Metro San Diego CDC Board of Directors/Charter Committee Meeting: March 26, 2018

The Metro San Diego Board of Directors/Charter Committee met on Monday, March 26, 2018.

1.) There was a presentation by representatives of two “dockless” bicycle sharing programs: Limebike and Ofo Bike.  Both indicated they had very high usage; Limebike in their first four weeks had about 21,000 riders, who took 55,000 trips.  A dockless bike can be rented by using an app; at a cost only a $1.00 for a half/hour or hour.  Each program was offering initial free rides.  Both company representatives indicated their programs were attempting to educate their users so they parked their bicycles appropriately — avoiding walkways, driveways and doorways.  The presentation were favorably received; however, concerns were raised about bicycles being left parked on sidewalks and other inappropriate locations.

2.) After a presentation by Katie Holmes, the Race Coordinator for the Rock “n” Roll Marathon & Half Marathon; the Board/Charter Committee unanimously voted to write of letter of support for the 2018 event.  Several attendees pointed out that it was one of the better managed special events in Balboa Park & Uptown.

3.) Don Liddell, the chair of the Balboa Park Committee’s West Mesa Subcommittee, provided an update on measures being taken to control excess special event noise.  Liddell reported that event coordinators were now voluntarily working with park staff to lessen noise impacts on adjacent neighborhoods.  At the recent St. Patrick’s Day festival, the events organizers placed the loudspeakers facing east, and moved them further into the park. Local neighbors said these actions were very effective in reducing noise levels.

4.) Jennifer Pesqueira, of El indio Restaurant, informed the Board/Charter Committee that Five Points businesses were supporting placement of a stop sign on India Street, at the intersection with Chalmers Street, to slow down traffic as it entered the Five Points business district.  City traffic engineering was supportive of the stop sign; since Chalmers Street was north of where airport traffic took an off-ramp off India Street onto the I-5 freeway.