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We celebrated the opening of our first coastal fire station today, just in time for the start of the busy summer season. The new fire station is already helping reduce response times in the coastal area and citywide by freeing up existing stations to respond to emergencies closer to their locations. I’m sharing more details about the new station this week, along with updates on these important topics:

●      How street design encourages safer speeds

●      More traffic safety projects ahead

●      Number of people experiencing homelessness in Carlsbad drops 13%

●      Great bands you’ll see at TGIF

●      Find your next summer read and meet the author

●      The perfect camp for your young artist

●      Temporary rail closure

●      Upcoming meetings

Carlsbad's first coastal fire station celebrated just in time for summer

Earlier today, Carlsbad celebrated the opening of our first fire station west of I-5 and the railroad tracks. The City Council officially marked the station’s completion Thursday with an “uncoupling ceremony,” a fire service tradition similar to a ribbon cutting. Two hoses that had been hooked together are separated (“uncoupled”), like when firefighters finish extinguishing a fire, they unhook the hoses, drain the water and put the hoses back on the fire trucks to be ready for the next time they are needed.

The Fire Department started operating out of this station earlier this year while additional finishing touches were completed on the site. This location is temporary, but the city’s long-term plan is to find a site for a permanent Fire Station 7 to serve the city’s coastal area.

Calls for service along the coast have increased steadily over the years, and with all city fire stations east of I-5 and the railroad tracks, concerns about response times prompted talk of a coastal station. 

About the new station:

• The new station is located along Carlsbad Boulevard, north of Cannon Road.
• The station is fully functional with room for a crew of seven, a fire ladder truck, ambulance, two lifeguard trucks, two rescue watercrafts and a small all-terrain vehicle.
• This temporary structure was also used while Fire Station 2 in La Costa was getting rebuilt, so we were able to get this seventh station set up quickly and efficiently.

This new location is already helping our Fire Department respond to emergencies along the coast more quickly and ensure the city continues to meet the community’s public safety needs into the future..

Street design encourages safer speeds

On Tuesday, the City Council awarded a new contract to resurface and restripe about 16 miles of main east-west streets in Carlsbad to support safer speeds on our roadways, including:

• Carlsbad Village Drive, from I-5 to College Boulevard 
• Tamarack Avenue, from Carlsbad Boulevard to Carlsbad Village Drive 
• Cannon Road west of Avenida Encinas to Faraday Avenue 
• Poinsettia Lane, from Carlsbad Boulevard to Melrose Drive
• La Costa Avenue, from I-5 to Fairway Lane, just past El Camino Real 
• Olivenhain Road, from the Encinitas city limits to Rancho Santa Fe Road 

The city regularly resurfaces and restripes roads to keep our streets in top condition, free of cracks and potholes. In response to the traffic safety emergency, the timeline for resurfacing these streets was accelerated.

Restriping our main east-west streets to encourage safe speeds was also part of our emergency response, identified as one of the new initiatives in the Safer Streets Together plan, which the City Council approved in September 2022.

Why the focus on speeding?

• Unsafe speed is the leading cause of severe and fatal collisions in Carlsbad.
• Speed is largely a function of roadway conditions or road design, not speed limits, as many people believe. Put another way, people tend to drive as fast as conditions allow.
• Restriping our streets is one way we can encourage safer speeds without affecting traffic flow.
• Slowing down can go a long way toward preventing collisions and injuries.

Here’s what the data says about speeding in Carlsbad from 2017 – March 2023.

How it works

As we narrow some traffic lanes in Carlsbad, people are noticing it feels uncomfortable. Here’s the rationale.

• The way streets are designed has a big impact on the way people drive. Narrowing and reducing the number of vehicle lanes from four to three on some roads, or two to one on others, is a signal to pay more attention, and encourages people to slow down without affecting traffic flow.
• If someone is used to driving fast down a wide lane, they’re hopefully going to drive a little more slowly and focus more on driving when the lane is narrowed.
• The restriping will also widen bike lanes and add buffers between cars and bikes where it makes sense, which makes drivers and riders feel more comfortable on our roads.

Construction is expected to start this summer and be completed in fall. If you want to learn even more about street design and speeds, we’ve added some information to our website.  

Watch a quick video that shows how restriping works.

More traffic safety projects ahead

Speaking of traffic safety, this week, the Traffic & Mobility Commission advanced several projects designed to help people get around Carlsbad more safely and easily.

South Carlsbad Climate Adaptation project

The city is working on a grant-funded study to move south Carlsbad Boulevard, between Manzano Drive and Island Way, away from the cliffs to protect infrastructure from the hazards of sea level rise. 

At this week’s meeting, the commission recommended a roundabout option for the roadway design.

• A recent traffic study showed that traffic would move more efficiently through roundabouts compared to intersections with a traffic signal, even during the highest levels of traffic.
• The roundabout’s circular design allows vehicles to enter and exit without stopping, reducing delays and eliminating the need to wait for traffic signal changes. This results in improved traffic efficiency and reduced congestion.
• Roundabouts are designed with public safety vehicles in mind and in coordination with our Fire Department.
• Roundabouts are supported by our Fire Department.

The City Council will select the preferred design option this summer, allowing the city to complete the grant tasks by the deadline. Sign up to get notified of the meeting.

Here’s a video showing the general difference of traffic flow between a traffic light and roundabout.

An updated project priority list for the Sustainable Mobility Plan 

The Sustainable Mobility Plan helps reduce vehicle miles traveled in the city, mitigate the impacts of growth and development and accommodate all the ways people get around the city. The City Council adopted the plan in January 2021, and now we are working on ways to fund and construct the projects in the plan.

• Since the plan was adopted, we’ve identified new criteria to prioritize transportation projects, such as the latest traffic safety data, added emphasis on connections to school sites and major east-west corridors. 
• Preliminary concept plans will be designed for about 10 of the top priority projects and cost estimates for all 96 project areas. 

Improvements for Tyler Street, from Oak Avenue and Chestnut Avenue in the Village and Barrio area. 

• You can give feedback on the initial options through June 18 via this online survey.

Traffic calming plans, which include speed cushions, 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 Sequioa, from Camino Junipero to Avenida Diestro
• Celinda Drive, from Carlsbad Village Drive to Chestnut Avenue

The Traffic & Mobility Commission meets on the first Monday of each month and is a good place to learn about projects in the works and provide input. Their next meeting is Aug. 7.

The agendas and agenda packets are posted on the commission page. Sign up to get notified when future agendas are available.

Number of people experiencing homelessness in Carlsbad drops 13%

One of the City Council’s top goals is to prevent and reduce homelessness and its effects on our community. Data from the latest regional count was released today, showing that the number of people experiencing homelessness in Carlsbad has decreased by 13% since 2022.

• Earlier this year, Carlsbad joined agencies throughout the nation to participate in the annual Point in Time count, an organized effort to collect data on homelessness on the same day over a four-hour period, usually early in the morning.
• Locally, the Point in Time count is coordinated by the San Diego Regional Task Force on Homelessness.
• In Carlsbad, volunteers participate alongside social workers and members of the city's Homeless Response Team. 

The data from the Point in Time count is one of several measures we track and report on a regular basis. Our next report to the City Council is scheduled for June 20.

Here’s a snapshot of the data from this year’s Point in Time count:

• In 2023, 103 people experiencing homelessness in Carlsbad were identified, compared to 118 in 2022 and 148 in 2020. This includes people in shelters.
• The number of people in shelters regionally increased by almost 20% since the last count. In that time, there have been significant efforts regionally to increase shelter capacity.

The City of Carlsbad was one of the first in the region to develop its own Homeless Response Plan in 2017 to address city-specific needs and help coordinate among the county and various non-profit organizations also involved in this issue.

That plan was recently updated in February 2023 and includes:

• A specially trained Homeless Outreach Team in the Police Department focused on compassionate enforcement
• Contracted social workers, benefits specialists, rapid rehousing specialists and other resources that focus on transitioning people successfully into long-term housing and preventing new people from becoming homeless
• Expanding Carlsbad’s only homeless shelter to include women and families for the first time
• Cleaning up encampments that pose a health and safety concern to the community
• Creating more affordable housing options
• A special program with the Humane Society that can temporarily care for the pets of people experiencing homelessness so they can qualify for short term programs that may not allow pets
• Updates to the city’s municipal code that address the quality-of-life impacts of homelessness for local residents and businesses
• Active participation and cooperation in regional solutions

Here’s the 2023 Point in Time Count data and San Diego Regional Task Force on Homelessness news release.

Great bands you'll see at TGIF

The start of summer is just around the corner and you know what that means – it’s almost TGIF season. Our summer concert series will be back this July, and new for this year will be a complimentary bike valet service. It works just like a car valet but for your bikes at each TGIF concert location, so you can enjoy the shows without the time to find parking. 

Mark your calendars now for the TGIF schedule and lineup and stay tuned in the coming weeks for more details on other tips to help you enjoy TGIF. 

TGIF 2023 schedule: 

Stagecoach Community Park 

July 7: Band Overboard (Yacht Rock)

The smooth grooves, four-part harmony vocals, killer guitar solos, and overall lush, full sound will take you back to the late 70s/early 80s. 

July 14: B.I.G. (R&B, Soul & Funk)

B.I.G. (Brothers Igniting A Groove) performs a mix of R&B, smooth jazz and old school funk, including covers and original music.

Poinsettia Community Park

July 21: Young Guns (Country)

This band plays all of the best country songs from the 60’s, 70’s, 80’s and 90’s through today.

Calavera Hills Community Park

July 28: Jungle Fire (Afro/Latin/Funk)

An Afro/Latin Funk band creating a melting pot of Afro-Caribbean and West African rhythms with a heavy break beat funk.

Alga Norte Community Park

August 4: Betamaxx (1980s)

A high-energy, nostalgia-filled rock concert that keeps the dance floor packed from beginning to end with an ‘80s music experience.

August 11: The FABBA Show (A Tribute to ABBA)

An homage to pop sensation ABBA that will take you on a glittery, sparkling, and truly magical journey back to the disco and the 70s.

Each TGIF show begins at 6 p.m.

We’ve been getting some questions about why there will only be six concerts this year.

• As we were planning for this summer’s concerts, it became clear that our budget would not cover nine concerts.
• The cost for hosting the concerts has doubled since 2019, before COVID, and inflation has added to that cost.
• Reducing the number of concerts this summer was the least disruptive way to address the shortfall this year.

We’re evaluating options for the 2024 TGIF season and will present those to the City Council before any decisions are made about next year’s concerts. In the meantime, we have six wonderful concerts lined up this summer, and I am so excited for you to experience the variety of musical styles and enjoy connecting with friends and neighbors at each show.

Meet the Author at Dove Library

If reading is on your summer wish list, get inspired with a Meet the Author event Friday at the Dove Library. New York Times bestselling author Lisa See will discuss her new book, Lady Tan's Circle of Women.

Friday, June 9

2:30 p.m.

Schulman Auditorium

Dove Library

1775 Dove Lane

See’s latest book is a historical novel about a young girl who grows up to be a doctor in 15th-century China by following the teachings of her grandmother.

• Our Meet the Author event includes an audience Q&A, so bring your questions!
• Books will be for sale before the start of the event.
• You can ask the author to sign your book after the discussion.

Fun summer art camps

If you have a young artist in your life, we’ve got a free summer art camp they’ll love. It features daily art activities ranging from painting to mixed media, along with a field trip exploring Carlsbad’s public art.

There are two sessions to choose from, but each camper can only attend one.

• Session 1: July 10 - 14
• Session 2: July 17 - 21

Monday-Friday

9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Carlsbad City Library complex

Ages: 9 to 12

Register now  

Temporary rail service closures

Heads up that a portion of the railroad tracks in Orange County is temporarily closed due to falling debris on a hillside in San Clemente.

• Metrolink is only operating north of San Clemente, with no bus bridges or alternate transportation planned to connect to the Oceanside station.
• Amtrak will provide bus service between Irvine and Oceanside to get passengers around the closure.

Amtrak, Metrolink and their partners are assessing the area to determine when service could safely start again.

Get involved: Upcoming meetings

The next City Council meeting will take place Tuesday, June 13, starting at 5 p.m. in the City Council Chamber. The topics scheduled to be discussed include:

• An update on the city’s investments
• Approving a workers’ compensation settlement for a retired police officer
• The annual report showing all schools, hotels, motels, apartment and condominium buildings in Carlsbad have received fire inspections
• Accepting a $72,600 federal grant that will pay for specialized training for the Police and Fire departments
• Extending the agreement with the company that provides school crossing guards at public schools throughout the city
• Returning to lower-level drought response actions, following a state order that eases water-use restrictions statewide
• Awarding the contract to replace damaged concrete in sidewalks, curbs and gutters and ADA-compliant curb ramps throughout the city
• Continuing the storm-related local emergency the city declared to swiftly repair a sinkhole on Haymar Drive
• Final adoption of the city’s operating budget for fiscal year 2023-24
• Beginning the process to appoint a Carlsbad resident to represent the city on the Palomar Airport Advisory Committee
• Considering raising the Intersectional Pride Flag at City Hall

A link to the full agenda and staff reports will be available on the city’s website no later than Friday. You can watch the meeting live on the city’s website or cable TV channel.

There’s one other city meeting happening this week:

June 13, 9 a.m. – Legislative Subcommittee

Before I sign off, I want to say congratulations to all our recent or soon-to-be graduates! If you are planning on any graduation or start of summer festivities this weekend, please remember to be safe and look out for each other.

Scott Chadwick