The Fiesta Continues: Annual Music Festival Returning to Downtown

BY CLARA HELM

Downtown San Clemente is set to see the return of summertime music and entertainment next month when the San Clemente Chamber of Commerce hosts its 68th annual Fiesta Music Festival.

The free festival, taking place along the 100 and 200 blocks of Avenida Del Mar on Aug. 13, will feature family-friendly activities, various vendor booths and a slate of bands and musical acts that will rock out on the three separate stages.

This year’s lineup of performers includes The Aggrolites, Rumble King, NOT, The Provos, Star Zero, Laxi and Wes Chiller.

Council Approves Continued Casa Romantica Slope Repairs

BY CLARA HELM

The San Clemente City Council unanimously voted on July 18 to approve a contract for additional repairs on the hillside behind the Casa Romantica Cultural Center and Gardens, where two landslides since late April have damaged the historic property.

The approved resolution appropriates about $8.58 million in funding to the ongoing slope stabilization project that is expected to be completed in about a year’s time, according to city officials.

“Based on the data we have gathered and our evaluation, (the slope) is extremely tenuous right now,” Kevin Colson, president of LGC Geotechnical, Inc., said at the meeting. “It’s teetering on failure.”

The first coastal landslide on the western slope of Casa Romantica and the Reef Gate West Condominium occurred on April 27. Soil and debris fell about 25 feet down to the Beach Trail and railroad tracks below, prompting a temporary suspension of passenger rail services.

To perform emergency repairs, the city hired LGC Geotechnical, Inc. and Alliance Diversified Enterprises, Inc. (ADEI), which specializes in emergency slope stability and foundation repairs.

After initial repairs were completed on June 2, a second landslide occurred on

The festival, which was originally established in 1953, raises funds for local youth scholarships, community events and giving initiatives. With a large group of local sponsors including the City of San Clemente, Left Coast Brewing Company and Sunwest Bank, the event is seen as a celebration organized with the community’s help.

“We appreciate San Clemente’s support and look forward to seeing you at the 68th annual Fiesta Music Festival,” Chamber Director of Operations Arlen Flores said in a media release.

June 5, which worsened the condition of the slope. Now in danger of the slope’s downward creep and the upcoming rainy season, the city is moving forward with the next stage of substantial repairs.

Kiel Koger, director of Public Works, joined Colson on July 18 to explain the logistical minutiae of the slope reconstruction.

The construction company’s plan proposes the use of 100-foot tiebacks drilled horizontally into the ground, secured with four rows of grade beams, to stabilize the slope.

Koger explained that the slope will be excavated and then eventually rebuilt by placing a backfill containing layers of geogrid reinforcement.

Staff recommended using ADEI and LGC once again for these repairs, as they will be able to mobilize quickly compared to local contractors who need longer periods to prepare for the job and lack the scope of equipment.

Koger and Colson reassured the council that this method for slope stabilization has been used with previous LGC jobs.

Councilmember Mark Enmeier expressed concern about potential delays to the project due to the rainy season, which would make the job longer than one year.

“I don’t want to go through this upcoming rainy season without starting work; I realize this is not the ideal way to do a job,” replied Koger, who added that the city doesn’t have the time for the request for proposal process, where bidding, investigating and contracting occurs.

Mayor Pro Tem Steve Knoblock suggested that because of possible unforeseen events, such as rain and another slide,

From 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., festivalgoers can enjoy the live music, as well as food booths, arts and crafts vendors, marketing booths, games and exhibits. Those who attend can enter drawings to win prizes such as an e-bike and bike accessories.

Downtown restaurants and shops will also remain open for business during the the contract should not be restricted to a year. That way, he said, there is no time limit for the job to be completed in full.

With another concern raised by Knoblock, staff clarified that the county would not aid in funding this project until the damages reach $14 million, which could then allow the Federal Emergency Management Agency to come in.

Mayor Chris Duncan also suggested staff investigate county, state, or federal funding due to the historical importance of Casa Romantica, which goes beyond San Clemente. Casa Romantica is on the National Register of Historic Places and, therefore, presents possible avenues for the city to seek funding.

Funding for the repairs will be reallocated from another capital improvement project, the Mariposa Bridge repairs. From there, the city looks to replenish these funds through grants or other methods of saving.

Contributing to the bulk of public comments during the meeting, the Casa Romantica slope repairs drew an invested crowd of community members. The most present among those participants were Reef Gate West residents.

Concerned with the worsening situation of the slope, the decades-long residents of Reef Gate West urged the council to approve the staff recommendations, which would start repairs as soon as possible.

Two of the residents, Chuck Hartman and David Peter, spoke about their extensive experience in the engineering field and geological surveying, which inclined them toward agreeing with the plan.

“I do think the engineering approach and the geological approach to (the con- festivities. struction) is solid,” said Hartman.

And for families with young children, there will be a kids’ zone running from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the parking lot adjacent to the public library. The city is asking eventgoers to not bring any animals or Styrofoam to the festival.

To provide easy access to the event, which will be closed to traffic, the city will operate free shuttles and modify its current trolley service to make five stops in the downtown area.

The free shuttle will run from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. from San Clemente High School, located at 700 Avenida Pico, while the trolley will run from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., with pickup at the Outlets at San Clemente in front of Starbucks.

For those biking to the event, there will be two bike corrals available. The first will be in front of the Community Center on the corner of Calle Seville and Avenida Del Mar, and the other in the alleyway next to Artifex, behind South of Nick’s.

For more information about the festival, contact the Chamber of Commerce at info@scchamber.com.

Hartman went on to express concern about starting the project promptly, with El Niño weather forecasted to bring additional rains that could reactivate the landslide.

The residents also mentioned concerns with the slide taking out their previous wall and fence that closed them off from the public.

“The chain-link fencing and cement block wall that ran along the southern end of Reef Gate provided a security barrier for our residents,” said Amy Flores, a full-time resident of Reef Gate. “Those structures were completely destroyed during the slide … (which) allows marauders or anyone who wants to have access to our entire complex.”

Other than their urge to approve the resolution, the residents expressed gratitude for the quick response time and help from the city staff, especially City Manager Andy Hall. They also expressed confidence in the contracted companies themselves that were on-site for the first repairs within hours.

Hall expressed that due to the high level of public interest in the reconstruction project, the city will try to post weekly updates on its progress.

There was little continued debate by the councilmembers on whether to approve the plan, as there was a clear consensus the emergency needed to be addressed.

“I’m so impressed with the residents of Reef Gate, how patient and understanding you have been,” said Councilmember Rick Loeffler. “And now you deserve some service from the city, and that is what you are going to get.”

SOAPBOX