Catalina Island and the city of Avalon “dodged a bullet” as Hurricane Rosa changed course and made everyone on the island breathe a bit easier, Harbor Master J.J. Poindexter said at Tuesday’s regular city council meeting.
“We really don’t get worked up with three to four-foot swells,” said Poindexter, but “we get excited” with predictions of 10-12 swells, which he said were initially predicted for the storm.
However, he said while the harbor was preparing itself to deal with the extremely high tides, the hurricane turned inland a bit early, averting major problems for Avalon harbor. “We had no problems or issues,” he said.
In other action, the council passed a resolution commending Jessie Machado for saving the life of a heart attack victim. Fire Chief Mike Krug said the incident occurred Sept. 9 when Machado found himself in the presence of a man who suffered a massive heart attack. “Using the skills he’s learned, Jessie applied two minutes of CPR until emergency personnel arrived,” said Krug, as helicopters and professional emergency medical personnel responded to the call. “Jessie effectively applied basic lifesaving techniques,” said Krug, which likely saved the man’s life.
The patient, who was not identified during the presentation, was flown to Long Beach Memorial Medical Center, underwent emergency open heart surgery and survived. Machado was given a standing ovation and was presented with a proclamation approved by the city.
In other action Tuesday, the Avalon council:
• Proclaimed Oct. 23-31 as Red Ribbon Week in Avalon, asking all segments of the community to join together in activities to promote family values and discourage the use of illegal drugs.
• Heard from Jessica Herzog that noted speaker E. Scott Geller will be in Avalon Oct. 13 for a series of events to promote a program Actively Caring for People that has demonstrated excellent community building results in other areas (see related story).
• Heard Public Works Director Bob Greenlaw remind citizens of Avalon about the upcoming workshop Oct. 10 to discuss the Five Corners transportation project. He said the event begins at 5:30 p.m. and citizens will have full access to city staff and consultants to have their questions answered.
• Heard Krug ask citizens to use the incidence of small rain showers to clean their gutters to prepare for a wet winter. “It’s better to be prepared,” he said.
• Learned that the city’s audit is expected to be completed by the end of next week.
• Appointed Janice Hall to fill the Alternate Planning Commissioner seat vacated by the resignation of Scott Rohifsen.
• Observed a few moments of silence for the passing of City Manager Denise Radde’s mother, the father of public works director Bob Greenlaw and other current and prominent citizens who passed away recently.
