CITY OF DEL MAR
CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
SEPTEMBER 22, 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 and Dan Quirk (arrived at 4:46 p.m.)
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) Jennifer Anderson
2) Peggy Walker
Mayor Martinez closed public oral communications.
CITY COUNCIL COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS
None.
CITY MANAGER’S REPORT
City Manager Ashley Jones reported free e-bike safety event on Thursday, September 24th at 6:00 p.m. in the Town Hall; League of Women Voters City Council Candidate Forum on Friday, October 2, 2026, at 1:00pm in the Town Hall and that mailed ballots will be sent out by the San Diego County Registrar of Voters the week of October 5, 2026; provided an update the City’s E Nino preparation and the statewide state of emergency proclaimed by Governor Newsom and upcoming presentation by staff planned for the October 6, 2026, City Council meeting which will cover the City's sand berm work on the beach, the San Dieguito Lagoon inlet and dredging effort, coordination with outside agencies including on Lake Hodges, and the resources available to residents to prepare their own property; and the North County Transit District (NCTD) and Sheriff Department’s twice-yearly COASTER emergency training exercise on the Del Mar double track along Jimmy Durante Boulevard scheduled for September 23, 2023, from 6:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
City Council Regular Minutes
September 22, 2026
PRESENTATIONS
ITEM 1: PROCLAMATION CELEBRATING FIRE PREVENTION MONTH - OCTOBER 2026 (CLERK’S FILE NO. 1101-8)
Mayor Martinez presented the proclamation to Fire Marshal Medi Maldonado and fire suppression and prevention staff.
Fire Marshal Maldonado provided comments on the importance of fire prevention and encouraged the community to attend the Fire Department Open House on Saturday, October 3, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
There were no public speakers for 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 DEPUTY MAYOR SPELICH, SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER GAASTERLAND TO APPROVE THE CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS 2 THROUGH 5. (VOTE 4-0) Ayes: Mayor Martinez; Deputy Mayor Spelich; Councilmembers Gaasterland and Quirk; Noes: 0; Recuse: 0; Absent: 0; Abstain: 0.
ITEM 2: APPROVAL OF MINUTES: SEPTEMBER 8, 2026 REGULAR MEETING (CLERK’S
MINUTES BOOK)
Council approved the minutes, on consent.
ITEM 3: RATIFICATION OF LIST OF DEMANDS, DATED SEPTEMBER 22, 2026 (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: APPROVAL OF PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH MOORE IACOFANO GOLTSMAN, INC. (MIG) FOR ENVIRONMENTAL AND PLANNING SERVICES (CLERK’S FILE NO. 406-1)
Mayor Martinez opened public comment and Brooke Miller spoke. Mayor Martinez closed public comment.
Council approved a Professional Services Agreement with MIG, in an amount not to exceed $169,295 to prepare and process California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) documentation and planning-level amendments to the City of Del Mar (City) Community Plan (General Plan), Zoning Code, and Local Coastal Program (LCP), and Rezone 11.7 acres on the North Bluff to increase the residential density to allow multiple dwelling unit City Council Regular Minutes
September 22, 2026
development; authorized the City Manager to execute the agreement and any term extension amendments provided for in the Agreement, contingent upon satisfactory performance by the consultant; and allocate $19,295 from the General Fund to Special Projects Fund 49.8000.8042, which is needed to fully fund this work above the $150,000 already included in the approved FY 2026-27 Budget, on consent.
CITY COUNCIL OTHER BUSINESS
ITEM 6: INITIAL CONSIDERATION OF AN APPEAL OF ENCROACHMENT PERMIT (EP) 26- 050; EP APPELLANT: JEAN JACQUES ABITBOL, MD C/O JON CORN; APPELLANT’S ADDRESS: 1047 STRATFORD CT. (APN: 300-093-10-00) (CLERK’S FILE NO. 802-1)
Mayor Martinez explained the Initial Consideration procedures. A presentation was provided by Associate Management Analyst Nestor Machado. Planning and Community Development Director Karen Brindley and Assistant City Attorney Ralph Hicks were available to answer questions.
Council disclosures were as follows: Deputy Mayor Spelich had no disclosures; Councilmember Quirk spoke with the appellant’s legal representative Jon Corn; Councilmember Gaasterland spoke with the appellant’s legal representative Jon Corn and visited the site to view the subject trees; and Mayor Martinez received a text message from the appellant’s legal representative Jon Corn requesting to meet but declined.
Council questions focused on why this is considered a minor encroachment and whether there is a height limit for minor encroachment permit vegetation; whether encroachment permits can be revoked in the future; whether enforcement of encroachment permit conditions are complaint driven; clarification of the safe harbor area; and clarification on City Council Policy 110 - Private Encroachments Into City Rightsof-Way.
The appellant’s legal representative Jon Corn provided comments on why the item should be set for a de novo hearing.
The applicant Dr. Bolitho and the applicant’s legal representative Mark Dillion provided comments on why the item should not be set for a de novo hearing.
Mayor Martinez opened the item to public comment and the following people spoke:
1) William (Bill) Simon
2) Janet Wilson
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 parties involved.
ITEM 7: OVERVIEW OF SHORES PARK MASTER PLANNING PROCESS AND
RECOMMENDED CONCEPT DESIGN FOR THE SHORES PARK MASTER PLAN (CLERK’S FILE NO. 307-8)
A presentation was provided by Assistant City Manager Clem Brown and City Consultant Glen Schmidt with Schmidt Design Group.
City Council Regular Minutes
September 22, 2026
Council questions focused on emergency vehicle access improvements included in the proposed design; whether the retaining wall for the San Diego Gas & Electric equipment on the western boarder of the Park adjacent to Stratford Court can be moved to a different location; current and proposed square footage of the Del Mar Community Building; considerations raised in a red dot to include amphitheater style seating in the garden area between the two levels of the park; and scope of the landscape buffer included in the proposed design along 9th Street.
Mayor Martinez opened the item to public comment and the following people spoke:
1) Lynn Gaylord
2) Janet Wilson
3) Michael Green
4) Alessandra Franco
5) Laura DeMarco
6) Dan Smiley
7) Kim Kanetis representing Winston School
8) Camilla Rang
9) Rick Ehrenfeld with a donation of time from Joy Ehrenfield 10) Steven McDowell
11) Tami Dokken
Mayor Martinez closed the item to public comment.
Council discussion focused on appreciation to the staff and the consultant for the presentation and excitement for the project; importance of enforcing regulations for the shared use area of the field; considerations related to the fitness equipment; size and use of the proposed Community Building; next steps in the park master planning process; and considerations related to outreach and communication to dog owners regarding adherence to regulations and consequences related to ongoing shared use of the playing field.
Council consensus was to direct staff to explore options for the lower-lot drive aisle to reduce impacts to grading costs and the bougainvillea hedge; assess safety, necessity, and cost of the proposed Camino del Mar pedestrian entrance; explore options to expand the sunset deck over the lower park terrace; provided itemized rough estimates for proposed Park amenities; and assess the safety of the rockclimbing wall.
COUNCIL MEETING RECESS:
The City Council took a meeting recess from approximately 7:37 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
ITEM 8: TREE REMOVAL PERMIT PROCESS – COUNCIL POLICY CONSIDERATIONS (CLERK’S FILE NO. 301-15, 1403-7)
An introduction to the item was provided by City Manager Ashley Jones. A presentation was provided by Principal Planner Kevin Parker. Planning and Community Development Director Karen Brindley was available to answer questions.
Council questions focused on Firewise programs and list of trees appropriate for planting in the high and very high severity zones; whether the City can track data on the number of trees that were removed and replaced; clarification on the tree removal data included in the presentation; details of the amnesty program implemented by the City in the 1990s to provide streamlined process to remove trees in an El Nino year; and clarification on the number of permit applications and trees removed under the City’s processes.
City Council Regular Minutes
September 22, 2026
Mayor Martinez opened the item to public comment and the following people spoke:
1) Jennifer Anderson
2) Dolores Davies Jamison
3) Rich Jamison
Mayor Martinez closed the item to public comment.
Council discussion focused on staff’s recommended action; status of State mandated Zone Zero regulations and timing for implementation; and considerations related to the City’s tree canopy.
Council consensus was to support staff continuing with the tree removal process as outlined in Del Mar Municipal Code (DMMC) Chapter 23.50 with the Planning and Community Development Director to consult with the Fire Marshal regarding selection of appropriate replacement trees in the high and very high fire severity zones and to waive the Notice of Intent application fee for trees that have fallen or that present an imminent public safety threat. There was no Council interest in further considering a 30-day tree removal amnesty program.
ITEM 9: CONSIDERATION OF A CITY COUNCIL MEASURE Q FINANCING POLICY (CLERK’S FILE NO. 201-8)
A presentation was provided by Finance Director/Treasurer Marco Camacho and Principal Engineer Martin Boyd.
Council questions focused on the maximum borrowing possible based on the Measure Q revenue; collateral used for borrowing; whether the City can borrow without collateral; whether the City can obtain a credit rating analysis; and the City’s current debt and City assets being used as collateral.
Mayor Martinez opened the item to public comment and Amy Cheshire spoke. Mayor Martinez closed public comment.
Council discussion focused on the prior Council actions and direction to staff in March 2026, related to the Measure Q financing guidelines; maximum amount the City could borrow to underground utilities; and next steps in the process for evaluating cash flow models; and that staff would return to the City Council with updated cash flow models in early 2027.
IT WAS MOVED BY DEPUTY MAYOR SPELICH AND SECONDED COUNCILMEMBER GAASTERLAND TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 2026-61, “A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DEL MAR, CALIFORNIA, ADOPTING CITY COUNCIL POLICY 123 ESTABLISHING A MEASURE Q FINANCING POLICY” (VOTE 4-0)
Ayes: Mayor Martinez; Deputy Mayor Spelich; Councilmembers Gaasterland and Quirk; Noes: 0; Recuse: 0; Absent: 0; Abstain: 0.
ITEM 10: DECLARATION OF A LOCAL EMERGENCY DUE TO HIGH VOLUME OF SEDIMENTATION IN THE SAN DIEGUITO LAGOON (CLERK’S FILE NO. 1401-5) A presentation was provided by Assistant City Manager Clem Brown.
Council questions and discussion focused on Lake Hodges dam; method for dredging; whether the City can conduct dredging on its own and what the cost would be; estimated cubic yards of sand that have accumulated in the lagoon; size of the dump truck Southern California Edison uses; and whether our lifeguards monitor beach width.
City Council Regular Minutes
September 22, 2026
Mayor Martinez opened the item to public comment and Julie Hamilton representing Del Mar Sandy Lane Association spoke. Mayor Martinez closed the item to public comment.
VOTE TO CONTINUE MEETING
IT WAS MOVED BY COUNCILMEMBER GAASTERLAND SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER QUIRK TO CONTINUE THE MEETING TIME CERTAIN UNTIL 10:15 P.M. (VOTE 4-0) Ayes: Mayor Martinez; Deputy Mayor Spelich; Councilmembers Gaasterland and Quirk; Noes: 0; Recuse: 0; Absent: 0; Abstain: 0.
IT WAS MOVED BY DEPUTY MAYOR SPELICH AND SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER GAASTERLAND TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 2026-62, “A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF
THE CITY OF DEL MAR, CALIFORNIA, DECLARING THE EXISTENCE OF A LOCAL EMERGENCY DUE TO HIGH VOLUME SEDIMENTATION IN THE SAN DIEGUITO LAGOON”; DIRECT THE CITY
MANAGER TO CONTINUE COORDINATING WITH, AND TO FORMALLY REQUEST EMERGENCY
ACTION FROM, SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA EDISON, THE UNITED STATES ARMY CORPS OF
ENGINEERS, THE CALIFORNIA COASTAL COMMISSION, AND OTHER RESPONSIBLE AGENCIES TO MAINTAIN THE SAN DIEGUITO LAGOON INLET IN ADVANCE OF THE 2026-2027 WINTER STORM SEASON; AND DIRECT THE CITY MANAGER TO REQUEST THAT THE UNITED STATES ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS AMEND THE CITY’S SCOUP PERMIT, AND SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA EDISON’S RELATED PERMIT, TO AUTHORIZE DREDGING OF UP TO 50,000 CUBIC
YARDS PER DREDGE EVENT, CONSISTENT WITH THE VOLUME APPROVED BY EVERY OTHER
RESOURCE AGENCY AND TO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE LOCATION OF THE RIVER MOUTH FOLLOWING DREDGING. (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 10:09 p.m.
Sarah Krietor, Administrative Services Manager/
City Clerk