Daily Business Report: Wednesday, Aug. 4, 2021
San Diego County Water Authority taps
SkillBridge Program for talented veterans
The San Diego County Water Authority is the first public agency in California to participate in the Department of Defense SkillBridge Program, which connects transitioning military service members to career-track job training opportunities. The regional initiative is off to a fast start with two SkillBridge interns starting their civilian careers at the Water Authority this summer.
The Water Authority’s Operations & Maintenance Department recently welcomed two SkillBridge interns, Gerald Moore and Jamaal Benjamin, who each bring more than 15 years of experience in the Navy.
The Water Authority is benefitting from Moore’s background in operating and maintaining computer systems. “The Water Authority is all about teamwork and service, and they’ve welcomed me to their team with open arms,” said Moore. “This is a new phase of my career and life. I’m excited to find out where this journey will take me.”
Benjamin is using his knowledge and experience working with complex electrical, electromechanical, and electrohydraulic systems to help maintain and repair critical water facilities. “Having an opportunity to tap my military training and background in a civilian context is an ideal way to increase my career options in the water and wastewater industry,” said Benjamin.
Developers brand 17-story La Jolla project
as a luxury senior housing development
Belmont Village La Jolla, a 17-story residential project being constructed at 3880 Nobel Drive, is being touted as a luxury senior housing development by Belmont Village Senior Living and Greystar, developers who purchased the land together in 2020.
Belmont Village La Jolla will offer 180 residential units of independent living, assisted living and memory care as well as community amenities, wellness activities, enrichment programs and clinical care upon completion in summer 2022.
Belmont Village is collaborating with the UC San Diego Stein Institute for Research on Aging to promote resilience and well-being through programs and activities for Belmont Village La Jolla residents.
In addition to the UCSD collaboration, other signature amenities at Belmont Village La Jolla will include a professionally managed fitness center, full-service salon and spa, private screening room, bistro for casual dining and full-service dining room, personal wine storage, sports lounge and arts and crafts studio. The community also will feature a variety of outdoor areas, such as terraces for dining, a fireplace and entertainment area, heated saltwater swimming pool, ocean views and private balconies on the top two floors.
The units offered will be studio, one and two-bedroom residences. Interested parties may call 858-251-8883 for pricing.
San Diego City Council approves $293 million
plan to upgrade city’s infrastructure
Mayor Todd Gloria on Aug. 2 secured approval from the City Council on his $293 million plan to fund critical infrastructure projects across the city, including major road repairs and park improvements.
The funding breaks down into these categories: Public safety: $97.7 million; mobility and transportation: $59.4 million; environmental services: $50.4 million; stormwater: $49.6 million; parks and recreation: $20.7 million; city facilities: $14.7 million; information technology: $550,000.
The public safety funding will allow the city, during the next two years, to replace radio equipment ($56.4 million) and 34 heavy-duty fire trucks ($41.3 million) that have exceeded their useful life. The environmental services funding will allow the city to implement a new refuse and recycling collection system to comply with state requirements to recycle organic waste. The stormwater allocation seeks to restore funding for the City’s aging stormwater infrastructure, which faces a backlog of over a billion dollars over the next five years.
Nearly half of the funding for transportation upgrades – $28.4 million – will go to Gloria’s “Sexy Streets” initiative, which prioritizes road repairs in historically underserved communities.
City Attorney Mara W. Elliott sues broker
over Housing Commission acquisitions
City Attorney Mara W. Elliott on Tuesday filed a lawsuit against the real estate brokers who advised the San Diego Housing Commission to acquire two residential hotels in Mission Valley and in Kearny Mesa for use as long-term supportive housing for people who had been given temporary shelter under Operation Shelter to Home.
The lawsuit, which the City Council authorized, cites evidence that real estate broker Kidder Mathews Inc. and agent Jim Neil breached their broker agreement with the Housing Commission, made fraudulent representations to the Housing Commission, violated conflict-of-interest disclosure laws, and had a prohibited financial interest in one of the contracts they participated in making.
Kidder Mathews and Neil did not respond to the lawsuit.
The city seeks a court judgment voiding that transaction under a state anti-corruption law, section 1090 of the California Government Code. The city also seeks damages, including punitive damages and disgorgement, for the Housing Commission and the city for harm done to them in both transactions.
Elliott said the state anti-corruption law was violated when Neil (1) identified the Residence Inn Hotel Circle in Mission Valley as a property for the Housing Commission to acquire, (2) purchased 40,000 shares of stock in the hotel’s corporate owner, and (3) negotiated the $67 million deal for the Housing Commission. Elliott estimates the value of Neil’s stock may have increased by as much as $250,000 since the sale.
Neil also earned commissions on both deals that exceeded the $250,000 limit set in the signed broker agreement. In negotiating the deal to acquire the Residence Inn Kearny Mesa, Neil took a $592,500 commission from the seller, inflating the cost of the hotel to the detriment of his client. The Housing Commission paid Neil’s $502,500 commission on the Hotel Circle hotel acquisition, even though it exceeded limits in the broker agreement.
UC San Diego Health opens second accredited
geriatric emergency unit
UC San Diego Health has become the first health system in San Diego to have fully accredited geriatric emergency departments at both hospitals. On Aug. 2, 2021, the medical center in Hillcrest received a Level 2 accreditation from the American College of Emergency Physicians.
Seniors who arrive in either emergency department at UC San Diego Health are treated by a team of specialists in geriatric emergency medicine, including nurses, physicians, pharmacists, social workers and case managers. As a group, these clinicians focus on senior-specific issues, such as fall risk, cognitive and memory problems and medication interactions — all common issues when treating older adults.
Additionally, the team seeks to reduce hospital admissions and re-admissions for seniors, and work with patients and caretakers to ensure a smooth transition back home.
The Gary and Mary West Emergency Department at UC San Diego Health Jacobs Medical Center in La Jolla is the only emergency department in San Diego with Level 1 accreditation, the highest and most comprehensive level.
How Newsom recall candidates
are spending their campaign cash
By Ben Christopher and Jeremia Kimelman | CalMatters
With six weeks to go before Californians decide whether to recall Gov. Gavin Newsom, the favorite of major GOP donors is still Kevin Faulconer. The former San Diego mayor has amassed more than $3 million in contributions. While most of his haul has come from big spenders, the median contribution was $5,000, according to campaign finance reports filed Monday.
Conservative talk show host Larry Elder’s campaign has raised more than $1 million, according to his daily financial filings. That puts him second to Faulconer in total contributions, excluding self-funding.
Despite being related to the Kardashians and boasting a private plane, Caitlyn Jenner has so far outraised the rest of the replacement candidate field among small-dollar donors who give less than $100 and therefore aren’t listed by name. With the help of some aggressive digital fundraising techniques and massive name ID, she has taken in nearly $200,000 in these non-itemized contributions. That’s the good news. The bad news: Her campaign has spent hundreds of thousands more than it’s taken in.
John Cox, the Rancho Sante Fe millionaire who has exhibited no qualms about pouring vast sums of his own money into his campaigns, has already invested $7.6 million into the recall.
LawnStarter acquires San Diego’s
Lawn Love in a cash-and-stock deal
LawnStarter, a Texas-based provider of on-demand lawn and outdoor care, announced the acquisition of San Diego-based Lawn Love in a cash-and-stock deal that creates a nationwide on-demand powerhouse for lawn care and other outdoor services. Financial terms were not disclosed.
Lawn Love founder and CEO Jeremy Yamaguchi says his company’s acquisition by LawnStarter allows both businesses to better capitalize on the growth of on-demand, tech-enabled services since the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic, and positions the combined company as a clear market leader.
“This deal effectively teleports both Lawn Love and LawnStarter years into the future,” Yamaguchi says. “It’s a dramatic acceleration toward our goal of empowering small business owners by providing the technology and tools to help them grow their businesses, compete with the big guys and ultimately thrive.”
LawnStarter and Lawn Love will operate as separate brands, led by LawnStarter co-founder Steve Corcoran as CEO. LawnStarter’s headquarters will stay in Austin. Yamaguchi is remaining with the combined company.
Bosa’s Diega apartment project in Downtown
San Diego reaches 50 percent leased units
Bosa Development’s Diega high-rise towers in Downtown San Diego has reached 50 percent leased units since opening in April, the company reported. It credits that figure to the building’s location at the intersection of the city’s best neighborhoods and destinations, nearly an acre of indoor and outdoor amenities, concierge services in partnership with Alfred, and a variety of floor plans with panoramic views of San Diego.
Diega spans a full city block with two iconic towers rising 20 and 41 stories high designed by Joseph Wong Design Associates. The residences include studios, 1-, and 2-bedroom residences, along with penthouse residences located on level 41. Interior design is by Jules Wilson Design Studio.
Diega’s amenity offering includes nearly an acre of indoor and outdoor spaces, the Sky Terrace overlooking Downtown featuring an over 50-foot-long heated rooftop pool and spa, outfitted with lounge seating and cabanas with outdoor TV’s, two dedicated grilling and dining areas, and several fireside retreats.
Residents’ opinions needed on design
for county’s Southeastern Live Well Center
The County’s Southeastern Live Well Center project is moving forward and residents in the area will once again have an opportunity to give their input on the look and feel of the facility which will serve as a hub for health and social services in the region.
Residents of Southeastern San Diego will also have a say in the final color scheme and other options, including the public art and photo murals that will surround the 65,000-square-foot facility.
After hearing residents’ feedback, the facility will now include features such as a meditation garden and fruit trees. Residents also helped determine the final color options now available for review.
Southeastern San Diego residents are invited to submit their choices for the final color and art here.
Gubernatorial Appointments:
Leticia C. Sandoval, 54, of Lemon Grove, has been reappointed to the Collateral Recovery Disciplinary Review Committee, where she has served since 2020. Sandoval has been president at Stronger Communities since 2020, where she was chief executive Officer from 2013 to 2020. Sandoval has been communicable disease investigator/outbreak management at the CDC Foundation since 2020. She was a supervising probation officer for the County of San Diego from 1992 to 2013. Sandoval is a member of the COVID-19 Local Public Health School Leadership, the Liaison Group and the UCSF Virtual Training Academy. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $100 per diem. Sandoval is a Democrat.
Ross E. Viselman,49, of Imperial Beach, has been reappointed to the Collateral Recovery Disciplinary Review Committee, where he has served since 2018. Viselman has been a risk manager at Higgs Fletcher & Mack since 2019. He has been a volunteer commissioner for the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors since 2008. Viselman was a senior trial counsel at the State Bar of California and an adjunct professor at the California School of Law from 2011 to 2019. Viselman was senior counsel for the Los Angeles Dodgers LLC from 2008 to 2011, an associate at Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP from 2006 to 2008, a civil litigation associate at Simpson Thacher and Bartlett LLP from 2003 to 2005, and a trial attorney for Federal Public Defenders of San Diego Inc. from 1999 to 2003. The position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $100 per diem. Viselman is registered without party preference.
High-water mark set for medical/office
building sales in North County
A 6,300-square-foot, Class A medical office building at 2010 Cassia Road in Carlsbad has been sold for $4.7 million, or $746 per-square-foo.
James Bengala, Alex Gudim, and Selina Sounakhene of the CORE Office Group at Lee & Associates North San Diego County represented the seller.
The building which completed construction in 2007 is situated at the signalized intersection of El Camino Real & Cassia Road and is highly recognized as a landmark to the local community. Surrounded by North County cities of Carlsbad, Encinitas, Vista, and San Marcos, the building sits minutes away from Bressi Ranch Village, a 116,403-square-foot retail/office center.
The sale set a new price-per-square-foot high-water mark for medical/office buildings in North County San Diego in the 5,000 square foot — 40,000 square foot range.
San Diego seeks emergency permit to protect
visitors and marine life in La Jolla
The City of San Diego is submitting an application for a temporary emergency closure of a portion of Point La Jolla at Ellen Scripps Browning Park, in an effort informed by California Coastal Commission guidance, to protect the public and the sea lion rookery located along the shoreline during the annual sea lion pupping season.
The City is taking steps to secure an emergency coastal development permit that will effectively close the tip of Point La Jolla beyond the seawall beginning at Boomer Beach and ending at the access stairway leading down to the bluff.
“We have called for responsible tourism, met with stakeholders, installed new signage, and yet crowds continue to seek up-close encounters with the sea lions. The spectacle of the past few months does not reflect who we are as a city and has distracted the public from enjoyment of San Diego’s world-class natural resources,” said Councilmember Joe LaCava, who represents Council District 1. “The temporary closure, as called for by the California Coastal Commission, will curtail access to Point La Jolla while preserving the unique viewing of sea lions. Further, it provides the City additional time to continue conversations with stakeholders on effective methods to manage our coastline for all to safely enjoy.”
USS Carl Vinson leaves San Diego
in first deployment of F-35C stealth jets
Times of San Diego
The nuclear-powered supercarrier USS Carl Vinson and its strike group left San Diego Monday, marking the first time a carrier strike group has deployed with F-35C Lightning II stealth jets and Osprey tiltrotors.
The F-35C is the carrier version of the Joint Strike Fighter being built in three versions for the Air Force, Marines and Navy. The Navy version can fly 1.6 times the speed of sound and has a combat radius of 600 nautical miles.
“Vinson is the first carrier to accommodate a mix of 4th- and 5th- generation strike fighters, providing unprecedented lethality and survivability and ensuring the Navy team can operate and win in contested battlespace now and well into the future,” said Capt. Tommy Locke, commander of Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 2.
