The Carlsbad City Council has appointed Carolyn Luna to serve the remainder of the District 2 City Council seat left vacant when Keith Blackburn was elected Mayor last November. The term ends in November 2024. District 2 covers roughly the northeastern part of Carlsbad, the coastal area between Agua Hedionda Lagoon and Palomar Airport Road, the city’s industrial area around Palomar Airport and the Rancho Carrillo neighborhood.

A total of seven candidates participated in interviews at a special meeting Feb. 15. Luna was sworn in following her appointment.

Luna previously served on the city’s Planning Commission, and resigned that position before being sworn in as a City Council member. See application with other background information.

The City of Carlsbad received 8 applications to fill the vacancy. One applicant withdrew prior to the special meeting. District 2 residents were invited to submit suggested topics they wanted covered during the candidate interview process, and candidates were given four minutes each to present their qualifications.

Under the Carlsbad Municipal Code, the City Council had the option of holding a special election or using an appointment process to fill the seat. Had the City Council decided on a special election, it could not have been held until Nov. 7 at an estimated cost $275,000 to $475,000. The code also specifies that a person appointed to a City Council position may not run for that same office until one year after the appointment ends.

New boundaries will take effect for District 2 with the 2024 election. Districts changed following the 2020 census to rebalance the population.

Also at the Feb. 15 meeting, the City Council updated who will represent Carlsbad at various regional boards and organizations. The updated responsibilities include:

Buena Vista Lagoon Joint Powers Committee
Council Member Carolyn Luna
Mayor Keith Blackburn 

Encina Wastewater Authority Board of Directors
Mayor Keith Blackburn (primary)
Council Member Carolyn Luna (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 Carolyn Luna (primary)
Mayor Keith Blackburn (alternate)

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

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

SANDAG Board of Directors
Council Member Melanie Burkholder (primary)
Mayor Pro Tem Priya Bhat-Patel (first alternate)
Mayor Keith Blackburn (second alternate)

SANDAG Shoreline Preservation Working Group
Council Member Carolyn Luna (primary)
Mayor Keith Blackburn (alternate)

All other regional responsibilities remained the same. They can be viewed on the agenda.

More information
Council Vacancy
Office of the City Clerk, 442-339-2808 or clerk@carlsbadca.gov