Wednesday, April 20, 2016

4/20/16 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.

On tonight's agenda: the Housing Element Update and an appeal to sell alcohol at the Leucadia Shell station.

Please use the comments to record your observations.

24 comments:

  1. Garbage in. Garbage out.

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  2. GASpar - don't forget to BLINK, BLINK, BLINK.

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  3. Shaffer has to explain to Masih the difference between applicant and appellant.

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  4. "Green" developer slamming those complaining about the flooding he will exacerbate with his McMansion. He reminds us we live in a capitalist society. Must be what lured him here from Canada.

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    1. I like what he is doing... His houses are unique and low sustainable. Nice architecture. Plus he is developing to code.

      Much better than the scum bag Density Bonus stack and pack crowed.

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    2. Design not the point. Fix the flooding, then pour your cement.

      Of course staff said "no significant impact" on flooding as a result of this project. They have no other recommendations in their "toolkit." Or "bag of sticks," as planner Strong likes to say.

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    3. I thought they made a compelling case that the pervious pavers on crushed stone, and the 8ft deep vault would create hydrostatic pressure to force water underground at a faster pace than the natural terrain.

      Seems like a clever solution to me.

      Do you have some technical analysis that shows why it won't work?

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    4. Flood zones are endemic to Leucadia. Why isn't there a plan to install drainage paid for by an assessment on the development as part of the mandatory requirements for a subdivision? After all the developer is required to put in sewer pipes.

      Eventually the flooding problems will have to be solved, but the cost must be covered by those who benefit from it. Mostly the new developer but maybe supplemented a flood assessment district on the neighbors.

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    5. If these vaults work as advertised at increasing the rate water goes underground, could we force developers to offer to build one on the ajacent neighbors properties as well? Or at least force them to offer to pay for part of the cost.

      The neighbors can always say no, but offer to install a vault under the grass in the appelant's yard. City Engineering would dictate the size and location (e.g. Has to be at a natural collection point for water, not on a slope (the neighbor can't force the developer to pay for something that won't function, because it's in the wrong place).

      Over time, this would address the problem systemically, and the developers would pay for it.

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    6. In the final analysis, infrastructure is part of the cost to the homeowner, and part of the value of the home. Improvements installed by the developer are part of this cost and value.

      What irks me is that existing paved streets and sewer lines are used for free by the owners of the new homes while necessary improvements such as storm drains are left as a future cost. I want the developers to leave the neighborhood better than they found it but they are taking revenue as private profits while leaving the unabated mess as a public cost. I'm voting for Bernie.

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  5. 2:03 minutes into Marco's presentation for the Shell dude, he threatened to sue. May be a record for him.

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    1. ...and he didn't mind resorting to dissing Leucadia. Good thing he wasn't around when Redevelopment was being propagandicized in 2004.

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  6. Does Marco have a clue how he comes across? His arguments don't make any sense, certainly they don't make our community better.

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  7. It sure sounds like this council didn't read and/or understand the report provided by staff for the Shell gas station project. It amazes me how ill prepared they are based on the questions they ask. No wonder these hearings take so long.

    C'mon Council. Do your homework in the future so there is time to address the bigger issues this city has.

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    1. The report provided by staff was obtuse, as usual. That's how they keep their positions as "experts." Confusion's the name of their game. And confusing the Council and Commissioners is why votes take so long.

      Council and Commissioners are starting to catch on, though. Writing's on the wall, staff. Shape up or head for Brentwood.

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    2. couldn't happen soon enough. Especially in Engineering. Clueless.

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    3. Teresa promised to clean house, starting with engineering and the city attorney. What a failure she was.

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  8. Gaspar was in Rancho Santa Fe in a debate with Roberts and the Escondido Mayor. Dumanis gave Roberts an LGBT pass on any possible prosecution for his staffing problems, clearing the way for him to attempt to minimize that scandal. Gaspar probably did her rote fiscal responsibility speil and may have touched on Robert's staffing problems. It would be great to hear what went on - probably in the UT tomorrow. Gaspar is out of her league.

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    1. Gaspar's siding with the out of control Shell applicant sealed her fate with supporters (no longer). All she could eke out last night was "I see no legal issues with this project." A Tal brain.

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    2. "Real" brain. Damned autocorrect.

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    3. Gaspar did the expected and attacked Robert's ethical vulnerability. She has nothing else to offer, as she is clueless about a real agenda, other than serving her special interest backers. Hopefully this ill-timed attempt to jump to higher office ends her political career.

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    4. She is full of GAS and her tank will run out soon.

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  9. For this week's Council meeting, April 27, 2016:
    Council to vote on giving $100,000 of general fund tax money to begin a homeless program in Encinitas. The city will hire a housing navigator out of the $100,000 to do the work and find dwellings for the homeless. This is part of Gaspar's proposal of ending veteran's homeless estimated at 20 people in Encinitas. At least two nonprofits are involved - the Community Resource Center and another group in Escondido.
    Agenda item 10A.

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