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MINUTES OF THE ENCINITAS CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING
MAY 21, 2025, 6:00 P.M., 505 SOUTH VULCAN AVENUE
1. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Ehlers called the meeting to order at 6:02 p.m.
2. ROLL CALL
Present: Mayor Bruce Ehlers, Deputy Mayor Joy Lyndes, Council Members Jim O’Hara, Marco San Antonio, and Luke Shaffer
Absent: None
Also present: City Manager Campbell, City Attorney Preziosi, Fire Chief Gordon, Director of Engineering Bankston, Deputy City Clerk Weichers, and Management Analyst Rapp
There being a quorum present, the meeting was in order.
3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
4. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS
4A. Presentation of Proclamation declaring May 22, 2025, San Diego Foundation Day
Mayor Ehlers presented the proclamation to Lane Macy Kiefaber, Executive Director, Coastal Community Foundation and Catrina Dulay, Graphic Designer & Digital Marketing Specialist.
4B. Presentation of the 2025 Senior Citizen Service Award to Jesse Hanwit Mayor Ehlers presented the 2025 Senior Citizen Service Award to Jesse Hanwit, and she spoke regarding her volunteer work in the City. 4C. Presentation of Proclamation declaring National Public Works Week Mayor Ehlers presented the proclamation to Sylvester Mabry, Director of Public Works and Public Works Staff. An informational video was shown. 4D. Presentation by The Encinitas Project
Ross Ridder, Katy Fox, and Farhad Mahmoudi gave a presentation on the Encinitas Project.
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5. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS / POSSIBLE DIRECTION TO STAFF
Mayor Ehlers announced that due to the number of speakers under oral communications, each speaker would receive two minutes to speak and only the first 16 speakers would be heard now, and the remaining would be heard after the action items.
Madison Rapp spoke regarding cannabis advertising.
Kristine Schindler spoke regarding sharrows and roadway safety.
Bernadette Dillon spoke regarding fireworks.
Natalie Settoon spoke regarding the Santa Fe Drive project.
Ellen Burr spoke regarding ADU certificate of occupancies.
Helen Bourne spoke regarding homelessness..
Dave Dean spoke regarding “Dave’s Rock Garden.”
Donna Westbrook spoke regarding CEQA.
Judy Berlfein, Travis Newhouse, and Dadla Ponizil presented a video on bike lane safety
Roni Gardinier spoke regarding undergrounding of utilities on Birmingham.
Christopher Seneca spoke regarding residents speaking at city public meetings and with public officials.
Scott Campbell spoke regarding support for a dark sky ordinance.
Tony Gurnoe spoke in support of the Urban Forrest Advisory Committee.
Brad Lefkowitz spoke regarding stormwater basins and best management practices.
6. REPORT FROM CLOSED SESSION
There was no closed session.
7. CHANGES TO THE AGENDA
There were no changes to the posted agenda.
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8. CONSENT CALENDAR
Deputy City Clerk Weichers announced the public removed item 8F from the Consent Calendar.
Council Member O’Hara announced that he was removing item 8G from the Consent Calendar.
COUNCIL ACTION:
Shaffer moved, San Antonio seconded to close and adopt the Consent Calendar with the exception of items 8F and 8G. Motion Carried. Ayes:
Ehlers, Lyndes, O’Hara, San Antonio, and Shaffer. Nays: None. Absent:
None. Abstain: None.
8A. Approval to waive the full reading of the text of all ordinances and resolutions introduced/adopted at this meeting. Ordinances and resolutions shall be introduced/adopted by title only. Contact Person: City Clerk Hollywood
Recommended Action: Approve.
8B. Approval of the Minutes of the May 7, 2025, Special Meeting. Contact Person: City Clerk Hollywood
Recommended Action: Approve the Minutes.
8C. Approval of the Warrants List (Register of Demands). Contact Person:
Finance Manager Dinh
Recommended Action: Staff recommends that the City Council review and approve the warrants.
8D. Approval of Encina Wastewater Authority Fiscal Year 2025-26 Operating and Capital Improvement Budgets. Contact Person: Senior Management Analyst Elmore
Environmental Considerations: The action being considered by the City Council is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) because it is not a “project” under Section 15378(b)(5) of CEQA Guidelines.
The action involves an organizational or administrative activity of government that will not result in the direct or indirect physical change in the environment.
Recommended Action: Adopt Resolution No. 2025-38 titled, “A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Encinitas, California, Approving the Fiscal Year 2025-26 Operating and Capital Improvement Budgets of the Encina Wastewater Authority in Accordance with the Joint Powers Basic Agreement.”
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8E. Reject bids for the Citywide Pedestrian Crossing Upgrades Project (CS23G). Contact Person: Engineer II Barr
Environmental Considerations: The action being considered by the City Council is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) because it is not a “project” under Section 15378(b) of CEQA Guidelines.
Today’s action involves an organizational or administrative activity of government that will not result in direct or indirect physical change to the environment.
Recommended Action: 1) Reject all bids from the April 23, 2025, bid opening for the Citywide Pedestrian Crossing Upgrades Project (CS23G); and 2) Authorize staff to re-advertise and rebid the Citywide Pedestrian Crossing Upgrades Project (CS23G).
9. ITEMS REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT CALENDAR
8F. Parks and Recreation Commission Work Plan Outcomes for Fiscal Year 2024-25 and Proposed Work Plan for Fiscal Year 2025-26. Contact Person:
Park Operations Manager Norgard
Environmental Considerations: The action being considered by the City Council is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) because it is not a “project” under Section 15378(b)(5) of CEQA Guidelines.
The action involves an organizational or administrative activity of government that will not result in the direct or indirect physical change in the environment.
Recommended Action: 1) Receive final reported outcomes for the Fiscal Year 2024-25 Parks and Recreation Commission Work Plan; and 2) Approve the proposed Fiscal Year 2025-26 Parks and Recreation Commission Work Plan.
Park Operations Manager Norgard presented the Staff Report.
Natalie Settoon, Molly Hintlian and Farhad Mahmoudi spoke regarding this item.
Park Operations Manager Norgard and Parks, Recreation and Cultural Arts Director Knopp answered questions from the City Council.
COUNCIL ACTION:
Ehlers moved, Lyndes seconded to: 1) receive final reported outcomes for the Fiscal Year 2024-25 Parks and Recreation Commission Work Plan; and 2) approve the proposed Fiscal Year 2025-26 Parks and Recreation Commission Work Plan with the addition of investigating more time to surf, volleyball and skate park activities including the use of the Moonlight Bowl. Motion Carried.
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Ayes: Ehlers, Lyndes, O’Hara, Shaffer, and San Antonio. Nays: None.
Absent: None. Abstain: None.
8G. 2024-2025 Senior Citizen Commission Work Plan Final Outcomes and 2025-2026 Proposed Senior Citizen Commission Work Plan. Contact Person: Recreation Center Manager Goodsell
Environmental Considerations: The action being considered by the City Council is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) because it is not a “project” under Section 15378(b)(5) of CEQA Guidelines.
The action involves an organizational or administrative activity of government that will not result in the direct or indirect physical change in the environment.
Recommended Action: 1) Receive final reported outcomes for the 2024- 25 Senior Citizen Commission Work Plan; and 2) Approve the proposed 2025-26 Senior Citizen Commission Work Plan.
Council Member O’Hara spoke in support of this commission.
COUNCIL ACTION:
O’Hara moved, Lyndes seconded to: 1) receive final reported outcomes for the 2024-25 Senior Citizen Commission Work Plan; and 2) approve the proposed 2025-26 Senior Citizen Commission Work Plan. Motion Carried. Ayes: Ehlers, Lyndes, O’Hara, Shaffer, and San Antonio. Nays: None. Absent: None. Abstain: None.
Mayor Ehlers called the meeting into recess at 8:15 p.m. and reconvened the meeting at 8:26 p.m.
10. ACTION ITEMS To speak on action items, please submit a “PINK” speaker slip to the City Clerk. Each speaker is allowed three (3) minutes to address the City Council. A maximum of two time donations per speaker is allowed (no more than 9 minutes total); the person donating time must be present.
10A. Public Hearing to Receive Testimony Regarding the FY 2025-26 Encinitas Landscape and Lighting District. Contact Person: Senior Management Analyst Lisenbee
Environmental Considerations: The action being considered by the City Council is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) because it is not a “project” under Section 15378(b)(5) of CEQA Guidelines.
The action involves an organizational or administrative activity of government that will not result in the direct or indirect physical change in the environment.
Recommended Action: 1) Conduct a public hearing to receive testimony regarding the FY 2025-26 Encinitas Landscape and Lighting District (ELLD) Docusign Envelope ID: 6659077A-BB83-4891-8F61-64DC02CAEF09
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Annual Engineer’s Report; and 2) Adopt City Council Resolution No. 2025- 50, titled “A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Encinitas, California, Renewing the Encinitas Landscape and Lighting District (Zones A, B, C, D, E, F, G, & H), Confirming the Fiscal Year 2025-26 Engineer’s Report, and Ordering the Transmission of Charges to the County Auditor for Collection.” Senior Management Analyst Lisenbee, Director of Engineering Bankston, and Consultant Anna Tan-Gatue with Harris & Associates provided the staff report.
COUNCIL DISCLOSURES OF ANY INFORMATION RECEIVED THAT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE AGENDA PACKET:
Council Member San Antonio had nothing to disclose.
Council Member Shaffer had nothing to disclose.
Council Member O’Hara had nothing to disclose.
Deputy Mayor Lyndes had nothing to disclose
Mayor Ehlers had nothing to disclose.
Mayor Ehlers opened the Public Hearing at 8:32 p.m.
Donna Westbrook spoke regarding this item.
Mayor Ehlers closed the public hearing at 8:34 p.m.
Senior Management Analyst Lisenbee, Director of Engineering Bankston, and Consultant Anna Tan-Gatue with Harris & Associates responded to questions from the City Council.
COUNCIL ACTION:
Ehlers moved, O’Hara seconded to adopt City Council Resolution No. 2025-50, titled “A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Encinitas, California, Renewing the Encinitas Landscape and Lighting District (Zones A, B, C, D, E, F, G, & H), Confirming the Fiscal Year 2025-26 Engineer’s Report, and Ordering the Transmission of Charges to the County Auditor for Collection.” with direction to staff to explore the reserve fund amounts needed for next year. Motion Carried. Ayes:
Ehlers, Lyndes, O’Hara, San Antonio, and Shaffer. Nays: None.
Absent: None. Abstain: None.
10B. Introduction and First Reading of Ordinance No. 2025-07 to Adopt Updated Fire Hazard Severity Zone (FHSZ) Maps for the City of Encinitas in Compliance with California Government Code Section 51179. Contact Person: Fire Chief Gordon
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Environmental Considerations: The action being considered by the City Council is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) because it is not a “project” under Section 15378(b)(5) of CEQA Guidelines.
The action involves an organizational or administrative activity of government that will not result in the direct or indirect physical change in the environment.
Recommended Action: Introduce Ordinance No. 2025-07, titled “An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Encinitas, California, Designating Moderate, High, and Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones by Map Pursuant to California Government Code Sections 51175-51189 and Amending Encinitas Municipal Code Chapter 10.02 (Fire Map).” Fire Chief Gordon and Acting Fire Marshal Villagomez presented the staff report, a video on Fire Hazard Severity Zones, and responded to questions from the City Council.
Donna Westbrook, Kristine Schindler, and Ellen Burr spoke regarding this item.
COUNCIL ACTION:
Shaffer moved, Lyndes seconded to introduce Ordinance No. 2025-07, titled “An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Encinitas, California, Designating Moderate, High, and Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones by Map Pursuant to California Government Code Sections 51175-51189 and Amending Encinitas Municipal Code Chapter 10.02 (Fire Map).” Motion Carried. Ayes: Ehlers, Lyndes, San Antonio, O’Hara, and Shaffer. Nays: None. Absent: None. Abstain:
None.
10C. Fiscal Year 2024-25 Wastewater Capital Improvement Program (CIP) Update, Execution Rate, and Fiscal Year 2025-26 Sewer Service Rates for Cardiff Sanitary Division (CSD) and Encinitas Sanitary Division (ESD).
Contact Person: Senior Engineer Nutter
Environmental Considerations: The action being considered by the City Council is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) because it is not a “project” under Section 15378(b)(5) of CEQA Guidelines.
The action involves an organizational or administrative activity of government that will not result in the direct or indirect physical change in the environment.
Recommended Action: Receive and file report on Wastewater CIP and execution rate for Fiscal Year 2024-25 and uphold the previously approved FY 2025-26 sewer service charges.
Senior Engineer Nutter, Senior Management Analyst Elmore, Principal Engineer Alex, and Director of Utilities Hireish presented the staff report.
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COUNCIL ACTION:
Lyndes moved, Shaffer seconded to receive and file report on Wastewater CIP and execution rate for Fiscal Year 2024-25 and uphold the previously approved FY 2025-26 sewer service charges. Motion Carried. Ayes: Ehlers, Lyndes, O’Hara, San Antonio, and Shaffer.
Nays: None. Absent: None. Abstain: None.
11. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS
There were no Informational items.
12. COUNCIL MEMBER INITIATED AGENDA ITEM
There were no Council Member Initiated items.
13. CITY COUNCIL MEMBER REPORTS PURSUANT TO AB1234 (GC 53232.3(d)) / POSSIBLE DIRECTION TO STAFF
Council Member San Antonio reported on San Diego Community Power meetings.
Council Member Shaffer reported he attended the San Elijo Joint Powers Authority meeting, toured the R.E. Badger Filtration Plant and attended the Fire Governance Standing Subcommittee.
Council Member O’Hara reported he attended the San Elijo Joint Powers Authority meeting.
Deputy Mayor Lyndes reported she attended the Encina Wastewater Authority Board Meeting, the LOSSAN Coastal Rail Corridor Board Meeting, and the SANDAG Transportation Committee Meeting.
Mayor Ehlers reported he attended three SANDAG Board Meetings, the Fire Governance Standing Subcommittee, the SANDAG TransNet Independent Taxpayer Oversight Committee meeting, the SANDAG Executive Committee Meeting, Encinia Wastewater Authority Policy Finance Committee and the Encina Wastewater Authority Board Meeting.
COUNCIL ACTIONS:
Ehlers moved, O’Hara seconded to continue the meeting until10:10 p.m. Motion Carried. Ayes: Ehlers, Lyndes, O’Hara, San Antonio, and Shaffer. Nays: None.
Absent: None. Abstain: None.
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14. CITY MANAGER REPORTS
City Manager Campbell reported on the following items:
• Update on the D Street Beach Access repairs
• Sheriff update on Memorial Day Weekend
• EDCO Shred Event including battery disposal this Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at City Hall for residents.
15. CITY ATTORNEY REPORTS
No City Attorney report was given.
16. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Ehlers adjourned the meeting at 10:04 p.m.
_____________________________ __________________________ Pete Weichers, Deputy City Clerk Bruce Ehlers, Mayor By: Jackie Rapp, Management Analyst
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