Council Accomplishments

Rick's Accomplishments Rick's results are grouped according to the 5 goals that the Murrieta City Council established to show our city's priorities     Council Goal: Pursue Measurable Economic Development   Results:   Loma Linda University Medical Center will open March 2011 Championed a new hospital Fast tracked it before that development process existed Defended it in the U.S. Congress Zoned site for future expansion and for similar industries Hiring starts late this year for 500 new jobs Orchard Shopping Center Worked with the developer to attract Super Target 250 jobs provided from Super Target, 60 from Walgreen's and 90 more from the rest of the center Increased sales tax revenue in spite of a down economy Fresh and Easy Assisted developer through the process to open the first Fresh and Easy Market, which provided 20 jobs Assisted developer in solving problems for the second Fresh and Easy, which is expected to open in 2011 Innovative Engineering Solutions Expedited city process for business expansion Assisted local aerospace business growth BMW will open in 2011 Negotiated agreement with BMW franchise Initiated the official approved fast track process Will provide 100 jobs Anthony's Ristorante Expedited city process for high end restaurant Negotiated solution to restrictive sign rules California State University San Marcos Conceived a plan to pursue a university on donated land Working with Anheuser Busch, CSU Trustees, and CSUSM on potential path forward over the long term Chamber of Commerce Worked closely with the Chamber during a period of budget uncertainties and offered them options for facility relocation Nimbus Water Systems Sponsored opportunities in Murrieta to explain their advanced filtration system, which ensures safe drinking water, to visiting international delegations Inland Empire Export Council A federal grant is currently being utitilized in the conduct of an area business survey that will find out how many businesses are exporters. For those that lack the knowledge, training will be provided under the auspices of the city with the assistance of the Export Council and the Department of Commerce Area businesses, that have products of relevance to other nations, are routinely invited to participate in forums where Murrieta hosts visiting foreign delegations Insisted the City hire an Economic Development Director, with a successful track record, in order to bring business and jobs to Murrieta Approved a number of business friendly policies to make it easier to operate in Murrieta The Economic Development Director is assigned as an ombudsman to help citizens and businesses through the application process A Fast Track process was initiated for highly desired firms based upon the criteria of jobs created and revenue generated for the city An updated permit fee schedule was published, which is intended to only cover the city's costs to process applications The concept of a sliding scale for hotel developers, that reduces fees as the quality of the product goes up, was published. Quality is measured by the number of stars assigned to that hotel chain's rating A clear listing of city incentives, that may be available depending upon the desirability of the project, was published   Council Goal: Provide a High Level of Public Safety   Results:   Murrieta was the "Second Safest City" in the United States in 2009 Through the budget committee, provided recommendations for full funding for Police Department and Fire District staffing and capital equipment Started upgrade of Police Department vehicles to Dodge Chargers in late 2006 due to better handling characteristics In early 2007, added 3 Captain, 3 Engineer, and 3 Paramedic positions to the Fire Department with the expectation of staffing future Fire Station #5 Approved the purchase of a new fire engine for Fire Station #5 in 2007 Opened the Chief Phil Armentrout Murrieta Fire Station # 4 in 2008. Gave the dedication speech to honor the memory of a great Chief and friend. In 2007/2008, added 17 full time, 4 part-time and 4 contract positions to the Police Department. This infusion of personnel assets had a significant impact on lowering our crime rate. In May 2009, FBI analysis of 2008 crime statistics led to our ranking as the "Second Safest City" in the nation. Fire Station #1 expansion and remodeling was completed in June 2009. It was dedicated in honor of the memory of Fireman Matt Moore. Opened temporary Fire Station #5 in May 2010 In the run up to contract negotiations with city unions during this period of severe recession, issued guidance that operational public safety personnel would be excluded from layoffs When neighborhood representatives came to a council session and asked for assistance from the threat posed by an unsafe construction site, took staff on a next day investigatory tour, immediately grasped the danger, initiated legal review, and eventually condemned the property Due to a life threatening traffic situation, led city into building a reinforced block wall to protect children and homes from out of control vehicles Pushed to hire Park Rangers, who have freed our Police Department to concetrate on real criminals, while these law enforcement officers can ensure safety within our city's recreation areas Insisted that Murrieta research, publish, and make available a book on the range of traffic calming measures in order to assist neighborhoods with vehicle speeding problems Requested increased police motor officer presence and radar trailers to target areas that experienced a marked increase in vehicle speed Proposed and budgeted for the on-going traffic light synchronization effort on major roads in Murrieta in order to facilitate traffic flow Listened to Los Alamos area residents' concerns and had a Stop sign installed by the Sports Park and the intersection of Los Alamos road due to concerns over limited sight distance   Council Goal: Improve Social and Community Services   Results:   Council/Community Outreach Initiated annual senior citizen outreach with Riverside County social service organizations Presented senior community with updates to the hospital status of both existing and new providers Negotiated corrections pact with Southwest Health Care parent corporation President and offered assistance to new local CEO Participates regularly in Murrieta Connects, an outreach program for our residents. Council members and staff visit homes around the City and communicate and dialogue with the neighborhood about what is going on in Murrieta Recession Resources Conducted a foreclosure prevention workshop Contracted with Fair Housing Council of Riverside to provide free foreclosure prevention counseling services in the Murrieta Library Recreation Based upon a very affordable price, instructed City to perform due diligence for purchase on a existing equestrian center As a Budget Subcommittee member, made the call to continue with Murrieta's signature events, such as the Birthday Bash, but stipulated business contributions were needed to offset expenses Resurrected a Murrieta Farmer's Market by convincing the owner of Village Walk shopping center that a Sunday venue would increase foot traffic and assist his tenants in gaining new customers Veterans Led the volunteer Veteran's Committee in conceiving, designing, and constructing the first phase of an appropriate memorial Broke ground on Veteran's Day 2009 and unveiled the WW II Wall on Memorial Day 2010   Rick with the Veterans Volunteer Committee at the the WWII Memorial unveiling   Youth Led the effort to revise skate park rules to keep out an unsavory element and ensure the safety of our children In revamping community commissions, added a youth representative to the Community Services Commission Instructed staff to finish the planning process for the new Teen Center this year. Construction will begin in 2011 Neighboring Governments Contacted the Mayors of the five neighboring communities in Southwest Riverside County and convinced then to join a coalition to lobby on behalf of our area's unique needs As a founding member of the Southwest Cities Coalition (SWCC), steered this year's agenda to hospitals, higher education, and local control   Council Goal: Continue Infrastructure Developments   Results:   In 2009, secured and replaced $10M in rapidly disappearing state funding with federal stimulus funds for construction of a new I-215/Clinton Keith Road bridge and interchange (completion will be June 2011) In 2010, secured $21M in funds for new interchange at California Oaks/I-15 (contruction to begin in Fall 2010) In partnership with the City of Temecula, agreed to jointly fund an Ynez to Jackson connection in the interest of public safety and economic development Worked closely with the developer of the Orchard and CALTRANS to ensure that the Linnel Lane Overcrossing alternate route was completed by the time that construction began on the I-215/Clinton Keith Road bridge As a Riverside County Trasnportation Commissioner (RCTC), led prioritization of projects to match available funding levels I-215 Phase 1 expansion from I-15/I-215 junction to Scott Road is the number one County priority for that freeway (construction will begin in 2011 and take 2 years to add a 3rd lane in each direction) The I-15/Cherry Avenue interchange on the Murrieta and Temecula border is funded (first phase of construction will begin in 2011) As an RCTC representative to the I-15 Interregional Partnership, pressed San Diego County to continue their I-15 widening projects to the Riverside County line. The freeway must be the same number of lanes in both counties to avoid chokepoints Upfront investment has been made in Environmental Impact Reports for key development areas to ensure that sites are ready for development as the economy improves Created a Murrieta, Temecula, and Riverside County partnership to pursue Murrieta Creek restoration and flood control funding sources outside of the Congressional process Since 1993, when Conress authorized about $100M for this project following severe flooding, appropriation dollars have trickled in to the Army Corps of Engineers. This new team will work with the Administration in Washington to ensure that this project can proceed before another calamity occurs Reserved funds in the budget and insisted on the constuction of a temporary sidewalk on Clinton Keith from Via Madrid to Greer Ranch Road to ensure the safety of our children as they walk to school Submitted land use subcommittee recommendations for the new Murrieta General Plan, which is due out in June 2011 Created process for upfront Council subcommittee review on large development projects to ensure neither city nor proponent waste time on projects that are not appropriate for Murrieta Intent is to give developers a gauge on what changes would facilitate a better project Worked closely with Western Municipal Water District, secured federal funding, and approved construction of water and sewer infrastructure for Historic Downtown Murrieta area residents   Council Goal: Maintain Fiscal Responsibility   Results:   Ensured this fifth goal was added to the previously adopted goals listed above While Mayor in 2008, began the process of paring back expenditures Placed unanticipated January 2008 revenues into a financial contigency fund. (These revenues became a key source for balancing our City's General Fund budget this June and thereby preserving our 25% emergency reserves) Closely monitored expenditures for City Hall construction to ensure that the people's seat of government was functional and built with economy and efficiency in mind Created the following layoff guidance for staff: limit the headcount reductions; negotiate humanely; use conservative financial estimating to ensure that we only do this once; solicit employee money saving suggestions and implement those that are feasible and promise a positive outcome 25 positions have been left vacant since 2008; 7 part time positions have been eliminated; 15 full time employees have been laid off In solidarity with City employees' voluntary acceptance of 5% pay reduction, followed their lead by cutting my monthly $600 Council stipend by that same percentage Murrieta's budget is balanced and services continue to be delivered

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