______City Manager's Weekly Update
August 20, 2021
The following is provided as an update regarding programs, services and issues within the City.
Weekly Update Video Aug. 20, 2021
Students Heading Back to School; Slow Down, Pay Attention
Coronado Police officers are ready to welcome back students as soon as they arrive at the City’s private and public schools this week and next to help ensure the safety of students and to get to know students. The City asks that drivers slow down, watch for children around schools, yield to pedestrians, and remove distractions. To provide positive reinforcement for good behavior, such as wearing helmets while biking, officers will be handing out pizza gift cards starting next week. Students returned to Sacred Heart Parish School this week. Next week, students at Christ Church and all Coronado Unified Schools will return to campus. Students should walk on sidewalks and use crosswalks, wear helmets when riding their wheels, stay alert and have no distracted riding. 
City Pools Reopen; Initial Limited Hours to be Expanded Soon
The Aquatics Center reopened last week after the City was able to receive a sufficient amount of chlorine. However, due to uncertain supplies, the pools were reopened with limited hours. This will keep as much chlorine in the water as possible. High temperatures and more people in the water tend to exhaust a pool's chlorine. To further preserve chlorine, until supplies are more abundant, the Aquatics Center also closed the pools on weekends. Pool users are happy to be back and can look forward to expanded hours beginning Saturday, Aug. 28, since additional chlorine deliveries have been secured. An updated fall schedule for the Aquatics Center will be available via social media and on the Aquatics web page. The City's Aquatics Center was closed July 23 due to a shortage of nationwide chlorine shortage.
Pool hours are:
 
Competition Pool
               M - F        5:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. 
 
Recreation Pool
               M, W, Fr   8 a.m. Water Exercise class
                             11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Family Swim
              Tu & Th     8, 9 & 10 a.m. Water Exercise classes
                              11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Family Swim
New Traffic Signal Activated near Hotel del Coronado
The new traffic signal at the intersection of Silver Strand Boulevard and Avenida del Sol has been activated and is synchronized with the existing signal at Pomona Avenue due to their close proximity. The City is working with the California Department of Transportation, which manages the roadway, to make timing adjustments to improve the efficiency of the signal. Eventually, the signals will be equipped with the same adaptive signal software as the signals at Avenida des las Arenas and in front of Naval Amphibious Base Coronado. This will allow these signals to continually adjust to the volume of traffic going through the intersections. Roadway striping and signs reminds motorists traveling on Strand Way in front of the Bluewater Boathouse Seafood Grill restaurant that the only turning movement available to them is a right turn onto northbound Silver Strand. They may not turn left or proceed straight to Avenida del Sol. Drivers exiting the Hotel del Coronado/Coronado Shores via Avenida del Sol are also reminded by signs and striping that they may turn left or right onto state Route 75 but may not proceed straight onto Strand Way. The Hotel del Coronado continues to work on improvements to the hotel property and the cul-de-sac, but the intersection is complete.
Traffic Impacts Expected from Sunday's Bike the Bay Event
Drivers, bicyclists, runners and walkers are reminded that the Bike the Bay event is set for Sunday, Aug. 22. The ride begins in San Diego at 7 a.m. Participants will cross the San Diego-Coronado Bridge and use Glorietta Boulevard and the bike path along Strand Way to get to the Bayshore Bikeway. Regular Sunday morning users of the bike path along the Silver Strand are warned that it will be heavily used as a large group of riders heads toward Imperial Beach before continuing around San Diego Bay. Signs have been posted to alert the community about the upcoming event. The ride is sponsored by the San Diego Bicycle Coalition. The bridge will remain open with one lane of vehicle traffic in each direction using westbound lanes. State Route 75 will remain open in both directions. All restrictions will be removed at approximately 10 a.m. Please plan accordingly.
WWII Paratrooper, Local Tom Rice Jumps on 100th Birthday
World War II paratrooper and Coronado Hometown Hero Tom Rice had a successful jump from a restored WWII-era aircraft on the private beach in front of the Hotel del Coronado on Aug. 15, his 100th birthday. Rice was honored as a Coronado Hometown Hero in the very first group of those local military honorees who have had banners installed along the Avenue of Heroes, Third and Fourth streets from Orange Avenue to Alameda Boulevard. In 2019, Rice parachuted from a C-47 over Normandy to commemorate the 75th anniversary of D-Day.
Watch the Tom Rice Jump
Council Authorizes Ocean Boulevard Project for Bid
The City Council this week reviewed and approved the scope of work and critical design elements for improvements along Ocean Boulevard and authorized advertisement of the project for bid.

The Ocean Boulevard Street Improvements project was developed to improve access and pedestrian mobility on the sidewalk along the ocean side of the boulevard. With open car doors and beach-outing unloading, walkers, runners, bicyclists, strollers, and dogs on leashes, the current sidewalk width can be very small.

Read all about the Ocean Boulevard Street Improvements project and see the presentation from the City Council meeting on the City's public engagement site, Comment Coronado.
Annual Street Preventive Maintenance Project Approved
On Aug. 17, the Coronado City Council authorized staff to advertise the Street Preventive Maintenance FY 2021-22 project, combined with Priority Project Nos. 2, 3, and 7 from the Active Transportation Plan (see below), for bid.
 
Priority Project No. 2 – Tenth Street Bicycle Lanes
  • Improvements will extend the existing Class II bicycle lanes (currently installed from Orange Avenue to Glorietta Boulevard) from Alameda Boulevard to Orange Avenue with the following modification: 
  • The Class II bike lane will change to a Class III bike route between D Avenue and Orange Avenue (similar to changes on Tenth Street between C Avenue and Orange Avenue) due to the left-hand turn and through lane at Orange Avenue. A Class III bike route consists of sharrows typically painted every 250 feet in the center of each travel lane.
  • Installation of these improvements will result in a ten-foot travel lane, six-foot bike lane, and an eight-foot parking lane as shown in Attachment 2 and currently in place on Tenth Street on the east side of Orange Avenue.
Priority Project No. 3 – Alameda Boulevard Bicycle Lanes
  • Improvements include Class II bike lanes from First Street to Ocean Boulevard with the following modifications:
  • A Class III bike route will be used at the following locations due to existing improvements/constrictions in lane widths (the resulting layout is shown in Attachment 3):
  • First Street to Third Street
  • Fourth Street to Fifth Street
  • Ninth Street to Tenth Street
  • No bicycle improvements will be placed between Third Street and Fourth Street as this is Caltrans right-of-way. The section between Olive Avenue and Ocean Boulevard will not receive a slurry seal as it is outside the scope, but bike lanes will be installed in this section.
 
Priority Project No. 7 – Olive Avenue Walking Improvements
  • Improvements include new high-visibility crosswalks and painted curb extensions along Olive Avenue at Tenth Street. A crosswalk warrant analysis has not been completed since the improvements are included in the adopted ATP as a priority project. The ATP recommends observing the improvements and obtaining community input if additional walking improvements are needed at this intersection. Additionally, it was recommended that all pedestrian ramps be upgraded to meet current ADA standards; these improvements will be completed with a future Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) project.
  • The layout of the walking improvements is shown in Attachment 4. 

Exhibits illustrating the proposed improvements can be viewed on the City’s webpage using the link below.
Find out how the City Council voted at its Aug. 17, 2021, meeting:
Retired Navy Capt. Jim DiMatteo to Discuss his Career Aug. 24
Following an impressive naval aviation career, including stints leading the TOPGUN adversary squadrons, retired Navy Capt. Jim DiMatteo, whose father and brother were also naval aviators, will give a talk on his distinguished career. DiMatteo became the first and only race director from the United States for the International Red Bull Air Races. He revamped AirVenture, one of the largest aviation events in the world, and the mayor of San Diego declared March 16 to be Jimmy DiMatteo Day. He was inducted into the Aviation Hall of Fame for his lifetime achievements in aviation at the renowned Palm Springs Aviation Museum. The presentation, “From TOPGUN to the Red Bull Air Races, a Naval Aviator's Journey,” will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 24, at the Coronado Public Library’s Winn Room. It is suggested that attendees register but it is not required. 
Library, Warwick's Present Author Talk on Eddie Gallagher Book
Pulitzer Prize winning New York Times reporter David Philipps will be interviewed on Aug. 26 by Coronado storyteller Brad Willis on behalf of the Coronado Public Library. Philipps’ recently released book, “ALPHA: Eddie Gallagher and the War for the Soul of the Navy Seals,” tells the story of the Navy SEALs of Alpha platoon, SEAL Team 7, whose deployment to Iraq led to murder accusations against their chief, Eddie Gallagher, and ignited a courtroom battle that would grip the nation. The exclusive regional event is being produced in partnership with Warwick's bookstore from 4 to 5 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 26. Register for the Zoom link on the Library’s events calendar cplevents.org.
Library Presents 'Acting with Andrea: Character Creation'
“Acting with Andrea: Character Creation” is the latest event being held with theatre instructor Andrea Gonzales on the Children's Library patio for fun and lots of movement. Create your own characters and put them into improvisation situations. Dress comfortably. No acting experience is required. The event is set for 3 to 3:45 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 27. Space is limited.

Sharp Exterior Changes Approved

On Wednesday, Aug. 11, the City’s Design Review Commission approved exterior changes associated with Sharp Coronado Hospital’s seismic upgrade project, which is required per Senate Bill 1953 to continue operating the facility past 2030. It is unknown when construction would start on the project.
Take Sea Level Rise Survey, View Community Workshop
The City has held two community workshops in recent weeks on the City’s draft Vulnerability Assessment. The draft report identifies areas of Coronado that might be vulnerable to sea level rise. The workshops explored more about Coronado’s sea level rise planning process, which begins with the preparation of a Vulnerability Assessment, followed by the preparation of an Adaptation Plan. To further participate in the process, fill out a related survey or watch a recording of the virtual workshop on CommentCoronado.org. See links below. The Vulnerability Assessment includes sea level rise projections, an inventory of public and private resources, and analysis of the City's exposure. The Adaptation Plan will include development of potential adaptation measures with a focus on addressing at-risk critical infrastructure, estimated costs for implementation, and a qualitative cost-benefit analysis of identified adaptation measures.
Public Services & Engineering Project, Work Updates
Kettner Boulevard Sewer Point Repair: The spot repairs on a project to repair the Kettner Boulevard Sewer Point began this week on the City’s 24-inch sewer main located in Kettner Boulevard in San Diego. The contractor had a piece of equipment malfunction and is waiting on a replacement to be delivered. Night work will continue into next week. 
Country Club Infiltration Reduction: The City’s contractor on a project to reduce infiltration in the existing storm drain system in the Country Club area began work this week sealing areas of infiltration by trenchless repair. Residents can expect to see “no-parking” signs and traffic control during working hours. Work is expected to be completed by the end of September. 
Trinidad Pump Station Upgrade:  The contractor performing upgrades to the Trinidad Pump Station set up the dewatering equipment and is working to install the bypass equipment. Once the station is bypassed, work to remove the top portion of the dry well and setting of the valve vault will begin. This work should commence by Monday, Aug. 23. 
Public Services Work Updates: The Streets Division installed a new all-way stop at First Street and Alameda Boulevard and replaced a lifted section of concrete at 332 Orange Ave. The public parking lot at Avenida de las Arenas received some fresh paint and new signs.
New Adult Fitness Classes this Fall, Winter
Council Approves Fall Banners; Open Call to Local Nonprofits
The City Council approved the designs at its Aug. 17 meeting for the Orange Avenue Banner Program fall nonprofit banner series -- celebrating the 75th anniversary of the Coronado Playhouse and the 40th anniversary of Coronado FOCUS (Friends of Children United Society). Initiated by the City in 2016 and funded through a Discover Coronado grant, the program displays banners on the Orange Avenue corridor from First Street to Avenida de las Arenas. The program has two series -- Sept. 15 through Thanksgiving and January through March -- open to local nonprofit organizations. Visit CoronadoARTS.com to download everything needed to apply for the open banner series. Find the documents under the Opportunities Menu on the website. The Discover Coronado grant funds the costs of production and installation of 30 sets of banners. The purpose of the program is to accentuate the city’s main thoroughfare, welcome citizens and visitors to Coronado’s main street, and to celebrate Coronado traditions including holidays, events and activities. The program is administered by the Coronado Cultural Arts Commission. The deadline for the January-March series is 5 p.m. on Sept. 15. For additional information, contact Kelly Purvis at kpurvis@coronado.ca.us or (619) 522-2633.
Rocco, a 2-year-old Retriever mix, is this week’s Pet of the Week. Rocco is intelligent and is learning to walk politely on a leash. He takes a bit to warm up to people and will need a patient family. He is loving and loyal once he gets to know and trust people. He weighs 55 pounds and his adoption fee is $125. To find out more about Rocco, call PAWS of Coronado, which runs the City’s Animal Care Facility, at (619) 522-7371.
Gubernatorial Recall Election - Sept. 14
The Registrar of Voters has mailed ballots to all active registered voters in San Diego County for the Sept. 14 California Gubernatorial Recall Election. Voters can return their ballot in the mail, no postage necessary, or at one of many mail ballot drop-off locations around the county, including at the Coronado Community Center (pictured right) and the Coronado Public Library. In-person voting locations will be open across the County for four days, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 11, through Monday, Sept. 13. Voters can also take advantage of early voting starting Aug. 16 at the Registrar’s office. Hours will run from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. On Election Day, the hours will change to 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. at both the in-person voting locations and the Registrar’s office.
Board, Commission, Committee Vacancies
The following positions are open on the Cultural Arts Commission and the Civil Service Commission. Responsibilities, qualifications for appointment, term of office and deadline for receipt of applications can be found at the bottom of the City’s Boards, Commissions and Committees page.