By David Espinoza

At the annual trustees retreat on Jan. 24, the Mission Hills Town Council (MHTC) reinstated the research of a full and permanent closure of University Avenue (between Ibis and Front streets) as a top agenda item for 2015. This discussion evolved from a single-lane closure design that was initiated by the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) on this same stretch of the University Avenue artery connecting Mission Hills to Hillcrest. Modification to University Avenue is part of SANDAG’s Uptown Bike Corridor Project planning already underway in Bankers Hill and Hillcrest. This is just one of many topics that were discussed.

The MHTC trustees retreat each January for a year-in-review and year-at-glance planning session. Some of the 2014 achievements include representing the community voice on the bike corridor project at town hall meetings, a successful summer concert series in Pioneer Park, a Fourth of July community parade and BBQ contest, an American Veteran public art mural installation, a town hall discussion regarding a new Mission Hills Branch Library, and coordination with the San Diego Police Department and Mission Hills Business Improvement District (BID) on crime and homelessness prevention and protocols. Some of these items will roll over into the 2015 agenda and will be discussed at an upcoming town hall.

There will be three town hall meetings in 2015. The first is scheduled at 6 p.m. on April 9 at Francis Parker Elementary School. The MHTC proudly invites the community to attend and take part in the voice and vision of Mission Hills. These meetings are organized by the Town Council and provide a forum for Mission Hills residents, businesses and local and state level government representatives to meet and participate in the discussions. In 2014, Councilmember Todd Gloria, Assembly Speaker Toni Atkins and Beth Robrahn from SANDAG’s Bike Corridor Project were just some of the government representatives who attended town hall meetings to engage with residents.

The Town Council greatly encourages residents and business owners to participate and stay informed by becoming a member of the MHTC, signing up for the monthly newsletter and following updates on MissionHillsTownCouncil.org. The MHTC is currently accepting sponsorships for the 2015 Friday night concert series at Pioneer Park in June, July and August. For questions, comments and for information on how to get involved, please reach the MHTC by email at [email protected].

—David Espinoza is a Mission Hills Town Council board member.