CITY OF DEL MAR
CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
JUNE 2, 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 4:30 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Present: Mayor Tracy Martinez; Deputy Mayor John Spelich; Councilmembers Terry Gaasterland (arrived at 4:43 p.m.) and Dan Quirk
CITY ATTORNEY CLOSED SESSION REPORT
City Attorney Christina Cameron reported that there were no reportable actions following Closed Session.
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) Deborah Newmark
2) Jerry Rost
3) Carol Kerridge
4) Sharon Hsia
Mayor Martinez closed public oral communications.
CITY COUNCIL COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS
Mayor Martinez reported on a successful Del Mar Fire Push-In event at the Del Mar Fire Station, which included many staff and community members, to dedicate the new fire engine on Sunday, May 31, 2026.
CITY MANAGER’S REPORT
City Manager Ashley Jones reported on the City’s recognition by the Clean Energy Alliance (CEA) as a Green Energy Champion and congratulated the CEA on its five-year anniversary.
PRESENTATIONS
ITEM 1: 2025 PUBLIC SAFETY RECAP (CLERK’S FILE NO. 1101-2, 1503-19) A presentation was provided by San Diego Sheriff Captain Shane Watts.
City Council questions focused on the Sheriff’s proactive approach to enforcement; additional actions the City could consider related to bicycle and pedestrian safety; whether communities use cameras for City Council Regular Minutes
June 2, 2026
enforcement; how residents should handle it if they observe e-bike riders violating traffic rules; where the Sheriff distributes and shares materials regarding e-bike safety; and whether the City has a Sheriff traffic motor officer assigned and clarification on the hours they patrol.
Mayor Martinez opened the item to public comment and Greg Rothnem spoke. Mayor Martinez closed the item to public comment.
Assistant City Manager Clem Brown provided information about where the public can find e-bike safety resources on the City’s website.
Council discussion focused on whether speed humps could be placed in bike lanes to discourage e-bikes from speeding; whether any other North Coastal Cities are considering changing or tightening regulations related to e-bikes; and expressed appreciation to Captain Watts for his presentation.
ITEM 2: CLEAN ENERGY ALLIANCE (CEA) PRESENTATION (CLERK’S FILE NO. 1001-5) A presentation was provided by Clean Energy Alliance (CEA) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Greg Wade.
City Council questions focused on the energy market overview; outreach for payment assistance and relief programs; the CEA’s goals for future renewable energy expansion and compliance; and net energy metering customers within Del Mar and ways to incentivize participation.
There were no public speakers for this item.
Council discussion focused on appreciation to CEA CEO Greg Wade for his presentation.
ITEM 3: NORTH COUNTY TRANSIT DISTRICT (NCTD) PRESENTATION ON AGENCY PERFORMANCE (CLERK’S FILE NO. 1506-20)
A presentation was provided by NCTD Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Shawn M. Donaghy. NCTD Chief of Staff Mary Dover was available to answer questions.
Council questions focused on the number of individuals riding an NCTD modes of transit; clarification on the boardings by year; whether the Pronto card enables counting people; whether NCTD pays taxes and fees on fuel; zero emission mandate; and how NCTD recruits, trains, and retains bus drivers.
There were no public speakers for this item.
Council discussion focused the NCTD operations cost, benefits of providing transportation to the public, potential train relocation, and expressed appreciation to CEO Donaghy for his presentation.
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 COUNCILMEMBER GAASTERLAND, SECONDED BY DEPUTY MAYOR SPELICH TO APPROVE THE CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS 4 THROUGH 12. (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
June 2, 2026
ITEM 4: APPROVAL OF MINUTES: MAY 19, 2026 REGULAR AND SPECIAL MEETING (CLERK’S MINUTES BOOK)
Council approved the minutes, on consent.
ITEM 5: RATIFICATION OF LIST OF DEMANDS, DATED JUNE 2, 2026 (CLERK’S FILE NO. 201-3)
Council approved the list of demands, on consent.
ITEM 6: WAIVER OF READING OF ORDINANCES ON AGENDA (CLERK’S FILE NO. 401-4) Council waived the reading of ordinances, on consent.
ITEM 7: AGREEMENT FOR WATER QUALITY TESTING SERVICES (CLERK’S FILE NO. 406- 1)
Council approved an Agreement with Babcock Laboratories, Inc. for water quality testing services; 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 8: RESOLUTIONS AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF LIABILITY INSURANCE
PROGRAMS MEMORANDA OF UNDERSTANDING AND AMENDING THE CLAIMS SETTLEMENT AUTHORITY (CLERK’S FILE NO. 403-2, 404-9)
Council adopted Resolution 2026-36 “A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF DEL MAR, CALIFORNIA, AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE
THE PUBLIC RISK INNOVATION, SOLUTIONS, AND MANAGEMENT (PRISM)
MEMORANDA OF UNDERSTANDING FOR THE OPTIONAL EXCESS LIABILITY,
MASTER CRIME, CYBER LIABILITY, AND POLLUTION LIABILITY INSURANCE PROGRAMS;” and Resolution 2026-37 “A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DEL MAR, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING THE CITY MANAGER’S CLAIMS SETTLEMENT AUTHORITY,” on consent.
ITEM 9: FIRST AMENDMENT TO THE AGREEMENT WITH CLAIMS MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATES, INC. FOR GENERAL LIABILITY CLAIMS MANAGEMENT SERVICES (CLERK’S FILE NO. 406-1)
Council approved the First Amendment to the agreement with Claims Management Associates, Inc. for general liability claims management services, extending the term for an additional two-year period ending June 30, 2028; and authorized the City Manager to execute the Amendment, on consent.
ITEM 10: TWELVE-MONTH EXTENSION OF DEL MAR FIRE STATION (CLERK’S FILE NO. 103- 2,1101-8)
Council question focused on whether the Fairgrounds considers the benefits of having the Fire Station adjacent to the Fairground when negotiating the City’s lease and whether the 22nd Agricultural District needs to have a fire station or other form of fire suppression services on site based on the activities that occur there.
City Council Regular Minutes
June 2, 2026
Council approved a 12-month extension of the City’s lease with the California Department of General Services and 22nd District Agricultural Association for the Del Mar Fire Station through June 30, 2027; and authorized the City Manager to execute the lease extension, on consent.
PUBLIC HEARING
ITEM 11: RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING THE DATE BY WHICH PROPERTIES MUST BE
READY TO RECEIVE UNDERGROUND SERVICE IN THE UNDERGROUND UTILITY DISTRICT X1A (CREST CANYON) – WORK ZONES 1 AND 2 (CLERK’S FILE NO. 1001-2)
Mayor Martinez opened the public hearing. There were no speakers for this item.
Council questions focused on the date by which properties must be ready to receive underground service.
Council approved Resolution 2026-38, “A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
DEL MAR, CALIFORNIA, ESTABLISHING THE DATE BY WHICH PROPERTIES MUST BE READY TO RECEIVE UNDERGROUND SERVICE IN THE UNDERGROUND UTILITY DISTRICT X1A (CREST CANYON) – WORK ZONES 1 AND 2,” on consent.
ITEM 12: DE NOVO HEARING OF AN APPEAL OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION’S DECISION TO DENY VARIANCE (V25-002), A REQUEST FOR A VARIANCE FROM: DEL MAR MUNICIPAL CODE (DMMC) SECTION 30.86.090(A)(1) TO ALLOW THE RETENTION
OF FENCING AND GATES THAT EXCEED THE ALLOWED HEIGHT IN WITHIN THE LOT’S REQUIRED FRONT AND STREET-SIDE YARDS (SETBACKS) AND FROM DMMC SECTION 30.86.090(A)(4) TO ALLOW THE RETENTION OF AN ENTRYWAY (ARBOR) STRUCTURE IN EXCESS OF THE OUTER DIMENSIONS AND OPENNESS ALLOWED IN THE FRONT YARD SETBACK.
APPLICANT: VOIGTLANDER, PROPERTY: 355 13TH STREET (APN: 300-020-18-00) (CLERK’S FILE NO. 301-3)
Council continued the de novo hearing to August 25, 2026, on consent.
COUNCIL MEETING RECESS
The City Council took a meeting recess from approximately 7:06 p.m. to 7:13 p.m.
ADJOURN TO CLOSED SESSION
The Mayor adjourned the meeting into Closed Session from 7:15 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. At the conclusion of Closed Session, the Mayor resumed the Open Session meeting and City Attorney Cameron announced there were no reportable actions.
CITY COUNCIL OTHER BUSINESS
ITEM 13: REVIEW FISCAL YEAR 2025-26 THIRD QUARTER AND PROPOSED 2026-27 OPERATING AND CAPITAL BUDGET UPDATE (CLERK’S FILE NO. 202-1, 202-3) A presentation was provided by Finance Manager Marco Camacho. Finance Officer Monica Molina was available to answer questions.
City Council Regular Minutes
June 2, 2026
Council questions and discussion focused on the fire department budget; future plans to issue a Request for Qualifications related to long-term fire service delivery options; desire to receive an informational presentation from the Fire Chief regarding fire department operations and standards; funding scenarios for paving; and potential funding gap for the Camino del Mar Bridge Replacement and Riverpath Phase 3 projects. Council consensus was to leave the paving budget at $3 million and include an alternate bid for an additional $1 million in paving, with the final paving project budget and award depending on the bids results.
There were no public speakers for this item.
IT WAS MOVED BY COUNCILMEMBER GAASTERLAND AND SECONDED BY DEPUTY MAYOR SPELICH TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 2026-39, “A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DEL MAR, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING THE FISCAL YEAR 2025-2026 OPERATING AND CAPITAL BUDGET,” APPROVE PROPOSED REVISIONS TO THE PENSION RESERVE POLICY,
APPROVE PROPOSED REVISIONS TO THE INVESTMENT POLICY, AND ADOPT RESOLUTION 2026-40, “A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DEL MAR, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING THE STATEMENT OF INVESTMENT POLICY FOR FISCAL YEAR 2026-2027, AND DELEGATING THE AUTHORITY TO INVEST CITY FUNDS TO THE TREASURER.” (VOTE 3-1) Ayes: Mayor Martinez; Deputy Mayor Spelich; Councilmember Gaasterland; Noes: Councilmember Quirk; Recuse: 0; Absent: 0; Abstain: 0.
REGIONAL ORGANIZATION AND COUNCIL COMMITTEES/SUBCOMMITTEES/COMMUNITY
ORGANIZATION REPORTS
None.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Martinez adjourned the meeting at 8:40 p.m.
Sarah Krietor, Administrative Services Manager/
City Clerk