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Politics & Government

Dog Beach, Redevelopment Agencies and Marijuana on Wednesday's City Council Meeting Agenda

City Council will vote on ordinances pertaining to medical marijuana distribution facilities, continuing the process for a leash-free dog beach trial period and the future of the Imperial Beach Redevelopment Agency.

A public hearing could push a leash-free dog beach a step closer between Palm and Carnation Avenues. Proposed is a trial period of six months and delegation of authority to the City Manager to draft rules for use. A notice of this hearing sent to residents within 300 feet of the test area brought in more opposition to the proposed leash-free beach.

More than 50 signatures collected call for Council to reject any proposal allowing unleashed animals in public areas. Imperial Beach resident Kimball Dodds submitted a report from Dogbitelaw.com providing canine homicides cases in the U.S. from July 2006 to present in support of opposing the trial period.

IB Yappy entered into a cooperative agreement to assist the city with maintenance and public education during the trial period. Ocean Blue agreed to work with the city and install more dog bag dispensers as needed. Expecting an opposition turnout, IB Yappy is calling for full community support at the council meeting on its blog and Facebook.

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This ordinance is a temporary lift of prohibiting dogs off leashes in public and beach areas, for evaluation of a permanent long-term off-leash area. Council will listen to public comments and staff recommends a motion to dispense first reading and place the ordinance for adoption at the August 3 city council meeting after hearing public comment. All reports, studies and recommendations are in the attached agenda packet. Fiscal impact is unknown for operation and maintenance and staff estimates between $600 and $1,000 for purchase of temporary signs.

This is Agenda item 3.1.

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After a controversial decision by legislatures to dissolute redevelopment agencies, City Council is looking at the city to participate in the alternative voluntary redevelopment program.

The future status of redevelopment agencies is unpredictable as the California Redevelopment Association and the League of California Cities filed a lawsuit Monday to challenge new rules for redevelopment agencies made at the end of June as part of this year's state budget.

Meanwhile, the city will look at two legislative options.

Option 1 is dissolution of the Imperial Beach Redevelopment Agency by October 1, 2011. Staff recommendations to council are to choose Option 2 with the city participating in the Voluntary Alternative Redevelopment Program.

Cities have until November 1 to adopt an ordinance for this program and "voluntary" remit payments through the county auditor to the State. Fiscal impact, staff estimates Fiscal Year 2011/12 payment "between $2.4 and $2.86 million" substantially dropping beyond that. Between $500,000 and $673,000 is staff's projection for Fiscal Year 2012-2013. This ordinance will be the first step for the city to "opt in."

This is Agenda item 3.2

Total city expenditures up for ratification by council for $414,221.21, including $176,331.02 for city payroll ending 06/30//2011. This is Agenda Item 2.1.

SDG&E Public Affairs Manager Claudia Valenzuela will address City Council and the public with the presentation "2011 Summer Outlook & Conservation Tips on Energy." There is no staff report for this presentation.

This is Agenda item 1.2.

With zoning and business ordinances passed July 6, a second reading and adoption of ordinances pertaining to medical marijuana cultivation and distribution facilities is up for vote on Wednesday evening.

This defines a medical marijuana distribution facility as "any facility or location, whether fixed or mobile, where marijuana is made available, sold, transmitted, given or otherwise provided to four or more persons."

And, a "facility where four or more qualified patients, persons with identification cards and primary caregivers meet or congregate collectively and cooperatively to cultivate or distribute marijuana for medical purposes."

This is Agenda Item 4.1.

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