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(Pictured from left) Mayor Tony Kranz, Councilmember Joy Lyndes, Councilmember Kellie Hinze, Councilmember Allison Blackwell, and Councilmember Bruce Ehlers smile for a picture at this year's State of the City. Courtesy photo/City of Encinitas
(Pictured from left) Mayor Tony Kranz, Councilmember Joy Lyndes, Councilmember Kellie Hinze, Councilmember Allison Blackwell, and Councilmember Bruce Ehlers smile for a picture at this year's State of the City. Courtesy photo/City of Encinitas
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Mayor Tony Kranz, council deliver State of the City address

ENCINITAS — Mayor Tony Kranz addressed a roomful of local business leaders and residents on April 27 for the Encinitas Chamber of Commerce‘s State of the City address at the Encinitas Community Center, shining a light on the community’s recent successes and future goals.

The night’s focus was on community connections and how much change there has been over the past year in the “city of creators.” The annual event saw a change of venue after several years of holding the event at the Alila Marea Beach Resort.

David DaCosta, chairman of the Encinitas Chamber of Commerce board of directors, opened the night by recognizing all the event sponsors and supporters, along with the numerous food vendors there giving out bites of local cuisine.

“We are all aware that the State of the City is a very special night. It brings a community together, and tonight is no exception,” DaCosta said.

Before any speakers began, Reverend Christian Sorensen of the Seaside Center for Spiritual Living led a moment of gratitude. The reverend spoke in front of the large meeting room, expressing his hope for change to continue under community leaders.

Mayor Kranz followed by taking the stage to speak on the developments that have happened in the past few months since taking office. In a first-of-its-kind State of the City, Kranz allowed all council members and the Mainstreet 101 Associations to speak beside him with updates on their districts and action plans.

“I’m honored to be able to work alongside each of you for the betterment of our city, and I’m so proud of the work that we’ve been able to do together,” Kranz said. “But let it be known that the actual work is done by the City Manager, Pamela Antil, and her team with Assistant Manager Jennifer Campbell, the department heads, and the wonderful staff who truly exemplify what public service is and should be.”

The mayor continued to speak on the theme of “The City of Creators,” mentioning the Ecke family helping build Encinitas into what it is known to be today with a dream of a poinsettia field and the help of millions in funding to many different facets of the community.

Particularly in the healthcare community, the Ecke family has helped rebuild Scripps Hospital into a state-of-the-art medical facility.

“Thanks to all who have contributed, and the more than 1700 doctors, nurses, and support staff who provide critical medical care to the patients who use the hospital,” Kranz said. “They are all creating an environment for a healthier community.”

Kranz also addressed the housing issue that will start taking place in the heart of the city.

“In one of the most storied parts of our city, that central core, Encinitas Boulevard, Saxony, Quail Gardens Drive, and Leucadia Boulevard is an important development,” Kranz said. “That is a result of our housing element update being approved by the state. There are about a thousand units of multi-family housing that are being built in that same area.”

In addition to housing, Kranz and other council members spoke about mobility improvements as one of the city’s top priorities to help maintain safety for pedestrians, cyclists and drivers. 

Deputy Mayor Joy Lyndes discussed local environmental and mobility improvements. Following Arbor Day Celebrations this past weekend, Lyndes mentioned the city’s efforts to plant more trees and protect existing ones through a heritage tree program.

The City Council has also been working on a habitat stewardship program that has completed three sub-watersheds, with a fourth one this year in the top priorities.

Along with these projects in District 3, Lyndes looks forward to completing multiple other projects like the Birmingham Drive project, which is almost ready for funding, and the Sante Fe Road improvements, which are going up for construction bid. The city is also seeking funding from the Federal Railroad Administration for the Verdi Bike and Pedestrian Rail Undercrossing Project to improve east-west connectivity. 

Accompanying these mobility projects, around $50,000 was added to the Cardiff shoreline preservation project, which has already received around $3.6 million.

Councilmember Kellie Hinze covered four major achievements from the past year: The El Portal Undercrossing, Streetscape: phase one, the Pacific View Community Art Center opening, and a sand replenishment program with its first installment only a couple of months away.

Hinze said these projects are a way for the community to come together and safely explore everything Encinitas has to offer.

“We’ve widened the sidewalks, lowered the speeds, and dedicated the bike lanes,” Hinze said. “We have shady trees that unite our communities on the east and west side of the train to make safe, reasonable travel between our schools, beaches, beloved businesses, and farmers’ markets. It’s our lifeblood; it’s historic Highway 101.”

Councilmember Bruce Ehlers spoke about opening two trails in his district, along with major repaving projects he hopes will get done soon.

Ehlers also focused on updating traffic safety measures for District 4. As for the El Camino Real Plan and housing element, Ehlers hopes changes will be done with a light, slow hand to avoid stress to existing neighborhoods and to keep intact the charm of New Encinitas.

The newest council member, Allison Blackwell, spoke primarily on infrastructure in District 1. Blackwell hopes to tackle Beacon’s Beach parking lot and plans to use some of the $4 million in federal funding to tackle longstanding drainage issues in Leucadia.

Sherry Yardley, CEO of the Encinitas Chamber of Commerce, spoke on the organization’s efforts to form connections and strengthen the community.

“The Encinitas Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center has connected with so many during the year, whether at a new member’s ribbon cutting, hosting a communitywide expo, or welcoming visitors to our new, wonderful city,” Yardley said. “The Chamber has developed multiple committees where our members can make a bigger impact within the community. These committees collaborate with local, state, and federal entities for the greater good of our city’s economic growth.”

Yardley mentioned the chamber’s multiple events hosted for members to meet each other and network. Along with regular gatherings, the chamber recently launched its Chamber Chat podcast, featuring interviews with community members and business leaders.

Lastly, members of the Mainstreet 101 Associations, Encinitas 101, Cardiff 101, and Leucadia 101 spoke about upcoming events to attract visitors to the city’s historic highway, such as the farmers’ markets in Leucadoa and Cardiff, and the multiple “Taste” events. 

“This event, no doubt, showcases all of our restaurants, but it also allows attendees to explore some of the shops they didn’t know existed in downtown Encinitas,” said Irene Pyun, executive director for Encinitas 101. “So, if you want a tour of Encinitas, do our Taste, and you’ll get a good look of what our town has to offer.”

Closing out the addresses, Kranz spoke again of his thankfulness to have served for so long and to serve alongside the people he does.

“This experiment tonight in having a more collaborative State of the City, it was great to hear from everyone,” Kranz said. “I think that what’s most important about tonight’s event is that you leave knowing that we live in a place that is the greatest place on earth with some of the best people. I will continue to serve as your mayor focused on enhancing our quality of life.”