SJC Loves to Shop; Tax Revenue Up

SALES TAX PROCEEDS: Staff met with the city’s sales tax consultant from MuniServices this week to review the city’s retail sales performance for the quarter ended March 31. The retail sales were 18.4 percent higher than the quarter ended March 31, 2011. This increase is higher than the statewide increase of 7.3 percent and the South Coast area increase of 7.2 percent for the same period. The two largest economic segments contributing to this growth in sales tax revenue are transportation and general retail.

For the fiscal year ended June 30, the city’s sales tax revenue is expected to be 3 percent higher than the city’s revised budget. These final results are expected to be received in October 2012. The consultant’s current sales tax revenue projection for fiscal year 2012-13 is 3.9 percent higher than the city’s adopted budget for the same period.

CITY COUNCIL CANDIDATES: are officially lined up for two open San Juan Capistrano City Council seats in November. The deadline to file papers ended Aug. 15. On Nov. 6, voters will consider the following candidates (in ballot order):

• Sam Allevato, Councilmember/Retired Policeman
• Melissa Abbott-Kaffen, Author, Blogger, Mother
• Ginny Kerr, Planning Commissioner
• Kim McCarthy
• Tom Marantz, Technology Administrator
• Roy L. Byrnes, Retired Physician/Surgeon

For more information, contact the Office of the City Clerk at 949-493-1171.

LOS RIOS TEMPORARY PARKING LOT: Public Works and Development Services gave a great team effort to quickly complete the 22-stall temporary parking lot in the Phase 2 area of near Paseo Adelanto and Ramos Street. Staff tested the night lighting and adjusted the four lights mounted on two poles to mitigate light overspill.

Construction of parking lot commenced on Aug. 8, to alleviate parking congestion during the summer tourist season and provide overflow parking in the downtown during special events. The parking lot layout and surface preparations inclusive of gravel spreading was completed on Aug. 8. Trenching and auger operations followed by installation of electrical conduits, light poles, fence posts, and wheel stops were completed on August 9, 2012. The balance of work, including the installation of fence railings, signage, light fixtures, and related tasks have been completed and the temporary parking lot opened on Aug. 17, for summer use.

DARMAL RESIDENCE: The applicant for the excess Caltrans parcel in Pacifica San Juan has submitted revised plans for the grading plan modification application. The DRC provided additional comments and continued the item to the next available DRC meeting. In addition, the DRC recommended the traffic analysis go to the Transportation Commission on Sept. 12.

DEL OBISPO BRIDE WIDENING: The approach slabs have been placed and final demolition on the overhang is near completion. Forming of the overhang and placement of rebars will take place early next week with the concrete pour next week. Temporary lane closures are scheduled to be removed by start of school in early September.  Work will continue on the south side of the sidewalk, affecting the new bike lane and pedestrian crossing. The project is scheduled for completion by mid-October.

GROUNDWATER RECOVERY PLANT: For this fiscal year (July 1, 2012 through June 30, 2013), the goal of local groundwater to be produced from the Groundwater Recovery Plant is 4,545 acre feet.  The average daily production for the month of August is 2.5 million gallons per day (MGD), which equals 7.7 acre feet per day (AFD). The highest daily production for the month was 4.3 MGD or 13.2 AFD. The total GWRP production to date for this fiscal year is 493 acre feet which is 10.8 percent of the goal of 4,545 acre feet for the fiscal year and 26 percent of all the water supplied to the city.