A recap of our June 22 OBTC meeting!

June 24, 2022

Hey folks! Some notes coming out of our June 22 public meeting. We are back to LIVE meetings at the Masonic Lodge at Santa Cruz/Sunset Cliffs so please come join us each 3rd Wednesday of the month and make your voice be heard, get involved, and be a part of the process!

After an introspective group retreat a couple months ago, the OBTC has reorganized its committee structure into for main committees. Tony Cohen is head of Improvement, Tracy Denzeno is head of Advocacy, Stephanie Kane is head of Events, and Anna Firarico is head of Engagement. July 7th, 2022 at 6pm at OB Brewery/Jungle Java gardne we will be having a get together to hang out and talk about all the committees and see what committee you would like to join! This is a concerted effort to involve YOU in the processes and progress and issues involving this community. COME BE A PART OF THIS NEW WAY TO BE INVOLVED!

Street Vending Ordinance starts today, but the methods in which it will be enforced are questionable at this point. There are elements that can be enforced like needing a permit to vend. Other elements are still under review from the Coastal Commission.

New County Supervisor Terra Lawson-Remer spoke at length to us about her new goals and ideas for the county. The board appears to have quite a bit of energy going forward tackling issues like: climate change preparedness and suppression dealing with standing traffic, public transport. Promoting solar power and getting San Diego Community Power to 100% renewable by 2035 as an alternative to SDG&E. Staying on top of storm water and runoff infrastructure to protect our oceans. Working with the federal government and some international groups to solve the issues of sewage out of Tijuana coming north. Tackling the homelessness with multi-pronged approach with health services. Dealing with housing stock problems but taking a stand against sprawl as opposed to how the board has been affected by developers who want this in the past. In the past, she said the board aimed to keep as many people off state and federal aid as possible. The board is reversing this policy and showing data to receive that aid and get it to people. Enrollment in aid has increased by 110,000 (!!!) in just a year and a half. Making neuro divergence a focus. People who process information differently than other people, the most common is being on the autism spectrum. 1 in 27 are diagnosed with autism. There is often good care and guidance for those with autism through school, but then they are dropped when they hit the workplace and need to be hired. Refining hiring practices, educating those doing the hiring, and making the county a place that is progresive in this sense and neuro divergent accessible and friendly. The Coaster issue on the bluffs at Del Mar needs to be fixed - asking state for money.

Megan Flaherty from San Diego Audobon Society gave a presentation on the project to fix the fencing and trail system by Dog Beach and Smiley Lagoon at the SD River mouth. The area turns into an important bird preserve just as you get into the dunes behind Dog Beach. Current signage isn’t sufficient for people to leash their dogs and this leads to disturbances to fragile wildlife and birds who migrate and nest there. The updates that are going through various approvals will go into place this fall. The trails will lead people away from the area, fencing will be dog-proof and ensure the area stays undisturbed. New signage will also be informative. This is in conjunction with Parks and Rec, SD River Foundation, and other allies. A good example of a good project happening with joint efforts! There will be a docent program and opportunities to volunteer!

Andrew Meyer – Director of Conservation, San Diego Audubon Society

[email protected]

858-273-7800 ext 101

Lauren Welch – Development Manager, Urban Corps

[email protected]

619-235-6884 ext 3120

Sonja Nystuen, Shoreline Park Ranger

[email protected]

The Pier Development Team is working with the city on those plans, and there will be a long process but is definitely involving lots of people from around the OB community to ensure it reflects what the community wants! Get in touch with Corey, who is on the team, for more info or questions.

OB Library expansion is on its way - make sure you take part in the survey HERE: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd1f6ubZwMIsG9BzJllqjZFkHiTcHfU-BnciIwe5z4yAuUwMg/viewform

The results from this survey WILL affect what goes into the new library, so make your voice heard!

You can read detailed reports from the elected officials who were able to attend/send reports HERE: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1B4w1bCcSdzUwu8Uvq_a0MuUR1NIQt6PPe29kjVpDVMs/edit?usp=sharing