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| SUN CITY CORE COURIER | SEPTEMBER 2024 | 11 By Menifee Mayor Bill Zimmerman Recently, your City Council held a "Strategic Visioning" workshop where a consultant led an informal discussion that included ideas for improving our lifestyle in our city. There were many suggestions related to promoting the arts and attracting entertainment venues. The workshop also provided an opportunity for the public to speak and offer good ideas. The natural tendency is to compare ourselves to the more established cities around us and know that our city doesn't have some of the things they have, so those venues were noted as examples during the discussion. It was evident that some neighboring cities have "a thing" they are known for, such as a lake, wineries, or a casino. Some have created signature events that bring tourists, such as a rod run car show, or the balloon and wine festival. I suggested, and my colleagues agreed, that it would be prudent to consider creating a Menifee "Nature Preserve & Interpretive Center." Ideally, it would be located where the land has remained natural, with native plants and majestic oaks (we have that). The Nature Center concept could include a ranger station with outdoor seating for fireside chats and a self-guided history museum. Ideally, it would have displays and exhibits, offering opportunities for children to learn about the unique wonders and natural beauty found right here in our hometown. After a robust discussion with numerous ideas and considerations, the Council directed staff to engage with a strategic planning consultant and return with feasible concepts and findings of the costs, opportunities, and constraints. In August, the Council approved an agreement with a consultant to begin the study. We hope the effort will result in new signature events that deliver unique entertainment and family fun. In due time, "private" businesses that offer dining experiences, theater shows, and performances will arrive to complement the city's events. All of these will surely make our home town more attractive and improve our lifestyle. This year marks Menifee's "Sweet 16" birthday since incorporation. The vision and plans we engage in today will eventually come to fruition, improving our health, lifestyle, and social infrastructure. How about this month's history fun fact: For about 90 years, a very large, two-story Victorian-style home stood on the east side of Highway 395 (today's I-215) about where Mt. San Jacinto College is located today. It was quite a landmark in the community. Built around 1890, the house was constructed by William and Callie Kirkpatrick and their nine children. Leonard Senior, the youngest son, and his family were the last to occupy the home. Around 1980, the stately manor was torn down when the property was sold and developed as the Menifee Lakes master- planned community. A photo of the home can be seen by visiting the Menifee History Museum or viewing the Kirkpatrick Family video via www.menifeehistory.com website on the YouTube video link. By Bob Karwin, City Councilman, Menifee District 1 We have heard your concerns about loud, unruly conduct around the city. We do have a noise ordinance, but the current language, which we adopted from the county's code, is not very specific and does not provide our Police Department with the ability to shut down loud parties, disturbing behavior like public drunkenness, and obstruction of streets. I am pleased to report that at our July City Council meeting our Police Chief presented a draft of a new code section that would give our officers the ability to make arrests for these offenses and take actions for loud, unruly behavior. City Council generally approved the proposed code but requested some small adjustments to the language. The final version of the code should be approved very soon. In August, we held a forum to discuss solutions for crime and homelessness in the Sun City Plaza. A representative for the owner of the largest building attended and heard the concerns of multiple business owners and residents. A follow-up meeting will be held on Nov. 5 from 9 to 10:30 am, in the upstairs meeting room of Rancho Family Medical Group. At the follow-up, we will review how our Police Department has responded and see which new tactics are having success. All are welcome to attend the meeting. We realize this is election day, so we will be done early enough for you to vote in the general election afterward, if you have not yet already voted by mail. City Council meetings are held at City Hall on the first and third Wednesdays of each month at 6 pm and are open to the public. You can also watch them online on our YouTube channel. Feel free to email me at bkarwin@cityofmenifee.us. Strategic Plan Includes Arts & Entertainment Noise Ordinance Set to Change

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