The agenda for the June 6 city council meeting features: a rate increase for trash collection; turn restrictions of A, C, and Pomona Avenues; the 2017-2018 city budget; a pay increase for city workers; two Cultural Arts Commission requests — hiring a consultant to develop a strategic cultural arts planning process and an “Art Outside the Box” installation for Orange Avenue.
EDCO wants to increase its rates for single-family curbside service by $1.17 per month to $13.51 and multi-family by $.07 to $9.02. Before adopting the increase the city council will hold a public hearing to allow residents to voice their views. In its report, the staff noted that despite the increase, Coronado’s rate is less than almost any other city in the county. Only National City and Escondido pay less. If approved, households in Coronado will pay $19.71 (resident portion plus city portion), compared to $18.60 in National City and $19.21 in Escondido.
The city wants to prohibit large trucks and buses from turning off Fourth Street onto A, C, and Pomona. The city wants to install bulb-outs at these intersections. The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), who has jurisdiction over Third and Fourth Streets, won’t approve the current design, in which the bulb-outs are larger than ones already installed on the state highway. Caltrans contends that the design would force large vehicles to swing over the center lane, creating a traffic hazard. Bulb-outs make it safer for pedestrians and bicyclists by shortening the distance they have to cross. Instead of compromising what it believes to be a superior design, staff has proposed redirecting buses and large trucks away from these intersections.
The 2017-2018 budget was presented and discussed at a workshop last month. The $87.5 million budget will be presented to council for its formal approval. Along with the budget, the council is also being asked to amend its 2017-2018 employee compensation plan to give all employees a 2% raise and 3.22% increase in cafeteria benefits. The changes reflect agreements with Police and Fire unions, and state pension compensation.
The Cultural Arts Commission (CAC) wants to hire a consultant to help it chart the future of the arts here by developing a strategic plan for the next 7 to 10 years. Funding for the plan was approved last November. An outside consultant is needed to aid the commission in the development of a “roadmap for the future of arts and culture for the City of Coronado,” said Kelly Purvis, Cultural Arts Administrator. Neither she, nor commission members, have this kind of experience or expertise. The total cost for the project and consultant is not expected to exceed $120,000. CAC raised more than that during Coronado’s 125th Anniversary celebration Mayors Dinner. Last year the arts generated $9.6 million in revenue for the city, according to an Economic Impact Survey conducted by the CAC. This does not include revenues from commercial endeavors or individual artists.
The CAC is also asking the council approve its “Art Outside the Box” project. This involves wrapping Caltrans boxes on Orange Avenue with images created by Coronado students and juried by artists and industry professionals. Caltrans has already approved the images. The artwork was limited to Coronado students who took a 10-week, fee-based after-school class in public art offered by the school district and CAC. The project is expected to cost $9,322.
The meeting begins at 4:00 pm in city council chambers at 1825 Strand Way.
