City Manager's Update - May 24, 2016
May 24, 2016
City Manager Update
This is the first edition of what I intend to be an ongoing series of updates for the community about City projects and activities of interest. If you have any suggestions for future topics, or feedback, please let me know at jgoldstein@ci.capitola.ca.us or by phone at 475-7300
Infrastructure Projects
Currently the City is overseeing a number of important infrastructure projects. The repaving of 38th Avenue was recently completed. Crews are putting the finishing touches on the new crosswalk/sidewalk improvements at the corner of Stockton and Esplanade. Our contractor is continuing work to rebuild the pedestrian and bike pathways through Rispin and Peery Parks. In addition, work is expected to start very soon to repave Rosedale Avenue and Alma and Carl Lanes.
We have scheduled soft openings for the long-delayed park at McGregor, on June 4 for the skate park and June 11 for the dog park. Unfortunately our contractor for the bike pump track won’t be able to start work until July, so look for the pump track to open later in the summer.
Later this summer work is expected to commence to repave Park and Monterey Avenues near New Brighton Middle School. Lastly, I also expect that we will be able to begin work on the long-awaited Rispin Park landscape improvements around that same time frame. I understand it is a lot of construction, and we will do our best to minimize its impacts on the community.
Monterey Skate Park
The proposed Monterey skate park has been one of the more controversial projects I have seen during my six years as City Manager. The skate park, which was proposed by a group of city residents, has been paid for entirely with private funding, with a commitment to fully privately fund its construction if it is approved by the City. There are, understandably, widely diverse opinions in the community about the project. So if you feel strongly one way or the other, please plan to attend our City Council meeting on June 23, where the City will decide whether or not to go ahead with the Monterey skate park. Please keep in mind that reasonable people can have differing opinions about how best to use our public parks, but at the end of the day we are one community and we need to respect differing points of view.
City Budget
Earlier this month the City published its proposed budget for next fiscal year, which begins on July 1. The proposed budget provides funding to continue existing City services, while also looking ahead to future challenges. The budget includes $850,000 for street maintenance projects. The Council next meets on June 1 to continue its budget discussions. The document can be found here.
Art and Cultural Events
Our Tuesday night twilight Concert Series kicks off next month on June 8, at 6 PM at the bandstand. Sunday Art & Music at the Beach returns June 12.
Jamie Goldstein
City Manager
