DEL MAR CITY COUNCIL
SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES
GOALS & PRIORITIES SETTING WORKSHOP
MARCH 11, 2024
City of Del Mar Town Hall
1050 Camino del Mar, Del Mar, California
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Druker called the meeting to order at 5:00 P.M.
ROLL CALL
Present: Mayor Dave Druker; Deputy Mayor Terry Gaasterland (arrived at 5:07p.m.); Councilmembers Tracy Martinez, Dan Quirk, and Dwight Worden
CITY COUNCIL BUSINESS
ITEM 1: 2024 CITY COUNCIL GOALS AND PRIORITIES SETTING WORKSHOP (CLERK’S FILE NO. 401-1)
Mayor Druker opened the item to public comment and the following people spoke:
1) Alice McNally
2) Carol Kerridge
3) Ann Feeney
4) Laura DeMarco
5) Alice Sullivan
6) Julie Maxey-Allison
7) Karen Lare
8) Ken Olson
Mayor Druker closed the item to public comment.
An introduction to the 2024 Goals and Priorities Setting Workshop (Workshop) was provided by City Manager Ashley Jones. A presentation on the City’s current financial position was provided by Finance Manager/Treasurer Monica Molina. Council questions focused on the increased self-insurance amounts and lower than projected expenditures related to vacant staff positions.
FY2023-2024 Completed Work Plan Items
City Manager Ashley Jones provided an introduction related to work plan items that have or are expected to be completed in FY2023-2024. Council questions focused on timing for beginning the annual repaving project; major facility repair item related to renewable energy; and status of The Winston School’s development application.
Proposed Updated FY2024-2025 Work Plan
City Manager Jones provided an updated on the proposed Work Plan for Fiscal Year 2024- 2025 beginning with Tier 1 items.
Assistant City Manager Clem Brown presented on the City Manager’s Office Tier 1 Work Plan item. Council questions and discussion focused on the SB 1383 requirement for certain
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March 11, 2024
restaurants in Del Mar to donate unused food; penalties and communication related to SB 1383 regulation implementation; and percentage of SB 1383 compliant Del Mar businesses.
Planning & Community Development Director Karen Brindley presented on the Planning & Community Development Department Tier 1 Work Plan items. Council questions and discussion focused on potential changes to the State’s Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) regulations; public facilities zones; consideration of zoning for Shores Park; whether implementation of the density bonus work plan item would impact the City’s existing overlay zone; meaning of Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing; status of the short-term rental registry; and clarification on the scope for the open space element update and whether wildfire evacuation is addressed.
Public Works Director Joe Bride, Principal Engineer Karen Falk, and Project Manager II Martin Boyd provided a presentation on the Public Works Department Tier 1 Work Plan items. Council questions and discussion focused on the bike lane repair program as it relates to the City’s roadway repaving efforts; federal funding for the Riverpath Phase III program; status of grant applications for Riverpath Phase III project and additional funding opportunities that may be available; coordination with San Diego Gas & electric (SDG&E) on undergrounding projects; coordination of the Utility Undergrounding District (UUD) X1A and San Dieguito Drive Improvement projects; timing and status for the 1A, X1A, and 1B undergrounding projects; timing for the bid package preparation for the 1A undergrounding project; whether the City can invite SDG&E representative to City Council meetings when undergrounding items are discussed; proportional costs for San Dieguito Drive improvements; and timing for the Request for Qualifications (RFQ) process for the City Attorney services.
City Manager Jones provided an overview of the Tier 2 and 3 Work Plan items. Council questions focused on the purchasing policy update and potential lighting enhancements to be considered at the Civic Center.
COUNCIL MEETING RECESS
Council took recess from 7:23 -7:48 p.m.
Council Initiated Work Plan Items
Council reviewed the list of Council-initiated work plan items. A summary of the discussion and consensus is included below for each item.
Trees Scenic Views (TSVS): Council questions and discussion focused on the scope and timing of the TSVS item returning to City Council and view blockage issues related to City owned trees. Principal Planner Matt Bator provided a review of the TSVS update plan Phase I and Phase II. Council consensus was to continue with the direction provided at the January 8, 2024, and for staff to return to City Council to form a TSVS Council Subcommittee and stablish guiding principles in July 2024.
Climate Action Plan Update: Council discussion focused on the timing for beginning the CAP update and potential funding sources for the CAP update, including Clean Energy Alliance (CEA) start up reimbursement. Council consensus was to proceed with the CAP update in FY2025-26.
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March 11, 2024
CBD Retail Sales/Stores Ordinance: Council discussion focused on whether or not there was City Council support for considering a CBD Retail Sales/Store Ordinance. City Council consensus was to reconsider the item as part of the FY2025-2026 work plan discussion.
Identify and Pursue Grant Opportunities: City Council discussed the City’s current practices related to identifying and applying for grant opportunities. Council consensus was to consider this item operational and remove the item from the Council initiated item list.
Purple Pipe (Recycled Water) Expansion: Council consensus was to explore hiring a consultant to evaluate whether expanding purple pipe is feasible and practical as part of the goal setting process for FY 2025-2026 or FY2026-2027.
Shores Park Community Garden: City Council revisited Councilmember Worden’s proposal to explore the feasibility of a temporary Community Garden at the Shores Park property. City Council consensus was for Councilmembers Mayor Martinez and Councilmember Worden to return to City Council with a proposal for further consideration in FY2025-2026.
NCTD Parking Lot Improvements: City Council consensus was to reconsider pursuing improvements to the North County Transit District (NCTD) trailhead parking lot as part of the City Council goals setting process in FY 2025-2026.
Shores Park Planning: Council consensus was for staff to return by the end of the 2024 calendar year with information about the Park Master Planning efforts that have occurred to date and to facilitate a Council discussion regarding potential next steps to reinitiate the project, including restarting the Shores Park Advisory Committee. 2050 Vision: City Council consensus was for the Planning Subcommittee, Mayor Druker and Deputy Mayor Gaasterland, to work with staff to develop a proposed “roadmap” for the City Council to consider developing a 2050 Vision for Del Mar.
Complete Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for Attorney/Legal Services: City Council received a report on the status of this work plan item and Council consensus was to proceed as planned with staff preparing the RFQ to be reviewed by the Council Human Resource subcommittee.
Median Improvements: City Council discussed this item and agreed with staff’s recommendation to continue to include median improvements as a Tier 3 item to be worked on as time permits in FY2024-2025.
Revisions to oversized vehicles: City Council received a status update on this item including the review completed by the Traffic and Parking Advisory Committee (TPAC). Council consensus was to consider this item complete and to remove the item from the Council initiated work plan item list.
Develop a “Reach” Energy Efficiency code: Council question and discussion focused on the status of the City of Berkley electrification ordinance case; whether other agencies have adopted reach codes; and the status of litigation related to reach codes. Council consensus was for the Sustainability Advisory Committee (SAC) to continue to monitor activities and litigation related to reach codes and to report back to City Council as needed.
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Develop work plan to improve drainage in Hidden Gulch next to Klish: Council received information from staff regarding drainage in Hidden Gulch. Council consensus was to not proceed with this proposed work plan item at this time.
Development of a Plaque Policy for Del Mar: Council questions focused on the City’s current practice related to plaques. Council consensus was for staff to return to City Council in FY2024- 2025 with a recommendation and plan for implementing a City plaque policy.
Plaque to Honor Native American History in Del Mar at the North Bluff Preservation: City Council consensus was in support of development of a plaque to honor Native American history in Del Mar, and for the Parks and Recreation Committee to take the lead on developing a recommendation for the contents and location of a plaque during FY2024-2025 for City Council consideration.
Lagoon Committee Request to Meet Quarterly: Council consensus was to defer discussion of advisory committee meeting frequency to the march 18, 2024, city Council meeting when advisory committee work plans would be discussed.
Reactivate Powerhouse Upper Deck Expansion Project: Council consensus was for staff to reach out to the Friends of the Powerhouse to confirm their commitment to the project and to obtain an updated engineer’s construction cost estimate and report back to the City Council at a future meeting for Council consideration to add this project to the City’s Work Plan for FY2025- 2026 or 2026-27.
Consider Establishing a Del Mar Shuttle Service: Council discussion focused on the shuttle services provided by Del Mar Community Connections. Council consensus was not to proceed with pursing a Del Mar shuttle service at this time.
November 2024 Ballot Measure – City Council Stipends: Council consensus was for Mayor Druker and Deputy Mayor Gaasterland to work with staff and the City Attorney’s Office to bring forward a ballot measure proposal for the City Council to consider on April 15, 2024.
Turn Design Review Guidelines into Design Review Ordinances: Council consensus was for staff to return by the end of the calendar year with more information about what would be involved in this effort and timing.
11th and 13th St. Safety Concerns: A City Council agenda item on this topic is planned for April 1, 2024.
Prohibition of Rooftop Decks: Council questions and discussion focused on the City’s design guidelines related to rooftop decks and the development of Objective Design Standards.
Merging of Parks and Recreation, Lagoon and Sustainability Advisory Committees:
Council discussion focused on the current size and membership of the various committees.
Council consensus was not to proceed with the proposed merger of these committees at this time.
Explore Getting a Breakdown of Materials vs. Labor Costs on our Public Works Projects, Especially Undergrounding: Council discussion focused on the City’s process for soliciting
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bids and awarding contracts and considerations related to providing certain construction services in house versus contracting out. Council consensus was for the City to continue with its current procurement practices in accordance with State law.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Druker adjourned the meeting at 9:25 P.M.
_______________________________________
Sarah Krietor, Administrative Services Manager/
City Clerk