Tougher House Party Laws, New Business on Old Palm Avenue at Meeting Wednesday

The Imperial Beach City Council will hear the first reading of a new ordinance Wednesday to toughen penalties on adults who allow minors to drink on their property.

Public Safety Department recommends the city council repeal the city's current law to regulate house parties (Chapter 9.52) and pass a new, tougher ordinance to hold more adults accountable for knowingly allowing minors to drink on their property. 

"The proposed ordinance will make parents., and/or others owning or controlling property, liable under the law if they know, or should know, that minors are consuming alcohol on the premises," the staff report said.

The city's current social host ordinance was passed in 2004. Revisions were considered after documented drinking by minors at house parties during the 4th of July and sandcastle competition in 2011. 

The adult will continue to be charged reimbursement costs for the cost of enforcement.

A second reading and final vote to adopt the new ordinance will take place Nov. 20.

This is agenda item 3.2. 

To see the full agenda and documents related to agenda items visit imperialbeachca.gov.

City council will be asked to review and approve a three-story development proposed by owner Second Palm Avenue, LLC.

Sitting at 221 and 225 Palm Ave., the building would include shops downstairs and six residential units above.

This is agenda item 5.2.

California American Water Company, also known as Cal-Am, will request a permit to relocate its offices and warehouses to two parcels at the corner of 10th Street and Palm Avenue. 

Cal-Am offices are currently across the street from the city Public Works Department and Bayside Elementary School in the 1000 block of Cherry Avenue.

This is agenda item 5.3.

An annual report on the activities and finances of the Imperial Beach Business Improvement District is up for approval Wednesday. 

The Imperial Beach BID was formed in 1997 with the task of making positive contributions to the local community to attract visitors and improve conditions for Imperial Beach businesses. 

Money ranging from $65 to $600 is taken every year from businesses in the area to fund the BID. In fiscal year 2013-14 will spend $53,000 on decorations, funding for particular activities and marketing material.

The audit was performed by Nakawatase & Company. Shirley Nakawatase sits on the city's Design Review Board.

This is agenda item 5.1. 

Per an agreement between the Imperial Beach Firefighters' Association and city, an ordinance will be introduced to city council to increase CalPERS cost sharing 3 percent.

This is agenda item 3.1.

The city will consider an ordinance to support the Live Well San Diego 10-Year Initiative. 

This is agenda item 6.1.

At $275 an hour, the city and its housing authority will consider an agreement with Kane, Ballmer & Berkman on an as needed basis for help with redevelopment and housing authority issues.

The Imperial Beach City Council acts as the city's housing authority, planning commission, public financing authority and the Imperial Beach Redevelopment Agency Successor Agency.

These agreements are detailed in agenda items 6.2, 6.3 and 7.2.

The Imperial Beach Redevelopment Agency Successor Agency's investment policy may be adopted Wednesday. 

This is agenda item 7.1. 

On the consent calendar, items to be approved with a single vote is the purchase of a 2014 Ford Explorer for Public Safety Department Director Tom Clark and a Ford F350 for about $56,000.

Both vehicles to be replaced were originally purchased in 2001.

These issues are agenda items 2.2 and 2.4.

A spoil-vac for sewage spills and other uses will also be replaced for $22,300.

This is agenda item 2.3.