City Manager's Message

As we embark upon the New Year, the City would like to thank our generous sponsors for their support of the 15th Annual Family and Friends New Year's Eve celebration. It was great to see so many of you at this fun community event; it's always a great way to finish the old year and ring in the new.

This month we recycle our Christmas trees and start planning for the year ahead. The latest issue of the Community Living Magazine will reach your mailbox in late January. In it, you will find a wide variety of classes and activities for all ages. Visit the City's website for more information about exciting news and events happening this year in our community.

On behalf of the City Council and staff, I wish you and your family a very happy New Year.

Sincerely,

Jennifer M. Cervantez
City Manager

ZeroTrash RSM

Saturday, January 2^nd
10:00 a.m. - noon

ZeroTrash RSM is a growing community of volunteers whose mission is to improve the appearance of the City and enhance our environment. They meet on the first Saturday of each month in the courtyard between Cinepolis and Panera (30642 Santa Margarita Pkwy) and then set out to rid the city of trash, litter, stickers and graffiti. Join this collaboration of friends and neighbors of all ages in their mission to improve the appearance of the City and enhance our environment.

For more information, or to register as a volunteer, please visit The Bell Tower Foundation's website at belltowerfoundation.org. Individuals and groups are welcomed and encouraged to attend.

OCTA Proposes Changes to Local Bus Routes

In response to county-wide low ridership and reverse ridership trends the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) is proposing to reduce the frequency, and in some cases, eliminate bus routes that receive low ridership throughout the County. OCTA’s upcoming proposal for 2016 Bus Services will affect certain areas within the City of Rancho Santa Margarita.

Bus routes slated for elimination include Alicia Parkway, Santa Margarita Parkway (Alicia Parkway to Aventura) and Antonio Parkway. A public hearing will be held at OCTA on January 25, 2016, regarding the proposed changes in the OCTA 2016 Bus Service Plan.

For more information, click here: octa.net/2016BusPlan

Low-Cost Pet Vaccination Clinic

Wednesday, January 6^th

Bell Tower Regional Community Center
22232 El Paseo
1^st Wednesday of each month
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.scvvc.org

Bring your cat or dog for low-cost vaccinations provided by the Society for California Veterinary Vaccine Care (SCVVC) and pet licensing from OC Animal Care. AVID micro identification chips are also available; price includes registration and continuous, 24/7 lifetime monitoring.
Cash or credit card ($3 processing fee) only; checks are not accepted.

Important Rabies Information
If you have a prior rabies vaccine certificate, license tag or license renewal notice for your pet, please bring it with you to the clinic.

Vaccines for dogs include:
Rabies               $7.00
DAP/DHPP        $19.00
Bordetella          $14.00
Lyme                  $22.00
Microchip           $28.00
$2.00 hazardous materials disposal fee per pet

Vaccines for cats include:
FVRCP "3-in-1" $18.00
FELV                  $21.00
Purevax              $20.00
Microchip            $28.00
$2.00 hazardous materials disposal fee per pet

Prices are subject to change. Clinic will cancel in the event of rain.

Christmas Tree Recycling

Christmas trees are considered organic waste, which means they can be composted, mulched or even converted into fuel. The City's waste hauler, CR&R will continue tree collection through January 9th. Simply place the tree curbside on your regular collection day, making sure that all stands, lights, and other decorative materials have been removed. CR&R requires trees larger than 6' tall be cut in half. Small trees may also be placed in green waste carts.

Flocked trees are not recyclable and must be disposed of in regular trash carts. For more information, contact CR&R at (800) 826-9677.

Boy Scout Crews 727 and 637 will also be recycling trees on January 2^nd from 1:00 - 4:00 p.m. at Oso Lake Boy Scout Camp located at 21131 Los Alisos Blvd. in Rancho Santa Margarita. Your donated tree will be turned into mulch and used as bedding for new and existing camp sites.

For more information visit rew727@troop727.mytroop.us.

"Warmth for Winter" Program seeks Donations for Homeless, Pets

The Society for California Veterinary & Vaccine Care (SCVVC), in partnership with the Southern California Veterinary Medical Association (SCVMA), are spearheading the “Warmth for Winter” program. The program assists the homeless and their pets by collecting new or gently-used jackets, sweaters, blankets, sleeping bags, pet beds, and outerwear.

The SCVVC and SCVMA are the providers of our monthly low-cost vaccination and spay/neuter clinics and are dedicated to the health and safety of animals in our community. A "Warmth for Winter" donation bin will be located at the Bell Tower Regional Community Center through January 31, 2016. Click here for informational flyer.

Mobile Pet Care Services Offered

Spay/Neuter Procedures Available at the Bell Tower Regional Community Center

The Society for California Veterinary & Vaccine Care (SCVVC) will be offering Spay/Neuter Clinics on one Friday per month* in Rancho Santa Margarita. Procedures will be performed in their mobile surgical center, which will be conveniently located in the parking lot of the Bell Tower Community Center. Appointments are available for dogs, cats, and rabbits by contacting SCVVC at (714) 993-9193 or scvvc.pets@gmail.com.

*Next Clinic offered on Friday, February 12^th

Visit the SCVVC website at www.scvvc.org for fee information, appointment scheduling and other important details.

The City would like to thank the SCVVC for providing this important and life-saving service to the pets and their people of Rancho Santa Margarita!

Preventing Cybercrime

Save the Date: February 11, 2016

Cybercrime Prevention Workshop
Thursday, February 11
11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Bell Tower Regional Community Center

Sponsored by the Rancho Santa Margarita Chamber of Commerce, this lunch workshop will be presented by the Orange County Sheriffs Department and the City of Rancho Santa Margarita to provide information and prevention strategies against cybercrime - a term for any illegal activity that uses a computer as its primary means of commission. The U.S. Department of Justice expands the definition of cybercrime to include any illegal activity that uses a computer for the storage of evidence. Cybercrimes includes crimes that have been made possible by computers, such as network intrusions and the dissemination of computer viruses, as well as computer-based variations of existing crimes, such as identity theft, stalking, bullying and terrorism.

Advance registration is required; click here for reservations.

City of Rancho Santa Margarita
City Council

L. Anthony Beall, Mayor
Carol A. Gamble, Mayor Pro Tempore
Jerry Holloway, Council Member
Bradley J. McGirr, Council Member
Mike Vaughn, Council Member