Councilmembers provided multiple informational updates on regional transportation agencies, local infrastructure projects and community events.

Councilmember Sheridan reported that Steve Hemingway of the City of Riverside was appointed chair of the Riverside Transit Agency for the coming year and noted an RTA board meeting is scheduled for Jan. 23. Sheridan also promoted an upcoming Habitat for Humanity Inland Valley event on Jan. 24 honoring former President Jimmy Carter and a March/April fundraising gala for Mt. San Jacinto College on April 18.

Councilmember Manos summarized a recent strategic-planning meeting of the Western Riverside Council of Governments (WRCOG) and listed key WRCOG programs that benefit Lake Elsinore: the regional Transportation Uniform Mitigation Fee (TUMF), through which the city has received approximately $55 million to date; the IREN energy-efficiency program; grant-writing support; and a streetlight program that has saved the city about $700,000. Manos said WRCOG also runs fellowship and cleanup programs and that the city engineer regularly submits projects for grant and regional funding.

On local construction, the city manager reported that Main Street paving is complete and crews are installing decorative intersections and bollards, with downtown improvements estimated to finish in about six weeks. At the city hall site, steel framing is up and exterior concrete and glass installation are expected in the coming months.

No formal council action was taken; the reports were informational and staff will continue to update the council as projects progress.