City Council Meeting - April 07, 2026
1. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
The Regular Meeting of the City Council was called to order at 4:00 p.m. on April 7, 2026, in the City Council Chamber at City Hall with Mayor Duncan presiding.
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mayor Duncan led the Pledge of Allegiance.
3. PRESENTATIONS
3.a
Earth Month Proclamation
1. Unsigned PROC2026-11 Earth Month 04072026.pdf
Mayor Duncan presented the proclamation.
4. CONSENT CALENDAR
Motion made by:
Councilmember Downey
Seconded by:
Councilmember Purvis
Approve the recommended actions on the consent calendar.
Yes (5):
Mayor Duncan, Councilmember Downey, Councilmember Fleming, Councilmember Purvis, and Councilmember Steward Motion Carried
4.a
Approval of Reading by Title and Waiver of Reading in Full of Ordinances on This Agenda Approve the reading by title and waive the reading in full of all Ordinances on the agenda.
4.b
Approve Warrants Certified by Treasurer as Correct and Budget-Compliant for FY 2025-26
1. Warrant List 04.07.26.pdf
Approve the Warrants as certified by the City/Agency Treasurer.
4.c
Adoption of a Policy for the Distribution of Event Tickets and Passes
1. Staff Report - Adoption of a Policy for the Distribution of Event Tickets and Passes.pdf
2. Attachment 1 - Resolution 2026-11.pdf
3. Attachment 2 - Regulation 2 CCR § 18944.1.pdf
Adopt Resolution 2026-11 establishing a Policy for the Distribution of Event Tickets and Passes in compliance with Fair Political Practices Commission Regulation 2 California Code of Regulations § 18944.1, and direct the City Clerk’s Office to complete all required posting and notification actions.
4.d
Filing of the Treasurer’s Reports on Investments for the City and the Successor Agency to the Community Development Agency for the City of Coronado for the Quarter Ending December 31, 2025
1. SR Q2 City and CDA Treas Rpt Dec 2025.pdf
2. Attachment 1 - Combined Q2 Treasurer Report Packet - FY2026_Redacted.pdf Examine the quarterly reports on investments and direct them to be filed.
5. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Rena Clancy
, Executive Director of the Coronado Chamber of Commerce, provided comments regarding the strategic importance of maintaining a Chamber presence on Orange Avenue and requested a future Council discussion on rental costs in the business district.
6. CITY MANAGER/EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
None.
7. PUBLIC HEARINGS
7.a
Adoption of “A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Coronado, California, Adopting a Revised Schedule for a Regional Transportation Congestion Improvement Program Fee to Mitigate the Impacts of Development of Residential Units on the San Diego Regional Transportation Arterial System for Fiscal Year 2026-27, Increasing the Existing Uniform Transportation Mitigation Fee by Two Percent, from $3,047.57 to $3,109.88 for Each Newly Constructed Residential Unit”
1. Staff Report - RTCIP Update 2026.pdf
2. Attachment 1 - Resolution 2026-12.pdf
3. Attachment 2 - RTCIP Discussion Memo.pdf
4. Attachment 3 - Notices of Public Hearing.pdf
Jim Newton, Assistant Director of Public Services and Engineering, presented the staff report.
Mayor Duncan opened the public hearing and asked if anyone wished to speak on the item. Having received no requests to speak, Mayor Duncan closed the public hearing.
Discussion ensued regarding the necessity of regional planning to address increased traffic from population growth and the resulting wear on local infrastructure.
Motion made by:
Councilmember Downey
Seconded by:
Mayor Duncan
Adopt Resolution 2026-12,
“A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Coronado, California, adopting a revised schedule for a Regional Transportation Congestion Improvement Program Fee to mitigate the impacts of development of residential units on the San Diego Regional Transportation Arterial System for Fiscal Year (FY) 2026-27, increasing the existing uniform transportation mitigation fee by two percent, from $3,047.57 to $3,109.88 for each newly constructed residential unit.
"
Yes (5):
Mayor Duncan, Councilmember Downey, Councilmember Fleming, Councilmember Purvis, and Councilmember Steward Motion Carried
7.b
Fiscal Year 2026-27 User Fees
1. Staff Report - FY 2026-27 User Fees.pdf
2. Attachment 1 - Resolution 2026-13.pdf
3. Attachment 2 - FY 26-27 COC Public Hearing Notice - User Fees 040726.pdf Senior Management Analyst Kelli Maples presented the staff report utilizing PowerPoint.
Correction sheets provided at the meeting addressed minor clerical rounding errors on the Police and Business pages and corrected an inadvertently entered fee on the special event permit line. Councilmembers asked for confirmation that identified red-texted items on the corrected sheets would show no year-over-year change.
Mayor Duncan opened the public hearing and asked if anyone wished to speak on the item. Having received no requests to speak, Mayor Duncan closed the public hearing.
Discussion ensued regarding the efficiency of tying fees to regional indices to avoid large periodic jumps in costs.
Motion made by:
Councilmember Fleming
Seconded by:
Councilmember Purvis
Adopt Resolution 2026-13 implementing annual adjustments to Police, EMS/Ambulance, Community Development Fees, Wastewater Capacity Fees, Special Event Fees, and Recreation Fees for Fiscal Year (FY) 2026-27, including the establishment of City Clerk fees as amended.
Yes (5):
Mayor Duncan, Councilmember Downey, Councilmember Fleming, Councilmember Purvis, and Councilmember Steward Motion Carried
8. GENERAL BUSINESS
8.a
Council Reports on Interagency Assignments
1. CM Purvis 8a Report 04.07.2026.pdf
2. 8a Steward 04072026.pdf
Councilmember Steward reported on biodiversity legislation, regional beach nourishment needs, and her support for the Stockdale League of Wives memorial bench and the State of Imperial Beach event.
Councilmember Downey detailed the San Diego Metropolitan Transit System's (MTS) current fiscal challenges, fare hike proposals, and the high cost of the state-mandated transition to an all-electric bus fleet.
Councilmember Purvis discussed the search for a new executive director for the Metro JPA wastewater agency, tours of the regional pure water facility, and the lawn bowling exhibit at the Coronado Historical Association.
Councilmember Fleming reported on his participation in MTS and SANDAG committee meetings, highlighting regional budget deficits and the successful Arbor Day tree planting in Spreckels Park.
Mayor Duncan reported on his advocacy trip to Washington, D.C. to address transborder sewage issues through the USMCA and request federal funding for flooding and sewer infrastructure projects.
8.b
Authorize the City Manager to Execute a Contract with the San Diego Metropolitan Transit System in the Amount of $111,993 to Operate the 2026 Free Summer Shuttle Program
1. 2026 Free Summer Shuttle Program.pdf
2. Attachment 1 - FSS Contract.pdf
Senior Planner Tricia Olsen presented the staff report utilizing PowerPoint.
Councilmembers asked about expanding Pronto pass eligibility to military families living in Strand housing and the feasibility of adjusting fleet frequency to balance operational costs with service needs during regional events like NASCAR. Staff and Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) representatives responded that while unique schedules are operationally difficult, the Council could direct research into pass distribution logistics and utilize standby buses for peak holiday capacity.
Mila Albertson
provided comments regarding the potential to alternate buses to ensure all vehicles remain operational throughout the week.
Mike Gaylord
, representing the Coronado Cays, provided comments regarding the program's popularity and suggested Navy housing distribution solutions for Pronto passes.
Kathy Brown
provided comments regarding the Chamber of Commerce’s support for an earlier June start date to alleviate traffic during the NASCAR event.
Discussion ensued regarding balancing operational costs with the need for increased service frequency during peak holiday weekends, including the upcoming NASCAR event and the Fourth of July. Councilmembers discussed the benefits of a June 6 start date to accommodate visitor traffic and explored offering Pronto passes to military families in Strand housing.
Motion made by:
Councilmember Fleming
Seconded by:
Mayor Duncan
To authorize the City Manager to execute a contract with MTS to operate the 2026 Free Summer Shuttle beginning June 6, 2026, utilizing three buses with 20-minute headways; To direct staff to work with MTS for standby bus capacity on holiday weekends (NASCAR and Fourth of July); To direct staff to research the feasibility and costs of providing Pronto passes for military Strand housing.
Yes (5):
Mayor Duncan, Councilmember Downey, Councilmember Fleming, Councilmember Purvis, and Councilmember Steward Motion Carried
8.c
Coronado Public Library Roof and Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) Project: Approve the Roof Replacement and HVAC Replacement Option 2; Provide Direction on Solar System Integration and Potential Funding; and Appropriate up to an Additional $368,235 for the Design and Bid Phases of the Project
1. Staff Report -Library Roof and HVAC 04072026.pdf
2. Attachment 1 - Feasibility Study and Appendices.pdf
3. Attachment 2 - HVAC Comparative Features Summary.pdf Principal Architect Jackie Lu and Leon Firsht, Director of Public Services and Engineering, presented the staff report jointly utilizing PowerPoint.
Councilmembers asked about the long-term financial viability of solar integration, the energy efficiency of transitioning to an all-electric HVAC system, and the potential for utilizing battery storage as a regional utility solution to support multiple municipal facilities. Staff explained that while solar and electric transitions would likely be cost-neutral in the short term, they offer significant longevity and alignment with the City's Climate Action Plan.
Sharon Hall
provided comments regarding the critical need to address moisture damage that threatens library collections and patron comfort.
Julie Webb
provided comments regarding the dedication of staff in managing ongoing facility leaks and urged an expedited decision.
Carl Luna
, President of the Coronado Friends of the Library, provided comments regarding the organization's endorsement of HVAC Option 2 to minimize architectural intrusion.
Todd Little
provided comments regarding the economic benefits of federal investment tax credits for renewable energy projects.
Stuart Smith
provided comments regarding the financial advantages of municipal solar projects and recommended a full roof array.
Discussion ensued regarding the long-term fiscal benefits of solar integration versus the potential for structural disruption from building reinforcements.
Motion made by:
Councilmember Steward
Seconded by:
Councilmember Downey
To receive the project status update and approve the recommended PVC roof replacement; To approve HVAC replacement Option 2 (in-kind replacement); To appropriate $100,000 to conduct a study on a preferred solar option; To direct staff to review battery storage options in lieu of a generator at the Spreckels Center.
Yes (5):
Mayor Duncan, Councilmember Downey, Councilmember Fleming, Councilmember Purvis, and Councilmember Steward Motion Carried
8.d
Consideration of a Resolution Adopting Crown City March as the Official City March of Coronado
1. Staff Report - Official City March.pdf
2. Attachment 1 - Resolution 2026-14.pdf
City Manager Tina Friend presented the staff report regarding the Coronado Concert Band’s request to designate a commissioned piece as the official city march.
Discussion ensued regarding the importance of supporting local arts while avoiding the legal complexities of adopting copyrighted material.
Motion made by:
Mayor Duncan
Seconded by:
Councilmember Downey
To decline the formal adoption of Crown City March as the official city march while providing a letter of appreciation to the Coronado Concert Band.
Yes (4):
Mayor Duncan, Councilmember Downey, Councilmember Fleming, and Councilmember Steward No (1):
Councilmember Purvis
Motion Carried
8.e
Quarterly Cross-Border Water Quality Update
1. Staff Report - Quarterly Cross-Border Water Quality Update (Q1 2026).pdf
2. Attachment 1 - City of Coronado, CA Response to USTR.pdf
3. Attachment 2 - USIBWC-Successfully-Completes-Ozone-Pilot-Project-in-Tijuana-River.pdf Receive an update on recent activities regarding cross-border water pollution.
City Manager Friend provided a comprehensive update on activities regarding cross-border water pollution, highlighting that the upcoming renegotiation of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) serves as a critical opportunity to leverage environmental commitments from the Mexican government. It was noted that the City is specifically seeking automatic consequences if Mexico fails to fulfill its sewage management infrastructure projects. Regarding local infrastructure, it was reported that while Mexico's pumping station recently resumed operations to reduce flows, infrastructure expansion remains a top priority for federal lobbying.
Further information was provided regarding an advocacy trip to Washington, D.C., to request congressionally directed funding for local sewer and stormwater projects. Serious concern was expressed regarding the county’s current testing methodology, which has shown a 56 percent false-positive rate, and staff emphasized the importance of local resolution adoption to bolster federal advocacy for reliable science. The update also addressed the potential use of "nano bubble technology" as a mitigation strategy and noted the deleterious impact of sewage on military readiness and local tourism. Collaborative efforts with regional partners continue to focus on securing long-term federal funding solutions.
8.f
Consideration of a Policy #2 Request Regarding Adoption of a Resolution Opposing Offshore Oil Drilling and Gas Leasing
1. Policy 2 Offshore.pdf
2. Item 8f. Public Comment (Received April 07, 2026)_Redacted.pdf Councilmembers Steward and Purvis introduced the request for a formal resolution opposing offshore drilling.
Discussion ensued regarding whether a new resolution was necessary given the Council’s existing legislative guidelines and the effectiveness of resolutions on matters outside local jurisdictional control.
Motion made by:
Councilmember Steward
Seconded by:
Councilmember Downey
To approve the policy request to place a resolution opposing offshore oil drilling and gas leasing for a future meeting.
Yes (3):
Councilmember Downey, Councilmember Purvis, and Councilmember Steward No (2):
Mayor Duncan, and Councilmember Fleming
Motion Carried
9. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Duncan adjourned the Regular Meeting at 8:15 p.m.