June 7, 2015 SHOW US THE MONEY The financial statements presented at the June 2 City Council meeting did not "show us the money" as requested on the front page of the Dana Point Times; they lacked any measure of transparency and accountability. The people of Dana Point deserve an understandable accounting of what the City has spent in the past and intends to spend in the future. A major area of concern was totally ignored. There was no accounting of the expenditures resulting in years of deficit spending and the depletion of $35,688,000 of the City's reserves from a high of $55,011,000 in 2008 to its present condition of $19,323,000. At the meeting, Capo Cares, a group of Capistrano Beach residents, and Doheny Village businesses asked the City to provide a timeline for the completion of the Doheny Village Plan instead of more unmet promises. While the budget allowed $500,000 for "signage", a project being proposed for Town Center, no money was allocated to even clean up the sidewalks and shrubbery in Doheny Village, as was requested. According to our City Council and City staff, Capistrano Beach residents should be satisfied with the money spent fixing the sewers and streets in the area rather than ask for some improvements given other parts of Dana Point. At least the City should thank Capistrano Beach for the $3,500,000 received from the sale of its neighborhood parkland and given by the City Council to Town Center. June 7, 2015 June 17, 2015 DOHENY VILLAGE UPDATE At the June 16 City Council meeting, the Councilmen decided to move forward with a plan to revitalize the Doheny Village area of Dana Point. The schedule calls for community outreach meetings this summer and a finalized plan to be submitted to the Coastal Commission by December, 2016. CapoCares, a group of Capistrano Beach residents and business owners, urged the city to immediately fund needed improvements to the appearance and safety of the area. The City staff will present a list of possible improvements at the July City Council meeting. However, funding for Doheny Village was not considered. The City Manager said that funds could not be determined until the City's actual income for the year was finalized later this year. Are the City's reserves that depleted? June 7, 2015 SHOW US THE MONEY The financial statements presented at the June 2 City Council meeting did not "show us the money" as requested on the front page of the Dana Point Times; they lacked any measure of transparency and accountability. The people of Dana Point deserve an understandable accounting of what the City has spent in the past and intends to spend in the future. A major area of concern was totally ignored. There was no accounting of the expenditures resulting in years of deficit spending and the depletion of $35,688,000 of the City's reserves from a high of $55,011,000 in 2008 to its present condition of $19,323,000. At the meeting, Capo Cares, a group of Capistrano Beach residents, and Doheny Village businesses asked the City to provide a timeline for the completion of the Doheny Village Plan instead of more unmet promises. While the budget allowed $500,000 for "signage", a project being proposed for Town Center, no money was allocated to even clean up the sidewalks and shrubbery in Doheny Village, as was requested. According to our City Council and City staff, Capistrano Beach residents should be satisfied with the money spent fixing the sewers and streets in the area rather than ask for some improvements given other parts of Dana Point. At least the City should thank Capistrano Beach for the $3,500,000 received from the sale of its neighborhood parkland and given by the City Council to Town Center. June 21, 2014 DOHENY VILLAGE IN JEOPARDY The June 17th city council meeting should alarm Doheny Village residents, businesses and property owners. At the meeting $7.7 million of Dana Point reserves was taken for improvements on Del Prado in Town Center. With those improvements, Dana Point will have spent approximately $20 million in two years on Town Center. That is alarming because more than 60% of the city's reserves and cash will have been spent, leaving very little money available for improvements in other parts of the city including Doheny Village. The money spent includes over $3 million to be obtained from the sale of Capistrano Beach parkland. The reserves will be at a 15 year low which will take over eight years to replenish. Doheny Village is at a critical point in its development. Money and attention from the city is needed to complete the Doheny Village plan, for street improvements and to deal with the homeless situation. With Town Center expenditures, that money won't be available anytime soon. (Think of what $3 million might have accomplished if left in Capistrano Beach.) Doheny Village has the potential to become Dana Point's most vital economic area. It has the ocean and beach as major assets. It is adjacent to freeway access. Lots could accommodate the size and height of buildings needed by developers, not available in Town Center. The newly constructed Residence Inn, technically in San Juan, shows that developers are already interested in the area. Dana Point should not miss the opportunity presented in Doheny Village. Please go to the Town Center section to read about the June 17th council meeting.              Doheny Village is a busy place. These pictures show just a few of the many shops, restaurants, schools and churches located there. Immediately adjacent to the Village are Costco, Pet Smart and Staples with thousands of shoppers daily, creating the busiest retail environment in the area. With its exceptional location near the ocean and freeway, Doheny Village has the potential to become one of Dana Point's most valuable attractions. Beginning in 2008, there has been an interest in revitalizing the area. Development of Doheny Village and PCH in Capistrano Beach were included in the Dana Point Specific Plan. In 2010, Dana Point funded a study and began to work with the community on possible improvements to the Village. Work on the plan has been postponed indefinitely, primarily due to the time and attention being given Town Center. At the March 18, 2014 city council meeting, members of the Doheny Village business community asked that the Village be included in at least one of the many Dana Point yearly events. They also requested a few improvements to make the area more inviting, such as has been done in other parts of the city. In the next budget cycle, hopefully the city council will consider funding a few improvements. These could be additional lighting, an increased police presence or a suitable place for day workers to congregate. Any improvements would show Dana Point's interest in the area and attract new businesses and customers. Doheny Village is a vital part of Dana Point and deserves our concern and attention. |