HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-05-05; Traffic Safety and Mobility Commission; 04; Fiscal Year 2025-26 – Traffic Safety & Mobility Commission Work PlanMeeting Date: May 5, 2025
To: Traffic Safety & Mobility Commission
Staff Contact: Nathan Schmidt, Transportation Planning and Mobility Manager
nathan.schmidt@carlsbadca.gov, 442-339-2734
Subject: Fiscal Year 2025-26 – Traffic Safety & Mobility Commission Work Plan
District Citywide
Recommended Action
Review and approve the final fiscal year, or FY, 2025-26 Traffic Safety & Mobility Commission
Work Plan and appoint a commissioner to represent the Traffic Safety & Mobility Commission at
the City Council meeting where the work plan will be presented for City Council consideration.
Executive Summary
Carlsbad Municipal Code Section 2.15.020(C) requires the Traffic Safety & Mobility Commission,
or TS&MC, to prepare a draft work plan that identifies activities that the TS&MC anticipates
undertaking in the coming year and a subsequent report of the TS&MC’s accomplishments. The
purpose of this work plan is to encourage increased dialogue between the TS&MC and the City
Council. City staff will facilitate this work and develop a draft work plan that will include a list of
goals and related tasks that will guide the TS&MC agenda for the coming year.
Discussion
Based on discussions during the April 7, 2025, Traffic Safety & Mobility Commission meeting,
staff have prepared the attached work plan reflecting the Commission’s input. During the
meeting, commissioners discussed ways to improve public awareness and engagement related
to transportation projects and Commission activities. Commissioners noted that public
comments often arrive too close to meeting dates and encouraged earlier and broader
outreach efforts. Suggestions included expanding the use of social media, newsletters, and the
“Carlsbad Connects” platform to better inform residents.
Commissioners also raised concerns about the timing of agenda packet distribution,
recommending that materials be released by at least the Wednesday prior to meetings to allow
sufficient time for review. In addition, they requested that executive summaries be included in
agenda packets to improve navigation of lengthy supporting documents. Staff noted that
outreach strategies vary by project and often include direct mailers, door-to-door notifications,
and social media posts for projects with direct neighborhood impacts. The Commission also
TRAFFIC SAFETY & MOBILITY COMMISSION
May 5, 2025 Item #4 Page 1 of 12
Staff Report
asked staff to coordinate with the city’s communications team to assess ways to improve the
effectiveness of current outreach efforts.
Commissioners identified additional informative agenda items such as the city’s approach to
setting speed limits, roundabouts, Vision Zero and related safety action plans to include in the
work plan to help orient new commissioners and respond to ongoing community interest in key
transportation issues. Staff also updated project timelines and consolidated duplicative work
efforts to streamline the plan.
Next Steps
The FY 2025-26 TS&MC work plan will be submitted to the City Council for review and approval.
Public Notification
This item was noticed in keeping with the Ralph M. Brown Act and it was available for public
viewing and review at least 72 hours before the scheduled meeting date.
Exhibits
1. Draft City Council Resolution
2. Memo from City Attorney, Dec. 18, 2018
3. Traffic Safety & Mobility Commission Current Work Plan for FY 2025-26
4. Traffic Safety & Mobility Commission Communications Plan
May 5, 2025 Item #4 Page 2 of 12
Exhibit 1
RESOLUTION NO. .
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CARLSBAD,
CALIFORNIA, APPROVING THE TRAFFIC SAFETY & MOBILITY COMMISSION
WORK PLAN FOR FISCAL YEAR 2025-26.
WHEREAS, Chapter 2.15 of the Carlsbad Municipal Code requires that each board or
commission provide to the City Council for its approval an annual Work Plan of activities to be
undertaken by the board or commission; and
WHEREAS, consistent with the duties of the Traffic Safety & Mobility Commission under Chapter
2.28 of the Carlsbad Municipal Code, staff prepared a draft annual Work Plan for the Traffic Safety &
Mobility Commission that is designed to promote mobility and traffic safety within the city and to
implement the General Plan Mobility Element; and
WHEREAS, the draft annual Work Plan includes development of a communications plan,
consistent with City Council direction to staff at its ____, 2025, meeting to include a communications
plan under which the Traffic Safety & Mobility Commission Chair will provide semi-annual reports to
the City Council on the Commission’s activities and recommendations on specific matters; and
WHEREAS, on ___, 2025, the Traffic Safety & Mobility Commission considered and unanimously
recommended City Council approval of the draft annual Work Plan for Fiscal Year (FY) 2025-26.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Carlsbad, California, as
follows:
1. That the above recitations are true and correct.
2. That the City Council of the City of Carlsbad approves the Traffic Safety & Mobility
Commission Work Plan for FY 2025-26, attached hereto as Attachment A.
May 5, 2025 Item #4 Page 3 of 12
PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED at a regular Meeting of the City Council of the City of
Carlsbad, California, California on the __ day of ________, 2025, by the following vote, to wit:
AYES:
NAYS:
ABSENT:
_________________________
KEITH BLACKBURN, Mayor
_________________________
SHERRY FREISINGER, City Clerk
(SEAL)
May 5, 2025 Item #4 Page 4 of 12
Memorandurn
December 18, 2018
To: All Boards and Commissions
From: Celia A. Brewer, City Attorney
Via: Boards and Commissions Staff Liasions
Re: Work Plans
{cityof Carlsbad
The City Councll recently revised the Municipal Code to create uniform policies and• procedures
related to boards and commissions. Included in those revisions is a requirement for each board
and commission to submit an annual work plan and a subsequent report of the activities it has
undertaken to the City Council. The workplan should include the activities that the board or
commission anticipates undertaking in the coming year. The City Cou11cil will review, amend if
necessary and apprnve the work plan. The purpose of the work plan is to encourage increased
dialogue between the boards and commissions and the City Council. It will also help ensure
that the boards and commissions are working in line with the priorities of the City Council. Your
staff liaison will present you with an initial draft work plan. Please spend some time at your
next available meeting to review, modify if necessary and approve the draft work plan. In
addition, please also consider any modifications to your authorizing ordinance or resolution
which you may be necessary. The City Council will be reviewing the authorizing ordinances and
resolutions at a future meeting.
City Attorney
1200 Carlsbad Village Drive I Carlsbad, CA 92008 I 760-434-2891 t
Exhibit 2
May 5, 2025 Item #4 Page 5 of 12
City of Carlsbad
Traffic Safety & Mobility Commission
Work Plan Fiscal Year 2025‐26
I.Mission Statement
The Traffic Safety & Mobility Commission is committed to enhancing safe mobility for the
city and its residents by using data‐driven decision‐making and a forward‐looking approach
to transportation. We are transparent and do the right thing the right way.
II.Duties
The City Council has established a goal to have the City of Carlsbad become a leader in
multimodal transportation systems and creative approaches to moving people and goods
through and within the City of Carlsbad. Consistent with Carlsbad Municipal Code Chapter
2.28, the City of Carlsbad Traffic Safety & Mobility Commission was established. Duties of
the Traffic Safety & Mobility Commission are defined as follows by the Carlsbad Municipal
Code Section 2.28.050:
It shall be the duty of the Traffic Safety & Mobility Commission to study matters
concerning mobility and traffic safety, including implementation of the General Plan
Mobility Element, and to make written recommendations to the City Council and
Planning Commission regarding measures that should be taken to promote mobility and
traffic safety within the city as follows:
A.Review staff studies and reports, and make recommendations to the City
Council and Planning Commission on mobility and traffic safety matters,
including but not limited to those related to pedestrian, bicycle, vehicular
and transit modes of travel, and parking and school safety;
B.Provide a public forum to review community input regarding mobility and
traffic safety matters, including but not limited to those related to
pedestrian, bicycle, vehicular and transit modes of travel, and parking and
school safety;
C.Review and provide recommendations for revision to the city codes and plans
on mobility and traffic safety matters, including but not limited to pedestrian,
bicycle, vehicular and transit modes of travel, and parking and school safety.
III.FY 2025‐26 Goals & Objectives
Consistent with Carlsbad Municipal Code Chapter 2.15, the Traffic Safety & Mobility
Commission will provide advisory recommendations within the scope of this work plan.
The Traffic Safety & Mobility Commission will focus on the following FY 2025-26 Goals/Objectives:
1.Goal: Review staff recommendations on the multimodal transportation system, and
Exhibit 3
May 5, 2025 Item #4 Page 6 of 12
provide input based on data, best practices and public input.
a) Objective: Review and provide input on mobility policies, programs,
processes, and informational reports including the Growth Management
Program (GMP) Annual Monitoring Reports, Parking Master Plans,
status related to signal and traffic management center operations from
the Signal Coordination (CIP) project, Traffic Impact Fee program and
other reports within the purview of the commission.
In addition, staff will identify opportunities to present informational
items on current transportation topics of interest, such as updates to
speed limit policies, roundabout design best practices, and the City’s
implementation of Vision Zero and coordinated traffic safety initiatives.
These presentations will be intended to help strengthen commissioner
understanding of evolving transportation strategies and provide context
to support informed decision‐making on current and future projects.
Schedule:
• Spring: Presentation of the annual GMP Monitoring Report and
Update on the city’s traffic signal program
• Summer and Winter: Presentation of the semi‐annual
Transportation Update Report
b) Objective: Review and provide input on current mobility plans, including the
annual progress reports on the Sustainable Mobility Plan, and Citywide
Transportation Demand Management (TDM) Program.
Schedule:
• Fall: Annual update on the Sustainable Mobility Plan
and Multimodal Transportation Impact Fee Program
• Winter/Spring: Performance report of the TDM
program and Active Transportation Monitoring Report,
including metrics on active participants in the TDM
program, changes in active transportation use, and
other performance indicators.
c) Objective: Review and provide input on Carlsbad Residential Traffic
Management Program projects and proposed traffic calming features such as
speed cushions, traffic circles, raised crosswalks and curb extensions.
• Schedule:
• Staff will present Residential Traffic Management
projects and traffic calming recommendations on an on‐
May 5, 2025 Item #4 Page 7 of 12
going basis.
d) Objective: Review and provide input to the city’s transportation planning
documents and related policies.
• Schedule:
• Winter/Spring: Staff will present the proposed
revisions to the TIA guidelines and vehicle level of
service (LOS) evaluation methods.
e) Objective: Provide opportunities for public input on scheduled city projects
that have the potential to improve mobility options.
• Schedule:
• Staff will present mobility related projects and
receive community input on an on‐going basis.
2. Goal: Focus on mobility, including safety improvements, around school locations
a) Objective: Review and provide input on significant mobility and safety
projects near schools. Proactively engage the school district in Safe
Routes to School (SRTS) planning and work with the schools to develop
SRTS and access plans.
b) Objective: Receive informational reports from the Carlsbad Police
Department regarding school traffic education and enforcement.
• Schedule:
• Staff will present mobility and safety projects near
school sites on an on‐going basis.
• The Carlsbad Police Department will provide
quarterly updates.
Annual Schedule of Items: The following list provides a tentative schedule of re‐
occurring agenda items that the Traffic Safety & Mobility Commission will review
each year.
First Quarter (January – March)
• Semi‐Annual Transportation Report
• Growth Management Plan Circulation Section
Second Quarter (April – June)
• Traffic Safety & Mobility Commission Work Plan
• Semi‐Annual Transportation Report
Fourth Quarter (October – December)
• TDM and Active Transportation Monitoring Report
• Traffic Safety &Mobility Commission Annual Calendar
May 5, 2025 Item #4 Page 8 of 12
Other re-occurring programs to be presented as available:
• Pavement Management Program, annual resurfacing projects
• ADA Improvement Program, bi‐annual projects
• ADA Transition Plan
• Sidewalk Improvement Program, bi‐annual projects
May 5, 2025 Item #4 Page 9 of 12
Traffic Safety & Mobility Commission
Proposed Communications Plan
Goals
•Facilitate communication between the commission and the City Council regarding the Traffic
Safety & Mobility Commission work plan, including implementation status and City Council
actions related to work plan items.
•Promote opportunities for the public to engage with the commission and obtain information
about the commission’s activities.
Strategies & tactics
Staff Reports
•When city staff plans to bring forward an item related to the work plan for action to the Planning
Commission or City Council, staff will seek an advisory recommendation from the commission
beforehand.
•When preparing staff reports for items coming before the commission for action, city staff will
include the following:
1.Requests for advisory recommendations from the commission.
2.Opportunities for public input.
3.A clear overview of whether the item will require further consideration by the Planning
Commission and/or City Council and whether the item will be considered on the consent
calendar or as a presentation.
•When preparing staff reports for commission items coming before the Planning Commission or City
Council, city staff will include as an exhibit the approved commission meeting minutes related to the
item. If the Commission minutes have not yet been approved, draft minutes will be submitted on
that item.
City Traffic Engineer Comment
•During City Traffic Engineer comment at each commission meeting, city staff will provide an updated
status report on:
1.any City Council actions taken on items related to the commission work plan since the last
commission meeting;
2.other pending mobility-related items to be addressed by the City Council with or without
prior commission review; and
3.unresolved requests from the commission
Annual Work Plan
•City staff will collaborate with the commission to prepare an annual work plan to the City Council
and a subsequent report of its accomplishments per Carlsbad Municipal Code section 2.15.020(C).
Exhibit 4
May 5, 2025 Item #4 Page 10 of 12
Participation at City Council meetings
•Per Carlsbad Municipal Code section 2.15.020(D), the commission (chair or another commissioner
designated by the commission) will provide periodic written reports to the City Council, which
should include:
1.Recent activities of the commission.
2.Attendance at the commission’s meetings.
3.Any ad hoc subcommittees which the commission has formed.
4.Any proposed amendments to the commission’s work plan; and
5.Any matters which the commission wishes to bring to the attention of the City Council or to
have placed on a future City Council agenda.
•In addition to providing the above-described written reports to City Council, the commission (chair
or another commissioner designated by the commission) will also:
1.Participate in the semi-annual update to City Council by city staff on traffic and mobility
initiatives.
2.Participate in the presentation to City Council on the commission’s annual work plan.
3.Affirm the commission’s recommendations and provide input on traffic and mobility items
being presented to City Council.
•The commission will also undertake other tasks from time to time as requested or approved by the
City Council per Carlsbad Municipal Code section 2.15.020(F). Commissioners will coordinate
participation at City Council meetings with the staff liaison to ensure proper protocols are followed.
Meeting Agendas and Public Records
•Items requested by a majority commission vote shall be agendized within a reasonable time if they
are related to the work plan and staff resources are available.
•The commission may place a time-certain item on their next agenda related to the items listed in
CMC section 2.15.020 (D).
•Best efforts will be made to distribute the commission agenda packet, staff reports, and meeting
minutes available to the public and commissioners at least five (5) days in advance of a scheduled
commission meeting. When not feasible, city staff will attempt to publicly circulate the full agenda
package a minimum of 72 hours prior to the commission meeting in accordance with applicable law,
including posting on the city’s website.
•Commissioners may submit pre-meeting questions to staff, and staff shall make reasonable efforts
to answer the questions prior to the meeting, consistent with City Council practice.
•Additional materials received by the Friday before the scheduled meeting shall be distributed by
staff to the commission and the public consistent with City Council practice.
May 5, 2025 Item #4 Page 11 of 12
•Commission meeting minutes will focus on noticed agenda items and accurately record
recommendations, actions and public comments, so the commission’s activities are transparent to
the public.
•Commission records will be retained in accordance with the records retention schedule adopted by
the City Council and applicable law.
May 5, 2025 Item #4 Page 12 of 12
Traffic Safety & Mobility Commission
Work Plan for Fiscal Year 2025-26
Nathan Schmidt, Transportation Planning and Mobility Manager
May 5, 2025
1
{ City of
Carlsbad
•Seek to expand public outreach where possible via
social media and city platforms
•Release agenda packets by Wednesday before
meetings
•Add topics to the work plan including Vision Zero,
setting speed limits, and informational sessions on key
topics such as roundabouts
ITEM 4: FY 2025-26 TS&MC WORK PLAN
2
DRAFT WORK PLAN COMMENTS
{ City of
Carlsbad
RECOMMENDED ACTION
•Review and approve the final Fiscal Year 2025-26 Traffic
Safety & Mobility Commission Work Plan and
•Appoint a commissioner to represent the TS&MC at the City
Council meeting where the Work Plan will be presented for
City Council approval
•Tentatively scheduled for July 15, 2025
ITEM 4: FY 2025-26 TS&MC WORK PLAN
3
{ City of
Carlsbad