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News from the City of Carlsbad | Sept. 3, 2026

I’m excited to kick off today’s update with this year’s State of the City video, which highlights major accomplishments from the past year and updates on key projects, initiatives and improvements underway. The video, which debuted at Tuesday’s City Council meeting, also features some of Carlsbad’s older, long-time residents, who share their perspectives on our wonderful city.

From city parks and streets to public safety and environmental sustainability, the city continues to make good on the goals in the City Council’s 5-Year Strategic Plan. If you watch to the end there is also a touching tribute to former City Council Member Ann Kulchin, who passed away earlier this year.

I also want to update you on the state of the beaches in the City of Carlsbad and how we’re preparing for El Niño.

Here’s the full lineup:



• How we’re preparing for El Niño
• An update on Carlsbad beaches
• Labor Day weekend safety tips
• Labor Day holiday city service hours
• Explore more than books with your library card
• Rewarding businesses for going green
• Apply to serve on the Arts Commission
• Community events and activities 
• Upcoming city meetings

How we’re preparing for El Niño

It may be hard to imagine rainstorms after the recent heat, but as we approach the fall “wet season,” the city is closely monitoring forecasts and proactively preparing for the possibility of strong El Niño conditions. Here’s a look at what we’re doing now to make sure we’re ready:

• Closely coordinating with federal, state and local first responders, emergency managers and weather agencies
• Reviewing emergency action plans for the Calavera, Maerkle and Mahr dams
• Ensuring our swift water rescue teams, Urban Search & Rescue teams, Public Works crews and Emergency Operations Center are ready
• Coordinating the availability and distribution of sandbags for the community
• Inspecting and clearing storm drains and other drainage channels, trimming trees, and preparing for potential mud and debris flows
• Checking all water and wastewater pumps, and reviewing and replacing batteries and backup generators at the Maerkle Reservoir and wastewater lift stations

City staff are also making necessary infrastructure repairs, actively monitoring potential road and coastal erosion concerns and maintaining streets to help reduce the risk of flooding and storm damage. In January 2026, the city expedited repairs to storm drain infrastructure in the coastal bluffs near Carlsbad Boulevard and Solamar Drive damaged by previous storms.

I shared some general emergency preparedness tips in last week’s edition, but you can find specific information on what you can do to prepare for El Niño, heavy rain and flooding on this webpage.

I’ll continue to share weather and emergency preparedness information. You can also check for updates on our website and social media.

An update on Carlsbad beaches

As you may know, Carlsbad has about 7 miles of coastline. But here’s something that may surprise you: the City of Carlsbad owns and manages only about 1 mile of that beach.

The other 6 miles are owned and managed by the State of California through State Parks. The city’s beach runs from just north of Oak Avenue to the Oceanside border. Most of the beach south of Pine Street to the Encinitas border is state property, with the exception of a small section of Terramar between Cerezo Drive and Cannon Road.

Beach ownership and management varies by community. By comparison to our neighbors, nearly all of the beaches in Oceanside are owned and managed by the City of Oceanside, while the beaches in Encinitas are split, about half are city-owned and half are state-owned.

So, why am I talking about beaches today?

Many of us have seen the recent natural ocean activity affecting parts of the state’s coastal property at Tamarack Beach and the parking lot next to it. Because that beach and property belong to the State of California, the City of Carlsbad does not have the authority to lead the response or make repairs there.

That said, we are monitoring this natural phenomenon, and we are staying in close contact with State Parks about the condition of the beach. We have offered our help if the State needs it as they respond to these natural conditions, and we are ready to collaborate should they request our assistance.

At the same time, you may have noticed something different happening along the city’s roughly 1 mile of beach north of Oak Avenue: the appearance of what are called “cobble cusps,” or small stones gathered along the shoreline. These are a natural part of how the coast changes. Waves and changing ocean conditions move rocks and small stones around, sometimes creating these noticeable clusters or scalloped patterns on the beach.

We’ve seen this happen before, and some residents have understandably asked whether someone dumped or placed the rocks there.

They did not.

These cobble cusps are completely natural and are simply the result of waves and coastal conditions moving material along the shoreline.

State beach sign

Speaking of the state’s responsibility for most of Carlsbad’s beaches, there is another issue we’ve been working with State Parks on: the condition of the sign at the entrance to Robert C. Frazee Beach, near the grass triangle on Carlsbad Boulevard.

The sign has been deteriorating for some time. Since last November, the city has been in contact with State Parks, asking them to address it because its condition is well below the quality our residents and visitors expect. I mention this because there seems to be some confusion in the community about who is responsible for that sign.

It is a State Parks sign, not a City of Carlsbad sign.

If it were our sign, it would have been replaced a long time ago.

We have asked State Parks to either repair it, remove it or replace it as soon as possible and recently learned that they are looking at options for a better sign that can withstand the coastal environment and be easier to maintain over the long term. Their goal is to replace similar signs at state beaches, including the one in Carlsbad, during the current fiscal year, which runs from July 2026 through July 2027.

We have asked them to move that project up, if possible, or at least remove the existing sign in the meantime. Our California State Legislature representatives are also aware of our request and will follow the progress.

We have a good relationship with our state partners, but I also think it’s important to be transparent with Carlsbad residents about issues like this, especially when people are asking why the city isn’t fixing the sign.

The simple answer is… we would if we could.

We’ll continue to monitor the situation at Carlsbad beaches and share updates as more information becomes available.

Labor Day weekend safety tips

Whether you’re celebrating Labor Day in Carlsbad or heading out of town, we want you to have a safe and happy weekend. If you’re planning a beach day, keep in mind that strong swells are expected through the weekend as a result of Hurricane Marie.

Here are some reminders from the Carlsbad Police and Fire departments on how to help make the holiday safe for everyone.

Traffic safety

If you’re driving, biking or walking anywhere this weekend, expect heavier traffic on local roads and highways. Slow down and remember to look twice for people biking and walking, especially near the beach.

Drive safe

The Carlsbad Police Department is asking for your help this Labor Day weekend to keep dangerous drivers off the road. 

• To help prevent tragedies, Carlsbad Police will have additional officers on patrol through Labor Day weekend.
• Plan ahead. Designate a driver or use rideshare services if you plan to drink.
• Remember, impairment isn’t just alcohol. Prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines and cannabis can also affect your ability to drive safely.
• Report drunk drivers by calling 911.

Report suspicious activity by calling the 24-hour non-emergency hotline at 442-339-2197. In an emergency, always call 911.

If you’re riding an e-bike

Please review Carlsbad’s e-bike safety laws before you hop on your bike. Here’s a quick reminder of the laws the City Council adopted earlier this year:

• Anyone operating an e-bike must be at least 12 years old.
• When a minor breaks the rules and creates an immediate or substantial public safety risk, their e-bike may be impounded. The minor must complete an in-person safety course to retrieve the e-bike, and a parent or guardian must be present when the e-bike is released.
• The Police Department can also impound e-motorcycles, which are not street legal.
• E-bikes are prohibited at Poinsettia and Pine Avenue community parks.

Labor Day holiday city service hours

City offices, libraries and community centers will be closed Monday, Sept. 7, in observance of the Labor Day holiday. A full holiday schedule for city services is listed below:

• Trash pickup: No delay
• City offices: Closed
• Emergency services: Regular service
• City libraries: Closed
• Cannon Art Gallery: Closed
• City sculpture garden: Closed
• Alga Norte Aquatic Center: Closed at 2 p.m.
• Community centers: Closed
• Leo Carrillo Ranch Historic Park: Closed
• Senior Center: Closed
• No street sweeping on city holidays

Transit: For the holiday transit schedule, please visit gonctd.com or call 511

Explore more than books with your library card 

September is Library Card Sign-Up Month. You may already know your Carlsbad City Library card gives you access to countless books and movies, but did you know it can do so much more? Discover all the perks in this video.

A Carlsbad City Library card allows you to:



• Stream or download entertainment through the Hoopla and Libby apps
• Explore genealogy at the Georgina Cole Library
• Check out a California State Library Parks Pass for free parking at over 200 state parks; guides and supplies are also available
• Digitize your films and photos at the Memory Lab at Dove Library

Signing up is quick and free. You can apply online in just a few minutes or stop by any of our three library locations to get started. During the month of September, sign up for a new library card or show your current card to a staff member to earn a small reward, while supplies last. 

Rewarding businesses for going green

Two ways that the City of Carlsbad helps reward local businesses for sustainability practices are the Business Environmental Stewardship Award and Green Business Certification.

Business Environmental Stewardship Award

The city is accepting applications for the Business Environmental Stewardship Award, which recognizes local businesses that reduce waste, conserve resources and make sustainability part of their day-to-day operations. The award is presented twice a year with the next submission window closing Sept. 12.

Selected businesses receive:

• An engraved award made from sustainable materials
• Recognition from the City of Carlsbad, including a photo presentation with city representatives
• A $500 credit on their solid waste services bill or a Republic Services Lunch & Learn

Green Business Certification

The Green Business Program is offering special perks to Carlsbad businesses that earn or renew their Green Business Certification by Nov. 23 – just in time for Small Business Saturday. Businesses that are certified or recertified by the deadline will receive:

• Up to $250 in rebates for sustainable purchases
• Zero-waste prizes
• A statewide and local newsletter feature
• A statewide and local social media shoutout

To participate in the Carlsbad Green Business Program, sign up for a free, brief information session with a sustainability consultant, who will walk you through the certification process.

Apply to serve on the Arts Commission

If you want to get involved and make a difference in our community, we have two vacancies on the City of Carlsbad’s Arts Commission. The Arts Commission advises the City Council on arts and culture related matters as well as on implementing the arts element of the city’s General Plan.

Arts Commission

Two vacancies

Meetings: first Thursday of each month at 5:30 p.m.

Deadline to apply: Sept. 30 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 of the events and activities happening soon at our city libraries, community centers and the Carlsbad Senior Center:

• Honoring American Labor – Friday, Sept. 4, 11 a.m. to noon, Carlsbad Senior Center
• Cinema Club Friday: “Dolores” – Friday, Sept. 4, 4 and 7 p.m., Dove Library
• Hispanic Heritage Festival – Saturday, Sept. 5, 1 to 4 p.m., Library Learning Center
• Reel Wednesday: “The Grand Budapest Hotel” – Wednesday, Sept. 9, 4 and 7 p.m., Dove Library
• Adult Craft Night – Wednesday, Sept. 9, 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., Dove Library
• Saturday Concert in the Courtyard: The Night Owls – Saturday, Sept. 12, 5 p.m., Ann Kulchin Courtyard

Upcoming city meetings

There’s no City Council meeting on Tuesday. The next one is Tuesday, Sept. 15, at 5 p.m. in the City Council Chamber, 1200 Carlsbad Village Drive.

However, the City Council’s Legislative Subcommittee is scheduled to meet next week. Board and commission meetings are livestreamed on the city’s website and available to watch afterward. See the full meeting schedule on our city calendar.

Have a fantastic Labor Day weekend, and thank you for being part of this community.



Geoff Patnoe

City Manager