Beach restrictions to end Tuesday

FINALLY ... well almost! Come Tuesday you can sit and relax on the beach. Why Tuesday? I have no idea. pic.twitter.com/RwUybRmoDe

— Kristin Gaspar (@KristinDGaspar) May 29, 2020

Downtown 101 gets diagonal crosswalks

Carlsbad has had these for a few years and they seem to work well.

Blakespear claims another victim

Just a day after yesterday's trip to the hospital.

Facebook:

My boyfriend was walking with a friend along the 101 this morning... Just came home and told me he saw an accident. A cyclist and a pedestrian with a surfboard in the "new bike lane". Cyclist ON the ground... ambulance arrives. He is a pedestrian and also bikes with me some... so he sees both sides of the problem. That's just it here... it is bad for ALL concerned.

It's so blatantly not working. Not sure what it is going to take.

Where are the other four council members on Blakespear's carnage? Will any of them speak out against this insanity before someone gets killed?

Yet another serious injury from Blakespear's bike obstacles

Facebook:

I am sharing because this morning my husband suffered a double fracture to his collarbone when he struck the ballustrades heading south on the 101 on his commute to work. His helmet was massively dented as he took an impact on the 4th ballustrade (flew though the air that far) and he has major road rash and a busted thumb and sprained wrist. We are grateful it wasnt worse.

That makes ten known crashes according to those keeping track... and here come the lawsuits.

Blakespear cuts off pedestrian access to bus stop

Pretty sure this isn't legal.

5/20/20 City Council meeting open thread

Video comments now allowed, but not live and must be submitted by 3pm, so still of dubious legality as there’s no opportunity for public interaction with council.

Please use the comments to record your observations.

Oggi's homeless camp to be cleaned up Friday

Facebook:

Blakespear continues to lock public out of participation in council meetings

Two weeks ago, a constitutional attorney opined that preventing the public from speaking at meetings by video or phone was illegal.

Since then, LA County stopped this practice and allowed public participation, following local governments around the country.

Nevertheless, she persisted.

Gaspar, Desmond push for reopening business

Coast News:

In a media interview last week, Gaspar said Newsom should give counties and cities the authority to determine how and when businesses reopen.

“Sacramento can’t possibly know what’s best for San Diego! Here we have talented clinical leadership, collaborative hospital partners, responsible business owners, engaged residents, and a strong faith-based community ready to guide San Diego out of the crisis if only Sacramento would get out of the way,” said Gaspar, a former Encinitas mayor who represents Encinitas, Escondido, Solana Beach, Del Mar and a northern chunk of the city of San Diego on the county’s Board of Supervisors.

Since the pandemic began on March 7, 430,000 people in San Diego County lost their jobs as of May 2, according to estimates compiled by Thousands Oaks-based research group Applied Geographic Solutions Inc.

During that period, the county’s unemployment rate increased from 3.3 percent to a projected 28.7 percent of the county’s labor force.

When the lockdown began, there were 34 cases of Covid-19 in Encinitas. Those cases have presumably all cleared, and in the past two months, six additional cases have been reported.

Environmental Commission to declare “climate emergency” tonight

Agenda:

The climate crisis is our greatest existential threat. Declaration of a Climate Emergency shows that the City of Encinitas recognizes the egregious dangers imposed by climate change, and that urgent action is required. Perhaps it may seem extreme and alarmist, but it not extreme to respect the overwhelming scientific consensus and to respond accordingly. And it is far more alarming to ignore facts and to take no action when imminent danger threatens.

Unless we act quickly and decisively, our civilization will be ravaged by climate chaos characterized by unprecedented droughts, hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, famines, fires, heat waves, and sea-level elevations. Adverse events such as these are already occurring.

UPDATE: Resolution doesn't pass as commissioners can't agree on wording, residents wonder what emergency powers council wants to seize.

Crista Curtis on Coronabullies

Union-Tribune commentary:

I was personally characterized as a selfish, shallow person, impatient to return to beach sunbathing, and angry about the inability to get my hair and nails done — nothing could be further from the truth. Some of these “virtue signalers” even contacted former employers and my church fellowship in an attempt to destroy my livelihood and reputation.

My closest friends own salons and are hairdressers, estheticians and personal fitness trainers, and they have been the most severely impacted and the focus of the news today. They and many of the local business owners I have talked with are afraid to speak out for fear of similar retaliation by people attempting to destroy their livelihood or governmental regulatory agencies punishing their businesses.

These people have families and bills, and can’t risk arrest. It’s distressing to think some may not have a place to go back to work. This should spur every American into action. Join a rally and demand the reopening of our state.

Everything you want to know about the red tide

Lots of science here, much of which will be new to most people.

Large homeless encampment developing behind Oggi's

Nextdoor.com:

This is one criminal encampment. I saw roughly 25 just in this one location. I numbered the stuff so I can describe what I saw, they would not let me film. VERY DANGEROUS. DO NOT ENTER!!! I parked and walked to #1. A fence end with a steep cliff. #2. Got to the bottom. I could see a giant tunnel and hear voices but couldn't see anybody. #3 Decided to start at one end, slipped and fell. Crap everywhere. #4 Bumped into 2 guys. Said I'm looking for my friend. #4 is GIANT TUNNEL that goes to Cottonwood Creek. #6 Walked over to a tent. Drug paraphernalia everywhere, needles, trash, shit. #7 After # 6 the guys at #4 said "THEY SHOULD WALK ME to #7. The brush is so thick and can't see through it and pull up on some guy like in the movie with Marlon Brando in Apocalypse Now. He has me sit in a chair, full set up. Pretty rad. Kinda gnarly long haired big dude. Another guy walks up to me, I just put my hand out and shaked it to not be suspicious. QUICK DRUG DEAL. Now all I can think about is my hand (I'm a germaphobe). #8 Guy has a yard fenced off. #9 "Don't Even Think About Going There #10. Hiking through thick bush another structure. #11. Another structure with fenced walls, talk to voices behind fence can't see anybody. Everybody hidden except #7, he had big yard with carpet. #12 Hike another sketchy hill, could be 25 to 35 feet deep in the ditch? Hike next to a fence and to end of fence. #13 is fence outside of compound and walk south along the exit ramp. #14 that dude you see with the beard who panhandles that corner. I think he's an "outside of the fencer crazy tweeker." ***** OH!!!! Gigantic Gray Rats EVERYWHERE!!! Kind of almost tame. HUNDREDS. Shit, trash, filth, you can EASILY murder someone there. Someone I spoke with said Sheriffs have them show their hands, ID, keep hands out in front of them.

Lots of LA and OC'er criminals. Stolen stuff EVERYWHERE. As I left I believe they grew suspicous. Guys on bikes were hovering at the top. Soon more bikes kinda encircling me. Get to van and more guys on bikes.

The reporter is one of the opponents of the Saxony homeless parking lot, and is prone to hyperbole. But others have seen a lot of people coming and going from the dense brush, and this area was reportedly where the subject of one of the recent helicopter searches was found.

Beach staircases open tomorrow

Encinitas Advocate:

Encinitas will expand the open areas of its beaches and allow people to use coastal access staircases starting Saturday, May 9, the City Council unanimously decided Wednesday, May 6.

One day earlier, on Friday morning, May 8, the city also will lift some restrictions on “active” recreation areas at city parks, permitting families to play basketball or tennis, but keeping the playgrounds, skatepark areas and pickleball courts closed due to concerns about spreading the coronavirus.

Science increasingly shows that outdoor transmission of covid-19 is rare.

Health experts say people are significantly less likely to get the coronavirus while outside, a fact that could add momentum to calls to reopen beaches and parks closed during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Being outside shouldn’t be seen as completely safe, health experts say. People should continue to avoid crowds and maintain six feet of distance from others to keep away from the virus.

But experts are increasingly confident in evidence showing that the coronavirus spreads much more readily indoors than outdoors, a finding that could help guide policymakers seeking to figure out ways to end lockdowns that have shuttered much of the nation’s economy.

5/6/20 City Council meeting open thread

The council still isn't allowing public participation other than written comments (LA County got busted and relented, but you know our mayor), but you can watch online.

Please use the comments to record your observations.

Blakespear bike obstacles' latest victim is 10-year-old boy

NextDoor:

FYI, be careful while riding your bikes (or jogging) on Hwy 101 between SoBe and Cardiff in the recently renovated bike lanes. The city just installed intermittent curbs along them...but they are already proving to be very hazardous. My 10 year old was riding just behind me heading south on the bridge that spans the inlet at Cardiff Reef when someone (apparently.) cut him off and he swerved to avoid crashing into a jogger and his fromt wheel hit the curb. I heard the crash and a terrified “Dad!!”, when I immediately turmed around to see my son, 20 feet behind me, laying in the middle of the driving lane 1 (closest to the bike lane). A civilian thankfully jumped into street to steer traffic away, and luckily there were no oncoming cars at that particular moment, otherwise this would likely be a much different post...which is what Im hoping to avoid for myself and others.

My son is doing fine save being scared to death, bumping his head and chipping his helmet) and skinning his knee. However, there were two different passerbys (as well as the attending state park trooper that provided first aid) that all unsolicitedly mentioned how poorly designed and dangerous the new curbs are. Again, these curbs are brand new and were being installed on the long open beach stretch heading south (after the Chart House) just two days ago when we were out on another ride.

Anyway, as the weather is nice and many of us are enjoying getting outside and staying active, let’s be extra vigilent and cautious in all of our activities, especially when it comes to crowded/condensed bike lanes that in my humble opinion, have a major design flaw in confested areas.

This is the fifth known victim of Blakespear's insane bike obstacles in two weeks, and the first not to end up in the hospital.

First Amendment Coalition attorney says Encinitas' restricting public access to meetings is illegal

During the coronavirus lockdown, the City Council has reportedly been meeting while allowing the public only prior submission of written comments, not the ability to speak and be questioned by the council on agenda items.

This, according to First Amendment Coalition executive director David Snyder, is illegal.

From the Inbox:

Thanks for your email. In responding to inquiries like yours, we can give general information regarding open government and speech issues but cannot provide specific legal advice or representation.

None of the governor's executive orders has waived the requirement that legislative bodies subject to the Brown Act must provide a means by which the public can "directly address the legislative body on any item of interest to the public." Gov. Code section 54954.3. This means addressing the body live and in person. Although "in person" is not possible now, legislative bodies still must provide a way, to the extent possible, for members of the public to address the body during the meeting. Allowing the submission of written comments only beforehand is not sufficient to meet the Brown Act's requirements.

David Snyder

It's technologically trivial to allow public speakers to Zoom or phone in. Why is the City Council locking the public out of participation in the public process?

Blakespear's bullheadedness sends yet another bicyclist to hospital

From the Inbox:

That's four that we know of in the first two weeks, for those keeping score at home. Attorneys for the victims can find the background in the Encinitas Undercover archives starting here.

Neighboring beaches to reopen Monday

City of Del Mar:

The City Council voted 5-0 on Friday to open Del Mar’s beaches at dawn on Monday for individual active exercise only and with numerous restrictions to ensure social distancing.

The public’s cooperation is required in order for the beach to remain open and individuals may be cited for violating the rules. Extraordinary circumstances, such as orders from State or County officials, also could close the beaches.

The limited opening -- which coincides with expected openings on Monday of State-controlled beaches and beaches in Solana Beach and Carlsbad -- calls for visitors to stay six feet apart from non-household members on the sand and in the ocean. A number of parking areas, including street parking at the North Beach and the main lot at 17th Street, will remain closed except for disabled spaces. Summer rules for dogs will apply.

This is overdue. Closing beaches was never supported by health science, and it's irresponsible for some cities to close their beaches and force crowds into other cities.

Beach closures cause crowding at Moonlight for bioluminescence viewing

We've had these incredible bioluminescent blooms many times over the years. It has always been something you could go view in complete solitude anywhere along miles of beaches.

But now that state and local authorities have locked down much of the coast, there were huge crowds at Moonlight Beach tonight as one of the few remaining places to see the phenomenon.