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MINUTES OF THE ENCINITAS CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING
MARCH 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 6:15 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, Interim City Clerk Weichers, and Interim Deputy City Clerk Rapp
There being a quorum present, the meeting was in order.
3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
4. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS
4A. Presentation of funds by Oliver Pratt for L7 Park
Mayor Ehlers and the Council accepted a donation of funds from Oliver Pratt for the L7 Park.
Oliver Pratt, Eleanor Pratt, and Cameron Carroll spoke regarding this item.
5. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS / POSSIBLE DIRECTION TO STAFF
Rachel Leshaw and Diana Panella spoke regarding the conduct of a city representative.
Brad Lefkowitz spoke regarding the Brown Act.
Deputy Mayor O’Hara raised a point of order, the Mayor and the City Attorney addressed his request.
Council Member San Antonio spoke regarding social media interactions.
Dave Dean spoke regarding potholes.
Mayor Ehlers directed staff to review the statement made by the previous speaker.
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03/18/2026 Regular Meeting Page 2 Mtg. #2026-____, Bk#41, Page __ Elena Thompson spoke on various topics.
6. REPORT FROM CLOSED SESSION
There was no Closed Session.
7. CHANGES TO THE AGENDA
Deputy City Clerk Weichers announced there were no changes to the posted agenda.
8. CONSENT CALENDAR
No items were removed from the Consent Calendar.
COUNCIL ACTION:
O’Hara moved, Shaffer seconded to close and adopt the Consent Calendar.
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: Interim City Clerk Wiechers
Recommended Action: Approve.
8B. Approval of the Minutes of the February 25, 2026, Regular Meeting.
Contact Person: Interim City Clerk Weichers
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
No items were removed from the Consent Calendar.
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.
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03/18/2026 Regular Meeting Page 3 Mtg. #2026-____, Bk#41, Page __ 10A. Council to hear from applicants and make appointments to the Business Commission. Contact Person: Interim City Clerk Weichers 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) Hear from applicants regarding qualifications and interest in serving on a City Commission/Committee; 2) Discuss as needed; and; 3) Council to consider approval of the Mayor’s recommendations for nine (9) appointments to the Business Commission with five (5) members terms expiring on March 1, 2029, and four (4) members terms expiring on March 1, 2028.
Interim City Clerk Weichers presented the staff report and provided an update on the continued recruitment for a District 3 representative.
Mayor Ehlers explained the commission appointment process. and requested Council consensus on the number of commissioners to be appointed.
Heather Addy Crider, Cindy Courson, Tony Dellamano, Brian Grover, Ray (Tony) Hutchinson, Brandon Jennings, Gerard (Jerry) Pascale, and Jeffrey Schade spoke on their interest in serving on the Business Commission.
Andrew Bachelier, Jason Janecek, Paulette Khoury, Daniel Lilie, and Letha Sandison were unable to attend
Scott Campbell spoke regarding this item and Stacy Reddell spoke regarding this item and read a statement for Letha Sandison.
Council deliberated regarding consensus on the number of commissioners to be appointed.
COUNCIL ACTION:
Ehlers moved, Shaffer seconded to appoint District 1 representative Jason Janecek to a term of three years, District 2 representative Tony Dellamano to a term of three years, and District 4 representative Brandon Jennings to a term of two years; appoint the following to an at-large position: Heather Addy Crider with a term of three years, Jeffery Schade with a term of two years, Gerard (Jerry) Pascale, Ray (Tony) Hutchinson, and Paulette Khoury to a term of one year each; Docusign Envelope ID: 1D39FCED-AC77-87F1-808B-9D5FD04E5815
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03/18/2026 Regular Meeting Page 4 Mtg. #2026-____, Bk#41, Page __ and open recruitment to fill District 3, Business Representative or owner with an initial two year term. Motion Carried. Ayes: Ehlers, O’Hara, Lyndes, San Antonio, and Shaffer. Nays: None. Absent:
None. Abstain: None.
10B. Public hearing for consideration of adopting fees for nuisance (false) fire alarm responses. Contact Person: Finance Director 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: Adopt Resolution No. 2026-21 titled “A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Encinitas, California, Adopting Fees for Nuisance (False) Fire Alarm Responses.”
Finance Director Gallup, Fire Chief Gordon, and Fire Marshal Villagomez presented the staff report and answered preliminary questions.
COUNCIL DISCLOSURES OF ANY INFORMATION RECEIVED THAT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE AGENDA PACKET:
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 but stated he worked in an industry related to fire alarms.
Mayor Ehlers opened the public hearing at 7:51 p.m.
There were no public speakers
Mayor Ehlers closed the public hearing at 7:51 p.m.
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03/18/2026 Regular Meeting Page 5 Mtg. #2026-____, Bk#41, Page __ COUNCIL ACTION:
Shaffer moved, San Antonio seconded to adopt Resolution No. 2026-21 titled “A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Encinitas, California, Adopting Fees for Nuisance (False) Fire Alarm Responses.” Ehlers made a substitute motion, O’Hara seconded to adopt Resolution No. 2026-21 titled “A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Encinitas, California, Adopting Fees for Nuisance (False) Fire Alarm Responses” with direction to staff to adjust the fee from $300 to $500 for a nuisance alarm count of six or more. Motion Carried.
Ayes: Ehlers, O’Hara, Lyndes, San Antonio, and Shaffer. Nays: None.
Absent: None. Abstain: None.
10C. Fiscal Year 2025-26 Midyear Budget Status Report and Proposed Budget Amendments. Contact Person: Finance Manager Sanders
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 possibilit y 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) Receive and file the Fiscal Year 2025-26 Midyear Budget Status Report; and 2) Adopt City Council Resolution No. 2026-20 titled “A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Encinitas, California, Amending the Fiscal Year 2025-26 Budget.”
Finance Manager Sanders presented the staff report and responded to questions from the Council.
COUNCIL ACTION:
Ehlers moved, Shaffer seconded to 1) Receive and file the Fiscal Year 2025-26 Midyear Budget Status Report; and 2) Adopt City Council Resolution No. 2026-20 titled “A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Encinitas, California, Amending the Fiscal Year 2025 -26 Budget.” 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 Member Initiated agenda items.
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13. CITY COUNCIL MEMBER REPORTS PURSUANT TO AB1234 (GC 53232.3(d)) / POSSIBLE DIRECTION TO STAFF
Council Member Lyndes attended the CivicWell Policymakers Conference, to review State Policy, an Encina Wastewater Board Meeting; and a SANDAG LOSSEN Board Meeting.
Council Member Shaffer reported he and Deputy Mayor O’Hara attended a San Elijo Joint Powers Association Meeting
Mayor Ehlers reported he attended two SANDAG Board of Directors Meetings and Encina Wastewater Authority Board Meeting.
14. CITY MANAGER REPORTS
City Manager Campbell gave an update on a Sheriff Traffic Enforcement event that took place in the City today, a data update on traffic citations from January and February that were given within the City; and on Thursday, March 26, 2026 at 7:00 p.m., the first L7 Community Workshop will be held.
15. CITY ATTORNEY REPORTS
No City Attorney Report was given.
No City Clerk report was given.
16. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Ehlers adjourned the meeting at 8:14 p.m.
______________________________ __________________________ Pete Weichers, Interim City Clerk Bruce Ehlers, Mayor By: Jackie Rapp, Interim Deputy City Clerk
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