Council introduces expanded ban on plastics

Building upon earlier action to reduce plastic waste from the environment, the City Council on Dec. 15 introduced an ordinance to prohibit single-use, non-compostable food service ware citywide and single-use plastic beverage bottles at City facilities and City-sponsored events. The vote was 4-0.

The prohibition includes the sale of expanded polystyrene, or Styrofoam, coolers and ice chests.

The ordinance—which includes all disposable, single-use food service ware that cannot be commercially composted—expands upon existing bans: single-use plastic carryout bags (2016), Styrofoam and nonrecyclable plastic food service ware (2018), plastic straws and stirrers (2019), and balloons filled with gas lighter than air (2023).

The bans are part of a larger effort to move Del Mar toward becoming a zero-waste city and comply with state goals to divert trash from landfills.

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Martinez selected as Mayor for 2026

During its final meeting of 2025, the City Council voted unanimously Dec. 15 to select Deputy Mayor Tracy Martinez as Mayor and Councilmember John Spelich as Deputy Mayor for 2026.

To select the mayor and deputy mayor, the City Council traditionally places the top two vote-getters from the previous election cycle into the positions.

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Council OKs $131K for emergency San Dieguito Drive repairs

The City Council on Dec. 15 approved $131,000 to complete emergency repairs on San Dieguito Drive and Racetrack View Drive.

The repairs of damage caused by heavy rains in November include: replacing a corroded metal storm drain with modern, reinforced concrete pipe; rebuilding the storm drain inlet and outlet structures on both sides of the road; protecting the sewer main; reinstalling a guard rail, and reconstructing the roadway subgrade and embankment.

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Happy holidays! Extended parking through Jan. 1

To celebrate the holidays, we are extending parking in downtown Del Mar from 5 p.m. today through Jan. 1.

Two-hour parking in the town center and the L’Auberge Del Mar garage will not be enforced.

Parking restrictions will continue to be enforced on all 20-minute spaces and metered spaces on Maiden Lane and Coast Boulevard.

SANDAG rail construction notice: Week of Dec. 22

In a weekly notice to the City of Del Mar, SANDAG covers planned construction activities for the Del Mar Bluffs 5 Stabilization Project and geotechnical testing for the proposed LOSSAN Rail Realignment Project.

Open weekly SANDAG notice

Crime blotter: Dec. 11-18

Incidents: 0

Source: San Diego County Sheriff's Department

Jan. 7: Trains to Tunnels talk in Town Hall

Del Mar Historical Society President Larry Brooks will present a program on the railroad in Del Mar—from 1880 to the present—at 6:30 p.m. Jan. 7 at the Del Mar Civic Center Town Hall.

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Trash Talk: Did you know...

...that popped and unpopped corn kernels go in the green organic recycling cart?

Go Green Del Mar webpage

E-blast covers holiday spirit

A DMVA e-blast issued this week covers "live music and unique shopping experiences, inviting you to support small businesses while searching for the perfect holiday gifts."

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Traffic and Parking Advisory Committee (1 voting, resident member). Closes 4:30 p.m. Dec. 19.

Design Review Board (1 voting resident member). Closes 4:30 p.m. Jan. 16.

Committees, Vacancies and Volunteer Requirements