LINDA VISTA COMMUNITY PLANNING COMMITTEE MINUTES
Monday, April 27, 2004

Ed Cramer, Chair, called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m. The meeting was held at the Linda Vista Public Library.

Presentation of Colors and Pledge of Allegiance was performed by the U. S. Naval Station, 32nd Street, Dental Unit Color Guard.

Roll call was conducted by acting Secretary, Dianne Cramer.

Members Present: Ballantyne, Bamford, Beckham, Carini, Cole, Cramer, Diemert, Duncan, McNulty, Spahitz, Stang, Thao, Tomcek, Wetzel.

Members Excused: Bussell, Edwards, Hughes, Richmond.

Member Absent: Stiffler

Total Attendance: 40

Governmental Reports:

Officer Deborah Borders – Reported that the Multicultural Fair went well. She asked anyone to report Narcotics problems to 531-2468.
Seth Litchney from the Mayor’s office reported that the Council had just approved a Charger agreement and outlined the features. He also reported on the tentative features of the Strong Mayor ballot item which may be on the November ballot and the results of his personally observing the successful use of contract goats to control brush.
Kevin Smith from Donna Frye’s office reported the details of a 2 ˝ cent TOT tax proposal which should be on the November ballot. He also reported on CCDC loans which Donna has asked that 25 million be repaid of the 112 million owed to the city as soon as possible in this budget crisis. Kevin thanked the LVCPC members for appearing before the council to support the closed session issue proposal of Councilmember Frye. Fashion Walk project has been approved by the Planning Commission and may be appealed within 10 days to the City Council. May 28th from 12 to2 p.m. is the next date Donna will be available for personal meetings at Bayside Community Center – please call Kevin at 533-6469 for an appointment. Kevin also directed the committee to materials he made available at the meeting: 2005 CDBG funding and traffic improvements in the district. Questions included what has happened to Prop 172 funds which might preclude the need for a TOT tax?

Maureen Ostrye of the Redevelopment Agency reported that the focus group covering the LVCPC, LV Civic Association and the Linda Vista Collaborative will be held the evening of May 12 at Bayside from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Members must RSVP to attend. She also distributed the 5 year forecast covering the property controlled by the Redevelopment Agency in Linda Vista. This forecast should be before the City Council on June 8, 2004. In response to questions regarding the scope of citizens being asked to comment on the future use of the Linda Vista Agency property, Maureen responded that the consultant was attempting to cover ethnic groups as well as individuals and was working with Bayside and private and public schools for contacts.

Public Comment and Announcements.

Shiela from CCDC reported on the massive amount of downtown construction and invited everyone to take the CCDC bus tour offered every Saturday. 8 areas of redevelopment are in planning covering 1,500 acres. When questioned about repayment of the 112 million of CBDG funds, she outlined what contributions (31 Developments, East Village, Petco Park) had been made to the community through the use of these funds. She deferred the questions regarding the Marriott Hotel condemnation process to the CCDC Board minutes and records.

Tom Cleary of USD reported that the USD Alumni Center would be opening soon and that commencement at the University would be on 5/22/04.

Janet Kaye thanked everyone for their support and participation in the Linda Vista Multicultural Fair. She announced that the Fair next year will be held on April 23rd,2005.

Miyo Reff introduced herself as a candidate for the San Diego Unified School District Board in the coming elections.

Don Beckham announced that on 5/20 the L. V. Civic Association would hear from the Kearny High School principal on the newly revised 4 school campus operation opening in the fall.

Charles Johnson, President of the L. V. Civic Association acquainted us with Association matters.

JoAnn Carini announced that 9 1/4 tons of trash had been collected last Saturday, thanks largely to the efforts of Board member, Sandy Duncan, who spent 11 hours distributing notices in the neighborhood.

Xiongh Thao announced that a Public Safety Community Forum would be held tomorrow night at Bayside Community Center from 7 to 9 p.m.

Wayne Bamford announced that S. D. River Day would be held on 5/22/04.

Mike Atisha, new owner of the former 76 station site at Linda Vista Road and Ulric, acquainted us with his plans for a new independent gasoline station to open in a few months.

Main Presentations

Election of Board Members. Ron Tomcek, Chair of the elections and bylaws subcommittee, conducted the election for 3 positions on the Board for the coming two years. Elected were Wayne Bamford, Margarita Castro, and Don Wetzel.

SDG&E Transmission Line Project. J. C. Thomas made a power point presentation covering the history of power needs and future plans to handle growth in the area served by the public utility. He advised members that SDG&E owns no plants, but that the transmission ability will soon be unable to handle the required loads and that a new transmission line will be required to connect the new Otay Calpine power plant, currently under construction, to the San Diego grid. The line will have to be placed underground in the downtown area but in other areas the line may be placed in space already dedicated. This will impact the Old Town substation. Other SDG&E staff members were also present to answer questions regarding the project. It was asked by a committee member to rename the substation, Silver Terrace substation i.e. it is not located in Old Town. J. C. Thomas asked if the LVCPC committee would write a letter of support for the project and/or could a subcommittee be appointed to work with SDG&E. Doug Beckham moved and Wayne Bamford seconded the motion to form a subcommittee for this purpose. Vote was unanimous. Chairman Ed Cramer appointed Wayne Bamford to chair the subcommittee with members, Doug Beckham, JoAnn Carini, and Ester McNulty.

San Diego River Park Master Plan Progress Report. Jeff Harkness of the San Diego Park and Recreation Department distributed copies of the Master Plan and outlined the extensive scope of the magnificent project. Many organizations and public office holders share in the effort to focus on the rehabilitation and enjoyment of the entire 50 miles of river course. Assembly Member Kehoe has sponsored the S. D. River Conservancy which covers ˝ mile on each side of the river and Council Member Donna Frye has been appointed a member of the Park project. Historical, ecological, recreational, habitat, river flow are just a few of the areas which will be covered. Questions from members related to tying in transit systems, restrooms, and homeless transition. Jeff has referred members to the working draft which we are all invited to study and critique.

Minutes and Adjournment

Members were given four months of minutes (Nov 03, Jan 04, Feb 04, and Mar 04) at the beginning of the meeting and asked to return them to the chair with corrections at the conclusion of the meeting. Corrections will be noted and placed on the website.

Meeting adjourned at 9:05 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Dianne Cramer, Acting Secretary