CITY COUNCIL
Regular City Council Meeting 6:00 p.m.
Agenda
Wednesday, October 14, 2026
Encinitas City Council Chambers
505 South Vulcan Avenue
Encinitas, California 92024
EncinitasCA.gov
The Encinitas City Council welcomes you and encourages your continued interest and involvement in the City's decision-making process.
Members of City Council
Bruce Ehlers
Mayor
Luke Shaffer
Council Member
District 1
Jim O’Hara
Deputy Mayor
District 2
Joy Lyndes
Council Member
District 3
Marco San Antonio
Council Member
District 4
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act/Section 504 Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and Title VI, this agency is an equal opportunity public entity and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ethnic origin, national origin, sex, religion, veteran status or physical or mental disability in employment or the provision of service. If you require special assistance to participate in this meeting, please contact the City Clerk at 760-633-2601 at least 72 hours prior to the meeting.
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Channel 19 on Cox Communications, Channel 24 on Spectrum Cable and Channel 99 on AT&T U-Verse (Program Name: City of Encinitas Broadcasts).
The Council meetings are also broadcasted live and archived for viewing via the City website at https://encinitasca.gov/Government/Agendas-Webcasts
.
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HOW TO PARTICIPATE:
WRITTEN COMMENTS:
To submit written comments, e-mail
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and include the related agenda item in the subject line. Email comments will be provided to the City Council and included in the meeting record. Any writings or documents submitted to a majority of the City Council regarding an agenda item, received after the agenda is posted and before the meeting, will also be included as part of the official record.
IN-PERSON COMMENTS:
Speaker Requests will be accepted no earlier than 30 minutes before the start of the meeting.
Please be aware that the Mayor has the authority to reduce equally each speaker’s time to accommodate a larger number of speakers. Speakers are allotted three (3) minutes to address the City Council on any one item. All requests to speak must be submitted before the City Council begins to discuss the item.
VIRTUAL COMMENTS:
Registration will open within 24 hours of the meeting
Before the meeting starts register to speak at
publiccomment.encinitasca.gov
for items you wish to address.
At the time of the meeting Call: Conference line number +17603345039 and enter Meeting Code 1186 when prompted.
1. CALL TO ORDER
2. ROLL CALL
3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
4. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS
4A.
Presentation of Proclamations for Red Ribbon Week
4B.
Presentation of Proclamation for Dia de las Encinitas Celebrating Native Plants
5. CITY MANAGER REPORTS
6. CITY ATTORNEY REPORTS
7. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS / POSSIBLE DIRECTION TO STAFF
(30 MINUTES)
Each speaker is allowed three (3) minutes to address the City Council. All Oral Communications speaker requests must be received by the Clerk by the start of oral communications. Up to 30 minutes are available for comments on items not on the agenda. Remarks must be addressed to the City Council as a whole. State law prohibits Council action on non-agenda items. As appropriate, items may be referred to the City Manager for follow-up or placement on a future agenda. Please be aware that the Mayor has the authority to reduce equally speaker time to accommodate a larger number of speakers. 2026-10-14 Item 07 Oral Communications Public Comment received
8. REPORT FROM CLOSED SESSION (IF HELD)
9. CHANGES TO THE AGENDA
Announcements of administrative changes to the agenda, in compliance with the Brown Act.
10. CONSENT CALENDAR
The recommendations on the following Consent Calendar will be enacted in one motion unless an item is removed from the Calendar. Any member of the public may remove an item by submitting a speaker request to the City Clerk. Each speaker is allowed three (3) minutes to address the City Council. Please be aware that the Mayor has the authority to reduce equally each speaker's time to accommodate a large number of speakers. Items removed from the Consent Calendar by a Council Member or the public will be considered immediately following the Consent Calendar. 10A.
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 Weichers Recommended Action:
Approve.
10B.
Approval of the Minutes of the September 9, 2026, Regular Meeting; September 16, 2026, Special Closed Session Meeting; September 16, 2026, Regular Meeting; September 23, 2026, Special Meeting; and September 23, 2026, Regular Meeting. Contact Person: City Clerk Weichers Recommended Action:
Approve the Minutes.
2026-10-14 Item 10B Minutes
10C.
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. 2026-10-14 Item 10C Approval of Warrants List
10D.
Public hearing to adopt previously approved City Council amendments to update the City’s short-term rental provisions within Chapter 9.38 (Regulating Short-Term Rentals) of Title 9 (Public Safety, Peace and Welfare); and new amendments to Chapter 3.12 (Transient Occupancy Tax) of Title 3 (Taxes) of the Encinitas Municipal Code to update the City’s short-term rental provisions, including new provisions to implement Senate Bill 346 which strengthens the City’s Code Enforcement and Transient Occupant Tax Collection. Environmental Considerations: The action being considered by the City Council is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) 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 a direct or indirect physical change in the environment. Therefore, the proposed project is not subject to further CEQA review. Contact Persons: Associate Planner Brenner and Planning Manager Anders Recommended Action:
Adopt City Council Ordinance No. 2026-15 titled "An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Encinitas adopting amendments to Chapter 9.38 (Regulating Short-Term Rentals) of Title 9 (Public Safety, Peace, and Welfare) and amendments to Chapter 3.12 (Transient Occupancy Tax) of Title 3 (Taxes) of the Encinitas Municipal Code". 2026-10-14 Item 10D Adoption Ord. 2026-15 Short-Term Rental Facilitator Act 10E.
Adopt amendments to Chapter 6.40 (Operations Permit: Massage Business) and Chapter 6.41 (Operations Permit: Massage Technician) of Title 6 (Operations Permits) of the Encinitas Municipal Code. Environmental Considerations: The action being considered by the City Council is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) 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 a direct or indirect physical change in the environment. Therefore, the proposed project is not subject to further CEQA review. Contact Person: Senior Planner Cadona Recommended Action:
Adopt City Council Ordinance No. 2026-20 titled "An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Encinitas, California, amending Chapter 6.40 (Operations Permit: Massage Business) and Chapter 6.41 (Operations Permit: Massage Technician) of Title 6 (Operations Permits) of the Encinitas Municipal Code". 2026-10-14 Item 10E Adoption Ord. 2026-20 Massage Businesses and Technicians 10F.
Emergency Determination and Repair for Hymettus Ave Stormwater Sump (Project CX27B), and Amendment to Agreement with Burtech Pipeline, Inc.. Environmental Considerations: Regarding Recommended Action 1: The action being considered by the City Council is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) because it is an Emergency Project as defined under Section 15269(b) of CEQA Guidelines. The action involves emergency repairs to publicly owned facilities necessary to maintain service essential to public health and safety. Regarding Recommended Actions 2 and 3: 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. Contact Person: Senior Management Analyst Elmore Recommended Action:
1) Receive and file Emergency Determination 91826; 2) Adopt Resolution 2026-91 titled, "A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Encinitas, California, Amending the Fiscal Year 2026-27 Budget" ; and 3) Authorize City Manager, in consultation with City Attorney, to execute the As-Needed and Emergency Sewer and Storm Drain Infrastructure Repair Amendment #7 in substantial form, between the City of Encinitas and Burtech Pipeline Incorporated, increasing the not-to-exceed amount of the agreement by $170,215, for a new total not-to-exceed contract amount of $473,186. 2026-10-14 Item 10F Emergency Determination 91826 Hymettus Ave Sump Repair 10G.
Citywide Landscape Maintenance Services Agreement Amendment No. 2 to add Additional Services and Extend the Term of the Agreement. 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. Contact Person: Park Operations Manager Norgard Recommended Action:
Authorize the City Manager to execute Amendment No. 2 with Excel Landscape, Inc. for Citywide Landscape Maintenance Services, in conjunction with the City Attorney in substantial form to extend the term of the agreement to November 30, 2028, and a revised not to exceed total of $15,124,741 for the six-year contract term. 2026-10-14 Item 10G Excel Landscape Inc Amendment 2
10H.
Amend the Fiscal Year 2026-27 Operating Budget and Authorize Payment of an Emergency Special Assessment for Pacific Pines Affordable Housing Increased Insurance Premiums. 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. Contact Person: Management Analyst Holcombe Recommended Action:
Adopt City Council Resolution Number 2026-79, titled "A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Encinitas, California, Amending the Fiscal Year 2026-27 Budget" for Pacific Pines Affordable Housing Emergency Special Assessment. 2026-10-14 Item 10H Pacific Pines Budget Amendment
10I.
Adoption of Ordinance 2026-21 proposing Municipal Code amendments to modify the appeal provisions of the adopted 2025 California Building Standards Code. 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. Contact Person: City Attorney Thind Recommended Action:
Adopt City Council Ordinance No. 2026-21, titled "An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Encinitas, California, Adopting Amendments to Section 23.12.030 of the Encinitas Municipal Code Pertaining to the Board of Appeals Under the California Building Code." 2026-10-14 Item 10I Adoption Ordinance EMC Amend Building Advisory Board Code 10J.
Amendment No. 2 to San Diego Rescue Mission (SDRM) for Professional Consultant Services Agreement (PSA). 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 direct or indirect physical change in the environment. Contact Persons: Homeless Program Coordinator Pugh and Department Manager Anders Recommended Action:
1) Authorize the City Manager, in coordination with the City Attorney, to execute Amendment No. 2 to the existing Agreement with SDRM, in substantial form, to increase the not-to-exceed amount of $368,981 by $733,080 for a total not-to-exceed amount of $1,102,061 (Contract# 26300169); and 2) Adopt City Council Resolution Number 2026-75, titled, "A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Encinitas, California, Amending the Fiscal Year 2026-27 Budget", for Amendment No. 2 to the San Diego Rescue Mission Agreement. 2026-10-14 Item 10J SDRM Amendment No. 2
10K.
Designation of Stop Control at four (4) Intersections in the City. Environmental Considerations: The proposed action is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Section 15301 (c) of the CEQA Guidelines. This section exempts projects characterized as minor alterations to public facilities, involving negligible or no expansion of the existing use. Contact Person: City Traffic Engineer Bandegan Recommended Action:
1) Adopt City Council Resolution No. 2026-80 titled, "A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Encinitas, California, Establishing All-Way Stop Control at the Intersection of Village Park Way and Gatepost Road"; and 2) Adopt City Council Resolution No. 2026-81 titled, "A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Encinitas, California, Establishing All-Way Stop Control at the Intersection of Lone Jack Road and Fortuna Ranch Road"; and 3) Adopt City Council Resolution No. 2026-82 titled, "A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Encinitas, California, Establishing All-Way Stop Control at the Intersection of A Street and 2nd Street"; and 4)Adopt City Council Resolution No. 2026-83 titled, "A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Encinitas, California, Establishing Minor-Road Stop Control at the Intersection of A Street and 5th Street." 2026-10-14 Item 10K All Way Stop Control
11. ITEMS REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT CALENDAR
Staff reports will be given only if requested by the person who pulled the item.
12. ACTION ITEMS To speak on action items, please submit a speaker request to the City Clerk. Each speaker is allowed three (3) minutes to address the City Council. Please be aware that the Mayor has the authority to reduce equally each speaker’s time to accommodate a larger number of speakers. 12A.
Introduction of Ordinance 2026-11 amending City of Encinitas Municipal Code, Chapter 23.36 and Chapter 23.08 to establish local traffic study requirements and authorize related transportation improvements, mitigation measures, and fair-share contributions for development projects and adoption of Resolution No. 2026-45 adopting the City of Encinitas Traffic Impact Analysis (TIA) Guidelines. 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. Contact Person: City Traffic Engineer Bandegan Recommended Action:
1) Conduct a public hearing regarding proposed amendments to Chapter 23.36, Right-of-Way Standards, Street Improvement Standards, and Building Line Requirements, and Chapter 23.08 Design Review, of the Encinitas Municipal Code; and 2) Introduce Ordinance No. 2026-11, titled "An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Encinitas, California, Amending Chapter 23.36 of the Encinitas Municipal Code Right-of-Way Standards, Street Improvement Standards, and Building Line Requirements, and Chapter 23.08 Design Review, to Establish Local Traffic Study Requirements, Development Project Review Procedures, and Authority for Related Transportation Improvements and Fair-Share Contributions"; and 3) Adopt Resolution No. 2026-45, titled "A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Encinitas, California, Adopting the City of Encinitas Traffic Impact Analysis Guidelines." 2026-10-14 Item 12A Traffic Impact Analysis Gudelines
2026-10-14 Item 12A Traffic Impact Analysis Gudelines - Attachment 1 Ordinance 2026-11 Updated and Posted 10-07-2026 12B.
Discuss the Local Roadway Safety Plan (LRSP) and Draft Comprehensive Safety Action Plan (CSAP). 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. Contact Person: City Traffic Engineer Bandegan Recommended Action:
City Council to review and discuss the Local Roadway Safety Plan and Draft Comprehensive Safety Action Plan and provide possible direction to staff. 2026-10-14 Item 12B Review of LRSP and CSAP
12C.
Establishment of Cultural Loops. 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. Contact Person: Parks, Recreation and Cultural Arts Director Knopp Recommended Action:
1) Receive information about the creation of Cultural Loops; and 2) Direct staff to pursue a Memorandum of Understanding with the Encinitas Chamber of Commerce to complete Phase 1 of the Coastal Cultural Loop Program with the establishment of the first two Cultural Loops: (1) Surf and Skate and (2) Historic Downtown. 2026-10-14 Item 12C Encinitas Cultural Loops
12D.
Encinitas Community Park Additional Tree Coverage Along the Park and I-5 Boundary. 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 15304(b) which exempts new gardening or landscaping, including the replacement of existing conventional landscaping with water efficient or fire-resistant landscaping.
Recommended Action:
Receive staff’s feasibility analysis of planting trees in Encinitas Community Park to create a vegetative buffer and provide direction to staff. 2026-10-14 Item 12D ECP Tree Planting
13. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS To speak on informational items, please submit a speaker request to the City Clerk. Each speaker is allowed three (3) minutes to address the City Council. Please be aware that the Mayor has the authority to reduce equally each speaker’s time to accommodate a larger number of speakers.
14. COUNCIL MEMBER INITIATED AGENDA ITEM To speak on Council Initiated Items, please submit a speaker request to the City Clerk. Each speaker is allowed three (3) minutes to address the City Council. Please be aware that the Mayor has the authority to reduce equally each speaker’s time to accommodate a larger number of speakers. 14A.
Council initiated item from Mayor Bruce Ehlers regarding preservation of mobile home parks in Encinitas as a naturally occurring affordable housing solution.
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:
Recommended questions and associated actions for staff:
1. Can Encinitas enact a moratorium on mobile home space rent increases that would retroactively set rents at January 1, 2026, rates until a future permanent "rent fairness ordinance" could be adopted? What options do we have and what are their ramifications?
2. Is it possible to adopt the moratorium using an urgency ordinance?
3. Compile a list of all Mobile Home Parks in Encinitas. Provide details such as number of rented spaces, zoning, applicable specific plan policies, existing lease escalation terms (if any) and ownership parties of the underlying land. Some parks are in zones specific to Mobile Home Parks and others are in Rural Residential. The analysis should include a description of the various zones and the resulting protection or lack of protections for mobile home parks.
4. What are the requirements for notification and due process that the City must follow so that all parties are notified and given ample legal notice? Is there an approximate resulting timeline?
5. Provide a recommended approach (not formal ordinance language) for a rent fairness ordinance and provide evaluation of similar ordinances that have been implemented elsewhere in CA (such as in Fortuna, CA).
Staff would be directed to investigate these questions and any others that the Council desires answered. Staff would return at a future meeting, preferably urgently, to have Council consider an ordinance and other actions such as an ordinance and/or moratorium. 2026-10-14 Item 14A Council Initiated by Mayor Ehlers - Mobile Home Park Preservation Ordinance Proposal 2026-10-14 Item 14A Council Initiated item by Mayor Ehlers - Public Comment 14B.
Council initiated item from Deputy Mayor Jim O’Hara regarding discussing any action being taken by staff and action needed to address and take advantage of Governor Newsom’s statewide Emergency proclamation, and to additionally bring staff related sand replenishment actions and reports directly to the City Manager’s office to expedite decisions around sand replenishment and the Governor’s proclamation.
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:
Discuss, providing direction to staff to evaluate and develop a proactive sand replenishment and erosion mitigation plan, to align with Governor Newsom's Emergency Proclamation for a potentially record-breaking El Niño winter.
Discuss directing staff to address the following:
1. Report Current Beach Conditions
2. Explore Sand Replenishment Options
3. Implement Temporary Protective Measures
4. Coordinate with State & Regional Partners
5. Communicate the Developed Public Communication & Preparedness Plan
6. Funding Strategy
Report back by November 15, 2026, with findings and a recommended action plan 2026-10-14 Item 14B Council Initiated Item by Deputy Mayor O’Hara Sand Replenishment
15. CITY COUNCIL MEMBER REPORTS PURSUANT TO AB1234 (GC 53232.3(d)) / POSSIBLE DIRECTION TO STAFF
16. ADJOURNMENT - THE NEXT REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING WILL BE HELD ON OCTOBER 21, 2026