Mayor Jay Gillian: Drone Ban Appropriate to Protect Public

Dear Friends, Last night, City Council passed an ordinance banning drones and included a sunset clause on the ordinance for September 2016.  I believe this ordinance is the appropriate step to protect public safety and privacy while we wait for the FAA to develop rules for the use of drones.  With any issue we discuss as a government, there are positives and negatives.  In this case, I felt very strongly that the city needed to proactively address this issue to protect our guests, residents and businesses from potential accidents. Please remember we will be holding a Town Hall Meeting tomorrow regarding the pump station project for the neighborhood between 2^nd and 8^th Streets west of West Avenue.  This meeting will take place on Saturday, November 14^th at 10:00 AM at the Chris Maloney Lecture Hall in the library located at 1735 Simpson Avenue.  Representatives of the design engineering firm will be present to explain the project and answer questions. The north end beach replenishment project is progressing well.  The contractor is close to finishing the northern part of the project and expects to turn the pipe to start southward this weekend. If all goes well, and weather permitting, the replenishment project may be completed by Christmas. Beginning Wednesday, November 18^th we will begin on a trial basis opening the Aquatic and Fitness Center at 5:00 AM.  We are expanding the operating time at the request of several of our guests, and hope this change helps our families fit exercise into their daily schedule. I hope everyone has a great weekend. Warm regards, Jay A. Gillian Mayor