City News/Alerts

Utility Undergrounding Discussion to Occur on Monday, April 15^th
A City Council review of the Undergrounding Project Delivery Plan will be held on April 15, 2019 at a time certain of 7:00pm.  The discussion will include a proposed approach to moving forward with the Undergrounding Project (UP) and several policy decisions recommended by the Undergrounding Project Advisory Committee (UPAC).
 
The Project Delivery Plan establishes seven Project Blocks (also referred to as “areas”) and prioritizes their implementation based on customer density and fire safety, starting with Project Block 1A (265 parcels west of Camino del Mar between 4^th and 11^th streets).  A second area, Project Block X (43 parcels accessible from San Dieguito Drive near Crest Canyon) has also been recommended for the first phase.
Open a Project Block Boundaries Map (PDF).
 
As a pilot project, Project Block 1A, which scored highest using the prioritization criteria of customer density and fire safety, would provide examples of costs, timelines, and customer service needs that would inform decisions on future construction. Project Block 1A represents a cross-section of single-family and multi-family homes, commercial and public properties.
 
Project Block X would bring utility undergrounding to an area identified on CalFire’s risk maps and recommended for first-phase implementation because of its terrain, topography and wildfire hazards.
 
With City Council approval, the first two projects would begin a design phase expected to last through 2020. Construction would begin in 2021. The pace of citywide undergrounding will be based on a future, long-term financing plan that will draw from experience from the pilot project to develop policy recommendations on whether to finance undergrounding of remaining project blocks with cash versus financing.
 
Funds from Measure Q – Del Mar’s one-cent sales tax measure approved by voters in 2016 -- would pay for the design phase of the two pilot projects.
 
As proposed in in the Undergrounding Project Delivery Plan, property owners would bear the cost of bringing their electrical panels up to code, if needed, and trenching on private property to provide a connection to the service point, generally along the nearest street.
 
More information can be found on the Undergrounding Project website.   Subscribe to receive Utility Undergrounding Project messages.
 
Sound Checks for Active Shooter Drill at Fairgrounds on Monday, April 15^th
In advance of an upcoming Active Shooter Drill to be held at the Del Mar Fairgrounds next month, on Monday, April 15, 2019, between the hours of 1:30pm and 3:30pm, those planning for this drill will be testing some of the “realistic” noise making devices.  These devices are intended to simulate the sound of gun-fire. 
 
We are advising you of this testing to minimize concern and to prevent any unnecessary emergency phones call during the testing on Monday, April 15^th.   If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact Mark Elvin with the Del Mar Fairgrounds at (858) 755-1161 Ext: 2833.
 
Coastal Rail Service Cancelled This Weekend
COASTER and Amtrak service is cancelled this weekend to allow for improvements along the coastal rail corridor, according to North County Transit District. Replacement bus service will not be provided. Also during the weekend of April 13 – 14, Amtrak and Metrolink trains will not service the Oceanside Transit Center. See the full NCTD notice.
 
Climate Adaptation Outreach Event on Wednesday, April 17^th
Del Mar Fire Chief Mike Stein will join a panel of speakers on Wednesday to discuss wildfire risks and other challenges coastal communities face from climate change. Other speakers include Bill Beckman, chair, Forest Health & Preservation Committee, Rancho Santa Fe Association; Michael Huff, senior urban forestry project manager, Dudek; Dr. Laurie Broedling, SDSU and San Diego Regional Urban Forestry Council, and Richard McCreight, Founder, NEOS Ltd. The event is set for 6:00 p.m. Wednesday, April 17 at Solana Beach City Hall, 635 S. Highway 101, Solana Beach.
 
Drilling of Test Well in River Valley to Begin on Monday, April 15^th
As part of its San Dieguito Groundwater Study Project, Olivenhain Municipal Water District is set to begin drilling a test well on Monday. The drilling near the Polo Fields is set to run 24 hours a day through April 24. Learn more on the San Dieguito Groundwater Study webpage.
 
Upcoming FEMA Local Assistance Meeting in Del Mar – May 15, 2019 at 5:00 p.m.
On Wednesday, May 15, 2019, at 5:00 p.m. the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will be holding a local assistance meeting in Del Mar’s Town Hall. The purpose of the meeting is to inform the community that a new Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) will be applicable to properties in Del Mar. The FIRM map applies to areas that are subject to flooding by the one percent annual chance flood event and identifies the corresponding base flood elevations, flood zones, and floodplain/floodway boundaries.  FEMA’s intent is to explain the applicability of the new FIRM map and answer community questions about the associated flood insurance, mapping, “letter of map change” process, and FEMA’s regulatory requirements (Title 44, Code of Federal Regulations).  FEMA anticipates the new FIRM map will be effective in November 2019.  For those unable to attend, an audio recording of the meeting will be made available via the City’s web page: http://www.delmar.ca.us/618/FEMA---New-Flood-Map

City Projects Updates

Operations

Public Works continues beach sand maintenance in cooperation with Community Services as winter subsides in preparation for summer.  Annual traffic counts continue through April.  Sections of the Shores Park field remain closed as new seed is established.  Replacement signs will be installed along Coast Blvd and north Camino Del Mar over the next several months. 

Public Safety Update

Sheriff’s Update

Greetings from the Sheriff’s Station!  The Sheriff completed a Misdemeanor Bench Warrant case on Camino del Mar and a Battery case on 8^th St. in Del Mar last week.
 

Fire Department Update

The week of April 3- 10, 2019, Del Mar Fire Department was dispatched and responded to 13 medical aids, four fire alarms, two traffic collisions, and one investigation response. In addition, Del Mar Fire Department also attended a joint coastal training involving MCI (Mass Casualty Incidents).  Ongoing station maintenance and spring-cleaning continues.
 

Beach Conditions

Surf size is down a notch from yesterday morning but there's still a waist-chest high blend of shorter period NW swell and SSW/S southern hemi swell. Best winter and combo spots hit shoulder-head high on sets.  Winds are light and the ocean surface is smooth for better overall conditions. Waves are still a little jumbled but looks like some fun peaks working through at times. All beach access point are open and sand levels have started to rise with the spring swells we have been having.  

Other Announcements

Employment Opportunities

The City is recruiting for the following positions:

• Parking Enforcement Officer I/II/III (Seasonal)
• Seasonal Worker – Beach Maintenance Worker I/II/III
• Student Lifeguard (Seasonal)
• Law Enforcement Manager (Part-time)
• Associate Management Analyst or Senior Management Analyst City Manager's Office

 
To apply, visit www.delmar.ca.us/employment

Upcoming Events/Meetings

• Monday, April 15:
  • Special City Council Meeting – Closed Session: 3:45 p.m., City of Del Mar Town Hall, 1050 Camino del Mar
  • City Council Meeting:  4:30 p.m., City of Del Mar Town Hall, 1050 Camino del Mar
• Tuesday, April 16:
  • Traffic and Parking Advisory Committee:  5:00 p.m., City of Del Mar Town Hall, 1050 Camino del Mar
• Thursday, April 18:
  • Undergrounding Project Advisory Committee:  7:30 a.m., City of Del Mar Town Hall, 1050 Camino del Mar

 
For the most current calendar of upcoming events, visit the City’s website at www.delmar.ca.us.