02/18/2026 Regular Meeting Page 1 Mtg. #2026-____, Bk#41, Page ___
MINUTES OF THE ENCINITAS CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING
FEBRUARY 18, 2026, 6:00 P.M., 505 SOUTH VULCAN AVENUE,
ENCINITAS, CA 92024
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 Jim O’Hara, Council Members Joy Lyndes, Marco San Antonio, and Luke Shaffer
Absent: None
Also present: City Manager Campbell, Assistant City Manager Schwarm, Deputy City Manager James, Interim City Attorney Thind, Director of Development Service Drapkin, 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. Award Presentation to recognize the national award winner from the American Shores and Beach Preservation Association (ASBPA), “Best Restored Beach Award 2025”, for the San Diego County, CA Project, also known as the USACE Encinitas/Solana Beach Coastal Storm Damage Reduction Project
Program Administrator Mireau and Sustainability Manager Najara gave a presentation on the USACE Encinitas/Solana Beach Coastal Storm Damage Reduction Project; presented the national award winner from the American Shores and Beach Preservation Association (ASBPA), “Best Restored Beach Award 2025”, for the San Diego County, CA Project, also known as the USACE Encinitas/Solana Beach Coastal Storm Damage Reduction Project to Congressman Mike Levin, Mayor Ehlers, and the City Council; and Mayor Ehlers and Congressman Levin accepted the award and gave appreciation to those who worked on the project 4B. Presentation of California Senate Bill 707 by Interim City Attorney Thind Interim City Attorney Thind gave a Presentation of California Senate Bill 707 and responded to Council questions.
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5. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS / POSSIBLE DIRECTION TO STAFF
Beth Taylor, Daunte Fyall, and Theresa Beauchamp spoke regarding a community event, artistic and cultural dance, and the conduct of city representatives.
Fabian Gonell spoke regarding residential sign enforcement.
Beth Whittiker spoke regarding individual Council affiliations and transparency.
Joan Wapner spoke regarding the Age Friendly Encinitas Action Planning Group and a recommendation for a once monthly ballroom dance at the Senior Center.
Madison Rapp spoke regarding cannabis retail density within the City.
Dave Dean spoke regarding teamwork of City Staff regarding flooding and thanked them.
Meenal Patel spoke regarding council conduct.
Ella Rae Jones spoke regarding coastal and marine ecosystem conservation.
Ellen Burr spoke regarding spoke regarding ethics and a code of conduct at public meetings.
Scott Campbell spoke regarding city commission workplans.
6. REPORT FROM CLOSED SESSION
Interim City Attorney Thind reported that the City Council held a Closed Session at approximately 3:30 p.m. to hear five items listed on the Closed Session Agenda, and there were no reportable actions.
7. CHANGES TO THE AGENDA
Deputy City Clerk Weichers announced there were no changes to the posted agenda.
8. CONSENT CALENDAR
Deputy City Clerk Weichers announced that item 8D was pulled by Mayor Ehlers and item 8E was pulled by a member of the public from the Consent Calendar.
COUNCIL ACTION:
O’Hara moved, Lyndes seconded to close and adopt the Consent Calendar with the expedition of 8D and 8E. Motion Carried. Ayes: Ehlers, Lyndes, O’Hara, San Antonio, and Shaffer. Nays: None. Absent: None. Abstain:
None.
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02/18/2026 Regular Meeting Page 3 Mtg. #2026-____, Bk#41, Page __ 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 January 28, 2026, Special-Closed Session Meeting; January 28, 2026, Regular Meeting; and February 2 and 3, 2026, Special Joint Meeting with San Dieguito Water District. 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.
9. ITEMS REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT CALENDAR
8D. Authorize Agreement for an Economic Development Strategic Plan Consultant. Contact Person: Management Analyst 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 15061(b)(3) of the CEQA Guidelines because it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the activity in question may have a significant effect on the environment.
The action is also exempt from CEQA under Section 15378(b)(5) of the CEQA Guidelines because it involves an organizational or administrative activity of government that will not result in the direct or indirect physical change in the environment.
Recommended Action: Authorize the City Manager, or designee, in consultation with the City Attorney, to execute an agreement with The Natelson Dale Group, Inc., for economic development strategic planning services, in the amount of $128,000 for a term ending December 31, 2026.
The Council discussed this item; City Manager Campbell spoke regarding goal 7B on the Council Workplan; and Management Analyst Welnick and Roger Dale, with the Natelson Dale Group answered questions.
Sheila Cameron spoke regarding this item.
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02/18/2026 Regular Meeting Page 4 Mtg. #2026-____, Bk#41, Page __ COUNCIL ACTION:
Lyndes moved, Shaffer seconded to authorize the City Manager, or designee, in consultation with the City Attorney, to execute an agreement with The Natelson Dale Group, Inc., for economic development strategic planning services, in the amount of $128,000 for a term ending December 31, 2026; with the addition of the mayors four points.
O’Hara made a substitute motion, Ehlers seconded to table this item for now; come back with a rough draft economic development strategy that involves residents, staff, council and commission input; pull the previous economic survey for review; and have staff return as soon as possible with an alternate plan for Council consideration. Motion Carried. Ayes: Ehlers, O’Hara, and San Antonio. Nays: Lyndes and Shaffer. Absent: None. Abstain: None.
8E. Acceptance of a public art sculpture donation from the Encinitas Friends of the Arts of the sculpture piece titled “Luminous Wave” valued by the creator, Deanne Sabeck, at $28,000. Contact Person: Director of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Arts Knopp
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 15061(b)(3) of the CEQA Guidelines because it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the activity in question may have a significant effect on the environment.
The action is also exempt from CEQA under Section 15378(b)(5) of the CEQA Guidelines because it 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) Review the recommendation by the Commission for the Arts with the public survey results; 2) Accept the donation of public art, that was created by Deanne Sabeck, from the Encinitas Friends of the Arts for permanent display in its current location at the southeast corner of Liverpool Drive and Newcastle Avenue; and 3) Direct the Director of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Arts to determine a new location for future Sculpture Loan Program piece in the Cardiff area to include public comment and coordination with the Commission of the Arts.
Rachel Graves, Naimen Woodward, Stephanie Bell, and Vicki Campbell spoke regarding this item.
Director of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Arts Knopp answered Council questions.
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02/18/2026 Regular Meeting Page 5 Mtg. #2026-____, Bk#41, Page __ COUNCIL ACTION:
O’Hara moved, Lyndes seconded to 1) Accept the donation of public art, that was created by Deanne Sabeck, from the Encinitas Friends of the Arts for permanent display in its current location at the southeast corner of Liverpool Drive and Newcastle Avenue; and 2) Direct the Director of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Arts to determine a new location for future Sculpture Loan Program piece in the Cardiff area to include public comment and coordination with the Commission of the Arts. Motion Carried. Ayes: Ehlers, O’Hara, Lyndes San Antonio, and Shaffer. Nays: None. Absent: None. Abstain: None.
Mayor Ehlers called the meeting into recess at 8:12 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 consider amendments to the Encinitas Municipal Code and Local Coastal Program pertaining to single-family parking regulations.
Contact Person: Associate Planner Brenner
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 City Council Ordinance No. 2026-01 titled “An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Encinitas, California, Amending Section 30.54.030 (Schedule of Required Off-Street Parking) of Chapter 30.54 (Off-Street Parking) of the Encinitas Municipal Code, Amending Subsection 6.5.3 (Development Standards) of Section 6.5 [Single Family Residential Zones (“ER-SFR3”, “ER-SFR3V” & “ER-SFR5” Zones)] of Chapter 6.0 (Encinitas Ranch Zoning Ordinance) of The Encinitas Ranch Specific Plan, and Amending the Local Coastal Program to Implement State Legislative Changes Regarding Parking Requirements For Single-Family Residences Pursuant to Government Code Section 65863.3.”
Associate Planner Brenner and Director of Development Service Drapkin presented the staff report.
COUNCIL DISCLOSURES OF ANY INFORMATION RECEIVED THAT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE AGENDA PACKET:
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02/18/2026 Regular Meeting Page 6 Mtg. #2026-____, Bk#41, Page __ Council Member Lyndes stated she had nothing to disclose.
Council Member San Antonio stated he had nothing to disclose.
Council Member Shaffer stated he had nothing to disclose.
Deputy Mayor O’Hara stated he had nothing to disclose.
Mayor Ehlers stated he had nothing to disclose.
Mayor Ehlers opened the public hearing at 8:31 p.m.
Ellen Burr spoke regarding this item.
Mayor Ehlers closed the public hearing at 8:32 p.m.
COUNCIL ACTION:
Lyndes moved, O’Hara seconded to introduce City Council Ordinance No. 2026-01 titled “An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Encinitas, California, Amending Section 30.54.030 (Schedule of Required Off-Street Parking) of Chapter 30.54 (Off-Street Parking) of the Encinitas Municipal Code, Amending Subsection 6.5.3 (Development Standards) of Section 6.5 [Single Family Residential Zones (“ER-SFR3”, “ER-SFR3V” & “ER-SFR5” Zones)] of Chapter 6.0 (Encinitas Ranch Zoning Ordinance) of The Encinitas Ranch Specific Plan, and Amending the Local Coastal Program to Implement State Legislative Changes Regarding Parking Requirements For Single- Family Residences Pursuant to Government Code Section 65863.3.” Motion Carried. Ayes: Ehlers, O’Hara, Lyndes San Antonio, and Shaffer. Nays: None. Absent: None. Abstain: None.
10B. City Council Legislative Program (Policy Number C024). 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: Approve the City Council Legislative Program (Policy Number C024).
Deputy City Manager James presented the staff report.
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02/18/2026 Regular Meeting Page 7 Mtg. #2026-____, Bk#41, Page __ SPEAKERS:
Nancy Hardwick, Kara Chine, and Patty Stottlemyer spoke regarding this item.
James Hardwick, Deanna Niño, and Teresa Hymer registered support but chose not to speak
COUNCIL ACTION:
Ehlers moved, O’Hara seconded to approve the City Council Legislative Program (Policy Number C024). Motion Carried. Ayes:
Ehlers, O’Hara, Lyndes 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 Initiated Items.
13. CITY COUNCIL MEMBER REPORTS PURSUANT TO AB1234 (GC 53232.3(d)) / POSSIBLE DIRECTION TO STAFF
Council Member Lyndes attended the Encina Wastewater Authority Capital Improvement Board meeting.
Council Member Shaffer attended the Santa Fe Irrigation District meeting and the San Elijo Joint Powers Association Meeting.
Mayor Ehlers reported he attended a SANDAG Board of Directors Meeting.
14. CITY MANAGER REPORTS
City Manager Campbell gave an update on the following:
• The City was awarded a one million dollar grant from Congressman Levin’s Office for FY2026 for the North Coast Highway Drainage Project • Parks and Recreation Classes were released today and registration begins March 2, 2026
• The Community Grant Program applications are due March 6, 2026 • Thanked the Public Works Department for their hard work during the recent storms
• Sandbags are still available at the Public Works yard.
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15. CITY ATTORNEY REPORTS
No City Attorney report was given
No City Clerk report was given.
16. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Ehlers adjourned the meeting at 8:55 p.m.
______________________________ ______________________________ Pete Weichers, Deputy City Clerk Bruce Ehlers, Mayor
By: Jackie Rapp, Management Analyst
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