City of Escondido Water Update

On August 25, the City of Escondido Water Treatment Plant started treating and distributing water from Lake Wohlford, our local water source. In preparation for this, the Treatment Plant proactively adjusted the treatment process and increased monitoring to better deal with this particular water source, which tends to have a lot of taste and odor challenges, especially this time of year. Despite the Treatment Plant best efforts, the taste and odor issues have remained in the water, however the water is safe to drink.

• The water will, at all times, meet Federal and State Water Quality Standards and the water is completely safe to drink;
• Lake Wohlford has been a source of water in Escondido for over 100 years;
• With increased water supply in the local system, the amount of source water from Lake Wohlford was increased;
• Any change in the source water may cause temporary changes in the taste and odor of the water;
• Some people are more attuned to these changes and may notice an "earthy"or "musty"smell in the water;
• The changes are aesthetic and are being addressed in the treatment process as soon as possible. In addition, the amount of water being treated from Lake Wohlford has been decreased.
• It may take from several days up to a week for the odor to decrease.
• If you have additional questions, you may call 760-839-4668.

 

Escondido's Public Works Professionals

Last week the City of Escondido Public Works staff played a major role in the National Equipment Rodeo that was held at the San Diego Convention Center as part of the American Public Works Expo.

 

The City's own Senior Maintenance Tech, Heath Yeomans, qualified for the elite competition that challenged equipment operators from all around North America in their ability to navigate a complex skills course with various types of construction equipment.

 

In addition to Heath's accomplishment, long-time Streets Supervisors, Rafael Rivera and Hugo Villalobos were selected to judge the event and score the performances. We are extremely fortunate to have some of the nations most talented operators working for our City as guardians of our infrastructure!

 

2023 Coastal Cleanup Day

No matter where you live in San Diego County, you can make a difference in our watersheds! Join us for the 39th Annual Coastal Cleanup Day Saturday, September 23, 2023.

Removing litter makes a significant impact on the health of our waterways and oceans, no matter if you are inland or coastal! Join us on Coastal Cleanup Day to help clean up Harmony Grove. For registration details, head to I Love a Clean San Diego to register.

 

BY THE NUMBERS

 

Code Compliance:

Total Code Cases (Year to Date)

1237

 

Graffiti Restitution:

 

 

 

BUSINESS AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT UPDATES:

Escondido Business News

Forget Cinco de Mayo. Here's where you can celebrate Mexican Independence Day all weekend The San Diego Union-Tribune

Esco Alley Art: A different sort of artists alley San Diego Reader

Grape Day Festival steps back into time The Coast News Group

The Farm Stand and Greater Escondido Chamber of Commerce Fall Festival Patch

Escondido Pizzeria Ranked Among Best In Nation Patch

 

Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Resources

Are You Looking for Assistance with Your Small Business?

Discover the range of San Diego and Imperial Valley SBDC services provided to assist you in starting, growing, and succeeding with your small business. Services offered span topics including accounting, marketing, human resources, technology security, manufacturing, distribution, and finance.

Request for Assistance from SBDC Follow the link to request assistance from the San Diego SBDC Network. You will be contacted within the next 1-2 business days.

Free Online Webinars

Meet the Lenders 9/15/23 from 9:00 - 10 a.m.

Marketing Power Hour (English/Espanol)9/18 from 5 - 6 p.m.

Create your Holiday Marketing Plan 9/19 from 3 - 4 p.m.

Lending Power Hour 9/19 from 11 - noon

Cybersecurity Awareness - A Guide to Safeguarding Your Business 9/20 from 1 - 3 p.m.

Grow with Google: Build your no-cost website with Google Sites 9/20 from 9 - 11 a.m.

How to Create a Job Description 9/20 from noon - 1:30 p.m.

You Have a Brilliant Business Idea, Now what? 9/20 from 9 a.m. - noon

Bookkeeping Made Easy 9/21 from 1 - 2 p.m.

How Social Media Can Make or Break Your Business 9/21 from 9 - 11 a.m.

Unlocking Business Potential with AI (Artificial Intelligence): Real-Life Uses 9/21 from noon - 1:30 p.m.

City of Escondido Economic Development Contacts

Request a Meeting with Our Team

Thinking about starting a business? Already have a business and need additional support? Have a property and looking for tenants or starting improvements? Reach out and we can help you navigate City and community resources to achieve your goals.

The Economic Development Team are always available to help with questions or connecting you to the right resources. Do not hesitate to reach out!

Subscribe to our Business News and Insights Email Newsletter!

 

 

Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) Review

On June 7, 2023 the Escondido City Council approved the 2023-2028 Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS). This document outlines data and community feedback about the City's economy and outlines a five-year plan to improve the local economy.

Let's dive into the first section of the CEDS which takes a deep look at the City's Economic Data:

In addition to lower levels of educational attainment relative to the region, Escondido also has fewer science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) graduates among its college-educated population, compared to North County and the San Diego region. However, Escondido also had a significant increase in STEMand STEM-related degrees between 2016 and 2021, with STEM degrees growing from 35% of all college graduates in Escondido to nearly 40%.

 

 

POLICE DEPARTMENT UPDATES:

DA�s Office Recognizes Officers

We are proud to announce that officers from our Escondido team embodied the "why"behind the entire project of One Safe Place (OSP) and likely saved a victim's life and prevented future generations of violence for the children involved.

 

Officers Costa and Ciremele (according to DA Summer Stephan) leapt tall buildings and were literally real time superheroes. Your team proved that law enforcement continues to raise the bar over and over again to protect and serve.

 

Assistant Executive Director, Taraneh of One Safe Place described the incident as follows:

I would like to recognize the valiant efforts of our partners at Escondido PD in responding to calls from our family justice center to their dispatch who swiftly responded when one of our OSP members/survivors came in to report a new incident of domestic violence. It is in these moments where we see exactly how our protectors in uniform provide hope, healing and justice to our community, specifically our youngest and most vulnerable. Days before, these children witnessed their father abuse their mother while they watched helplessly. Tonight, the children left OSP feeling safe and supported thanks to the efforts and trauma-informed care of our EPD partners. You are nothing short of superheroes. Thank you for your excellence in service and doing so with humility and grace. It is our honor to partner with you to help our survivors to safety and a hopeful future.

 

 

 

San Pasqual High School Honors Officer

SPHS had a red, white, and blue celebration at a recent football game.During the game, the school honored members of the armed forces and first responders for their commitment to the community, our Country, and helping others. Officer Granger was among those being honored and is currently working patrol and graduated from SPHS. Thank you to all the honorees for their service to our community!

Domestic Violence Incident leads to Bearcat Deployment

Last week, officers were called to a residence in the City because of a possible domestic violence incident. The person calling said that the victim was unable to leave her apartment and that the suspect had pointed a gun at her and broken her phone. Officers quickly surrounded to apartment and devised a plan. The police department's armored vehicle, the Bearcat, was requested to the scene to provide a safe place for the officers outside of the apartment because of the reported threat of a gun. After investigative work by the officers, it was discovered that the person reporting the crime had not actually witnessed the incident. Using the PA system on the Bearcat, the residents of the apartment were safely called outside to the officers. The victim denied that any domestic violence incident had actually occurred and denied any threats with a firearm. The residents allowed officers to check the apartment for any other potential victims and were then allowed to go back in their home. While this conclusion of this incident was that no one was arrested, the officers conducted these investigations meticulously and with the upmost regard for the safety of the community and the residents of the apartment.

 

 

Community Resources

Anonymous Tip Line: 760-743-8477 (TIPS)

Crime Data/Mapping: https://www.crimemapping.com/

Helicopter Announcement Transcription:

Call 858-866-4356 or text "Hello" to 858-866-4356

Megan's Law Information: https://www.meganslaw.ca.gov/

Mental Health & Crisis Intervention:

Access and Crisis Line: 888-724-7240

It's Up to Us Campaign: www.Up2sd.org

Get Connected. Get Help: Dial 211

National Drug Helpline: https://drughelpline.org/contact/ or call 844-289-0879

Non-Emergency Line: 760-839-4722

 

 

 

 

FIRE DEPARTMENT UPDATES:

 

On September 7, Firefighters were dispatched to a report of a vehicle accident at the 300 block of W El Norte Pkwy. Fire crews arrived to the scene to discover a car had crashed into a pillar of a building. Luckily, the driver of the vehicle only had minor injuries, was treated at the scene by paramedics and then transported to Palomar Medical Center for evaluation. No other injuries were sustained due to the incident.

 

On September 8, the Escondido Fire Crews from Station #1 participated in the annual Cruisin'Grand's Fire Truck Night. Both Truck and Engine were represented at the event for residents to see. As well, residents got to spend some time mingling with Firefighters. Thank you, Cruisin'Grand Event Team, for hosting us again this year.

 

 

 

 

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT & ENGINEERING

Permits and Inspections:

 

Building Division:

• The counter staff conducted in-person meetings with 77 applicants, processed 65 applications, and issued 35 permits.
• The total permit valuation for the week was $1,202,497.00
• Building inspectors completed 196 inspections.

 

Field Engineering Division:

 

Field Engineering processed 19 permits

Field Engineering inspectors completed 13 inspections

Field Engineering active 261 permits

 

Development and Capital Projects Update:

Curious what's happening with development projects around the City? The link below directs to an interactive dashboard of projects currently in various stages of the development process. Browse project descriptions, see locations on the map, browse photos and more.

City of Escondido Project Dashboard

 

 

To learn about previous applications for residential and commercial development permits, please visit the Development Project Information Archive page or contact the Planning Division.