Daily Business Report-May 1, 2013
San Diego Smooths Way for Home-based Water Recycling
‘Don’t throw out the baby or the bath water’ — Councilwoman Lorie Zapf
City News Service — The San Diego City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to ease municipal code requirements for home-based water recycling systems. Advocates say that so-called “graywater” systems, in which the outflow from clothes washers or showers is directed to landscape irrigation, can reduce household consumption by half. “Graywater is a simple and effective way to reduce our water use,” Councilwoman Sherri Lightner said. “Local environmentalists say that a family of four can save as much as 16,000 gallons a year just by reusing water from their washing machine to irrigate their yard.”
A task force created to study plans submitted by the councilwoman recommended that systems that receive water from only a clothes washer should not require a city permit. She said current city rules on the systems are “confusing and contradictory,” stunting local sales. City permits should also not be needed for a homeowner to install a system that discharges less than 250 gallons per day for landscape irrigation, takes water from a clothes washer and wash basin, and doesn’t use pumps or affect the rest of the house’s plumbing, the panel concluded.
“Don’t throw out the baby or the bath water,” Councilwoman Lorie Zapf said.
Staff was ordered to return in 90 days with plans, including financing options and proposed regulations.
New Parking Spaces Opened at Lindbergh Field’s Terminal 2
Lindbergh Field has opened 600 new parking spaces at Terminal 2, increasing the total number of short-term parking spaces in front of the terminal to more than 1,300. The Terminal 2 parking lot was temporarily closed in April 2011 in order to allow for construction on the dual-level roadway in front of the terminal and replacement of underground utilities. The rate to park in the Terminal 2 lot is $4/hour for up to five hours and $28/day. The added parking is part of the Green Build Terminal 2 expansion, which is nearing completion. The grand opening for the $1 billion project will take place in August. The Green Build will provide 10 new gates, a dual-level roadway to separate arriving and departing passengers, and more shopping and dining options.
Scripps Wins Bid to Buy San Diego Hospice Property
Kelly Paice, inewsource
The courtroom was packed to watch the auction unfold as Scripps Health went head-to-head with Sharp HealthCare to purchase San Diego Hospice’s Hillcrest property. After 50 bids back and forth, Scripps beat out Sharp by $50,000, winning the hospice’s most valuable asset. Scripps bought the eight-acre property for a final price of $16.55 million. Sharp will act as a back-up bidder. Attorneys for San Diego Hospice and its unsecured creditors — those who are owed money but have no collateral — said Tuesday they were both happy with the final sale reaching almost $6 million more than Scripps’ initial bid. The property is assessed at more than $18 million and includes a 24-bed inpatient facility, which was built from an $18 million donation from the late Joan Kroc. The new owner, Scripps CEO Chris Van Gorder, said Tuesday, “When San Diego Hospice approached us originally, I actually went up the facility and took a walk around the memorial walk and realized this is something that needed to be sustained for San Diego.”
The state Attorney General needs to approve the sale before it becomes official. The hospice is still awaiting results from a Medicare audit that began two years ago.
Federal Court Dismisses Lawsuit in Special-Event Permits Case
A federal court has dismissed a lawsuit against the city of San Diego over the process for granting special-event permits during the summer, the City Attorney’s Office reports. U.S. District Judge Gonzalo P. Curiel last week granted the city’s motion to dismiss a case filed by FreePB.org that challenged the city’s summer moratorium on special events on constitutional grounds. FreePB.org had argued that the permit process violated its rights under the First Amendment and Fourteenth Amendment and the court disagreed. The court concluded that FreePB.org was subject to the ordinance only because it sought to include alcohol in its event — an activity that is not protected by the Constitution. The city’s summer moratorium prevents new special events in certain parks during the summer to allow the general public greater accessibility to these parks. The city’s case was argued by Deputy City Attorney Glenn Spitzer.
Paul Cooper Promoted to Assistant City Attorney in San Diego
San Diego Deputy City Attorney Paul Cooper has been promoted to the position of assistant city attorney and will be in charge of special projects for the Civil Advisory Division. Cooper fills the position left vacant by former Assistant City Attorney Tricia Pummill, who retired last month. Cooper began his career in the City Attorney’s office in 1993 as a prosecutor in the Criminal Division. In 1996, he was asked to head the office’s nationally recognized Domestic Violence and Child Abuse Unit. In 2003, he became the special adviser and assistant to Police Chief William Lansdowne, but returned to the City Attorney’s Office last year.
McCarthy Building Cos. Moves Forward on J. Craig Venter Institute Building
McCarthy Building Companies Inc. this week topped off the last concrete pour for the three-story, 45,000-square-foot J. Craig Venter Institute laboratory facility located on the UC San Diego campus. Zimmer Gunsul Frasca Architects is the architect. The new $39 million facility will support 125 scientists and other staff. The facility will include a12,605-square-foot laboratory wing; a three-story, 28,600-square-foot office wing; a 3,560-square-foot loading dock area; and a partially below-grade parking garage. The laboratory and office wings will sit atop the roof/podium deck of the parking garage.
James Eischen Jr. Joins Higgs Fletcher & Mack as Partner
James “Jim” Eischen Jr., a national expert in medical physician reimbursement compliance, has joined Higgs Fletcher & Mack as partner. Eischen has more than 25 years of experience. He represents a variety of medical practices and health care IT companies across the U.S. and internationally. Regularly utilized by the American Association of Private Physicians to lecture on medical compliance issues for the last four year, Eischen is expanding his physician compliance outreach to integrative/holistic education conferences both locally and nationally. Prior to joining Higgs, Eischen maintained a practice, the Eischen Law Group. He earned his undergraduate degree from Creighton University and his Juris Doctorate from the University of California at Davis.
Junior Achievement to Present Entrepreneurs Showcase
On May 16, 14 high school companies will present their innovative products and services at Junior Achievement of San Diego County’s The Next Big Thing: Entrepreneurs Showcase presented by Cymer Inc at Scottish Rite Center from 4 to 8 p.m. All part of JA Company Program, the competitors will come together from Barrio Logan, City Heights, Chula Vista, Poway, San Marcos and Mira Mesa schools to compete for the first, second or third place and The Most Original Product, Best Showcase and Best Profit-Margin Awards.
Gubernatorial Appointments
• Linda Broyles, 57, of Coronado, has been appointed to the California Commission on Emergency Medical Services by Gov. Brown. Broyles has been continuous quality improvement coordinator at the Regional Cooperative Care Program since 2006 and clinical coordinator at American Medical Response since 2007. She was base hospital nurse coordinator at Scripps Memorial Hospital La Jolla from 2005 to 2007, and served in various positions at Scripps Mercy Hospital from 1989 to 2005, including base hospital nurse coordinator. Broyles has been a registered nurse since 1977 and a certified emergency nurse since 1990. The position does not require Senate confirmation and there is no compensation. Broyles is a Republican.
• David Watson, 56, of Chula Vista, has been appointed to the 22nd District Agricultural Association, San Diego County Fair Board. Watson has been a partner and attorney at Duane Morris since 2010. He was a partner and attorney at Hecht Solberg Robinson Goldberg and Bagley from 2008 to 2010 and from 2002 to 2006. He was vice president at Yokohl Ranch Company LLC from 2006 to 2008 and a partner and attorney at Gray Cary Ware and Freidenrich from 1988 to 2002. Senate confirmation is not required. Watson is a Democrat.
UC San Diego Surgeon Named to Global Trauma Alliance
UC San Diego surgeon Raul Coimbra is the only trauma surgeon in the western United States invited to be part of the Global Alliance for the Care of the Injured — a World Health Organization initiative to improve trauma care in low and middle income countries. “One of the goals of the GACI is to teach standards in trauma care, data collection, injury surveillance and quality improvement,” said Coimbra. “It is crucial that we share our experiences in the United States around the world. Trauma is a major public health problem, and extending high quality of care to patients worldwide will also improve the way Americans traveling receive health care.”
Chief Medical Officer Named for North County Health Services
Patrick A. Tellez has been named the new chief medical officer for North County Health Services. Tellez has more than 30 yeasrs of health care industry experience. He was previously medical director in the Denver area for the Metro Community Provider Network. Tellez also served in various medical leadership roles at MedPlus, Cincinnati Group Health Associates and Mid-Valley CareNet. Tellez graduated from the University of Minnesota School of Medicine and is boarded in Pediatrics and Immunology & Allergy with over 12 years of medical practice experience.
Allen Matkins Elects New Partner
Attorney Brian Kintz has been elected a partner in the Allen Matkins law firm and will practice in the real estate and retail practice groups in the San Diego office, effective July 1.Kintz has represented a variety of landlords in the leasing, financing and disposition of office, industrial, retail, and mixed-use developments. He is a member of Allen Matkins’ pro bono committee. He received a bachelor’s degree from Cornell University and his law degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Katelyn O’Riordan Promoted at Gable PR
Katelyn O’Riordan has been promoted to account executive at Gable PR. O’Riordan joined the public relations firm in November 2011 as account coordinator and was promoted to assistant account executive in June 2012. She takes on additional account management responsibilities for Gable PR clients in her new role. Before joining the agency, O’Riordan was a freelance writer for local publications, SD METRO Magazine and the North Park News, where she covered several beats from restaurant reviews to human interest topics. She is a graduate of the University of Colorado at Boulder with a bachelor’s degree in journalism.
USD Student Wins All-America Student Analyst Competition
University of San Diego MBA student Daniel McAllister has won the first All-America Student Analyst Competition sponsored by the Institutional Investor magazine grou and Mark My Media. He topped nearly 700 students from 34 colleges and universities around the country. Concentrating on a mix of financial and health care stocks for the competition, McAllister finished highest overall. McAllister worked as a financial analyst at Jack in the Box and is now a solution consultant at AXmentor, a privately held technology company. He will be graduating in May from USD’s MBA program.
Motorists Advised to Avoid North Harbor Drive Next Tuesday
Cruise ship activity and ongoing contruction will impact North Harbor Drive on Tuesday, with traffic at its peak between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. Motorists are advised to avoid the stretch of North Harbor Drive between Grape Street and the Navy Pier during those hours. Three cruise ships will be in port that day, two docked at the Port of San Diego’s B Street terminal and the other at the Port Pavilion on Broadway Pier. North Harbor Drive will have only one eastbound lane open due to construction of the North Embarcadero Visionary Plan Phase I project. Buses and trucks will not be allowed to travel on West Broadway and will be directed south on North Harbor Drive.
