Measure U Fails; McAdams Wins in Local Elections
As widely expected, Measure U, which was to fund the construction of new city buildings through a $50 million bond, failed to get 2/3 majority and passage. However, residents did show widespread approval of the idea, with 59.6 percent voting in favor. Just more than half of registered voters cast their ballot.
Measure U’s bond would have been financed by levying an annual tax on homeowners of about $55 per $100,000 of home value. The money was to be used to construct a new fire station, police station and community building. Mayor Bruce Delagado had voted against putting the measure on the ballot and had argued for a smaller $20 million bond to pay for just a new fire station. With nearly 60% voting for the $50 million bond, it seems likely the $20 million bond would have actually passed.
Speaking of the City Council, all signs point to Jenny McAdams retaining her District 3 seat. As of Tuesday morning, McAdams had 937 votes to challenger Mike Moeller’s 784. Of the 3,468 registered voters in the district, just 1,721 voted. Nearly all the ballots counted were mailed. McAdams had just 75 votes made at polling sites and Moeller 87. Kathy Biala ran unopposed for the District 2 City Council seat. In her district, 3,729 voters were registered and just 1,389 voted.
Marina’s low turnout somewhat coincides with the national story, as less than 59% of the public is estimated to have voted, down from nearly 63% during the last presidential election. Turnout was a little better for the Marina Coast Water District director contest. Tom Moore won a three-way race with 46% of the vote (5,281). Stacey Fritz-Smith had 3,563 votes (31%) and Roland Lee Soltesz had 2,482 (22%).
In Other News
The new Trader Joe’s in Marina will hold a grand opening on Wednesday. Located at 150 10th St., the opening has been much anticipated. KSBW has a report on it here.
A ribbon cutting is scheduled for Wednesday at 9 a.m. According to a Trader Joe’s media release, the store hired 90 local crew members and transferred another 30 in from neighboring stores.
City Meetings
The city’s Tree Committee will hold an emergency meeting on Wednesday to vote on the removal of a dozen trees: five at Preston Park that are near the existing ball parks and seven “lollypop” trees at Gloria Jean Tate Park. The trees at the park will be removed as part of the overall redevelopment of Jean Tate Park. All the trees removed at both sites will be replaced on a 2:1 ratio.
The Planning Commission will meet Thursday. An agenda has been released, but no agenda packet, so the details of what will occur are murky. There are three pubic hearings scheduled. The first is for a coastal development permit for the conversion of a garage into a “Junior Accessory Dwelling Unit” on Mimi Court.
The other two hearings might prove more interesting to the general public. The second hearing of the night will be a presentation on the revised draft of the Coastal Hazards and Sea Level Rise program; and The final hearing will be on a motion to recommend that the City Council make changes to the Housing Element. Without an agenda packet, it’s impossible to really know what either of these hearings are focusing on. I have written an email to city staff, the mayor and vice mayor requesting that this situation be corrected. Minutes from city meetings have not been posted for months. That should be fixed as well.
Marina Housing
Five homes have come onto the market in the past week, three of them above the $1 million mark and two below. The most affordable home is 18918 Kilpatrick Lane. Listed at $865,000, this 3-bedroom, 2.5-bath home has 1,575 square feet. Next up is 3346 Tracy Court. Listed at $988,000, this 1,9754 square foot home has 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. It is a single-story home in a quiet cul-de-sac.
The three homes priced above $1 million are 286 Beacon Drive ($1.199 million); 2759 Moonshell Lane ($1.149 million); and 579 Rose Monte Way ($1.075 million).
If you would like to take a look at any of these homes, or are interested in selling your home, please give me a call or text today at (831) 869-2484 or email chownbiz@gmail.com.
Imjin Parkway Widening Project
Work on the Imjin Parkway Widening Project apparently continues to fall behind schedule. The reopening of Preston Drive has been delayed again until late November. However, motorists should expect to see some changes in about a week or two. Crews are conducting night work and sometime during the week of Nov. 18, there is a plan to open Preston Drive and a new transition segment of Preston Drive that will move traffic back to the existing lanes before the signal at Abrams. This should relieve some congestion at that makeshift intersection at Abrams and Imjin.
Police Reports
Nov. 1
• Nothing of note
Nov. 2
• A 38-year-old man was arrested and charged with vandalism, resisting arrest, and violating probation while on Reservation Road.
Nov. 3
• Near the intersection of Dunes Drive and Reservation Road, 46-year-old man was arrested and charged with possession of narcotics, giving false ID to an officer, and possession of drug paraphernalia, He was also had two outstanding warrants for his arrest from other jurisdictions.
Nov. 4
• A 41-year-old man was charged with DUI at the intersection of Reservation Road and California Avenue. He was also charged with possession of drug paraphernalia.
• A 52-year-old woman on Lexington Court was charged with threatening a crime with intent to terrorize, and resisting arrest or obstructing an officer or medical technician.
• A 33-year-old man on Reservation Road was charged with possession of narcotics and disorderly conduct.
• There was also a traffic collision on Imjin, and a report of vandalism on Reindollar Avenue.
Nov. 5
• Vandalism reported on Hillcrest Avenue and Sunset Avenue.
Nov. 6
• Juan Jose Gonzalez, 42, was charged with battery of spouse and failure to register as a sex offender with a prior conviction.
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This newsletter created by Jon Chown of Renee Mello & Associates. 44 Brennan St. Watsonville CA 95076. (*31) 869-2484. DRE#02040730.