District 2 Councilmember Kevin Faulconer says residents can look forward to slowly emerging infrastructure improvements in the beach communities and downtown areas he represents. Faulconer delivered his State of the District address with an air of political theater as he stood on the set of the musical play “Bed and Sofa” at the Cygnet Old Town Theatre on Twiggs Street on April 27. Faulconer said he would push for infrastructure improvements such as the Ocean Beach Gateway project and Mission Bay improvements to begin this year. City finance reforms and “streamlining city bureaucracy” remain his top priorities. “That means looking at how we’re spending money, bringing in competition for city services and asking our employees that they do a better job as well,” Faulconer said. Beryl Street in Pacific Beach sits on the repair list for repaving and other improvements scheduled for this year, Faulconer said. Street improvements will be funded from the city’s $103 million infrastructure bond that Mayor Jerry Sanders announced in March. Making progress on city finance reform will help beat back the estimated $1.2 billion in unfunded retiree healthcare benefits, a debt the city must eventually pay, Faulconer said. The establishment of an independent city auditor in July, 2008, who reports directly to the city audit committee, represents a driving force behind the city’s financial reforms, according to Faulconer. Faulconer voted along with the rest of the City Council to cut compensation to city employees to save an estimated $30 million next fiscal year. The city faces an estimated $60 million budget shortfall. Faulconer also backed Sanders’ plan for managed competition for city-provided services as a way to run the city more efficiently. The city’s managed competition process is currently on hold until Sanders comes before the City Council with a detailed plan — something Faulconer said he expects to happen later this year. Faulconer praised the citywide beach alcohol ban for creating safer beaches, while asking Mission Beach residents to “stay tuned” for future infrastructure improvements. Mission Beach awaits details of a curbside recycling program. The community also waits on intersection improvements at Mission Boulevard and Ventura Place. Expected revenue from the voter-approved Mission Bay revenue-sharing measure promises to fulfill an estimated $200,000 to $300,000 backlog of improvements at Mission Bay, including expanding wetlands and completion of pedestrian walkways, Faulconer said. Voters approved the Mission Bay Park measure in November. The ordinance allows for the approximately $20 million in lease revenue generated from Mission Bay to go toward improvements at Mission Bay Park instead of into the city’s general fund. “Making sure that with our new Mission Bay monies, that’s it’s being spent for the public and environment,” he said. “I’m very excited to get started on that in July.” Greg Finley, a Peninsula resident, said he thinks Faulconer is doing a good job overall as the council representative for District 2. “I’d like to see him lead us to the big gorilla facing the [Peninsula] community and that’s the airport,” Finley said. San Diego International Airport development at Lindbergh Field has long been an issue for Peninsula residents concerned about the potential for increased traffic along North Harbor Drive and neighborhoods exposed to jet noise. Faulconer’s district seat covers several prominent San Diego communities, including the beach-area communities of La Jolla, Midway, North Bay, Bankers Hill, Park West, Downtown, Little Italy and Point Loma.