City Will Decide Today Whether to Spend $600,000 Researching Desal Plant

Expect a lot of debate today, as opponents of a plant to turn saltwater into drinking water mobilize to stop the city from spending more money on research.

The city is looking at spending $480,000 on a San Diego permitting advisor and $100,000 on attorneys to advise on the environmental review process.

Opponents have been circulating an online petition hoping to quash the spending and ask the city to focus more on water-saving solutions, rather than developing an expensive new water source.

Proponents claim that strict federal requirments force the city to bring in more water to protect endangered fish and to keep life comfortable in the event of serious drought.

They say also that the wells in the Soquel Creek Water District, a partner in the plan, are on the verge of getting so low that seawater will flood them and make them useless.

The City Council will hear that issue Tuesday at 3 p.m. at

At 7 p.m. the council will consider adding another week to holiday free parking downtown, stretching from Dec. 10 to Dec 25. And it will look at giving people $5 free parking cars if they have their gifts wrapped at the Downtown Association's information booth at 1200 Pacific Ave.

It will cost the city $28,000 for the two-weeks of lost parking revenue, the city report says, but will generate good will and more shopping downtown.

Finally, a new mayor and vice mayor will be selected at the 7 p.m. meeting.