Council Deadlock on SANDAG

On January 6, the City Council deadlocked 2-2 on the appointment of a Councilmember to sit on the SANDAG board as Del Mar’s primary representative. Councilmember Terry Gaasterland asserted that “continuity and longevity” and the strong constructive relationships she said she has developed at SANDAG were reasons why she should continue in the role. Mayor Tracy Martinez asserted that Gaasterland promised on the record, when last year’s appointment was made, that she would not seek appointment again this year.

Councilmember John Spelich noted that Gaasterland did not get any votes when she ran for a SANDAG leadership position. Councilmember Dan Quirk indicated he would support Gaasterland.

Though traditionally Councilmembers have not voted for themselves for appointment to a position that carries a stipend, Gaasterland made it clear she would vote in this case. With a 2-2 split, the Council did not have majority support for any appointment; no formal vote was taken. City Manager Ashley Jones later reported: “On Thursday, January 8, the City Attorney was formally notified by SANDAG…that the City’s current representatives to the SANDAG Board, which includes Councilmember Gaasterland (primary); Mayor Martinez (1st Alternate); and Deputy Mayor Spelich (2nd Alternate), will continue to serve until such time the City Council votes to recall or replace them.”

At the Council meeting on January 20, the issue of SANDAG appointments was again on the agenda. Breaking a longstanding Del Mar tradition (but not a legal requirement) not to vote for oneself for a position that carries a stipend, Councilmember Gaasterland made a motion to appoint herself as the primary, Mayor Martinez as the 1st alternate, and Deputy Mayor Spelich as the 2nd alternate.  That motion lost by a 2-2 vote, with Councilmember Quirk voting with Gaasterland in favor of the motion (after first attempting to abstain). But the effect of that failed motion was to leave Gaasterland in place as the primary SANDAG representative, and Martinez and Spelich as the alternates. That will be the case until such time as the Council musters a majority vote for SANDAG appointments.