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News from the City of Carlsbad | Dec. 5, 2024

As promised, today I have more news to share about the upcoming City Manager transition. I’ll give you all the details (including the unique connection my successor has to this newsletter). Other stories today include:

• Final election results released
• Join us as Carlsbad’s newly elected officials are sworn in
• Engineering a solution to beach access for people with disabilities
• 5 easy ways to protect the environment this holiday season
• Carlsbad behind the scenes: Concrete crew in action
• Where road construction is planned next week
• What’s on the agenda for your next City Council meeting

Meet your new City Manager

On Tuesday, the City Council voted to appoint Assistant City Manager Geoff Patnoe to take over as City Manager, starting Dec. 19. (If you missed the last issue, here’s the background.) Geoff has over 20 years of experience working in and with government agencies. For the past five years, as Assistant City Manager here in Carlsbad, he has overseen much of the day-to-day operations of our three major branches, Public Works, Administrative Services and Community Services, along with several major initiatives.

Long time readers will appreciate this fun fact: Geoff’s first day in Carlsbad was March 17, 2020, the day the City Council ratified our local emergency proclamation for COVID. The next day, we put out the first issue of this very newsletter.

I know our city organization will be in excellent hands under Geoff’s leadership. Here is a link to the announcement with more details about Geoff’s background.

Final election results certified

The County Registrar of Voters handles elections in our region, and earlier this week issued its official election results. Now that the vote count is final, I would like to officially congratulate our newly elected officials:

City Council Member, District 2 

Kevin Shin

City Council Member, District 4

Teresa Acosta

City Treasurer 

Christian Peacox

Carlsbad City Council members serve staggered terms, with District 2 and District 4 up for election this year. Districts 1 and 3 will be up for election in 2026, along with the Mayor, City Clerk and City Treasurer. This year’s election for City Treasurer was due to a vacancy and is for a term that ends in 2026.

Carlsbad voters also approved Measure B, which adjusts for inflation the maximum amount of city funds that can be spent on certain projects and real estate purchases without first getting voter approval. The measure also exempts public safety facilities from the requirement.

Join us for a swearing-in ceremony Dec. 10

Even though the Registrar of Voters has issued the final election results, the City Council still has to officially declare the results for Carlsbad, which is scheduled for next week’s meeting. After that vote is taken, the City Council will recognize outgoing City Council Member Carolyn Luna, and our City Clerk will swear in our newly elected officials.

Then, the meeting will adjourn, and we’ll host an informal reception at City Hall. This event is open to the public and a nice opportunity to meet your elected officials, if you’d like to come by.

City Council swearing in

Tuesday, Dec. 10, 5 p.m.

City Council Chamber

1200 Carlsbad Village Drive

Engineering a solution to beach access for people with disabilities

Carlsbad’s coastline has some of the best views around. Unfortunately, the same topography that provides sweeping blufftop views can also make it hard to get down to the sand. For people with physical disabilities, this is especially true.

This week the City Council approved a contract with an engineering firm to design and oversee environmental permitting for a project that will provide better access to the beach along Carlsbad Boulevard between Pine and Tamarack.

You can see the preliminary designs below.

These ramps may look simple enough, but nothing built along the coastline is actually simple. Our staff has been working on the project for a while now, starting with a feasibility study that took into account the composition of the bluffs, the proper slope needed by someone using a wheelchair, construction logistics, environmental regulations and more. We also needed to make sure what was proposed would work for California State Parks, which owns this land.

The next step is to take these concepts and create detailed engineering plans, then seek approval from the California Coastal Commission and California State Parks. Ultimately, the City Council will vote on the final design and specifications. If all goes well, we are hoping construction can begin in 2027.

In the meantime, the City Council has already approved the project to replace the upper seawall stairs along Carlsbad Boulevard and widen the sidewalk between Cherry and Pine avenues. The new stairs will be built in the same locations in the same general design, including the overlooks and landing areas/platforms. 

Construction is expected to start next year. The project will be done in stages so there will always be some stairs available.

You can sign up for updates about both projects to be kept in the loop.

5 easy ways to care for Carlsbad’s environment this holiday season 

The holidays are a time for celebration, but they don’t have to be a time of excess. No matter where you are in your holiday preparations, these ideas can help you create a memorable season while reducing waste and conserving resources (a goal of the City Council’s 5-Year Strategic Plan). 

1.    Decorating

• Reuse. The most sustainable decorations are the ones you already own. Bring out holiday decor from past seasons and continue timeless traditions.
• Go natural. Use biodegradable materials like pinecones, dried citrus and greenery for a festive look.
•  Repurpose. Turn old ornaments, leftover fabric or mason jars into creative decorations that minimize waste.
• Choose energy-efficient lighting. Solar-powered or LED lights use less energy and last longer.

2.    Gifts

• Focus on experiences. Consider giving your loved ones a local experience like a museum visit, spa day or cooking class. It’s memorable and waste-free.
• Consider second-hand. Vintage shops, thrift stores and online marketplaces offer unique, sustainable options that reduce waste and give items a second life.
• DIY. Make personalized gifts like homemade candles, knitted scarves or baked goods.

3.    Wrapping

• Get creative. Use old maps, newspaper comics or reusable gift bags instead of traditional wrapping paper.
• Opt for reusable wrapping. Try Furoshiki-style gift wrapping with fabric napkins, scarves, or other reusable cloth. No tape or paper waste needed! Get started with this video, or give it a try at our Fixit Clinic this Saturday.

4. Shipping

• Choose eco-friendly packaging. Reuse shipping boxes or look for recyclable or compostable shipping materials.
• Ship smarter. Combine online orders to reduce packaging and shipping emissions.

5.    Hosting

• Set the table with reusable items. Replace disposable tableware with real dishes, silverware and cloth napkins to cut down on waste.
• Plan ahead. Make a grocery list and reconfirm your guest list before shopping. Coordinate dishes with family and guests.
• Save scraps. Freeze scraps like vegetable peelings and meat trimmings for savory broths, hearty soups or future recipes.
• Share and reuse leftovers. Send party leftovers home with guests or freeze leftovers for future use.
• Compost. Any remaining food scraps that you can’t use should be placed in your green organics recycling cart.

You can find more ideas like these in the latest edition of our Sustainable Carlsbad newsletter. Sign up to get the newsletter delivered directly to your inbox.

Get repair help at the Fixit Clinic this Saturday

If you have broken holiday decorations, electronics, appliances, computers, toys or other items that need repairs, bring them to our holiday-themed Fixit Clinic on Saturday for some hands-on help.

Fixit Clinic and Repair Event

Saturday, Dec. 7

10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Cole Library

1250 Carlsbad Village Drive

Register online

Planned activities

• Holiday décor swap: Refresh your decorations by exchanging items instead of buying something new.
• Broken lights collection: Safely dispose of broken holiday lights.
• Furoshiki gift wrapping: Learn the art of reusable gift wrapping.
• DIY candle holder craft: Create festive taper candle holders from upcycled bottles.

Carlsbad Behind the Scenes: Concrete Crew in action

On Tuesday, a city concrete crew completed the installation of a new streetlight on Cannon Road just west of El Camino Real.

The light had already been attached to its footing when our crew laid a thick layer of concrete on top to protect the bolts. You can get a peek at how this is done. In all, the job took about a half hour.

We end up replacing one to two streetlights a month in the city, mostly because of collision damage, as was the case with the one on Cannon. That might seem like a lot, but when you consider that the city has 7,996 streetlights total, it’s a small fraction.

This is important work that can easily go unnoticed. But, rest assured, we’re out there every day making sure our streets, lights, sidewalks and other infrastructure are in good condition.

If you see something that needs attention, please report it through our Carlsbad Connects app on your computer or smartphone. Or, if you’d rather just give us a call, that works too.

Check our construction map to help plan your route

For longer term projects that could affect traffic, be sure to check our weekly construction map. Remember, the map only shows city projects and doesn’t include construction projects by local utilities, private companies or other agencies. 

What’s on the agenda for your next City Council meeting

The next City Council meeting is Tuesday, Dec. 10, starting at 5 p.m. in the City Council Chamber. The regular items of business will be followed by the swearing in ceremony.

• Monthly update on how the city’s investments are performing. (The city keeps money on hand for future operating and capital costs as well as for unforeseen items like emergencies. This money is invested based on the City Council’s investment policy.)
• The annual report on the city’s capital project funds and special taxes. This report is required by state law to show the funds were used for the purposes they were intended.
• Contract for new City Manager
• Renewal of software licensing agreement
• Officially declaring the city’s November 2024 election results
• An agreement with a company to clean up dry weeds and trash on vacant lots and city-owned parcels around the city that could pose fire hazards
• An agreement with a consulting firm to provide civil engineering services as needed
• Adopting an ordinance to add stop signs on Hoover Street where it intersects with Adams Street

The agenda and staff reports are available on the city’s website.

City Council meetings: 3 easy ways to participate

1. Sign up to get agendas and staff reports emailed to you directly
2. Provide feedback via email before the meeting 
3. Sign up to speak at the meeting

… and 3 ways to watch

1. Follow the meeting live on the city's website 
2. Watch the meeting live on the city’s cable channel: Spectrum channel 24 or AT&T U-verse channel 99
3. Watch a recording of the meeting afterward (online or on our channel)

Board and commission meetings are also livestreamed on the city’s website and available to watch afterward. You can see the meeting schedule on our city calendar.

That’s it for today. Stay safe, take care and I’ll be back next week with my final update before handing things off to Geoff.

Scott Chadwick

City Manager