Each week, the City of Coronado City Manager’s Office provides an update that includes information on programs, services and issues within the City, as well as news, project updates and follow-up information when applicable. Featured below are highlights from that update. The entire City Manager’s Weekly Update can be found on the City’s website.
Possible Residential Burglary Series
The Police Department is seeking the public’s assistance related to a burglary in the northwest part of the City. Witnesses described seeing three Hispanic males, between the ages of 18-25 in the area prior to the incident. A composite drawing of one of the suspects is pictured at left.
Because this crime was the first of a series of three connected with residential burglaries when residents were not home, the community is urged to be aware of their surroundings and to call (619) 522-7350 if any suspicious persons are seen loitering around houses, going door to door and ringing doorbells, or tossing or throwing rocks at houses or windows. These behaviors are things the three suspects have done in the three residential burglaries reported to date. This partnership will lead to a stop of this crime series.
Police Burglary Response
The Police Department responded to a Friday, October 3, residential burglary call in the 300 block of Second Street. There have been concerns expressed to the City regarding that response. Here is how the response was handled. There were two related calls for service. The first was a report of persons throwing rocks at a neighbor’s house and acting in a suspicious manner. The response time was 15 minutes because two officers were handling an assault case in which the suspect was still at the scene and one officer was on the other side of town in the Cays. Three patrol officers and a sergeant were on duty at the time. Responding officers, looking for suspicious people throwing rocks, were unable to locate the suspicious persons after checking the area. Officers cleared the call. A second call for service came 20 minutes after officers responded to the first call. The second call was from the same person. This time, the person reported that a window had been broken at a house and that the previous suspicious persons were likely responsible for that crime. Officers arrived in 6 minutes from the time of the second call. With new information about a broken window, officers checked the home and discovered that the house had been broken into and property taken. The Police Department has met with the victims in this instance and provided them information related to the Police Department’s response and investigation into this crime. The investigation is ongoing and evidence has been collected that may help identify the suspects.
Cell Tower Proposal
AT&T Mobility is proposing to install a cell tower station to improve cell phone coverage in the Cays and adjacent areas at Coronado Cays Park, which is City property. The proposal is scheduled to be presented to the Coronado Cays Homeowners Association at its December meeting. The tower will be situated against the existing fence with the shrubs, which separates the Coronado Cays Fire Station and public restroom. The station will consist of a cabinet enclosure and a 40-foot cell tower disguised as a faux tree. The tower will contain two antennas. Two full grown palm trees are also proposed to be planted by AT&T along the fence line to enhance the camouflage of the tower. An electromagnetic energy exposure study was submitted. A co-location interference study also was conducted to ensure no radio interference with the existing emergency siren or existing cell tower located at the Fire Station.
Preventing Excessive Residential Runoff
In light of California’s current drought, the City of Coronado is asking residents to cut down on water waste by more tightly controlling outdoor watering and avoiding excess water use. Coronado and its water supplier, California American Water, are required by the State Water Resources Control Board to ensure irrigation systems do not produce excessive runoff. Coronado can help. Call Public Services at (619) 522-7380 to talk to someone about ways you can reduce water use and eliminate excessive runoff. The City can provide technical assistance over the phone or send someone out for a quick assessment of your needs. Excessive runoff from outdoor watering is described as creating flow. Slight overspray will evaporate quickly once it hits sidewalks and driveways but, if abundant, the excess runoff will flow down the gutter, pick up fertilizers, grease and heavy metals, and carry them into our oceans and bays. This can be prevented by following these simple rules:
– Only water in the evening or early morning for best absorption rates;
– Irrigate lawns no more than necessary, such as two or three times per week;
– Time your irrigation system to find out how quickly runoff is produced and reduce irrigation duration to that amount of time, which may be as little as 5 minutes; and
– Check and maintain irrigation systems regularly to ensure spray is properly covering the ground and not the hardscape.
Eucalyptus Tree Update
The final two of the four eucalyptus trees in the 100 block of E Avenue identified by the City’s certified arborist as posing a high risk for causing serious damage or injury if they failed by dropping limbs or falling over were removed this week. The tree removal proceeded as planned on Monday and Tuesday, October 20-21. All four of the trees removed will be replaced once the designated trees of appropriate size are recommended by the Street Tree Committee in consultation with area residents and approved by the City Council. In addition to the four replacement trees, four more trees will be planted either in the 100 block of E or elsewhere in the City as directed by the City Council.
Traffic Calming Project Open House
The City of Coronado will host the third of three public meetings for the Third and Fourth Streets Traffic Calming project on Monday, November 10. The meeting will be held in an open house format and City staff and the consultant team will be on hand from 5-8 p.m. to discuss the recommended traffic calming plan. The public is invited to come by any time during the three-hour window to review maps, talk to the project team, and provide input. A brief presentation will be made at the top of every hour to provide an overview of the project history and highlight the results of the survey conducted in August. The public is encouraged to attend to provide feedback. Click here or on the flier below for a larger image.
Beach Section/Park Shoreline Closed
San Diego County health officials issued a water-contact advisory on Wednesday, October 22, for a section of beach 150 feet north and south of Avenida del Sol in South Beach after water sample results show bacterial levels that may exceed health standards. A second advisory was issued on Thursday, October 23, for the Glorietta Bay Park shoreline. Lifeguards say the bacteria levels may be high on the beach side due to a buildup of kelp that is naturally decomposing offshore. County officials say they are unsure why the bay testing came back with poor water quality. Mission Bay has seven advisories right now due to limited flushing, which also may be the case here. The open coast also has had recent issues with poor water quality, possibly driven by the warm water and greater than usual occurrences of monsoons and hurricanes. The City knows of no other possible source for the bacteria levels. County Environmental Health officials advise against water contact in the area. Posted signs will be removed once bacteria levels return to normal, usually no more than 72 hours total. More info here.
No Parking/Stopping Enforced
The Police Department has been enforcing the red curb zone at the end of Orange Avenue where it crosses First Street. The enforcement effort comes after complaints were received that buses and limousine companies were using the red zone in front of Centennial Park as a staging area for vehicles carrying tourists visiting the area. Officers have been issuing tickets and informing bus and limo drivers of the no parking/stopping rules along red painted curbs.
Upcoming Meetings
– The Planning Commission set for Tuesday, October 28, at City Hall, 1825 Strand Way, has been canceled.
– The Bicycle Advisory Committee meets at 3 p.m. on Monday, November 3, at City Hall.
– The City Council meets at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, November 4, at City Hall.
– The Historic Resource Commission meeting is set for 3 p.m. on Wednesday, November 5, at City Hall.
– The Coronado Tourism Improvement District meeting will be held at 2 p.m. on Thursday, November 6, at City Hall.
– The Cultural Arts Commission meets at 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, November 6, at City Hall.
– The Parks and Recreation Commission meets at 3:30 p.m. on Monday, November 10, at City Hall.
– The Third & Fourth Streets Traffic Calming Open House is et for 5 p.m. on Monday, November 10, at the Coronado Community Center, 1845 Strand Way.
– The Planning Commission meeting set for Tuesday, November 11, at City Hall, has been canceled.
