Barth Responds

Send us stuff to publish. A Barth supported forwarded this:

A slate mailer (paid for by Dan Dalager, Kristin Gaspar and Yes on Proposition A, a San Diego County issue). It lists a number of issues Dalager & Gaspar support and implies that I do not. Of course each issue is more complicated than the simplistic manner it is presented.

Below is my response to each false or misleading statement:

Hall Community Park. I have from the very beginning supported a park on the Hall property that provides sports and recreational uses for all ages that also respects the quality of life of the surrounding neighborhoods. The source used in the mailer was a Union Tribune editorial that also misrepresented my position.

Scripps Hospital Expansion. I supported the expansion but voted against a city imposed condition that could require the surrounding property owners to PAY for future mitigation measures needed to deal with the traffic impacts created by the hospital.
Source: Minutes May 23, 2009

Desalination. The council never voted to support or oppose desalination. The council voted against committing the San Dieguito Water District to a contract to purchase desalinated water from Poseidon at an UNDETERMINED future price. Councilman Bond, the city's long time representative to the San Diego County Water Authority, noted that Poseidon did not have a good track record of delivering water at a competitive price. The vote was Bond, Barth & Houlihan to protect the SDWD ratepayers with Stocks & Dalager opposed. The mailer credits the source of information as the SDWD Minutes, August 22, 2010 which is a Sunday. The correct date of the meeting is August 22, 2007.

I-5 improvements. I support improvements to the I-5 corridor within CALTRANS current right of way rather than the large expansion currently proposed that will require the taking of private property.

Performing Arts Center at San Dieguito Academy. I support the Performing Arts Center and would have voted for a variance to allow that building to exceed the 30 foot height limit. I did not support the recommendation to spot zone the entire campus allowing all buildings to be up to 34 feet tall.

Sand Replenishment tax. I voted against a second ballot measure to place a 2% tax on vacation rentals for sand replenishment. The public had previously voted for an 8% TOT tax on vacation rentals, similar to the room tax for hotels but did not support a 2% tax specifically for sand. Councilmember Houlihan & I both felt that it was not a prudent use of tax dollars to hold another election within 6 months of the first measure. The public did approve the 2% the second time. I personally support the Sand Replenishment tax.

Fees for Encinitas youth sport teams exclusive use of fields. All groups wishing to have exclusive use of a city park, recreational facility, conference room, etc. must pay a fee EXCEPT youth sports teams. At the June 17, 2009 meeting, in light of declining revenue, a recent fee increase for all other recreational programs and the need to identify funds for the maintenance and operation of the future park at the Hall property I recommended a change in the city's current policy. I suggested a flat rate fee based on the amount of use and those fees be set aside in a special park development fund. The vote was 3-2 with councilwoman Houlihan supporting my recommendation.

Credit Card Usage since 2006. I do not know if that dollar amount is correct but I do attend meetings, workshops and the annual League of California Cities conference as a means of staying current with changing state laws, urban planning, transit, and environmental issues. Registration, transportation and lodging fees are paid by the city. I do not however request reimbursement for any out of pocket expenses or for per diem.

For the last two years the council voted unanimously to designate me as the city's official delegate at the League's annual conference. Dan Dalager has had two opportunities to question the expense of attending the conference but has not raised any objection.

There is a You Tube channel that has veto clips of the council meetings dealing with impacts of Scripps Hospital expansion on the Devonshire neighbors, the athletic field use fees, and public requests to discuss the I-5 widening. Watch for yourself.