HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-04-07; Traffic and Mobility Commission; MinutesTRAFFIC SAFETY & MOBILITY COMMISSION Council Chamber
Ml• nutes 1200 Carlsbad Village Drive
Carlsbad, CA 92008
Apri l 7, 2025, 4 p.m.
CALL TO ORDER: 4 p.m.
ROLL CALL: Penseyres, Newlands, Kohl, Proulx, Nicholes, Schuck.
Absent: Coelho.
INVOCATION: None.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Acting Chair Penseyres led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Commissioner Proulx joined the meeting at 4:01 p.m.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Minutes of Regular Meeting held on March 3, 2025 .
Motion by Commissioner Kohl, seconded by Commissioner Newlands, to approve the minutes of
the Regular Meeting held on March 3, 2025, as presented. Motion carried, 6/0/1 (Coelho -
Absent).
PRESENTATIONS: None.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
David Pierce spoke about the road diet and restriping on El Fuerte.
CONSENT CALENDAR: None.
PUBLIC HEARING: None.
DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS:
1. FISCAL YEAR 2025-26-TRAFFIC SAFETY & MOBILITY COMMISSION WORK PLAN: Provide staff
input on the fiscal year, or FY, 2025-26 Traffic Safety & Mobility Commission Work plan for
future submittal to the City Council. (Staff contact: Nathan Schmidt, Public Works
Department)
Recommended Action : Provide input.
Transportation Planning & Mobility Manager Nathan Schmidt reviewed a PowerPoint
presentation (on file in the Office of the City Clerk).
The Commission received the PowerPoint presentation by Transportation Planning &
Mobility Manager Schmidt.
April 7, 2025 Traffic Safety & Mobility Commission Regular Meeting Page 2
David Pierce spoke in support of implementing quick-build traffic safety projects and
recommended the work plan prioritize inexpensive, quick-build projects.
Commissioner Nicholes recommended the agenda packet be released sooner for more time
to review.
In response to Commissioner Kohl's inquiry regarding how the Commission can notify
residents of projects, Transportation Planning & Mobility Manager Schmidt explained that it
varies by projects and not all projects receive high-level communication outreach.
In response to Commissioner Proulx's inquiry regarding the methods of communication,
Transportation Planning & Mobility Manager Schmidt responded that the city advertises via
social media, City Manager Update, and mailers.
In response to Commissioner Schuck's inquiry regarding how residents can report issues,
complaints and suggestions, Transportation Director/City Engineer Frank responded that
residents could sign up and make submissions through the CarlsbadConnects app.
In response to Commissioner Nicholes' inquiry regarding the effectiveness of social media
outreach, Transportation Director/City Engineer Frank responded that more information
could be provided at a later date.
In response to Commissioner Schuck's request for information regarding the effectiveness of
the CarlsbadConnects app, Transportation Director/City Engineer Frank responded that staff
would coordinate with the Communications Department and provide via a City Engineering
Report at a future meeting.
In response to Commissioner Newlands request to receive correspondence before a
specified cutoff time, Transportation Planning & Mobility Manager Schmidt confirmed that
the cutoff time for correspondence is 1 p.m. the day of the meeting.
In response to Acting Chair Penseyres' inquiry regarding the feasibility of releasing the
agenda packet sooner, Transportation Planning & Mobility Manager Schmidt responded that
staff would make the effort of releasing the agenda packet sooner.
Commissioner Kohl suggested staff request the City Manager include the Commission as a
resource for residents to report issues, complaints and suggestions in the City Manager's
Update.
In response to Commissioner Nicholes' inquiry regarding an executive summary or table of
contents for staff reports, Transportation Director/City Engineer Frank explained that staff
reports contain an Executive Summary that provides an overview of the item's objectives
and goals. Transportation Director/City Engineer Frank further explained that the online
version contains bookmarks and is searchable for easier navigation.
April 7, 2025 Traffic Safety & Mobility Commission Regular Meeting Page 3
In response to Acting Chair Penseyres' regarding resources on reoccurring topics, such as
speed limits and roundabouts, Transportation Director/City Engineer Frank explained that
staff would hold workshops to provide more information of these topics.
Acting Chair Penseyres requested information regarding Vision Zero.
2. OVERVIEW OF THE TRANSPORTATION DEMAND MANAGEMENT PROGRAM AND 2024
EMPLOYER SURVEY RESULTS: Receive a presentation on the citywide Transportation Demand
Management Program and the 2024 Employer Survey Results. (Staff Contact: Nathan
Schmidt, Public Works Department)
Recommended Action: Receive the report and recommend approval.
Transportation Planning & Mobility Manager Nathan Schmidt reviewed a PowerPoint
presentation (on file in the Office of the City Clerk).
The Commission received the PowerPoint presentation by Transportation Planning &
Mobility Manager Schmidt.
David Pierce spoke about objective and subjective safety.
In response to Commissioner Schuck's comment regarding the availability of resources, such
as daycare, childcare and pet care, Transportation Planning & Mobility Manager Schmidt
explained that employers are encouraged to provide on-site amenities that employees can
use which in turn offer reductions in the number of trips they need to make throughout the
day and they do receive points towards their Transportation Demand Management (TDM)
program.
In response to Commissioner Nicholes' inquiry regarding why the City of Carlsbad does not
participate in the program, Transportation Planning & Mobility Manager Schmidt explained
that the city does not have a TDM program and does not fall under the mandatory program
but is exploring such a program as this was a recommended air quality improvement
measure in the city's latest Climate Action Plan update.
In response to Commissioner Kohl's request to receive the results of the survey,
Transportation Planning & Mobility Manager Schmidt confirmed that he would distribute the
survey results.
In response to Commissioner Kohl's inquiry regarding possible penalties if employers fail to
meet their goals, Transportation Planning & Mobility Manager Schmidt explained that the
employer would need to meet with staff and revise their TDM plan. If there are no
improvements, the employer would be subject to the city's code enforcement process.
In response to Commissioner Newlands' comment regarding the decline of bicyclists,
Transportation Planning & Mobility Manager Schmidt responded that it may be a matter of
April 7, 2025 Traffic Safety & Mobility Commission Regular Meeting Page 4
convenience and returning to working in the office, however increased bike volumes are still
being observed at Carlsbad area schools.
In response to Commissioner Kohl's inquiry regarding funding to provide resources,
Transportation Planning & Mobility Manager Schmidt explained that it would be at the
expense of the employer to meet their requirements under the TDM ordinance.
In response to Commissioner Proulx's inquiry regarding how the sustainable mode share goal
of 26% for existing buildings and tenant improvements is measured, Transportation Planning
& Mobility Manager Schmidt explained that staff measure based on the survey results from
employers.
In response to Commissioner Proulx's inquiry regarding minimum requirements to initiate a
TDM program, Transportation Planning & Mobility Manager Schmidt explained that a specific
square footage either remodeled or added, or a new development will automatically initiate
a TDM program based on the number of employees added. He further explained that if a
development increases the number of trips to a Growth Management Program (GMP)
exempt roadway, a TDM program would be initiated.
In response to Commissioner Nicholes' inquiry regarding whether the survey respondents
were the same for 2023 and 2024, Transportation Planning & Mobility Manager Schmidt
responded that they are likely not the same.
Acting Chair Penseyres' recommended staff provide the results earlier on in the staff report.
In response to Acting Chair Penseyres' inquiry regarding the survey questions, Transportation
Planning & Mobility Manager Schmidt responded that he would need to confirm with the
surveyor and provide more information at a later date.
Commissioner Schuck recommended revising the survey results be displayed differently as
they currently do not show year-over-year results from the same employers.
COMMISSION COMMENTARY AND REQUESTS FOR CONSIDERATION OF MATTERS:
In response to Commissioner Kohl's inquiry regarding the grant funding for the Carlsbad
Boulevard and Tamarack Avenue Pedestrian Improvement Project, Public Works Deputy City
Manager Paz Gomez explained that an item would need to be agendized to discuss further.
Minute motion by Commissioner Kohl, seconded by Commissioner Proulx, requesting to agendize
an item for a future meeting to receive a presentation regarding the San Diego Association of
Governments (SANDAG) Active Transportation Grant Program-funded Carlsbad Boulevard and
Tamarack Avenue Pedestrian Improvement Project. Motion carried, 6/0/1 (Coelho -Absent).
In response to Commissioner Kohl's inquiry regarding whether traffic signal detection is tested
and sensitive enough to detect bicyclists making a left-turn, City Traffic Engineer John Kim
April 7, 2025 Traffic Safety & Mobility Commission Regular Meeting Page 5
explained that the traffic signals use video detection and should be sensitive enough to detect
bicyclists.
In response to Commissioner Nicholes' inquiry regarding how schools are chosen for the Safe
Routes to School Program, Transportation Planning & Mobility Manager Schmidt explained the
staff reach out to the school district and/or residents.
Commissioner Proulx commented that the traffic signal turning left from Cannon Road to Faraday
Avenue does not detect vehicles pulling up to the signal.
Commissioner Schuck commented that there are concerns regarding an accumulation of water
potentially causing a sinkhole on Pontiac Drive.
In response to Acting Chair Penseyres concerns regarding the bike lane on El Camino Real from
College Boulevard to Jackspar Drive during construction, City Traffic Engineer Kim explained that
bicyclists are not encouraged to travel on El Camino Real between College Boulevard and
Jackspar Drive due to the speed. He further explained that staff may explore alternative options
as conditions change.
In response to Commissioner Kohl's inquiry regarding whether heavy fog can affect video
detection, City Traffic Engineer Kim confirmed that it could be affected.
ANNOUNCEMENTS: This section of the Agenda is designated for announcements to advise the
community regarding events that Members of the Commission have been invited to, and may
participate in.
STAFF COMMENTS: City Traffic Engineer John Kim spoke about the upcoming neighborhood
traffic calming projects for locations that have qualified.
ADJOURNMENT: 5:29 p.m.
Secretary