Nature Center to stay open

Jose Paul Corona

Residents won the Shipley Nature Center battle this week, as it

will remain open and longtime Park Naturalist Dave Winkler will not

be laid off, but the budget war continues as city leaders cast about

for other places to trim the fat.

At Monday’s budget workshop the City Council discussed a plan that

would keep the center open. That plan calls for shorter hours and a

staff of volunteers from the Friends of the Shipley Nature Center,

who Councilwoman Shirley Dettloff credits with saving the center.

“They really came to the floor and showed their true colors,” she

said. “They’re great examples of what citizens can do when they

deeply believe in something.”

Also thanks to the public outcry, Winkler will be transferred to

the beach operations department. He will still be consulted on issues

regarding the Shipley Nature Center, Dettloff said.

In a proactive response to budget woes, Councilman Ralph Bauer

presented the council and city staff with a list of nine options to

increase city revenues and help fund programs like the Shipley Nature

Center and the Drug Abuse Resistance Education program.

His suggestions included the installation of parking meters along

Magnolia Street north of Pacific Coast Highway and a $2 increase in

the fee for use of the Downtown parking structure during busy hours

and special events.

The suggestions he made may not be very popular, Bauer said, but

the city has to use the resources it has in the best possible way in

order to increase revenue.

“The public seemed particularly concerned about DARE and the

nature center,” Bauer said. “Part of my job is to be responsible.”

Another area Bauer looked at was rents. He proposed raising the

International Surfing Museum rent from the current $1 per year to 50%

of the going rate Downtown and suggested the city begin charging the

Huntington Youth Shelter rent based on what it could charge other

businesses to rent the property.

He also noted that the general fund subsidizes rent at Emerald

Cove, a practice he feels should end with incoming tenants, and

certain people’s trash collection, for which he proposed the city

only pay half of from now on.

Bauer also suggested raising the annual $25 nonresident library

fee by $5.

City staff will examine some of the proposals made by Bauer and

will present the council with recommendations on Sept. 9.