The Carlsbad City Council assigned members Tuesday to represent Carlsbad on the boards of a regional agencies that handle issues such as public transit, water and public safety. The City Council also appointed a new mayor pro tem, who stands in for the mayor when he is unavailable, and members of City Council committees working on economic and legislative issues.

Under the Carlsbad Municipal Code, the City Council updates these assignments at the first meeting of the calendar year.

Mayor Pro Tempore 
Council Member Priya Bhat-Patel

Buena Vista Lagoon Joint Powers Committee 
Mayor Keith Blackburn
Council Member Melanie Burkholder

Clean Energy Alliance Joint Powers Authority
Mayor Pro Tem Priya Bhat-Patel (primary)
Council Member Teresa Acosta (alternate)

Chamber of Commerce Liaison
Council Member Teresa Acosta (primary)
Mayor Keith Blackburn (alternate)

City/School Committee
Mayor Pro Tem Priya Bhat-Patel
Council Member Teresa Acosta

City Council Economic Development Subcommittee
Mayor Keith Blackburn
Mayor Pro Tem Priya Bhat-Patel

City Council Legislative Subcommittee 
Council Member Melanie Burkholder
Council Member Teresa Acosta

Encina Wastewater Authority Board of Directors 
Mayor Keith Blackburn (primary) 
Council Member Melanie Burkholder (primary) 
Council Member Teresa Acosta (alternate)

League of California Cities San Diego Division
Council Member Teresa Acosta (primary) 
Mayor Pro Tem Priya Bhat-Patel (alternate)

North County Dispatch Joint Powers Authority 
Council Member Melanie Burkholder (primary) 
Mayor Keith Blackburn (alternate)

North County Transit District Board of Directors
Mayor Pro Tem Priya Bhat-Patel (primary)
Council Member Melanie Burkholder (alternate)

San Diego County Water Authority Board of Directors
Council Member Teresa Acosta

SANDAG Board of Directors 
The City Council did not choose new representatives for the San Diego Association of Governments Board of Directors at this meeting. The City Council plans to make those appointments once the District 2 vacancy is filled. Concerns were raised during the meeting that by waiting to make the SANDAG appointments, Carlsbad would not have a SANDAG representative in the interim. Upon further review of the resolution approving SANDAG appointees in January 2022, the resolution provides for the representatives appointed in January 2022 to continue in their roles until new representatives are chosen. 

This means Mayor Pro Tem Priya Bhat-Patel will continue as first alternate and Mayor Keith Blackburn will continue as second alternate until the City Council votes to appoint new representatives. Former Mayor Matt Hall was assigned as the primary member in January 2022, but because he is no longer serving as an elected official, he is ineligible to continue in this role.

Read the staff report