Week of Holiday Magic
The City of Murrieta will bring the holiday magic to town with an entire week of fun kicking off on Saturday, December 3. Residents and visitors are encouraged to attend one or all of the free, family-friendly activities including Donuts with Santa, the Murrieta Tree Lighting Ceremony, and to visit their neighborhood’s first-ever Santa in the City.
Donuts with Santa
On Saturday morning, December 3, from 9 a.m. – 10:30 a.m., little ones can get a treat along with a visit with the main man himself at the Donuts with Santa event. The event will take place at Murrieta Town Square Park and Amphitheater (11 Town Square, Murrieta, CA 92562) between the Murrieta Public Library and amphitheater. Thanks to event sponsor The Winfield Group Real Estate Team, Dunkin’ Donuts will be on site to provide donuts for the little ones and coffee for the adults to enjoy, along with holiday crafts and a photo op with Santa. Donuts will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis to the first 400 children. While there is no fee to attend, the City asks that attendees bring one can of non-perishable food as a way to support the City’s Holiday Toy and Food Drive.
Murrieta Town Square Park Tree Lighting, Toy and Food Drive
The Murrieta Town Square Park Tree Lighting will bring festivity to Murrieta’s Town Square Park. From 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m., visitors can enjoy crafts, character appearances, a holiday story reading, and joyous entertainment from a brass quartet and jazz trio. They will perform all of holiday favorites as guests enjoy an evening under the stars. Santa will also be a part of the fun and available for photos during the event.
At 6:30 p.m., the City will hold its official tree lighting. The 40’ pine tree is located in the heart of Town Square between City Hall (1 Town Square, Murrieta, CA 92562) and the Murrieta Police Department. The event is also a part of the Murrieta Holiday Toy and Food Drive, with all items being donated to local families and charities.
Santa in the City, December 5 - 9 from 5:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
This year, the City is excited to launch its very first Santa in the City series of Polar Express themed community gatherings throughout Murrieta. Monday through Friday, December 5 – 9 from 5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m., families can enjoy visits with Santa, Polar Express activities, music, crafts, treats, and more at the location closest to their home. Come down in your favorite holiday pajamas to one of the following Santa in the City events:
- Monday, December 5: Murrieta Youth Center
- Tuesday, December 6: Vintage Reserve Park
- Wednesday, December 7: Alderwood Clubhouse
- Thursday, December 8: Antelope Hills
- Friday, December 9: Copper Canyon Park
Holiday Home Decorating
The holiday magic can also be found around town with Murrieta’s Holiday Home Decorating Contest. Do you have the most holiday spirit and want the community to know about it? Be a part of the Holiday Home Decorating Contest where your home competes to be the favorite! Register your home or block for the Murrieta holiday home decorating contest by visiting the City’s website. Maps of participating homes will be available so families can tour the festive homes and neighborhoods. Winners will be shared on the City’s social media accounts. Entries must be within Murrieta city limits to qualify.
Letters to Santa and Santa Hotline
Looking for other ways to experience the holiday spirit? By December 1, the City will also have Letters to Santa templates on our website and a free number to give the man himself a ring with our Santa Hotline (951-461-6086)! Both activities take place at your convenience with the details laid out on our holiday event webpage.
Holiday Toy and Food Drive
The City of Murrieta would like to provide an opportunity for the community to come together and provide new, unwrapped, and non perishable items through its annual Holiday Toy and Food Drive. The Community Services Department will be on hand to take donations drive-thru style on Saturday, December 17, between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. at the Community Center (41810 Juniper Street).
Place donated items in your vehicle’s trunk and enter the parking lot on Juniper Street across from Fire Station #1. Pop your trunk when you stop at the donation point and staff will collect the items. All donated items will go to local food pantries and families in need within the Murrieta community.
All events and activities are free to attend. For additional information about the City’s holiday activities, please refer to the City’s special events web page or contact staff at (951) 304-PARK (7275).
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Murrieta Police Department
Murrieta PD receives traffic safety grant and donates pink patch funds to Michelle's Place
Murrieta PD Receives $115,000 Traffic Safety Grant
The Murrieta Police Department received $115,000 to fund additional traffic education and enforcement efforts. The goal is to deter unsafe behaviors and increase safety on Murrieta roads. The department plans to increase patrols throughout the community and provide other traffic safety programs to help reduce the number of serious injuries and deaths on city roadways.
“This grant funding allows us to support our continuing traffic safety efforts in the community,” Murrieta Police Department Chief Tony Conrad said. “We intend to curtail the most unlawful and dangerous driving behaviors that put people at risk and create a safe environment for everyone traveling our roadways.”
The grant will provide additional programs and resources for Murrieta PD, including:
- DUI checkpoints and patrols focused on stopping suspected impaired drivers.
- High visibility distracted driving enforcement operations targeting drivers in violation of California’s hands-free cell phone law.
- Enforcement operations focused on the most dangerous driving behaviors that put the safety of people biking or walking at risk.
- Enforcement operations focused on top violations that cause collisions: speeding, failure to yield, stop sign and/or red-light violations, and improper turning or lane changes.
- Collaborative enforcement efforts with neighboring allied agencies.
- Officer training and/or recertification: Standard Field Sobriety Test (SFST), Advanced Roadside Impaired Driving Enforcement (ARIDE) and Drug Recognition Expert (DRE).
Funding for this program was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Pink Patch Project Update
Murrieta PD has raised more than $4,500 from official pink uniform patch sales, with all proceeds benefitting Michelle’s Place and their work to support those in the region battling cancer. Michelle’s Place is a local nonprofit organization founded in 2001 to ensure no one faces cancer alone. They rely on the ongoing support of donors, grantors, and fundraising efforts to provide free resources to cancer patients and their families. Michelle’s Place offers over 23 programs more than 51 times a month.
Visit the Murrieta Police Department website for more Murrieta PD news.
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City Streets Get a Makeover
Public Works Department improves some of Murrieta's busiest streets
The City's Public Works team is hard at work to ensure a smooth ride on some of Murrieta's busiest roads.
Check out updates on important capital improvement projects that are currently underway:
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Pavement rehabilitation on Murrieta Hot Springs Road between Madison Avenue and Alta Murrieta Drive: Most work takes place overnight between 9 p.m. and 5:30 a.m. Final striping is scheduled to conclude on November 18.
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Pavement rehabilitation on Hancock Avenue between Las Brisas Road South and Murrieta Hot Springs Road: The Hancock Avenue work is taking place during the day, so please use an alternate route if possible.
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Minor pavement rehabilitation on Jackson Avenue at the Warm Springs Creek bridge and Juniper Street and Franklin Street.
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Median improvements at the intersection of Murrieta Hot Springs Road and Madison Avenue: This work consists of modifying the existing raised medians and extending the dual left turn pockets to increase traffic flow and alleviate traffic congestion.
These projects should be completed by the end of the year and are currently on schedule. Please drive safely through construction areas.
For more information about this year's Capital Improvement Plan, visit the City's website.
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Mark Your Calendar
Upcoming special events and public meetings
Special Events
November Public Meetings & Closures
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City Council Meeting | November 1 and November 15
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Parks and Recreation Commission | November 3
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Planning Commission | November 9 and November 23
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Thanksgiving Holiday Closure | November 24 - 25
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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Community Services Department Updates
Creating community through people, parks, and programs
Field of Honor
The City of Murrieta is proud to sponsor the Field of Honor, organized by the Rotary Club of Murrieta, featuring more than 2,000 full-sized American flags honoring both local and national heroes. The Field of Honor will be displayed at Town Square Park and Amphitheater from Saturday, November 5, until Sunday, November 13. Please visit www.MurrietaFieldofHonor.com for additional event information or to purchase a flag.
Veterans Day Parade
The City of Murrieta will host the 20th Annual Veterans Day Parade on Friday, November 11. The celebration kicks off at 10 a.m. in Downtown Murrieta and concludes at Town Square Park and Amphitheater at the Murrieta Rotary’s Field of Honor. All three Murrieta high school marching bands and JROTC groups, in addition to other schools in the region, are registered to participate in the parade. The parade will be kicked off by this year’s grand marshal, Congressman Darrell Issa. Don't hesitate to contact the City of Murrieta at (951) 304-PARK (7275) for more information.
Adult Recreation Program
The City’s Alternative Recreation Program (ARP) offers activities for special needs and differently-abled adults 18 years and older at least once monthly. Program activities include dances, potlucks, movies, field trips, and pool parties. Most activities take place at the Community Center on Fridays from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. There is a nominal fee of $2 per participant, but guardians or caregivers are free except for field trip admissions, where prices are to be determined. The next event will be held on Friday, November 19, with the annual fall event.
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Public Library Activities
Library offers special programs, creates book club kits, awarded California State Library grants
Special Programming Highlights
The Library will be hosting new programming for all ages in November: The Children’s Department is showing “Bad Guys” at 6 p.m. on Friday, November 4. Patrons are invited to bring their pillows, blankets and chairs to this ‘Movie in the Garden’ event. 3D Printing is taught on Thursday, November 10 at 4:30 p.m., in the Library’s Lab. Both programs are for all ages. Adults will have the chance to attend ‘General Health with Dr. Rios’ on November 15 at 4 p.m., in the Library’s Community Room. On Monday, November 21, adults can pick up a Mini Succulent Kit at the Adult Reference Desk. These kits will be handed out starting at 5:30 p.m.
Book Club Kits Available
Six different Book Club Kits have been created as part of the "Library of Things" collection. Each kit contains ten books, a set of discussion questions, and instructions on how to run a book club. The kits are available for check-out for two-week periods at the Adult Reference Desk.
Library Awarded California State Library Grants
The Library is very excited to announce it has been slated to receive four wonderful grants from the California State Library: The Building Forward Infrastructure Grant will fund an expansion of the Children’s area and an addition of a storytime room. The Seed Library Grant offers funding for improving and enhancing the seed library with furniture, new display units, additional seeds, and a sign-up kiosk. The Sustainable California Libraries Grant will provide funding for a pollinator/native garden outside the Library, sustainability workshops, the Library’s annual Earth Day Celebration, and humane bee traps and removal. Lastly, the Library has once again been awarded the Zip Books Grant, a program in which Library patrons can request books not found in the Library’s collection, which would be purchased on Amazon, shipped directly to the patron, and then added to the Library’s collection when returned to the Library. Certain restrictions apply.
Stay Current With What's Happening
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, Library staff are available to answer questions by phone Monday through Saturday during regular hours. Call us at (951) 304-BOOK.
Follow Murrieta Public Library: @Murrietalibrary on Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, and TikTok.
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Economic Development Updates
Check out a new Murrieta business and make your holiday dollars go further.
Wingstop Is Now Open
Wingstop is open for business at Murrieta's Vineyard Shopping Center near Costco. Make sure to stop in, enjoy some tasty food, and welcome them to Murrieta.
Make Your Holiday Dollars Go Further with the Murrieta Money Match Program
The City of Murrieta launched a local shopping incentive program last spring. Residents can purchase a Murrieta Money Match electronic gift card online, and the City will match the funds. There are currently $50 and $100 options available for purchase. The gift cards can be used at participating Murrieta businesses. The list of businesses is continually updated on our Murrieta Money Match website. Get all of the program details and purchase your Murrieta Money online.
Check Out Downtown Market Nights
Looking for things to do in Murrieta? Join us for Market Nights hosted in Downtown Murrieta every 1st and 3rd Thursday of the month to enjoy live music, food, street vendors, and more. While you are there, visit the City of Murrieta booth on the corner of Washington Avenue and Juniper Street for information and fun giveaways. We'll see you November 3 and 17 from 5 - 9 p.m. in Downtown Murrieta! For more information, please visit the Downtown 395 website.
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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 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. The following positions are currently posted on the City's website:
Visit Murrieta's Jobs website today!
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