NATIONAL CITY: The city has approved more than a half-million dollars for improvements to Kimball Park – $339,000 for a soccer field and $165,000 toward the development of a skate park.
At a meeting this week the City Council unanimously agreed to fund the projects, which are part of a $1.2 million capital-improvement program to upgrade three community parks.
In addition to funds previously set aside by county officials and through the Community Development Block Grant program, the new funding will build the first field in National City dedicated to soccer.
The funding increase will provide a regulation-sized field with a synthetic-turf playing surface that Parks and Recreation Department officials said would save more than 1.5 million gallons of water during the life of the field.
The skate park is planned for the tennis courts site at Kimball Park, on D Avenue between 12th and 16th streets. City officials say they responded to residents who organized support for a skate park.
Surf-camp deal renewed with Navy, Coronado
IMPERIAL BEACH: The city has renewed a cooperative agreement with Naval Base Coronado and the city of Coronado for law enforcement and animal control responsibilities around YMCA Camp Surf.
The one-year agreement, which may be extended for up to five years, was approved at a City Council meeting this week.
The property on which Camp Surf is located sits in Coronado's jurisdiction and borders Imperial Beach. But Camp Surf leases the 36-acre site from the U.S. government, which owns the land.
The city had a similar cooperative agreement that expired in 2007. It allows the Imperial Beach sheriff's deputies to patrol the area for criminal violations. The same rights are also given to the city's animal control officers, according to the agreement.
The agreement allows the deputies to detain people violating any laws until Navy or Coronado police arrive.
City attorney candidate to hear residents' issues
OTAY MESA: City Council President Scott Peters, a candidate for San Diego city attorney, will hear District 8 residents' concerns and ideas today.
The event will be held from 3 to 4:30 p.m. at Starbucks, 940 Dennery Road, in Otay Mesa.
Panel denies request by Wal-Mart to sell beer
NATIONAL CITY: The Planning Commission has denied a request by Wal-Mart to sell beer in addition to wine that the store on Highland near East Plaza Boulevard is permitted to sell.
Commissioners voted this week against modifying a special permit the store has to allow it to sell nonrefrigerated beer. The matter will return to commissioners May 19, where the decision will be formally adopted.
The City Council will consider the matter June 3. If the Planning Commission's decision is not appealed and the council agrees with commissioners, their decision becomes final the following day.
Planning Commission Director Roger Post said commissioners expressed concern that Wal-Mart for a brief time several months ago had erroneously been selling beer. The store quickly corrected the problem.
Musicians are the theme for library film festival
CHULA VISTA: Musicians and their music are the theme for the Chula Vista Library's free film festival, which began Wednesday and runs through June 25.
Films of the Rock On Film Festival will be shown on Wednesday nights starting at 5:30 p.m. in the auditorium of the Civic Center Branch, located at 365 F St. There will be no film on June 4.
The library is also planning a foreign film festival for September.
Information: chulavistalibrary.com or (619) 691-5069.
State agencies hosting free foreclosure workshop
CHULA VISTA: Are you at risk of defaulting on your mortgage?
The state Consumer Services and Business, Transportation and Housing agencies are offering a consumer workshop focusing on preventing foreclosures.
Information will be available on options to help keep you in your home.
State Sen. Denise Ducheny, D-San Diego, and Assemblywoman Mary Salas, D-Chula Vista, will host the free event from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Rancho del Rey Middle School, 1174 E. J St., Chula Vista.
Also at the event will be representatives of banks and lending institutions, the California Department of Real Estate, consumer credit counselors, Freddie Mac, the Department of Housing and Urban Development, the county Assessor's Office and others. Bring loan documents and other relevant financial information.
RSVP: (619) 409-7690 Information: yourhome.ca.gov.
Hawaiian college writer will give free reading
CHULA VISTA: Theodore Gonzalves of the University of Hawaii at Manoa will read from his recent book, “Stage Presence: Conversations with Filipino American Performing Artists.”
The event will take place at 1 p.m. today at the Eastlake Public Library, 1120 Eastlake Parkway, Chula Vista.
The free reading is part of the Filipino American Educators Association of San Diego County's inaugural Scholar & Author Series. The series was launched this spring. Information: (619) 417-2892.
City relaxes license fees for massage therapists
IMPERIAL BEACH: Imperial Beach has reduced business-license and processing fees for massage establishments in the city by more than half.
The City Council voted unanimously this week to adopt the lower fees. The ordinance takes effect in 30 days.
An annual massage business license in Imperial Beach was $525, plus a $433 one-time processing fee. The new license fee is $250, plus $200 for processing. Annual massage-technician fees are reduced from $158 to $75.
Fees were established in 1972, and the city code was strengthened in 2005 to deter illegal activity such as prostitution.
