It’s hot and getting hotter, with temperatures this weekend expected to reach 90 here in Carlsbad and 100+ inland. With the extreme heat forecasted through the weekend, a Flex Alert has been issued for 4 – 9 p.m. today, and more may be issued in the days ahead. If you haven’t already, you can sign up online to receive notifications when new alerts are issued. I’m sharing a few tips to help everyone stay safe and cool this holiday weekend, along with these updates below:

• City Council approves $2 million in immediate traffic safety efforts
• Milestones for the city’s homeless programs
• Heat warning and tips to stay cool
• Repaving local streets
• Labor Day safety reminders
• No more library late fines
• Help State Parks with a sea level rise study
• Upcoming meetings

City Council ratifies local traffic safety emergency, approves $2 million for immediate actions

Earlier this week, the Carlsbad City Council ratified a proclamation of local emergency on traffic safety and allocated $2 million in funding for immediate efforts, while city staff develop a comprehensive menu of options to present Sept. 27.

I appreciate everyone’s suggestions and feedback over the past week. For those who have shared ideas, we are forwarding them to our transportation and police departments and will make sure they are also shared with the City Council. Our goal is to take a balanced approach that includes the three E’s of traffic safety: 

• Education: Raising awareness of traffic safety rules and encouraging safe riding and driving
•  Engineering: Continuing to implement dozens of projects to make Carlsbad’s streets inviting for all modes of transportation
• Enforcement: Making sure people follow the rules of the road

Current actions

Because of the local emergency proclamation, the city has been able to quickly redeploy resources over the past week to focus on immediate traffic safety actions, some of which are displayed below:

Smoother streets are safer streets

Speaking of safer streets, the city is about to start our annual paving work, something that helps prolong the life of our 350 miles of roadway while making for smooth riding and driving. Each year, the city evaluates local streets using pavement management software and resident feedback to identify streets that need a fresh surface.

For the past several years, when we repave a street, we also adjust the lane stripes to provide more room for bicyclists and, where needed, narrow the vehicle lanes to slow traffic. This year, we will be adding green paint as well, to make bike lanes even more visible. Some of the main streets scheduled for repaving starting next week include:

• El Camino Real between Cannon Road and Palomar Airport Road, and south of Alga Road
• Cannon Road between El Camino Real and Faraday Avenue
• College Boulevard between Sunny Creek Road and Palomar Airport Road
• Alicante Road between Gateway Road and Paseo Candelero

In addition to these major streets, many neighborhood streets are also being resurfaced through this effort. In total, crews will resurface more than 200 street segments throughout the city this year.

Lane closures and signage will be in place to direct traffic around work areas, and businesses and residents near construction areas will be informed before work begins. Crews will complete this work as quickly as possible while minimizing dust, noise and other impacts. 

Homeless programs reach key milestones

City staff reported Tuesday that over the past year, the city has helped 62 people experiencing homelessness transition into permanent housing. That progress was among several key milestones shared with the City Council on Tuesday as part of the city’s fourth quarterly report on reducing homelessness.

• 110 people placed in temporary shelters
• 50 encampment cleanups
• 749 people provided with information, referrals and other services to help them get off the streets

As you may know, City Council has made reducing homelessness and its effects on the community a top priority. As part of this goal, the City Council asked staff to provide quarterly updates so the public could track progress and provide feedback as the city implements its plan. Tuesday’s meeting included data from the last quarter of our fiscal year that ended June 30 as well as a summary of the entire year. Some annual highlights are below:

The city is continuing to update its website on homelessness so you have easy access to information and can get your questions answered. Read the full report for more details on fourth-quarter data and additional steps to address homelessness that were implemented between April and June.

So goodbye to library late fines

Some good news for book lovers: We’re eliminating late fines at the Carlsbad City Library effective today as part of our continuing efforts to ensure the library remains easy to use and accessible for everyone.

• All fines for overdue items will be forgiven, including any outstanding fines.
• Everyone will get a clean slate. Only fees for lost or damaged items and interlibrary loans will still apply.
• If you have any overdue items, you can return them to any Carlsbad library branch. 

Getting rid of late fines has become a national trend, with studies showing fines can actually be a deterrent to getting materials returned. Our library works hard to connect our Carlsbad community with materials and resources that can enrich their lives, and eliminating late fines is one more way we can do just that.

Tips to stay cool 

The National Weather Service has issued an excessive heat warning for our entire region that will last through the weekend. Although coastal cities like Carlsbad don’t get as hot as inland areas, we’re not immune from the dangers of excessive heat. Following these tips can help you and your loved ones stay cool, safe and healthy.

• Don’t push yourself. Save any physical activity for the coolest part of the day, usually between 4-7 a.m.
• Drink more water than usual, even if you don’t feel thirsty.
• Avoid drinks with alcohol or caffeine; they make the heat's effects on your body worse.
• Call your physician if you feel you may be experiencing a heat-related illness.
• Keep pets cool and make sure water is available.
• Stay indoors. If you don’t have air conditioning, keep blinds closed and windows slightly open.
• Never leave children or pets inside vehicles at any time, even with the windows cracked; temperatures inside a vehicle can reach lethal levels no matter what the weather is like.

Carlsbad has two air-conditioned facilities where you can escape the heat:

Senior Center

799 Pine Ave.

442-339-2650

Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Saturday, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Dove Library

1775 Dove Lane

442-339-2049

Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Both sites will be closed Sunday and Labor Day.

Labor Day weekend reminders

Labor Day weekend is always a busy time in Carlsbad, with visitors getting in one final vacation before summer ends and locals enjoying the long weekend. With the heat wave, we expect even larger crowds than usual as people flock to cooler temperatures along the coast.

Traffic safety

Carlsbad Police will be out to keep our community safe. If you plan to visit the beach, city parks or trails, or anywhere else this weekend, please be extra alert and follow these safety reminders.

• Drive carefully. Slow down and watch for pedestrians, bicycles and motorcycles. Share the road and give others extra room and consideration.
• If you’re traveling on two wheels, follow those same guidelines. If you’re on an e-bike, please review our e-bike rules of the road.
• Curb your distractions, including your cell phone. Distracted driving is illegal and can have tragic consequences.
• Park legally and carefully. Failing to do so can block traffic and create dangerous conditions.
• Plan for a safe ride home – designate or use rideshare services. We will be looking for DUI drivers.

Remember, each of us plays a role in keeping our streets safe. A little patience and kindness will go a long way on a busy holiday weekend.

Grilling safety

Firing up the grill this weekend? This grilling safety video has great information on how to avoid injuries and fires.

Holiday schedule

City offices in Carlsbad will be closed on Monday for Labor Day, but trash pickup won’t be delayed, and city pools will be open.  A full holiday schedule for city services is listed below:

• City offices: Closed
• Emergency services: Regular service
• Trash pickup: Regular service, no delays
• City pools: Alga Norte, 6 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Monroe Street, 6 to 10:30 a.m.
• Libraries and Cultural Arts facilities: Closed
• Community centers: Closed
• Senior Center: Closed
• Leo Carrillo Ranch: Regular hours, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Transit: For the holiday transit schedule, please visit www.gonctd.com or call 5-1-1

For more information, please call the City of Carlsbad at 442-339-2820.

State parks and sea level rise

Sea level rise is a major issue that will affect Carlsbad and many other coastal communities in San Diego County and beyond. California State Parks has started working on a significant study looking at the impact of sea level rise on coastal state parks property across the San Diego region.

As part of that study, the state agency wants your help identifying places and features at coastal state parks that are most important to you – what you value about the trails, beaches, overlooks and other features.

You can submit your comments on this online platform or in person on Saturday, when parks officials hold a Pop-Up Event in Carlsbad:

Saturday, Sept. 3

3 to 5 p.m.

South Carlsbad State Beach

California State Parks Nature Table at Campfire Center

7201 Carlsbad Blvd.

Learn more

Get involved: Upcoming meetings

The next City Council meeting will be held Sept. 13 at 5 p.m. in the City Council chamber. A link to the full agenda and staff reports will be available on the city’s website by the Friday before the meeting.

The following boards and commissions are scheduled to meet next week:

• Sept. 6, 4 p.m. – Traffic & Mobility Commission
• Sept. 8, 6 p.m. – Housing Commission

On behalf of Team Carlsbad, have a fun and safe holiday weekend. Please remember to allow extra time to get around this weekend and look out for one another on the road.

Scott Chadwick

Fun things to do

Camps and classes

Adults 50+

Library programs

Cultural Arts

Aquatics

Teen activities

Hike the city trails

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