CITY OF DEL MAR
CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
FEBRUARY 20, 2024
City of Del Mar Town Hall
1050 Camino del Mar, Del Mar California 92014
And via teleconference
1317 Irving Avenue, Colonial Beach, VA 22443
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 (participated remotely); Councilmembers Tracy Martinez, Dan Quirk, and Dwight Worden
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
City Manager Ashley Jones led the Pledge of Allegiance.
PUBLIC ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Mayor Druker opened the item to public comment and the following people spoke regarding the San Diego LOSSAN Rail Realignment project:
1) Angie Neglia with two donations of time from Ross Neglia and Dean Meredith 2) Monica Meredith
3) John Stahl
4) Camilla Rang
5) Bill Carpenter
6) Mike Boyle
7) Shirli Weiss with a donation of time from Jas Grewal 8) Mark Rittenbaum
9) Timothy Davis
10) Steve Quirk
Mayor Druker closed public oral communications.
CITY COUNCIL COMMENTS & COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS
Councilmember Quirk provided an update on his request to SANDAG staff for information related to the LOSSAN Rail Realignment project. Deputy Mayor Gaasterland provided comments on the SANDAG Rail Realignment project. Councilmember Martinez commented on her desire to receive an update on the formation of a LOSSAN Rail Realignment Taskforce. Councilmember Worden provided an update on the upcoming presentation from Greg Hearon with Coastal Frontiers regarding the Oceanside Littoral Cell and Ocean Protection Council sea-level rise guidance.
City Council Regular Minutes
February 20, 2024
CITY MANAGER’S REPORT
City Manager Ashley Jones reported that the Fairgrounds Board would be considering an exclusive negotiating rights agreement with the City at their meeting today; continuation of the February 13, 2024, Planning Commission meeting to February 21, 2024; annual Council Goals & Priorities Setting Workshop scheduled is for February 27, 2024, at 1:00 p.m. in the Town Hall (subsequently rescheduled to March 11, 2024 at 5:00 p.m.); and provided an update on the removal of the dead Monterey Cypress trees and process for replacing the trees with a species better suited for the locations.
PRESENTATIONS
ITEM 1: SAN DIEGO COUNTY WATER AUTHORITY REPRESENTATIVE UPDATE (CLERK’S FILE NO. 1506-3)
Mayor Druker introduced the item. A presentation was provided by San Diego County Water Authority (SDCWA) Board Chair and Del Mar representative Mel Katz. SDCWA Water Resource Director Jeff Stephenson was available to answer questions.
City Council questions and discussion focused on appreciation to Chair Katz for his service on the SDCWA Board; whether the SDCWA has coordinated with Mexico related to future water projects; desalination plants; and uses for reclaimed water.
There were no public speakers for the item.
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 MARTINEZ, SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER WORDEN TO APPROVE THE CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS 2 THROUGH 6 AND 8.
Ayes: Mayor Druker, Deputy Mayor Gaasterland, and Councilmembers Martinez, Quirk and Worden; Noes: 0; Recuse: 0; Absent: 0; Abstain: 0.
ITEM 2: APPROVAL OF MINUTES: FEBRUARY 5, 2024 REGULAR AND SPECIAL MEETING (CLERK’S MINUTES BOOK)
Council approved the minutes, on consent.
ITEM 3: RATIFICATION OF LIST OF DEMANDS, DATED FEBRUARY 20, 2024 (CLERK’S FILE NO. 201-3)
Council approved the list of demands, on consent.
ITEM 4: WAIVER OF READING OF ORDINANCES ON AGENDA (CLERK’S FILE NO. 401-4) Council waived the reading of ordinances, on consent.
ITEM 5: APPROVAL OF FIRST AMENDMENT TO AGREEMENT FOR CITY COUNCIL RETREAT WORKSHOP FACILITATION SERVICES (CLERK’S FILE NO. 406-1) City Council Regular Minutes
February 20, 2024
Council approved a First Amendment to the Agreement for City Council Retreat Workshop Facilitation Services with The Centre for Organization Effectiveness to extend the term of the Agreement for an additional 6-month period terminating September 5, 2024; and authorized the City Manager to execute the First Amendment, on consent.
ITEM 6: A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL CONDITIONALLY APPROVING ENCROACHMENT PERMIT EP23-094 TO RETAIN AND MAINTAIN PRIVATE
VEGETATIVE, STRUCTURAL, AND DRAINAGE-RELATED ENCROACHMENTS
INSTALLED WITHIN A PORTION OF UNIMPROVED PUBLIC RIGHT-OF-WAY (ALLEY) ADJACENT TO 919 KLISH WAY, 1035 KLISH WAY, AND
964 CREST ROAD (CLERK’S FILE NO. 802-1)
Council adopted Resolution 2024-02, “A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DEL MAR, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING ENCROACHMENT PERMIT EP23-094, A REQUEST TO RETAIN PRIVATE VEGETATIVE, STRUCTURAL, AND DRAINAGERELATED ENCROACHMENTS WITHIN A PORTION OF UNIMPROVED PUBLIC RIGHT-OF-WAY (ALLEY) ADJACENT TO 919 KLISH WAY, 1035 KLISH WAY, AND 964 CREST ROAD IN DEL MAR, CALIFORNIA”, consistent with Council direction on January 8, 2024, on consent.
ITEM 7: RECOMMENDED COMPENSATION ADJUSTMENT RELATED TO THE CITY MANAGER’S PERFORMANCE EVALUATION AND FIRST AMENDMENT TO EMPLOYMENT CONTRACT (CLERK’S FILE NO. 102-8, 406-1, 502-1) The item was pulled from the Consent Calendar by Councilmember Quirk who provided comments on the undergrounding project and pension expenses.
IT WAS MOVED BY COUNCILMEMBER WORDEN AND SECONDED BY
COUNCILMEMBER MARTINEZ TO ADOPTED RESOLUTION 2024-03, “A
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DEL MAR, CALIFORNIA,
AUTHORIZING COMPENSATION ADJUSTMENT FOR ASHLEY JONES AS CITY
MANAGER FOR THE CITY OF DEL MAR AND ADOPTING THE AMENDED MANAGEMENT, PROFESSIONAL, AND CONFIDENTIAL SALARY SCHEDULE”, EFFECTIVE DECEMBER 13, 2023; 2) APPROVED THE FIRST AMENDMENT TO THE CITY MANAGER’S EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT EXTENDING THE TERM TO DECEMBER 13, 2030, AND INCREASING DEFERRED COMPENSATION; AND 3) AMENDED THE FISCAL YEAR 2023-24 OPERATING AND CAPITAL BUDGET AS INDICATED IN THE FISCAL IMPACT SECTION OF THIS REPORT. (VOTE 5-0) Ayes: Mayor Druker, Deputy Mayor Gaasterland, and Councilmembers Martinez, Quirk and Worden; Noes: 0; Recuse: 0; Absent: 0; Abstain: 0.
ITEM 8: REAPPOINTMENT TO THE MEASURE Q CITIZEN OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE (CLERK’S FILE NO. 401-5)
Council reappointed K. Alan Lonbom to serve on the Committee as a voting member for a second three-year term from February 20, 2024, through February 28, 2027, on consent.
City Council Regular Minutes
February 20, 2024
PUBLIC HEARING
ITEM 9: SIDEWALK CAFÉ PERMIT SCP23-003 – APPLICATION REQUEST TO INSTALL A NEW SIDEWALK CAFÉ IN THE PUBLIC RIGHT-OF-WAY, ADJACENT TO SUITES 105-107 AT THE DEL MAR PLAZA (1555 CAMINO DEL MAR).
APPLICANT: VALLEY FARM MARKET
OWNER: BRIXTON CAPITAL (DEL MAR PLAZA)
APN #: 300-030-86 (CLERK’S FILE NO. 701-2)
An introduction to the item was provided by Mayor Druker. A presentation was provided by Principal Planner Matt Bator. There were no City Council disclosures or recusals for the hearing.
Council questions and discussion focused on the width of the walkway.
There were no public speakers for the item.
IT WAS MOVED BY COUNCILMEMBER WORDEN AND SECONDED BY DEPUTY MAYOR GAASTERLAND TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 2024-04, “A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DEL MAR, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING SIDEWALK CAFE PERMIT SCP23-003, TO ALLOW THE INSTALLATION OF A NEW SIDEWALK CAFÉ IN THE PUBLIC RIGHT-OF-WAY ADJACENT TO THE DEL MAR PLAZA AT 1555 CAMINO DEL MAR IN DEL MAR, CALIFORNIA.” (VOTE 5-0)
Ayes: Mayor Druker, Deputy Mayor Gaasterland, and Councilmembers Martinez, Quirk and Worden; Noes: 0; Recuse: 0; Absent: 0; Abstain: 0.
CITY COUNCIL OTHER BUSINESS
ITEM 10: OVERVIEW OF WATER AND WASTEWATER RATE STUDY AND PROPOSED RATE SCHEDULE AND RECOMMENDATION TO INITIATE THE 218 PUBLIC NOTICING PROCESS (CLERK’S FILE NO. 907-4)
An introduction to the item was provided by City Manager Jones. A presentation was provided by Public Works Director Joe Bride, and HF&H Consultants, LLC representatives Senior Vice President Rick Simonson, and Project Manager Gabe Sasser.
Council questions focused on reserve targets; Prop 218 majority protest voting process; connection fee revenue and impact to rates; the City’s current water and wastewater rates; whether Del Mar residents who are located in an outside services area (e.g. North Bluff area served by Solana Beach) also pay any fees to Del Mar for service; and clarification on base (fixed) rates paid by water and wastewater customers.
There were no public speakers.
Council discussion focused on incentives to reduce water consumption; whether the City offers a program a water bill subsidy assistance program; and whether the County or State provides subsidies.
IT WAS MOVED BY COUNCILMEMBER WORDEN AND SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER MARTINEZ TO DIRECT STAFF TO PROCEED WITH THE REQUESTED PROPOSITION 218 PUBLIC City Council Regular Minutes
February 20, 2024
NOTICING PROCESS FOR RECOMMENDED WATER AND WASTEWATER RATES EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2024. (VOTE 5-0)
Ayes: Mayor Druker, Deputy Mayor Gaasterland, and Councilmembers Martinez, Quirk and Worden; Noes: 0; Recuse: 0; Absent: 0; Abstain: 0.
REGIONAL ORGANIZATION AND COUNCIL COMMITTEES/SUBCOMMITTEES/COMMUNITY
ORGANIZATION REPORTS
City Council representatives reported on the CSA-17 Ambulance District Advisory Board; North County Transit District; Parks and Recreation Committee; and Del Mar Community Connections.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Druker adjourned the meeting at 7:02 p.m.
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Sarah Krietor, Administrative Services Manager/
City Clerk