Repairs, medians and signs for Rancho Bernardo in 2016

Rancho Bernardo’s representatives will be busy tackling a number of issues with local and widespread consequences during 2016.

City Councilman Mark Kersey said his top priority for the new year is to advocate for infrastructure improvements and funding.

“During the first half of the year, I will work hard to ensure my Rebuild San Diego infrastructure financing proposal makes it to the June 2016 ballot and subsequently passes,” he said. “The proposal will ensure the city has a dedicated funding stream for neighborhood repairs, including streets, sidewalks, storm drains, fire stations, libraries and recreation centers.”

He said the city’s pledge to repair 300 miles of streets in fiscal year 2016 will impact Rancho Bernardo when several Eastview neighborhood streets are repaved. “Several of the streets have condition index ratings in the teens and 20s, indicating they’ve never received a major repair,” he said.

With an El Niño predicted, Kersey said he is keeping a close eye on the city’s storm channels, including one in Rancho Bernardo. He will make sure clearing channels is a priority now that the City Council issued a state of emergency for several clogged storm drains so emergency preventative maintenance can be performed to protect life and property. With state and federal regulators’ approval, the city has begun clearing some channels that are most in danger of flooding.

Kersey also said he plans to work closely with Mayor Kevin Faulconer on continuing efforts to fix the city’s repair program by streamlining processes and finding efficiencies that will allow projects to get completed in a more time- and cost-efficient way. On a related note, Kersey said his proposed 3-1-1 system will take greater shape in 2016 with selection of a technology platform. It will provide better customer service to residents by giving them a centralized one-stop contact to gain access to city services.

Rancho Bernardo Planning Board Chairman Mike Lutz said the volunteer group will review several construction projects in 2016. These include finalized expansion plans for Casa de las Campanas and The Remington Club, plus a more thorough review of the new Silvergate Care facility.

“The proposed Palomar College campus in ... Rancho Bernardo will continue to be worked on as it relates to possible traffic and parking issues,” he said. “It should be noted that the City of San Diego does not have any direct influence on a state educational project.”

Lutz also said the board will consider possible changes to regulating short term rentals within the city even though this would impact the coastal communities more than inland.

In other board business, Lutz said the group created a commercial area liaison position to help gather information that may impact residential areas. The board’s bylaws are under city review and should be finalized in the first quarter of 2016. “These updated bylaws will help prevent future board conflicts relating to missing or confusing procedures/guidance,” he said.

It is also seeking candidates to fill several open positions. To be eligible for the March election, candidates must have attended a board meeting within the past year. Their last opportunity will be on Jan. 21.

Rancho Bernardo Community Council President Robin Kaufman said that volunteer group will also address several issues.

In response to the Palomar College project, members are looking into what legislative changes can be made regarding city/community input when a college wants to build in an area. In addition, the council’s public safety committee will follow up on assisting residents who feel they may be directly impacted by the college traffic and other public safety issues. This includes requesting right and left turn only signs for vehicles exiting Matinal Road and the campus onto Rancho Bernardo Road.

Its government relations committee will address topics such as stricter drone regulations, sign spinners, the city’s graffiti removal policy and people’s use of fake service dogs.

Rancho Bernardo’s Maintenance Assessment District Committee has allocated money to convert additional asphalt medians to stamped concrete medians. First up are the one on Pomerado Road just south of Higa Place and another on Bernardo Center Drive just east of Interstate 15 (near McDonald’s). It also has $95,000 available for additional welcome signs. Two locations being considered are the north end of Pomerado Road near Interstate 15 and Bernardo Center Drive near Interstate 15.

The council also plans to host several annual community events including its Chalk It Up sidewalk chalk art contest, Patriotic Pet contest on July 4, a watermelon eating contest during Movies in the Park this summer and a safety fair. It might also launch a community talent show in the fall, she said.