CITY OF DEL MAR
CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
APRIL 7, 2026
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 Tracy Martinez called the Regular Meeting to order at 4:34 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Present: Mayor Tracy Martinez; Deputy Mayor John Spelich; Councilmembers Terry Gaasterland (arrived at approximately 4:45 p.m.) and Dan Quirk
CITY ATTORNEY CLOSED SESSION REPORT
None.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mayor Martinez led the Pledge of Allegiance.
PUBLIC ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Mayor Martinez opened public oral communications and the following people spoke:
1) Diana Kutlow representing Senator Blakespear’s office 2) Barbara Gordon representing San Dieguito Alliance
3) Stephanie Covington with two donations of time from Jeanne Waite and Susan Maronde 4) Jonathan Polikoff
Mayor Martinez closed public oral communications.
CITY COUNCIL COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS
Councilmember Gaasterland thanked parties involved in the completion of Undergrounding District 1A Stratford Court. Mayor Martinez reported on the Del Mar Climate Change Non-Profit Symposium to be held on April 23, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. in the Del Mar Town Hall related to plastics and its health risks. Mayor Martinez also reported that Del Mar Community Connections will hold its first ever Senior Fair on April 18, 2026, at 12:00 p.m. in the Del Mar Town Hall, with the goal to help older adults and their caregivers and provide resources to support them.
CITY MANAGER’S REPORT
City Manager Ashley Jones announced that the final remaining poles in the Undergrounding District 1A - Stratford Court South would be taken down in the upcoming week. Manager Jones also reported that on March 14, 2026, the City’s waste hauler EDCO hosted its biannual “Del Mar Recycles” event with106 residents diverting 19.14 tons from the landfill; distributing 9 tons of compost; donating 900 pounds of household items; and recycling 630 pounds of electronic waste.
City Council Regular Minutes
April 7, 2026
CONSENT CALENDAR
Senior Management Analyst Kseniia Izgarskaia read the titles of the items included on the Consent Calendar.
IT WAS MOVED BY DEPUTY MAYOR SPELICH, SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER QUIRK TO APPROVE THE CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS 1 THROUGH 4, 6, 7, and 10 THROUGH 12.
AN AMENDED MOTION WAS ENTERTAINED BY DEPUTY MAYOR SPELICH, SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER QUIRK TO APPROVE THE CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS 1 THROUGH 7, AND 10 THROUGH 12 (VOTE 4-0 WITH MAYOR MARTINEZ RECUSED ON ITEM 5 (3-0-1) AND COUNCILMEMBER GAASTERLAND RECUSED ON ITEM 12 (3-0-1))
Ayes: Mayor Martinez; Deputy Mayor Spelich; Councilmembers Gaasterland and Quirk; Noes: 0; Recuse: Mayor Martinez (Item 5) and Councilmember Gaasterland (Item 12); Absent: 0; Abstain: 0.
ITEM 1: APPROVAL OF MINUTES: MARCH 11, 2026, SPECIAL MEETING AND MARCH 17, 2026, REGULAR AND SPECIAL MEETING (CLERK’S MINUTES BOOK) Council approved the minutes, on consent.
ITEM 2: RATIFICATION OF LIST OF DEMANDS, DATED APRIL 7, 2026 (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: CITYWIDE LANDSCAPE MAINTENANCE SERVICES CONTRACT AWARD (CLERK’S FILE NO. 406-1)
Council approved an agreement with BrightView Landscape Services, Inc. to provide citywide landscape maintenance services for an initial three-year period effective May 1, 2026, through May 1, 2029; and authorized the City Manager to execute the agreement, and any subsequent term extension amendments provided for under the Agreement contingent upon satisfactory performance by the vendor, on consent.
ITEM 5: TASK ORDER WITH NV5 FOR INITIAL DESIGN OF UTILITY UNDERGROUNDING DISTRICTS 2 (BEACH COLONY) AND 25TH STREET (CLERK’S FILE NO. 406-1,1001- 2)
Mayor Martinez provided a statement regarding her recusal from participating in this agenda item due to living within the 500 feet of the Beach Colony Utility Undergrounding District (UUD 2). Council questions focused on the selection of the recommended consultant.
Council approved a $141,140 Task Order (TO) with NV5 for Initial Design of the Beach Colony and 25th Street Utility Undergrounding Districts; approved a $30,000 contingency; City Council Regular Minutes
April 7, 2026
and authorized the City Manager to execute the Task Order and any subsequent amendments within the contingency, on consent.
ITEM 6: AUTHORIZATION TO PURCHASE TWO NEW FIRE VEHICLES AND APPLY FOR DEL MAR FOUNDATION GRANT FUNDS TO SUPPORT THE PURCHASE (CLERK’S FILE NO. 201-13, 601-5)
Council questions focused on vehicle costs and on whether the Del Mar Foundation expressed interest in contributing funds to partially cover the costs.
Council authorized the City Manager to execute purchasing documents with National Auto Fleet Group, utilizing Sourcewell Contract No. 081325-NAF, for the purchase of one (1) model year 2026 Ford F-250 crew cab pickup truck for a Fire Battalion Chief and one (1) model year 2026 Ford F-150 crew cab pickup truck for the Fire Marshal, including outfitting for both vehicles, in the total amount not to exceed $268,000; authorized the City Manager to apply for grant funding from the Del Mar Foundation to be applied toward the Fire Marshal vehicle cost and to execute all related documents; and authorized an amendment to the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Operating and Capital Budget as described in the Fiscal Impact section of this report, on consent.
ITEM 7: APPROVAL OF SAN DIEGO GAS & ELECTRIC CUSTOMER PAYMENT REMITTANCE
FOR THE JIMMY DURANTE BOULEVARD BLUFF STABILIZATION PROJECT (CLERK’S FILE NO. 1404-2)
Council questions focused on the retaining wall length and whether there is a nexus to SDG&E lines relocation during construction.
Council approved the San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) Customer Payment Remittance for the Jimmy Durante Boulevard Bluff Stabilization Project in an amount up to $148,550 and authorized the City Manager to execute any necessary documents and make the payment, on consent.
ITEM 8: CONSIDERATION OF A SECOND AMENDMENT TO THE EXCLUSIVE NEGOTIATING RIGHTS AGREEMENT WITH THE 22ND DISTRICT AGRICULTURAL ASSOCIATION
RELATING TO FAIRGROUNDS AFFORDABLE HOUSING (HOUSING ELEMENT PROGRAM 3A) (CLERK’S FILE NO. 406-1)
The item was pulled from the Consent Calendar due to a public comment. Mayor Martinez opened the item to public comment and Shirli Weiss spoke. Mayor Martinez closed the item to public comment.
IT WAS MOVED BY COUNCILMEMBER GAASTERLAND, SECONDED BY DEPUTY
MAYOR SPELICH TO APPROVE THE SECOND AMENDMENT TO THE EXCLUSIVE NEGOTIATING RIGHTS AGREEMENT WITH THE 22ND DISTRICT AGRICULTURAL
ASSOCIATION INCLUDING RENAMING THE AGREEMENT FROM ENRA TO THE “AGREEMENT FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING SITE DUE DILIGENCE AND DEVELOPMENT FEASIBILITY ANALYSIS” AND AUTHORIZE THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE THE AGREEMENT. (VOTE 4-0)
Ayes: Mayor Martinez; Deputy Mayor Spelich; Councilmembers Gaasterland and Quirk; Noes: 0; Recuse: 0; Absent: 0; Abstain: 0.
City Council Regular Minutes
April 7, 2026
PUBLIC HEARING
ITEM 9: ENCROACHMENT PERMIT (EP) 26-017 TO PERMIT AN EXISTING WALL AND OTHER IMPROVEMENTS WITHIN THE PUBLIC RIGHT-OF-WAY AT 1215 CUCHARA DRIVE
APPLICANT: ANNE MARIE SCHUR AND EDUARDO SCHUR (CLERK’S FILE NO. 802- 1)
An introduction to the item was provided by Mayor Martinez. City Attorney Christina Cameron explained the protocol of the hearing. A presentation was provided by Associate Management Analyst Nestor Machado. Planning and Community Development Director Karen Brindley was available to answer questions.
All Councilmembers disclosed that they read the materials but did not speak to the applicants. Council questions focused on which undergrounding district this project and property is located within; and whether approved encroachment permits can be revoked by the City in the future, if necessary.
Applicants Anne Marie Schur and Eduardo Schur provided a presentation.
Mayor Martinez opened the item to public comment and Janet Wilson spoke. Mayor Martinez closed the item to public comment.
Council discussion focused on slope and distance from the road to allow for foot and vehicular traffic; maintenance responsibility; vegetation height and trimming requirements; decreasing fire hazard risks due to vegetation; and potential impacts of state legislation related to fire hazard mitigation.
IT WAS MOVED BY COUNCILMEMBER GAASTERLAND AND SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER QUIRK TO APPROVE RESOLUTION 2026-21 “A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DEL MAR, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING ENCROACHMENT PERMIT 26-017 TO ALLOW AN
EXISTING RETAINING WALL, WOODEN FENCE, LOW ROCK WALL, AND VEGETATION, WITHIN THE PUBLIC RIGHT-OF-WAY ON THE EAST SIDE OF THE PROPERTY AT 1215 CUCHARA DRIVE (APN: 300-390-11-00) IN DEL MAR, CALIFORNIA” (VOTE 4-0).
Ayes: Mayor Martinez; Deputy Mayor Spelich; Councilmembers Gaasterland and Quirk; Noes: 0; Recuse:
0; Absent: 0; Abstain: 0.
ITEM 10: ADOPTION OF RESOLUTION TO DECLARE THE CITY-OWNED 28TH STREET VACANT LOT EXEMPT SURPLUS LAND PER SURPLUS LANDS ACT (APN 299-030- 12) (CLERK’S FILE NO. 303-1, 1306-23)
Mayor Martinez opened the item to public comment. There were no public speakers. Mayor Martinez closed the item to public comment.
Council approved resolution 2026-18 “A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DEL
MAR, CALIFORNIA, DECLARING THE VACANT CITY-OWNED REAL PROPERTY LOCATED ON 28TH STREET (APN 299-030-12), AND IDENTIFIED IN THE CITY’S STATE-CERTIFIED 6TH CYCLE
HOUSING ELEMENT AS A SITE FOR LOWER INCOME HOUSING DEVELOPMENT TO MEET A PORTION OF THE CITY’S REGIONAL HOUSING NEEDS ALLOCATION (RHNA), IS EXEMPT SURPLUS LAND,” on consent.
City Council Regular Minutes
April 7, 2026
ITEM 11: RESOLUTION APPROVING THE DEL MAR PROJECTS FOR INCLUSION IN THE
TRANSNET LOCAL STREET IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM OF PROJECTS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2026-2027 THROUGH FISCAL YEAR 2030-2031 AND AMENDING FISCAL YEAR 2024-2025 PROGRAMMING TO INCLUDE CARRY-OVER FUNDING (CLERK’S FILE NO. 901-5)
Mayor Martinez opened the item to public comment. There were no public speakers. Mayor Martinez closed the item to public comment.
Council approved Resolution 2026-19 “A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF DEL MAR, CALIFORNIA,
ADOPTING THE LIST OF DEL MAR PROJECTS FOR INCLUSION IN THE TRANSNET LOCAL STREET IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM OF PROJECTS FOR FISCAL YEARS 2026-2027 THROUGH 2030-2031 AND ADOPTING AN AMENDMENT TO THE TRANSNET LOCAL STREET IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM OF PROJECTS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2024-2025,” on consent.
ITEM 12: RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING THE DATE BY WHICH OVERHEAD ELECTRIC AND
COMMUNICATION FACILITIES SHALL BE REMOVED IN THE UNDERGROUND UTILITY DISTRICT 1A (STRATFORD COURT SOUTH) (CLERK’S FILE NO. 1001-2) Councilmember Gaasterland provided a statement regarding her recusal from participating in this agenda item due living within the district.
Mayor Martinez opened the item to public comment and there were no public speakers for this item.
Mayor Martinez closed the item to public comment.
Council questions focused on the final date by which the overhead poles will be removed.
Council approved Resolution 2026-20 “A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DEL
MAR, CALIFORNIA, ESTABLISHING THE DATE BY WHICH OVERHEAD ELECTRIC AND
COMMUNICATION FACILITIES SHALL BE REMOVED IN THE UNDERGROUND UTILITY DISTRICT 1A (STRATFORD COURT SOUTH),” on consent.
COUNCIL MEETING RECESS:
The City Council took a meeting recess from approximately 6:00 to 6:09 p.m.
CITY COUNCIL OTHER BUSINESS
ITEM 13: INITIAL CONSIDERATION OF AN APPEAL OF ENCROACHMENT PERMIT (EP) 25- 049
EP APPELLANT AND APPLICANT: PAUL RAEL
APPELLANT’S ADDRESS: 1612 STRATFORD WAY (APN: 299-280-47-00) (CLERK’S FILE NO. 802-1)
An introduction to the item was provided by Mayor Martinez. City Attorney Cameron explained the protocol of the initial consideration.
Council disclosures were as follows: Councilmember Quirk reviewed the materials and spoke with the applicant; Councilmember Gaasterland read the materials, visited the site, and met with the applicant several months prior; Mayor Martinez reviewed the materials and red dots and drove by the property twice; and Deputy Mayor Spelich read the materials and red dots.
City Council Regular Minutes
April 7, 2026
A presentation was provided by Associate Management Analyst Machado. Planning and Community Development Director Brindley was available to answer questions.
On behalf of their client, applicant/appellant Paul Rael, Dean Meredith and Bob Scott presented on why the City Council should set the appeal for de novo hearing. There were no Council questions.
Mayor Martinez opened the item to public comment and Janet Wilson spoke. Mayor Martinez closed the item to public comment.
Councilmembers Gaasterland and Quirk indicated they would like to set the item for a de novo hearing.
Council directed staff to set the item for de novo hearing at the next available meeting and to notify the appellant.
ITEM 14: APPROVAL OF MAJOR ARTERIAL MEDIAN DESIGN AND TASK ORDER WITH MW PELTZ & ASSOCIATES FOR FINAL DESIGN (CLERK’S FILE NO. 406-1, 901-9) A presentation was provided by Principal Engineer Martin Boyd and Senior Landscape Architect Howard Pierce from MW Peltz & Associates. Planning and Community Development Director Brindley was available for questions.
Council questions focused on the next steps of the process to get to the final design and potential involvement of advisory committees; whether any new trees are proposed as part of the project; timing for the project re-design; how cost estimates will evolve as the project design is refined; irrigation system of the proposed landscape; whether grant opportunities could be available to fund the project; whether the task order can be amended to include a cost breakdown and design steps driving the costs; and feedback and prior project experience that was used as a foundation and incorporated in the proposed design up to this point.
There were no public speakers for this item.
Council discussion focused on whether to defer this work and prioritize other City projects such as paving; potential to take advantage of favorable construction market by investing on other construction projects instead of landscaping; upcoming staff presentation on road paving at a future Council meeting; ability to have the Design Review Board weigh in on the proposed design; whether the budget for the task order is included in the approved Fiscal Year 2025-2026 budget or whether a new budget allocation is needed; and potential to defer the project to a future year.
IT WAS MOVED BY COUNCILMEMBER GAASTERLAND AND SECONDED BY DEPUTY MAYOR SPELICH TO: APPROVE THE CONCEPTUAL DESIGN FOR THE MAJOR ARTERIAL MEDIANS IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT; APPROVE A $120,585 TASK ORDER FOR FINAL DESIGN SERVICES WITH MW PELTZ & ASSOCIATES (ATTACHMENT A); APPROVE A $10,000 CONTINGENCY; 4AUTHORIZE THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE THE TASK ORDER AND ANY SUBSEQUENT AMENDMENTS WITHIN THE CONTINGENCY; AND AUTHORIZE AN AMENDMENT TO THE FY 2025-26 OPERATING AND CAPITAL BUDGET ALLOCATING AN ADDITIONAL $30,000 FROM THE GENERAL FUND TO THE PROJECT. (VOTE 3-1-0 WITH COUNCILMEMBER QUIRK OPPOSED) Ayes: Mayor Martinez; Deputy Mayor Spelich; Councilmember Gaasterland; Noes: Councilmember Quirk; Recuse: 0; Absent: 0; Abstain: 0.
City Council Regular Minutes
April 7, 2026
Council consensus was to direct staff to present the design to the Design Review Board at a future meeting.
ITEM 15: RECONSIDERATION OF ADDITIONAL PENSION FUND TRANSFER FOR FY 2025-26 (CLERK’S FILE NO. 502-5)
An introduction to the item was provided by Mayor Martinez. A presentation was provided by Deputy Mayor Spelich.
Council questions focused on the expected pension reserve return rate and a potential to maximize the return; advantages of having a Section 115 trust; the difference between the general pension reserve and Section 115 trust; the trust’s current return on investment rate; expectations for long-term returns; potential for prioritizing other projects such as paving and getting a higher return on investment; whether the funds are currently in the general fund contingency; the logistics and steps taken to complete the transfer; and how much of the current annual payment to CalPERS is interest vs principal.
Mayor Martinez opened the item to public comment and the following people spoke:
1) Tate Scott
2) Tom McGreal
Mayor Martinez closed the item to public comment.
Council discussion focused on the unfunded pension liability; financial health of the City’s pension trust and the City’s existing unfunded liability; the prioritization of other City projects over pension funding; opportunity to revisit the City’s pension reserve policy in the future; time-value of paving investment; impacts of the employee headcount and compensation on pension liability; and the potential to bring a separate informational agenda item related to pension liability at a future Council meeting date.
Council consensus was that staff work with the Finance Committee pension subcommittee and the Finance Committee to review the City’s pension policy in May 2026 and come back with any recommended changes to the policy for the City Council’s consideration as part of the budget presentation in June 2026.
IT WAS MOVED BY DEPUTY MAYOR SPELICH AND SECONDED BY MAYOR MARTINEZ TO APPROVE AN ADDITIONAL TRANSFER OF $425,000 TO THE PENSION RESERVE FUND, AS
PREVIOUSLY RECOMMENDED BY CITY STAFF AND THE FINANCE COMMITTEE, IN FISCAL YEAR (FY) 2025-26. (VOTE 4-0)
Ayes: Mayor Martinez; Deputy Mayor Spelich; Councilmembers Gaasterland and Quirk; Noes: 0; Recuse:
0; Absent: 0; Abstain: 0.
REGIONAL ORGANIZATION AND COUNCIL COMMITTEES/SUBCOMMITTEES/COMMUNITY
ORGANIZATION REPORTS
None.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Martinez adjourned the meeting at 8:05 p.m.
Kseniia Izgarskaia, Senior Management Analyst