City Council Decision Will Bring More Solar Power to Santee

Notes from the April 24 Santee City Council meeting:

•  The city council voted to take part in a program that will make it easier for more homeowners to install solar panels. The FIGTREE Property Assessed Clean Energy Financing program aims to make it easier for property owners to put energy or water efficient systems into use with less of a burden of upfront costs.

"Every property owner is sitting on the equivalent of an oil well, only its solar," said Van Collinsworth, Executive Director of Preserve Wild Santee and renewable energy advocate.

• Council unanimously passed an ordinance that regulates alcohol consumption at Town Center Park, adding the same weekday ban on consumption of alcohol that exists at Mast Park. It also gives a better definition of aggressive soliciting. This ordinance is in reaction to a perceived increase in homeless loitering at parks in and other public areas.

• The hearing on a tax and location agreement between City of Santee and HD Supply Facilities Maintenance was postponed until next meeting.

• It was mentioned that the city is currently in the bidding phase to construct new bicycle lanes at Town Center Parkway.

Also read: Grand Opening for Santee's Newest Affordable Housing: Forester Square