After three consecutive meetings with controversial agenda items – a beach path, bicycle lanes and traffic lights – that drew overflow crowds to the council chambers, the city council returns to more “routine” matters at the upcoming October 20 meeting.
Although there are no seemingly divisive issues under consideration, there are a number of important issues that will be discussed and voted on at the October 20 meeting, starting with the city budget.
The interim financial report for June 2015 will be presented. It includes a request to transfer $440,200 from various operating funds to the CalPERS Pension Stabilization Trust Fund to lower unfunded pension liabilities. The money is being set aside for city worker pensions.
The interim report also recommends writing off $7,101,994 for the storm drain line of credit and using the remaining funds to cover storm drain expenses on as needed basis. Plus, committing $5.85 million in unspent Community Redevelopment loans to pay for facilities replacement.
A California State Count recently ruled that Coronado was entitled to the money set aside for Coronado Unified School District under its Redevelopment Agency. All were dissolved in February 2012.
At the suggestion of a resident the staff is also recommending that the city replace the yield sign at E Avenue and Flora Avenue with a stop sign.
In a letter to the city John W. Williamson pointed out that “driving northbound from Flora to E Avenue across the wide intersection with Isabella Avenue presents possible conflict with westbound drivers on Isabella [because of their vision] is restricted by cars parked in the median along Isabella.”
On another traffic matter, the council will discuss a request from Councilman Richard Bailey to place left turn restrictions on A, B and C Avenues in the early morning and late afternoon. The issue is complicated because of Proposition M. Prop M called for removal of traffic semi-diverters at intersection on the three streets and included specific turn restrictions. Changing these not only requires council, but also voter approval.
The council will hold two public meetings. The first is a request from J&K Equities to convert four residential units on the 500 block of Orange Avenue to Condominiums. The units are in a high-density, multi-family zone. The number of residences configuration of the existing of the lot will remain the same and will bring a number of improvements.
The new owners will be required to provide two off-street parking spaces and make several public improvements to the property. For example, replacing the sidewalk, curb and gutter.
The second is an application for a Community Development Block Grant (CDBC) for Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) improvements for Centennial Park. The city expects to receive an estimated $65,000 from federal program administrated by the County of San Diego.
The city has an additional $6,500 from a prior fiscal year that it can apply to the Centennial Park project. If the council approves and the application is accepted, the new money will be available next year.
The city staff envisions installing a ramp to replace steps leading to a bench in the park. The ramp will give people with disabilities greater access and have only “a negligible impact of the appearance and functionality of the report,” according to the staff report.
Finally, the council is being asked whether it wants to reopen the coffee cart in front of the Coronado Library. The city has already spent $13,345 and will need to spend a minimum of $48,000 more reopen the cart. The previous concessionaire defaulted and the city took over the cart.
The city staff is interviewing a new concessionaire and exploring new cart designs to comply with San Diego Environmental Health requirements for food facilities. These included having a three-basin sink, potable water tanks and an ice-maker. Depending on the type of the design the council choses cost would range from $48,000 to $100.00.
The staff recommend two cart options. One was to build a stand at the library or to buy a fully equipped mobile unit that could be used at other locations (or resold if people don’t patronize the cart). The first option is far less expensive. The later though more expensive, may be more practical.
The meeting will be held in the City Council Chambers at 1824 Strand Way and starts at 4pm.
