CITY OF DEL MAR
CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
APRIL 21, 2025
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 Gaasterland called the Regular Meeting to order at 5:01 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Present: Mayor Terry Gaasterland; Deputy Mayor Tracy Martinez; Councilmembers Dan Quirk and John Spelich
CITY ATTORNEY CLOSED SESSION REPORT
City Attorney Devaney reported on April 17, 2025, Closed Session. There was no quorum for Closed Session as Councilmember Quirk did not attend and Mayor Gaasterland did not attend due to a work conflict. Deputy Mayor Martinez and Councilmember Spelich were briefed by special counsel regarding risks to the City for possible violations of the City Manager’s employment contract from public statements by Councilmember Quirk. No actions were taken, and no direction was given at that meeting. Mayor Gaasterland attended a briefing on the same topic on April 17, 2025, at 5:45 p.m. No direction was given, and no action was taken at that briefing.
City Attorney Leslie Devaney reported that Councilmember Quirk was recused from participating in the majority of Item A2 for the April 21, 2025, City Council Closed Session meeting. She reported that there were no legally reportable actions for Item A1, which was heard by the Council prior to open session.
City Attorney Devaney advised the public that for Item A1 due to continuing questions that need to be researched by the City Attorney’s Office, staff is recommending the City Council continue the item date certain, in consultation with the applicant. She reported that Item A2 will occur after open session when the Council adjourns back into Closed Session.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mayor Gaasterland led the Pledge of Allegiance.
PUBLIC ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Mayor Gaasterland opened public oral communication and the following people spoke:
1) Jon Imperato
2) Deborah Groban with one donation of time from Stephen Groban 3) Diana Kutlow
4) Jas Grewal
5) Karl Willert
6) Janet Wilson
City Council Regular Minutes
April 21, 2025
7) Tate Scott
7) Greg Rothnem
Mayor Gaasterland Closed public oral communication.
CITY COUNCIL COMMENTS & COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS
Mayor Gaasterland expressed appreciation to staff and the City Manager and provided comments on the Staff Appreciation Event that was hosted by members of the community on April 9, 2025.
CITY MANAGER’S REPORT
City Manager Ashley Jones reported an update on the Del Mar Bluff 5 Project. Council questions focused on the decomposed granite road that is part of the project.
PRESENTATIONS
ITEM 1: DEL MAR PUBLIC SAFETY PRESENTATION (SHERIFF/FIRE) (CLERK’S FILE NO. 1101-2, 1101-8)
City Manager Jones introduced the item. A presentation was provided by Sheriff Captain Shane Watts and Fire Chief Josh Gordon.
City Council questions focused on e-bike speed limits in downhill areas; schedule for additional traffic enforcement motorcycle patrol from the Sheriff; and areas around the City where excessive speeding is a concern.
Mayor Gaasterland opened the item to public comment and Greg Rothnem spoke. Mayor Gaasterland closed the item to public comment.
Council discussion focused on whether and why a fire engine always responds to medical aids; most common cases of lithium battery structure fires; upcoming community workshop on fire prevention/preparedness scheduled for May 20, 2025, at 5:30p.m. in the Town Hall; clarification on the agency responsible for responding to a wildfire in Crest Canyon; relationship between the City’s Fire Department and CalFire when fighting wildfire; how other communities are addressing their fire departments responding to so many medical aid calls; Fire Department’s efforts to address lithium battery fires and frequency of incidents; and the revised wildfire high risk map and the process for residents to make comments.
Mayor Gaasterland opened the item to public comment and Janet Wilson spoke. Mayor Gaasterland closed the item to public comment.
ITEM 2: FY 2023-24 MEASURE Q CITIZEN OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE REVIEW (CLERK’S FILE NO. 401-5)
City Manager Jones introduced the item. A presentation was provided by Measure Q Citizen Oversight Committee Chair Alan Lonbom.
City Council questions focused whether the items selected for review were for undergrounding projects and difference between Measure Q and general sales tax collected by the City.
There were no public speakers for this item.
Council discussion focused on appreciation of the committee for their work.
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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 MAYOR GAASTERLAND, SECONDED BY DEPUTY MAYOR MARTINEZ TO APPROVE THE CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS 3 THROUGH 8 AND ITEM 10 WITH ITEM 7 CONTINUED TO A FUTURE DATE AND ITEM 10 CONTINUED TO A DATE CERTAIN OF MAY 19, 2025. (VOTE 4-0)
Ayes: Mayor Gaasterland; Deputy Mayor Tracy Martinez; Councilmembers Dan Quirk and John Spelich; Noes: 0; Recuse: 0; Absent: 0; Abstain: 0.
ITEM 3: APPROVAL OF MINUTES: APRIL 7, 2025 REGULAR AND SPECIAL MEETING (CLERK’S MINUTES BOOK)
Council approved the minutes, on consent.
ITEM 4: RATIFICATION OF LIST OF DEMANDS, DATED APRIL 21, 2025 (CLERK’S FILE NO. 201-3)
Council approved the list of demands, on consent.
ITEM 5: WAIVER OF READING OF ORDINANCES ON AGENDA (CLERK’S FILE NO. 401-4) Council waived the reading of ordinances, on consent.
ITEM 6: SECOND READING AND ADOPTION OF AN ORDINANCE TO ACCEPT CALIFORNIA
COASTAL COMMISSION (CCC) MODIFICATIONS TO AMEND DEL MAR MUNICIPAL CODE (DMMC) CHAPTERS 30.22 (CENTRAL COMMERCIAL ZONE) AND 30.31 (PUBLIC FACILITIES ZONE) IN LOCAL COASTAL PROGRAM AMENDMENT ORDINANCE NO. 1006 ADOPTED BY THE CITY COUNCIL ON APRIL 15, 2024, FOR CONSISTENCY WITH THE FEBRUARY 6, 2025, COASTAL COMMISSION CONDITIONAL CERTIFICATION DECISION (CLERK’S FILE NO. 303-1, 401-4, 401-9, 1502-14)
Council adopted Ordinance 1016, “AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF DEL MAR, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING THE DEL MAR MUNICIPAL CODE (ZONING CODE) CHAPTER 30.22 CENTRAL COMMERCIAL (CC) ZONE REGULATIONS AND CHAPTER 30.31 PUBLIC FACILITIES (PF) ZONE AS ADOPTED BY PROSPECTIVE ORDINANCE NO. 1006; AND AMENDING THE CITY’S CERTIFIED
LOCAL COASTAL PROGRAM (LCP) BY AMENDING THE LCP LAND USE DESIGNATIONS/ALLOWED USES” LIST IN THE LCP LAND USE PLAN; AND AMENDING THE LCP “ZONING USE DESIGNATIONS/ALLOWED USES” LIST IN THE LCP IMPLEMENTATION PLAN; ALL RELATING TO AMENDMENTS REQUIRED BY
THE CALIFORNIA COASTAL COMMISSION AS A CONDITION OF APPROVAL FOR
THE CITY TO OBTAIN FINAL CERTIFICATION OF THE ORDINANCES NEEDED FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF THE 6TH CYCLE HOUSING ELEMENT PROGRAMS 1C (CC ZONE) AND 1H (PF ZONE), to increase local housing capacity, on consent.
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ITEM 7: APPOINTMENT TO THE SUSTAINABILITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE (CLERK’S FILE NO. 401-5)
This item was continued to a future date, on consent.
ITEM 8: APPROVAL OF GRANT AGREEMENTS WITH THE DEL MAR FOUNDATION TO
PURCHASE SCUBA EQUIPMENT AND AUTOMATED EXTERNAL DEFIBRILLATORS (CLERK’S FILE NO. 201-3, 1202-11)
Council accepted grant funds from the Del Mar Foundation in the amount of $6,500 for new SCUBA equipment and $17,500 for seven new automated external defibrillators; authorized the City Manager to execute the necessary grant agreements; and amended the Fiscal Year 2024- 2025 Operating and Capital Budget to reflect the grant funds, on consent.
PUBLIC HEARING
ITEM 9: INTRODUCTION OF AN ORDINANCE TO ACCEPT CALIFORNIA COASTAL COMMISSION (CCC) MODIFICATIONS TO ORDINANCE NO. 1002 ADOPTED BY THE CITY COUNCIL ON DECEMBER 18, 2023, TO AMEND DEL MAR MUNICIPAL CODE (DMMC) CHAPTERS 30.91 (ACCESSORY DWELLING UNIT REGULATIONS) AND 30.75 (COASTAL DEVELOPMENT PERMITS) IN THE LOCAL COASTAL PROGRAM FOR CONSISTENCY WITH THE MARCH 13, 2025, CCC CONDITIONAL CERTIFICATION DECISION (CLERK’S FILE NO. 303-1, 401-4, 401-9) An introduction to the item was provided by Mayor Gaasterland. A presentation was provided by Principal Planner Amanda Lee. Planning & Community Development Director Karen Brindley and Associate Planner Adriana Jaramishian were available to answer questions.
Council questions and discussion focused on parking impacts associated with accessory dwelling units (ADUs) and emergency vehicles access on narrow roads where parking is allowed on both sides; low income ADU goal in the 6th Cycle Housing Element; community survey related to low income ADUs, the City’s amnesty and incentive programs; appreciation to staff for this work on this item; clarification on Housing and Community Developments (HCDs) role in the process following California Coastal Commission (CCC) final certification of the ordinance; whether staff is planning to mail flyers to all residents regarding the survey; and why the cities of Encinitas and Solana Beach were able to receive credit for low income ADUs from HCD as part of their approved housing elements.
There were no public speakers for this item.
IT WAS MOVED BY DEPUTY MAYOR MARTINEZ, SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER SPELICH TO CONFIRM STAFF’S DETERMINATION THAT THIS ACTION IS EXEMPT FROM THE
CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT (CEQA) PURSUANT TO VARIOUS STATUTORY
AND CATEGORICAL EXEMPTIONS IN THE CEQA GUIDELINES AND PRIOR ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS IN THE 6TH CYCLE HOUSING ELEMENT PROGRAM ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
REPORT AS FURTHER DESCRIBED IN THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT IN THE AGENDA REPORT; AND INTRODUCED THE PROPOSED ORDINANCE. (VOTE 4-0) Ayes: Mayor Gaasterland; Deputy Mayor Tracy Martinez; Councilmembers Dan Quirk and John Spelich; Noes: 0; Recuse: 0; Absent: 0; Abstain: 0.
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ITEM 10: REQUEST TO ADOPT A MITIGATED NEGATIVE DECLARATION AND ASSOCIATED MITIGATION MONITORING AND REPORTING PROGRAM; AND TO APPROVE REVISION MAP RM22-001 AND COASTAL DEVELOPMENT PERMIT CDP24-012 RELATED TO AMENDING RECORDED PARCEL MAP (TPM-77-03) FOR PURPOSES
OF REDUCING THE AREA OF AN EXISTING SCENIC EASEMENT ON THE PROPERTY LOCATED AT 1201 CUCHARA DRIVE, DEL MAR.
APPLICANTS/OWNERS: MARK AND LAURA WEBER TRUST DATED APRIL 2009 ASSESSOR PARCEL NUMBER (APN): 300-143-38-00
PROPERTY LOCATION: 1201 CUCHARA DRIVE, DEL MAR
(CLERK’S FILE NO. 301-18)
The item was continued to a date certain of May 19, 2025, on consent.
COUNCIL MEETING RECESS:
The City Council took a meeting recess from approximately 7:00 to 7:20 p.m.
CITY COUNCIL OTHER BUSINESS
ITEM 11: UNDERGROUNDING PROGRAM UPDATE, UTILITY UNDERGROUNDING DISTRICT 1A (STRATFORD COURT SOUTH) SAN DIEGO GAS & ELECTRIC COST
AGREEMENT, APPROVAL OF TASK ORDER AMENDMENT WITH UTILITY SPECIALISTS SOUTHWEST, INC. FOR UTILITY UNDERGROUNDING DISTRICT X1A (CREST CANYON), AND FIRST AMENDMENT TO THE AGREEMENT WITH UTILITY SPECIALISTS SOUTHWEST, INC. (CLERK’S FILE NO. 1001-2)
A presentation was provided by Principal Engineer Martin Boyd. City Attorney Leslie Devaney provided an overview on the Councilmember conflict analysis and noted that Mayor Gaasterland was recused from the portion of the presentation related to District 1A due to living within the district.
Council questions related to Stratford Court South (1A) focused on the estimated cost for Crest Canyon (X1A) based on new SDG&E cost data for 1A; clarification on the actual cost for 1A; timing for the Council will receive a cash flow update; whether there is a correlation between linear foot of trenching and project cost; clarification on the scope of work completed by SDG&E; status of laterals for 1A; lessons learned related to reviewing historic drawings of abandoned utilities; clarification on the cable pulls included in the design; whether SDG&E provides the materials for their portion of the project; and request for SDG&E to provide their materials costs to the City.
There were no public speakers for the item.
Council discussion focused on appreciation of staff for their work on this item.
IT WAS MOVED BY COUNCILMEMBER SPELICH, SECONDED BY COUNCILEMBER QUIRK TO APPROVE THE SAN DIEGO GAS & ELECTRIC (SDG&E) COST AGREEMENT FOR UUD 1A (STRATFORD COURT SOUTH) WITH A COST OF $1,592,881; AUTHORIZE THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE THE SDG&E COST AGREEMENT; AND AMEND THE FISCAL YEAR 2024-2025
OPERATING AND CAPITAL BUDGET AS DESCRIBED IN THE FISCAL IMPACT SECTION OF THE AGENDA REPORT. (VOTE 3-0-1 WITH MAYOR GAASTERLAND RECUSED) Ayes: Deputy Mayor Tracy Martinez; Councilmembers Dan Quirk and John Spelich; Noes: 0; Recuse:
Mayor Gaasterland; Absent: 0; Abstain: 0.
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Council questions related to Crest Canyon (X1A) focused on the timing of an upcoming Request for Proposal to be issued by the City and scope of services to be included; whether the incumbent consultant will need to submit a proposal to be considered for the RFP; clarification on the timing for financing X1A Stratford Court North (1B); soonest staff could return to City Council for contract award; status of San Dieguito Drive Improvement Project; time estimate to complete X1A; and considerations regarding long laterals for certain property owners.
Mayor Gaasterland opened the item to public comment and Greg Rothnem spoke. Mayor Gaasterland closed public comment.
IT WAS MOVED BY COUNCILMEMBER SPELICH, SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER QUIRK TO APPROVE A TASK ORDER AMENDMENT WITH UTILITY SPECIALISTS SOUTHWEST, INC. FOR UUD X1A PRE-CONSTRUCTION SERVICES; APPROVE THE FIRST AMENDMENT TO THE AGREEMENT WITH UTILITY SPECIALISTS SOUTHWEST, INC. FOR AS-NEEDED SPECIALIZED ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING SERVICES (ATTACHMENT C); AND AUTHORIZE THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE UTILITY SPECIALISTS TASK ORDER AND AGREEMENT AMENDMENT. (VOTE 4-0)
Ayes: Mayor Gaasterland; Deputy Mayor Tracy Martinez; Councilmembers Dan Quirk and John Spelich; Noes: 0; Recuse: 0; Absent: 0; Abstain: 0.
ITEM 12: RECAP OF THE 2025 CITY COUNCIL GOALS AND PRIORITIES SETTING WORKSHOP AND COUNCIL APPROVED FY 2025-26 AND FY 2026-27 CITY WORK PLAN (CLERK’S FILE NO. 401-1)
ITEM 13: FISCAL YEAR 2025-2026 ADVISORY COMMITTEE WORK PLANS (CLERK’S FILE NO. 401-5)
IT WAS MOVED BY DEPUTY MAYOR MARTINEZ, SECONDED BY MAYOR GAASTERLAND TO CONTINUE ITEMS 12 AND 13 TO MAY 5, 2025. (VOTE 4-0)
Ayes: Mayor Gaasterland; Deputy Mayor Tracy Martinez; Councilmembers Dan Quirk and John Spelich; Noes: 0; Recuse: 0; Absent: 0; Abstain: 0.
REGIONAL ORGANIZATION AND COUNCIL COMMITTEES/SUBCOMMITTEES/COMMUNITY
ORGANIZATION REPORTS
None
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Gaasterland adjourned the meeting into closed session at 9:58 p.m. __________________________________
Sarah Krietor, Administrative Services Manager/
City Clerk