Politics & Government

New Speed Limits, Disaster Relief, Sport Park at Council Meeting

City Council will also weigh whether to start its search for a new City Manager and approve a new ecotourism zone for the Bikeway Village.

Issues ranging from a garbage fee increase to a changing speed limits on main thoroughfares will be considered by the Imperial Beach City Council Wednesday at City Hall at 6 p.m.

Issues ranging from a garbage fee increase to a changing speed limits on main thoroughfares will be considered by the Imperial Beach City Council Wednesday at City Hall at 6 p.m.

Though the idea has been discussed by the city for nearly a year, the public will have its first chance to discuss whether the city should hand operations at its Sports Park, skate park and baseball and softball fields to the YMCA Wednesday.

Among other fees, the YMCA suggested baseball and softball teams pay per player fees and give a portion of all earnings to the Y.

Find out what's happening in Imperial Beachwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

After a series of proposals and counterproposals between the city and Imperial Beach Little League, on Friday the IBLL proposed that they pay no per player or field use fees suggested by the YMCA, the city pay for all utilities and the IBLL pay no more than $3,500 a year for maintenance or repairs, according to Assistant City Manager Greg Wade.

Read this story for the latest on the matter.

This is agenda item 6.1.

On the consent calendar (2.1-2.6), City Council will be asked to approve the warrant register. From March 1-7, including payroll, the city spent $1.6 million.

County of San Diego Public Works and the San Diego County Office of Emergency Services have come up with a mutual aid agreement to share resources between cities during disasters. The city currently has an agreement to share emergency services but not public works resources.

If approved, in order for the agreement to go into affect, the city has to declare a state of emergency and cities on the agreement are not obligated to provide assistance. The agency or city that has requested assistance will reimburse those who come to aid the agency that declared a state of emergency within 60 days of receiving a receipt.

This is agenda item 2.4.

The city will consider declaring April "Environmental Awareness Month." As in years past, events will include a citywide garage sale, watershed cleanups and recycling and runoff presentations.

This is agenda item 2.3.

The contractor KOA Enterprise presented the city with a speed survey earlier this month which includes some recommended changes in speed limits.

A change was suggested for 13th Street from Cypress Avenue and Palm Avenue due to a higher than average crash rate, according to KOA Enterprise.

Find out what's happening in Imperial Beachwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Recommended Speed Limit Changes

Current Speed Recommended Speed Palm Avenue from 3rd to 7th streets 35 40 Palm Avenue from Seacoast Drive to 3rd Street 30 25 13th Street from Cypress Avenue to Palm Avenue No posted limit 30

A decrease from 30 to 25 mph was recommended for Palm Avenue from Seacoast Drive to 3rd Street after the survey found average speed limits of 85 percent of drivers at 27 mph.

The increase in speed on Palm Avenue from 3rd to 7th streets was recommended when the street had two lanes in both directions.

Work continues to install a bikeway along the street and reduce traffic to one lane in each direction and so instead of an increase KOA recommend another survey be collected for the street after construction is completed.

The city will hear the first reading of an ordinance to approve the changes Wednesday.

To see the complete survey and a map of recommended speed limit changes, see the attached PDF files.

This is agenda item 3.2.

Also on the consent calendar, City Council will seek to start its search for a new City Manager by awarding a contract to a recruitment firm Wednesday. After more than nine years with the city, City Manager Gary Brown announced March 4 he plans to retire June 1.

No firm has been identified by city staff yet, but the contract is expected to cost the city up to $30,000.

This is agenda item 2.6.

At the city's request, the California Coastal Commission approved the creation of an ecotourism and commercial zone at its meeting earlier this month. City Council will be asked to hear the first reading of an ordinance to change to the city's zoning Wednesday.

Though the Bikeway Village project has cleared many bureaucratic hurdles, the city, Bikeway Village, LLC and property owner Rex Butler are waiting to hear if the California Department of Finance will approve about $2.2 million in redevelopment funds for the project.

This is agenda item 3.1.

Following a request by EDCO, garbage fees may increase 1.89 percent for residents, 1.84 percent for commercial businesses. If approved new rates would begin July 1.

On Wednesday the city will set a time and place to discuss the possible rate change.

To see the letter from EDCO, view the agenda packet.

This is agenda item 6.2.

To pay for a new street light at the corner of Rainbow Drive and Palm Avenue, City Council will discuss whether to award an additional contract to Western Rim Constructors. The company is already working to build the new Eco Bikeway.

A new contract would cost an additional $120,000 from TRANSNET and Active Transportation grant.


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