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______City Manager's Weekly Update
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The following is provided as an update regarding programs, services and issues within the City.
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Council Approves Free Summer Shuttle Program for 2022
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This week, the City Council authorized the 2022 Free Summer Shuttle Program, which will operate this year from May 27 through Sept. 5. An agreement with the San Diego Metropolitan Transit System allows the use of four MTS buses along the existing Route 904 around the Village area of Coronado at a cost to the City of $192,312. Buses will run in 15-minute intervals. Once again, with the City’s support, this will be a free service to all passengers. In addition, the City will purchase 1,000 MTS day passes for distribution to the Coronado Cays for use during the program. The City also will operate free bus service from the Coronado Cays to the Community Center on Monday, July 4, every 30 minutes. Coronado has annually provided free shuttle service to the community since 2013 except for one year during the pandemic. The City is planning a kick-off event for May 27. Details will be released when confirmed.
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Temporary Outdoor Seating Permit Program Extended
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The City Council agreed in May 2020 to allow the use of outdoor dining areas to help local restaurants during the pandemic. The City also waived parking requirements for restaurants with private spaces and the use of sidewalks to support expanded dining. Earlier this week, the Council extended the temporary outdoor seating permit program and the waiver of parking requirements through Sept. 30, and directed staff to return in September with recommendations for alternatives for outdoor dining. Concerns have been raised in the past about dining furniture encroaching into pedestrian walkways. Staff will work with restaurants to ensure sidewalks are passable, and that all applicable fire safety standards are followed. Noncompliant restaurants may be prohibited from using the outdoor spaces. See a storefront etiquette handout on the City’s website.
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City Recruits for Assistant City Manager Position
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The City has begun a recruitment process for an assistant city manager. This is an important position that involves management of special projects, economic development, procurement, contract and grant administration, labor negotiations and more. You can help us by sharing this link below with qualified candidates. The position was formerly held by Assistant City Manager Dominique M. Albrecht. After more than five years with the City, Albrecht accepted a new position as Assistant Manager of the Rancho Santa Fe Association in January. Ralph Andersen & Associates will conduct the recruitment for the City. Albrecht said that she has greatly enjoyed working for the City and serving constituents. “It’s been an absolute honor to work with and support such an outstanding team over the past five and a half years,” Albrecht said. “While I’m looking forward to the next chapter, I’ll always be grateful for the time here and for the opportunity to get to know all of you. Wishing you the very best.”
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Winter Storm Brings Showers, Cold Temps Through Weekend
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A Pacific winter storm from the north brought showers and a chance of thunderstorms to the region late Thursday, March 3, through Friday, March 4. Temperatures will fall well below average through the weekend. Fair and dry weather returns early next week with a slow warming trend. Rainfall along the coast is not expected to exceed an inch during the storm. A high surf advisory will be in effect from noon March 4 to noon March 6. Large breaking waves of 4 to 7 feet are expected. In addition, strong rip currents will create dangerous swimming conditions. Inexperienced swimmers should not go in the water. Sandbags are available for residents at four locations: First Street and Alameda Boulevard; Fourth Street and Alameda; North Beach; and at the Cays near the Fire Station. A General Rain Advisory has been issued for all coastal waters of San Diego County.
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Work on Ocean Boulevard Improvements to Begin March 15
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The contractor on a project to improve Ocean Boulevard will begin initial work on Monday, March 7. Crews will conduct surveying, potholing for utilities and saw-cutting sidewalk sections for removal. The first section of sidewalk that will be demolished and reconstructed will be from R.H. Dana Place to Isabella Avenue and that work will begin the week of March 15. The City asks that those in the area, particularly pedestrians, observe the detours required for the work to be completed. The project will improve access and pedestrian mobility on the sidewalk along the ocean side of the boulevard. Traffic impacts can be expected as the project progresses including parking restrictions on both sides of the street and lane closures during working hours. Traffic will be reduced to one lane for both directions during pavement rehabilitation.
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Arrest Made in Garage Burglary
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At about 2:20 a.m. on Thursday, March 3, a couple living in the 800 block of C Avenue was notified via their surveillance system that there was an intruder in their garage. There was a slight delay in the system notification, so by the time the couple could call 911 and check their garage, the burglars had taken more than $1,200 worth of tools and the surveillance camera. The responding officer broadcast a description and a few minutes later, a patrol officer searching the area noticed two men matching the description sitting inside a car a block away. The suspects, two men from the Los Angeles area, ages 28 and 57, were taken into custody for burglary and possession of drug paraphernalia. Officers returned the stolen items to the victims, and both men were transported to jail.
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Ferry Landing Public Meeting on Proposed Enhancements.
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The Coronado Public Library is the location for a public meeting on proposed enhancements to the Coronado Ferry Landing that will be held at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, March 23. There will be a presentation followed by a Q&A. The topics to be covered include overall beautification of the property, improvements to curb appeal and no additional parking. The meeting will be in the Library’s Winn Room, 640 Orange Ave.
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Masks No Longer Required Indoors, But Strongly Recommended
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San Diego County announced this week that, following new guidance from the California Department of Public Health, masks are no longer required in most indoor settings regardless of vaccination status. The state discontinued the mask mandate March 1, but strongly recommends that people continue wearing masks indoors. Starting March 12, schools and child care settings will no longer require masks indoors. Specific high-risk settings will continue to require that everyone wear face coverings. These include health care facilities, as well as transit hubs and public transit. Local businesses have the discretion to follow the new guidance or continue requiring masks indoors regardless of vaccination status.
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City Releases Pickleball, Tennis Survey
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The City has released a survey to gather public input on pickleball and tennis in Coronado. The City wants to know how many people are playing, where they are playing and how often. The survey asks players what they think about existing facilities and what is envisioned for improvements. The City encourages players to take the survey as soon as they can. The survey closes March 18. The survey can be found on CommentCoronado.org.
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Gubernatorial Primary Election Update
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The Registrar of Voters has mailed more than 1.9 million postcards to registered voters in San Diego County informing them of their voting options for the June 7 Gubernatorial Primary Election. This will be the first countywide election conducted under the Voter’s Choice Act. Under the act, every active registered voter will automatically receive a ballot in the mail and will have three options for returning that ballot: by mail, to one of the Registrar’s secure ballot drop box locations, or at any vote center in the county. Ballots will start going out in the mail the week of May 9, giving voters nearly a month to mark their ballot and return it before Election Day. Voters also have the choice to vote in-person at any one of over 200 vote centers located across the county, which will be open over multiple days. Elections are no longer a one-day event, and there is no need to wait until Election Day to vote.
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City Accepting Online Community Grant Program Applications
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The City's Community Grants program is accepting online applications for the Fiscal Year 2022-23 program. The deadline for submittals is April 1. The Community Grants program supports local organizations that administer events, as well as services and activities for the benefit of the Coronado community. The City launched an online application process this year to make it easier to submit a request for funding. Applicants begin with a pre-screening to determine eligibility. Once qualified, applicants will receive a link to an online application. The estimated grant funding available for this year’s program is $1 million, to be finalized at the June 7 City Council meeting. The Council will make awards at its June 21 meeting.
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Public Services & Engineering Project Updates
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Paper Shredding Event: A City and EDCO will host a free document shredding and e-waste recycling event on Saturday, March 19. The event will be held from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. for Coronado residents at the City Hall north parking lot, 1825 Strand Way. EDCO limits items, such as old bank statements or other personal records, to two bankers boxes or containers measuring no greater than 10”x12”x15” per household. Residents also may drop off, unwanted electronics, including TVs, computer monitors, printers, fax machines, VCRs, DVD players and answering machines. Please, no household hazardous waste material, appliances or trash at this shredding event location. The City will host its next two Household Hazardous Waste Collection Program events on March 12 and 26, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Public Services facility, 101 B Ave. For more information, please call Public Services at (619) 522-7380.
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Please note, all meetings subject to cancellation.
Tuesday, March 8; 3 p.m.
Planning Commission
City Hall Council Chamber
Tuesday, March 8; 3 p.m.
Library Board of Trustees
Coronado Library Winn Room
Wednesday, March 9; 3 p.m.
Design Reivew Commission
City Hall Council Chamber
Thursday, March 10; 11 a.m.
Spreckels Center Advisory Committee
Spreckels Center
Thursday, March 10; 2 p.m.
Golf Course Advisory Committee
Golf Course Board Room
Thursday, March 10; 8; 3 p.m.
Coronado Mobility Commission
City Hall Council Chamber
Thursday, March 10; 5:30 p.m.
Civil Service Commission
City Hall Council Chamber
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Find out how the City Council voted at its March 1 meeting.
The next City Council meeting is March 15.
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Community Programs & Events
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Staged Theatrical Reading: The second in the Coronado Public Library’s current series of staged theatrical readings will be “Real Women Have Curves” by Josefina Lopez on Sunday, March 6, from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. in the Winn Room. The play, being performed by Breakthrough Workshop Theatre, features five Mexican-American women in a sewing factory as they talk about their husbands, lovers, their children and their dreams.
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Author Talk: Author Gary Powers, Jr., discusses his book, “Spy Pilot: Francis Gary Powers, the U-2 Incident, and a Controversial Cold War Legacy” on Thursday, March 10, from 10:30 a.m. to noon in the Winn Room. The book attempts to set the record straight regarding the famous U-2 Incident involving the author’s father. The book also gives an overview of what it was like to grow up in the shadow of a famous Cold War figure, the author's search for the truth after his father’s death in 1977 and how his research led to the posthumous awards, including the POW Medal.
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Recreation & Golf Services
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Reservations with the Easter Bunny: Tickets for the annual Breakfast with the Easter Bunny may be purchased for the April 16 event set for the Nautilus room at 9 a.m. Enjoy a breakfast buffet, Easter crafts, games, a visit with the Easter Bunny, and a fun Easter Egg Hunt. Bring your camera and an Easter basket. Tickets for children 12 and under are $12, and $16 for everyone else. Call (619) 522-7342 beginning March 1 to purchase tickets.
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Chili & Cornbread Luncheon at the Spreckels Center: Enjoy a free lunch and music at the Spreckels Center on Friday, March 11, when the Coronado Senior Association will host a meal prepared by the Coronado Fire Department. The chili will be mild and served with salad, dessert and iced tea and coffee. Call the Spreckels Center at (619) 522-7343 or visit the center at 1019 Seventh St. to RSVP by Monday, March 7. Spreckels Center staff held a Newcomer Tour last week to learn about the programs and see the facility. More than 30 people attended. Join the luncheon and check out the Spreckels Center.
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Recreation Pool Heater Update: A part necessary to heat the Recreation Pool is not repairable and has been ordered. The Aquatics Center expects full heating to be restored by Saturday, March 5, or sooner. The pool should be heated to 86 degrees and open to the public by Sunday, March 6. The competition pool remains open and is heated to an average of 80-82 degrees. Sign up for updates by getting the “Rained Out” app.
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Summer 2022 Brochure Coming Soon: The Summer 2022 brochure will be published online April 13 on the Recreation Department's registration page. More information about classes will be available in PerfectMind. Click "Register Today!" to be directed to the account login page. Online-only registration for summer will begin on May 4, at 9 a.m. for residents. Starting May 18, nonresidents, phone, and walk-in registration begins at 9 a.m.
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OTHER UPCOMING EVENTS:
San Diego Waterfront Park Event: The County of San Diego has notified the City of the twice-a-year music festival, CRSSD Fest, at its Waterfront Park, on Harbor Drive in downtown San Diego. The music festival will be held this Saturday and Sunday, March 5-6, from noon to 11 p.m. on Saturday, and noon to 10 p.m. on Sunday. Organizers expect 16,500 people. Questions can be directed to the County of San Diego Department of Parks and Recreation at (619) 232-7275. Complaints or concerns regarding the event can be directed to the event’s Community Relations Manager Christian Clark at (858) 337-8001 or christian@CRSSDfest.com.
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New Art Exhibit: The John D. Spreckels Center in collaboration with the Coronado Arts Commission is pleased to host a new art exhibit in the Spreckels Center Hallway Gallery. “Artists in Residence” features the work of four artists who teach or participate in the John D. Spreckels watercolor classes. Instructor Ed Roeder, along with students Lyn Perino, Barbara Lohlein and Denise Elyanow, are showing work created in the classroom at the Spreckels Center. The artists will be celebrated at a reception on Friday, March 11, from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Spreckels Center, 1019 Seventh St. The event is free and open to the public. For more information call the Spreckels Center at (619) 522-7343.
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Four on Friday: Find out the four hottest upcoming arts and cultural events going on in Coronado with "Four on Friday," a feature brought to you by CoronadoARTS.com. Click on the Four On Friday logo to view this week's edition.
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Boards, Commissions & Committees
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Boards, Commission, Committee Vacancies
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