Hotel Sparks New Seacoast Stakeholders Group

The Seacoasters, a group of local residents, business owners and politicians, focus on immediate and long-term goals for Seacoast Drive.

• By Albert Fulcher and Khari Johnson
• Email the authors
• 11:04 am

City inaction, gloomy city budget projections and differing views on how to spur economic growth in the city have spawned a new business group called the Seacoasters.

Made up primarily of waterfront business and property owners, the group has more than 20 members who want their voices heard when it comes to future plans surrounding the new hotel scheduled to open in 2013.

“This is an altruistic effort,” said owner of Imperial House Apartments Robert Miller. “Not just for the new hotel and developing Seacoast, we want to use this as a springboard to help the economic base of the city. This hotel could very well be the catalyst to get this city moving in the right direction.”

Miller brought the group together last fall. In October 2011 Miller submitted a letter to the city at a workshop meeting to discuss waterfront business.

Among other things, Miller recommended regular meetings with stakeholders.

Inspired by the letter and talk at the meeting, city council directed city staff to compile short-term and long-term plans for, among other things, marketing and partnerships between the city and its business community and organizations.

The plan has not appeared on a council agenda for approval since it was first considered in November 2011, said Assistant City Manager Greg Wade.

The city has already initiated some of the directives of the short and long-term plans, like continuing to work on a commercial zoning review, street improvements and applying for capital improvement funding from the Port of San Diego, Wade said.

“It is expected that more specific direction will be given when we go back to the council with a report on last week’s workshop,” Wade said in an email Monday. Last week developers and entrepreneursspoke to city council about ways for the city to generate revenue.

At its core Miller said the Seacoasters are made up of of long-term businesses and active civic-minded people.

“The legacy of this city council and staff will reflect what you have done to take advantage of the new Seacoast Inn,” he said in the letter.

The Seacoasters were formed in part due to a lack of action to get IB ready for the hotel, Miller said, but the group would exist whether or not short and long-term plans were approved.

“If it’s not the Seacoasters, then it needs to be businesses or some other stakeholders to be resources and a constant reminder to council and staff that we have a long way to go to do the best we can long-term on Seacoast,” he said.

Even if council acted in the beginning of 2012, it would still be a year behind when plans should have been in place, said Councilman Ed Spriggs, a member of the Seacoasters and Seacoast Drive resident.

Spriggs said the IB city council works really well in most matters, but lack a common vision for specific things to do to develop the city’s economy.

City council does not want to recognize that the hotel will turn the city into a visitor serving economy, Spriggs said.

“This is my biggest disappointment with the council,” he said. “No change in priorities, no recognition that something big is happening here that now redefines us as a community.”

The largest issue of focus for the Seacoasters has been pedestrian scale lighting in hopes that it can support an after dark economy on the waterfront.

One issue has defined the Seacoasters more than any other: pedestrian scale lighting.

In a 3-2 vote earlier this year, Spriggs and Councilwoman Lorie Bragg, both Seacoasters, were the sole votes in favor of pedestrian scale lighting on Seacoast Drive.

Spriggs and Bragg wanted lighting 13- to 16-foot tall lights to make the area more inviting to residents and visitors to walk to local businesses and services.

Opponents of the measure argued that if additional lights were added to plans for new 22-foot tall street lights on the waterfront weren’t approved then the city risked losing redevelopment funds to pay for the lights to the state.

Seacoasters attended the March 21 meeting to voice their support for pedestrian scale lighting.

Spriggs said every community looks at its primary assets as a way to facilitate economic growth, and the city needs to focus on investments around the hotel.

“We have people operating under old software and we have to shift gears and look at where we are going to go,” Spriggs said.

Deric Fernandez is a member of the Imperial Beach Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, Redevelopment Oversight Committee, the Kiwanis Club and an active member of the Seacoasters.

As a Seacoaster and native Imperial Beachian, he said his goal is for his children to grow up in a great community like he did.

He said his interest in the Seacoasters came when former mayor Diane Rose told him about the group and their desire to attract business day and night, reduce crime and create a destination point that would have a positive ripple effect throughout the city.

The Seacoasters’ focus is pedestrian scale lighting, Fernandez said. At night the street is dark, dingy and not a destination point if people don’t want to walk and there is nothing to do at night.

The beach is great during the day, but if nothing is done, hotel guests will leave IB for other cities at night.

“We don’t want that,” he said.

Visitors need something to do at night other than stay in the hotel, and so pedestrian scale lighting is vital, Miller said.

“Now the city has not bought into this,” said Miller. “If you look at Chula Vista, Gaslamp Quarter, Coronado, they all have pedestrian scale lighting where they have major business centers.”

The idea of better lighting for Seacoast Drive goes back as far as 2004 when he worked with Public Works Department Director Hank Levien on the Citizens Advisory Committee for the design of the Seacoast Improvement Program, Spriggs said.

At that time, it was ranked 10 out of 11 in priorities.

He said the Seacoasters are not only concerned about nighttime pedestrian lighting, but also with public safety, filling vacant lots, crime reduction and helping businesses near the hotel take advantage of a new customer base.

“Lighting didn’t just pop up out of nowhere. The image of what Seacoast Drive could be was pretty clear to all of us in that working group,” he said. “Now, I think the Seacoasters see a broader sense of what needs to happen with many being business people with a direct stake in the hotel’s success.”

Jersey Boys Diner owner Gregg Lalka said the Seacoasters are an energetic group ready to help Seacoast Drive reach its full potential. He said all the members are team players willing to support one another.

Lalka said projects they want to see include better street lighting in order to encourage evening foot traffic, tourist brochures promoting the businesses involved and making Seacoast Drive more dog-friendly.

“We think IB is a hidden gem waiting to be enjoyed by so many more people, which is what attracted us to IB when searching for a spot for our diner,” he said. “As a newer business, my wife [Nicole Lalka] and I felt it was crucial to band together with other businesses to brainstorm new ideas to show the world how wonderful it is to visit this beautiful stretch of Southern California.”

Former president of IB Beautiful Kitt Williams said she is optimistic that with the hotel scheduled to open in 2013, the Seacoasters can make a difference. The city does not have enough staff to keep up with the development, she said.

Money needs to be spent to improve the grounds and public spaces in the city.

“The city needs to improve the sidewalks so they are truly walkable; pedestrian- friendly lighting, and more stores with higher-end merchandise,” she said.

Julia Simms, founding partner of CHE Marketing, moved to IB last year.

She said she is excited about the progress of the Seacoasters and in a bad economy, it is wonderful to see the group’s involvement in creating a better atmosphere and working together to promote IB.

“As a resident, I walk along Seacoast Drive frequently. I believe that pedestrian friendly lighting at night will encourage more residents to participate in what the businesses have to offer,” said Simms. “I think it will bring more people down there and create an environment that discourages crime.”

In April Simms was appointed to the chamber’s Board of Directors.

Earlier this year she headed efforts to try and put together a sandcastle competition after the U.S. Open Sandcastle Competition Committee disbanded. CHE is currently working to make a brochure to advertise local businesses.

The Imperial Beach City Council chose not to renew the city’s public relations contract with Simms’ company when a revised budget was approved last month.

Simms said IB is in competition with many other parts of the county and thinks it is important to make Imperial Beach stand out as a prime destination for all who want to visit here.

“It is important that we promote and work with the locals to promote the look and feel of the city as a friendly, fun and safe atmosphere for everyone,” she said.

Pacifica Companies owns the new hotel.

Allison Rolfe is the hotel project manager and a member of the Seacoasters.

Pacifica sent a letter to the city in support of pedestrian scale lighting when the matter was considered earlier this year.

“It is amazing how ambiance can be created by lighting,” Rolfe said. “It makes a huge difference. It is ideas like this that will bring that first time customer back and recommend Imperial Beach as a destination point.”

Miller said the hotel could be the most significant development in the history of Imperial Beach. He said a business owner working in their daily tasks might not have time to think about the impact the hotel could have on their business.

“One of my purposes is to close that gap because they are going to be serving a different public. We want to make sure this hotel is a success,” said Miller.

To join the Seacoasters or recommend ideas, email Robert Miller at bob@ibmiller.com.

Seacoasters Roster

Bob Miller, Imperial House Apartments

Edward Spriggs, Imperial Beach City Council

Allison Rolfe, Pacifica Companies

Alma Skerston, The Bridge

Lorie Bragg, Imperial Beach City Council

Deric Fernandez, Imperial Beach Chamber Board

Christine LaPausky, D’ames Day Spa

Dick Pilgrim, Tijuana River National Estuarine Research Reserve

William Massih, Seacoast Grill

Gregg and Nicole Lalka, Jersey Boys Diner

Mike Bibbey, Bibbey’s Shells and Rocks

Julia Simms, CHE Marketing

Matt Morgan, I.B. Forum

Kitt and Richard Williams, IB Beautiful

Richard and Cheryl Schaumburg, Coldwell Banker

Dave Van de Water, Seacoast Drive resident

Paul Meschler, Sea Breeze Apartments

http://imperialbeach.patch.com/articles/hotel-seacoasters-seacoast

Mayor Janney: Property Value Increases Key to City’s Future

Rezoning for increased density, business permit applications and tourism focus of long-term goals to close looming budget deficits.

• By Albert Fulcher
• Email the author
• 11:36 am

The City of Imperial Beach faces a $350,000 budget gap with the start of the new fiscal year July 1, and possibly a $1.5 million gap in the next two years.

City Council took immediate action on one of its short-term goals to incentivize staff to quit last Wednesday, and talked about the city’s long-term vision.

Mayor Jim Janney said Imperial Beach is already a “lean and mean” government and with possible state and federal tax increases, raising local taxes is not an option.

“If some of these employee incentives work, we are going to be at bare bones,” he said. “The disparity between our property tax revenue versus our sales tax, property tax revenues is much larger than sales tax. It is property value that drives those numbers.”

Janney said the city has to inspire property owners to do more with their land.

He said underutilized places to look are the 13th Street quarter, Palm Avenue, the north bay front and the west side of 7th Street that could hold more density if rezoned.

He said there is no motivation for current and prospective owners to move forward with rehab of old property or construction of new property.

“I think we should look at some of the zoning changes that would fit in the corridors that would not affect single-family residential areas,” he said. “We need a real bang for our buck here in these times.”

Councilman Ed Spriggs supported Janney and said with the public safety budget being the “guerilla in the room” that the city had difficult decisions to make. He said council really needs to grow a larger local economy and tax base.

He said at a recent economical development presentation the core point was identifying the city’s major assets and investing around them.

“Ours is in tourism, specifically manifested around the new hotel,” said Spriggs. “Every community needs to decide on where its growth engine is and who its anchor tenants are.”

He said along with the Port of San Diego the city has put out millions of dollars into the waterfront area and that is where investment is necessary. Spriggs said not to take a “scatter gun approach,” but to be strategic and focus efforts likely to have the best return.

“We know through our ecotourism study that tourism and ecotourism are keys to our growth,” Spriggs said. “The tourism environment also improves our quality of life because we can use some of those same amenities in this community. It is a clean industry and something we should all be thinking about more seriously.”

Spriggs said he was not looking to rezone Seacoast Drive, but to focus on what is available to work with around the hotel.

“This is not an area that we have had a consensus as a council,” he said.

Spriggs said businesses he spoke with would like to see the city streamline permit applications to get their businesses operating.

“That is what is going to drive filling in those lots, but we have to do as much as we can to attract more people coming in,” he said. “I think we need to listen to what the businesses are saying.”

Councilman Jim King said this is hard now because redevelopment was the city’s “basket of tools.”

“It is also the question of putting all of your eggs in one basket, and I don’t think we should do that either,” he said. “We are not on the decline, financially we are, but as far as Imperial Beach being a place to go, people love this place.”

Long-term goals was a discussion item only, no actions were taken.

Councilmember Brian Bilbray was absent.

To see all recommendations by city staff, see agenda item 6.3 on the attached agenda.

Earlier in the meeting, council unanimously approved a Voluntary Separation Incentive Program (VSIP) to create vacancies, providing flexibility to restructure city staff. VSIP offers a cash payment based on years of service and offered to all fulltime positions with the exception of city managers, finance director and fire safety positions.

Approved employees with 10 years of less receive $7,500, 11-19 years—$12,000 and 20 years plus—$20,000.

The city will pay $501 per month for a year to cover those under the city’s health plan, and $240 per month for those not.

Additionally law required the payment of vacation and sick leave where applicable.

Capped at $250,000 these onetime expenditures will be paid with contingency reserves. City staff said it is too early to give a savings estimate until it knows how many participate.

http://imperialbeach.patch.com/articles/mayor-janney-property-value-key-to-city-future

Layoffs, Sports Park Shutdown Called Options to Close I.B. Budget Gap

Council hears staff, union and resident advice amid possible shortfall of $1.5 million over two years.

• By Albert Fulcher
• Email the author
• 1:55 pm

Hoping to avoid layoffs and a possible shutdown of the new Sports Park, city leaders Wednesday night discussed ways to close a budget gap of at least $777,000 over the next two years.

City Manager Gary Brown asked council members to seek new ways to cut costs and raise revenues ahead of the July 1 start of the fiscal year.

Brown said staff is looking at minimum deficits of $327,000 for fiscal 2012 and $450,000 for fiscal 2013—but indicated those amounts could double if things don’t work out with public safety negotiations.

“Like most governments, a big chunk of our expenses in the range of 70 to 80 percent are in staff,” Brown told the council.

Besides layoffs, he said money-saving options include offering incentives for early retirement or separation and eliminating or reducing staff positions performing redevelopment functions.

Mayor Jim Janney said he said he could not support layoffs at this time. He called the budget goal is a hard target to hit, because it keeps changing and tough decisions are necessary.

“I would support the idea of coming up with an incentive program to see if there are members of the staff that would be willing to move on,” Janney said.

Imperial Beach residents and a local union rep opposed the prospect of pink slips.

David Garcias, president of the Service Employees International Union, encouraged the council to look at some of these costs as smart business people.

He said a large share of the council audience were Sports Park employees concerned about losing their jobs. Garcias urged the council to review fee structures of other cities and look at doing the same in Imperial Beach without eliminating the current structure.

“Sports Park plays a vital role in the community to the kids in the community,” Garcias said. “Shutting it down would cause worse problems than it would solve.”

I.B. resident Stephanie Kinnamon said she is proud of how the council turned the city’s image around, but said closing the budget gap on the “backs of children and seniors is appalling.”

“You do not want to obliterate your community and make it less desirable,” she said. “There are lots of ways to make up these funds, and looking at your list you have plenty of good ideas to make up these losses of funds in the short-term.”

Councilman Ed Spriggs said rather than cutting expenses by whole departments staff needs to talk with all constituents with a specific monetary goal in mind.

“Leave to the people that know the programs the best to do it, and see what their recommendations are,” he said.

Janney said he believed that agenda items seemed misrepresented and the ideas behind staff’s recommendations were not necessarily an all-or-nothing decision.

With Councilwoman Lorie Bragg absent, the council agreed to delay talks on long-term solutions to the April 20 meeting.  (Other options are listed in attached PDF from staff report to the council.)

After two hours of discussion and several recommendations from council members, the council directed staff to examine the following proposals.

• Offer early retirement/separation packages for city employees and continue negotiations with city safety services
• Work with all Park and Recreation services with a predetermined cut in expenses and seeing what each program can do to reach that goal.
• Negotiate with Little League officials to take back maintenance of the ball park and possibly charging fees for out-of-town users.
• Continue negotiations to take part in the Big Bay Boom 2012 countywide Fourth of July fireworks but not eliminate the city’s pier portion of the event.
• Look at the possibility of controlling vacation rentals on Seacoast Drive in a designated area, increasing Transient Occupancy Tax revenues.
• Increase parking enforcement, and study the feasibility of adding parking meters.
• Sell advertising space on lifeguard towers, ball field fences and other city facilities.
• Look at temporarily suspending the public relations contract and revamping its long-term goals.
• Hire an agency to boost collection of parking ticket fines.
• Offer city staff the option of taking additional furlough days throughout the year.

City Manager Brown said council’s recommendations his rough estimates of savings is $230,000 to $375,000 and staff will come back to council after reviewing with latest figures and new recommendations.

http://imperialbeach.patch.com/articles/layoffs-sports-park-shutdown-called-options-to-close-i-b-budget-gap

City to Paint Bike Lanes to Take Steps Toward Bikeway Loop Through IB and Bikeway Village

http://imperialbeach.patch.com/articles/city-to-paint-bike-lanes-to-take-steps-toward-bikeway-loop-through-ib-and-bikeway-village?ncid=M255#photo-2603047

City to Paint Bike Lanes to Take Steps Toward Bikeway Loop Through IB and Bikeway Village

The city still wants to create a bike path for cyclists through IB and create a bike-friendly environment. Discussions continued about the future of the Bikeway Village development that could include shops and a hostel.

• By Albert Fulcher
• Email the author
• August 9, 2011

No matter which way you’re traveling on the Bayshore Bikeway, Imperial Beach is a nice place to slow things down or grab a bite to eat before trying to tackle the rest of the 24-mile bike path that encircles San Diego Bay.

That’s the idea behind the Eco Bike Route Bikeway, which would allow cyclists on the southern tip of the Bikeway to make a detour through Imperial Beach for a close-up view of the city’s sights.

It’s a far cry from the kind of bikers the city was known for in the past.

Eco Bike Route

Entering the city at 7th Street, the Eco Bike Route Bikeway will take cyclyists straight down Palm Avenue and to the beach and Seacoast Drive.

It then travels up Imperial Beach Boulevard, past the Tijuana Estuary, hangs a right and circles behind the Seaside Point neighborhood, up Connecticut Street, and back onto 7th Street and the Bayshore Bikeway.

Plans for an Eco Bike Route have been slow to come to fruition. A bikeway looping around IB was first proposed as part of the city’s 1994 General Plan.

At a May 18 meeting where City Council was asked whether or not they want to continue with efforts to build a bikeway, Public Works Department director Hank Levien said $405,000 have been spent so far on design, environmental review, permits and other costs.

Councilmembers are concerned with additional costs to the city in current economic conditions, but will continue to look for funding and ways to keep the project moving forward.

On Aug. 5, council directed staff to add designation of bicycle lanes and sharrows (shared roadway markings) to the city’s street improvement projects.

The bike lanes would share the road with cars and would stretch the span of Seacoast Drive and go from Palm Avenue to Imperial Beach Boulevard and to 3rd Street.

See a map of the bicycle transportation plan in the attached photos.

Potential fiscal impact to the city varies greatly, from less than $5,000 to the approximate $2 million. Council further directed staff to include any Eco Bike Rroute designations in mind for future projects that fall within the project boundaries.

Palm Avenue Eco Bike Route and Calming Project

The Palm Avenue Eco Bike Route and Calming Project is the first part of the project. Part of the Eco Bike Route, it is located in the Palm Avenue right-of-way, from 3rd to 7th Street.

Designated signage and bicycle lane stripes, on street parking, are expected to provide traffic-calming measures and improve the aesthetics of landscape and streetscape to create a desirable location for pedestrians, bicyclists and motorists.

Having expired, City Council adopted a resolution to extend the Administrative Coastal Development Permit on June 15 for the Palm Avenue Eco-Bikeway. Though approved, cost of this project and the traffic impact coming into the city were major concerns to council.

Councilwoman Lorie Bragg, who voted no, said she has historically objected to the project.

“Based on the total cost, even with grants, based on traffic congestion and parking, there are just so many things about this project that I cannot wrap my arms around. I am just going to vote no, again,” Bragg said on Wednesday.

City Planner Jim Nakagawa said that with the new coastal permit, the city is actively seeking funding for the project through grants and San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG).

An attempt to receive funding for the project that was applied for a few years ago was denied by SANDAG because the application included paying for street construction not applicable to the grant.

Mayor Jim Janney, who is a Second Vice Chair on the SANDAG Board of Directors, said the regional planning agency promised money to cities for these types of projects and a viable source of funding.

“This project, if it is going to be built, is going to be done so through grants,” Nakagawa said.

Ultimately the plan is to eliminate a lane in both directions and replace them with a Class 2 bicycle lane, landscaping and curbside parking.

“The ocean is where people want to get to,” said Councilman Ed Spriggs. He said he favored the plan and it creates the type of environment the city wants for locals and tourist. “I am wondering the traffic impact with our main street into the beach being cut down by two lanes,” he said.

Hank Levien, Public Works department director, said the city used two models to consider traffic growth. SANDAG estimates that the lane change will lead to more congestion in growth projections and may result in a downgrade in the street’s traffic grade.

Though the 2010 census found a decline in the city’s population, SANDAG predicts the city’s population will grow 22 percent between 2000 and 2030.

Levien said it is hard to take stock in this model, as it has been incorrect over the past 17 years.

“I am not sure that the growth that they are predicting will happen here,” he said.

Greg Wade, Community Development Department director, said city traffic is not something staff takes lightly. In the Environmental Impact Report that evaluated the project, the SANDAG projection of traffic is D or F by 2030.

He said many consultants use the Florida method of traffic analysis, which evaluates actual impacts on an hourly basis including a.m. and p.m. peak hours and compared to a 24-hour capacity and the city found a more appropriate method to use.

“It is represented by hour-by-hour traffic impact analysis,” Wade said. “In the Florida method if you evaluate this project there are no failing levels of traffic impact.”

Spriggs said he did not want to “beat a dead horse,” but the cost is expensive and wondered how people would get to the beach during peak periods throughout the year and still had reservations of the possible congestion problem with this project.

“Again, we are looking at our central Seacoast [Drive] area becoming more of a Mecca. That is our vision,” Spriggs said. “We are going to have shops, affordable housing units, pedestrian walkway and a community that attracts visitors. Our own population will have year round use of it. We want this to be a gem of southern California.”

City Manager Gary Brown said there is no real way to predict future traffic patterns.

He said he sees little difference in traffic congestion with this small portion of Palm Avenue. He said to look at places like Fisherman’s Landing in Point Loma.

“People want to be where there are people,” Brown said. “The traffic is horrible there, but people still manage a way to get there, because they want to. I have the same vision as everyone else here. It would be a delight to have some traffic jams here because people wanted to be here that much.”

Mayor Janney again reiterated that he believes funding is available to pay for the bike route.

“If we put ourselves in the right spot, at the right time, which we might be in the next year or two, we might get somebody else to pay for the vast majority of this project,” he said. “And I am talking about the vast majority. I am hoping that will help Imperial Beach in this project and connecting the Bayshore Bikeway down to this area.”

Bikeway Village Project

On the northern boundary of the city’s 13th Street access point to the Bayshore Bikeway, the proposed Bikeway Village project seeks to revitalize existing warehouse structures with retail, commercial and recreational facilities.

Plans include a public patio, additional parking for cars and bicycles, public restrooms, rest areas and a possible hostel to provide affordable visitor accommodations.

Negotiations have not begun for what will fill the Bikeway Village. Its commercial zoning opens it up for a possible hostel and some recommendations include a cafe, restaurant and bicycle shop. These processes will begin after environmental documentation is completed and approval by the Coastal Commission.

Portions of the project that concern the California Coastal Commission staff include possible impacts to local wetland habitat and nesting bird species, traffic, circulation and parking.

In October 2010, council directed staff to enter into a contract with RECON for environmental planning and associated rezoning of property not to exceed $125,300.

City Council and the Imperial Beach Redevelopment Agency approved an increase in allocation up to $300,000 in January for the project including environmental documents and public improvements.

Part of the alternative includes the usage of “reverse diagonal” parking on the east side of 13th Street between Cypress Avenue and Calla Avenue.

Wade said traffic engineers, planning professionals and bicycle advocacy groups consider this new parking configuration to be safest for bicyclists and the learning curve to drivers is minimal. Parking signs designate and instruct drivers on use of reversed diagonal parking. Motorists have a clear and direct view of oncoming motor and bicycle traffic as opposed to backing out of a diagonal parking space.

He said this configuration works in Solana Beach and was recently implemented in La Mesa and on a recent trip he saw it in-use in the small town of Victor, Idaho.

Wade said the project site has little to no access for public parking and reverse diagonal parking increases the parking spots in the area. He said this was an important element of the project, as staff needs to complete the project description for the environmental document that council directed staff to proceed with on behalf of the applicant.

“One of the goals we are trying to achieve is a regional parking resource for the Bayshore Bikeway,” Wade said. “The dual focus of the parking is to support both the regional facility [Bikeway Village] and the bikeway. We are trying to maximize that parking and to supply and provide additional support parking for the project.”

Planning is still in the beginning processes and the applicant asked for city assistance in off-site improvements.

Wade said current fiscal estimates are more than $300,000 and looking at future parking changes in the area on parts of Florence Avenue and Cypress Avenue and the adjacent alley brings the estimated cost to off-site improvements to $1.1 million.

Total parking capacity in the area results in 105 parking spaces. Wade said the city is preparing this plan in mind with the Coastal Commission’s concerns, and this is the best avenue to provide enough parking spaces to support the Bikeway Village and the Bayshore Bikeway.

Bragg said that compared to other projects in the city, these off-site improvements are a bargain. She said she fully supports this project and the alternative parking.

“Ever since I have been in Imperial Beach we have not put barely a drop of money into anything on that side of town,” Bragg said. “I think this is an awesome project and I embrace it whole heartedly. I would like to see us think outside the box. If Victor, Idaho can do it, so can Imperial Beach.”

Janney said he is worried that the city is going overboard on what the public can afford.

“I don’t want to limit the way we can provide for this project by saying unless the public puts something in the project can’t work. And, we don’t have the funds to do it,” said Janney. “I want to make sure we are not backing ourselves into a corner here. I am worried that we are committing to something that we do not have the resources for.”

Despite the Mayor’s concerns, City Council voted unanimously for staff to move forward with the alternative plans with reverse diagonal parking.

Bayshore Bikeway Project

Councilmember Jim King said he sits on the Bayshore Bikeway Committee with SANDAG and reported that the segment between National City and San Diego is almost complete. The last remaining areas of the southern portion along the Salt Works is the challenge for completing the Bay Boulevard route from Main Street to L Street in Chula Vista.

“It is still moving forward,” he said. “There are wetlands immediately on the west side of Bay Boulevard along the Salt Works and to the north.”

King said the “last leg” from National City to downtown will take longer due to” physical constraints inherent in the lay of the land” and the multiplicity of interest in the area like the railroad, NASCO, Navy, parking, bridges, traffic, Harbor Drive, trolley tracks, Barrio-Logan Planning Community Plan, Port of San Diego and more.

“This segment will complete the majority of the bikeway,” King said. “The segment between J Street and F Street will temporarily be a long Bayshore Boulevard until the completion of the Chula Vista Bayfront development project.”

On Aug. 5, SANDAG broke ground on a new 1.8 mile portion of the Bikeway in Chula Vista from H Street to Palomar Street which is expected to cost $1.5 million. So far, 12.5 miles of the Bikeway is paved and dedicated to cyclists, SANDAG said.

 

 

Long-Range Plan Looks at Imperial Beach’s ‘Big Picture’ and Redevelopment Projects

http://imperialbeach.patch.com/articles/long-range-plan-looks-at-imperial-beachs-big-picture-and-redevelopment-projects

Long-Range Plan Looks at Imperial Beach’s ‘Big Picture’ and Redevelopment Projects

In the Big Picture, quality-of-life visions foresee an economically self-sustaining, pollution-free, small-town community.

• By Albert Fulcher
• Email the author
• 7:27pm

As a private consultant, Greg Wade worked on “Imperial Beach-The Big Picture” in October 2000. Now as the Community Development Department director this month, he updated the City Council on the progress of the foundation he laid for the city’s vision at a meeting earlier this month.

Wade called it a community-based effort, prepared with a lot of research and community involvement.

“Included in the plan are several main objectives,” he said. “The vision remains clearly the same in many areas.”

Counciwoman Lorie Bragg said many people present were part of the plan’s creation. She said looking back, the vision never deviated and seeing so much come to fruition was “remarkable and an immense sense of joy.”

“One thing that sticks out to me is how much of this was done through redevelopment funds and we would not be where we are now without that,” Bragg said. “That to me is a really scary issue. Without a redevelopment agency we could not have accomplished three quarters of this.”

Wade had a more “emphatic picture” of redevelopment in the city, with a conservative guess that 90 percent of successful work is due to the Imperial Beach Redevelopment Agency.

“Through redevelopment expansion and fiscal planning the city maintains a balanced budget and a healthy general fund reserve,” he said.

In looking at a list of primary target areas, the city completed, made significant progress on or scrapped ideas due to circumstances beyond the city’s control, Wade said.

One main element is a hotel to replace the Seacoast Inn.
Wade said it is a viable, top-notch visitor accommodation for the city to expand upon. The 78-room, four story hotel is currently under construction and will include a restaurant, rooftop patio and conference rooms, with construction expected to be completed in late summer 2012.

Councilman Ed Spriggs said the timing was perfect with the new hotel and the project reflects ongoing efforts by the city and community. He said it addresses the balance of a family-oriented beach community against the need for growth and expanded development in San Diego’s South Bay.

“It ties in with our proposed zoning plan and so many of the developments we have been talking about,” Spriggs said. “Seacoast Drive with the new hotel surely has to be a high priority due to the amount of tourism it will attract and support our businesses that are there.

“It behooves us as a Council and a community, in keeping with this vision, to do everything we can to create this walkable, attractive, safe and enjoyable environment now that this hotel is a reality,” he said.

Mayor Jim Janney said finding a way to push absentee property owners to meet the challenge of a developing area is essential for the future of the waterfront.

“They just sit there and I cannot understand it,” he said. “I wish there was a way through redevelopment, zoning or some kind of code that could force these people to seize the opportunity.”

Many goals set for the Palm Avenue Commercial Corridor are complete or under way, Wade said.

Redevelopment of the 9th Street and Palm Avenue area began first with Wally’s Marketplace and the Imperial Beach Promenade Shopping Center, complete with a major tenant, CVS Pharmacy and commercial businesses. This was the first joint project between the city and the Imperial Beach Redevelopment Agency in 2001.

“The vision for Palm Avenue was a neighborhood-friendly, active, beautifully landscaped, well-designed and vibrant commercial corridor supporting community residents and visitors alike while generating property and sales tax and business improvement,” Wade said.

For Seacoast Drive and the waterfront, the vision includes a quaint, casual, pedestrian-oriented waterfront district with widened sidewalks to provide visitors, residents and tourists with shopping and dining opportunities, hotel accommodations and well-designed, low-scale structures with an oceanfront vibe.

One major goal of the project that was scrapped is seeking the closure of Naval Outlying Landing Field Imperial Beach or Ream Field as it used to be known.

Wade said the vision in 2000 was to develop a master plan for Ream Field that would accommodate for the city’s public works yard and work towards the closure of the Navy base and future redevelopment of the site that serves the city of Imperial Beach. Then the ideas were to develop a new college campus, industrial park, research and development facility, resort and golf course, potential housing and additional ecotourism opportunities.

“Since 9/11, events have taken a different course,” he said. “There has been an increase of operations, Navy activity and is likely no longer a base realignment and closure candidate.”

Border Field State Park plans included use as an ecotourism and cross-cultural activity area, tourist-oriented development, working with Mexico on beach improvements and shuttle service.

“Again, after 9/11 the construction of the double border fence significantly altered the park,” Wade said. “Physical access has been compromised over the past few years. Many things are a thing of the past due to heightened security.”

“The partial relinquishment of State Route 75 has been recorded,” Wade said. “We are now the proud owners of a portion of that right-of-way. That will be designed as we move forward with the Ninth and Palm Avenue Project, creating a Main Street feel for what is now a state highway.”

Keeping the Tijuana River and Pacific Ocean clean is an ongoing active mission, Wade said.

After two successful sand replenishment projects, Wade said, efforts to fight erosion have paid off. A SANDAG Regional Beach Sand Project II is scheduled to begin in April 2012 to add between 120,000 to 650,000 cubic yards of sand to the beach.

A much larger project, the Silver Strand Restoration Project with the US Army Corps of Engineers, is a federal project, congressionally authorized and awaits federal funding. This project is not expected to progress with the current state of the national economy, Wade said.

Completed in February 2009, the Palm Avenue End Project includes new sidewalks, Portwood Pier Plaza and additional on-street parking.

On Fridays, the Farmers Market at Pier Plaza is an additional attraction for residents and visitors.

For the Miracle Shopping Center on 9th Street and Palm Avenue, Wade said the city is currently negotiating a disposition and development agreement with developer Sudberry Properties. National chains like Fresh and Easy, Starbucks and Panda Express have made commitments to be tenants.

Implemented along the Palm Avenue Corridor, the Facade Improvement Program has completed renovations of 11 storefronts, two are in progress, with 15 more businesses on the waiting list. The Old Palm Avenue Streetscape Improvement Project was completed in September 2009.

Imperial Beach Boulevard and 13th Street facade improvements include three buildings, 12 businesses and pending applications for four businesses. Three different mixed-use projects have been and constructed since 2000 on 13th Street that have provided new commercial retail space.

The Bayshore Bikeway connection around the edges of the salt ponds and creating a major connection for the Bayshore Bikeway to the city is complete.

New projects completed along Palm Avenue include the new Imperial Beach Health Center and North Island Credit Union.

The visions for East Imperial Beach was neighborhoods free of gang and crime activity characterized by well-maintained residential structures, repaved and landscaped streets, alleys and sidewalks.

Working with the neighborhood revitalization strategy with gangs and drugs the overall crime rate decreased over the past 11 years, dropping 37 percent since 2006, Wade said.

“There has been an active code compliance program that has resulted in significant improvement of private property maintenance,” he said.

“And the abandoned vehicle abatement supports a half-time position and has been a very important finding for our code enforcement staff.”

Street improvement projects Phases 1 and 2 are complete. Phase 3 is in progress and Phase 4 is in design and preparing for bid. These improvements in accessibility and safety have been a continuous process for the last 11 years, he said.

The city’s Clean and Green Program resulted in energy-efficiency improvements to 63 owner-occupied single-family homes, 18 are in progress and 78 on the waiting list. Wade said this viable program combats, in a larger perspective, global warming, sea-level rise and greenhouse gas emissions.

Spriggs said although he is amazed with the progress, the city has a long way to go in some of the high-priority areas. He said Old Palm Avenue is “ripe” for continued effort.

Mayor Janney said he was amazed at what the city accomplished. He said even the little things make a big difference in the quality of life for residents of the city.

Councilman Jim King said Imperial Beach is like the “little engine that could,” making it up the hill all the way despite obstacles.

Related Topics: 13th and Palm, Border Field State Park, CVS, Imperial Beach, Imperial Beach Redevelopment Agency, Jim Janney, Lorie Bragg, Palm Avenue, edward spriggs, and jim king

What projects are most important to you in The Big Picture? Tell us in the comments.

GOP Congressman’s Son, Cancer-Stricken Daughter Speak Out For Medical Pot

http://imperialbeach.patch.com/articles/gop-congressmans-son-cancer-stricken-daughter-speak-out-for-medical-pot

Imperial Beach City Council Mayor Pro Tem Brian Bilbray

GOP Congressman’s Son, Cancer-Stricken Daughter Speak Out For Medical Pot

By Albert Fulcher | Email the author

Council voted to pass ordinances prohibiting medical marijuana dispensaries in IB, with the exception of one vote in favor by Councilman Brian Bilbray Jr. His sister Briana also spoke in favor of medical pot. Their father was mayor of IB in the 1980s.

Silence fell over City Hall Wednesday evening as 24-year-old Briana Bilbray told the Imperial Beach City Council about her struggles with Stage 3 melanoma cancer that had spread into her lymph nodes.

Her father Brian Bilbray was the mayor of Imperial Beach from 1978 to 1985 and currently represents north San Diego’s 50th Congressional District. Her brother Brian Bilbray Jr. is a City Councilman.

She said she was in the last stages of chemotherapy and was disappointed in comments made by Councilman Ed Spriggs at the last council meeting about medical marijuana dispensaries in Imperial Beach.

“I read in an article a quote from Spriggs saying that chemo patients don’t have to go that far to get the medicine they need,” she said. “Reading that comment, I can tell Mr. Spriggs really doesn’t understand chemo at all.”

She said the words nausea and fatigue are “really pretty words” compared to the actuality of its consequences.

“Tired is an understatement from what you feel, Mr. Spriggs,” said Briana Bilbray. “You feel like you just want to die. I didn’t even want to breathe I was so tired.”

Her brother, Mayor Pro Tem and Councilman Brian Bilbray, reiterated his support of allowing medicinal marijuana in Imperial Beach, unlike the rest of the City Council.

He called it irresponsible and said if the city will not provide a dispensary, it should model Chula Vista allowing collectives and cooperatives in the city.

“But something we all need to think about is that it is not our jobs to sit up here and say who and who does not need medical marijuana,” said Councilman Bilbray.

“That is between them and their doctors. Our job is just to say if people in the city actually need this, and what is the responsible thing for the city to do to avoid extra cost to the city through litigation or putting it on the ballot. It is going to cost the city more. Again, I will not be voting for this.”

Briana Bilbray brought about $200 worth of nausea medicine with her and said they are “not worth a lick” and useless for her condition.

In contrast, she said one dose of medical marijuana relieves her for an entire day. Banning dispensaries does not punish the abuser but the patients in need, she said.

“You have no idea. It is like the difference between night and day for chemo patients,” she said. “Not only are you infringing on my right as a California resident to obtain the medicine I need, but you are punishing me by making it more difficult to get the one thing I really need.

“It is one of the worst feelings imaginable,” she said.

City Manager Gary Brown presented two items before City Council on Wednesday related to the ban: a second reading of zoning regulations for medical marijuana distribution facilities and a first reading of the ordinance related to business licenses.

He said this is a result of council instructions to change the minimum or maximum number of people with the ability to cooperatively and collectively, use, cultivate and distribute medical marijuana from “two or more persons” to “four or more.”

Spriggs said council did not have the opportunity to examine the amended change of people’s ability to use, cultivate or distribute marijuana collectively or cooperatively and said the language “four or more” is an exemption of the ordinance prohibiting dispensaries for three people, and his concern is it can lead to activity the city is attempting to avoid.

“That’s the point. Four or more,” Spriggs said. “If we have this exemption of three or less, what are the worst case scenarios of three of less overriding the ordinance against medical marijuana dispensaries within the city limits? Can you operate something akin to a dispensary?”

City Manager Gary Brown said he did not think it would approach the dispensary patterns seen throughout the region, having three or fewer people operating as a cooperative.

“Probably doing it in a back yard,” Brown said. “I am not sure if it would be legal, but in effect I don’t think there would be much of a chance that a formalized business dispensary would be open. It is likely that somebody might try and have something in their neighborhood.”

Spriggs said increasing the number from two or more to four or more, cultivating, dispensing and using opens the opportunity for various trials of “these kinds” of operations. He said two or less has less chance of these types of operations to occur. “I clearly said earlier, the issue is not legitimate users, it was the abundant testimony we had regarding abuse by people that do not have legitimate medical marijuana need,” he said.

City Attorney Jennifer Lyon said the current state of law talks about an affirmative defense for those who get together to cooperatively and collectively, use, possess and distribute marijuana.

“There is nothing currently in the law that is a mandate to every city to locate a cooperative or collective in your city,” she said. “The cases and the law that is out there suggest that cities have the ability to regulate location and establishment of dispensaries, cooperatives and collectives. They have zoning power. That is one of the fundamental rights of the City Council.”

Spriggs said if this evolved into a business that only legitimate patients used, the council would have a completely different view.

“I have no ax to grind for anybody that really needs it,” he said. “But we have this huge abuse situation, demonstrated in many communities. There is no reason to think that we would be immune for some strange reason from the abuses that have taken place elsewhere.”

Marcus Boyd, vice chairman for the San Diego Chapter of Americans for Safe Access, said four cancer patients came to his office since the last council meeting June 15 and every one of them made him cry.

He said he was disappointed with the “perversion of the political process” over two years on this issue. He said council has “trampled the rights of those that are injured, sick and dying.”

Council member Lorie Bragg said it was unfair to say council had not done due diligence.

“We have all done outreach across the board to many members of the community,” she said. “When we vote on something, it is because we have talked to many people. And our vote reflects what the majority of the people want us to do.”

Boyd said council made its decision in private meetings, based on “Reefer Madness” propaganda provided by the Sheriff’s Department, overturned state law and intimidated medical marijuana patients at the last council meeting.

“At the last council meeting speaking on this issue when patients plead with you not to break the law, you ridiculed them,” Boyd said.

“And you attempted to alienate them from the political process. You had a large contingency of county sheriffs lined up outside intimidating every patient that walked through the door. And, to top it off, the deputies took out their cameras and began snapping pictures of the patients.”

Councilman Jim King said the issue boils down to providing availability for patients and determining where patients can find the substance. He said council looked at it in the terms of the size of our city.

“I personally believe in one regard it would be nice to accommodate it,” King said. “But in the other regard there are things that have not been worked out and problems that are consistent in a number of dispensaries.”

King said he read all the material. He said the constant referral to council falling under “Reefer Madness” was incorrect.

“I do not want to deny anyone’s access. This is not an easy issue on a community-based level,” he said.

Boyd said council might think it is putting this issue to rest but assured that the issue will stay “front and center” in 2012 elections.

“It is not too late to change course,” he said. “I urge you to table this vote tonight. Give the facts and findings about this lands use issue a fair and balanced review. The sick and dying patients deserve at least that from you.”

Mayor Jim Janney motioned to adopt the report and the June 15 staff report and to adopt resolution 2011-70.

Motion to wave further reading and adopt zoning ordinance 2011-1119, “to add Chapter 19.61 to the municipal code, relating to medical marijuana distribution facilities for submission to the California Coastal Commission.”

“Medical marijuana distribution facilities are prohibited uses in all zoning districts in the city of Imperial Beach. The city shall not issue, approve or grant any permit, license or other entitlement for the establishment or operation of a medical marijuana distribution facility in the city of Imperial Beach.”

Motion to dispense first reading of ordinance 20111-118 amended “any facility where four or more qualified patients, persons with identification cards and primary caregivers meet or congregate collectively and cooperatively to cultivate or distribute marijuana for medical purposes” and “set the matter up for adoption at our next regularly scheduled City Council meeting to July 20.”

The motion carried, with all but Bilbray voting yes on all motions.

 

 

 

 

Bilbrays Oppose Banning Medical Marijuana Dispensaries in Imperial Beach, Still Plans Move Forward

Briana Bilbray speaks to Imperial Beach City Council on her personal struggles with cancer and the need for medical marijuana dispensaries, cooperatives and collectives.

Bilbrays Oppose Banning Medical Marijuana Dispensaries in Imperial Beach, Still Plans Move Forward

Facing advocates again, city council passes all ordinances for prohibiting medical marijuana dispensaries in the city, with the exception of one, Council members continue debates on the terms of collectives and cooperatives within city limits.

By Albert Fulcher | Email the author | 11:15am

Silence fell over City Hall Wednesday evening as 24-year-old Briana Bilbray told Council about her struggles with Stage 3 melanoma cancer that had spread into her lymph nodes.

She said she was in the last stages of chemotherapy and was disappointed in comments made by Councilman Ed Spriggs at the last Council meeting about medical marijuana dispensaries in Imperial Beach.

“I read in an article a quote from Spriggs saying that chemo patients don’t have to go that far to get the medicine they need,” she said. “Reading that comment, I can tell Mr. Spriggs really doesn’t understand chemo at all.”

She said words nausea and fatigue are “really pretty words” compared to the actuality of its consequences.

“Tired is an understatement from what you feel, Mr. Spriggs,” said Briana Bilbray. “You feel like you just want to die. I didn’t even want to breathe I was so tired.”

Her brother Mayor Pro Tem Brian Bilbray reiterated his support of allowing medicinal marijuana in Imperial Beach, unlike the rest of the City Council.

He called it irresponsible and said if the city will not provide a dispensary, it should model Chula Vista allowing collectives and cooperatives in the city.

“But something we all need to think about is that it is not our jobs to sit up here and say who and who does not need medical marijuana,” said Councilman Bilbray.

“That is between them and their doctors. Our job is just to say if people in the city actually need this, and what is the responsible thing for the city to do to avoid extra cost to the city through litigation or putting it on the ballot. It is going to cost the city more. Again, I will not be voting for this.”

Briana Bilbray brought about $200 worth of nausea medicine with her and said they are “not worth a lick” and useless for her condition.

In contrast, she said one dose of medical marijuana relieves her for an entire day. Banning dispensaries does not punish the abuser, but the patients in need, she said.

“You have no idea. It is like the difference between night and day for chemo patients,” she said. “Not only are you infringing on my right as a California resident to obtain the medicine I need, but you are punishing me by making it more difficult to get the one thing I really need.

“It is one of the worst feelings imaginable,” she said.

City Manager Gary Brown presented two items before City Council Wednesday related to the ban: a second reading of zoning regulations for medical marijuana distribution facilities and a first reading of the ordinance related to business licenses.

He said this is a result of council instructions to change the minimum or maximum number of people with the ability to cooperatively and collectively, use, cultivate and distribute medical marijuana from “two or more persons” to “four or more.”

Spriggs said council did not have the opportunity to examine the amended change of people’s ability to use, cultivate or distribute marijuana collectively or cooperatively and said the language “four or more” is an exemption of the ordinance prohibiting dispensaries for three people and his concern is it can lead to the conduct of activity the city is attempting to avoid.

“That’s the point. Four or more,” Spriggs said. “If we have this exemption of three or less what are the worst case scenarios of three of less overriding the ordinance against medical marijuana dispensaries within the city limits? Can you operate something akin to a dispensary?”

City Manager Gary Brown said he did not think it would approach the dispensary patterns seen throughout the region, having three or less people operating as a cooperative.

“Probably doing it in a back yard,” Brown said. “I am not sure if it would be legal, but in effect I don’t think there would be much of a chance that a formalized business dispensary would be open. It is likely that somebody might try and have something in their neighborhood.”

Spriggs said increasing the number from two or more to four or more, cultivating, dispensing and using opens the opportunity for various trials of “these kinds” of operations. He said two or less has less chance of these types of operations to occur. “I clearly said earlier, the issue is not legitimate users, it was the abundant testimony we had regarding abuse by people that do not have legitimate medical marijuana need,” he said.

City Attorney Jennifer Lyon said the current state of law talks about an affirmative defense for those who get together to cooperatively and collectively, use, possess and distribute marijuana.

“There is nothing currently in the law that is a mandate to every city to locate a cooperative or collective in your city,” she said. “The cases and the law that is out there suggest that cities have the ability to regulate location and establishment of dispensaries, cooperatives and collectives. They have zoning power. That is one of the fundamental rights of the City Council.”

Spriggs said if this evolved into a business that only legitimate patients used, the council would have a completely different view.

“I have no axe to grind for anybody that really needs it,” he said. “But we have this huge abuse situation, demonstrated in many communities. There is no reason to think that we would be immune for some strange reason from the abuses that have taken place elsewhere.”

Vice Chair for the San Diego Chapter of Americans for Safe Access Marcus Boyd said four cancer patients came to his office since the last Council meeting June 15 and every one of them made him cry.

He said he was disappointed with the “perversion of the political process” over two years on this issue. He said council has “trampled the rights of those that are injured, sick and dying.”

Councilmember Lorie Bragg said it was unfair to say council had not done due diligence.

“We have all done outreach across the board to many members of the community,” she said. “When we vote on something, it is because we have talked to many people. And our vote reflects what the majority of the people want us to do.”

Boyd said council made its decision in private meetings, based on “Reefer Madness” propaganda provided by the Sheriff’s Department, overturned state law and intimidated medical marijuana patients at the last Council meeting.

“At the last Council meeting speaking on this issue when patients plead with you not to break the law, you ridiculed them,” Boyd said.

“And you attempted to alienate them from the political process. You had a large contingency of county Sheriffs lined up outside intimidating every patient that walked through the door. And, to top it off, the deputies took out their cameras and began snapping pictures of the patients.”

Councilman Jim King said the issue boils down to providing availability for patients and determining where patients can find the substance. He said council looked at it in the terms of the size of our city.

“I personally believe in one regard it would be nice to accommodate it,” King said. “But in the other regard there are things that have not been worked out and problems that are consistent in a number of dispensaries.”

King said he read all the material. He said the constant referral to Council falling under “Reefer Madness” was incorrect.

“I do not want to deny anyone’s access. This is not an easy issue on a community-based level,” he said.

Boyd said Council might think it is putting this issue to rest but assured that the issue will stay “front and center” in 2012 elections.

“It is not too late to change course,” he said. “I urge you to table this vote tonight. Give the facts and findings about this lands use issue a fair and balanced review. The sick and dying patients deserve at least that from you.”

Mayor Jim Janney motioned to adopt the report and the June 15 staff report and to adopt resolution 2011-70.

Motion to wave further reading and adopt zoning ordinance 2011-1119, “to add Chapter 19.61 to the municipal code, relating to medical marijuana distribution facilities for submission to the California Coastal Commission.”

“Medical marijuana distribution facilities are prohibited uses in all zoning districts in the city of Imperial Beach. The city shall not issue, approve or grant any permit, license or other entitlement for the establishment or operation of a medical marijuana distribution facility in the City of Imperial Beach.”

Motion to dispense first reading of ordinance 20111-118 amended “any facility where four or more qualified patients, persons with identification cards and primary caregivers meet or congregate collectively and cooperatively to cultivate or distribute marijuana for medical purposes” and “set the matter up for adoption at our next regularly scheduled city council meeting to July 20.”

The Motion carried, with all but Bilbray voted yes on all motions.

Related Topics: Brian Bilbray, Drug Abuse, Imperial Beach, Jennifer Lyon, Lorie Bragg, Marcus Boyd, edward spriggs, gary brown, jim king, and mayor jim janney

How much control do you think city council should have in medical marijuana cooperatives and collectives in Imperial Beach? Tell us in the comments.

Seacoast Inn on Schedule to Open Doors Summer 2012

Seacoast Inn on Schedule to Open Doors Summer 2012

Possible street closures and bus rerouting Sept. 14 when Pacifica Companies sends 475 truckloads down Imperial Beach Boulevard to pour a 27-inch slab for the underground parking structure from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m.

By Albert Fulcher | Email the author | 10:48am

Right now it may just look like a large hole in the ground, but the new hotel to replace the Seacoast Inn is on schedule to be completed in August 2012.

Up to now most work has been underground, and in the next few months a frame will rise for the 78-room, four story hotel to replace the Seacoast Inn, said Allison Rolfe, the Pacifica Companies project manager.

Stone column installation is complete, Rolfe said, and Pacifica is thankful for community patience because pounding that many stone columns in the ground was loud, calling it “the worst disruptive part of the whole construction project.”

Dewatering operations are ongoing, and grating and soil export operation for the parking garage is now taking place on the site.

“Basically we are digging a huge hole in the ground and that is for our subterranean parking garage,” said Rolfe. “The tiebacks to shore up the sides are almost done.”

Rolfe said installation of sheet piles begin this week. Completion of underground plumbing and electrical piping conduits by the end of the month then crews will begin lying the gravel base and waterproofing.

“We actually put down 24 inches of gravel then water proofing,” she said. “Then we pour a 27-inch thick slab. That is set up for September 14. We are expecting to have about 475 truck trips that day.”

Using Imperial Beach Boulevard, truck trips will start at 5 a.m. and end at 9 p.m., Rolfe said they will do it with as little disruption as possible but it may inconvenience people that day. She said there are no street closures but the trucks will be backing up in the medium.

Greg Wade, the city’s Community Development Department director, said his last report request a partial closure of Seacoast Drive for that day and rerouting of bus traffic directly adjacent to the hotel. He said it is no different from events like next week’s U.S. Open Sandcastle Competition and final details of a possible closure will be worked out with Pacifica.

“The queuing that Rolfe mentioned would be on Imperial Beach Boulevard in the median there between Second Avenue and Seacoast Drive,” Wade said. “The entire traffic will be using Imperial Beach Boulevard.”

Rolfe said this is a highly synchronized operation with the trucks and a superintendent on-site in constant communication with the drivers. She said the trucks could not sit too long or the cement could dry. Parking at Dunes Park will be closed since the park’s parking lot will house the concrete pumping station. She said media outlets and neighbors within a 640-foot radius of the site will be sent letters explaining what to expect that day.

“We will get the word out that it is a very important day and there is a lot going on,” she said. “After the slab, construction is more conventional. People will see the structure of the building, shortly thereafter.”

Councilman Ed Spriggs said since the project will be completed in about a year, the city, its residents and local business community should all start thinking about ways to maximize the benefit of the new hotel next year.

“It is a reciprocal relationship and the community obviously has a stake in the success of hotel,” he said. Spriggs then asked why no groundbreaking ceremony took place.

“We have not done a groundbreaking ceremony,” Rolfe said. “That is up to all of you. I did discuss it with the owner and we were talking about doing it when the frame comes up so there would be something for people to see. There is so much going on right now there is not a good place to hold a groundbreaking ceremony. I am a little concerned about safety.”

Rolfe said possibilities included a ceremony when the structure is up or a soft, grand opening of the hotel with a ceremony.

“That would really be your event, your decision, and we will do whatever you want,” said Rolfe.

What businesses and services do you think would best enhance the surrounding area of the new Seacoast Inn? Tell us in the comments.

City Council Revisit $10,000 Code Enforcement Case

 

Imperial Beach Councilmember Lorie Bragg

Government

City Council Revisit $10,000 Code Enforcement Case

Councilwoman Lorie Bragg said city staff need to back off and give property owners more time in a particular code compliance case.

By Albert Fulcher | Email the author | 3:06pm

With almost $10,000 in citations and a lien on the property, City Council discussed what to do next for a home on Hickory Court struggling to meet IB code enforcement commands at last week’s meeting.

In siding with property owner Donna Musick, Councilwoman Lorie Bragg instructed city staff to follow “the spirit of the law verses the letter of the law” at last week’s City Council meeting.

Councilman Brian Bilbray said Bragg was “absolutely right” and supported giving Musick more time.

“At this time, during a recession, you can’t really go after somebody as hard as we are going after them. I feel it is wrong,” he said. “I drove by today and there has been definitely a good amount of strides made to clean up the property.”

Council unanimously approved a resolution which provides Musick and co-owner Miguel Del Rosal a further abeyance of $1,350 in civil penalties.

A deadline has been set for August 15 to fix all code violations, or city staff or contractors will do it themselves. The topic will be revisited by City Council in October.

Greg Wade, the city’s Community Development director, said this case dates back to March 17, 2010, after staff received two separate citizen complaints of property conditions. Citations were then given in May, June, July and November 2010. Late payments carry penalty and interest charges, and make up nearly half of the $9,900 fine.

He said staff advised the property owners of three violations: visual blight, inoperable vehicles on the property and property maintenance.

Following a Council meeting last month, Musick said she was told by code enforcement officer David Garcias to keep him informed of any progress, have three licensed contractors do estimates for what it will cost to fix the roof, provide a timeline on how long it will take to come up with the money and allow him to inspect the property in the near future.

“I do not believe that I have to do all of the stuff that Mr. Garcias was strong-arming me to do,” she said. “It’s a little bit more than I can do right now. I need time. I need to know whether he is within his rights to require a licensed contractor. But, meanwhile, I would just like a little breathing space.”

In her appearance before the Council last Wednesday Musick provided new pictures of her home and other houses within a block of her own with abandoned vehicles, debris and storage along the side of the home.

“My house is not the worst out there,” she said.

“I don’t know why I am being set out from everybody else,” Musick said, who is currently unemployed. “I don’t feel that I am being treated as fairly as I should be.

If I don’t have the money and I got one contractor to loosely say it would cost about $8,000 to replace the roof, how am going to be able to pay the $10,000 in fees.”

“In this case, coming before Council is what we call egregious cases,” Wade said.

“The property maintenance conditions are substandard, constitute public nuisances and we bring it to the Council for assessment and civil penalties.”

Musick said she did not understand why she could not fix the roof herself with proper permits rather than get three estimates from three licensed contractors.

“I need to have the roof fixed. I was told that my tent trailer and the Corvair needed to be removed and I needed to let him know the progress in getting those removed from the property. And since then, Mr. Garcias has come on to the property at least three times taking pictures.”

Wade said citations went ignored, and according to municipal code, staff had no other option then to seek compliance with direction from City Council.

Bragg said this is a tough case, but in her opinion, not egregious. She said Musick came to last month’s Council meeting and there were personal issues the city was previously unaware of.

“To her own admission, she is going through a divorce,” Bragg said. “Her property is going up for sale. She is going to have to come up to code at that time. She is unemployed.”

Bragg said there comes a time when you can operate in the spirit of the law, not the letter of the law and in her observation she perceived that Musick was dealing with all of this own her own.

Musick nodded in agreement.

“I think she needs more time. I think we need to back off on this,” she said. “And I think we need to have a little sympathy. I would like to extend the time, keep the fines in abeyance and give her possibly until September.”

Property owners have removed most of the trash and debris, Wade said, but roof and property maintenance conditions are substandard and do not comply with code.

“You can’t see the tarp from the sidewalk and I have cleaned up the items,” Musick said. “I got rid of the van. I am doing a title search on the trailer now so I will get rid of it as soon as possible.”

Wade said the suggestion for her to get three bids was in her response of inability to pay for the improvements so she could get the best price. He also said getting three estimates was a suggestion, not a requirement.

He said permits are available for homeowners to do it themselves, but that roof repair can be dangerous for homeowners and professionals alike. Wade said staff could only speculate what is required in repairing the roof, as the city has not been able to do an official inspection.

“I would also like to respond to the fact that at no point in time has Mr. Garcias gone on the property in this case,” Wade said. “Pictures were taken from the right of way. Pictures from adjacent properties had expressed permission and authorization from those property owners.”

Wade said there was no contact with Musick until staff encountered them at the property.

“Once we encountered them, we gave them additional time to comply,” he said.

“We then never heard from them again. There may be cases like this on or around the block but we have not had citizen complaints on them.”

Wade said allowing the property owners may give the appearance of uneven enforcement, but that it’s up to the Council to prioritize citizen complaints.

“We are bound to follow up on them, enforce the code and are directed by City Council to do so. That is why we are doing it in this case,” he said.

Mayor Janney said he had seen little progress and supported the resolution until Wade said the resolution included city staff taking over repairs after August 15 if violations still exist. Janney said he was not sure on June 15 to make that decision and say “go” on August 15 is the right thing to do. He said everything other than that in the resolution was appropriate.

“But to give that kind of authorization at this moment, I am not sure I can support that part of it,” he said. “I think we should strike that from the resolution. That is more invasive on the properties and in my eight years on the council we have not done that very often. It should not be taken very lightly. There is a lot of cost and there could be legal ramifications. I would like to see this case again before we authorize that.”

Councilmember Ed Spriggs said that even in a sympathetic case like this, if you pull that provision there is no incentive to accomplish it in the next two months.

“We are leaving it wide open essentially for no effort or no action. I think that is my concern–there is no penalty or risk to inaction.”

King said he supported Bragg and it is unfortunate when these cases drag out for a year or more.

“We spend a lot of staff time and money on this,” he said. “I appreciate the efforts on the part of the owner. I think she has shown good faith moving forward.”

How much of an incentive is $50 a day, per violation in civil penalties, for homeowners to fix code violations? Do you think code enforcement is an effective city management tool? Tell us in the comments.