HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-07-16; Update on Speed Survey on Skyline Road between Tamarack Avenue and Hillside Drive (District 1); Gomez, PazTo the members of the:
CITY COUNCI~
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July 16, 2026
Council Memorandum
To: Honorable Mayor Blackburn and Members of the City Council
From: Paz Gomez, Deputy City Manager, Public Works
Via: Sheila Coblan, Assistant City Manager {tv
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Carlsbad
Memo ID# 2026033
Re: Update on Speed Survey on Skyline Road between Tamarack Avenue and Hillside Drive
(District 1)
This memorandum provides an update to a previous memorandum dated December 18, 2025,
on the speed measurements on Skyline Road between Tamarack Avenue and Hillside Drive.
Background
The City Council approved a minute motion on October 21, 2025, directing the City Manager to
review Skyline Road between Tamarack Avenue and Hillside Drive for possib le inclusion in the
city's Carlsbad Residential Traffic Management Program, which has since been updated as the
city's Traffic Management Program.
Staff installed temporary speed feedback signs at two locations to collect speed data between
Tamarack Avenue and Hillside Drive in October and December 2025, as explained in
Attachment A. Please note that the temporary speed feedback signs are typical ly deployed for a
two-week period. During the first week, the display is turned off and the signs only record vehicle
speed data. During the second week, the display is turned on, which shows the speed of each
passing vehicle to educate drivers oftheir speed. While speed data is collected during both
deployments, only the speed measurements during the week that the display is turned off are
used in the evaluation for possible Traffic Management Program consideration.
In the Council Memorandum dated December 18, 2025 (Attachment A), staff indicated that the
speeds on Skyline Road between Tamarack Avenue and Hillside Drive would be re-evaluated in
six months or in June 2026.
Discussion
Staff re-evaluated speeds on Skyline Road between Tamarack Avenue and Hillside Drive at the
same two locations on Skyline Road in April and June 2026. The critica l speeds1 measured were
again below 32 miles per hour (mph), and therefore this portion of Skyline Road is not eligible for
1 The critical speed is also known as the 85th percentile speed, which is the speed at which 85% of
the vehicles are traveling at or below.
Public Works Branch
Transportation Department
1635 Faraday Avenue I Carlsbad, CA 92008 I 442-339-5332 t
Council Memo -Update on Speed Survey on Skyline Rd between Tamarack Ave. and Hillside Dr.
July 16, 2026
Page 2
Phase 2 of the Traffic Management Program. The critical speeds collected on Skyline Road are
summarized in Table 1.
Table 1: Critical speeds on Skyline Road between Tamarack Avenue and Hillside Drive
Location October 2025 December 2025 April 2026 June 2026
No. NB SB NB SB NB SB NB SB
1 28 mph NA NA 28 mph 29 mph 29 mph 19 mph 29 mph
2 NA 30 mph 26 mph NA 25 mph 29 mph 27 mph 28 mph
NB -Northbound; SB -Southbound
Next Steps
There wil l be no further action at this time since Skyline Road between Tamarack Avenue and
Hillside Drive did not meet the minimum speed threshold for traffic calming measures per the
Traffic Management Program .
Attachment: A. City Council Memorandum dated December 18, 2025
cc: Geoff Patnoe, City Manager
Cindie McMahon, City Attorney
Jeff Murphy, Deputy City Manager, Community Services
Laura Rocha, Deputy City Manager, Administrative Services
Christie Calderwood, Police Chief
Michael Calderwood, Fire Chief
Ryan Opeka, Assistant Police Chief
Nick Ordille, Assistant Fire Chief
Tim Lyons, Assistant City Attorney
Tom Frank, Transportation Director/City Engineer
Mike Strong, Community Development Director
Amy Ventetuolo, Communication & Engagement Director
Darcy Davidson, Fire Marshal
James Willis, Lieutenant
John Kim, City Traff1c Engineer
Miriam Jim, Senior Engineer
Attachment A
To the members of the:
CITY COUNCIL
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Carlsbad
Memo ID# 2025073
Council Memorandum
December 18, 2025
To: Honorable Mayor Blackburn and Members of the City Council
From: Paz Gomez, Deputy City Manager, Public Works
Via: Sheila Cobian, Assistant City Manager ~
Re: Skyline Road Between Tamarack Avenue and Hillside Drive (District 1)
This memorandum summarizes staff's evaluation of Skyline Road between Tamarack Avenue and
Hillside Drive as part of the Carlsbad Residential Traffic Management Program (CRTMP.)
Background
The City Council approved a Minute Motion on October 21, 2025, directing the City Manager to
review Skyline Road from Tamarack Avenue to HIiiside Drive for possible inclusion in the CRTMP
so that a speed study can be conducted in this area.
The CRTMP was developed in 2001 and subsequently revised in 2011 to address safety and
speeding concerns on residential streets. The program is divided into the following three phases:
Phase I:
Using less intrusive measures, the program focuses on education, enforcement and engineering
strategies:
• Police presence and Police enforcement
• Engineering too ls such as speed limit signs, warning signs, pavement legends and
temporary speed feedback signs
Phase II:
If Phase I tools are found to be insufficient and the critica l speed of the street is measured to be
32 mph or more, staff will meet with residents to develop a plan that addresses resident
concerns. Critical speed is defined as the speed at which 85% of the vehicles observed were
traveling at or below. Traffic ca lming strategies in Phase II can include:
• Speed cushions
• Traffic circles
• Curb extensions
Community support of the proposed plan by mail survey is needed to move the project to
implementation.
Public Works Branch
Transportation Department
1635 Faraday Avenue I Carlsbad, CA 92008 I 442-339-5332 t
Council Memo -Skyline Road Between Tamarack Avenue and Hillside Drive (District 1)
December 18, 2025
Page 2
Phase Ill:
If the implemented Phase II solut ions do not adequately address the reported issues, residents
can request Phase Ill of the CRTMP. Traffic calming strategies in Phase Ill can include:
• Center island narrowing
• Raised intersections
• Lateral shift in lanes
• Realigned intersections
• Forced t urn channelization
• M edian barriers and traffic diverters
Phase Ill has not been initiat ed or implemented on any street in the city since the program's
adoption. This has been due to t he effectiveness and success of the traffic calming measures
utilized in Phase II.
Discussion
Skyline Road between Tamarack Avenue and
Hillside Drive is a residential street in the city's
northwest quadrant. Its roadway width varies from
32 feet at the north end to 40 feet at the sout h
end, and has a posted speed limit of 25 mlles per
hour (mph.) These roadway conditions met the
definition of a residential street and therefore
qualify Skyline Road for evaluation under the
CRTMP.
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f
Per the City Council's Minute Motion, staff initiat ed
the Phase I process for Skyline Road and Installed
temporary speed feedback signs at t wo locat ions
between Tamarack Avenue and Hillside Drive. The
first sign was located near 4140 Skyline Road and
the second was placed near 4264 Skyline Road.
~
These signs are typically installed for a two-week
period and serve two purposes. During the first
week, when the displays are turned off, the signs
are collecting speed data. In the second week,
E
t
when the displays are turned on, they serve as an educational tool t o Inform drivers of their
travel speeds and can help reduce speeding. The signs were deployed from October 27, 2025, to
November 10, 2025, and from December 2, 2025, to December 15, 2025. The critical speeds
collect ed are summarized in Table 1.
Council Memo -Skyline Road Between Tamarack Avenue and Hillside Drive (District 1)
December 18, 2025
Page 3
Table 1: Critical Speeds on Skyline Road between Tamarack Avenue and Hillside Drive
location No. Critical Speed
Northbound
1 28 mph*
2 I 26 mph**
*Data collected from October 27, 2025, to November 10, 2025
uoata collected from December 2, 2025, to December 15, 2025
Southbound
28 mph**
30 mph*
A threshold of 32 mph is used to determine If a subject street Is eligible for Phase II of the
CRTMP. Based on the measurements collected, the critical speeds recorded on Skyline Road
between Tamarack Avenue and Hillside Drive were below this threshold, and therefore, this road
segment does not qualify for Phase II of the CRTMP. However, staff recognize the recent
increased enforcement efforts In the area may have influenced vehicle speeds and therefore will
re-evaluate In six months.
The eligibility criteria must be met for a street to be considered for further processing through
the CRTMP. However, on a case-by-case basis, city staff may determine exceptions. A street
considered as an exception must be approved by the Traffic Safety & Mobility Commission.
Collision History
Staff have also reviewed the collision history from January 1, 2020, to November 30, 2025. One
fatal collision was reported on October 17, 2025, involving a vehicle and a pedestrian. The case
remains under investigation.
Next Steps
Staff will re-evaluate speeds on Skyline Road between Tamarack Avenue and Hillside Drive in
six months. In the meantime, staff will assess potential signage and striping Improvements and
coordinate with the Police Department on speed enforcement as appropriate.
Attachment: A. October 21, 2025, City Council Meeting Minutes
cc: Geoff Patnoe, City Manager
Cindie McMahon, City Attorney
Gary Barberio, Deputy City Manager, Community Services
Laura Rocha, Deputy City Manager, Administrative Services
Christie Calderwood, Police Chief
Michael Calderwood, Fire Chief
Nick Ordille, Assistant Fire Chief
Reid Shipley, Assistant Police Chief
Tim Lyons, Assistant City Attorney
Tom Frank, Transportation Director/City Engineer
Amy Ventetuolo, Communication & Engagement Director
Council Memo -Skyline Road Between Tamarack Avenue and Hillside Drive (District 1)
December 18, 2025
Page 4
Darcy Davidson, Fire Marshal
Jason Arnotti, Lieutenant
John Kim, City Traffic Engineer
Nathan Schmidt, Transportation Planning and Mobility Manager
Mariel Cairns, Principal Engineer
Miriam Jim, Senior Engineer
Lindy Pham, Associate Engineer
Docuslgn Envelope ID: 967,2~CED-3F50-4CA6-8O34-3B5AF04EF143
CITY COUNCIL
Minutes
Oct. 21, 2025, 5 p.m.
CALL TO ORDER: S p.m.
ROLL CALL: Blackburn, Bhat-Patel, Acosta, Burkholder, Shin.
ANNOUNCEMENT OF CONCURRENT MEETINGS: None.
Attachment A
Council Chamber
1200 Carlsbad Village Drive
Carlsbad, CA 92008
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Council Member Shin led the Pledge of Allegiance.
PRESENTATIONS:
Proclamation in Recognition of the 250th Anniversary of the U.S. Navy
Council Member Shin presented the proclamation to Doug Kappel who said a few words.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Minutes of the Special Meeting held Sept. 30, 2025
Minutes of the Special Meeting held Oct. 7, 2025
Motion by Mayor Pro Tern Bhat-Patel, seconded by Council Member Acosta, to approve the
minutes as presented. Motion carried unanimously, 5/0.
PUBLIC REPORT OF ANY ACTION TAKEN IN CLOSED SESSION:
City Attorney Cindie McMahon announced that there was no reportable action.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
Mike Borrello spoke regarding the hearing for demurrer in Borrello v. City of Carlsbad, concerning
increased water rates and alleged public health risks from reclaimed wastewater use.
Jack Vie/big spoke regarding the Del Mar Fairgrounds 2050 initiative, a long-term master site plan
to guide redevelopment to the Fairgrounds, Surf and Turf Recreation Center, and Del Mar Horse
Park through 2050.
Robert Embree expressed his concerns regarding traffic safety Issues near his neighborhood and
urged the City Council to approve traffic calming measures.
Raul Villamar expressed his concerns regarding the surge of low-income housing developments
near his neighborhood, citing increased crime and vandalism.
Kathleen Steindlberger spoke regarding the locked gate at the Levy property and urged the City
Council to prioritize ensuring public access to the beach in the future.
Docusign Envelope ID: 96728CED-3F50-4CA6-8D34-3B5AF04EF143
Oct. 21, 2025 Carlsbad City Council Regular Meeting Page 2
CONSENT CALENDAR:
Mayor Blackburn announced that Consent Calendar Item No. 2 on the agenda is to approve the
Amended and Restated Employment Agreement with the City Attorney. He explained that if the
agreement is approved by the City Council, the City Attorney's annual base salary will increase to
$309,225.
Motion by Mayor Pro Tern Bhat-Patel, seconded by Council Member Acosta, to approve Consent
Calendar Item Nos. 1 through 4. Motion carried unanimously, 5/0, except for Consent Calendar
Item No. 2, motion carried, 4/1 (Burkholder -No).
1. REPORT ON CITY INVESTMENTS AS OF AUG. 31, 2025 -Accepted and filed Report on City
Investments as of Aug. 31, 2025. (Staff contact: Christian Peacox, City Treasurer and Zach
Korach, Administrative Services)
Mike Borrello spoke regarding the changes to the City's investment portfolio from 2019 to the
present, noting that the current investment portfolio shows no direct holdings in fossil fuel
companies.
2. CITY ATTORNEY EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT -Adoption of Resolution No. 2025-230
approving the amended and restated City Attorney Employment Agreement with Cindie K.
McMahon and a corresponding amendment to the Appointed Officials Salary Range
Schedule. (Staff contact: Darrin Schwabe, Administrative Services)
3. PURCHASE OF JANITORIAL SUPPLIES FROM WAXIE'S ENTERPRISES, AND ITS AFFILIATES,
BRADYPLUS COMPANIES, AND MAINTEX, INC. 1) Adoption of Resolution No. 2025-231
authorizing the cooperative purchase of janitorial supplies from WAXIE's Enterprises, and its
affiliates, BradyPLUS Companies, in an amount not to exceed $200,000 per fiscal year; and
2) Adoption of Resolution No. 2025-232 authorizing the cooperative purchase of janitorial
supplies from Maintex, Inc. in an amount not to exceed $200,000 per fiscal year. (Staff
contact: Brian Bacardi, Public Works)
4. FORGIVING CASA DE AMPARO COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT LOAN-Adoption
Resolution No. 2025-233 approving forgiveness of a 2010 Community Development Block
Grant loan with Casa de Amparo. (Staff contact: Nicole Piano-Jones, Community Services)
BOARD AND COMMISSION MEMBER APPOINTMENTS: None.
ORDINANCES FOR INTRODUCTION: None.
ORDINANCES FOR ADOPTION: None.
PUBLIC HEARINGS: None.
DEPARTMENTAL AND CITY MANAGER REPORTS:
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Oct. 21, 2025 Carlsbad City Council Regular Meeting Page 3
5. ADVERTISE FOR BIDS FOR THE VETERANS MEMORIAL PARK PROJECT AND THE FARADAY
AVENUE IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT AND APPROPRIATION OF FUNDS TO THE VETERANS
MEMORIAL PARK PROJECT, CIP PROJECT NOS. 4609 AND 6099 -Adoption of Resolution No.
2025-234 adopting the plans, specifications and contract documents, authorizing the City
Clerk to advertise for bids for the Veterans Memorial Park Project and the Faraday Avenue
Improvements Project and appropriating $7,456,704 to the Veterans Memorial Park Project
from the Community Facilities District No. 1 Fund. (Staff contact: Kyle Lancaster, Community
Services and John Kim, Public Works)
City Manager's Recommendation: Adopt the resolutions.
Parks & Recreation Director Kyle Lancaster, Park Planning Manager Nick Stupin, and City
Traffic Engineer John Kim reviewed a PowerPoint presentation (on file in the Office of the City
Clerk).
Motion by Council Member Shin, seconded by Mayor Pro Tern Bhat-Patel, to adopt
Resolution No. 2025-234. Motion carried unanimously, 5/0.
6. CLEAN ENERGY ALLIANCE UPDATE -Received a report from the Clean Energy Alliance on its
operations and performance. (Staff contact: Jason Haber, City Manager)
City Manager's Recommendation: Receive the report.
Clean Energy Alliance Chief Executive Officer Greg Wade reviewed a PowerPoint presentation
(on file in the Office of the City Clerk).
The City Council received the report.
7. INTERNAL AUDIT UPDATE -Received a report on internal audit program activity. (Staff
contact: Toufic Tabshouri and Laura Rocha, Administrative Services)
City Manager's Recommendation: Receive the report.
Internal Audit Manager Toufic Tabshouri reviewed a PowerPoint presentation (on file in the
Office of the City Clerk).
The City Council received the report.
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.
Minute motion by Mayor Blackburn, seconded by Mayor Pro Tern Bhat-Patel, directing the City
Manager to review Skyline Road from Tamarack to Hillside for possible inclusion in the Carlsbad
Residential Traffic Management Program so that a speed study can be conducted in this area.
Motion carried, 4/0/1 (Burkholder -Abstain).
Docusign Envelope ID: 96728CED-3F50-4CA6-8D34-3B5AF04EF143
Oct. 21, 2025 Carlsbad City Council Regular Meeting Page 4
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.
CITY MANAGER COMMENTS: None.
CITY ATTORNEY COMMENTS: None.
CITY CLERK COMMENTS: None.
ADJOURNMENT: Mayor Blackburn adjourned the duly noticed meeting at 6:22 p.m.
Adriana Trujillo, CMC
Deputy City Clerk