Because of procedural rules, final action is delayed until next week's meeting, but the council appears unanimously frustrated with staff's foot-dragging on the issue, and committed to make the simple but important changes that residents have been screaming about for years.
The obvious question is what took them so long, but let's hope this is a sign of the city council finally beginning to assert its independence from staff and using common sense.
What's Amazon.com's return policy on 800 lbs. of tar and feathers?
Keep the tar and feathers, it's needed for the idiot purchase of PV.
ReplyDeleteOn a day of celebration, first post negative.
ReplyDeleteWell played, sir.
So does the real deal support the purchase of PV or not??
DeleteI think Graboi's journey just got a whole lot tougher........she needs to get out there NOW! Full court press.........
ReplyDeleteBasically, she got her head handed to her last night......not directly, of course....but an incumbent council always controls the political discussions....and I have to say, I'm somewhat surprised.....wow....
- The Sculpin
And half the posters on this blog have already voted for her when last night the saw the real genuine Julie.... Let's steam clean the children's play grounds....???? Wtf???
DeleteYou can't un shoot your foot Julie.
9:03
DeleteI walk my dogs at Glen Park. The families that use the playground love dogs but not the poop OR the urnine. It is understandable.
Fortunately at Glen Park the uppper park is seprated from the lower park where the kids play.
The Graboi suggestion of waiting until Maggie Houliahan Prak opened before considering closing dog park hours is an excellent thought-
The Graboi suggestion of improving or getting rid of Peak Democracy to save money- another excellent thought
The Graboi suggestion of creating buffers between park area for kids and dogs also a suggestion worthy of review.
The Graboi suggestion of steam cleaning concrete- an excellent suggestion- and one that won't cost taxpayers any more money.
blah blah blakespear had a nice dress, she's clearly running to upzone her famiilies land- she's is like the Eckes
Good luck steam cleaning the concrete...so after you steam clean the concrete what will you do with the bird that flies overhead and craps??? Resteam clean?? How many times must the concrete be cleaned?? My oh my Its a fantasy world politicians live in....
Delete8:49
DeleteGraboi- recommended the council take action immediately
Graboi- didn't rub salt in the council's wounds by harping on Desert Rose - classy
Graboi- referenced the long history of the council giving preference to developers and staff not representing residents- truthful
Blakespear- Opposed residents right to vote on density increases-
You and Blakespear can spin it any way you want but the fact remains Graboi supports the residents right to vote / Blakespear does not
Exactly WHAT are the trolls fighting for? Do you support groundskeepers polluting the air by running lawnmowers over grass that is shorter than mower blades on account of the drought? Or do you support having this same staff use their time gainfully to improve the cleanliness and the child safety of the parks for the same cost?
DeleteI heard that she wants use the money we are currently wasting to instead keep parks safe and healthy for ALL park users.
I want the trolls to explain why THEY support landscapers cutting grass that doesn’t need to be cut when there are people who want to see them keep the parks cleaner since this use of time would benefit ALL park users. Landscape staff running lawnmowers that pollute the air HURTS ALL Encinitas residents environmentally and in the pocketbook.
1:10
DeleteWhen your blades don't meet the height of a lawn, the city saves a lot of money on sharpening.
8:23- I'm with you. What I saw last night was incredible. Finally the Council said "the citizens are our boss, we are Vina's boss and Vina is staff's boss. For too long it appeared to be the other way around. I watched form home, but given who I saw attending I was thrilled when they applauded the Council. I don't think I've ever seen that before in the 25 years I have been involved in Encinitas politics. It was a great night for the citizens of Encinitas.
ReplyDeleteYa'll can laugh at Julie's suggestion, and everyone can claim that letting your child play in the dirt builds their immune system, but wait until it's YOUR kid taking a bite out of a dog turd, or rolling in some suspicious looking techno-colored grime. BTW, our city workers are at Stone Steps every week using high pressured hoses to "clean" the steps.
ReplyDeleteIf your child can't distinguish between a dog turd and a milky way, you have bigger problems than worrying about dirt....BTW, you just shot yourself in the foot and you can't unshoot yourself....
Delete10:27
Deleteyou sound like an idiot- 1-4 years olds have very few boundry's expore everything, and love to put things in their mouth. Kind of like the your big foot you just stuck in your mouth.
There is a reason it's called PADZ People and Dog Zones
The point is about the contrast last night. The council majority took on perhaps the most important issue facing local government, and came off looking like pros. Contrast that with Julie talking about dog poop and steam cleaning playgrounds.
DeleteThere is a reason everyone left the room last night after the Density Bonus agenda item. There is a reason the headlines and topic posted by WC are NOT about steam cleaning.
It's a long election contest, and there will be plenty of chances to change the narrative. But to claim that the contrast above didn't happen, and that Julie came out golden just exposes a lack of objectivity and credibility on the part of some commenters. If anyone here has Julie's ear, you may want to tell her to learn from this. If there is a blockbuster item on the agenda, she might want to aim a little higher than she did last night. Clapping and telling her she did great may feel good, but you aren't making her a better candidate.
In case you didn't notice, she spoke on the Bonus Density law agenda item. You seem to be a troll following her candidacy. Are you a supportor of Gaspar or working in her campaign? I understand there was a well known individual present at a recent meeting held by Gaspar in Leucadia.
Delete11:14, nope and nope.
DeleteInstead of questioning motives, why not address the thoughts? And ask yourself: why would a Gaspar supporter or campaign rep point out how to make Julie a better candidate?
11:06 you have your narrative- Blakespear who opposed Prop A and the citizens right to vote contradicted herself last night. If she truly wanted to protect residents from density increases she would have supported Prop A
DeleteInstead Blakespear alinged herself with the liar's- Barth Shaffer and Kranz. That is understandable. Blakespear is a politican with a self seeking motive to run- future family profit from upzoning Rossini Creek tht Barth almost destroyed. Anyone can buy Wetanah Tucker's book about Cardiff and read how Blakespear's family are big developers and still have land to develop. Why else do you think Blakespear is running.
Julie on the other hand led effort to pass Prop A to give residents the right to vote. Julie led efforts to protect property rights of residents at Desert Rose
The true narrative is Graboi supported the residents right to vote on zoning changes - Blakespear did not. One stood for the community the other didn't. Why- Blakespear wants to upzone her family land
11:06 is dead on. We are talking politics here, folks, and if Julie wants to be in politics she needs to do a much better job at making an impact. Her contribution to the DB discussion would have carried far more weight (or even been noticed) if she had NOT made a suggestion about playgrounds. Barth has never shown herself to be a political strategist...something I have faulted her for since her first election, but last night she miraculously became one and caught Julie totally off guard. Yes, there's plenty of time to recover because it's really early, but somehow I have a feeling that the "steam cleaned playgrounds" comment will be taken completely out of context and used against her.
DeleteFor us political junkies, we've now got a race!!
- The Sculpin
10:50- attacking me because your child eats dog turds is stupid. Don't kill the messenger. You might want to read what 11:06 wrote, says the same as me in a bit more polite way.
DeleteOh and one other thing... Tell your child I said to NOT EAT SHIT!!!
10:50
DeleteAs a toddler, I remember Mom sitting me down on top of a washing machine. As she turned away, I took a gulp of bleach. Yum.
The number of members in Vina's exclusive group of 28 obstructionists skyrocketed last nights. I agree with Dr. Lorri. I've never seen anything like it at a council meeting before. Has the council finally thrown off the yoke of Stocks, Bond, and Dalager?
ReplyDelete11:07 In answer to your question, NO. Not until Gaspar and Muir ($tock$ puppets) are completely gone from the council. Only then, will we be free of that dreaded time of council arrogance.
DeleteCarlsbad cleans their walkways along the nice ocean walk because some dog lovers won't pick up their dog's poop. It is unsanitary and not good for anyone who walks barefoot there (including children). If Carlsbad can do it, there is no reason why Encinitas can't clean up the places where the dogs like to leave their remembrances. Good suggestion Julie!
ReplyDelete11:41- Barth caught Julie off guard?
ReplyDeleteBarth wanted to pass thee buck on DB and send it to the incompetent plannign commision - not surprising as Barth has no leadership abilities
Graboi recommended approve it tonight - not Barth
Barth then still wanted to send it to planning
Then Muir stepped up with some leadership and backed the Graboi recommendation. Muir took Graboi's recommendation not Barth's. Muir drove the DB approval last night- not Barth.
Thanks for sharing you are a 'political junkie"
I am more concerned with protecting community character, spending our money wisely and representing residents - issues Graboi stood for last night.
I've read you posts - no, you are not "more concerned with protecting community character, spending our money wisely and representing residents" - in fact, you're more of a political junkie than I am because everyone of your posts is so politically dogmatic - your way or the highway....that doesn't mean I don't enjoy them. I do! But let's just be a little honest here, eh?
Delete- The Sculpin
12:33 You said you were a political junkie- good for you. To think you can read the minds of others is arrogant-
DeleteI am definitely not impressed with Blakespear. Something very phoney about her.
ReplyDeleteWhen Julie Graboi speaks, she speaks from the heart. I have heard her address council in the past and she has my vote. I know she will be a good council representative for all of us.
Can anyone offer up a succinct, one two paragraph summation of what went down to density bonus?
ReplyDeleteThere's plenty of time to debate about Blakespeare and Graboi, from until November. A lot of people on here have their minds made up already and can dissect a comment on the park and steam cleaning and its deeper meaning...Classic.
-MGJ
Council determined that some Density Bonus issues can be resolved by policy without changing the ordinance (e.g. Rounding down baseline in the bonus formula), and other issues require a structural change to the ordinance (12 - 18 month process).
DeleteBecause of the phrasing of the agenda item, they could not execute the policy changes last night, but created a proper agenda item to do so next week.
3:29 Yes, the council followed the recommendation of Julie Graboi that they take the direction offered by Everett Delano. Good job Julie and Everett- good job Mr. Muir and in driving this to it's conclusion.
DeleteThanks 3:29, appreciate the synopsis. Glad to see we finally got some action on that issue.
Delete-MGJ
Donna Westbrook also urged the council regarding Density Bonus to round down and take action on a couple of items last night that were just a matter of policy. I believe Donna also should receive some credit as she spoke very eloquently about this issue.
DeleteTeresa Barth offered up 5 things she wanted the Planning Commission, not staff, to research regarding DB. In the end Council decided in a unanimous vote that they could make decisions themselves on 3 of the 5 and it didn't need to go to anyone but them, as they are tired of waiting on staff. So, they are going to agendize it for next week's meeting and vote on the points that they already can vote on which included 1) rounding down and not up, as Los Angeles does. And the other 2 someone will have to help me out as DB language is not my forte. If I have made an error in this assessment, I am sure someone will correct me. And, that is another reason I love this blog.
ReplyDeleteBarth reminds me of Minny Pearl - pint sized 2nd hand store hat for a ounce sized brain.
DeleteThanks Dr. Lorri,
ReplyDeleteAnother one was not including unbuildable environmental areas (wetlands, drainage, etc.) in the acreage for the calculation.
Together, those two items should make a significant reduction in density.
I forget what the third one was, but two of the other things discussed were requiring the low income units to be onsite rather than dumped on Vulcan, and requiring the low income units to be of similar size and quality. Those might have been the two that have to wait for the ordinance.
The third one was designing the "affordable units" to look something more like the "non affordable units".
ReplyDeleteThanks EU and 5:37. Right you are. I really liked what Jerry Sodomka had to say in oral communications on DB. If you want to hear it, he is the first speaker on this topic.
ReplyDeleteI agree with 6:06 When Jerry speaks my ears perk up. He is a very smart man. His comments inferring city intimidation I also agree with.
DeleteTown: "Our playgrounds are dirty."
ReplyDeletePerson: "We could clean them."
Town: YOUARECRAZYWEDON'TLIKEYOU
If you want to defend it, go all the way. Print up some "steam clean the playgrounds" bumper stickers and make it the signature campaign issue.
DeleteI'm sure there are voters who won't want to vote for the adult who focuses on fixing Density Bonus.
I don't believe making an issue of something to help keep our parks clean from dog poop is something to laugh at. This world seems to be every dog's toilet. What happens with the urine? That doesn't get cleaned up. Then, a little child comes along unknowingly in the same spot where the urine is and touches that area...next thing, hand in mouth and perhaps a sick child. I think this issue needs to be addressed by keeping playground areas for children separate from the animals. Just makes good clean health sense to me.
DeleteThat is my feeling and no one has to agree with me. I have seen too much stuff to sicken my stomach.
Anon 7:51, you should print up, "I support Encinitas landscaping crews running gas lawn mowers over grass shorter than mower blades. Air pollution is good!"
DeleteHow funny. The steam cleaning line is the best you can do to work against Julie.
Delete7:51
DeleteYou can support Blakespear- that's cool
I am undecided. But the truth is this
Graboi passed Prop A giving me the right to vote on density increases. She walked streets, held signs, and spoke at city hall.
Blakespear opposed my right to vote. Blakespear sat on her ass at the top of the top of the family compound and mocked average every day residents. Why? Could it be because Blakespear's family are developers and big land in Cardiff? Could it be because Blakespear sided with the liars Barth and Shaffer?
I think I just convinced myself- "I'm going with Graboi"
Let's hope Julie wins- she can steam clean city hall- no more working against residents and wasting tax money on the dirty scummy backroom deals- like the $50,000 to Rutan and TUcker or the filthy lies of the council on Prop A.
DeleteFew would disagree that Encinitas needs a good cleaning at city hall
When Catherine got up to speak she gave her name and the fact she was running for Council. Oral communications is not a forum for politicking your own personal agenda. As far as I was concerned, and I was undecided until I saw that meeting, she turned me off. And her comments were something out of a political playbook. Say something, but really don't say anything. And whatever you do, don't commit to anything. Graboi, on the other hand, even though I may have not liked some of her ideas, had the courage to express them. That's pretty rare for a politician-but she isn't a politician. She actually cares about out community. I liked what I heard and saw, even if I didn't always agree. I will be voting for someone who cares about Encinitas and isn't looking to make a name for herself, just because she needs her ego to be stroked.
Deleteah 7:51 Julie Graboi was fighting against density bonus successfully for 4 years
DeleteBlakspear is a johnny come lately backed by Barth who knows she can now unelectable as she has been exposed so she is hoping to elect a puppet in
Yes, more separation from each other is what this city and country need. Fence off the playground, then fence the city and while your at it, how about the whole damn country. That will fix everything...Right?
ReplyDelete8:20 You should have kept your stupid comment to yourself. Right?
DeleteMaybe 8:20 likes stepping in shit.
DeleteI can get behind a fence around the country, and let's arm it as well. Did you hear today the Obama purge of our military continues with acting captains and soldiers getting pink slips today while Obama asks for nearly $3 billion to service illegal immigration?
DeleteHave you heard of LA RAZA and the Chicano Student movement and "LA Reconquista" invading american thru illegal immigration-
10:32 has nothing to do with this blog.
ReplyDeleteYou write what you want and I write what I want!
Delete10:32 has everything to do with this forum of freedom of ideas and freedom of expression.
Delete8:10 Talking about Obama has nothing to do with this particular subject of density bonus. Are you dense?
Deleteahhh- somebody else suggested a fence around the entire country- a comment on that topic is simply that- a comment.
Delete11:27 That comment about the fence was also off topic. Had nothing to do with density bonus that is the topic of this particular blog.
DeleteThe fence comment was sarcasm you dolt! This constant harping about about keeping dogs out of playgrounds, keeping bonus density developers out of our city and the La Razza troll screaming about the border prompted the sarcasm. Isn't their some personal responsibility required with some of these issues? If the dog owners are so thoughtful and wonderful, how do these dogs keep getting in the play area?
DeleteNews out of Texas today from a Border Patrol Agent Union spokesperson is that the federal government is now allowing illegal immigrants to board commerical airlines without any proof or validation of who they are giving them TSA Waivers- TSA agents have been instructed by the WHite House to wave illegal immigrants through and now they are boarding commerical aircraft.
DeleteDoes this sounds secure? Legal residents need show ID. Ilegals waved in. Does this sound safe, legal citizens get screened but illegal citizens don't. Does this sound equal? Legal residents pay for their tickets- illegals have the USA Taxpayer buy their ticket.
LA RAZA = "La Reconquista" take over of american thru illegal immigration
This breaking news is brought to you by Hanity, Rush, Briehtbart and the rest of the kids at Fox news. Classic exclusive anonymous source reporting.
Delete5:28,
DeleteI'd rather see you refute the substance of the argument than dismiss it based on the source. Sometimes, the alternative media reports legitimate stories that the mainstream media refuse to cover, for partisan or other reasons.
5:28 I have a flight next week leaving from San Diego. The Federal government has been shipping illegal immigrants to San Diego for weeks. The Border Patrol does not know who these people are- gang bangers, AQ, ISIS, all we know is there are illegals.
DeleteNow the federal government is letting these illegals get on commerical airplanes with no check thru TSA- while I a legal citizen- who pay for TSA- will be screened as I should.
I have no idea if my flight will be safe and I am concerned about. So much so I am thinking of cancelling my trip.
I am glad that someone got that story out. It is ridiculous how crooked and morally bankrupt our federal government has become. No wonder they are trying to have gag orders on all the border agents. God bless this guy who told the truth to warn the public, somone named Garza.
DeleteYeah I know it's a left leaning media outlet but let's start with this...http://www.nytimes.com/2014/07/11/opinion/sheldon-adelson-warren-buffett-and-bill-gates-on-immigration-reform.html?_r=0
P.S. All three authors of the opinion piece support and contribute funds to La Razza.
I really get a chuckle at this La Raza stuff. There was a time long ago when I ran against a very worthy opponent who happened to be Latino. I saw the La Raza angle and wanted to exploit it. I spoke to my opponent about it (back then elections were far more civil and "ambush" was not the default concept), he laughed, and then he got me in touch with a ton of La Raza folks. It was not what I expected. I went off in a way that would have made Mr. Fox News proud, and they just sat there and laughed...first at me, and then with me. Then they got me in touch with that "radical fringe" that exemplifies so well what Mr. Fox News is so concerned about. It was my turn to laugh (albeit to myself...these guys were serious!). They were so unrealistic that at the end of the day they were no different than most (unarmed) radical fringes.....totally disorganized...... totally not on message...totally idealistic and dogmatic...totally harmless (good 'ole J Edgar taught us a lot about risk management as it pertains to the lunatic fringe). The only thing they did was fully and completely abuse their right to express themselves. I've stayed in touch with some of them and they haven't changed, but the world has. They remind me a lot of my "fellow travelers" and "weatherman" friends from back in the day...still clinging to an ideal and totally oblivious to the world around them. As Weir pointed out, "get out of the door - light out - land look all around".....
DeleteUnfortunately, I don't see Hannity doing that (do you really believe he believes what he says?). Even Buckley inhaled.......come on!
- The Sculpin
Breitbart broke the news of the illegal immigrants and posted a photo the government was trying to keep quiet. Soon after residents in Murietta stood up to federal policies dumping illegal immigrants into their community. Only after these two events did the "press" begin reporting on the story.
DeleteAfter posting the photo the white house issued gag orders to border agents and refused to let congress go to detention facilitites. When reporters were allowed to go they had 7 rules from HHS that limited freedom of the press.
Yesterday Breitbart broke the story illegal immigrants were boarding commerical airliners with no security check. Some of the illegal immigrants have diseases like TB- we know nothing about them. The photos I have seen of the detention centers looks like 60-70% are young men aged 17-20.
There are ideologies seeking to defeat America. Some are political -communism, others racially based like Critical Race Theory, Black Liberation Theology and La RAZA. On the extreme there has been talk of genocide on the white race thru thru illegal immigration. There are also marxists seeking to over throw the USA constitution and create martial law. One ideology outlined by Cloward and Piven who are professors and instruct students how to crash the American system is to overwhelm the system. C&P are associated with Bill Ayers the domestic terrorist who supported blowing up buildings that resulted in murders. C&P and their extremist disciples have been teaching college students.
In 1963 the goals of the communist party were read into the congressional record and included destroying the american family, emascualting the american male as a leader, infiltrating editorial boards, papers, radio, congress, churches, the white house and getting the American people under the control of the UN.
2 years ago editorial boards of the AP, NY Times, Reuters, USA Today, CNN, MSNBC announced they would no longer refer to illegal immigrants as illegal- and would begin describing them as "undocumented" to shape and control thought. Today KUSI and the UT use "undocumented" . Over the past week the NY Times, USA Today, CNN have begun using the word refugee and the UN has now chimed in. Looks like the comunists, C&P, Bill Ayers and La Raza are making great progress.
When water was turned off a few weeks ago in Detroit on residents who did not pay their bills the UN was contacted- there were reports last night that 3 bus loads of illegal immigrants were dumped in Detroit. Could the UN be far behind?
Members of LA RAZA promote "La Reconquista" thru illegal immigration and electing leaders who will give them preferences based on skin color. Governor Brown called white american males "gringo's" saying "latino power" and "brown power" were on the rise- not a single editorial of the Governor's racist comment was written.
Today VA services are cut while nearly $4B is being spent on illegal immigrants. The white house continues to gut armed forces handing out pink slips to active captains. Over the past 8 years there has been a purge of military leaders - the administration has gotten rid of the equivalents of Phillip Rivers and LT's - moves that srengthen our enemies.
Are the communist operartives of the 60's are on their way to ruining the American experiment of freedom and equality?
Buffet and Gates and Adelson are cronies. Buffet's wealth has been built on government bailouts- for example Warren bought billions in Bank Of America hours before the government used taxpayer money to bail them out. Bill Gates wants to raise taxes on middle income americans while he and Buffet keep their 15% rate. Who stands to make billions from common core - why Bill of course.
4 years ago Hannity said the Jihadi's of hate that mutilate woman and crucify non believers wanted a Caliphate in the Middle east- People mocked him. Today ISIS has announced a Caliphate.
Interesting times.
wow - checked out that Breitbart.com website
Deletethey have a really interesting article up there about the new AP History exam and common core- they claim it rewrites history, waht I found frightening was the secrecy- nobody knows what' s in it, the white house is gain issuing gag orders to AP History teachers who review it-
why is the WHite House so secret about everything? This is really getting troubling.
Sculpin, 8:26 and 7:56 news out this morning that TSA sent a letter to the Border Agent Union stating that they would no longer allow illegal immigrants to travel on commerical planes with showing a form of identification of passport. They stated they will not allow more illegal immigrants to travel on commericl airliners simply by showing the form the government is handing out to the that they appear for a court hearing
DeleteBrandon Darby and Breitbart were again correct in reporting the factual truth and more importantly getting the government to take action to protect the rights of legal citizens.
You three were wrong
news in the WSJ yesterday about the federal government dumping illegal immigrants in Nebraska- refusing to give the Governor any information about who is being dumped, their backgrounds, their health status
DeleteChildish
ReplyDeleteWhat I saw last night was incredible. Finally the Council said "the citizens are our boss, we are Vina's boss and Vina is staff's boss.
ReplyDeletethat sounds incredible. When are they going to do what is needed and fire the incompetent Government raised, reared, and failed City Manager?
5:58- I wish I knew what hold Sabine has over the Council, as well as Vina. However, they did not finish their evaluations of these two in closed session, so maybe, just maybe the Council is seeing the light. We can always hope.
DeleteGet rid of Sabine and Vina and we can have a new city.
ReplyDeleteAs a twenty year user of Orpheus Park the maintenance that is provided by city crews has and continues to be substandard. They never pick up litter left behind by users in the non dog permitted hours. During the permitted dog times the users are quite responsible and peer pressure lets most know politely if they miss their dog droppings needing to be picked up. The maintenance crews just use their blowers to spread litter, plastic, cig butts onto to the turf instead of actually cleaning that stuff up. This junk is left behind by users in the non dog times and the crews never clean this up. They just blow it off the concrete onto to the turf like that makes it disappear. I have asked in years past that those crews actually clean up the left behind litter all to no avail. The dog owners are the most responsible users of the park. Julie's steam cleaning idea, like Carlsbad's, is a good idea, in that once a male dog lifts his leg on a post or the side of a concrete wall the next one to come along is impelled to put his mark on that spot too. I have often had to remind some smokers that our parks and beaches here are smoke free but from the butts on the ground left behind by the crews at this park they never clean up squat. The users of this park in the non dog times do not respect this gift like the dog owners do and so does the maintenance personnel who are blind to the litter left behind in the non dog permitted times. As for fencing off the playground area, that has been proposed in the past but parents and kids come to this park knowing full well there is no separation and they come here liking it as it is. I have asked many parents of small children over the years if they have a problem with dogs and kids openly mixing and they do not. We are all one big happy family there during the relatively few permitted off leash hours. Anyone doubting any of this come on down and see yourself during the permitted oof leash hours. Thank you Encinitas for this and other parks. Now please have your crews clean the litter up left by the some during all those non dog times.
ReplyDeleteyou raise an excellent point about substandard work in park clean up. The "crews" that clean my local park and playground look like they are not city employees but some kind of third party. The "crews" look unmotivated and like they could care less about the job they are doing. In fact the glare at us residents watching them work at half speed with no urgency like there is something wrong with us.
DeleteMaybe it is the work culture we have created in america over the lats 20 years- some people are not proud of their work and could care less about the job they do
Maybe it's time to rebid that contract
They are a third party. So, send your complaints to Lisa Rudloff at Parks and Recreation at the City. Maybe she will do something about it, or maybe she won't. She is a Cabinet member, so she gets to do what she wants.
DeleteNothing will be done. Landscape crews are by contract required to replace dead flowers and plants but simply remove the offending plant and leave the space empty. The cities medians look like shit. Go to Cottonwood Creek park and observe the plants and flowers in from of the flag poles..... Awful. And for this she is paid $150+K per year??? We are fucked!!
DeleteI asked the head of the Park and Rec. John Franken maybe, sorry if I have that wrong, years ago and there was never any visible improvement. The responsibility is his for demanding accountability for the crews he oversees. If he ever came to Orpheus Park after his crews have finished their duties he would clearly see this condition we are all putting up with. And there are people who go there with their dogs in the non permitted times who do not clean up after their dogs since there is no peer pressure while rest of us responsible owners do during the permitted times. The crews should leave our parks spotless when they finish. That is what we are paying them for. I can't count the number of times I have gone by there early, with no dog, and seen all the litter, cig butts, and dog droppings left behind after their supposed maintenance work. And mowing the turf is just killing time when the blades won't reach the level of the turf. Steam cleaning the favorite spots where male dogs mark is called for as we all know, once one marks, others soon follow. These crews have been getting off easy for twenty years. Park and Rec this is on you to finally insist they do their jobs with some kind of responsibility for the quality of their service that we are all paying for. Substandard performance has to end or we need someone there who will insist upon a level of quality that would never be allowed to fly in any other public setting.
ReplyDeleteYou should ask to see the contract for the landscape work. I bet you dollars to donuts that the scope of the contract does not include removing dog poop and/or litter. I don't know of many that do. Basically, they're doing exactly what they've been paid to do, and if that means they have to mow the grass, it's really irrelevant how long the grass is.....it's in the contract!!!
Delete- The Sculpin
1:15 ever the apologist, devil's advocate or unable to read the posts correctly
DeleteThe people cleaning the parks are in the opinion of some not doing a good a job. Whether the scope is lawns or more.
I myself have seen these crews cleaning my neighborhood park. Sometimes it is lawns, other times it is more- playground, trash, etc.
In my opinion these crews looked disinterseted in what they were doing, put off that they even had to be there, lazy, shoody and angry at those of us observing them.
I for one am not making excuses for them. They seemed to have the same attitude towards us as many city staff members have towards residents.
Funny - I didn't see that as being an apologist or devils advocate.....how can you determine if someone's not doing their job unless you see their job description? If they're not doing what they're supposed to be doing I would find it very difficult for any supervisor (or the devil incarnate himself, Vina) to reconcile the job description in the contract with the job that's actually being done. Wouldn't you agree?
Delete- The Sculpin
1:45
Deleteperhaps you need to re-read the post. "I have seen" "Sometimes it is lawns, others times it is playground, trash etc"
I don't have to see a job description, I have seen them do the job. They are lazy, surly and put in a half ass effort-
and yes, you were at best playing devil's advocate, at worst covering up for the city
John Franken is a useless piece if nothing. That should not be in charge of anything at the City.
DeleteCity Council and City Manager know this, yet nothing changes.
More reason to dump Vina. He is useless at managing managers of Encinitas City Functions. Start dumping department heads as well unless they start dumping dead wood in all departments.
What will the new council candidates do that is different?
ReplyDeleteWould they buy PV for $10 million?
Fire City Manager or City Attorney?
Budget differently - more money to roads, cut money from?
Etc.....
Isn't it time we hear from them?
12:43 PM
ReplyDeleteThe city manager is boss of parks and rec. It is Vina's fault. Hope council is evaluating him on how he runs the city departments.
Council agenda for next week on city website. Barth had a 2 page agenda report. Vina and Jeff Murphy have an 83 pages agenda report on the density bonus law.
ReplyDeleteCouncil and residents have been shafted by Vina and Murphy with Murphy's in your face report. Council, instruct Vina to fire Murphy; then fire Vina.
Murphy and Vina both need to be fired. Whatever order you like.
DeleteTo 1:15: how typical of a bottom feeding scum sucking apologist that you are. You fit your sculpin designation. Well chosen moniker for one such as you. A sculpin in deed you are. If you can't pull for a better future you are part of the problem and I find it difficult to remember any post that tries to make an issue better. Thanks for nothing. I have to wonder why you even bother to post unless there is someone manipulating you like vina has for far too long in around here. Are you close to our invisible communications director? All your posts do is create division and that is the tactic of our city manager and his automatons. Welcome to the automaton club bottom feeder.
ReplyDeleteWhoa there cowboy!!!!!!!
DeleteHow can you change anything if you don't understand the current situation? If the grounds crew are not doing a good job, my first question is "what are they being told to do?" That lets me know if they're doing what is expected of them. If not, I know what to fix. If they are, then you have to change what they are being told to do. Get it? That's why you look at the contract. If the contract is not being followed - enforce it, or amend it to get what you need. If you think that's being an apologist, then so be it.
- The Sculpin
2:16
DeleteYou wrote "Bascially they are doing exactly what they paid to do" now you say your first question is "What are they being told to do"
That's right. I started off saying to look at the contract....that tells you what they're supposed to do. My experience tells me that "pick up dog poop" is typically not included in landscape contracts, therefore they're probably doing exactly what they're paid to do under the contract. If that's not meeting a new set of requirements - such as "pick up dog poop", then you need to amend whatever agreement you have to include "pick up dog poop" in the requirements. I think we can also all agree that "act surly to all the residents" is probably not included in the contract, as well as "there shall at all times be a minimum of 6 workers idly watching the designated shovel operator at all times".
DeleteI dunno - I think some of you are wound just a little too tight....
- The Sculpin
Dear so called Sculpin, if that is even your real name.
DeleteHow dare you suggest that a contract is a written agreement between two parties documenting the scope of work. With statements like that, you must be (circle one): a communist,
A child molester, the illegitimate love child of Jerome Stocks and Theresa Barth.
It's people like you who have turned Encinitas into the utter steaming pile of crap that it is (but we don't want to change a thing)
Good day.
I said good day, sir.
4:20- good try
Deletethe bottom feeder began his devil's advocate rant to discredit by writing- "Basically they are doing what they are being paid to do"
Yes, of course it was idiotic for him to make such a statement without first knowing what work they were actually being paid to do. But you know what happens when one assumes I suspect.
Digging his hole deeper- and insert left foot, he went on the write "what are they told to do" meaning the bottom feeder doesn't know -
the bottom feeder does and has plaeyd devil's advocate over the eyars, or he is truly an apologist for the incompetence at city hall. If the horseshoe fits it fits
Like I said - you are wound waaaaaaay toooo tight - I bet you didn't even notice the significance of the time stamp.......tsk, tsk, tsk.....
Delete- The Sculpin
Sculpin is a bottom feeder and city employee. pure selfish interest.
DeleteThere are an unfortunate few who are hired to clean and do maintenance on the parks and some are dicks. One day, at the 4 way stop sign at Orpheus and Union, a city truck failed to stop at the sign, almost hitting me, so I rolled down my window and yelled at them. They drove up right behind me and turn on the "cop light" on the top of the truck. I took down their plate number, and wrote Phil Cotton about it. No response. So there you go.
ReplyDeletethanks 2:00 what is intersting is growing up alot of guys in my small town worked at the city- the guys my dad's age were great- lot's of integrity, many veterans. The younger guys in their 20's could be seen standing around pot holes with shovels- it was a joke as there were like of 8 of them- they got lower pay then private sector but better benefits- today they get more
ReplyDeletebut now we have these low bid contractors and they really don't give a crap, I mean they have looked at us residents with the LA Stare down- they are a surly lot-
I heard Phil Cotton got an extra paycheck on his way out of town- so there you go.
Density bonus fraud at city hall and the planning department. Time to have an investigation on all density bonus developments processed and approved by the city. That includes the city planners on each case.
ReplyDeleteLove the moniker - are you a honey badger?
ReplyDelete- The Sculpin
When properly petted.
ReplyDelete-Th Badger
You and Sculpin better get a room.
DeleteRegarding the density bonus issue, I thought the issue turned out better than expected. The questions raised were good; the public participation was excellent. The speakers were terrific.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad that Teresa Barth brought this forward. She did a good job of naming some of the questions and issues. Her proposed remedy was flawed. It was good that thanks to Mark Muir and the others, this won't have to go back to the Planning Commission, then Planning Staff, then Council, then back to Planning staff, and on an on, in seemingly endless circles of discussion and obfuscation.
The issue could have been decided, by Council vote, on Wednesday night. Some got the impression that it was continued to "rally the troops," on the developers' side of the argument.
3:10 PM
DeleteRead the Murphy and Vina's in your face staff report for next Wednesday. Murphy didn't follow the Council's directions.
I predict- Council will puss down later on and staff will will again.
DeleteWhat needs to happen is Council needs to call closed session without the CM present and only the City Attroney and outline steps to can the CM. He is worthless.
Sabine and Vina have an unholy alliance....
DeleteVina and Murphy should check out the accommodations at the bars hotel.
ReplyDeleteI think too many are giving the council too much credit too soon. Nothing has been decided and the "fat lady" has not sung yet. It may be a whole different ball game next week. There needs to be a flood of concerned citizens attending this next meeting.
ReplyDeleteThe council seems to take direction from staff so I don't see this being too much different as in the past. I hope I'm wrong.
Nothing will change until Vina the Worthless is gone
ReplyDeleteVina the Worthless is a worthy title.
ReplyDeleteVina the Weasle is better- ever seen him sitting up there next to the "Weaselette" Barth
DeleteJust because some angry, upset folks spoke at the last council meeting does NOT guarantee you will get what you want. The council will rely heavily on the advice of the city manager, city attorney, and the planning director.
ReplyDeleteWait, watch and see on how it will all play out.
May I add slimey to gus' moniker since he is pretty good at not having things stick to him, our own teflon don, yea, thats the ticket. Think Stocktons bankruptcy , he was there and so far nothing has stuck to him. Think Sacramento, he was there and so far nothing has stuck to him. Now we have him here in our dear so special community and still looking. We know he is at fault for so much wrong doing here. Wake up council, you have hitched your wagon to the dark side by not firing gus. You can do an amazing thing for all of us and show him the door now. The esteem you will gain will be a reward unto itself in the eyes of your constituency and give us all a glimpse of what could be. We are special and deserve the best that you can give. Getting rid of the slimey in our midst will go a long way toward restoring some faith that has been lost over the last couple of years and decades, really. The unity of communities all over town are banding together thanks to his leadership. Thats the ticket, he is in fact a unifying source around here. Too bad it is in such a negative light when you the council could step back into the light by dumping slimey and show glenn the door too. It is about time for some of you on the dais to listen to your supporters and former supporters. We can be a forgiving crowd if we can see you standing up for us. The talent we have here could run the town so much better than all these out of town extremely expensive influencers that you have allowed slimey to bamboozel you with. Well heck I can't spell bamboozel but what better term to use.
ReplyDelete