South County Report: The (Not So Flashy) State of Imperial Beach

This evening, if all goes according to plan, Imperial Beach Mayor Mitch McKay will do something almost unheard of for a politician. 

He will cede the spotlight to others. 

Imperial Beach holds its annual State of the City speech this evening. City code requires mayors “to report to the City Council annually…on the affairs of the city and to recommend for its consideration such matters as he or she deems necessary.” 

Traditionally, mayors use the event as an opportunity to highlight recent successes and lay out an agenda for the coming year. Many mayors all over the county take full advantage of the occasion. 

Last year’s Chula Vista event featured a flyby of antique naval planes and the dramatic backdrop of the recently opened Gaylord Pacific Resort and Convention Center. Mayor John McCann, a Navy veteran, was running for county supervisor at the time and highlighted his city’s economic development gains. 

Former Imperial Beach Mayor Paloma Aguirre also used last year’s address as a de facto campaign rally. Running against McCann in the supervisor race, she packed the hall with prominent supporters and spoke in the go-get-‘em style of a candidate on the stump. 

McKay’s term in office ends this year and he is essentially up for re-election, though he hasn’t filed to run yet. 

Nevertheless, he is taking a totally different approach to tonight’s event. 

In an interview this week, McKay called it “an all-star team production.” The mayor will give a speech, he said. But it will be shorter than usual to make time for each city councilmember to take the stage and talk about their districts. 

“We want to put our best foot forward,” McKay said. 

Why on earth would a politician willingly cede the biggest spotlight he is likely to receive all year – with an election coming up, no less? 

McKay, 67, is a retired engineer and a relative newcomer to politics. He stated flatly he has no political ambitions “beyond the 91932” — Imperial Beach’s ZIP code. He said he changed the format of the State of the City to ensure achievements across the city receive attention. 

“We want to keep things moving along and doing improvements as we can,” he said. 

The format change echoes a similar tonal change at City Hall since McKay took charge following Aguirre’s departure to the County Board of Supervisors last July. 

Aguirre is an activist by nature who, according to former Imperial Beach Mayor Serge Dedina, operates in one gear: Full speed ahead. 

Under her leadership, Imperial Beach drew national attention for its ongoing problems with sewage pollution in the Tijuana River. City Council meetings often overflowed with argumentative crowds debating high-stakes proposals, such as a recently adopted tenant protection ordinance. 

Aguirre took that fighting spirit – and talent for attracting news cameras – to county government. 

In her wake, City Council meetings have become noticeably calmer and often downright chummy. Indeed, Imperial Beach now stands out as having South County’s most drama-free local government. 

As National City Hall contends with personal feuds and staff turnover, and Chula Vista faces a messy reckoning with its aggrieved police chief, Imperial Beach Council meetings are marked by routine development projects, a few solvable budget challenges and lots of gentle ribbing between councilmembers who all know each other and agree on most issues. 

It doesn’t hurt that both McKay and recently-seated Councilmember Mariko Nakawatase were appointed rather than elected. Following Aguirre’s departure, the Council decided not to hold special elections to replace her, citing costs. Instead, they appointed McKay, who was elected to the City Council in 2022. The Council then appointed Nakawatase to fill McKay’s seat after he became mayor. 

Four of the Council’s five members now are either moderate Republicans or, like McKay, independents who lean conservative. 

In line with their limited-government instincts, the Council majority has shied away from big-ticket issues, such as immigration, and fostered a back-to-basics, pro-business focus at City Hall. 

There are regular updates from the Chamber of Commerce and efforts to burnish the city’s image amid the ongoing sewage crisis. 

Current top priorities include improvements to Palm Avenue, a development plan for the 13th Street business corridor, a new family play area at the city pier and a series of parks enhancements. 

Last week, councilmembers seemed to enjoy themselves as they discussed a proposal from Nakawatase to commission a signature piece of public artwork that could become a focal point for residents and tourists 

Some residents appreciate the focus on celebrating what’s good about the city, especially as Imperial Beach marks the 70th year since its incorporation in 1956. 

“A lot of businesses have struggled because of our border sewage issue,” said Kim Frink, president of the recently opened SunCoast Market Co-op. “It’s good for the community to have something positive, something to celebrate.” 

Others, especially Democrats, see the Council’s current approach as a missed opportunity. 

Sandy Brillhart, vice president of the Imperial Beach Democrats political club, said she gives the current Council “a C-minus.” 

Brillhart said she appreciates McKay’s self-effacing style and his longtime commitment to the community. And she gave a thumbs-up to Nakawatase, who, though a Republican, “is doing a really good job in the short time she’s been there.” 

But Brillhart said residents have noticed the Council’s reluctance to speak out against aggressive immigration enforcement. And she said the city would benefit from more of what she described as Aguirre’s relentless activism on the sewage issue and her constant communication with voters. 

“The new administration is not as proactive as the last two mayors were,” she said. “I don’t think they’re doing a good job keeping us informed.” 

McKay, when I talked to him, said he hasn’t let up on the sewage crisis, but has opted to operate behind the scenes when necessary to make progress. 

He cited recent conversations with officials in the federal Small Business Administration about creating an economic enterprise zone that could make low-interest loans available to local businesses. 

“We work on things we agree on and stay away from things that don’t directly impact our city,” he said of the City Council’s current low-key style. 

“If we stay focused on things our community cares about and the day-to-day stuff that most people are concerned about and focused on – paying their bills and having nice streets to drive on and traffic under control – then we’re doing our job.” 

The Imperial Beach State of the City speech takes place at 6 p.m. this evening at South Bay Union School District headquarters, 601 Elm Ave. The event is free and open to the public. 

In Other News 

• State Sen. Steve Padilla has been busy recently. Bills authored by Padilla – to rein in profiteering at ICE detention centers; shield utility ratepayers from data center costs; boost college financial aid; increase safety in high-protein nutrition products; and protect children from AI chatbots – all advanced or debuted in recent weeks. 

• San Diego County Supervisor Paloma Aguirre also had a busy week. She hosted California gubernatorial candidate Betty Yee on a tour of sewage problems in the Tijuana River and joined fellow Democrats on the Board of Supervisors in voting to make major changes in jail health care operations and explore expanding county health programs for uninsured San Diegans. She also proposed a successful effort to rename César Chavez Day as Farmworkers Day at the county. 

• It’s not too late to sign up for spring day camps at the Living Coast Discovery Center in Chula Vista. The marine sanctuary and research center is hosting week-long camps for children up to sixth grade March 30 to April 1. Themes include snakes, undersea life and animal adaptation. Details and registration here. 

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