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MINUTES OF THE ENCINITAS CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING
DECEMBER 17, 2025, 6:00 P.M., 505 SOUTH VULCAN AVENUE,
ENCINITAS, CA 92024
1. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Ehlers called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
2. ROLL CALL
Present: Mayor Bruce Ehlers, Deputy Mayor Jim O’Hara, Council Members Joy Lyndes, Marco San Antonio, and Luke Shaffer
Absent: None
Also present: City Manager Campbell, Assistant City Manager Schwarm, Interim City Attorney Thind, Deputy City Manager James, Director of Public Works Mabry, Human Resources Director von Kalinowski, 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
There were no Special Presentations or Proclamations.
5. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS / POSSIBLE DIRECTION TO STAFF
Dave Dean spoke regarding potholes.
Tony Gurnoe spoke on various topics.
Natalie Settoon spoke on various topics.
Ellen Burr spoke regarding transparency.
Scott Campbell with the Encinitas Citizen Review Panel spoke regarding various topics.
6. REPORT FROM CLOSED SESSION
Mayor Ehlers reported that the City Council held a Closed Session at approximately 3: 30 p.m. to consider three items and there w ere no reportable actions.
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7. CHANGES TO THE AGENDA
Deputy City Clerk Weichers announced that there were no changes to the posted agenda.
8. CONSENT CALENDAR
Deputy City Clerk Weichers announced that Consent Calendar item 8C was removed from the Consent Calendar by a member of the public.
COUNCIL ACTION:
Shaffer moved, Lyndes seconded to close and adopt the Consent Calenda r with the exception of item 8C. 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 Warrants List (Register of Demands). Contact Person:
Finance Manager Dinh
Recommended Action: Staff recommends that the City Council review and approve the warrants.
8D. Authorization to Participate in SD EnergyLink Incentive Program and Accept $143,000 in Assets and Installation Services . 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: 1) Authorize the City Manager, or designee, in consultation with the City Attorney, to execute an agreement with San Diego Windustrial CO, DBA Winsupply of San Diego CA Co, (WinSupply) for professional services in substantial form, in the amount of $0, for a one-year term; and 2) Authorize the City Manager, or designee, in consultation with the City Attorney, to execute a Letter of Authorization for SD EnergyLink Application by WinSupply, in substantial form.
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12/17/2025 Regular Meeting Page 3 Mtg. #2025-____, Bk#41, Page __ 8E. File a Public Comment supporting a petition to modify California Public Utility Commission Electric Rule 45 related to electrical infrastructure upgrades for electric vehicle charging stations. Contact Person:
Sustainability Manager Najera
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: Direct the City Manager, or designee, to file a public comment for California Public Utility Commission (CPUC) Proceeding A2205016 in support of the Petition for Modification of Decision 24-12-074 of the Joint Petitioners, supporting the request to strike the funding cap for Electric Rule 45 “Rule 45” which has the potential to impact the cost of installing electric vehicle charging station infrastructure for public and private entities.
8F. Letter of support for grant application being submitted by the University of San Diego to complete a study assessing the potential future impacts of sea level rise on surfing resources, regionally . Contact Person: Sustainability Manager Najera
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: Approve a letter of support for University of San Diego to complete a study assessing the potential future impacts of sea level rise on surfing resources, regionally, to be submitted as part of a grant proposal for California Ocean Protection Council’s Senate Bill 1 Sea Level Rise Adaptation Planning Grant Program.
9. ITEMS REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT CALENDAR
8C. Agreement for the Encinitas Habitat Stewardship Program with the San Diego Botanic Garden Amendment No. 1 to add Additional Services .
Contact Person: Park Operation 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.
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Recommended Action: Approve and authorize the City Manager, in consultation with the City Attorney, to execute Amendment No. 1 in substantial form to the contract with the Quail Botanical Gardens Foundation dba San Diego Botanic Garden for the Encinitas Habitat Stewardship Program in the amount of $100,000 for a total not to exceed $200,000 for additional services and extra work.
SPEAKERS:
Sheila Cameran and Tony Gurnoe spoke regarding this item.
Staff responded to Council questions and speaker comments.
COUNCIL ACTION:
Lyndes moved, O’Hara second to approve and authorize the City Manager, in consultation with the City Attorney, to execute Amendment No. 1 in substantial form to the contract with the Quail Botanical Gardens Foundation dba San Diego Botanic Garden for the Encinitas Habitat Stewardship Program in the amount of $100,000 for a total not to exceed $200,000 for additional services and extra work ; with direction to staff to explore alternative materials such as posts and rope, brush, logs, rocks, and boulders in place of gravel bags; and direction to staff to agendize a future item to include a public outreach component with the Parks and Recreation Commission to consider signage opportunities and trail naming. Motion Carried. Motion Carried. Ayes: Ehlers, Lyndes, O’Hara, San Antonio, and Shaffer.
Nays: None. Absent: None. Abstain: None.
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. Introduction of Ordinance No. 2025- 18 adding Encinitas Municipal Code Chapter 2.42 Establishing a Business Commission. Contact Person:
Management Analyst III Welnick
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.
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12/17/2025 Regular Meeting Page 5 Mtg. #2025-____, Bk#41, Page __ Recommended Action: Introduce Ordinance No. 2025- 18 titled “An Ordinance of t he City Council of the City o f Encinitas, California, Adding Encinitas Municipal Code Chapter 2.42 to Establish a Business Commission.”
Management Analyst Welnick presented the staff report.
Staff responded to questions from the Council.
COUNCIL ACTION:
O’Hara moved, San Antonio seconded to approve introducing Ordinance No. 2025-18 titled “An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Encinitas, California, Adding Encinitas Municipal Code Chapter
2.42 to Establish a Business Commission” with the amendments as presented in the redline version during the meeting, including the change to adjust the committee membership to consist of seven to nine members, and the removal of the section pertaining to subcommittees. Motion Carried. Ayes: Ehlers, Lyndes, O’Hara, Shaffer, and San Antonio. Nays: None. Absent: None. Abstain: None. 10B. Overview of the Urban Forest Advisory Committee 2024 Accomplishments, Committee Structure, Committee Effectiveness, and Review of Encinitas Municipal Code Chapter 15.02 – Municipal Tree Ordinance . Contact Person: Environmental Services Manager Steenblock
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 the report and provide direction to staff on any desired changes to the current structure and function of the Urban Forest Advisory Committee (UFAC), including revisions to Encinitas Municipal Code (EMC) Chapter 15.02.
Environmental Services Manager Steenblock and Urban Forest Advisory Committee Chair Lefkowitz presented the staff report.
SPEAKERS:
Tony Gurnoe , Mark Jennek, Russel Levain, Sheila Camer en, Rachel Graves, and Mark Wisniewski spoke regarding this item.
Staff responded to questions and Council deliberated.
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12/17/2025 Regular Meeting Page 6 Mtg. #2025-____, Bk#41, Page __ Deputy Mayor O’Hara moved to hire a City Arborist/Urban Forest Manager and reallocate the UFAC members to a subcommittee for revaluation by the new hired City Arborist/Urban Forest Manager. Motion Failed due to a lack of second.
COUNCIL ACTION:
Lyndes moved, Ehlers seconded to continue the current structure of the Urban Forest Advisory Committee, with the directive to refocus their efforts on the six specific objectives outlined in EMC Chapter
15.02, Section 15.02.050 ; prioritize items on their work plan, with particular emphasis on updating the tree species list ; and report progress back to the Council within a year. Motion Carried. Ayes:
Ehlers, Lyndes, San Antonio, and Shaffer. Nays: O’Hara . Absent:
None. Abstain: None.
Mayor Ehlers called the meeting into recess at 8:42 p.m., and reconvened the meeting at 8:58 p.m.
10C. Legislative affairs update from JGC Government Relations, Inc. Contact Person: Deputy City Manager James
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 the Legislative Affairs Update from JGC Government Relations, Inc. and provide direction regarding City’s legislative actions.
Deputy City Manager James and Jonathan Clay , Consultant with JGC Government Relations, Inc., presented the staff report . City Council provided feedback and comments regarding this item.
10D. Adoption of Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the City of Encinitas and the Encinitas Firefighter’s Association (EFFA) effective January 1, 2026 through December 31, 2029. Contact Person: Human Resources Director von Kalinowski
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 direct or indirect physical change in the environment.
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12/17/2025 Regular Meeting Page 7 Mtg. #2025-____, Bk#41, Page __ Recommended Action: 1) Adopt Resolution No. 2025- 123 titled, “ A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Encinitas, California, Adopting the Memorandum of Understanding Between t he City of Encinitas and Encinitas Firefighter ’s Association, IAFF 3787 Dated January 1, 2026” adopting a memorandum of understanding between the City of Encinitas and the Encinitas Firefighter’s Association and authorizing the City Manager or designee(s) to execute the memorandum of understanding on behalf of the City of Encinitas, and 2) Adopt Resolution No. 2025- 124 titled, “A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Encinitas, California, Adopting the Pay Ran ges for the Encinitas Firefighter ’s Association, IAFF 3787, Effective January 1, 2026” approving the Pay Ranges for the Encinitas Firefighter’s Association effective January 1, 2026.
Human Resources Director von Kalinowski presented the staff report.
COUNCIL ACTION:
Lyndes moved, Shaffer seconded to: 1) Adopt Resolution No. 2025 - 123 titled, “A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Encinitas, California, Adopting the Memorandum of Understanding Between the City of Encinitas and Encinitas Firefighter’s Association, IAFF 3787 Dated January 1, 2026” adopting a memorandum of understanding between the City of Encinitas and the Encinitas Firefighter’s Association and authorizing the City Manager or designee(s) to execute the memorandum of understanding on behalf of the City of Encinitas, and 2) Adopt Resolution No. 2025-124 titled, “A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Encinitas, California, Adopting the Pay Ranges for the Encinitas Firefighter’s Association, IAFF 3787, Effective January 1, 2026” approving the Pay Ranges for the Encinitas Firefighter’s Association effective January 1, 2026. Motion Carried.
Ayes: Ehlers, Lyndes, O’Hara, San Antonio, and Shaffer. Nays: None.
Absent None. Abstain: None.
COUNCIL ACTION:
O’Hara moved, Ehlers seconded to continue the meeting past 10:00 p.m., but no later than 10:30 p.m. Motion Carried. Ayes: Ehlers, Lyndes, O’Hara, San Antonio, and Shaffer. Nays: None. Absent: None. Abstain: None.
11. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS
11A. Encinitas Community Park Amenities Assessment . Contact Person: Park Operation 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.
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Recommended Action: This is an informational item with no staff recommendations.
Park Operation Manager Norgard presented the staff report and Council provided feedback.
SPEAKERS:
Bridget Kimball , Molly Hintlian, Brett Mills , and Scott Campbell spoke regarding this item.
12. COUNCIL MEMBER INITIATED AGENDA ITEM
There were no Council Member Initiated Agenda items.
13. CITY COUNCIL MEMBER REPORTS PURSUANT TO AB1234 (GC 53232.3(d)) / POSSIBLE DIRECTION TO STAFF
Deputy Mayor Lyndes reported she attended the Encina Wastewater Authority Board Meeting.
Council Member San Antonio reported he attended a San Diego Community Power Board Meeting and a Santa Fe Irrigation District Board Meeting with Council Member Shaffer.
Council Member Shaffer reported he and Council Member O’Hara attended a School District Liaison Committee Meeting
Council Member O’Hara reported he will attend a North County Transit District Board meeting tomorrow.
Mayor Ehlers reported he attended the Encina Wastewater Authority Board Meeting and a SANDAG Board Meeting.
14. CITY MANAGER REPORTS
City Manager Campbell reported on an ICE Operation within the City that occurred on November 8, 2025; gave an update on the San Diego Rescue Mission; and the City’s Holiday Closure.
15. CITY ATTORNEY REPORTS
No City Attorney report was given
No City Clerk report was given.
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16. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Ehlers adjourned the meeting at 10:24 p.m.
_________________________ __________________________ Pete Weichers, Deputy City Clerk Bruce Ehlers, Mayor By: Jackie Rapp, Management Analyst
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