HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-05-12; 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 Item No. 6 and Public Hearing
Item No. 10.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Senior Assistant City Attorney Jennifer True led the Pledge of
Allegiance.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Minutes of the Regular Meeting held March 10, 2026
Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Bhat-Patel, seconded by Council Member Acosta, to approve the
minutes as presented. Motion carried unanimously, 5/0.
PRESENTATIONS:
Proclamation in Recognition of Asian American Pacific Islander Month
Mayor Pro Tem Bhat-Patel and Council Member Shin presented the proclamation to Polly Yu who
said a few words.
PUBLIC REPORT OF ANY ACTION TAKEN IN CLOSED SESSION: None.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
Glenn Bernard spoke regarding political division in the United States and expressed concerns
about hostility toward individuals based on wealth and political affiliation.
Mike Borrello expressed concerns regarding governance of the Carlsbad Municipal Water District,
water rate increases, and the City Council serving as the district’s Board of Directors.
Claire Mendoza spoke regarding the need to provide free menstrual hygiene products in public
restrooms.
Preserve Calavera representative Paige DeCino requested improved public and ADA access to
trails and coastal access areas near Buena Vista Lagoon on the Levy property.
Alexander Wright and Wesley Bodensteiner expressed concerns regarding the lack of available
local pool time due to the closure of Monroe Street Pool during construction.
May 12, 2026, 5 p.m.
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CONSENT CALENDAR:
Mayor Blackburn announced that Consent Calendar Item No. 6 was pulled at the request of City
Manager Geoff Patnoe and will be brought back for City Council consideration on June 9, 2026.
Mayor Blackburn announced that Consent Calendar Item No. 3 approves amendments to the
Unrepresented Compensation & Benefits Plan and the Unrepresented Salary Schedule. If the
amendments are approved by the City Council, the annual base salary for the Fire Chief will
increase to $293,299, the annual base salary for the Director of Constituent & Clerk Services will
increase to $188,273, and the annual base salary for the Economic Development Director will be
$229,724. In addition, the Fire Chief and Assistant Fire Chief will be eligible for Longevity Pay
equal to three percent (3%) of the Battalion Chief maximum base salary (or $223.17 biweekly)
after 20 years of full-time city service and equal to five percent (5%) of the Battalion Chief
maximum base salary (or $371.96 biweekly) after 25 years of full-time city service.
Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Bhat-Patel, seconded by Council Member Acosta, to approve Consent
Calendar Items Nos. 1 through 5 and 7. Motion carried unanimously, 5/0.
1. REPORT ON CITY INVESTMENTS AS OF MARCH 31, 2026 – Accept and file Report on City
Investments as of March 31, 2026. (Staff contact: Christian Peacox, City Treasurer and Zach
Korach, Administrative Services)
Glenn Bernard spoke regarding a recurring ten-year cycle of economic development efforts
and expressed concern that the strawberry fields may become the focus of future
development.
2. ANNUAL INVESTMENT POLICY UPDATE – Adoption of Resolution No. 2026-085 approving the
city’s Investment Policy dated May 12, 2026, and renewing the delegation of authority to the
City Treasurer to manage investments for one year ending May 12, 2027. (Staff contact:
Christian Peacox, City Treasurer and Zach Korach, Administrative Services)
Christian Peacox spoke regarding proposed updates to the city’s Investment Policy.
3. SIDE LETTER AGREEMENTS WITH THE CARLSBAD FIREFIGHTERS’ ASSOCIATION, INC.,
CARLSBAD POLICE MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION AND CARLSBAD POLICE OFFICERS’
ASSOCIATION AND AMENDMENTS TO THE UNREPRESENTED EMPLOYEES’ COMPENSATION
AND BENEFITS PLAN, UNREPRESENTED EMPLOYEES’ SALARY SCHEDULE, AND CARLSBAD
FIREFIGHTERS’ ASSOCIATION, INC. SALARY SCHEDULE – 1) Adoption of Resolution No. 2026-
086 approving side letter agreements between the City of Carlsbad and the Carlsbad
Firefighters’ Association, Inc., Carlsbad Police Officers’ Association and Carlsbad Police
Management Association; and
2) Adoption of Resolution No. 2026-087 approving amendments to the Unrepresented
Employees’ Compensation and Benefits Plan, Unrepresented Employees’ Salary Schedule and
Carlsbad Firefighters’ Association, Inc. Salary Schedule and authorizing an appropriation of
$66,800 from the city’s General Fund. (Staff contact: Jessica Dorsey and Laura Rocha,
Administrative Services)
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4. CHESTNUT APARTMENTS AFFORDABLE HOUSING AGREEMENT AMENDMENT – Adoption of
Resolution No. 2026-088 authorizing the City Manager to execute an amendment to the
affordable housing regulatory agreement for the Chestnut Apartments, located at 945
Chestnut Avenue. (Staff contact: Nicole Piano-Jones, Community Services)
5. INCREASE TO CITY MANAGER OR DESIGNEE’S AUTHORITY TO APPROVE CHANGE ORDERS FOR
THE MONROE STREET POOL RENOVATION AND REPLACEMENT PROJECT AND APPROPRIATE
ADDITIONAL FUNDING, CIP PROJECT NO. 4724 – Adoption of Resolution 2026-089 authorizing
an increase to the City Manager or designee’s change order approval authority and
appropriation of additional funding for the Monroe Street Pool Renovation and Replacement
Project. (Staff contact: Steven Stewart, Public Works and Kyle Lancaster, Community Services)
Glenn Bernard expressed concerns regarding project cost overruns and the proposed increase
in change order authority for the Monroe Street Pool Renovation Project.
This item was pulled at the request of City Manager Patnoe and will be brought back for City
Council consideration on June 9, 2026.
6. APPOINTMENT TO THE SAN DIEGO COUNTY WATER AUTHORITY BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Adoption of a Carlsbad Municipal Water District Board of Directors resolution appointing
Carlsbad Municipal Water District General Manager Amanda Flesse to the San Diego Water
Authority Board of Directors. (Staff contact: Morgen Fry, City Clerk)
7. CONFIRMING THE DECLARATION OF A LOCAL EMERGENCY CONDITION RESULTING FROM A
PARTIAL PIPE COLLAPSE ON THE NORTH BATIQUITOS INTERCEPTOR SEWER IN THE PONTO
AREA AND AUTHORIZING REPAIR USING EMERGENCY CONSTRUCTION PROCUREMENT
PROCEDURES, CIP PROJECT NOS. 5503 AND 5503-27 – Adoption of Resolution No. 2026-090
confirming the declaration of a local emergency condition resulting from a partial pipe
collapse on the North Batiquitos Interceptor Sewer in the Ponto area and authorizing the City
Manager to direct the repair work to be performed using emergency construction
procurement procedures. (Staff contact: Amanda Flesse and Keri Martinez, Public Works)
BOARD AND COMMISSION MEMBER APPOINTMENTS: None.
ORDINANCES FOR INTRODUCTION: None.
ORDINANCES FOR ADOPTION:
8. ADOPTION OF ORDINANCE NO. CS-514 – CLARIFYING THE REGULATION OF THE TEMPORARY
STORAGE AND STAGING OF CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT AND MATERIALS WITHIN THE
CITY’S PUBLIC RIGHT-OF-WAY AND PUBLIC PROPERTY – Adoption of Ordinance No. CS-514
amending provisions of Chapter 11.16 clarifying the regulation of the temporary storage and
staging of construction equipment and materials within the city’s public right-of-way or on
public property. (Staff contact: Morgen Fry, City Clerk)
City Manager’s Recommendation: Adopt Ordinance No. CS-514.
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Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Bhat-Patel, seconded by Council Member Acosta, to adopt
Ordinance No. CS-514. Motion carried unanimously, 5/0.
PUBLIC HEARINGS:
9. TOLL BROTHERS REQUEST FOR GENERAL PLAN AMENDMENT – DECISION ON WHETHER OR
NOT TO ALLOW FURTHER PROCESSING OF THE REQUEST – 1) Hold a public hearing; and
2) Adoption of Resolution No. 2026-091 remanding back to city staff for further processing
the application of a General Plan amendment, Bressi Ranch Master Plan amendment,
tentative tract map and planned development permit to change the Planned Industrial
General Plan designation to residential to allow for approximately 111 3-story residential
townhomes on a vacant 7-acre parcel at 6405 Alicante Road (APN 213-60-12-00), located
south of Gateway Road, west of Alicante Road and north of Town Garden Road (Case Name:
Toll Brothers Bressi Ranch / Case No.: GPA2025-0001/AMEND2025-0003/CT2025-
0006/PUD2025-0006 (DEV2024-0088); or
3) Adopt a resolution denying the application for a General Plan amendment, Bressi Ranch
Master Plan amendment, tentative tract map and planned development permit to change
the Planned Industrial General Plan designation to residential to allow for approximately 111
3-story residential townhomes on a vacant 7-acre parcel at 6405 Alicante Road (APN 213-60-
12-00), located south of Gateway Road, west of Alicante Road and north of Town Garden
Road (Case Name: Toll Brothers Bressi Ranch / Case No.: GPA2025-0001/Amend2025-
0003/CT2025-0006/PUD2025-0006 (DEV2024-0088). (Staff contact: Eric Lardy, Community
Services)
City Manager’s Recommendation: Take public input, close the public hearing, and
adopt the resolution.
Assistant Director of Community Development Eric Lardy reviewed a PowerPoint
presentation (on file in the Office of the City Clerk).
Applicant Andrew Cohn and Toll Brothers representative Eric Everhart presented and
reviewed PowerPoint presentations (on file in the Office of the City Clerk).
Mayor Blackburn opened the duly noticed public hearing at 5:53 p.m.
Susan Ferguson spoke in opposition to the proposed General Plan Amendment, citing concerns
regarding density, traffic, parking, and neighborhood impacts.
Jacob Ernest spoke in opposition to the proposed General Plan Amendment, citing concerns
regarding traffic, public safety, and community character.
Equitable Land Use Alliance (ELUA) representative Kris Wright reviewed a PowerPoint
presentation (on file in the Office of the City Clerk) and spoke in opposition to the proposed
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General Plan Amendment, citing concerns regarding airport safety zones, density, traffic,
environmental impacts, and loss of local control.
Sharon McDonald spoke in support of the proposed General Plan Amendment, citing housing
opportunities and affordability.
Mayor Blackburn closed the duly noticed public hearing at 6:04 p.m.
Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Bhat-Patel, seconded by Council Member Acosta, to adopt
Resolution No. 2026-091. Motion carried unanimously, 5/0.
Mayor Blackburn called for a recess at 6:22 p.m.
Mayor Blackburn reconvened the duly noticed meeting at 6:31 p.m.
10. APPROVAL OF THE 2025 URBAN WATER MANAGEMENT PLAN AND WATER SHORTAGE
CONTINGENCY PLAN – 1) Hold a public hearing; and
2) Adoption of Carlsbad Municipal Water District Board of Directors Resolution No. 1804
adopting the 2025 Urban Water Management Plan and the Water Shortage Contingency Plan
and authorizing submittal to the California Department of Water Resources; or
3) Adoption of a Carlsbad Municipal Water District Board of Directors resolution adopting the
2025 Urban Water Management Plan and the Water Shortage Contingency Plan and
delegating authority to the Executive Manager to approve revisions to the plans and
authorizing submittal to the California Department of Water Resources. (Staff contact: Keri
Martinez and Dave Padilla, Public Works)
City Manager’s Recommendation: Take public input, close the public hearing, and adopt
the resolution.
Principal Engineer Keri Martinez and Assistant Utilities Director Dave Padilla reviewed a
PowerPoint presentation (on file in the Office of the City Clerk).
Mayor Blackburn opened the duly noticed public hearing at 6:45 p.m.
Mike Borrello expressed concerns regarding recycled water distribution systems and
requested further evaluation of potential public health risks associated with recycled water
use.
Mayor Blackburn closed the duly noticed public hearing at 6:48 p.m.
Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Bhat-Patel, seconded by Council Member Acosta, to adopt
Carlsbad Municipal Water District Board of Directors Resolution No. 1804. Motion carried
unanimously, 5/0.
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11. ANNUAL REPORT ON VACANCIES AND RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION EFFORTS – 1) Hold a
public hearing; and
2) Receive annual report on the status of the city’s vacancies and recruitment and retention
efforts. (Staff contact: Paul Ho, Administrative Services)
City Manager’s Recommendation: Take public input, close the public hearing, and
receive the report.
Assistant Human Resources Director Paul Ho and Human Resources Manager Carolyn
DelGrande reviewed a PowerPoint presentation (on file in the Office of the City Clerk).
Mayor Blackburn opened the duly noticed public hearing at 6:57 p.m.
Seeing no one wishing to speak, Mayor Blackburn closed the duly noticed public hearing at
6:57 p.m.
The City Council received the report.
DEPARTMENTAL AND CITY MANAGER REPORTS:
12. ECONOMIC AND FINANCIAL UPDATE FOR THE THIRD QUARTER OF FISCAL YEAR 2025-26
Receive a report on the economic and financial update for the third quarter of fiscal year
2025-26 and provide direction as appropriate (Staff contact: Zach Korach and Tess Sangster,
Administrative Services)
City Manager’s Recommendation: Receive the report and provide direction as
appropriate.
Finance Director Zach Korach, Economic Development Director Tess Sangster and Senior
Program Manager Rachel Maltz reviewed a PowerPoint presentation (on file in the Office of
the City Clerk).
The City Council received the report.
13. ESTABLISHMENT OF SEWER BENEFIT AREA N – Adoption of Resolution No. 2026-092
establishing Sewer Benefit Area N and a corresponding sewer capacity fee in accordance with
the 2026 Engineer’s Report. (Staff contact: Dave Padilla and Amanda Flesse, Public Works)
City Manager’s Recommendation: Adopt the resolution.
Assistant Utilities Director Dave Padilla and Utilities Director Amanda Flesse reviewed a
PowerPoint presentation (on file in the Office of the City Clerk).
Motion by Council Member Burkholder, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Bhat-Patel, to adopt
Resolution No. 2026-092. Motion carried unanimously, 5/0.
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PUBLIC COMMENT: Continuation of Public Comments
Autumn Perlman expressed concerns regarding the Carlsbad Unified School District’s use of
plastic food containers and advocated for expanding the city’s single-use plastic restrictions to
include schools.
Kathleen Steindlberger expressed concerns regarding coastal access near Buena Vista Lagoon on
the Levy property and requested improved ADA accessibility and public access to the area.
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.
Saturday, May 16, 2026, at 9 a.m.
Peace Officers Memorial Run
Cannon Park
100 Cannon Road
Carlsbad, CA 92008
Saturday, May 16, 2026, at 5 p.m.
Pride by the Beach
North County LGBTQ Resource Center
1919 Apple Street
Oceanside, CA 92054
CITY MANAGER COMMENTS: None.
CITY ATTORNEY COMMENTS: None.
CITY CLERK COMMENTS: None.
ADJOURNMENT: Mayor Blackburn adjourned the duly noticed meeting at 8:04 p.m.
______________________________
Adriana Trujillo, CMC
Deputy City Clerk
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