City Manager's Message

The City of Rancho Santa Margarita strives to provide excellent customer service to our residents, businesses and visitors at the highest level of effective and fiscal responsibility. To that end, we continually evaluate our efforts to ensure that we are meeting the expectations of our stakeholders. One of the methods we utilize to gauge our successes and determine areas in need of improvement is asking you, our customers, for your opinion.

During the month of February, we are asking for your feedback regarding the City's Dog Park. Since 2005, the park has served countless four-legged visitors and their people, and we'd like to hear ideas and suggestions from area pet owners for enhancements to be considered during upcoming budget discussions. I hope you'll take a moment to take our online survey - it's interactive and easy to access - and your input will go a long way in making Rancho Santa Margarita an even more wonderful place to live, work, and play.

Sincerely,

Jennifer M. Cervantez

The City of Rancho Santa Margarita
invites your participation in our

2016 Dog Park Survey

Click on the link above to assist us in planning for future improvements. Your feedback is appreciated and will be considered as we prepare to make enhancements to the City's Dog Park.

ZeroTrash RSM

Saturday, February 6^th
10:00 a.m. - noon

ZeroTrash RSM is a group of dedicated 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.

Planning Commission Appoints New Chair, Vice Chair

At its January 6 meeting, the Rancho Santa Margarita Planning Commission appointed Mark McQuaid as Chair and Anne Figueroa as Vice-Chair for 2016. Other Commissioners include April Josephson, Jim Eakin, and John Christopoulos.

The Planning Commission makes recommendations to the City Council regarding land use and development. The Commission also performs a quasi-jurisdictional function by deciding whether particular projects or requests meet requirements of the General Plan, zoning ordinances, and/or state law.

The Planning Commission meets on the first Wednesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall. Visit the City's website for more information or to view Planning Commission agendas and minutes.

Planning Commission l-r: Jim Eakin, Mark McQuaid, April Josephson, Anne Figueroa, John Christopoulos

Preventing Cybercrime

Thursday, 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 Sheriff's 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 include 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 to visit the RSM Chamber website for reservations.

Mobile Pet Care Services Offered

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

Friday, February 12, 2016

The Society for California Veterinary & Vaccine Care (SCVVC) will be offering Spay/Neuter Clinics on one Friday per month in Rancho Santa Margarita. The first clinic of the year is scheduled on Friday, February 12^th. 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.

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 of Rancho Santa Margarita and their people!

Click to enlarge

Low-Cost Pet Vaccination Clinic

Wednesday, February 3^rd

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 their life-saving vaccinations provided by the Society for California Veterinary & Vaccine Care (SCVVC)'s low-cost clinic. Pet licensing services are provided by 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.

Street Sweeping Information

Citywide Street Sweeping
Help Keep Your Streets Clean

One of the many services provided by the City of Rancho Santa Margarita is street sweeping. The major streets (arterials) are swept on a weekly basis. Residential streets are swept every two weeks. Click here to view the City's street sweeping schedule.

Street sweeping is most effective when all vehicles and trash containers are removed from the curbside. Sweeping not only enables our City to maintain a high standard of appearance, but it is also environmentally responsible and will prevent trash and debris from entering the storm drains and streams. Let's work together to keep RSM clean! Make arrangements to park off-street on scheduled sweeping days. If you have any questions, please call the Public Works Department at (949) 635-1800.

February Recreation Highlights

Spanish for Immersion Time for Preschoolers
$58/ 4 Classes

This class is designed to provide a Spanish immersion experience for young children and incorporates dance, music, art, games, crafts and story time to provide a fun educational experience in Spanish. Ages: 3-7 yrs.

Instructor: Ursula Rubina

410767 02           T                         Feb 2 - Feb 23         1-2 pm

After School Sewing for Kids & Teens
$148/ 4 Classes

Learn sewing basics, fabric selection, how to follow a pattern, and complete amazing projects in class. No prior experience is needed.   All fabric, notions and sewing machines are supplied. Ages: 7.5-17 yrs.

What to bring: $35 cash materials fee

Instructor: Linda Rush

420501 01           T                         Feb 2 - Feb 23         3:30 - 6pm

American Doll Fashions
$148/ 4 Classes

Design, plan and actually create your very own doll fashions. Students will select fabrics and learn to follow a pattern while mastering basic sewing skills and will work on a complete outfit for an 18" doll (includes American Girl Dolls). Girls are encouraged to bring their doll to class for the fittings and fashion show. No experience is necessary. All fabric, notions and sewing machines supplied. Ages: 7.5-14 yrs.

What to bring: $35 cash materials fee

Instructor: Linda Rush

420506 01          Th                Feb 4 - Feb 25        3:30 - 6pm

ABCs with Tiny Tots
$243/ per month

Come join a fun way of preparing your child for kindergarten. With hands on interactive learning using art, science, cooking, music and much more, your child will learn their numbers, letters, shapes, learn to write their name as well as developing social skills of patience, listening, cooperation and sharing. No parent participation needed. Children must be fully potty trained. Ages: 3-5 yrs. No Class: 2/15

Instructor: SoCal Tiny Tots

410761 03             MWF               Feb 1 - Feb 26    9am -1pm

February Dates to Remember

1     RSM Dog Park Survey begins
10   Spring Community Living Magazine mailing begins
15   Presidents' Day - City Offices, Community Center Closed
18   Spring Class Registration starts

29 RSM Dog Park Survey ends

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

City Manager's Message

The City of Rancho Santa Margaritainvites your participation in our2016 Dog Park SurveyClick on the link above to assist us in planning for future improvements. Your feedback is appreciated and will be considered as we prepare to make enhancements to the City's Dog Park.