District 2 Council Member· 2024-2028
Jim O'Hara
Encinitas
No biography on file yet.
Voice
- Meetings spoken in
- 65
- Total speaking time
- 15:22:26
- Avg per meeting
- 14:11
- Segments
- 19735
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Top issues during term (20)
Mobile Home Park Space Rent Stabilization
Potential reduction or capping of commercial revenue growth for park owners and direct savings for fixed-income residents.
Homeless Shelter Partnership Transition
Continued city funding allocations toward professional consultant services for shelter operations.
Draft 2026 Climate Action Plan Update
Consultant costs are associated with the benefit-cost analysis for the CAP update.
Mobile home space rent moratorium
No direct fiscal impact to the city, but capped rent increases could mean hundreds of dollars a month in savings for space renters — or reduced park owner revenue.
E-Bike Safety and Campus Regulations
Absorbed within existing sheriff service hours.
Fiscal Year 2026-27 Operating Budget and CIP
The city holds about $160 million in investments ($47 million general fund); roughly $20 million in dormant capital accounts could be redirected.
Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Annual Work Plan Priorities
Several proposed goals will require additional funding, which will be evaluated during the upcoming budget workshops.
Potential Litigation: Paul Ecke Central Elementary School District Project
The school district, not the city, funds the reconstruction.
City 40th Anniversary Celebration
Absorbed within existing Parks, Recreation and Cultural Arts departmental operating budgets.
Existing Litigation: Van Allyn v. City of Encinitas
Legal defense and potential settlement costs impact the city budget.
Draft 2026-2031 Homeless Action Plan Update
The city kept over $1.5 million in opioid settlement funds through FY 2038-39 for homeless services, with expansion funded by outside grants at no added general fund cost.
Pavement Rehabilitation and Bollard Policy
The base bid is about $4.1 million for 17.6 lane miles; swapping Balour out means other streets fill in, with Balour deferred to next year.
Traffic Impact Analysis Guidelines and Municipal Code Updates
Developers will pay fair-share contributions for cumulative traffic impacts.
Stop Sign and Intersection Safety Improvements
Modest municipal expenditures for signage, striping, and optional flashing beacons.
Public Art Integration in Quail Gardens Park
Potential future costs for public art installation pads and artwork acquisition.
2026-27 Youth Commission Work Plan and Ad Hoc Committees
None directly tied to work plan adoption.
City Legal Matters and Ongoing Litigation
Legal defense and potential settlement costs impact city funds.
local elections
No direct financial impact from this news, but your vote shapes future city spending!
Development of Citywide Cultural Loops
Potential future grant funding and fundraising efforts will be needed for signage and infrastructure improvements.
FY 2026-27 Parks and Recreation Work Plan
Potential budget adjustments for fiscal year 2027-28 depending on commission recommendations submitted by February.
Decisions during term (350)
Recorded while O'Hara was in office — not necessarily decisions they moved, spoke to, or voted on.
Consent Calendar (remaining items)
FY 2026-27 Pavement Rehabilitation Project (CS27A) with Balour Drive removed
Treasurer's Annual Report and Investment Policy (Resolutions 2026-99 and 2026-100)
Youth Commission Work Plan FY 2025-26 Outcomes and FY 2026-27 Proposed Work Plan
Urgency Ordinance — Temporary Moratorium on Mobile Home Space Rent Increases
Introduction of Non-Urgency Ordinance No. 2026-25 (mobile home rent moratorium backstop)
Encinitas Age-Friendly Study — Receive and File
Council Initiated Item (Lyndes) — DHS/ICE Activity Coordination, Communication and Curtailment
Council Initiated Item (Shaffer) — Local Cottage Food Provisions
Approval to waive the full reading of the text of all ordinances and resolutions introduced/adopted at this meeting. Ordinances and resolutions shall be introduced/adopted by title only. Contact Person: City Clerk Weichers
Encinitas Age-Friendly Study. Contact Person: Parks, Recreation and Cultural Arts Director Knopp
Approval of minutes for the committee's first two meetings
Approval of Meeting Minutes
APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES
Consent Calendar Approval
Adoption of Resolution No. 2026-13 for El Montevideo Parcel Boundary Adjustment
CONSENT CALENDAR
Consent Calendar Approval
Public Health and Safety Commission Work Plan
South Coast Highway 101 Improvements (Option 2A)
Voting record (49)
Oldest to newest — hover a bar for the item.
Adoption of Resolution No. 2026-13 for El Montevideo Parcel Boundary Adjustment
South Coast Highway 101 Improvements (Option 2A)
Agreed that Option 2A directly solves the active pedestrian crossing needs at Harboe Trail without prematurely committing to unwarranted traffic signals.
Cornish Drive Parking Area Maintenance
Stated that preserving traditional parking access protects local beach culture and avoids unnecessary project liability.
Recommendation to Remove South Beach 101 Bollards and Wheel Blocks
Red Light Camera Pilot Program Investigation
Expressed deep concern regarding privacy, civil liberties, and the aggregation of surveillance data.
Revisions to the San Dieguito Water District Administrative Code and Related Ordinances
Environmental Commission Work Plan FY 2026-27
Abstained due to reservations regarding certain work plan items such as building decarbonization reach codes and gas-powered equipment bans.
Roadway Safety and Traffic Enforcement Directives
Approval of Modified Business Commission Fiscal Year 2026-27 Annual Work Plan
2025 Climate Action Plan Annual Monitoring Report
Approval of Draft Annual Work Plan FY2026-27
Appeal of Planning Commission Approval for 501 Ocean Bluff Way
Ratification of Letter of Opposition to SB 569
Rejection of Application for HCD Encampment Resolution Funding Round 5
Approval of 50% Design Option 3 for Santa Fe Drive Western Phase Modification Project
Appeal of Farmers Market Relocation to Oak Crest Middle School (APPEAL-009018-2026)
Supported the denial while emphasizing strict enforcement of added safeguards and neighbor protections.
Urban Forest Advisory Committee FY 2025-26 Accomplishments and FY 2026-27 Work Plan
Argued that the committee's functions should be streamlined and integrated directly with the new full-time urban arborist to save city resources.
Parks and Recreation Commission Appointment
Preferred a larger pool of applicants rather than appointing by default.
Approval of Letter of Opposition to SB 866
Introduction of Short-Term Parking Regulations Ordinance
Introduction of Proposed FY 2026-27 Operating and Capital Budgets
Table MOU for School District Bicycle and E-Bike Safety Program
Establishment of Policy for Future State of the City Addresses
Swami's Overlook Parking Area Repair Review
Short-Term Rental Ordinance Modifications (Item 10A)
Adoption of Native Plant Ordinance No. 2026-07
Adoption of FY 2026-27 CDBG Annual Action Plan (Resolution No. 2026-24)
Community Grant Program Funding for True Care
Community Grant Program Allocations for FY 2026-27
Senate Bill 707 (SB 707) Compliance and Hybrid Meeting Implementation
Appeal of Finance Manager Billing Determination for 539 and 541 Hermes Ave
Voted against the reduction because similar cases have required full payment, creating an undesirable precedent.
Parks and Recreation Commission Appointment
Senior Citizen Commission Appointment
FY 2026-27 Budget Workshop Direction
Adoption of Native Plant Ordinance No. 2026-07
Letter of Support for AB 1708
Torn on supporting state-level policies given past funding issues and state mandate concerns.
Encinitas Environment Day MOU
Santa Fe Drive Western Phase Modification Project Contract Award
Appeal Denial for Sage Canyon Apartment Project Frontage Waiver
Deferral of Economic Development Strategic Plan Consultant Agreement
Argued the city has internal resources to create a foundational 30,000-foot plan rather than rushing into an expensive external contract.