Murrieta 2002 and beyond

By Robert V. Ross

My goal for our city is to better manage our growth, builds a library and work with our neighbor to the south promote regional solutions to traffic and other concerns. The quality of life we enjoy in jeopardy if we don't act now to seek regional solutions. As the matching fund become available to expand our infrastructure we need representatives with business experience to watch how our dollars are being spent.

Growth

Growth is a major concern of mine. The quality of life we enjoy is at risk if we fail to properly manage it. One concern is decisions made by our present council that locks us into agreements for up to ten years. The outdated information they use, such as environmental impact from 1993, fail to address the current realities. These long term agreement may be comforting to the development community however the resident are stuck with a project that will add to traffic congestion and tax our city services. After 30 years in the building industry I am knowledgeable of the development process. I am not against growth. I am for managed growth. My definition of managed growth is a comprehensive plan that assures that each development adds to our community and does not overwhelm services and resources. To accomplish this we must find the resources to build the nearly 100 million dollars in capital improvements we are behind to date. When you are stuck on Los Alamos trying to cross the bridge or in a traffic jam at the high school and ask your self why, the answer is poor planning. As the population grows these problems will get worse and throughout the community other problems will become apparent. Robbing Peter to pay Paul is no way to run a city. Growth is inevitable, how fast we grow and the quality of that development we can have an impact on. We live in a wonderful community let keep it that way.

Economic development

Expanding retail and industrial development is a logical evolution of our city. The types of business we should encourage to move here is the question. Since our community has a higher than average median income, an educated work force, good schools and affordable housing most businesses are attracted to our area. Since most highly technical industries located near universities we have a difficult task at hand attracting these companies. Promoting a state university in our area would enhance our chance of securing high paying jobs in these industries. The common system of offering incentives to businesses to locate here is a minefield of risk. Since we are so dependent on sales tax revenue, entering into special agreements can be counterproductive. It is important to sell the benefit of our community and negotiate agreements that protect our long-term interests. The council seem to be hypnotized by the sound of ringing cash registers and the long-term interests of the community is not served. The lack of practical experience of many of the incumbents puts us at a disadvantage when we negotiate with business interests. Since the city staff takes it direction from the council, the incumbents are responsible for the lack of success in this area and should be held accountable.

Developing the Golden Triangle

The Golden Triangle area has been mired in controversy for years. The original agreement for the mall was a win for the developer and a risk for the city. The Rogers Dale project was a grand dream that added many cultural elements to the community however it failed to garner the necessary investor support. Last we have the Murrieta Entertainment Center or Rogers Dale Lite, a riskier venture with little chance of success. The developer agreements for these projects give a major portion of the sales tax revenue to benefit the developer. As a city we must rethink our position. It is time to go back to the drawing board. The city has already spent 24 million dollars on the Murrieta Hot Springs roadway project that should be incentive enough. We should look at alternative projects for that site possibly a residential, commercial and industrial development where people walk to work and shopping. A higher density PUD surrounding a retail center anchored with a community performing arts center could be an option. Ultimately what is built there is up to the owner, if he wants support then the city can step in.

Sale Tax Shortfalls and Temecula

The constant comparison with Temecula and sales tax revenue is not productive. It is true we are in competition for the same dollars however we should be encouraged by their success. One of the obstacles to our success is the difficulty shopper have getting to our retail centers. Improvement to bridges and roadways will help move shoppers in and out of our community. Also connecting Inez Road to Murrieta Hot Springs is an improvement that will benefit Murrieta retailers and create a retail corridor to service Murrieta and Temecula shoppers. The cities responsibility in generating sales tax revenue is to promote the benefits of our community and creating a friendly streamline approval process. As the benefits to locating businesses in Murrieta become known, businesses will come to our area and our sales tax revenue will increase.

Our Future

Since I have lived in Murrieta the old joke was that only fireman and ex cops got elected. This was a reflection of the communities' interest in public safety. Our police and fire departments are some of the best in the state and I commend those responsible. Our community is changing and as we change so do our priorities. Today there are two things that our community desperately needs, a library and community center. Our present library is located in an old bank in rented space to small to meet the needs of the community. Build a library has been my mission for years along with my many "Friends of the Library". A community center is also desperately needed. We have to address the needs of the young people in our community. The consequences of doing nothing are not acceptable. Investing in these assets will pay dividend for years to come. Everyone must focus on our ultimate goal, to build a better community, let us stop the bickering. We are building a city that needs the support of everyone. It is the responsibility of community leaders to draw people together for the common good. In the final analysis is not important what I think, what is important is can I get thing done and create a better working environment with local and regional representatives.