View as Webpage

This week city staff provided an update on our local economy, and next week we will present the proposed city budget for fiscal year 2023-24. I’ll share more on both today, along with these updates:

• Local economic update
• Understanding city finances
• Traffic safety emergency extended
• Avoid the most common type of collision with bikes
• It’s not too late to sign up for summer camps (but it’s close!)
• Get involved: Upcoming meetings

Local economic update

Staff who work on economic development for the city updated the City Council Tuesday on the state of our local economy. We do this every quarter to monitor for changes that could affect city finances and our community. There is a lot of great information in the report, so I encourage you to check it out.

If you are not familiar with the business side of our community, you might be surprised to learn Carlsbad has the second largest economy in the region after San Diego, with a gross domestic product of $15.8 billion. One of the main reasons for our economic strength is the diversity of our business community, which includes a mix of small businesses and five key industries:

• Life sciences
• Information, communications and technologies
• Cleantech
• Sports innovation and design
• Hospitality and tourism

Learn about the city budget

The state of the economy is just one of many factors that play into our annual budget planning. Starting tomorrow, you can see the result of this work by reviewing our proposed budget for fiscal year 2023-24.

The proposed budget invests in the City Council’s highest priorities, sets money aside for future infrastructure needs and grows the city’s cash reserves, while reducing spending to shore up the city’s long term financial health.

We have once again called for all departments to increase efficiency and find new ways to reduce ongoing spending. In addition to lowering base spending by $2.3 million at a time when inflation is 6%, the proposed budget reduces city staffing by the equivalent of 12 positions. 

Although the city remains financially healthy today, with a AAA credit rating, healthy reserves and among the lowest pension debts in the region, Carlsbad is facing new fiscal challenges as it transitions from a growing city to one focused on maintaining its high level of service.

City staff will go over the preliminary budget at the May 23 City Council meeting, which is also an opportunity for community members to provide input, either by coming to the meeting and requesting to speak or emailing the City Council in advance of the meeting at clerk@carlsbadca.gov.  

Community budget workshop

On Tuesday, the City Council directed staff to provide an additional opportunity for the community to learn about the budget, but in a more informal setting. As a result, on June 1, city staff will present the budget, answer questions and listen to feedback at a community budget workshop. Here are the details.

Thursday, June 1

5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

1635 Faraday Ave.

The city operates on a fiscal year that goes from July 1 to June 30. The final city budget is scheduled to be approved during a public hearing June 13.

You can review the budget online now or see a hard copy starting tomorrow at the Office of the City Clerk or our Faraday Administration Center.

Traffic safety emergency extended 

Earlier this week, the City Council extended the local traffic safety emergency for another 60 days, while we continue to implement programs addressing the “three E’s” of traffic safety – Education, Engineering and Enforcement.

While preliminary data is encouraging, showing a 19% decrease in injury collisions from the start of the emergency through February 2023, we know that trends may change during the busy summer months.

I’ll also keep sharing safety tips in these updates, so you can feel confident that you’re doing your part to stay safe no matter how you get around.

More information.

Thanks for sharing the road on Bike Anywhere Day

Speaking of sharing safety tips, you may have noticed more bikes on your commute than normal today. That’s because today was Bike Anywhere Day, a regionwide event that encourages people to consider biking as an alternative to driving.

This morning, the city hosted one of many pit stops throughout the county, offering participants a place to hydrate, grab a snack, talk about some of the city’s transportation projects or even pick up some Safer Streets Together materials.

While Bike Anywhere Day is over, we will continue to see more people out and about on bikes as we approach summer. With that in mind, I want to share some tips that can help us all share the road and avoid the right hook – a common type of collision that happens when a driver turns right, colliding with a bicyclist or pedestrian.

Watch the video.

Here are a few ways you can avoid this type of collision: 

• Always check your mirror and blind spot for any cyclists or pedestrians before turning.
• If there is a bike ahead of you and you don’t have time to pass, slow down and wait to turn.
• Remember to signal in advance.
• Move to the right as much as you safely can. Hint: When you see dashes in a green bike lane stripe, that’s a good time to move closer to the curb before you turn.

Next city cycling class

More of these tips will be highlighted in the next city cycling class, taught by the San Diego County Bicycle Coalition. It’s set for June 10 at La Costa Canyon High School.

It’s a great opportunity for beginners and experienced bicyclists who want to brush up on road rules over three parts:

One hour of classroom instruction

One hour of skills practice in the parking lot

One hour of a guided bike ride with a certified instructor (the pace is slow and there are frequent stops)

Saturday, June 10

9 a.m. to noon

La Costa Canyon High School

1 Maverick Way

Register (only a few spots left)

Sign up for summer camps

As schools get ready to start summer break, the City of Carlsbad is offering a variety of fun camps to keep kids engaged and active this summer. If you haven’t booked your child’s spot yet, there’s still time to sign up.

Kids 4-16 can choose from sports and fitness camps, creative and performing arts camps, science and exploration camps, aquatic camps and more. Find the full list in the city’s Summer Community Services Guide, available on the city’s website.

Here are just a few of the fun camps we’re offering:

Cooking Round the World: Students will learn about culture, tastes and celebrations while enjoying the foods and flavors from different countries. At each class, they’ll cook one or two different dishes from the country of the day. For kids 6-12.

Cinematography-Filmmaking @ the Ranch: This camp introduces video scene setups and digital photography. Campers will explore the importance of camera angles, shot sizes and movements while grasping the basics of Go-Pros®, gimbals and DJI drones. Separate weeks for kids 7-11 and 12-16.

Minecraft Master Engineering: Bring your favorite Minecraft adventures to life with our enthusiastic Play-well instructors. In a Minecraft world powered by LEGO resources, we will build shelters to keep out creepers, craft mythical items that only true masters can wield and more! Separate weeks for kids 5-7 and 7-12.

Gymnastics Camp: Campers will explore the fundamentals of gymnastics through games, activities and personal instruction. Campers will utilize apparatuses like bars, parachute, beam and two giant tumble tracks. For kids 6-12.

Register soon because space is limited. (Some camps may already be full.)

Get involved: Upcoming meetings

The next City Council meeting will take place Tuesday, May 23, starting at 5 p.m. in the City Council Chamber. The topics to be discussed include:

• An agreement for additional furnishings needed to complete the renovation of the Police and Fire headquarters
• Awarding a contract for construction of new bike ramps, sidewalks and traffic safety measures along part of Avenida Encinas as part of the Coastal Rail Trail project 
• Awarding a contract to install new motorized valves on water mains that can be monitored and operated remotely
• Continuing the storm-related local emergency the city declared to swiftly repair a sinkhole on Haymar Drive
• An agreement that will provide the city with a single tool for managing and tracking non-construction projects
• Amendments to the city’s Zoning Ordinance to comply with new state housing laws, including accessory dwelling units
• An appointment to represent the city on the San Diego County Water Authority Board
• Staff’s presentation on the preliminary city budget for fiscal year 2023-24
• Considering approval of a City Council policy statement on the display of flags at City Hall

The full agenda and staff reports are available on the city’s website.

There are two other city meetings on the calendar next week:

• May 24, 4 p.m. – Library Board of Trustees
• May 25, 4 p.m. – Village & Barrio Design Review Committee

Saturday is Armed Forces Day and before I close, I want to thank those in our community who serve in the U.S. military, as well as their families. We’re so grateful for your service and we’re proud that so many of you call Carlsbad home. Thank you for your commitment and sacrifice.

Scott Chadwick