Today’s update includes my usual update on COVID-19 plus a lot of other city news to share:
- 2 big things we’d like your input on
- 29 organizations just got a city arts grant
- 9 easy things to do this week so you’re ready for a wildfire
- 3 new ambulances approved in the city’s budget
- 10 topics the City Council will discuss next Tuesday
- 1 very important anniversary coming up Saturday
I’ve mentioned before that I like numbers, right? Let’s get to it…
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COVID-19 update
Last week I told you about research showing that two months seems to be about how long previous COVID-19 surges have lasted. If you look at the county’s latest COVID Watch newsletter, you’ll see a downward trajectory starting to form on many of the key metrics for the current Delta surge. The latest dashboard of county triggers also shows that key measures, like case numbers, hospital capacity, ICU bed availability and new hospitalizations, are better than last week.
Here you can see the number of active cases in Carlsbad since June 23:
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A few caveats -- the most recent numbers are not considered final right away. And, although the number of new of cases countywide is down, the average is still over 1,000 a week for the past seven days, deaths are up over last week, and so is the number of outbreaks.
Continuing to follow the precautions recommended by public health experts is the very best way to keep numbers headed in the right direction:
- Get vaccinated.
- Avoid crowds, especially indoors.
- When you’re inside with others, open a window or do other things to keep the space well-ventilated.
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Wear a mask indoors if you’re around people outside your household. Here’s the latest mask fact sheet from the California Department of Public Health.
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Stay home if you have COVID-19 symptoms.
- Wash your hands regularly, and don’t touch your face.
What to do if you’ve been exposed?
Guidance for when to quarantine following a COVID-19 exposure has changed over time as more has become known about transmission and, most recently, due to the availability of vaccines. With schools back in session and community outbreaks increasing, please take a look at these guidelines so you know what to do if you find out you’ve been in close contact with someone contagious with COVID-19.
The guidance has too many sections to summarize here, but here are some of the factors that determine if you need to quarantine and for how long:
- Vaccination status
- How much time you were around the person with COVID-19
- How long the person had COVID-19 (to determine how contagious the person was at the time)
- Whether you and the person with COVID-19 were wearing a mask when in close contact
- When you last had a COVID-19 negative test
- If you’ve already had COVID-19 and how long ago
Keep in mind, workplaces, schools and other organizations may decide to use stricter precautions when it comes to COVID-19 exposure.
Other COVID updates
Here is a quick rundown on other topics related to COVID-19:
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The CDC is tracking new variants of “interest,” but they are not considered variants of “concern” at this time.
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The original announcement about the availability of booster shots said the Pfizer booster would be available first, starting Sept. 20. The latest information now says “fall,” without a specific date. Here’s an article that explains what’s next.
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The World Health Organization yesterday called for a moratorium on booster shots for the rest of the year until places with low vaccine availability catch up. Federal officials countered yesterday afternoon that the United States has donated over 140 million doses to more than 90 countries and will prioritize the health of its citizens by offering booster shots.
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Moderna announced this morning that it is testing a combo COVID-19 booster and flu shot.
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Input opportunity #1: Workshops on where more affordable housing should be built
The first of two virtual workshops will be held next week to get your input on where new housing could be created in Carlsbad to satisfy a state requirement that cities accommodate their fair share of the region’s housing needs.
- The state gives a total number of units to each region, and the region divvies up that number among cities and the county.
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Carlsbad's share over the next eight years is 3,900. We can meet some of this number through existing locations and approved projects, but the city still needs to identify locations for about 2,600 new homes. Most of those need to be affordable for people with moderate to low incomes, according to state formulas for household income levels.
- In addition to complying with state law, creating more affordable housing means more people who work in Carlsbad can afford to live here, and people who grow up here can afford to stay.
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Many people have a negative image of affordable housing. In Carlsbad, it usually means smaller units, like apartments and condos. Here you can see what our current affordable apartment complexes look like.
- The city requires developments of a certain size to make 15% of the units affordable or pay into a fund for affordable housing projects. This means that new condos and apartments you see being built will usually have some affordable housing included.
You can see the 18 proposed locations on this interactive map. The locations were chosen based on public input gathered last year.
Virtual public workshops (held via Zoom)
You can also provide feedback through an online survey or by emailing us.
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Input opportunity #2: Where does your neighborhood start and end?
You can now take an online survey that will help Carlsbad define the communities that should stay together for the purposes of electing a City Council member, starting with next November’s election.
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The survey is one of the first public input opportunities for the city’s redistricting process, which will redraw City Council district boundaries based on new census data.
- The goal of the survey is to identify communities that share common interests, called communities of interest, that should be kept in the same City Council district.
- The input will be considered by an Independent Redistricting Commission, which will select the final district map by April 2022.
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Record investment in projects to promote arts and culture in Carlsbad
The city’s Cultural Arts Office recently awarded $106,480 in Community Arts Grants to fund 29 local arts projects that help enrich our local arts culture and community. The funding, approved by the City Council, is a new record, up from $88,000 in the previous grant cycle. Increasing funding for local programs was one of the recommendations in the city’s Cultural Arts Master Plan approved a few years ago.
- The grants are awarded through a competitive application and review process.
- Recipients include organizations, schools and individuals creating visual, media, literary and performing arts projects taking place in Carlsbad.
- This year, we made the application and review process easier because applicants, panelists, Art Commissioners and city staff were able to use a new online cloud-based grants software.
- The next grant cycle opens in spring 2022.
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What would you do if a wildfire broke out today?
September is National Preparedness Month, coming right before our fall Santa Ana season. The city is promoting easy tips all month long to help our residents and businesses take the steps needed to protect themselves, family members, employees and property.
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On the business front, you can read this article by Assistant Director of Emergency Services David Harrison in the Carlsbad Business Journal promoting our “Quick Start Guide” to how businesses can be prepared for emergencies.
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City Council goal update: Invest in the city’s fire and emergency services
One of three City Council goals for this budget year is making sure the city’s fire and emergency services are ready to meet the community’s needs as the city’s demographics and population change.
This includes purchasing three new ambulances, the first of which is finishing up the inspection process and will be on its way to Carlsbad soon. Check her out in the photos below:
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In case you’re wondering, a new ambulance costs around $300,000 for the vehicle and another $130,000 for the equipment. Why so expensive? Think of an ambulance like a mini-ER on wheels, filled with lifesaving equipment and supplies. Public safety in general is usually the biggest expense for cities, and the most important thing we do.
Speaking of Fire Department investments, the rebuilding of Fire Station 2 in La Costa is coming right along, with the footings for the new two-story building being poured last week. The project should be done next summer. In the meantime, the Fire Station 2 crew is fully operational, working out of a temporary location next to Dove Library.
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Get involved: Upcoming meetings
The next City Council meeting will be Sept. 14, at 3 p.m. Here’s what’s on the agenda:
- An update on city investments
- Agreements for design of a storm drain on Merwin Drive and improvements to a drainage channel that runs along El Camino Real
- Terminating an outdated agreement with the county regarding the McClellan-Palomar Airport
- Amending city laws so that police can better address quality of life concerns related to homelessness and public spaces
- Establishing a speed limit for the recently completed segment of Poinsettia Lane
- Changes to the city’s municipal code to enable the city to recover attorneys’ fees in nuisance abatement cases and to allow the office of City Clerk to remain vacant until the next general election
- Considering adding the restoration of Encinas Creek and public engagement options for a project that would move part of Carlsbad Boulevard away from the hazards of rising sea levels
- An update on the Interstate 5 widening project, which will also preserve and restore some open space areas in Carlsbad
- Reaffirming the city’s inventory of historic properties
- An appointment to the city’s Traffic & Mobility Commission
In addition, these city meetings are also coming up:
- Independent Redistricting Commission, Sept. 9, 2:30 p.m.
- Housing Commission Sept. 9, 4 p.m.
- Historic Preservation Commission, Sept. 13, 4 p.m.
- Legislative Subcommittee, Sept. 14, 9 a.m.
- Planning Commission, Sept. 15, 3 p.m.
Remember, all city meetings are still virtual. Find more information on agendas, how to participate and how to watch the meetings here.
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Marking the 20th anniversary of 9/11
It’s hard to believe it’s been 20 years since the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks that changed our world. The heartbreak and heroism of that day will never be forgotten, including the bravery and sacrifice of first responders who gave their lives trying to save others.
Within days of the tragedy, several Carlsbad firefighters were among scores of emergency workers who went to the East Coast to serve on search and recovery teams. In the days, months and years that followed, we came together as a nation to grieve and heal. I hope you’ll take a few minutes on Sept. 11 to remember the fallen, nearly 3,000 souls that day alone, and their families and the spirit of courage and resilience they inspire.
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Fun things to do
Quick Links
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