OCEANSIDE — The city of Oceanside is investigating a formal complaint alleging that a city planner sent a discriminatory message during a March City Council meeting involving a local equine therapy nonprofit.
The complaint, filed June 19, accuses City Planner Sergio Madera of sending a text message to Principal Planner Rob Dmohowski during the March 26 council meeting that read: “There are like 100 people here, including a bunch of special needs f–kers bursting out.”
During that meeting, the council directed staff to pursue local, state and federal historic designations for the land and 135-year-old farmhouse next to Mission San Luis Rey, where the Ivey Ranch Park Association operates its equine therapy and community service programs.
Volunteers and leadership at Ivey Ranch say the historic designation could jeopardize or delay planned improvements, including a 900-square-foot addition to the farmhouse for classrooms, office space, and a restroom, as well as a 720-square-foot storage addition to the hay barn.
The group, which has operated at the site for over 20 years, stated that those plans are now at a standstill.
According to the complaint, an anonymous supporter of Ivey Ranch sent photos to Executive Director Tonya Danielly that allegedly depict Madera sending the text message in question.
“The conversation was highly offensive, lewd, demeaning and discriminatory,” the complaint states. “These two City employees have not complied with the laws prohibiting discrimination.”
Madera has served as the city staff liaison for Ivey Ranch’s improvement project, which was initially submitted in August 2023. Danielly said the project faced multiple delays before stalling after the March meeting.
According to the complaint, Danielly believes Madera’s “discriminatory opinions lent to a delay in August of 2024 that removed the project from being heard by the City Council that was, at the time, in majority favor of the proposed improvements.”
City Manager Jonathan Borrego confirmed that the complaint has been received and said the city is actively investigating.
“We take such complaints very seriously and have initiated steps to promptly and fully investigate this matter,” Borrego said in an email.
Borrego added that the delays in the Ivey Ranch historic permit application stemmed from his office, not the planning division or Madera, due to concerns raised by the San Luis Rey Band of Mission Indians.
According to Danielly, Ivey Ranch is the only dually accredited equestrian therapy program in California, and the only licensed provider of equine therapy services for children with special needs in Oceanside. The organization is also ranked among the top 1% of equine-assisted service centers nationwide.
The nonprofit offers a wide range of programs for individuals with and without disabilities, including in-home respite care and a “Horses for Heroes” program for veterans and wounded service members.
Assemblymember Laurie Davies recently recognized Ivey Ranch Park Association as the 2025 Nonprofit of the Year for the 74th Assembly District, which includes Oceanside and parts of South Orange County.
“We’re doing all of the right things,” Danielly said.
She told The Coast News she was stunned by the photos she received and is urging the city to take decisive action.
“I am counting on the city’s process being legal and abiding and most importantly, followed through with integrity,” Danielly said. “I think this is the city’s opportunity to do the right thing when it is blatantly obvious that the wrong thing was done. It’s very clear what transpired is blatant discrimination and should be handled as such.”
