Final CDBG Program, Trail Matching Funds Highlight Supervisors Meetings

by Joe Naiman

San Diego County Supervisors gave a thumbs-up to the final Community Development Block Grant program and earmarked matching funds for the Volcan Mountain Preserve and William Heise Park trail-improvement projects.

Supervisors also approved the baseline nonresidential general plan update for traffic studies and environmental review, and a maintenance assessment district mechanism to pay for parks, trails and open space.

On May 10, supervisors approved the final Community Development Block Program, which included $190,000 for the design and construction of a parking area, improved pedestrian and vehicle access and circulation, installation of security lighting, and Americans with Disability access from parking lot to park facilities for Jess Martin Park. The work is expected to be complete in June 2006. 

That project had been recommended during the initial March 22 hearing, and county staff members then added funding for additional projects from the balances of completed CDBG-funded projects. That additional funding allowed for the inclusion of $15,500 for the Shelter Valley Community Center water tank, which will meet the domestic needs of the community center, fire station and teen-child center.

On May 17 the supervisors adjusted the 2004-05 budget based on third-quarter savings and unanticipated revenue. Adjustments included the appropriation of $4,259 for Volcan Mountain Preserve trail improvements and $3,308 for William Heise Park trail improvements. That money will provide the 20 percent match required for Recreational Trails Program grant funds.

The plan designations for General Plan 2020 are not final, but commercial and industrial designations for the purpose of traffic studies and the environmental impact report were approved by the supervisors May 18.

The May 18 meeting also included approval of a board policy for the expanded use of the Landscape and Lighting Act of 1972. The county only uses that maintenance assessment district option for the county’s Street Lighting District but sought to expand that option for parks, open space, trails and landscaping within medians or along a public roadside.

The Street Lighting District assessment likely will be raised 5 percent from $5.33 per benefit unit to $5.60; on May 18, the supervisors set a July 27 hearing date for that increase.