CITY OF DEL MAR
CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
OCTOBER 21, 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 and Dan Quirk
CITY ATTORNEY CLOSED SESSION REPORT
City Attorney Leslie Devaney reported that there were no recusals or reportable actions for the October 21, 2024, City Council Closed Session meeting. Councilmember Quirk arrived to Council Session late at 3:40 p.m.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Councilmember Martinez led the Pledge of Allegiance.
PUBLIC ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Mayor Druker opened public oral communications, and the following spoke:
1) Terri-Ann Skelly spoke on behalf on the San Diego Alliance of Drug Free Youth regarding Red Ribbon Week
2) Shirli Weiss spoke regarding her letter to the California Coastal Commission (CCC) regarding the San Dieguito River Bridge replacement as it relates to the LOSSAN Rail Realignment Project Mayor Druker closed public oral communications.
CITY COUNCIL COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS
Deputy Mayor Gaasterland provided a statement about the stipend Council representatives receive for attending San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) Board of Director meetings. City Attorney Devaney provided clarification that the Community Announcement agenda item relates to announcements about events and happenings in Del Mar and explained the Deputy Mayor has the option to make a motion to bring an item back on this topic or make an individual inquiry with the City Manager.
CITY MANAGER’S REPORT
City Manager Ashley Jones reported on Southern California Edison lagoon dredging beginning October 22, 2024 through November 5, 2024.
City Council Regular Minutes
October 21, 2024
PRESENTATIONS
ITEM 1: LITHIUM-ION BATTERY SAFETY PRESENTATION (CLERK’S FILE NO. 1101-1, 1101-8) A presentation was provided by Deputy Fire Chief Jorge Sanchez and Robert Rezende Battalion Chief, Special Operations Regional Alternative Energy Emergency Response (AEER) Coordinator/Fire Terrorism Liaison Office City of San Diego.
City Council questions focused on the frequency of lithium battery explosions caused by different devices; whether special recommendations are being developed for solar battery storage systems; and recommendations and considerations for safe storage of e-bikes and other micro-mobility devices with lithium batteries.
There were no public speakers for the item.
Council discussion focused on focused on appreciation for the presentation.
ITEM 2: PRESENTATION REGARDING MILITARY USE OF THE LOSSAN CORRIDOR (CLERK’S FILE NO. 1005-2)
A presentation was provided by Chief Daniel Zedack, Railroads for National Defense Program.
City Council questions focused on the volume of military freight transported on the rail line; tonnage of freight moved to or from Camp Pendleton; Highways for National Defense Program; local initiatives and spending related to the Rail Roads for National Defense; whether the Department of Defense (DOD) has a comment or position related to the CCC’s letter to the County of Orange regarding the rail line in San Clemente; whether the San Diego Port’s participation in the Strategic Port Program is voluntary; whether the Port of New York left the program; whether the Port of San Diego could still be a strategic port if the rail line was shut down; volume of freight transported through San Diego on the Strategic Highway Program; whether the DOD has a position on the LOSSAN Rail Realignment Project; and whether the DOD or the Department of Transportation could be a potential source of funding for relocating the tracks off the bluff.
Mayor Druker opened the item to public comment and Peter Cramton and Carol Kerridge spoke. Mayor Druker closed the item to public comment.
Council discussion focused on Measure G; military use of the rail line; importance of the U.S. military in the Country’s national defense; and role of the Railroads for National Defense Program.
ITEM 3: BLUE CITY NETWORK CERTIFICATION PRESENTATION (CLERK’S FILE NO. 1403-4) A presentation was provided by Director of Blue City Network Evelina Marchetti, Special Projects and Program Manager Kaitlyn Elliott-Norgrove, and City Intern Charlotte Sach.
Mayor Druker opened the item to public comment and Diana Kutlow Senior District Representative from State Senator Catherine Blakespear’s Office presented a certificate to the City of Del Mar and to City Intern Charlotte Sach. Mayor Druker closed the item to public comment.
City Council Regular Minutes
October 21, 2024
Council discussion focused on appreciation to City staff and volunteer intern Charlotte Sach, and what the City could do to obtain an even higher rating in the future.
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 DEPUTY MAYOR GAASTERLAND, SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER QUIRK TO APPROVE THE CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS 4 THROUGH 8 AND 12 (VOTE 4-0).
Ayes: Mayor Druker, Deputy Mayor Gaasterland, and Councilmembers Martinez and Quirk; Noes:
0; Recuse: 0; Absent: 0; Abstain: 0.
ITEM 4: APPROVAL OF MINUTES: OCTOBER 7, 2024 REGULAR MEETING (CLERK’S
MINUTES BOOK)
Council approved the minutes, on consent.
ITEM 5: RATIFICATION OF LIST OF DEMANDS, DATED OCTOBER 21, 2024 (CLERK’S FILE NO. 201-3)
Council approved the list of demands, on consent.
ITEM 6: WAIVER OF READING OF ORDINANCES ON AGENDA (CLERK’S FILE NO. 401-4) Council waived the reading of ordinances, on consent.
ITEM 7: APPROVAL OF PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENTS FOR AS-NEEDED CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT AND INSPECTION SERVICES (CLERK’S FILE NO. 406-1)
Council approved Professional Service Agreements with Dudek and Ardurra Group, Inc. to provide as-needed construction management and inspection services for an initial three-year period effective November 1, 2024, through October 31, 2027; and authorized the City Manager to execute the agreements and subsequent amendments, on consent.
ITEM 8: APPROVAL OF PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT FOR AS-NEEDED FATS, OIL, AND GREASE PROGRAM SERVICES (CLERK’S FILE NO. 406-1) Council approved the Professional Service Agreement with Mikhail Ogawa Engineering, Inc. to provide as-needed fats, oil, and grease program services for an initial three-year period effective November 1, 2024, through October 31, 2027; and authorized the City Manager to execute the agreement and subsequent amendments, on consent.
ITEM 9: FINANCE COMMITTEE APPOINTMENT (CLERK’S FILE NO. 401-5) The appointment was pulled from the Consent Calendar and continued to the November 18, 2024, City Council meeting to allow the Council Liaisons to the Finance Committee additional time to meet with the candidate.
City Council Regular Minutes
October 21, 2024
COMMISSION AND COMMITTEE INTERVIEWS
ITEM 10: DESIGN REVIEW BOARD INTERVIEW AND APPOINTMENT (CLERK’S FILE NO. 401-5) An introduction to the item was provided by Mayor Druker. A brief presentation was provided by Administrative Services Manager Krietor. Council interviewed the applicants.
There were no public speakers for the item.
Mayor Druker, Deputy Mayor Gaasterland, and Councilmember Martinez voted to re-appoint John Goodkind to the Design Review Board as a voting member for a full four-year term effective November 10, 2024, and expiring on November 30, 2028. Councilmember Quirk voted for Steve Mitgang.
COUNCIL MEETING RECESS:
The City Council took a meeting recess from approximately 5:50 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
CITY COUNCIL OTHER BUSINESS
ITEM 11: CITY COUNCILMEMBER VACANCY – APPLICATION REVIEW AND INTERVIEWS (CLERK’S FILE NO. 401-1)
An introduction to the item was provided by Mayor Druker. A presentation was provided by Administrative Services Manager Krietor.
The Council interviewed Nicole Gesher, Jas Grewal, and Jeff Sturgis.
Mayor Druker opened the item to public comment and the following people spoke:
1) Karen Powell
2) Camilla Rang
3) Jennifer McDowell
4) Karen Lare
5) Gina Mattern
6) Greg Rothnem with a donation of time from Robin Crabtree 7) Deb Rothnem
8) Laura DeMarco
9) Terry Sinnott
10) Stephanie Covington
11) Hershell Price with a donation of time from Pam Slater-Price
Mayor Druker closed the item to public comment.
The Council conducted two separate rounds of voting, each resulting in a tie vote, with Mayor Druker and Councilmember Martinez voting to appoint Jas Grewal and Deputy Mayor Gaasterland and Councilmember Quirk voting to appoint Jeff Sturgis.
IT WAS MOVED BY DEPUTY MAYOR GAASTERLAND, SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER QUIRK
TO DIRECT STAFF TO RETURN AT THE NEXT MEETING WITH A RESOLUTION TO HOLD A
SPECIAL VOTE BY MAIL ELECTION THAT WILL TAKE PLACE ON THE FIRST AVAILABLE DAY City Council Regular Minutes
October 21, 2024
THAT IS 114 DAYS OR MORE AFTER THE DAY THAT THE RESOLUTION MAY BE ADOPTED ON NOVEMBER 18, 2024. (VOTE 3-1 WITH MAYOR DRUKER OPPOSED) Ayes: Deputy Mayor Gaasterland, and Councilmembers Martinez and Quirk; Noes: Mayor Druker; Recuse: 0; Absent: 0; Abstain: 0.
ITEM 12: ADOPTION OF THE 2025 CITY COUNCIL MEETING SCHEDULE (CLERK’S FILE NO. 401- 1)
The City Council adopted Resolution 2024-53, “A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF DEL MAR, CALIFORNIA, DESIGNATING REGULAR MEETINGS OF THE CITY COUNCIL FOR THE 2025 CALENDAR YEAR”, on consent.
REGIONAL ORGANIZATION AND COUNCIL COMMITTEES/SUBCOMMITTEES/COMMUNITY
ORGANIZATION REPORTS
None.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Druker adjourned the meeting at 8:40 p.m.
________________________________________
Sarah Krietor, Administrative Services Manager/
City Clerk