Positive financial outlook sets stage for Crest Canyon utility undergrounding 

As Del Mar advances its Utility Undergrounding Program, lower-than-expected costs and reduced borrowing have set the stage for construction to begin near Crest Canyon in October.

Earlier this month, in a series of unanimous votes, the City Council:

• On Sept. 8 awarded a $7.1 million construction contract for the Crest Canyon Utility Undergrounding District. That’s a $1.8 million or 20 percent reduction from earlier estimates;
• On Sept. 22 approved $2.8 million to cover SDG&E’s work on the Crest Canyon district—tasks that are separate from those of Del Mar’s contractor. That amount is $900,000 or 24 percent less than an earlier estimate. Overall, the cost estimate for Crest Canyon—estimated in June at $15.8 million—today stands at $12.8 million. That’s a $3 million or 19 percent decrease; and 
• On Sept. 22 approved borrowing $5 million from a State of California infrastructure bank, IBank, to finance costs of the Crest Canyon district and those of the next-in-line district, Stratford Court North. The $5 million loan is a fraction of the $17 million figure Del Mar included in its pre-application paperwork from March 2025.

Many of the price and borrowing reductions are tied, in part, to lower-than-expected construction bids from contractors for the City and SDG&E.

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County resources to report and prevent mosquitos

The County of San Diego's Vector Control Program offers resources to prevent and report high levels of mosquito activity. 

County webpages provide information about mosquito breeding and an online form to submit an inspection request from a vector control technician.

About mosquitoes

Inspection request

SANDAG geotechnical testing continues

A SANDAG contractor is completing geotechnical testing at more than two dozen locations in Del Mar and San Diego to gather data for the proposed LOSSAN Rail Realignment Project.

Earlier this month, crews operated a large drilling rig at 10th Street and Camino Del Mar. 

Elsewhere in September, boring is scheduled at the:

• 200 block of 4th Street;
• NCTD right-of-way near the 1900 block of Jimmy Durante Boulevard; and
• 1900 block of Seaview Avenue.
  

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SANDAG rail construction notice: Week of Sept. 29

In a weekly notice to the City of Del Mar, SANDAG covers planned construction activities for the Del Mar Bluffs 5 Stabilization Project and geotechnical testing in progress for the proposed LOSSAN Rail Realignment Project.

Open weekly SANDAG notice

Contact SANDAG: 858-549-RAIL or LOSSANcorridor@SANDAG.org

Crime blotter: Sept. 16-25

Incidents: 2

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Source: San Diego County Sheriff's Department

Tonight: Full closure of NB I-5 begins near Mission Bay

Heads up, commuters: Caltrans has scheduled a full closure of northbound Interstate 5 near Mission Bay from 9 p.m. tonight through 5 a.m. Monday, Sept. 29.

The closure of all northbound lanes between Interstate 8 and Mission Bay Drive is to allow for roadway and drainage improvements, according to a news release. 

The closure is one of six planned for the area as part of the transportation agency's I-5 Asset Management Project.

Open Caltrans news release

Oct. 7: Climate Change Symposium 

Register now for a free symposium on the climate crisis from 6 to 9 p.m. Oct. 7 at the Del Mar Civic Center Town Hall. Del Mar Climate Committee is hosting the event.

Open website

Oct. 7: Garden Club hosting "tree walk"

The Del Mar Garden Club is hosting an expert-led “tree walk” starting at 10 a.m. Oct. 7 at the Del Mar Civic Center. 

The expert, Dr. Michael Simpson, will offer insight into specimens along the walk including the dragon tree, African tulip tree, Pōhutukawa, palms and natives such as the Monterey cypress and our own Torrey pine.

Simpson, professor emeritus at San Diego State University, manages an herbarium on campus and continues to research plant evolution and classification.

No registration for the walk is necessary.

Open website

Oct. 10: State committee on sea level rise discussion in Coronado

The state Assembly's Select Committee on Sea Level Rise and the California Economy will discuss infrastructure, pollution and climate resilience from 10 a.m. to noon Oct. 10 at the Coronado Public Library, 640 Orange Ave., Coronado. 

Open flyer

Oct. 15: First on the Scene lifesaving class in Del Mar

The San Dieguito Ambulance District and AMR are offering a free "First On The Scene" lifesaving class in which participants practice multiple lifesaving skills from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Del Mar Civic Center Town Hall.

Register

Oct. 13 and 17: Deadlines to comment on SANDAG documents

Public comment deadlines are approaching for SANDAG documents covering climate and transportation issues.

On transportation, public comment closes Oct. 13 for a draft environmental impact report for SANDAG’s 2025 Regional Plan.

The goal of the plan is to make transportation more convenient, equitable, healthy and safe. It includes short- and long-term plans strategies.

On climate, SANDAG also is soliciting public comment for its Draft San Diego Regional Climate Action Roadmap through Oct. 17. 

SANDAG produced the roadmap as a guide to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

A public workshop covering the roadmap is set for 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Oct. 8 at SANDAG, 1101 Union Street, San Diego.

Trash Talk: Did you know...

...that popsicle sticks and toothpicks go in the green organic recycling cart?

Go Green Del Mar webpage

Measure Q Citizen Advisory Committee (1 voting, Del Mar resident or business representative). Closes 4:30 p.m. Sept. 26.

Traffic and Parking Advisory Committee (1 voting, resident member). Closes 4:30 p.m. Sept. 26.

Shores Park Master Plan Ad-Hoc Advisory Committee (4 voting resident members; 1 voting resident member from Parks and Recreation Committee; 1 non-voting ex-officio member from Winston School; 1 non-voting, ex-officio representative of Del Mar Community Building users). Closes 4:30 p.m. Sept. 26.

Committees, Vacancies and Volunteer Requirements