Bridge is alive; lost Black Gold interest grows

--Residents who thought a pedestrian bridge over Imperial Highway connecting Old Town’s Main Street area with Yorba Station died with a past City Council’s higher-density Town Center plan might be surprised to learn the bridge idea is alive and kicking.

Congressman Gary Miller, who obtained $3.1 million in federal funds for the structure several years ago, told council members at a recent morning meeting at the Black Gold Golf Club the money remains earmarked for the bridge “a while longer.”

Miller stressed the decision of whether or not to take the money is up to the council, but he said, “I don’t want the city to lose the money.” The earmark, he noted, could only be used for a bridge linking the two shopping areas.

With another $1.1 million set aside in a different account, Miller thought a bridge could be built for the $4.2 million total without additional city dollars for construction. Miller noted, however, the $1.1 million could be used for other transportation-related projects.

Of course, nobody’s calling the federal funding an example of pork, a word used for money spent elsewhere. Miller said, “I’m just bringing your tax dollars back to you.” Council didn’t commit to a bridge, but it’ll be an option in a new Town Center plan.

--City Finance Director David Christian gave council members revised figures regarding city loans to Black Gold on Sept. 21 that are higher than the numbers I used in a Sept. 16 column commenting on finances at the city-owned facility.

Through the 2009-10 fiscal year, outstanding loans are $4,786,268, including $83,371 in first-year cost of a five-year rye to Kikuyu grass replacement program. Paid interest was $1,102,274 through June 30, 2007.

However, beginning with the 2007-08 fiscal year, council waived interest on the loans, and Christian, after reviewing the rates used in calculating the forgiven interest, said he “found them to not be the most accurate rates.”

Christian put the new, higher total of “lost” interest payments at $327,593 for the past three fiscal years. That’s the amount the cash could have earned if invested elsewhere.

--Forty-one-year resident and Esperanza High grad Brett Barbre will be appointed to a fourth term as one of seven directors for the county’s Municipal Water District, which administers imported water supplies, since nobody filed to run against him on Nov. 2.

Longtime resident Jeff Brown drew an opponent for a third full term as a North Orange County Community College District trustee, as did incumbents Barbara Dunsheath and Donna Miller. They’ll face Ruben Barron, Tim Keenan and Darlene Allen, respectively.

And resident Steve Rudometkin has moved from interim to permanent city manager. He told me he’d stay through 2012 or longer, if council desires, and he said he rescinded his PERS retirement, so he’s earning $199,200 plus benefits and not “double-dipping.”