Elsinore continues quest for federal funds, extends car show

Lake Elsinore representatives will be returning to Washington, DC, for a second year in a row seeking federal funds after the city council voted 4-0 to renew the contract of a Capitol Hill lobbying firm on September 26.

Last September, the council approved its first foray into the chase for federal dollars with the guidance of The Ferguson Group, which led to a visit to the Capitol by a city delegation in February.

The trip was successful on many levels, say city leaders, although the requests were not funded. Other cities and agencies faced similar rejection in an increasingly competitive world of securing federal dollars during slow economic times and lean appropriations reserves, according to a report submitted by the firm’s representative, David Kennett.

The city’s agenda included funding for the I-15/Railroad Canyon Road interchange improvements at $8 million; $2 million for rehabilitation of the Lake Elsinore recreational area and boat launch; $500,000 each for lake rehabilitation by the improvement of fisheries to combat algae blooms and a wetlands restoration; and a water quality monitoring program for Lake Elsinore, and $2 million for improvements to Lakeshore Drive, a major thoroughfare in the city. The firm has had a 90-percent success rate for its clients in the past, Kennett reported, and the key to obtaining the federal funding is persistence.

Council members agreed. “I felt this was money well-spent,” said Councilwoman Genie Kelley before the council voted to approve the $77,000 one-year contract. “The Ferguson Group did a wonderful job and opened doors for us.”

The council also directed staff in a 4-0 vote to investigate the plausibility of taking control of State Route 74. The state highway winds its way through the city from Central Avenue, travels under the I-15 freeway, cuts northwest onto Collier Avenue, southwest to Riverside Drive, onto Grand Avenue and turns up into the “Ortega Highway” through the Santa Ana Mountains into Orange County.

The analysis will provide information on the acquisition procedure, costs to maintain the city’s portion and limitations of the acquisition. The report is scheduled to be reviewed by the council at its October 24 meeting and, depending on the outcome, will give the city sufficient time to work with local state legislators to bring legislation to Sacramento at the start of the new legislative season in January.

Mayor Bob Magee explained the potential benefits of the takeover of SR-74 for the city and why he suggested city staff explore the city’s options. The city of Temecula took similar action for maintenance of SR-79/Winchester Road.

Big projects requiring specialized expertise such as interchange improvements should remain with the California Department of Transportation, said Magee, “but on the simple turn lanes, traffic signals, maintenance issues — those things we can better handle.” Lake Elsinore Valley Chamber of Commerce (LEVCC) president Kim Joseph Cousins anticipated the beautification of the gateways into the city for visitors and residents if the city decides to take responsibility for the local highway sections.

The council also approved a request to expand the monthly car cruise shows revived by the Downtown Merchants Association (DMA) and the LEVCC due to the positive response from vendors, participants and a petition of local merchants. In an August 8 decision, the council approved a three-month trial period closing Main Street from Graham and Heald when a few local merchants said their customers were inconvenienced by the closure and local chamber representatives worked to find an amicable solution.

The DMA submitted a petition showing support of 21 downtown businesses asking for a reconsideration of the original request to hold the car show on a longer stretch of Main Street between Sulphur and Franklin and extend the show until November. The last car show hosted 85 cars and more than 360 visitors to the downtown district. December and January would be “dark” months during the holidays and allow the council to revisit their decision after the trial period.

Area merchants praised the proposed time and venue extension. Pat Shepherd of Décor Consignment Shoppe located on Graham Street helped circulate the petition and spoke to car show vendors and fans for suggestions. The feedback was positive, she said. “I think we need this,” she told the council. “This is such a phenomenal, wonderful little town that needs so much help and downtown merchants need to stand together and open up their stores so everybody can enjoy the historic downtown.”

In other council business, council members approved a pay raise for themselves from $300 to $400 per month. Based upon the increase in population to around 41,000, the city council was eligible by state law to increase their monthly stipend, which hadn’t been increased since 1985. The raise was approved in a 3-1 vote with Councilman Thomas Buckley dissenting.

Councilman Daryl Hickman was absent.