Council Meets New Royalty, Cuts CDBG Funding for Some City Services

The La Mesa City Council voted unanimously Tuesday night to end decades-long distribution of federal Community Development Block Grant funds to local charitable organizations.

The council acknowledged that it was a difficult decision, but one that was necessary due to increasingly lower funds and the recent sequestration.

City program specialist Patricia Rutledge told the council that the Department of Human Urban Development has a mandated 5 percent cut of federal funds, and that since 1993, there has been a reduction of nearly $390,000.

The city voted to approve a resolution recommending that staff direct the nearly $350,000 of remaining CDBG funds toward improvement projects at Vista La Mesa Park.

Rutledge added that in order for federal grants to continue, the city would need to show progress on any of its three capital improvement projects: The Collier Park Master Plan, construction on the north side of Spring Street, or sidewalk installation and drainage improvements for Vista La Mesa.

It was also determined that it would take three funding periods (at the same level) to complete the improvements at the park.

“This is just really frustrating,” said councilmember Ernie Ewin of the cuts to the charity organizations. “My heart really goes out to you. Thank you for all you do. But I don’t think we are in position to lose [funds].”

Some of the organizations that will be cut out of funding in FY 2013 include the Alzheimer’s Association ($1,700), the Challenge Center ($3,400), East County YMCA Summer Camps ($4,200), San Diego Youth Services ($3,400), and Food Bank Food 4 Kids Backpacks ($3,400).

In other council news, La Mesa Police Chief Ed Aceves told the council that the city is closer to helping amend the vehicle code that would make it illegal for panhandlers to be present on medians near signalized intersections. Aceves has worked with State Senator Joel Anderson for more than a year, and that Anderson introduced the amendment to SB604, in January.

“This isn’t about First Amendment rights and people holding signs,” said Aceves. “It really comes down to pedestrian and driver safety. It was important enough to do at off ramps, and we feel it’s just as important to do at signalized intersections.”

Also on Thursday, the council was officially introduced to La Mesa’s new royalty: Miss La Mesa Cassandra Steppat and Miss Teen La Mesa Sabrina Mendoza-Wineteer. They were congratulated by Mayor Art Madrid, who said his thanks to outgoing royalty Lindsay Palser and Jaclyn Combs.