Wednesday, June 18, 2014

6/18/14 City Council 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.

The feel-good distraction on tonight's agenda is the naming of a dog park after late Councilwoman Maggie Houlihan. It will obviously pass, most likely unanimously.

Of more importance is the staff's "Vision" for Encinitas housing which emphasizes "complete neighborhoods," a planning pop euphemism for high-density development.

148 comments:

  1. What idiot decisions will they make tonight ??

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  2. Mega-smirk of self satisfaction on Gaspar's face on opening the meeting as mayor.

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    1. I can't remember one council member with an ounce of common sense. Pathetic bunch of losers.....mouth breathers.

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    2. I agree. What a pack of morons.

      With this group, there must be a state that is missings its state idiots. They seem so all have come to Encinitas.

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    3. Dennis Holz was his name....

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    4. Dennis was the last gasp for encinitas. Unless we elect Julie Graboi who also has lots of common sense.

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    5. Jerome Stocks please come back!

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    6. Please, don't post after midnight, lol....

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    7. 12:28 what are you the pain wanter?

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    8. Jerome Stocks come back - so you can be tar and feathered!

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  3. Barth couldn't be bothered to look at Rodbell as he questioned the bias behind Peak Democracy...stared at the ceiling.

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  4. Name the dog park for Maggie. Whether you agree or disagree with her politics, it's the right thing to do.

    No brainier.

    If anyone votes no, they look like petty vindictive fools who did not learn from the art banner issue where they looked like petty vindictive fools.

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    1. Even Maggie's opponents agree with naming the park after her.

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    2. No one knows what Cozens is getting at...the usual rambling time sink.

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    3. The web broadcast seemed to freeze at about 8:40. No sound, and the visual is stuck on one frame.

      Earlier, some news update interrupted speakers who were addressing 10A, naming rights of the dog park. It was unanimous to name it after Maggie Houlihan.

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    4. One could simply not vote because naming a dog park after houlihan is so important compared to the load of debt the city carries. It's just feel good nonsense. A complete waste of time. Really who cares ?? So she loved animals... So do I . Could I have applied to have the parked named after me?? I really hope houlihan supporters stop dragging her name into rediculous emotion based arguments such as this, leave the woman in peace.

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  5. Is the mayor A.W.O.L.? Or calling her mommy

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    1. Some of the block grant applicants are clients of her business.

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    2. During the Community Grant discussion, money alloted for the non-profit organization that provides free Yoga instruction to low income seniors was cut back, and the Mainstreet Associations and the Encinitas Preservation Association were given additional city subsidies, basically as payback for being Prop A opponents.

      The City already subsidizes Leucadia 101 Mainstreet Association in many ways, including a $30,000 per year subsidy, and now increasing the facade grant program, which isn't awarded according to financial need, to another $40K, annually. Tonight Leucadia 101 Mainstreet and Downtown Mainstreet were both given additional funding in the form of grants for utility box art.

      The Encinitas Preservation Association already received over $800,000 in subsidies, through in lieu affordable housing fees, to purchase the Boathouses property and to bring the four affordable housing units up to code. Leucadia 101 has been the beneficiary of many city grants and subsidies, as well as an ongoing subsidy through getting one third of the revenues from vendors at Paul Ecke Central School Sunday Farmers' Markets, revenues from vendors at the Artwalk, and monies from other events, such as Taste of Leucadia.

      Teresa Barth was dead wrong when she said, and later repeated, during the Community Grant discussion, Agenda Item 10B, that Pacific View would be getting $10 Million in "unrestricted funds." The funds are restricted, by Education Code, and if then Mayor Barth had read the letter sent to Council by the State Allocation Board, she would know that. That unrestricted funds misunderstanding and misstatement was based upon misleading tactics by Superintendent Baird in persuading Kranz, Barth and Shaffer to overpay for Pacific View.

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    3. 2:08 "...Mainstreet Associations and the Encinitas Preservation Association were given additional city subsidies, basically as payback for being Prop A opponents."

      Thanks for clearing that up. What do you suppose their reasoning was for always funding Mainstreet Associations, the chambers and facade grant programs for up to two decades prior to Prop A?

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    4. Thanks 2:08- we know your ravings. You left out mentioning names of those that don't receive pensions. Also you failed to bad mouth roundabouts.... As I sat at 3 red lights without any cross traffic yesterday. Btw , I was cursing you as I was sitting there going no where. Even Al Gore supports roundabouts....

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    5. And you, 6:30, failed to counter the arguments. You also win in the "raving" category. Read back through your rant and you'll see what I mean.

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    6. Previous Council's reasoning for funding the Downtown Encinitas Merchants Association and the Chamber of Commerce, and the facade grant programs was, in large part, to gain political connections, and influence people, so that they could be reelected. None of the Mainstreet Associations existed two decades before Prop A was enacted, last year. Leucaida 101 Merchants Association was not funded two decades before Prop A.

      The decisions made by Council last night re tweaking the Community Grants were politically motivated, and misinformed. They would have been better off sticking to Jim Gilliam's and the committee, composed of commissioners and staff's recommendations.

      The Mainstreet Associations and the Chamber of Commerce, and the Facade Grant program should all be money that is distributed by Council through the same Community Grant vetting process, competing for funding with all the other worthy non-profits, having the funding matched by the generous contributions of the Mizel family.

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    7. 12:51
      I said up to over 2 decades of funding has come from the city for business organizations. Back in 1993, DEMA received funding, the Encinitas Chamber received funding as well as the Cardiff Chamber. (There was no L-101 or C-101 then). Also, its Leucadia 101 "Mainstreet" Association, not "Merchants". Leucadia Merchants association lasted 10 years beginning in 1993 and received no city funding, but did make our presence known; our needs and held voluntary "clean and green" events. So yes, I for one am thankful the city has always helped local non-profit business associations, including the facade grant program from it's inception and I believe it was money usually well spent. (Three exceptions: Once, when the chamber got 90K when they "had" to move their office / visitor center way back when, and two other times that launching a local cruiser bus failed to make a dime. Outside of those attempts to excel, almost everything else has been pretty great with fun events, great new facades, needed infrastructural improvements (more walkable / bikeable 101) and a much larger tax base for the city.) You can try to shoot all that down with one word: "vibrancy", as though improvements cause the proliferation of bars and associated problems, but that's a completely different animal.

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    8. Read your own words. You said, and I quote: "What do you suppose their reasoning was for always funding Mainstreet Associations, the chambers and facade grant programs for up to two decades prior to Prop A?" I responded to that. You didn't say business organizations; you said Mainstreet Organizations.

      Yes, Leucadia 101 Merchants Organization existed before, without City subsidization. Many cities do not subsidize their chambers of commerce, their "business associations." Encinitas should make the facade grant program related to financial need.

      The business associations should be vetted through the community grant program along with all the other worthy non-profits who contribute, immensely, to our community. Business associations should not be favored for political purposes, related to individuals' being elected or re-elected.

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  6. I voted for her a totally wasted vote ,she is alway gone.

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  7. Kranz into sports max-out and cutting the arts...surprise, surprise.

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  8. Has anyone asked Kranz how we are going to pay for PV? And, why he upped it to 10 million? Love to hear that answer.

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    1. Ah, now that would be off topic and not allowed to ask about....

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    2. He has no clue on PV or anything…. Tony is worse than Barbie.

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    3. King of the red herrings.

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    4. I'll take Tony over Gaspar. Let's dump Gaspar first, Teresa is retiring, then we take it from there and see who is willing to run...

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  9. Murphy turns beet red whenever Shaffer speaks. Why is that?

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    1. Tonight Lisa talked for a long time about how accessory units didn't count towards low income. Jeff Murphy had to correct her misstatements.

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    2. Yes, that was embarrassing for her, yet again. What's surprising is that he didn't say she was right, it would have helped his case to force high density on us.

      What's missing is an HONEST discussion about an amnesty program and getting a real count on affordable units. The city has made any amnesty unattractive and not made a real effort to generate participation. Any discussion of meeting housing needs should be on hold until a real accounting is made and accessible program offered. We have the housing...it needs to be counted.

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    3. What also isn't being considered with "affordable housing" are those who already live here and are counted in the over all equation of need for housing, but already own their homes. If those homes "don't count as affordable" as I've been told, then they shouldn't be included in the equation for affordable housing needed here.

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    4. Agree with the above, but would add that the concept of "affordable" or cheap housing in Encinitas in this town is rapidly becoming a non-starter because of escalating property values, rents etc.

      You can't create more land, so barring some kind of pubic housing blocks, or a major change in how affordable housing is counted, we aren't going to be able to offer sufficient affordable housing. The coast is expensive, that's why there's a line at that new Shea development on Vulcan to buy million dollar homes with no yards.

      -MGJ

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  10. As usual, staff has to make a deadline so the council can not make intelligent, informed decisions. Good thing they didn't approve the housing element as presented. Pretty lame by staff and planning commission. If staff would do it right the first time they wouldn't have to keep redoing. The staff needs to listen to council and not put Vina's spin on things.

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  11. Murphy lied about giving the Planning Commission plenty of time to review the document first. They were told they needed to decide immediately, with virtually no time given. Guess council gets the chump award for swallowing his tall tale.

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  12. Lame council for listening to Vina period....

    Maybe they need more smart strategic planning. Haaa

    They will listen to anything that fool has to say..

    Dump the incumbents!!!

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    1. And lame council for letting Murphy meander for minutes without answering the question. He was asked who prepared the infill maps and he never did say "staff." Just one annoying example.

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  13. I just read Lisa's weekly after council newsletter. Am I the only one who thinks she is just mean and petty. She had to make sure that when she said Gaspar recused herself, it was because she had business interests with many of the people. While that may be true, at least Gaspar was honest about it, and why did Shaffer need to bring it up in her newsletter. If you read it, it seems like she and Kranz are doing all the work on just about everything. Good grief!

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    1. Lisa Shaffer and TOny Kranz-

      1. Wanted to raise taxes on residents.
      2. Shaffer said it could raise $5M - meaning money we could donate to help the good people last night would instead go to Shaffer, Kranz, Vina and other kleptocrats
      3. Shaffer wants to stick parking meters in the city to tax residents- meaning money we might donate to good causes instead goes to the city.
      4. When Vian was outed as misinforming the public shaffer and kranz did nothing
      5. When residents asked the shaffer and kranz to cancel teh true north survey scheduled for this fall they did nothing

      Lisa Shaffer has no integrity and no ethics- her political beliefs are hers, she wants meters, she wants to raise taxes- I disagree but she is entitled to that-

      however she has used her newsletter to lie, spread half truths and promote misinformation- and she calls herself an ethical person-22

      Fact Thrower

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    2. At heart, Lisa is a 'Mean Girl', end of discussion. And when Barth is gone she will only have one other "Mean Girl' to sit at lunch with and then go purge with before Gym Class, Tony. Julie is horrified by Lisa's behavior.

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    3. "Don't start yelling at me that gardens enhance quality of life. I get that. But there is a difference between growing grapes and making wine; selling grapes to wineries versus offering tastings; growing tomatoes to sell to Whole Foods versus selling pasta sauces and salsas made on the premises and having lots of traffic coming to a site."

      That is excerpted from Lisa's latest newsletter, when she describes the work she's doing on the various open subcommittees on which she's serving. This quote, in particular, is related to her service on the Urban Agriculture Committee, which has apparently been combined with the already existing Urban Forest and Edible Landscape Committee?

      First of all, when citizens criticize Lisa Shaffer, we are typically trying to do so constructively. We are not "yelling" at her, but pointing out her misunderstandings.

      Just as Lisa was mistaken, and Planning Director had to correct her, re accessory dwelling units being able to be counted toward affordable housing stock without covenants (Lisa began by saying, "we've gone over this many times before, then made her misstatement of fact), so LIsa is incorrect in her newsletter.

      First of all, she doesn't differentiate between communty gardens installed by residents "may be permitted" in all zones, and their requiring minor use permits. Saying something is permitted in all zones isn't enough. Council needs to state that community gardens are allowable in all Encinitas zones on private or public property, without needing special use permits, or building permits for raised beds, which do not constitute structures.

      Lisa Shaffer needs to find out why Jeff Murphy stated and repeated, at the June 11 Council Meeting that a Coastal Development Permit is necessary for a community garden in Encinitas Ranch at the EUSD school site on Quail Gardens Dr.

      Some minor selling of produce should be allowed for all community gardens. All gardens in our communities should be considered community gardens. If there is traffic generated, then home based gardens could be required to get a busines license, as a home based business, but there should not have to be a separate minor use permit to have a garden!

      So special event permits or business license permits could be required, and those requirements could be explored. But what Lisa and Council are failing to address is the question brought up by the Coral Tree Farm controversy, about pre-existing agricultural uses, which should, legally, be grandfathered as legal non-conforming on residentially zoned land, if the ag use was interrupted, as it has been for CTF, since 1956.

      Council, the Planning Director and the City Attorney don't want to address the issue of legal non-conformities, and grandfathering of pre-existing uses, because they have been selectively enforcing our municipal code on this matter, and interpretting it in a way to bring in maximum fees for the City and maximum business for the City Attorney's law firm.

      Another precedent that Lisa, and Council have set, and should consistently apply, not twisting EMC with selective enforcement, is what was decided through the Leichtag issue of moving its headquarters, in Carlsbad, to land zoned agricultural in perpetuity, at the former Ecke property.

      Council determined that property owners have the right of accessory uses incidental to the main use of their land. This should be true for Coral Tree Farms, as well as Leichtag.

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    4. Meant to say, if the ag use was uninterrupted, as it has been for Coral Tree Farms, since 1956.

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  14. Shaffer has only lived in Encinitas for 5 years, yet she wants to create high density development to meet her liberal perspectives. I can't believe I voted for her!

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    1. I'm to the left of liberal and am 100% against high density development. Don't paint the rest of us with her agenda.

      I can't believe I voted for her, either.

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    2. This has nothing to do with liberalism. It is about sustainability. Sustaining the insanely unfair pension/pay of staff. I'm a liberal, but I believe in fairness. I don't care if the city was flush with funds, it still ain't right.
      The Cabezon

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    3. Yeah, I think you're brushing too broadly there. Blame Lisa's position on Lisa, not on a vague sense of what it means to be liberal. The battle against innapropriate density goes way bigger than narrow labels.

      I too oppose innapropriate high density, like the new development proposed for the corner of Jason and Vulcan. That's the kind of garbage it will take a concerted effort to stop.

      Further, I'm not sure we even have a quality representation of Lisa's actions as it connects to overall density in this town. Picking apart her newsletter and reading into won't take you far.

      The bottom line is this, we need council folks willing to take on density bonus, wasteful spending, bad planning, high pensions and overblown projects. Not being Jerome, Danny or Jim is no longer enough...

      -MGJ

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  15. I lean towards social liberal and fincial libertarien. If you really want to experience the joys of life and true freedom, earn to care for yourself and don't depend on government hand outs.

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    1. It's not that simple any more, and the whole canard about don't depend on government handouts is tired and unrepresentative. Most people I know are busting ass, with several jobs. I had unemployment the last 6 months, but in the meantime I'm busting ass to get a job. Did I depend on unemployment, yes. Do I want a job even more, yes.

      People who don't work or have had a job for 10-20-30 years don't even begin to understand all the challenges you face looking for a job in the last 5 years, especially if you are over 40.

      In short, the rules have changed, being out of work over 6 months, being over 40, making over 40k a year, this stuff really matters now. The unwritten rules are not in your favor, and I have a solid college degree and 15+ years in IT....

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  16. I cannot help but wonder why Lisa even does these after council wrap-ups with her own personal comments? What does she get from it? Attention perhaps. I wonder if she wasn't hugged enough as a kid. Nevertheless, it would be nice, if she is going to do them, to tell the truth and leave out who did what to whom. And, she usually picks on Muir and Gaspar. They cannot be that demonic, can they Lisa? And, do you and Tony really do everything, and the rest nothing? Kind of hard to believe. And, what have you to say about the 10 million for PV and paying for it. None of the troika has really shared with us peasants how this is going to happen. And, since it is my money, as well as every taxpayers money, shouldn't we have the right to know. So, when Wc or Dr. Lorri asks such questions on your government FB page, instead of answering you delete it and then tell someone you did answer, well, I would have to say that is a bit disingenuous.

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  17. 1:46 as long as we are talking about 'disingenuous' and 'demonic' do share your thoughts-

    Gaspar/Muir- voted to increase debt by $10M while we had 200 unfunded projects
    Gaspar/Muir-voted to raid $7M with no plan to pay it back
    Gaspar/Muir- voted to was $66,000 on useless surveys
    Gaspar/Muir- benefitted from expensive bogus surveys by sending mailers to hoodwink the public
    Gaspar/Muir- voted to hire un needed spin doctor at approved rate up to $135,00
    Gaspar- In act of reckless cowardice left the building during 2011 PV Vote
    Gaspar- voted to hide road report from public costing taxpayers near $100K
    Gaspar/Muir- voted to hire yet another useless hihg priced consultant after MIG was fired

    We should have right to know why-

    After Vina was exposed during the Lew Edwards tax survey as a person who intentionally and knowingly withholds financial information from the council and the public Muir and Gaspar have done nothing to hold Vina accountable-

    Fact Thrower
    Gasp

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  18. I am not saying Muir and Gaspar are great council members. I was just making a comment as to what Lisa is doing. I will believe you, as I don't have the time nor the inclination to see if you are correct. However, 10 million for PV is on Kranz, Barth and Shaffer. Personally, I think there should tell us how we are going to pay for it, because it isn't coming out of their pockets.

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    1. You can follow this entire mess back to Diane Lanager and Patrick Murphy using AB32 as an excuse to become members of ICLEI and having Barth convince her peers to spend a million bucks for MIG to try and take everyone's property-rights away: and instead of fixing things, Tony, Lisa and the least brave councilperson, Teresa, have spent us into oblivion.

      Diane still has her job, but counting the days until Barth is gone. And most of the Planners and Engineers are still here after 5 years of planning hell. Why?

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    2. 2:43

      I respect your opinion that the $10M PV expense is on BSK-

      However, I respectfully disagree do to the following:

      1. Gaspar could have stayed, and voted, on PV in 2011- long before there was any talk of an auction etc. Instead Gaspar showed cowardice, weakeness and selfishness and darted out of the room to help her developer friends.

      2. Gaspar and Muir could have followed the recommendations of residents this past March who spoke at city hall asking the concil to file and injunction stopping the auction and forcing EUSD to go before the courts to determine of the city could buy PV for about %30% of the $10M price- Muir and Gaspar did nothing

      Fact Thrower

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    3. Why? Because the city is out of money and they've circled the wagons from Shaffer to Gaspar to Vina to Planning and Engineering, and are doing all they can to sell the town out from under residents. The most expeditious way to bring money into city coffers is through construction, specifically the high-density kind. Word is Kranz would like nothing better than to split the Pacific View lot and build high density on one half to pay for the thing. You think he came up with that on his own? Hell, no.

      Of course the Planners and Engineers are "still here:" they're doing just fine, merrily finding ways to circumvent public wishes and getting raises for their fine work, Brownie, to boot.

      You can follow this mess further back than Langager and Murphy to Stocks and his handlers and further back than that. Mix in bread delivery man Norby and other behind the scenes movers, and it's easy to see how the forces are marshaled against residents who are seen as nothing more than a source of revenue.

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    4. I would like more from 3:17 on the direct connection between MIG, ICLEI, Barth and whatever the conclusion was there.

      Bottom line: We're not getting much out of the current 5, debating who's the worst among them isn't going to get us far. Supporting Julie Graboi for some real change might.

      -MGJ

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    5. Throw everything behind Julie, she is awesome, not like the last two looooooser mayors! You will not be disappointed. Go JULIE !!!

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  19. To 1:46 and 2:10: it sure sounds like none of the five have done the right thing. Instead of splitting along fake party lines, let's just call them what they are: five losers who are stealing from taxpayers and pretending to be doing what's best for Encinitas. Five council members all failing us one way or another.

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    1. What is the opposite of loser? Julie Graboi! She has my vote!

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    2. If she is elected I'm quite sure you and others will ask for her head in less than a year just like with the current newbies.

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    3. Well 3:00:

      Since you're the Winner... Why don't you run for office?

      I'm sure you won't fail us... NOT!

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    4. 6:00 Wrong. Kranz & Shaffer went against their supporters with Prop A and Desert Rose. That was their undoing plain and simple. Kranz for mayor? Will never happen. They should step down as even their redemption train went off the tracks. Julie is not capable of this kind of deceit and arrogance.

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    5. Yeah, they used to say that about Barth too. Julie if elected will probably be in a tough spot one day up there on the dias and vote against your preference and you'll no doubt turn on her too. You're so very absolute and very predictable. The world is not. Deal with it.

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    6. Gee you stuck your head out of your hang at the south end of town.

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  20. 2:10 why are you so selective on Gaspar and Muir. Didn't others also vote for those items. We all know that you need 3 council persons to approve anything. Which other council member(s) did you accidentally leaving out? IF YOUR GOING TO BE A FACT THROWER - YOU NEED TO PROVIDE OR THROW OUT ALL OF THE FACTS.

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  21. 3:19

    You might see my post at 9:53 commenting on the propaganda put forth in the latest Shaffer newsletter.

    posting in all caps is the equivalent of screaming. The only people screaming from the horrific voting record of Muir and Gaspar are the taxpayers.

    Interesting you have no comment on the facts of their voting records. Surely you are not suggesting it is ok for 2 people to rob a bank if a third person joins them.

    Fact Thrower

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  22. Gaspar to often runs to hide from Vote she doesn't want to be part of.
    CHICKEN ---------cluck cluck cluck

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  23. With 25 to 30 thousand voters on any given election in this city, when will one or several of you who post hear build a real coalition of voters to make the changes to the way things are going in this city?

    No one is listening to you outside of this blog. You're all bitching in an echo chamber. Don't you all get that. The council sure does. Their trying to represent 25-30 thousand diferent points of view of our cities future.

    Why is that so hard to understand? Why is everything a cover up , collusion or conspiracy?

    Build a cohesive block of voters if you want to be heard or make positive changes.

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    1. Oops...That should have said " they're not listening, they're trying to...

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    2. Build a cohesive block of voters if you want to be heard or make positive changes.

      They did. They got Kranz and Shaffer elected. Then they completed the monumental effort to get Prop A qualified and passed despite the council's scorched-earth campaign of lies against it. Next up seems to be Julie Graboi for council and maybe they'll even find a candidate for mayor.

      You underestimate the number of voters who are beginning to pay attention.

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    3. WC- Not sure if I agree. Jerome was soooo bad he was hated by all. At least Tony and Lisa have the few folks who think PV is worth $10 million. I am definitely not one of them.

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    4. Jerome was hated by all who knew what he was up to, which even just two years ago was NOT most of the town. Thank those who you claim participate only on this blog for getting the word out about Stocks city-wide, 7:56.

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    5. I think Tony will find out how many people don't agree with pushing PV ahead of Streetscape and every other project that needs to happen in Encinitas.

      I predict Tony will be a one term pony. Lets watch and see if he can do anything positive in 4 years.

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    6. What about borrowing against your kids future for our City for a trophy LIfe Guard Tower? AYFKM? Really?

      This just shows how fricken retarded the Kranz, Shaffer, Barth lack of leadership existed. Complete morons. What a wasted opportunity.

      How much streetscape could be accomplished for $13,000,000. What condition would Beacons access be if the city appropriated $5 million towards access improvements.

      I guess we will never know. Because this group decided to put us all in debt for more trophy projects. Sigh.

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    7. Stocks may be gone but his coalition still has two seats up there on the dias and nothing has changed.

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    8. The only guaranteed voting bloc in this town has proved to be Jerome's pals in the rotary club, new Encinitas, and the older conservative voters.

      When people finally tired of him during an "on" election year, he was ousted. Engagement is always the key. 9 out of 10 people don't care. People on this board, those who attend meetings and are always involved are up to speed. Your neighbor is not. And so the cycle begins again...

      -MGJ

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    9. 6:54 The two pals of Stocks who are on council have no voice because the majority of the council votes against them. So, you see, the puppets are still there, but their voices (and Stocks) are fading rapidly.

      Vote out Gaspar and Muir = Stocks puppets.

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  24. Same reason you don't, to busy with other life things. Not a high enough priority. Plus its fun to bitch about the losers on stage at City Council. That why half do it anyway for some ego issues. Actually not half all. Muir, Gaspar, Kranz, and Shaffer for sure. I have seen barth volunteer for things for years before her council stint, so I believe she did it to better the community. Its just too bad she's not a bit smarter to actually have done some good when they had a majority. What a wasted opportunity.

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    1. I supported Teresa Barth- she has been a complete failure in leading the city to protect quaility of life, property values, community charachter and family values.

      1. Quality of life- Barth voted against residents at Desert Rose
      2. Protect Property Values- Barth voted against residents on Prop A
      3. Community Character- Barth forced MIG, the $1M contract and the Norby Stack and Pack on the community- and she is still trying to do so
      4.Family Values- Barth lied on Prop A, Barth rewarded her Crony Norby with a contract renewal after he was proven to be untrustworthy, Barth failed to hold Vina accountable for not sharing important information about Lew edwards with the public, and Brth likley knew the true cost all along
      Her grade is an f. If anyone should see her out and about they should loudly, boldly and with hesitation ask her to apologize for lying to the public and the mismanagement of our money.

      Fact Thrower

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    2. I agree with your logic Fact Thrower and agree with you 95% of the time which is amazing. Throw out all the incumbents and elect a Council that will FIRE VINA!

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  25. My neighbors told me what was up on this blog long before I ever visited. That is how I found out about prop A, the absolute need to get rid of JS, up and coming hot topics. If you don't think we are active and activated guess again. You want to know what is the most important topic in encinitas right now? It's not coral tree farms or pacific view, it's the BAR PROBLEM!

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    1. I agree with you. And following that its Beacons pathway collapsing killing people and closing beach access.

      So we have Muir, Gaspar and Kranz who love the bar scene and spread of Manhattan beach, then we have shaffer and Barth who both will be out of office soon. Sigh….. I guess we better hope for the next round.

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    2. I just came from downtown, bars are empty.

      Delete
    3. Most locals don't want to change the trail to and from Beacon's Beach. Someone wants to call it Beacon Beach, but the point is, it's primarily a local beach, with a very small parking lot. When there has been trail erosion, in the past, it never killed anyone. The collapse that did kill someone was between Stonesteps and Rosetta, some years back. Stonesteps has been closed, to repair the stairs, in the past.

      Delete
    4. Beacons trail does NOT comply with ADA standards AND is unsafe. It must be closed. The COE must come into FULL compliance with all codes and laws . Because the CCC will not permit the closing of this beach access the city's hands are tied and MUST maintain access. No excuses. It matters not that this is a " locals" beach ( there's an elitist thought process for ya) and parking is limited. There is less parking at Stonesteps. Your convoluted thinking process reveals public school education, go back and kick your teaches in the ass......
      Some day explain to me and others what is a locals beach and a non locals beach. Can't wait to read that nonsense.

      Delete
    5. Perhaps we should raise the sales tax to pay for Beacons.

      If Kranz and Blakespear win, the troika will get to appoint someone to fill Kranz's council seat. Then they'll have a supermajority for the tax increase they've been dreaming of.

      Paging Lew Edwards...

      Delete
    6. ha ha! I went to public schools and managed to graduate from UCSD. The parking lot at Beaches is a hard rain from sliding into the sea. It's more a locals beach because of surfing and the lack of a big beach area. You're not going to lug grandma and the picnic basket to Beacon's when you can go to Moonlight.

      I'm sure Beacon's will continue to gradually erode until a big piece erodes and the city has to act....

      Delete
    7. Stone Steps is not ADA compliant either and neither is Grand View. The state controls what can be done with Beacon beach access and they are in the natural retreat stance as it applies to Beacon beach. The cities hands are tied with this issue right now and are working with the state to find a way to stablize the bluff trail. Stairs are a non starter right now.

      Delete
    8. Beacon Beach parking lot sucks. We don't need to add more parking spaces, but we should give more space to pedestrians wanting to enjoy the vistas and for bicycle parking. The "trail" needs tons of work, so the "locals" (many from San Marcos, Vista, Carlsbad, and Oceanside) can walk by each other with out spiking kids in the head with their new chair and surf board from Costco.

      What does the City do?

      They borrow $3 million dollars against your kids future to pay for an unnecessary trophy project that will be blocking ocean view and taking valuable towel space on our most popular beach area.
      What idiots. Vote out the incumbents.

      Delete
    9. You're an idiot. The new tower will have the same footprint as it does now. No one is any losing towel space and who's view will be blocked?

      Leave Beacons alone. It is just fine like it is. We true locals have seen many things change at Beacon beach but the vibe is still the same and that's what counts for the locals. We don't need complainers like you down there because people like you don't pack out your trash. Take your easy access lazy ass down to Moonlight if you don't like it.

      Delete
    10. No. Your an idiot. If the unneeded tower was not there the public would have 800 sf more of towel space.

      The public does not benefit from buildings on the beach. Only a few lifeguards benefit.

      Carlsbad does not have a $3 million station and they have no less success for lifeguard services than ours plus they don't pay anything. The whole lifeguard department is unnecessary. And waste of taxpayers money.

      Delete
    11. The erosion is not the issue at Beacon. It's the underlying slide that will take down the whole parking lot. Look at the sluffing on the north part of the parking lot.

      Next long rain we get and that parking lots going to go.

      Delete
    12. Carlsbad pays the state for keeping their beaches safe. You really think that the state does that for free? Get real.

      Delete
    13. 11:54 AM

      Tower unneeded?? You must be a local (as am I). Maybe you want to make it unattractive to non locals to come to our beaches. The tower plays an important role in coordinating the lifeguarding effort along the Encinitas beachs and is the only spot maned year round.

      Beacon['s] beach access is a liability. The state grant money that helped pay for the Moonlight Beach upgrade was originally for Beacon but the state currently has a policy of managed retreat and wouldn't let the city do any bluff shoring to protect a new access stairway. The city and state were at loggerheads so the city shifted the money to Moonlight. I think the city should just close the access due to safety and liability concerns (not that I want it closed). Sure the coastal commission and possibly the state parks will come unglued. Maybe then, when they see the ultimate effect of their policies, they will allow the city to construct a safe access.

      Delete
    14. Spot on 11:54

      The city must put the pressure on the state for a solution to a reasonable approach for public access and closing it because of public safety might be the best way to do that. It belongs to them so it's in their best interest to seek a compromise to the ongoing issue with bluff failure.

      Delete
    15. Also, if we can build safe trails in State and National Parks surely there's got to be a way for us to do it here.

      Delete
    16. The City is not liable for unstable bluffs at Beacons or Beacon. There are signs in place that notify people using the trail and the parking lot that they do so at their own risk.

      There are not the same kind of Americans with Disabilities Act requirements for beach access points as there are for sidewalks near businesses. What about the trail at Blacks Beach, in La Jolla? Moonlight does have handicapped parking and handicapped access. Ponto Beach may, I'm not sure.

      Over the decades, there have been access interruptions, and repairs. The only loss of life, in Encinitas, due to bluff collapse, that I heard about was near Rosetta, where there is no trail; the closest access is Stonesteps.

      All our beaches are State beaches, as far as I know. The City (taxpayers) pay to "guard" the public. I feel the existing lifeguard tower could have been spruced up for the $1.4 Million (?) that was spent on an unneeded lifeguard garage, on the bluff. Too late, now; probably too late to stop that $13 Million bond being pushed through by Council and, now, bond counsel.

      Delete
    17. We need toilets for Leucadia beaches. NOW!!

      Delete
    18. They're called the ajoining neighborhood.

      Delete
    19. Go to the taco shop.

      Delete
    20. Swami's to E street are city as are A st to Stone steps. the rest is state beach. I'm not sure but the strip below Seabluff north of Grandview formally known as tomato patch to old timers may be city as well. Does anyone know if the stairway to nowhere on the north end will ever have a place to lead to?

      Delete
    21. There are not going to be bathrooms at Stonesteps, Beacons and Grandview. If you want, get a permit to set up Porta Potties, at the top of the access. You can always use the toilet in your own home, on Neptune. People who need a restroom, who are going with their family, or senior citizens, could go to Moonlight. They have bathrooms, there. The bluffs are too unstable to install restrooms without a giant seawall, which is also not acceptable. This was studied, before, and went nowhere. The money went to improve the restrooms, etc. at Moonlight.

      Delete
    22. Yes. KSL plans to break ground in October. Of what year has not been determined.

      Delete
    23. Toilets at Leucadia beaches ....protect the ocean.

      Delete
    24. Swami's may not be a state beach, but it is a State Marine Conservation Area:

      "In the waters adjacent to Cardiff State Beach, there are two MPAs [Marine Protected Area], San Elijo Lagoon State Marine Conservation Area (SMCA) No-Take and Swami’s State Marine Conservation Area (SMCA)." http://www.parks.ca.gov/%5C?page_id=27909

      Delete
  26. June 19, 9:31 - Julie is not "horrified by Lisa's behavior." I don't know who you are, most likely Mikey Andreen or Stocks or one of your ilk, but slyly planting your crap will get caught and corrected every time. You don't speak for Julie and you're going to need to identify yourself next time so your comments may be judged as credible or crap.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. So, you do speak for Julie?

      Delete
    2. No, I just caught that remark and am relating what I know to be true, not that you have to believe me. There's a way that the Stocks camp writes that always gives them away. Whether or not it was them, it was an oddly-placed dig that was an outright lie.

      Delete
  27. Your timing is off. You are either a time traveler, or clueless…..

    Not sure which to lean towards.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm an outer of what that bloc thinks is clever placement of rumor and innuendo, whenever and wherever it happens.. I caught it late - so what? If just a handful of people know that that is not Julie's opinion, good. As for you, stay clueless.

      Delete
    2. Actually, what it may mean is, Julie is Lisa's hand-chosen candidate: if that is true? Then I am truly confused. Not liking Lisa as 'non-leader as academic', or 'academic as non-leader' where does that leave the average semi-informed voter that does not like Lisa's style or resume?

      Delete
    3. No, Lisa appears to be supporting Blakespear, who is running against Graboi.

      Delete
    4. I know Julie well. She is most definitely not Lisa's hand-chosen candidate. Julie supported Prop. A. Lisa, of course, signed both the ballot arguments against Prop. A and the rebuttal to the Yes on Prop. A ballot arguments.

      Julie was also part of the Desert Rose group that successfully sued the city. Lisa voted to approve the project that the court said needed an EIR, which the city didn't require in order to favor the developer.

      Delete
    5. Correction. Technically, Shaffer abstained after being told by Sabine that abstaining counted as a Yes.

      Delete
    6. An abstention is counted with the majority, if there is one. Muir recused himself. Barth and Kranz and Gaspar voted to uphold the appeal and approve the development. Because a majority voted yes, Shaffer's abstention counted as a yes.

      Judith Hayes of the Superior Court overturned Council's approval, absent an Environmental Impact Report. Council could have required one, all along, and would have saved the taxpayers a great deal of money. That would have been the judicious choice, particularly in light of all the environmental and health and safety concerns raised by the Desert Rose Neighbors and their experts, as affirmed by the Planning Commission's well considered decision to deny the density bonus project based on those concerns.

      Delete
  28. 9:41-

    You must be as dumb as dirt and are probably a part of the KL CC.

    The current and new lifeguard tower blocks the use of every person east of the building and takes up space up could be used by beachgoers. I prefer sand on the beach not buildings.

    With your mentality you belong in LA

    ReplyDelete
  29. East of the current tower is a building, driveway,a street and a parking lot.Who's view is being blocked and who's losing towel space? With the new restrooms and consession stand relocated there's more space for towels than ever at MLB. Admit it, you're a just lifeguard hater.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You are stupid. You answered yourself. Anyone east of the tower is robbed an ocean view from the lifeguard tower, whether they are sitting, walking, running, driving on standing.

      As to who is losing towel space? Try- The entire public. they will not let you put a towel on top of the lifeguard tower will they?

      It has nothing to do with hating, although than I hate seeing tax payers money get wasted. And the lifeguard McMansion is even more stupid that the Fire McMansions of yesteryear.

      Again, I prefer sand on the beach, not buildings.

      I doubt Coastal Commision and Surfrider would support such a worthless project. If the City is going to build a trophy building for the lifeguards, why not build it up on the bluff similar to what Solana Beach did. Get it out of the sand zone and you can use the natural elevation to give the guards the height to oversee the area better. It would be built up on the parking lot or partially into the bluff, or why didn't they just add a tower on top of the concession stand. It shows whoever is in charge of the project, has no idea what they are doing.

      OK, admit it- you're a Encinitas lifeguard and don't give a shit about wasting tax payer money, or the publics use of precious beach space.

      Delete
    2. You obviously haven't been there or just don't understand sightlines nor understand the fact that the state won't allow building it partially into the bluff. It must be done on the same footprint that already exists. As for the second story you may have a point although given the topography and rise in elevation it will still be below most sightlines east of it. I'm all for pristine beaches and no I am not a lifeguard but for Moonlight beach with so many faimlies using it already I do support what they do and I am happy to pay taxes for their service to keep the inexperienced safe. We have miles of pristine beach you just have to walk a little to find it. Get out there and enjoy it today.

      Delete
    3. Pffff. Lifeguard poety writing with all their spare time. Please.

      The current tower design and need are not there. Its a total waste of tax payers money. I love moonlight beach I live right across the street from it and the new lifeguard tower will be blocking all our views. Plus you really down need more than a portable like every other location.

      Delete
    4. Pfff is right. If you live on 4th, 3rd or Moonlight lane you don't even see the tower unless your standing on your roof or live in the corner tourist rental on 4th. I lived on 4th for years. I call BS lifeguard hater.

      Delete
    5. It blocks the view from C street and its on the beach. Stupid location and totally unnecessary.

      I call BS on the waste at City Hall. Fire Vina and the other incompetent trophy builders. I call lifeguard and tax payer hater.

      Delete
    6. What view? There are no houses on C st. Stupid location and unnecessary? That's only your opinion and you obviously don't know squat. The tower has been there for 50 years. Get over it.

      Delete
  30. I might have considered voting for Blakespear but the minute I heard she was associated with Barth there was no way I would vote for her.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. agreed. too bad for Blakespear she now has Barth sink rubbed on her. thats just like Gaspar has $tock$ stink rubbed all over her- yuck.

      Delete
  31. And how can you vote for GASPAR her good friends Jerome Stocks and David Meyer a local developer who tells everyone he help write the density bonus law.

    ReplyDelete
  32. Obviously I'd never give gaspar a vote. Write in kook before that.

    ReplyDelete
  33. I understand that Tony Kranz and Dave Meyer are good friends.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I believe that they have been spotted many times having drinks and food together, but I wouldn't consider them "good friends".

      Delete
    2. 6:57

      When have you been to city hall?

      Why do you hide behind a keyboard?

      What is Graboi's position's- they are in the open for all to see - and unlike Blakespear or other candidates Graboiu has backed up her positions with actions

      Quality of life- see Desert Rose
      Protecting Resident Safety- see Desert Rose
      Protecting Community character- see PRop A
      Protecting property rights of all- see Prop A
      Opposing wasteful spending- see MIG, city spin doctor
      Opposing wasting money of consultants- see MIG, Norby
      Opposing raising taxes- see Lew Edwards

      You are correct- Tony Kranz is an incompetent insecure failure-

      Fact Thrower

      Delete
    3. The development special interest club played Kranz like the empty drum that he is.

      They convinced Phony Tony they were on his side- the Ecke's and the insiders. Tony went from being a has been that never was to having a temporary seat at the table of power.

      They convinced Kranz that if he voted for Desert Rose, opposed Prop A and promoted bars downtown then they would help him get re-elected to council or maybe even Mayor.

      I am convinced there is a quid pro quo with PV. Meyers and his ilk convinced Tony that overpaying would ensure the city would be forced to sell part of PV to developers to pay for it. Barth - the Prop A liar- has long worked behind the scenes with developers to upzone PV for stack and pack housing. Chatfield and his crew are a bunch of self seeking patsies ready to sell all of us down the river so he gets his way. The PV group had a chance to be active in seeking a better price and chose not to. The bill will come do soon and it will be Stack and Pack.

      Kranz got out front on PV because Meyers convinced him he might be elected Mayor. Well played.

      Now they will begin abandoning Phony Tony

      Fact Thrower

      Delete
    4. Speculation well founded. Kranz is overwhelmed by the position, as he is a copy boy. Now that the big boys tell him how to play the cards, he is all ears. Kranz is Dalager II - from Kitchengate to Bargate. Desperation to Dump $tock$ put an overemphasis on the perceived alternates of Shaffer and Kranz - the elation soon ended when it became clear that these people slipped in under false pretenses of "change and citizen representation".
      Watch for Gaspar to ratchet up the sentimentality campaign soon - the New Years family photo card was just a prelude of things to come. People love kids and puppies...

      Delete
    5. Gaspar's mommy will be in the photo holding her hand or placing the tiara on her head. Her mommy stated that since age of 3 Gaspar has dreamed of becoming mayor and now her dream has come true. I think I may be nauseated.

      Delete
    6. The "PV group," as you call it, was not well organized; but those of us who supported, and still support the City's purchase of Pacific View (but not at $10 Million) did try to get the City to pay a fair price. I know I did my best, but was ignored. We couldn't have more effect and influence, because of the secret subcommittee of Kranz and Barth, backed by Shaffer. Public land and the price our City was going to pay for it was out of the public's hands.

      Delete
  34. Fact thrower,

    What are you talking about? Hiding behind a key board? A bid paranoid are we?

    So you semi answered a few questions and only one I asked about which is density bonus. Throw some facts out about her position on on PV, pensions, Vina, Regional Sports Complex, streetscape, roundabouts, Mctower on the beach?

    Lets get some real facts about the candidates.

    ReplyDelete
  35. Here is a question Tony was asked about the PV sales contract by Scott this past week and was not answered to any degree. Why the ten year period in the provision that allows the PV site to be sold while the Old School House gets the in perpetuity protection? If Tony is so gung ho on truly saving this gift why is he allowing this provision to stand if not for some undo influence from ??????? Hmmmmmm says I. We should all insist this site be protected from any future council shenanigans. Why go through all this drama if the possibility can remain for part or all of it to be sold off in the future. And please don't blame Scott. His motivation came from the heart and we should all thank him for his efforts to get us this far along. We all know our council did not exercise due diligence in securing this gift at the best possible deal and that can be blamed on our lousy ca and cm. That and not calling bs on baird and his team of soon to be replaced EUSD school board member dinosaurs who extorted this city over OUR gift. Shameful. Come on Tony, if you are of true heart, this provision should not stand. Do the right thing and designate PV for the foreseeable future and not just ten years. Show you really mean it what you have said about doing all you can to save this for us all.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Mark Muir asked that question, too, before Teresa Barth cut him and Kristin Gaspar off, when we finally had the public hearing on the purchase of Pacific View. That hearing was just a rubber stamp for what the secret subcommittee of Kranz and Barth had done, enabled by the backing of Shaffer, upon which Kranz and Barth knew they could rely.

      Barth and Kranz played politics with our money in purchasing Pacific View. They wanted to make Muir and Gaspar look bad, but that has backfired, to a degree. People did want the City to purchase it, but NOT at any price, and on any terms. The City should make it part of another resolution that the land is to remain in the public domain, to remain in the public/semi-public zoning, in perpetuity. I also feel that 30% of the grounds should be reserved for open space or community gardens, in perpetuity, to honor the intention of the State Legislature, in passing the Naylor Act, which both EUSD and the City of Encinitas have ignored in their final negotiations, memos of understanding, and terms of purchase.

      Delete
    2. Seeing that Chatfield and Save PV produced the fluff piece on Kranz while overtly making a point to denigrate Muir and Gaspar is telling. It reveals that Chatfield is less interested in leadership and responsible spending and more interested in politics.

      Look for Chatfield and PV to endorse Kranz and Blakespear.

      For the record Muir and Gaspar supported by Pacific View at a responsible price and advocated negoatiating with EUSD.

      Barth was more interested in representing what she thinks is her legacy.

      Shaffer was more interested in flexing her ego and as she called it "political will"

      Kranz and Blakespear were interested in trying to scrounge up votes at any price. Taxpayers be dammed.

      Delete
  36. Thx Scott and all the other lame brains for helping Bankrupt the city and raise all of our taxes!

    Some people are clueless.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ha, ha, 9:30. The city won't go bankrupt, but no money for one lane roundabouts on 101. All the lobbyists, consultants and planners already got their cut, though. The City can still afford to keep improving the sidewalks, encouraging more community art along the highway, preserving and improving what's left of our canopy on 101.

      There won't be restrooms at Beacon's, either, just like there are no restrooms at Stonesteps and Grandview. Your narrow agenda is obvious. Most locals don't want restrooms our small beach access points. Use your own toilet; you live close by.

      A great many people are grateful to Scott Chatfield for setting up his website, SavePacificView.org. That's a success story. You are only raining on your own parade, embittered one.

      Delete
  37. Save PV had an opportunity to act responsibly and use his organization to compell the city and EUSD to abide by the Naylor act- he didn't. Maybe it is called property before principles.

    instead they chose to pay any price- hey, it's taxpayer money after all. It's all free right. Who cares if our future kids go without.

    Chatfield and the community are in for a big surprise. About 4 months ago Jim Gilliam of the arts group took a bunch of people up to Santa Ana to look at how a state sponsored art community evolved with state sponsored housing is making out- stack adn pack for the arts with taxpayes paying for housing - no doubt the same is being planned for Pacific View along with high density stack and pack for Kranz and his developer buddies

    suckered I believe is the appropriate term.

    Well intentioned as Save PV may have been the end result will be anything but

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. There would have to be a public vote for rezoning Pacific View to include residential, because of Prop A.

      Delete
  38. City taxpayer money of $75,000 for community grant funds is matched with $75,000 from the Mizel family foundation of which Larry Mizel, chairman and CEO of M.D.C. holdings one of the nation's top homebuilders, is over the foundation. The Mizel foundation's five year agreement the city must be working out well tax-wise.

    ReplyDelete
  39. As I mentioned in many earlier posts, the COuncil will try to do an end run around Prop. A. You can see the train coming if you just watch and listen.

    ReplyDelete