encinitasaction
-
City Council Meeting Preview for 3/25/26
Here’s a look at the upcoming City Council meeting this week. If you are unable to attend a city council meeting in person, you can watch it on the City of Encinitas Youtube Channel or on the city’s website. Here’s the current meeting schedule and information about city council subcommittees. To view via television: Cox Communications: Ch. 19, Spectrum: Ch. 24, AT&T…
-
Bruce Ehlers ignores O’Hara’s chronic tardiness and rudeness
Mayor’s lack of leadership enables deputy mayor’s disruptive behavior. Punctuality is not a small thing in local government. City council meetings are formal public proceedings, and residents, staff, and fellow councilmembers all deserve the basic respect of having elected officials show up on time and ready to participate. Thus far, we have identified repeated lateness…
-
Big Budget Decisions, A New Park, and a Dash of Drama at the March 18, 2026 Council Meeting
Big budget questions. Another councilmember kerfluffle. And a seventh grader is celebrated for helping create a new park. 🏛️ Council Meeting Recap – March 18, 2026 🌟 Presentation: Oliver Pratt For three years, seventh-grader Oliver Pratt (above, center) collected, cleaned, and sold used golf balls to raise money for the future L-7 nature park on Quail Gardens…
-
Do you think local ICE activity is ‘silly?’
When prominent political voices treat violent or alarming ICE activity in Encinitas as mere “silly stuff,” it sends a deeply troubling message. Residents watched masked federal agents detain people in public, including incidents that sparked widespread concern near schools and other community spaces. Whatever anyone’s personal views are on immigration policy, the use of force,…
-
Let’s look at overall crime rates in Encinitas
View this post on Instagram A post shared by Encinitas Action (@encinitasaction) Caught on video, a local business was recently hit by a burglar. While alarming to see, here’s what the data shows: deputy activity is up, and crime in Encinitas is trending down. Good progress. Stay alert, look out for your neighbors, and if…
-
Long meeting. Big issues. Unanswered questions.
Last Wednesday’s Encinitas City Council meeting lasted four-and-a-half hours. Between public outcry over a racist post, debates about homelessness funding, safety concerns at a school crossing, and a city work plan missing key issues like affordable housing and flooding, the night raised as many questions as it answered. And Encinitas Action sat through it all…
-
‘Common ground’ shouldn’t mean ‘Agree with me, or else’
Previously published in The Coast News. During his election campaign, Encinitas Deputy Mayor Jim O’Hara used the slogan “Common Sense, Common Ground,” a phrase that suggests bridging divides, listening across differences, and finding workable compromises. But on the dais, O’Hara’s “common ground” often seems to be defined as something much narrower: agreement with his conclusions.…
-
Boos at council meetings are bad – sometimes: 2/25/26 City Council meeting recap
Long night. Big votes. Real tension. Here’s what mattered. 💬 Quote of the Night: Immediately after a public comment supporting the redesign of Santa Fe Drive, there were some claps and some boos from the audience. Deputy Mayor O’Hara said: “[I]f you want to cheer for the person who comes up because they agree with your…
-
Encinitas mom calls out City Council rudeness
2/18/26 council meeting recap Last Wednesday’s Encinitas City Council meeting featured a packed agenda, a packed room, and plenty of heat inside council chambers. Encinitas mother Meenal Patel spoke movingly during Oral Communications about her deep disappointment in the lack of civility from our current City Council. Citing the example they set for kids, she challenged councilmembers…
-
Cardiff Train Station circa 1913
1913 – Many locals don’t know that Cardiff once had its own train depot. Located on the east side of the tracks, just north of the Chesterfield Drive crossing, it was built in 1913, closed in the ’20s, and torn down in 1943. Believe it or not, a recently uncovered slab from the original platform…
-
Council Meeting Recap: Commission Appointments
Watch the full City Council meeting here. Surf Pride Moment: The night kicked off with recognition of the San Dieguito Academy Surf Team 🏄♂️ — coach, students, and proud supporters packed the chambers. A feel-good start. Oral Communications: Seven speakers tackled everything from cannabis retail and Highway 101 safety in Leucadia 🚗 to bike safety education 🚲 and even…
-
City Council declines to reinstate the Safe Parking Program
Last Wednesday night, despite appeals from over 160 residents in letters and public testimony, the Encinitas City Council chose not to restore our proven Safe Parking Program.(Learn about Safe Parking Programs.) We’ll dive into that Special Meeting on the Homeless Action Plan (HAP), and then look at the subsequent regular meeting – during which city commission appointments were made.…
-
Anonymous ‘outrage’ accounts are warping Encinitas discourse
Previously published as an Op-Ed in The Coast News on January 26, 2026 Anonymous grievance accounts on social media are attempting to influence Encinitas civic life without transparency or accountability. Debate is healthy. Anonymous manipulation is not. When an anonymous page presents opinion as fact, cherry-picks data, targets individuals, and manufactures outrage while refusing to…
-
Meeting Recap: Process Matters, Residents Make that Clear
Oral Communications: Tensions High Residents called out: Consent Calendar Highlights ✔️ 8F – Glen Park Improvements: Resident requested redesign for ADA + drainage. Staff will follow up. Passed unanimously. ✔️ 8G – Offshore Drilling Opposition Letter: Resident thanked Council for taking a stand. Unanimous approval. Consent Items: Item 10A – Sewer Engineering Fees: First update in…
-
We did it!
Most of the threats to our Encinitas values were reversed – for now. Wednesday night, a large crowd of Encinitas citizens held the line against the current City Council’s attempts to erase some of our most sacred ideals from the document that defines our city’s legislative priorities – including equality, inclusivity, gun safety and violence,…
-
Encinitas’ priorities are being gutted. Let’s fight back on Wednesday!
Mayor Bruce Ehlers and Deputy Mayor Jim O’Hara have made disturbing edits to the City’s Legislative Program that do not reflect who we are as a community. This should concern every Encinitas resident, regardless of political stripe. The Ehlers/O’Hara subcommittee updated our legislative program, which will be up for review and a vote at this Wednesday’s City Council meeting. These changes don’t come…
-
Encinitas City Council 2025 Report Card
One year in, this council has created flashes of progress – but also contradiction, hostility, and a growing chorus of residents who feel unheard. Even the council’s most loyal supporters call it a mixed bag. Leadership matters – and many Encinitans are asking whether the mayor and this council are up to the task. Mayor…
-
Here’s Who We Are
January is a time for new beginnings, so we want to wish you a happy new year and share a few exciting updates. Over the past year, many of you have joined us at meetups and events, and we’re grateful for your friendship, support and participation. Our face-to-face conversations matter, especially as it becomes increasingly…
-
Council Meeting Recap: Parks, Politics & Public Process
Civic sparks flew as Council tackled business boards, questioned volunteer committee effectiveness, approved trail stewardship, and discussed park amenities during the last meeting of 2025. The TL;DR 🧵 🛑 ICE undermines transparency🏕️ Restart of homeless services gets results🌳 UFAC survives another round🏗️ Pickleball vs. pools vs. open space TBD💼 New Business Commission coming🔥 Firefighters get…
-
Encinitas commissions & committees provide opportunities for civic engagement
Applications for 28 commission seats are now available on the City of Encinitas website and are due by January 22, 2026. Learn more about the commissions and lend your talents to shape our city.
-
Council Meeting Recap: Surf, Parks, Pavement and a new Deputy Mayor
🏄 Encinitas Surfboards celebrates 50 years🅿️ Residents urge council to save safe parking lot 🌳 L-7 park design approved amid tension 🚴 Bike lane bollard removed ⛺️ Stricter Vehicle Sleeping & Camping Rules Unanimously Approved🌊 Surf School Rules Updated; 10 Teaching Zones Approved🚸 Pavement Report Accepted👑 O’Hara Appointed Deputy Mayor Special Presentations: 🏄♂️ 50 Years of Stoke + a…
-
Art, Drama & Action: Encinitas City Council Highlights
The Pacific View Arts Center (PVAC) is officially the artsy heartbeat of Encinitas. In just 10 months: 💬 Artists + residents say: It’s not about profit—it’s about connection.📣 “PVAC is like a public park: open to all, even if not all use it.” — Cardiff artist Rosemary KimBal 🧑⚖️ Council Reaction: 🎤 Oral Communications – Got Personal
-
Council Meeting Preview 11/12/25:
Two City Council meetings this week back-to-back. The first is a special joint meeting with the Arts Committee regarding Pacific View Arts Center. After that it’s the regular council meeting.
-
Santa Fe Drive Showdown: The Road that Keeps Dividing Encinitas
Council Meeting Recap: The battle over Santa Fe Drive was back — and it’s still spicy. 🌶️ In May, the Council rejected city staff’s recommendations to complete the project and make minor adjustments. The Council instead directed staff to evaluate three alternative options. At Wednesday’s Council Meeting, more than 40 residents, including many San Dieguito Academy…
-
Council work plan progress, proclamations recognizing veterans and first responders, street & rail safety, and public arts refresh.
Dishing Up Safety for Streets and Rails! 🏗️ Special Meeting: Progress Check! ✅ 65 of 76 city goals on track — the rest in progress, none delayed! 👏Council celebrated strong momentum across all priorities — from the circulation element update to homeless services contractsand the native plant ordinance. 📊 The full FY 25–26 Work Plan is online and will soon reflect…
-
Encinitacardihain?
Back in 1986 when 69% of Encinitas, Cardiff, Leucadia and Olivenhain voters chose to form a single city, their main motivation was familiar to us today – controlling local development. A more divisive issue also had to be settled – what were we going to call ourselves? If a majority of Cardiff residents had had…
-
Public Safety, Mobility Upgrades, Ecofest & Environment Day, Wireless Facilities, Youth Commission x2, Habitat Stewardship Program, and the City Hall Shuffle
The highlights you need to know! Public Safety ⛑️ Mobility Upgrades 🚦 🌎 EcoFest & Environment Day 💭FFT: Do you support reducing opportunities to celebrate sustainability and environmental stewardship? 📡 Wireless Facilities (5G) Concerns over health impacts ⚡ from Councilmember Shaffer + public. Council voted to pause and hold a public workshop. 👧👦 Youth Commision x 2 💭 FFT (Food for…
-
Recap: Public Safety, Mobility Upgrades, Ecofest & Environment Day, Wireless Facilities, Youth Commission x2, Habitat Stewardship Program, and the City Hall Shuffle.
The highlights you need to know! Public Safety ⛑️ Mobility Upgrades 🚦 🌎 EcoFest & Environment Day 💭FFT: Do you support reducing opportunities to celebrate sustainability and environmental stewardship? 📡 Wireless Facilities (5G) Concerns over health impacts ⚡ from Councilmember Shaffer + public. Council voted to pause and hold a public workshop. 👧👦 Youth Commision x 2 💭 FFT (Food for…
-
Council Meeting: Sister City Visit Recap, Public Comments, CDBG Grant Funds Review, and more!
Encinitas brought heart and only a little heat to City Hall on Wednesday. Sister City Visit 🇯🇵 Student delegates from our sister city, Amakusa, Japan, shared their endless Encinitas summer including surf + skate lessons, fiestas, and a BBQ with our firefighters. Pure community magic. Public Comments: Traffic Safety + Political Fire 🚦 Clark Apartments…
-
Variable messaging Systems
Recently, Council approved the use of Variable Messaging Systems (VMS) as a measure for improved safety on our roadways. We want to hear from you! Do you think these are effective? What are other measures that have been successful in road safety?
-
Council Meeting Recap: Rules & Respect Reminder, Emergency Preparedness Month, Spicy Oral Comments, and School Resource Officers
Wednesday night’s City Council meeting was a packed house with heated topics 🌶️ 👩⚖️ Rules & Respect Reminder: With chambers overflowing, Mayor Ehlers kicked things off by reminding folks: be respectful, no shouting, no personal attacks, and no giant signs. 🚨 Emergency Preparedness Month Fire Chief Gordon + Emergency Manager Marie Jones Kirk rolled out tools to…
