SANDAG pushes ahead with freeway toll plan

Coast News:

Gaspar, a Republican who represents District 3, pushed for the removal of the concept of congestion pricing from consideration within the 5 Big Moves. She added that any plan with that in it would serve as a “deal breaker” for garnering her support.

San Marcos Mayor Rebecca Jones concurred with Gaspar’s motion in the minutes before the vote ensued.

“Personally, I look at the price of what the congestion pricing would cost on our roads and I’m actually mortified that anyone would think for one second that it wouldn’t hurt our businesses, our low-income folks, and literally the goods, the services, how much everyone would be paying for this,” Jones said. “And I’m appalled that we would even discuss this.”

But SANDAG Executive Director Hasan Ikhrata advocated for leaving all options on the table during the early stages of the planning phase.

“By doing this, you’re taking an important tool — a very important tool — out of the toolbox, and you’re putting your stock in such an impossible situation to meet the (state’s greenhouse gas emissions) requirement,” Ikhrata said.

Gaspar’s motion proceeded to fail. The meeting ended not long after that vote took place, with Gaspar quickly exiting the room before any other SANDAG member.

7/17/19 City Council meeting open thread

Please use the comments to record your observations.

Drunken Tesla driver crashes in Cardiff, ignites building

10 News:

A driver was arrested on suspicion of DUI Wednesday morning after he crashed a Tesla into an electrical box in Cardiff, causing the vehicle to burst into flames.

Firefighters were called to the 100 block of Liverpool Drive at around 2 a.m. in response to the vehicle fire, 10News learned.

It took firefighters about 30 minutes to put out the blaze before flames spread to a nearby building.

The cause of the crash is under investigation, but law enforcement officers arrested the driver -- who escaped the fire without injury -- on suspicion of DUI after field sobriety tests were administered.

It looks like that's by the new Fish 101. Anybody down there see what building burned?

Encinitas Monopoly game

From the Inbox, taken at the Encinitas Ranch Walmart:

(click to enlarge)

I wonder what the rent is on the Pacific View square.

Council to reconsider e-mail destruction policy

VOSD:

Encinitas has one of the shortest records retention policies in San Diego County. It deletes emails deemed unimportant to the public at 30 days. But that could soon change.

Next month, the City Council will consider a new policy requiring staff to hang onto emails for the same length of time that it hangs onto other types of records: two years. Mayor Catherine Blakespear, who has already signaled her support for that effort, said it’s important “we do show people what we’re doing.”

Many municipalities argue that emails are a special kind of communication, but the courts, the Legislature and public are increasingly pushing back on the notion that emails aren’t subject to the same California Public Records act rules as other government documents.

A deposition filed recently in an Encinitas public records-related case gives a good sense why. It is a window into the subjective and arbitrary way that individual officials decide what is and isn’t a public record on a timetable convenient for no one but themselves.

City Attorney Glenn Sabine resigns?

There's no news reporting of it yet, but EU commenters say controversial city attorney Glenn Sabine has resigned.

Sabine had long been seen as an adversary by resident activists, and had a history of giving dubious legal advice to the council.

UPDATE: Union-Trib:

Glenn Sabine, La Mesa’s part-time city attorney since June 1997, has been offered a three-year, full-time deal from the city.

A subcommittee comprised of City Council members Kristine Alessio and Bill Baber, both attorneys, recommended Sabine be paid a base salary of $223,000 a year for three years with a monthly automotive allowance of $400. The City Council unanimously approved the contract.

“The agreement is consistent with the market for city attorneys in California,” Alessio said.

Sabine, 56, has been working part time as city attorney for the city of Encinitas since 1999, and his firm, Sabine & Morrison, has been general counsel to the San Dieguito Water Authority, as well.

His agreement with La Mesa specifies Sabine’s full-time status as 40 to 60 hours a week, starting Oct. 7. He told Encinitas officials of his plans to leave late last week.

Thanks Anon.

7/10/19 City Council meeting open thread

Please use the comments to record your observations.