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T HE C OAST NEWS
OCT. 10, 2014
Del Mar to get its CUSD Board of Trustees candidates debate issues first roundabout By Ellen Wright
By Bianca Kaplanek
DEL MAR — Installation of the city’s first roundabout, at the intersection of Jimmy Durante Boulevard and San Dieguito Drive, moved another step forward at the Oct. 6 meeting, after council members approved the design proposal and project schedule. The traffic-calming device was added in May to a citywide sidewalk, street and drainage project. The design proposal does not feature public art elements, but the plans include water and power for the roundabout area so they can be added later. Aging utility infrastructure, including a water main built in 1947 and a wastewater pipeline, will be replaced in the project area. Utility poles, however, will remain in place. As directed by council members, staff sent letters to 110 adjacent and nearby property owners to gauge interest in creating a privately funded underground utility district. According to the staff report, the response “has not been positive” primarily due to the estimated $4 million price tag. However, the design leaves space in the right of way if there is a future desire to underground the utility poles. City staff is planning a variety of public outreach efforts for the roundabout portion of the project, which is expected to cost approximately $1 million. In August, adjacent property owners received notices describing the project and seeking input. Survey staking, similar to what was used during the Beach Colony improvements, will
be installed and an onsite open house is planned for 4 p.m. on Oct. 23. Neighborhood discussions in the homes of residents will also be held. Staff expects the design to be finalized next month after all public comments and questions are addressed. Project bids will go out in December, with a contract award expected in January. If all goes as planned, the roundabout will be completed before Memorial Day, just prior to the opening of the 2015 San Diego County Fair. Funding for the project will come from bonds issued by the San Diego Association of Governments to advance construction projects. The city will use the money it receives annually in TransNet funds — about $200,000 — to pay the debt. TransNet is a voter-approved half-cent sales tax given to cities for use on transportation projects. It is the same financing mechanism Solana Beach used to fund its improvement project along Coast Highway 101. “I’m very happy to see this design going forward,” Councilman Terry Sinnott said. “It’s going to encourage pedestrian traffic (and) make it easy to get down to the lagoon and to the fairgrounds. “The roundabout, we always have to remember … is to improve pedestrian safety, among other benefits,” such as slowing traffic, he added. “So I think it’s going to be a major improvement for that area and solves a lot of problems.” The council vote was 3-0, with Mayor Lee Haydu absent and Al Corti recused because he lives within 500 feet of the project area.
CA R L SBA D —T he League of Women Voters hosted a forum for the Carlsbad Unified School District Board of Trustees candidates Oct. 2. Six candidates are vying to fill three four-year terms, and two candidates are vying for a two-year term. The candidates answered questions from the audience of about 80, including the move to Common Core Standards, class sizes and the budget. About 70 people attended the forum Thursday night. Almost all of the candidates agreed that the school district’s reserve fund shouldn’t be restricted to the state mandated 3 percent. Kathy Rallings, teacher consultant, said a 5 to 6 percent reserve is appropriate and she believes there should be a cap on the amount the district can set aside because tax payer’s dollars should be used in the classroom. The only candidate running for the two-year term that attended the forum, Jenae Torgersen, library technician, agreed with Rallings that 3 percent was not enough and the district should consider at least a 5 to 6 percent reserve. Gil Soto, realtor, disagreed about having a cap on reserves because he saw a teacher of the year get handed a pink slip due to budget cuts. Claudine Jones, who is currently serving as the board’s clerk, said a larger reserve than the state mandate is prudent. “A 3 percent reserve represents about a week of payroll,” said Jones. Board Vice President Veronica Williams also agreed that 3 percent is not
agreed that the Common Core curriculum is helpful because it teaches students to be critical thinkers and prepares them for college. Torgersen has a problem with the math in Common Core because she worries that children who have “math brains” may feel inadequate when forced to write about math if they struggle with writing. Naumann disagreed with the move to Common Core because he doesn’t believe the federal governCurrent board member Claudine Jones, far right, discusses issues the ment should get involved district faces at the forum held at Pacific Rim Elementary School. Photo with local schools and he by Ellen Wright doesn’t believe the Common Core testing is good which were adopted by Cal- for children. enough. Sage Naumann, a ifornia in August 2010. Most of the candidates web-developer, said there TURN TO CUSD ON A16 is no perfect state reserve and that the district should “plan for what is projected.” Maria Rosino-Maracco, a local business owner, said that the state mandate may be OK for the district but there are bigger problems in California and she would need to speak with experts to find out the best amount of reserves to be set aside. The candidates also discussed the move to Common Core State Standards, 2 & 3-day workshops NOV & JAN • sign up today
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