Beach staircases open tomorrow

Encinitas Advocate:

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

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

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

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

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

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

5/6/20 City Council meeting open thread

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

Please use the comments to record your observations.

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

NextDoor:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

From the Inbox:

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

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

David Snyder

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

Blakespear's bullheadedness sends yet another bicyclist to hospital

From the Inbox:

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

Neighboring beaches to reopen Monday

City of Del Mar:

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

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

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

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

Beach closures cause crowding at Moonlight for bioluminescence viewing

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

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