HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-08-04; Traffic Safety and Mobility Commission; Minutes; Regular SessionTRAFFIC SAFETY & MOBILITY COMMISSION Council Chamber
Ml• nutes 1200 Carlsbad Village Drive
Carlsbad, CA 92008
Aug. 4, 2025, 4 p.m.
CALL TO ORDER: 4:00 p.m.
ROLL CALL: Coelho, Penseyres, Newlands, Kohl, Schuck.
Absent: Proulx, Nicholes.
INVOCATION: None.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Chair Coelho led the Pledge of Allegiance.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Minutes of Regular Meeting held on July 7, 2025.
Motion by Commissioner Kohl, seconded by Commissioner Newlands, to approve the minutes of
the Regular Meeting held on July 7, 2025, as stated. Motion carried, 5/0/2 (Proulx, Nicholes -
Absent).
PRESENTATIONS: None.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
Rick Romano expressed concerns regarding commercial vehicle parking on Loker Avenue.
CONSENT CALENDAR: None.
PUBLIC HEARING: None.
DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS:
1. POLICE REPORT REGARDING TRAFFIC AND MOBILITY-RELATED MATTERS IN THE SECOND
QUARTER OF 2025: Receive a quarterly report from a representative of the City of Carlsbad's
Police Department that will provide an overview of traffic and mobility-related police matters
and notable news during the months of April, May and June 2025. (Staff Contact: Jason
Arnotti, Police Department)
Lieutenant Jason Arnotti reviewed a PowerPoint presentation (on file in the Office of the
City Clerk).
The Commission received the PowerPoint presentation by Lieutenant Arnotti.
In response to Commissioner Schuck's inquiry regarding whether there is traffic collision
data specifically for current traffic circles and roundabouts within the city, Lieutenant
Aug.4,2025 Traffic Safety & Mobility Commission Regular Meeting Page 2
Arnotti confirmed that the Police Department does have access to and track such data.
Commissioner Schuck requested that this data be provided in future quarterly reports.
In response to Commissioner Schuck's inquiry regarding whether data is collected
regarding increases or decreases in traffic collisions and enforcement in areas with traffic
calming measures, Lieutenant Arnotti confirmed that pre-and post-evaluations are
performed.
In response to Commissioner Kohl's inquiry regarding whether there are any plans to
perform a speed survey on El Camino Real from Aviara Parkway to Palomar Airport Road,
Lieutenant Arnotti responded that he was not aware of any complaints for that area and
would have to confirm with the Traffic Division.
In response to Commissioner Newlands' inquiry regarding whether enforcement and
citations have increased, Lieutenant Arnotti confirmed that more citations are given over
warnings for established violations.
Vice-Chair Penseyres requested that solo bicycle and e-bike collision data be reported
separately to better distinguish them from crashes involving motor vehicles. He also
expressed concern with how crash data is typically reported, noting that it often skews
toward showing cyclists as being more frequently at fault in bicycle-vehicle collisions.
In response to Vice-Chair Penseyres' inquiry regarding e-motorcycle enforcement
operations, Lieutenant Arnotti responded that the Police Department has removed
about 16 e-motorcycles from the streets in the past quarter and has worked with the City
of Oceanside in their enforcement efforts.
In response to Vice-Chair Penseyres' inquiry regarding a DUI checkpoint for the third
quarter, Lieutenant Arnotti explained that the Police Department held one last month in
July, but it did not fall within the second quarter reporting period.
In response to Commissioner Schuck's inquiry regarding whether schools are investigated
fore-motorcycles, Lieutenant Arnotti confirmed that they do investigate schools.
2. CITYWIDE SPEED LIMIT EVALUATION: Receive a report on a citywide speed limit
evaluation focusing on the changes incurred with the passage of Assembly Bill 43. (Staff
Contact: Miriam Jim and John Kim, Public Works Department)
City Traffic Engineer John Kim and Senior Engineer Miriam Jim reviewed a PowerPoint
presentation (on file in the Office of the City Clerk).
The Commission received the PowerPoint presentation by City Traffic Engineer Kim and
Senior Engineer Jim.
Aug.4,2025 Traffic Safety & Mobility Commission Regular Meeting Page 3
In response to Commissioner Kohl's inquiry regarding when staff will provide a
presentation on changing speed limits, City Traffic Engineer Kim responded that the
date has not been specified yet but confirmed that staff will return to the Commission
before bringing the item to the City Council.
In response to Commissioner Newlands' inquiry regarding types of roadway design
changes and when staff would determine if additional strategies are needed, City Traffic
Engineer Kim responded that changes could include realignment, restriping, and other
horizontal and vertical deflections.
In response to Vice-Chair Penseyres' inquiry regarding whether staff have coordinated
with the City of Encinitas to ensure consistency across city limits, City Traffic Engineer
Kim explained that staff have not had official communications with neighboring agencies
because discussions with City Engineer/Transportation Director Tom Frank and the
Police Department have guided their decisions on how to approach this and do what
makes sense within the city, regardless of what neighboring agencies do.
In response to Vice-Chair Penseyres' inquiry regarding whether a 20-mph speed limit
could be implemented in school zones, City Traffic Engineer Kim responded that he is
not aware of a mechanism to reduce a school speed limit below 25 mph. He further
explained that lower speed limits are typically reserved for business areas and have not
received requests to lower the speed limit in school zones.
In response to Chair Coelho's inquiry regarding how the process to reevaluate speed
limits is initiated, City Traffic Engineer Kim explained that there are various ways
including resident complaints and concerns, collaborating with the Police Department to
determine problematic corridors, and collision data.
In response to Vice-Chair Penseyres' inquiry regarding the Barrio Traffic Circles Project,
City Traffic Engineer Kim responded that it is not part of the agendized item and is not
available for discussion.
COMMISSION COMMENTARY AND REQUESTS FOR CONSIDERATION OF MATTERS:
In response to Commissioner Kohl's inquiry regarding whether there are any plans to perform a
speed survey on Aviara Parkway between Poinsettia Lane and El Camino Real, City Traffic
Engineer Kim responded that although there is no upcoming plan, all speed zones have a lifespan,
and surveys will be scheduled as their expiration approaches.
In response to Vice-Chair Penseyres' inquiry regarding an update on the Barrio Traffic Circles
Project, Public Works Deputy City Manager Paz Gomez responded that staff have been directed
to return to City Council no later than November 2025 with options for their consideration.
Chair Coelho spoke about the Traffic Safety & Mobility Commission Special Meeting scheduled
for Tuesday, September 16, 2025, at 5 p.m.
Aug.4,2025 Traffic Safety & Mobility Commission Regular Meeting Page 4
ANNOUNCEMENTS: This section of the Agenda is deslgnated for announcements to advise the
community regarding events that Members of the Commission have been invited to, and may
participate in. No announcements were made.
STAFF COMMENTS: Transportation Planning & Mobility Manager Nathan Schmidt spoke about
the City/School Committee Meeting held on July 31, 2025.
ADJOURNMENT: 5:13 p.m.
Secretary