Imperial Beach

A bill that would allow the City of Imperial Beach to stave off bankruptcy by giving away its beachfront to the San Diego Unified Port District passed its first legislative hurdle Tuesday when a California Senate committee approved the measure by an 8-0 vote.

The Senate Governmental Organization Committee approved a bill by Sen. Wadie P. Deddeh (D-Bonita) that would allow the debt-ridden municipality to deed its 3.5-mile oceanfront from Coronado to the Mexican border over to the Port District, which would then assume the responsibility of about $1.2 million in annual maintenance and patrol costs for the shore.

Imperial Beach officials say that shedding the responsibility for the shore, which gobbles up about 30% of the annual municipal budget, is essential in allowing the city to dig itself out of a financial quagmire. A state audit released last week said the city would go bankrupt by January 1992 unless it is allowed to give away the beach.

Representatives from Imperial Beach and the Port District were in Sacramento Tuesday for the hearing, which took about five minutes and generated no discussion from the senators.

Port Director Don Nay said the port is willing to take over the beachfront, as well as a $2.9-million debt for refurbishing the Imperial Beach pier. City officials hope to recover the $356,000 in annual bond payments from commercial rents on the 1,500-foot pier.

But so far, the rosy rental predictions have failed to come true. Nay said Tuesday that the port would be willing to pay off the $2.9-million debt.

Deddeh had also introduced a companion bill that called for an emergency $4.5-million state loan to Imperial Beach, but indicated he will drop the measure because the audit said it is unnecessary.