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Council's Corner  Tunnel Project Update
Q. What is the
status of the tunnel? Q. How will
traffic be improved? Q. What is the
timeline for the project? |
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Where Do Your Tax
Dollars Go?
"The City of Coronado takes great pride in ensuring the needs of our community are met," said Leslie Suelter, City of Coronado's Director of Administrative Services. "Through general fund allocations, our City's taxpayers can be assured that we are doing our best to provide essential services as cost effectively as possible." This year's general fund totals $28 million. At the present time, no service level changes are included in the upcoming budget as the City Council continues to focus on completing capital projects such as the Library expansion and the Glorietta Bay Master Plan, including the new community center and pool facility, a bayside promenade/parkway, and a new city hall. A large portion of the City's reserve funds will go toward funding these and other important capital improvement projects. In the coming year, the City will face possible revenue losses as the State of California grapples with its difficult budget shortfall. Various proposals (which would have differing impacts on local resources) have been circulated in the State Legislature to bridge the budget gap. The City of Coronado anticipates the State will take away $1.4 million in general revenues for the fiscal year (FY) 2003-04. Over time, this loss could have significant impacts on services in future years. Right now, the City is holding its department budgets at FY 2002-03 levels and plans no service level changes. Budget documents are available for public review at City Hall or the City Library. Coronado citizens are welcome to provide input on the budget prior to adoption. CORONADO: FOCUSED ON SAFETY Emergency Warning Sirens to be Tested
"The emergency warning sirens are designed to be heard from all locations in the City," said Fire Division Chief Dismas Abelman. "This way, in the event of a natural disaster or emergency, we can ensure the City's residents and visitors are aware of the situation and directed to important information." When activated by the City's Fire Department, the sirens will last approximately one-to-three minutes. The County of San Diego's Office of Emergency Services is responsible for providing emergency information (received from the City) to local radio stations in times of emergency or crisis. Citizens should tune their radios to KOGO (AM 600) when the sirens are activated. Fortunately, the sirens have not had to be used; however, the City is grateful to have the system in place. For more information on Coronado's Emergency Warning Sirens system, contact Division Chief Abelman at 619.522.7378 or dabelman@coronado.ca.us. Automated External Defibrillators Save
Lives
"The AEDs will allow staff and visitors conducting City business to receive immediate care should an incident happen," said Coronado Fire Chief John Traylor. "We believe making the units and training available to our staff is an important step in ensuring the safety of our community." AEDs deliver a controlled electric shock to the victim's heart, which causes the muscles to contract at once, allowing the heart to regain its regular rhythm. Through embedded computer chip technology, AEDs instantly and accurately analyze heart rhythms, determining whether or not a cardiac arrest victim is in need of shock. AEDs are easy to use and allow non-medical professionals to help when crisis strikes. Several models even use visual and audio prompts that lead the operator through the procedure. The City of Coronado recently outfitted its facilities with four of the units—two at the golf course; one at the municipal pool; and one at City Hall. The Coronado Fire Department has trained approximately 50 City employees to operate the AEDs and offers training to the public. For more information, contact Darren Hall, City of Coronado AED Program Coordinator, at 619.522.7374. CERT Program Empowers Residents Since 1997, Coronado's Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program has helped nearly 300 community members become better prepared to respond to emergency situations. CERT trainees learn how to act in times of crisis when traditional professionals may not be available.Taught by Coronado firefighters, the CERT program consists of five training modules to assist members of the public become more prepared to deal with a large-scale disaster. Participants must take Module 1 first and Module 5 last; however, the other three modules can be taken in any order.
The program is offered to the public at no cost. CERT holds monthly meetings where additional training and emergency preparedness information is available. Meetings are held every third Thursday of the month at 6 p.m. at 700 Orange Ave. in the Emergency Operations Center. For more information on CERT training, contact the Coronado Fire Department at 619.522.7374. Police Department is Dedicated to Public Service
Coronado's approach to law enforcement is unique because it focuses on quality of life issues in addition to traditional crime. Instead of repeatedly citing individuals for lesser crimes, such as jaywalking, officers incorporate the Community Oriented Policing and Problem Solving (COPPS) method to determine the root of the problem and work to resolve it, sometimes with the help of community leaders or other organizations. The Coronado Police Department has embraced the COPPS method as a way to enhance public safety in Coronado. In June of 2002, police officers enforced gridlock violations (blocking an intersection) along Third Street and Orange Avenue. During this time, officers found it difficult to issue citations to drivers without contributing to the traffic problem. Often, the area in which an officer has to pull someone over is limited and creates additional congestion. Through public outreach, the Police have tried to educate the public about the increase in traffic violations. To maintain safety at problem intersections, officers issued $25 municipal code citations, instead of $100 vehicle code violations, to drivers blocking the intersections and crosswalks. A municipal code violation is quicker to write than a traffic ticket, which reduces the amount of time an officer and driver are stopped. Vehicular traffic, however, is not the Department's only concern. Each summer, calls for service in Coronado's business district increase. Common calls include an increased number of pedestrian violations such as not crossing in designated crosswalks and ignoring traffic signals. Although these types of behaviors may seem to save time, they actually put lives in danger. The Coronado Police also receive complaints involving individuals bicycling, skateboarding and skating on sidewalks in designated business areas. This creates several hazards for pedestrians, and the community as a whole. Bicyclists should remember to obey all vehicular laws, not laws for pedestrians. With help from the community, the Police Department hopes to maintain Coronado's high level of safety and address these concerns and others. This summer, the Coronado Police will establish specific enforcement days in the business district and beach areas. Residents can call the Coronado Police Department Traffic Information Line at 619.687.1882 for weekly updates, including traffic target areas, enforcement days and special events that may affect the flow of traffic within the community. Groundbreaking Nears on Glorietta Bay Master Plan
"The Glorietta Bay Master Plan will benefit the entire Coronado community by providing improved access to the Bay and enhanced City programs and services," said Mark Ochenduszko, Coronado City Manager. Adopted by the Coronado City Council on February 6, 2001, the $30 million plan is moving through the permitting process on schedule. The project will provide a Linear Park with open spaces and intimate courtyards, a wide pedestrian/bicycle path along the waterfront and a Boathouse for non-motorized water craft. The 40,000-square-foot Community Center will include a gymnasium, fitness center, recreation activity rooms, meeting and classroom areas, a playhouse and a major events hall. The new City Hall will be home to several City departments such as Administrative Services, Engineering, Community Development, City Clerk, City Manager and Council offices. Beginning in August, City Hall offices will conduct business as usual from temporary trailers on the project site, and regular City Council and Commission meetings will be moved to the Emergency Operations Center at the Police Facility. The municipal pool, recreation programs and the Coronado Community Playhouse will remain open through August. Recreation programs will be relocated in the fall to the Masonic Lodge. Details on the location of programs during construction are available by calling 619.522.7342. Construction is expected to be completed by fall 2004. |
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