e-news masthead with Saddleback mountain and City seal
July 2019
Hello July graphic

In this Issue:


City Manager's Message
Summer Concerts
ZeroTrash RSM
Low-Cost Pet Care Clinic
Crime Prevention
Senior Activities
Recreation Highlights
Street Sweeping No Parking Zones
RSM Chamber of Commerce
RSM Cares Food Pantry
The Toll Roads of Orange County

E-Comments and Public Record Requests


City Manager's Message


Summer is in full swing in the City of Rancho Santa Margarita, and I hope you will take advantage of the many programs and activities offered through our Community Services Department. From kindergarten readiness to specialty camps, there’s plenty of fun and educational offerings to keep the kids active, engaged and occupied during the summer break. On Sunday, July 7th at Central Park, the Reflexx will open the first of our six Summer Concerts. The series of musical evenings is one of our most popular family activities, and I hope to see you there!

I am also delighted to report that, once again, Rancho Santa Margarita has received the Government Finance Officers Association’s (GFOA) Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting.  This Certificate of Achievement designation is the highest level of recognition possible in governmental accounting and financial reporting.

Sincerely,

Jennifer Cervantez
Summer Concert sponsor list

Rancho Santa Margarita Summer Concert logo

Summer Concerts 

Sundays, July 7th - August 11th 
6:00 - 8:00 p.m. 
Central Park 

30842 La Miranda


Join us for six consecutive Sunday evenings of live music, food vendors and  a beer and wine garden with the sunset as your backdrop. Our Summer Concert Series is a favorite family tradition in Rancho Santa Margarita. 

For more information, please contact the Community Services Department at (949) 216-9700. Click here for band details.




Dog and cat in front of American Flag

Low-Cost Pet Care Clinic


Wednesday, July 3rd
Bell Tower Regional Community Center
22232 El Paseo


6:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. (Cats only)
7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. (Dogs & Cats)

 
INFO: (714) 993-9193

www.heart4pets.org

The Healthcare & Emergency Animal Rescue Team (HEART) provides vaccinations, de-worming, microchipping, flea and tick control and, if time allows, nail trims for dogs and cats at the Bell Tower Regional Community Center on the first Wednesday of each month. Please visit their website or click here to view a detailed flyer for more information. Cash or credit card ($3 additional processing fee per pet) only; checks are not accepted. Those who have a cat or have pre-paid for vaccines do not need to wait in line and may proceed directly to the cashier table. All others will be taken on a first-come, first-served basis (with the exception of those who are physically unable to stand in line).


Vaccines for dogs include:
Rabies - $7.00
DHP/DHPP - $22.00
Bordetella - $17.00
Lyme - $24.00
Microchip - $30.00
$2.00 hazardous materials disposal fee per pet
 
Vaccines for cats include:
Rabies - (killed virus) Purevax - $22.00 (1 yr) $49.00 (3 yr)
FVRCP "3-in-1" - $22.00
FELV - $24.00
Microchip - $30.00
$2.00 hazardous materials disposal fee per pet

Important Rabies Information
Please bring a prior Rabies Certificate and other vaccination records with you. A 3-year Rabies Certificate can only be issued if you provide a prior Rabies Certificate. Otherwise, you will receive a 1-year Rabies Certificate.

"HEART" (aka "SCVVC") is a Non-Profit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to saving lives and improving pet and wild animal health, safety, and welfare.
 
Prices are subject to change; clinic will cancel in the event of rain.


ZeroTrash Volunteers at the Bell Tower

ZeroTrash RSM

Saturday, July 6th


ZeroTrash Rancho Santa Margarita is a volunteer group that meets on the "Zero T First Saturday" of each month to rally together to rid the community of litter. All are welcome; parents, children, students, friends, neighbors  – anyone interested in keeping RSM clean! 


Volunteers meet in front of Cinepolis/Panera at 10:00 a.m. and fan out from there. ZeroTrash provides the pickers and bags; volunteers are asked to closely supervise young children at all times, stay on trails and to keep a look out for snakes!  Return pickers and trash at noon behind the Bell Tower Community Center and obtain sign-offs for certification of community service hours or badge requirements.


Follow ZeroTrash RSM on Facebook for more information.

*ZeroTrash will cancel in the event of rain.


No Parking sign

No Parking During Street Sweeping 


Please be aware that parking citations with a $50 fine may be issued in restricted areas


To keep the City streets clean and increase the effectiveness of street sweeping operations, the City of Rancho Santa Margarita implemented a  NO PARKING DURING STREET SWEEPING Pilot Program in fourteen (14) target areas throughout the City.

Based on resident feedback,  changes to the timing of parking restrictions have been made on Arroyo Vista, Dove Canyon Drive, Las Mesitas, and Plano Trabuco. A two-week phase-in period (July 18 to August 1) will allow residents  and guests time to adjust to the revised schedules.


No parking during street sweeping restrictions applies ONLY on streets with fixed signage indicating the days and times parking is restricted. Parking Restrictions went into effect in  April, with a 60-day grace period during which warnings were issued.

We appreciate your cooperation and compliance as we work together to keep Rancho Santa Margarita beautiful and environmentally responsible.

The full street sweeping schedule and maps can be found here:  www.cityofrsm.org/536/Street-Sweeping.


OCSD Badge, City of RSM logo

Crime Prevention


Property Crimes


Criminals are looking for an easy opportunity with the lowest risk; if you provide it, they will take it! There are simple preventative steps you can take to eliminate crimes of opportunity and reduce the frequency of burglaries and thefts in our community.


Always lock your car doors, roll up the windows and take your keys
with you. Keep in mind newer cars with keyless fobs can be unlocked
when fobs are kept within close proximity (even from indoors).

Remove valuables and all visible items when you leave your vehicle.
If you need to, lock your valuables in the trunk before arriving at your
destination.

Park  smart: when out, park in open, well-lit, populated areas. At home, park in your secured garage.

Install a locking fuel cap, and never leave your vehicle running while unattended.


Follow OCSD RSM Police Services on social media:


Twitter - @OCSDRanchoSM


Facebook - @OCSDRanchoSM


Instagram - ocsdranchosm


Register for AlertOC to ensure you receive official emergency notifications and alerts. This is the platform used by emergency personnel to notify residents of evacuation orders and other emergency information.

  

REPORT SUSPICIOUS PERSONS AND ACTIVITIES!
Orange County Sheriff’s Department Non-Emergency (949) 770-6011
Emergency 911

Vehicle Burglary Warning

Age Well Senior Services logo

Senior Activities at the Bell Tower Regional Community Center


The mission of Age Well Senior Services is to promote and improve the quality of life and independence of the senior community.


July



Visit the Senior Activities webpage for more information, follow Age Well RSM on Facebook or call (949) 709-7592.



Children with American Flags graphic

July Recreation Highlights




ABCs with Tiny Tots
$470/ per month
Experience a fun way of preparing your child for kindergarten using hands-on interactive learning with art, science, cooking, music, and much more. Your child will learn their numbers, letters, and shapes and, learn to write their name as well as develop social skills of patience, listening, cooperation, and sharing. No parent participation needed. Children must be fully potty trained.  This is a year-round program with month-to-month registration to meet the needs of your schedule.   Registration is first come, first serve basis; early registration is strongly encouraged to guarantee a spot in the program. Ages: 3-5 yrs. 

Instructor:  SoCal Tiny Tots

210761 02     M,W,F      Jul 1 - Aug 2     9 am-12 pm

Little Ninjas
$53/ 5 Classes
This class will cover the basic development of skills, structure, and coordination of a Karate class. Ages: 4-5 yrs. 

Instructor:  Robert McDonough

210235 02     T               Jul 2 - Jul 30      4-4:30 pm

NEW! Robotics Summer Camp 
$153/ 5 Classes 
Explore life science, robotics, creative writing, green-screen movie making, and more at our Magikid Robotics Summer Camp! This STEAM based Summer Camp is a great introduction to the world of technology! Ages: 6-12 yrs. What to bring: $25 cash materials fee

Instructor:  Magikid Robotics

221130 02    M-F          Jul 15 - Jul 19       2-3:30 pm

Knowledge is Power – Financial Strategies for Women
$23/ 1 Class
This class will discuss four important financial considerations for women today: 1) Income gaps 2) Longer lifespans 3) Multiple roles & responsibilities 4) Life changes 
Ages: 18 yrs. & up.

Instructor:  Jeffrey Halbreich

240756 01   W                Jul 17             6:30-7:30 pm


   
Click here to access the City's online registration system.



RSM Chamber logo

RSM Chamber of Commerce

Tri-Chamber Mixer

Thursday, July 18th
5:30 - 7:30 p.m.
RSM Honda


The RSM Chamber of Commerce' mission is to promote and enhance the business community of Rancho Santa Margarita by assisting members through Joining, Connecting, and Growing a vibrant local economy. Their next event is a Tri-Chamber Mixer with the Mission Viejo and Lake Forest Chambers of Commerce. Members are free and non-members are $20.

For more information, visit rsmchamber.org or call (949) 667-3776.



RSM Cares Bell logo

RSM Cares Food Pantry


Wednesday, July 3rd
Wednesday, July 17th
2:00 - 5:00 p.m.
Shepherd of the Hills Methodist Church
30605 Avenida de Las Flores


The RSM Cares Food Pantry is supported solely by donations from generous private donors, local churches and businesses. There are no minimum or financial qualifications required. Stop by between 2 - 5:00 p.m. and get a box for you, your family or for a neighbor in need. 


Visit the RSM Cares website for more information on how to donate or to learn about  volunteer opportunities.


We want to hear from you signs

Connect with the City of Rancho Santa Margarita



Planning Commission meetings take place on the first Wednesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. and the City Council meets on the second and fourth Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. Meeting agendas are posted 72 hours in advance, and cancellations occur occasionally due to holidays. There are several options to comment and participate in City Council and Planning Commission meetings:

  • Written material may be submitted in hard copy to the City Clerk, who will copy it and provide the statement to the Council or Commissioners.
  • Comments may be submitted via the City's website The eComment will be emailed directly to the City Clerk. eComments are accepted up until 4:30 p.m. on the day of the meeting.
  • Comments may be submitted by e-mail message to the City Clerk who will provide them to the City Council or Commissioners.
  • Comments may be delivered orally at a meeting. There is a three-minute time limit per speaker. 
  • A statement can be submitted by proxy on a resident’s behalf at a meeting by reading it aloud. The three-minute time limit applies.  

For more information, please contact Amy Diaz, City Clerk, at (949) 635-1806.



The Toll Roads logo

The Toll Roads of Orange County

Sticker Transponders 


The Toll Roads of Orange County are mailing new sticker transponders this month to FasTrak account holders to replace the hard-case transponders currently in use. The new bandage-size transponder adheres to the inside of a windshield to collect tolls.

The beepless transponder works on all California’s toll bridges, lanes and roads, officials say. The FasTrak sticker transponders will be immediately interoperable throughout the state at all toll facilities. The new stickers come without the $2 per month user fee for folks who have a transponder but rarely use the 241 or other toll roads.

If you choose to dispose of your hard-case transponder, you can dispose of it the way you would a battery.  But, if you carpool on designated express lanes throughout California, keep using your switchable FasTrak transponder to be eligible for carpool discounts.

For more information, call 949-727-4800 or visit TheTollRoads.com
Toll Roads new sticker transponder image

Rancho Santa Margarita

City Council


Jerry Holloway, Mayor

Brad McGirr, Mayor Pro Tempore
L. Anthony Beall, Council Member
Anne Figueroa, Council Member

Carol Gamble, Council Member

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