Wednesday, September 9, 2015

9/9/15 City Council meeting open thread

The current city council has continued prior councils' practice of not providing written summary minutes of council discussion, but only "action minutes" which state the outcomes. Encinitas Undercover will provide a forum for observers to record what occurs at each council meeting.

Please use the comments to record your observations.

27 comments:

  1. Gaspar as usual forgetting to act like a mayor and instead impersonating a game show host.

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    1. Yep, it's all about her showmanship, nothing else.

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  2. There was a report out of closed session that the council would settle for the sign ordinance lawsuit. Sabine will more than likely get paid to settle the suit that was caused by the poor policy that he was paid to write.

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    1. Typical.

      And what did they say about the BIA lawsuit and the ordinance they're required by the dubious settlement to pass this week?

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    2. They've postponed it two or three times.

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    3. It was Sabine's partner, Randall Morrision, who helped write the sign ordinance. Council had previously voted in closed session to defend the lawsuit, but decided this time to settle. Gaspar had to report this out twice because she botched it the first time, not clearly stating the decision taken. Sabine will get extra money to help settle.

      On the threat of litigation by David Meyer there was nothing to report. Gaspar reported no decision taken. Agenda Items 10D and !0E were continued to next week (Sept. 16). No lawsuit has been filed yet, so it's likely the two items will be push further into the future. However, the two continued agenda items are affected by the threatened lawsuit. This is what is causing the delay. Barbara Kautz, the hired counsel for the BIA lawsuit, was in attendance.

      Meyer has intimidated the council. Will they have the confidence to stand up to him? At least they didn't make any decision in closed session. There's still hope.

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    4. So our city attorney gets paid to make bad decisions, and paid again to try to fix them? What kind of game is this?

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    5. For the record, Meyer successfully sued the city a few years back over this very issue. The city settled the case and that's why the city began to round up net base density for density bonus projects. In listening to Meyer's comments it appears he was quite active at the state level working with affordable housing advocates to pass some of the more recent density bonus amendments. Council shouldn't take his threat lightly.

      I have no idea what was in the prior lawsuit settlement agreement other than to see the resulting policy change so I don't know if the council's recent direction to round down violates any of the agreement terms assuming there was a formal agreement and no time limits.

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    6. Meyer didn't successfully sue. The case never went to court. Success implies a win in court. The city settled with him because he had a majority on the council -- Stocks, Bond, and Dalager. We don't know the council vote in closed session because it was never revealed.

      When the Planning Commission denied approval of the Saxony/Quail Gardens property and asked Meyer to continue the agenda item for modification, he didn't hesitate to say NO and immediately appealed to the council. Of course, the council upheld his appeal. Meyer knew that. It had nothing to do with the merits of his appeal, only his influence on the council.

      The council is much different now, and the city has retained Barbara Kautz as counsel. She has publicly said that the city has a defensible position and a 50-50 chance in court. These same odds apply to Meyer. He should not take the threat of a loss lightly.

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    7. When you settle a suit that gives you what you want, whether or not a judge makes a ruling, I'd say that is successful. Yes, Meyer felt he had influence with the council but he still filed suit. That doesn't mean he would prevail now but I believe he will sue if council holds to rounding down. Saying this doesn't mean I agree with him.

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    8. Time to stop this nonsense of having a spoiled brat overdeveloper holding this town hostage.

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  3. At tonight's meeting when referring to a time past fall 2016, Shaffer said she won't be on council then.

    That coupled with her having repeatedly said she's a one-termer seems to indicate she's not running for reelection next year.

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    1. We'll see. Her need to perform social experiments may overcome her obvious distaste for the job.

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    2. when one has a position of power and a desire to remake society, one never gives up the position of power that allows then to remake society. she'll run.

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    3. She'll reconsider. She'll run.

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    4. We must have some Precogs (see Minority Report) on this blog. They previsualize what Shaffer is going to do so they can slam her now without waiting to see whether she will, in fact, do it. How's that for having your cake and eating it too?

      If nothing else, this blog can be entertaining.

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    5. And maybe that's all my post (as 10:51) was meant to be.
      Chill out with your analysis, 11:07. Relax. Breathe. Enjoy.

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    6. 11:48 AM

      I'm totally chill, even though it's hot out there, and breathing just fine. I enjoy your stating with certainty that "She'll reconsider. She'll run". Now there is entertainment.

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    7. Do NOT believe her!

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    8. What else does she have to do? I think she likes the power and publicity. Remember - she is an academic and smarter than the herd.

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  4. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

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    1. Electronic placard = eat at Joe's.

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  5. 10:20 AM
    For the record, Meyer/his attorney filed sue in 2009 on the tentative map on Quail Gardens. The council at that time agreed to give Meyer what he wanted which included not building infrastructure improvements. The parties asked the court to dismiss the case. Meyer cites an old amendment that has changed over the years.

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  6. Muir lives down the street from a Sobriety House. Ever notice how he votes on things that affect him directly? Selfish, selfish, selfish.

    He doesn't need the money, so I hope he doesn't run again. Give someone else a chance Muir. You have enough and you can't take it with you.

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    1. Muir is only there to rubber stamp the developers and large land holders' claims to the area.

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  7. We are scared as hell that Shaffer will reconsider. This will mean that former supporters would be drawn into the election again to work against her! Do us a favor and go away quietly, Lisa! We are counting the days that we have to be reminded of your betrayal of us!

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  8. "Corruption by the Sea". Encinitas is the laffing stock of SD County.

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