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News from the City of Carlsbad | June 26, 2025

Thanks to everyone who helped us kick off the TGIF summer concert season last week at Stagecoach Community Park! We had an amazing turnout and I’ll share details about the up-tempo dance band performing at this week’s concert below.

Before I get to this week’s lineup, I also wanted to make sure you knew about the recently refreshed north viewpoint on Armada Drive. As you’ll see in this video, the lookout is a picturesque place to take in a sweeping view of the North County coastline, all the better with the amazing weather we’ve been having. Additional walkway improvements on Armada Drive are planned in the next few months.

Now, here’s what’s in store for this week:

• Progress report on efforts to reduce homelessness
• City to seek more input on Barrio traffic calming
• Carlsbad earns top marks for water quality
• Get ready to groove with Full Strength at TGIF
• New drop-off option for household batteries
• City launches “office hours” to support small businesses
• Apply to serve on our new Investment Review Board
• Community events and activities
• Plan ahead to avoid traffic delays
• Upcoming meetings

Progress report on efforts to reduce homelessness

On Tuesday, the City of Carlsbad’s homeless response team reported steady progress on continued efforts to reduce homelessness and its effects on the community, which are top priorities for the City Council.

The semi-annual report reflects data from the first six months of the fiscal year, July through December 2024. During that time period:

• Services were provided to 466 people experiencing homelessness, including 11 families and 23 children.
• 87 people were transitioned to permanent housing, more than double the placements made during the same time period in the previous year. The increase is due in part to federal and state grant funding received in January 2024 to increase efforts to address homelessness in the downtown Village area.
• 71 people were placed in temporary shelter.
• Preventive services were provided to 57 individuals to help keep them from becoming homeless.
• 29 encampments were cleaned up.
• The number of total Police calls for service related to homelessness decreased by 36%. 

By securing additional grants in recent years, the city has been able to expand direct services to further combat homelessness in Carlsbad, at less cost to the city.

In addition to presenting data from the semi-annual report, the homeless response team also presented initial results from efforts that started earlier this year.

• In March 2025, the City Council updated a city law to prohibit camping in vehicles in public spaces. The Homeless Outreach Team has started with an education first approach, letting people know about the updated camping law and offering to help connect them to services.
• In a related effort, the team began work on a state-funded program to help connect people living in vehicles to housing. Since May 2025, the team has worked with 38 people through the program, four of whom have moved into permanent housing.
• Earlier this year, the city launched an additional state-funded program with the City of Oceanside to address encampments along State Route 78. Outreach efforts at the first encampment site near the Buena Vista Creek have successfully moved 34 people into permanent housing so far.

View the full report

City Council to discuss options for Barrio traffic calming 



At Tuesday’s meeting, the City Council postponed a decision on awarding a construction contract for a project that would install five traffic circles in the Barrio. Instead, the City Council asked staff to bring the proposal back July 29 to give the community another opportunity to provide input on the traffic circles and other options to reduce speeding.

The city’s Village and Barrio Master Plan initially identified the project to help calm traffic in the Barrio, based on community input. 

The City Council decided to push back a decision because adding the five traffic circles would also mean some parking in the neighborhood would be removed (regardless, some spots would be lost because of a new state “daylighting” law that restricts parking within 20 feet of most intersections).

Given the parking reduction and recent community feedback about traffic circles and roundabouts in Carlsbad, the City Council asked staff to ensure the community has another opportunity to weigh in before any changes are made. At the July 29 meeting, the City Council will discuss the new input and whether to move forward with the project as proposed or direct staff to explore other ways to slow traffic in the Barrio.

Tuesday, July 29, 5 p.m. 

City Council Chamber 

1200 Carlsbad Village Drive  

The city will share more details on how to provide input soon. Sign up for email updates to make sure you’re the first to know when those details are available. 

Carlsbad earns top marks for water quality

Providing clean, safe and reliable drinking water is one of the core services identified in the Carlsbad City Council’s 5-Year Strategic Plan. While it might seem simple that water flows when you turn on the tap, a lot happens behind the scenes to make sure that water meets the highest standards every time.

This week, the Carlsbad Municipal Water District released its annual water quality report, which shows it is continuing to meet or exceed all state and federal drinking water standards. Every summer, water districts are required to publish detailed reports on drinking water quality.

This year's report covers 2024 and includes:

• Detailed water quality test results
• Information about where our drinking water comes from
• Conservation tips to help residents use water wisely
• Contact information for local, state and federal water agencies

Staff continually test water quality for a variety of potential contaminants and monitor stored water to keep it safe and reliable at all times. The water quality report is available now on the city’s website.

The Carlsbad Municipal Water District operates as part of the City of Carlsbad, delivering water to about 85% of the city. The Olivenhain Municipal Water District serves the southern part of the city and the Vallecitos Water District serves the southeastern area. Find your water district.

View the 2024 Water Quality Report. 

Get ready to groove with Full Strength at TGIF

This Friday, June 27, our TGIF summer concert series is back at Stagecoach Community Park featuring Full Strength, a high-energy dance band that blends Top 40, funk and classic Motown. With powerhouse vocals and a dynamic horn section, Full Strength is sure to get the crowd up on its feet and grooving.

Friday, June 27

Field opens at 4 p.m.

Concert starts at 6 p.m.

Stagecoach Community Park

3420 Camino De Los Coches

Heading to the concert? Here are a few helpful tips:

• Concerts at Stagecoach Park have free parking across the street at La Costa Canyon High School. You can also check your bicycle for free with our bike valet.
• If you’d like to set up early, you’re welcome to bring blankets and low-back chairs (which sit lower than 8 inches from the ground) to set up for a group starting at 4 p.m. Please only take the space that you need. Seating is limited.
• Please leave your pets at home (service animals are welcome).
• Let your inner artist shine at our pop-up art booth near the eastern security entrance, with two family-friendly activities from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m.

New drop-off option for household batteries 

As part of our ongoing efforts to make sustainable living easier, we’re now offering a convenient way to recycle your batteries: drop-off bins at the Georgina Cole Library and the Carlsbad City Library on Dove Lane.

Batteries may seem harmless, but they contain toxic materials that can leak into the environment or cause fires when tossed in the trash. That’s why they’re a type of household hazardous waste and need to be handled carefully. 

Look for the battery-collection bins near the library entrances or ask at the help desk. You can drop off AA, AAA, 9-volt, C and D batteries (non-rechargeable only). 

Please don’t leave batteries outside or try to recycle other battery types here. This program is for household batteries only. 

Two other ways to recycle household batteries: 

1. Place them in a clear zip-top bag and set it on top of your blue recycling cart on collection day 
2. Drop them off at the Palomar Transfer Station Recycling Center at 5960 El Camino Real 

Recycling lithium or rechargeable batteries 

• Drop them off at the Household Hazardous Waste Facility, 1145 East Taylor St., Vista, Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. (free for Carlsbad residents) 
• Schedule a curbside pickup for $10 by calling 800-714-1195 (free for residents 65+) 

City launches “office hours” to support small businesses

Speaking of our libraries, the City of Carlsbad is launching a new pilot program to support local small businesses by offering in-person “office hours” at the Dove and Cole libraries through our Small Business Liaison Program.

The goal is to make it easier for Carlsbad entrepreneurs and small business owners to access city resources, get questions answered and connect directly with staff.

Here’s how it works:

• The city’s small business liaison, Rachel, will be available to answer questions, walk through city processes and offer one-on-one support. (You can read a Q&A with her on our website).
• Starting July 8 and through the end of the month, office hours will be held from 9 to 11 a.m. each Tuesday at Dove Library.
• In August, office hours will shift to Cole Library on the same Tuesday schedule.
• Business owners can book appointments online or just drop in during the two-hour window, pending availability.

Apply to serve on our new Investment Review Board

If you have a background in finance and are interested in making a difference in our community, consider applying to serve on the city’s new Investment Review Board. This is an advisory body that will provide independent oversight of the city’s investment practices. Financial education or experience is required.

Investment Review Board

Two vacancies for terms ending in August 2027

Two vacancies for terms ending in August 2029

Meetings: Quarterly

Deadline to apply: July 14 at noon

Applicants must be Carlsbad residents who are registered to vote in the city. You can apply online or pick up an application at the City Clerk’s Office at City Hall, 1200 Carlsbad Village Drive. 

Community events and activities

Here are some City of Carlsbad events and activities coming up soon at our libraries, community centers and the Carlsbad Senior Center.

• Cinema Club, “Picture Bride" – Friday, June 27, 4 p.m. and 7 p.m., Dove Library
• Community Friendship Builders (adults 50+) – Friday, June 27, 11 a.m. to noon., Carlsbad Senior Center
• Kristin Harmel Author Event – Saturday, June 28, 11 a.m., Dove Library
• Fredric Hope “Silent Storytellers” exhibit (final day) – Saturday, June 28, noon to 5 p.m., Cannon Art Gallery
• Reel Wednesday, “Ferris Bueller's Day Off" – Wednesday, July 2, 4 p.m. and 7 p.m., Dove Library

Find more activities and information in our city calendar, the Senior Center’s Seaside Insider newsletter and our Summer Community Services Guide.

Plan ahead to avoid traffic delays

Before you head out for work or errands next week, don’t forget to check our construction map to see where larger city projects are happening that might impact your drive. The map is updated every week to help you avoid or minimize traffic delays and detours that often come with construction.

Remember, the map only shows city projects. It doesn’t include construction projects by local utilities, private companies or other agencies. 

Upcoming meetings

 The next City Council meeting is Tuesday, July 15, starting at 5 p.m. in the City Council Chamber. However next week, the Carlsbad Planning Commission is scheduled to meet on Wednesday, July 2, at 5 p.m. in the Council Chamber. 

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.

While I’m talking about boards and commissions, on Tuesday the City Council approved transitioning the Beach Preservation Commission into the city’s new Environmental Sustainability Commission. The new commission will hold its first meeting Aug. 7.

With summer in full swing, I hope you’re getting a chance to get outdoors and enjoy this wonderful time of year in our beautiful city. Thanks for all you do to make Carlsbad the special place that it is. Have a great week!

Geoff Patnoe

City Manager