Catalina Connection

Oceanside Safety Plan Update

The Oceanside Harbor and Beaches Advisory Committee has heard several safety proposals to replace the current safety model implemented in 2009.

By: JORDAN B. DARLING

OCEANSIDE— Oceanside Harbor and Beaches Advisory Committee met on March 21 to hear a revised version of the harbor’s proposed safety plan. After two hours, they ultimately voted to send staff back to the board until the committee’s June meeting.

The current safety plan is a police-based model implemented in 2009. It has eight officers and one sergeant providing 24-hour coverage of the harbor.

The harbor unit is charged with landbased policing services, water rescues, and boating safety enforcement. Lifeguards are provided for the harbor’s beaches and are part of the Fire Department’s Lifeguard Division. This plan costs the harbor $2,500,000 annually for police services and $220,00 for lifeguard services. Police costs are expected to increase to $2,878,181 for 2022/2023.

In 2020, staff assembled an informal working group of harbor stakeholders, which met six times to discuss the current safety model and develop options for a new plan. As a result, three options were presented to the committee on Nov. 15, 2021. • Shift harbor public safety duties to an expanded and reorganized lifeguard unit. • Reestablish a harbor department and revert back to a previous safety model, which puts the harbor department in charge of safety needs. • Create a Coastal firefighter/paramedic squad which is a modified lifeguard model.

Staff was sent back with an emphasis on the first lifeguard-based model, which would add ten new personnel, one supervising lifeguard lieutenant, three lifeguard sergeants, three beach lifeguards, and three fire captains providing coverage in 24-hour shifts.

Staff would be in charge of boat operations, rescue swimmer, fire suppression, emergency medical services, hazardous materials response, and vessel, dock, and facility inspections.

The proposed plan would cost the harbor $2,446,385 in 22/23, saving $340,796 annually.

However, with the new plan, there are also one-time costs that will be added to the original estimate. For example, with staff planning to work in 24-hour shifts, there is an estimated $900,000 cost for a living space.

There are concerns from members of the committee about the cost of implementing the new plan with an upcoming revitalization of the harbor, which is over 65 years old, on the horizon.

Liz Rhea, Chair for the Harbor and Beaches Advisory Committee, also voiced concerns over the recent formation of a new union for lifeguards and the new contracts’ effect on the budget.

One meeting attendee voiced concerns that the new plan does not have a police unit and would rely on the lifeguard unit to deal with situations they are not trained for.

In the proposed plan, the newly created unit would conduct harbor patrols between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. every day. Police would not have a permeant presence in the harbor but would expand their beach patrol to cover the harbor, and they would be available for emergency calls.

The committee voted to send staff back to the drawing board to look at a plan that doesn’t involve fire captains, changes the 24-hour shift to an 8-hour shift, and looks for accommodations in an existing building or using the new firehouse that is set to be built in the harbor.

“We have had a good working relationship with this whole thing, and I hope to keep this working relationship going that we can tweak this one or come up with a proposal or something,” said Liz Rhea.

Staff is set to return at the June 11 meeting.

The new safety proposal has been in the works since 2020, and it is currently leaning towards a lifeguard-based model.

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CALENDAR FEATURE

Coastal Cities Easter Events Calendar

A guide to celebrating Easter in cities along the Southern California Coast.

By: KATHERINE M. CLEMENTS

NEWPORT BEACH— The Balboa Bay Resort will host Easter Brunch on April 17. The Easter Brunch will bring together family and friends to feast on an extravagant buffet including eggs benedict, pancakes, a seafood display, sushi bar, specialty stations, delicious desserts, and more. The event will also feature live music and a visit from the Easter Bunny. Balboa Bay Club Members and Hotel Guests staying between April 16-17 are asked to email specialevents@balboabayresort. com with your member or reservation confi rmation number to make a reservation. For those who are not staying at the resort, tickets can be found at the Balboa Bay Resort website. There is a seven-day cancellation period and gratuity, and valet parking are included in your ticket. Ticket prices range from $53 to $112 depending on your reserved time slot. To view the full menu or purchase tickets. Please visit www. eventbrite.com.

HUNTINGTON BEACH— On April 16, the City of Huntington Beach Community Services Department together with the Kiwanis Club of Huntington Beach will present the Easter Hunt and Family Fun Day. The free event will be held at the Central Park Sports Complex from 9 a.m.- 2 p.m. Thousands of pounds of candy are given away each year for this special family-oriented day. Family fun events include:  Hunting for candy.  Taking pictures with the Easter Bunny.  Playing games at the many game booths.  Learning about summer camps and classes offered through Community Services.  Enjoying the live band.

Don’t forget to enjoy the pancake breakfast and hot lunch provided by the HB Kiwanis Club. Then, join in the festivities, spend time outdoors with your family, and see how Parks Make Life Better! For more information or to sponsor this event, please call City Gym and Pool at (714) 960-8884 or visit the Huntington Beach website.

SAN DIEGO— The Easter Bunny will visit the San Diego KOA Resort in Chula Vista from April 14-18. Join the festivities for one of the most beloved camping weekends of the year with a Saturday Egg Hunt, Sunday breakfast, and all the special onsite recreation that makes Easter camping one of the best camping escapes of the year. For more information on this free event, visit the San Diego KOA Resort website

OCEANSIDE— Easter Brunch will be held at the Arrowwood Golf Course in Oceanside on April 17 from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. There will be a set brunch menu and live music. For more information contact Christen Kemp at ckemp@ arrowoodgolf.com.

SANTA MONICA— Santa Monica will host Easter Brunch by the Beach at the Blue Steak at Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel, April 17 from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. Adult tickets cost $108; children’s tickets are $68. Tickets include a brunch buffet, mimosa bar, photos with the Easter Bunny, an egg hunt, a special take-home gift, and access to the live music, DIY Craft Bunny Ears, and festive decor. To purchase tickets, please visit Resy.com.

VENTURA— On April 9, Ventura will host The Hunt- Ventura’s Largest Free Easter Egg Hunt from 8 a.m. – 12 p.m. at Plaza Park. There will be thousands of eggs for little ones to collect plus separate age groups going at different times so kids of all ages can join in on the fun. The Easter Bunny will be in attendance, in addition to a petting zoo, a face painting artist, carnival rides and bounce houses. After The Hunt, stick around for the free vendor fair where hundreds of local crafters and vendors will be nearby selling all sorts of goods. It’s a great way to spend your day. The event is free, but registration is required at https://www. thehuntventura.com/.

SANTA BARBARA— The City of Santa Barbara will host Easter Brunch on April 17 at the Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort from 10:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. Join the community on the front lawn for serene ocean views and springtime music from violinist Peter Blackwelder. The resort’s executive chef has prepared a lavish brunch buffet menu featuring farm to table salad bar, raw bar and dessert station. Straight from the Bubble Shack, adults can indulge in a glass or a fl ight of Fess Parker Winery’s Festivity sparkling wines. Children will enjoy special appearances by the Easter Bunny throughout the day and Easter egg hunts on the front lawn at 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Seating is only located outdoors on the front lawn. It is advised to dress accordingly as the event will be on a grass fi eld outdoors. Adult tickets cost $105 and $50 for children 12 and under. Children 3 and under are free. For reservations or more information call (805) 884-8526, email SBAFP_ SpecialEvents@hilton.com or visit www. hiltonsantabarbarabeachfrontresort. com/specialevents.

Shutterstock image Springtime is here, and it’s time to celebrate with bunnies and Easter egg hunts! So grab the family and head to one of these fun spring fl ings or an Easter Egg Hunt.

Historical PHOTO

Wikimedia Commons Photo

Anaheim Landing Seal Beach 1890

By: JORDAN B. DARLING

SEAL BEACH— Anaheim Landing in Seal Beach was established in 1857 by the Anaheim Landing Company as a port for the Santa Ana Valley. A port and a warehouse were built on the bay where Anaheim Creek connects to the Pacifi c Ocean. Although the entrance conditions caused several disasters, the port continued to conduct coastal trade for 15 rivaling San Pedro until the arrival of the railroad in 1875. The area became a popular destination for summer getaways, and in 1915, the area, which is now modern Seal Beach, became the town Bay City. During World War II, the US Navy took on the area as an ammunition state and submarine net depot, which is still there today as the Naval Weapons Station Seal Beach. “Anaheim Bay and Anaheim Landing a beach colony which boomed three decades ago and began a fi rmer wave of popularity in the last fi ve years will be the site of a $20,000,000 naval ordnance depot,” said a Jan. 13, 1944, article from the San Pedro News Pilot. “Bridges will be ripped down, 200 homes will be razed, the channel will be dredged to a 15-foot depth, and the federal government will acquire 3500 acres of land by negotiation and condemnation.” Anaheim Landing became a California Historic Landmark in 1935.