Districting, Beacon’s Beach, Mobility, EV fast-charging station and more!
August 9 & 16, 2017 Encinitas City Council Updates
Dear Friend,

The recent Charlottesville tragedy is another reminder of the need to protect the fundamental values that unite us as Americans: Inclusion, opportunity, religious freedom, equality, and justice. Anti-semitism, racism, xenophobia and violence are un-American at their core.

The massive number of people across our country, including here in Encinitas, who came together in the spirit of love, inclusion and solidarity for the victims of this tragedy shined the brightest in this dark moment. I applaud all of those who gathered peacefully at Cottonwood Creek Park on Sunday to show support for love winning over hate.

As we resume from summer recess and take up what is set to be challenging times ahead with our housing element, districting, mobility projects and staffing issues, let us remember that we each have a choice every day to chose kindness over cruelty, leadership over cowardice and community over division.  

United with you,

The week at a glance. August 9, 2017.
  • Approved unanimously a number of recommendations to improve the Santa Fe Drive South Sidewalk project to make the segment from San Dieguito Academy to Gardena Road safer for cars, bikes and pedestrians.
  • Approved unanimously Corridor Power for the Electric Vehicle Fast Charging Station  and created a subcommittee of Mayor Blakespear and Council Member Boerner Horvath to ensure the community benefits are properly included in the licensing agreement.
  • Approved unanimously $210,000 for completion of the sidewalk network and ADA compliant pedestrian ramps on the north side of B Street (Encinitas Blvd) from Highway 101 to Moonlight Beach in FY 2017-2018.
  • Approved unanimously over $3.3 million for Pavement Rehabilitation and Overlay Project for 2017-2018, including re-striping reviewed by a mobility expert.
  • Approved unanimously the appointment of Christina Simokat to the Traffic and Public Safety Commission and Christian Adams and Inge Bisconer to the Environmental Commission.
  • Approved unanimously on consent the second reading the Deemed Approved Ordinance to better regulate nuisances from alcohol-serving establishments.
  • Approved unanimously a number of administrative items, including purchasing replacement playground equipment for Encinitas Viewpoint Park and Mildred Macpherson Park; appointing Council Member Boerner Horvath as the voting delegate for the League of California Cities annual conference; awarding a construction contract for the Citywide Sewer Rehabilitation Project; revising the Commissioner attendance policy; modifying coffee cart agreement at the Encinitas Library; approved legislative position letters; allocated additional budget for design review of mobility projects; and added a fourth issue of the the Recreation Guide.

The week at a glance. August 16, 2017.

  • Reported out of closed session direction to staff to start the public hearing process for moving to district elections.
  • Achieved consensus on moving forward on Beacon’s Beach and asked staff to come back with a concrete plan to get through permitting on a solution that would be amenable to the California Coastal Commission, including looking at various parking considerations.
  • Approved unanimously a number of administrative items, including accepting a notice of completion for improvements to Highway 101 between F and G Street and accepting a grant for Fire and Marine Safety swift water team radios and dry suit.

August 9 & 16, 2017.

I have moved to a new newsletter format with a short summary of the topic and a link to the full blog entry on my website. Enjoy!

DISTRICTING
Encinitas received a letter from Shenkman & Hughes that challenged our at-large (whole city) election of City Council Members and asked us to move to district elections (only part of the city) to better accommodate "communities of interest" -- in Shenkman's view, latino voters. To date no city has been able to win a California Voters Rights Act case in court. If we voluntarily move to districting, we have a 90-day grace period -- early December -- to finalize all maps and timing for elections in 2018. The process requires at least two public hearings before maps and timelines are created and at least two public hearings afterwards. So with this tight timeline, on Wednesday we reported from closed session that we directed staff to move forward with public hearings for the districting process.
Read more…

A BETTER PLAN FOR BEACON’S BEACH ACCESS
Beacon's Beach's active landslide area has been a difficult issue to solve since 2002. Given the safety, beach access and liability issues at this beach, the Council had consensus on Wednesday for to come back with a better plan for Beacon's Beach access that could be approved by the California Coastal Commission. 
Read more…

SANTA FE DRIVE SOUTH SIDEWALK PROJECT
In order to improve the safety and mobility for all road users on Santa Fe Drive from Gardena Road to San Dieguito Academy, the Council directed staff to implement several changes recommended by national mobility expert Dan Burden, including realigning the travel lanes, adding some sort of bike lane buffer, improve the pedestrian experience at intersections and look into the feasibility of a crossing median at Gardena Road on Santa Fe Drive. 
Read more…

EV FAST CHARGING COMING TO CITY HALL
Corridor Power, a non-profit, received a grant and final approval by the Planning Commission and City Council to operate an electric vehicle (EV) fast-charging station out of the City Hall lower lot. A subcommittee of Mayor Blakespear and myself will work out the details of the licensing agreement, which will include free charging to Encinitas residents, City vehicles and City Staff; Encinitas branding and tourism information; an onsite valet to maximize parking and charging; and solar power panels and battery storage and more.
Read more…

PEDESTRIAN CONNECTIVITY NEAR MOONLIGHT BEACH
The north side of B Street will be safer and more accessible. The Council voted to extend the sidewalk improvements planned for a short section near Highway 101 all the way to Moonlight Beach, adding much needed safety, connectivity and ADA accessibility. This is a huge win for visitors, locals and businesses alike!
Read more…

PAVEMENT REHABILITATION AND OVERLAY PROJECT
Our roads will receive over $3.3 million in overlaps to improve the poorest of our streets, including striping that will increase mobility for all road users.
Read more…

UNSCHEDULED COMMISSION APPOINTMENTS
We appointed Christina Simokat as the New Encinitas representative on the Traffic and Public Safety Commission; Christian Adams and Inge Bisconer to the Environmental Commission. Thank you Maryam Babaki and Leah Bissonette for your valued service!
Read more…

TURMOIL AT SANDAG
SANDAG -- the San Diego Association of Governments -- is in trouble and it looks like there is light at the end of the tunnel. The SANDAG Executive Director resigned and state legislation is looking to add transparency and accountability, though some details are still being worked out. And SANDAG will still need to regain public trust if it wants to see voter-approved sales tax increases for future transportation and transit in our county.
Read more…

Committee Meetings.

CULTURAL TOURISM: We met twice this summer and are working on a master event calendar for next year. Stay tuned!

SAN ELIJO JPA: We received an update on the coordinated building program and the bike path that will connect the San Elijo Lagoon Conservancy with Birmingham Drive. This will be a huge mobility improvement and I am impressed at the collaboration that SEJPA has demonstrated to make sure this is on track and happening! We also approved an amended contract for design of the extension of the recycled water project through Encinitas Ranch.

SANDAG BORDERS COMMITTEE: We received an update on the San Ysidro Land Port of Entry (SYLPOE) update, which will lead to better transportation and connectivity between Mexico and San Diego County. The southbound segment of this project will kick off next month with a complete closure of the border crossing for cars, followed by a lane reduction to allow usage and traffic at the same time. All agencies are recommending adding extra time to cross south-bound into Mexico and to “play local” on the weekend of September 23-25, 2017.

LEAGUE OF CITIES COASTAL CITIES ISSUES GROUP: I attended a webinar with the League of California Cities Coastal Cities Issues Group on the new Coastal Commission’s Sea Level Rise Residential Adaptation Policy Guidance. Coastal Commission staff will be holding another webinar on this on August 29th at 1 PM. 

SCHOOL DISTRICT LIAISON COMMITTEE: Our August meeting focused on how school districts can partner with the city to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. I was impressed with all the activity already underway at our schools and am encouraged that with continued focus on sustainability we can achieve great outcomes together.

UPCOMING MEETINGS:

  • Cultural Tourism: 9/7, 9-10:30 AM, City Hall
  • SANDAG Shoreline Preservation Working Group: 9/7: 11:30 AM - 1 PM
  • San Elijo JPA: 9/11, 9-11 AM, Cardiff
  • SANDAG Borders Committee: 9/22, 12:30-2:30 PM, San Diego

Events.

Listening to the many voices that make our community the unique place we call home is probably one the most enjoyable parts of being a member of the City Council. We have a lot going on!

7/4: Fourth of July

Our little neighborhood of Seaside Gardens celebrates the birth of our nation every year with our La Mesa bike parade. 
Photos courtesy of Mike Moore Photography.

7/22: VW Cook 50 Year Anniversary Celebration
It was great to attend the Herman Cook Volkswagen 50th Year Anniversary Party in New Encinitas with amazing old VWs, delicious food, bouncy house and good people. From left to right: myself, Connor Cook, my husband, Istvan Boerner Horvath, Council Member Joe Mosca.

8/3: League of California Cities Summer Reception

Quarterly elected officials advocating for local control of policy come together to discuss policies. In August we took advantage of the state legislators' summer recess and heard reports from their offices. From left to right: Mayor Catherine Blakespear, La Mesa Council Member Bill Baber, La Mesa Council Member Colin Parent, and myself. 


8/4: Boys and Girls Club of San Dieguito Youth of the Year Award
So honored to be part of the selection committee for the Boys & Girls Clubs of San Dieguito Youth of the Year Award. We interviewed each of these amazing nominees and were impressed with their determination, commitment, and perseverance. 

8/5: Japan Festival

It was an honor to welcome Japanese exchange students form our sister city Amakusa, Japan and celebrate Japanese culture at the Japan festival. I love the taiko drum performance! First three photos by McKenzie Images, courtesy of The Encinitas Advocate. Last photo by Nicholas Buck.


Shout Out!
Congratulations to the Encinitas Little League for making it to the Junior World Series! 

Please feel free to support our Encinitas Little League team to off-set costs of going to the to the Junior World Series!


Other News.

Go Merrick Hanna! Encinitas boy advances to ‘America’s Got Talent’ live shows

Go Mary Loedel! Leucadia girl wins world championship in jump roping 

Please help! Suspect wanted in Encinitas hit-and-run on Highway 101 near Basil Street, where a 32-year old woman was seriously injured when hit by a car while riding her bike. Anyone who witnessed or has further information about this incident is urged to call Crime Stoppers at 888-580-8477. Here is the Encinitas Advocate, the Coast News and the San Diego Union Tribune article about the hit-and-run.

Recommended Links.

  • Mayor Catherine Blakespear's Newsletter: If you don’t subscribe already, I’d like to encourage you to subscribe to Mayor Blakespear’s email newsletter. Her journalist prowess, strong leadership and sound judgement shines through and offers her perspective on our city.
  • Council Member Joe Mosca's Newsletter: Getting different perspectives on our city from various sources is important. I appreciate Council Member Mosca's succinct summaries and thoughtful overarching commentary. You can subscribe here.
  • SeeClickFix: This is a smart phone app by the City of Encinitas that let's you easily report issues -- from potholes to graffiti. It's free and easy to use and I'd encourage everyone to install it on your phone.
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