HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-05-04; Traffic Safety and Mobility Commission; Minutes; Regular SessionTRAFFIC SAFETY & MOBILITY COMMISSION Council Chamber
Ml• nutes 1200 Carlsbad Village Drive
Carlsbad, CA 92008
May 4, 2026, 4 p.m.
CALL TO ORDER: 4:00 p.m.
ROLL CALL: Coelho, Penseyres, Kohl, Nicholes, Schuck.
Absent: Proulx, Newlands.
INVOCATION: None.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Chair Coelho led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Commissioner Proulx joined the meeting at 4:01 p.m.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Minutes of the Regular Meeting held on April 6, 2026.
Motion by Commissioner Kohl, seconded by Commissioner Nicholes, to approve the minutes of
the Regular Meeting held on April 6, 2026, as stated . Motion carried, 4/2/1 (Proulx, Schuck -
Abstain; Newlands -Absent).
• PRESENTATIONS: None.
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
Bethanie King expressed concern with e-bike safety and requested that the Commission continue
to prioritize e-bike education and prevention efforts. She requested the city partner with schools
to provide mandatory or more widely available e-bike safety lessons, increase public awareness
and continue to support accessible safety courses for students.
CONSENT CALENDAR: None.
PUBLIC HEARING: None.
DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS:
1. POLICE REPORT REGARDING TRAFFIC AND MOBILITY-RELATED MATTERS IN THE FIRST
QUARTER OF 2026: 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 January, February and March 2026. (Staff Contact:
Jason Arnotti and James Willis, Police Department)
Recommended Action: Receive the report.
Lieutenant Jason Arnotti reviewed a PowerPoint presentation (on file in the Office of the
City Clerk).
May 4, 2026 Traffic Safety & Mobility Commission Regular Meeting Page 2
The Commission received the presentation.
Julie Baker expressed concern with student e-bike safety and spoke about an accident that
resulted in an injured bicyclist. She recommended increasing police presence to improve
safety.
In response to Commissioner Schuck's inquiry regarding increased police enforcement
around schools, Lieutenant Arnotti explained that the Police Department continually
works to balance its resources with the locations where violations occur, along with other
mobility-related public safety needs throughout the city.
Commissioner Nicholes spoke about the Carlsbad Connects app that residents can use to
report issues and complaints.
In response to Commissioner Kohl's inquiry regarding the feasibility of deploying police
officers on e-bikes instead of motorcycles, Lieutenant James Willis confirmed that the
Police Department does have a bicycle program with e-bikes; however, it is operated
under a different patrol division. He further explained that the department's motorcycles,
drone technology and undercover officers have been effective in apprehending e-bikes
that exceed the speed capabilities of the Police Department's e-bikes.
Chair Coelho spoke in support of police presence around schools and other high
population areas.
Vice-Chair Penseyres requested increased police enforcement near the roundabout at
Carlsbad Boulevard and State Street.
2. ALL-WAY STOP CONTROL AT THE INTERSECTIONS OF BATIQUITOS DRIVE AND AVIARA DRIVE,
LA COSTA AVENUE AND CAMINO DE LOS COCH ES, AND TAMARACK AVENUE AND SUNNYHILL
DRIVE: Support staff's recommendation to install all-way stop control at the intersections of
Batiquitos Drive and Aviara Drive, La Costa Avenue and Camino De Los Coches, and Tamarack
Avenue and Sunnyhill Drive. (Staff Contact: Miriam Jim and Lindy Pham, Public Works
Department)
Recommended Action: Support staff's recommendation.
Senior Engineer Miriam Jim reviewed a PowerPoint presentation (on file in the Office of
the City Clerk).
The Commission received the presentation.
Timothy Houts spoke in support of installing a/I-way stop control at the intersection of
Tamarack Avenue and Sunnyhi/1 Drive.
May 4, 2026 Traffic Safety & Mobility Commission Regular Meeting Page 3
Mari Payton spoke in support of installing all-way stop control at the intersection of La
Costa Avenue and Camino De Los Caches. She commented that the Police Department has
not offered e-bike safety courses for at least the last eight months.
David Mills read a letter written by Daniel Rodriquez in support of installing all-way stop
control at the intersection of La Costa Avenue and Camino De Los Caches.
Amber-Morning Papageorge spoke in support of installing all-way stop control at the
intersection of La Costa Avenue and Camino De Los Caches.
Julie Baker spoke against installing all-way stop control at the intersection of Tamarack
Avenue and Sunnyhill Drive. She expressed concern with having two STOP signs so closely
together, which could aggravate drivers and increase traffic.
Elizabeth Branson spoke in support of installing all-way stop control at the intersection of
La Costa Avenue and Camino De Los Caches.
In response to Commissioner Nicholes' inquiry regarding the cost to remove the raised
crosswalk at the intersection of Tamarack Avenue and Sunnyhill Drive, Senior Engineer
Jim responded that she would provide the information at a later date.
In response to Commissioner Nicholes' inquiry regarding measuring success rate, Senior
Engineer Jim responded that staff could provide a report on the success of the all-way
stop control if requested by the Commission.
Commissioner Kohl initially spoke against installing all-way stop control, expressing
concern with increased pollution and drivers rolling through the STOP signs. He then
commented that he is in support of installing all-way stop control due to the amount of
safety concerns and success of the multiple STOP signs along Rancho Santa Fe Road
between Olivenhain Road and Encinitas Boulevard.
Commissioner Proulx spoke in support of installing all-way stop control.
In response to Commissioner Proulx's inquiry regarding the value of replacing the raised
crosswalk with an all-way stop control at the intersection of Tamarack Avenue and
Sunnyhill Drive, Senior Engineer Jim explained that staff had received resident concerns
for bike safety when travelling downhill and over the raised crosswalk. She further
explained that a key benefit of the all-way stop control includes reducing the conflict
between pedestrians, bicyclists and vehicles.
Vice-Chair Penseyres recommended the Commission separate each intersection for
consideration and vote. He spoke against installing all-way stop control at the intersection
of Tamarack Avenue and Sunnyhill Drive.
May 4, 2026 Traffic Safety & Mobility Commission Regular Meeting Page 4
In response to Chair Coelho's inquiry regarding the feasibility of leaving the raised
crosswalk at the intersection of Tamarack Avenue and Sunnyhill Drive and installing the
all-way stop control, Transportation Director/City Engineer Tom Frank explained that
representatives from the Police and Fire departments recommended removing the raised
crosswalk if an all-way stop control were installed to lessen impact on their emergency
response.
In response to Chair Coelho's inquiry regarding a crosswalk at the intersection of La Costa
Avenue and Camino De Los Coches, Senior Engineer Jim confirmed that a high-visibility
crosswalk would be installed along with the installation of the all-way stop control.
Minute motion by Vice-Chair Penseyres, seconded by Commissioner Nicholes, to separate
each intersection for consideration and vote. Motion carried, 5/1/1 (Kohl -No; Newlands
-Absent).
Motion by Commissioner Kohl, seconded by Commissioner Schuck, to support staff's
recommendation to install all-way stop control at the intersection of Batiquitos Drive and
Aviara Drive. Motion carried, 4/1/1/1 (Nicholes -No; Penseyres -Abstain; Newlands -
Absent)
Motion by Commissioner Kohl, seconded by Commissioner Schuck, to support staff's
recommendation to install all-way stop control at the intersection of La Costa Avenue and
Camino De Los Coches. Motion carried, 4/1/1/1 (Coelho -No; Penseyres -Abstain;
Newlands -Absent).
Motion by Commissioner Kohl, seconded by Commissioner Schuck, to support staff's
recommendation to install all-way stop control at the intersection of Tamarack Avenue
and Sunnyhill Drive. Motion failed, 1/5/1 (Coelho, Penseyres, Proulx, Nicholes, Schuck -
No; Newlands -Absent).
3. TRANSPORTATION DEMAND MANAGEMENT PROGRAM 2025 EMPLOYER SURVEY RESULTS:
Receive a presentation on the citywide Transportation Demand Management Program 2025
Employer Survey Results. (Staff Contact: Nick Gorman, Public Works Department)
Recommended Action: Receive the presentation.
Associate Engineer Nick Gorman and TOM Principal Aaron Gaul with Alta Planning +
Design, Inc. reviewed a PowerPoint presentation (on file in the Office of the City Clerk).
The Commission received the presentation.
In response to Commissioner Nicholes' inquiry regarding efforts to work with other
communities and the county to improve commuting options, Associate Engineer Gorman
confirmed staff continue to advocate the option of Flexible Fleets and microtransit to
both NCTD and SANDAG.
May 4, 2026 Traffic Safety & Mobility Commission Regular Meeting Page 5
In response to Commissioner Proulx's inquiry regarding the city's participation in the TDM
Program, Associate Engineer Gorman responded that the city currently has two TDM
plans under development.
In response to Chair Coelho's inquiry regarding the cost of the professional service
agreement for the TDM Program, Associate Engineer Gorman responded that he would
provide the information at a later date.
4. VILLAGE LIGHTING -STATE, MADISON, ROOSEVELT AND WASHINGTON STREETS PROJECT,
CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM PROJECT NO. 4016: Receive a presentation on the Village
Lighting -State, Madison, Roosevelt and Washington Streets Project, Capital Improvement
Program Project No. 4016. {Staff Contact: Nestor Mangohig, Public Works Department)
Recommended Action: Receive the presentation.
Senior Engineer Nestor Mangohig reviewed a PowerPoint presentation (on file in the
Office of the City Clerk).
The Commission received the presentation.
Christine Davis spoke in support of the Village Lighting -State, Madison, Roosevelt and
Washing Streets Project.
COMMISSION COMMENTARY AND REQUESTS FOR CONSIDERATION OF MATTERS:
In response to Commissioner Schuck's comment regarding the height of the streetlights being
installed near the intersection of El Camino Real and Sunny Creek Drive, Transportation
Director/City Engineer Tom Frank explained that the incorrect poles were delivered to the
contractor and installed and those will be corrected with taller poles.
Commissioner Nicholes left the meeting at 6:30 p.m.
In response to Vice-Chair Penseyres' inquiry regarding the feasibility of installing signage
restricting bikes on the sidewalk by the train tracks on Carlsbad Boulevard, Transportation
Director/City Engineer Frank responded that staff could look into it.
In response to Chair Coelho's inquiry regarding the anticipated completion date for the beach
access staircase construction along Carlsbad Boulevard, Transportation Director/City Engineer
Frank responded that the project is being constructed in phases. The contractor will continue
working through Memorial Day before demobilizing to reopen the upper sidewalk area for public
use throughout the summer. Work will resume in the fall, and the project is scheduled to be
completed in spring 2027. Deputy City Manager, Public Works Paz Gomez added that the
Hemlock Avenue and Cherry Avenue beach access ways will be unavailable.
ANNOUNCEMENTS: This section of the Agenda is designated 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.
May 4, 2026 Traffic Safety & Mobility Commission Regular Meeting Page 6
STAFF COMMENTS: No staff comments were made.
ADJOURNMENT: 6:33 p.m.
Secretary