03/18/2026 Special Meeting Page 1 Mtg. #2026-____, Bk#41, Page _____
MINUTES OF THE ENCINITAS CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING
MARCH 18, 2026, 4:00 P.M., 505 SOUTH VULCAN AVENUE,
ENCINITAS, CA 92024
CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL
Mayor Ehlers called the meeting to order at 4:01 p.m.
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, Interim City Attorney Thind, Assistant City Manager Schwarm, Deputy City Manager James, Director of Development Services Drapkin, Director of Engineering Nutter, Finance Director Gallup, Information Technology Director Contreras, Parks, Recreation and Cultural Arts Director Knopp, Public Works Director Mabry, Fire Chief Gordon, Human Resources Director von Kalinowski, Interim City Clerk Weichers, and Interim Deputy City Clerk Rapp
There being a quorum present, the meeting was in order.
AGENDA ITEM
1. Discussion and direction on the City FY 2026-27 Operating and Capital Improvement Budgets. Contact Person: Director of Finance/City Treasurer Gallup
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: Receive the oral presentation, discuss, and provide direction on the City FY 2026-27 Operating and Capital Improvement Budgets.
Director of Finance Gallup, Finance Manager Sanders, Assistant Finance Director Chalfant, Director or Engineering Nutter, and City Manager Campbell presented the staff report.
SPEAKERS:
Nancy De Ghionno, Carol Heil, Donna Peterson, Randy Peterson, June Honsberger, Fabian Gonell, Anthony De La Fuente, Russell Levan, Lauren Paul, and Judy Berlfein spoke regarding this item.
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03/18/2026 Special Meeting
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Director of Engineering Nutter gave an update on funding for the at-grade-crossings and answered council questions.
Staff answered Council questions; Council discussed the information provided in the budget presentation; and Council provided feedback to staff.
City Manager Campbell thanked staff and provided an overview and recap of the items that the Council identified as priorities to be included for consideration at the next budget workshop.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Ehlers adjourned the meeting at 5:57 p.m.
_______________________________ __________________________ Pete Weichers, Interim City Clerk Bruce Ehlers, Mayor By: Jackie Rapp, Interim Deputy City Clerk
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