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MINUTES OF THE ENCINITAS CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING
APRIL 15, 2026, 6:00 P.M., 505 SOUTH VULCAN AVENUE,
ENCINITAS, CA 92024
1. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Ehlers called the meeting to order at 6:30 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, Development Services Director Drapkin, Interim City Attorney Thind, Parks, Recreation and Cultural Arts Director Knopp, Information Technology Director Contreras, Interim City Clerk Weichers, and Management Analyst Flores
There being a quorum present, the meeting was in order.
3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
4. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS
4A. State of the City Presentation
Mayor Ehlers presented the State of the City.
5. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS / POSSIBLE DIRECTION TO STAFF
Molly Hintlian spoke regarding the Homeless Action Plan.
Dave Dean spoke regarding various topics.
Ron Medak spoke regarding state housing bills and density.
Bob Ayers spoke regarding conduct of a city representative.
Sheila Cameron spoke regarding traffic safety.
Elena Thompson spoke regarding various topics.
Ellen Burr spoke regarding various topics.
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6. REPORT FROM CLOSED SESSION
City Attorney Thind reported that the City Council held a Closed Session at approximately 3:30 p.m. to hear four items listed on the Closed Session Agenda, and there were no reportable actions.
7. CHANGES TO THE AGENDA
There were no changes to the posted agenda.
8. CONSENT CALENDAR
Interim City Clerk Weichers announced item 8C was pulled by members of the public.
COUNCIL ACTION:
O’Hara moved, San Antonio seconded to close and adopt the Consent Calendar 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: Interim City Clerk Wiechers
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. Review and approve the execution of Memorandums of Understanding for Master Crime Insurance Program, Cyber Liability Program, Optional Excess Liability Program and Pollution Liability Insurance Program between the City and Public Risk Innovation, Solutions, and Management (PRISM).
Contact Person: Administrative Services Manager Chapman 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 Docusign Envelope ID: 63738043-C1EF-8865-8129-15236C1351B5
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Recommended Action: Authorize the City Manager to execute the Memorandums of Understanding for Master Crime Insurance Program, Cyber Liability Program, Optional Excess Liability Program and Pollution Liability Insurance Program between the City and Public Risk Innovation, Solutions, and Management (PRISM).
8E. Extend use of temporary lights at Leo Mullen Sports Park for Encinitas Express. Contact Person: Recreation Supervisor II Anderson 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: Approve and authorize the City Manager, in consultation with the City Attorney, to execute Amendment No. 11, extending the compliance agreement for one additional year between the City of Encinitas and Encinitas Express for use of temporary lights at Leo Mullen Sports Park, in substantial form.
9. ITEMS REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT CALENDAR
8C. Adoption of the Native Plant Ordinance, City Council Ordinance No. 2026-
07. Contact Person: Senior Planner Cadona
Environmental Considerations: The action being considered by the City Council is exempt from environmental review in accordance with California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines Section 15307 (Class 7), Actions by Regulatory Agencies for Protection of Natural Resources; Section 15308 (Class 8), Actions by Regulatory Agencies for Protection of the Environment and Section 15300.2, Exceptions. Section 15307 provides a categorical exemption for actions taken by regulatory agencies, as authorized by State law or local ordinance, to assure the maintenance, restoration, or enhancement of a natural resource where the regulatory process involves procedures for protection of the environment. Section 15308 provides a categorical exemption for actions taken by regulatory agencies, as authorized by State or local ordinance, to assure the maintenance, restoration, enhancement, or protection of the environment where the regulatory process involves procedures for protection of the Docusign Envelope ID: 63738043-C1EF-8865-8129-15236C1351B5
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Recommended Action: Adopt City Council Ordinance No. 2026-07 titled “An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Encinitas, California, Adding Chapter 23.27 (Plants and Trees) to Title 23 (Building and Construction) of the Encinitas Municipal Code.”
Senior Planner Cadona presented the staff report and responded to questions from the Council.
SPEAKERS:
Camille Perkins, Ellen Burr, Brad Lefkowits, and George Bredehoft spoke regarding this item.
Dana Pearce and Helen Bourne registered support for the recommended action, but chose not to speak.
COUNCIL ACTION:
Lyndes moved, Ehlers seconded to: 1) Adopt City Council Ordinance No. 2026-07 titled “An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Encinitas, California, Adding Chapter 23.27 (Plants and Trees) to Title 23 (Building and Construction) of the Encinitas Municipal Code” and 2) directed the Development Services Director to develop an internal memo based on interpretations of the Ordinance dealing with single family residences. 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. Continued public hearing from March 11, 2026 to consider and approve Resolution No. 2026-24 approving the FY 2026-27 Annual Action Plan (AAP) for the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program.
Contact Person: Management Analyst Schubert
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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04/15/2026 Regular Meeting Page 5 Mtg. #2026-____, Bk#41, Page __ Recommended Action: 1) Adopt Resolution No. 2026-24, titled “A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Encinitas, California, Approving the Community Development Block Grant Fiscal Year (FY) 2026-27 Annual Action Plan, and Authorizing Submission of the FY 2026-27 Annual Action Plan and Applicable Certifications to the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)”; 2) Authorize the City Manager, or designee, to transmit the approved FY 2026-27 Annual Action Plan and execute all required certifications to HUD; and 3) Authorize the City Manager, or designee, to be the designated official representative of the City as a CDBG grantee and execute all necessary funding agreements and documents consistent with the FY 2026-27 Annual Action Plan.
Mayor Ehlers announced that this is a continued public hearing from March 11, 2026.
Management Analyst Schubert presented the staff report and responded to questions from the Council.
SPEAKERS:
Molly Hintlian, Sheila Cameron, Amalea Romero, Elena Thompson, and Fabian Gonell spoke regarding this item.
Mayor Ehlers closed the public hearing at 8:28 p.m.
COUNCIL ACTION:
Ehlers moved, Lyndes seconded to 1) Adopt Resolution No. 2026-24, titled “A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Encinitas, California, Approving the Community Development Block Grant Fiscal Year (FY) 2026-27 Annual Action Plan, and Authorizing Submission of the FY 2026-27 Annual Action Plan and Applicable Certifications to the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)”; 2) Authorize the City Manager, or designee, to transmit the approved FY 2026-27 Annual Action Plan and execute all required certifications to HUD; and 3) Authorize the City Manager, or designee, to be the designated official representative of the City as a CDBG grantee and execute all necessary funding agreements and documents consistent with the FY 2026-27 Annual Action Plan. Motion Carried. Ayes: Ehlers, Lyndes, O’Hara, San Antonio, and Shaffer. Nays: None. Absent:
None. Abstain: None.
Deputy Mayor O’Hara recused himself from item 10B due to a conflict of interest and left Council Chambers at 9:11 p.m.
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04/15/2026 Regular Meeting Page 6 Mtg. #2026-____, Bk#41, Page __ 10B. Community Grant Program North County Health Project Inc dba True Care Application Request for FY 2026-27. Contact Person: Management Analyst Lewis
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: Review and approve the recommended funding allocation and make any desired additional allocations to the grant applicant, North County Health Project Inc dba True Care.
Management Analyst Lewis and Director of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Arts Knopp presented the staff report.
COUNCIL ACTION:
Lyndes moved, San Antonio seconded to approve the recommended funding allocation and additional allocations to the grant applicant, North County Health Project Inc dba True Care as delineated in Attachment 1 of these minutes. Motion Carried. Ayes: Ehlers, Lyndes, San Antonio, and Shaffer. Nays: None. Absent: O’Hara. Abstain:
None.
Deputy Mayor O’Hara returned to Council Chambers at 9:17 p.m. 10C. Community Grant Program Application Requests for FY 2026-27. Contact Person: Management Analyst Lewis
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: Review and approve the recommended funding allocations and make any desired additional allocations to the grant applicants.
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04/15/2026 Regular Meeting Page 7 Mtg. #2026-____, Bk#41, Page __ Management Analyst Lewis and Director of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Arts Knopp presented the staff report.
SPEAKERS:
James Filanc, James Austin, Jessica Toth, Erin Mott, Charles Hsu, Mark Mayer, Kathy O’Leary, Elizabeth Christensen, Jess Robledo, Gabriela Levy, Joelle Sotckdale, Antonio Jacobs, Teri-Ann Skelly, Naimeh Woodward, Hillel Katzel, and Tracey Herriot spoke regarding this item.
Mark Christensen registered support for “Striving to Serve Others,” but chose not to speak.
COUNCIL ACTION:
Shaffer moved, San Antonio seconded to continue the meeting past 11:00 p.m.
Motion Carried. Ayes: Ehlers, Lyndes, O’Hara, San Antonio, and Shaffer. Nays:
None. Absent: None. Abstain: None.
COUNCIL ACTION:
Shaffer moved, San Antonio seconded to approve the recommended funding allocations and additional allocations to the grant applicants as delineated in Attachment 2 of these minutes. Motion Carried. Ayes:
Ehlers, Lyndes, O’Hara, San Antonio, and Shaffer. Nays: None.
Absent: None. Abstain: None.
10D. Senate Bill 707 (SB 707) compliance. Contact Persons: Information Technology Director Contreras and 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) Approve the Meeting Disruption Policy (Policy Number G007), and 2) Approve public instructions for hybrid meeting participation.
Information Technology Director Contreras, Information Technology Analyst Parhar, and Interim City Clerk Weichers presented the staff report and responded to questions from the Council.
SPEAKERS:
Scott Campbell spoke regarding this item.
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04/15/2026 Regular Meeting Page 8 Mtg. #2026-____, Bk#41, Page __ COUNCIL ACTION:
Shaffer moved, O’Hara seconded to 1) Approve the Meeting Disruption Policy (Policy Number G007); 2) Approve public instructions for hybrid meeting participation with edits suggested by the Mayor and City Council including taking in-person testimony before telephonic; telephonic speakers only; if translation services are requested double the speaker time will be permitted; include a screen timer and a countdown timer with beeps at 30 seconds and 10 seconds remaining; cut off the microphone at the end of the third beep for speakers and 3) Direct staff to return with an update to City Council Policy C003 to explore the exclusion of time donations. 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 Agenda items.
13. CITY COUNCIL MEMBER REPORTS PURSUANT TO AB1234 (GC 53232.3(d)) / POSSIBLE DIRECTION TO STAFF
Council Member Lyndes reported she attended the Encina Wastewater Authority Board Policy Finance Committee Meeting and the SANDAG Board Meeting.
Mayor Ehlers reported he attended the SANDAG Board Meeting and the Encina Wastewater Authority Board Policy Finance Committee Meeting where he was named Chair.
14. CITY MANAGER REPORTS
City Manager Campbell provided an update on the upcoming 15th Annual Arbor Day Event, which will celebrate the City’s Tree City USA designation; the event is scheduled for April 18, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at Hawk View Park.
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 11:12 p.m.
______________________________ __________________________ Pete Weichers, City Clerk Bruce Ehlers, Mayor
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