The Pacific Beach Town Council (PBTC) approved a proposed expansion of Hooters restaurant and reviewed crime statistics from this year’s Labor Day celebrations. The advisory board also discussed upcoming elections as well as BeachFest at its Sept. 17 meeting at the Earl and Birdie Taylor Library. With the promotion of Lt. David Nisleit to field lieutenant, Sgt. Jim Filley of the San Diego Police Department will be leading local law enforcement efforts. Filley’s return to the Northern Division, which includes the beach communities, is a homecoming of sorts. He was first assigned to the area in 1980 and served as one of the first members of the beach enforcement team. “I worked in the beach area when there was nothing but railroad ties and dirt where now there’s development,” Filley said. He said that in the past month he has not heard of any new concerns in the area. Filley has noticed a difference, however, between this year’s Labor Day celebration and the headline-making brawl in 2007 that resulted in the trial beach alcohol ban. “For us, it was very good. I found myself standing around with my hands in my pockets,” he joked. On Labor Day 2007, he said, police sent 21 people to detoxification centers, compared with one person this year. According to Filley, police this year did not make any misdemeanor arrests resulting in jail or issue a single citation for minors in possession of alcohol. Last year, officers made eight misdemeanor arrests resulting in jail and cited four minors for possession. “There was not one narcotics-related arrest,” Filley said. Misdemeanor arrests resulting in citations rose from 17 in 2007 to 33 this year, he said. He attributed the increase to “a few parties we had to address.” Staffing levels for the holidays were unaffected by the ban and remained basically the same as last year, Filley said. “If we continue to have holiday weekends like we had on Labor Day, we probably won’t see that next year,” he added. Turning their attention to upcoming elections, the PBTC learned that the nominating committee has been formed. Eight new members will be named to the board of directors. Interested individuals should send a brief description including their name, what community activities they are involved in and why they want to volunteer, to the PBTC office, 1706 Garnet Ave., by Oct. 1. “It’s a great opportunity to help the community,” town council director Patrick Finucane said. “If you’re on the fence, come talk to someone,” he urged. At the Oct. 15 PBTC?meeting, the nominating committee will present the nominees and also take nominations from the floor. “We would love to have some new members from the community,” PBTC director Bozier Demaree said. The PBTC is also seeking volunteers for the annual BeachFest celebration, Saturday, Oct. 11, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. “If you come to this event, you’re helping schools and local community groups,” director Marcie Beckett said. To volunteer, visit the PBTC office, 1706 Garnet Ave. Volunteers can also get involved in this year’s holiday parade by calling Discover Pacific Beach, (858) 273-3303. The parade is largely being funded by a $3,500 grant from County Supervisor Pam Slater-Price. The county is also spending $3.4 million to lease two Superscoopers from the government of Quebec, Canada. The firefighting aircraft can carry up to 1,620 gallons of water, be airborne in five minutes and fly up to three hours. The supervisor’s chief of staff, John Wile, also cautioned residents to take precautions against West Nile Virus in light of recent cases in Del Mar and Oceanside. For more information, visit www.sdcounty.ca.gov/deh/pests/wnv.html. In city news, an oversized vehicle ordinance that would limit the amount of time that motorhomes, boats and other large vessels can park on city streets went to City Council Sept. 16. The measure, which first went before the council in 2005, will next go to Mayor Jerry Sanders’ office for assessment of signage and administrative costs. The ordinance is scheduled to go back to the council Oct. 28. The committee gave mostly positive feedback on the proposed expansion of Hooters restaurant, located 1490 Mission Blvd. In an effort to combat recent economic decline and boost clientele, A.J. Pappas, a corporate licensing director of Hooters, said the restaurant would like to expand into its existing first-floor space. The application to the city is pending. Hooters had been using the space for storage. Construction on the 800-square-foot area has begun. A pool table is being added as well as two coin-operated games. Pappas said the proposed expansion would allow customers to congregate on the first floor without having to climb the stairs to the third floor. “I think it’s good for the community and good for us,” Pappas said. The capacity of the restaurant will not change, Pappas said, because they are not increasing the overall space used by customers. They are just moving it from the third to the first floor. Though the town council cannot approve or deny applications, they are taking a more active role in providing community input to the city. “We’re going through a learning process,” PBTC president Ruby Houck said. “We’re trying to streamline the process to get our input downtown [to the city].” The community will also be able to weigh in on Proposition S. A proponent for the school bond measure, which would provide money to needy schools, urged attendees to visit www.edforchildren.com for more information. The PBTC will hold its next general membership meeting Oct. 15 at the Taylor Library, 4275 Cass St.