CITY OF DEL MAR
CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
JUNE 16, 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 Terry Gaasterland called the Regular Meeting to order at 4:30 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 Leslie Devaney reported that there was no closed session on June 16, 2025. She reported that Mayor Gaasterland and Councilmember Quirk did not attend the June 2, 2025, Closed Session.
Therefore, there was no quorum to convene a closed session meeting and only a legal briefing with the members present occurred.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mayor Gaasterland led the Pledge of Allegiance.
PUBLIC ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Mayor Gaasterland opened public oral communications and the following people spoke:
1) Carol Kerridge
2) Suren Dutia
Mayor Gaasterland closed public oral communications.
CITY COUNCIL COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS
None.
CITY MANAGER’S REPORT
City Manager Ashley Jones reported on the City’s 2025 Fuel Reduction Program including Fire Department annual inspections of homes in the Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone and weed abatement program with dumpsters from EDCO available to residents upon request.
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.
City Council Regular Minutes
June 16, 2025
IT WAS MOVED BY COUNCILMEMBER SPELICH, SECONDED BY DEPUTY MAYOR MARTINEZ TO APPROVE THE CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS 1 THROUGH 5 AND 7. (VOTE 4- 0)
Ayes: Mayor Gaasterland; Deputy Mayor Martinez; Councilmembers Quirk and Spelich; Noes: 0; Recuse: 0; Absent: 0; Abstain: 0.
ITEM 1: APPROVAL OF MINUTES: APRIL 17, 2025 SPECIAL MEETING, MAY 27, 2025 SPECIAL MEETING, JUNE 2, 2025 REGULAR AND SPECIAL MEETING (CLERK’S
MINUTES BOOK)
Council approved the minutes, on consent.
ITEM 2: RATIFICATION OF LIST OF DEMANDS, DATED JUNE 16, 2025 (CLERK’S FILE NO. 201-3)
Council approved the list of demands, on consent.
ITEM 3: WAIVER OF READING OF ORDINANCES ON AGENDA (CLERK’S FILE NO. 401-4) Council waived the reading of ordinances, on consent.
ITEM 4: ADOPTION OF AN ORDINANCE UPDATING THE FIRE HAZARD SEVERITY ZONE MAP FOR THE CITY OF DEL MAR (CLERK’S FILE NO. 401-4)
Council adopted Ordinance 1019 “AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF DEL MAR, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING THE DEL MAR MUNICIPAL CODE TO ADD SECTION 10.04.015 REFLECTING LOCAL ADOPTION OF THE DEL MAR FIRE
HAZARD SEVERITY ZONES MAP DESIGNATING MODERATE, HIGH, AND VERY
HIGH FIRE HAZARD SEVERITY ZONES TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF CALIFORNIA GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 51179”, on consent.
ITEM 5: RESOLUTION ACCEPTING THE 2024 STATE-MANDATED ANNUAL FIRE INSPECTIONS REPORT (CLERK’S FILE NO. 102-5)
Council Staff adopted Resolution 2025-15 “A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF
THE CITY OF DEL MAR, CALIFORNIA ACKNOWLEDGING RECEIPT OF A REPORT
MADE BY THE FIRE CHIEF OF THE DEL MAR FIRE DEPARTMENT REGARDING THE
INSPECTION OF CERTAIN OCCUPANCIES REQUIRED TO PERFORM ANNUAL INSPECTIONS IN SUCH OCCUPANCIES PURSUANT TO SECTIONS 13146.2 AND 13146.3 OF THE CALIFORNIA HEALTH AND SAFETY CODE FOR THE CALENDAR YEAR 2024” in conjunction with Senate Bill (SB) 1205 and California Health and Safety Code Section 13146.4, on consent.
PUBLIC HEARING
ITEM 6: ENCROACHMENT PERMIT 25-050 TO REPLACE AN EXISTING GUARDRAIL AND ASSOCIATED IMPROVEMENTS WITHIN THE PUBLIC RIGHT-OF-WAY AT 218 12TH STREET (CLERK’S FILE NO. 802-1, 1306-4)
City Council Regular Minutes
June 16, 2025
An introduction to the item was provided by City Manager Jones. City Attorney Devaney announced the hearing procedure.
Council disclosures were as follows: Deputy Mayor Martinez disclosed she walked the property; Mayor Gaasterland and Councilmember Spelich disclosed they reviewed the agenda materials; and Councilmember Quirk had no disclosures.
A presentation was provided by Management Analyst Nestor Machado. Planning and Community Development Director Karen Brindley was available to answer questions.
The applicant’s representative Brain Church provided a presentation.
There were no public speakers for the item.
IT WAS MOVED BY DEPUTY MAYOR MARTINEZ AND SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER SPELICH TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 2025-16, “A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DEL MAR, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING ENCROACHMENT PERMIT 25-050 TO REPLACE
AN EXISTING WOODEN GUARDRAIL, MASONRY WALL, AND ASSOCIATED IMPROVEMENTS
THATEXTEND INTO THE PUBLIC RIGHT-OF-WAY ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF THE PROPERTY AT 218 12TH STREET (APN: 300-074-06-00) IN DEL MAR, CALIFORNIA.” (VOTE 4-0) Ayes: Mayor Gaasterland; Deputy Mayor Martinez; Councilmembers Quirk and Spelich; Noes: 0; Recuse: 0; Absent: 0; Abstain: 0.
ITEM 7: INTRODUCTION OF AN ORDINANCE TO ELIMINATE THE DESIGN REVIEW BOARD EX-OFFICIO MEMBERSHIP (CLERK’S FILE NO. 401-4, 401-5, 401-9) Mayor Gaasterland opened and closed the public hearing. There were no public speakers for the item.
Council introduced the ordinance, on consent.
ITEM 8: INTRODUCTION OF AN ORDINANCE TO REGULATE BICYCLES, INCLUDING ELECTRIC BICYCLES, IN THE CITY OF DEL MAR (CLERK’S FILE NO. 401-4, 401-9, 1405-1)
An introduction to the item was provided by City Manager Jones. A presentation was provided by Management Analyst Ashlea Houston. Assistant City Manager Clem Brown was available to answer Council questions.
Council questions focused on the regulations in neighboring agencies Solana Beach and Encinitas; what constitutes a hazardous condition for cyclists; and potential to have enforcement data be presented to the Traffic and Parking Advisory Committee (TPAC) to assess the efficacy of City’s bicycle/e-bicycle regulations.
Mayor Gaasterland opened the item to public comment and the following people spoke:
1) Ian Hembree presenting San Diego County Bicycle Coalition 2) Karl Willert
Mayor Gaasterland closed the item to public comment.
Council discussion focused on how the City will notify cyclists of the regulation changes; whether the City will be able to access data from the Sheriff that shows how many citations were contested; consideration City Council Regular Minutes
June 16, 2025
to have the City’s regulations be consistent with regulations in neighboring agencies; and which locations in the City are considered business districts related to the bicycle regulations.
IT WAS MOVED BY MAYOR GAASTERLAND AND SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER SPELICH
TO INTRODUCE THE ORDINANCE AS AMENDED TO BE CONSISTENT WITH THE CITIES OF SOLANA BEACH AND ENCINITAS (OPTION 1) EXCEPT FOR 15TH STREET TO POWERHOUSE PARK AND THE PROFESSIONAL COMMERCIAL ZONE (VOTE 4-0)
Ayes: Mayor Gaasterland; Deputy Mayor Martinez; Councilmembers Quirk and Spelich; Noes: 0; Recuse: 0; Absent: 0; Abstain: 0.
COUNCIL MEETING RECESS:
The City Council took a meeting recess from approximately 6:55 p.m. to 7:07 p.m.
CITY COUNCIL OTHER BUSINESS
ITEM 9: CITY OF DEL MAR COMMENTS ON THE UPDATED NOTICE OF PREPARATION OF
A DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT FOR THE SAN DIEGO LOSSAN RAIL REALIGNMENT PROJECT (CLERK’S FILE NO. 1005-2, 1506-1)
An introduction to the item was provided by City Manager Jones. A presentation was provided by Assistant City Manager Brown. Assistant City Attorney Ralph Hicks was available to answer questions.
Council questions focused on options for the City to attach or reference its prior Notice of Preparation (NOP) comment letter in the City’s response to the current NOP.
Mayor Gaasterland opened the item to public comment and the following people spoke:
1) Shirli Weiss
2) Mark Rittenbaum
3) Angelina Neglia
Mayor Gaasterland closed the item to public comment.
Council discussion focused on comments related to the Surface Transportation Board (STB) references in the letter; clarification on the process for submitting comments to San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) in response to their NOP; whether prior comments submitted on the prior version of the NOP need to be resubmitted to SANDAG; whether double tracking considerations should be emphasized in the letter; support for study of the northern yellow line option proposed by residents; explanation of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) lead agency designation process; impact of vibrations on the bluff and SANDAG’s methodology for assessing these impacts; likelihood of the tunnel being constructed given the current national political climate; and timing for a cost benefit analysis to be completed prior to federal funding being awarded.
Council consensus was to amend the letter as discussed during the meeting and to direct staff to submit the amended letter to SANDAG prior to the deadline.
City Attorney Devaney noted that the Council will not be voting on the item due to a pending conflict analysis currently being completed by the Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC).
ITEM 10: POTENTIAL CONFLICT OF INTEREST INVOLVING MAYOR GAASTERLAND RELATED TO THE CITY’S SHORT-TERM RENTAL REGULATIONS (CLERK’S FILE NO. 401-1)
City Council Regular Minutes
June 16, 2025
City Attorney Devaney provided an overview of the item and noted that Mayor Gaasterland was recused from participating in the item due to a common law conflict. A presentation was provided by Deputy Mayor Martinez and Councilmember Spelich provided comments.
Council questions focused on whether Mayor Gaasterland has reached out to the Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) for guidance on this issue; whether this issue is a City Council matter; and the process for preparing and reviewing the agenda report.
Deputy Mayor Martinez opened the item to public comment and the following people spoke:
1) Terry Gaasterland
2) Karl Willert with one donation of time from Amy Cheshire 3) Laura Schaefer with one donation of time from Angelia Neglia 4) John Imperato
5) Greg Rothnem with one donation of time from Jeff Sturgis 6) Hershell Price
7) Pam Slater Price
8) Shirli Weiss
9) Steve Quirk
Deputy Mayor Martinez closed the item to public comment.
Council discussion focused on the public comments; timing for receiving a response from the FPPC on this topic; considerations related to California Coastal Commission (CCC) approval of the Short-Term Rental (STR) ordinance if it is re-adopted by the City Council; desire to protect the City’s STR ordinance; whether a City investigation should be conducted; why the Councilmembers bringing this item forward did not first refer the item to the FPPC; rationale for including the attorney general, district attorney, and grand jury in the recommended action for this agenda item; and process for referring this action to the FPPC.
IT WAS MOVED BY COUNCILMEMBER SPELICH AND SECONDED BY DEPUTY MAYOR
MARTINEZ FOR THE DEPUTY MAYOR, COUNCILMEMBER SPELICH, AND CITY ATTORNEY TO REFER THE CONFLICT ANALYSIS TO THE FPPC FOR ADVICE AND INVESTIGATION (VOTE 2-1- 1, WITH MAYOR GAASTERLAND RECUSED AND COUNCILMEMBER QUIRK OPPOSED) Ayes: Deputy Mayor Martinez and Councilmembers Spelich; Noes: Councilmember Quirk; Recuse:
Mayor Gaasterland; Absent: 0; Abstain: 0.
ITEM 11: ADOPTION OF THE FISCAL YEARS 2025-2026 AND 2026-2027 OPERATING AND CAPITAL BUDGET AND RELATED BUDGET RESOLUTIONS (CLERK’S FILE NO. 202-1)
A presentation was provided by Finance Manager Marco Camacho focusing on the changes to the budget since the City Council’s last review at the May 27, 2025, Budget Workshop and including the Assembly Bill AB 2561 vacancy and recruitment report. Finance Officer Monica Molina was available to answer questions.
Council questions focused on the status of the grants for the Riverpath Phase 3 Project.
Mayor Gaasterland opened the item to public comment and Marcelo Penha spoke. Mayor Gaasterland closed the item to public comment.
City Council Regular Minutes
June 16, 2025
Council discussion focused on the City’s ERP system implementation budgeted amount and confirmation that the City’s financial practices include balancing reoccurring revenues and reoccurring expenditures as suggested by the public speaker.
IT WAS MOVED BY MAYOR GAASTERLAND AND SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER SPELICH TO ACCEPT FINAL CHANGES TO THE PROPOSED BUDGET IDENTIFIED IN TABLE A; AND ADOPT RESOLUTION 2025-17, “A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DEL MAR, CALIFORNIA, ADOPTING THE FISCAL YEARS 2025-2026 AND 2026-2027 OPERATING AND CAPITAL BUDGET AND CITY COUNCIL PRIORITIES”; RESOLUTION 2025-18, “A RESOLUTION
OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DEL MAR, CALIFORNIA, AUTHORIZING THE
RECLASSIFICATION OF THE FACILITIES SUPERVISOR POSITION TO FACILITIES MANAGER I/II
AND THE ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT I/II POSITION TO ACCOUNTING TECHNICIAN I/II, AND
ADOPTING THE COMPENSATION PLANS FOR MANAGEMENT AND PROFESSIONAL, FIRE, AND MISCELLANEOUS, PART-TIME, TEMPORARY AND HOURLY EMPLOYEES’; RESOLUTION 2025- 19, “A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DEL MAR, CALIFORNIA, SETTING THE FISCAL YEAR 2025-2026 CITY OF DEL MAR FEE SCHEDULE FOR PLANNING, PUBLIC WORKS, COMMUNITY SERVICES, AND ADMINISTRATION SERVICES”; RESOLUTION 2025-20, “A
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DEL MAR, CALIFORNIA, ESTABLISHING THE FIXED CHARGE ASSESSMENTS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2025-2026’; RESOLUTION 2025-21, “A
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DEL MAR, CALIFORNIA, ESTABLISHING THE APPROPRIATIONS LIMIT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2025-2026’; RESOLUTION 2025-22, “A
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DEL MAR, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING THE STATEMENT OF INVESTMENT POLICY FOR FISCAL YEAR 2025-2026, AND DELEGATING THE AUTHORITY TO INVEST CITY FUNDS TO THE TREASURER’; RESOLUTION 2025-23, “A
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DEL MAR, CALIFORNIA, SETTING THE FISCAL YEAR 2025-2026 PARKING VIOLATION FINES SCHEDULE”; INCLUDED AS
ATTACHMENTS A, C-H AS REQUIRED IN ORDER TO FORMALLY ADOPT THE FISCAL YEARS 2025-2026 AND 2026-2027 OPERATING AND CAPITAL BUDGET FOR THE CITY. (VOTE 4-0) Ayes: Deputy Mayor Martinez and Councilmembers Spelich; Noes: Councilmember Quirk; Recuse:
Mayor Gaasterland; Absent: 0; Abstain: 0.
ITEM 12: DISCUSSION ON REINITIATING THE SHORES PARK MASTER PLANNING Process (CLERK’S FILE NO. 307-8, 401-5, 803-3)
An introduction to the item was provided by City Manager Jones. A presentation was provided by Assistant City Manager Brown.
Mayor Gaasterland opened the item to public comment and the following people spoke:
1) Thomas Neuman representing the Del Mar Foundation with one donation of time from Judd Halenza
2) Mercelo Penha
3) Joe Sullivan representing the Friends of the Del Mar Parks 4) Warren Spieker
5) Will Holliday
6) Kim Kanetis representing the Winston School
7) Laura DeMarco representing the Friends of the Del Mar Parks 8) Betty Wheeler representing Del Mar Foundation
Mayor Gaasterland closed the item to public comment.
City Council Regular Minutes
June 16, 2025
Council questions and discussion focused on the timeline for the Del Mar Foundation (Foundation) and the Friends of the Del Mar Parks; and whether to re-start the Shores Advisory Committee or form a subcommittee of the Parks and Recreation Committee.
Mayor Gaasterland disclosed that she discussed the Shores Park Master Planning efforts with Judd Halenza, Joe Sullivan, and Thomas Neuman, and separately met with Laura DeMarco; Deputy Mayor Tracy Martinez disclosed that she has met with Thomas Neuman, Judd Halenza, Larry Brooks, Betty Wheeler, and Laura Demarco, on various occasions in small groups and as a larger group one time; Councilmember Quirk disclosed that he met with Joe Sullivan; Councilmember Spelich met with Thomas Neuman and Judd Halenza, also met with Tom Neuman, Judd Halenza, Betty Wheeler, City Manager Jones and Assistant City Manager Brown, and before elections had a meeting with Joe Sullivan and Laura DeMarco.
Council questions focused on whether the architects of the master plan will also design the community center; focus on the northeast corner of the lot; and time estimate for the item to return to Council.
IT WAS MOVED BY MAYOR GAASTERLAND AND SECONDED BY COUNCIL QUIRK TO DIRECT
STAFF TO REINITIATE THE COMPLETION OF THE SHORES PARK MASTER PLANNING PROCESS; ESTABLISH A RELATED SUBCOMMITTEE OF THE CITY’S PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE; AND DIRECT STAFF TO RETURN TO A FUTURE MEETING TO
FACILITATE A COUNCIL DISCUSSION ON THE SCOPE OF WORK AND THE APPROVAL OF AN AGREEMENT WITH A CONSULTANT TO PERFORM THE WORK. (VOTE: 4-0) Ayes: Mayor Gaasterland; Deputy Mayor Martinez; Councilmembers Quirk and Spelich; Noes: 0; Recuse: 0; Absent: 0; Abstain: 0.
REGIONAL ORGANIZATION AND COUNCIL COMMITTEES/SUBCOMMITTEES/COMMUNITY
ORGANIZATION REPORTS
City Council representatives reported on the North County Transit District, resident representative to the San Diego Metropolitan Wastewater Commission Dwight Worden provided a written report that was briefly discussed by the City Council; Del Mar Village Association; Del Mar Quarterly non-profit meeting; and SANDAG Board of Directors; and SANDAG Boarders Committee.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Gaasterland adjourned the meeting at 8:23 p.m.
Sarah Krietor, Administrative Services Manager/
City Clerk