COUNCILMEMBER ED HARRIS

COUNCIL DISTRICT TWO

FIRST 100 DAYS IN OFFICE MEMORANDUM

July 16, 2014


INTRODUCTION

As the District Two representative, I am driven by the opportunity to improve our quality
of life and preserve our San Diegan lifestyle. Over the past 100 days, I have had
conversations with neighbors about public safety, infrastructure, and the environment.
Weve discussed density, homeless issues, the need for increased pedestrian
safeguards, road improvement for cyclists, the need for additional police officers, the
enforcement of existing laws, and more. Weve also talked about how to make San
Diego more sustainable so future generations can enjoy the District Two neighborhoods
we call home.

What Ive learned in these past 100 days is the importance of community engagement
and participation. During this time, I have convened three town hall meetings to discuss
density, traffic calming, and homelessness. I am a strong proponent of community
engagement because my decisions are best informed by knowing what my community
needs.
In the days and months ahead, I am committed to this continued engagement to ensure
the needs of the District Two residents are met, and to ensure the Citys spending of
taxpayer dollars is fiscally responsible.
Below are some highlights from my first 100 days. I look forward to the next 147 days
and appreciate the opportunity to represent the residents of District Two.

FAST FACTS ABOUT THE FIRST 100 DAYS

39 Community meetings and events attended by Councilmember Harris
102 Community meetings attended by District Two Council Representatives
3 Town Hall meetings organized, including:
o Bay Park Town Hall Meeting to inform the community about proposed future
development

2

o Moraga Avenue Traffic Calming Meeting to reset the speed limit at an
enforceable rate, increase speed limit enforcement, and install additional stop
signs
o Homeless Meeting to discuss issues impacting the Midway, Ocean Beach
and Point Loma communities

NEIGHBORHOODS FIRST

Planning and Infrastructure
Community Plans are the key guidepost for outlining future development and public
improvements in specific neighborhoods. In my first 100 days, I have encouraged my
constituents to remain actively engaged in providing input throughout the planning
process. We are proud that the long-awaited draft update of the Ocean Beach
Community Plan is ready for Council consideration and we are hoping for an approval
this summer September at the latest subject to the Coastal Commissions final
approval. We are also in the process of updating the Midway Pacific Corridor
Community Plan.
Specific to District Two, we started construction of the long-delayed pedestrian walkway
in Entryway Park in Ocean Beach, and approved and helped implement the rollout of
the long-awaited Oversize Vehicle Ordinance to eliminate overnight parking of motor
homes and trailers on residential streets.

Tree Maintenance & Urban Forestry
We secured funding for an Urban Forester position in this years budget. The Urban
Forester will be hired to coordinate and implement the pending Citywide Urban Forestry
Plan now in the development stage, as well as coordinate citywide tree maintenance.
Specific to District Two, in Clairemont we trimmed the trees in Tecolote Canyon to
increase the line-of-sight and safety for drivers entering Mt. Acadia Boulevard from
Snead Avenue.

Code Enforcement
One of the most important issues to maintaining quality of life in our community is
enforcement of the Municipal Code to correct violations of property conditions and land
use requirements. To that end, we have facilitated the dialogue between residents and
the Harley Davidson dealership on Morena Boulevard to mitigate the impact of the
business and its events in the existing neighborhood, and addressed code violations at
the Bayview Plaza (unpermitted storage of new vehicles). We have also initiated the
process to provide public accountability of City efforts to prosecute illegal marijuana
dispensaries, and we are strongly advocating for more Neighborhood Code

3

Enforcement staff to process existing violations, particularly in the Pacific Beach
community.

Traffic Calming Improvements
Improving traffic safety is one of the most common concerns we hear about from our
constituents. We have initiated multiple improvements, including a traffic engineering
study and red curbs for the blind corner in Bay Park at Knoxville and Littlefield Streets,
two stop sign installations in Clairemont, a crosswalk near Pacific Beach Middle School
and a crosswalk in Ocean Beach near Ocean Beach Elementary School.

PUBLIC SAFETY

As a lifeguard, I know that nothing is more important than ensuring the health and safety
of San Diego residents. I am proud of the significant gains we have made to the Police
Department, including increasing police academy class sizes, adding 17 police civilian
positions, providing $3 million for the Police retention program, and allocating $1 million
for police cameras.

Our office allocated funds to Fire-Rescue in order to purchase much needed equipment
for a lifeguard vessel and several reciprocating saws used by firefighters to remove
citizens from life threatening situations. Additionally, I have requested an audit of the
Police Departments equipment to ensure that our officers have the tools necessary to
do their job. I was proud to host the Meet the Chief town hall in Pacific Beach with
Police Chief Zimmerman, which provided a forum for over 200 residents to address
public safety concerns and questions. Additionally, my staff and I participated in a public
safety appreciation day to thank those in law enforcement who assist the Ocean Beach
community.
Finally, we secured the donation of a security camera for the Ocean Beach police trailer
in the pier parking lot to help curtail bothersome behavior of vagabonds congregating on
seawall.

ENVIRONMENT

Assembly Bill 2145
I successfully sponsored a Council resolution to oppose legislation that would cripple
the ability of the City to offer Community Choice energy for its residents. Community
Choice energy is a mechanism for local governments to purchase energy and provide
related energy services for its residents as an option to the existing electrical utility (in
our case, SDG&E). In addition to providing choice and competition to SDG&E, with

4

potentially lower rates, Community Choice is one of the most powerful vehicles for
addressing climate change, and establishing a clean energy future.

Curbing the Marshmallow Wars
The July Fourth post-fireworks Marshmallow Wars usually turn the streets and sand of
Ocean Beach into a sea of goo. This year, my office assisted the Ocean Beach Town
Council and other community groups in proactive outreach and education to the
community and the merchants, which efforts significantly diminished the negative
impacts of the annual event. I appreciate the Town Councils leadership on this issue.

Mission Beach Fly Mitigation
We are making strides towards mitigating the fly population in Mission Beach this
summer. We recently launched an aggressive fly-control campaign with the Mayors
Office and Environmental Services taking important steps to end what has become
an extremely bothersome and costly problem. My office is monitoring the current efforts
to curb this problem and we remain dedicated to making sure we have a long-term
solution moving forward.

Protecting Water Quality and Water Supply
Year round, rainfall and polluted water runoff from construction, landscape irrigation, car
washing, and other urban activities pour into the storm drains, which eventually empty
into waterways and the ocean, and impact water quality. More than $11 million was
secured in the 2015 City budget for storm drain and channel maintenance and repair for
the purpose of protecting water quality. For Sunset Cliffs Park specifically, an additional
$450,000 was secured for drainage improvements to help prevent cliff erosion.

FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY & THE CITYS BUDGET

Analyzed & Adopted FY 2015 Budget
The City Council approved a budget for Fiscal Year 2015 that will help improve the
quality of life for residents in San Diego. The budget calls for increased funding for
critical public safety and infrastructure needs, as well as an increase in funding for
library hours, library books, and funding for homeless and youth services. The budget
also provides for the hiring of a Sustainability Manager to ensure future generations will
be able to enjoy the San Diego we love. For Council District Two specifically, there is
funding for new street lights, a new Fire Station for Point Loma, and the development of
the Coastal Management Plan.


5

Parks and Libraries
In addition to restoring library hours, the City Council was able to restore the library
materials portion ($500,000) of the Fiscal Year 2015 Budget. Experienced librarians
have conveyed the long-term problems created when we fund library materials at
approximately $2.30 per capita when the standard is closer to $5.00. Specific to District
Two, the Pacific Beach Branch Library is one of 18 libraries citywide to offer the new Do
Your Homework @ the Library program to provide after school homework support to
young students.
Specific to District Two parks, the City released the joint-use agreement with Dana
Middle School to allow the School District to install a new baseball park for the
community. Construction commenced on June 30

and the first phase is expected to be
completed by the fall.

LOOKING FORWARD

Community Engagement
In the coming months, town halls will be planned for the neighborhoods of Linda Vista
and Point Loma.

Climate Action Plan
As part of the Citys effort to be a national leader in sustainability and protect our quality
of life for future generations, the City is in the process of adopting a Climate Action Plan
that will reduce our carbon footprint, build a clean energy economy and prepare our City
for the impacts of global warming.

Americas Cup
We are one of two cities vying to host the 35
th
Americas Cup in the summer of 2017.
We are actively advocating with the San Diego Unified Port, the Mayors office and the
Economic Development Corporation to ensure San Diego wins the bid.

Infrastructure
Here is a snapshot of some upcoming projects that will improve the quality of life for
District Two:
Mission Beach Boardwalk Bulkhead, $2.2 million: Repair and restore damaged
and eroded historic boardwalk seawall and walkway, San Fernando Place to
Ventura Street (Belmont Park area). Scheduled for completion in 2015.

6

South Mission Beach Lifeguard Station, $4.6 million: Replacement and upgrade
of observation/rescue tower. Construction scheduled between 2015-2019.
North Ocean Beach Gateway Phase II, $500,000: Construction of ADA-
accessible decorative walkway in Entryway Park. Scheduled completion
September 2014.
Palisades Park Comfort Station, $500,000: Rebuilding of public restroom/shower
facility at foot of Law Street. Scheduled for completion in 2015.
Installation of colorful mural on crosswalk at PB Middle School in partnership with
Beautiful Pacific Beach and the Pacific Beach Ecodistrict.

Public Safety
Although the City Council and Mayor has made great strides to address the needs of
our Police Department in this years budget, it has been brought to my attention we
continue to lose officers at an alarming rate, often to nearby jurisdictions after we have
invested significant funds into officer training. Therefore, through the remainder of my
term I will strongly advocate for efforts that will improve our police officer retention.

# # #