City Finances in the Black, Development Advances

San Clemente's finances are in good shape and development and infrastructure projects are moving forward, city officials said Friday.

"We balance our books, we don't overspend our budget and we take care of our money," said San Clemente Mayor Bob Baker. "We have $125 million in the bank and $10 million reserved for a rainy day."

Baker and officials from various city departments addressed a crowd at Bella Collina Towne and Golf Club Friday for the annual State of the City Luncheon sponsored by the San Clemente Chamber of Commerce.

City manager and erstwhile treasurer T. Pall Gudgeirsson went over the city finances, mentioning that revenue over the past several months fell short of projections, but that the city has been able to adjust.

He said the city is operating on a selective hiring freeze as part of the streamlining to make up for the shortfall, among other measures.

"If you're closer to the street -- the guys that are filling the potholes -- they're going to get replaced pretty quick," Gudgeirsson said.

But positions of a more administrative nature may remain unfilled as staffers leave or retire, he said.

Other staffers discussed the progress of various city projects and local developments. Marblehead Coastal, for instance, will start construction on the big residential project's paths and parks at the end of April. Construction on the Marblehead outlet mall is expected to commence in July and finish in time for the 2014 holiday season.

The following are Patch articles detailing some city projects officials mentioned Friday in state-of-the-city remarks:

• Beach Club Rehab Again up for Discussion
• Train Hushing Efforts on Track Despite Objection
• City Sidewalk Plan Sacrifices a Tree
• Los Molinos Power Lines Go Underground this Summer
• City to Build $25M Recycled Water System
• Expert: Gull Poop Is Part of Poche Beach's Problem
• Marblehead Developer to Ramp Up Work in Spring