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Memorial Day may be considered the unofficial start of summer, but for many residents, summer really begins when the kids get out of school. That starts tomorrow for students in south Carlsbad, and continues through mid-month (did you know Carlsbad has schools from four different school districts?). So today I will be sharing some safe graduation tips from our Police Department, along with these updates.

• Traffic safety projects to be discussed
• Construction for a new internet service option
• June celebrations at Carlsbad libraries
• National Trails Day at Rancho Carrillo
• Spotting the red-winged blackbird on city trails
• Get involved

Safety reminder for graduation season

From graduations to end of school year parties, June is a time of celebration for local students and their families. If you are planning to get in on the fun, please keep in mind these tips from our Police Department:



• Statistics show underage drinking often goes up during graduation season, so the Carlsbad Police Department is asking our entire community to be safe and vigilant.
• Remember, providing teens with alcohol or hosting parties where those under 21 are drinking is against the law. 
• Adults who ignore these responsibilities can face mandatory fines under the city’s Social Host Ordinance.
• Be patient and give yourself plenty of extra time to get to busy graduation ceremonies and celebrations.

Whether or not you have kids in school, please be aware that we will likely see more young drivers and bike riders on the road these next couple of months, especially around the beach and Village areas. Please help keep an eye out and share the road.

Traffic safety projects to be discussed

On Monday, the Traffic & Mobility Commission will meet to discuss several traffic safety projects and initiatives to improve the way people get around Carlsbad.

Some of the topics include:

• An update on a project on Carlsbad Boulevard, between Manzano Drive and Island Way, as part of a grant-funded study for moving and protecting infrastructure from sea level rise and its hazards
• Approving traffic calming plans for five residential streets:

• Victoria Avenue, from Pontiac Drive to Haverhill Street
• Highland Drive, from Carlsbad Village Drive to Buena Vista Way
• Nueva Castilla Way, from La Costa Avenue to Levante Street
• Circulo Sequoia, from Camino Junipero to Avenida Diestro
• Celinda Drive, from Carlsbad Village Drive to Chestnut Avenue
• Receiving input about options to improve safety and connectivity on Tyler Street, between Oak Avenue and Chestnut Avenue
• Reviewing an updated project priority list for the Sustainable Mobility Plan, which includes projects like bicycle and pedestrian access improvements, transit and trail connections, Safe Routes to School programs and improvements in underserved communities

The full agenda is online. You can come in person or watch the livestream:

Monday, June 5         

4 p.m.

Carlsbad City Hall

1200 Carlsbad Village Drive

Construction for a new internet service option

Over the next two years, an internet service company called Ting is installing an underground fiber optic cable network across the City of Carlsbad, which will create an additional internet service option for residents and businesses. If you live in La Costa, you may have noticed construction in your neighborhood already.

We’ve been getting some questions about this project, so I wanted to share more information. Here is how the process generally works: 

• Crews are laying cable under city streets and installing small underground utility boxes called “handholes,” which look like irrigation controller boxes, with a lid flush to the ground. Handholes may be installed in the city’s right of way, which generally extends 10 feet in from the curb.
• A handhole could be located in front of your home or business, similar to a water meter. You will be notified by the company in advance if a handhole is planned in front of your home or business.
• Some street parking will be temporarily unavailable during construction, but residents will have access to their driveways at all times.
• Construction might cause temporary traffic delays, noise and dust.
• Work will generally progress from south to north, with construction expected to last 5 to 6 weeks in each neighborhood. The full project should be complete in 2025.

The city’s role

Federal and state laws require local governments to permit broadband infrastructure projects like this one and do not allow much regulation of how the projects are implemented. While our role is limited, we are working with the contractor to minimize impacts as much as possible.

If you have questions, please let us know or contact Ting directly.

City of Carlsbad

442-339-2750

landdev@carlsbadca.gov

Ting Construction Experience Team

855-801-5856

help@ting.com

Summer reading and more

Summer is a busy time for our three city libraries, with the start of our annual Summer Reading Adventure. Registration starts today, and the program officially kicks off June 20. Readers of all ages can play virtual Bingo to earn rewards by reading and completing library-related activities.

Our library staff have also put together events, films and reading for those who want to learn more about Pride Month, Juneteenth and Caribbean-American Heritage Month. I’d like to thank our library staff for providing so many ways to recognize and appreciate diverse cultures and histories. It all starts tomorrow, so check the city’s event calendar for details.

Group hike on National Trails Day

June is also Great Outdoors Month, and over the next few weeks we'll be highlighting some of the outdoor activities and resources that make living in Carlsbad so special.

We’re starting the month off with an easy, guided group hike along Rancho Carrillo Trail on Saturday, which also happens to be National Trails Day.

Carlsbad has more than 67 miles of city trails, so this is a great time to start exploring.

Rancho Carrillo Trail hike

Saturday, June 3

8:30 to 11:30 a.m.

6200 Flying Leo Carrillo Lane

• The hike will start at Leo Carrillo Historic Ranch and proceed at an easy pace that’s comfortable for the whole family.
• It will be led by city Parks & Recreation staff, who can point out some of the interesting habitat and wildlife you’ll see along the trail.
• Please wear closed-toed shoes, comfortable clothing and a protective hat or sunscreen, and bring a refillable water bottle to stay hydrated.

For more information about Saturday’s guided hike, reach out to Ariel De La Paz at ariel.delapaz@carlsbadca.gov or 442-888-4668.

Species spotlight: Red-winged blackbird

Speaking of the great outdoors, while you’re exploring our city trails keep an eye out for the red-winged blackbird.

These beautiful birds, which are technically called Agelaius phoeniceus, are commonly found across North America, within fresh and saltwater marshes and other water sources. In Carlsbad, you might spot them near lagoons, Lake Calavera or at the pond at the Crossings Golf Course.

Just like the name implies, male red-winged blackbirds are a glossy black with red and yellow shoulders. They mostly eat insects in the summer and seeds in the winter. During the fall and winter, they flock with other blackbirds, grackles, cowbirds and starlings. 

Learn more about all the amazing wildlife found in Carlsbad, including some of the sensitive species and habitats we work hard to protect, on the city’s website and in our Happy Trails newsletter.

Get involved: Upcoming meetings

The next regular City Council meeting will take place Tuesday, June 6, starting at 5 p.m. in the City Council Chamber. The topics scheduled to be discussed include:

• Asking the San Diego County Local Agency Formation Commission to correct its designation for an area served by the Carlsbad Municipal Water District. Currently, the commission shows the area as being served by the Leucadia Wastewater District.
• Continuing the storm-related local emergency on Haymar Drive
• A request for $230,000 in funding to cover the increased cost of two new fire engines
• Awarding an agreement to provide transportation planning, design and environmental assessment for the 2023 Safe Routes to School Program
• Awarding a contract for construction of a recycled water-storage reservoir on Black Rail Road south of Poinsettia Lane
• Renewing a contract with the San Diego Humane Society for animal control services in Carlsbad
• Approving the annual fee assessments on properties for the city’s two lighting and landscaping districts and the Buena Vista Channel District
• Changing the compensation and time off for the Fire Department’s battalion chiefs and allowing for additional compensation for certain employees who perform bilingual services
• Adopting an amendment to the city’s Zoning Ordinance related to housing vulnerable populations and people experiencing homelessness to comply with the Housing Element requirements and state law
• Adopting an amendment to the city’s Zoning Ordinance to comply with new state housing laws on accessory dwelling units
• Considering whether to explore establishing and funding a secondary pension trust to minimize the potential impact of pension cost changes on the city’s budget.
• Approving the annual work plans for the Planning Commission and Historic Preservation Commission
• Awarding a contract to resurface and restripe about 16 miles of several east-west arterial streets throughout the city

You can find the agenda and staff reports on this page. Information about how to provide comments is on the agenda.

Our community budget workshop is taking place tonight from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. and these city meetings are taking place next week.

June 5, 4 p.m. – Traffic & Mobility Commission  

June 6, 11 a.m. – Beach Preservation Commission

June 7, 5 p.m. – Planning Commission

June 8, 6 p.m. – Housing Commission

Congratulations to all our graduating seniors! Have a happy and safe weekend.

Scott Chadwick