PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID ENCINITAS, CA 92024 PERMIT NO. 94
THE COAST NEWS
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VOL. 35, N0. 11
MARCH 18, 2022
SAN MARCOS -NEWS Encinitas council adopts
O’side gets $3 million for projects
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new electoral map. A3
School district blasted for ‘draconian’ layoffs. A5 Congressman secures $5M for Barrio projects. A5 Oceanside to join SoCal THE spent fuel coalition. A7 VISTA Vista school officials NEWS pilloried over gun threat. A7 Padres confident despite young star’s bad break. A8
Rep. Levin secures funds for homeless shelter
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By Samantha Nelson
OCEANSIDE — The City of Oceanside will receive nearly $3 million in federal funding for three separate projects, including more than $2 million for a new homeless shelter. Rep. Mike Levin (D-San Juan Capistrano) announced the award of funds late last week following the House of Representatives’ approval of the bill, which will also send Ukraine $13.6 billion in military, humanitarian, and economic aid. The city of Oceanside will receive $2.25 million for the development of its new homeless shelter in the former Ocean Shores High School building. San Diego Rescue Mission will be responsible for operating the 50-bed shelter while the city is responsible for converting the building into a physical shelter. “The city is funding the public improvements necessary to convert the Ocean Shores school buildings into the new homeless shelter,” said City Manager Deanna Lorson via email. “We anticipate that the federal funds will cover these costs.” As The Coast News previously reported, the shelter will provide stabilization and support services as well as pathways to more permanent housing for its TURN TO FUNDS ON A6
A weekend guide to March Madness. A9 Study of plant-based medicines gets a boost. A18 Carlsbad girl’s film earns international acclaim. B1
adia er c u e L at w m Stor
RANCHO
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Food Wine SFNEWS
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Cheers! xxxxx. B10
From ‘Cocktail’ to canned margaritas. B10
HARD WATER
AFTER DECADES of flooding in Leucadia, homeowners, city officials, a grand jury, local nonprofits and land-use attorneys continue to question the city’s handling of excess stormwater in Leucadia, from pumping untreated runoff onto Beacon’s Beach to diverting Old Encinitas stormwater north instead of south, overtaxing Leucadia’s storm system en route to Batiquitos Lagoon. Story on A10.
Auditor: SANDAG staff made ‘questionable’ purchases Approximately $250,000 spent on non-working days By Steve Puterski
REGION — A San Diego Association of Governments auditor’s report found the metropolitan planning agency’s staff spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on purchases deemed “improper” and “questionable.” The Office of Independent Performance Auditor,
OVER FOUR YEARS, SANDAG’s purchase cards totaled $2.5 million with as many as 20 cardholders. The Coast News graphic
led by Mary Khohmashrab, said during a March 11 SANDAG board of directors meeting, that due to
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a lack of documentation it was difficult for her office to determine a total of improper charges.
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to six. “Management, you really dropped the ball on this one,” Carlsbad Mayor Matt Hall said, who represents the city on the board. “Anytime you’re dealing with public funds, and we find out that after a period of time this much money can’t be accounted for, that doesn’t say much for this establishment’s leadership.” Some of the other purchases included five $100 gift cards without explanaTURN TO AUDIT ON A14
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However, the audit found credit card purchases for about $70,000 at local restaurants and nearly $250,000 for transactions. The auditors also flagged 34 purchases exceeding SANDAG’s policy of a $3,500 limit, while they also noted the agency lacked basic elements compared to other public agencies’ policies. Over a four-year period, SANDAG’s purchase cards totaled $2.5 million with as many as 20 cardholders, although the board and officials are reducing the number of cardholders
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