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News from the City of Carlsbad | Jan. 9, 2025

I wanted to begin this week’s update by sending my well wishes to those affected by the wildfires in Los Angeles.

My wife and I lost our home in San Diego’s 2003 Cedar Fire. It is an experience shared by thousands of others who have been touched by fire in this way. It shifts one’s perspective about loss, priorities and fire preparedness. I feel for all those impacted to our north and know they will carry this moment with them long after the final embers have been put out.

The fires serve as another reminder that our proximity to the coast does not insulate us from the overall risk. With more Santa Anas in the forecast, I’ll include information in today’s update to make sure you have the most up to date emergency preparation tools.

Also in today’s edition, I’ll introduce a program to recycle old paint and preview the agenda for the year’s first City Council meeting next Tuesday.  

Here’s this week’s full lineup:

• Fire preparation reminders
• Your fire questions answered
• Service spotlight: Paint recycling made easy
• Still time to compost your holiday tree
• Events coming up at Carlsbad libraries
• What's on the agenda for your next City Council meeting

Fire preparation reminders

The City of Carlsbad works alongside the community to minimize the risk of fire during Santa Ana conditions. Here are some tips for playing your part to help keep a wildfire from breaking out, and, in the event one does occur, how to make sure you are prepared and informed.

Take steps to mitigate the danger of wildland fires

• Move combustible items (patio furniture, trash cans, dry vegetation, mulch) at least 5 feet away from your home
• Clear your roof and gutters from debris, including dead leaves
• Trim overhanging branches
• Establish defensible boundaries between home/work areas and dry brush areas
• Clear off debris from the roof, gutters and screen vents
• Report hazardous activities, smoke or fire to 9-1-1

Being ready

In the event a fire does occur, we want to make sure you have a proper plan in place and stay informed through the city’s various communication channels.  

• Develop an emergency plan, including escape routes. Every resident and business should plan to provide for basic needs (food, water, shelter, sanitation, etc.) for 72 to 96 hours.

• Register cell phones with AlertSanDiego, the county-wide emergency notification system.
• Download the Genasys Protect app, part of a new countywide emergency alert system that allows first responders to use more precise geographic boundaries when setting up evacuation zones and notifications. (Even if you don’t download the app, you’ll still be notified about emergencies in your area.)

Please visit the city’s emergency preparedness webpage for more safety tips.

Two fire-related questions

We have gotten some questions about reports that fire hydrants ran out of water during the height of the fires in Los Angeles, including concerns about that happening here. Here’s the short answer from our Utilities Department …

There are different ways to move water from its source to our taps, or, in this case, fire hydrants. Our system uses gravity to move water from place to place, with the right amount of pressure. That’s why you’ll notice that large water tanks are located on high points around our city.

Other systems, like the ones that had problems in the fires up north, use different methods to move water that can be more vulnerable to losing pressure. So, it’s not that they ran out of water; they lost pressure needed to move the water through the system.

While we’re on the topic of water and fires, another thing that can affect pressure, regardless of the type of system, is too many people using their garden hoses. Not only is it dangerous to ignore evacuation orders, but if everyone turned on their hoses at the same time, it would interfere with firefighters who need that pressure in nearby hydrants.

How to help

We have also received questions about how to help our neighbors to the north. There are many relief efforts underway that are accepting donations. Unfortunately, scammers can take advantage of disasters like this, so please be sure to vet any organization before donating. If you aren’t able to do this legwork, the American Red Cross is always an option. Here is a link to its wildfire relief fund.

Service spotlight: Paint recycling made easy 

Each year, about 85 million gallons of paint sold in the U.S. go unused and can most likely be recycled. Recycling paint helps prevent harmful substances from entering our local ecosystems, helping to keep our soil, groundwater and air free of toxins. 

The good news is Carlsbad residents can now recycle paint at the Palomar Transfer Station through PaintCare, a program that makes paint recycling easy and adheres to California’s special paint recycling requirements.  

Palomar Transfer Station Recycling Buy Back Center 

5960 El Camino Real 

Monday to Saturday 

8 a.m. to 4 p.m.  

You can see the full list of what paints are accepted and a preparation guide on our new PaintCare webpage. 

Still time to compost your holiday tree

While we’re on the subject of recycling, you can still compost your holiday trees through Sunday, Jan. 12.

Place your tree next to your green compost cart on your regular collection day (cut it in half if it’s larger than 6 feet) or drop it off at one of five locations across the city.

Important: Don’t forget to remove the tree stand and all ornaments, lights and tinsel before recycling.

Upcoming events

We have several events and programs coming up at all three of our library locations. Please take a look and come by if one catches your interest.

Cinema Club Film Friday, Finding Vivian Maier – Friday, Jan. 10, 4 to 5:30 p.m., Dove Library

Community Chess Meet-Up – Saturday, Jan. 11, 2 to 4 p.m., Library Learning Center

Jessie London Unplugged Concert – Thursday, Jan. 16, 5 to 6 p.m., Library Learning Center

Genealogy Open House – Saturday, Jan. 18, 10:30 a.m. to noon, Cole Library

See the city calendar for the full list.

Construction map

Remember to check our weekly construction map for city road work 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.

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

The next City Council meeting is Tuesday, Jan. 14, starting at 5 p.m. in the City Council Chamber. Topics include:

• 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.) 
• Employment agreement with the City Attorney  
• Rescheduling the March 11 City Council meeting to March 4
• An agreement with the county that will enable the Windsor Pointe affordable housing project to offer rental assistance vouchers to veterans for six units  
• A construction contract for a project to add 50% more lanes and make other improvements to the Monroe Street Pool 
• A contract to replace one of the city’s sewer lift stations, which pump wastewater to a treatment plant  
• Extending an agreement with an engineering company working on the project to replace the water and sewer pipes in the Terramar area around Cannon and Carlsbad Boulevard  
• Appointing two members to the Community-Police Engagement Commission, two members to the Parks & Recreation Commission, two members to the Planning Commission and three members to the Traffic Safety & Mobility Commission 
• Conducting the annual review of elected officials’ compensation, which is required each January by the Carlsbad Municipal Code 
• Updating the limits on contributions to campaigns for city office to match the Consumer Price Index, which is also required by the Municipal Code 
• A review of the 2024 TGIF Concerts in the Parks season and the concert schedule for the next three years  
• Consider a regional advocacy letter regarding community concerns about the Windsor Pointe affordable housing project
• The City Council’s 2025 legislative platform, which specifies the policy positions the City Council will work to advance at the regional, state and federal level
• The annual update on which City Council members will represent Carlsbad on regional committees and who will serve as Mayor Pro Tem in 2025 

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.

Please continue to be mindful amid these Santa Ana winds. Thank you for reading and enjoy your weekend. 



Geoff Patnoe

City Manager