Chamber panel addresses local issues

Individuals from four local agencies took to the podium last week to discuss with Canyon Lake Chamber of Commerce members issues impacting the business community they serve. The event took place in the city council chambers of City Hall.

Veronica Vergne, a representative from CR&R, the refuse company that is under contract to service the Canyon Lake community, addressed the upcoming mandatory organics recycling program it is implementing. Her topic was “Understanding Organics Recycling.”

Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District Community Affairs Supervisor Bonnie Woodrome spoke on “Drought and Water Efficiency Programs” and addressed what the district, which provides water services to Canyon Lake, is doing to conserve water.

Chris Gray, the Deputy Executive Director of Western Riverside Council of Governments, focused his remarks on the local transportation issues. His topic was “Regional Transportation Updates.”

And, Ruby Manzano, the Senior Code Enforcement Officer from the City of Canyon Lake, gave a presentation on Code Enforcement Issues.

Veronica from CR&R addressed a state law that was signed into law in 2016 where the state is required to reduce organic waste disposal by 75% by 2025. With that mandate just around the corner, and with the regulations going into effect the beginning of this year, Veronica addressed the multiple steps CR&R is taking to help cities and businesses meet the requirements of the law.

“We look at trash as a ‘commodity’ not a material destined for the landfill,” she said. “We are driven by ‘landfill avoidance’.”

Chris Gray, Western Riverside Council of Governments

Ruby Manzano, City of Canyon Lake Code Enforcement

Veronica, Vergne CR&R

Bonnie Woodrome, Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District

EVMWD’s Bonnie spoke of the current drought and the impact it is having on water supplies and usage. The state has experienced dry winters for three years in a row, she said. The state is calling on Californians to be more efficient with their water usage and voluntarily reduce their use by 20 percent. Bonnie told those in attendance about rebates that are available to them by converting to various water-saving equipment, including more efficient toilets, food equipment and medical equipment. New irrigation equipment and turf replacement also have rebates available, she said.

Chris, the Council of Governments (WRCOG) representative, first explained the purpose of his organization, of which the City of Canyon Lake is a member. There are 18 cities, Riverside County, two water districts and the Superintendent of Schools that are members of the Joint Powers Authority. They join together to evaluate common issues related to energy, environment and transportation.

Chris’ address to the group had to do with the growing transportation woes of a growing Southwest Riverside County. A study it was asked to conduct was to compile data on travel in the region.

“90% of all trips in the WRCOG region are internal to WRCOG, meaning they start and end in the WRCOG region,” he said. “Half of the trips are people traveling to school, shopping or eating. Work trips are less than 20% of all trips and most people do not live and work in the same city.”

Chris gave specific data WRCOG collected on Canyon Lake travel.

“94% of all trips to and from Canyon Lake stay in the WRCOG subregion,” he said. “27% of all trips stay within the city limits of Canyon Lake. 34% of all trips are between Lake Elsinore and Menifee.”