Encinitas Action publishes fact-based explanation, civic commentary, and meeting coverage to help neighbors understand what’s happening at City Hall and why it matters. Browse our coverage by topic below, including Safe Parking, Housing, Public Safety, Development, Environment, and Governance/Decorum.
Addressing Homelessness
Understanding Safe Parking Programs
A plain-language guide to what Safe Parking is (and isn’t), why cities use it, who it serves, and what makes a program effective, with the key questions residents should ask going forward.
Understanding the Point in Time count
Fact Check: What is the Community Resource Center?
Public Safety
ICE in Encinitas, An Overview
A timeline-style overview of reported ICE activity and community response in Encinitas, including school-area concerns and subsequent City Council actions.
Governance
Social Media Brown Act Violations When the rules become a joke, Encinitas has a leadership problem.
Councilmember Jim O’Hara dismisses Encinitas citizens’ engagement
A commentary on public trust and civic participation, responding to remarks that characterized resident input as “propaganda” and “astroturfing.”
‘Common Ground’ shouldn’t mean ‘Agree with me or else.’ Op-Ed on Councilmember O’Hara’s dismissive attitude on the dais. What is Mayor Ehler’s responsibility?
Encinitas mom calls out City Council rudeness
A meeting recap highlighting resident concerns about civility and conduct on the dais, plus key takeaways from the 2/18/26 council meeting agenda.
Councilmember Luke Shaffer criminal charges (resulting in court-ordered anger management) Shaffer entered a misdemeanor diversion agreement that requires him to complete eight hours of anger-management classes, perform 60 hours of volunteer work, avoid contact with the complaining witnesses, and comply with other court-ordered conditions for the case to be dismissed. For any elected official, that is not a minor footnote. It is a reminder that conduct, judgment, and accountability matter.
Mayor Ehlers ignores O’Hara’s tardiness and rudeness A well-run council depends on punctuality, respect for the public, and visible standards of professionalism. When those standards slip repeatedly, it reflects on the whole body – especially on the mayor entrusted to lead it.
Residents’ voices ignored: City council tunes out racism Track the public record of Steven Houbeck’s racist Facebook post and the Encinitas City Council’s repeated silence as residents demanded accountability.
Transparency
FPPC Rejects Complaint About Encinitas Action In the interest of transparency, we’re sharing that the Fair Political Practices Commission’s Enforcement Division reviewed a sworn complaint from Cardiff resident Julie Thunder. You can read about the complaint and FPPC rejection of it here.
Further Reading
Encinitas City Council 2025 Report Card
The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly: Six-Month Scorecard for Encinitas City Council for January – June 2025