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News from the City of Carlsbad | Jan. 23, 2025

This week multiple fires have broken out around San Diego County, thankfully none close enough to cause concern in Carlsbad. I'm grateful to all first responders who are helping contain the fires and minimize loss and also to our community for your diligence amid these red flag warnings.

A number of you have written in asking how to help victims of the Los Angeles wildfires. This week, I will give you a link for that. I also have some news you can use, such as:

• How energy efficient home improvements may qualify you for a tax break
• A lookahead to our first trail volunteer meeting of the year

And I’ll take you behind the scenes with our asphalt crew as they give a permanent fix to some recurring potholes in south Carlsbad.

Here’s this week’s full lineup:

• Supporting LA fire recovery efforts
• Carlsbad behind the scenes: Fixing potholes
• City offering free help with tax returns
• Get tax credits for improvements made last year
• Solar permitting made easy
• First trail volunteer meeting of 2025
• No weekend rail service
• Community events and activities
• Upcoming city meetings

Supporting LA fire recovery efforts

I’m grateful to everyone who has asked how they can help amid the tragedy in Los Angeles County. When considering how to help, please be sure to review tips for how to avoid scams, which, unfortunately, tend to crop up during disasters. There are many organizations working on the recovery effort. The City of Los Angeles recommends the California Community Foundation, which serves the broader area affected, including communities outside the city limits.

Red flag warnings remain in effect. According to the National Weather Service, the extremely low humidity levels combined with the strong winds mean we should stay on alert through Friday.

Understandably, with the recent and ongoing fires, we have seen an increase in questions from our community about wildfire risks in Carlsbad. We have set up a dedicated phone line to ensure these questions get routed to the right person for a response. 

Wildfire mitigation line

442-339-2669

Please review the fire preparation reminders I shared earlier this month so you know what to do if a fire affects our city.

This weekend, a cold storm is expected, bringing some much needed rain.

Carlsbad behind the scenes: Fixing potholes in south Carlsbad

Drivers along Rancho Santa Fe Road in south Carlsbad should notice smoother streets, thanks to the work of our city’s asphalt crew.

The team spent a recent Tuesday morning fixing two potholes and smoothed out the asphalt that had been cracking around a maintenance hole cover.

You can also watch this video to go behind the scenes with Anthony, a member of our asphalt crew.

Learn more about how we fix potholes.

Construction map updated weekly

Speaking of keeping streets safe and smooth, the city is working on an annual project to resurface roads. Crews are working in south Carlsbad and will make their way up north. More pothole repairs on Rancho Santa Fe Road are also scheduled for next week.

If it feels like we are always resurfacing roads, there is a reason for that. Keeping up with streets maintenance helps avoid more costly repairs in the future.

You can track the location of resurfacing projects on the city’s construction map, which is updated weekly to show projects that could affect traffic. Please note the map only shows city projects and doesn’t include construction projects by local utilities, private companies or other agencies.

City offering free help with tax returns

The City of Carlsbad is providing free help preparing simple tax returns starting Feb. 4 through Tax Day, April 15. Even though the help is being provided at the Carlsbad Senior Center, taxpayers of any age are welcome, with just a few exceptions.

The volunteers are trained and IRS certified every year to ensure they are familiar with the latest changes to the U.S. Tax Code. 

Appointments will be held on Tuesdays and Thursdays. 

Scheduled appointments

8:30 to 11 a.m.

1 to 3 p.m. 

Call 442-339-2650 or visit the Senior Center front desk (see hours) to make an appointment.

Walk-ins

9 to 10:30 a.m.

1:30 to 2:30 p.m. 

Available as space allows.

To use this service, here's what you'll need to do: 

1. Review the information sheet to confirm your tax situation qualifies and follow the instructions about how to get ready. 
2. Complete the intake form. 

Get tax credits for improvements made last year  

If you made energy-efficient upgrades to your home in 2024, you could qualify for federal tax credits and rebates to help offset the costs.

What can you claim? 

The credits are all part of the Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit. Here are some examples of what could be eligible: 

• Energy-efficient windows and doors: Up to $600
• Heat pump water heaters: Up to $2,000
• Insulation improvements: Up to $1,200 annually
• Air conditioning and heating systems: Up to $600

Other improvements that may be eligible for tax credits include: 

• Solar panels: 30% of the installation costs, with no upper limit. This is covered under the Residential Clean Energy Credit. 
• Electric vehicle purchases: A credit of up to $7,500 under the Clean Vehicle Credit. 

Check the eligibility criteria for these credits, as well as the maximum amounts allowed, before filing your taxes. To claim the credit, you’ll need to complete and file the appropriate IRS form with your tax return:

• Form 5695 for home energy upgrades, including solar
• Form 8936 for electric and fuel cell vehicle purchases

It’s always a good idea to consult with a tax professional who has specific insight into your tax planning and finances.

Environmental sustainability is a priority in the City Council’s 5-Year Strategic Plan, and making energy-efficient home improvements is one way residents can help. By reducing energy use, these upgrades lower greenhouse gas emissions and support the goals of the city’s Climate Action Plan. 

Solar permitting made easy

If you’re planning to add solar to your home this year, the city might be able to make the process easier with streamlined permitting.

Switching to solar power is faster than ever in Carlsbad. With the city’s adoption of the SolarAPP+ program, you can get a solar permit online in as little as a day with reduced fees.

The city has streamlined 280 permits through SolarApp+ since its 2023 launch.

These improvements help Carlsbad homes reduce reliance on traditional energy sources, lower their utility bills and support the city’s Climate Action Plan goals.

For complete applicant and eligibility requirements, visit the SolarAPP+ webpage.

First volunteer trail meeting of 2025

If you’d like to make new connections and a positive contribution to our natural environment, I wanted to let you know about the city’s first trail volunteer meeting on Jan. 30 at Pine Avenue Community Center.

At the meeting, you’ll learn about our trail volunteer program and meet others who are passionate about preserving, maintaining and protecting Carlsbad's 67 miles of trails.

Quarterly trail volunteer meeting

Thursday, Jan. 30

5 to 7 p.m.

Pine Avenue Community Center

3209 Harding St.

Speaking of trails, here’s the view from atop Mt. Calavera on Monday, showing a couple of the 6.5 miles of trails that line the 473-acre preserve. 

You can learn more about our trail volunteer program on our website or by calling 442-339-2824.

No rail service this weekend

The North County Transit District asked us to let you know that there will be no coastal rail service Saturday and Sunday between the Oceanside Transit Center and Santa Fe Depot in San Diego.

This kind of routine closure happens several times a year so crews can do maintenance and infrastructure work along the tracks.

Find a full list of planned coastal rail closures for 2025 on the NCTD website.

Community events and activities

Here are some events and activities coming up soon at our libraries, Senior Center and community centers:

• Community Friendship Builders (Adults 50+) – Friday, Jan. 24, 11 a.m. to noon, Carlsbad Senior Center
• Cinema Club Film Friday, “Our Man in Havana,” – Friday, Jan. 24, 4 to 6 p.m., Dove Library
• Friday Nights at Pine (Ages 10 to 14) – Friday, Jan. 24, 6 to 8 p.m., Pine Ave Community Center
• Jennifer Coburn Author Event – Saturday, Jan. 25, 3 to 4 p.m., Georgina Cole Library

See our city calendar, the Senior Center’s Seaside Insider newsletter and our Winter Community Services Guide for a full list and more information.

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

The next City Council meeting is Tuesday, Jan. 28, starting at 5 p.m. in the City Council Chamber. Topics include:

• A contract to replace older water pipes in the Ponto area
• An agreement with the Encina Wastewater Authority to operate the Carlsbad Water Recycling Facility
• An agreement to install new fire alerting systems at five city fire stations
• Amending an agreement for the software the city uses to manage construction projects
• Amendments to the Carlsbad Municipal Code modifying the California Environmental Quality Act exemption determination approval process
• Adopting ordinances to finalize the annual review of elected officials’ compensation, which is required each January by the Carlsbad Municipal Code, and to update the limits on contributions to campaigns for city office to match the Consumer Price Index, which is also required
• A proposed 12-unit condominium development on Tyler Street in the Barrio
• An update from the City of Oceanside on its beach sand replenishment project
• A report on water rates and costs from the San Diego County Water Authority, the water wholesaler that sells water to Carlsbad
• Loan request from New Village Arts in the amount of $893,259 for the New Village Arts Tenant Improvement Project
• A semiannual report about the city’s transportation projects
• An update on the city’s efforts to reduce homelessness in Carlsbad and a state grant that will be used to help people living in vehicles find housing
• A report on countywide crime statistics from 2023 and the first half of 2024 from the San Diego Association of Governments, as well as an overview of crime trends and Police Department enforcement strategies

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

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.

If the rain does show up this weekend, please take it extra slow on our roads. Thanks for reading and I’ll be back in touch next week.

Geoff Patnoe

City Manager