Latest news with #DanPlante
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
San Diego parking changes: What to know after City Council vote
SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — San Diego City Council on Monday approved new parking regulations that will allow the city to adjust parking fees for times with high demand and during special events, along with increasing parking enforcement to seven days a week. City Council back in February voted to raise parking meter rates in the City of San Diego from $1.25 to $2.50 per hour. This latest update to the City parking regulations aims to generate more revenue for the City to support improvements and maintenance of local infrastructure while freeing up General Fund resources for other uses, and encourage the use of alternative modes of transportation, according to the City. The updated parking regulations will allow the City to use 'dynamic pricing' for parking meters for high demand times and during special events like concerts, conventions, parades and festivals. The changes also include taking away free parking on Sundays so enforcement will be seven days a week. San Diego considers sweeping parking reform package: What it entails It will also require City staff to consult and provide solutions to residents who rely on regulated street parking due to a lack of off-street solutions before parking meter enforcement expands to Sundays. Fees will be updated for valet parking permit applications and permits for blocking parking spaces during construction part of the new changes. Lastly, the changes will include reforms to Community Parking District management in an effort to address how parking meter funds are spent by districts. The City says parking meter revenues are limited by state and local law to specific areas and uses and that they must be reinvested to benefit parking and mobility-related needs within the meter zone where they were collected. Monday's vote came after more than a year of work by the City, which included a series of parking management recommendations from a consulting firm after a detailed analysis was performed. While the parking reforms passed City Council on Monday, the City says the actual changes to existing meters and meter rates will be implemented over time and the public will be notified beforehand. Dan Plante contributed to this report. Watch in the video above. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
23-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
City crews assess Mission Beach Lifeguard Tower for repairs
SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — City crews have begun evaluating the Mission Beach Lifeguard Tower in the first steps towards some action to repair the dilapidated building. In recent months, City Council declared the situation an emergency, earmarking $1 million toward repairs. Emergency funds allocated for Mission Beach Lifeguard Tower repairs The building has visible cracks, rusted metal, and is falling apart, Matt Gardner with the Mission Beach Town Council told FOX 5/KUSI earlier this month, and temporary barriers are in place around the lifeguard tower to prevent people from getting too close. On Earth Day, City engineers were out evaluating the damage on the inside and outside of the Mission Beach Lifeguard Tower, which has been beaten and battered by decades of wind and salt air. Near Belmont Park, shops and restaurants, the Mission Beach Lifeguard Tower is the busiest on the San Diego coastline, and this marks the first steps toward repairing the building dedicated to public health and safety. EPA administrator tours Tijuana River Valley, address sewage crisis The City of San Diego said they are considering setting up a temporary lifeguard station while the work takes place. A building moratorium in beach areas is in effect from Memorial Day to Labor Day, but since this is considered an emergency, those restrictions can be bypassed. There is no set timeline yet for when construction will begin. Dan Plante contributed to this report Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
15-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
South Bay residents urged to take precautions as sewage odors increase
Video: Dan Plante reports on possible sanctions for Tijuana sewage crisis CHULA VISTA, Calif. (FOX 5/KUSI) — The odors from the raw sewage spilling across the border into South Bay neighborhoods has increased after the recent large spill, and San Diego County officials are offering health guidance to residents in the area. After sewage infrastructure work in Mexico resulted in the recent release of up to 5 million gallons per night of sewage into the Tijuana River Valley, the San Diego County Air Pollution Control District is alerting residents they detected an uptick Monday night of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) readings in the Nestor neighborhood just north of the Tijuana River Valley, which is creating increased odor issues in South Bay neighborhoods. CDC health survey shows impacts of Tijuana sewage crisis on South Bay residents Residents near the Tijuana River Valley have been dealing with the impacts from the cross-border pollution for years, and the recent sewage spill and uptick in odors is just the latest to plague the region. EPA Chief Lee Zeldin to visit US-Mexico border, examine Tijuana sewage crisis SDAPCD is alerting residents they recorded Hydrogen Sulfide (H₂S) levels that exceeded levels established by the California Office of Health Hazard Assessment, and is issuing an alert for communities potentially affected by the odors from the Tijuana River Valley. The Air Pollution Control District is advising some people may experience odor-related symptoms like headaches and nausea. If the odors continue, SDAPCD says South Bay residents near the Tijuana River Valley can take the following precautions to reduce exposure: Limit outdoor activities if you smell strong odors Keep doors and windows closed to prevent odor from coming indoors. Air out your home or building when odor is not present Use air conditioning if available (or a central/portable heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system) and/or indoor air purifiers. Filters (high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter, for example) with activated charcoal (plus potassium permanganate, if available) are recommended. Businesses are recommended to run the HVAC system for 1-2 hours before business hours People with asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), or other chronic lung conditions should have their rescue medication(s) readily available. If symptoms from strong odor persists, are worrisome, or worsen, seek medical care. Residents in South Bay communities near the Tijuana River Valley impacted by the odors from the sewage flows at the U.S.-Mexico border can apply for a free air purifier part of the San Diego County Air Pollution Control District's (SDAPCD) new AIRE Program. Free air purifiers available for South Bay residents: Here's how to apply Residents in the South Bay can report odors through the SDAPCD Air Quality Complaints app or by calling 858-586-2650 or e-mail apcdcomp@ The County of San Diego on Monday said it continues to urge federal officials to work with their counterparts in Mexico to stop the flow of raw sewage and bring an ultimate resolution to the longtime source of water and air Diego County Supervisor Jim Desmond on Tuesday morning called on the Federal Government to take immediate action against Mexico's continued dumping of raw sewage into the United States by imposing strict consequences tied to public health threats. 'For too long, Mexico has been allowed to get away with releasing hundreds of millions of gallons of raw sewage into the United States—poisoning our beaches, sickening our residents, and even forcing Navy SEALs to relocate training operations,' said Desmond. 'That should end now.' Navy SEALs face health risks from toxic sewage exposure, report finds Desmond called for the Federal Government to restrict the export of potable water into the City of Tijuana, Mexico during any health-related threats declared by the County of San Diego's Department of Environmental Health (DEH). Desmond is also urging federal authorities to consider limiting cross-border travel through U.S. ports of entry during those declared threats.'It's clear that Mexico will not act unless real pressure is applied. This is a national security issue and a public health crisis. Residents are getting sick. Their pets are getting sick. And our elite military forces are being put at risk. It's unacceptable—and it's time to hold Mexico accountable.' EPA Chief Lee Zeldin in early April expressed intentions to visit the U.S.-Mexico border in the coming weeks to see first-hand the impacts from the sewage crisis after years of repeated calls for action from the federal government. More information on the response to the ongoing flows of wastewater into the Tijuana River Valley is available from the APCD, IBWC and San Diego County. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
11-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Oceanside awarded $1.8M grant to advance coastal RE:BEACH project
(Above: Report by Dan Plante on Nov. 21, 2024) OCEANSIDE, Calif. (FOX 5/KUSI) — In a major win for Oceanside's coastal restoration efforts, the California Coastal Commission has unanimously approved a $1.8 million grant to support the city's ambitious RE:BEACH Oceanside project and broader shoreline management initiatives. The grant, approved on April 9, will fund a baseline monitoring initiative to better understand current coastal conditions, as well as guide the city's efforts to combat beach erosion and sea level rise, city officials explained. The move marks a significant step in advancing Oceanside's long-term coastal resilience strategy. 'This grant from the Coastal Commission is a critical step that brings us closer to realizing the ambition and vision of our city's residents,' said Jayme Timberlake, Coastal Zone Administrator for the city. 'Through our RE:BEACH initiative, we have closely partnered with the community to find the best solution to our coastal challenges.' RELATED: SANDAG plans $260M project to restore San Diego beaches At the heart of the project is an innovative pilot plan designed by the Australian firm ICM and led locally by engineers at GHD. The RE:BEACH Oceanside design proposes the construction of two artificial headlands and one offshore artificial reef, paired with the addition of approximately 900,000 cubic yards of sand to stabilize and nourish the shoreline. These structures, as explained by the city, are intended to slow down erosive forces and enhance sand retention, addressing the significant beach loss Oceanside has experienced over the past decade. Kelsey Ducklow, Coastal Resilience Coordinator for the California Coastal Commission, praised the city's forward-thinking approach, stating, 'By investing in robust monitoring of shoreline conditions and taking a first step in updating the city's LCP [Local Coastal Program] to address sea level rise, Oceanside will be better equipped to make science-based decisions that protect its coast for future generations.' RELATED: Oceanside City Council approves location for RE:BEACH pilot project City Manager Jonathan Borrego also expressed gratitude for the commission's support, emphasizing the importance of preserving public access to sandy beaches. He said, 'We are proud to be a leader among California's coastal communities in identifying and implementing world-class solutions.' The RE:BEACH Oceanside project is the product of an international design competition launched by the city in collaboration with GHD and Resilient Cities Catalyst. The initiative brought together global coastal experts and local residents to co-design a solution that balances environmental protection with public beach access. With funding now in place, Oceanside is set to begin work on restoring its beaches and ensuring a resilient coastline for generations to come. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
14-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
South Bay sewage treatment plant back at operational capacity, official says
SAN DIEGO (KUSI) — The current head of the federal agency that oversees one of the wastewater treatment plants at the center of the Tijuana River sewage crisis says it is back up to its intended capacity — a feat that has been hailed as a sign of progress. The South Bay facility has been unable to carry its weight since Tropical Storm Hilary hit the region two years ago, causing critical failures to its aged infrastructure. Now, it is back up and running to treat upwards of 25 million gallons of wastewater each day. With these repairs complete, the International Boundary and Water Commission (IBWC) is turning to construction efforts to double — or potentially triple — the sewage treatment plant's capacity and lay the groundwork for proactive maintenance moving forward. 'The problems we are having now are the result of decades of lack of investment,' said Maria Elena Giner, IBWC commissioner. 'It took time to get here and it's going to take time to undo what's happening now.' Watch Dan Plante's report for KUSI News in the player above. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
