Fiscal Year 2023 Budget and District 1
June 16, 2022
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I invite you to swing by my next in-person Java with LaCava community “coffee” event on Saturday, June 25, from 9 - 11 a.m. in Standley Park.
We invite you to join us for as little or as long as you would like to share your thoughts and questions on your neighborhood, District 1, or city-wide issues directly with my team and me.
I look forward to seeing you there.
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On Tuesday, May 24, the San Diego City Council took final action on the annual seasonal closure of Point La Jolla and a portion of Boomer Beach. This closure, authorized by the California Coastal Commission on April 8, will occur annually from May 1 – October 31. It ensures the safety and health of both visitors to the area and the sea lions.
The closure covers the rocky shoreline known as Point La Jolla and a portion of Boomer Beach. The action safeguards the remainder of Boomer Beach as an ocean-access zone for those accessing the water for bodysurfing, swimming, or spearfishing. The design reflects feedback received during a robust public engagement period and balances restricting access to the rookery during pupping season while preserving water access.
This effort was only possible with the collaboration of the Mayor Gloria’s office, Parks & Recreation Department, our lifeguards, advocates, La Jolla community groups, and the over 1,500 individuals that completed the public survey. With their input, we achieved a compromise that preserves ocean access and keeps the public at a safe distance to enjoy the natural wildlife on our coastline.
I have witnessed the harassment that endangered birthing sea lions and their pups and risked the safety of the public and their children interacting with wild animals. This closure is the culmination of a year-long effort to safely preserve this unique wildlife experience while representing the interests of visitors and those accessing the coastal waters.
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CITYWIDE NEWS & OPPORTUNITIES |
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What Was on the Docket?
(a sampling from 5/9 through 6/13)
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On Thursday, May 26, the San Diego City Council Environment Committee unanimously approved my proposed amendments clarifying beach fire regulations. This action now moves to review by City staff and the City Attorney prior to docketing to the full City Council for adoption.
The proposal confines beach fires to City-provided fire rings and portable propane-fueled devices; resolves conflicting language in the Municipal Code; improves public safety; and provides clarity for beachgoers and public safety officials alike.
Proposed amendments supported by City Lifeguards and City Police include:
- Clarifying permissible fire devices: “City-provided fire rings” and “portable propane-fueled devices;”
- Removing specification that beach fires are only allowed where a “City-provided fire ring” exists;
- Replacing “City-provided fire container(s)” with “City-provided fire ring(s);”
- Replacing “Public Beach” with “Beach Area;”
- Defining “propane-fueled device.”
These amendments apply only to “beach areas” which are defined as any beach or land and the waters abutting or adjacent thereto under the jurisdiction of the City’s Park and Recreation Department and does not apply to public parks.
I support safe, legal beach fires. These amendments are essential in keeping our public beaches safe while preserving the public’s access to the unique experience of beach fires.
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Park Social is a citywide initiative introducing social-specific public art into San Diego's vast and varied park system.
Working in parks across the city, Park Social commissions artists and collectives to develop and present temporary works in San Diego that directly connect the park goer and the park. The program aims to spark dialogue and encourage residents to get out into the parks and experience them in new unexpected ways.
Pursuant to the City’s website, the following Park Social exhibits are in District 1:
- June 11 – 26: Reflexion Installation in Ellen Scripps Browning Park
- June 24 – November 20: Tribute to Paleteros Installation in Standley Park
- July 9 – 24: Reflexion Installation in Kellogg Park
- July 16: TBD Temporary Installation in Kate Sessions Park
- September 10: TBD Temporary Installation in Kate Sessions Park
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Join City staff on Tuesday, June 28 at the Mission Valley Library community room from 6 – 7 p.m. to learn more about the City’s Community Projects, Programs and Services (CPPS) program. CPPS funding is awarded to non-profit organizations and public agencies for one-time community, social, environmental, cultural, and recreational needs that serve a public purpose.
Last year, District 1 allocated CPPS funding to the Biocom Institute, Jewish Family Service, San Diego Coastkeeper, Moxie Theatre, Feeding San Diego and many others. Also funded were neighborhood watch signs and new Marine St Beach trash bins.
The application will be accepted starting July 1 and no later than July 31, 2022.
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This past month, I had the opportunity to:
- Appoint Kathryn Neal to the LJ Shores PD Advisory Board, Yvania Rubio to the Youth Commission, and Yegin Chen to the Consolidated Plan Advisory Board;
- Attend San Diego County 36th Annual Law Enforcement Memorial Ceremony;
- Celebrate AAPI leaders at the Asian Business Association’s Asian and Pacific Islander Leaders of the Year Awards;
- Recognize the life and contributions of Alan Alvarez, a dedicated SDPD officer for over 30 years;
- Honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our nation at Mount Soledad’s Memorial Day Service;
- Adjourn council in memory of Judith Harris, a passionately generous civic influencer, who led an extraordinary life and made lasting contributions to our cultural, educational, and animal welfare institutions;
- Speak at the APAC 10th Annual Celebration, La Jolla Kiwanis, BRE's 70th Anniversary Celebration, and SDFD's Girl's Empowerment Camp;
- Attend and deliver brief remarks at the University City CP Update Committee townhall, announcing that no changes will be included for the residential uses in South University City;
- Fund Neighborhood Watch signs in Alta Del Mar, a Del Mar Mesa neighborhood;
- Secure City commitment to maintain landscaping at the Throat;
- Discuss public service at “Shadow Day,” an event in which foster youths are introduced to new career opportunities in government and learn more about how the city works;
- Present a proclamation recognizing healthcare heroes at the VA Hospital;
- Discuss public service and my passion for civic engagement with a UCSD undergraduate class;
- Chat with residents at the La Jolla Open Aire Market during my monthly tabling excursion;
- Engage with UCSD students at a joint tabling effort on Library Walk with UCSD Associated Students;
- Tour the Port of San Diego, Miramar Greenery, and the offices of World Design 2024 team;
- Host my quarterly virtual town halls with community leaders in La Jolla, Carmel Valley, Del Mar Mesa, PHR, Torrey Hills, Torrey Pines, Del Mar Heights, and University City;
- Share my environmental, housing, and transit priorities with UCSD students (and learn more about their needs) at my UCSD Townhall, hosted in collaboration with Associated Students and Graduate Students;
- Host two budget town halls, one in-person and one via Zoom, with the Independent Budget Analyst to hear District 1 residents’ budget priorities.
We are here to celebrate your events or speak before your group, please reach out at [email protected].
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Thank you to all the residents who contacted us and engaged with my office this past month. If you would like to report an issue in your community, do not hesitate to reach out to my community representatives via email or phone or stop by their weekly office hours – we are here working for you. |
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Community "Win" Monthly Highlights |
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$8,000 for Spindrift Handrail and Camino de la Costa Beach Access Stairs in La Jolla
To jumpstart two important projects in La Jolla, my office designated a total of $8,000 in Community Projects, Programs and Services (CPPS) funding to help install a handrail along Spindrift Drive and repair the beach access stairs at Camino de la Costa Viewpoint. This allocation officially created projects in the City’s Capital Improvement Program (CIP) system, which will allow the City to receive and disburse the full funds, once identified. With this seed money in hand, the Spindrift Ocean Access Handrail was subsequently fully funded in the FY2023 budget.
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Early Morning Construction Noise Silenced in Torrey Hills
A constituent reported 5:30 a.m. construction noise from a project on Vista Sorrento Parkway in Torrey Hills. Not only did the excessive noise disturb nearby neighbors, it also violated the Municipal Code’s restriction of excessive construction noise between 7 p.m. and 7 a.m. Ricky Flahive, my Carmel Valley representative, worked with Code Enforcement to ensure compliance.
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Overgrown Vegetation Abated at Nobel Recreation Center in University City
Kaitlyn Willoughby, my University City representative, worked with Parks and Recreation to alleviate overgrown vegetation outside of Nobel Recreation Center. In response to a resident’s request, the City removed the most concerning weeds and will continue working with Kaitlyn to return for the full abatement. Not only does abatement help keep our parks beautiful and weed free, it also plays a key role in fire prevention.
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