[00:00:04]
>> IT'S 5:00, SO I'M CALLING TONIGHT'S MEETING TO ORDER, PLEASE TAKE A ROLE.
[CALL TO ORDER]
>> ALL FIVE COUNCIL MEMBERS ARE PRESENT.
MISS BA PATEL, WILL YOU PLEASE LEAD US ON THE PLEDGE?
PUT YOUR RIGHT HAND OVER YOUR HEART.
RE. BEGIN. I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS, ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.
>> NEXT IS APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES.
[APPROVAL OF MINUTES]
THE REGULAR MEETING HELD OCTOBER 21ST OF 25.REGULAR MEETING HELD OCTOBER 28TH OF 25, SPECIAL MEETING HELD NOVEMBER 18TH OF 25, MOTION, PLEASE.
>> PLEASE VOTE. THAT PASSES UNANIMOUSLY.
A CITY ATTORNEY, ANY REPORT OUT FOR A CLOSED SESSION.
>> THANK YOU, MAYOR. THERE WAS NO REPORTABLE ACTION.
>> THANK YOU. NEXT IS PUBLIC COMMENT,
[PUBLIC COMMENT]
BUT I HAVE TO READ THE FOLLOWING.THE BROWN ACT AND THE CITY'S MEETING RULES ALLOW MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO COMMENT ON ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA, AS LONG AS THE COMMENTS ARE REGARDING MATTERS WITHIN THE CITY COUNCIL'S SUBJECT MATTER JURISDICTION.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC MAY ALSO COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEMS AS LONG AS THE COMMENTS RELATE TO THE QUESTION OR MATTER UNDER CONSIDERATION.
INFORMATION ON HOW TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS MEETING IS ON THE FRONT PAGE OF THE AGENDA.
THE CITY COUNCIL RECEIVED NON-AGENDA PUBLIC COMMENTS FOR A TOTAL OF 15 MINUTES AT THE BEGINNING OF THE MEETING.
CITY COUNCIL RECEIVE ANY ADDITIONAL NON-AGENDA PUBLIC COMMENTS AT THE END OF THE MEETING.
IN CONFORMANCE WITH THE BROWN ACT, NO ACTION MAY OCCUR ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS. WHEN MAKING YOUR COMMENTS, PLEASE TREAT OTHERS WITH COURTESY, CIVILITY, AND RESPECT.
WE WELCOME CLAPPING DURING THE CEREMONIAL PRESENTATIONS AT THE BEGINNING OF THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING.
HOWEVER, WE ASK THAT YOU REFRAIN FROM CLAPPING DURING THE BUSINESS SECTION OF THE MEETING, STARTING WITH THE NON-AGENDA PUBLIC COMMENT.
THIS WILL HELP MAKE SURE THAT THE PEOPLE'S BUSINESS CAN BE CONDUCTED EFFICIENTLY AND THAT THE CHAMBER IS A PLACE WHERE ALL POINTS OF VIEW ARE WELCOMED AND RESPECTED.
THE CLERK WILL CALL YOUR NAME.
YOU'LL HAVE THREE MINUTES AT THE 2.5-MINUTE MARK.
THE PODIUM WILL TURN YELLOW, GIVING YOU NOTICE THAT YOU'RE DOWN TO LAST 30 SECONDS.
ASK THE CLERK TO TURN OFF THE MICROPHONE AT THE CONCLUSION OF THE THREE MINUTES.
THAT WAY, EVERYBODY GETS EXACTLY THE SAME AMOUNT OF TIME TO SPEAK.
PLEASE CALL THE FIRST SPEAKER.
>> GLEN BERNARD, FOLLOWED BY MIKE BORRELLO.
>> OH, EVERYBODY. I WAS IN THAILAND ABOUT TWO MONTHS AGO, AND WE HAD A GOVERNMENT-TRAINED TOUR GUIDE THERE.
THAT TOUR GUIDE SAID THAT A JUNTA J-U-N-T-A RUNS THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.
THAT WAS WITH A RETIRED CALIFORNIA LAW PROFESSOR, AND I ASKED THAT FELLOW.
WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A JUNTA AND ONE-PARTY RULE IN ANY PLACE ON THE PLANET? HE SAYS, THERE'S NO DIFFERENCE, WHICH BRINGS US TO CALIFORNIA NOW, DOES IT? IT REMINDS ME OF THAT SENATOR FROM ARIZONA.
HIS ID CARD SIMILAR LINE TO MINE.
WHEN I GOT WHEN I ENTERED ON ACTIVE DUTY IN THE MARINE CORP, THEY MADE IT REAL CLEAR.
DON'T TALK POLITICS. OBEY EVERYTHING.
OBEY EVERY COMMAND. YOU HAVE A PROBLEM WITH SOMETHING THAT YOU'VE DONE, DO IT AND DISCUSS IT LATER WITH YOUR COMMAND.
THEN THEY GAVE US THE SAME SPIEL WHEN THE MARINE CORPS GAVE ME THIS ID CARD UPON RETIREMENT.
DON'T INSULT THE CHAIN OF COMMAND, ESPECIALLY THE COMMANDER IN CHIEF.
BUT THAT SENATOR, THE DEMOCRAT, ALONG WITH FIVE OTHERS, SAY, TICKS ME OFF, ALONG WITH THE PRESIDENT.
HERE A COMMAND YOU DON'T LIKE, DON'T FOLLOW IT.
THE PRESIDENT SAID THAT COULD BE YOU SHOULD GO TO TRIAL FOR SEDITION AND TREASON, AGREE WITH THAT TOTALLY.
NOW, I WOULD LIKE TO ENCOURAGE THIS CITY COUNCIL TO FOLLOW THE SAME ADVICE OF THAT ARIZONA SENATOR.
STAND UP TO THE STATE GOVERNMENT.
DON'T ALLOW A PHRASE WAS ON WHEEL OF FORTUNE RECENTLY, REALLY WAS. NEIGHBORHOOD PHARMACY.
WE USED TO HAVE ONE AT THE CORNER OF STATE AND GRAND.
WE'RE ABOUT TO LOSE THIS NICE ONE OVER HERE.
WE LOST THE ONE DOWN THE ROAD AT RIGHT EIGHT AT POINT CETA.
THE ENTIRE SECTION OF CARLSBAD WEST OF I FIVE IS
[00:05:04]
ABOUT TO HAVE NO PHARMACY BECAUSE NEWSOM AND THE PARTY THAT'S RUNNING THIS STATE WANTS THAT TO GET TORN DOWN AND BUILD STUFF AND OVERBUILD CARLSBAD.WHY DON'T YOU TAKE THE SAME ADVICE? I'M ASKING YOU TO TAKE THE SAME ADVICE THAT THAT BAD SENATOR GAVE TO EVERYBODY ON ACTIVE DUTY IN THE MILITARY.
IF YOU TAKE THAT ADVICE, NO ONE'S GOING TO DIE.
CAN YOU IMAGINE A SUPPLY CLERK THAT GETS A LITTLE IRRITATED ABOUT HAVING TO ORDER SOME M16S? GO TO WAR. WHERE'S THE M16S THEY'RE NOT HERE. THANK YOU.
>> GOOD EVENING, MAYOR, CITY COUNCIL.
BEFORE I BEGIN, I'D LIKE TO READ SOMETHING OUT OF STEVE KHAN'S BOOK UNSETTLED.
HE NOW SITS ON A BOARD FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY WROTE A REPORT IN JUNE.
HE WROTE IN HERE, THIS IS REGARDING CLIMATE.
YOU NEED TO THINK ABOUT THIS MAYBE WHEN YOU MAKE YOUR NEXT DECISION REGARDING CLIMATE CHANGE-TYPE ORDINANCES.
ALTHOUGH IT APPLIES TO EVERY PROBLEM, I BELIEVE, HE WROTE LEO TOLSTOY'S 1894 PHILOSOPHICAL TREATISE, THE KINGDOM OF GOD IS WITHIN YOU, CONTAINS THE FOLLOWING THOUGHT.
THE MOST DIFFICULT SUBJECTS CAN BE EXPLAINED TO THE MOST SLOW-WITTED MAN IF HE HAS FORMED ANY IDEA OF THEM ALREADY.
BUT THE SIMPLEST THING CANNOT BE MADE CLEAR TO THE MOST INTELLIGENT MAN IF HE IS FIRMLY PERSUADED THAT HE KNOWS ALREADY, WITHOUT A SHADOW OF A DOUBT, WHAT IS LAID BEFORE HIM.
THINK ABOUT THAT ONE. LOOK IT UP.
HE SHOULD MOUNT IT ON YOUR WALL.
ONE THING I'M HERE TONIGHT TO TALK ABOUT IS TO SECOND MR. BERNARD'S ANNOUNCEMENT LAST TIME REGARDING A WALKWAY OVER CAMINO REAL, A CORRIDOR BETWEEN THE WEST SIDE AND THE EAST SIDE, IN ORDER TO GET NOT ONLY TO THE HIGH SCHOOL, BUT ALSO VALLEY MIDDLE SCHOOL.
IT CAN BE USED FOR THAT AS WELL.
THE REASON I BRING THIS UP, IS PUT IT IN THE PUBLIC RECORD. THIS IS A SECOND.
I KNOW IT HAS NO WEIGHT AS FAR AS VOTES GO, BUT IT'S A SECOND IN THE PUBLIC RECORD, SO IT PUTS THE ONUS ON YOU TO RESEARCH IT AND SEE IF SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE BECAUSE IF SOME KID IS KILLED IN THAT CROSSWALK, GOING ACROSS THERE, THEY CAN GO BACK TO THE PUBLIC RECORD AND SUE ALL OF YOU FOR NOT DOING ANYTHING ABOUT IT.
HERE'S WHAT I DID. I TOOK A WALK ON THE WEEKEND, MY WIFE AND I WALK, AND WE DID A THREE-MILE LOOP AROUND OUR HOUSE.
IT WAS GOING ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ROAD, SO NORTHBOUND LANES.
WHEN YOU WALK UP THAT STRETCH THERE, YOU'LL SEE THAT THERE'S A BLIND HILL.
YOU CAN'T SEE ANYTHING IN THE CROSSWALK ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE STREET, NOTHING AT ALL, AND PEOPLE DON'T GO.
THE SPEED LIMIT THERE, THEY GO LIKE 80 MILES AN HOUR SOMETIMES TO BEAT THAT LIGHT.
THEY HAVE CROSS GUARDS IN THE MORNING, BUT YOU CAN'T REALLY COUNT ON THAT ALL THE TIME.
IT'S WELL WORTH THE INVESTMENT, MUCH BETTER INVESTMENT THAN ROUNDABOUTS.
PLEASE CONSIDER IT. MAYBE HAVE MR. FRANK LOOK AT IT.
HE CAN INTERVIEW THE CROSSING GUARD, SEE WHAT THEY HAVE TO SAY ABOUT IT, AND THEN DO SOME SPEED SURVEYS ON THE ROAD.
>> THERE ARE NO MORE SPEAKERS.
[CONSENT CALENDAR]
ITEMS 1 THROUGH 4. DO WE HAVE ANY SPEAKERS?>> UNDERSTAND YOU'RE SPEAKING ON ITEM NUMBER 4?
ANNUAL ADOPTION OF PENSION INVESTMENT POLICY, ADOPTION OF A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE CITY'S PENSION INVESTMENT POLICY DATED DECEMBER 2, 2025.
THIS TAKES ME BACK TO THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER WHEN I SPOKE ON C-SPAN TWICE.
IF WE WANT TO KEEP IT SIMPLE, DO A INTERNET SEARCH, AS I DID TODAY, ON SOCIAL SECURITY, THE OPTION.
REPORTS INDICATE THAT PARTICIPATION IN SOCIAL SECURITY IS NEARLY UNIVERSAL WITH ESTIMATES
[00:10:02]
SUGGESTING THAT AROUND 97% OF OLDER ADULTS EITHER RECEIVE OR WILL RECEIVE SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS, A FIGURE THAT ALIGNS WITH WIDESPREAD WORKFORCE CONTRIBUTIONS.WHEN I WAS SPEAKING ON C-SPAN.
I TALKED ABOUT GOVERNMENT SALARIES AND RETIREMENT PACKAGES ALL OVER AMERICA, EVERY CITY HALL.
EVERY COUNTY, EVERY STATE, AND OF COURSE, THE FEDERAL PAY PACKAGES ARE JUST AS ABSURD AS EVERYBODY ELSE.
SO IF YOU WANT TO WANT TO KEEP A SIMPLE CONCEPT, LET'S JUST HAVE EVERYBODY ENROLLED INTO SOCIAL SECURITY THAT WORKS FOR A CITY HALL AND KEEP IT SIMPLE, CLEAN, EASY.
THERE'S A PHRASE. WE WERE ALL WOUNDED WOUNDED KNEE. WHAT'S THAT GOT TO DO? BUT I DID USE THE PHRASE WHEN I WAS ON C-SPAN, TALKING ABOUT THESE CITY SALARIES.
THE PHRASE ROBERT BARONS CAME UP.
OH, FROM ME. ROBERT BARONS. SOME PEOPLE.
I GUESS IT WAS A PHRASE THAT WAS APPLICABLE TO SOME PEOPLE WHO INVESTED THEIR SAVINGS, SOME WHITE EUROPEANS OVER HERE, WHICH SUGGESTS WOUNDED KNEE.
BUT THE NEW GROUP OF ROBERT BARONS IN AMERICA TODAY, AND YOU ALREADY GUESS WHAT I'M GOING TO SAY.
GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES, MAYBE NOT EVERYONE, BUT SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT, CITY MANAGER, CITY ATTORNEY, ALL OF THOSE PEOPLE THAT ARE UP IN SACRAMENTO, WITH SALARIES THAT ARE MULTIPLES OF MEDIAN FAMILY INCOME IN ANY GIVEN CITY, ROBERT BARONS.
>> DO YOU HAVE ANY OTHER SPEAKERS?
>> THERE ARE NO ADDITIONAL SPEAKERS.
>> COUNSEL, WANT TO PULL ANY OF THE FOUR ITEMS? QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS ON ANY OF THE FOUR ITEMS. MOTION, PLEASE.
>> MOVE ADOPTION OF CONSENT ITEMS 1 THROUGH 4.
>> ITEM NUMBER 5. CITY MANAGER.
[5. ORDINANCE NO. CS-501 – INSTALL ALL-WAY STOP CONTROL AT THE INTERSECTIONS OF JEFFERSON STREET AND OAK AVENUE, MADISON STREET AND CHESTNUT AVENUE, ROOSEVELT STREET AND CHESTNUT AVENUE AND MADISON STREET AND MAGNOLIA AVENUE]
>> THANK YOU. ITEM NUMBER 5 IS THE SECOND READING FOR THE INSTALLATION OF ALWAYS STOP CONTROL AT THE INTERSECTIONS OF JEFFERSON STREET AND OAK AVENUE, MADISON STREET AND CHESTNUT AVENUE, ROOSEVELT STREET, AND CHESTNUT AVENUE, AND MADISON STREET, AND MAGNOLIA AVENUE. SECOND READING.
>> ANY QUESTIONS FROM COUNSEL? ANY COMMENTS FROM COUNCIL? MOTION, PLEASE.
>> THERE ARE NO SPEAKER. THANK YOU.
MOVE ADOPTION OF THE ORDINANCE.
>> ITEM NUMBER 6, PUBLIC HEARING, CITY MANAGER.
[6. CALIFORNIA COASTAL COMMISSION’S SUGGESTED MODIFICATIONS TO THE HOUSING ELEMENT REZONE PROGRAM AND LAND USE AND ZONING MAP CORRECTIONS]
>> THANK YOU. ITEM NUMBER 6 IS THE CALIFORNIA COASTAL COMMISSION'S SUGGESTED MODIFICATIONS TO THE HOUSING ELEMENT RE ZONE PROGRAM IN LAND USE AND ZONING MAP CORRECTIONS.
FOR THE PRESENTATION. WE HAVE SENIOR PLANNER SCOTT DONNELL AND CITY PLANNER ERIC LARD.
>> THANK YOU, MR. PATINO, AND GOOD EVENING, MAYOR, MAYOR PRO TEM, MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL.
THIS ITEM REGARDS A SIGNIFICANT EFFORT UNDERWAY FOR MANY YEARS, THE HOUSING ELEMENT REZONE PROGRAM, AND THE CHANGES TO THE PROGRAM NECESSARY TO RECEIVE COASTAL COMMISSION APPROVAL AND SATISFY KEY PROVISIONS OF OUR HOUSING ELEMENT.
THE ITEM ALSO INCLUDES A SECOND PART THAT PROPOSES TO CORRECT MINOR MAPPING ERRORS.
THE FIRST PART OF TONIGHT'S ITEM IS TO APPROVE THE SUGGESTED MODIFICATIONS THAT THE COASTAL COMMISSION HAS PLACED ON THE CITY'S HOUSING ELEMENT REZONE PROGRAM, A PRIMARY COMPONENT OF THE HOUSING ELEMENT TO ACCOMMODATE STATE-MANDATED HOUSING GROWTH.
SINCE THE PROGRAM AFFECTS PROPERTIES IN THE CITY'S COASTAL ZONE, APPROVAL FROM THE COASTAL COMMISSION IS REQUIRED.
THE SECOND PART OF TONIGHT'S PRESENTATION AND OF THE RECOMMENDED ACTION IS TO FIX ERRORS IN HOW OPEN SPACE IS DEPICTED ON THE LAND USE AND ZONING MAPS FOR FOUR SITES IDENTIFIED AS PART OF THE HOUSING ELEMENT REZONE PROGRAM.
THIS TIMELINE SHOWS MILESTONES IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE HOUSING ELEMENT REZONE PROGRAM, WHICH BEGAN IN JANUARY 2020 WHEN A CITIZENS COMMITTEE,
[00:15:02]
THE HOUSING ELEMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE, OR HAC, HELD THE FIRST OF SEVERAL MEETINGS TO HELP DRAFT AND UPDATE TO THE HOUSING ELEMENT AND IDENTIFY HOUSING SITES, AN IMPORTANT PART OF THE REZONE PROGRAM.PROGRAM COMPONENTS ALSO INVOLVE CHANGES TO THE CITY'S LAND USE DOCUMENTS, SUCH AS ITS GENERAL PLAN, ZONING ORDINANCE, AND THE LOCAL COASTAL PROGRAM.
THESE CHANGES ARE LARGELY IDENTIFIED AS PART OF THE HOUSING ELEMENT THAT THE CITY COUNCIL ADOPTED IN APRIL OF 2021.
AS THE TIMELINE NOTES, THE CITY COUNCIL APPROVED THE REZONE PROGRAM IN JANUARY 2024.
COASTAL COMMISSION'S APPROVAL OF CHANGES IN THE COASTAL ZONE IS NECESSARY AND IS THE FINAL STEP IN THIS MULTI-YEAR EFFORT.
THAT APPROVAL FROM COASTAL COMMISSION TOOK PLACE IN AUGUST OF THIS YEAR WHEN THE COMMISSION APPROVED THE REZONE PROGRAM FOR SITES IN THE COASTAL ZONE.
THIS APPROVAL WAS CONDITIONED UPON THE CITY MAKING CHANGES TO THE PROGRAM OR SUGGESTED MODIFICATIONS.
COASTAL COMMISSION STAFF WORKED WITH CITY STAFF ON THE DRAFTING OF THESE CHANGES.
THEY AFFECT VARIOUS LAND USE REGULATIONS AS WELL AS THE DESIGNATIONS OF SEVERAL PROPERTIES IN THE COASTAL ZONE.
LAND USE REGULATIONS OVER WHICH THE COASTAL COMMISSION HAS PURVIEW IN THE CITY ARE COLLECTIVELY IDENTIFIED AS THE LOCAL COASTAL PROGRAM.
CHANGES TO ANY OF THESE REGULATIONS WHICH ARE IDENTIFIED ON THIS SLIDE REQUIRE THE COMMISSION'S APPROVAL.
THE HOUSING REZONE PROGRAM INCLUDES CHANGES TO THE LAND USE PLAN, ZONING ORDINANCE, AND LAND USE MAP, AS WELL AS MASTER AND SPECIFIC PLANS.
ALONG WITH CHANGES TO MANY OF THE LAND USE DOCUMENTS, LIKE THE ZONING ORDINANCE, SEVERAL PROPERTIES WERE REZONED TO PROVIDE SITES FOR FORECASTED RESIDENTIAL GROWTH.
THIS MAP HERE IDENTIFIES 16 SITES THROUGHOUT THE COMMUNITY, INCLUDING NINE SITES IN THE COASTAL ZONE ALONE THAT WERE EITHER IDENTIFIED OR REZONED BY THE CITY COUNCIL IN JANUARY OF LAST YEAR TO HELP THE CITY MEET ITS HOUSING NEED.
MANY OF THE SITES WERE REZONED FROM NON-RESIDENTIAL DESIGNATIONS, SUCH AS COMMERCIAL OR INDUSTRIAL, TO RESIDENTIAL DESIGNATIONS.
ON THE MAP, TWO OF THE SITES ARE HIGHLIGHTED.
SITE 17, THE POINT SETYA COASTER STATION, AS WELL AS SITES 19, A PROPERTY ALONG KAYE BARCELONA, OPPOSITE THE FORUM SHOPS IN AN AREA KNOWN AS THE GREEN VALLEY MASTER PLAN.
BOTH SITES ARE IN THE COASTAL ZONE AND ARE THE ONLY ONES TO WHICH SPECIFIC SUGGESTED MODIFICATIONS APPLY.
>> IN DEVELOPING THE SUGGESTED MODIFICATIONS, COASTAL STAFF COORDINATED WITH CITY STAFF TO ENSURE THE MODIFICATIONS MET THE OBJECTIVES OF BOTH AGENCIES, PROTECTING RESOURCES FROM THE COASTAL COMMISSION STANDPOINT AND SATISFYING HOUSING NEEDS, A VERY IMPORTANT PART OF WHAT THE CITY SOUGHT.
THESE CHANGES MAKE GENERALLY MINOR REVISIONS AND PROVIDE SPECIFIC POLICY LANGUAGE FOR THE DEVELOPMENTS OF SITES 19 AS WELL AS SITE 17.
A FOCUS ON THESE TWO SITES IS NOT SURPRISING DUE TO COASTAL INTEREST IN ENSURING THE PROTECTION OF COASTAL RESOURCES, AND IN THIS CASE, THAT NAMELY HAS TO DO WITH PROTECTING SENSITIVE HABITAT.
THIS IS A SLIDE OF SITE 17, THE POINT SET OR COASTER STATION.
THE SENSITIVE HABITAT IS IDENTIFIED BY THE VERNAL POOLS GENERALLY BETWEEN THE ACCESS DRIVEWAY TO THE COASTAL STATION, AS WELL AS THE TRAIN STATION THAT YOU SEE LABELED ON THE BOTTOM OF THE SLIDE.
THE HABITAT IS CROSSED BY THREE PEDESTRIAN BRIDGES TO ENABLE ACCESS TO THE TRACKS.
IT IS ENVISIONED THAT THIS SITE BE DEVELOPED WITH RESIDENTIAL USES WHILE MAINTAINING ITS TRANSIT FUNCTIONS, INCLUDING PARKING FOR TRANSIT USERS.
THE SECOND SITE IDENTIFIED FOR WHICH SUGGESTED MODIFICATIONS HAVE BEEN PROPOSED IS SITE 19, THE LA COSTA GLEN FORUM PROPERTY OPPOSITE THE FORUM SHOPS.
IT'S PARTIALLY DEVELOPED, AS YOU SEE HERE WITH A PARKING LOT AND IS ADJACENT TO HABITAT OR ESHA E-S-H-A AS THIS SLIDE LABELS.
THE CITY COUNCIL REDESIGNATED THIS SITE IN JANUARY 2024 FROM COMMERCIAL TO RESIDENTIAL.
THE SUGGESTED MODIFICATIONS SEEK TO ENSURE PRESERVATION OF HABITAT THAT IS PRESENT HERE.
THE SECOND PART OF THE PRESENTATION, OTHER THAN THE SUGGESTED MODE IS THE SIMPLE CORRECTION OF SOME MAPPING ERRORS.
THESE ERRORS WERE REALIZED WHILE WORKING THROUGH THE SUGGESTED MODIFICATIONS WITH COASTAL COMMISSION STAFF.
CORRECTING THE ERRORS AFFECTS FOUR OF THE RE ZONE PROGRAM SITES.
FOR EACH SITE, THE CORRECTION IS THE SAME TO ENSURE THE BOUNDARIES OF OPEN SPACE ARE DISTINCT AND SEPARATE FROM BOUNDARIES OF DEVELOPABLE DESIGNATIONS, SUCH AS RESIDENTIAL OR COMMERCIAL.
THE FIGURES ON THE SLIDE SHOW, SHOW THE CORRECTION TO LAND USE CHANGES AT NORTH COUNTY PLAZA, WHICH IS ONE OF THE SITES IDENTIFIED AS PART OF THE HOUSING ELEMENT REZONE PROGRAM.
ON THE LEFT, ON THE MAP LABELED EXISTING, YOU CAN SEE THERE IS NO DISTINCTION BETWEEN OPEN SPACE AND THE OTHER LAND USE DESIGNATION.
ON THE RIGHT, THE CORRECTED FIGURE CLEARLY SHOWS THE CORRECTION,
[00:20:03]
A DISTINCT OPEN SPACE BOUNDARY.THIS MAP SIMPLY IDENTIFIES THE FOUR HOUSING SITES THAT ARE PROPOSED FOR THE MAPPING ERROR CORRECTIONS.
TWO OF THE SITES ARE IN THE COASTAL ZONE, THAT WOULD BE SITES 1 AND 19, AND TWO SITES ARE JUST OUTSIDE THE COASTAL ZONE, SITE 14, AS WELL AS SITE 4 ALONG AL CAMINO REAL.
AS FAR AS PUBLIC INPUT AT THE AUGUST 15 COASTAL COMMISSION MEETING AT WHICH THE SUGGESTED MODIFICATIONS WERE APPROVED, THERE WAS NO CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED BY THE COMMISSION, NOR WERE THERE ANY PUBLIC SPEAKERS.
IN RESPONSE TO THE NOTICED PUBLIC HEARING FOR TONIGHT'S ITEM, CORRESPONDENCE WAS RECEIVED FROM A PROPERTY OWNER ADJACENT TO THE POINT CITY OF COASTER STATION, AS WELL AS FROM NORTH COUNTY TRANSIT DISTRICT.
THIS CORRESPONDENCE WAS PROVIDED TO THE CITY COUNCIL.
THE PROPERTY OWNER ADJACENT TO THE POINTE CITY OF STATION, EXPRESSED SUPPORT FOR THE SUGGESTED MODIFICATIONS.
WITH REGARDS TO THE NORTH COUNTY TRANSIT DISTRICT COMMENTS, STAFF IS PREPARED TO DISCUSS THOSE WITH YOU.
IN TERMS OF NEXT STEPS, IF THE CITY COUNCIL APPROVES, CONCURS WITH THE RECOMMENDED ACTION TO APPROVE THE SUGGESTED MODIFICATIONS.
STAFF WILL FORWARD THE CITY COUNCIL'S APPROVAL TO THE COASTAL COMMISSION AS EVIDENCE OF ACCEPTANCE OF THE SUGGESTED MODS.
THE COASTAL COMMISSION'S EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR WILL VERIFY THE ACTION, IMPLEMENTS THE SUGGESTED MODIFICATIONS, AND WILL REPORT THAT VERIFICATION AT A COASTAL COMMISSION HEARING IN EARLY 2026.
UPON VERIFICATION AND FOLLOWING THE COMMISSION MEETING, CHANGES THAT ARE PART OF THE HOUSING ELEMENT REZONE WILL BE EFFECTIVE IN THE COASTAL ZONE, COMPLETING THE FINAL STEP IN THIS SIX YEAR PROCESS.
A RECOMMENDED ACTION AND IT'S BROKEN DOWN INTO TWO PARTS.
BOTH PARTS ASK CITY COUNCIL TO ACKNOWLEDGE RECEIPT OF AND APPROVE THE SUGGESTED MODIFICATIONS.
THE RECOMMENDED ACTIONS INCLUDE BOTH ADOPTION OF A RESOLUTION AND INTRODUCTION OF AN ORDINANCE TO REFLECT HOW THE CITY'S DIFFERENT LAND USE STANDARDS ARE ADOPTED.
THE RECOMMENDED ACTION ALSO INCLUDES CORRECTING THE MINOR MAPPING ERRORS.
STAFF WOULD ALSO LIKE TO BRING TO THE COUNCIL'S ATTENTION THE ADDITIONAL MATERIALS MEMO, WHICH ADDS A WORD INADVERTENTLY LEFT OFF THE PROPOSED SUGGESTED MODIFICATION TO THE RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS OF THE GREEN VALLEY MASTER PLAN.
THIS AFFECTS ATTACHMENT B TO THE PROPOSED ORDINANCE.
THAT CONCLUDES MY PRESENTATION.
STAFF IS AVAILABLE, AND HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS YOU MAY HAVE.
>> THANK YOU. I'M OPENING PUBLIC HEARING. DO WE HAVE ANY SPEAKERS?
>> CLOSING THE PUBLIC HEARING. ANY QUESTIONS FROM COUNSEL? MISS ACOSTA.
>> THANK YOU. THANKS FOR THE PRESENTATION, AND SO MUCH OF THIS MAKES A LOT OF SENSE TO ME.
ONE OF THE SITES, SITE 19 IS IN MY DISTRICT.
I HAVE TAKEN THE TRAIN OUT OF POINTED, AND WE'VE HAD MANY CONVERSATIONS ABOUT THAT AREA.
I WAS WONDERING IF YOU COULD RESPOND TO THE NCTD LETTER THAT WE RECEIVED THAT POINTED OUT SOME ISSUES WITH OUR APPROACH.
>> YES. THANK YOU, COUNCIL MEMBER, MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL.
THE LETTER HAD SEVEN COMMENTS THAT IT BROUGHT UP RELATED TO THE REZONING DESIGNATIONS.
WE'RE ALSO AVAILABLE TO GO THROUGH A TIMELINE OF OUR CORRESPONDENCE AND WORKING WITH WITH NCTD, BUT TO DIRECTLY RESPOND TO THE SEVEN THINGS THAT WERE BROUGHT UP.
THE FIRST WAS THAT THE SUGGESTED MODIFICATIONS IMPOSE UNPRECEDENTED PARCEL SPECIFIC RESTRICTIONS THAT EXCEED THE COASTAL ACT REQUIREMENTS.
WE REVIEWED THAT, AND WE'VE ALSO REVIEWED OUR LOCAL COASTAL PROGRAM TO BE SURE.
BUT THERE ARE MANY CASES WHERE THERE ARE PARCEL SPECIFIC RESTRICTIONS BOTH IN THE LOCAL COASTAL PROGRAM, AS WELL AS IN THE SPECIFIC AND MASTER PLANS THAT ARE ADOPTED BY REFERENCE INTO THE LOCAL COASTAL PROGRAM.
WE DISAGREE THAT PARTIAL SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS ARE AT ISSUE HERE.
ADDITIONALLY, THE COASTAL COMMISSION HAS BROAD AUTHORITY TO IMPLEMENT THE COASTAL ACT, AND SO THEY'VE MADE IT CLEAR IN THE NEGOTIATIONS PRIOR TO RECEIVING THESE POSED MODIFICATIONS, THAT THEY HAVE CONCERNS WITH THE VERNAL POOLS AND THE OPEN SPACE EASEMENT ON THE SITE.
THEY ARE LOOKING AT RESTRICTIONS TO HELP MAKE SURE THAT THEY'RE NOT IMPACTED.
ADDITIONALLY, THIS SITE IS IN THE APPEAL JURISDICTION.
EVEN IF NONE OF THESE PROPOSED MODIFICATIONS WERE ADOPTED, THE COASTAL COMMISSION COULD APPEAL ANY PERMITS THAT WE ISSUE AND ULTIMATELY TAKE JURISDICTION AND REQUEST COURSE CHANGES BE MADE.
THE NEXT COMMENT IS THAT THE MODIFICATIONS IMPROPERLY DELEGATE CITY AUTHORITY TO UNDEFINED RESOURCE AGENCIES.
THE OPEN SPACE EASEMENT IS DEDICATED TO CDF W, CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND WILDLIFE.
THEM AND US FISH AND WILDLIFE HAVE ALSO BEEN INVOLVED IN ALL THE CONVERSATIONS WITH NORTH COUNTY TRANSIT AND THEIR PERSPECTIVE DEVELOPER.
THE ONLY ITEM WHERE WE DO DELEGATE AUTHORITY IS REQUESTING THAT THEY REVIEW AND APPROVE THAT A SHADING ANALYSIS HAS BEEN DONE ADEQUATELY AND PROPERLY.
[00:25:03]
WE DO NOT FEEL THAT IS IMPROPER, EVEN FOR OUR OWN PROJECT, THE BEACH ACCESS REPAIRS, WE COMPLETED A SHADING ANALYSIS TO ENSURE THAT THERE WAS NO IMPACTS TO HABITAT RELATED TO THAT.ITEM NUMBER THREE IS SAYING THE RESTRICTIONS JEOPARDIZE THE FEASIBILITY OF FUTURE DEVELOPMENT AND MAY REQUIRE THE REMOVAL OF THE SITE FROM THE HOUSING ELEMENT INVENTORY.
THE HOUSING ELEMENT INVENTORY, AS IT WAS ADOPTED IN JANUARY 2024, ASSUMED 27 UNITS ON THAT SITE.
THAT IS BECAUSE WE DID NOT KNOW THE SPECIFIC PLANS OF NORTH COUNTY TRANSIT WHEN THE CITY COUNCIL ADDED THAT TO THE HOUSING ELEMENT.
WE STUDIED AN ALTERNATIVE THAT HAD HIGHER UNITS, BUT THAT WAS NOT WHAT WAS ADOPTED BY THE CITY COUNCIL BACK IN JANUARY OF LAST YEAR.
SO WE DO NOT BELIEVE THAT IT IS REMOVING THE JEOPARDY OF THAT SITE.
IT CAN STILL BE DEVELOPED IF APPROVED THE LAND USE DESIGNATIONS AND DENSITIES WOULD STILL BE THERE.
THE CURRENT PLANS WE'VE SEEN FROM THE APPLICANT AS RECENTLY AS THIS SUMMER DO IMPACT AND SHOW CHANGES IN RESPONSE TO THE THEME OF THESE COMMENTS.
ITEM NUMBER 4 AND 5 SPECIFICALLY RELATES TO THE MODIFICATIONS UNDERMINING REGIONAL AND STATE GOALS AND SAYING THEY RAISE CONCERNS ABOUT UNEQUAL TREATMENT AND PROPER APPLICATION OF THE COASTAL ACT.
WE DISAGREE WITH BOTH OF THOSE.
WE THINK THAT THIS STILL ADVANCES STATE GOALS.
THE CITY WOULD STILL BE IN COMPLIANCE WITH OUR HOUSING ELEMENT WITH OR WITHOUT THIS SITE, BUT WE DO SEE THAT DEVELOPMENT CAN OCCUR ON THIS SITE.
BUT THE COASTAL COMMISSION STILL HAS AUTHORITY TO IMPLEMENT DEVELOPMENT, AND WITHOUT AN APPROVED LOCAL COASTAL PROGRAM, WE WOULD HAVE NO AUTHORITY TO ISSUE DEVELOPMENT ON THIS SITE.
THAT'S ONE THING THAT WE DO NOT THINK IS THERE AGAIN, THERE ARE SPECIFIC POLICIES FOR OTHER SPECIFIC PROPERTIES WITHIN THE COASTAL ZONE IN OUR OWN LAND USE PLANS AND DOCUMENTS.
AS SENIOR PLANNER DONALD HIGHLIGHTED, EVEN IN SITE 19, THERE ARE SPECIFIC POLICIES PROPOSED FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF THAT SITE.
NUMBER 6 IS SAYING THAT COMMENTS ARE BURDENSOME, COSTLY, AND PREMATURE.
WE'VE BEEN DISCUSSING WITH COASTAL COMMISSION, NORTH COUNTY TRANSIT, AND THE WILDLIFE AGENCIES FOR SEVERAL YEARS ON THESE SITES.
THE SITE PLAN WE SAW BEFORE WE SAW THE PROPOSED MODIFICATIONS OVER THE SUMMER, CHANGE THE SITES, PULLED IT BACK FROM THE EASEMENT, REDUCE THE HEIGHT OF THE BUILDING.
WE DO NOT THINK THAT THEY ARE INCONSISTENT WITH ANYTHING THAT WE'VE SEEN WORKING WITH THEM.
THEN THE FINAL COMMENT IS THE CITY IS NOT REQUIRED TO ADOPT THE SUGGESTED MODIFICATION.
WHILE THAT IS TRUE, THE COASTAL COMMISSION GIVES US THE PROPOSED MODIFICATIONS AS AN ALL OR NOTHING PACKAGE.
IN ORDER TO MAINTAIN CONSISTENCY WITH THE HOUSING ELEMENT, WE'RE RECOMMENDING ADOPTING THE ENTIRE PACKAGE, WHICH WOULD MAKE THE CHANGES ON ALL OF THE SITES WITHIN THE COASTAL ZONE.
AGAIN, WE'RE HAPPY TO ELABORATE ON ANY OF THOSE POINTS OR TALK ABOUT A TIMELINE WITH OUR COORDINATION.
>> THANK YOU FOR THE VERY THOUGHTFUL RESPONSE.
NOT HAVING BEEN PRIVY TO THE LONG CONVERSATION THAT YOU'VE BEEN HAVING WITH NCTD.
I THINK IT WOULD BE HELPFUL TO HEAR THE TIMELINE OF THE CONVERSATIONS YOU'VE BEEN HAVING WITH THEM SO WE CAN BETTER UNDERSTAND THAT.
>> CERTAINLY, THANK YOU, COUNCIL MEMBER ACOSTA.
THIS TIMELINE HERE THAT YOU SEE PRESENTED REALLY TAKES US BACK TO THE, THERE WE GO.
WHEN THE CITY COUNCIL ADOPTED THE HOUSING ELEMENT IN APRIL OF 2021.
THE PURPOSE OF THAT IS TO NOTE THAT AS PART OF THAT ADOPTION, THE CITY COUNCIL GAVE DIRECTION TO STAFF TO FIND ALTERNATIVE SITES IN THE SOUTHWEST QUADRANT.
AS PART OF THAT EFFORT, IN AUGUST OF THAT SAME YEAR, WE BROUGHT BACK TO YOU SEVERAL PROPERTIES IN THE SOUTHWEST QUADRANT OF THE CITY FOR THE PURPOSE OF FINDING SOME ALTERNATIVE SITES.
ONE OF THOSE SITES THAT ROSE TO THE TOP WAS THE POINT CIA COSTER STATION.
IN FEBRUARY OF THE NEXT YEAR, CITY COUNCIL IDENTIFIED THE SITES THAT STAFF WOULD STUDY FOR THE ACTUAL REZONING, INCLUDING AGAIN, THE POINT CITY A COASTER STATION SITE.
BEGINNING IN 2023, AND THIS IS INDICATED BY THE FOUR STARS ON THE MAP.
CITY STAFF ARRANGED FOR MEETINGS BETWEEN NORTH COUNTY TRANSIT DISTRICT, ITS DEVELOPMENT PARTNER, RANGE TREE PARTNERS, AS WELL AS THE WILDLIFE AGENCIES AND COASTAL COMMISSION TO BEGIN DISCUSSING THE FEASIBILITY OF DEVELOPMENT AT THE POINT CITY A COASTER STATION SITE.
THAT FIRST MEETING TOOK PLACE.
ACTUALLY, THERE WERE TWO MEETINGS THAT TOOK PLACE IN OCTOBER AND DECEMBER OF 2023.
AFTER THAT, THE CITY COUNCIL OFFICIALLY APPROVED THE RE ZONE PROGRAM IS SETTING IN PLACE THE REDESIGNATION OF THE POINT CITY A COASTER STATION SITE FROM NOT ONLY TRANSIT USE, BUT NOT JUST TRANSIT USES, BUT TRANSIT, AS WELL AS RESIDENTIAL.
MEETINGS WITH THE WILDLIFE AGENCIES AND NORTH COUNTY TRANSIT DISTRICT CONTINUED IN 2024.
AS YOU KNOW, THE CHANGES THAT CITY COUNCIL APPROVED IN JANUARY OF 2024.
IN AUGUST OF 2025 WERE CONSIDERED BY THE COASTAL COMMISSION, WHICH OF COURSE, APPROVED THE REZONING PROGRAM WITH THE SUGGESTED MODIFICATIONS THAT WE'RE DISCUSSING TONIGHT.
[00:30:04]
I SHOULD NOTE AS WELL, THE FINAL STAR ON THIS IS AN INDICATION OF A MEETING THAT WAS HELD JUST PRIOR TO THAT COASTAL COMMISSION MEETING WHEN ON AUGUST 7, WE HELD THE LAST OF OUR MEETINGS WITH THE WILDLIFE AGENCIES TO DISCUSS THE UPDATED SITE PLAN THAT MR. LARDY MENTIONED THAT SHOWED THE BUILDINGS BEING PULLED BACK.IN ADDITION, THESE SUGGESTED MODIFICATIONS THAT ARE BEING CONSIDERED TONIGHT ACTUALLY ARE A REDUCTION OF THOSE THAT WERE FIRST DRAFTED BY THE COASTAL COMMISSION STAFF AND PRESENTED TO CITY STAFF FOR CONSIDERATION.
I DO WANT TO POINT OUT THAT THERE WERE SEVERAL ACTUALLY THAT WERE REMOVED AND THEY'RE LISTED HERE.
FOR EXAMPLE, COASTAL COMMISSION STAFF IDENTIFIED THE DESIRE TO CONDUCT AN ALTERNATIVES ANALYSIS ON THE PROPERTY.
TO STUDY THE RELOCATION OF DRAINAGE INFRASTRUCTURE TO DISCUSS REMOVAL OF ONE OF THE THREE BRIDGES THAT CROSSES OVER THE VERNAL POOLS.
FINALLY, TO DEVELOP OR COORDINATE A PUBLIC AWARENESS PROGRAM OR EFFORT EVERY FIVE YEARS BETWEEN THE CITY, OTHER AGENCIES, AS WELL AS NORTH COUNTY TRANSIT DISTRICT.
CITY STAFF DIDN'T FEEL THESE ADDITIONAL SUGGESTED MODIFICATIONS WERE APPROPRIATE, COASTAL COMMISSION STAFF IN TURN DELETED THEM AND THEY ARE NOT REFLECTED IN THE SUGGESTED MODIFICATIONS.
>> THANK YOU. IT SEEMS LIKE THERE WAS A BIT OF NEGOTIATION AND CONVERSATION ALSO WITH COASTAL COMMISSION TO REMOVE THESE ADDITIONAL SUGGESTIONS, IS THAT RIGHT?
>> THEY WERE ASKING FOR A LOT MORE.
THANK YOU. I THINK THOSE ARE ALL MY QUESTIONS. THANKS.
>> ANY OTHER QUESTIONS FROM COUNSEL, MISS BO PATEL?
>> YES. THANK YOU. THANKS TO MY COLLEAGUE FOR ASKING THAT QUESTION BECAUSE THAT WAS DEFINITELY ONE OF MINE AS WELL JUST SO WE COULD WALK SOME OF THE THINGS IN TERMS OF THE ISSUES THAT WERE BROUGHT UP BY NCTD.
ONE THING THAT I'D LIKE TO GO INTO FURTHER, IF YOU WOULDN'T MIND, JUST A LITTLE BIT MORE IS I KNOW, THERE'S A DELINEATION HERE IN TERMS OF ALL OR NOTHING, AND I KNOW THAT WE FEEL THAT WE ARE AT AN ALL OR NOTHING STANDPOINT, BUT THEN THE NCTD IS SAYING THAT WE'RE NOT FACED WITH IT.
I'M JUST CURIOUS IF WE COULD MAYBE JUST TALK ABOUT THAT SPECIFIC ONE AND THAT'S UNDER NUMBER SEVEN FROM THEIR LETTER, AND THEN I KNOW WE HAD A RESPONSE TO THAT AS WELL.
>> YES, THANK YOU. I'LL START AND THEN IF SCOTT WANTS TO DATA IN.
WE RECONFIRMED AGAIN, AS RECENTLY AS THIS AFTERNOON WITH COASTAL COMMISSION THAT WHEN THEY PROPOSE MODIFICATIONS TO US AS PART OF OUR LOCAL COASTAL PROGRAM, THEY SENT THEM TO US AND THEIR LETTER STATED THAT WE CAN ADOPT THEM OR NOT ADOPT THEM.
YOU THE DECISION MAKERS ARE GIVEN THE CHOICE TO NOT ADOPT THEM.
BUT THE ONLY OTHER OPTION WOULD BE TO WITHDRAW THE ENTIRE APPLICATION, RESUBMIT THE ENTIRE APPLICATION, BUT IT WOULD START AN ADDITIONAL TWO YEAR CLOCK WITH THE OTHER HOUSING ELEMENT SITES.
WE THINK THAT WOULD POTENTIALLY COMPROMISE OUR HOUSING ELEMENT IMPLEMENTATION BECAUSE ROUGHLY HALF OF THE SITES WERE IN THE COASTAL ZONE, HALF THE SITES WERE OUTSIDE OF THE COASTAL ZONE FOR THERE.
>> THANK YOU FOR THAT CLARIFICATION.
ALL OF MY OTHER QUESTIONS HAVE BEEN ANSWERED. THANKS.
>> ANY OTHER COMMENTS? MISS BO PATEL.
>> THANK SO MUCH. I JUST WANT TO THANK OUR STAFF, OF COURSE, FOR WORKING ON THIS.
AND I THINK ONE OF THE THINGS I WANTED TO CLARIFY, OBVIOUSLY, I'M A COUNCIL MEMBER HERE IN THE CITY, AND THEN ALSO I'M THE CHAIR OF NORTH COUNTY TRANSIT DISTRICT.
BUT WHEN I'M SITTING HERE, I'M OBVIOUSLY GOING TO MAKE SURE THAT I'M REPRESENTING WHAT'S BEST FOR OUR CITY AND FOR OUR RESIDENTS.
AND SO I WANT TO OBVIOUSLY ACKNOWLEDGE THAT NCTD HAS TAKEN A DIFFERENT POSITION, AND THANK THEM FOR WRITING IN AND OBVIOUSLY MAKING SURE THAT WE'RE AWARE OF WHAT'S GOING ON.
I THINK THAT THEIR PERSPECTIVE FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND, I HAD A CHANCE TO SPEAK TO THEM AND OBVIOUSLY, I'VE SEEN THE LETTER COME THROUGH COMES FROM THEIR OWN REGIONAL LENS, AND FOR US I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE TAKING RESPONSIBILITY FOR OUR CITY AND OUR JURISDICTION, AND CLEARLY WE'VE DONE EVERYTHING POSSIBLE TO BE METHODICAL AND MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE WORKING WITH ALL PARTIES INVOLVED TO ENSURE THAT WE'RE MOVING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION, AND ESPECIALLY WITH REGARDS TO THE HOUSING ELEMENT.
IT TAKES SO LONG FOR US TO GO THROUGH THAT PROCESS AND I KNOW THAT THE CERTIFICATION IS SO IMPORTANT TO US.
I THINK MAKING SURE THAT WE CONTINUE TO MOVE THOSE THINGS ALONG ARE SO CRITICAL.
OBVIOUSLY, I DON'T WANT TO DISMISS THE CONCERNS THAT NCTD BROUGHT UP.
BUT AT THE SAME TIME, IT'S MAKING SURE THAT WE HAVE GOOD GOVERNANCE DOES REQUIRED TO LOOK AT IT FROM A MULTI LAYERED APPROACH.
THAT WAS WHY WHEN I TALKED TO OUR TEAM INTERNALLY AND THEN OBVIOUSLY HEARING WHAT YOU ALL HAD TO SAY AND WHAT NCTD HAD TO SAY.
[00:35:04]
ALL I WOULD SAY IS AS WE CONTINUE TO LOOK FORWARD, MAKING SURE THAT WE ALL STAY IN GOOD COMMUNICATION, WHICH IT SOUNDS LIKE WE'RE CONTINUING TO DO.IT'S SO IMPORTANT FOR US WHEN THESE TYPES OF THINGS COME UP THAT WE'RE JUST STAYING IN REALLY GOOD COMMUNICATION.
BUT OTHER THAN THAT, I'LL OF COURSE BE SUPPORTING THIS STAFF RECOMMENDATION TODAY BECAUSE IT'S IN THE BEST INTEREST OF OUR CITY.
BUT AGAIN, LOOK FORWARD TO CONTINUING TO STRENGTHEN OUR PARTNERSHIP WITH THE AGENCY. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. I REALLY APPRECIATE THE COMMENTS FROM MY COLLEAGUE WHO SERVES ON THE NCT BOARD AS CHAIR.
IN READING THE LETTER, THE REASON I ASKED ABOUT IT IS BECAUSE I WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THE IDEA THAT WE MIGHT BE GIVING UP SOME JURISDICTION OR SOME AUTHORITY THAT WAS IMPLIED IN THE LETTER FROM NCTD.
YOU ANSWERED THOSE QUESTIONS BEAUTIFULLY.
CLEARLY, YOU'VE THOUGHT THROUGH THE ISSUES VERY CAREFULLY AND THOUGHTFULLY.
BOTH THESE LOCATIONS ARE PRETTY KEY IN DISTRICT 3 AND DISTRICT 4 AND OUTSIDE OF THE INFILL OF THE NORTH PART OF THE CITY WHERE WE KNOW THAT THERE'S SOME PRESSURE FROM THE COMMUNITY TO SAY, PLEASE LOOK THROUGHOUT THE CITY, AND WE FOUND OTHER PLACES.
I'M SO PLEASED THAT WE ARE GETTING THROUGH MAKING THESE CORRECTIONS SO THAT EVERYONE CAN BE ON BOARD WITH THIS.
I'M SORRY THAT WE CAN'T BRING NCTD ALONG A LITTLE BIT BETTER, BUT I'M HAPPY TO SUPPORT THIS.
AND I'M NOT SURE IF MY COLLEAGUE WANTED TO MAKE THE MOTION.
>> ANY OTHER COMMENTS? PLEASE VOTE.
>> ONE POINT OF CLARIFICATION.
>> MAKE SURE THAT THE MOTION INCLUDES THE ADDITIONAL MATERIALS MEMO?
>> DO WE NEED TO MAKE THIS NEW MOTION OR IS THAT OKAY?
NEXT IS ITEM NUMBER 7, CITY MANAGER.
[7. ORDINANCE NO. CS-498 – ADOPTING THE CALIFORNIA BUILDING CODE AND RELATED CALIFORNIA CODES FOR CONSTRUCTION, ALONG WITH LOCAL AMENDMENTS (MCA 2025-0001) ]
>> ITEM 7 IS AN ORDINANCE ADOPTING THE CALIFORNIA BUILDING CODE AND RELATED CALIFORNIA CODES FOR CONSTRUCTION, ALONG WITH LOCAL AMENDMENTS.
FOR THE PRESENTATION AS ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, MIKE STRONG.
>> THANK YOU AND GOOD EVENING.
FOR THE RECORD, MIKE STRONG, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT.
ON NUMBER FOURTH, CITY COUNCIL INTRODUCED AT A FIRST READING ORDINANCE NUMBER CS 498 TO ADOPT THE CALIFORNIA BUILDING STANDARDS CODE.
THAT INCLUDES 12 OF 13 PARTS, THE ONE PART THAT IS EXCLUDED IS THE FIRE CODE, AND THAT IS TO BE REVIEWED AND CONSIDERED THROUGH A SEPARATE ORDINANCE.
WHEN ADOPTING ORDINANCES, TYPICALLY, THE CITY COUNCIL WILL HAVE THE PUBLIC HEARING AT THE FIRST READING, AND THE SECOND READING AND ADOPTION IS THROUGH A STREAMLINED PROCESS.
WHEN ADOPTING ORDINANCES BY REFERENCE, OTHER PUBLISHED CODES OR COMPILATIONS OF ORDINANCES, SUCH AS THE STATE MODEL CODE.
THERE'S A SPECIFIC PROCEDURE IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA AND THE GOVERNMENT CODE 50022 REQUIRES A PUBLIC HEARING AT THE SECOND READING.
THAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THIS EVENING'S AGENDA.
THE APPLICATION MATERIALS AND THE ORDINANCE IS THE SAME THAT WAS PREVIOUSLY REVIEWED AND CONSIDERED BY THE CITY COUNCIL ON NOVEMBER 4.
I'M AVAILABLE TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS.
>> CAN YOU OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING MAYOR?
>> OPENING THE PUBLIC HEARING. DO YOU HAVE ANY SPEAKERS?
>> THANK YOU. WE HAVE NO SPEAKERS.
>> THANK YOU. CLOSING THE PUBLIC HEARING.
MOTION ON THE TWO ORDINANCES, PLEASE.
>> YES. MOVE ADOPTION OF THE ORDINANCES. SECOND.
[8. ORDINANCE NOS. CS-499 AND CS-500 – ADOPTING THE 2025 CALIFORNIA FIRE CODE AND THE 2025 CALIFORNIA WILDLAND-URBAN INTERFACE CODE, ALONG WITH LOCAL AMENDMENTS]
>> ITEM NUMBER EIGHT IS AN ORDINANCE ADOPTING THE 2025 CALIFORNIA FIRE CODE AND THE 2025 CALIFORNIA WILDLAND URBAN INTERFACE CODE ALONG WITH LOCAL AMENDMENTS.
FOR THE PRESENTATION, WE HAVE FIRE DIVISION CHIEF DARCY DAVIDSON, CHIEF.
>> GOOD EVENING MAYOR PRO TEM, AND MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL.
I'M DARCY DAVIDSON, DIVISION CHIEF FIRE MARSHAL.
TO FOLLOW UP ON THE PREVIOUS ITEM, A LOT OF THIS IS ON REPEAT.
THIS IS LOOKING AT THE TWO ITEMS THAT WERE NOT COVERED UNDER THE OTHER BUILDING CODES.
TONIGHT IS A SECOND READING TO ADOPT THE CALIFORNIA FIRE CODE WITH LOCAL AMENDMENTS, AND ALSO THE NEW CALIFORNIA WILD LAND URBAN INTERFACE CODE WITH LOCAL AMENDMENTS.
SIMILAR TO THE PREVIOUS ITEM AT THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING ON NOVEMBER 4, ORDINANCE NUMBER CS 499 AND CS 500 WERE INTRODUCED FOR THEIR FIRST READING, AND CITY COUNCIL VOTED TO INTRODUCE THOSE ORDINANCES.
[00:40:03]
AS PREVIOUSLY STATED, ANY UPDATES TO THE MODEL CODE THAT ARE ADOPTED BY REFERENCE PER THE GOVERNMENT CODE, NEED TO HAVE A SECOND READING WITH A PUBLIC HEARING.WE'RE HERE TONIGHT TO COVER THAT.
FOLLOWING THE ADOPTION, OR FOLLOWING THE PUBLIC HEARING, IT WOULD BE A RECOMMENDATION THAT WE WOULD APPROVE AND ADOPT THESE TWO ORDINANCES.
I'M AVAILABLE TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS IF NEEDED.
>> OPENING THE PUBLIC HEARING, DO WE HAVE ANY SPEAKERS?
>> THERE ARE NO SPEAKERS ON THIS ITEM.
>> CLOSING THE PUBLIC HEARING.
ANY QUESTIONS FROM COUNSEL, COMMENTS FROM COUNSEL? MOTION, PLEASE.
>> MOVE ADOPTION OF BOTH ORDINANCES AND ITEM 8. SECOND?
[9. HOMELESSNESS ACTION PLAN FISCAL YEAR 2024-25 ANNUAL REPORT AND FISCAL YEAR 2026-27 FUNDING PLAN ]
>> THANK YOU. ITEM 9 IS THE HOMELESS ACTION PLAN, FISCAL YEAR 2024, '25 ANNUAL REPORT AND FISCAL YEAR 2026, '27 FUNDING PLAN.
FOR THE PRESENTATION, WE HAVE HOMELESS SERVICES MANAGER CHRIS SCHELLING, AND POLICE LIEUTENANT SEAN LAWTON.
>> THANK YOU. GOOD EVENING, MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS.
AS THE CITY MANAGER SAID, I'M HOMELESS SERVICES MANAGER CHRIS SCHILLING, AND PRESENTING WITH ME TONIGHT IS LIEUTENANT SEAN LAWTON FROM THE CARLSBAD POLICE DEPARTMENT.
TONIGHT, WE'LL BE PRESENTING THE ANNUAL HOMELESSNESS REPORT, WHICH COVERS THE PERIOD FROM JULY 1, 2024 TO JUNE 30, 2025, AS WELL AS THE ANNUAL FUNDING PLAN FOR FISCAL YEAR 2026, '27.
THE CITY'S HOMELESSNESS ACTION PLAN WAS APPROVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL IN FEBRUARY 2023, AND WE ARE NOW ABOUT HALFWAY THROUGH THE FIVE YEAR PLAN.
WE ARE HAPPY TO REPORT THAT MOST OR ALL THE INITIATIVES AND ACTIONS WITHIN THE PLAN ARE CURRENTLY UNDERWAY OR HAVE BEEN COMPLETED.
TROUGH THE FIVE YEAR HOMELESSNESS ACTION PLAN, THE CITY MAINTAINS THREE KEY AREAS OF FOCUS.
THESE INCLUDE SHELTER AND HOUSING, OUTREACH AND ACCESS TO SERVICES AND PUBLIC SAFETY.
THE DATA WE'RE PRESENTING TONIGHT FOR THE ANNUAL REPORT ALSO FALLS INTO THESE THREE CATEGORIES.
WE'D LIKE TO START BY HIGHLIGHTING THE YEAR OVER YEAR INCREASE WE SAW IN HOUSING PLACEMENTS.
WE CONSIDER HOUSING PLACEMENTS THE MOST CRITICAL METRIC WE HAVE BECAUSE PEOPLE REMAIN HOMELESS UNTIL THEY FINALLY HAVE A PERMANENT PLACE TO LIVE.
WE WENT FROM 89 CITY FUNDED HOUSING PLACEMENTS IN THE PREVIOUS FISCAL YEAR TO 148 PLACEMENTS LAST YEAR.
THAT'S A 66% INCREASE AND IS MAINLY ATTRIBUTED TO THE INCREASED GRANT FUNDING FOR HOUSING ASSISTANCE, WHICH HAS ALLOWED US TO CONTINUE TO HELP MORE PEOPLE.
ONE EXAMPLE OF A RECENT SUCCESS STORY IS ROBERT, WHO WAS CHRONICALLY HOMELESS IN CARLSBAD FOR MANY YEARS, INTERACTING WITH THE OUTREACH TEAM, BUT CONTINUED TO EXPERIENCE SETBACKS THAT KEPT HIM FROM ENDING HIS HOMELESSNESS.
BECAUSE OUR OUTREACH TEAMS KEPT REACHING OUT AND WORKING WITH HIM, HE WAS FINALLY ABLE TO ENTER OUR HUD FUNDED PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING PROGRAM.
WITH THIS PROGRAM, HE HAS A VOUCHER TO HELP HIM PAY THE RENT AND THE SUPPORTIVE SERVICES HE NEEDS TO REMAIN STABLE.
WITH THIS SUPPORT, HE WAS ABLE TO GET HIS VITAL DOCUMENTS TOGETHER AND HANDLE ALL HIS OUTSTANDING FINES WITH THE COURTS.
THIS ALLOWED HIM TO FINALLY GET HIS DRIVER'S LICENSE REINSTATED.
HE TOLD HIS CASE MANAGER WHEN HIS FIRST UTILITY BILL ARRIVED WITH HIS NAME ON IT, HE FINALLY FELT LIKE HE WAS A HUMAN AGAIN.
HERE'S A HIGH LEVEL OVERVIEW OF SOME OF THE RESULTS FROM ALL OUR CITY FUNDED PROGRAMS. AS YOU CAN SEE, THE PROGRAMS WE FUNDED SERVE 643 UNDUPLICATED PEOPLE, AND IN ADDITION TO THE PERMANENT HOUSING, HELPED 224 PEOPLE INTO TEMPORARY PLACEMENTS.
THIS INCLUDES PLACES LIKE SHELTERS, TREATMENT PROGRAMS, OR TEMPORARILY STAYING WITH FRIENDS OR FAMILY.
WE ALSO PREVENTED A 122 PEOPLE FROM BECOMING HOMELESS.
THIS SLIDE REPRESENTS DATA FROM ALL PROGRAMS OPERATING IN CARLSBAD, WHETHER FUNDED BY THE CITY OR NOT.
ALL PROGRAMS SERVED 717 UNDUPLICATED PEOPLE AND HELPED 165 PEOPLE ENTER HOUSING.
OF THE PEOPLE THAT WERE SERVED DURING THE YEAR, 191 WERE NEW AND HAD NOT RECEIVED ANY HOMELESS SERVICES BEFORE.
THIS IS A 36% INCREASE FROM THE PREVIOUS YEAR.
BECAUSE OF THE NUMBER OF NEW PEOPLE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS FOR THE FIRST TIME, CITY STAFF ARE RECOMMENDING A SHIFT IN THE OPERATIONAL FUNDING AT THE CARLSBAD SERVICE CENTER TO FOCUS ON HOMELESSNESS PREVENTION AND DIVERSION.
WE HAVE THREE STATE ENCAMPMENT RESOLUTION FUNDING GRANTS AND WE'LL BE HIGHLIGHTING THEIR RESULTS SO FAR.
THE FIRST COVERS THE VILLAGE AREA AROUND CITY HALL, HOLIDAY PARK, AND PINE PARK.
IT REMAINS ON TRACK TO MEET ITS OUTCOME GOALS, HELPING 59 PEOPLE INTO PERMANENT HOUSING AND 93 PEOPLE INTO TEMPORARY PLACEMENTS SINCE JULY 2023.
[00:45:06]
OUR JOINT PROJECT WITH OCEANSIDE IS ONE EXAMPLE OF OUR REGIONAL COLLABORATION.THE PROJECT CONCLUDED ITS FIRST ENCAMPMENT CLEANUP ZONE ALONG THE BUENA VISTA CREEK, AND FROM APRIL TO MID JULY, HELPED 59 OF THE PEOPLE LIVING THERE INTO PERMANENT HOUSING.
THE ENCAMPMENT WAS THEN CLOSED, AND SINCE THAT TIME, IT HAS NOT BEEN REPOPULATED WITH ANY PEOPLE, 30 TONS OF TRASH WERE REMOVED AND IT CONTINUES TO REMAIN CLEAR.
BECAUSE THE PEOPLE HELPED THROUGH THIS GRANT INCLUDE PEOPLE IN OCEANSIDE AND CARLSBAD, THESE NUMBERS AREN'T INCLUDED IN OUR OVERALL TOTAL.
IF THEY WERE, OUR PERMANENT HOUSING OUTCOMES WOULD BE OVER 200 PEOPLE.
THIS IS A BEFORE AND AFTER PICTURE OF THE FIRST ENCAMPMENT AREA TO DEMONSTRATE THE DIFFERENCE.
AND HERE'S ANOTHER BEFORE AND AFTER OF THE AREA.
WHEN WE RETURN FOR OUR NEXT SEMI ANNUAL UPDATE, WE'LL BE ABLE TO REPORT ON THE SECOND ZONE WE HAVE BEEN WORKING ON, WHICH IS LOCATED IN CARLSBAD.
OUR FINAL STATE GRANT IS FOR PEOPLE LIVING IN VEHICLES IN THE VILLAGE, BARRIO, AND BEACH AREA.
WE LAUNCHED IN JUNE 2025, STARTING WITH 35 PEOPLE.
SINCE THAT TIME, SEVEN PEOPLE HAVE MOVED INTO PERMANENT HOUSING AND FOUR PEOPLE INTO TEMPORARY PLACEMENTS.
NOW, I'LL HAND THE PRESENTATION OVER TO LIEUTENANT LAWTON TO COVER SOME OF THE PUBLIC SAFETY DATA.
>> GOOD EVENING, MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBERS.
AS YOU CAN SEE FROM THE SLIDE HERE.
THERE WAS A TOTAL OF 3,897 CALLS FOR SERVICE THAT WE HANDLED BOTH OFFICER INITIATED CALLS AS WELL AS DISPACT CALL THAT WERE CALLED IN BY CITIZENS.
THAT ACCOUNTS FOR 3.6% OF OUR TOTAL CALLS FOR SERVICE.
YOU CAN SEE THE COLLABORATIVE WORK WITH US AND HOUSING AND HOMELESS SERVICES HAS REALLY CONTRIBUTED TO A DROP IN POLICE CALLS FOR SERVICE, BOTH WITH DISPATCH CALLS AS WELL AS A 44% DECREASE IN OVERALL CALLS FOR SERVICE.
FROM THE FIRE DEPARTMENT SIDE, THEY HAD A TOTAL OF 736 CALLS WITH 445 INDIVIDUALS THAT WERE TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL, AND THAT WAS 6.1% OF THEIR CALLS THAT WERE RELATED TO HOMELESSNESS.
>> WE JUST WANTED TO POINT OUT THAT THIS IS THE FIRST YEAR.
WE STARTED REPORTING OUT ON THE FIRE DEPARTMENT CALLS FOR SERVICE, AND WHAT WE'RE SEEING IS CONSISTENCY THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.
SO WE'LL CONTINUE TO TRACK THAT AS WELL IN THE YEARS TO COME.
IN SUMMARY, HALFWAY THROUGH OUR HOMELESSNESS ACTION PLAN, THE CITY CONTINUES TO MAKE STEADY PROGRESS YEAR OVER YEAR.
THE DECREASE IN DISPATCH CALLS FOR SERVICE DEMONSTRATES PROGRESS IN REDUCING IMPACTS ON THE COMMUNITY.
WE ALSO HAD MORE THAN DOUBLE THE AMOUNT OF PEOPLE WHO TRANSITIONED TO PERMANENT HOUSING OR WERE PREVENTED FROM BECOMING HOMELESS.
BUT THE DATA IS SHOWING US THAT WE NEED TO CONTINUE AND INCREASE OUR PREVENTION WORK.
WE'RE RECOMMENDING A SHIFT WITH THE OPERATIONAL FUNDING AT THE CROSS BATH SERVICE CENTER TO FOCUS ON HOMELESSNESS PREVENTION AND DIVERSION.
NEXT, WE'LL COVER THE HOMELESS ACTION FUNDING PLAN FOR FISCAL YEAR 26 27.
THIS IS THE HIGH LEVEL OVERVIEW OF THE BUDGET AMOUNTS AND WHAT PERCENTAGE THEY ARE OVERALL AND FROM THE GENERAL FUND.
56% OF TOTAL FUNDING IS FOR DIRECT SERVICES.
THE MAJORITY OF THIS FUNDING IS FROM GRANTS AND CANNOT BE REDIRECTED.
THE LARGEST GENERAL FUND EXPENDITURE IS FOR THE POLICE HOMES OUTREACH TEAM AT 59%.
THIS COVERS SEVEN DAYS A WEEK OF PATROL, INCLUDING ONE SERGEANT AND SIX OFFICERS.
THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF RESOURCES BEING PROPOSED IS ABOUT $7.4 MILLION.
AS YOU CAN SEE, ON THIS SLIDE, WHEN COMPARING THE CURRENT YEAR TO THE NEXT YEAR, THERE IS AN 18% DECREASE IN TOTAL FUNDING, MOSTLY BECAUSE OF A DECREASE IN THE HOUSING ASSISTANCE CATEGORY.
THIS PIE CHART IDENTIFIES THE PERCENTAGES OF FUNDING FOR DIRECT SERVICES.
THE LARGEST AMOUNT OF DIRECT SERVICE FUNDING IS FOR THE SHELTER AND HOUSING CATEGORY AT 67% COMBINED.
WE THEN HAVE OUTREACH AT 30% AND EMPLOYMENT AND BENEFITS AT 3%.
THE MAIN CHANGE IN THE PROPOSED FUNDING PLAN IS THE DECREASE FROM THE CURRENT YEAR.
THERE ARE TWO REASONS FOR THIS DECREASE.
OUR THREE STATE ENCAMPMENT GRANTS PREVIOUSLY HAD THREE YEAR TERMS, BUT THE STATE HAS NOTIFIED THAT THEY ARE BEING EXTENDED TO FOUR YEARS.
THIS ALLOWS US TO PROVIDE THOSE SERVICES FOR LONGER BY SPREADING THEM OUT OVER A LONGER PERIOD OF TIME.
BUT MAINLY THE DECREASE IS ATTRIBUTED TO A CHANGE IN THE HUD CONTINUUM OF CARE FOCUS.
[00:50:01]
IN 2024, HUD ANNOUNCED THAT ITS AWARD PERIOD WOULD COVER TWO YEARS, WHICH MEANT AWARD WOULD BE RENEWED FOR FISCAL YEAR 2026, '27.HOWEVER, THIS YEAR, HUD ANNOUNCED THAT IT WAS RESCINDING THE TWO YEAR COMMITMENT AND WOULD INSTEAD MAKE FUNDING COMPETITIVE.
USUALLY, THE COMPETITION STARTS AROUND JUNE, BUT ON NOVEMBER 13, HUD RELEASED THE NOTICE OF FUNDING OPPORTUNITY, WHICH CAP THE AMOUNT OF AWARDS THAT CAN BE SPENT ON PERMANENT HOUSING AT 30%.
IN SAN DIEGO, WE SPEND ABOUT 90% OF FUNDING ON PERMANENT HOUSING.
THIS MEANS THE MAJORITY OF PROJECTS IN SAN DIEGO ARE BEING DEFUNDED.
WE WERE NOTIFIED BY THE REGIONAL TASK FORCE ON HOMELESSNESS THROUGH THE LOCAL PROCESS THAT OUR PROJECTS WILL NOT BE INCLUDED IN THE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FUNDING.
WITH THAT SAID, CITY STAFF INTEND TO APPLY FOR FUNDING FOR OTHER ELIGIBLE PROJECTS.
>> AT THIS POINT, THE HUD NOTICE IS OUT AND THE LOCAL COMPETITION IS UNDERWAY.
HOWEVER, THE NEW LOCAL SCORING CRITERIA FOR ANY NEW PROJECTS IS NOT OUT YET.
THE APPLICATIONS ARE DUE IN LESS THAN TWO WEEKS ON DECEMBER 15TH.
WHEN THE NEW SCORING IS OUT, STAFF WILL EVALUATE IF ANY PROJECTS THAT COULD BENEFIT OUR COMMUNITY WOULD BE COMPETITIVE FOR AN AWARD.
THIS WOULD ONLY BE SUPPORTIVE SERVICES OR TRANSITIONAL HOUSING PROJECTS.
IF SUCCESSFUL IN RECEIVING ANY HUD GRANTS, WE WILL NOT KNOW UNTIL POSSIBLY JUNE.
AT THIS TIME, STAFF ARE PROPOSING A FUNDING PLAN, WHICH DOESN'T INCLUDE HUD FUNDING TO BE INCORPORATED INTO THE DRAFT CITY BUDGET.
IN ADDITION TO THE LOSS OF CITY FUNDING, CITY STAFF WANT TO POINT OUT SEVERAL ANTICIPATED IMPACTS THIS HUD CHANGE WILL HAVE STARTING NEXT YEAR.
IF MORE PROGRAMS SHIFT TO TRANSITIONAL HOUSING, THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE COUNTED AS EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS WILL INCREASE.
THIS IS BECAUSE INDIVIDUALS IN TRANSITIONAL HOUSING ARE STILL CONSIDERED HOMELESS.
ALSO, BECAUSE TRANSITIONAL HOUSING IS A TEMPORARY PROGRAM, THERE WILL LIKELY BE MORE TEMPORARY OUTCOMES, BUT FEWER PERMANENT PLACEMENTS.
THIS ALSO AFFECTS THE POINT IN TIME COUNT NUMBERS STARTING WITH THE 2027 COUNT.
IN ADDITION TO LOOKING AT POTENTIAL HUD PROJECTS, STAFF WILL CONTINUE WORKING ON MANY OTHER ITEMS. IN SEPTEMBER 2025, WE CONVENE THE FIRST COLLABORATIVE MEETING WITH LOCAL FAITH BASED ORGANIZATIONS AND CONGREGATIONS WITH A FOLLOW UP MEETING IN OCTOBER.
WE HAVE PARTICIPATION FROM OVER TEN DIFFERENT FAITH BASED GROUPS, AND WE WILL CONTINUE TO CONVENE THESE MEETINGS THROUGHOUT THE NEXT YEAR.
ADDITIONALLY, STAFF WILL ALSO CONTINUE TO WORK WITH CATHOLIC CHARITIES ON INCREASING THE BED CAPACITY AT THE LA POSADA SHELTER, AND WE HOPE TO HAVE A POSITIVE UPDATE ON THAT EFFORT SOON.
FINALLY, THE 2026 ANNUAL POINT IN TIME COUNT IS SCHEDULED FOR JANUARY 29TH, AND THE VOLUNTEER PORTAL IS CURRENTLY OPEN FOR ANY COMMUNITY MEMBERS WHO WOULD LIKE TO PARTICIPATE.
THE ONLY ACTION REQUESTED THIS EVENING IS FOR THE CITY COUNCIL TO ADOPT A RESOLUTION RECOMMENDING THE APPROVAL OF THE FISCAL YEAR 2026 '27 HOMELESSNESS ACTION PLAN FUNDING PLAN.
THAT CONCLUDES OUR PRESENTATION AND WE'RE AVAILABLE TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS.
>> YES. WE HAVE TWO, TERRY JACOBS, FOLLOWED BY VANESSA FORSYTH.
RESIDENT OF DISTRICT 1, 148 INDIVIDUALS, 148, MANDY, CHRIS, JESSICA, CHRISTIAN, LIEUTENANT WATSON THE ENTIRE STAFF OF OUR SERVICE PROVIDERS.
THAT'S AN AMAZING ACCOMPLISHMENT.
BUT THERE'S ALWAYS A BUT, AND THAT BEING 191 INDIVIDUALS BECAME HOMELESS DURING THAT SAME PERIOD.
THIS FISCAL YEAR'S BUDGET WAS SIX PLUS MILLION DOLLAR, AND WITH ALL THE AVAILABLE SERVICES, WE STILL HAD OVER ONE INDIVIDUAL EVERY OTHER DAY FALL INTO HOMELESSNESS HERE IN CARLSBAD.
IF IT IS HAPPENING HERE, IT'S HAPPENING ALL OVER OUR COUNTY.
OUR CURRENT FISCAL YEAR'S BUDGET IS OVER NINE PLUS MILLION DOLLAR.
HOW LONG CAN WE CONTINUE THESE FUNDING LEVELS WHILE CONTINUALLY PLAYING CATCH UP? WHAT IS THE PRICE TAG TO ONCE AND FOR ALL AND THIS HOMELESSNESS ISSUE? WHAT MORE CAN WE DO? WELL, NUMBER 1, MAKE SURE THAT CARLSBAD ISN'T A MAGNET AND THAT WE ARE TRULY HELPING THOSE WITH TIES TO OUR CITY.
WE KNOW THAT THE HOMELESS POPULATION IS VERY TRANSITORY.
NUMBER 2, LOOK FOR REGIONAL ASSISTANCE.
HOMELESSNESS ISN'T A CRIME, BUT IT SHOULD BE UNDER THE PURVIEW OF PUBLIC HEALTH AND BEHAVIORAL HEALTH, WHICH ARE UNDER THE COUNTY'S JURISDICTION.
REGIONAL SOLUTIONS SHOULD CONTINUE TO BE EXPLORED SO THAT EACH JURISDICTION ISN'T REINVENTING THE WHEEL OR DUPLICATING SERVICES.
NUMBER 3, PERSUADE OUR STATE LEGISLATURE TO FUND PROP 36.
SUMMER STEPHAN, OUR SAN DIEGO DISTRICT ATTORNEY SPOKE AT THE JULY LEGISLATIVE SUBCOMMITTEE MEETING.
SHE SPOKE ON PROP 36, AND IT WAS ONE OF THE MOST ENCOURAGING PRESENTATIONS I'VE EVER SEEN FROM THIS PODIUM.
[00:55:02]
FUNDING WILL SAVE LIVES, PERIOD.FINALLY, CONTINUE TO LOOK FOR ORDINANCES THAT WILL GIVE LAW ENFORCEMENT THE TOOLS THEY NEED IN ORDER TO PERSUADE INDIVIDUALS TO ACCEPT THE SERVICES THAT ARE AVAILABLE AND GET THEM TO START THEIR JOURNEY TOWARDS THE STABLE HOUSING.
CASE AND POINT IS THE OVERNIGHT PARKING VAN.
THE AGENDA PACKET HIGHLIGHTED A NUMBER OF INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE NOW HOUSED AND ARE WORKING ON A PLAN.
YES, WE NEED TO SHOW COMPASSION, BUT THERE ARE ALSO NEEDS TO BE A NUDGE IN CONNECTION WITH SOME TOUGH LOVE WHILE ENCOURAGING LIFESTYLE CHANGES AND PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY. THANK YOU.
>> EVENING. MY NAME IS VANESSA FORSYTH AND I RESIDE IN CARLSBAD.
I WANT TO THANK THE STAFF FOR WHAT THEY'VE BEEN DOING IN THE PAST FEW YEARS IN TERMS OF ADDRESSING THE HOMELESS AND UNSHELTERED PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITY.
I BELIEVE THAT CARLSBAD IS ON RECORD FOR DOING AT.
I DO BELIEVE THAT THEY DO WORK REGIONALLY WITH OTHER COMMUNITIES AS SEEN BY SOME OF THE GRANTS THAT WE HAVE.
MY CONCERN IS THAT WE'VE SEEN A 36% INCREASE, AS WAS MENTIONED, IN TERMS OF THE AMOUNT OF PEOPLE WHO ARE NEWLY HOMELESS.
I ALSO WANT TO ADDRESS THAT PEOPLE WHO ARE LIVING IN THEIR VEHICLES, WHETHER IT'S A CAMPER OR A CAR ARE DOING SO BECAUSE THEY HAVE NO OTHER PLACE TO LIVE.
I DO NOT BELIEVE THAT THEY SHOULD BE FINED.
I KNOW THAT WE HAVE SIX PLUS OFFICERS PLUS ONE IN THE POLICE STAFF COMMITTED TO DOING OUTREACH, WHICH IS IMPORTANT, BUT TO BE FINED AND THEN LOSE WHATEVER YOU HAVE MORE FOR THESE PEOPLE WHO ARE ALREADY DESPERATE IS NOT OKAY.
I ALSO THINK THAT GIVEN WHAT'S HAPPENING, AND IT WILL CONTINUE TO HAPPEN IN TERMS OF US NOT BEING ABLE TO ACCESS GRANTS WITH THE REDUCED FEDERAL FUNDING, THAT BECAUSE WE AS A CITY MADE A COMMITMENT, I BELIEVE IN 2023 FOR FIVE YEARS TO COMMIT TO ADDRESSING THIS, THAT WE APPROPRIATE ADDITIONAL FUNDS TO FIND PERMANENT HOUSING FOR PEOPLE.
BECAUSE EVEN WITH TRANSITIONAL FINDING TEMPORARY HOUSING, THOSE PEOPLE ARE STILL HOMELESS, AND IT'S A REVOLVING DOOR BECAUSE THEY'LL GO TO ONE SHELTER.
MAYBE IF THEY CAN EVEN GET IN, THEN THEY ARE ONLY THERE TEMPORARILY AND THEN THEY MOVE TO ANOTHER PLACE BACK OUT ON THE STREET.
I THINK THAT AS A COMMITMENT FOR OUR CITY, WITH THE REDUCED HUD FUNDING, WITH FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, WITH THE REDUCED MONIES THAT WE'RE GETTING FROM THE STATE, WITH DRAWING OUT THE GRANTS THAT WE DO HAVE OVER TIME, WE HAVE LESS MONEY EACH YEAR TO REALIZE THAT.
THEN I JUST WANT TO SPEAK TO AS A MEMBER OF A FAITH COMMUNITY.
OUR CHURCH DOES THE INTERFAITH ROTATIONAL SHELTER ALONG WITH OTHER COMMUNITIES HERE A FAITH COMMUNITIES.
I REALLY APPRECIATE THE OUTREACH FOR COLLABORATIVE EFFORTS THAT MANDY MILLS ORGANIZATION HAS MADE, AND WE SEEK TO CONTINUE TO COLLABORATE.
WE ARE SEEING MORE CHRONICALLY DISPLACED PEOPLE.
THEY HAVE BEEN ON THE STREETS LONGER TERM.
>> THERE ARE NO OTHER SPEAKERS.
>> QUESTIONS OF STAFF. MISS COSTA.
>> THANK YOU. THANKS FOR THE PRESENTATION.
I JUST WANT TO SEE IF I COULD GET A LITTLE BIT MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE REGIONAL COLLABORATION BECAUSE WE DO KNOW AND BOTH PUBLIC COMMENT SPEAKERS BROUGHT UP THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO ARE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS ARE TRANSITORY.
THEY'RE NOT STAYING WITHIN CARLSBAD.
YOU MENTIONED THE FAITH COMMUNITY COLLABORATION THAT BEGAN LAST YEAR.
WHAT ELSE ARE WE DOING? MAYBE TALKING TO OTHER CITIES, THE COUNTY? WHAT ELSE ARE WE DOING?
>> YES, I THINK NORTH COUNTY IS TYPICALLY RECOGNIZED AS ONE OF THE LEADERS IN COLLABORATION AMONGST OUR CITIES.
FOR THE LAST FEW YEARS, THE CITY STAFF FROM EACH CITY THAT ARE WORKING ON HOMELESSNESS HAVE BEEN MEETING ONCE A MONTH TO TALK ABOUT COLLABORATIVE EFFORTS AND COORDINATION.
YOU'LL BE HAPPY TO KNOW THAT THAT WAS ACTUALLY A MEETING THAT WAS SET UP BY THE CITY OF CARLSBAD PRIOR TO MY ARRIVAL.
WE ALSO PARTICIPATE IN THE ALLIANCE FOR REGIONAL SOLUTIONS BRIDGE TO HOUSING NETWORK.
SO ALL THE CITIES PARTICIPATE IN THAT AS WELL AS NONPROFITS AND OTHER ORGANIZATIONS THAT ARE WORKING ON HOMELESSNESS.
WE ALSO ATTEND THE NORTH COUNTY COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP TEAM MEETINGS, WHICH IS A MEETING PUT ON BY THE COUNTY TO BRING NORTH COUNTY TOGETHER,
[01:00:04]
AND THEY DO HAVE A FOCUS ON HOUSING AND HOMELESSNESS, AS WELL AS SOME OTHER ISSUES LIKE FOOD INSECURITY.WE DO THAT AS WELL AS WE MENTIONED OUR ENCAMPMENT RESOLUTION FUNDING GRANT, WHICH WE PARTNERED WITH OCEANSIDE SO WE CAN WORK ON OUR SHARED ORDER AREA, AND THAT GOES ALONG THE 78 AND THE UNIQUE ASPECT OF THAT, IS VISTA ALSO HAS AN ERF GRANT NOW, IT TAKES OVER WHERE OUR STOP.
WE'RE ALSO COLLABORATING WITH VISTA EVEN THOUGH WE'RE NOT USING THE SAME FUNDING.
THERE'S A LOT OF COORDINATION AND COLLABORATION AND WE HOPE TO CONTINUE THAT INTO THE FUTURE.
>> THANK YOU. I JUST WANT TO HIGHLIGHT THAT WE ARE DOING A GREAT JOB.
YOU ALL ARE DOING A GREAT JOB WITH THE COLLABORATION, AND I THINK THAT WE SHOULD REALLY EMPHASIZE THAT. THANKS.
>> OTHER QUESTIONS. WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT 2.2 MILLION FOR POLICE, THAT COMES OUT OF OUR BUDGET, IS THAT CORRECT?
>> IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE THAT COMES OUT OF OUR BUDGET THAT'S NOT COVERED BY GRANTS, OR STATE, OR FEDERAL MONEY?
>> WE TYPICALLY SPEND THE GENERAL FUND ON ITEMS THAT WE CAN'T GET GRANTS FOR, LIKE THE POLICE SERVICES, LIKE THE MAJORITY OF THE HOMELESS SERVICE BUDGET, THE HOMELESS SERVICE DIVISION.
SOME OF IT CAN BE COVERED BY ADMINISTRATIVE FUNDS FROM GRANTS, BUT NOT ALL OF IT.
WE ALSO COVER THE URBAN CORE CLEANUPS, GO OUT AND CLEAN UP THE ENCAMPMENTS.
>> GENERALLY, WHEN I'M GOING TO ASK A QUESTION LIKE THIS, I GIVE YOU ADVANCE NOTICE, SO YOU CAN CHECK.
LIEUTENANT, CAN YOU GIVE ME AN IDEA? WE HAVE SIX OFFICERS AND A SERGEANT TO SIGN TO THE HOMELESS OUTREACH.
IF THEY'RE OUT LOOKING TO HELP HOMELESS AND THERE'S A BANK ROBBERY OR A DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, THEY CAN RESPOND TO THOSE AS WELL, IS THAT RIGHT?
>> YES. THEY WERE SPECIFICALLY SELECTED TO BE MEMBERS OF THE HOMELESS SAVAGE TEAM, BUT THEY'RE STILL POLICE OFFICERS AT HEART, SO THEY CAN STILL RESPOND TO OTHER CALLS AND OFTEN DO IF THEY'RE IN THE AREA OF A HOT CALL LIKE WHAT YOU MENTIONED A BANK ROBBERY OR SOME OTHER CRITICAL INCIDENT?
>> THE POINT I'M TRYING TO MAKE IS THAT THESE AREN'T SEVEN POSITIONS THAT ARE NOT REALLY POLICE OFFICERS, THEY'RE JUST HANDLING HOMELESS OUTREACH, BUT THEY'RE FULL FLEDGED POLICE OFFICERS WHO IF THEY'RE HELPING SOMEBODY WITH A HOMELESS ISSUE AND THERE'S A BANK ROBBERY OR SOMETHING, THEY SNAP INTO ACTION AND THEY CAN HANDLE THAT.
IT'S ACTUALLY PUTTING EXTRA OFFICERS ON THE STREETS.
DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA WHAT PERCENTAGE OF THEIR TIME IS DEDICATED TO HOMELESS OUTREACH, AND HOW MUCH IS DEDICATED TO MAYBE ANSWERING OUTSIDE OF HOMELESS POLICE RELATED CALLS?
>> I DON'T NOT HAVE A SPECIFIC PERCENTAGE, BUT JUST ANECDOTALLY FROM HEARING THE RADIO AND SO FORTH, I'D SAY PROBABLY 70-80% IS DEALING WITH HOMELESS RELATED ISSUES AND 20-30 WITH OTHER TYPE OF POLICE CALLS.
>> THANK YOU. ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I'VE BEEN PREACHING FOR SEVERAL YEARS NOW IS I TRY TO BREAK THIS UP INTO TO TWO GROUPS.
ONE IS THE GROUP OF HOMELESS WHO ARE HOMELESS BY NO CHOICE OF THEIR OWN.
THEY EITHER HAVE A MENTAL OR PHYSICAL DISABILITY THAT PREVENTS THEM FROM CARING FOR THEMSELVES, OR PEOPLE LIKE YOU AND ME, WHO ENOUGH BAD CIRCUMSTANCES HIT US ALL AT ONCE, WE COULD BE LIVING OUT OF THE BACK OF OUR CAR.
NOW, THESE ARE THE PEOPLE WHO NEED HELP, WANT HELP, PROBABLY THE EASIEST TO HELP BECAUSE THEY WANT TO COOPERATE, THEY WANT TO GET OUT OF THE CAR.
THEY WANT TO GET OUT OF LIVING ON THE STREETS.
I FEEL LIKE IF ANY OF THEM ARE IN THAT SITUATION AND NOT GETTING THE HELP, I FEEL LIKE SOCIETY HAS LET THEM DOWN.
I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT ANYBODY WHO WANTS TO BE OFF THE STREET, WE GET THEM OFF THE STREET.
BUT THEN THERE'S THE OTHER SIDE.
THERE'S PEOPLE WHO HAVE CHOSEN AND I'VE SPOKEN WITH THEM.
THEY JUST CHOOSE THEIR METH OVER A HOME, OR THEY CHOOSE TO BE HOMELESS BECAUSE THERE'S NO RESPONSIBILITIES WITH BEING HOMELESS, AND THEY CHOOSE TO BE THAT WAY. IN FACT, I HAD ONE.
WHEN I GAVE HIM THE OPTION OF SOME HELP, HE MADE THE COMMENT TO ME ABOUT WHY DO YOU THINK YOUR LIFESTYLE IS BETTER THAN MINE? YOU HAVE TO WORK. YOU HAVE HOUSE PAYMENTS.
YOU HAVE UNGRATEFUL CHILDREN, NAGGING WIFE, WHATEVER.
I DRINK IN THE PARK WITH MY FRIENDS ALL DAY.
WHY DO YOU THINK YOUR LIFESTYLE IS BETTER THAN MINE? WELL, IT'S HARD TO GET THOSE FOLKS OFF THE STREET ALSO.
I LOOK AT ONE SIDE WHERE WE NEED TO SPEND WHATEVER RESOURCES WE NEED TO DO TO GET THE PEOPLE WHO WANT TO BE OFF THE STREET.
THEN WE NEED TO HAVE PEOPLE WHO DECIDE THAT THEY WANT DRUGS MORE THAN A HOUSE OR JUST WANT TO LIVE ON THE STREETS BECAUSE THEY DON'T WANT TO TAKE ON LIFE'S RESPONSIBILITIES.
THAT SHOULD BE A POLICE ISSUE, AND THE POLICE SHOULD BE ADDRESSING THAT AND WHETHER THEY WANT TO CONTINUE TO GO TO JAIL FOR DRUG USE OR WHATEVER ELSE UNTIL THEY DECIDE THAT THEY WANT THE HELP AND THEY WANT TO COOPERATE WITH THE HELP.
[01:05:01]
THIS IS WHAT I'VE BEEN PREACHING. THIS IS WHAT I'VE BEEN ASKING FOR.IS THIS WHAT WE'RE DOING? HOW CLOSE ARE WE TO FULFILLING THAT DRIVE?
>> WE WORK VERY CLOSELY WITH THE HOMELESS OUTREACH TEAM, AND SO THEY'RE CONSTANTLY OUT ENFORCING THE LAWS, BUT ALSO OFFERING THE SERVICES, AND WHEN SOMEONE IS WILLING TO ACCEPT OR ENGAGE IN THE SERVICES, THEN WE ARE AVAILABLE TO CONNECT WITH THEM AND PROVIDE THEM.
IN ADDITION TO THAT, WITH THOSE SAME PEOPLE, WE'RE ALSO FOLLOWING UP WITH THEM WITH JUST THE SERVICES WITHOUT THE LAW ENFORCEMENT, SO THAT WE CAN CONTINUE TO BE THERE.
AT THE POINT WHEN THEY'RE READY TO ACCEPT HELP, THEN WE'LL BE AVAILABLE TO PROVIDE.
>> I THINK ONE OF THE BENEFITS ALSO OF HAVING THE HOMELESS OUTREACH TEAM PARTNERED WITH THE SOCIAL SERVICES IS THAT THOSE INDIVIDUALS THAT MAYBE DON'T NECESSARILY WANT THE HELP OR KNOW THAT THEY WANT THE HELP YET, WE CONTINUE TO CONTACT THEM OVER AND OVER AND AT SOME POINT, THEY MAY COME TO THE REALIZATION THAT LIVING ON THE STREET IS NOT FOR THEM AND THEY DO WANT THE HELP.
SO HAVING BUILT THOSE RELATIONSHIPS IS ONE OF THE BENEFITS OF HAVING THE HOMELESS OUTREACH OFFICERS OUT ON THE STREETS, CONTACTING AND ESTABLISHING RELATIONSHIPS.
>> I KNOW FIRSTHAND THAT THAT WORKS.
I'M NOT TELLING ANY STORIES THAT AREN'T ALREADY PUBLIC, BUT THE MAYOR OF ESCONDIDO, FOR INSTANCE, AT ONE POINT IN HIS LIFE, HE WAS HOMELESS AND HE DIDN'T WANT THE HELP.
BUT THE OFFICERS CONTINUED TO OFFER IT UNTIL THEY WORE HIM DOWN AND HE GOT THE HELP, AND HE WAS ABLE TO CHANGE HIS LIFE TO THE POINT WHERE NOW HE'S THE MAYOR OF ESCONDIDO.
WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT PUTTING PEOPLE INTO PERMANENT HOUSING, IS THAT THEM PAYING THEIR OWN RENT, OR ARE THEY STILL OUR DEPENDENT, OR WE'RE GOING TO PAY THE RENT, EVEN THOUGH THEY'RE IN WHAT YOU CALL PERMANENT HOUSING?
>> WE PURSUE ALL OPTIONS WITH THE RESOURCES THAT WE HAVE AVAILABLE, AND SO THERE'S A BROAD SPECTRUM OF PEOPLE THAT WE HELP AND BECAUSE THEY'RE WORKING AND THEY HAVE DIFFERENT JOBS, THEY MAY BE ABLE TO COBBLE TOGETHER ENOUGH TO PAY THE RENT OR WITH A ROOMMATE OR RENT A ROOM.
WE HAVE THE INTERMEDIARY, THAT'S USUALLY THE RAPID REHOUSING PROGRAM, AND THAT'S WHERE WE WILL PAY THEIR RENT FOR A CERTAIN PERIOD OF TIME, WE TITRATE THAT RENT OVER TIME, SO THEY START TO PAY MORE AND THE PROGRAM STARTS TO PAY LESS UNTIL THEY CAN TAKE IT OVER ON THEIR OWN AND THEY HAVE SOME SUPPORTIVE SERVICES.
THEN FOR THE PEOPLE THAT ARE REALLY CHRONICALLY HOMELESS HAVE BEEN HOMELESS FOR A LONG TIME.
THEY HAVE THE DISABILITY, PHYSICAL DISABILITY, MENTAL HEALTH DISABILITY.
THAT'S WHERE WE HAVE THE PROGRAM WHERE THEY RECEIVE A VOUCHER AND THE SUPPORTIVE SERVICES FOR LONG TERM BECAUSE THEY'RE JUST GOING TO NEED LONG TERM SUPPORT TO BE ABLE TO MAINTAIN THEIR HOUSING.
>> WELL, ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? THEN I'M JUST GOING TO MAKE A QUICK COMMENT.
>> MY LIMITED EXPERIENCE DEALING WITH HOMELESS FOLKS HAS BEEN THEY GIVE UP.
WHEN THEY DON'T HAVE ANY SELF RESPECT, THEY GIVE UP.
THEY DON'T EVEN THINK THEY'RE WORTHY OF THE HELP, AND THEY JUST LIVE A HORRIBLE EXISTENCE ON THE STREETS.
BUT IT SEEMS LIKE JUST LOOKING THEM IN THE EYE AND TALKING WITH THEM, TELLING YOU CARE, WHICH IS WHAT OUR HOMELESS OUTREACH OFFICERS ARE DOING, GIVES THEM A LITTLE BIT OF SELF RESPECT AND IT STARTS TO CHIP AWAY AT A BELIEF THAT THEY'RE NOT WORTH THE HELP.
I THINK IT'S GREAT AND I'LL MAKE THE COMMENT, I'VE MADE IT BEFORE.
THESE HOMELESS OUTREACH OFFICERS ARE NOT ASSIGNED TO BE HOMELESS OUTREACH OFFICERS.
THEY'VE APPLIED TO BE IN THAT JOB, WHICH MEANS THEY WANT TO HELP THE HOMELESS FOLKS.
THEY'RE NOT JUST PUSHED IN THERE AND TOLD TO DO IT, AND I THINK THAT MAKES A HUGE DIFFERENCE.
THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU'RE DOING.
BUT LOOKING AT THE NUMBERS THAT YOU'VE SHOWN US TONIGHT, IT SHOWS THAT YOUR EFFORTS ARE WORKING.
BUT I AGREE WITH ONE OF THE SPEAKERS, WHERE IT SEEMS LIKE WE'RE ONE STEP FORWARD, TWO STEPS BACK.
BUT AT LEAST WE'RE TAKING THAT ONE STEP FORWARD.
THANK YOU SO MUCH. OTHER COMMENTS. MISS BHAT-PATEL.
>> YES, THANK YOU. FIRST, I JUST WANT TO THANK OUR STAFF FOR ALL THE AMAZING WORK THAT YOU ALL HAVE PUT IN, AND OF COURSE, OUR REGIONAL PARTNERS TO JUST WORK TO CONTINUE TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE.
AS WE'RE SEEING OUR RESULTS, THEY'RE OBVIOUSLY NOT ACCIDENTAL.
THEY'RE CLEARLY A PRODUCT OF ALL OF THE WORK THAT YOU ALL HAVE PUT IN TO THIS, AND IT REALLY CONTINUES TO FOCUS ON OUTCOMES, AND I HAVE TO SAY, THANK YOU.
WE'RE SEEING THAT JUST LIKE THE MAYOR SAID, THE DATA SHOWS THAT WE'VE ACTUALLY BEEN MAKING A DIFFERENCE.
I KNOW THAT ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I'M MOST PROUD OF IS CARLSBAD HAS BUILT ONE OF THE MOST PROACTIVE AND EFFECTIVE HOMELESSNESS RESPONSE SYSTEMS IN THE REGION.
WE DIDN'T REALLY SIT THERE AND WAIT.
THAT WAS SOMETHING THAT YOU ALL CAME TO US WITH AND SAID, HEY, WE NEED TO INVEST IN THESE DIFFERENT THINGS, MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE INVESTING IN OUR OUTREACH TEAMS, OUR HOUSING NAVIGATION, OUR BEHAVIORAL HEALTH PARTNERSHIPS.
I THINK IT'S DEFINITELY A MODEL THAT PEOPLE LOOK TO IN ORDER TO CONTINUE TO REPLICATE THAT THROUGHOUT THE REGION.
[01:10:02]
I THINK IT'S WORKING CLEARLY, AND PEOPLE ARE BEING CONNECTED TO THE SERVICES, THEY'RE GETTING HOUSED FASTER.THEY'RE BEING SUPPORTED IN WAYS THAT REALLY INCREASES THAT STABILITY AND THAT'S WHAT WE WANT TO SEE.
I ALSO REALLY WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE HUMAN ELEMENT.
OUR TEAM IS MEETING PEOPLE WHERE THEY'RE AT, WHETHER IT'S IN OUR PARKS OR ON THE STREETS, OR IN THEIR CARS, YOU'RE TRYING TO HELP THEM MOVE TOWARDS SAFETY AND STABILITY, AND I REALLY WANT TO THANK YOU ALL FOR THAT.
IT'S NOT EASY WORK AND YOU SHOW UP EVERY DAY WITH PROFESSIONALISM, COMPASSION, CONNECTING WITH OUR COMMUNITY, AND JUST MAKING SURE THAT WE'RE DOING EVERYTHING WE CAN TO DO THAT OUTREACH IN A WAY IS NOT JUST A RESPONSE TO WHAT'S NEEDED, BUT YOU'RE THINKING PROACTIVELY AS TO WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE AND ADDRESSED, AND ONE THING I ALSO JUST WANTED TO POINT OUT IS THAT, AND THIS IS JUST IN GENERAL, HOMELESSNESS.
WE'RE SEEING IT GET EXACERBATED BECAUSE OF THE COST OF LIVING, STAGNANT WAGES, BEHAVIORAL HEALTH GAPS.
THE SIMPLE REALITY IS THAT HOUSING COSTS HAVE OUTPACED WHAT MANY FAMILIES CAN MANAGE.
IT'S JUST SOMETHING THAT AS POLICYMAKERS AS WE'RE SITTING UP HERE AND WE'RE MAKING THESE DECISIONS, AND WE'RE THINKING OF WAYS TO CONTINUE TO WANT TO FUND THESE PLANS, BUT THEN ALSO WHAT ELSE IS NEEDED? IT'S JUST SOMETHING THAT WE SHOULD BE CONTINUING TO THINK OF.
OBVIOUSLY CARLSBAD IS NOT IMMUNE TO THESE PRESSURES THAT WE'RE SEEING FOR COST OF LIVING AND ALL OF THE OTHER THINGS THAT I MENTIONED, AND WE FEEL THEM VERY MUCH SO.
I JUST WANT TO CELEBRATE THE PROGRESS THAT YOU ALL HAVE MENTIONED BECAUSE EVEN IN ALL OF THAT AND EVEN IN THE TIME THAT WE'RE IN, WE'RE STILL ABLE TO SHOW GOOD OUTCOMES, AND I THINK THAT'S WHAT'S EXCITING ABOUT THE PLAN THAT WE HAVE IN PLACE, AND WE JUST NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT AS POLICYMAKERS, WE'RE CONTINUING TO INVEST IN MORE ATTAINABLE AND WORKFORCE HOUSING AND JUST LOOKING TO DO WHATEVER WE CAN TO HELP YOU ALL MAINTAIN THOSE PARTNERSHIPS WITH THE COUNTY, SCHOOL DISTRICTS, AND NON PROFITS.
OTHER THAN THAT, I JUST WANT TO SAY I FULLY SUPPORT THE CONTINUED IMPLEMENTATION OF THIS PLAN AND JUST REALLY WANT TO THANK YOU ALL FOR THE TIRELESS WORK THAT YOU ALL ARE PUTTING IN.
JUST KNOW THAT WE ALL APPRECIATE YOU.
I KNOW IT'S A LOT DAY IN AND DAY OUT, BUT THANK YOU.
>> OTHER COMMENTS. MISS ACOSTA.
I FEEL LIKE THERE'S SUCH A HUGE AMOUNT OF GRATITUDE THAT WE HAVE FOR YOU.
IT'S NOT ENOUGH TO SAY, THANK YOU, BUT YOU ARE HERE, SO HOPEFULLY YOU'RE TAKING THAT BACK TO YOUR TEAMS AND THANKING THEM.
ALSO THE NONPROFIT SERVICE PROVIDERS IN OUR COMMUNITIES, OUR FAITH COMMUNITIES THAT WE'VE MENTIONED ON THE SLIDE SHOW AND MANY TIMES BEFORE, AND THEN THE INDIVIDUAL VOLUNTEERS.
I GET NOTES. PEOPLE ARE MAKING LASAGNA.
PEOPLE ARE OUT THERE DOING GREAT WORK TO HELP PEOPLE.
WE ARE A COMPASSIONATE COMMUNITY, WE CARE, WE WANT TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE, AND THAT'S WHY THE COMMUNITY IS SO SUPPORTIVE OF THIS COUNCIL INVESTING AND FINDING WAYS TO SUPPORT YOU ALL, OUR STAFF THAT ARE DOING THIS GREAT WORK.
WE TALKED ABOUT NOT JUST IN YOUR PRESENTATION TODAY, BUT IN OUR STAFF REPORT, OUR BY NAME LIST, WE'RE THE FIRST CITY IN THE COUNTY TO BE USING THAT BY NAME LIST, WHICH IS SO CRITICAL TO TRACK WHAT IS HAPPENING AND HOW WE'RE ABLE TO HELP PEOPLE.
OUR REGIONAL COLLABORATION THAT I ASKED THE QUESTION ABOUT, OUR HOT TEAM, THE OFFICERS WHO DO THE ROTATION WITH THE EXTRA TRAINING AND THE SPECIAL CARE TOWARDS WORKING WITH A SENSITIVE POPULATION.
WE WANT TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR HARD WORK AND CONTINUE TO SUPPORT YOU AND BE FLEXIBLE TO THE NEEDS THAT WE ALL HAVE IN LIGHT OF THE FACT THAT HOMELESSNESS IS INCREASING, OVERALL, NOT DUE TO US, NOT DUE TO WHAT WE'RE DOING, BUT JUST THE ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS, THE MACROECONOMICS, THE FACT THAT LIFE IS GETTING MORE EXPENSIVE, AND IT'S NOT JUST HERE.
IT'S NOT JUST CARLSBAD NORTH COUNTY, IT'S ALL OVER THE COUNTRY.
WE KNOW THAT THIS IS A REAL ISSUE THAT WE'RE ALL TRYING TO FIND DIFFERENT APPROACHES TO ADDRESS.
WE APPRECIATE YOU, AND AS WE HEAD INTO THE HOLIDAY SEASON, THERE'S SO MUCH MORE WORK TO BE DONE, SO WE'RE HERE FOR YOU. THANKS.
>> THANK YOU. YOU PUT A SLIDE REAL QUICK WHERE IT SHOWED THE REDUCTION OF CALL VOLUMES FOR PD, AND MY COMMENTS ON THIS IS, SO MY TIME IN THE FIRE SERVICE WAS LIKE 10, 15 CALLS OF HOMELESS INCIDENTS PER DAY, WHICH EQUATES TO 30 MINUTES TO AN HOUR OF JUST BEING THERE ON SCENE, AND THEN YOU FOLLOW UP WITH THE ADMINISTRATIVE WORK, AND ONE OF THE THINGS, I WAS FRUSTRATED BEING UP THERE BECAUSE IT JUST FELT LIKE A REVOLVING DOOR, AND THERE WAS NO ONE PROVIDING ANY POLICIES FOR SERVICES TO HELP, AND WE'RE NOT IN A POSITION TO TO DO ANYTHING MORE THAN WHAT WE WERE DOING, WHICH WAS RESPONDING.
WHEN I SEE SERVICES LIKE THIS THAT OUR CITY PROVIDES, I'M SEEING A DUAL RETURN ON INVESTMENT.
[01:15:02]
ONE, I ACTUALLY SEE THE FINANCIAL SIDE OF WHERE THIS IS A RETURN ON INVESTMENT.OUR CALL VOLUMES DECREASE FROM PD, AND SO THAT BUDGET IS IN PLAY, MEANING THAT FOR EVERY DOLLAR WE SPEND TO HELP THE HOMELESS, WE'RE GETTING A RETURN ON INVESTMENT IN REGARDS TO THE FACT THAT PUBLIC SAFETY OFFICERS CAN THEN SPEND TIME ELSEWHERE, WHETHER IT'S PD WORKING ON CRIME.
OR IF I DON'T HAVE TO HUG A WALL AT EMERGENCY ROOM AND WAIT HOURS BECAUSE MY PATIENT IS JUST DRUNK WHEN THERE'S A HEART ATTACK CALL THAT COMES OUT DOWN THE STREET.
BIG KUDOS FOR THE SERVICE ON JUST THAT.
THE OTHER RETURN ON INVESTMENT THAT I ALWAYS END UP SEEING IS THE CIVIC SIDE OF IT.
I HAD THE FORTUNATE SIDE OF HAVING A RESTAURANT DURING COVID AND DURING THAT TIME, YOU WOULD HIRE ANYBODY WHO IS WILLING TO WORK BECAUSE NOBODY WANT TO WORK DURING THAT TIME.
THERE WAS PEOPLE WHO WERE COMING UP WHO WERE HOMELESS, PEOPLE WHO DIDN'T HAVE CARS, AND I'M LIKE, GET IN THERE AND START WASHING SOME DISHES.
I'LL SHOW YOU HOW I'LL DO THE WHOLE THING.
THOSE LATE NIGHTS, YOU START HAVING CONVERSATIONS WITH THESE FOLKS AND FOR HOW JADED I WAS IN THE FIRE SERVICE BECAUSE I JUST KEPT SEEING PEOPLE WHO FELT LIKE WHAT THE MAYOR WAS SAYING, JUST DID NOT WANT TO GET ANY HELP WHATSOEVER, AND THEY WANT TO LIVE ON THE STREETS.
YOU START REALIZING HOW MUCH THEY JUST TRY TO SAY THINGS SO THAT THEY DON'T FEEL SHAMED OF THEMSELVES ANYMORE.
THEY SAY THINGS LIKE, HEY, I'M JUST GOING TO GET DRUNK IN A PARK OR THIS OR THAT, I'M HAVING FUN. LIFE IS GOOD.
BUT THE REALITY IS WHEN YOU BREAK THEM APART, YOU PULL THE ONIONS BACK AND YOU REALLY START TO GET TO KNOW THEM, YOU SEE WHAT TOOK PLACE IN THEIR LIVES.
IT COULD HAVE BEEN A TRAUMATIC MOMENT THAT GOT THEM OUT IN THE STREETS OR IT COULD HAVE BEEN A CASCADING THING FROM BIRTH THAT CAUSED THEM TO END UP THERE.
ONE WAY OR THE OTHER, IT'S EXTREMELY HARD TO TAKE SOMEBODY FROM POSITION THAT LOW IN SOCIETY AND EVEN GIVE THEM ONE NOTCH UP.
PEOPLE KEEP SAYING, WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO WITH THEM? WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO HERE? THE REAL THING IS IT TAKES A HUGE INVESTMENT FROM ALL OF OUR COMMUNITIES, REGIONALLY, AND OUR CITY.
I'M SO PROUD THAT WE HAVE A DEPARTMENT WE'RE FOCUSED ON THIS BECAUSE THERE'S NO OTHER WAY TO DO THIS.
THERE'S NO WAY TO JUST SAY, LET'S JUST SHE THEM AWAY TO THE NEXT PLACE.
SANTA MONICA WOULD PUSH PEOPLE TO US.
WE'D PUSH PEOPLE TO VENICE BEACH, VENICE BEACH WOULD PUSH IT BACK TO US.
THEN WHEN RECESSIONS TOOK PLACE, AND THEN WHEN COVID TOOK PLACE, THE INCREASE OF HOMELESSNESS WENT EXPONENTIAL, AND SO THERE'S NO SOLVE.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR DOING THIS.
I WISH THIS EXISTED WHEN IT WAS MY TIME IN SERVICE.
I'M JUST PROUD THAT WE HAVE THIS HERE.
I'M PROUD OF BOTH DEPARTMENTS HERE. THANK YOU SO MUCH.
>> MISS BURKHOLDER, ANYTHING. I JUST WANT TO ADD ONE THING THAT I WAS SO GLAD TO SEE ON ONE OF THE SLIDES THAT YOU'RE GOING TO REDIRECT SOME OF THE FUNDS TO KEEPING PEOPLE FROM GETTING HOMELESS.
YEARS AGO, I TAUGHT BUSINESS CLASSES AND I SAID, IT'S SO MUCH CHEAPER TO KEEP YOUR CURRENT CUSTOMERS, THAN IT IS TO LOSE THEM AND TRY TO GET NEW CUSTOMERS.
IT'S SO MUCH LESS EXPENSIVE TO KEEP PEOPLE IN THEIR HOUSE THAN TO LET THEM GET BECOME HOMELESS AND THEN TRY TO GET THEM RE ESTABLISHED IN A HOME.
I WAS GLAD TO SEE THAT AND COMPLETELY SUPPORT THAT IDEA.
>> MOVE ADOPTION OF THE RESOLUTION.
>> PLEASE VOTE. PASSES UNANIMOUSLY.
THANKS, GUYS, AND PLEASE SHARE WITH EVERYBODY WHO'S WORKING ON THIS TEAM HOW MUCH WE APPRECIATE THE WORK THEY'RE DOING, AND NEXT ONE IS ITEM NUMBER 10, CITY MANAGER.
[10. E-BIKE SAFETY STRATEGY OPTIONS]
>> ITEM NUMBER 10 IS E-BIKE SAFETY STRATEGY OPTIONS, AND FOR THE PRESENTATION, WE HAVE POLICE LIEUTENANT JASON ARNOTTI AND SENIOR ASSISTANT CITY ATTORNEY JENNIFER TRUE.
GOOD EVENING, MAYOR, MAYOR PRO TEM AND COUNCIL.
MY NAME IS LIEUTENANT JASON ARNOTTI.
I OVERSEE THE TRAFFIC DIVISION, AND I'M JOINED BY SENIOR ASSISTANT ATTORNEY JENNIFER TRUE.
TONIGHT'S PRESENTATION REFLECTS MONTHS OF WORK SHAPED BY YOUR DIRECTION, AND BY CONCERNS, WE CONTINUE TO HEAR FROM FAMILIES, SCHOOLS, BUSINESSES, AND RIDERS THROUGHOUT THE COMMUNITY.
THE DISCUSSION GOES BEYOND REGULATORY UPDATES.
[01:20:03]
IT INFLUENCES HOW YOUNG PEOPLE MOVE THROUGH THE CITY.HOW RESIDENTS OF ALL AGES USE E-BIKES FOR WORK, SCHOOL, RECREATION, AND HOW OFFICERS RESPOND WHEN RIDING BEHAVIORS BECOME UNSAFE.
OUR GOAL IS NOT TO LIMIT MOBILITY OR RECREATION, BUT TO ENSURE THAT AS THESE DEVICES BECOME MORE WIDELY USED, THE SAFETY EXPECTATIONS THAT PROTECT RIDERS AND THE PUBLIC GROW ALONGSIDE THEM.
TONIGHT'S RECOMMENDATIONS DIRECTLY REFLECT WHAT WAS ESTABLISHED BY CITY COUNCIL EARLIER THIS YEAR.
IN MARCH, THE COUNCIL TASKED THE TRAFFIC SAFETY AND MOBILITY COMMISSION WITH GATHERING COMMUNITY INPUT ON ASSEMBLY BILL 2234, AND I'M GOING TO DISCUSS THAT IN MORE DETAIL ON THE NEXT SLIDE.
THE REST OF THE PRESENTATION WILL INCLUDE OUR EFFORTS ON THE CURRENT E-BIKE REGULATIONS THAT WE HAVE AND LAWS THAT EXIST WITHIN THE CALIFORNIA VEHICLE CODE.
WE'LL DISCUSS OUR ONGOING EFFORTS RELATED TO ENFORCEMENT, EDUCATION, AND ENGINEERING.
THE SENIOR ASSISTANT ATTORNEY IS GOING TO DISCUSS SOME OF THE LEGISLATIVE ADVOCACY THAT THE CITY HAS TAKEN ON AND CONTINUES TO TAKE ON IN THIS ROLE.
WE'LL REVIEW LOCAL COLLISION DATA, AND THEN CONCLUDE WITH RECOMMENDATIONS THAT WERE MADE BY THE TRAFFIC SAFETY MOBILITY COMMISSION AS WELL AS ADDITIONAL STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS.
AS I PREVIOUSLY MENTIONED, BACK IN MARCH, CITY COUNCIL TASKED THE TRAFFIC SAFETY AND MOBILITY COMMISSION WITH GATHERING COMMUNITY INPUT ON ASSEMBLY BILL 2234, SPECIFICALLY WHETHER CARLSBAD SHOULD RESTRICT E-BIKE USE BY CHILDREN UNDER 12.
IN RESPONSE, THE COMMISSION HELD A PUBLIC MEETING ON SEPTEMBER 16TH, DEDICATED SOLELY TO THIS TOPIC.
IN THE WEEKS LEADING UP TO THAT HEARING, THE COMMISSION RECEIVED MORE THAN 550 COMMENTS, AND ADDITIONAL PUBLIC TESTIMONY WAS PRESENTED DURING THE MEETING.
THEN IN JULY, THE CITY COUNCIL DIRECTED STAFF TO RETURN WITH RECOMMENDATIONS TO STRENGTHEN ENFORCEMENT TOOLS AND ADDRESS UNSAFE RIDING BEHAVIOR, PARTICULARLY AMONG YOUTH.
TONIGHT, WE'RE RETURNING AS DIRECTED TO PROVIDE THAT COMPREHENSIVE UPDATE AND SEEK FURTHER DIRECTION.
CALIFORNIA LAW CURRENTLY CLASSIFIES E-BIKES INTO THREE CATEGORIES.
CLASS 1 INVOLVES A PEDAL ASSIST, WHERE THE DEVICE GOES UP TO 20 MILES AN HOUR.
CLASS 2 E-BIKES INCLUDE A THROTTLE WHERE THEY'RE ABLE TO USE A THROTTLE ONLY TO GO UP TO 20 MILES AN HOUR, AND CLASS 3 IS PEDAL ASSIST UP TO 28 MILES AN HOUR.
UNDERSTANDING THESE CLASSIFICATIONS MATTERS BECAUSE THEY DETERMINE WHO IS LEGALLY ALLOWED TO OPERATE THE DEVICE, WHETHER HELMETS ARE REQUIRED AND WHERE THE DEVICE MAY BE RIDDEN.
THE LEVEL OF RISK IN THE EVENT OF THE COLLISION AND HOW OFFICERS DIFFERENTIATE BETWEEN LAWFUL AND UNLAWFUL OPERATION IN THE FIELD.
THESE DISTINCTIONS ALSO HELP CLARIFY WHEN THE DEVICE IS NO LONGER AN E-BIKE UNDER STATE LAW.
CARLSBAD WAS THE FIRST CITY TO ADOPT LOCAL E-BIKE ORDINANCE IN THE REGION DURING THE SAFER STREETS TOGETHER EMERGENCY.
THAT EARLY ACTION PROVIDED TOOLS TO ADDRESS UNSAFE BEHAVIORS THAT WERE NOT CLEARLY COVERED UNDER STATE LAW AT THE TIME.
UNDER OUR CURRENT MUNICIPAL CODE, RIDERS MUST OPERATE WITH DUE CARE, REDUCE SPEED WHEN CONDITIONS REQUIRE, OBEY ALL SIGNS AND SIGNALS, AVOID SIDEWALKS ON ATHLETIC FIELDS, COURTS, AND WHERE POSTED, AND WEAR A HELMET, IF UNDER 18 RIDING A CLASS 3 E-BIKE.
SOME OF THESE RULES LIKE OBEYING SIGNS AND SIGNALS ARE ALREADY REQUIRED UNDER THE CALIFORNIA VEHICLE CODE.
BECAUSE CALIFORNIA VEHICLE CODE SECTION 21 PREVENTS CITIES FROM ADOPTING LOCAL REGULATIONS THAT CONFLICT WITH STATE LAW.
IT IS ESSENTIAL TO NOTE THAT OUR ORDINANCE IS WRITTEN TO REINFORCE RATHER THAN SUPERSEDE THOSE STATEWIDE REQUIREMENTS.
NOTWITHSTANDING NEW DEVICE TYPES, HIGHER RIDERSHIP VOLUMES, AND EMERGING USE PATTERNS, SUCH AS STUNT RIDING, HAZARDOUS GROUP RIDING BEHAVIORS, AND WIDESPREAD USE OF THROTTLE BASED DEVICES, POSE CHALLENGES THAT WERE NOT AS EVIDENT WHEN THE ORDINANCE WAS FIRST ADOPTED.
THIS IS WHY WE ARE REVISITING AND MODERNIZING CHAPTER 1026 WHEN IT APPEARS TONIGHT.
THIS IS A CHEAT SHEET, IF YOU WILL, THAT GIVES AN OVERVIEW OF THE DIFFERENT CLASS SYSTEMS, THAT ALLOWS YOU TO DISTINGUISH THE AGE LIMITATION ON CLASS 3 E-BIKES, THE PROHIBITION OF THESE DEVICES ON SIDEWALKS AND TRAILS, AND WHERE ELECTRIC MOTORCYCLES FALL WITHIN THESE CATEGORIES.
[01:25:02]
>> ONE OF THE MORE CHALLENGING TRENDS WE FACE IS THE RISE OF HIGH POWERED E-MOTORCYCLES, WHICH ARE DEVICES THAT RESEMBLE E-BIKES, BUT EXCEED LEGAL LIMITS FOR WATTAGE, SPEED, AND SAFETY EQUIPMENT.
THEY'RE WIDELY MARKETED ONLINE AND FREQUENTLY RIDDEN BY MINERS.
THESE DEVICES CAN REACH SPEEDS UP TO 40-60 MILES AN HOUR, OFTEN HAVE NO PEDALS AND ARE NOT LEGAL FOR PUBLIC ROADS UNDER THE CALIFORNIA VEHICLE CODE.
FROM AN ENFORCEMENT STANDPOINT, WE'RE OBSERVING THAT THESE DEVICES ARE MOST LIKELY TO FLEE DURING AN ATTEMPTED STOP.
THEY POSE THE HIGHEST RISK OF CRASH AND INJURY DUE TO THE SPEEDS, AND THEY CREATE SITUATIONS IN WHICH TRADITIONAL BICYCLE ENFORCEMENT TOOLS ARE INSUFFICIENT.
WHILE TONIGHT'S FOCUS IS ON E-BIKE REGULATIONS, IT IS IMPORTANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT E-MOTORCYCLES ARE INCREASINGLY PRESENT IN OUR COMMUNITY AND OFTEN DRIVE THE NEED FOR STRONGER ENFORCEMENT AUTHORITY, SUCH AS THE IMPOUND PROVISIONS INTRODUCED LATER IN THE PRESENTATION.
NEXT, WE'LL DISCUSS THE ENGINEERING EFFORTS, WHICH IS ONE OF THE MOST EFFECTIVE WAYS TO REDUCE CONFLICT BETWEEN RIDERS, DRIVERS AND PEDESTRIANS ON OUR ROADWAYS.
THIS WORK IS ESPECIALLY IMPACTFUL IN COMPLEX ENVIRONMENTS, WHERE YOUNGER RIDERS LACK THE JUDGMENT AND EXPERIENCE NEEDED AND IN HIGH ACTIVITY AREAS SUCH AS OUR COASTAL CORRIDOR, WHERE ALL MODES OF TRAVEL TEND TO BE MORE CONCENTRATED.
SINCE 2022, THE CITY HAS IMPLEMENTED MORE THAN 20 GREEN CONFLICT ZONE MARKINGS THAT ESTABLISH CONFLICT ZONES BETWEEN BICYCLES AND VEHICLES ON ROADWAYS.
ESTABLISH MULTIPLE SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOL IMPROVEMENTS.
IMPLEMENTED SEVERAL RESIDENTIAL TRAFFIC CALMING MEASURES AND MORE BROADLY DEVELOPED CORRIDOR DESIGN UPDATES GUIDED BY VISION ZERO AND THE SUSTAINABILITY MOBILITY PLAN.
ULTIMATELY, THESE PROJECTS AIM TO CREATE PREDICTABLE ENVIRONMENTS, REINFORCE EXPECTED BEHAVIORS, AND REDUCE THE NUMBER OF SITUATIONS THAT WOULD REQUIRE ENFORCEMENT.
RECOGNIZING THAT MANY OF THESE YOUNG RIDERS, ESPECIALLY YOUTH, LACK FORMAL EDUCATION OR TRAFFIC SAFETY TRAINING, THE CITY HAS INVESTED HEAVILY IN EDUCATION.
EFFORTS INCLUDE INTEGRATION OF SCHOOL E-BIKE PERMIT PROGRAMS, BICYCLE SAFETY COURSES LED BY OFFICERS CERTIFIED BY THE LEAGUE OF AMERICAN BICYCLIST, DISTRIBUTING HELMETS TOUGH THE CALIFORNIA OFFICE OF TRAFFIC SAFETY GRANT PROGRAM, ESTABLISHING A PARTNERSHIP WITH SCRIPTS COMMUNITY OUTREACH PROGRAM AND RECURRING MESSAGING THROUGH CITY AND SCHOOL COMMUNICATION CHANNELS.
COLLECTIVELY, THESE EFFORTS CREATE A WRAP AROUND APPROACH THAT ENGAGES THE MAJOR SYSTEMS INFLUENCING YOUTH BEHAVIOR, AND THAT IS EDUCATION, HEALTH CARE AND PUBLIC SAFETY.
THAT SAFETY EXPECTATIONS ARE REINFORCED BEFORE ENFORCEMENT BECOMES NECESSARY WHILE EDUCATION PREPARES RIDERS BEFORE PROBLEMS OCCUR, ENFORCEMENT ADDRESSES THE RISK THAT WE ENCOUNTER IN REAL TIME.
SINCE 2022, THE POLICE DEPARTMENT HAS CONDUCTED OVER 430 TRAFFIC STOPS INVOLVING E-BIKES OR E-MOTORCYCLES.
THESE STOPS HAVE RESULTED IN MORE THAN 180 CITATIONS AND 250 WARNINGS, MOST COMMONLY FOR RED LIGHT AND STOP SIGN VIOLATIONS, UNSAFE SPEEDS, SIDEWALK RIDING AND OTHER HAZARDOUS BEHAVIOR.
CONSISTENT WITH CALIFORNIA'S STATUTORY PREFERENCE FOR EDUCATION AND REHABILITATION AND RESPONDING TO YOUTH BEHAVIOR, OUR DIVERSION PROGRAM OFFERS ELIGIBLE MINORS THE OPTION TO COMPLETE A POLICE APPROVED SAFETY COURSE INSTEAD OF PAYING A FINE OR FACING COURT RELATED CONSEQUENCES.
TO DATE, MORE THAN 60 JUVENILES HAVE CHOSEN THIS OPTION, DEMONSTRATING THAT ACCOUNTABILITY CAN BE BOTH CORRECTIVE AND CONSTRUCTIVE.
THE NEXT SLIDE PROVIDES AN EVEN CLOSER LOOK AT THE NUMBERS THIS PAST SUMMER THROUGH AUGUST, AS WE EXPERIENCED THE HIGHEST CONCENTRATION OF RIDERS.
THE BLUE BARS REPRESENT E-BIKE RELATED CALLS FOR SERVICE.
THE GREEN BARS REPRESENT OFFICER INITIATED ENFORCEMENT AND THE RED BARS REPRESENT TRAFFIC COLLISIONS INVOLVING E-BIKES.
THIS CHART SHOWS A CLEAR SEASONAL PATTERN.
AS WE MOVED INTO THE SPRING AND SUMMER MONTHS, WHEN YOUTH ARE MORE OUT OF SCHOOL AND USING THESE DEVICES FOR RECREATION.
WE SAW SHARP INCREASES ACROSS ALL THREE CATEGORIES.
CALLS FOR SERVICE ROSE FROM 38 IN JANUARY TO 81 IN MAY AND REMAINED ELEVATED THROUGH AUGUST.
OFFICER INITIATED ACTIVITY FOLLOWS A SIMILAR TRAJECTORY, CLIMBING FROM 10 STOPS IN JANUARY TO 52 IN JUNE, REFLECTING BOTH INCREASED RIDER VOLUME AND TARGETED DEPLOYMENTS DURING PEAK PERIODS.
COLLISIONS ALSO ROSE DURING THESE MONTHS WITH NOTICEABLE INCREASES IN MARCH, MAY AND AUGUST WHILE THE COLLISION TOTALS
[01:30:02]
REMAIN LOWER THAN CALLS FOR SERVICE OR ENFORCEMENT CONTACTS, THEY REPRESENT THE HIGHEST RISK SUBSET OF INCIDENTS AND REINFORCE WHY PROACTIVE ATTENTION DURING THESE MONTHS IS SO CRITICAL.FROM AN OPERATIONAL PERSPECTIVE, THIS CHART HIGHLIGHTS TWO CRITICAL POINTS.
FIRST, THE DEMAND FOR ENFORCEMENT AND SAFETY INTERVENTIONS IS HEAVILY INFLUENCED BY RIDER VOLUME, WEATHER AND SCHOOL CALENDARS.
SECOND, THE ALIGNMENT BETWEEN CALLS FOR SERVICE AND OFFICER INITIATED ENFORCEMENT DEMONSTRATES THAT OUR TEAMS ARE RESPONDING DIRECTLY TO ACTIVITY LEVELS, PARTICULARLY DURING MONTHS WHEN UNSAFE RIDING BEHAVIORS ARE MOST PREVALENT.
THIS NEXT SLIDE TAKES AN EVEN CLOSER LOOK AT THE NUMBERS PAST SUMMER FROM MAY TO AUGUST.
WE EXPERIENCED THE HIGHEST CONCENTRATION OF RIDERS, PARTICULARLY AMONG THOSE YOUTH OUT OF SCHOOL, TRAVELING IN GROUPS, AND SPENDING MORE TIME ALONG THE BEACH AND IN THE VILLAGE AND IN OUR COMMUNITY PARKS.
THIS INCREASE IN ACTIVITY RESULTED IN THE POLICE DEPARTMENT'S HIGHEST OPERATIONAL DEMAND FOR THE YEAR.
DURING THIS SUMMER PERIOD, OFFICERS CONDUCTED 179 PROACTIVE STOPS, TOWED 28 OUT OF CLASS ELECTRIC MOTORCYCLES AND HANDLED 287 E-BIKE RELATED CALLS FOR SERVICE.
THESE CONTACTS OFTEN REQUIRE COORDINATED RESOURCES USING MOTOR OFFICERS, PATROL OFFICERS, SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICERS, AND DRONE SUPPORT, ESPECIALLY WHEN DEALING WITH HIGHER POWERED DEVICES WHOSE RIDERS MAY ATTEMPT TO FLEE.
WE ALSO RESPONDED TO 28 E-BIKE INVOLVED COLLISIONS DURING THIS PERIOD, WHILE COLLISIONS ARE A SMALLER SHARE OF THE OVERALL ACTIVITY, THEY CONTRIBUTE TO THE WORKLOAD DURING AN ALREADY ACTIVE SEASON.
OPERATIONALLY, THE SUMMER MONTHS REQUIRE GREATER SITUATIONAL AWARENESS AND MORE COORDINATED ENFORCEMENT DUE TO RIDER DENSITY, RAPIDLY CHANGING CONDITIONS, AND THE PRESENCE OF MODIFIED OUT OF CLASS DEVICES.
BUT EVEN WITH THESE EFFORTS, ENFORCEMENT IS INHERENTLY REACTIVE TO UNSAFE RIDING BEHAVIORS.
THIS IS WHY RECOMMENDATIONS THAT YOU'LL HEAR TONIGHT FOCUS ON CLARIFYING EXPECTATIONS, REDUCING THE CONDITIONS THAT CONTRIBUTE TO UNSAFE RIDING, AND PROVIDING TOOLS THAT ALLOW FOR EARLIER AND MORE EFFECTIVE INTERVENTION.
BEFORE WE MOVE INTO THAT DISCUSSION, I'LL BE TURNING THE PRESENTATION OVER TO SENIOR ASSISTANT ATTORNEY JENNIFER TRUE, WHO WILL DISCUSS THE CITY'S LEGISLATIVE ADVOCACY AND ASSEMBLY BILL 2234.
>> THANK YOU, LIEUTENANT ARNOTI, AND GOOD EVENING, COUNCIL AND MAYOR.
AS LIEUTENANT ARNOTI MENTIONED, MY NAME IS JENNIFER TRUE, AND I AM PLEASED TO SAY THAT THE CITY OF CARLSBAD HAS BEEN AT THE FOREFRONT OF ADVANCING E-BIKE SAFETY AT THE STATE LEVEL.
THROUGH ITS LEGISLATIVE SUBCOMMITTEE AND THE CITY COUNCIL.
THE CITY HAS CO SPONSORED ASSEMBLY BILL 2234, WHICH LAUNCHED A SAN DIEGO COUNTY PILOT PROGRAM, GIVING LOCAL CITIES THE OPTION TO SET A MINIMUM WRITING AGE OF 12 FOR CLASS 1 AND 2 E-BIKES.
CARLSBAD HAS ALSO FORMALLY SUPPORTED SENATE BILL 381, WHICH DIRECTED THE MONETTA TRANSPORTATION INSTITUTE TO CONDUCT A COMPREHENSIVE STATEWIDE STUDY OF BICYCLES AND E-BIKE INJURIES, COLLISIONS, EMERGENCY ROOM VISITS, AND FATALITIES.
THE GOAL IS TO PROVIDE LAWMAKERS WITH RELIABLE DATA TO INFORM EVIDENCE BASED POLICIES, WHICH FINDINGS FROM THE STUDY ARE DUE TO THE LEGISLATOR BY JANUARY 1 OF 2026.
UNTIL THAT STATE WIDE ANALYSIS IS COMPLETE, CITIES LIKE CARLSBAD MUST CONTINUE TO RELY ON LOCAL DATA IN REAL WORLD EXPERIENCES TO HELP SHAPE INTERIM SAFETY DECISIONS.
NOW ASSEMBLY BILL 2234 WAS AUTHORED BY ASSEMBLY MEMBER BURNER.
LAUNCHED A PILOT PROGRAM AVAILABLE TO EVERY CITY IN SENEGO COUNTY.
THE PROGRAM GIVES CITIES THE OPTION, NOT THE OBLIGATION TO ADOPT A MINIMUM WRITING AGE OF 12 FOR CLASS 1 AND 2 E-BIKES.
THAT AGE IS SET BY STATE LAW AND ANY CITY THAT OPTS TO FOLLOW IT MUST DO SO EXACTLY.
THE AGE CANNOT BE LOWERED OR RAISED DURING THE PILOT PROGRAM.
CITIES CHOOSING TO PARTICIPATE MUST BEGIN WITH A 30 DAY PUBLIC INFORMATION CAMPAIGN IN ADVANCE OF ADOPTING THE ORDINANCE.
THEN ONCE THE ORDINANCE IS ADOPTED, THEY MUST DO A 60 DAY WARNING PERIOD IN WHICH WRITERS ONLY RECEIVE EDUCATION AND WARNINGS, NOT FINES.
AFTER THAT, FINES MAY BE ISSUED, BUT THEY CAN BE WAIVED IF THE WRITER COMPLETES AN APPROVED SAFETY COURSE WITHIN 120 DAYS OF RECEIVING THE CITATION.
PARENTS OR GUARDIANS MAY BE LEGALLY LIABLE FOR ANY FINES ISSUED FOR VIOLATIONS BY THEIR CHILDREN.
THE PILOT RUNS THROUGH 2029 AND INCLUDES ROBUST REPORTING REQUIREMENTS ON CITATIONS,
[01:35:08]
RIDER DEMOGRAPHICS AND CRASH DATA.THE GOAL IS TO HELP THE LEGISLATURE EVALUATE WHETHER A MINIMUM AGE OF 12 IMPROVES SAFETY AND TO IDENTIFY ANY UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES BEFORE DECIDING WHETHER TO EXTEND ADJUST OR END THE APPROACH.
NOW I WILL TURN IT BACK OVER TO LIEUTENANT ARNOTI.
>> THANK YOU. TO UNDERSTAND THE SAFETY ENVIRONMENT IN WHICH WE'RE OPERATING, IT'S HELPFUL TO BEGIN WITH INJURY COLLISIONS INVOLVING E BIKES OVER THE PAST YEARS.
THESE FIGURES INCLUDE SOLO RIDER CLASHES VEHICLE VERSUS E BIKE, E-BIKE VERSUS E-BIKE.
THIS CHART PROVIDES A BASELINE FOR HOW RIDER DEMOGRAPHICS AND BEHAVIORS HAVE SHIFTED AS E-BIKE USE HAS EXPANDED.
E-BIKE INJURY COLLISIONS IN CARLSBAD ROSE SHARPLY BETWEEN 2020-2022 INCREASING FROM SIX COLLISIONS TO 45.
THAT RISE COINCIDED WITH A RAPID INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF E BIKES ON THE ROAD.
MORE MILES TRAVELED PER TRIP AND A VISIBLE INCREASE IN YOUTH RIDERSHIP.
THIS UPWARD TREND LED THE CITY TO DECLARE A TRAFFIC STATE OF EMERGENCY IN 2022.
DURING THAT PERIOD, THE CITY DEPLOYED TARGETED ENFORCEMENT, ACCELERATED ENGINEERING IMPROVEMENTS AND EXPANDED EDUCATION AND OUTREACH.
MANY OF THOSE ENGINEERING CHANGES ARE NOW BUILT INTO THE STREET NETWORK, AND THE EDUCATION PROGRAMS CONTINUE THROUGH SCHOOLS AND COMMUNITY CHANNELS, PROVIDING ONGOING SAFETY BENEFITS, EVEN THOUGH THE STATE OF EMERGENCY HAS ENDED.
THIS YEAR'S UPWARD TREND, IT'S IMPORTANT TO RECOGNIZE THAT COLLISION TOTALS ALONE DO NOT CAPTURE THE WHOLE PICTURE.
A MORE ACCURATE ASSESSMENT WOULD LOOK AT COLLISIONS PER MILE TRAVEL FOR BOTH E BIKES AND MOTOR VEHICLES.
WHILE THAT LEVEL OF EXPOSURE DATA IS NOT COLLECTED LOCALLY, IT IS THE STANDARD USED IN TRAFFIC SAFETY RESEARCH, AND IT'S AN IMPORTANT LIMITATION TO KEEP IN MIND WHEN INTERPRETING THESE TOTALS.
THE KEY TAKEAWAY IS THAT MULTI LAYERED INTERVENTIONS WORK, BUT THEY REQUIRE ONGOING REFINEMENT, ESPECIALLY AS DEVICES EVOLVE, RIDERSHIP GROWS, AND STATE LAWS CONTINUE TO CHANGE.
THE AGE BREAKDOWN ON THIS SLIDE PROVIDES ADDITIONAL AND ESSENTIAL CONTEXT FOR UNDERSTANDING WHO IS AFFECTED BY E BIKE INJURY COLLISIONS IN CARLSBAD.
LOOKING AT THE 246 COLLISIONS OVER THIS PERIOD, JUST OVER HALF INVOLVED ADOLESCENTS BETWEEN AGES 12 AND 17.
ADULTS ACCOUNTED FOR ABOUT 42%, MAKING THEM THE SECOND LARGEST GROUP, WHILE RIDERS UNDER AGE 12 REPRESENT ABOUT 4%.
THE REMAINING 3% FALL INTO AN UNKNOWN CATEGORY, WHICH IS BECAUSE THE RIDER LEFT THE SCENE BEFORE THEIR AGE COULD BE CONFIRMED.
THE INVOLVEMENT OF ADOLESCENTS IS A KEY FACTOR IN BOTH STATE AND LOCAL DISCUSSIONS ABOUT RIDER AGE LICENSING AND EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS WHILE UNDER 12 COLLISIONS MAKE UP A SMALL SHARE OVERALL, THEIR CONSISTENT PRESENCE IN DATA UNDERSCORES THAT EVEN YOUNGER RIDERS ARE ENCOUNTERING RISKS, PARTICULARLY AS E BIKE AVAILABILITY AND YOUTH RIDERSHIP CONTINUES TO GROW.
THIS NEXT SLIDE FOCUSES SPECIFICALLY ON AT FAULT E BIKE INJURY COLLISIONS FROM 2022-2025.
DURING THIS PERIOD, E BIKE RIDERS WERE FOUND AT FAULT 63% OF THE 217 COLLISIONS.
OF THE 136 AT FAULT CASES, THE AGE DISTRIBUTION PROVIDES IMPORTANT INSIGHT INTO WHO IS MOST OFTEN INVOLVED IN THESE HIGHER RISK INCIDENTS.
LOOKING AT THE FIRST DONUT CHART ON THE LEFT, WHICH REFLECTS THE FULL 2022-2025 PERIOD, 51% AT FAULT COLLISIONS INVOLVE RIDERS AGED 12-17.
ADULTS ACCOUNTED FOR 39% AND RIDERS UNDER 12 REPRESENT 7%.
WHEN YOU BREAK THE DATA INTO TWO TIME FRAMES, SOME TRENDS BECOME CLEAR.
ON A CENTER CHART FROM 2022-2023, WE SEE A BROADER SPREAD, BUT IN THE MORE RECENT TIME FRAME, THE PERIOD ON THE RIGHT, THE DISTRIBUTION TIGHTENS SIGNIFICANTLY.
YOUTH RIDERS AGE 12-17 ACCOUNT FOR 42% OF THOSE FAULT COLLISIONS, WHILE ADULTS ACCOUNT FOR 14%, AND THE UNDER 12 POPULATION ACCOUNTS FOR THREE.
THIS PATTERN MIRRORS WHAT OFFICERS REPORT IN THE FIELD.
THE COMBINATION OF HIGHER SPEED, GROUP RIDING BEHAVIOR, AND LIMITED EXPERIENCE CONTRIBUTES TO A GREATER SHARE OF BLAME AMONG RIDERS 12-17.
UNDERSTANDING WHO IS MOST AT FAULT IS CRITICAL BECAUSE IT HELPS SHAPE THE PREVENTATIVE MEASURES AND POLICY TOOLS THAT
[01:40:03]
CAN MOST EFFECTIVELY REDUCE THE COLLISIONS MOVING FORWARD.BEFORE PRESENTING THE TRAFFIC SAFETY AND MOBILITY COMMISSION'S RECOMMENDATIONS, I WANT TO HIGHLIGHT THE COMMUNITY, ENGAGE TAKEN PLACE.
THE COUNCIL'S MARCH DIRECTIVE, SET IN MOTION, DEDICATED OUTREACH AND FEEDBACK PROCESS, AND THE VOLUME AND TONE OF THE INPUT WE RECEIVED SPEAK DIRECTLY TO HOW STRONGLY THIS ISSUE HAS FELL ACROSS THE CITY.
TO SUPPORT THE COMMISSION'S SEPTEMBER 16 HEARING ON ASSEMBLY BILL 2234, THE CITY CONDUCTED A ROBUST OUTREACH EFFORT TO ENSURE RESIDENTS WERE AWARE OF THE DISCUSSION AND HAD MULTIPLE WAYS TO PARTICIPATE.
THIS INCLUDED OUTREACH THROUGH OUR SCHOOL PARTNERS, INFORMATION IN THE CITY MANAGERS UPDATE, AND THROUGH DIRECT EMAILS, NEWS RELEASES, SOCIAL MEDIA POSTS, POSTERS AT CITY FACILITIES.
A DEDICATED WEB PAGE PROVIDING BACKGROUND, MEETING MATERIALS, AND OPPORTUNITIES TO SUBMIT COMMENTS.
THESE CHANNELS WERE INTENDED TO ENSURE FAMILIES, STUDENTS, EDUCATORS AND RIDERS HAD ACCESSIBLE WAYS TO WEIGH IN REGARDLESS OF WHETHER THEY COULD ATTEND THE HEARING IN PERSON OR NOT.
>> THE CITY RECEIVED MORE THAN 550 EMAILS AHEAD OF THE COMMISSION'S MEETING IN SEPTEMBER.
IT'S IMPORTANT TO NOTE THIS FEEDBACK WAS COLLECTED THROUGH A CONVENIENCE SAMPLE, RESIDENTS WHO CHOSE TO PARTICIPATE, AND THEREFORE, IT IS QUALITATIVE RATHER THAN STATISTICALLY REPRESENTATIVE OF THE ENTIRE POPULATION.
IT SHOULD BE WEIGHED ALONGSIDE OTHER FORMS OF INPUT THE CITY ROUTINELY USES, SUCH AS PUBLIC COMMENTS AT COUNCIL AND COMMISSION MEETINGS, DIRECT CORRESPONDENCE TO STAFF, AND FIELD OBSERVATIONS.
THE MAJORITY OF THE EMAILS WE RECEIVED SUPPORTED ESTABLISHING A MINIMUM RIDING AGE OF 12, AND MANY EXPRESSED A PREFERENCE FOR ANY HIGHER AGE LIMIT.
A SMALLER SHARE OPPOSED SETTING A MINIMUM AGE, SUGGESTING INSTEAD, THE CITY FOCUS ON EDUCATION AND ALLOW PARENTS TO DECIDE WHEN THEIR CHILD IS READY TO RIDE AN E-BIKE.
FINALLY, SOME EMAILS DID NOT TAKE A CLEAR POSITION ON AGE BUT OFFERED BROADER OBSERVATIONS, SHARED PERSONAL EXPERIENCES, OR SUGGESTED ALTERNATIVE APPROACHES.
WE ALSO HEARD FROM RESIDENTS WHO COMMENTED ON SAFETY MEASURES THAT EXTENDED BEYOND WHAT WAS AUTHORIZED IN THE ASSEMBLY BILL.
ABOUT 21% OF THE COMMENTS PROPOSED ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS SUCH AS INSURANCE, REGISTRATION, SPEED LIMITS, MINIMUM PASSENGER AGES, PARENTAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS, REFLECTIVE CLOTHING, OR APPLYING A MOTOR STYLE LICENSING STANDARD TO E-BIKE RIDERS.
SEPARATELY, SOME COMMENTERS SUGGESTED RIDER EDUCATION OR LICENSING AND RAISING THE MINIMUM AGE FROM 13-16.
THESE COMMENTS ILLUSTRATE WHILE THE COMMUNITY INPUT RECEIVED IS BROADLY SUPPORTIVE OF A STRONGER SAFETY MEASURES, MANY RESIDENTS ARE LOOKING FOR TOOLS THAT WOULD REQUIRE CHANGES AT THE STATE LEVEL TO IMPLEMENT.
THESE ARE ADDITIONAL COMMENTS THAT WE RECEIVED JUST A SUMMARY OF THEM.
THEN MOVING ON TO THE COMMISSION'S RECOMMENDATIONS, I'LL TURN IT BACK OVER TO SENIOR ASSISTANT ATTORNEY JENNIFER TRUE.
>> THANK YOU. NOW I'M GOING TO WALK YOU THROUGH THE COMMISSION'S THREE RECOMMENDATIONS AND OUTLINE THE LEGAL FRAMEWORK THAT APPLIES TO EACH.
I'LL BEGIN WITH THE FIRST RECOMMENDATION, THE ADOPTION OF ASSEMBLY BILL 2234.
AS MENTIONED EARLIER, THIS BILL AUTHORIZES A SAN DIEGO COUNTY PILOT PROGRAM THAT SETS THE MINIMUM AGE OF 12 FOR OPERATING CLASS 1 AND CLASS 2 E-BIKES.
UNDER THIS LEGISLATION, ANY JURISDICTION WITHIN SAN DIEGO COUNTY MAY CHOOSE TO ADOPT THE PILOT PROGRAM LOCALLY.
IF THE CITY DECIDES TO PARTICIPATE, CHILDREN UNDER 12 WOULD NOT BE PERMITTED TO OPERATE CLASS 1 OR CLASS 2 E-BIKES.
AS A REMINDER, CLASS 3 E-BIKES ARE ALREADY PROHIBITED FOR THOSE UNDER 16.
A 30-DAY PUBLIC INFORMATION CAMPAIGN WOULD BE REQUIRED IN ADVANCE OF THE ADOPTION, FOLLOWED BY A 60-DAY WARNING PERIOD BEFORE ANY ENFORCEMENT COULD BEGIN.
PARENTS AND GUARDIANS WOULD BE JOINTLY AND SEVERALLY LIABLE FOR ANY ASSOCIATED FINES.
WELL, THE STATUTE PROVIDES FOR A $25 FINE.
IN PRACTICE, IT IS UNLIKELY THAT THE FINE COULD BE IMPOSED BECAUSE JUVENILE COURTS DO NOT HAVE JURISDICTION FOR OVER THESE INFRACTIONS FOR MINORS UNDER 12.
AS A RESULT, EDUCATION, SUCH AS OFFERING A SAFETY COURSE IN LIEU OF A CITATION WOULD BE THE PRIMARY ENFORCEMENT TOOL.
SAN DIEGO COUNTY, ON BEHALF OF ITS PARTICIPATING JURISDICTIONS, WOULD BE REQUIRED TO SUBMIT ENFORCEMENT AND CRASH DATA TO THE LEGISLATURE BY JANUARY 1, 2028.
[01:45:01]
AGAIN, THE PILOT PROGRAM WOULD AUTOMATICALLY SUNSET JANUARY 1, 2029 UNLESS THE STATE DECIDES TO EXTEND IT.NOW LEGALLY, AB 2234 PROVIDES EXPLICIT STATEWIDE AUTHORIZATION.
THIS MEANS THE CITY WOULD BE OPERATING FULLY WITHIN THE STATE LAW AND WOULD NOT RISK PREEMPTION UNDER CALIFORNIA VEHICLE CODE, SECTION 21.
NOW, IF THE COUNCIL IS INTERESTED IN MOVING FORWARD, STAFF WOULD PREPARE AN ORDINANCE THAT WOULD FORMALLY PROHIBITS RIDERS UNDER 12 FROM OPERATING CLASS 1 OR CLASS 2 E-BIKES, CONSISTENT WITH THE REQUIREMENTS UNDER AB 2234.
THE ORDINANCE WOULD THEN RETURN TO COUNCIL FOR INTRODUCTION AND ADOPTION.
COMMISSION'S SECOND RECOMMENDATION RELATES TO ASSEMBLY BILL 1778, WHICH ESTABLISHES A SEPARATE PILOT PROGRAM.
NOW, THIS ONE IS SPECIFIC TO MARIN COUNTY.
UNDER THIS PROGRAM, PARTICIPATING JURISDICTIONS MAY RESTRICT CLASS 2 E-BIKE OPERATIONS TO RIDERS 16 AND OLDER.
IT'S PROHIBITING CLASS 2 FOR THOSE UNDER 16.
AS THE LAW IS CURRENTLY WRITTEN, THIS AUTHORITY ONLY APPLIES TO THOSE IN MARIN COUNTY.
CARLSBAD CANNOT ADOPT AN UNDER-16 RESTRICTION UNLESS THE LEGISLATURE AMENDS AB 1778 TO INCLUDE THE CITY OF CARLSBAD.
NOW, THE REQUIREMENTS ARE VERY SIMILAR TO THE ONE WE SEE IN 2234.
IF CARLSBAD WERE ADDED TO THIS PROGRAM, OUR REQUIREMENTS WOULD MIRROR MARIN COUNTY'S TODAY, WHICH INCLUDES RIDERS UNDER 16 BEING PROHIBITED FROM OPERATING CLASS 2 E-BIKES.
ALL CLASS 2 RIDERS, REGARDLESS OF AGE, WOULD BE REQUIRED TO WEAR HELMETS.
AS A REMINDER, RIGHT NOW, UNDER-18 ARE ONLY REQUIRED TO WEAR HELMETS.
A 30-DAY PUBLIC INFORMATION PERIOD IS REQUIRED AND A 60-DAY WARNING PERIOD IS ALSO REQUIRED BEFORE ENFORCEMENT CAN BEGIN.
PARENTS AND GUARDIANS ARE JOINTLY AND SEVERALLY LIABLE.
MARIN COUNTY WOULD BE SUBMITTING DATA TO THE LEGISLATURE BY JANUARY 1, 2028, AND LIKE THE COUNTY-WIDE PILOT WE SEE HERE IN SAN DIEGO, THE PROGRAM IS SET TO SUNSET ON JANUARY 1 OF '29.
NOW IT IS IMPORTANT TO UNDERSCORE THAT CARLSBAD CANNOT ADOPT AN UNDER-16 RULE FOR CLASS 2 E-BIKES UNDER CURRENT LAW.
DOING SO WITHOUT EXPLICIT STATE AUTHORIZATION WOULD CONFLICT WITH THE CALIFORNIA'S PREEMPTION RULES UNDER CALIFORNIA VEHICLE CODE SECTION 21.
THE ONLY LEGALLY PERMISSIBLE PATH WOULD BE TO SEEK NEW LEGISLATION THAT ADDS CARLSBAD TO THE MARIN COUNTY PILOT.
IF THE COUNCIL WISHES TO EXPLORE THIS OPTION, STAFF WOULD WORK WITH OUR LEGISLATIVE PARTNERS TO PURSUE A BILL IN THE NEXT SESSION THAT WOULD INCLUDE CARLSBAD IN THE AB 1778 PILOT PROGRAM.
NOW, THE THIRD RECOMMENDATION THAT CAME FROM THE TRAFFIC SAFETY AND MOBILITY COMMISSION RELATES TO PASSENGER RESTRICTIONS FOR RIDERS UNDER 16.
NOW, STATE LAW ALREADY ADDRESSES THIS EQUIPMENT REQUIREMENT.
UNDER THE VEHICLE CODE SECTION 21204(A), A BICYCLE OR E-BIKE CANNOT CARRY A PASSENGER UNLESS IT HAS A SEPARATE SEAT OR SADDLE DESIGNATED FOR THAT PURPOSE.
IF YOU THINK ABOUT IT, YOU CAN'T JUST SIT ON THE HANDLEBARS AND RIDE WITH SOMEBODY.
THERE ACTUALLY HAS TO BE A SEAT FOR THE PASSENGER.
NOW, THE LEGAL CONSTRAINT HERE WOULD BE STATE PREEMPTION.
UNDER CALIFORNIA VEHICLE CODE SECTION 21, CITIES CANNOT ADOPT ADDITIONAL EQUIPMENT REQUIREMENTS FOR BICYCLES OR E-BIKES UNLESS THE STATE HAS CLEARLY GRANTED THAT AUTHORITY.
PASSENGER RESTRICTIONS LIKELY FALL UNDER THAT CATEGORY.
BECAUSE THE STATE HAS NOT AUTHORIZED LOCAL GOVERNMENTS TO IMPOSE PASSENGER RESTRICTIONS OF THIS TYPE, CARLSBAD CANNOT IMPLEMENT ITS OWN RULE.
AS WITH THE EARLIER PILOT PROGRAMS UNDER 2234 AND AB 1778, LEGISLATIVE AUTHORIZATION WOULD BE REQUIRED BEFORE ANY LOCAL ORDINANCE COULD BE ADOPTED.
IF THE COUNCIL IS INTERESTED IN PURSUING THIS OPTION, STAFF COULD WORK WITH OUR LEGISLATIVE PARTNERS TO SEEK STATE AUTHORIZATION FOR A LOCAL PILOT PROGRAM OR A LEGISLATIVE AMENDMENT ESTABLISHING PASSENGER RESTRICTIONS FOR THOSE RIDERS UNDER 16.
THAT AUTHORITY WOULD NEED TO BE SECURED BEFORE THE CITY COULD MOVE FORWARD WITH DRAFTING AN ORDINANCE.
NOW I WILL TURN IT BACK OVER TO LIEUTENANT [INAUDIBLE]
>> THANK YOU. NOW, FOR ADDITIONAL STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS THAT ARE BEING BROUGHT FORWARD TO COUNCIL TONIGHT.
FIRST, STAFF RECOMMENDS MAKING COMPREHENSIVE UPDATES TO
[01:50:04]
OUR EXISTING MUNICIPAL CODE, CHAPTER 10.56, TO STRENGTHEN UNSAFE RIDING STANDARDS, EQUIPMENT REQUIREMENTS, AND PARENT/GUARDIAN ACCOUNTABILITY.AS OUTLINED IN THE STAFF REPORT, OUR CURRENT ORDINANCE REQUIRES DUE CARE, SAFE SPEEDS, YIELDING, AND OTHER BASIC RESPONSIBILITIES.
HOWEVER, THOSE EXPECTATIONS ARE EXPRESSED BROADLY, WHICH, AS THE STAFF REPORT NOTES, CAN LIMIT CONSISTENT FIELD-LEVEL ENFORCEMENT AND REDUCE CLARITY FOR RIDERS AND FAMILIES.
TO ADDRESS THIS, STAFF RECOMMENDS ADDING EXPLICIT EXAMPLES OF UNSAFE RIDING BEHAVIOR TO THE CODE.
THESE EXAMPLES WOULD NOT CREATE NEW VIOLATIONS, BUT INSTEAD CLARIFY CONDUCT ALREADY ENCOMPASSED WITHIN THE DUE CARE REQUIREMENT.
EXAMPLES MIGHT INCLUDE UNSAFE SPEED FOR CONDITIONS, STUNT OR ACROBATICS NEAR PEDESTRIANS AND VEHICLES, RACING OR STUNT CONTEST, FAILING TO YIELD WHEN REQUIRED, IGNORING POSTED REGULATORY SIGNS, CARRYING ITEMS SUCH AS A CELL PHONE THAT WOULD IMPEDE CONTROL OR VISIBILITY, MINORS RIDING WITHOUT HELMETS, HELMETS REQUIRED FOR ALL CLASS 3 RIDERS AND PASSENGERS, AND RIDING AGAINST THE FLOW OF TRAFFIC.
IN ADDITION, THE STAFF REPORT RECOMMENDS ADDING PARENT AND GUARDIAN ACCOUNTABILITY PROVISIONS, STATING THAT A PARENT OR GUARDIAN MAY NOT AUTHORIZE OR KNOWINGLY PERMIT A MINOR TO VIOLATE ANY PROVISION OF THIS CHAPTER, AND A PARENT OR GUARDIAN MAY BE HELD JOINTLY AND SEVERALLY LIABLE FOR VIOLATIONS COMMITTED BY THEIR CHILD.
THESE COMPREHENSIVE UPDATES ALSO SUPPORT A UNIFIED AND MODERNIZED ENFORCEMENT FRAMEWORK, PUTTING ALL E-BIKE AND MICROMOBILITY RULES INTO ONE LOCAL CHAPTER.
IT ELIMINATES GAPS WHERE THE CALIFORNIA VEHICLE CODE MIGHT NOT APPLY IN PUBLIC SPACES, AND IT INTEGRATES WITH LOCAL SAFETY STRATEGIES BY ALLOWING THE CITY TO EMBED STATE RULES WITHIN BROADER INITIATIVES, SUCH AS SAFER STREETS TOGETHER.
IT ALSO PROMOTES CONSISTENT EXPECTATIONS FOR YOUTH AND FAMILIES ACROSS ENFORCEMENT, EDUCATION, AND COMMUNITY OUTREACH.
THE PATH FORWARD IS TO DIRECT STAFF TO DRAFT AMENDMENTS TO THE CHAPTER 10.56, INCORPORATING UNSAFE RIDING EXAMPLES, EQUIPMENT, UPDATES, PARENT AND GUARDIAN ACCOUNTABILITY, AND ANY RELATED UPDATES TO DEFINITIONS, SIGNAGE, AND ENFORCEMENT PROCEDURES.
THE NEXT RECOMMENDATION IS GOVERNING HOURS OF DARKNESS AND PROHIBITING THOSE INDIVIDUALS UNDER 16 FROM OPERATING AN E-BIKE DURING PERIODS OF DARKNESS.
HOURS OF DARKNESS WOULD BE DEFINED AS 30 MINUTES AFTER SUNSET AND 30 MINUTES BEFORE SUNRISE.
THE PROPOSED ORDINANCE WOULD INCLUDE EXEMPTIONS THAT MIGHT INCLUDE MEDICAL CARE, TRAVEL TO AND FROM SCHOOL-RELATED ACTIVITIES, TRAVEL TO AND FROM WORK, OR BEING ACCOMPANIED BY AN IMMEDIATE FAMILY MEMBER OR AN ADULT.
THIS ORDINANCE ALIGNS WITH ALL MAJOR INPUTS THAT WE HAVE RECEIVED.
THE COMMISSION'S RECOMMENDATION, MARIN COUNTY'S UNDER-16 FRAMEWORK, AND SUBSTANTIAL COMMUNITY FEEDBACK ALL SIGNAL THAT THIS AGE GROUP WARRANTS ADDITIONAL PROTECTION.
MOREOVER, CARLSBAD COLLISION DATA CONFIRMS THAT 12-17-YEAR-OLDS ARE CONSISTENTLY OUR MOST VULNERABLE RIDERS.
GIVEN THE NARROW AREAS WHERE CITIES RETAIN INDEPENDENT AUTHORITY, THIS PROPOSAL OFFERS A DATA-DRIVEN OPTION THAT REFLECTS ALL OF THESE CONSIDERATIONS WHILE REMAINING WITHIN LOCAL REGULATORY DISCRETION.
TO GIVE SOME ADDITIONAL CONTEXT, THE NEXT TWO SLIDES TAKE A CLOSER LOOK AT NIGHTTIME INJURY COLLISIONS BY AGE.
THIS SLIDE COVERS FROM 2019-2025, AND THE KEY AREA TO FACTOR IN IS AFTER 6:00 P.M., HIGHLIGHTED IN RED.
THIS YEAR, SO FAR WE'VE HAD SEVEN COLLISIONS.
IN 2024, THERE HAVE BEEN SEVEN COLLISIONS, AND THE PRECEDING YEARS, TWO AND THREE.
THIS FURTHER BREAKS IT DOWN BY AGE GROUP, THOSE NIGHTTIME COLLISIONS IN THE PAST THREE YEARS.
THEN THERE'S A COMPARISON CHART HERE NEXT TO IT ON THE RIGHT THAT COMPARES E-BIKE NIGHTTIME COLLISIONS BY AGE AGAINST PEDAL BIKE COLLISIONS BY AGE.
YOU CAN SEE THIS YEAR WE'RE AT SEVEN ALREADY, WITH TWO OF THEM INVOLVING AN INDIVIDUAL BETWEEN 12 AND 17.
WHERE WE HAVE THREE PEDAL BIKES IN 2024, WE HAVE THREE INVOLVING A 12-17-YEAR-OLD, AND ONLY ONE INVOLVING A 12-17-YEAR-OLD ON A PEDAL BIKE.
THEN IN 2022, TWO IN THE TARGET AGE GROUP AND NONE FOR PEDAL BIKES THERE.
[01:55:03]
A POTENTIAL PATH FORWARD FOR THIS ORDINANCE IS TO DIRECT STAFF TO DRAFT AN ORDINANCE, AMENDING MUNICIPAL CODE CHAPTER 10.56 TO RESTRICT E-BIKE OPERATION DURING HOURS OF DARKNESS TO RIDERS 16 YEARS OF AGE AND OLDER.IT WOULD BE DESIGNED TO BE WITHIN THE AUTHORITY DELEGATED TO CITIES IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE VEHICLE CODE.
THE THIRD STAFF RECOMMENDATION IS TO PROHIBIT THE OPERATION OF E-BIKES AT POINSETTIA AND PINE AVENUE COMMUNITY PARKS.
BEFORE DESCRIBING THE BASIS FOR THIS RECOMMENDATION, IT'S IMPORTANT TO BEGIN WITH WHAT RULES THE CITY ALREADY REQUIRES IN THESE SPACES.
UNDER OUR EXISTING MUNICIPAL CODE, RIDING ON ATHLETIC FIELDS AND COURTS IS ALREADY PROHIBITED, AND RIDERS MUST EXERCISE DUE REGARD AROUND PEDESTRIANS AND VEHICLES WITHIN PARKS AND ON PAVED PATHS.
EVEN WITH THESE RULES IN PLACE, THE VOLUME AND NATURE OF E-BIKE ACTIVITY AT CERTAIN PARKS CONTINUE TO RAISE RECURRING COMMUNITY CONCERNS AND OPERATIONAL CHALLENGES.
AS SHOWN IN THE DATA TABLE, BETWEEN JANUARY AND OCTOBER OF THIS YEAR, THE POLICE DEPARTMENT RESPONDED TO 102 E-BIKE-RELATED INCIDENTS AT SIX PARKS WITH THE HIGHEST CALL VOLUMES.
OF THOSE, ROUGHLY TWO-THIRDS OCCURRED AT JUST POINSETTIA AND PINE PARK.
THESE TWO PARKS CONSISTENTLY ACCOUNT FOR THE LARGEST SHARE OF PARK-BASED INCIDENTS LINKED TO E-BIKES.
IT'S ALSO IMPORTANT TO NOTE NOT ALL OF THESE CALLS INVOLVED UNSAFE RIDING.
IN SEVERAL CASES, THE PRIMARY ISSUE WAS VANDALISM, DISORDERLY CONDUCT, OR THEFT, BUT THE OFFENDERS USED E-BIKES TO GET TO AND FROM THE INCIDENTS, WHICH STILL REQUIRED A POLICE RESPONSE.
THIS SUGGESTS THAT E-BIKES ARE INVOLVED IN BOTH RIDING-RELATED VIOLATIONS AND IN FACILITATING OTHER MISCONDUCT IN PARK SETTINGS.
TO ADDRESS THESE CONCERNS, THE POLICE DEPARTMENT HAS ALREADY INCREASED PATROLS AT THESE LOCATIONS, INCLUDING MOTOR UNITS, DIRECTED ENFORCEMENT, AND ROUTINE CHECKS DURING PEAK YOUTH ACTIVITY HOURS.
DESPITE THESE EFFORTS, THE CONCENTRATION OF INCIDENTS AT POINSETTIA AND PINE PARKS HAS PERSISTED, DEMONSTRATING THAT THE CURRENT RULES ARE NOT ACHIEVING THE INTENDED LEVEL OF SAFETY OR DETERRENCE.
FOR THESE REASONS, STAFF IS PRESENTING A PLACE-BASED STRATEGY TO PROHIBIT E-BIKES SPECIFICALLY AT POINSETTIA AND PINE PARKS.
THIS WOULD BE IMPLEMENTED THROUGH POSTED SIGNAGE, SIMILAR TO EXISTING RESTRICTIONS AT OTHER PARK FACILITIES.
THE PATH FORWARD ON THIS PROPOSAL, IF COUNSEL WISHES TO PROCEED, STAFF WOULD DRAFT AN ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING THIS LOCATION-SPECIFIC PROHIBITION AND RETURN FOR AN INTRODUCTION AND ADOPTION.
>> THE FOURTH STAFF RECOMMENDATION IS FOR THE CITY TO EXERCISE ITS NEW IMPOUND AUTHORITY UNDER ASSEMBLY BILL 875, WHICH IS SET TO TAKE EFFECT ON JANUARY 1, 2026.
THIS NEW CALIFORNIA VEHICLE CODE AUTHORIZES POLICE OFFICERS TO IMPOUND VEHICLES UNDER TWO CIRCUMSTANCES.
ONE, WHEN THEY'RE OPERATING ANY ELECTRIC CAPABLE VEHICLE THAT'S CAPABLE OF EXCEEDING 20 MILES AN HOUR, AND IT'S BEING OPERATED BY AN UNLICENSED PERSON.
THIS COVERS A GAP AREA THAT PREVIOUSLY EXISTED FOR ELECTRIC MOTORCYCLES.
THEN IT ALSO AUTHORIZES LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES TO IMPOUND CLASS 3 E-BIKES WHEN THEY'RE BEING DRIVEN OUT OF CLASS.
IF YOU RECALL, CLASS 3 E-BIKES ARE RESTRICTED TO ONLY THOSE THAT ARE 16 OR OLDER.
IF WE WERE TO ENCOUNTER SOMEONE 14 ON A CLASS 3 E-BIKE, THIS WOULD GIVE US THE IMPOUND AUTHORITY.
THE LAW FURTHER ALLOWS CITIES TO RECOVER IMPOUNDS AND STORAGE COSTS, PUBLIC FEE SCHEDULES, REQUIRE A SAFETY COURSE BEFORE RELEASE OF THE VEHICLE FOR CERTAIN VIOLATIONS.
HOWEVER, AS THE STAFF REPORT NOTES, CARLSBAD CURRENTLY DOES NOT HAVE LOCAL PROCEDURES ESTABLISHING HOW VEHICLES ARE IMPOUNDED, STORED, OR RELEASED UNDER THIS NEW LAW, AND A LOCAL ORDINANCE IS REQUIRED TO OPERATIONALIZE THE STATE AUTHORITY.
THIS TOOL IS PARTICULARLY RELEVANT GIVEN THE RISE OF OUT-OF-CLASS DEVICES, SUCH AS HIGH-POWERED E-MOTORCYCLES, WHICH PRESENT SOME OF THE HIGHEST ENFORCEMENT AND SAFETY RISKS.
THE POTENTIAL PATH FORWARD FOR THIS IS TO DIRECT STAFF TO DRAFT A LOCAL ORDINANCE, IMPLEMENTING CALIFORNIA VEHICLE CODE 22651.08, INCLUDING IMPOUNDMENT PROCEDURES, FEE SCHEDULES, SAFETY, TRAINING REQUIREMENTS, AND PROVISIONS FOR LIMITED EXCEPTIONS.
TO SUMMARIZE THESE SEVEN RECOMMENDATIONS BEFORE YOU.
THEY ARE ADOPTING ASSEMBLY BILL 2234, PROHIBITING E-BIKES FOR THOSE UNDER 12.
PURSUING LEGISLATION TO JOIN MARIN COUNTIES ASSEMBLY BILL 1778, PROHIBITING CLASS 2 E-BIKE USE FOR THOSE UNDER 16,
[02:00:02]
PURSUING LEGISLATION PROHIBITING E-BIKE RIDERS UNDER 16 FROM CARRYING PASSENGERS.MAKING COMPREHENSIVE UPDATES TO THE EXISTING MUNICIPAL CODES, STRENGTHENING UNSAFE RIDING STANDARDS, AND PARENTAL ACCOUNTABILITY.
ADOPTING A LOCAL ORDINANCE, ESTABLISHING AN AGE OF 16 AS THE MINIMUM AGE FOR OPERATING AN E-BIKE DURING HOURS OF DARKNESS, PROHIBITING REGULATED MOBILITY DEVICES, E-BIKES SPECIFICALLY AT POINSETTIA AND PINE AVENUE COMMUNITY PARKS, AND ADOPTING A LOCAL ORDINANCE EXERCISING THE CITY'S NEW IMPOUND AUTHORITY UNDER ASSEMBLY BILL 875.
BEFORE WE MOVE INTO QUESTIONS, I DO WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE SOMETHING VERY DIRECTLY, AND THAT IS EVERY OPTION PRESENTED TONIGHT HAS LIMITATIONS WITHIN IT.
THERE'S NO SINGLE ORDINANCE THAT WILL RESOLVE THE ISSUE ON ITS OWN, BUT EACH MEASURE HELPS CLOSE SPECIFIC GAPS THAT CONTRIBUTE TO UNSAFE OR DISRUPTIVE BEHAVIOR, AND SOME WILL RELY MORE ON EDUCATION AND VOLUNTARY COMPLIANCE THAN STRICT ENFORCEMENT.
SUPPORTING ASSEMBLY BILL 2234 IS NOT FUTILE, EVEN WITH ITS LIMITATIONS.
IT REINFORCES EMERGING SOCIAL NORMS AND PROVIDES MEANINGFUL VALUE.
IT ESTABLISHES A CLEAR MINIMUM AGE THAT IS CURRENTLY ABSENT IN STATE LAW.
IT PLACES RESPONSIBILITY ON PARENTS WHO TYPICALLY ADJUST THEIR CONDUCT WHEN CONDUCT BECOMES EXPLICITLY UNLAWFUL, AND IT RESPONDS DIRECTLY TO THE COMMUNITY'S MOST CONSISTENT CONCERN, AND THAT IS YOUNG CHILDREN ON HIGH-SPEED E-BIKES.
IT ALSO ENSURES CARLSBAD CONTRIBUTES TO THE DISCUSSION THAT WILL INFORM FUTURE STATEWIDE POLICY DECISIONS.
FINALLY, EACH RECOMMENDATION IS GROUNDED IN DATA, INFORMED BY COMMUNITY INPUT, AND CONSISTENT WITH THE CITY'S LEGAL AUTHORITY.
TAKEN TOGETHER, THEY OFFER MEASURED INCREMENTAL IMPROVEMENTS THAT MODERNIZE EXPECTATIONS AND REINFORCE THE NORMS THE COMMUNITY IS ALREADY MOVING TOWARDS.
WITH THAT, WE THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME DURING THE PRESENTATION.
MISS TRUE AND I ARE AVAILABLE FOR QUESTIONS, AND BEHIND US, WE HAVE A NUMBER OF DEPARTMENT HEADS FROM PUBLIC WORKS, THE PARKS AND REC DIRECTOR.
WE HAVE THE STAFF LIAISON FOR THE TRAFFIC SAFETY AND MOBILITY COMMISSION, AND WE'RE ALL AVAILABLE TO YOU FOR QUESTIONS THAT YOU HAVE ON THIS TOPIC.
>> THANK YOU. DO WE HAVE SPEAKERS?
>> WE DO. ONE LEFT, MIKE BARRIO, BUT PETE PEN SEARS IS HERE.
>> GOOD EVENING. I'M A RESIDENT OF CARLSBAD.
I'M ALSO THE VICE CHAIR OF THE TRAFFIC SAFETY AND MOBILITY COMMISSION, BUT I'M NOT SPEAKING ABOUT THAT.
WHAT I'D LIKE TO DO IS SPEAK WITH MY EXPERIENCE AS A LEAGUE OF AMERICAN BICYCLISTS CERTIFIED INSTRUCTOR.
I'D LIKE TO FIRST OF ALL, START OFF WITH ALL THE GOOD THINGS THAT THE CITY OF CARLSBAD HAS ALREADY DONE. JUST TO NAME A FEW.
THE ILLEGAL RIDING ON THE SIDEWALK IS NOT SOMETHING THAT ALL CITIES DO, AND IT'S A GREAT THING BECAUSE WHEN CITIES DON'T HAVE THAT, THAT TURNS OUT TO BE ONE OF THE BIGGEST CAUSES OF CAR-BIKE CRASHES.
OTHER THINGS THEY'VE DONE IS UPDATED THE MUNI CODE TO PROHIBIT E-BIKES ON CITY PARKS AND TRAILS, AND SO FORTH THAT PEDESTRIANS ARE INVOLVED.
WE'VE GOT TO PROTECT PEDESTRIANS FROM THESE PEOPLE.
ONE OF THE OTHER THINGS THEY'VE DONE IS CERTIFIED SIX POLICE OFFICERS IN THE CITY.
IT'S BEEN DONE NOWHERE ELSE IN THE STATE, AS FAR AS I KNOW.
THEY HOLD A CERTIFIED INSTRUCTOR FROM THE LEAGUE OF AMERICAN BICYCLISTS.
IMPOUNDING ILLEGAL ELECTRIC BICYCLISTS, I'VE ALREADY STARTED WITH THAT, AND THAT'S GREAT.
ONE OF THE ITEMS TONIGHT THAT WAS DISCUSSED WAS TO PROHIBIT E-BIKE RIDERS FROM UNDER 16 FROM RIDING AFTER DARK.
I DON'T THINK THAT COMPLIES WITH CALIFORNIA VEHICLE CODE 21A.
I CHECKED THAT OUT WITH SOMEONE WHO IS A FORMER CALIFORNIA HIGHWAY PATROLMAN, WHO WAS A POLICE OFFICER, SAFETY TRAINING, POST OFFICER TRAINING.
HE PROVIDED TRAINING FOR YEARS.
HE'S ALSO AN E-BIKE SPECIALIST.
RECOMMENDATIONS THAT YOU HAVE HERE TONIGHT, I'D LIKE TO SAY THAT THERE ARE A COUPLE THAT I'D LIKE TO SEE ADDED, PRIMARILY BECAUSE I'VE HAD TWO FRIENDS THAT WERE RECENTLY HIT FROM BEHIND BY E-BIKE RIDERS.
[02:05:03]
THIS HAPPENED WHILE THEY WERE GOING UPHILL AND OVERTAKING BY E-BIKE RIDERS USING THROTTLES TO GO MUCH FASTER THAN MY FRIENDS COULD GO, AND THEY'RE VERY GOOD CYCLISTS.BOTH OF THEM WERE INJURED, AND ONE OF THEM SENT YOU A LETTER EARLIER.
THE OTHER ONE, AGAIN, YOU HAVE VEHICLE CODE SECTIONS THAT APPLY TO UNSAFE PASSING.
I RECOMMEND THAT YOU PUT THAT INTO THE REQUESTS OR INTO THE CITY MUNICIPAL CODE. THANK YOU.
>> DO WE HAVE ANY OTHER SPEAKERS?
>> THERE ARE NO ADDITIONAL SPEAKERS.
>> THANK YOU. WE'LL GO ON TO QUESTIONS.
I'M GOING TO START JUST BECAUSE I HAVE THESE RIGHT IN FRONT OF MY BRAIN.
[INAUDIBLE] YOU SCANNED OVER THE DRONE ENFORCEMENT.
COULD YOU GIVE ME A LITTLE BIT MORE DETAIL ON THAT?
>> YES, SIR. WE LEARNED OVER TIME THAT WE HAD SOME ISSUES OF STUNT RIDING WITH THE ELECTRIC MOTORCYCLES, PARTICULARLY IN THE COASTAL CORRIDOR AND THEN IN THE SOUTHERN PORTION OF THE CITY, AND THROUGH OUR ATTEMPTED ENFORCEMENT AT THE ONSITE LEVEL, THEY WERE FLEEING FROM US.
THE LAST THING THAT WE WANTED TO DO IS ENGAGE IN A PURSUIT WITH A JUVENILE ON A HIGH-SPEED MOTORCYCLE, SO WE WERE HAVING TO DISCONTINUE A LOT OF THOSE PURSUITS.
THE STRATEGY THAT WE CAME UP WITH AND DEVELOPED WAS TO USE THE DRONE TO TRY TO IDENTIFY THESE RIDERS AND CONFRONT THEM WHEN THEY ARE NOT ON THEIR BIKES, OR AWAY FROM THEIR BIKES, OR SITTING STILL IN SUCH A WAY THAT THEY DON'T HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO FLEE.
ON THESE ELECTRIC MOTORCYCLES, IT RISES TO THE LEVEL OF A MISDEMEANOR CRIME TO FLEE FOR AN OFFICER ON THIS DEVICE, AND SO WE FELT THAT IT WAS APPROPRIATE, GIVEN THE NATURE OF THE ACTIVITY AND THE SEVERITY AND RISK THAT WAS INVOLVED, TO PULL OUT ALL THE STOPS AND UTILIZE A LARGE TEAM IN CONCERT WITH A DRONE TO DO THAT ENFORCEMENT.
>> DOES 2800 APPLY TO E-BIKES, AND THAT'S THE SECTION FOR FLEEING FROM A POLICE OFFICER?
>> YES. IT DOESN'T APPLY FOR AN E-BIKE, BUT IT DOES APPLY TO THE E-MOTORCYCLE.
THAT'S THE DISTINGUISHING FACTOR THERE.
>> THANK YOU. YOUR RECOMMENDATION IS SUPPORTING THE AFTER-DARK PROHIBITION FOR PEOPLE UNDER 16.
BUT DO YOU HAVE THE PRIMARY COLLISION FACTORS FOR THOSE? WERE THEY RELATED TO DARKNESS, OR JUST HAPPENED AT BE IN THE DARK WHEN IT HAPPENED?
>> YES. THE QUERY THAT I INITIALLY CONDUCTED WAS JUST TIME-BASED, SO I WASN'T LOOKING TO SEE IF THE DARKNESS WAS A FACTOR.
I COULD SAY MORE OFTEN THAN NOT, IT TENDS TO BE UNSAFE SPEED WITH A COMBINATION OF AN ASSOCIATED FACTOR OF DARKNESS OR VISIBILITY.
BUT I DIDN'T PULL THOSE EXACTLY FOR THOSE NUMBERS THAT I PRESENT.
>> THANK YOU. I'M SORRY, USUALLY, I ASKED THOSE IN ADVANCE, BUT IT JUST CAME TO ME DURING THIS.
WHEN YOU SEE SOMEBODY ON AN E-BIKE WHO'S UNDER 12, HOW DO YOU KNOW HE'S UNDER 12 AND NOT 13 AND LOOKS YOUNG? HOW ARE YOU GOING TO DEAL WITH THAT?
>> THAT IS ONE OF THE AS I MENTIONED IN THE CLOSING, THE LIMITATION TO SOME OF THESE ORDINANCES, IT'S CHALLENGING.
IN ORDER TO MAKE A STOP, THE OFFICER HAS TO HAVE REASONABLE SUSPICION THAT HE BELIEVES THERE'S A VIOLATION THAT'S OCCURRING.
ONE WAY MIGHT BE PERSONAL KNOWLEDGE, THAT IT'S A SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICER, AND HE KNOWS THAT HE IS FAMILIAR WITH ONE OF THE JUVENILES.
WE DO TEND TO KNOW A LOT OF THE YOUTH IN OUR COMMUNITY.
THE MORE COMMON WAY THAT IT WOULD POP UP OUTSIDE OF KNOWING OR IT BEING OBVIOUS ON ITS FACE, IF IT WAS AN EIGHT-YEAR-OLD, LET'S SAY, WOULD PROBABLY BE COLLATERAL TO SOME OTHER CAUSE FOR INTERVENTION.
THEY SAW THE RIDER BLOW A STOP SIGN OR RUN A RED LIGHT OR RIDING ON THE SIDEWALK, NOT WEARING A HELMET, THE OFFICER ENGAGES IN A STOP FOR THAT ENFORCEMENT AND, THROUGH CONVERSATION, FINDS OUT THAT THE JUVENILE IS UNDER 12.
>> I'M SORRY, I'M COMPLETELY UNFAMILIAR WITH AN E-BIKE.
YOU TALKED ABOUT CLASS 1, 2, 3.
IF A POLICE OFFICER IS DRIVING BY AN E-BIKE, IS IT EASY TO DISTINGUISH WHETHER IT'S A 1, 2, OR 3?
SOME OF THE BIKES HAVE A WAY AT A JAIL BREAK AND PUT IT INTO A CLASS 3 MODE.
IT COULD BE A CLASS 3 BIKE OPERATING IN CLASS ONE MODE, CLASS TWO MODE.
THERE'S SOME ASSEMBLY BILLS AND LEGISLATION THAT'S COME OUT THROUGH THE STATE THAT FORCES MANUFACTURERS TO PRODUCE
[02:10:05]
WHAT CLASS IT IS ON THE BIKE SO THAT IT IS MORE READILY AVAILABLE TO OFFICERS OR ANYBODY CONDUCTING AN INSPECTION.BUT AS YOU KNOW, THERE'S A LOT OF AFTERMARKET SALES, OUT-OF-STATE PURCHASES THAT COME INTO OUR COMMUNITY.
FOR THAT REASON, IT'S DIFFICULT TO DETERMINE, AND IT WOULD HAVE TO BE DETERMINED THROUGH SOME ON-SITE INSPECTION.
THE RIDER WAS STOPPED FOR SOMETHING ELSE.
THE OFFICER MIGHT BE INTIMATELY FAMILIAR WITH THAT PARTICULAR BRAND OR DEVICE, OR STYLE OF THE E-BIKE, BUT IT WOULD BE CHALLENGING IN MANY CASES TO DETERMINE.
>> PROS AND CONS ON PROHIBITING E-BIKES IN THE PARKS.
YOU PICK TWO PARKS BECAUSE OF THE ACTIVITY LEVELS.
BUT I'M LEANING TOWARD, WHY NOT JUST SAY ALL THE PARKS? WHAT ARE THE PROS AND CONS WITH THAT THOUGHT PROCESS?
>> I'M HAPPY TO GO INTO YOU WITH THOSE, AND WE HAVE THE DIRECTOR OF PARKS.
I'LL LET HIM INTRODUCE HIMSELF, KYLE LANCASTER.
I'M GOING TO PULL UP A SLIDE THAT WE PREPARED JUST TO WALK THROUGH THAT WITH YOU, AND WE ALSO FELT IT WAS IMPORTANT YOU HAD SOME OF HIS PERSPECTIVE TO CONSIDER WITH THIS.
>> THANK YOU, MARON CITY COUNCIL, KYLE LANCASTER, PARKS AND RECREATION DIRECTOR.
WE DID PREPARE THIS SLIDE AFTER THE BRIEFING YESTERDAY, AND IT'S REALLY A VARIATION OF RECOMMENDATION SIX.
THIS WOULD BE A PROHIBITION OF OPERATING E-BIKES AT PARKS THAT ARE POSTED UNDER THE AUTHORITY OF THE CITY MANAGER.
ESSENTIALLY, THAT AUTHORITY WOULD BE DELEGATED BY THE CITY COUNCIL TO THE MANAGER, THEREFORE, NOT LIMITING THE ACTION TO JUST THE TWO PARKS DESCRIBED TONIGHT, POINSETTIA AND PINE AVENUE COMMUNITY PARKS.
IF I CAN JUST QUICKLY GO DOWN THE LIST ON THE PROS TO THIS IDEA OF EXPANDING TO MULTIPLE PARKS, IF NOT ALL PARKS IN THE INVENTORY.
IT DOES PROVIDE FOR GREATER CONSISTENCY ACROSS THAT INVENTORY OF PARKS.
IT ALSO REDUCES THE POTENTIAL FOR WHAT I WOULD REFER TO AS WRITING MIGRATION.
I DO HAVE A BIT OF A CONCERN THAT IF WE PROHIBIT E-BIKE RIDING ONLY AT POINSETTIA AND PINE AVENUE, THAT RIDERS MAY SIMPLY MIGRATE TO OTHER PARKS, IN PARTICULAR, FROM POINSETTIA UP THE ROAD, TO AVIARA, ALGA NORTE, FROM PINE AVENUE TO HOLIDAY, OR MCGEE, OR LACUNA AVIARA, ALL OF WHICH ARE IN RELATIVELY CLOSE PROXIMITY FOR ANY BICYCLIST.
OTHER PROS, IT OFFERS THE SAME PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES TO ALL PATRONS.
IF WE'RE CONCERNED ABOUT PROTECTING PEDESTRIANS, IN PARTICULAR IN PARKS, THEN I DON'T KNOW IF THAT SHOULD BE LIMITED JUST TO THE TWO PARKS DESCRIBED.
I WOULD RATHER SEE THAT THROUGHOUT THE PARK SYSTEM.
IT ALSO ELIMINATES THE NEED FOR STAFF TO HAVE TO COME BACK TO THE CITY COUNCIL FOR ACTION EACH TIME.
WE WANTED TO ADD A PARK TO THAT PROHIBITION.
AGAIN, THAT WOULD BE BY DELEGATION OF THE AUTHORITY TO THE CITY MANAGER.
THE CONS, SOME COULD SAY THAT HAVING THIS TYPE OF PROHIBITION THROUGHOUT THE PARK SYSTEM CONVEYS A BIT OF AN ANTI-RECREATIONAL MESSAGE.
IDEALLY, YOU'D LOVE TO BE ABLE TO RIDE A BIKE IN A PARK.
BUT AGAIN, AS LIEUTENANT ARNTI HAS INDICATED, AT THESE TWO PARKS IN PARTICULAR, IT HAS BECOME PROBLEMATIC AND DIFFICULT TO ACHIEVE COMPLIANCE.
IF ADDITIONAL MEASURES ARE NECESSARY, AGAIN, WE MAY HAVE TO ADDRESS THAT STIGMA, BUT OVERALL, AGAIN, IT'S SOMETHING THAT WE FELT WAS NECESSARY TO BRING FORWARD TO YOU.
THE OTHER CONS ARE THAT, OF COURSE, THIS WOULD IMPACT ALL RIDERS, EVEN, LET'S SAY, WITH FAMILIES OR WHATNOT, THAT ARE RIDING RESPONSIBLY.
IT'S NOT JUST ADDRESSING THOSE THAT ARE BEING UNSAFE AND UNCOURTEOUS.
>> LASTLY, A COUPLE HERE RELIES ON WRITERS READING THE SIGNS THAT ARE POSTED.
OUR REGULATORY SIGNS ARE AT ALL OF OUR SIGNIFICANT ENTRY POINTS TO OUR PARKS.
DOESN'T MEAN THAT THE PATRONS ALWAYS VIEW THOSE, AND I'M SURE THAT LIEUTENANT ARNAI AND OTHERS RECEIVE THAT COMMENT FREQUENTLY WHEN THEY APPROACH PATRONS ON OTHER PROHIBITIONS THAT ARE LISTED ON THOSE SIGNS.
LASTLY, IN RELATION TO THOSE SIGNS, THERE IS A COST INCURRED TO HAVE TO REPLACE ALL OF THOSE SIGNS.
WE COULD DO AN EASY STICKER SYSTEM TO START OUT, BUT REALLY THE CORRECT WAY WOULD BE TO REPRODUCE, REFABRICATE, AND REINSTALL ALL THE SIGNAGE.
ADDITIONALLY, WE WOULD RECOMMEND PLACING ADDITIONAL BIKE RACKS NEAR THE ENTRY OF THESE PARKS SO THAT PEOPLE DON'T HAVE THAT EXCUSE OF RIDING THROUGH THE MIDDLE OF THE PARK, SAYING, OH, THERE WASN'T A BIKE RACK AVAILABLE.
NO, WE HAVE THEM RIGHT HERE NEAR THE ENTRY.
IN THE STAFF REPORT, WE HAD A ROUND FIGURE OF $15,000 FOR JUST THE TWO PARKS REFERENCED IN REPLACING ALL THE REGULATORY SIGNS AND ADDING BIKE RACKS.
IF YOU MULTIPLY THAT OUT OVER OUR ENTIRE PARKS INVENTORY OF 42 COMMUNITY PARKS AND SPECIAL USE AREAS,
[02:15:03]
YOU'RE OVER A COUPLE $100,000.IT IS A SIGNIFICANT COST, AND AGAIN, COULD BE VIEWED AS A CON.
THOSE WERE THE ITEMS THAT I CAME UP WITH LAST NIGHT.
OF COURSE, THERE MIGHT BE OTHER PROS AND CONS, BUT THAT'S A PRETTY COMPREHENSIVE LIST AND WANTED TO BRING THAT FORWARD TO YOU.
>> THANK YOU. QUESTIONS FROM COUNCIL. MISS BHAT-PATEL.
>> YES, THANK YOU AND THANKS FOR THE PRESENTATION AND TO THOSE THAT REACHED OUT TO US WITH REGARDS TO THIS PARTICULAR ITEM.
I KNOW IT'S SOMETHING THAT I'M SURE ALL OF US RECEIVE A LOT OF COMMUNICATION ON, AND I KNOW IT'S BEEN GETTING A LOT OF ATTENTION, SO JUST REALLY APPRECIATE ALL THE WORK THAT'S BEEN PUT INTO THIS AND IN BRINGING IT FORWARD.
SOME OF THE QUESTIONS THAT I HAD, AND I APPRECIATE THAT THE MAYOR BROUGHT UP WHETHER OR NOT IT CAN BE EXPANDED TO ALL PARKS.
I'VE RECEIVED A LOT OF FEEDBACK SPECIFICALLY FOR POINT SETI PARK.
AND SO IT SOUNDS LIKE THERE IS THE OPTION TO DO BY GIVING THAT AUTHORITY TO THE CITY MANAGER.
FOR NOW, WE'RE WORKING ON THE TWO PARTS THAT WE'VE RECEIVED THE MOST FEEDBACK ON.
IS THAT CORRECT? YES, MA'AM. ABSOLUTELY.
>> THEN I KNOW WE TALK ABOUT THE PARENT ACCOUNTABILITY PIECE.
THAT'S SOMETHING THAT I KNOW WHEN WE'VE DISCUSSED THIS EVEN AT THE CITY SCHOOLS COMMITTEE MEETING, THAT WAS SOMETHING THAT I MENTIONED IS HOW DO WE MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE HOLDING PARENTS ACCOUNTABLE BECAUSE THESE ARE CHILDREN.
IT'S REALLY MAKING SURE THAT PARENTS ARE AWARE OF WHAT'S GOING ON AT HOME AND OBVIOUSLY OUTSIDE OF HOME.
CURIOUS HOW THAT PIECE WILL BE ENFORCED BECAUSE I KNOW THAT'S SOMETHING THAT FOLKS ARE WONDERING IS OKAY, PARENTS ARE GOING TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE, BUT WHAT DOES THAT LOOK LIKE?
>> I WILL SAY THIS THAT IT'S GOING TO NO ORDINANCE IS WRITTEN RIGHT NOW AT THE TIME.
HOWEVER, WE'RE ENVISIONING SOMETHING THAT WILL REQUIRE EDUCATION TO THE PARENT FIRST.
IF AN E-BIKE IS CONFISCATED AND THEN GIVEN TO THE PARENT, IT IS ENVISIONED THAT SOME WARNING WILL BE GIVEN TO THE PARENT, THAT WILL BE DOCUMENTED, AND THEN THAT WILL BE USED GOING FORWARD.
BUT I KNOW THERE ARE OTHER MECHANISMS THAT THE PD ALREADY USES AND I'LL TUT ARNOTT EXPLAIN THOSE.
>> THANK YOU. WE HAVE HAD IN SOME THE CASES THAT MAYBE DESERVE IT BECAUSE OF THE NEGLIGENCE.
WE DO HAVE AT OUR DISPOSAL, THE ABILITY TO FILE A CPS REFERRAL FOR LIKE ENDANGERMENT OR PUTTING THE CHILD AT RISK.
THEN IN EXTREME CASES WITH SOME OF OUR ELECTRIC MOTORCYCLE COLLISIONS AND OTHER PERMISSIONS THAT THE PARENT HAS KNOWINGLY ALLOWED THE CHILD TO ENGAGE IN AT THOSE ACTIVITIES.
THERE'S LIKE A MISDEMEANOR LEVEL CHILD ENDANGERMENT CHARGE OUT OF THE PENAL CODE THAT WORKS IN CONCERT WITH THE CPS REFERRAL.
THINK SOME OF THE ORDINANCES IN HERE AND EXTREME CASES THAT WOULD INVOLVE COULD BE SUPPORTED BY THE POLICE DEPARTMENT'S REFERRAL THROUGH THOSE FORMS AS WELL TO GAIN PARENT ACCOUNTABILITY OR HOLD SOME COMPLIANCE FROM THAT PERSPECTIVE.
>>THANK YOU. I KNOW THAT THIS WAS A QUESTION THAT I RECEIVED FROM A FEW FOLKS, WHICH WAS WHY MARIN COUNTY HAS THE AGE LIMIT OF 16 AND WE HAVE AS A PILOT AND THEN WHY DO WE HAVE 12? IF SOMEBODY COULD WALK US THROUGH THAT, I'D APPRECIATE THAT AND I SEE MR. HABER WALKING UP, BUT I KNOW THAT THAT'S SOMETHING THAT'S COME UP QUITE A FEW TIMES.
>> GOOD EVENING, MAYOR. CITY COUNCILMEMBER JASON HABER, THE CITY'S INTERGOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS DIRECTOR.
I DON'T KNOW THAT I CAN SPEAK DIRECTLY TO THE RATIONALE BEHIND SETTING THE 16 AND UNDER LIMIT IN MARIN AND HOURS HERE IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY AT 12.
ULTIMATELY, THROUGH THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS, THE BILL THAT WAS INTRODUCED IN MARIN COUNTY OBVIOUSLY WAS SPEAKING TO ISSUES THAT WERE RAISED THERE AND SPOKE TO THE AUTHOR THAT INTRODUCED THE BILL THERE.
I'LL JUST SAY, AB 2234 REALLY BEGAN AS A MUCH MORE EXPANSIVE BILL.
THE FINAL BILL THAT WE LANDED WITH WAS NOT WHAT WAS ORIGINALLY INTRODUCED.
THAT BILL AS INTRODUCED BUILT ON A BILL THAT WAS PREVIOUSLY AUTHORED BY ASSEMBLY MEMBER BERNER, I BELIEVE IN 2022, WHICH REQUIRED THE CALIFORNIA HIGHWAY PATROL TO DEVELOP A SAFETY AND TRAINING PROGRAM FOR THE STATE.
THAT WAS INITIATED AND COMPLETED.
AB 2234 AS INTRODUCED, WOULD HAVE REQUIRED ANY UNLICENSED E-BIKE RIDER, WHETHER YOU'RE 16 AND UNDER OR 16 AND OVER, BUT WITHOUT A DRIVER'S LICENSE TO GO THROUGH A SKILLS WAIVER PROGRAM, GO THROUGH THAT TRAINING AND SAFETY PROGRAM THROUGH THE CHP,
[02:20:03]
OBTAIN THAT SKILLS WAIVER, AND HAVE ON THEIR PERSON A STATE ISSUED LICENSE WHILE RIDING AND E-BIKE, THROUGH THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS, AND THAT ALSO WOULD HAVE ALSO INCLUDED THE UNDER 12 BAN ON RIDERSHIP.THROUGH THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS AND THE AMENDMENT PROCESS THAT GOES THROUGHOUT THE COURSE OF THAT, THE BILL WAS AMENDED TO THE CURRENT STATE THAT YOU SEE IT.
THAT IS THE RESULT OF COMPETING ADVOCACY INTERESTS AND NOT NECESSARILY A UNIFORM SET OF CIRCUMSTANCES STATEWIDE.
THIS WAS THE BILL THAT WE WERE ABLE TO PASS FOR SAN DIEGO COUNTY, AND I THINK SPEAKS TO THE MOST AT RISK AND THE MOST CRITICAL SAFETY ISSUES ASSOCIATED WITH THAT YOUNG RIDERSHIP.
AGAIN, RECOMMENDING, SHOULD COUNCIL BE INTERESTED TO PURSUE AN OPPORTUNITY TO GET SAN DIEGO COUNTY OR CARLSBAD SPECIFICALLY INCLUDED IN THE UNDER 16 ELIGIBILITY IS CERTAINLY SOMETHING THAT WE COULD PURSUE TO EXPAND OUR OPTIONS THERE.
>> THANK YOU FOR WALKING THROUGH THAT AND REALLY APPRECIATE THAT.
I THINK, IT'S SOMETHING THAT I HOPE THAT WE CONTINUE TO LOOK AT AND CONSIDER BECAUSE IT SEEMS LIKE, OF COURSE, THE ORIGINAL INTENT OF THE BILL WAS TO GO DEFINITELY A FEW STEPS FURTHER THAN WHERE WE'RE AT.
OBVIOUSLY, WE'RE TAKING SOME BITE SIZED APPROACHES TO IT, AND THAT'S NOT THE FAULT OF THE AUTHOR.
IT'S JUST LIKE YOU MENTIONED, WITH ADVOCACY, GROUPS, AND ORGANIZATIONS WHERE IT LANDED FINALLY.
I THINK AS WE CONTINUE TO LOOK FORWARD, THAT WOULD BE BENEFICIAL.
ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I ALSO JUST WANTED TO CONFIRM AND HIGHLIGHT WAS AROUND THE DATA.
YOU MENTIONED, CAN I CONFIRM THAT IT WAS OVER HALF OF THE COLLISIONS THAT WERE ACCOUNTED FOR IN THAT AGE GROUP OF 12-17?
>> DO YOU HAVE A SPECIFIC SLIDE THAT [OVERLAPPING].
>> I THINK IT'S THIS ONE. YES.
>> YES. TO JUST RE CLARIFY, THESE WERE SEPARATED ALL OF THE AT FAULT COLLISIONS WHERE AN E-BIKE WAS FOUND AT FAULT.
YOU'RE CORRECT, IT DOES THE MOST RECENT TREND UP TO OCTOBER 1ST, 2025, 42% WE AGED 12-17.
>> WHEN WE LOOK AT THE TOTAL 2022-2025, AND THAT WAS WHAT I WAS REFERENCING.
THANK YOU. NO, I APPRECIATE THAT.
THE MOST RECENT FOR THIS YEAR, THAT MAKES SENSE, AND THEN, OF COURSE, OVERALL, FROM ONE WE'VE BEEN TRACKING, IT LOOKS LIKE IT'S BEEN OVER HALF FOR THAT PARTICULAR AGE GROUP.
THAT'S CORRECT. THEN IT SEEMS LIKE WITH ALL OF THE OTHER NUMBERS, WHETHER IT WAS THIS OR AND I KNOW THAT THERE WERE A FEW OTHER SUBSEQUENT SLIDES, THE UNDER 12 CATEGORY IS A PRETTY SMALL NUMBER THAT WE'RE SEEING.
IS THAT ALSO WHAT YOU'VE NOTICED OVERALL IN TRENDS, IS THAT THE MAJORITY OF THE FOLKS ARE FALLING WITHIN THAT 12-17 CATEGORY?
>> COULD YOU JUST REPHRASE THAT LAST PART OF YOUR QUESTION?
>> YEAH. BASED ON THE TRENDS, WE'RE SEEING THAT THAT NUMBER 4 UNDER 12 IS PRETTY LOW, AND SO THE MAJORITY OF THE FOLKS THAT ARE FALLING WHETHER IT'S INJURY OR COLLISIONS, WHATEVER ELSE, MAJORITY OF THOSE FOLKS ARE FALLING WITHIN THAT 12-17 CATEGORY?
>> THEN WITH REGARDS TO THE COMMUNITY FEEDBACK, I KNOW WE'VE RECEIVED A LOT, WE'VE SEEN A LOT.
I'D LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU ALL THE AGGREGATE.
I KNOW WE HEARD IT ON THE SLIDE, BUT IT SOUNDS LIKE MAJORITY OF THE FOLKS ARE SUPPORTIVE OF SOMETHING LIKE THIS MOVING FORWARD.
>> I CAN CONFIRM THAT'S WHAT WE AS I OVERSEE THE TRAFFIC DIVISION, SO I RECEIVE A MAJORITY OF THE EMAILS ON THIS TOPIC, IF NOT ALL OF THEM, MAKE THEIR WAY TOWARDS MY INBOX.
THAT IS THE CONSISTENT TRENDING MAJORITY THEME THAT I RECEIVE.
>> THANK YOU. THE LAST QUESTION I HAVE AND THEN I JUST HAVE COMMENTS IS AROUND.
I KNOW THE MAYOR ALSO ASKED ABOUT THE DARK,, AFTER DARK, OR AFTER SUNSET AND BEFORE SUNRISE.
HOW WILL THAT BE COMMUNICATED TO FOLKS? I KNOW, IT SHOULD BE PRETTY CLEAR BASED ON THE TIMES, BUT I WONDER IF IT'S GOING TO GET INTO SUBJECTIVITY, AND I WAS JUST CURIOUS IF YOU COULD SHARE A LITTLE BIT AROUND THAT, MISS TRUE.
>> OF COURSE, THANK YOU. AT THIS TIME AGAIN,
[02:25:02]
THERE HAS BEEN NO ORDINANCE WRITTEN, SO WHETHER EXCEPTIONS ARE BUILT IN IS TO BE DETERMINED AT THE COUNCIL'S DIRECTION.HOWEVER, AS WE SEE WITH AB 2234, IT REQUIRES A HUGE EFFORT TO NOTIFY THE COMMUNITY.
WITH OUR PARTNERS, OUR COMMUNICATIONS TEAM DOES AN AMAZING JOB NOTIFYING, WORKING WITH OUR SCHOOL PARTNERS TO ENSURE EVERYBODY IS AWARE OF WHAT IS HAPPENING.
I IMAGINE ANY ORDINANCE THAT IS DRAFTED COULD MIRROR WHAT WE SEE IN 2234 WITH A PUBLIC NOTICE CAMPAIGN IN ADVANCE OF PASSING THE ORDINANCE, AS WELL AS EDUCATION AFTER THE FACT, BEFORE FINES MAY BE GIVEN.
AGAIN, AS YOU'VE SEEN ON THE SLIDE, THERE IS A DESIRE TO INCLUDE EXCEPTIONS.
WE DON'T WANT TO KEEP SOMEBODY FROM BEING ABLE TO GO TO BASKETBALL PRACTICE OR GO TO A DOCTOR'S APPOINTMENT.
THERE WILL BE EXCEPTIONS BUILT IN IF THE COUNCIL CHOOSES TO GO IN THAT DIRECTION, BUT AGAIN, EDUCATION WILL BE OUR MOST IMPORTANT PIECE OF IT, I IMAGINE.
>> GREAT. THANK YOU. JUST COMMENTS AFTER THAT. THANKS.
>> THANK YOU. THANKS AGAIN FOR THE PRESENTATION AND TO ALL THE COMMUNITY FOLKS WHO HAVE BEEN WEIGHING IN NOT JUST THIS WEEK, BUT OVER THE PAST COUPLE OF YEARS THAT WE'VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT THIS.
MY FIRST QUESTION IS ABOUT THE PARKS.
I'M WONDERING IF I COULD JUST BETTER UNDERSTAND WHERE THE PROBLEM IS AT THE PARKS.
IS IT ON THE SIDEWALKS? IS IT KIDS DOING WEES IN THE PARKING LOTS? I UNDERSTAND THAT THE CITY ALREADY PROHIBITS THE E-BIKE AND BIKE RIDING ON COURTS, LIKE TENNIS COURTS OR GYM.
I'M JUST TRYING TO UNDERSTAND WHERE THE ACTUAL PROBLEM IS.
>> THE MUNICIPAL CODE ALREADY PROHIBITS USAGE ON COURTS ON ATHLETIC FIELDS DOES NOT PROHIBIT THE USE ON WALKWAYS OR OTHER AREAS OF THE PARK, PASSIVE TURF, AS AN EXAMPLE, NATURAL GRASS AREAS.
I'LL LET [INAUDIBLE] SPEAK TO SPECIFICS, BUT THE COMPLAINTS THAT WE HEAR OFTEN WITH PEDESTRIANS COME IN CONFLICT WITH E-BIKE RIDERS GOING AT AN UNSAFE SPEED, PERHAPS CUTTING ACROSS A WALKWAY AND EVEN PERFORMING JUMPS OR OTHER ACTIVITIES THAT ARE UNSAFE.
WITH THAT, WE DO RECEIVE THOSE CONCERNS FROM FOLKS THAT ARE THERE PERHAPS WITH A STROLLER OR WITH AN ELDERLY PARENT.
THAT'S THE GREATEST DEGREE OF COMMENTS THAT WE RECEIVE.
>> OUR COMMENTS WOULD CONCUR WITH WHAT WE SEE IN THE ACTUAL CALL FOR SERVICE THAT GETS PRINTED OUT.
IT'S ALL OF THE ABOVE TYPE OF BEHAVIOR, INTERNAL, ON THE PATHWAYS, ON THE FIELDS, VIOLATING SOME OF THE EXISTING MUNICIPAL CODES THAT WE HAVE THERE.
I'LL SAY I'VE TALKED THIS THROUGH WITH MR. LANCASTER ABOUT ONE OF THE CHALLENGES WITH POINT CITY OF PARK AND CONDUCTING EXTRA PATROL, THE WAY IT'S INSULATED HOW LARGE IT IS, HOW MANY ESCAPE ROUTES THERE ARE WHEN THE PARK RANGER OFFICER SHOWS UP, THE KIDS CAN GO OUT THE OTHER SIDE OF THE PARK.
THEN THERE'S ALSO AN ABSENCE OF CITY STAFF THAT'S ON SITE THAT WE HAVE AT A LOT OF OUR OTHER PARKS THAT AREN'T EXPERIENCING THE PROBLEM TO THIS EXTENT.
STAGECOACH PARK, CALERA, HAVE SOME ONSITE STAFF, AND WE DO SEE THAT HAVING THAT ONSITE STAFF IN SOME OCCASIONS DOES SERVE AS AN INTERMEDIARY WHERE CITIZENS CAN REPORT BEHAVIOR, OR IT'S A DETERRENCE EFFECT BECAUSE SOMEONE'S THERE.
IT'S JUST SOMETHING THAT WHEN WE LOOKED AT AND IN THE DISCUSSION LEADING UP TO THIS PROPOSAL OR OPTION FOR COUNCIL ON WAYS THAT WE COULD MAYBE TRY TO IMPLY SOME INTERVENTIONS WITHOUT GOING THE STRICT TO CREATE AN ALL OUT BAND AT THE PARKS.
>> JUST TO EXPOUND ON THAT POINT ABOUT STAFFING.
OBVIOUSLY, POINT CITY DOES NOT HAVE A COMMUNITY CENTER, SUCH AS IS THE CASE WITH STAGECOACH OR CALERA HILLS THAT WAS REFERENCED.
WE DO HAVE PARK MONITORS THAT ARE ESSENTIALLY ROVING SEVERAL PARKS IN THE EVENINGS, IN PARTICULAR, CHECKING IN ON FIELD USAGE AND ENSURING THE RESERVATIONS ARE CONDUCTED PROPERLY, ETC, BUT WE DON'T HAVE REGULAR STAFF ON SITE AS WE DO IN THE LOCATIONS WITH COMMUNITY CENTERS.
>> GREAT. THANK YOU. I DO THINK IF WE GO DOWN THAT ROUTE, THE BIKE RACKS WOULD BE REALLY IMPORTANT BECAUSE I WOULDN'T WANT TO PREVENT KIDS FROM OR ANYONE FROM BEING ABLE TO RIDE THEIR BIKE TO THE PARK TO LOCK UP THEIR BIKE AND DO SOME KIND OF ACTIVITY OR CLASS.
THANK YOU. ANOTHER QUESTION THAT I HAD WAS ABOUT THE LIGHTS AND AFTER DARK OR BEFORE.
[LAUGHTER] I GOT INTO THE SAME WORD MESS HERE.
[02:30:04]
BUT DARK HOURS.ARE LIGHTS CURRENTLY REQUIRED ON BIKES AND E-BIKES, AND IS IT JUST THAT PEOPLE AREN'T USING THEM OR IF YOU COULD DESCRIBE A LITTLE BIT MORE ABOUT WHY THE DARK TIME PROHIBITION IS RECOMMENDED?
>> BIKES AND E-BIKES ARE SUBJECT TO THE CALIFORNIA VEHICLE CODE THAT STATES THEY HAVE TO HAVE A VISIBLE LIGHT AND A REFLECTOR FROM THE BACK.
THE LIGHT HAS TO BE VISIBLE UP TO 500 FEET.
I THINK SOME OF THE CHALLENGES WE SEE IN SOME LIMITED CONVERSATIONS I'VE HAD WITH SOME OF THE YOUTH IN THESE LIGHTS, IT EATS AWAY AT THEIR BATTERY OR THEY JUST CHOOSE NOT TO TURN IT ON FOR DELIBERATELY NOT TURN IT ON.
THAT'S JUST A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR TO THE ISSUE THAT WE'RE BRINGING FORWARD.
THE OTHER ISSUE DISTINGUISHING BETWEEN E-BIKES AND PEDAL BIKES IS JUST THE SPEED AT WHICH THEY TRAVEL AT NIGHT, AND THE REACTION TIME FOR BOTH THE YOUTH RIDER AND THE DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE.
>> MAYBE THEY'RE HARD TO SEE EVEN IF THEY DO HAVE A LIGHT.
>> I HAD ANOTHER QUESTION ABOUT, I REMEMBER DURING THE CITY SCHOOL COMMITTEE, WE HAD, HAD A PRESENTATION WHERE WE TALKED ABOUT SOME ILLEGAL E-BIKES THAT WERE CAUGHT IN A STING.
I WAS WONDERING IF YOU COULD DESCRIBE WHAT THAT IS BECAUSE I THINK, THEY'RE CALLED SURRONS.
THEY ARE THESE BIKES THAT ARE NOT ALLOWED.
THEY'RE ALSO MODIFIED E-BIKES.
I KNOW THAT THE CITY OF CARLSBAD THROUGH THE LEGISLATIVE SUBCOMMITTEE TOOK A POSITION ON MODIFIED E-BIKES, AND MAKING SURE THAT THOSE ARE TOTALLY ILLEGAL AND HAVE MAJOR PENALTIES.
COULD YOU DESCRIBE WHAT HAPPENED WITH I THINK THEY'RE CALLED SURRON BIKES?
>> YEAH. SURRON IS ONE OF THE BRAND NAMES.
THERE'S SEVERAL OUT THERE, BUT ESSENTIALLY, THEY FALL UNDER THE CLASSIFICATION THAT'S OUTSIDE OF WHAT THE VEHICLE CODE DEFINES AS AN ELECTRIC BIKE, AND THEY QUALIFY UNDER THE VEHICLE CODE AS AN OFF-ROAD MOTORCYCLE.
THEY FALL IN A UNIQUE AREA AS FAR AS ENFORCEMENT IS CONCERNED.
THEY CAN'T BE MADE STREET LEGAL.
THEY'RE ONLY TO BE DRIVEN ON PRIVATE PROPERTY OR OFF ROAD USE.
THEY'VE BECOME POPULAR AMONG YOUTH AND SENSATIONALIZED, AND MONETIZED.
THERE'S A NUMBER OF SOCIAL MEDIA ACCOUNTS OUT THERE THAT INCENTIVIZE THE USE, TO BUY THESE, ENGAGE IN MORE FOLLOWERS.
WHAT WE'RE SEEING AS A RESULT IS A LARGE GROUP RIDING WHERE THEY'RE DOING WHEELIES AND OTHER STUNT RIDING ON CARLSBAD BOULEVARD.
SOME OF THEIR GROUP RIDES ARE TRAVERSING FROM THE CITY OF OCEANSIDE THROUGH CARLSBAD DOWN TO ENCINITAS.
SOME OF THE OPERATIONS THAT WE'VE PUT TOGETHER, AS PART OF THAT, WE MONITOR THESE SOCIAL MEDIA ACCOUNTS TO GET WIND OF WHEN THE RIDE OUTS ARE GOING TO OCCUR.
WE COLLABORATE WITH OUR NEIGHBORING AGENCIES, AND ON A COUPLE OF OCCASIONS, WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO INTERVENE, AND STOP THE GROUP RIDE OUTS BEFORE THEY'VE HAPPENED, USING SOME OF THE TOOLS THAT I MENTIONED FROM THE MAYOR'S QUESTION REGARDING THE DRONE AND OUR MOTOR OFFICERS AND OTHER TEAMS AND WORKING IN CONCERTS WITH OUR NEIGHBORING JURISDICTIONS.
>> THANK YOU. SPEAKING OF COLLABORATION.
I KNOW THAT THERE HAS BEEN A LOT OF WORK WITH THE POLICE DEPARTMENT, AND THE VARIOUS SCHOOL DISTRICTS, THE FOUR SCHOOL DISTRICTS THAT OVERLAP WITH OUR CITY BOUNDARIES.
I UNDERSTAND THAT THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS HAVE SOME REQUIREMENT FOR KIDS WHO ARE RIDING BIKES, AND NEED BIKES TO SCHOOL TO GO THROUGH SOME TRAINING.
CAN YOU DESCRIBE WHAT THAT IS?
>> THAT'S CORRECT. THEY HAVE A PERMIT PROCESS WHEREBY, THEY'RE PROVIDED A NUMBER OF OPTIONS, EDUCATION OPTIONS THAT THEY CAN TAKE, THEY CAN MEET AN INDIVIDUAL'S FAMILIES NEEDS DEPENDING ON WHEN THEY'RE AVAILABLE THROUGHOUT THE SUMMER AHEAD OF THE NEW SCHOOL YEAR.
AS OUR PUBLIC SPEAKER MENTIONED, THE DEPARTMENT HAS LEAGUE OF AMERICAN CYCLISTS CERTIFIED INSTRUCTORS.
WE HOSTED TWO CLASSES AT DOVE LIBRARY AND COLE LIBRARY AHEAD OF THE SCHOOL YEAR AS ONE OF THE OPTIONS.
THEN THAT PERMIT THAT GETS ISSUED ONCE THEY COMPLETE THAT PROGRAM IS REQUIRED TO DRIVE THE E-BIKE ON AND OFF CAMPUS.
>> GREAT. THANK YOU. THERE WAS A COMMENT MADE EARLIER TODAY.
THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER PENZIAZ, FOR BEING HERE ABOUT UNSAFE PASSING.
WAS THAT SOMETHING THAT WE CONSIDERED AS SOMETHING THAT WE COULD INCLUDE AS A RECOMMENDATION? I JUST DON'T KNOW WHY IT WAS INCLUDED.
MAYBE IT WAS SOMETHING WE DECIDED NOT TO TALK ABOUT HERE OR MAYBE IT'S SOMETHING TO TALK ABOUT.
>> IT'S A GREAT POINT, AND IT'S AN EXAMPLE OF SOMETHING WE MENTIONED WHERE THERE'S AN OVERLAP OF CALIFORNIA VEHICLE CODE THAT COVERS OR GOVERNS THIS BEHAVIOR ON THE ROADWAY THAT WOULD BE A VIOLATION, AND THE VICE COMMISSIONER'S SUGGESTION WAS TO DOUBLE DOWN OR REITERATE IT WITHIN OUR LOCAL ORDINANCE AS WE HAVE DONE WITH SOME OF THOSE VEHICLE CODES.
WE'VE TAKEN NOTES ON THAT SUGGESTION, AND AS WE MOVE FORWARD, IF COUNSEL DIRECTS US TO DRAFT THE ORDINANCE AND MAKE THOSE AMENDMENTS, WE WILL CERTAINLY WORK ON INCLUDING THAT.
[02:35:01]
>> GREAT. THANK YOU. THERE'S CERTAINLY EXAMPLES OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN REALLY HURT IN THE UNSAFE PASSING.
MY LAST QUESTION IS ABOUT ASSEMBLY MEMBER BERNERS ORIGINAL LEGISLATION, AND LEGISLATIVE PACKAGE.
I DON'T KNOW IF THIS IS FOR MR. HABER OR SOMEONE ELSE.
BUT ASSEMBLY MEMBER BOERNER CAME TO THE LEGISLATIVE SUBCOMMITTEE RIGHT HERE IN THESE COUNCIL CHAMBERS THIS MORNING, AND WE TALKED A BIT ABOUT E-BIKE LEGISLATION, AND SHE MENTIONED THAT HER INITIAL INTENT WAS ACTUALLY TO ADDRESS LICENSING FOR E-BIKES.
THIS IS SOMETHING MR. HABER ALLUDED TO.
BUT SHE SAID THERE WAS A MORATORIUM ON LICENSING THROUGH THE DMV FOR THE NEXT SEVERAL YEARS.
IT WAS JUST A NO GO. SHE COULDN'T GO THAT WAY.
I WONDER, MR. HABER, IF YOU COULD SHED A LITTLE LIGHT ON THAT.
>> YES. THANK YOU, COUNCIL MEMBER.
AS I MENTIONED, THE ORIGINAL INTENT REALLY WOULD HAVE COVERED A MUCH BROADER RANGE OF AGES.
AGAIN, AN UNDER 12 BAN STATEWIDE, AND THEN FOR ANY RIDER REGARDLESS OF AGE, IF YOU DON'T HAVE A DRIVER'S LICENSE, IT WOULD HAVE REQUIRED YOU TO OBTAIN SAFETY TRAINING, AND SECURE A LICENSE AND HAVE THAT ON YOUR PERSON WHILE RIDING AN E-BIKE.
IN TRYING TO ADVANCE THAT LEGISLATION, THE ASSEMBLY MEMBER WAS FACED WITH ADMINISTRATIVE FEEDBACK FROM THE STATE THAT PROVIDED THAT THE DMV WAS IN THE PROCESS OF UPDATING THEIR OPERATING SOFTWARE.
THAT IS A PROCESS THAT IS GOING TO BE UNDERWAY THROUGH, I BELIEVE 2032, AND IN THE MEANTIME, THEY HAVE PUT A MORATORIUM ON ANY CHANGES IN LICENSURE PRACTICES STATEWIDE.
THAT MADE THAT PROVISION OF THE INTENDED BILL UNTENABLE AT THE TIME.
>> THANK YOU. THOSE ARE ALL MY QUESTIONS.
THANKS A LOT FOR ALL THE HARD WORK.
I LOOK FORWARD TO THE REST OF THE DISCUSSION.
>> THAT WAS GOING TO BE MY QUESTION ABOUT THE PASSING AND BEING IN THE RIGHT PASSING LANE, SO EVERY OTHER QUESTION THAT I HAD WAS ALREADY ANSWERED. GOOD JOB, COLLEAGUES.
>> MR. SHIN, YOUR BRIEF COMMENTS, PLEASE.
>> YEAH, I'LL TRY TO. WELL, HERE'S THE DEAL.
I HAVE A 10 AND 12-YEAR-OLD, AND SO THIS HAS BEEN A DINNER TOPIC CONVERSATION AT NAUSEUM, ALONG WITH THEIR FRIENDS, ALONG WITH THEIR FRIENDS PARENTS.
I'VE GOT A FEW QUESTIONS. JUST CONFIRMING IT'S GOING TO BE AN OPTION.
THEY'RE EITHER HAVE TO PAY A $25 FINE OR THEY CAN ELECT TO TAKE THE SAFETY TRAINING COURSE.
>> YES, UNDER THE BILL, THAT IS THE INTENT FOR THERE TO BE 120 DAYS AFTER THE ISSUANCE OF THE CITATION TO TAKE A CLASS IN LIEU OF THE TICKET BEING FORWARDED TO THE COURT SYSTEM.
HOWEVER, IN CALIFORNIA, THE JUVENILE COURT SYSTEM DOES NOT HAVE JURISDICTION FOR THOSE UNDER 12-YEARS-OLD, AND THE ATTORNEY GENERAL AFTER 22, 34 PASSED, RELEASED GUIDANCE FOR THOSE UNDER 12 AND HOW POLICE SHOULD ENGAGE WITH THOSE PERSONS.
EDUCATION WILL BE HOW THIS IS ENFORCED.
>> I'M GOING TO CHANNEL MY SMART ALEC FRIEND RIGHT NOW.
I ROLL THE DICE FOR THE NEXT TIME THIS HAPPENS AGAIN AND AGAIN.
IS THAT WHAT'S GOING TO END UP TAKING PLACE? I'M LIKE, WHY BOTHER TO HAVE THE CHILD TAKE THE COURSE? THIS IS THE COST OF A CHEESEBURGER.
I'M JUST GOING TO KEEP ROLLING THE DICE HERE.
IS THERE A PROGRESSIVE DISCIPLINE THAT'S GOING TO TAKE PLACE WHERE ALL OF A SUDDEN WE REALIZE AS PARENTS WE'RE FAILING OR THAT WE HAVE TO CHANGE OUR CHILD'S BEHAVIOR?
>> YEAH, THAT'S A VALID QUESTION, AND I THINK THAT'S WHERE PART OF MY RESPONSE TO A QUESTION EARLIER WHERE WE HAVE THOSE OTHER TOOLS AVAILABLE THROUGH THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE AND CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES.
I DON'T THINK A PARENT WOULD WANT THAT ON THEIR RECORD, A REFERRAL TO TRIAL PROTECTIVE SERVICES OR A CRIMINAL CASE FILED BY A POLICE DEPARTMENT IN THIS JURISDICTION INVOLVING CHILD ENDANGERMENT OR NEGLECT.
I THINK THE ASSEMBLY BILL, IF COUNSEL CHOOSES TO ADOPT IT WOULD CERTAINLY SUPPORT US TAKING THAT COURSE OF ACTION IF WE ENCOUNTERED THAT EGREGIOUS WILLFUL DISREGARD FOR THE ORDINANCE.
>> ARE THERE GUIDELINES IN REGARDS TO HOW WE'RE GOING TO SET UP THAT PROGRESSION, MEANING THAT WHAT I WOULD HATE TO SEE IS THAT ONE FAMILY GETS STRAIGHT TO CPC BECAUSE OF ONE REASON, AND FOR ANOTHER FAMILY, THEY GET TO KEEP PASSING ALONG THREE OR FOUR TIMES, AND THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN WE THINK THERE'S AN ISSUE.
>> THAT'S ALSO A GREAT QUESTION.
I DON'T SEE BECAUSE IT INVOLVES SOME HYPOTHETICAL.
THERE'S A LOT OF INFORMATION MISSING.
WHAT I CAN TELL YOU IS THAT THERE WON'T BE
[02:40:02]
DISPARITY TO THE DEGREE THAT THERE'S AN ISSUE THAT YOU'RE SUGGESTING MIGHT HAPPEN.THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM ITSELF RELIES HEAVILY ON THE DISCRETIONARY AUTHORITY THAT IT BESTOWS UPON POLICE OFFICERS, PROSECUTORS, DISTRICT ATTORNEYS, DEFENSE ATTORNEYS.
OUR OFFICERS, THE WAY THAT WE'RE TRAINED, WE CONSIDER THE TOTALITY OF CIRCUMSTANCES.
EACH POLICE CITIZEN ENCOUNTER IS VERY UNIQUE, AND HAS A UNIQUE SET OF CIRCUMSTANCES.
IT'S NOT MUCH DIFFERENT THAN WE PROBABLY HAD SEVERAL PEOPLE THAT WERE PULLED OVER TODAY BY MOTOR OFFICERS THAT WORK FOR THIS DEPARTMENT, AND SOME PEOPLE GOT A TICKET FOR GOING OVER THE SPEED LIMIT.
SOME PEOPLE GOT A WRITTEN WARNING OR SOME PEOPLE GOT A VERBAL WARNING.
THERE'S SOME DIFFERENCE IN THERE AND HOW IT WAS APPLIED.
SAME OFFENSE MAY HAVE BEEN COMMITTED.
BUT WE TRUST OUR OFFICERS TO EVALUATE THOSE CIRCUMSTANCES THAT THEY ENCOUNTERED DURING THAT CONTACT AND REACH A SOLUTION THAT MEETS THE PUBLIC SAFETY NEED.
I HAVE EVERY EXPECTATION THAT THAT'S HOW AN ENCOUNTER WOULD BE HANDLED INVOLVING A VIOLATION OF THIS ORDINANCE.
>> HOW DO WE JUSTIFY IF MY CHILD IS 8-YEARS-OLD AND THEY CAN'T EVEN RIDE AN E-BIKE FOR ANOTHER FOUR YEARS, HAVE TO TAKE AN E-BIKE SAFETY TRAINING COURSE.
>> THAT IS ALSO A GOOD AND VALID QUESTION AND PERHAPS MAYBE EXPOSES SOME OF THE LIMITATIONS OF THE ORDINANCE THAT IF WE WERE ADOPTING THIS OR DRAFTING THIS AS A CITY IN A COMMITTEE HERE, WE MIGHT MAKE CHANGES TO THAT.
BUT THAT IS HOW THE BILL OUTLINES WHAT ACTION SHOULD BE TAKEN.
TO THAT END, IT'S NOT WHAT SHALL BE TAKEN.
OUR OFFICERS ARE EDUCATING PEOPLE RIGHT NOW WITHOUT THIS BILL BEING IN PLACE IN A FASHION THAT'S RESPECTIVE TO THE SITUATION OR CIRCUMSTANCES.
THOSE CONVERSATIONS OUR OFFICERS ARE HAVING WITH THE PARENTS, AND GOING OVER THAT AS OPPOSED TO MAKING AN 8-YEAR-OLD TAKE A CLASS FOR A BIKE THAT HE OR SHE IS NOT EVEN ELIGIBLE TO RIDE.
I ENVISION THAT SAME APPROACH WOULD BE APPLIED TO VIOLATIONS OF THIS ORDINANCE IF COUNSEL CHOSE TO ADOPT IT.
>> IF WE PASS ALL THE RECOMMENDATIONS HERE, AND THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN, I'M A RESIDENT OF OCEANSIDE, AND I DECIDED TO TAKE MY CHILD DOWN HERE, AND HE'S 10-YEARS-OLD, AND HE'S ON AN E-BIKE, AND JUST KNOWING THAT IN THE SUMMERTIME WE HAVE A HIGH VOLUME OF VISITORS COMING FROM OUT OF CITY, STATE, WHAT HAVE YOU.
THEY'RE STAYING AT OUR STATE PARKS, THEY'RE BRINGING THESE E-BIKES.
HOW ARE WE GOING TO BE ABLE TO ENFORCE THIS?
>> WE'LL BE ABLE TO ENFORCE IT THE SAME WAY WE DO A LOT OF OUR MUNICIPAL CODES THAT ARE VARIED AND NUANCED FROM OUR NEIGHBORS, OCEANSIDE, ENCINITAS, AND SAN MARCOS.
IT DOESN'T MAKE IT UNLAWFUL JUST BECAUSE THEY'RE NAIVE TO THE EXISTING MUNICIPAL CODE.
THAT'S PART OF WHAT WE'LL SEEK TO ACCOMPLISH THROUGH THE PUBLIC INFORMATION CAMPAIGN THAT PRECEDES US ADOPTING THE ORDINANCE.
THE OFFICERS AGAIN, WILL HAVE DISCRETIONARY AUTHORITY TO EDUCATE THE PEOPLE THEY CONTACT, WE DO HAVE OUR VEHICLES ARE OUTFITTED AND SITUATED IN A WAY THAT WE CAN TRANSPORT THE E-BIKES OFF THE STREET, GET THEM BACK OFF OF OUR ROADWAY, SO THAT THEY CAN BE COMPLIANT WITH THE LAW WITHOUT NECESSARILY HAVING TO FACE SOME SEVERE CONSEQUENCE FOR JUST NOT BEING AWARE OF IT.
BUT IT STILL MEETS THE NEED OF US CARRYING OUT THE ORDINANCE AS IT'S BEEN ADOPTED, IF THAT'S WHAT COUNSEL CHOOSES.
>> GOT YOU. IF I AM UNDER THE AGE OF 16, AM I ALLOWED TO RIDE A MOPED OR A VESPA?
>> OKAY. IF I PUT A SPEED GOVERNOR ON IT TO 20 MILES AN HOUR, WOULD I BE ABLE TO DO THAT?
>> I'D HAVE TO LOOK INTO THAT A LITTLE MORE.
I'M THINKING NO THAT YOU NEEDED TO BE A LICENSED, HAVE A DRIVER'S LICENSE CLASS FOR THAT VEHICLE TO DRIVE IT REGARDLESS OF THE GOVERNOR.
>> BRING IT UP JUST BECAUSE MY FRIEND HAS A VESPA, AND I WENT SIDE BY SIDE WITH MY CLASS TOO, AND I CAN GO AT THE SAME ACCELERATION RATE AS MY FRIEND.
I'M TRYING TO SEE THE DISTINCT DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ONE OR THE OTHER JUST BECAUSE OF THE WAY IT'S POWERED.
THAT'S ALL. THOSE ARE THE ONLY QUESTIONS I HAVE THANKS.
>> ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I'M GOING TO EXPRESS MY CONCERN WITH IS THE RIDING AFTER DARK.
IT GETS DARK AT WHAT? 05:30. IT'S NOT UNUSUAL FOR A 15-YEAR-OLD TO BE AT THEIR FRIEND'S HOUSE PAST 5:30.
I WOULD LIKE TO HEAR WHAT THE REST OF THE COUNCIL HAS TO THINK ABOUT THAT.
UNLESS WHEN WE COME BACK AND WE FIND THAT THE PRIMARY COLLISION FACTORS OF THOSE NIGHTTIME ACCIDENTS WERE DUE TO THE DARKNESS.
THEN I MIGHT CHANGE MY MIND ON IT, BUT RIGHT NOW, THAT'S THE ONLY ONE I REALLY HAVE A DISAGREEMENT WITH.
I'M STRUGGLING WITH THE UNDER 12,12-YEAR OLD'S ARE INDESTRUCTIBLE.
[02:45:05]
THEY DON'T UNDERSTAND THE DANGERS OF A COLLISION WITH A TWO TON VEHICLE.BUT AT THE SAME TIME, I WANT THEM OUT SOCIALIZING WITH THEIR FRIENDS AND GOING PLACES AND DOING THINGS, ESPECIALLY RIGHT NOW WHEN IT'S THE COMPUTER AGE, AND THESE KIDS ARE JUST SITTING IN FRONT OF THEIR COMPUTERS.
BUT WHEN I WAS 12, SCHWINN STINGRAY WERE JUST FINE.
I'M STUMBLING WITH THAT, BUT I'M GOING TO SAY THAT I'M GOING TO ERR ON THE SIDE OF SAFETY AND SAY THAT I AGREE WITH NO E-BIKE RIDING UNDER 12-YEARS-OLD.
ALTHOUGH I'M HOPING THAT THEIR PARENTS WILL BUY, THEY STILL HAVE SCHWINN STINGRAYS? THEN THE OTHER IS I DO SUPPORT THE POLICY FOR IMPOUNDING THAT'S GOING TO BE REALLY THE ONLY PUNISHMENT REALISTICALLY.
WHATEVER THE FINE IS, IS NOT GOING TO BE AS MUCH OF A PROBLEM AS THE IMPOUNDING.
I ALSO SUPPORT THAT WE PURSUE LOOKING INTO WHETHER WE CAN PARTICIPATE IN ASSEMBLY BILL 1778.
>> I WILL SAY THAT KIDS ARE NOT BUYING THESE E BIKES.
WHAT ARE THE A COUPLE THOUSAND BUCKS.
THEY'RE BEING BOUGHT BY THE PARENTS, AND I LIKE THE IDEA OF HOLDING THE PARENTS ACCOUNTABLE FOR THEIR KIDS ACTIONS.
THAT'S WHY THEY'RE NOT ALLOWED TO LEAVE THE HOUSE AT 15-YEARS-OLD BECAUSE THEY'RE NOT MAKING GOOD DECISIONS, AND IT'S THE PARENTS RESPONSIBILITY TO HELP THEM MAKE GOOD DECISIONS SO THEY CAN KEEP THEMSELVES SAFE.
NOW, I FULL DISCLOSURE, WHEN I WAS 15, IF YOU WOULD HAVE GIVEN ME ONE OF THESE BIKES, I WOULD HAVE BEEN ONE OF THOSE PEOPLE YOU COMING UP WITH ALL THESE LAWS TO REGULATE.
IT'S UP TO THE PARENTS. IT'S UP TO US TO HELP THESE YOUNGSTERS MAKE THE GOOD DECISIONS.
THANK YOU FOR COMING UP WITH ALL OF THIS.
OTHER THAN THE AFTER DARK, I SUPPORT EVERY SINGLE ONE OF YOUR PROPOSALS.
>> YES. THANK YOU. THANKS AGAIN FOR THE PRESENTATION AND FOR THE WORK ON THIS, AND AGAIN, TO OUR COMMUNITY FOR REACHING OUT TO US.
I FEEL LIKE CARLSBAD HAS HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO LEAD ON THIS IN MANY REGARDS.
I THINK WE'VE DONE A REALLY GREAT JOB OF MAKING SURE THAT WE'RE ADDRESSING THIS HOLISTICALLY.
I THINK ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE DID IS WE MADE SURE THAT WE DIDN'T REALLY WAIT FOR THE STATE TO ACT IN OUR INITIAL STEPS, AND WE REALLY WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE WERE CREATING STUDENT SAFETY COURSES, THE PERMIT REQUIREMENT, JUST TO MAKE SURE THAT WE WERE ADDRESSING IT IN A WAY THAT WAS COMPREHENSIVE AND WE PARTNERED WITH OUR SCHOOLS, WE'VE CONTINUED TO STRENGTHEN OUR APPROACH THROUGH THE EDUCATION ENFORCEMENT AND ENGINEERING.
I TRULY BELIEVE THAT THEY'VE MADE A DIFFERENCE.
I MEAN, WE SEE THAT FROM OUR COMMUNITY, WE SEE THAT FROM THE OUTCOMES SPECIFICALLY, AND I THINK ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I HEAR FROM FAMILIES IS THAT THE TRAINING OPEN THEIR EYE SPECIFICALLY.
THE PRINCIPALS, I'VE BEEN ACTUALLY MEETING WITH MANY OF THE PRINCIPALS THROUGHOUT OUR CITY, AND JUST ASKING THEM ABOUT THIS AND OTHER ISSUES, AND WHAT I HEARD FROM THEM IS THAT THEY YOU KNOW, THE PRINCIPALS AND TEACHERS FEEL LIKE THAT THE PROGRAM IS HELPING THEM REINFORCE GOOD HABITS WITHIN THEIR STUDENTS, AND THEY CONTINUE TO REINFORCE AND REMIND THEM OF THOSE AS WELL.
THEN, OF COURSE, OUR RESIDENTS ARE STARTING TO SEE THE VALUE OF THAT SHARED UNDERSTANDING OF THE RULES OF THE ROAD, WHICH IS SO IMPORTANT.
I CAN TELL YOU MANY TIMES OUR FAMILY IS OUT WALKING, BIKING, DOING SOMETHING OUT IN THE COMMUNITY, AND I CAN SAY FIRSTHAND THAT I'VE SEEN A DIFFERENCE AFTER WE'VE IMPLEMENTED SOME OF OUR PROGRAMS. I DO WANT TO SAY, THERE'S KUDOS IN THAT PARTICULAR REGARD.
ONE THING THAT I WANT TO EMPHASIZE THOUGH IS THAT EVEN WITH ALL OF THAT PROGRESS, WE ARE STILL ASKING KIDS TO OPERATE MACHINES THAT ARE CAPABLE OF REALLY HIGH SPEEDS, AND THEY DON'T GET THE TRAINING THAT, FOR INSTANCE, TO DRIVE A CAR OR A MOTORCYCLE.
TO ME, THOSE CONSEQUENCES ARE SHOWING UP IN OUR STREETS, THE CONSEQUENCES OF THAT GAP.
I'M A PUBLIC HEALTH PROFESSIONAL AND SOMEONE WHO REALLY WANTS TO MAKE SURE THAT I'M LISTENING TO OUR FIRST RESPONDERS AND I'M A MOM OF YOUNG CHILDREN.
I WOULD NOT PUT MY CHILD ON AN E BIKE.
I'M JUST GOING TO BE COMPLETELY HONEST.
I MEAN, MY KID IS FOUR AND I HAVE A 12 DAY OLD, SO LESS THAN TWO WEEKS, AND NEITHER OF THEM I WOULD ALLOW TO BE ON AN E BIKE.
THAT'S WHY WHILE WE ARE MOVING FORWARD AND I WILL DEFINITELY SUPPORT THESE RECOMMENDATIONS BECAUSE IT DOES HELP US MOVE IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.
I THINK WE NEED TO CONTINUE TO PUSH FOR A MORE STRINGENT APPROACH, ONE CLOSER TO WHAT WAS INITIALLY PROPOSED BY THE ASSEMBLY MEMBER, WHICH WOULD BE A MOTORCYCLE STYLE LICENSING MODEL.
[02:50:03]
IT'S UNFORTUNATE THAT THERE'S THAT MORATORIUM ON LICENSING FOR THE NEXT FEW YEARS, AS WE ULTIMATELY DO NEED THAT HONESTLY, TO BE ABLE TO REALLY MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE KEEPING OUR KIDS SAFE, ESPECIALLY AS WE MOVE INTO THE FUTURE, BECAUSE RIGHT NOW WE HAVE CURRENT TECHNOLOGY, THERE'S GOING TO BE DIFFERENT BIKES THAT ARE GOING TO BE OUT THERE IN THE NEXT FIVE YEARS.IT'S GOING TO LOOK DIFFERENT IN THE NEXT FIVE YEARS.
WE'RE PLAYING CATCH UP IN SOME SENSE AND WE'RE GOING TO CONTINUE TO PLAY CATCH UP UNTIL WE CAN ACTUALLY REALLY UNDERSTAND WHAT THAT'S GOING TO LOOK LIKE.
I THINK IF WE REALLY REMOVE THAT WORD BIKE AND JUST LOOKED AT THE SPECIFICATIONS OF THE SPEED, ACCELERATION, THE WEIGHT, EVERY PARENT WOULD SAY, MY CHILD NEEDS TO HAVE TRAINING BEFORE THEY CAN HANDLE THIS VEHICLE, AND THEY'D BE RIGHT.
I THINK WE NEED TO REALLY TEST WHETHER A PERSON CAN SAFELY MANEUVER JUST LIKE ANY OF US HAVE TAKEN A COURSE AND THEN GONE AND TAKEN A TEST.
THOSE HIGH SPEEDS, JUDGE DISTANCE AND TRAFFIC, OR REACT TO UNPREDICTABLE SITUATIONS.
THERE HAVE BEEN MANY TIMES THAT I AM THAT PERSON WITH A STROLLER, I AM THAT PERSON WITH A DOG THAT HAS ALMOST BEEN HIT BY AN E BIKE.
THOSE ARE THE STANDARDS THAT WE APPLY TO EVERY OTHER MOTORIZED VEHICLE, SO WE SHOULD BE DOING THAT TO THESE AS WELL ON OUR ROAD.
I OBVIOUSLY DON'T WANT TO RESTRICT MOBILITY OR PUNISH OUR KIDS.
THAT'S SOMETHING THAT I DON'T THINK ANY OF US WANT TO DO.
E BIKES HAVE SO MUCH VALUE IN THE SENSE THAT OBVIOUSLY IT PROVIDES SUSTAINABLE MOBILITY OPTIONS, INDEPENDENCE, AND THEN OF COURSE, REDUCES CAR TRIPS.
BUT WE CAN'T IGNORE THE MISMATCH BETWEEN THE CAPABILITIES OF THESE MACHINES, WHICH IS REALLY HONESTLY, CAN BE SCARY.
I'VE SEEN VERY, VERY YOUNG WRITERS EVEN UNDER 12, SOMETIMES ON THE ROADS ON POINT SET YOU KNOW, OR EVEN ON EL CAMINO REAL, WHICH, AGAIN, IS JUST EXTREMELY ALARMING THAT THERE ARE CHILDREN VERY, VERY YOUNG THAT ARE RIDING ON SPEEDS UP TO WHAT 55, AND MOST OF THE TIME PEOPLE ARE GOING WAY ABOVE 55 ON THOSE PARTICULAR ROADS.
I THINK OBVIOUSLY THAT MISMATCH IN THOSE CAPABILITIES IS WHERE WE'RE SEEING THOSE INJURIES HAPPEN, WHERE THOSE NEAR MISSES TURN INTO COLLISIONS.
I KNOW THAT OUR OFFICERS AND OUR SCHOOLS AND OUR FAMILIES ARE CARRYING THAT STRESS AND AND THE RESPONSIBILITY TO CARE FOR THESE FOLKS.
I WANT TO OBVIOUSLY, WE'VE BEEN PROACTIVE, SO I HOPE THAT WE CAN CONTINUE TO REALLY LOOK AT IT FROM THAT PERSPECTIVE.
LEADERSHIP DOES MEAN THAT WHEN THE LANDSCAPE SHIFTS THAT WE CONTINUE TO GO FURTHER.
I'M HOPING THAT CARLSBAD WILL CONTINUE TO LEAD THE WAY AND SET THAT STANDARD.
AGAIN, I WILL SAY THAT I WOULD LIKE TO RE EMPHASIZE THAT THAT TRUE LICENSING MODEL IS WHAT I WOULD LIKE US TO ULTIMATELY GET TO.
I KNOW IT MIGHT TAKE YEARS. IT SOUNDS LIKE.
IT'S NOT OBVIOUSLY IN OUR CONTROL ULTIMATELY, BUT WHATEVER WE CAN DO TO CONTINUE TO ADVOCATE IN THAT PARTICULAR REGARD IS IMPORTANT.
I WILL BE SUPPORTING IT AND REALLY, REALLY AGAIN, APPRECIATE ALL THE WORK THAT YOU ALL HAVE PUT IN BECAUSE YOU ALL HAVE CLEARLY PUT US ON THE MAP AND CONTINUE TO DO SO.
I JUST WANT TO SAY THANK YOU, AND AGAIN, I'LL BE SUPPORTING IT.
>> I'M SORRY, I DIDN'T HEAR YOUR COMMENT ON THE DARKER FOR THE DARK.
>> YEAH, I CAN RESPOND TO THAT.
I KNOW THAT WE HAVE OTHER AT LEAST FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND, WHEN I WAS A KID HERE IN CARLSBAD, I THOUGHT WE HAD CURFEWS ON SPECIFIC TIMES THAT TEENAGERS COULD BE OUT.
I DON'T KNOW WHAT THAT NUMBER LOOKS LIKE, WHAT TIME MAKES SENSE FROM A PUBLIC SAFETY STANDPOINT.
I DO UNDERSTAND, I MEAN, WHAT 430.
SOMETIMES WE'RE HAVING THE ONSET OR 445. I DO GET THAT.
BUT I DON'T WANT IT TO BE ARBITRARY, I GUESS.
I THINK IF THERE'S SOMETHING THAT WOULD BE BENEFICIAL AND I DON'T KNOW WHAT THAT WOULD LOOK LIKE, I'D BE HAPPY TO SUPPORT THAT.
>> THANK YOU. JUST TO CLARIFY REALLY QUICKLY, DIDN'T WE SAY SOMETHING ABOUT 30 MINUTES BEFORE OR AFTER COULD YOU CLARIFY WHAT THE RECOMMENDATION WAS?
>> THAT WAS AS MISS DREW HAD ANSWERED, WE HAVEN'T PUT PEN TO PAPER ON THE ACTUAL DETAILS, BUT THE INCLINATION WOULD BE TO ESTABLISH A TIME SO THAT IT'S NOT AMBIGUOUS, AND WE WOULD DO THAT WITH 30 MINUTES BEFORE SUNSET AND 30 MINUTES BEFORE SUNRISE, OR 30 MINUTES AFTER SUNSET AND 30 MINUTES BEFORE SUNSET? WE WOULD ESTABLISH A TIME.
>> WE DON'T HAVE IT YET. WE WOULD COME UP WITH IT.
THANKS AGAIN TO EVERYBODY WHO WEIGHED IN FROM OUR STAFF, WHO WORKED ON PUTTING THIS ALL TOGETHER, TO MY COUNCIL COLLEAGUES AND ALL THE COMMUNITY WHO'VE BEEN WEIGHING IN FOR A LONG TIME, EVEN THE YOUNG PEOPLE WHO ARE SAYING, I'M 12, AND I'M A GOOD WRITER, BUT SOME OF MY FRIENDS ARE.
I'VE HEARD THAT FROM SOME OF THE YOUNG PEOPLE.
I DID WANT TO SAY THAT WE ARE PROACTIVELY CHANGING AT THE CITY WITH THE TIMES,
[02:55:07]
AND WE ARE ALL PART OF THE SOLUTION.IT'S THE WRITERS THEMSELVES, IT'S THE PARENTS.
IT'S ALSO THE DRIVERS WHO NEED TO LOOK OUT BETTER AND BE MORE VISIBLE.
THAT'S WHY WE HAD THE EDUCATION PART AND THE ENGINEERING PART AND THE ENFORCEMENT PART OF ADDRESSING THE TRAFFIC SAFETY EMERGENCY THAT WE DECLARED IN CARLSBAD TWO YEARS AGO.
IT HAS BEEN WORKING. I'VE GOTTEN SOME PUBLIC COMMENT EVEN AS RECENT AS TODAY THAT SAY, WHY DON'T YOU PAINT MORE LANES GREEN? I'M LIKE, WE HAVE BEEN.
I HOPE THAT PEOPLE HAVE BEEN PAYING ATTENTION TO OUR THREE LEGGED STOOL APPROACH AND UNDERSTAND THAT WE HAVE BEEN WORKING ON ALL OF THESE THINGS, AND THIS WAS ONE OF MANY PIECES OF THE SOLUTION THAT WE ARE DISCUSSING NOW.
SPECIFICALLY, I WANT TO WRAP THIS UP BECAUSE I KNOW WE'RE ALMOST DONE WITH OUR COUNCIL MEETING, BUT OUR SPECIFIC RECOMMENDATIONS HERE, I THINK THEY'RE FANTASTIC. THANK YOU.
AS YOU KNOW, I MENTIONED, I SERVE ON THE LEGISLATIVE SUBCOMMITTEE AND I WORKED ON THIS WITH MR. HABER AND COUNCIL MEMBER BURKHOLDER AND OUR ASSEMBLY MEMBER BERNER TO ENSURE THAT WE HAD SOMETHING THAT WE COULD PUSH THROUGH.
WE'RE VERY PROUD THAT CARLSBAD WAS THE SPONSOR OF AB 22 34, EVEN THOUGH IT WASN'T THE FINAL VERSION THAT I MEAN, IT WASN'T THE ORIGINAL VERSION THAT WE HAD LOOKED FOR.
I ABSOLUTELY SUPPORT THE RECOMMENDATIONS.
AS FOR NUMBER 4, MAKING COMPREHENSIVE UPDATES TO THE MUNICIPAL CODE CHAPTER 1056, I WOULD LOVE TO INCLUDE UNSAFE PASSING IN THERE.
THAT WAS ONE OF THE THINGS I CALLED OUT EARLIER AND I KNOW THERE WAS SOMETHING EITHER IN YOUR PRESENTATION OR IN THE STAFF REPORT ABOUT WES AND ACTIVITIES.
I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THAT'S IN THERE BECAUSE WE HAVE CERTAINLY SEEN THAT AND I GET LOTS OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT GROUPS OF YOUNG WRITERS DOING WES IN MY DISTRICT ON LA COSTA AVENUE, AND I'M SURE MANY OTHER PLACES IN THE CITY.
AS FOR OPERATING DURING HOURS OF DARKNESS, THIS IS A REALLY TOUGH ONE FOR ME, TOO BECAUSE I'M A SINGLE MOM AND I WORRY ABOUT MAYBE A RIDER, A 16-YEAR-OLD THAT IS COMING HOME FROM SOMETHING AND NEEDS TO COME HOME OR NEEDS TO BE TRANSPORTED.
YOU KNOW, FROM ONE PLACE TO ANOTHER, AND IT'S RIGHT THERE ON THE VERGE OF DARKNESS.
BUT THAT'S THE TIME THEY GET OUT OF TENNIS OR DANCE OR WHATEVER AT JUST AFTER DARK, 6:00 OR 7:00.
I DON'T WANT TO HARM PARENTS' ABILITY TO ALLOW THEIR KIDS TO GO TO AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMS. THEN SO I'M NOT CONVINCED ON THAT ONE.
I'M NOT OKAY ON THAT ONE UNTIL I SEE MORE DATA.
I THINK I WOULD SAY WE SHOULD COLLECT MORE DATA ON THAT ONE.
THEN THE PROHIBITION OF E BIKES AT THE PARKS.
I JUST WANT TO CLARIFY, ARE WE GOING FOR THE ORIGINAL RECOMMENDATION, WHICH IS THE PROHIBITION OF OPERATION OF E BIKES AT POINT AND PINE, ARE WE GOING FOR THE MORE COMPREHENSIVE ONE, WHICH WAS IN THE SLIDE SHOW, PARKS POSTED UNDER THE AUTHORITY OF THE CITY MANAGER? I KNOW THERE'S ADDITIONAL COST.
I THINK THAT THE CONSISTENCY IS HELPFUL ACROSS ALL THE PARKS, SO KIDS DON'T MOVE, AS MR. LANCASTER SAID FROM ONE PARK TO ANOTHER AND SQUEEZE THEM OUT OF ONE AND GO TO ANOTHER AREA.
I WOULD BE SUPPORTIVE OF THE MODIFIED LANGUAGE, WHICH IS THE PARKS POSTED UNDER THE AUTHORITY OF THE CITY MANAGER.
AS FOR THE IMPOUND AUTHORITY, I THINK THAT'S ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY.
THANK YOU FOR ALL OF THIS HARD WORK AND LOOK FORWARD TO SUPPORTING THE MOTION. THANKS.
>> THANK YOU, MAYOR. I WAS HAPPY WHEN I READ THE REPORT THAT THERE WAS NO REQUEST FOR ADDITIONAL PERSONNEL FOR ANY OF THE IMPLEMENTATION OF ALL OF THESE DIFFERENT THINGS.
I THINK THAT'S REALLY IMPORTANT.
WE'RE EXPECTING YOU TO DO A LOT IS WHAT I'M TRYING TO SAY. THANK YOU FOR THAT.
I THINK PERSONALLY, I THINK IT'S REMARKABLE THAT THERE AREN'T MORE INCIDENCES BECAUSE I LIVE RIGHT BY VALLEY AND MAGNOLIA AND THE HIGH SCHOOL, AND THERE ARE LITERALLY LIKE 1,000 E BIKES THERE, AND THEY'RE ALL RUNNING AROUND 8: 30 AND 3: 30, IT'S INSANE.
BUT BECAUSE THE PURPOSE OF ALL OF THIS IS PUBLIC SAFETY, I'M HAPPY TO SUPPORT THE STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS.
I HAVE A FEW CAVEATS THAT THERE ARE EXEMPTIONS TO THE NIGHTTIME RULE.
I SAY THAT AS A MOM OF 16 AND 17-YEAR-OLD BOYS WHO RODE THEIR E BIKES TO LA CROSSE AND FOOTBALL AND ALL ALL THAT STUFF.
NOW THEY'RE DRIVING. PARENTS, THAT'S WORSE.
I UNDERSTAND MY COLLEAGUES CONCERNS ABOUT THAT, BUT I THINK IF WE CAN JUST ENSURE THAT THEY CAN GET TO MY COLLEAGUES POINT,
[03:00:02]
THEY NEED TO GET TO WHERE THEY NEED TO BE.THAT WOULD BE AN OPTION FOR THAT.
THEN THE LANGUAGE INCLUDES THE CORRECT AND LEGAL PASSING RULES THAT WE HAD MENTIONED.
THEN I'M ACTUALLY FINE WITH IMPLEMENTING AT POINT SIA AND PINE AND ASSESS AND SEE IF WE NEED TO MOVE TO ADDITIONAL PARKS, BUT I AM AWARE OF WHAT MR. LANCASTER IS SAYING AS WELL, BUT WE COULD JUST START SMALL AND ALWAYS REVISIT IT.
WITH ALL OF THAT, I'M HAPPY TO SUPPORT.
>> GOING TO BE BRIEF AGAIN, SIR.
I FEEL LIKE THIS IS ALL STARTED WITH THE RISE OF THE E BIKES AND WE'RE HAVING THESE SCENES OF NIGHTMARES OF ET AND GONIS, THEN IT'S JUST STARTLED US AS A PUBLIC.
THE BIGGEST CONCERN IS ACTUALLY ACCELERATION RATE HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH TOP END SPEED.
WE HAVE HILLS, PEOPLE GO DOWNHILL, THEY GO DOWN THE SPEEDS THAT THEY WISH.
BUT WHEN I AM NEXT TO AN E BIKE AND IT'S A YOUNG CHILD.
I KNOW THAT SOMETIMES IT CAN TAKE ME OFF THE LINE.
THAT'S WHERE I GET CONCERNED BECAUSE I CAN'T PREDICT YOUR BEHAVIOR.
WE FOR SURE KNOW THAT THIS IS TAKING PLACE WITH THOSE THAT ARE 12 AND OLDER, BUT WE HAVE TO START SOMEWHERE.
THIS IS A PART OF A WHOLE SOLUTION.
THAT'S WHERE I AM SUPPORTIVE OF THIS.
LIKE I SAID EARLIER, IT'S VERY DIFFICULT TO BE ABLE TO SEPARATE A CLASS 1 INTO CLASS 2 RIGHT NOW, WE DON'T HAVE THE LAWS SET IN PLACE FOR THAT.
IT'LL BE INTERESTING TO SEE WHAT WE CAN DO WITH WHAT TAKES PLACE IN MARIN COUNTY, AND I'M ALL FOR SUPPORTING THAT AS WELL.
I LIKE TO SAY THAT THE VAST MAJORITY OF THIS IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE PARENTS, AND LIKE THE MAYOR SAYS, A CHILD CAN'T AFFORD A VEHICLE LIKE THIS.
THE PARENTS HAVE TO TAKE EXTREME RESPONSIBILITY IN REGARDS TO WHAT'S TAKING PLACE. FIRST AND FOREMOST.
SECOND, I WOULD BE 10 TIMES WORSE IF THE MAYOR THOUGHT HE WOULD BE AS A TEENAGER HAVING ONE OF THESE.
IN REGARDS TO THE DARKNESS, RIGHT NOW, I LOOKED IT UP, THE SUNSETS AT 4:42.
MY DAUGHTER GOES TO THE BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB FOR BASKETBALL PRACTICE, WHICH STARTS AT SEVEN, AND FOR HER TO HAVE THAT MOBILITY AND ACCESS.
TAKEN AWAY FROM HER, I THINK WOULD BE NOT A GOOD RESULT, ESPECIALLY WITH THE WAY WE WORK THESE DAYS, WE HAVE DUAL INCOMES, AND WHAT HAVE YOU.
I'M IN SUPPORT OF NOT MOVING FORWARD WITH ITEM NUMBER FIVE.
ITEM NUMBER 6, I THINK THE MODIFIED VERSION OF GIVING THE POWERS TO THE CITY MANAGER WILL ALLOW HIM TO KNOW WHETHER OR NOT TO EXTEND THIS OR NOT.
I HAVE A FEELING THAT OUR PARKS AND DIRECTOR, POLICE OFFICERS, AND LAW AND EVERYONE ELSE WOULD BE LETTING HIM KNOW WHAT WOULD BE TAKING PLACE AND IF WE NEED TO PUSH TO ANOTHER PARK.
LAST BUT NOT LEAST, I JUST WANT TO GIVE COMPLETE RESPECT, SUPPORT AND AND GRATITUDE TOWARDS OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS.
EVERY SINGLE TIME THAT WE DECIDE TO CREATE A POLICY, THERE'S SO MUCH GRAY IN IT, AND THERE'S A LOT OF GRAY IN THIS POLICY THAT WE'RE ABOUT TO PUT OUT AND OUR POLICE OFFICERS ON THE STREET WHO HAVE TO MAKE ACTUAL CONTACT WITH THESE INDIVIDUALS, WITH THE PARENTS, WITH THE FRUSTRATIONS OF IT ALL.
ARE GOING TO HAVE THE QUESTIONS THAT I'M BRINGING UP TO YOU EARLIER AND THEY'RE GOING TO BE CHALLENGED WITH HOW THEY'RE GOING TO RESPOND APPROPRIATELY, BECAUSE IT'S NOT GOING TO ALWAYS MAKE SENSE.
IT'S NOT GOING TO MAKE SENSE SOMETIMES WHEN IF I'M FINED, AND I'M WATCHING A POLICE CAR OVER THERE AND I'M SEEING A WAVE OF CHILDREN GO BY AND NOTHING TAKES PLACE.
THERE WILL BE FRUSTRATION WITH WHAT WE'RE DOING HERE, BUT LIKE I SAID, IT STARTS SOMEWHERE.
I'M ALL FOR THIS RECOMMENDATION.
ONCE AGAIN, JUST THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE LAW ENFORCEMENT TO HAVE TO MUSCLE THROUGH THIS WITH OUR COMMUNITY. THAT'S ALL I GET.
>> LET ME SEE IF I'M EVEN CLOSE.
WE'RE ADDING THE UNSAFE PASSING AND WE ARE GOING TO ALLOW THE CITY MANAGER TO MAKE THE DECISIONS ON WHICH PARKS THE-BIKES CAN BE IN.
WE ARE GOING TO ELIMINATE NUMBER 5, WHICH IS SAYING UNDER 16 CAN'T OPERATE DURING HOURS OF DARKNESS. AM I ACCURATE?
>> CAN I ASK A CLARIFYING QUESTION, MAYOR?
>> ON THE PARKS, IT'S THE PINE IN POINT SEDA IS A YES TO DO THE BAND.
>> THAT'S I UNDERSTOOD COUNCIL UNDERSTOOD THAT AS WELL. THANK YOU.
>> WE HAVE ONE PERSON WHO DOESN'T WANT THE YOUTH WRITING AT AFTER DARK, IS THAT RIGHT?
[03:05:01]
I SAID WITH THE CAVEATS, THEY CAN RIDE AT NIGHT.WITH THE EXCEPTIONS, IF THEY'RE GOING TO A FOOTBALL PRACTICE OR A PIANO RECITAL OR HOWEVER, IF THAT'S BECAUSE HE'S DUAL INCOME WORKS AND NEEDS TO GET HIS DAUGHTER TO BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB.
IF SHE'S RIDING THE E-BIKE, SHE CAN GET HERSELF THERE.
SHE'LL HAVE TO CARRY A PASS THAT SAYS I CAN GO HERE OR WHATEVER THAT IS, WHATEVER YOUR WORDING WAS.
>> I'M GOING TO ASK CITY ATTORNEY, IS IT APPROPRIATE? I DON'T WANT THEM TO HAVE TO CARRY A PASS.
I WANT TO BE ABLE TO GO TO THEIR FRIEND'S HOUSE AT 6:00 AT NIGHT.
>> THAT WOULD NOT BE ONE OF THE EXCEPTIONS.
THAT'S THE WHOLE POINT OF HAVING THE EXCEPTION.
>> THAT'S WHAT I'M SAYING I WANT TO LEAVE THAT OUT SO IS IT APPROPRIATE FOR US TO VOTE ON THAT ONE ITEM BY ITSELF?
>> THAT WOULD BE THE WAY TO GO TO SEPARATE THAT ONE ITEM.
>> THANK YOU SO LET'S JUST SETTLE THAT ONE ITEM.
MY MOTION IS THAT WE COMPLETELY ELIMINATE THAT ITEM NUMBER 5 THAT SAYS ADOPTED AN ORDINANCE PROHIBITING THOSE UNDER 16 FROM OPERATING E-BIKES DURING HOURS OF DARKNESS.
THEY CAN RIDE THEIR BIKES AFTER DARK WITHOUT A NOTE FROM THEIR COACH OR THEIR DOCTOR.
THAT'LL BE MY MOTION TAKING THAT ONE.
>> YOU'RE JUST SAYING THE WAY IT IS WRITTEN RIGHT HERE IS THE WAY YOU WANT TO YOU WANT TO TAKE THE WHOLE THING?
>> WHOLE THING OUT. A 15-YEAR-OLD COULD RIDE HIS E-BIKE RIGHT NOW.
HIS FRIEND'S HOUSE TO WATCH TV IF HE WANTS.
>> CAN I ASK A CLARIFYING QUESTION STAFF? DO YOU KNOW HOW MANY I THINK YOU HAD A SLIDE ON INCIDENCES AT NIGHT? WHAT WAS THAT? WAS THAT A HIGH NUMBER?
>> THAT WAS THE ONE I ASKED ABOUT THE PRIMARY COLLISION FACTORS. WAS IT DARKNESS?
I DON'T REMEMBER HOW MANY PEOPLE IT WAS.
THE ONE ON THE LEFT PERTAINS TO E-BIKES, THE ONE ON THE RIGHT, PERTAINS TO PEDAL BIKES.
THERE'S A COUPLE OF WAYS TO INTERPRET THIS DATA AND THE SAME IS TRUE FOR THE UNDER 12.
ONE MIGHT SAY THAT THESE NUMBERS AREN'T A LOT OF NUMBERS, AND THAT COULD BE BECAUSE OF ALA SOCIAL NORMS THAT HAVE BEEN ADOPTED BY THE COMMUNITY AND THAT PARENTS ARE NOT LETTING THEIR KIDS RIDE AT DARK.
THAT MIGHT EXPLAIN WHY WE HAVE SOME LOWER NUMBERS BECAUSE THE RIDER VOLUME AND MILES PER BICYCLE TRIP AND VEHICLE TRIP ARE ALSO LOWER.
WHEN WE CAME FORWARD WITH THIS RECOMMENDATION, ONE OF THE THINGS WE REALLY LEANED INTO WAS JUST THE OVERALL COLLISION RATE EVEN DURING THE DAY WITH THIS AGE GROUP, 12 TO 17.
WE NARROWED IT DOWN. THERE'S ONLY ONE 17-YEAR-OLD THAT'S IN THIS GROUP OF THE GROUP ON THE SLIDE TO THE LEFT THERE.
ONE OF THE OTHER REASONS WE CAME UP WITH AGE 16 IS BECAUSE IN GOING THROUGH THE PRESENTATION WITH THE TRAFFIC SAFETY MOBILITY COMMISSION AND OBSERVING AND REVIEWING COMMUNITY FEEDBACK, 16 SEEMED TO BE THE CUT OFF AT WHICH THEY FELT AGE RESTRICTION SHOULD APPLY.
THAT WAS HOW STAFF CAME UP WITH, HOW WE ANALYZED THE DATA HERE.
EVEN THOUGH THERE'S A SMALL NUMBER OF COLLISIONS AND SMALL NUMBER INVOLVING THIS SUBSET OF THE PARTICULAR AFFECTED AGE GROUP, I LOOKED AT THE OVERALL COLLISIONS FROM THAT PREVIOUS SLIDE THAT SHOWED 12 TO 17 YEAR OLDS OCCUPIED THE MAJORITY OF THOSE INVOLVED IN BIKE COLLISIONS.
>> THAT'S NOT VERY MANY PEOPLE AND SO I DON'T THINK I'M TENDING TO AGREE WITH YOU THAT PUNISHING THE MANY FOR THE FEW WHO ARE HAVING ACTUAL ACCIDENTS, WE DON'T KNOW WHAT THE INCIDENTS WERE, BUT IT COULD HAVE BEEN ANY NUMBER OF THINGS.
I'M GOING TO CHANGE MY MIND HERE.
I'M GOING TO GO WITH YOUR RECOMMENDATION.
I DON'T KNOW IF YOU HAD A SECOND SO I'M JUST GOING TO SAY A SECOND FOR PURPOSES OF DISCUSSION.
BUT I AM SUPPORTIVE OF REMOVING THIS.
BUT MAYBE IN ADDITION, I WOULD SAY I WOULD LOVE TO COLLECT MORE DATA ON THIS BECAUSE YOUR QUESTION WAS VERY VALID, HOW MANY OF THESE NIGHTTIME ACCIDENTS OR INCIDENCES ARE BECAUSE OF THESE BEING USED, MAYBE NOT USING THEIR LIGHTS OR WHATEVER.
I THINK WE COULD COLLECT SOME MORE DATA ON THIS.
>> NOW, I UNDERSTAND THAT'S SOMETHING THAT CAN BE ALTERED WITH WHEN YOU BRING IT BACK.
I'M GOING TO ASK FOR THE MOTION AND THE VOTE.
BUT WE CAN ALWAYS CHANGE THAT IF THE STAFF COMES BACK AND SAYS THESE WERE THE PRIMARY COLLISION FACTOR WAS DARKNESS RELATED.
ALTHOUGH IT SHOULD BE EASY TO FIGURE OUT BECAUSE THERE'S ONLY TWO OR THREE ACCIDENTS.
>> THE MOTION IS THAT WE ELIMINATE NUMBER 5, WHICH IS THE RESTRICTION FOR 16 AND UNDERWRITING AT NIGHT AND I HAVE A SECOND FROM MISS ACOSTA.
PLEASE VOTE ON THAT. THAT PASSES UNANIMOUSLY.
[03:10:05]
WITH THE CAVEAT, IF THE STAFF LOOKS AT IT AND SAYS ALL THESE ACCIDENTS WERE DARKNESS RELATED, THEN WE CAN RECONSIDER IT.WE'VE GOT THAT ONE TAKEN CARE OF.
WE'VE ALREADY ADDRESSED THE POINT SETA AND PINE AVENUE PARK.
IS THERE ANYTHING WE'VE FORGOTTEN? MOTION FROM MISS BOT PATEL.
>> MOVE DOES THE MAYOR ARTICULATED.
>> PLEASE VOTE. I DO WANT TO MAKE A QUICK COMMENT.
EVERY TIME I DO SEE 12 YEAR OLDS RIDING THEIR E-BIKES, THEY ARE THE MOST RULE FOLLOWERS.
THEY'RE NOT DOING WHEELIES, THEY'RE NOT FLIPPING OFF DRIVERS.
THEY HAVE BEEN THE BEST, BUT I DO WORRY ABOUT AND I'M SAYING THIS FOR THE SAKE OF THE 12 YEAR OLDS.
I DO RESPECT THE FACT THAT THEY HAVE BEEN THE MOST I DON'T WANT TO SAY OBEDIENT.
THAT SOUNDS BAD, BUT THE BEST E-BIKE RIDERS, BUT I ALSO AM CONCERNED THAT THEY JUST DON'T UNDERSTAND THE DANGERS INVOLVED WITH INTERACTING WITH ALL THESE CARS.
I ALSO WANT TO MAKE A QUICK NOTE.
IF IT'S TAKING DMV UNTIL 2032 TO FIGURE OUT THE SIR, CAN WE LOAN THEM OUR IT PEOPLE? BECAUSE I'M SURE THEY CAN GET IT DONE QUICKER.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH AND THAT BRINGS US TO THE CONCLUSION OF OUR AGENDA.
[COUNCIL COMMENTARY AND REQUESTS FOR CONSIDERATION OF MATTERS ]
>> I JUST WANTED TO PAY RESPECTS TO THE FAMILY AND FRIENDS OF MIGUEL DE JESUS.
HE WAS A COMMUNITY LEADER HERE, NOT JUST IN CARLSBAD, BUT THROUGHOUT NORTH COUNTY.
WE HAD A LOT OF GOOD, LONG DISCUSSIONS LEADING UP TO MY ELECTION HERE AND ALL THE TOPICS THAT WE HAD HERE.
HE'S A GREAT FRIEND AND FAMILY MEMBER WHO WILL BE MISSED. MISS BURKHOLDER.
>> YES. THANK YOU. I'LL BE AT THE FOUNTAIN AT GRAND AND STATE ON FRIDAY AT 4:45 FOR THE CARLSBY VILLAGE ASSOCIATION TREE LIGHTING AND AT THE SHOPS AT THE CORNER OF CARLSB BOULEVARD AND CARLSB VILLAGE DRIVE, FOR THE ROTARY TREE LIGHTING ON SUNDAY AT 2:00.
COME AND JOIN IN ON THE FESTIVITIES OF THE SEASON. THANKS.
>> THANK YOU AND THANKS, COUNCIL MEMBER SHIN FOR BRINGING UP MGELTA HSU.
I ALSO KNEW HIM THROUGH THE CARLSBAD CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.
HE WAS A PROFESSOR AND WORKED AT CAL STATE SAN MARCOS, AND I WAS VERY SAD TO HEAR OF HIS UNEXPECTED PASSING.
TODAY, THE COUNCIL'S LEGISLATIVE SUBCOMMITTEE MET, AS I MENTIONED IN THE LAST AGENDA ITEM.
COUNCIL MEMBER OLDER AND I WERE HERE.
YOU CAN LOOK UP THE SCHEDULE ONLINE, BUT WE GOT A LOT DONE AND THERE WILL BE A LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM AND LEGISLATIVE AND BUDGET PRIORITIES COMING TO THE FULL COUNCIL NEXT WEEK OUT OF THAT COUNCIL MEETING.
ASSEMBLY MEMBER, TASHA BERNER, DID ATTEND OUR MEETING AND WAS AVAILABLE FOR QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS.
WE GOT A LITTLE INSIDE TRACK ON SOME OF THE E-BIKE CONVERSATION AS WELL.
LAST WEEK, I ATTENDED THE NATIONAL LEAGUE OF CITIES ANNUAL SUMMIT.
THIS IS WHERE ALL THE CITIES WHO BELONG TO ANY MEMBERSHIP ASSOCIATION OF CITIES COME TOGETHER THROUGH THE NATIONAL LEAGUE OF CITIES AND TALK ABOUT ISSUES THAT WE CAN SHARE BEST PRACTICES ON.
THERE WERE A LOT OF GREAT CONVERSATIONS ABOUT TRANSPORTATION ABOUT RENEWABLE ENERGY AND ABOUT THINGS LIKE CIVILITY AND ENSURING THAT WE HAVE POSITIVE POLITICAL DISCOURSE EVEN WHEN WE DISAGREE.
THOSE WERE ALL GREAT. THIS COMING WEEK, I HAVE THE LEAGUE OF CALIFORNIA CITY'S BOARD MEETING AND LEGISLATIVE POLICY SETTING FOR THE STE ASSOCIATION.
THAT'S IT, HAPPY HOLIDAYS, EVERYBODY.
>> YES, I HOPE EVERYONE HAD A RESTFUL THANKSGIVING.
I KNOW THIS WEEKEND WE HAVE THE KICKOFF FOR NCTD'S HOLLIDAY EXPRESS.
THAT'S ONE THING THAT I'LL BE ATTENDING, AND THEN I KNOW WE HAVE OUR LEO CORIO TREE LIGHTING AS WELL THAT I THINK MOST OF US WILL BE ATTENDING AS WELL. THANKS.
>> ANNOUNCEMENTS IS SATURDAY, DECEMBER 6,
[ANNOUNCEMENTS]
FROM 5:00 TO 8:00 P.M. YOU MAY FIND THREE OR MORE COUNCIL MEMBERS AT THE HOLIDAY AT THE RANCHO, LEO CORIO HISTORIC PARK, 06,200 FLYING LEO CORIO LANE, THAT'S IN CARLSBAD.ENDING TONIGHT ON A POSITIVE NOTE.
I HAD A CONVERSATION WITH SOMEBODY RECENTLY WHO WAS COMPLAINING ABOUT THE-BIKE LANES, TAKING OVER THE TRAFFIC LANES, VERY APROPOS FOR TONIGHT.
FINALLY, I INTERRUPTED HIM AND I SAID, ISN'T IT WONDERFUL THAT WE LIVE IN A CITY WHERE THE WORST THING GOING ON IS THE-BIKE LANES, AND HE AGREED WITH ME.
IT WAS PROBABLY 5 MINUTES LATER, SOMEBODY ELSE WHO DIDN'T HEAR THE CONVERSATION SAID WHAT I HEAR ALL THE TIME, AND THAT ISN'T THIS A WONDERFUL CITY? THANK YOU FOR RUNNING A GOOD CITY MAYOR.
[03:15:01]
I THOUGHT FOR A MOMENT AND I HAD TO EXPLAIN TO HIM THAT I DON'T RUN THE CITY, WE HAVE ALMOST 800 EMPLOYEES UNDER THE DIRECTION OF OUR CITY MANAGER, ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER, AND OUR DEPUTY CITY MANAGERS WHO ARE THE ONES WHO DO A GREAT JOB RUNNING THE CITY.I WANT TO SAY BECAUSE OF THANKSGIVING, THAT I'M THANKFUL FOR ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES DEPARTMENT, WHICH INCLUDES ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, FINANCE, HUMAN RESOURCES, INFORMATION, TECHNOLOGY.
THEY HELP WITH MANAGING OUR MONEY, WHICH IS WHAT ALMOST A QUARTER OF $1 BILLION A YEAR.
WE HAVE ALMOST $1 BILLION IN THE BANK.
THEY MANAGE ALL OF OUR IT, WHICH I MADE THE CRACK EARLIER ABOUT.
I'M THANKFUL FOR OUR COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPARTMENTS, THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, HOUSING AND HOMELESS SERVICES, LIBRARY, AND CULTURAL ARTS, OUR PARKS AND RECREATION.
WE HAVE SOME AMAZING LIBRARIES AND OUR PARKS.
WOW. MOST OF THE PEOPLE COMPLAIN WE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH PARKS BECAUSE OUR PARKS ARE SO GREAT.
BUT I WILL SAY THAT I GOT AN OPPORTUNITY TO SEE KYLE.
I GOT AN OPPORTUNITY TO SEE POINT CIA PARKS DOG PARK AFTER THEY RESEATED, AND THE COMPLAINT I GOT FROM SOMEBODY WAS LAWN IS BEAUTIFUL.
BUT ALL THE WHITE DOGS ABOUT 2 " OF THEIR PAWS WERE BRIGHT GREEN, AND SO THEY SAID THAT THEY WERE ACTUALLY TURNING INTO GRINCH FOR CHRISTMAS.
I WANT TO THANK THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT, CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT AND INSPECTION, ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY, FLEET, FACILITIES, TRANSPORTATION, UTILITIES.
WHEN I TALK ABOUT UTILITIES, ALSO WATER AND SEWER, THAT'S AN ORGANIZATION, THE LESS WE HEAR, THE BETTER.
THAT MEANS THEY'RE DOING A GREAT JOB, AND WE DO TAKE THEM FOR GRANTED.
BUT IF YOU FLUSH YOUR TOILET AND EVERYTHING GOES AWAY, THAT MEANS THEY'RE BUSY AT WORK AND DOING A GREAT JOB.
EVEN IN SPITE OF OUR TRAFFIC ENGINEERS, BUT I'M JOKING.
BUT I TELL THE STORY THAT I CAME AROUND THE CORNER AND I SAW A POTHOLE.
I THOUGHT TO MYSELF, I'M GOING TO BE BACK AT CITY HALL IN A COUPLE OF HOURS, I'LL TURN THE POTHOLE IN.
THE NEXT DAY, I'M GOING AROUND THE SAME CORNER.
I THOUGHT I FORGOT TO TURN IN THE POTHOLE.
I GET AROUND THE CORNER AND THE POTHOLES ALREADY FILLED.
THIS IS HOW OUR CITY IS RUN, AND JUST ECSTATIC ABOUT THAT.
WHEN WE TALK ABOUT OUR FLEET, TAKING CARE OF ALL OF OUR CARS, THEY HAVE TO TAKE CARE OF EVERYTHING FROM ALL ELECTRIC CARS TO POLICE CARS THAT GET INTO PURSUITS.
THE POLICE OFFICERS WANT TO MAKE SURE THEIR BRAKES ARE WORKING RIGHT.
ALL THE WAY TO FIRE ENGINES WITH DIESEL ENGINES AND HYDRAULICS, WE HAVE AN AMAZING FLEET DEPARTMENT.
THEN YOU TALK ABOUT THE POLICE DEPARTMENT.
THEY'RE JUST AMAZING. THE THINGS THAT GO ON BEHIND THE SCENES.
WHEN YOU HEAR ABOUT A MURDER, YOU HEAR ABOUT A CASE INVOLVING AN ASSAULT WITH A DEADLY WEAPON, THEY SOLVE THOSE SO QUICK, THAT THE JOKE IS, IT TOOK YOU 4 HOURS TO SOLVE THAT MURDER.
THEY REALLY ARE DOING SUCH AN AMAZING JOB AND THE EXPERTISE THEY HAVE IS UNBELIEVABLE.
TALK ABOUT THE FIRE DEPARTMENT.
IF YOU'VE NEVER SEEN THEM, THEY'RE GOOFY GUYS, THEY JUMP OFF THEIR FIRE ENGINES.
THERE'S JUST LIKE ALL THE REST OF US.
BUT WHEN THEY HAVE TO SLAP INTO ACTION, IF YOU'VE EVER WATCHED THEM TAKE CARE OF A HEART ATTACK VICTIM OR SOMEBODY WITH A MAJOR INJURY, IT'S LIKE WATCHING A CHOREOGRAPHED BALLET.
YOU CAN SEE FIVE GUYS AROUND ONE PATIENT, AND THEY JUST WORK AS ONE PERSON.
HOPEFULLY, YOU WON'T HAVE TO. CITY ATTORNEY DOES AN AMAZING JOB WITH HER OFFICE KEEPING US OUT OF JAIL, MAKING SURE THAT WE FOLLOW ALL THE RULES AND THAT WE DON'T GET OURSELVES IN TROUBLE OR TAKE OFF ON A TANGENT.
OUR COMMUNICATIONS AND ENGAGEMENT GROUP, IF YOU'VE EVER READ ANY OF THE CITY MANAGERS UPDATES, THEY'RE GREAT, AND THAT COMES FROM A LOT OF HELP FROM OUR COMMUNICATIONS AND ENGAGEMENT.
THEY ALSO TAKE CARE OF THE PRESS FOR US.
IN INTERGOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS IS JASON HABER AND A LITTLE BIT OF HELP.
BUT I MADE A COMMENT EVEN EARLIER TODAY.
I SAID, WHATEVER HAPPENS, DON'T LET JASON OUT OF YOUR SIT.
THE OFFICE OF THE CITY CLERK, TAKING CARE OF RECORDS, TAKING CARE OF ALL THE MINUTES, TAKING CARE OF THINGS LIKE PUTTING TOGETHER OUR AGENDAS WEEK AFTER WEEK THIS MUCH.
AGAIN, WHEN PEOPLE COME TO ONE OF US AS A CITY COUNCIL MEMBER AND SAY, YOU'RE DOING A WONDERFUL JOB RUNNING THE CITY.
I THINK OUR ANSWERS ARE, OUR JOB IS EASY.
WE COME UP WITH THE POLICY AND THERE'S ALMOST 800 EMPLOYEES UNDER THE DIRECTION OF
[03:20:04]
OUR CITY MANAGER ARE THE ONES WHO IMPLEMENT IT AND DO A GREAT JOB MAINTAINING THOSE IDEAS.EVERYTHING IN THE CITY THAT'S SO GREAT COMES AS A RESULT OF OUR EMPLOYEES.
THANK YOU. I THINK IT WAS LONG OVERDUE THAT OUR EMPLOYEES DO GET THE RECOGNITION FOR HOW GREAT OUR CITY IS.
WITH THAT, WE'RE ADJOURNED.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.