DEL MAR CITY COUNCIL
SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES
COUNCIL BUDGET WORKSHOP
MAY 27, 2025
City of Del Mar Town Hall
1050 Camino del Mar, Del Mar, California
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Terry Gaasterland called the meeting to order at 1:01 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Present: Mayor Terry Gaasterland; Deputy Mayor Tracy Martinez; Councilmembers Dan Quirk and John Spelich
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mayor Gaasterland led the pledge of allegiance.
PUBLIC COMMENT
There were no public speakers for Item 1 and 2.
CITY COUNCIL BUSINESS
ITEM 1: DISTRIBUTION OF PROPOSED FISCAL YEARS 2025-2026 AND 2026-2027 OPERATING & CAPITAL BUDGET (CLERK’S FILE NO. 202-1)
An overview of the budget workshop format was provided by City Manager Ashley Jones.
A presentation on the FY 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 Operating and Capital Budget was provided by Finance Manager/Treasurer Marco Camacho.
Council questions related to revenue focused on the anticipated timing for the California Coastal Commission (CCC) to review the City’s Short-Term Rental Regulations Local Coastal Program Amendment (LCPA) and whether CCC modifications would be reviewed by the City’s Planning Commission for recommendation to the City Council.
Council questions related to expenditures focused on the reporting and accounting practices for the general fund transfers to other funds such as the open space fund.
Council questions related to capital and special projects focused on the status of various federal funds received or anticipated to be received by the City; status of the living levee project grant funding; clarification on the project scope of the fair housing amendments work plan item; whether the state has actually received the grant funds for various federal grant programs administered at the State level; and Del Mar Riverpath project timing and funding status.
Council questions related to Measure Q revenues and expenditures focused on the Measure Q cash flow table provided in staff’s presentation; timing and scope of a future agenda item related
SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES
May 27, 2025
to the Shores Park Master Planning process; timing for construction of Utility Undergrounding District X1A (Crest Canyon).
Council questions related to reserves focused on the housing reserve fund and scope, funding and budget for the special project related to development of affordable housing at the City owned properties on 10th and 28th Streets.
Council questions related to the Finance Committee’s feedback on the proposed budget focused on the Council’s future opportunities to review updated revenue information and appreciation to staff for their work on the budget project.
There were no public speakers for the item.
ITEM 2: CONTINUED FROM MAY 19, 2025: RECAP OF THE 2025 CITY COUNCIL
GOALS AND PRIORITIES SETTING WORKSHOP AND COUNCIL
APPROVED FY 2025-26 AND FY 2026-27 CITY WORK PLANS (CLERK’S FILE NO. 401-1)
A presentation was provided by City Manager Jones. Council discussed the staff follow up and status of the Council-identified proposed work plan items. Council consensus and direction on each item is provided below.
Item 1: Turn the Design Review Guidelines into Design Review Ordinances Council consensus was to support staff’s recommended action to add this item to the City Council Work Plan as a Tier 2 priority to be started in FY 2025-2026 or thereafter as practical without delaying or deferring other work plan items.
Item 2: Reconsider Advisory Committee Structure
The City Council previously took action to form a Subcommittee of Mayor Gaasterland and Deputy Mayor Martinez who brought initial recommendations of the Subcommittee to Council for consideration on May 19, 2025, with additional Subcommittee recommendations planned for later in the calendar year. No additional Council action was needed or taken at the Workshop.
Item 3: Amend City Appeals Procedure Consider Modifications to the Del Mar Municipal Code Council consensus was to add this item to the City’s Work Plan as a Tier 3 item to be started in Fiscal Year 2025-2026 or thereafter as practical without delaying or deferring other items.
Item 4: LOSSAN Rail Realignment Lobbying
Council consensus was to proceed with staff’s recommended action to further discuss this topic with staff and legal counsel as to the best timing to initiate this work and potential costs.
Items 5: Options to Obtain Resident Input on How/Whether to Continue Undergrounding Program
There was no Council consensus to include this item on the City’s work plan at this time.
Item 6: Bike Lane Safety Improvements
Council received an update on the City’s ongoing bicycle lane safety improvements that occur as part of the City’s standard operations and as priority projects on the City’s Work Plan such
SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES
May 27, 2025
as the Jimmy Durante Boulevard Bike Lane improvements Tier 2 priority project. No Council action or direction was given at the Workshop.
Item 7: Traffic Speed Calming
Council received an update from staff on the City’s current traffic speed calming practices and related state regulations. Council consensus was to continue to pursue lower speed limits to the greatest extent possible; evaluate the City’s speed signage to include “slow down” when speed limits are exceeded, if possible; and for staff to complete targeted speed surveys for presentation to the Traffic and Parking Advisory Committee (TPAC) for recommendation and future consideration by City Council.
Item 8: Smoke Free City Signs to Enforcement Ordinance
City Manager Jones briefing presented staff’s signage plan for the Community Services Department to identify potential locations for signage in the public-right-of-way to add nonintrusive “No Smoking” signage in accordance with the Del Mar Municipal Code related to smoke. Council consensus was for staff to proceed as described in the agenda report.
Item 9: Electrification Incentivization
Council consensus was for staff to continue to look for opportunities to incentivize the implementation of electrification for new construction and major remodels.
Item 10: City Facilities Gas Appliances Inventory
No additional Council action was taken or needed as this item was previously added to the Work Plan as a Tier 3 item based on Council direction at the Goals and Priorities Workshop.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Gaasterland adjourned the meeting at 2:41 p.m.
_______________________________________
Sarah Krietor, Administrative Services Manager/
City Clerk