As we start the month of August, City Council along with city boards and commissions are on their annual two-week break. But we still have a lot going on here at the city, and I have several updates to share:
- Trash billing changes
- Monkeypox in the news
- Police connecting with our community
- Safety reminders for Agua Hedionda Lagoon
- Come to the State of the City 8/15
- Salsa music comes to TGIF
- Come meet a renowned author
- Last chance to see the latest art exhibition
- Affordable internet resources
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Changes in trash rates and billing
Along with the change in trash service provider that started July 1, there is also a change in how billing for trash services is handled. Before, most Carlsbad residents paid for their trash service monthly through their water bills. Now, they will receive a bill every two months directly from Republic Services.
Because the bills from Republic cover two months of service, the bills may seem a lot higher. The actual increase is $3.82 a month (for an average house) starting July 1. That is mostly to cover a new organics composting program mandated by state law. This required new trucks and infrastructure to collect organic materials from homes and businesses and turn them into compost. Organic materials include food scraps, food soiled paper, yard waste and other similar items that are biodegradable.
We also added a few new services, based on feedback from the community.
- You can now put an unlimited amount of flattened cardboard boxes (no larger than 2’ x 3’) next to your trash cart for pick up.
- You can also put any extra mixed recyclable materials (same as what you put in your blue bin) in either paper bags or cardboard boxes next to your cart for pick up.
- There will be a compost give away event twice a year.
- The buy back center is now open on Mondays too and does not close at all during the day. We heard residents request to extend the hours of the buy back center to bring in California Redemption Value bottles and cans in for cash.
You can find out about all of the programs in this guide, which you will receive in the mail from Republic Services.
Other questions
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Monkeypox in the news
Since my last update, the federal, state and county governments have declared states of emergency due to Monkeypox spread. You might be wondering what this means for Carlsbad.
The county’s announcement said the declaration does not indicate that San Diegans are at higher risk of contracting the virus. Instead, the declaration helps the county be in a better position to prepare and respond as needed.
- The county reported 59 cases as of yesterday.
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According to the CDC, Monkeypox is rare, but not new. It was first identified in 1958. Monkeypox symptoms are like smallpox symptoms, but milder, and monkeypox is rarely fatal.
The county has set up a website for more information, including local cases, vaccine information and links to more resources. You can also text COSD MONKEYPOX to 468-311, to receive text alert updates from the county.
Our Fire Department is in regular contact with health officials, and I will let you know if anything changes that would affect our city.
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Police connecting with the community
Carlsbad residents celebrated National Night Out Tuesday, getting together with neighbors for block parties and front-yard barbecues, all in the name of community safety.
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- Since 1990, the Carlsbad Police Department has participated in this national event, designed to help neighbors connect with each other and establish relationships with local law enforcement.
- For the past several years our Fire Department has also gotten involved.
- For both, the goal is to meet the people we serve and share public safety information.
More information
Coffee with a Cop
If you missed National Night Out, you’ll have another chance to connect with Carlsbad police officers at our upcoming Coffee with a Cop at the Starbucks on Tamarack Avenue.
These informal events are held periodically throughout the city to give residents a chance to chat with their neighborhood patrol officers.
Coffee with a Cop
Friday, Aug. 12
2 to 4 p.m.
Starbucks
855 Tamarack Ave.
Parking is limited at this location, so please consider walking or biking. Bring the family and enjoy casual conversation and coffee with officers who are serving our community every day.
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Join us for the State of the City
If you want to learn more about some of the city’s major projects and initiatives from the past year, as well as what’s planned for the year ahead, please join us for a special showing of the 2022 State of the City video presentation.
State of the City video presentation
Monday, Aug. 15, 6 p.m.
Ruby G. Schulman Auditorium
Carlsbad City Library
1775 Dove Lane
Prior to the video, City Council members will give brief remarks about the state of the city. Immediately following the video, guests can talk with City Council members and staff during an informal reception in the library courtyard.
If you prefer to watch the video from the comfort of your own home, we will post it to the city’s website and air it on our cable channel following the event next week.
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Only 3 TGIF concerts left
It’s hard to believe there are only three shows left in our TGIF Concerts in the Parks summer series. I hope you’ve been having as much fun as we have. Thank you to everyone who has helped make the 2022 concert series one of our best.
The great music will continue this week at Calavera Hills Community Park with Sabrosas Latin Orquesta, San Diego’s all-female Salsa band. This group features a variety of talented musicians from diverse musical backgrounds, all celebrating a common love for Latin music.
We want you to have the best time and save your energy for dancing, so remember that carpooling or using our shuttle are great ways to help ease traffic and enjoy the evening.
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Find all the important concert information, including times and what to bring (or what not to bring) on the TGIF webpage.
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Swimming legend and author at Dove Library
The City of Carlsbad is wrapping up its Summer Reading Adventure this Saturday with an in-person event at the Dove Library featuring author and extreme swimmer Lynne Cox, who will talk about her new book Tales of Al: The Water Rescue Dog.
Cox is a legendary long-distance open-water swimmer, as well as a motivational speaker and author. Over 35 years, she set several world records, including two for the fastest crossing of the English Channel from England to France. She achieved her first world record in 1972 as the youngest and fastest swimmer to cross the channel.
Author Talk with Lynne Cox
Saturday, Aug. 6, 2 p.m.
Schulman Auditorium
Carlsbad City Library
1775 Dove Lane
Free
The discussion with Cox is just one of several fun activities at the library Saturday. At 1 p.m., kids can read aloud to certified therapy dogs from Love on a Leash through a special Paws to Read event in the library courtyard.
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Last chance to see gallery exhibition
If you haven’t had a chance to visit the latest exhibition at the City of Carlsbad’s Cannon Art Gallery, I hope you’ll make plans to get there before it closes Aug. 13. The exhibition, Artists Together: Today and Tomorrow, features MiraCosta College students and faculty showcasing their painting, printmaking, photography, furniture, ceramics and more.
The pieces on display at the gallery are a reminder of the mentorship and talent the college’s art faculty invests in our local students and community. That’s also how we approach the arts in Carlsbad. Supporting the arts is among the nine core values that make up Carlsbad’s Community Vision.
The Cannon Art Gallery is in the Carlsbad City Library complex at 1775 Dove Lane. The gallery is open Tuesday through Thursday, from noon to 7 p.m., and Friday and Saturday, from noon to 5 p.m.
Learn more on the Cannon Gallery webpage.
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Affordable internet resources
High-speed internet access can be expensive, but it’s an increasingly essential tool in our modern world. The San Diego Association of Governments recently launched its Get Connected campaign to share information about free or low-cost resources available in our region, including:
- A monthly internet discount through the federal Affordable Connectivity Program
- Public Wi-Fi at hundreds of locations across the county, including all Carlsbad City Libraries
- Access to computer labs and software for free at local libraries
- Purchase a low-cost computer or get free digital training from the San Diego Futures Foundation
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Get involved: Upcoming meetings
The next Carlsbad City Council meeting will be Aug. 16 starting at 5 p.m. in the City Council chamber. The agenda will be posted on the city’s website by the Friday before the meeting.
There are no city meetings planned for next week.
That’s all for now. I’ll be back next week with more updates!
Scott Chadwick
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Fun things to do
Quick Links
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