Estero Bay News Briefs 1-16-2025

Written by Theresa-Marie Wilson

Theresa-Maria Wilson has been a journalist covering the North Coast and South County area for over 20 years. She is also the founder of Cat Noir CC and is currently working on a novel.

January 19, 2025

Los Osos Infrastructure Mapping Project

County personnel will begin mapping stormwater drain inlets, outlets, infiltrators, and pipes in Los Osos in late January, and will likely be completed by April.  

The County of San Luis Obispo Stormwater Program has launched a multi-year, Countywide effort to update infrastructure maps of stormwater drainage systems in unincorporated communities. 

“The goal of this project is to capture updated, geographically correct data for the many different types of storm drainage infrastructure in our County,” said Ann Fletcher, County stormwater coordinator. “Each community has unique combinations of drainage structures that have been installed over many years. Our team has completed drainage system mapping updates in several communities over the course of 2024 and is well-prepared to begin mapping updates in Los Osos.”

County staff will work in the public right-of-way and on the County’s maintained road system network and will not collect data or mapping on privately owned or operated storm drainage systems. No construction efforts are planned in conjunction with this project. Mapping efforts will be suspended during inclement weather to ensure County personnel are available for storm and emergency response.  

Community members are reminded to drive safely in accordance with posted speed limits and to watch for workers in roadways and road shoulders. 

Poly Adds Two More Paid Parking Days

Cal Poly will transition to a seven-day paid parking program that officials say will help ensure safe, well-maintained parking facilities throughout campus. 

Starting Saturday, Feb. 1 campus visitors will need to purchase a parking permit on Saturdays and Sundays in addition to weekdays. Cal Poly will join 16 other CSU campuses that have seven-day parking permit requirements. 

Students, faculty and staff who have a valid parking permit will not be affected, nor will visitors for Performing Arts Center events, as their ticket includes parking. Parking permits will continue to be required for attendees of athletics events. 

California law states that permission to park on campus is granted to those persons who have paid a parking fee. These laws stipulate that each campus must generate revenue to fund the construction, operation and maintenance of all parking structures and lots on campus without the help of state or tuition funding. CSU policy — directed by the California State Legislature — requires each campus to fund the operation and maintenance of its parking structures and lots.

Just as at all CSUs, Cal Poly’s parking facilities are self-supporting and do not receive any taxpayer funding. The funding used to fiscally support campus parking facilities comes from parking permit revenue. 

Under the new seven-day policy, parking permits will be required 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week. All short-term hourly and metered parking areas will be enforced seven days a week, from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. All resident parking areas will continue to be enforced seven days a week, 24 hours a day. 

Evening/weekend parking permits are available for students, faculty and staff who do not already have a valid parking permit. These permits allow for parking in most lots throughout campus after 5 p.m. on weekdays and all day on weekends.

 Daily parking permits are available via parking apps such as ParkMobile and PayByPhone, or in person at parking kiosks located in the parking structures.

CHP Targets Holiday Retail Crime

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In the final shopping days before Christmas, the California Highway Patrol conducted a successful statewide enforcement operation targeting organized retail crime, ensuring safer shopping experiences for communities across California.

The operation, conducted on Friday, December 20, led to:

• 117 arrests for organized retail theft and related offenses.

• The recovery of 767 stolen items valued at $38,290.70, including clothing, shoes, and fragrances.

• The seizure of two illegal firearms and the recovery of three stolen vehicles.

This collaborative effort involved 10 California law enforcement agencies and 56 retail partners, enhancing in-store security and improving crime reporting. Increased law enforcement presence in high-traffic shopping areas also helped deter further crimes.

Since the Organized Retail Crime Task Force began in 2019, the CHP has been involved in over 3,200 investigations, arresting more than 3,500 suspects and recovering nearly 1.3 million stolen goods valued at $51.3 million.

SLO Earns Sustainability Award

The City of San Luis Obispo recently received two Platinum Level Beacon Spotlight awards at the 2024 League of California Cities Annual Conference for its statewide leadership efforts.

One award is for reducing municipal operations natural gas usage by 28% between 2019 and 2022.

The other award is for comprehensive leadership actions taken across a wide range of topics including energy efficiency and conservation, water and wastewater, waste reduction and recycling, green buildings, renewable energy, efficient transportation, land use and community design, and supporting community and individual action, among others.   

The Beacon Program recognizes the voluntary efforts of local government agencies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve resiliency and health for their communities.

Currently, 172 cities, counties and special districts throughout the state participate in the Beacon Program. ILG established the Beacon Program to provide recognition and year-round support for California local agencies that are working to build more vibrant and sustainable communities.

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