News Summary

The Coronado City Council convened on February 18, 2025, to discuss various updates affecting the local community, including new volunteer opportunities and legislative goals for the upcoming year. Among the priorities highlighted were economic development, climate change preparedness, affordable housing, and wastewater management. Attendees were encouraged to participate in community initiatives and stay informed about future meetings, aiming to foster a stronger and more engaged community.

Coronado City Council Updates: Exciting Initiatives and Changes on the Horizon!

Coronado, a charming city known for its stunning beaches and tight-knit community, held its latest City Council meeting on February 18, 2025. Despite the cloudy skies and 100% chance of rain, council members gathered to discuss a wealth of updates impacting local residents. Showers anticipated later in the day were no match for the enthusiasm of the council’s discussions.

Community Volunteer Opportunities Sprout

Representatives from the Coronado Fourth of July Committee and the Coronado Philharmonia Orchestra took center stage, sharing exciting news about volunteer opportunities available for community members. If you enjoy lending a hand and getting involved in local events, this is a fantastic chance to contribute to Coronado’s vibrant community spirit!

Advocating for Local Needs

Councilmember Amy Steward shared insights from her recent participation in the League of California Cities meeting. During her updates, she outlined four main advocacy priorities that will shape the future for California cities in 2025:

Economic development.
Addressing climate change and disaster preparedness.
Modernizing critical infrastructure.
Increasing affordable housing supply to reduce homelessness.

Steward also shed light on recovery efforts from the devastating fires in Los Angeles and ongoing restoration projects for coastal dune habitats. It’s heartening to see such commitment to both local and regional issues.

Wastewater Advances and Environmental Initiatives

Switching gears, Councilmember Kelly Purvis provided updates from the recent Metro Wastewater Joint Powers Authority (JPA) meeting, announcing the launch of a new website and director’s manual aimed at improving transparency and efficiency. As part of her commitment to sustainability, Purvis plans to tour the Pure Water Project’s plant in San Diego, which connects to her role in enhancing local water purification efforts.

Mayor John Duncan shared the exciting news that Coronado’s wastewater will be purified and funneled back into the local reservoir, which will help in promoting environmental stewardship and sustainability within the community.

Transportation and Infrastructure Goals

Councilmember Carrie Downey has been appointed as the MTS alternate representative for the LOSSAN Rail Corridor Agency. In her role, she will also chair the SANDAG Planning Committee, focusing on crucial transit and traffic projects as well as the Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA) numbers.

During the meeting, Mayor Duncan reported that the San Antonio de los Buenos plant in Tijuana is set to become operational by April 1, which could be a significant step towards improving water quality in the region. The Council discussed possible SANDAG grants for projects, including the Island Express electric mini-shuttle, which promises a greener transportation solution.

New Legislative Goals for 2025

The City Council took some time to review and approve legislative policy guidelines and goals for the year. Key highlights include:

Eliminating cross-border water pollution.
Increasing stormwater and infrastructure funding.
Implementing reasonable RHNA projections and policies.

Minor language changes were proposed to support infrastructure improvement and environmental restoration initiatives. Downey also pushed for monitoring infrastructure progress in Mexico under the USMCA.

Upcoming City Council Meetings

In a unanimous vote, the council approved these legislative guidelines with absences noted for Mark Fleming. As the meeting wrapped up, Mayor Duncan called for a report from the City Attorney regarding the City’s code of ethics for council members to be presented at the next gathering.

For those eager to keep up with local governance, stay tuned for the next City Council meeting, set to take place on March 4, 2025, at 4 p.m. at City Hall. In the meantime, updates and agenda items are readily available on Coronado’s official website.

Finally, the council recently welcomed Purvis, who was appointed to fill the vacancy left by Mayor Duncan’s election. After a lengthy voting process with ten candidates and even heated debates over whether to appoint her or hold a special election, she emerged as the favorite of the council after numerous rounds of voting. Public support for her experience and community involvement surely played a role in this outcome.