[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6634406,"mediaKeyId","3585755-bd648021e16c2c8db309c97179ea2660","parentId",3585755,"title","Encinitas directs staff to pursue hiring three firefighters for Olivenhain station, apply for SAFER grant","audioSeconds",1447,"startMs",16633000,"endMs",18080000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3585755-bd648021e16c2c8db309c97179ea2660&start=16633&end=18080","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3585755-bd648021e16c2c8db309c97179ea2660/thumbnail_16633000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6634406/Encinitas/San-Diego-County/California/Encinitas-directs-staff-to-pursue-hiring-three-firefighters-for-Olivenhain-station-apply-for-SAFER-grant","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6634406-729e85fc1f83e742c342a00f90507fa2/orig.mp4?Expires=1770754976&Signature=FLnYU9CP7RS1fp3h74j7ganoxfjbwj0WkjbPQX~u3y3sAqbu4AcrqNJVI8qO4QUhAagRuqCQdI05-ld9s~s91YNG2dXE7IQzuUemPTcriIazYl4RA3WDRlFv1GmJ0ZA8fZsUKIuEDc9m5MqcoR57OO-nJXupr-WgAb3Kl4HILH5V1VvP0Zc-5ZJZu7oVnYAyGlkqu91Ds1LMBG-aVdV8k8DZw8UQfBfTMYcMEb99uzJph5mx-HaftFGASyj1KbwjfLPz9uDon9ITf3yzZT4VMkaKMdtq4ETowNyPnwr7vjjVTk3XGvRBnHQq9N2Ixj0l~ScHy22NoVOLe9ioijM42w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Encinitas, CA","date","2025-05-29T06:21:14Z","article","The Encinitas City Council voted unanimously to direct city staff to move forward on plans to add three firefighter positions for Fire Station 6 in the Olivenhain area, to pursue a SAFER grant (federal Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response) and to return to council with a detailed plan in August. The action begins an operational planning process that will include recruitment timing, housing for on‑duty personnel and apparatus, and the budgetary implications of ongoing staffing costs.

Councilmember Jim San Antonio introduced the council‑initiated request, saying Olivenhain’s geography and recent statewide fire‑severity mapping make the area especially vulnerable: “Olivenhain is, in many ways, at the tip of the spear when it comes to wildfire vulnerability,” he said. Staff and the fire chief said Station 6 is currently staffed with two firefighters per shift and that a third firefighter would enable more robust initial attack capability and improve structure protection during a rapidly moving wildfire.

Fire Chief Gordon and staff described logistical constraints. Chief Gordon noted the existing temporary Station 6 facility is too small to house additional crew comfortably: “You cannot fit 2 people in the kitchen,” he said, underscoring the need to identify a location or temporary facility and to scope apparatus needs. Staff also confirmed that SAFER grant guidance would fund an eligible hire for up to 36 months if the application is successful; the next SAFER grant application window was open in July, staff said.

Council direction and next steps
- Council unanimously directed staff to proceed with planning and recruitment for three firefighter positions intended to provide a full engine company capability for Station 6.
- Council asked staff to apply for SAFER grant funding and to return in August with an implementation plan that would include recommended housing or temporary station options, apparatus needs and the budgetary impact for both the remainder of fiscal year and ongoing operations.

Budget and timing
Staff emphasized the hiring and onboarding process (recruitment, background checks, medical exams and training) would take several months. The city manager asked for some time to evaluate the fiscal impacts and to align the request with broader budget and interlocal considerations; staff committed to returning with a recommendation and, if feasible, the SAFER grant application status.

Ending
Council's unanimous vote sends the request to staff for implementation planning and grant pursuit; staff will return to council with a recommended schedule and budget for bringing the three positions online and for locating temporary or permanent facilities to support the expanded crew.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of Encinitas Regular City Council Meeting 5/28/25","oneSentenceSummary","The council directed staff to begin planning to add three firefighter positions for Station 6 in Olivenhain, authorize application for a SAFER grant, and return with a detailed staffing and site plan; the motion passed unanimously.","taxTitle","Encinitas, San Diego County, California","taxId",3828,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6634411,"San Diego Community Power briefs Encinitas council on rates, local projects and customer programs",753,155000,908000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3585755-bd648021e16c2c8db309c97179ea2660&start=155&end=908","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3585755-bd648021e16c2c8db309c97179ea2660/thumbnail_155000.jpg","/articles/6634411/Encinitas/San-Diego-County/California/San-Diego-Community-Power-briefs-Encinitas-council-on-rates-local-projects-and-customer-programs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6634411-5793687415760dffa676bd0a82b03286/orig.mp4?Expires=1770754976&Signature=mLbPcc6Bhys2ACSeeJCLgyW7OaD~MWYM4KfTWJLNIN517GtsUvRLkIMvWWBkO~UCGdtxUDe5g7ccNlQPmHfSCBZvMZ6r53pE0R264o35USEw3YNYzJwMQ8T9-Kzs8TICZrz24jgPyti3N6sECXf5O8Y-opR-S9sST2pN6ffJRmAkpYi-bQhEdyHoJWKwBxPhiCsKmAYTQbrJ1A0WhNJ~94oOCzqRbCLl9BeedTpi7H1YiFn1B-wG8n1VW4f5PCx3OCLLHrtX24GjbeoAz1vn7uqysjbdk75y3eaTGB5m~345MF1oifIBepKI6wNEuS-8-Gqd-97l7w5Frxb1lovogQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Karen Burns, CEO of San Diego Community Power, presented an overview of the community choice energy authority’s operations, rates and local initiatives to the Encinitas City Council during special presentations. The presentation explained how Community Choice Aggregation (CCA) works in the region, the current rate offerings and local pilot programs that aim to reduce peak demand and increase resilience.

Burns described the basic customer choices available in the county: PowerOn (50%+ renewable, competitive discount to SDG&E), PowerBase (a deeper discount but less renewable content), Power100 (100% renewable — Encinitas is opted into Power100 by default) and Power100 Green Plus (designed to support LEED certification). Burns told council, “Power 100 is only a penny more per kilowatt hour and costs the average residential customer just $4 to $5 more a month than our standard PowerOn plan.”

She said San Diego Community Power has secured long‑term power purchase agreements (PPAs) for over 1.7 gigawatts of renewable capacity and nearly 2 gigawatts of storage contracts; she highlighted the Vikings solar + storage project in Imperial County as an example of a utility‑scale peaker plant now powering tens of thousands of homes. Burns also described local pilots: a smart home thermostat program to shift load out of the 4–9 p.m. peak, an EV charging schedule optimization pilot (FlexConnect) and a solar+battery pilot that was recognized by the U.S. Department of Energy.

For Encinitas specifically, Burns said more than 26,000 customer accounts are powered by 100% renewable energy through the CCA and that more than 96 homes in Encinitas participated in the solar battery savings pilot. She noted Community Power’s community engagement (150 events last year) and a $50,000 grant to the city to support a micro‑transit study.

No council votes were taken on the presentation; Burns closed by inviting questions and offering follow up on specific constituent issues.

","San Diego Community Power CEO Karen Burns updated the Encinitas City Council on rates, customer options (PowerOn, Power100, PowerBase), local projects and pilot programs including battery storage and EV charging pilots.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6634416,"Encinitas council backs expanded cost‑benefit analysis for Climate Action Plan update despite cost concerns",10250,2880000,13130000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3585755-bd648021e16c2c8db309c97179ea2660&start=2880&end=13130","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3585755-bd648021e16c2c8db309c97179ea2660/thumbnail_2880000.jpg","/articles/6634416/Encinitas/San-Diego-County/California/Encinitas-council-backs-expanded-costbenefit-analysis-for-Climate-Action-Plan-update-despite-cost-concerns","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6634416-2a924ef5c3afd6f52fc2a3698a71a2ab/orig.mp4?Expires=1770754976&Signature=U4x3Cr43D079DWJwJEqQf09xFZ8Mg4zGNyooRPIeWbqWVpUrS5a3zCpPQgf~ppfsKg1Jb9aqdccNUnhCU1NbaBOrw1lAdkv0vC851m94ESB3YRg-O~wmKiihQgBktKteozSJylnfF0THs2Zjg233Tya3Hfo9tyyfYsgzQ4sO0FGmwZ0ljsuGHpDUVSXLDlm18JbfdgU~6rnob7-V49-LqUMUS1TaJ1S~kXOGDi6NNFO5o1zX6E~S1jJLqmfV91j9Z7ABEs4HrdlT9ZS~rxJjTwf9xKLAqMIQSTnkRwsUglwksmZExQj4bHeDinox5cJ64-mqrW6fQTAYpUlJPIC8xQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Encinitas City Council on May approved staff’s request to amend the CAP consultant agreement to add a full benefit‑cost analysis (BCA) that would quantify costs and benefits of proposed greenhouse‑gas reduction measures through 2045. The amendment expands the scope of work and adds approximately $142,008 to the contract in order to model municipal and community costs and benefits and produce a prioritized list of measures for budgeting.

Staff framed the change as a direct response to a council work plan item asking for a comparative cost‑benefit view of CAP measures, including community participation costs and net present value comparisons. Planning staff described the difference between the implementation cost analysis (ICA) already underway — which looks at first‑five‑year municipal costs — and the requested BCA, which would estimate total costs and benefits across 20 years, allowing the city to compare dollars per metric ton of CO2e avoided.

Planning staff summarized the rationale: “The benefit cost analysis will quantify costs and benefits in net present value, assess cost effectiveness of CAP measures, and provide a prioritized list of measures which could be used for future budgeting,” staff told council. Staff said the BCA would apply SANDAG’s RECAP framework and would exclude four measures that are not feasibly quantifiable at this time.

Council debate highlighted cost and timing concerns. Councilmember O’Hara called the $142,000 increase a “guesstimate” and urged caution: “What I heard was it’s a guesstimate,” he said, asking whether the city could renegotiate the price. Councilmember Schaeffer and others said they supported getting a framework but wanted assurances the scope and price were right. Supporters said the study would help the city compare measures on a consistent metric and guide future investments.

Vote and next steps
Council approved a substitute motion to accept staff’s recommendation to add the BCA to the CAP update and to move forward with contract amendment tasks; the substitute motion passed with Councilmembers O’Hara and San Antonio voting no. Staff expects the BCA to cost roughly $142,008 in addition to prior contract work; staff also reported that the draft implementation cost analysis — the ICA that covers the first five years — currently estimates roughly $35 million in municipal costs to implement CAP measures over the near term.

Staff will return with refined deliverables and updated schedules and said it will post drafts for public review as part of the CAP update process.

Ending
Council’s decision authorizes a more comprehensive economic assessment to inform which CAP measures the city prioritizes for funding and implementation. While the BCA will increase consultant costs in the short term, proponents argued it will produce a metric — dollars per metric ton of CO2e avoided — that can sharpen budget choices over the plan’s 20‑year horizon.

","Council approved adding a benefit‑cost analysis to the city’s Climate Action Plan (CAP) update, expanding the consultant contract and adding approximately $142,000 to complete a 20‑year net‑present‑value study; two councilmembers voted against the addition.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6634420,"Encinitas accepts interim Santa Fe Drive improvements, directs fixes after safety complaints",7591,6581000,14172000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3585755-bd648021e16c2c8db309c97179ea2660&start=6581&end=14172","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3585755-bd648021e16c2c8db309c97179ea2660/thumbnail_6581000.jpg","/articles/6634420/Encinitas/San-Diego-County/California/Encinitas-accepts-interim-Santa-Fe-Drive-improvements-directs-fixes-after-safety-complaints","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6634420-176cee08aa784e3183d9b6e7119ff5f9/orig.mp4?Expires=1770754976&Signature=cI4NGaswEK2GISMWHrZFNDqO6pTYcYu6CK6PM50Al~ICKGp-icFg3c-NP8Jt7fiHI99rw1PnbSWnFuH7OfjatCb8V5D8tJX3RGeOR5r19kyMJDmwenv2c-~q586K4Q6cJ-ZVcou2cFeqSApm8QKCH955fakzYeSEVaH2nZ8mBzne3DYRmFGney~dgzXd4uhU0jfpcRcX-v6jzZswUbby7cZmSW78ST7CvSIlz~wl1gjtxB0PDzM0dzJKlx-o1W-i4pNQ2UJcOQpmAoNqkh6G-lEp5P5SEWcN49WVIzMIZG7JiLY0rdqzJ-nZZ-tedFRbQrjf8MIxtowsFRoOrl5BLQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The City Council of Encinitas voted in May to accept the interim condition of the Santa Fe Drive Corridor Improvements Project (western phase) and to record a notice of completion, beginning the contractor warranty period. Council also approved a $95,000 contract to address bicycle/driveway conflict areas and asked staff to return with design alternatives for a longer‑term fix.

Council and staff framed the action as a way to close out construction so Tri‑Group Construction can be paid and the city can begin warranty oversight, while still acknowledging the project is not the final corridor design. Batter Solomon, the city engineer presenting the project update, summarized what the western phase delivered and why staff recommended finishing the contract now: “The contract work was completed — the sidewalk, bike lane, the bus stops, the reverse single parking, the landscaping and drainage improvements, as well as an RRFB midblock crossing at SDA,” Solomon said.

The council took the action after an extended public discussion in which more than a dozen residents described safety problems they saw during school drop‑off and pickup, operational conflicts for bicyclists and drivers, and difficulties for emergency vehicles. Residents gave multiple examples of vehicles blocking lanes, drivers backing into angled stalls while oncoming traffic approached, and ambulances and fire apparatus having restricted access when traffic stacked near the San Dieguito Academy (SDA) driveway.

Public commenters pressed the council for several changes. Resident Molly Hintlien said the new back‑in parking is unsafe for drivers and pedestrians: “The back end parking is difficult and unsafe,” she told the council. Natalie Satune called the overall design a “failed and flawed design” and urged removal of elements that block emergency access. Dentist Kathy Santone, who operates a medical practice on Santa Fe, said patients stopped coming because construction and the parking changes reduced walk‑up access: “Our practice has lost multiple families and patients due to the year‑long construction and the loss of 50% of the dedicated parking for our professional building,” she said.

Other speakers, including consultant voices and city engineering staff, noted the changes that were completed: separated bike lanes, new sidewalks, green bike conflict striping, relocated bus pads and the mid‑block crossing near SDA. Staff said those improvements addressed long‑standing gaps — for many years pedestrians and bicyclists lacked continuous ADA‑compliant paths along that stretch.

What council approved and why
- Notice of Completion and bonds: Council voted to accept the interim condition and to record the notice of completion so the city can close the construction contract and start the one‑year warranty period. The city attorney and contract manager explained that public contract code requires filing a notice of completion when a project reaches beneficial use; failure to file can expose the city to contractor claims.
- Immediate fixes: Council approved a staff request to begin specified, near‑term modifications to the interim layout — notably a $95,000 package to address bike‑lane/driveway conflicts (additional green striping, low‑profile speed bumps, and other pavement markings and signage). That item passed unanimously.
- Direction for alternatives: Council directed staff to return with multiple design options (staff will develop at least three alternatives) that reflect different tradeoffs among parking, protected bike lanes and travel lane widths. Councilmembers asked staff to show cost, parking counts, and how each option would affect emergency access and pedestrian safety.

Councilmembers said they want to avoid a situation where the city spends significant sums now only to rework the corridor later. Mayor Bruce Ehlers and other councilmembers repeatedly said they want a solution that preserves safety improvements for pedestrians and bicyclists while addressing the operational problems residents have documented.

Next steps and funding
Staff identified about $1.4 million of anticipated unrestricted funding tied to the western phase and an additional $1.5 million related to the eastern phase. Staff will return with the requested design alternatives and the price estimates for each. The council also asked staff to assess whether limited, lower‑cost interim changes (pavement lighting at the crosswalk, revised green striping, minor curb modifications) could be implemented quickly while a longer design review proceeds.

Ending
Councilmembers and city staff emphasized there is no single quick fix that will make all residents happy, and several councilmembers stressed the need for both faster short‑term improvements and a careful, funded long‑term design. Engineering will return with the design alternatives, cost estimates, and a recommended phasing plan for council consideration.

","The City Council accepted the interim western phase of the Santa Fe Drive corridor project and approved a set of near‑term fixes after residents and staff raised safety concerns for pedestrians, bicyclists and emergency vehicles. Council also directed staff to return with alternative designs for longer‑term changes.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Encinitas directs staff to pursue hiring three firefighters for Olivenhain station, apply for SAFER grant

San Diego Community Power briefs Encinitas council on rates, local projects and customer programs

Encinitas council backs expanded cost‑benefit analysis for Climate Action Plan update despite cost concerns

Encinitas accepts interim Santa Fe Drive improvements, directs fixes after safety complaints