CITY OF DEL MAR
CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
NOVEMBER 3, 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 4:39 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Present: Mayor Terry Gaasterland; Deputy Mayor Tracy Martinez; Councilmember John Spelich
Absent: Councilmember Dan Quirk
CITY ATTORNEY CLOSED SESSION REPORT
City Attorney Leslie Devaney reported that for the November 3, 2025, Closed Session, Councilmember Quirk was absent and there were no reportable actions.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mayor Gaasterland led the Pledge of Allegiance.
PUBLIC ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
None.
CITY COUNCIL COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS
None.
CITY MANAGER’S REPORT
City Manager Ashley Jones reported that the City completed an emergency repair to a broken sewer manhole located in the alley east of Camino del Mar, between 23rd Street and Court Street. The alley, which does not provide resident access, will remain closed until Friday, November 7, to allow the concrete surface to properly cure to a traffic-bearing strength.
PRESENTATIONS
ITEM 1: LEGISLATIVE UPDATE FROM TOWNSEND PUBLIC AFFAIRS (CLERK’S FILE NO. 401-8)
Special Programs and Project Manager Kaitlyn Elliot-Norgrove introduced the item. A presentation was provided by Senior Associate Elisa Arcidiacono with City consultant Townsend Public Affairs.
City Council Regular Minutes
November 3, 2025
City Council questions and discussion focused on appreciation for the presentation; location of the district represented by Senate President Pro Tempore Monique Limón; how committee appointments are affected by a new Senator Pro Tempore; clarification on tiers of cities related to Senate Bill 79; legislative process and timing for the City to receive funding for its living levee project as requested by Congressman Mike Levin; and whether affordable housing requirements where included in Senate Bill 79.
There were no public speakers for the item.
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 COUNCILMEMBER SPELICH TO APPROVE THE CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS 2 THROUGH 9 AND 11. (VOTE 3-0-1 WITH
COINCILMEMBER QUIRK ABSENT)
Ayes: Mayor Gaasterland; Deputy Mayor Martinez; Councilmember Spelich; Noes: 0; Recuse: 0;
Absent: Councilmember Quirk; Abstain: 0.
ITEM 2: APPROVAL OF MINUTES: OCTOBER 20, 2025, REGULAR AND SPECIAL MEETING (CLERK’S MINUTES BOOK)
Council approved the minutes, on consent.
ITEM 3: RATIFICATION OF LIST OF DEMANDS, DATED NOVEMBER 3, 2025 (CLERK’S FILE NO. 201-3)
Council approved the list of demands, on consent.
ITEM 4: WAIVER OF READING OF ORDINANCES ON AGENDA (CLERK’S FILE NO. 401-4) Council waived the reading of ordinances, on consent.
ITEM 5: 2026 CITY COUNCIL MEETING SCHEDULE (CLERK’S FILE NO. 401-1) Council adopted Resolution 2025-34, “A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF DEL MAR, CALIFORNIA, DESIGNATING REGULAR MEETINGS OF THE CITY COUNCIL FOR THE 2026 CALENDAR YEAR” approving the 2026 City Council Meeting Schedule as directed by the City Council on October 20, 2025.
ITEM 6: APPROVAL OF THE 2026 ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING SCHEDULE (CLERK’S FILE NO. 401-5)
Council approved the 2026 Advisory Committee Meeting Schedule, on consent.
ITEM 7: APPOINTMENT TO THE MEASURE Q CITIZEN OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE (CLERK’S FILE NO. 401-5)
City Council Regular Minutes
November 3, 2025
Council reappointed Tom McGreal to the Measure Q Citizen Oversight Committee as a voting member for a full three-year term from November 16, 2025, through November 30, 2028, on consent.
ITEM 8: SHORES PARK MASTER PLAN AD-HOC ADVISORY COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS (CLERK’S FILE NO. 401-5)
Mayor Gaasterland opened public communication, and Lynn Gaylord spoke. Mayor Gaasterland closed public communication.
Council adopted Resolution 2025-35, “A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF DEL MAR, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING AND RESTATING THE SHORES PARK
MASTER PLAN AD-HOC ADVISORY COMMITTEE CHARTER TO EXPAND MEMBERSHIP SIZE FROM NINE TO SEVEN MEMBERS” amending the Shores Park Master Plan Ad-Hoc Advisory Committee’s charter to increase the membership size from seven to nine members; and appointed the following individuals to serve on the committee effective November 3, 2025: Saniya Bloomer; Alessandra Franco; Will Holliday; Joe Sullivan; Larry Brooks; and Judd Halenza as resident voting members; Lynn Gaylord as a resident voting member from the Parks and Recreation Committee; Kim Kanetis as an ex-officio, non-voting member representing the Winston School; and Thomas Neuman as an ex-officio, non-voting member representing the users of the Del Mar Community Building, on consent.
ITEM 9: TREASURER’S INVESTMENT REPORT FOR THE QUARTER ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2025 (CLERK’S FILE NO. 102-2, 209-2)
Council received and filed the informational Treasurer’s Investment Report for the Quarter Ended September 30, 2025, on consent.
PUBLIC HEARING
ITEM 10: RE-INTRODUCTION OF AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND MUNICIPAL CODE CHAPTER
23.50 AND REPEAL AND REPLACE CHAPTER 23.51 RELATED TO TREES, SCENIC VIEWS, AND SUNLIGHT REGULATIONS (A25-001) (CLERK’S FILE NO. 401-4,401-9) An introduction to the item was provided by City Manager Jones. A presentation was provided by Principal Planner Matt Bator. Planning & Community Development Director Karen Brindley and Assistant City Attorney Ralph Hicks were available to answer questions.
Council questions and discussion focused on the Council’s ability to make limited amendments to the proposed ordinance consistent with the public notice provisions and without triggering a re-introduction of the ordinance; provisions of the proposed ordinance related to tree removals, specifically those close to Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs); clarification on language related to maintenance plans and restoration process; routine tree trimming of City trees related to safety and minimizing impacts to views; primary living area for views and sunlight; request to reconsider whether conditions of restorative action as a covenant could be added back to the ordinance; cost allocation considerations for restorative action plans and what constitutes a “good faith effort” on the part of the parties involved; and how the proposed TSVS ordinance relates to updated fire codes.
Mayor Gaasterland opened the item to public comment and the following people spoke:
1) Janet Wilson with one donation of time from Nigel Hook City Council Regular Minutes
November 3, 2025
2) Carol Kerridge
Mayor Gaasterland closed the item to public comment.
IT WAS MOVED BY MAYOR GAASTERLAND AND SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER SPELICH TO INTRODUCE THE ORDINANCE TO REPEAL AND REPLACE REPEAL AND REPLACE CITY’S
TREES, SCENIC VIEWS, AND SUNLIGHT (TSVS) REGULATIONS WITHIN DEL MAR MUNICIPAL CODE (DMMC) CHAPTER 23.51 WITH THE REVISION TO INCLUDE EXISTING CODE LANGUAGE CURRENTLY IN 23.51.040(H) THAT ALLOWS FOR RESTORATIVE ACTIONS AND MAINTENANCE CONDITIONS TO BE RECORDED IN “COVENANTS” WHEN DETERMINED TO THE NECESSARY AS NEW CODE SECTION 23.51.080(D); AMEND RELATED CODE SECTIONS OF THE CITY’S TREE REGULATIONS WITHIN DMMC CHAPTER 23.50; ADOPT THE CEQA DETERMINATION THAT THE ADOPTION OF THE ORDINANCE IS EXEMPT PURSUANT TO SECTION 15061(B)(3) (GENERAL RULE) OF THE CEQA GUIDELINES; AND SET THE ADOPTION OF THE ORDINANCE FOR THE NOVEMBER 17, 2025, CITY COUNCIL MEETING (VOTE 3-0-1 WITH COUNCILMEMBER QUIRK
ABSENT)
Ayes: Mayor Gaasterland; Deputy Mayor Martinez; Councilmember Spelich; Noes: 0; Recuse: 0;
Absent: Councilmember Quirk; Abstain: 0.
CITY COUNCIL OTHER BUSINESS
ITEM 11: AUTHORIZATION TO ISSUE REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS (RFQ) FOR CITY ATTORNEY SERVICES AND CONFIRMATION OF PROCESS (CLERK’S FILE NO. 601-4)
The City Council directed staff to issue a request for qualifications (RFQ) for contract city attorney services and confirmed the City Council appointed Human Resources Subcommittee, consisting of Mayor Gaasterland and Deputy Mayor Martinez, is designated to work with the City Manager to facilitate the process as further described in the agenda report, on consent.
REGIONAL ORGANIZATION AND COUNCIL COMMITTEES/SUBCOMMITTEES/COMMUNITY
ORGANIZATION REPORTS
City Council representatives reported on the Clean Energy Alliance (CEA); North County Transit District (NCTD); Undergrounding Program Advisory Committee (UPAC); Sustainability Advisory Committee (SAC); Shores Park Master Plan Ad-Hoc Advisory Committee; and San Dieguito River Valley Regional Open Space JPA.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Gaasterland adjourned the meeting at 6:25 p.m.
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Sarah Krietor, Administrative Services Manager/
City Clerk