Agenda, special meeting, first session — Del Mar City Council, March 11, 2024

Del Mar City Council Special Meeting Agenda
Goals & Priorities Setting Workshop
Del Mar Town Hall
1050 Camino del Mar, Del Mar, California
March 11, 2024 City Council Special Meeting

INFORMATION RECEIVED

AFTER THE COUNCIL AGENDA

WAS DISTRIBUTED
(“Red Dots”)
1 March 11, 2024 Item 01
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3 March 11, 2024 Item 01
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February 26, 2024
TO: Del Mar City Council
FROM: Joe Sullivan
Friends of Del Mar Parks
SUBJ: Request to rezone Shores property
The Shores property was purchased from the Del Mar Union School District in 2008 for $8.5 million.

Acquisition funds came from $3mm prepayment of rent by Winston School, $2.5mm raised in the community by the Friends of Del Mar Parks, and $3mm from the sale of open space property (abandoned reservoir site) on Balboa Avenue. The rationale for selling Balboa to pay for Shores was “open space for open space.” In support of our request to rezone the Shores property from Public Facilities (PF) to Public Parkland (PF) attached is the City Council resolution that was used to raise donations from more than 500 families to save the Shores from inappropriate development.

RESOLUTION 2007-

RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL ANNOUNCING THE

ACQUISITION OF THE SHORES PROPERTY AND THE CITY'S

COMMITMENT TO MAINTAINING THE PRESENT USES
WHEREAS, the City of Del Mar and the Del Mar Union School District have worked for more than four years to negotiate the disposition/acquisition of the District's surplus school site at Camino del Mar and 9th Street, commonly know as the Del Mar Shores Property; and WHEREAS, on July 25, 2007, the District and the City agreed upon the general terms of sale for the 5.3 acre parcel; and
WHEREAS, the City of Del Mar is unable to finance the acquisition. Thus, the purchase of the site will be made possible by funds raised in part by the private Winston School, the long term tenant of the site, and in part by community fundraising efforts led by the Friends of Del Mar Parks Committee of the Del Mar Foundation. Escrow must be completed by February 28, 2008; and WHEREAS, the City desires to support and encourage those fundraising efforts through its commitment to preserve the present uses of the property,

NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DEL MAR DOES HEREBY DETERMINE AS FOLLOWS:

1. The City of Del Mar is committed to purchase the property under the terms and conditions of that Purchase Agreement signed July 30, 2007, for the amount of $8,500,000. The City has until February 28, 2008 to acquire the funds through the joint fundraising efforts of the Winston School and the community.

2. The purpose of the acquisition is to preserve the current open space and recreational uses of the property, including the ball field, and to permit the continued operation of the private 1 March 11, 2024 Item 01
Winston School, in keeping with the original dedicated intention. The Purchase Agreement includes a deed restriction which limits rezoning the property to a more intensive use.

3. The City Council expects that the property will remain status quo in use, condition, and operation, for at least a three year period.

4. The City's long term goal is to maximize the open space and recreational uses on the property. Although other public facilities are permitted under current zoning, the City Council has no intention of pursuing other uses not consistent with the purpose of the acquisition such as a new fire station or cityhall.

5. The City entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with the Winston School dated February 21, 2006, to permit the school's continued operation for a 55 year period after acquisition.

6. Following purchase of the property, and in furtherance of the City's long term goal, the City will schedule public meetings to create a master planning process for the property. The master planning process will occur prior to any substantive changes to the status quo of the property.

Al U 06m67 ITEM 13
2 March 11, 2024 Item 01
Resolution 2007 -

Page 2 ends

PASSED AND ADOPTED by the City Council of the City of Del Mar, this 5th day August, 2007.

CARL HILLIARD, MAYOR
City of Del Mar
ATTEST AND CERTIFICATION:

I, Mercedes Martin, City Clerk of the City of Del Mar, California, DO HEREBY CERTIFY, that ti foregoing is a true and correct copy of Resolution 2007- _, adopted by the City Council of the City Del Mar, California at a Regular Meeting held the 5
th day of August, 2007, by the following vote:

AYES:

NOES:

ABSENT:

ABSTAIN:

MERCEDES MARTIN, CITY CLERK
Al U 06?007 ITEM 1 3
3 March 11, 2024 Item 01
1 Melinda Gould
From: Shirley King <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, February 26, 2024 11:16 AM
To: City Clerk Mail Box
Subject: Del Mar City Council 2024 Budget Workshop Agenda II: Public Communication Attachments: DM Budget Workshop 2-27-2024.docx
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.

Dear City Clerk,
Will you please add the attached to your public communications during the February 27, 2024 Budget Workshop? It is a request to allocate budget funding for a bus shelter at 15th Street (as a starting point).

Thanks much,
Shirley King
Avenida Primavera
1 March 11, 2024 Item 01
February 26, 2024
To: Del Mar City Council Goals and Priorities Workshop (February 27, 2024) From: Shirley King, Avenida Primavera, Del Mar, CA 92014 Re: Agenda Item II Public Communications
Action Requested for Consideration:

Rain/Sun Canopy or Shelter for NCTD Bus Stops at 15th Streets (east and west sides) with Solar-Powered Outlet for cell phone use at the Bus Stops for charging the MTS Pronto Transit App
I have been using public transit for the past several months. My public transit use is now much enhanced by the trolley connection; however, this season has been so rainy that waiting at any of our bus stops is miserable. And I expect that during summer days the sun is another form of discomfort.

To encourage ridership and to reward the current riders, will you add to your budget plans, the construction of a durable bus shelter along with a solarpowered outlet for charging cell phones. Most riders use the Pronto app to pay for rides and thus they need a charged phone.

If you want an example of an aesthetically pleasing bus shelter with solar charger, go to the north end of the UCSD campus. Call their Traffic Services to inquire.

Keep in mind the workforce coming to Del Mar relies on the public transit as do the students and Generation Z. As a senior resident, I have found public transit to be quite reliable and accessible for going to downtown San Diego.

Many thanks,
Shirley King
[email protected]
2 March 11, 2024 Item 01
1 Melinda Gould
From: Alice McNally <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, February 26, 2024 4:12 PM
To: City Clerk Mail Box
Subject: RED DOT: Del Mar Proposal for a Shuttle Service on the City Council Goals & Priorities Setting Workshop
Importance: High
Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Flagged
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Dear Mayor, City Clerk, City Council and planners,
I wholly support a Shuttle service in Del Mar, like the "Laguna Beach Local", your neighborhood ride.

The research and proposal submitted by Daria Flores is very comprehensive and spells out the what, why and how so well.

I have ridden on this many times and it is one of the best things about staying,and shopping in Laguna.

It is a free, on demand, shared-ride transit service which goes between residential neighborhoods and the downtown and beach.
. Clean, attractive vans
. Friendly drivers
. Pick up and drop off at more than 100 locations.
. Free to ride.
. Average wait time 15-30 minutes following the request. . Rides can be requested up to 14 days in advance.
. Children under age 13 must be accompanied by an adult. . Parents must bring child seats, if needed.
. Bicycle transport
. Wheelchair accessible vehicle will be available at all times. . On-demand app also displays trolly status info.
. Face coverings recommended, but not required.

Contact us to learn more:
lagunabeachcity.net
City of Laguna Beach
505 Forest Avenue
Laguna Beach, CA 92651
ph 949-497-3311
Alice McNally
Stratford Ct
Del Mar
858-342-3244
1 March 11, 2024 Item 01
1 Melinda Gould
From: Nancy Stoke <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, February 26, 2024 6:07 PM
To: City Clerk Mail Box
Cc: 'Nancy Stoke'
Subject: Goals & Priority Setting Workshop 2/27/24 red dot CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.

Honorable Mayor and Council Members,
I write to request that you prioritize as Tier 1 the establishment of a “STAC 2” Advisory Committee to focus on the many critical issues and concerns related to sea level rise. I recognize that Staff time/expense will be required. In my mind that is an expense worth spending. Much in the science and policy realms has been happening since STAC was abruptly disbanded, and Del Mar needs to keep an ear to the ground and a finger on the pulse to be informed and proactively planning and moving forward to protect our wonderful visitorserving community. - The 105-page State of CA Sea Level Rise Guidance: 2024 Science and Policy Update – Draft Released for Public Comment https://opc.ca.gov/2024/01/draft-slr-guidance-2024/ was recently released by the Ocean Protection Council (OPC). Pg 52 tells us that Managed Retreat is now known as Strategic Relocation. In addition to new lingo, we need to understand this new guidance and how it differs from earlier reports, and how the new guidance may impact our Adaptation Plan.
-There was recently launched Senate Bill 1 Sea Level Rise Adaptation Grant Program https://opc.ca.gov/2023/12/sb-1-grant-programopens/#:~:text=The%20overall%20goal%20of%20the,California%20and%20San%20Francisco%20Bay and $660 Mil maintained in the Governor’s FY 24/25 Budget for critical coastal resilience programs and projects.

March 22, 2024 is the submission deadline for proposals to be considered for funding at and brought to the June 2024 OPC meeting; we’ve clearly missed that opportunity. For Del Mar in this era of critical focus on housing, what is more critical than the preservation of the North Beach’s 600+ existing residential units? - Daniel Kahl, a UC Irvine researcher and lead author of a paper in Coastal Engineering Journal says his recent study which used satellite imagery dating back nearly 20 years and wave data from that same time from Scripps Oceanography analyzed longshore transport and stated “It can help us inform where nourishments will be most beneficial and where they won’t be the best”. Several beaches in San Diego including Del Mar and Encinitas were mapped out as areas rapidly eroding. (See New data to help manage shrinking beaches by Laytan Connelly, SD UT 2/26/24.)
- I am pleased to see that SCOUP (Sand Compatibility Opportunistic Use Program) is item 10 in Tier 2, permitting is in process, and we await approval from the Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) which is due soon. - I am also pleased to see conceptual design for Living Levee along San Dieguito Riverbanks is item 11 in Tier 2, is in process, and conceptual design is anticipated to be at Council by June 2024. Will this design be impacted by the railroad relocation discussions and the very real possibility that CDM at dog beach and Jimmy Durante 1 March 11, 2024 Item 01
2 will be closed for the est. 10-yr railroad build period? That is a terrifying thought for those of us who live in the North Beach and would seemingly have no way out in case of an emergency, and first responders would have no easy way in. Let’s be sure that access is well thought out! - I am concerned, as I watch our sand being sucked up and floated away, that we are unable to find any studies that were done to determine how this SANDAG sand removal project at 0.50 miles out will impact the sand on our visitor-serving beach. If logic follows that sand will deposit in the lowest locations, how will our beach not be negatively impacted by this project? Would appreciate location of said study if in fact there is one. Sand is our 1st and best line of defense against sea level rise and storm damage, and we can’t turn our backs on what is happening just a short swim away from our shoreline.

Thank you for your on-going hard work on behalf of our community. Respectfully submitted, Nancy Stoke
The Flower Fields at Carlsbad Ranch are open March 1st – early May. Truly a magnificent display of 50+ acres of blooming Tecolote Giant Ranunculus, it is not to be missed! Purchase tickets in advance: https://www.theflowerfields.com/planyour-trip/ See you there! 2 March 11, 2024 Item 01
1 Melinda Gould
From: Udo Wahn <[email protected]>
Sent: Friday, March 8, 2024 4:41 PM
To: City Clerk Mail Box
Subject: City Council meeting March 11 Red Dot
Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Flagged
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Please share with Council
Honorable Mayor and City Council members;
As a member of the City of Del Mar Lagoon Committee I respectfully ask that you allow our committee to meet once every 2 months so that we can attend to our work in a timely fashion.

Thank you!
Udo
Udo Wahn M.D.
1 March 11, 2024 Item 01
Dear Mayor, Deputy Mayor and Councilmembers,
I would like to make some suggestions for the Goals and Priorities workshop.

I hope that Council will keep a building decarbonization ordinance on the 2024/2025 workplan.

Although that item was on the 2023.2024 workplan, it was paused due to the 9th circuit court ruling in April 2023. In the meantime, alternative approaches to decarbonize buildings, such as the High Performance energy efficiency approach, have been developed which achieve similar goals. I hope that the city will keep building decarbonization on the workplan so that work can start on an energy efficiency reach code when appropriate.

I also hope that the City will begin the long process of updating our seriously out-of-date Climate Action Plan in FY 2024/2025 by approving a contract for a consultant to begin the work.

I see from the agenda that repairs to the HVAC in City Hall were completed this year, and that HVAC repairs at other major facilities are planned (Appendix A, item 19), and also Appendix B, item 41, which specifically calls for repair to the HVAC system in the Powerhouse Building to occur after Labor Day 2024. I have no idea as to the extent of the repairs. However, I hope that the City will seriously consider replacing outdated HVAC systems with electric heat pump systems, and NOT with another gas heater.

Heat pumps are far more efficient than gas powered HVAC systems, and they will provide both heat and air conditioning with one unit. Creating an inventory of the ages of gas furnaces and gas water heaters in municipal buildings will help prepare for planning for replacing those gas appliances with highly efficient heat pump alternatives. If these buildings have sufficient solar panels, the cost of the electricity will be minimal so the running costs of the new Heat Pump space conditioners (heat+AC) will be minimal. If they do not have sufficient solar panels, or have none, it would be cost-effective to install them. We must stop burning fossil fuels such as natural gas to reduce our Greenhouse Gas emissions, and installing highly efficient HVAC systems will help to achieve that goal.

Greening the city fleet is another way in which the city can reduce its greenhouse gas emissions. This also may benefit from advance planning, so that when a current vehicle is due for replacement, sufficient research can be done to identify an electric or hybrid alternative to any gas vehicle. Exploring bike share rentals and/or shuttles for first “mile-last mile” travel to and from train would be another way to reduce VMT.

Last November, the City Council reaffirmed its declaration of the Climate Emergency with a Resolution calling for “the need for accelerated action to address the climate crisis”. Included in that resolution were the following:

4. The City of Del Mar further commits to advance strategies to attain the goal of net-zero emissions as soon as possible; and

5. The City of Del Mar commits to recognize the emergency climate situation such that climate impacts are considered in all decision making.

6. The City of Del Mar commits to increased attention on implementing the strategies in its Climate Action Plan, adding new strategies and goals to the City’s Council-adopted workplan when appropriate; and prioritizing implementation of all strategies as resources allow I hope that the Council will act on this Climate Emergency Resolution, and support the decarbonization of all municipal buildings by replacing HVAC systems which need repairs with an electric heat pump 2 March 11, 2024 Item 01
space heaters/AC unit, replace gas water heaters in municipal buildings with heat pump water heaters when the gas ones approach end-of-life, replace gas-powered city fleet with electric vehicles. I also hope that the City will move forward when the time is appropriate with a high performance energy efficiency ordinance or similar approach. Finally, I hope that Council will approve beginning the multiyear process of doing a CAP update beginning in FY 2024/2025.

I see that a new proposal is in Appendix C, item 16, to merge Parks and Rec, Lagoon, and Sustainability Advisory committees into one Environmental Committee. As a former member of SAC and a current member of Parks and Rec, I know that these committees perform very different tasks and they should not be combined. I know that SAC has asked to have more meetings per year, as 4 per year is not sufficient for all of its work, and certainly merging the separate tasks handled by each of those committees would overwhelm the work of committees.

Thank you for your consideration.

Ann Feeney
534 Rimini Rd.
3 March 11, 2024 Item 01
1 Melinda Gould
From: Heather Lindsey <[email protected]>
Sent: Saturday, March 9, 2024 8:41 AM
To: City Clerk Mail Box
Subject: Red-Dot: Goal Setting Monday City Council
Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Flagged
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Dear Del Mar City Council,
As you goal set and resource set for the future, I once again ask that we consider whether this is a good time to seat STAC again. I believe it is.

Sand retention and coastal resilience is a top priority for the city. The topic and corresponding materials around the beach and sand replenishment require constant monitoring and attention. And the quantity of material and issues grow, Del Mar must remain on top of this which is no easy feat while also monitoring issues such as STRs, the train, lawsuits, undergrounding, and a million other large and small items each week. Furthermore, the City itself has argued that it does not have the resources to deal with all the beach and sea level issues that it faces. STAC offers a partial solution to this.

Other coastal cities actually have people contracted with outside professionals who can support staff with the growing complexity of the topics that STAC covers. Del Mar does not, but Del Mar does have the opportunity to seat STAC to help with this, and it has citizens clamoring to do so. I know that a good portion of the original STAC would like to see and participate on STAC 2. As a reminder, without STAC the city would have gone down a damaging road with managed retreat.

A few of the current topics that STAC could help with include:
• The new sea level rise guidance came out. We as residents need to understand it and the differences between previous and now, and then assess, how does the new guidance impact our Adaptation Plan? • What is the progress with a design for a living levee along the river? What is the plan for the rail-trail to extend along the Fairgrounds side of the river? How does that affect a levee design? • Have we considered an artificial reef. What have we learned from the Oceanside project. • The replacement trestle bridge and the installation of a new seasonal platform station at the fairgrounds did not go through EIR. Construction is planned to start in 2027. Without an EIR of this $330 million project, how do we know the impacts on the lagoon and sand movement in the Rivermouth? How will the consequences of a replacement bridge affect sand on Del Mar’s beaches?
• How exactly does the sand move along the Del Mar shoreline? How do we know that dredging and taking a million cubic yards of sand from 0.5 miles offshore will pose no danger to near shore sand remaining available for Del Mar? Does this trench prevent us from utilizing other sand retention options in the future? Who is 4 March 11, 2024 Item 01
2 organizing to ensure that we do not become the dig spot for San Clemente, something that is currently being discussed.
• Ensuring that policies that the council and the city have voted against do not accidentally be inserted into our laws.

Thank you for considering my opinion.

Warmly,
Heather Lindsey
5 March 11, 2024 Item 01
1 Melinda Gould
From: City Clerk Mail Box
Subject: FW: Red dot…Goal Setting
From: Robin Crabtree <[email protected]>
Date: March 10, 2024 at 4:52:53 PM PDT
To: Ashley Jones <[email protected]>
Cc: David Druker <[email protected]>, Dan Quirk <[email protected]>, Dwight Worden-Private <[email protected]>, "Terry TG. Gaasterland" <[email protected]>, Tracy Martinez RN <[email protected]>
Subject: Red dot…Goal Setting
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.

Dear council members.

You are set to be discussing goalsetting on Monday night, and I would like to encourage all of you to support restarting STAC 2 advisory committee.

Many issues seem to be coming up in relation to sand/replenishment sand, loss, and also many studies that have been done since our adaptation plan was developed. I think it’s really important that we have an advisory group that can keep abreast of all changes and studies and the impacts on our Del mar Beach.

Del mar has so many issues going on and I feel that it’s very difficult for the council members to keep upto-date on all of the issues. Advisory committee would be invaluable to the Del Mar Residents and the Del Mar city Council. As a past participant I found the committee work that we did Was so valuable to the City Of Del Mar and I’m sure many things have happened or changed since we were active and then ended.

Thank you for your support.

I would be happy to be a participant once again
Robin Crabtree
25 th street. Del Mar
Sent from my iPhone
6 March 11, 2024 Item 01
1 Melinda Gould
From: Alice McNally <[email protected]>
Sent: Sunday, March 10, 2024 6:50 PM
To: City Clerk Mail Box
Subject: In support of Shuttle Service in Del Mar
Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Flagged
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.

Dear Mayor, City Clerk, City Council and planners,
I wholly support a Shuttle service in Del Mar, like the "Laguna Beach Local", your neighborhood ride.

The research and proposal submitted by Daria Flores is very comprehensive and spells out the what, why and how so well.

I have ridden on this many times and it is one of the best things about staying,and shopping in Laguna.

Contact us to learn more:
lagunabeachcity.net
City of Laguna Beach
505 Forest Avenue
Laguna Beach, CA 92651
ph 949-497-3311
Alice McNally
Stratford Ct
7 March 11, 2024 Item 01
1 Melinda Gould
From: Kerridge, Carol <[email protected]>
Sent: Sunday, March 10, 2024 10:24 PM
To: City Clerk Mail Box
Subject: Red Dot Items #7, #8, #9, and #16 for Goal Setting (New FY 2024-2025 Proposed Work Plan)
Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Flagged
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Dear City Councilmembers,
As a member of the Lagoon Committee Advisory Committee, I would like to urge you to consider and support 4 of the items listed on the New Proposed Work Plan.

I truly believe that Item #9, increasing our Lagoon Committee meetings to every 2 months is most important due to the workload of serious issues that we have been asked to evaluate and help plan in the near and extended future.

Please see list below:

Lagoon impacts in 2024/2025

1. Train trestle bridge rebuild

2. Tunnel impact analysis comments

3. Riverpark Trail Phase 3

4. W-19 restoration

5. Lagoon continues to failure to meet requirements under agreement on original restoration

6. Trail extension on on fairgrounds

7. Planting of native plants restoration to migrate the plants up the sides of the lagoon in anticipation of sea level rise

8. Lake Hodges Dam restoration

9. Living levy
We need more time to work together and invite experts to help keep us informed with up-to-date information on these items.

Item #7, the forming a "Plaque Policy", is self-explanatory in that plaques of various shapes, sizes and style exist throughout our city. It's time to keep them more artistically similar, while defining their importance and location.

Item #8, There needs to be a very worthy exception to Item #7, that is a plaque to honor the Native Americans who once lived in this area and were relocated by settlers. I feel this plaque should be located on the North Bluff Preserve which is near the site of where the Del Mar Man skull was found. I have been working on this item for several years now, and I believe that it needs to be a priority. I have personally worked with the Native Americans on the possible wording of the plaque 8 March 11, 2024 Item 01
2 which has been supported by our Historical Society which has even offered to help fund this project. We've even worked out the physical logistics of how this could be done.

Item 16, Merging the environmental committees, seems to be motivated by reducing staff time, but looking at the big picture, I think there is some overlap with our committees, and that it would be a good idea for us to have an extra combined meeting for the environmental-based committees every few months. As our little town faces important environmental changes, it makes sense to me to possibly learn more about our overlapping issues and work together to resolve them. But I feel that basically each committee's goals are very different and not all of our goals overlap, particularly with our lagoon committee.

Thank you much for your time and consideration of my comments, Carol Kerridge
9 March 11, 2024 Item 01
1 Melinda Gould
From: Richard Jamison <[email protected]>
Sent: Sunday, March 10, 2024 11:01 PM
To: City Clerk Mail Box; David Druker; Dan Quirk; Tracy Martinez; Terry Gaasterland; Dwight Worden
Subject: Goals-Setting Meeting - Red Dot Letter - Council Initiated Work Plan Items Follow Up Flag: Follow up
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March 10, 2024
Del Mar City Council
March 11, 2024 Agenda
Re: Goals-Setting Meeting - Red Dot Letter - Council Initiated Work Plan Items Dear Mayor Druker and City Council Members:

The City of Del Mar’s recent experience in adopting ordinances for state-mandated housing programs for ADU’s and SB 9/Urban Lot Split development has been very challenging in terms of our ability to preserve our unique community development standards within the regulatory framework provided by the State. Our discretionary model for land use project review based on our Design Review Ordinance has not served us well in these policy-making endeavors, due to a lack of sufficient objectivity. Item 13 of the Council-Initiated Work Plan Items -- Turn the Design Guidelines into Design Review Ordinances — may provide us with an opportunity to redress some of these problems. There is a sense of urgency to add some additional objectivity to our Code, given the pending implementation dates of these Council approved ordinances and the upcoming adoption of a Short Term Rental ordinance, which should also be considered as a state-mandated policy, given the insistent involvement of the California Coastal Commission.

There are many Design Guidelines that are worthy of codification, but in recognition of our limited staff resources and timing constraints, I think we should focus our immediate efforts on two areas — Hardscape and Privacy.

Hardscape - As the Council may recall, our SB 9 ordinance only controls hardscape in the front yard and street side (exterior side yard on corner lots) setbacks. There are also concerns about hardscape relative to the STR ordinance. Maximizing hardscape is a preferred option for many landlords who want to reduce landscaping due to concerns about tenants. Finding ways to provide additional onsite parking may be beneficial to the rental business bottom line as well. Landlords may attempt to call their turf block “landscaping” or install visible artificial turf that increases runoff (compared to natural turf). Most Del Mar residents don’t want to have the experience of walking around our neighborhoods in five years and immediately being able to distinguish the STR’s from the other residences due to the appearance of excessive hardscape.

Minimizing excessive hardscape is important, not only for preserving community character, but also for reducing the heat island effect (reflected heat from artificial surfaces) and increasing the permeability of our lots. Permeability is becoming a more important issue due to climate change and the potential for increasing amounts of rain as the ocean continues to warm. Recently, I seem to be hearing more complaints from neighbors about storm water intrusion into structures, crawl spaces and basements even though we are not having abnormally high rainfall like Los Angeles has been experiencing. The UCLA campus received over 13 inches of rain in four days last month, during a “bomb cyclone” storm, and has received over 30 inches of rain (to date) for the season (starting October 1) for the second year in a row. It could happen here too, and we need to be prepared.

Our current development standards present a number of challenges to increasing permeability. We have encouraged maximum size impervious basements that displace groundwater, we allow mass grading and compaction of hillside lots, mature trees are being removed in large numbers for various reasons, and state housing mandates have increased structural lot coverage and reduced landscaping. State law prohibits directly discharging storm water from lots into public streets and storm drains, so it is important to make sure we are providing sufficient ground to sky landscaped areas in our yards so that excess storm water can be accommodated. One neighbor’s indifference to maintaining functional onsite drainage can quickly become a serious neighborhood nuisance, especially during heavy storms.

Our Zoning Code defines lot coverage by calculating a percentage based on the total area of structures over 30 inches tall divided by the the size of the lot. But, lot coverage should be calculated using a measurement of the quantity of impervious surfaces instead of structures, like the City of Saratoga does in their Zoning Code (15-06.620 and 15-12.080). The design principle of encouraging the use of pervious surfaces is an essential theme in our Design Guidelines and it is long overdue for it to be formally introduced into our Zoning Code. We should also codify the Design Guidelines concerning limiting hardscape to 50% in the front yard and street side setbacks (C.8.C) and make it a requirement that live plant materials are used outside the impervious areas. 10 March 11, 2024 Item 01
2 Privacy - Our design review process—through the CPP—has the mutually beneficial objective of facilitating communication between neighbors about proposed design features that impact privacy, such as decks and other outdoor entertainment areas. Quite often, neighbors end up making accommodations to allow design features that impact their privacy, based on a desire for positive relations with new neighbors. In the case of an STR, the users of a privacy- impacting entertainment area are short term renters, hyper-transient non-owners who have little to no concern about neighborhood impacts. Given that any house in Del Mar is potentially a future STR, more restrictions are needed to prevent and mitigate privacy impacts on neighboring properties. While it would be unrealistic and unfair to expect renters on vacation not to enjoy themselves, it is also naive and unrealistic to think that the increased usage of outdoor entertainment areas in STR’s will not have negative impacts on our privacy and our ability to preserve peace and quiet in our neighborhoods.

In general, I do not think that the privacy recommendations in the Design Guidelines (Section B-2) are being interpreted consistently by the DRB, in the absence of an objection by a neighbor. We should codify the guidelines in Section B-2 at a minimum and also consider keeping first floor patios and decks inside setback lines.

Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,
Richard Jamison
Del Mar
11 March 11, 2024 Item 01
1 Melinda Gould
From: Dolores Jamison <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, March 11, 2024 2:00 AM
To: City Clerk Mail Box; David Druker; Dwight Worden; Tracy Martinez; Terry Gaasterland; Dan Quirk
Subject: RED DOT—March 11 Council Goal Setting Meeting
Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Flagged
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.

March 10, 2024
Del Mar City Council Members
March 11, Council Goal Setting Meeting, FYI 2024-25
Red Dot—Re: Council Proposed Work Plan + Council-Initiated Work Plan Items Dear Mayor Druker and Council Members:

Regarding your 2024/2025 workplan, I would strongly urge you to continue moving forward on a building decarbonization ordinance, in spite of the pause due to the April 2023 court ruling. It is critical that we as a city move as rapidly as possible to clean energy sources, so that work can begin and an energy efficiency reach code can be developed the optimal time.

Given the City’s acknowledgement of the climate crisis and its commitment to reducing greenhouse gases, I also strongly urge the City to begin the process of updating our Climate Action Plan in FY 2024/2025, by approving a contract for a consultant to begin the work. The CAP is woefully out of date, so moving forward in updating this important document should be a high priority.

Regarding Council-initiated work plan items, I would encourage you to seriously consider the suggestion to incorporate the Design Guidelines into Design Review Ordinances. State housing mandates have thrown a monkey wrench into our design review process and have undermined our ability to preserve our neighborhood character and community standards. Codifying our Design Guidelines would help to reinforce and maintain these important elements.

Last November, I submitted a letter with my husband, Richard Jamison, to the Design Review Board, asking them to deny a rooftop deck proposed for a new residence in the hillside area of Del Mar. This letter was signed by 36 residents of north hill neighborhoods, who felt strongly that rooftop decks should be prohibited, at least in hillside neighborhoods. While the Design Guidelines state that “Rooftop decks in hillside areas should be avoided,” we believe the City should ban them entirely, due to increasing concerns about noise and privacy with respect to STR’s.

Lastly, while I am not philosophically opposed to the consolidation of Del Mar’s citizens advisory committees when such actions appear logical and would eliminate duplicative efforts, I fail to see the logic behind the suggested consolidation of the Lagoon, Sustainability, and Parks & Recreation committees. While each of these committees focuses on environmental issues and topics, their respective mandates and goals do not overlap sufficiently to warrant such a consolidation. In addition, does it really make sense to reduce our efforts to maintain and enhance our amazing environmental resources? After all, it’s these resources—our lagoon, our canyons and sandstone outcrops, our mature trees, and our ocean—that are the jewels in Del Mar’s crown.

Sincerely,
Dolores Davies Jamison
Del Mar, CA
12 March 11, 2024 Item 01
1 Melinda Gould
From: Greg Rothnem <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, March 11, 2024 6:20 AM
To: City Clerk Mail Box; Sarah Krietor
Cc: Ashley Jones
Subject: Pedestrian Safety in Del Mar
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Honorable Mayor and Council Members,
I am submitting this red dot in connection with the City Council special meeting on March 11th where you will be establishing goals and priorities for the upcoming year. I believe pedestrian safety throughout Del Mar should be one of your priorities.

There is no question that pedestrians are at risk in Del Mar primarily on Camino Del Mar. All of you have witnessed continual violations of stop signs by cars and bicycles for years. I maintain the problem is getting worse. While cars failing to stop is an issue, I maintain that bicycles create an even greater risk. The vast majority of bicyclists fail to stop and stopping has become the exception. Further, I maintain bicyclists are going through intersections at greater speeds than any cars that fail to stop. A number of bicyclists go through intersections as if there is no stop sign.

Increased enforcement by the Sheriff is not the only answer. For years the Sheriff has chosen not to be present on days/times/locations when most offenses occur. So in addition with timely enforcement, we need to come up with other means to ensure bicyclists follow the law and pedestrians are not at risk of being injured or worse.

Thank you.

Greg Rothnem
13 March 11, 2024 Item 01
1 Melinda Gould
From: [email protected]
Sent: Monday, March 11, 2024 6:28 AM
To: City Clerk Mail Box
Cc: David Druker; Dan Quirk; Dwight Worden; Tracy Martinez; Terry Gaasterland; Daria Flores; Silvia De Dea
Subject: Red Dot: New FY 2024-25 Council Proposed Work Plan Items (B11): Support a shuttle service in Del Mar
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Dear Mayor Druker and Councilmembers,
As you know, our town is welcoming about 2 millions visitors every year. Some stay in our local hotels while other come for the day or to enjoy the beach and our shops and restaurants. We know that parking is a challenge.

Additionally, we are all aware that Del Mar's population is aging, and that our tiny town is isolated. Residents also comprise of young families whose children will grow and need to circulate.

I feel strongly that Daria Flores' research and idea of a shuttle allowing resident and visitors to circulate to local shops and neighboring towns is a win-win for all. This is a concept adopted by several other cities within San Diego County. This is a concept that facilitates a walkable town, while not restricting its residents to scheduling a visit to a grocery store, but just to hop on and go.

Years ago, during a trip to Tahiti, I was happy to flag Le Truck, a truck with benches on both sides for locals and visitors to help everyone circulate. We could just flag it on the side of the road. Back then I thought it was a genius idea! https://photos.app.goo.gl/gdpWuArfctqWGv1t5
Breaking isolation, supporting local businesses, allowing residents and visitors to circulate within a few miles radius, reducing the need for parking, making our town an easy place to visit, and of course addressing our Climate Action Plan by offering an affordable or free solution to residents and visitors while reducing GHGEs are all great benefits that the idea of a shuttle could help achieve.

Thanks for reading
Valerie Dufort-Roy
Klish Way
14 March 11, 2024 Item 01
1 Melinda Gould
From: suren dutia <[email protected]>
Sent: Sunday, March 10, 2024 4:01 PM
To: City Clerk Mail Box
Cc: Ashley Jones; David Druker; Terry Gaasterland; Dan Quirk; Tracy Martinez; Dwight Worden
Subject: RED DOT: Item #1 - 2024 City Council Goals and Priorities Setting Workshop Attachments: Suren comments at February 5, 2024 Del Mar City Council meeting.pdf; Suren July 10th DM CC comments re Intersection Safety.pdf; Suren comments to the Del Mar City Council 5-1-23.pdf
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Honorable Mayor and Council Members,
In your special meeting on Monday, March 11th, you will be reviewing work plans, setting goals and priorities for FY 2024-25, and providing direction to staff. The purpose of this RED DOT is to urge you to make pedestrian safety one of your major goals and priority for the current fiscal year and staff be guided to implement measures in a timely fashion to enhance safety of pedestrians using crosswalks on Camino Del Mar (CDM).

While we have contentious issues and depending on where you reside, it often divides the community. However, based on conversation with friends and neighbors who reside in the hill, R-2 zone or village, and beach colony, I have no doubt that we have total unanimity when it comes to pedestrian safety.

In order to avoid repeating what I had previously communicated, I am attaching my comments that were presented at your scheduled meetings on May 1st and July 10th of 2023 and February 5th of this year bringing to your attention serious safety hazard and life-threatening conditions for us pedestrians who are frequently using the crosswalks at CDM & 13th Street and CDM & 11th Street. As a result of speeding and countless traffic violations by heedless drivers, crosswalks are extremely dangerous for pedestrians. Unless some deterrents are put in place in a timely fashion, we will likely have a major accident and serious litigation resulting from it. What can we do to prevent this likely catastrophe?
Instead of belaboring my frustrations over frightening conditions we encounter daily at these crosswalks, I would like to remind you of our Community Plan, which all of us are proud of and consider it as the foundational document for the City of Del Mar. Our Community Plan clearly states that we are a “pedestrian-oriented” community and explicitly spells out goals, objectives, and policies. Under the plan, the goal number 2 is crystal clear and states,
1 March 11, 2024 Item 01
2 MINIMIZE THE IMPACT OF THE AUTO-MOBILE ON THE CHARACTER OF DEL

MAR AND EMPHASIZE A MORE PEDESTRIAN ORIENTED ENVIRONMENT, SAFER

SIDE-WALKS, LANDSCAPED BUFFER ZONES, AND ALTERNATE MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION.

Further, the Community Plan goes on to delineate objectives and policies, with the statement,

ENCOURAGE A PEDESTRIAN-ORIENTED, NON-MOTORIZED COMMUNITY BY

DEVELOPING A SYSTEM OF BICYCLE RIGHTS-OF-WAY AND PEDESTRIAN PATHS, AND DISCOURAGING HIGH SPEED TRAFFIC ALONG CITY STREETS.

As most of you know, our sacrosanct Community Plan also mandates:

FACILITATE THE MOVEMENT OF TRAFFIC IN A SAFE AND UNCONGESTED MANNER CONSISTENT WITH A PEDESTRIAN-ORIENTED COMMUNITY.

As all of you know, group of dedicated volunteers were called upon every few years and their diligent review of the Community Plan resulted in complete agreement with the fundamental character of City of Del Mar. Let us do a reality check! Are we really a “pedestrian-oriented” community or inadvertently giving priority and access to our infrastructure to careless motorists, great majority of them from outside Del Mar, who speedily drive through Camino Del Mar to their destination? What are the consequences of current conditions and its impact on members of our community? How would you rate our performance of being a “pedestrian-oriented” community against the goals, objectives and policies that are explicitly delineated in our Community Plan? By any objective yardstick, the likely grade would be solid F. Forgive me for being candid but I really think we can and must do a lot better.

We do not need another consultant study and report please; it is time for common sense and action. I urge you to have in place at these two crosswalks deterrents before the summer activities at the Fairgrounds commence and of course, the Breeders Cup. Specifically, I recommend pedestrian accentuated switches that trigger flashing lights and allow the person to go through the crosswalk at CDM & 13th Street and CDM & 11th Street. We also need to improve signage and broken tiles in the crosswalk should be repaired. In the spirit of constructive suggestion, I recommend you adopt the solution we use at PCH and 25th Street. I see many people use this crosswalk periodically and it is a good example of cost-effective deterrent we have experience with and functions effectively.

As you might have surmised, I feel very strongly that the city needs to implement drastic deterrents at CDM & 13th Street and CDM & 11th Street. Let me share with you a personal story involving one of my dearest friends. On Monday, February 12, 2024, we learned that my friend was badly hurt near his home on Carmel Creek Road by a reckless motorist who made an illegal turn and struck my friend who now has severe injuries, including “a brain hemorrhage, a lacerated kidney and abrasions all over his body.” While the driver has admitted that she was distracted and legal processes are underway for a possible settlement, what good will it do when his life is turned upside 2 March 11, 2024 Item 01
3 down? While we are optimistic that he will recover, he has excruciating pain, had two surgeries and one more is scheduled next week, and it will take weeks and months of rehabilitation before he might have a normal life. As you can understand, I am deeply saddened, and feel helpless and angry. I strongly urge you that before anyone in our community or one of your friends or any family members are struck by this frequently recurring known menace and we are faced with a calamity, please act proactively to implement protective deterrents and ensure that these crosswalks are safe for pedestrians.

Thank you for your consideration.

Respectfully,
Suren G. Dutia
Suren G. Dutia
P-858/792-9439
3 March 11, 2024 Item 01
Suren Comments at DM CC Meeting on February 5, 2024
Mayor Druker and Council members,
I presented my concerns about safety hazard at Camino Del Mar and 13th Street crosswalk to the city council last year on May 1st and again on July 10th. It has been 9 months since Julie and I first appeared and painstakingly communicated what we perceive as grave and dangerous conditions at two intersections – 13th & CDM and 11th & CDM. Based on feedback we received, we decided to be patient and optimistic that conditions might improve.

With our 2-3 times daily walks (80-100/month), we have been diligently monitoring these crosswalks. Other than few days when Sheriff parked one vehicle in front of the library and camouflaged their presence for few days, nothing really has changed at these two intersections and they remain terribly unsafe. Once again, I am here to emphasize that we have an alarmingly serious, and I really mean life-threatening conditions at these crosswalks. Summer months and Breeders Cup are fast approaching and with that we will have increased traffic and higher probability of accidents. Unless, corrective actions are taken, we will have a very serious accident and city could well be a party to major litigation and face substantial damages. If we act now, I believe deterrents will be costeffective or you wait until we face a crippling blow with huge financial exposure.

As a supporter of our local restaurants, including Zel's, be assured we do not wish to harm our local businesses. However, we strongly believe that safety of our citizens, especially those of us who live in the community, must be a number one priority for staff and our elected council members. I have personally spoken with three related parties who work at CDM & 13th Street intersection. Everyone, without a single exception, told me that we have a dangerous situation at this crosswalk and it’s just a matter of time before we have a catastrophe. I respectfully urge you to please consider implementing simple preventive measures at these two intersections:
 Install flashing lights; if you don’t want them flashing all the time, we must have pedestrian accentuated switch triggering flashing lights  Need proper signage
 Consider putting speed bumps or some other effective deterrents Sometimes I wonder if we are competing with Autobahn in Germany to make CDM our Autobahn! Of course, Autobahn in Germany is 8,200 miles long and the relevant stretch of CDM is less than 2 miles in length. It is a fact that many drivers who use CDM are frequently exceeding 25 MPH speed limit and often not even stopping at STOP sign. In the absence of any enforcement, many drivers are violating traffic codes more than 100/day that requires them to stop while pedestrians are in these crosswalks. It should be obvious that we no longer need any more studies or hiring of consultants to conclude that the situation is unsafe and very dangerous for us pedestrians. Time is of the essence to implement few deterrents that would likely prevent a major calamity. 4 March 11, 2024 Item 01
Suren Comments before the DM CC Meeting on July 10th, 2023 Concerning safety hazard at CDM & 13th Street intersections Mayor Martinez and Council members: I wholeheartedly support Julie’s comments and wish to speak on this problem. Based on unsafe conditions I personally encounter daily, it is my request that our TPAC (Traffic and Parking Advisory Committee) be guided by you to make this item a top priority.

Many drivers are not aware of an important California Vehicle Code that apply to our 13th street intersection. Under the code, cars are required to yield to pedestrians crossing the street in marked crosswalks or at intersections. If a pedestrian is in a crosswalk, cars must stop and wait for the pedestrian to cross the street before continuing on their journey.

I’m sure you know what happens instead: drivers will wait only until pedestrians are out of their own way before continuing through the intersection. As a result, many vehicles pass through the intersection while pedestrians are actively crossing.

As I understand it, 10,000 to 16,000 vehicles pass through this intersection daily.

I, myself, make regular use of it on my daily visit to Starbucks, and I personally observe at least 100+ violations every week. Scale that up to account for the many hours in which I am not present, and I think we can agree it is only a matter of time before someone is hurt, or worse.

The installed stop signs at 13th street and CDM are just not enough. In my opinion, they are being ignored and not effective deterrents.

I have spoken with Councilman Dwight Worden on this issue and read his thoughts in writing. I appreciate the attention and advice he has given to this issue so far. We have come a long way for making Del Mar safe to tourists and residents since installing the stop signs, flashing pedestrian crossings, safer bike lanes, and other safety features.

Their effect has been noteworthy, but it is certainly not enough.

Dwight, Julie and I agree that the “easy” measures have already been taken, and that to give this issue the attention it deserves, we need TPAC’s involvement and expertise.

I hope you will agree that complacency and negligence will make for poor excuses when that intersection sees another fatality waiting to happen. Action now is the only way to ensure prevention.

Thank you for your time.
5 March 11, 2024 Item 01
Suren comments to the Del Mar City Council
5-1-2023
Mayor Martinez and Council Members:

I wish to bring your attention daily and frequent traffic violations at the intersections of Camino Del Mar and 13th Street where our library is located.

As I understand it, 10,000 to 16,000 vehicles use Camino Del Mar daily as their thoroughfare through our city. Since I walk daily and use the pedestrian traffic crossings, I have personally observed pedestrians almost hit by a car many times through this intersection. While we do have Stop Signs at this intersection, great many drivers throughout the day, especially during the rush hours, are in a hurry and take short cuts. While pedestrians enter the crossing lane, car drivers keep driving. It is obvious that most drivers do not realize that they are required to stop when any pedestrian has entered a cross walk and failure to do so is a serious traffic violation. Since I walk at least twice every day within the village when I am in town, I personally and regularly observe in excess of 100 traffic violations every week.

In order to rectify this VERY SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD, I recommend that you urgently and proactively consider two options.

1. Have an electric signal at Camino Del Mar and 13th Street OR

2. Install blinking traffic crossing that can be activated by pedestrians While I am impressed by your interest in highfalutin discourse on installing the expensive art objects in our City Center, I urge you to recognize gravity of the situation involving safety and well-being of members of our community, especially children and elderly. I respectfully request that ensuring safety at the intersection of 13th Street and Camino Del Mar is an urgent and higher priority and will not be neglected.

Thank you.
6 March 11, 2024 Item 01
1 Melinda Gould
From: Ken Olson <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, March 11, 2024 11:57 AM
To: City Clerk Mail Box
Subject: red dot letter for Item 1 tonight
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To the City Council Members:

An early update of the CVPP, Reference No.12 on the Work Plan, will benefit all of us.

As I interpret public spending records, the City has spent over $600,000 of taxpayers’ money so far in its five-year effort to enforce its interpretations. I estimate that the path to resolution is now halfway through the court process.

Let's get it done.

Thank you,
Ken Olson
Torrey Point Road
[email protected]
1 March 11, 2024 Item 01
1 Melinda Gould
From: Alice McNally <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, March 11, 2024 8:58 PM
To: City Clerk Mail Box; Dwight Worden; David Druker; Tracy Martinez; Terry Gaasterland; Dan Quirk
Subject: Re: Laguna shuttle funding
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Please make this a priority. It will pay for itself and enliven the city.

A
> On Mar 11, 2024, at 8:12 PM, Daria Flores <[email protected]> wrote:
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> Sent from my iPhone
1 Melinda Gould
From: Alice McNally <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, March 12, 2024 12:44 PM
To: City Clerk Mail Box; Dwight Worden; David Druker; Tracy Martinez; Terry TG.

Gaasterland; Dan Quirk
Subject: Laguna Local
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This is the example I recommend for Del Mar.

Thanks Teri,
It is the Laguna Local we are looking at for Del Mar.

Laguna Local Neighborhood On-Demand Transit
The City offers a free, on-demand, shared-ride transit service called Laguna Local between residential neighborhoods and major activity centers within the City.

Quick Start Guide
 To get started, download the TransLoc app and search for "Laguna Beach Local"  Rides can also be booked by calling Transit dispatch at (949) 497-0766 during operating hours or by visiting http://ondemand.transloc.com/ on your home computer  View our user guide here.

Service Hours
Starting September 5, 2023, Laguna Local Service Hours:
2 Monday-Thursday: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Friday: 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Saturday: 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Sunday: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

The Laguna Local service must temporarily suspend the ability for passengers to transport bicycles. We will make an announcement as soon as all issues have been resolved.

Del Mar City CouncilMarch 11, 2024

Del Mar City Council
March 11, 2024