DEL MAR CITY COUNCIL
SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES
COUNCIL GOALS & PRIORITIES WORKSHOP
MARCH 11, 2026
City of Del Mar Town Hall
1050 Camino del Mar, Del Mar, California
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Martinez called the meeting to order at 2:01 P.M.
ROLL CALL
Present: Mayor Tracy Martinez; Deputy Mayor John Spelich; Councilmembers Terry Gaasterland and Dan Quirk (arrived at approximately 2:37 p.m.).
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mayor Martinez led the Pledge of Allegiance.
PUBLIC ORAL COMMUNICATION
Mayor Martinez opened Public Oral Communication and the following people spoke:
1) Lee Larcher provided comments regarding drainage on 10th Street. 2) Anais Muller-Cohn provided comments related to the Native Plant Ordinance. 3) Greg Rothnem provided comments related to pedestrian safety, bikes and e-bikes. 4) Janet Wilson provided comments regarding public right-of-way vegetation maintenance. 5) Peter Lasensky provided comments regarding potential trip hazards.
Mayor Martinez closed public oral communication.
Council consensus was to for staff to prepare a response to the public speaker requesting that the City adopt a Native Plant Ordinance to share information on what the City is already doing to encourage and require the use of native plants and for staff to provide a future presentation on this topic to the Sustainability Advisory Committee.
Regarding bike and e-bike safety concerns, Council consensus was for staff to request a presentation from Sheriff Captain Shane Watts at a future City Council meeting before summer and to look into bringing back “Coffee with the Sherriff” events.
City Manager Ashley Jones suggested that staff evaluate the potential hazard report provided by Mr. Lasensky, take action as appropriate, and provide a response to Mr. Lasensky.
CITY COUNCIL BUSINESS
ITEM 1: 2026 CITY COUNCIL GOALS & PRIORITIES SETTING WORKSHOP (CLERK’S FILE NO. 401-1)
Items Completed in FY 2025-2026
City Manager Ashley Jones provided an introduction to the Workshop and highlighted key Work Plan items that have been or will be completed in Fiscal Year (FY) 2025-2026.
Council Goals/Priorities Workshop Meeting Minutes
March 11, 2026
Council questions focused on the status of the Citywide Curbside Management Inventory work plan item including timing for bringing the item to the Traffic and Parking Advisory Committee (TPAC) and the City Council.
FY 2026-2027 Tier 1 Work Plan Items
City Manager Jones introduced the Tier 1 FY 2026-2027 Work Plan and key initiatives for the Administrative Services Department, City Manager’s Office; Planning and Community Development; and Public Works Department were highlighted by staff.
Council questions focused on the upcoming transition of fire management services and scope of future long-term service deliver analysis and timing for completion; Camino del Mar Bridge replacement process construction timing and coordination with CalTrans, whether the City Council will review the project’s bid documents prior to the bid posting, and construction oversight options for the project; status of funding sources for the Riverpath Del Mar Phase 3 Project and timing for construction; and timing for the additional Measure Q financial modeling directed by Council to be presented to the Undergrounding Program Advisory Committee (UPAC) and the Finance Committee at a joint meeting and then to the City Council.
Council consensus was for staff to provide Council with a copy of the most recent Standards of Coverage Report and Fire Department annual reports.
FY 2026-2027 Tier 2 Work Plan Items
City Manager Jones provided an introduction on the Tier 2 FY 2026-2027 Work Plan, and key initiatives for the City Manager’s Office; Planning and Community Development; and Public Works Department were highlighted by staff.
Council questions focused on timing for development of the hedge ordinance and next steps regarding seeking City Council direction; San Dieguito Lagoon Shoreline Protection Planning Project (Levee/Trails) and Implementation of State Parks Grant Funding opportunities; timing and approach for the Coast Boulevard Stormwater Analysis and Infrastructure Alternatives Study and whether the City Attorney’s memorandum on this topic is considered confidential.
FY 2026-2027 Tier 3 Work Plan Items
City Manager Jones provided an introduction on the Tier 3 FY 2026-2027 Work Plan items, and key initiatives for the City Manager’s Office; Planning and Community Development; and Public Works Department were highlighted by staff.
Council questions focused on the scope of updating the City’s leaf blower prohibition ordinance; median improvements; and turning the Design Review Board guidelines into an ordinance.
Council consensus was to remove turning the Design Review Board guidelines into an ordinance from the City’s workplan and they directed staff to research outreach and incentive opportunities to promote the use of electric power tools, lawn mowers, and weedwhackers, and to include these opportunities in the Climate Action Plan update currently underway.
FY 2026-2027 Significant Annual Public Works Maintenance and Repair Projects City Manager Jones provided an introduction on the Significant Annual Public Works Maintenance and Repair Projects and Public Works Director Bride presented staff’s paving proposal for FY2026- 2027. Council questions focused on the roadway condition ratings; what would be involved for staff to provide information about expanding the scope of paving in million dollar increments up to an Council Goals/Priorities Workshop Meeting Minutes
March 11, 2026
additional $3M for the upcoming fiscal year; and clarification on the scope of the small area paving project.
There was Council consensus for staff to bring an agenda report to Council in April 2026 outlining additional pavement work that could be completed in the coming fiscal year in million dollar increments up to an additional $3M, along with colored maps that identify future paving areas.
Council also directed staff to include information about where to access the Pavement Condition Assessment that was completed in 2024 in the Del Mar Weekly. Regarding small area paving, Council consensus was for staff to return to City Council for approval of a small area paving contract based on the City’s needs and available budget.
FY 2026-2027 Proposed Council Initiated Items
Council Health Insurance. Council discussed providing City-sponsored health insurance coverage for Councilmembers on a go-forward basis. Council consensus was for staff to evaluate the process and options for providing Councilmember health insurance benefits including looking regionally at what and how these benefits are provided to Councilmembers by other municipalities.
Additional Maintenance Projects. Staff presented photos of the metal railing on Camino del Mar near dog beach which were replaced prior to the meeting and the City Manager explained that the Public Works Department has been tasked with identifying all of the City’s facility and field assets and developing a detailed schedule of maintenance to ensure timely repair and maintenance activities.
Standardization of Encroachment Permit Review. Council discussed a proposal for a standardized review of encroachments that would be based on a holistic approach. There was not majority Council support to move forward with this Work Plan item as this time. The Council discussed potentially reconsidering this proposal following completion of the Citywide Curbside Management Inventory and the Hedge Ordinance scheduled to come to Council in FY 2026-2027.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Martinez adjourned the meeting at 5:10 P.M.
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Sarah Krietor, Administrative Services Manager/
City Clerk