LA JOLLA SHORES ASSOCIATION (LJSA) Meeting Minutes January 09, 2008
Next Meeting: LJSA Meeting Wednesday, February 13, 2008 pm at Martin-Johnson House (Bldg T-29) at Scripps Institute of Oceanography. Present: Alex Varon, Todd Lesser, Dave Laney, Jim Heaton, Mary Coakley, John Metzger, Sharon Luscomb, Greg Salmon, Tim Lucas, Izzy Tihayni, Sue Weissman, Ed Furtek, Joe Dicks, Pat Nissan. Absent: Sherri Lightner and Andrea Dahlberg, audience 10+.
1. UCSD Representative –Milt Phegley introduced the Southwest Fishery Science Center’s new project for a replacement facility. Southwest Fishery has been working with UCSD on this site. Milt introduced project representatives from Scripps administration, Scripps Director of Finance, Capital planning and Research, Project, Planning, Design and Construction. SRI will be doing an environmental evaluation as well. This new location would be one of 6 centers in the National Fishery Services and is a Federal Facility that conducts scientific research throughout the Pacific Ocean. The project is currently in the planning process ready to enter the design and review stage. The replacement facility is proposed at the North end of Scripps Oceanography Institute which is on the east side of La Jolla Shores Drive. It would be leased from UCSD and is approximately 3.2 acres. The new structure would be 125,000 sqft. and could handle approximately 300 employees. Later this month the project will begin environmental scoping. After scoping, a statement will be published later in the year. Parking is also being reviewed closely. At the proposed new center there are 150-200 parking spaces which are an increase from 11 parking spaces in the previous location. The existing center, since 1966, consists of 4 buildings. 2 of the 4 buildings are being vacated and demolished already. The remaining 2 buildings may be used and left in place for SIO in the future. UCSD is requesting input from LJSA and provided handouts which will be posted on website for review. Milt will provide a monthly update on this project. Audience member brought up concerns on view corridors and parking issues. Traffic and Transportation study will be done as part of this project which will address parking issues
2. Police Representative – Lt. Brian Ahearn- reported the promotion of Captain Long. He also confirmed that 26 signs (signs previously approved by LJSA) have been put up throughout the community and primarily in the La Jolla Shores area.
3. Approval of the Minutes –approval of the December minutes is requested by email. Everyone needs to respond that they approve the minutes to jamesjheaton@yahoo.com
4. Treasurer’s Report – Beginning and ending balance are reported the same due to no activity this month. $3,574.49.
5. CD 1 Representative –. Keely Sweeney reported recycling events last month at Kate Sessions, Swanson Pool Center, and Mission Bay. At the CPA last month, the committee asked that the Via Capri item come back next month for a vote meeting is 2/7 at 6 p.m. at the La Jolla Recreation Center. The issue that came up was related to risks of drivers that would loose their brakes and bikers maneuvering around “pop outs”. These issues will be covered at next meeting. Kayak permitting meeting held on 1/9/08 with reported good attendance and feedback. Keely asked that interested parties should please route questions to Debbie Marcotte at City of San Diego Parks and Recreation dmarcotte@sandiego.gov. PD and CD1 have been talking about getting funding for the security camera project. Mary Coakley introduced the environmental staff to the Vendor regarding trash compactors for the location directly in front of Jeff’s Burgers. A proposal has been written for the oversized vehicles ordinance. Audience member brought up issues with commercial trucks and vehicles using up neighborhood parking.
6. Public Comment -Molly from the Children’s School talked about the positive experience the kindergarten class had during the annual visit to the merchants on Avenida de la Playa. She presented the LJSA Board with the Press Release and pictures. Mary Coakley shared the article from Southwest Airlines January "Spirit" Magazine about J.J., the baby gray whale. She said that Wyland has offered to donate his artwork and time to design a life-sized bronze replica to be included with "The Map" project. We will need to fund the Foundry costs. All donations are greatly appreciated.
A. Chair’s Report – Jim Heaton
1. Children’s School committee- Children’s School is committed to mediate on 1/25/08. The neighbors are committed but requested to find another location closer to the area. Proposed mediation is scheduled to be at a downtown San Diego location. Joe Dicks requested a list of 6 items that they would like to resolve /mediate. Joe requested that both parties agree to cease all other efforts until mediation is over. Joe has also asked Todd Lesser to present at the Board of Trustees at the Children’s School. This presentation will be to provide input on how to work with the community on these types of issues and projects, etc. to help avoid conflict during these processes in the future and to work well with the neighbors.
2. Site 653 Lawsuit Report- appealing decision.
3. Chabad Update-no update.
4. Ventor Institute- no update.
5. Community Parking Board –Ken King will be transitioning off the parking board. LJSA is still waiting to figure out who should replace Ken on this Board. The City Attorney’s office has required that the Parking Board do full disclosure. The next meeting is scheduled for 2/6 at 2 p.m. at the Rec. room but the only item to discuss will be conflict of interest code and no decisions can be made on substantive matters.
B. Kayak Permit Program Update- John Metzger reported that the 1/9/08 kayak meeting with the City went well. The RFP process is currently being handled by the City of San Diego Real Estate & Assets department and they are in the process of gathering information from the current permit holders. It was mentioned that the RFP might be issued this year but at this point no decision will be made until after the season. Debbie Marcotte is assembling all comments from the kayak outfitters and others to provide input to the Real Estate & Assets department which will help construct the permit. It was suggested that the LJSA put together a letter to the City to highlight current issues such as storage, kayak paddles, and use of Lorreitte Park. It was suggested that the City send a questionnaire that kayak operators would fill out independently and send back to provide more input. It was also suggested that community members provide documentation of local outfitters with feedback. Another meeting will be held to go over feedback. It was suggested that next meeting will have an agenda item for kayak discussion for approx 30 minutes. Purpose of agenda topic is to collect thoughts and feedback so that the LJSA can put together this community feedback and provide to the City. Sharon Luscomb to provide Jim Heaton Debbie Marcotte’s address for the letter. John Metzger to work with Tim Lucas on his questions regarding kayak outfitters, numbers, etc.
C. Summer Issues in Kellogg Park- Charlie Williams did a detailed presentation of issues at Kellogg Park. Handouts of the Power Point presentation were provided. The presentation supports a request for Rangers and funding from the City to deal with the issues at Kellogg Park. Jim Heaton asked Keely Sweeney to provide input on what should be done next to raise this request to the City. Keely mentioned that the budget process is in the Spring. The Park and Recreation department handles the funding for this type of request. Charlie Williams and Mary Coakley will come back to LJSA next month with a prioritized list of what we need to do long and short term. Charlie also requested that people provide him feedback on they feel about the tents used at Kellogg Park. BBQ’s and tents can be handled by making a municipal code change for La Jolla Shores. It was also suggested that Scuba permitting needs to be reviewed. Due to the size and complexity of the issues the Board will dedicate the preponderance or our next two meeting to discussing the issues, developing recommendations and submitting a position statement to the City. An issue regarding the installation of the “teeth” at the La Jolla Shores parking lot came up. The money has been identified/approved for the teeth. MOTION: Varon 12-0-0. Approved: LJSA to present letter to support closing Kellogg Park by a company contracted by the City, which will re-install teeth and close and open gates as posted at the park. .
D. Committee Reports
1. Land Use – no meeting.
2.Traffic & Transportation – Todd Lesser reported that the committee agreed to close block on 1/22 for “local gala”. Todd also mentioned the land vocation and land swaps with the Church and with property on Fay Avenue.
3. Parks & Beaches –. Mary Coakley-held trash compactor to next meeting.
4. Cliffridge Park Progress-Mary Coakley reported that there is a meeting on 1/14-will update at next meeting.
5. Kellogg Park Security Update-. Mary Coakley reported that Lt. Rick Wurtz expressed his support at the 1/9/08 kayak meeting regarding the security cameras. They would like to review some of the tapes for use of evaluating the kayak permit holders operating on the launch as well as the launch in general.
6. Map Project Update –the Map will break-ground on schedule. Still working with Wyland on whether he will provide the statue.
7. Allen Field/Children’s School –no update.
Meeting Adjourned at 9:06pm, Minutes submitted by Sharon Luscomb