The Coast News
VISTA, SAN MARCOS, ESCONDIDO
VOL. 11, N0. 11
May 24, 2024
City OKs new plate readers
County has competition for Vista site
By Laura Place
REGION — San Marcos has joined other North County cities in approving the implementation of license plate reader cameras to deter and solve local crimes. The city also plans to offer residents and businesses a Safe Cities program to register their own security cameras with the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department. The San Marcos City Council unanimously agreed on May 14 to execute a memorandum of understanding with the Sheriff’s Department to place 10 Flock Falcon license plate readers (LPRs) at various ingress and egress points throughout the city. The solar-powered cameras can cover two lanes of traffic at distances of up to 65 feet and capture images of vehicles traveling up to 70 miles per hour in all weather conditions. They record the license plate number, time, date and location of each capture. City Manager Michelle Bender said implementing these cameras will take some time as the city identifies funding and waits for it to arrive. According to a staff report, the purchase, implementation and maintenance of the cameras are anticipated to cost around $40,000 annually. “The license plate readers, we do need to determine if we can get some grant funding… and TURN TO LICENCSE ON 11
Homelessness group also eyeing Green Oak By Laura Place
completed in 1994 at a cost of approximately $81 million. The center’s intention was to provide a space for visual and performing arts events and to encourage cultural and educational opportunities for the community. However, since the facility opened, its operations have not generated effective reve-
VISTA — The County of San Diego is facing some competition in its bid for the Green Oak Ranch property in Vista, as North County homelessness nonprofit Solutions for Change continues discussions with the landowners that they say started long before the county threw its hat in the ring. Around 110 acres of the 142acre ranch were put up for sale alCHRIS most a year after MEGISON, the passing of the president of land’s former own- Vista-based er, Arie de Jong, Solutions for Change. last April. The county Board of Supervisors, with strong advocacy from Supervisor Jim Desmond, announced in late April that they were entering negotiations with ranch owners to purchase the property for a sober living and behavioral health treatment facility. For Solutions for Change president Chris Megison, whose nonprofit had already been in talks with the ranch about a private purchase for about 10 months, the announcement seemed very sudden. “It was surprising to us, of course, when Jim Desmond and the board kind of came barrelling into this thing at the last minute,” Megison said. “There couldn’t be a bigger contrast, really, between our approach and that of the county.” While the county proposes a
TURN TO ARTS CENTER ON 3
TURN TO GREEN OAK ON 5
NEW BALLGAME: Athletes and coaches at the University of Saint Katherine were left scrambling after the San Mar-
cos school abruptly ceased operations last month. Nearly all of the school’s 300 students were involved in the Firebirds athletic program, including freshman basketball player Kylani Rookstool, above. STORY ON 9. Courtesy photo/USK
Escondido seeks new operator for arts center By Samantha Nelson
Music museum back with bang
Carlsbad’s extensively renovated Museum of Making Music now has even more interactive opportunities. Hit the Road on 7
Vista strike ends More than 100 US Food workers reach deal after nearly two-week action. 5
ESCONDIDO — The city is looking for a new entity to take over the operations and financial obligations of the California Center for the Arts, which would help relieve pressure on its growing budget shortfall. The city’s $11.3 million structural budget deficit is expected to grow over the next few years without a new source of
revenue. Last year, it began exploring ways to reduce funding non-essential services while seeking fresh revenue streams. The California Center for the Arts is a 191,000-square-foot building in downtown Escondido. The complex includes 1,500- and 400seat theaters, a conference center, an art museum, offices and outdoor space. The venue was
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