CITY OF DEL MAR
CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
JULY 7, 2026
City of Del Mar Town Hall
1050 Camino del Mar, Del Mar, California 92014
And via teleconference
1317 Irving Avenue, Colonial Beach, Virginia 22443
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 (participated remotely) and Dan Quirk
CITY ATTORNEY CLOSED SESSION REPORT
None.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mayor Martinez led the Pledge of Allegiance.
PUBLIC ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
None.
CITY COUNCIL COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS
Mayor Martinez thanked the Del Mar Foundation (DMF) for planning the City’s Annual 4th of July Parade and expressed appreciation to Del Mar Community Connections (DMCC), Linda Chisari for providing music, Del Mar Firefighters, and staff in Public Works and Community Services Department for their work making the event a success.
CITY MANAGER’S REPORT
City Manager Ashley Jones reported on the upcoming presentation of the Major Arterial Median Improvement Capital Improvement Project (CIP) to the Design Review Board on July 22, 2026; candidate filing period for the next general municipal election on November 3, 2026, which runs from July 13 through August 7, 2026; and turf maintenance at Powerhouse Park on July 8 and July 9, 2026, which will result in half the park being closed each day for maintenance.
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
July 7, 2026
IT WAS MOVED BY COUNCILMEMBER GAASTERLAND, SECONDED BY DEPUTY MAYOR SPELICH TO APPROVE THE CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS 1-11, 13, 17 (VOTE 4-0) WITH COUNCILMEMBER QUIRK VOTING NO ON ITEMS 10 AND 11 (VOTE 3-1-0).
Ayes: Mayor Martinez; Deputy Mayor Spelich; Councilmembers Gaasterland and Quirk; Noes:
Councilmember Quirk (Items 10 and 11 only); Recuse: 0; Absent: 0; Abstain: 0.
ITEM 1: APPROVAL OF MINUTES: JUNE 16, 2026 REGULAR AND SPECIAL MEETING (CLERK’S MINUTES BOOK)
Council approved the minutes, on consent.
ITEM 2: RATIFICATION OF LIST OF DEMANDS, DATED JULY 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: SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED REGIONAL WASTEWATER DISPOSAL
AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF SAN DIEGO AND THE PARTICIPATING AGENCIES IN THE METROPOLITAN SEWERAGE SYSTEM (CLERK’S FILE NO. 406- 1)
Council adopted Resolution 2026-47, “A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF DEL MAR, CALIFORNIA, AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO APPROVE
THE SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED REGIONAL WASTEWATER DISPOSAL
AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF SAN DIEGO AND THE PARTICIPATING AGENCIES IN THE METROPOLITAN SEWERAGE SYSTEM,” on consent.
ITEM 5: APPROVAL OF ENCROACHMENT PERMIT 25-049 – REQUEST TO INSTALL
GRASSCRETE HARDSCAPE MATERIAL AND OTHER PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS WITHIN THE PUBLIC RIGHT-OF-WAY AT 1612 STRATFORD WAY; APPLICANT:
PAUL RAEL (CLERK’S FILE NO. 802-1)
Council adopted Resolution 2026-48 “A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DEL MAR, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING ENCROACHMENT PERMIT 25-049 TO
PERMIT THE INSTALLATION OF ASPHALT COLOR GRASSCRETE, MOUNTABLE
CONCRETE CURB, AND ASSOCIATED IMPROVEMENTS WITHIN THE PUBLIC RIGHT-OF-WAY ON THE NORTH SIDE OF THE PROPERTY AT 1612 STRATFORD WAY (APN: 299-280-47-00) IN DEL MAR, CALIFORNIA,” on consent.
ITEM 6: FIRST AMENDMENT TO AGREEMENT WITH SCHMIDT DESIGN GROUP FOR SHORES PARK MASTER PLAN (CLERK’S FILE NO. 307-8, 406-1) Council approved the First Amendment to the Agreement with Schmidt Design Group for preparation of the Shores Park Master Plan to adjust the scope of services and City Council Regular Minutes
July 7, 2026
compensation, and added a ten percent (10%) project contingency of $17,731; and authorized the City Manager to execute the First Amendment and any additional agreement changes within the project contingency, on consent.
ITEM 7: TASK ORDER AMENDMENT WITH ARDURRA AND PROJECT CONTINGENCY
INCREASE FOR THE JIMMY DURANTE BOULEVARD BLUFF STABILIZATION PROJECT (CLERK’S FILE NO. 406-1)
Council approved a $38,100 Task Order Amendment with Ardurra for extended construction management and inspection services; approved a five-percent (5%) increase ($38,610) to the project contingency; authorized the City Manager to execute the Task Order Amendment and any subsequent amendments or contract Change Orders within the updated project contingency necessary to complete the work; and authorized the carryover of unspent FY 2025-2026 project budget to FY 2026-2027, on consent.
ITEM 8: APPROVAL OF PUMP REPAIRS AT THE 21ST STREET WASTEWATER PUMP STATION (CLERK’S FILE NO. 406-1)
Council approved $90,000 in pump repairs at the 21st Street Wastewater Pump Station; and authorized the City Manager to direct San Elijo Joint Powers Authority (SEJPA) to proceed with the pump repairs, on consent.
ITEM 9: REQUIRED ACTIONS TO SECURE FEDERAL FUNDING FOR THE SAN DIEGUITO LAGOON SHORELINE PROTECTION PROJECT (CLERK’S FILE NO. 803-3) Council authorized staff to submit the necessary application and take any additional administrative actions as may be necessary to receive $1,031,000 in federal funds that were appropriated in the FY 2026 Federal Budget specifically for the City’s San Dieguito Lagoon Shoreline Protection Project from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA); and authorized the City Manager to sign the necessary documents, on consent.
ITEM 10: FIRE DEPARTMENT POSITION RECLASSIFICATION (CLERK’S FILE NO. 1101-8) Council comments focused on the cost associated with the fire management transition.
Council adopted Resolution 2026-49, “A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF DEL MAR, CALIFORNIA, AUTHORIZING THE RECLASSIFICATION OF THE BATTALION CHIEF POSITION TO A MANAGEMENT ANALYST SERIES POSITION,” on consent with Councilmember Quirk voting no.
ITEM 11: AUTHORIZATION TO PURCHASE FIRE STATION ALERTING SYSTEM (CLERK’S FILE NO. 1101-8)
Council comments focused on the costs associated with installation of the fire station alert system and the transition of fire management services. City Manager Jones clarified that the item would replace critical fire station infrastructure used to alert fire suppression personnel of emergencies.
Council approved an Agreement with US Digital Design by Honeywell International, Inc. for the purchase and installation of a new Fire Station Alerting System in the total amount City Council Regular Minutes
July 7, 2026
not to exceed $80,805; and authorized the City Manager to execute the Agreement and other necessary purchasing documents, on consent.
ITEM 12: APPOINTMENT TO THE UNDERGROUNDING PROGRAM ADVISORY COMMITTEE (CLERK’S FILE NO. 401-5)
Councilmember comments focused on whether the vacancy should be reopened to solicit additional interest. Administrative Services Manager Krietor was available to answer Councilmember questions regarding the City’s committee appointment process.
IT WAS MOVED BY DEPUTY MAYOR SPELICH AND SECONDED BY MAYOR
MARTINEZ TO APPOINT MICHEL MARONDE TO UPAC AS VOTING MEMBER TO SERVE THE BALANCE OF A VACANT TERM STARTING JULY 7, 2026, AND ENDING ON JUNE 30, 2027. (VOTE 3-0-1 WITH COUNCILMEMBER GAASTERLAND
ABSTAINED)
Ayes: Mayor Martinez; Deputy Mayor Spelich; and Councilmember Quirk; Noes: 0; Recuse: 0; Absent: 0; Abstain: Councilmember Gaasterland.
PUBLIC HEARING
ITEM 13: ENCROACHMENT PERMIT 26-056 TO ALLOW A NEW VEHICLE ACCESS GATE AND VEGETATION WITHIN A UTILITY EASEMENT LOCATED AT 1411 VIA ALTA (CLERK’S FILE NO. 802-1)
APPLICANT: KFH PROPERTIES, LLC
APN: 300-040-57-00
Mayor Martinez opened the public hearing, and Janet Wilson spoke. Mayor Martinez closed the public hearing. Planning and Community Development Director Karen Brindley and Associate Management Analyst Nestor Machado were available to answer Councilmember questions.
Council questions focused on whether the encroachment plans have been reviewed for fire safety.
Council approved Resolution 2026-50, “A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DEL MAR, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING ENCROACHMENT PERMIT 26-056 TO ALLOW AN EXISTING
GATE AND VEGETATION WITHIN A DEDICATED UTILITY ACCESS EASEMENT ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF THE PROPERTY AT 1411 VIA ALTA (APN: 300-040-57-00) IN DEL MAR, CALIFORNIA,” on consent.
CITY COUNCIL OTHER BUSINESS
ITEM 14: CAMINO DEL MAR BRIDGE REPLACEMENT RIGHT OF WAY APPROVALS AND PROJECT UPDATE (CLERK’S FILE NO. 803-3)
An introduction to the item was provided by Mayor Martinez. A presentation was provided by Principal Engineer Karen Falk. Public Works Director Joe Bride was available to answer questions.
Council questions focused on the project timeline related to the bid opening and construction completion; procedure for working with CalTrans on the project; whether the City’s bridge replacement project will align with the timing of the San Diego Association of Governments’ (SANDAG) San Dieguito Double City Council Regular Minutes
July 7, 2026
Track project in the area; costs and staff scheduling associated with the project; whether cameras can be placed at the construction site, how that may be accomplished, and related legal and human resources considerations; and who will monitor and control traffic during construction and whether a real time traffic camera could be useful to inform residents of traffic impacts.
There were no public speakers for this item.
IT WAS MOVED BY DEPUTY MAYOR SPELICH AND SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER QUIRK TO APPROVE RESOLUTION 2026-52, “A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
DEL MAR, CALIFORNIA, CERTIFYING THE RIGHT-OF-WAY AND AUTHORIZING THE CITY
MANAGER TO SIGN RIGHT-OF-WAY CERTIFICATIONS FOR THE CAMINO DEL MAR BRIDGE REPLACEMENT PROJECT.” (VOTE 4-0)
Ayes: Mayor Martinez; Deputy Mayor Spelich; Councilmembers Gaasterland and Quirk; Noes: 0; Recuse: 0; Absent: 0; Abstain: 0.
ITEM 15: INFORMATIONAL SUMMARY OF DRAFT PROGRAM ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT FOR THE CITY’S CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM (CLERK’S FILE NO. 803-1)
An introduction to the item was provided by Mayor Martinez. A presentation was provided by Associate Planner Jennifer Gavin. Planning and Community Development Director Karen Brindley, Principal Planner Amanda Lee, and Melissa Whittemore, Senior Project Manager with City consultant Michael Baker International were available to answer Council questions.
Council questions focused on the City’s current California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) process for City CIP projects; whether other cities utilize a programmatic Environmental Impact Report (EIR); clarification on the process for City Capital Improvement Project under the programmatic EIR; public outreach related to the public comment period for the programmatic EIR; whether the City has received any public comments during the EIR comment period; and information contained in the programmatic EIR.
There were no public speakers for this item.
ITEM 16: UNDERGROUNDING PROGRAM UPDATES (CLERK’S FILE NO. 1001-2) An introduction to the item was provided by Mayor Martinez. A presentation was provided by Principal Engineer Martin Boyd.
Council questions focused on the design time for Stratford Court South; clarification on project change orders; timing for pole removal in the different project zones; timing for land surveys in District 2; whether staff plans to continue to return to Council with lessons learned following completion of each district; clarification on the timeline and next steps for District 2; clarification on San Diego Gas & Electric’s (SDG&E) design process; communication between the City and SDG&E regarding the design process; City communication and education outreach with residents prior to construction; whether potholing could assist with refining project’s design; AT&T’s design process; whether SDG&E has internal or contract design staff; and opportunities to improve design process coordination with SDG&E, utilities and other project stakeholders.
There were no public speakers for this item.
City Council Regular Minutes
July 7, 2026
Council discussion focused on the City’s progress undergrounding its utilities.
ITEM 17: STREETLIGHT POLICY CONSIDERATIONS FOR CITYWIDE UNDERGROUNDING PROGRAM (CLERK’S FILE NO. 1001-2)
There were no public speakers for this item.
Council adopted Resolution 2026-51, “A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DEL MAR, CALIFORNIA, ADOPTING CITY COUNCIL POLICY 122 –CITYWIDE UNDERGROUNDING PROGRAM STREETLIGHT POLICY,” on consent.
REGIONAL ORGANIZATION AND COUNCIL COMMITTEES/SUBCOMMITTEES/COMMUNITY
ORGANIZATION REPORTS
None.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Martinez adjourned the meeting at 6:49 p.m.
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Sarah Krietor, Administrative Services Manager/
City Clerk