HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-08-07; Environmental Sustainability Commission; Minutes; Regular Session
This item was returned to staff to be placed on a future agenda.
Minutes of the Regular Meeting held Aug. 7, 2025
Council Chamber
1200 Carlsbad Village Drive
Carlsbad, CA 92008
ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY COMMISSION
CALL TO ORDER: 3:01 p.m.
ROLL CALL: Nowakowski, Evans, Rothman, Ferguson, Corrigan, Norall.
Absent: Woolsey.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Commissioner Corrigan led the Pledge of Allegiance.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: None.
PRESENTATIONS: None.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
Lance Schulte spoke about the Carlsbad Tomorrow - Growth Management Committee review of
open space near the Ponto Beach area south of Palomar Airport Road.
Vanessa Forsythe spoke about Ponto Beach access and the Climate Action Plan to adopt measures
to reduce greenhouse gases at the local level.
Lynda Daniels spoke about building electrification to replace gas with electric appliances and
supports the commission to make Carlsbad more sustainable.
CONSENT CALENDAR: None.
PUBLIC HEARING: None.
DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS:
1. CHAIR AND VICE CHAIR SELECTION: Accept nominations from the floor and adopt Resolution
No. 2025-001 appointing a Chair and adopt Resolution No. 2025-002 appointing Vice Chair
for the Environmental Sustainability Commission for terms ending December 2026. (Staff
contact: James Wood, Environmental Sustainability Director)
Recommended Action: Adopt the resolutions.
Motion by Commissioner Ferguson, seconded by Commissioner Corrigan, to adopt
Resolution No. 2025-001, appointing Cynthia Norall as Chair. Motion carried, 6/0/0/1
(Woolsey – Absent).
Motion by Commissioner Corrigan, seconded by Commissioner Rothman, to adopt
Resolution No. 2025-002, appointing Liam Ferguson as Vice Chair. Motion carried, 5/0/1/1
(Ferguson – Abstain; Woolsey – Absent).
Aug. 7, 2025, 3 p.m.
Aug. 7, 2025 Environmental Sustainability Commission Regular Meeting Page 2
2. ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY DEPARTMENT PRESENTATION: Receive a presentation
from the Carlsbad Environmental Sustainability Department. (Staff contact: James Wood,
Environmental Sustainability Director)
Recommended Action: Receive the presentation.
Environmental Sustainability Director, James Wood, reviewed a PowerPoint presentation (on
file in the Office of the City Clerk). Senior Project Managers Avecita Jones, Tim Murphy and
Rosanne Humphrey spoke about each division under the Environmental Sustainability
Department.
Paige DeCino spoke about Habitat Management open space decisions and actions for land
acquisitions.
The Commission received the presentation.
3. DISCUSSION OF 2026 ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY COMMISSION WORK PLAN:
Participate in a discussion and provide input into the creation of the Environmental
Sustainability Commission Annual Work Plan for 2026. (Staff contact: James Wood,
Environmental Sustainability Director)
Recommended Action: Participate in the discussion and provide feedback.
Environmental Sustainability Director, James Wood, reviewed a PowerPoint presentation (on
file in the Office of the City Clerk).
Diane Nygaard spoke about focusing on open space and climate work and provided copies of
brochures (on file in the Office of the City Clerk).,
Vanessa Forsythe spoke about work plan flexibility, 2016 Green House Gas baseline numbers,
SANDAG modeling for CAP 2030, electrification, facilities management, battery backup and
business goals to reduce GHG.
Kathleen Steindlberger, former Beach Preservation Chair, spoke about the work plan noting
milestones and detailed results; the Terramar beach stairs and access projects at Carlsbad
Boulevard, known as “dip in the road”; and the Oceanside rebeach project.
Commissioners participated in the discussion and provided feedback to staff.
COMMISSION COMMENTARY AND REQUESTS FOR CONSIDERATION OF MATTERS: None.
ANNOUNCEMENTS: None.
Aug. 7, 2025 Environmental Sustainability Commission Regular Meeting Page 3
STAFF COMMENTS:
Environmental Sustainability Director, James Wood, informed the commission that the
Legislative Subcommittee will present at the next meeting on Oct. 2, 2025, with City Council
Member, Teresa Acosta, and Intergovernmental Affairs Director, Jason Haber. Director Wood
stated the Discussion of 2026 Environmental Sustainability Commission Work Plan will continue
at that meeting.
Director Wood welcomed Commissioner Nowakowski as the newest member to the commission.
He thanked the Clerk’s office for their assistance as well as Parks & Recreation staff for their
contributions to the transition.
In response to an inquiry from Commissioner Ferguson, Parks & Recreation Director, Kyle
Lancaster, checked off previous items from the Beach Preservation Commission’s meeting on
June 5, 2025. He explained that the Environmental Sustainability Commission will create and
accept the work plan, then future agenda items will be based off the work plan. He went on to
say the Beach Preservation Commission work plan carryovers for this new commission stated
some of the same objectives during the discussion to be put on future agendas. Director Wood
clarified any high-priority items can be brought back at the December meeting.
Commissioner Nowakowski asked about adaptive transition. Director Wood explained that the
intent isn’t so prescriptive that it can’t be adapted, with themes that can be adjusted; that the
Commission’s commentary and requests for consideration of matters on the agenda will allow
items to be brought back throughout the year as long as items fit with the themes approved in
the work plan. Director Lancaster concluded that the new work plan will be broader in scope and
description rather than focused on a specific initiative or area that will assist in flexibility
throughout the year.
ADJOURNMENT: Chair Norall adjourned the duly noticed meeting at 4:32 p.m.
Serena Schlosser
Senior Office Specialist