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Home My WebLink About2026-02-10; City Council; 09; Environmental Sustainability Commission Work Plan for 2026CA Review TL Meeting Date: Feb. 10, 2026 To: Mayor and City Council From: Geoff Patnoe, City Manager Staff Contact: James Wood, Environmental Sustainability Director james.wood@carlsbadca.gov, 442-339-2584 Subject: Environmental Sustainability Commission Work Plan for 2026 Districts: All Recommended Action Adopt a resolution approving the Environmental Sustainability Commission Work Plan for 2026. Executive Summary The City Council is being asked to review and approve the proposed 2026 work plan for the Environmental Sustainability Commission, as required by Carlsbad Municipal Code Section 2.15.020(C). The purpose of the annual work plan is to encourage increased dialogue between boards and commissions and the City Council. It is also intended to ensure that boards and commissions are working in line with the priorities of the City Council. On Dec. 4, 2025, the Environmental Sustainability Commission discussed and agreed to recommend its first work plan to the City Council for approval to cover calendar year 2026. Explanation & Analysis The City Council established the Environmental Sustainability Commission in 2025 to support the city’s Community Core Values of open space and the natural environment and sustainability and the city’s Five-year Strategic Plan goal of sustainability and the natural environment. Members of the Environmental Sustainability Commission participated in two meetings on Aug. 7, 2025, and Dec. 4, 2025, to establish its first work plan. Based on the initial purpose, direction from the City Council and Commissioners’ input, the following mission statement was agreed upon: The City of Carlsbad’s Environmental Sustainability Commission’s mission is to advise the City Council on environmental matters, including but not limited to natural resources and open space, beach nourishment and shoreline preservation, climate adaptation and sustainability. Feb. 10, 2026 Item #9 Page 1 of 6 Docusign Envelope ID: C62D3C23-2967-46C8-84A9-576BEC2E3422 Commissioners focused their inaugural work plan goals and tasks on receiving educational reports that will establish a strong foundation of information and knowledge to set the commission up for long-term success. The commission ultimately identified tasks under each goal within the mission as well as a goal to advocate for environmental issues and programs in Carlsbad. The proposed Environmental Sustainability Commission work plan for calendar year 2026 is included in Attachment A to Exhibit 1. Fiscal Analysis This action has no fiscal impact. Next Steps With the proposed plan’s approval, the Environmental Sustainability Commission and staff will focus efforts on the goals and tasks listed in the work plan. Environmental Evaluation The proposed action is not a “project” as defined by California Environmental Quality Act Section 21065 and CEQA Guidelines Section 15378(b)(5) and does not require environmental review under CEQA Guidelines Section 15060(c)(3) and 15061(b)(3), because the proposed action to approve the Environmental Sustainability Commission Work Plan for 2026 is an organizational or administrative government activity that does not involve any commitment to any specific project which may result in a potentially significant physical impact on the environment. Any subsequent action or direction stemming from the proposed action may require preparation of an environmental document in accordance with CEQA or the CEQA Guidelines. Exhibit 1. City Council resolution Feb. 10, 2026 Item #9 Page 2 of 6 Docusign Envelope ID: C62D3C23-2967-46C8-84A9-576BEC2E3422 Exhibit 1 RESOLUTION NO. 2026-039 . A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CARLSBAD, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING THE ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY COMMISSION WORK PLAN FOR 2026 WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Carlsbad, California, determined that annual work plans ensure boards and commissions are working in line with priorities of the City Council; and 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 a subsequent report of its accomplishments; and WHEREAS, Chapter 2.34 of the Carlsbad Municipal Code details the composition and duties of the Environmental Sustainability Commission; and WHEREAS, at the Environmental Sustainability Commission meetings in August and December 2025, commissioners developed a work plan that is consistent with the duties described in Carlsbad Municipal Code Chapter 2.34; and WHEREAS, on Dec. 4, 2025, the Environmental Sustainability Commission discussed and agreed to recommend the proposed work plan to the City Council for approval. 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 proposed action is not a “project” as defined by California Environmental Quality Act, or CEQA, Section 21065 and CEQA Guidelines Section 15378(b)(5) and does not require environmental review under CEQA Guidelines Section 15060(c)(3) and 15061(b)(3), because the proposed action to approve the Environmental Sustainability Commission Work Plan for 2026 is an organizational or administrative government activity that does not involve any commitment to any specific project which may result in a potentially significant physical impact on the environment. Any subsequent action or direction stemming from the proposed action may require preparation of an environmental document in accordance with CEQA or CEQA Guidelines. 3.That the City Council of the City of Carlsbad approves the Environmental Sustainability Commission Work Plan for 2026 (Attachment A). Feb. 10, 2026 Item #9 Page 3 of 6 Docusign Envelope ID: C62D3C23-2967-46C8-84A9-576BEC2E3422 PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED at a Regular Meeting of the City Council of the City of Carlsbad on the 10th day of February, 2026, by the following vote, to wit: AYES: Blackburn, Bhat-Patel, Acosta, Burkholder, Shin. NAYS: None. ABSTAIN: None. ABSENT: None. ______________________________________ KEITH BLACKBURN, Mayor ______________________________________ SHERRY FREISINGER, City Clerk (SEAL) Feb. 10, 2026 Item #9 Page 4 of 6 Docusign Envelope ID: C62D3C23-2967-46C8-84A9-576BEC2E3422 Attachment A City of Carlsbad Environmental Sustainability Commission Work Plan for 2026 I. Mission Statement The City of Carlsbad’s Environmental Sustainability Commission’s mission is to advise the City Council on environmental matters, including but not limited to natural resources and open space, beach nourishment and shoreline preservation, climate adaptation and sustainability. II. Composition Consistent with Chapter 2.15 of the Carlsbad Municipal Code, the Environmental Sustainability Commission shall consist of seven members: three nominated by the Mayor and one nominated by each district Council Member, with terms coinciding with the term of the Mayor or Council Member making the nomination. III. 2026 Goals & Tasks The Environmental Sustainability Commission has identified the following Goals and Tasks for 2026: A. Natural Resources, Open Space and Preserves 1. Receive presentations on related topics, such as but not limited to, Buena Vista Lagoon restoration, habitat management, and natural open space land acquisition 2. Receive an annual report from city staff on open space acquisition and make recommendations, as appropriate 3. Adopt a policy that discourages exceptions to the city development standards that would decrease open space, per a Minute Motion at a meeting of the City Council on Nov. 19, 2024 B. Beach Nourishment and Shoreline Preservation 1. Receive presentations on related topics, such as but not limited to, regional sand replenishment projects, local lagoons and harbor maintenance dredging projects, beach access issues, and Oceanside’s Beach Sand Nourishment and Retention Project 2. Receive updates from various stakeholders and partner organizations such as California Department of Parks & Recreation and each of the lagoon foundations C. Climate Adaptation and Environmental Sustainability Docusign Envelope ID: C62D3C23-2967-46C8-84A9-576BEC2E3422 1. Receive presentations on related topics, such as but not limited to, South Carlsbad Coastline Project, Climate Action Plan, and other city and stakeholder environmental sustainability related programs and projects D. Education and Advocacy 1. Advocate for and support environmental issues and programs 2. Educate and encourage feedback from the business community, general public, and elected officials on topics related to the Commission’s mission statement 3. Participate in and collaborate with outreach education events, such as Earth Month, beach and creek cleanups, and other city-sponsored events Docusign Envelope ID: C62D3C23-2967-46C8-84A9-576BEC2E3422 Environmental Sustainability Commission Work Plan for 2026 Jamie Wood, Environmental Sustainability Director Feb. 10, 2026 Environmental Sustainability Commission Work Plan Background •Carlsbad Municipal Code requires all commissions to have annual work plans (CMC 2.15.020 (C)) •Encourage increased dialogue between the commissioners •Ensure that the commission is working in line with the City Council’s priorities 2 Environmental Sustainability Commission 3 Environmental Sustainability Commission Work Plan Began meeting Aug. 2025 Cynthia Norall, Chairperson Liam Ferguson, Vice Chairperson Jamie Wood, Staff liaison 4 Areas of Responsibility Natural Resources, Open Space and Preserves Beach nourishment and Shoreline Preservation Climate Adaptation and Environmental Sustainability Environmental Sustainability Commission Work Plan Mission Statement 5 The City of Carlsbad’s Environmental Sustainability Commission mission is to advise the City Council on environmental matters, including but not limited to, natural resources and open space, beach nourishment and shoreline preservation, climate adaptation and sustainability. Environmental Sustainability Commission Work Plan Composition 6 Consistent with Chapter 2.34 of the Carlsbad Municipal Code, the Environmental Sustainability Commission shall consist of seven members: three nominated by the Mayor and one nominated by each district Council Member, with terms coinciding with the term of the Mayor or Council Member making the nomination. Environmental Sustainability Commission Work Plan A.Natural Resources, Open Space and Preserves 7 •Receive presentations on related topics, such as but not limited to, Buena Vista Lagoon restoration, habitat management, and natural open space land acquisition •Adopt a policy that discourages exceptions to the city development standards that would decrease open space, per a Minute Motion at a meeting of the City Council on Nov. 19, 2024 Environmental Sustainability Commission Work Plan B. Beach Nourishment and Shoreline Preservation 8 •Receive presentations on related topics, such as but not limited to, regional sand replenishment projects, local lagoons and harbor maintenance dredging projects, beach access issues, and Oceanside’s Beach Sand Nourishment and Retention Project •Receive updates from various stakeholders and partner organizations such as California Department of Parks & Recreation and each of the lagoon foundations Environmental Sustainability Commission Work Plan C. Climate Adaptation and Environmental Sustainability 9 •Receive presentations on related topics, such as but not limited to, South Carlsbad Coastline Project, Climate Action Plan, and other city and stakeholder environmental sustainability related programs and projects Environmental Sustainability Commission Work Plan D. Education and Advocacy 10 •Advocate for and support environmental issues and programs •Educate and encourage feedback from the business community, general public, and elected officials on topics related to the Commission’s mission statement •Participate in and collaborate with outreach education events, such as Earth Month, beach and creek cleanups, and other city-sponsored events Environmental Sustainability Commission Work Plan Recommended Action Adopt a resolution approving the Environmental Sustainability Commission Work Plan for 2026. 11 Environmental Sustainability Commission Work Plan