The coast news, july 6, 2018

Page 1

PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID ENCINITAS, CA 92024 PERMIT NO. 94

THE COAST NEWS

.com SERVING NORTH COUNTY SINCE 1987

VOL. 32, N0. 27

JULY 6, 2018

SAN Sinnott MARCOS -NEWS won’t seek . reelection

Geopacifica disputes city’s contract award

com

By Aaron Burgin

ENCINITAS — Encinitas’ recent award of a major engineering services contract to a Rancho Bernardo-based firm is being disputed by the firm with which the city has done business with for 24 years. The City Council unanimously awarded a threeyear contract for engineering inspection services related to private development projects to Infrastructure Engineering Corporation. That contract was previously held by Geopacifica Inc., which had contracted with the city for a variety of services since 1994. Geopacifica submitted the lowest bid out of four contractors for the inspection services contract, but city staff recommended Infrastructure Engineering Corporation. Caroline Batiste, Geopacifica’s president, said this week that she was disappointed by the city’s decision and investigating whether the firm has any legal redress. “If we weren’t providing a good service, then I agree, we shouldn’t be there,” she said. “But all I ask for is a fair playing field, and are asking the city to look into that.” Encinitas, like many other cities, relies on firms like Infrastructure Engineering Corporation and Geopacifica for services such as inspection, planning and engineering. The employees work at the city but oversight and compensation are done by the contracting firm. Geopacifica’s bid inTURN TO CONTRACT ON A18

By Bianca Kaplanek

said the city is required, per its own code, to notify organizers and people attending an unpermitted event. She said it is because if violence or other acts break out, notice must have been given informing the event does not have a permit. “I think the confusion came about, people saw that and, it was very legal language, and thought that we were shutting down the protest or we weren’t allowing the protest,” Ray said. “That was never the case. All along throughout the week we ensured the organizers that we would do everything we could to work with them and have traffic con-

DEL MAR — After eight years on City Council, Terry SinnottTHE recently announced he VISTA will not seek re-election in November. NEWS “Two terms are enough for any sane person,” he wrote in a July 1 email to friends and supporters. “The political atmosphere in Del Mar has become RANCHO too polarSinnott SFNEWS ized for me to enjoy the work. “Plus, I have been able to work with my colleagues and accomplish much of what I set out to do in 2010,” he added. During his tenure the city built a new City Hall complex, sidewalks throughout Del Mar, a somewhat controversial roundabout on Jimmy Durante Boulevard and a walking path to the Grand Avenue Bridge. Other accomplishments include passing a half-cent transaction fee to help fund utility undergrounding and other high-priority projects, developing a master plan for Shores Park, establishing a public arts program, setting aside funds for paying down employee pensions and starting a downtown streetscape improvement project. He said he is most proud of the civic center complex, an $18.5 million project dedicated June 30 that was completed on time and within budget.

TURN TO PROTEST ON A12

TURN TO SINNOTT ON A18

.com

.com

San Marcos resident Ray Martinez and his family gather on Saturday, June 30 at Cannon Park in Carlsbad to protest President Trump’s “zero tolerance” immigration policies. Photo by Shana Thompson

STANDING UP FOR FAMILIES Protestors gather in Cannon Park as part of a nationwide demonstration against the Trump administration’s immigration policies

By Steve Puterski and Claudia Piepenburg

CARLSBAD — Protesters who showed up for the Families Belong Together march and rally at Cannon Park in Carlsbad on June 30 were surprised to see city signs taped to streetlights notifying them the event was unpermitted. The signage was also somewhat of a surprise to the organizers, Robin Mastro and Cindy Millican. A few minutes before the advertised start time, as more and more people flowed into the park, many of them holding handmade signs protesting the Trump administration’s zero-tolerance policy regarding separating families seeking asylum, Mastro

stood outside a perimeter fence and expressed her frustration, fear and confusion. Since the event was too late in the process of obtaining a special event permit, and the city had no time to approve one and gather the necessary resources, organizers and attendees were notified they could be in violation of the law. Mastro received a letter from the City Attorney’s Office notifying her she could be subject to a misdemeanor and financial liability. It also said the city “will try and ensure the event is conducted peacefully and respectfully.” Kristina Ray, communications manager for the city of Carlsbad,

SELL WITHOUT LISTING NO SIGNS, NO OPEN HOUSES, NO HASSLE.

Over 2,000 Homes Sold!

Matt sold our home without even putting it on the market. — Brad R., Encinitas

We have 100’s of approved buyers looking for a home. Our buyers will pay top dollar and let you stay in your current home until you find your next one!

Call 760.930.9898 or go to SoldWithoutListing.com

www.Battiata.com

Matt Battiata


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.