City Headlines, 1/31/2020

Residents invited to provide input on priorities for the annual city budget

The City of Carlsbad is seeking input from community members about their needs and priorities for the fiscal year 2020-21 city budget. Feedback can be provided two ways: Online Budget Survey Live Jan. 30 – Feb. 14 Community Budget Workshop Monday, Feb. 10, 6 to 7:30 p.m. Faraday Administration Center Read more

Coronavirus risk low in Carlsbad, hand washing, other normal precautions best defense

City of Carlsbad public safety officials are closely monitoring developments with the coronavirus outbreak that began last December in China and reminding residents that simple steps like proper handwashing remain the best way to stay healthy: Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.Avoid close contact with people who are sick. Read more

City traffic programs showing positive results, efforts continuing

The City Council heard an update Tuesday about efforts to address traffic concerns around Carlsbad, one of the top issues identified by local residents in a recent survey. According to city Traffic Engineer John Kim, the city has seen promising results from a program to reduce speeding in neighborhoods and one that uses technology to synchronize traffic signals. Read more

City receives excellence award for operating budget

The City of Carlsbad has received the Operating Budget Excellence Award from the California Society of Municipal Finance Officers for its Fiscal Year 2019-2020 Operating Budget. The California Society of Municipal Finance Officers recognizes entities with highly professional budget documents with two levels of certificates. Read more

Rail closures this weekend and work planned at Poinsettia Station

This weekend, all COASTER and Amtrak Pacific Surfliner services along the San Diego segment of the coastal rail corridor will be suspended between Saturday, Feb. 1 at midnight and Monday, Feb. 3 at 5 a.m.

Also as part of the Poinsettia Station Improvements Project, construction crews will continue work on the remaining station improvements at the Poinsettia Station during the same time window. Read more

New state housing laws

The Carlsbad City Council held a workshop Jan. 21 on changes in state housing laws created in response to what has been described as a statewide housing crisis. The laws generally take discretion away from cities when it comes to approving new housing, with the goal of making it easier, quicker and less expensive for projects to get built. Watch video of the workshop for information on how the new housing laws are expected to impact Carlsbad. Read more

Community helps with annual Point in Time homeless count

Nearly 50 Carlsbad residents got an early start Thursday logging as many as 10,000 steps before 6 a.m. as they volunteered for the annual Point in Time count of people experiencing homelessness in Carlsbad. The event is part of a nationwide effort to learn about and document homelessness to help inform strategies to address it, including how resources are allocated.  Read more

Planning Commission vacancy, seeking applicants

The City of Carlsbad is seeking residents interested in filling a scheduled vacancy on the City of Carlsbad Planning Commission for a four year term. Applications for this volunteer position are available on the city’s website or in the City Clerk’s Office, 1200 Carlsbad Village Drive. Applications must be submitted to the City Clerk's Office by noon on Feb. 17.  Read more

Census 2020 information

Every 10 years, the U.S. Constitution requires a count of the nation’s population to determine the number of congressional representatives for each state. The government also uses census data to distribute an estimated $600 billion dollars in federal funding annually. The next federal census will begin on April 1, 2020. Read more