CITY OF DEL MAR
CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
FEBRUARY 5, 2024
City of Del Mar Town Hall
1050 Camino del Mar, Del Mar California 92014
The minutes set forth the actions taken by the City Council on the matters stated. Audio/video recordings of the City Council proceedings are retained for a period of ten years, in accordance with the City's Records Retention Schedule. Audio/video recordings, as well as written materials presented to the City Council, including Red Dots (materials provided to the City Council after the agenda has published), are available on the City’s website at www.delmar.ca.us/AgendaCenter or by contacting the Administrative Services Department at (858) 755-9313.
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Druker called the Regular Meeting to order at 4:30 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Present: Mayor Dave Druker; Deputy Mayor Terry Gaasterland; Councilmembers Tracy Martinez, Dan Quirk, and Dwight Worden
CITY ATTORNEY CLOSED SESSION REPORT
City Attorney Leslie Devaney reported that there were no recusals or reportable actions for the February 5, 2024, City Council Closed Session meeting. She reported that all members were present with Councilmember Quirk arriving after the start of the meeting at 3:15 p.m.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Deputy Mayor Terry Gaasterland led the Pledge of Allegiance.
PUBLIC ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Mayor Druker opened the item to public comment and the following people spoke:
1. John Stahl
2. Suren Dutia with a donation of time from Jas Grewal
3. Camilla Rang
4. Julie Maxey-Allison
Mayor Druker closed the item to public comment.
CITY COUNCIL COMMENTS & COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS
Councilmember Worden reported on his participation in the Regional Taskforce on Homelessness Point in Time Count that occurred on January 25, 2024, and vendor selection for the RE:BEACH Oceanside Sand Replenishment Project that was finalized and approved at the Oceanside City Council meeting on January 31, 2024. Deputy Mayor Gaasterland reported on the first bi-national yearlong celebration of design held by the World Design Organization that will honor the San Diego/Tijuana region by hosting a number of events throughout the year. The public can visit https://wdo.org/calendar to learn more. Deputy Mayor Gaasterland also reported on the website vesselfinder.com as a resource to monitor the Bayport barge which is currently off the shore in the Del Mar dredging sand related to the Army Corp of Engineers sand replenishment project in Solana Beach and Encinitas.
City Council Regular Minutes
February 5, 2024
CITY MANAGER’S REPORT
In the City Manager’s absence, Assistant City Manager Clem Brown reported on the City’s efforts related to the significant rain event which include resources available on the City’s website and City’s sandbag program; ballot drop boxes for the March 5, 2024, Primary Election placed by the San Diego Registrar of Voters (ROV) at the Del Mar Civic Center and Del Mar Library; ongoing recruitment to fill a voting member vacancy on the Design Review Board; and presentation of required housing element implementation project related to code amendments for the Central Commercial Zone and Public Facilities Zone which to the Planning Commission on Tuesday, February 13, 2024, the City Council on March 18 and April 1, 2024, in advance of the April 2024 adoption Housing Element.
PRESENTATIONS
ITEM 1: 2023 LAW ENFORCEMENT SUMMARY/2024 FORECAST (CLERK’S FILE NO. 1101-2) Mayor Druker introduced the item. A presentation was provided by Sheriff Captain Christopher Lawrence.
City Council questions and discussion focused on whether additional costs for Sheriff services associated with the activities for the Fairgrounds are covered by the City or the 22nd District Agricultural Association; whether the increase in crime associated with increased attendance at the Fairgrounds has been communicated to the Fairgrounds board or Chief Executive Officer; appreciation for the responsiveness of the Sheriff to calls for service in Del Mar; catalytic converter thief decrease; and enforcement activities related to traffic and bicycle regulations.
Mayor Druker opened the item to public comment and Greg Rothnem spoke. Mayor Druker closed the item to public comment.
Council discussion focused on enforcement activities related to traffic and bicycle regulations.
ITEM 2: SAN DIEGO ASSOCIATION OF GOVERNMENTS (SANDAG) LOSSAN RAIL REALIGNMENT PROJECT UPDATE (CLERK’S FILE NO. 1005-2, 1506-1) Mayor Druker introduced the item. A presentation was provided by SANDAG staff including Chief Executive Officer Coleen Clementson, Director of Public Affairs Robyn Wapner, Manager of Environmental Compliance Keith Greer, and Rail Planning Program Manager Danney Veeh.
City Council questions focused on the types and amount of freight (including hazardous materials) that will be transported on the rail line and whether SANDAG has inquired with BNSF Railway to receive more specific information about freight; clarification on whether the speed target is a requirement or an objective; whether SANDAG has conducted a feasibility study; clarification on the community impact and other criteria previously used by SANDAG to prioritize alignment options; who has authority to retire the rail line; what alignments will be included in the Environmental Impact Report (EIR) and whether the “Lagoon Alignment” will be included; clarification on SANDAG’s obligation related to transportation planning for rail; considerations related to safety of residents and visitors as related to rail speeds; whether BSNF is required to contribute financially to relocating the train; whether SANDAG could send postcards to every resident in Del Mar regarding this project; timing for the Notice of Preparation (NOP) for the EIR; NOP comment period and location of the public hearing; whether the NOP will include the alignments that will be considered; potential federal funding for the project; military use and operations related to the rail line and Port of San Diego; and timing for the EIR related to the tussle bridge replacement project.
City Council Regular Minutes
February 5, 2024
Mayor Druker opened the item to public comment and the following people spoke:
1. Mac McLoughlin
2. John Stahl
3. Peter Crampton with a donation of time from Catherine Crampton
4. Kevin Patrick
5. Camilla Rang
6. Angelina Neglia with two donations of time from Ann Marie Streihich and Lucy Eskeland
7. Michael Boyle with a donation of time from Judy Pettigrew-Boyle
8. John Spelich
9. Bill Carpenter
10. JP McDermott
11. Edmond Perkins, representing the Port of San Diego
12. Carol Kerridge
13. Betsy Milich
14. Mike (speaker did not provide a last name)
15. Jeremy Bloom
16. Karen Lare
17. Patricia Brutten
Mayor Druker closed the item to public comment.
Assistant City Manager Clem Brown and Deputy Mayor Gaasterland summarized the questions raised during public comment.
Council discussion focused on the importance of public engagement on this project; SANDAG’s next presentation to City Council tentatively scheduled for April 2024; NOP and EIR comment period and contents of the NOP; and desire to form a citizen taskforce to inform the City’s response to the NOP.
City Council consensus was for Mayor Druker and Deputy Mayor Gaasterland to return to City Council on February 20, 2024, with a proposal to form a citizen Taskforce to inform the City’s response to the NOP for the SANDAG LOSSAN Rail Realignment project.
Additionally, Deputy Mayor Gaasterland and Councilmember Martinez will return to City Council with a proposal to confirm the City’s support for SANDAG to study a “Lagoon Alignment” as part of the environmental review process.
CONSENT CALENDAR
Administrative Services Manager/City Clerk Sarah Krietor read the titles of the items included on the Consent Calendar. There were no public speakers for the consent calendar items.
IT WAS MOVED BY COUNCILMEMBER DEPUTY MAYOR GAASTERLAND, SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER MARTINEZ TO APPROVE THE CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS 3 THROUGH 5 WITH AMENDMENT TO ITEM 3 PER RED DOT SUBMITTED BY STAFF. (VOTE 5-0) Ayes: Mayor Druker, Deputy Mayor Gaasterland, and Councilmembers Martinez, Quirk and Worden; Noes: 0; Recuse: 0; Absent: 0; Abstain: 0.
ITEM 3: APPROVAL OF MINUTES: JANUARY 22, 2024 REGULAR AND SPECIAL MEETING (CLERK’S MINUTES BOOK)
Council approved the minutes as amended by the Red Dot from staff, on consent.
City Council Regular Minutes
February 5, 2024
ITEM 4: RATIFICATION OF LIST OF DEMANDS, DATED FEBRUARY 5, 2024 (CLERK’S FILE NO. 201-3)
Council approved the list of demands, on consent.
ITEM 5: WAIVER OF READING OF ORDINANCES ON AGENDA (CLERK’S FILE NO. 401-4) Council waived the reading of ordinances, on consent.
ITEM 6: APPROVAL OF THE 2024 LEGISLATIVE POLICY GUIDELINES (CLERK’S FILE NO. 401-1, 401-7, 401-8)
The item was removed from the consent calendar for discussion. Council discussion focused on a proposed amendment to the housing section related to affordable housing at the Fairgrounds. Council consensus was to support the amendment proposed by Councilmember Martinez.
IT WAS MOVED BY COUNCILMEMBER MARTINEZ, SECONDED BY DEPUTY MAYOR GAASTERLAND TO APPROVE PROPOSED UPDATES TO THE CITY’S LEGISLATIVE POLICY GUIDELINES FOR 2024 AS AMENDED. (VOTE 5-0)
Ayes: Mayor Druker, Deputy Mayor Gaasterland, and Councilmembers Martinez, Quirk and Worden; Noes: 0; Recuse: 0; Absent: 0; Abstain: 0.
COUNCIL MEETING RECESS:
The City Council took a meeting recess from approximately 7:30 to 7:40 p.m.
REGIONAL ORGANIZATION AND COUNCIL COMMITTEES/SUBCOMMITTEES/COMMUNITY
ORGANIZATION REPORTS
City Council representatives reported on the 22nd District Agricultural Association – Community Relations Committee; Del Mar Community Connections; Del Mar Village Association; SANDAG Regional Planning Committee; SANDAG Borders Committee; SANDAG Board of Directors; Finance Committee; Sustainability Advisory Committee; SANDAG Sediment Management Taskforce- Oceanside Littoral Cell; San Dieguito River Valley Regional Open Space JPA; Clean Energy Alliance; and League of California Cities-Coastal Cities.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Druker adjourned the meeting at 8:28 p.m.
________________________________________
Sarah Krietor, Administrative Services Manager/
City Clerk