PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID ENCINITAS, CA 92025 PERMIT NO. 94
THE COAST NEWS
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VOL. 28, N0. 26
June 27, 2014
SAN MARCOS -NEWS
Council majority opts for bag ban exemption . plan Unanimous council also looks to ban polystyrene By Aaron Burgin
GROMS COMPETE
Luke Dillman takes a look back at the waves after competing in the 6 to 8-year-old’s heat during the inaugural Swami’s Surfing Assocation’s Grom surf contest on June 21 at Moonlight Beach. See more photos on page A9. Photo by Tony Cagala
ENCINITAS — The Encinitas City Council met two environmentally conscious proposals with contrasting reactions Wednesday night. The council unanimously voted to direct the city Environmental Commission to proceed with a draft ban of polystyrene food service ware, but split on fast-tracking a proposed ban on single-use plastic bags. Teresa Barth, Tony Kranz and Lisa Shaffer pushed through the plan to have the proposed ban exempted from state environmental quality laws, which would save the city from having to conduct a costly
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and lengthy environmental review. The divided approval came after a debate over a THE study performed by Rincon Consultants, which said that, VISTA among other things, increasNEWS es in manufacturing and laundry loads associated with increased use of reusable bags would increase greenhouse gases compared to current conditions. The council trio said the consultant study used assumptions that were too conservative, and felt confident that the city could pursue a RANCHO categorical exemption from the California EnvironmenSFNEWS tal Quality Act because the ordinance’s purpose was to protect the environment. The state Court of Appeals has upheld similar categorical ex-
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TURN TO BAG BAN ON A19
Departure of city manager cost city over $145,000 By Rachel Stine
CARLSBAD — In a mesh of paid leave, severance package, and increased salary for interim officials, the city of Carlsbad paid more than $145,000 total for the resignation of John Coates, its former city manager. And because the decisions regarding the exit of the top city official were based on confidential personnel matters, the public will never know why City Council decided to spend that money in those ways. Coates spent years building his career within the city of Carlsbad before he silently resigned after serving less than eight months as the official city manager. He was first hired as Carlsbad’s parks and recreation director in January 2010, having previously worked for the city of Santee. On being hired thencity Manager Lisa Hildabrand praised Coates’ “solid leadership and true passion for the parks and recreation field.” Coates quickly rose to assistant city manager on
July 19 that same year. He would eventually take over for interim city manager duties for Hildabrand when she went on leave in November 2012. He was appointed as the official city manager on March 12, 2013. As Carlsbad’s head official, Coates oversaw the city’s operations and delivery of services, reporting directly to City Council. He ushered Carlsbad through significant changes including a new pay-for-performance agreement with city employees and the start of construction of the city’s desalination plant. After months of serving as the official city manager, Coates announced his resignation to city council in a closed session meeting on Oct. 31, 2013. The meeting’s agenda stated that the matter was discussed during Coates’ performance evaluation. The evaluation was specially scheduled because according to his city manager employee agreement, Coates was supposed to be evaluated once each year in January. The following Monday,
The reasons for John Coates’ abrupt resignation as the city manager of Carlsbad remain unknown. His departure, however, has cost the city more than $145,000. Courtesy photo
an intercity memo initially stated that Coates was out on leave and the city fire chief had stepped up as acting city manager. Coates made no public comments about his resignation. City council de-
clined to explain why he left after serving as the official city manager for less than a year. Coates’ separation agreement required him and the city to remain tightlipped about the matter.
According to the agreement, Coates is not allowed to comment or file any complaints, charges or lawsuits in regards to his resignation. The city in turn agreed that human resources would respond to all employment references for Coates by stating, “only the dates of Coates’ employment and the position(s) held.” The city’s only official statement about Coates’ resignation was released after his separation agreement was finalized on Nov. 6. “John was called to serve at a critical time of transition for our city organization,” said Mayor Matt Hall in a statement upon Coates’ resignation. “He has accomplished an ambitious agenda, leaving us well positioned to continue on our path of becoming a truly world class city.” The only time any reasons for why Coates left would have been given was in the closed meeting, according to assistant city manager Kathy Dodson. “The only people that know about (the reasons why) are him and council,
and other than that, it’s hearsay,” Dodson said. She stated further that the city is bound by law not to discuss personnel matters, which includes Coates’ reasons for leaving. “The law is very clear that they are not allowed to talk about this issue,” she stated. Personnel records are exempt from disclosure under California’s Public Records Act because releasing such information “would constitute an unwarranted invasion or personal privacy.” Immediately after his resignation, Coates was placed on paid administrative leave. He was retained on paid leave until March 12, 2014, exactly one year after he was formally appointed as city manager. While on leave, Coates received his full pay and benefits, including vacation and car allowance, according to his separation agreement. At the time of his resignation, he was earning a $220,500 annual salary TURN TO CITY MANAGER ON A19
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