A roundup of the Mission Beach Town Council (MBTC) meeting of May 11;
• Representatives from Caltrans, who are currently working on a construction project to reconfigure the interchange at Interstate 8 and West Mission Bay Drive, presented their plans to the Mission Bay Town Council. Caltrans officials used a detailed map of the area to demonstrate the various reasons a reconfiguration was needed at the interchange for safety purposes. Accidents recurring in the same spot, as well as increased pedestrian, bike and car traffic, were cited as reasons modifications were needed to keep the interchange safe. “(We came to explain) the background, why we did what we did, so everybody has a better understanding of why the modifications were done,” said project manager Richard Estrada. “The project is still in construction. We’re still going to be making changes up until the end of the month when the contract concludes.” Caltrans is still working on perfecting the timing of the lights, including extending the “green time” for southbound lanes on West Mission Bay Drive. The total cost of the project is $600,000. • Capt. Al Guaderrama of the San Diego Police Department’s Northern Division, and his staff are preparing for big crowds at the beach during Memorial Day weekend. “We are gearing up for thousands of people to come down,” Guaderamma said. “I feel very confident with the resources that have been allocated to me.” • Tom Lochtefeld, the master leaseholder of Belmont Park who is in Chapter 11 court with the city because of a disagreement over the lease, updated the MBTC on his situation. Proceedings have been put on hold until July 1, he said. “What’s really going on is the city needs money,” Lochtefeld said. • The MBTC passed a motion to donate $500 to the Clean Beach Coalition to help pay for extra trash bins needed on the beaches during major holidays.
Roundup of news and notes from the Pacific Beach Town Council meeting on May 18:
• Mission Bay Yacht Club (MBYC) volunteer Jennifer Henehan said the traditional fireworks display put on by the MBYC for the Fourth of July are in jeopardy this year. The yacht club has been putting on a show for the last 28 years but now finds itself well short of the cost needed to keep going. The MBYC is asking the public to help. “We are looking for everybody to come together and make sure the show will continue. Without the money and the interest from the community, it will not happen at all,” Henehan said. Those willing to donate can call the Mission Bay Yacht Club at (858) 488-0501. • Deputy City Attorney Terri Winbush said the Beach Area Community Court is looking for residents to serve on the Community Impact Panel. For more information, call Winbush at (619) 533-5563. • I Love A Clean San Diego, a nonprofit organization aimed at helping keep the city clean, is gearing up for the busy upcoming summer. “We work to prevent litter on the beaches over popular holiday weekends when thousands of people flock to the shore and bring a lot of trash as well,” said Natalie Roberts, a representative for the organization. “Normal trash cans can’t accommodate the large crowds, so we place temporary trash and recycling bins out there.” Roberts said the group is looking for volunteers. For more information, visit www. cleanbeachcoallition.org. • Capt. Al Guaderrama of the San Diego Police Department’s Northern Division said it has been a relatively quiet month for his team in the area, adding that violent crime was down. • The Pacific Beach Town Council is hosting its 10th annual Wine Tasting & Silent Auction at Lotsa Pasta at 1762 Garnet Ave. on June 26 from 4 to 7 p.m. Tickets cost $30 per person and can be purchased at 1706 Garnet Ave. or by calling (858) 483-6666.