The city council will tackle an ambitious agenda for the February 21 meeting. Among the issues scheduled to be discussed are: relinquishment of state highways 75 (Orange Avenue) and 282 (Third and Fourth Streets), a status report on projects related to Route 282, prioritization of projects in the FY 2017-2018 budget, and consideration of a social media policy.
Relinquishment: Ask Caltrans to initiate an assessment of the cost of turning control of Route 75 (within the city’s boundaries) and Route 282 over to the City of Coronado. Route 75 includes the San Diego Coronado Bridge, Third and Fourth east of Orange, part of Orange Ave, the Silver Strand and into Imperial Beach.
The city is not interested in taking over responsibility for the bridge or the Silver Strand. Part of the Strand is owned by the Federal Government, California only leases it.
In a draft letter to Laurie Berman, Director of Caltrans District 11 office, City Manger Blair King emphasized that asking for the study does not mean that the city favors relinquishment. The city is only asking the state agency to assess the possibility to allow the officials to weigh the pros and cons.
Fourth and Third Street projects: Projects include a speed table on Fourth, bulb-outs on Fourth, A, C and Pomona Avenues, and a traffic signal at Fourth and Alameda. Caltrans has denied the speed table, according to King. The bulb outs are moving forward and approval from Caltrans is expected in April. The traffic signal has been designed and construction is expected to begin this fall. Some nearby residents have raised concerns about costs and operation of the signal. Others have objected to the plan to prohibit right turns at the intersection. These and other concerns were taken up at a community meeting held on February 16.
Budget priorities: As it has for the past four years, the city council will indicate what projects they want emphasized next year by placing stickers on projects that members deem most important. The exercise helps staff allocate time and resources more efficiently. Past councils have given high priority to such projects as the Summer Shuttle Bus Service, Senior Activity Center and the Third and Fourth Traffic Study.
Social Media Policy: Use of social media by residents and city officials has become pervasive. The city uses several platforms, including Twitter, Nixle, YouTube, Instagram and Flickr. It also has several Facebook sites (city, recreation services, police department, cultural arts and the city library).
The popularity of these sites has “created some confusion and plausible deniability with regard to employee responsibility,” according to the staff report.
A formal policy could end confusion and address a number of issues, including who speaks for the city on social media, how to avoid running afoul of the Brown Act’s open meeting requirements, creation of a system to coordinate messages and keep of a record of those messages.
The council meets at 4pm in the Coronado City Council Chambers, 1825 Strand Way.
