3-19 Council Meeting in Review

Recap of the city council meeting held on 3/19/14. Sorry but it is pretty long.

Agenda link:  http://bit.ly/1giOvy3

First the draft of the audit was removed from the agenda. It was not ready for discussion.

Public Comments included
*discussion on the by 2 citizens
*discussion on medical marijuana 
*3 citizens wanted to reopen discussion on short term rentals beyond Seacoast.
*one citizen discussed the speed of traffic on Silver Strand Bl toward the navy base and how it was difficult for families and those walking dogs.
* one citizen discussed extending a line off the trolley to the beach.
* one citizen discussed the narrowing of the streets and the traffic impact it is creating.

Presentation by Navy Captain Christopher Sund:
He stated that there is a noise complaint form on the CNIC website and though they may not respond to each complaint, they all are investigated. They work hard to adhere to the flight plans that do not have the helicopters fly over homes. 
The Navy bases are working with SANDAG to reduce traffic congestion. Currently there are 1000 employees (civilian and Navy) that are enrolled in their vanpool program.
The Coastal Campus initiative was presented. It is a "college classroom" plus physical work environment that was mandated by the Congress. It will have about 3000 additional students on any given day in the region. Currently this is in EIR review. Public comment is aiming for this summer; notifications will be through the city and media. All beach lines will remain the same under the draft EIR.

The consent agenda was approved by a 4-0 vote with council member Bilbray absent.
The consent agenda included: warrant register, minutes the Engineer's report and annual levy of assessment with special assessment district AD-67M, public hearing on the levy and collection of the assessment, funding for field kits from State Homeland Security Program, establish the "Imperial Beach Fund Balance Reserve Policy", Speed zone reductions that were discussed at the last meeting, and confirm the regional transportation congestion improvement program from 2008.

Lastly was the Mid Year Budget Update. The draft of the audit was removed because it came into staff too late.
But the main discussion was on the staffing levels for the city. Positions were increased from Part-time to full-time and some office/clerical staff was re-designated.
There are some new positions to be advertised - some as late as July: custodian, office specialist, environmental specialist, administrative assistant and deputy city clerk.