Board members in attendance: Don Armitage, Pat Buckmaster, Wayne Bamford, Mike O'Brien, Doug Beckham, Gail Cole, Bob Hursh, Don Ballantyne, Jo-Ann Carini, Ed Cramer, Jim Horsley, Alfrieda Jackson, Pam Juarez, Mel McKay, Rob Spahitz, and Ron Tomcek. Excused was Liliani Stiffler. Unexcused were Ken DeVoe, Mike Barton, and Pat Jenni.
Meeting was called to order at 7:05pm. There were 63 people in attendance - (hooray for us)! The January minutes were accepted and approved with some corrections. Doug Beckham made a motion to accept the minutes and Jo-Ann Carini seconded. Doug informed us that the January minutes concerning Pam Gray's (from USD) report that the grant between USD and Kearny High School should be corrected to read $800,000 instead of $1,00. Marilyn Mirrasoul, council aide to Valerie Stallings, commented on the January minutes that the landscape triangle at Linda Vista Road and Morena Boulevard is maintained by the Coty of San Diego gas tax money. She also notified us that a "round-about" (this expedites traffic flow) is in the early stages of planning for the intersections of Linda Vista Road at Napa Street and Napa Street at Morena Boulevard. Marilyn also stated that the North Bay Redevelopment Committee voted to support the undergrounding for the Trolley Station's residential / commercial project. Marilyn further commented that the trolley station development project will go before the Metropolitan Transit Development Board on March 23, at 9:00 a.m. Discussed will be the ground lease, the disposition and development agreement, and the cooperation agreement with the Redevelopment Agency of San Diego. Marilyn spoke with Mr. Cory Petersen, the landscape maintenance supervisor from the City of San Diego Park and Recreation Department about Genesee Phase 2 and Phase 3 landscaping. Phase 2 (Richland Avenue to the 163 off-ramp) landscaping should be signed off the beginning of March and the Phase 3 dirt area (163 off-ramp clear to the freeway) will then have water sprinklers installed with plants to follow thereafter.
There were eight speakers during the public comment time of the meeting on various topics - they were quite interesting. Grover Diemert, Executive Director of Bayside, announced Bayside will hold three census fairs in the next month and invited the community to attend either on March 25, April 1, or April 6. The Donations Bottle was passed around the room and $33 was collected. Thank you! Councilmember Valerie Stallings was in attendance and she spoke on the planned new animal shelter and humane society. A joint facility will be constructed at the present Gaines Street site. Eight million dollars has been raised to date. Valerie brought to the meeting representatives who will be actively working on the new facility/ Dr. Dena, Director of Animal Control at the animal shelter, is the veterinarian and she spoke to us about how wonderful this sorely needed "home for unwanted pets" will be for the people of San Diego. She stated that this will be an enclosed facility. George Myers, architect for the two planned facilities also spoke. He presented a study model for the project to the community and it was passed around the room for inspection. George showed a rendering and explained to us the various aspects and details of the attractive Spanish style project planned in the Silver Terrace neighborhood of Linda Vista. Jo-Ann asked George, the architect, if any of the property owners and businesses surrounding this planned project are going to be contacted. Council aide Marilyn Mirrasoul said she would see to it that the people would be notified. The new building will hold more animals than the present one. Dr. Dena said that there were numerous kinds of various breeds of adoptable animals at the shelter. Groundbreaking on the new animal facility will occur sometime in May. Construction time is expected to take 18 months.??? The humane society will begin their construction after the completion of the animal shelter.
Pam Gray of USD stated that the groundbreaking for the Joan Kroc building should be in April. New construction on the Jenny Craig building should begin in September. Mr. Tony Kempton, our Linda Vista planner, spoke about the new animal shelter site. He stated that they will have to apply for a new CUP for the animal control portion of the project. Jo-Ann asked if the landscape maintenance district volunteer committee which consists of residents could be involved in the selection of the project's landscaping. Tony said yes!
Mr. Rudy Cervantes (619-525-3630) from the San Diego Housing Commission came to speak about city consolidated plans -- $29 million worth. The money goes into the improvement of affordable housing, among other things. The present goal is a five-year plan that sets up priorities and goals. People can apply for use of some of this money. They plan to server 1,500 households - home rental and home ownership rehabilitation. The Housing Commission also acquires properties that need rehabilitation, clean it up and then sell it. In Linda Vista there were six households who purchased first-time homes and four home were rehabilitated. Rudy urges Linda Vistans to participate more so that the Housing Commission funds can be used to help our community. Ms. Cissy Fisher (619-525-3611) from the Housing Trust Fund of the Housing Commission spoke. She says her fund will have $7 million this year and $4 million next year. The seniors seem to utilize home repair in the form of minor or major rehabilitation. The maximum a person can borrow in the emergency program is $5,000. On a major rehabilitation much more can be borrowed upon approval. This fund is available to the entire city. This loan is below market funding. The loan is secured by a trust deed on said property. Interest is approximately 3%.
Mr. Ron Tomcek made a motion to support the development of the animal shelter and humane society as was presented at the meeting. Wayne seconded. Motion was approved unanimously. The Gaines and Colusa Streets 4-way stop sign letter will be sent to Councilmember Valerie Stallings in March requesting her support for the 4-way stop sign. Mr. Don Ballantyne said that the 170 apartments that are being planned for the Ulric Street and Friars Road area have gone back to the drawing boards. Don spoke to the project manager and said the number of apartments should be reduced. Don will keep us posted. The Landscape Maintenance District Chairperson Bob Williams announced the creation of the Linda Vista Orchid Award, specifically for properties that have made outstanding strides in renovation and upgrading. Bob suggested honoring the Chesterton Military Housing for their massive housing renovation and their ongoing landscape upgrading and the Mark Twain Junior Senior High School for their landscaping in front of their property. Bob asked for a motion to support. Pat Buckmaster made a motion for the Orchid Award and Doug Beckham seconded. The Orchid Award would be a certificate awarded to certain individuals who have improved their property. Mark Twain's motion to receive award was approved. Motion for Chesterton to receive award was tabled till March meeting. Rob Spahitz spoke on the Tecolote Nature Center building that suffered water damage and said it has been repaired. Ms. Alfrieda Jackson spoke on the bus shelter. She said the new bus shelter for Comstock Street and Linda Vista Road is in the process of being worked on. Treasurer Gail Cole said that we have $77.21. Pat Buckmaster suggested that the planning committee send a representative to the city council meetings so we can know what is being planned in the future for Linda Vista. We will pursue this next month. Meeting adjourned at 9:05 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted - Jo-Ann Carini