♪ ♪ >>> THANKS FOR JOINING US FOR THIS LOOK AT SOME OF THE STORIES FROM KPBS THIS WEEK.

I'M MAYA TRABULSI.

COMING UP, HOMELESSNESS IN THE NORTH COUNTY AS ONE CITY MAKES A MOVE TO CLEAR OUT AN ENCAMPMENT AND ANOTHER WILL HAVE ITS FIRST SAFE PARKING SITE.

REPAIRING SCHOOLS IN RAMONA.

THE CHALLENGES IN GETTING RESIDENTS TO BUY IN AFTER VOTERS REJECT ANOTHER BOND PROPOSAL.

AND UNCOVERING THE PAST.

SEE THE TECHNOLOGY THAT REVEALED AN UNMARKED GRAVEYARD IN DEL MAR WHICH WAS ONCE HOME TO AN HISTORIC LATINO NEIGHBORHOOD.

>>> WE START IN ONE OF SAN DIEGO'S DESIRED NEIGHBORHOODS WHERE A DEVELOPMENT DRAMA IS PLAYING OUT.

NEIGHBORS IN PACIFIC BEACH ARE CRITICIZING PLANS FOR A 22 STORY APARTMENT BUILDING.

KPBS METRO REPORTER ANDREW BOWEN SAYS IT WAS REFORMED TO STATE LAW CRAFTED HERE IN SAN DIEGO THAT MADE THE PROJECT POSSIBLE.

>> RIGHT NOW WE ARE ON TURQUOISE STREET, FOUR, FIVE BLOCKS FROM THE BEACH.

>> Reporter: MARCELA IS A 20 YEAR RESIDENT OF PACIFIC BEACH AND CHAIR OF THE PD PLANNING GROUP.

>> BEHIND ME HAS BEEN A CHERISHED RESTAURANT FOR DECADES, WHICH IS THE FRENCH GOURMET.

FROGGY'S, I'VE PLAYED GAMES THERE AND THEN WE HAVE THE GYM AND THEN WE HAVE THE LIQUOR STORY.

THIS MODEST STRIP MALL COULD SOON BECOME THE NEIGHBORHOOD'S FIRST HIGH-RISE IN MORE THAN 50 YEARS.

DEVELOPMENT FIRM COLONOUS IS SEEKING TO BUILD 213 APARTMENT, RETAIL AND 300 PARKING SPACES.

IN THEORY IT'S EXACTLY WHERE SAN DIEGO NEEDS MORE HOUSING.

IT'S WITHIN WALKING DISTANCE TO PUBLIC TRANSIT AND IN ALIGNMENT WITH STATE AND LOCAL CLIMATE GOALS AND IN A HIGH OPPORTUNITY NEIGHBORHOOD RICH WITH GOOD SCHOOLS, JOBS AND AMENITIES.

BUT BOTHWELL FEARS THE PROJECT'S HEIGHT AND DENSITY WILL CHANGE PACIFIC BEACH FOR THE WORST.

>> WE NEED HOUSING FOR OUR FIREFIGHTERS, FOR OUR TEACHERS SO THEY CAN GO AND THEY DON'T HAVE TO MAKE A COMMUTE THAT'S LIKE AN HOUR LONG.

WE NEED AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN PACIFIC BEACH AND ALONG THE COAST.

THAT'S NOT DISPUTED.

BUT THE TRADE-OFF HERE IS A MOCKERY TO A WELL INTENTIONED LAW.

>> Reporter: THAT LAW IS THE STATE'S AFFORDABLE HOUSING DENSITY BONUS.

IT OFFERS DEVELOPERS INCENTIVES LIKE RELIEF FROM HEIGHT AND DENSITY REGULATIONS.

IN EXCHANGE THE DEVELOPER HAS TO SUBSIDIZE A PORTION OF THEIR HOMES AND RENT THEM BELOW THE MARKET RATE.

SAN DIEGO CREATED ITS OWN DENSITY BONUS PROGRAM IN 2016.

IN 2020 THE CITY'S PROGRAM WAS WRITTEN INTO STATE LAW.

IT'S BOOSTED HOUSING PRODUCTION SIGNIFICANTLY AT A TIME WHEN THE SCARCITY OF HOMES IS PUSHING UP PRICES FOR EVERYONE.

>> I THINK THERE ARE ALL SORTS OF UNINTENDED SKON AGAINSTS WE SEE FROM LAWS ALL THE TIME.

>> Reporter: CATHWRIN BLAKES SPEAR A SENATOR WHO RENTS PACIFIC BEACH SENT A LETTER TO STATE HOUSING OFFICIALS VOICING OPPOSITION TO THE PROJECT WHICH INCLUDES TEN AFFORDABLE HOMES.

PART OF HER OPPOSITION IS OVER A TECHNICALITY.

MOST OF THE APARTMENTS IN THE BUILDING WILL BE LEGALLY CONSIDERED VISITOR ACCOMMODATIONS.

THAT'S URBAN PLANNING SPEAK FOR HOTEL ROOMS BUT THEY WILL BE BUILT JUST LIKE APARTMENTS AND CAN BE RENTED OUT AS LONG-TERM HOUSING WHICH IS EXACTLY WHAT THE DEVELOPERS PLAN TO DO.

BLAKE SPEAR CALLS THIS A LOOPHOLE.

SHE CAN'T SAY WHETHER IT'S ILLEGAL.

>> I THINK THERE ARE WAYS FOR US TO PROVIDE HOUSING FOR OUR COMMUNITY THAT WE NEED WHILE ALSO LARGELY MAINTAINING THE NEIGHBORHOODS THAT WE HAVE AND PROTECTING OUR SENSITIVE COASTAL RESOURCES AND PROVIDING FOR A BETTER QUALITY OF LIFE FOR EVERYBODY.

>> THE POINT HERE IS THAT WE DO NOT HAVE TAXPAYER MONEY TO CONTINUE TO JUST BUILD AFFORDABLE HOUSING ON THE BACKS OF TAXPAYERS.

>> Reporter: AIS ASSEMBLY MEMBER DAVID ALVAREZ WHO REPRESENTS THE SOUTH BAY WROTE ONE OF THE LAWS THAT THE PROPOSED HIGH-RISE IS MAKING USE OF.

AB 1287 SIGNED LAST YEAR EXPANDED THE DENSITY BONUS LAW.

IT OFFERS DEVELOPERS EVEN MORE INCENTIVES IF THEY INCLUDE AFFORDABLE HOUSING FOR BOTH LOW-INCOME AND MODERATE INCOME HOUSEHOLDS.

THIS LAW ALSO STARTED AS A LOCAL ORDINANCE IN SAN DIEGO.

ALVAREZ SAYS IT'S HELPING TO INTEGRATE EXCLUSIVE NEIGHBORHOODS BY CREATING A WIDER VARIETY OF HOUSING OPTIONS.

>> THE USE OF LAWS, LOCAL LAWS, WE HAVE EXCLUDED PARTICULAR SEGMENTS OF OUR POPULATION FROM LIVING IN CERTAIN PARTS OF SAN DIEGO.

AND HISTORICALLY HAVE LED TO THINGS LIKE SEGREGATED CITY.

AND SO I FIRMLY BELIEVE THAT PEOPLE FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE SHOULD BE ABLE TO LIVE IN ANY PART OF OUR GREAT STATE AND CERTAINLY OF OUR AMAZING CITY.

>> Reporter: EVEN STILL ALVAREZ IS WEARY OF HIGH-RISES POPPING UP ALL OVER SAN DIEGO'S COAST AND HE IS OPEN TO CHANGING THE DENSITY BONUS LAW TO CLARIFY THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN HOMES AND HOTELS.

>> PROJECTS LIKE THESE ARE GREAT FOR STUDENTS BECAUSE IF I GRADUATE NEXT YEAR AND I START WORKING IN SAN DIEGO WHERE TO I LIVE?

>> Reporter: A STUDENT AT UC SAN DIEGO AND AN ADVOCATE FOR HOUSING POLICY REFORMS, HE SAYS THE PROPOSED HIGH-RISE ISN'T PERFECT, BUT THAT MORE HOUSING IS BETTER THAN NONE.

AND HE QUESTIONS WHETHER ANY VERSION OF THE PROJECT WOULD SATISFY OPPONENTS.

>> THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME NOR WILL IT BE THE LAST TIME PEOPLE COME OUT AGAINST HOUSING PROJECTS CLAIMING IT'S JUST TOO BIG, IT'S TOO MUCH, OR THERE IS TOO LITTLE AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

THEY SAY THIS EVERY TIME ABOUT DEVELOPMENT, BE IT A FIVE-STORY AFFORDABLE HOUSING OR THREE-STORY APARTMENT OR CONDO OR DUPLEX.

YOU NAME IT.

PEOPLE ARE AGAINST DEVELOPMENT.

THAT'S THE REASON WE HAVE AN AFFORDABILITY CRISIS IN CALIFORNIA.

>> Reporter: THE CITY OF SAN DIEGO IS REVIEWING THE DEVELOPER'S APPLICATION.

STAFF ASKED STATE HOUSING OFFICIALS FOR HELP DETERMINING WHETHER THE PROJECT COMPLIES WITH THE LAW.

>>> THIS WEEK THE CITY OF ESCONDIDO DECLARED A LOCAL EMERGENCY OVER A HOMELESS ENCAMPMENT.

DOZENS OF PEOPLE LIVING NEAREST EXIST CREEK WERE CLEARED OUT.

KPBS NORTH COUNTY REPORTER TANIA THORNE SPOKE TO SOME OF THOSE IMPACTED AND SHE ALSO TELLS US ABOUT THE SAFE PARKING SITE COMING TO OBSERVATION SIDE WHICH WOULD BE THE CITY'S FIRST.

>> Reporter: SOME PEOPLE CALL THIS PART OF ESCONDIDO THE JUNGLE.

THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN CAMPING HERE WHETHER FOR MONTHS OR YEARS CALL IT HOME.

>> NO ONE'S GOING TO GET HELP.

THEY ARE PUTTING EVERYONE THAT MADE A HOME HERE BACK ON THE STREET.

IT'S THE FIRST TIME I FELT SAFE IN SIX MONTHS I HAVEN'T HAD TO MOVE.

>> Reporter: SHE LIVED IN THE HOMELESSNESS ENCAMPMENT.

THE AREA WAS SWEPT AFTER THE CITY DECLARED A LOCAL STATE OF EMERGENCY.

SERVICE PROVIDERS SET UP TENTS TO OFFER RESOURCES, BUT SHE EXPRESSED FRUSTRATION OVER THE SHORTFALL.

>> THERE WAS A COUPLE DAYS NOTICE TO GET OUT OF OUR HOMES THAT WE HAVE BUILT OVER THE FEW LAST MONTHS, LAST FEW MONTHS, AND IT'S NOT RIGHT BECAUSE THERE IS NO SHELTER.

THERE IS NO PLACE TO PUT US.

LIKE [ BLEEP ] GOLDFISH CRACKERS IN WATER.

YOU ARE NOT GOING TO HELP EVERYBODY.

YOU CAN'T TAKE ALL THE HOMELESS PEOPLE IN THE WORLD.

THERE IS NOT ENOUGH BEDS.

>> Reporter: ON SUNDAY ESCONDIDO CITY MANAGER DECLARED A LOCAL EMERGENCY OVER SIGNIFICANT ENVIRONMENTAL AND PUBLIC HEALTH CONCERNS.

THE DECLARATION SAID THE WATER IN THE CREEK IS UNSAFE BECAUSE OF HIGH BACTERIA LEVELS.

64 PEOPLE WERE WARNED THE ENCAMPMENT WOULD BE CLEARED OUT.

BUT ON SWEEP DAY, ONLY 15 SHELTER BEDS WERE AVAILABLE.

>> UNFORTUNATELY THE MATH JUST INDICATES THAT THERE WILL BE MORE PEOPLE UNSHELTERED IN DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE COMMUNITY BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE PLACES FOR THEM TO GO.

>> Reporter: GREG ANGEL IS THE CEO OF INTERFAITH COMMUNITY SERVICES.

ONE OF THE MAIN SERVICE PROVIDERS FOR NORTH COUNTY.

>> I DON'T THINK ANYONE WANTS TO SEE ANYONE LIVING IN ENCAMPMENTS, AND SO IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE PROVIDE RESOURCES FOR PEOPLE TO EXIT THOSE ENCAMPMENTS AND TO A SAFE HOUSED LOCATIONS.

SO WE ARE WORKING CLOSELY WITH THE CITY AND OTHER PARTNERS TODAY TO GET AS MANY PEOPLE CONNECTED TO THOSE RESOURCES AS POSSIBLE.

BUT UNFORTUNATELY THERE ARE NOT ENOUGH RESOURCES FOR THE AMOUNT OF PEOPLE WHO ARE BEING DISPLACED TODAY.

>> Reporter: ANGEL SAYS INTERFAITH WILL BE SEEING AN EXPANSION OF THE DETOX BEDS.

BUT THAT WON'T BE HAPPENING UNTIL FEBRUARY.

IN THE MEANTIME, DOZENS OF PEOPLE CART THEIR BELONGINGS UNSURE OF WHERE THEY WILL SLEEP TONIGHT.

TANIA THORNE, KPBS NEWS.

>>> SUNNY SOTO-BRISCO HAS BEEN ADVOCATING FOR A SAFE PARKING SITE IN OCEANSIDE SINCE 2021.

>> WHY DON'T WE HAVE A SAFE PLACE FOR PEOPLE IT TO LIVE IN THEIR CARS?

THAT'S A TRANSITIONAL PERIOD BEFORE YOU ARE SLEEPING ON THE STREET YOU FEEL SAFE WITHIN YOUR VEHICLE OR RV AND WE HAVE NO PLACE TO BE SAFELY AT NIGHT.

>> Reporter: SHE KNOWS THE NEED FIRSTHAND.

EVERY WEDNESDAY HER ORGANIZATION, SUNNY STREET OUTREACH, SERVES HOT MEALS TO PEOPLE IN NEED.

>> A LOT OF PEOPLE STAY UP ALL NIGHT BECAUSE OF THE PARKING RESTRICTIONS THAT ARE FROM LIKE DUMB TIMES, 2:00 A.M. TO 6:00 A.M.

SO WHEN YOU HAVE ALREADY WOULD HAVE FALLEN ASLEEP TO WAKING UP YOU HAVE TO PLAY SHADOW GAMES WITH PARKING ENFORCEMENT.

>> Reporter: NORTH COUNTY HAS TWO SAFE SITES, ONE IN ENCINITAS AND THE OTHER IN VISTA.

IN 2023, THE OCEANSIDE CITY COUNCIL BEGAN TO LOOK FOR A SAFE PARKING SITE BUT NO ONE APPLIED TO BE THE HOST.

>> WE SAW THE CITY LOOKING FOR A SPACE, STRUGGLING TO FIND ONE, AND WE THOUGHT THIS COULD BE A PERFECT SPACE.

>> Reporter: MAX IS THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND FOUNDER OF THE NORTH COUNTY LGBTQ RESOURCE CENTER.

>> THE ORGANIZATION RECENTLY PURCHASED THE PROPERTY ON APPLE STREET AND RAISED THEIR HAND TO HOST OCEANSIDE SAFE PARKING SITE.

>> FOR SEVERAL YEARS WE HAVE BEEN DOING THIS WORK.

SO WHEN WE SAW THE OPPORTUNITY TO OFFER OUR EXPERTISE SO IT'S NOT JUST ABOUT BEING THE LANDLORD THAT ARE HOSTING THE PROGRAM BUT THE COLLABORATION SO WE CAN ACTIVELY SUPPORT THE PEOPLE THAT ARE COMING HERE SLEEPING AT NIGHT.

>> Reporter: APPLE STREET HAS BEEN KNOWN AS A HUB FOR RESOURCES.

IT WILL CONTINUE THAT HISTORY WITH THE SERVICES FROM THE NORTH COUNTY LGBTQ RESOURCE CENTER AND NOW THE SAFE PARKING PROGRAM.

DREAMS FOR CHANGE WILL BE THE ORGANIZATION RUNNING THE PROGRAM.

>> IT'S GOING TO LOOK DIFFERENT FOR EVERY HOUSEHOLD THAT COMES THROUGH THE PROGRAM, BUT THE MAIN THING IS ENSURING, NUMBER ONE, THAT, LIKE, INITIAL BASIC NEEDS ARE MET, AND MAKING SURE THAT THEY ARE WHAT WE LIKE TO CALL HOUSING READY, SO THEY HAVE THEIR DOCUMENTS IN ORDER, YOU KNOW, THEY HAVE PROOF OF INCOME, WHATEVER THAT BE, WORK ON THEM TO INCREASE INCOME, WHATEVER CAPACITY WE CAN BY PROVIDING THEM REFERRALS TO JOB TRAINING.

WE ARE LUCKY ENOUGH TO ALSO RUN A WORK FORCE PROGRAM SO WE HAVE THAT DIRECT CONNECTION.

>> Reporter: THIS WILL BE THE FIRST NORTH COUNTY CONTRACT FOR DREAMS FOR CHANGE.

THEY RUN THE SAFE CAMPING AND PARKING SITES IN SAN DIEGO.

>> IT WILL ACCOMMODATE BETWEEN 25 TO 35 VEHICLES FROM 7:00 P.M. TO 7:00 A.M.

APPLICATIONS OPEN IN FEBRUARY.

TANIA THORNE, KPBS NEWS.

>>> AND THIS NEXT STORY IS ALSO IN OCEANSIDE WHERE A LONGSTANDING ART SPACE FACES EVICTION AND CLOSURE.

KPBS ARTS REPORTER JULIEN ALFRED TAKES JULIA DIXON EVANS TAKES A LOOK.

>> Reporter: THE DAY AFTER THE OBSERVATION SIDE PIER FIRE ARTIST MARISA DELUCA COLLECTED FISTFULS OF CHARRED WOOD FROM THE BEACH.

A CHARCOAL SHE COULD MIX WITH PAINT.

>> MY WORK IS A LOVE LETTER TO OCEANSIDE AND THE ANCESTORS OF OCEANSIDE AND WHEN THAT FIRE HAPPENED IT REALLY KIND OF PUT KIND OF AN EXCLAMATION POINT ON THE RAPID CHANGE IN THE REGION.

>> Reporter: HER PAINTING MADE WITH THE PIER'S REMNANTS IS NOW ON VIEW AT THE HILL STREET COUNTRY CLUB, A NONPROFIT ART AND COMMUNITY SPACE IN OCEANSIDE FOUNDED IN 2012.

IT'S THE SPACE'S FINAL EXHIBIT.

BUILDING HAS HOSTED COUNTLESS GALLERY SHOWS, CONCERTS, WORKSHOPS AND COMMUNITY EVENTS OVER THE YEARS.

THE BUILDING LANDLORD PUT IT ON THE MARKET SEVERAL MONTHS AGO.

ONCE THE SALE IS IN ESCROW, THE GALLERY CLOSES.

IT'S EMBLEMATIC OF BROADER CHANGES IN OCEANSIDE.

>> EVERYTHING IS JUST VERY UNCERTAIN, YOU KNOW.

AND IT'S THE COAST.

IT'S BY THE BEACH.

ONE OF THE LAST COASTAL CITIES IN CALIFORNIA TO ACTUALLY PULL OFF GENTRIFICATION FINALLY.

>> Reporter: DESPITE THE DESIGNATION AS A CALIFORNIA CULTURAL DISTRICT, THERE IS LITTLE INFRASTRUCTURE TO SUPPORT CULTURAL ORGANIZATIONS FACING DISPLACEMENT.

JOHN, A UC SAN DIEGO PROFESSOR OF URBAN STUDIES, SAYS CITIES MUST DO MORE.

>> COULD THERE BE AN EMERGENCY FUND TO HELP MAKE A DOWN PAYMENT ON ANOTHER PROPERTY?

COULD THE STATE, THE CITY, THE COUNTY EVALUATE OTHER COUNTY-OWNED PROPERTIES THAT ARE NOT BEING USED THAT WOULD ALLOW FOR SORT OF THE REUSE AND CULTURAL CENTER.

>> Reporter: HILL STREET COUNTRY CLUB PLANS TO CONTINUE THE WORK AND HOPES TO SECURE AFFORDABLE SPACE ELSEWHERE.

SHE WANTS TO STAY IN OCEANSIDE TO CONTINUE SERVING THE LOCAL COMMUNITY BUT WOULD CONSIDER OTHER PARTS OF THE COUNTRY.

SHE WISHES THINGS TURNED OUT DIFFERENTLY.

IN HER VIEW, THERE WAS A STRAIGHTFORWARD SOLUTION.

>> MY CITY WOULD GIVE ME A BUILDING.

IT'S NOT THAT -- THE MUSEUM IS RENTING A CITY BUILDING.

THE THEATERS ARE RENTING A CITY BUILDING.

LIKE, THE ONLY FOLKS THAT ARE STRUGGLING TO STAY AND BE SUSTAINABLE ARE THOSE WHO HAVE TO PAY RENT TO A LANDLORD.

>> Reporter: JULIA DIXON EVANS, KPBS NEWS.

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SIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTERS TO GET OUR MOST POPULAR STORIES.

HERE ARE SOME FROM THIS WEEK.

THE LEADER OF SAN DIEGO COUNTY CIVILIAN POLICE OVERSIGHT COMMISSION WILL RESIGN SIX MONTHS INTO THE JOB.

MIGRANTS ARE IN LIMBO AS THE INCOMING TRUMP ADMINISTRATION VOWS TO SHUT DOWN THE APP FOR ASYLUM SEEKERS.

AND CALIFORNIA GOVERNOR GAVIN NEWSOM DECLARES A STATE OF EMERGENCY IN RESPONSE TO BIRD FLU.

>>> PORTABLE CLASSROOMS AT A RAMONA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED FOR DECADES.

SOME WALLS HAVE WATER DAMAGE AND YOU CAN SEE THE SKY THROUGH ONE OF THE ROOFS.

VOTERS IN RAMONA HAD A CHANCE TO FUND RENOVATIONS IN NOVEMBER BUT VOTED NOT TO.

>> SEVERAL PORTABLES HERE ON CAMPUS ARE 40 PLUS YEARS OLD.

>> Reporter: CHRIS ATTENDED RAMONA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL AS A KID.

NOW HE IS THE PRINCIPAL.

HE REMEMBERS WHEN ONE PORTABLE NOW USED AS STORAGE WAS STILL A CLASSROOM.

>> WE HAVE A GAP HERE AS YOU WILL SEE.

THE LIGHT IS ACTUALLY COMING THROUGH THE ROOF.

THIS IS WHERE THE PORTABLES ARE SEAMED TOGETHER.

>> Reporter: HE SAYS THEY HAVE TO MOVE SUPPLIES AWAY FROM THE GAP WHEN IT RAINS.

WATER HAS ALREADY SEEPED INTO THE SCHOOL'S OLDEST BUILDING.

HE THINKS IT WAS BUILT IN THE EARLY 1900s.

>> WATER DAMAGE ESPECIALLY BELOW HERE.

YOU CAN SEE THAT IT'S SOFT JUST WATER DAMAGE OVER TIME.

>> Reporter: IN NOVEMBER, RAMONA VOTERS REJECTED A $26.7 MILLION SCHOOL BOND MEASURE.

DISTRICT LEADERS PROPOSED USING THE FUNDING TO REPLACE PORTABLE CLASSROOMS, IMPROPER CAREER TECHNICAL EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES AND UPGRADE PLUMBING AND FIRE ALARM SYSTEMS.

SCHOOL BOND MEASURES HAVE BEEN ON THE BALLOT IN RAMONA SEVEN SOMETIMES SINCE 1986.

THEY HAVE NEVER PASSED.

>> THE LIFE OF THE PORTABLE IS 20 YEARS.

WE HAVE THEM PAST THE 50 YEAR MARK.

>> Reporter: THE DISTRICT IS FACING A $9 MILLION STRUCTURAL DEFICIT.

THE SUPERINTENDENT SAYS THEY SPENT 2 NIL THIS YEAR AND LAST YEAR ON ROOFS.

>> THAT WAS GENERAL FUND DOLLARS THAT COULD HAVE BEEN SPENT ON ALL KINDS OF THINGS, INSTRUCTION, STUDENTS, PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT.

>> Reporter: LOCAL BONDS ARE KEY TO ACCESSING SCHOOL CONSTRUCTION FUNDING FROM THE STATE.

THIS YEAR CALIFORNIA VOTERS APPROVED PROP 2, REPLENISHING THE POT OF MONEY FOR SCHOOL REPAIRS.

EN SAYS THEY WERE HE WILL JILL FOR 3 # MILLION DOLLARS.

HE SAYS IT WAS APOPPORTUNITY TO BRING STATE TAX MONEY BACK TO RAMONA'S KIDS.

>> THIS POT IS CREE EIGHTED WITH ALL CALIFORNIANS FROM THE OREGON BORDER DOWN THROUGH SINNIS I HAD ROW, OUR TAX DOLLARS, SO THE MESSAGE THAT I WANTED TO GET ACROSS IS THAT RAMONA HAS NEVER TAKEN ADVANTAGE OF THAT.

>> Reporter: THE MORE SCHOOL DISTRICTS CAN RAISE THROUGH LOCAL BONDS THE MORE STATE MATCHING FUNDS THEY CAN PET.

SOME ADVOCATES SAY THIS IS UNFAIR TO DISTRICTS WITH LOWER PROPERTY VALUES OR WHERE VOTERS DON'T PASS LOCAL BONDS.

JOHN IS A MANAGING ATTORNEY WITH THE SAN FRANCISCO-BASED LAW FIRM PUBLIC ADVOCATES.

THEY CALLED THE SCHOOL FACILITY FUNDING SYSTEM UNCONSTITUTIONAL.

>> THE STATE'S ROLE SHOULD NOT BE TO REPLICATE THE WEALTH DISPARITIES HOW THEY HAND OUT THE STATE DOLLARS.

THE STATE'S ROLE SHOULD BE TO COUNTER OR REDRESS LOCAL WEALTH DISPARITIES WITH STATE DOLLARS.

>> Reporter: BONDS ARE PAID BACK BY INCREASING PROPERTY TAXES.

RAMONA'S WOULD HAVE GONE UP BY $59 PER $100,000 OF ASSESSED PROPERTY VALUE.

>> THE NATIONAL, STATE AND LOCAL LEVELS, COST LIVING AND INFLATION WERE STILL AT THE TOP OF MIND FOR VOTERS.

>> Reporter: A POLITICAL SCIENCE PROFESSOR AT UC SAN DIEGO, HE SAYS THREE THINGS DRIVE VOTER BEHAVIOR ON BONDS.

>> ONE, HOW PEOPLE ARE FEELING ABOUT THEIR POCKETBOOK AND WHETHER THEY WANT TO OPEN IT UP TO GOVERNMENT OVERALL.

THAT MEANS THAT YOUR BOND COULD LIVE OR DIE HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE SCHOOL DISTRICT.

SECOND THING, WHAT PEOPLE ARE THINKING ABOUT THAT GOVERNMENT FUNCTION.

RIGHT.

DO THEY LIKE THE DIRECTION OF EDUCATION IN CALIFORNIA.

THE THIRD IS WHAT THEY ARE HEARING FROM THE GROUPS THAT TAKE POSITIONS FOR AND AGAINST THESE BONDS.

>> Reporter: THE REPUBLICAN PARTY OF SAN DIEGO COUNTY'S VOTER GUIDE SAID IT OPPOSED ALL BALLOT MEASURES THAT INCREASED TAXES.

40% OF VOTERS IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY'S UNINCORPORATED AREAS ARE REGISTERED AS REPUBLICANS.

30% ARE DEMOCRATS.

>> VOTERS RARELY CARE ABOUT THE SIZE OF EITHER A BOND OR A TAX INCREASE, RIGHT.

EITHER THEY BELIEVE IN THE CAUSE AND ARE WILLING TO INVEST IN IT, OR NOT.

>> Reporter: BACK AT RAMONA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PRINCIPAL CHRIS SAYS THE MAINTENANCE DEPARTMENT WORKS HARD TO KEEP ITS BUILDINGS FUNCTIONAL, BUT NEWER BUILDINGS WOULD HAVE FEWER EMERGENCY REPAIRS AND BETTER PREPARE STUDENTS FOR THE FUTURE.

>> WE HAVE A LOT OF PRIDE HERE.

PEOPLE CHOOSE TO COME HERE.

I CHOSE TO COME HERE AND BE A LEADER AT THIS SCHOOL.

BUT IT IS THAT SENSE OF PRIDE WHEN YOU HAVE A NEW SCHOOL.

KIDS FEEL A LITTLE MORE CONNECT THE.

>> Reporter: HE SAYS THE DISTRICT WILL CONTINUE TO USE THE MONEY IT HAS TO PAY FOR INCREASINGLY COSTLY REPAIRS AS THEY COME UP.

KATIE ANASTAS.

>>> POWAY AND RAMONA ARE LOOKING AT WAYS TO SHARE WATER RESOURCES.

KPBS NORTH COUNTY REPORTER ZBLEND NGUYEN SAYS THE MOVE COULD SAVE MONEY AND INCREASE WATER RELIABILITY.

>> Reporter: WATER IS A PRECIOUS RESOURCE, ESPECIALLY IN THE DROUGHT PRONE SAN DIEGO REGION.

THIS IS ONE OF THE REASONS THE CITY OF POW BAY HAS BEEN LOOKING TO DIVERSE WATER RESOURCES FOR THE PAST 30 YEARS.

>> IT'S REALLY NEVER GOTTEN TO A POINT WHERE WE WERE ABLE TO EXECUTE A PROJECT.

>> Reporter: THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS FOR THE CITY OF POWAY SAYS THE CITY IS AT A POINT IT NEEDS TO DEVELOP THIS.

IN 2019 BACKED UP STORM DRAINS CONTAMINATED THE DRINKING WATER LEADING TO THE FIRST EVER BOIL WATER ADVISORY.

>> IT WAS BORN OUT OF THAT.

BUT THE OTHER THING THAT'S IMPORTANT TO KNOW IS THAT ABOUT FOUR, FIVE MONTHS BEFORE THAT EVENT HAPPENED, WE HAD SENT A LETTER TO THE SAN DIEGO COUNTY WATER AUTHORITY INITIATING CONVERSATIONS TO GET THIS PROJECT GOING.

>> Reporter: WHILE IT WAS A COINCIDENCE, HE SAYS THAT EVENT SET THE PATH TO TODAY WHERE POWAY AND THE RAMONA MUNICIPAL WATER DISTRICT ENTER INTO AN MEMPHIS COUPLE OF UNDERSTANDING TO EXPLORE SHARING WATER RESOURCES.

>> WE ARE EXCITED ABOUT THE POTENTIAL OF WORKING TOGETHER.

>> Reporter: THE GENERAL MANAGER AT RAMONA WATER.

SHE IS HOPING THE AGREEMENT WITH LOWER WATER COSTS FOR BOTH AGENCIES.

>> RIGHT NOW WE BUY WATER SOLELY FROM THE COUNTY WATER AUTHORITY AND THOSE COSTS ARE VERY HIGH FOR TREATED A WATER BECAUSE THE PLANT IS INCLUDED AND ALL THE STORAGE AND ECHG THAT'S INCLUDED.

>> THIS IS THE FLOW CONTROL FACILITY THAT CONNECTS POWAY AND RAMONA.

RIGHT NOW THE VALVE ONLY FLOWS ONE WAY, TO RAMONA.

WHAT THIS MOU DOES IS ALLOW BOTH SIDES EXPLORE THE FEES ABILITIESOF BUILDING A TWO-WAY VALVE.

>> WE HOPE THAT IF WE BUY RAW WATER, SEND IT TO POWER AND THEY TREAT IT FOR US, IT WOULD BE AT A LOWER COST PER ACRE FOOT THAN IF WE BUY FROM THE COUNTY WATER AUTHORITY.

>> Reporter: POWAY WILL GET ANOTHER SOURCE OF WATER.

THEY CAN SEND WATER TO RAMONA ON AN EMERGENCY BASIS, BUT NOT THE OTHER WAY AROUND.

>> WE ARE LOOKING AT A DESIGN THAT WILL HELP, YOU KNOW, INSTALL KIND OF A BI-DIRECTIONAL METER, ALLOW FLOWS TO GO BOTH WAYS.

IN ESSENCE, WE SHOULD BE SHARING THIS FACILITY WITH RAMONA.

>> Reporter: PRELIMINARY RESULTS OF THE FEASIBILITY STUDY WON'T BE READY UNTIL EARLY NEXT YEAR.

BOTH AGENCIES WOULD NEED TO FORMALLY APPROVE THE PROJECT BEFORE WORK CAN BEGIN.

ALEXANDER NGUYEN, KPBS NEWS.

>>> AND AN MARKED GRAVEYARD.

THOMAS FUDGE SAYS NOW THEY ARE USING TECHNOLOGY TO GET A BETTER IDEA OF WHO MADE IT THEIR FINAL RESTING PLACE.

>> Reporter: IT'S DOWN A HILL FROM ST. THERESA'S CHURCH IN DEL MAR JUST NORTH OF HIGHWAY 56, A PLOT OF LAND USED AND THEN FORGOTTEN FOR A VERY LONG TIME.

JOE IS 96 YEARS OLD AND HE REMEMBERS IT FROM WHEN HE WAS GROWING UP.

>> THERE IS BACK WHEN PEOPLE DIED, THIS IS WHERE WE CAME TO BURY THEM, YOU KNOW.

AND AFTER THAT FOR A LONG TIME IT WAS NOBODY TOOK CARE OF THIS PLACE, YOU KNOW.

>> Reporter: BELTRAN DESCRIBES IT AS A LITTLE MEXICAN VILLAGE IN WHAT IS NOW SOLANA BEACH.

THE OVER GROWTH THAT CONSUMED THE FORGOTTEN GRAVEYARD CAUGHT THE EYE OF ARMAND, A MEMBER OF ST. THERESA'S CHURCH AND KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS ABOUT 20 YEARS AGO.

>> THE BRUSH AND ANYTHING WAS FROM FOUR TO SIX FEET HIGH.

SO YOU COULDN'T SEE ANYTHING IN HERE.

AS I CAME DOWN THE HILL AND WAS WALKING THROUGH THE CEMETERY, I TRIPPED ON ONE OF THE GRAVESITES.

>> Reporter: AND THAT WAS WHEN A SMALL COMMUNITY CAME TOGETHER TO CLEAN UP THE CEMETERY AND TRY TO FIND OUT WHO WAS BURIED HERE.

>> MY GREAT-GRANDMA IS BACK OVER HERE IN THE BACK.

MY AUNT IS RIGHT THERE.

MY UNCLES ARE OVER THERE.

>> Reporter: BELTRAN RETURNED TO THE PLACE ABOUT TEN YEARS AGO WHEN HE VISITED WITH HIS SON MICHAEL, WHO REMEMBERS A MOMENT FROM BACK THEN.

>> MY DAD CALLS ME OVER AND SAYS, I FOUND MY GREAT-GRANDMOTHER.

AND SO THAT KIND, YOU KNOW, TOUCHED MY HEART.

HIS, I COULD SEE THE EXPRESSION ON HIS FACE.

HOW GLAD HE WAS TO SEE HER.

AT THAT POINT WE KINDA MADE IT OUR DUTY TO TRY TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS CEMETERY.

>> Reporter: HE SAYS HE FOUND RECORDS AT ST. JAMES PARISH THAT INDICATED 83 PEOPLE WERE BURIED THERE.

SO FAR HE SAYS VOLUNTEERS HAVE FOUND 57 GRAVESITES, MANY OF THEM UNNAMED.

AND THE SEARCH IS NOT COMPLETE BECAUSE NOW THEY ARE LOOKING BELOW GROUND.

MICHAEL BELTRAN AND THE KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS MADE CONTACT WITH THE COMPANY MICHAEL BAKER INTERNATIONAL WHICH AGREED TO DO THE WORK FREE OF CHARGE.

AND THAT'S WHERE JIMMY DANIELS COMES IN.

HE IS AN ARCHEOLOGIST WITH MICHAEL BAKER AND THAT THING HE HAS GOT THAT LOOKS LIKE A LAWNMOWER IS GROUND PENETRATING RADAR, GPR FOR SHORT.

DANIELS TALKS ABOUT FINDING ANOMALIES UNDERGROUND, SOMETIMES TREE ROOTS OR GOPHER WARRENS, AND SOMETIMES UNMARKED GRAVES.

>> THERE IS DEFINITELY SOME UNMARKED GRAVES THAT, IN MY PRELIMINARY KIND OF ANALYSIS OF THE DATA FROM THE, YOU KNOW, A FEW WEEKENDS AGO.

BUT MY GOAL IS TO PROCESS ALL OF THE DATA AND LOOK AT IT AS A WHOLE.

>> Reporter: DANIELS HAS ALREADY MARKED SEVERAL ANOMALIES HE FOUND DURING A RECENT SCAN WITH PINK FLAGS.

HE SAYS UNMARKED GRAVES HAVE A DISTINCT RADAR SIGNATURE AND THEY ARE EASIER TO FIND WHEN THE PERSON WAS BURIED IN A CASKET.

ABOVE GROUND EVIDENCE IS ALSO HELPFUL TO PREDICT WHAT YOU WILL FIND BELOW.

>> HERE IS A ROW OF BURIALS.

IT DOESN'T HAVE A MARKER.

MAYBE IT MATCHES TO THE OTHER ANOMALIES THAT ARE IN THAT ROW.

SO WE HAVE GOT A BURIAL THERE.

>> Reporter: MICHAEL BELTRANASE THE END GOAL IS TO IDENTIFY ALL OF THE GRAVES AND PAY RESPECTS BY PUTTING UP WHITE CROSSES EVEN IF YOU ARE NOT SURE WHO THE PERSON IS.

HE SAYS STORIES FROM THE COMMUNITY ALSO COME INTO PLAY.

HE SPOKE WITH A WOMAN WHO SAYS SHE KNOWS WHERE HER SISTER WAS BURIED, MAYBE THEY CAN SCAN THE AREA TO CONFIRM IT.

ANOTHER STORY TELLS OF TWO INFANT TWINS WHO DIED AND WERE BURIED HERE.

THE STORIES OFTEN COME BACK TO LA COLONIA AND THE FAMILIES WHO CAME FROM THAT PLACE AND STILL LIVE IN THE SAN DIEGO AREA.

>> FOR MYSELF, IT STARTED OFF AS A PERSONAL JOURNEY WITH MY GREAT-GRANDMOTHER.

BUT AS MORE FAMILIES HAVE STARTED TO COME DOWN AND HELP OUT, NOW IT'S TURNED INTO A COMMUNITY EVENT.

>> Reporter: LISA MONTEZ SAYS HER UNCLE AND GRANDFATHER ARE BURIED IN THE GRAVEYARD.

>> MY GRANDFATHER INSTILLED IN ME THE IMPORTANCE OF HONORING YOUR AN SESSERS AND NEVER FORGETTING THEM.

>> Reporter: LA COLONIA HAS CHANGED A LOT IN THE 100 YEARS SINCE IT WAS FOUND.

WHEN HER MOTHER WAS A CHILD SHE WENT TO SEGREGATED SCHOOL FOR LATINOS.

THE OLD HOMES ARE GONE AND THE AREA GENTRIFIED BUT THE GRAVEYARD REMAINED A PART OF THE COMMUNITY.

IT'S A PLACE PEOPLE CAN REMEMBER THE PAST AND MAYBE EVEN FIND A GRAVESITE THAT HOLDS A MEMBER OF THE FAMILY.

THOMAS FUDGE, KPBS NEWS.

>>> WE HOPE THAT YOU ENJOYED THIS LOOK AT KPBS NEWS THIS WEEK.

I'M MAYA TRABULSI.

THANKS FOR JOINING US.

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