Politics & Government

Council to Consider Ultralight Aircraft Ban at City Council Meeting Wednesday

The next City Council meeting will take place Wednesday at 6 p.m.

Concern over paragliders, hang gliders and other ultralight flying vehicles posing a threat to public safety has prompted the city of Imperial Beach to seek regulation to ban their use in IB.

Two ordinances have been proposed, one that will become effective immediately if it receives a four-fifths vote, another that will go into effect in the next 30 days.

Ultralights will be allowed to land if a forced landing is deemed necessary by the pilot, the City Manager has granted the pilot permission or the craft is being flown by a government employee fulfilling their duties.

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

The proposed regulations are listed in the agenda packet attached here. This is agenda item 3.1.

Agenda item 6.3 is simply titled "long term vision" and will focus on ways to reduce funds $350,000 in time for the upcoming fiscal year which begins July 1. No particular information is provided in the agenda packet about what will be discussed, just that City Council will provide additional direction on which ideas to pursue. 

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

Over the course of the past month, the city of Imperial Beach has made recommendations ranging from reductions in law enforcement to allowing card room gambling to closing the Sports Park and Recreation Center. 

To read more on the subject:

.

.

Council will vote to adopt a Voluntary Separation Incentive Program to encourage employees to quit their jobs to save the city money. 

  • $7,500 for employees that have been with the city full-time for 10 years or less
  • $12,000 for employees that have been with the city full-time for more than 10 years but less than 20 years
  • $20,000 for employees that have been with the city for more than 20 years

Employees with health insurance benefits from their job will receive $501 a month for a year, while employees who don't use city health insurance will receive $240 a month for a year to cover health costs. 

Staff recommends a cap of $250,000 for the program. The program will be funded through city reserve funds.

This is agenda item 6.2.

The city's Environmental Programs Manager Chris Helmer will make a presentation about water quality to City Council.

This is agenda item 6.1. 

The presentation is being made following a in the ocean last week and recent closures to Imperial Beach shoreline, as has become common in IB for decades.

City Council will be asked to pass a resolution to update its conflict of interest code following the creation of a Housing Authority, Oversight Board and successor agency to the Imperial Beach Redevelopment Agency. 

This is agenda item 2.5.

Throwing their hat in the ring, a resolution will be proposed to support the San Diego County Water Authority's lawsuit against the Metropolitan Water District for allegedly overcharging and water rate increases.

This is agenda item 2.3.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here