Agenda, first session — Del Mar City Council, April 21, 2025

Del Mar City Council Meeting Agenda
Del Mar Town Hall
1050 Camino del Mar, Del Mar, California
April 21, 2025 City Council Meeting

INFORMATION RECEIVED

AFTER THE COUNCIL AGENDA

WAS DISTRIBUTED
(“Red Dots”)
1 Melinda Gould
From: [email protected]
Sent: Saturday, April 19, 2025 9:02 AM
To: City Clerk Mail Box
Subject: Red Dot Re: Agenda Item 11
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 and Council Members,
Don’t let SDG&E’s $1.6 million “rebate” distract from the bigger picture: we’re still being asked to spend at least $70 million more than we thought—and rising—on undergrounding. PLUS borrowing to do so. That’s a staggering increase over what was originally presented to the community.

SDG&E knew the assumptions we were working with. Yet they allowed Council and staff to continue sharing outdated, lower cost projections with residents—only to sharply revise those estimates upward at the eleventh hour.

Now they offer a conveniently timed rebate, as if that offsets the mounting sticker shock.

This can create textbook recency bias: focusing on the shiny new development while ignoring the alarming trend.

And now some suggest using that rebate… to pay SDG&E’s inflated bill? That’s irony bordering on satire—like paying the arsonist to put out the fire.

Here’s the deeper issue: governance. Legally, you may have the authority to allocate these funds. But ethically—at $92 million and rising—don’t we owe it to the residents to formally check in? If this level of escalation doesn’t trigger broader community engagement, what would?
This isn’t just about undergrounding. Residents might reasonably want to compare this spending to other priorities:
street maintenance, public safety, Shores Park… or even lowering taxes. These are valid options. There’s no shame in reassessing when the facts change—and undeniably, they have.

Council Member John Spelich, in his recent message addresses the elephant in the room. Some may criticize him for it—perhaps loudly—insisting, “We have to underground to get rid of the fire risks!” That kind of framing can make it hard for anyone to question the direction. But that’s not fair. Asking questions about cost, process, and alternatives is not the same as opposing safety. It’s about making sure we’re pursuing the best path, transparently, with input from the very people funding it.

Plus those criticisms would be directed at a Council Member doing exactly what he was elected to do: raise the hard questions, uphold transparency, and protect public trust. He’s being governance-minded. He’s asking whether, in light of extraordinary changes, we should ask residents directly what they want to do.

That’s not radical—it’s leadership.

Let’s follow that lead. Let’s pause. Let’s take stock. Let’s give Del Mar residents a seat at the table—before decades of public money are spoken for.

Respectfully,
April 21, 2025 Item 11
2 Tate Scott
Del Mar, CA
I live in the “next to be” undergrounded zone.

April 21, 2025 Item 11
1 Melinda Gould
From: stephen Groban <[email protected]>
Sent: Sunday, April 20, 2025 8:33 PM
To: City Clerk Mail Box
Subject: Item 11
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 and Members of Del Mar City Council,
I believe that we need to step back and reconsider the future of under grounding in Del Mar.

The escalating costs have now made this a different financial situation from what existed when we initially passed Measure Q. Consideration should be given to what other financial expenditures would benefit the community that are precluded because of this commitment to under grounding as it is now structured.

Sincerely,
Stephen Groban
330 7th Street
Del Mar, Ca 92014
April 21, 2025 Item 11
1 Melinda Gould
From: Terry Sinnott <[email protected]>
Sent: Sunday, April 20, 2025 10:50 PM
To: City Clerk Mail Box
Subject: Fwd: Utility Undergrounding
Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Flagged
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Councilmember Spelich sent out a request to residents asking for their input on the topic of undergrounding. I sent the attachment to him giving him my perspective on the issues.

Later, Councilmember Spelich requested that I send my input into the Council as a red dot.

Please distribute.

Terry
---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Terry Sinnott <[email protected]>
Date: Sat, Apr 19, 2025 at 1:14 PM
Subject: Utility Undergrounding
To: <[email protected]>
Cc: Ashley Jones <[email protected]>
John,
Thank you for seeking resident feedback on this issue. Good job.

I will give you my thoughts based on my experience of 8 years on City Council and having led the undergrounding effort in Ocean View / Pines.

1. The costs of undergrounding are going through the roof. We should accept the fact and lower expectations that the City can finance everything and progress as fast as we would want. I think the costs are excessive, but even with cost cutting, we may have to realize the Measure Q funds are not enough.

2. We are about to use the City's credit to pay for more undergrounding. That is wrong. We should carefully protect our borrowing potential for future unseen needs. Just because we can borrow money does not mean we should borrow money.

3. Sometimes we listen too much to emotions and "experts" and not use common sense.

April 21, 2025 Item 11
2 Many of our residents who strongly support undergrounding do so with a strong caveat. They want someone else to pay for it. They want Measure Q funds (primarily visitors) and the City's credit card to pay for everything.

4. There is another way. In 2006, when the City had zero undergrounding funds, our neighborhood formed an assessment district. 70% of the residents voted for approval of the district. The costs of the project were financed through bonds paid for on yearly property tax assessment over 20 years. It was a really good deal. The City did not have to use its borrowing capacity to pay for the project. The people who directly benefited paid for the project.

5. My suggestion would be to re-prioritize the order of future UG projects using public good as the main consideration. Break the projects down into smaller pieces .... more affordable. Use Measure Q funds to finance these projects in a slow but steady manner. If residents feel they want to underground their neighborhood sooner than scheduled under Measure Q, then let them form small assessment districts to get the UG done sooner.

6. A note: Del Mar still remembers the failure of the Crest Canyon assessment district. After our success in Ocean View / Pines, everyone thought they could duplicate the process in their neighborhoods. The problem was they tried to form a large assessment district to include everyone. Big mistake. They included people who did not want to finance the project.

So Del Mar is "gun-shy" on assessment districts. That is sad. Small districts will work.

7. Last, I would be very skeptical of the "Undergrounding prevents fires" crowd. Based on my 20+ years with SDG&E I would say there are far better and cheaper ways to protect the Crest Canyon neighborhood from fires. The only times that I have seen Overhead (existing) lines cause fires is when tree limbs are blown into the lines. So tree trimming is cheaper than undergrounding. Also, SDG&E can reinforce the existing poles .... to steel or cement, that would survive any storm, which is cheaper than undergrounding. Our Fire Chief should be proposing ways to prevent fires in Crest Canyon started by people and / or started by fire embers from the East.

Hope that helps. I wish you and the Council clear thinking on this issue.

Terry
--
Terry Sinnott
858 449 0846
www.terrysinnott.com
--
April 21, 2025 Item 11
3 Terry Sinnott
858 449 0846
www.terrysinnott.com
April 21, 2025 Item 11
1 Melinda Gould
From: Peter Cramton <[email protected]>
Sent: Sunday, April 20, 2025 11:00 PM
To: City Clerk Mail Box; Tracy Martinez; Terry TG. Gaasterland; John Spelich-private; Dan Quirk
Subject: Item 11, Undergrounding, Red Dot
Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Flagged
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Dear Mayor and Honorable Council Members,
I write today on Item 11, undergrounding options. I have always been a fan of looking at decisions with a broad eye, as I have with the coastal train.

Undergrounding is a worthwhile task despite the expense. One thing that amazed me was that a CPUC ruling prevents SDG&E from being more transparent about the cost. It is the CPUC's role, as regulator of a monopoly utility, to make sure that what SDG&E does is in the public interest. How is a lack of transparency in the public interest? I find it baffling, and I am an expert in electricity markets and their regulation. It would appear that the CPUC is captured by the monopoly utilities it is supposed to regulate. I recommend that the Del Mar City Council write a letter to the CPUC and ask for greater transparency or an explanation for their rule. How can they defend it? Transparency shines a light on corruption. That is why governments have rules supporting transparency. Rules that prevent transparency are a sign of regulatory capture, a topic emphasized in George Stigler’s 1971 Bell Journal of Economics article, “The Theory of Economic Regulation.” Regarding the undergrounding, it should be done as quickly as possible. It should not take 25 years. The schedule aligns with Measure Q revenues. Instead, the undergrounding should largely be paid for by those who enjoy its benefits: future residents. That is why using municipal bonds is appropriate, as it shifts some of the burden onto future residents.

If undergrounding is desirable, it should be done now, not in 25 years. I believe that is the case. This way, we can enjoy the benefits of undergrounding sooner. The timing of paying for it should be based not on Measure Q alone but on Del Mar's ability to get attractive interest rates for loans. Del Mar should opportunistically look for points when the muni rates are especially low, as they were in 2020. Buy low, sell high. Sadly, low interest rates are gone for at least the next few years.

I paste below my prior comment on undergrounding. What I say there remains relevant.

I am writing from Italy. Distribution wires have been underground for decades in Europe, enhancing safety, reliability, and beauty.

April 21, 2025 Item 11
2 I regret I am unable to attend today's meeting in person.

Kind regards,
Peter Cramton, 901 Highland Ave, Del Mar
Here is my prior comment:

The simple economics of undergrounding
Peter Cramton, Emeritus Professor of Economics, University of Maryland Deputy Mayor Terry Gaasterland wrote that the Finance Committee is considering several alternatives for undergrounding wires in Del Mar. She listed three:

1. "Pay as we go" and finish undergrounding 35 years from now in 2059 for a projected total cost of $205 million (after adjusting for future inflation);

2. Finance the project with a series of loans, finish undergrounding 20 years from now in 2044, and repay the loans with interest over time for a projected total cost of $222 million.

3. A mixed approach would be to finance X1A since the design is nearly complete followed by "pay go" going forward for a projected total cost of $210 million and finishing in 2059.

I fully support undergrounding. It will enhance the beauty of Del Mar and improve the resilience of our critical electricity and communications infrastructure. The value to Del Mar residents will be seen in their enjoyment of living here and in their home values.

Only option 2 makes economic sense. Suppose we are willing to pay $202 million for undergrounding that we can enjoy in 35 years. Then we must prefer paying slightly more to finish the job in 20 years. This requires loans, which is appropriate for a capital investment that will exist in perpetuity.

The high expense is not surprising. Skilled labor is fully employed in San Diego now. Competitive bid estimates reflect this scarcity and a substantial markup for profit and risk elements. Del Mar must pay market prices for this work, which will change over time.

I have three recommendations.

Del Mar should attempt to make the competitive bidding for this work as competitive as possible. This can be accomplished by reducing uncertainty about what the contractors are asked to do. The more clarity Del Mar can provide, the easier it is for parties to submit competitive bids and the less likely Del Mar will be exposed to the risk of expensive change orders.

Del Mar should avoid putting all its eggs in one basket. Skilled labor prices and interest rates are at historic highs. Del Mar's binding financial commitments should be staged over many years. Market prices go up and down. The best approach to managing risk is to make commitments over time instead of at a single moment.

I encourage Del Mar to use AI well to improve productivity as we engage in complex tasks. AI is improving rapidly as a powerful tool. I especially like the Pro version of Perplexity.ai, which 1) provides citations to April 21, 2025 Item 11
3 check its sources, 2) allows creating a customized internal model that draws on documents and sources that staff find especially valuable, and 3) allows selection from various state-of-the-art large language models.

I write this as an expert in the economics of critical infrastructure and competitive procurement.

However, I am not an expert in the details of this matter.

Peter Cramton
[email protected] cramton.umd.edu +1 530 408 6698
University of Maryland and Max Planck Institute for Research on Collective Goods April 21, 2025 Item 11
1 Melinda Gould
From: Colleen Lambert <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, April 21, 2025 8:48 AM
To: City Clerk Mail Box
Cc: Jeff Lambert
Subject: Support for Utility Undergrounding
Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Flagged
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Good morning Terry,
Thank you for your email. We purchased and moved to 14th Street seven years ago, fully aware that Measure Q had passed and that utilities would eventually be undergrounded. We are writing to express our full and enthusiastic support for moving forward 100% with this project.

How is it fair that certain neighborhoods have already benefited from undergrounding through Measure Q, while others have not? All neighborhoods should be treated equitably when it comes to community-wide improvements—especially when public safety is involved.

Undergrounding will not only enhance the aesthetics of our neighborhood and increase property values, but it will also significantly reduce fire risk. The devastation in the Palisades this past January was a stark reminder of the dangers posed by above-ground utility lines and high winds. A similar tragedy could easily happen here in Del Mar, particularly in areas like Old Del Mar. We were recently informed that our home is located in a moderate fire risk zone, further highlighting the urgency of this work.

Thank you for continuing to prioritize the safety and resilience of our community. Please feel free to contact us via email or phone if you have any questions.

Sincerely,
Colleen & Jeff Lambert
325 14th Street
Del Mar, CA 92014
310-927-2242
April 21, 2025 Item 11
1 Melinda Gould
From: Thomas Harrington <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, April 21, 2025 9:46 AM
To: City Clerk Mail Box
Subject: Undergrounding city wiring
Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Flagged
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Undergrounding wiring is an excellent investment. If it is done in small, visible sections, the finished one will inspire others.

April 21, 2025 Item 11
1 Melinda Gould
From: Shannahoff-Khalsa, David <[email protected]> Sent: Monday, April 21, 2025 10:17 AM
To: City Clerk Mail Box
Subject: My Red Dot Public Comment on today's Item 11
Follow Up Flag: Follow up
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Dear City Council members and city manager,
I have been a resident of Del Mar since 1969, so I am familiar with the city and the hot issues of our times. My opinions here cover 2 major concerns:
1) Any under grounding should definitely include fiber optic cables as a key means to improve communications and hence helping to avoid 5G stations throughout the city. There is serious reason to avoid 5G that has effects on health regardless of what some claim, especially by the claims by those in industry. To restate this, let me say fiber optic cables are the fastest and the safest, and relatively cheap. I have read too much about the health issues of 5G. Those towers will affect all of us in the most serious and harmful ways. 5G is not “safe and effective. Now where have we heard that claim before.
2) Regarding the order of sectors for under grounding, with the intent to minimize the effects of potential fires, it seems to me that the city should now start to consider this work be logical and FIRST place the under grounding efforts where major fires are the primary concern for serious disasters.

That said, the area nearest Crest Canyon should become the highest priority and not think that the most populated sectors of the neighborhood are where to start now, etc.

Thank you for your considerations here.

David Shannahoff-Khalsa
Van Dyke Ave
Del Mar, CA 92014
April 21, 2025 Item 11
1 Melinda Gould
From: Troy Williams <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, April 21, 2025 10:42 AM
To: City Clerk Mail Box
Subject: Undergrounding Utilities
Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Flagged
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To: Del Mar City Council
I believe it is crucial to underground the city’s electrical wires as soon as possible to reduce the risk of fire. Del Mar is unique in its commitment to preserving a diverse range of tree species and maintaining a full tree canopy. While many cities choose to significantly cut back trees and vegetation to mitigate fire danger, this approach does not appear to align with Del Mar’s values. However, the presence of numerous mature—and often overgrown—trees near overhead power lines poses a serious fire hazard. In such conditions, it's not a question of if a fire will occur, but when. To protect both public safety and our natural landscape, we must either relocate electrical infrastructure underground or consider substantial tree trimming/elimination.

Regarding the order of undergrounding, I think we need to prioritize areas with the greatest fire danger over areas of highest density.

Sincerely
Troy Williams
429 Carolina Rd
April 21, 2025 Item 11
1 Melinda Gould
From: Susan Harrington <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, April 21, 2025 10:56 AM
To: City Clerk Mail Box
Subject: Under-grounding utilities
Follow Up Flag: Follow up
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Please add my support, as a red-dot item on Item 11 at today’s meeting, to undergrounding utilities wherever possible and safe to do so in Del Mar.

Many thanks,
Susan Harrington
1349 Ocean Ave.

Del Mar, CA 92014
Sent from my iPad
April 21, 2025 Item 11
1 Melinda Gould
From: judith schuckit <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, April 21, 2025 11:24 AM
To: City Clerk Mail Box
Subject: Red dot - Item 11
Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Flagged
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Dear Mayor and City Council Members,
Thinking back ten years to when we passed Measure Q I remember that it was not an easy "sell". While the projected earnings from the tax could not be earmarked, I believe it was the view that having additional funds to underground our vulnerable electric wires would help to protect the city from fires blowing across Crest Canyon that persuaded a passing vote.

As a resident in the X1A neighborhood in the past 10 years I have seen more county fires, stronger winds and enormous growth of vegetation in the canyon itself. It is time to get the job done. I urge you to vote to continue the Crest Canyon corridor undergrounding and to further study financing to complete the undergrounding in Del Mar.

Judith Schuckit
Del Mar
April 21, 2025 Item 11
1 Melinda Gould
From: Carol Isackson <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, April 21, 2025 11:30 AM
To: City Clerk Mail Box
Subject: Red Dot Letter Regarding Undergrounding Costs and Allocation: Item #11, April 21, 2025
Follow Up Flag: Follow up
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To the City Council:

I understand that Agenda Item 11 for the April 21 City Council meeting involves discussion only of an undergrounding program update for Stratford Court South, as well as proposed approval of various related expenditures and Agreements. However, as illustrated by recent emails from Council members discussing undergrounding and Measure Q, it appears that there are broader issues that should go on the Council agenda in the near future. In response to those emails, I’m writing to outline some considerations that should be part of a more global Council discussion about undergrounding than apparently will occur this evening.

It’s undisputed that the cost of the project has increased enormously since original discussions of undergrounding began in the early 2000’s. And-- I don’t think anyone believes that the cost won’t increase each year, especially with the impending imposition of large tariffs. As a result, a plan to use only Measure Q revenue-- approximately $3.5 million a year --to fund a $90 million plus project arguably is more wishful thinking than good fiscal planning. Another source of revenue clearly is needed.

There is precedent in Del Mar for private funding of undergrounding.

In 2003, following a vote, Del Mar mandated in City Council Resolution 2003-68 that the residents of the Ocean View/Pines Special Assessment District pay for undergrounding. In implementing the Resolution, the City ordered that certain overhead lighting should be undergrounded. Residents could not opt out. As a result, I believe that we paid about $25-$30,000 for undergrounding in my area of Pine Needles Dr. Other residents privately funded undergrounding for their streets, both before and after after the 2003 Resolution.

Today, once again, some form of resident contribution--mandated or voluntary, with provisions for those unable to pay--should be considered by the Council, or undergrounding will not progress much beyond a few limited areas. I agree that Measure Q revenue probably should now pay for undergrounding in the identified high-risk fire-prone area and also where preliminary work has begun. However, any further undergrounding may, of necessity, have to be funded in whole or in part by private sources, mandated or voluntary, to be explored and developed by the City.

April 21, 2025 Item 11
2 It’s worth remembering what the 2016 Ballot Measure for Measure Q promised our community, if it passed:
"To provide funding for general city services and infrastructure projects, such as improvement of streets and sidewalks, utility undergrounding, public landscapes, improvement of community parks, trails and recreation facilities; police, crime prevention, fire prevention and other public safety services, in addition to undergrounding…."
I don't believe that undergrounding should hijack all revenue from Measure Q for the foreseeable future. It is important to the residents of Del Mar that the City put money, time and energy into enhancing the downtown, updating parks and recreation areas and maintaining necessary infrastructure. While undergrounding is important, it should not be granted priority over everything else promised voters by Measure Q. I’m hopeful that the Council and the residents of Del Mar will have the opportunity to address these issues.

Very truly yours,
Carol Isackson
328 PineNeedles Dr.

Del Mar, Ca 92014
April 21, 2025 Item 11
1 Melinda Gould
From: D. Wohlford <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, April 21, 2025 11:35 AM
To: City Clerk Mail Box
Subject: April 21 City Council Agenda Item 11 - Utility Undergrounding Follow Up Flag: Follow up
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Dear Del Mar City Council members and Mayor:

I voted for Measure Q because I wanted a financial mechanism to help pay the cost of undergrounding utility lines in the residential areas of Del Mar. We live in one of the most beautiful places on earth and EVERY residence (not just those in the first couple of designated subareas) deserves a view free of power poles and unsightly utility lines.

Please keep moving forward with the planning and design for the next subarea (the beach community). Then continue work on the other subareas. Many of us who voted for Measure Q live in parts of Del Mar that are in the final areas to receive undergrounding. PLEASE CONTINUE! Costs will only continue to escalate! Thank you!
Dana Wohlford
1155 Cuchara Drive
April 21, 2025 Item 11
1 Melinda Gould
From: Dianne <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, April 21, 2025 12:02 PM
To: City Clerk Mail Box
Subject: Fwd: SEEKING YOUR INPUT - What Are Your Thoughts on Undergrounding Utilities City-Wide?
Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Flagged
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Sincerely,
Dianne Reppucci Bierman
www.diannereppucciandassoc.com
Specializing in North San Diego County and Orange County REALTOR® | DRE 01091051
Licensed as: Dianne Marie Bierman
12860 El Camino Real, Suite 100, San Diego, CA 92130
m: (760) 580-9811
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Begin forwarded message:

From: Terry Gaasterland <[email protected]> Date: April 21, 2025 at 9:50:25 AM PDT
To: Dianne <[email protected]>
Subject: Re: SEEKING YOUR INPUT - What Are Your Thoughts on Undergrounding Utilities City-Wide?
Hi Dianne,
Thank you again for your feedback.

Could you please send your message to [email protected] to be included as a "Red Dot" Public Comment on today's Item 11?
It is really important to remind everyone about the disruption happening all at once so extra attention can be paid to look out for and alleviate these situations in the future.

April 21, 2025 Item 11
2 Thanks!
Terry
On Sun, Apr 20, 2025 at 6:31 PM Dianne <[email protected]> wrote:

The teams that are working on the project are wonderful.

Because of our specific location on 8th Street it has been incredibly disruptive. We have 2 homes being built on our street, we are ground zero for the bluff revitalization, and the undergrounding taking place at the same time has taken its toll on us over the past year.

But, I do want to reiterate that the workers have been very professional.

I am looking forward to the finished product and believe it will be worth the disruption we have lived through.

On Apr 20, 2025, at 5:15 PM, Terry Gaasterland
<[email protected]> wrote:
<UtilityPoleAtMelanieWay.jpg>
Utility Pole at Melanie Way and Stratford Ct - These Wires Will Soon Be Underground - photo by T. Gaasterland
Dear Del Mar Residents, Friends, and Neighbors,
Please feel free to forward this email to anyone who may be interested.

I am reaching out to you regarding the timing of designing the Beach Community (Area 2) Utility Undergrounding. The Beach Community is next on the list after 1A/B (Stratford South Bluff) and X1A (Oribia/Crest).

April 21, 2025 Item 11
3 The 1A/B Del Mar South Bluff neighborhood went first because it was the highest density in Del Mar. X1A is at high risk of wildfire. Area 2 Beach Colony is next densest and next in line.

In a nutshell:
 Everyone in Del Mar deserves to benefit from Measure Q and putting the utility wires underground city-wide.
 The 1A/B Del Mar South Bluff neighborhood went first because it was the highest density in Del Mar. X1A is at high risk of wildfire. Area 2 Beach Colony is next densest.
 Let’s get going with the Beach Community Underground Utility Engineering Design before the end of 2025.

This is all in the spirit of undergrounding as much as possible as soon as possible. Others may have different views, and I am always eager to listen and think things through carefully.

It would be great to hear your thoughts as a public comment on tomorrow's (Monday April 21) undergrounding item (item 11) in person at the City Council meeting or in writing by email
to [email protected].

The good news:

SDGE costs came down from $3.6 million (their earlier estimate) to $1.6 million actual cost for area 1A (Stratford Ct from 4th St north to 12th St). This was a complete surprise but makes sense in retrospect. The earlier and higher SDGE estimate included 30% contingency, now 15%. No tie back poles are needed — several were budgeted. Although materials went up slightly from the earlier estimate, labor costs went down sharply. And so on.

This was on top of a pleasant surprise last year:

Teichert, who has done the trenching and installation of pipes to carry the wires, came in as the lowest qualified bidder, and their price was unexpectedly low. They have been terrific. They are nice, kind, highly reliable and do impeccable work. Those of us who live along Stratford Court have enjoyed watching them do their work with good cheer.

Measure Q brings in a reliable $3.5 million in sales tax revenue every year (in today’s dollars). The cost to finance construction for X1A (Oribia/Crest) and 1B is manageable and leaves room for more: A loan to do it will cost far less than $3.5M annually for 10 years.

April 21, 2025 Item 11
4 Implications:

With these cost improvements, it would be beneficial to start the design for Area 2 (Beach Colony) as soon as possible. Invest $400,000 of the $2 million cost reduction from Area 1A into Area 2 engineering design sooner rather than later.

The argument against starting Area 2 sooner rather than later has been that once a design is complete, if construction does not get underway within a year, the design will need to be reviewed, updated and re-certified if rules have changed, and that process will incur additional costs.

The counter argument would be -- Let’s get going and position ourselves to do the undergrounding as soon as it can possibly be done. With no design in place, nothing will happen. With an engineering design in place, maybe we can find a way to get it implemented sooner rather than later.

Bottom line:

Let’s get the Area 2 Beach Colony Engineering Design underway as soon as possible. Let's lay the groundwork to put the utility wires underground and keep moving forward.

Let’s get going with the Beach Community Underground Utility Engineering Design as soon as we can.

Please write to [email protected] with your own thoughts on this and/or come to City Hall on Monday for Item 11 (last on the agenda) to speak on the timing of Beach Colony undergrounding.

Sincerely,
<Terry-signature-KFTV.png>
Terry Gaasterland
Mayor, City of Del Mar
mobile: (646) 207-4600
This message reflects my personal views which are mine alone and may not reflect the City’s position. If you disagree or have additional thoughts, please let me know.

April 21, 2025 Item 11
5 To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected].

April 21, 2025 Item 11
1 Melinda Gould
From: Thomas Harrington <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, April 21, 2025 3:00 PM
To: City Clerk Mail Box
Subject: Del Mar Undergrounding Program
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.

Red DOT
How far the taxes will go can be calculated by the costs so far divided by the people benefited so far. Some inflation estimates should be used. There is some chance that only some fraction of taxpayers will ever benefit, but without this cost/benefit calculations it is a pure guess.

Tom Harrington
April 21, 2025 Item 11

Del Mar City CouncilApril 21, 2025

Del Mar City Council
April 21, 2025