SAN DIEGO (CNS) — Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger today signed legislation named for slain Poway High School senior Chelsea King that he said will better protect California’s children.

The governor put his signature to Assembly Bill 1844, known as “Chelsea’s Law,’’ during a ceremony at the Spreckels Organ Pavilion in Balboa Park.

“Because of Chelsea, everyone has joined together to solve this serious problem in our state,’’ Schwarzenegger said. “Because of Chelsea, California’s children will be safer. Because of Chelsea, this never has to happen again.’’

The bill, authored by Assemblyman Nathan Fletcher, R-San Diego, requires a life sentence without the possibility of parole for forcible sex acts against minors. It also tightens sex offense parole guidelines and requires lifelong tracking of certain sex offenders.

Fletcher said Chelsea’s Law -- which goes into effect immediately -- puts California at the forefront in dealing with violent sex offenders.

After a three-hour meeting Tuesday night, Poway City Council members agreed unanimously to move forward with plans to light Arbolitos Sports Fields on Pomerado Road.

Councilwoman Merrilee Boyack recused herself from the decision because she lives in a neighborhood that overlooks the park, she said.

More than 300 adults, who supported as well as opposed the lights, attended with at least twice as many green-and-white attired youth representing soccer, football and other athletic teams.

Most of the youngsters, along with their parents remained outside and listened to the proceedings while watching the meeting on flat screen televisions.

Tuesday night’s rally cry from opponents amounted to their protests aimed more at the city for “going back on a promise” sealed in 1996 not to light the fields, than being upset with sports teams.

Palomar College and an extensive remodel of Westwood Shell are among topics to be covered at next week’s Rancho Bernardo Planning Board meeting.

The board will meet at 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 16 in the Oaks North Community Center auditorium, 12578 Oaks North Drive in Rancho Bernardo.

Chairwoman Ellen Willis said the board has invited Palomar College representatives to speak about the college’s June 30 purchase of a 27-acre site at 11111 Rancho Bernardo Road for $38.3 million. It has a 110,000-square-foot building, parking for 850 vehicles and space for two more buildings.

Scheduled to attend are Palomar College President Robert Deegan, Vice President Bonnie Dowd and traffic consultant Dawn Wilson.

Palomar spokeswoman Laura Gropen said the college has yet to begin its planning process for the site, but the trio attending will speak about the purchase and answer audience questions. Much of the information presented will be the same as that during a June 23 meeting the college held at Rancho Bernardo-Glassman Recreation Center.

The start of school is not the only reason for there being more room in which to cool off at 4S Ranch’s splash park.

The water feature, part of Pioneer Park, has been off-limits to non-4S Ranch residents since last month.

The policy change — which includes a security guard checking photo identifications against a list of resident addresses — was approved at the 4S Ranch Homeowners Association board meeting Aug. 10, said Rebecca Soto, senior community manager for Prescott Management, which operates the 4S Ranch HOA.

The guard tells non-residents they have to leave the park, which is private property.

The board’s decision was based on complaints by residents who said there were too many non-residents using the park, Soto said.

The next step in an effort to refresh Rancho Bernardo’s business district will begin Monday.

Rancho Bernardans are being asked to complete a seven-question online survey from Sept. 6-20 at www.RefreshRB.com, said Janet Atkin, Refresh RB Committee chairwoman.

The results, which will be posted three weeks after the survey closes, will be considered by a committee of residents and business leaders selected by City Councilman Carl DeMaio to spearhead the effort.

The first of what has been promised to be multiple community gatherings on the topic was held July 24. During that meeting, attended by more than three dozen locals, ideas discussed included signage, flowers, colors, lighting, music and other aesthetic improvements to downtown Rancho Bernardo — mainly Bernardo Center Drive between Rancho Bernardo Road and Interstate 15.

Also discussed was potential changes to the Rancho Bernardo logo and replacement of the community’s welcome sign on Rancho Bernardo Road near The Mercado. The latter will be accomplished through the community’s Maintenance Assessment District.