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Home My WebLink About2026-02-10; City Council; Minutes; Joint Session Council Chamber 1200 Carlsbad Village Drive Carlsbad, CA 92008 CALL TO ORDER: 5 p.m. ROLL CALL: Blackburn, Bhat-Patel, Acosta, Burkholder, Shin. ANNOUNCEMENT OF CONCURRENT MEETINGS: The City Council is serving as the Carlsbad Municipal Water District Board of Directors on Consent Calendar Items No. 3 and 4. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: City Manager Geoff Patnoe led the Pledge of Allegiance. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: None. PRESENTATIONS: Proclamation in Recognition of Black History Month Council Member Shin presented the proclamation to Police Sergeant Eldon Batise, Jr., who said a few words. PUBLIC REPORT OF ANY ACTION TAKEN IN CLOSED SESSION: None. PUBLIC COMMENT: Mike Borrello spoke regarding First Amendment rights and the restrictions on applause during public comment. CONSENT CALENDAR: Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Bhat-Patel, seconded by Council Member Acosta, to approve Consent Calendar Items Nos. 1 through 6. Motion carried unanimously, 5/0. 1. REPORT ON CITY INVESTMENTS AS OF DEC. 31, 2025 – Accept and file Report on City Investments as of Dec. 31, 2025. (Staff contact: Christian Peacox, City Treasurer and Zach Korach, Administrative Services) 2. CITY OF CARLSBAD FISCAL YEAR 2024-25 ANNUAL FINANCIAL AUDIT RESULTS – Receive and file a report on the city’s fiscal year 2024-25 annual financial audit results. (Staff contact: Roxanne Muhlmeister, Administrative Services) 3. AGREEMENT WITH HDR ENGINEERING, INC. TO PROVIDE FINANCIAL SERVICES FOR POTABLE WATER, RECYCLED WATER AND WASTEWATER – Adoption of Carlsbad Municipal Water District Board of Directors Resolution No. 1795 awarding a professional services agreement to HDR Engineering, Inc. for utilities financial services in an amount not to exceed $253,310. (Staff contact: Dave Padilla and Amanda Flesse, Public Works) Feb. 10, 2026, 5 p.m. Docusign Envelope ID: 53779792-FA30-471E-BE27-085E2358C182 Feb. 10, 2026 Carlsbad City Council Regular Meeting Page 2 Mike Borrello spoke in opposition to item 3, citing concerns about unsupported assumptions related to climate change, a lack of transparency and potential rate impacts. 4. CONFIRMING THE DECLARATION OF A LOCAL EMERGENCY FOR AN EMERGENCY CONDITION RESULTING FROM A WATER MAIN BREAK AND SINKHOLE AT CARLSBAD VILLAGE DRIVE AND EL CAMINO REAL AND AUTHORIZING PERFORMANCE OF REPAIR WORK USING EMERGENCY CONSTRUCTION PROCUREMENT PROCEDURES – 1) Adoption of City Council Resolution No. 2026-035 confirming the declaration of a local emergency for an emergency condition resulting from a water main break and sinkhole at Carlsbad Village Drive and El Camino Real and authorizing the City Manager to direct the repair work to be performed using emergency construction procurement procedures; and 2) Adoption of Carlsbad Municipal Water District Board of Directors Resolution No. 1796 confirming the declaration of a local emergency for an emergency condition resulting from a water main break and sinkhole at Carlsbad Village Drive and El Camino Real and authorizing the Executive Manager to direct the repair work to be performed using emergency construction procurement procedures. (Staff contact: Tom Frank and Amanda Flesse, Public Works) Brian Swords introduced a company specializing in proactive sinkhole detections. 5. CONTINUING THE PROCLAMATION OF A STORM-RELATED LOCAL EMERGENCY TO REPAIR STORM DRAIN INFRASTRUCTURE IN THE COASTAL BLUFFS NEAR CARLSBAD BOULEVARD AND SOLAMAR DRIVE – Adoption of Resolution No. 2026-036 continuing the proclamation of a storm-related local emergency to repair storm drain infrastructure in the coastal bluffs near Carlsbad Boulevard and Solamar Drive and determining the need to continue the emergency storm drain repair work. (Staff contact: David Edwards, Public Works) 6. USE OF CITY FACILITIES FOR 2026 PRIMARY AND GENERAL ELECTION VOTE CENTER LOCATIONS – Adoption of Resolution No. 2026-037 authorizing the use of Alga Norte Community Park Meeting Room 301, Calavera Hills Community Park Activity Room, Pine Avenue Community Center Activity Room and Stagecoach Community Center Activity Room as vote center locations and waiving any associated fees for their use in the 2026 Primary and General Elections. (Staff contact: Morgen Fry, City Clerk and Faviola Medina, City Manager) BOARD AND COMMISSION MEMBER APPOINTMENTS: None. ORDINANCES FOR INTRODUCTION: 7. AMENDING SECTION 2.30.050 OF THE CARLSBAD MUNICIPAL CODE - MEETINGS FOR THE COMMUNITY-POLICE ENGAGEMENT COMMISSION – Introduction of Ordinance No. CS-508 amending Chapter 2.30, Section 2.30.050 Meetings to adjust the number of Community- Police Engagement Commission regular meetings from four to two per year. (Staff Contact: Faviola Medina, City Manager) City Manager’s Recommendation: Introduce the ordinance. Docusign Envelope ID: 53779792-FA30-471E-BE27-085E2358C182 Feb. 10, 2026 Carlsbad City Council Regular Meeting Page 3 Kurt Watson expressed his concerns regarding the Community-Police Engagement Commission’s limited authority and overall purpose. Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Bhat-Patel, seconded by Council Member Acosta, to introduce Ordinance No. CS-508. Motion carried unanimously, 5/0. 8. AMENDMENTS TO CARLSBAD MUNICIPAL CODE CHAPTER 10.56, OPERATION OF REGULATED MOBILITY DEVICES, TO REGULATE E-BIKES, AND PARK USE RESTRICTIONS ON E-BIKES – 1) Introduction of Ordinance No. CS-509 amending Title 10, Chapter 10.56 of the Carlsbad Municipal Code – Operation of Regulated Mobility Devices; and 2) Adoption of Resolution No. 2026-038 adding Poinsettia Community Park and Pine Avenue Community Park to the list of public locations where electric bicycles are prohibited by Section 10.56.020(A) of the Carlsbad Municipal Code and appropriating $15,000 from the City Council Contingency Fund to the Fiscal Year 2025-26 Parks Maintenance Operating Budget. (Staff contact: Jason Arnotti, Police, and Jennifer True, City Attorney) City Manager’s Recommendation: Introduce the ordinance and adopt the resolution. Police Lieutenant Jason Arnotti reviewed a PowerPoint presentation (on file in the Office of the City Clerk). Kevin Ferguson spoke in support of the ordinance and emphasized the need for public outreach. Kurt Watson spoke in opposition to the ordinance, expressing concern that it would restrict children from biking to parks. Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Bhat-Patel, seconded by Council Member Acosta, to introduce Ordinance No. CS-509 and adopt Resolution No. 2026-038. Motion carried unanimously, 5/0. ORDINANCES FOR ADOPTION: None. PUBLIC HEARINGS: None. DEPARTMENTAL AND CITY MANAGER REPORTS: 9. WORK PLAN FOR FISCAL YEAR 2025-26 FOR THE ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY COMMISSION – Adoption of Resolution No. 2026-039 approving the Environmental Sustainability Commission Work Plan for 2026. (Staff contact: James Wood, Public Works) City Manager’s Recommendation: Adopt the resolution. Environmental Sustainability Director James Wood reviewed a PowerPoint presentation (on file in the Office of the City Clerk). Docusign Envelope ID: 53779792-FA30-471E-BE27-085E2358C182 Feb. 10, 2026 Carlsbad City Council Regular Meeting Page 4 Environmental Sustainability Commission Chair Cynthia Norall spoke on the commission’s responsibilities and its commitment to advancing sustainability and beach preservation efforts. Mike Borrello spoke in opposition to the proposed plan, citing concerns with the mission statement. Preserve Calavera representative Paige DeCino expressed support for the workplan and requested revisions to strengthen its focus on natural open space. Mary Hassing spoke regarding the need to refocus the work plan on prioritizing the acquisition and preservation of land to increase the city’s open space percentage for future generations. Mike McMahon spoke in support of adding a proactive, transparent review process to the work plan to address open space deficits and acquisition opportunities. Motion by Council Member Acosta, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Bhat-Patel, to adopt Resolution No. 2026-039, revising the work plan for Fiscal Year 2025-26 for the Environmental Sustainability Commission to add to Section Three, Paragraph A, a requirement for the commission to receive an annual report from city staff on open space acquisition and make recommendations, as appropriate, as follows: Resolution No. 2026-039 Exhibit 1 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 Motion carried unanimously, 5/0. Minute motion by Council Member Shin, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Bhat-Patel, directing the City Manager bring an item to a future City Council Meeting where the City Council can have a discussion with staff about the City’s current codes and regulations governing on and offshore oil drilling, manufacturing and refining and to hear from staff about whether there are opportunities to strengthen those codes to ensure the safety and protection of our residents and environment. Motion carried unanimously, 5/0. Docusign Envelope ID: 53779792-FA30-471E-BE27-085E2358C182 Feb. 10, 2026 Carlsbad City Council Regular Meeting Page 5 10. WORK PLAN FOR CALENDAR YEAR 2026 FOR THE INVESTMENT REVIEW BOARD – Adoption of Resolution No. 2026-040 approving the Investment Review Board Work Plan for 2026. (Staff contact: Zach Korach and Katie Schroeder, Administrative Services) City Manager’s Recommendation: Adopt the resolution. Finance Director Zach Korach reviewed a PowerPoint presentation (on file in the Office of the City Clerk). Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Bhat-Patel, seconded by Council Member Acosta, to adopt Resolution No. 2026-040. Motion carried unanimously, 5/0. COUNCIL REPORTS AND COMMENTS: Mayor Blackburn and the City Council Members reported on activities and meetings of some committees and subcommittees of which they are members. ANNOUNCEMENTS: This section of the Agenda is designated for announcements to advise the community regarding events that Members of the City Council have been invited to, and may participate in. Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2026, at 2 p.m. 2025 Annual Police Department Awards & Promotions Ceremony Safety Training Center 5750 Orion Street Carlsbad, CA 92010 CITY MANAGER COMMENTS: None. CITY ATTORNEY COMMENTS: None. CITY CLERK COMMENTS: None. ADJOURNMENT: Mayor Blackburn adjourned the duly noticed meeting at 6:41 p.m. ______________________________ Adriana Trujillo, CMC Deputy City Clerk Docusign Envelope ID: 53779792-FA30-471E-BE27-085E2358C182