Boy does this July 4th look different than last year! As you head into your weekend celebrations with family and friends, here’s a recap of the week’s city news:
- What’s open, what’s closed, what’s the trash schedule
- 6 tips for Fourth of July in Carlsbad
- What parents need to know about e-bikes
- Homeless program update
- Over 100 apply for redistricting commission
- Senior Center reopening Tuesday
- Green is good (for the ocean and tadpoles)
- TGIF is back…in your backyard
- Dreamy landscapes and more at Cannon Art Gallery
- New board and commission openings
- Upcoming public meetings
What’s open and what’s not this holiday weekend
In observance of Independence Day, city offices will be closed Monday, July 5, and trash will be picked up on your normal day. Pools will be open on Sunday and Monday with modified hours; libraries will be closed those days.
See a full schedule of city services.
Six important reminders for the Fourth of July holiday
As we gear up for a long holiday weekend, please keep these six tips top of mind:
- Fireworks – Leave the fireworks to the pros. Fireworks are not only illegal in Carlsbad, but they pose a great wildfire risk.
- Beaches – No alcohol or dogs are allowed. Bonfires are only allowed in sanctioned fire pits on the beach.
- Alcohol – Designate a driver if you plan to drink alcohol or use rideshare services.
- Home security – Before you leave home, close and lock your windows and doors.
- Bicycles – Follow the rules of the road or risk getting a ticket. Lock up your bicycle and keep an eye on it.
- Partnerships – Report any suspicious activity to Carlsbad Police Dept at 760-931-2197.
It’s going to be a busy weekend, especially at our beaches. Bring your sunscreen and your patience. Thank you for partnering with us this weekend and for helping us keep Carlsbad safe.
Recap of e-bike safety webinar
Just in time for the busy holiday weekend, the City of Carlsbad Police Department held a webinar last night to share important information about e-bike safety and rules. Here is a quick recap of the information shared:
- Looking at the past 18 months of collision data in Carlsbad, bicyclists were at fault 73% of the time. This tells us that more needs to be done to make sure bicyclists understand the rules of the road and how to ride safely.
- Parents can be held liable if their kids get into an accident.
- E-bikes have a lot of benefits – they’re good for the environment, make it easier for more people to take advantage of bicycling, give kids more freedom and help reduce the number of cars on the road.
- E-bikes are considered vehicles and need to follow the rules of the road, including:
- Stay on the street; e-bikes are not allowed on sidewalks
- Ride with the flow of traffic
- Come to a complete stop at stop signs and follow right of way rules
- Obey traffic signals
- Passengers are only allowed if there is a designated seat on the back of the bike.
- All riders 17 and under must wear helmets. Helmets are recommended for all riders. Head injuries are common in bike accidents, and some riders never fully recover.
- E-bike riders can cross an intersection with traffic or get completely off their bikes and walk across in the crosswalk.
If you or someone in your family rides an e-bike, please watch the webinar recording here and visit our e-bike safety page to learn how to ride safely.
Homeless Action Subcommittee recap and other updates
On Monday the City Council Homeless Action Subcommittee met to hear feedback from the recent town hall meetings and community survey, as well as implementation of the homeless response initiatives. Included in this update was a status report on the program to provide hotel vouchers and “wrap around services” to help transition more people into permanent housing.
- The city is still in the process of developing this program. No hotels have been selected, and the timing has been delayed while the city works to identify a suitable location and partner hotel, as well as consider city zoning rules.
- In addition to finding a suitable location, the city is working on a contractor agreement, which would outline the details of the program, including eligibility, rules, safeguards and other issues raised during recent community meetings.
- To take time to properly research options, the city will not return to the City Council with a proposed hotel and vendor agreement by the end of June or in July as originally planned.
- This could affect the city’s ability to implement a program in time to be eligible for federal grant funds for the voucher program. FEMA funding will run out Sept. 30, 2021.
- Because of this, staff is also researching other potential funding options and programs.
- Read more
Independent Redistricting Commission draws over 100 applicants
As of the June 30 deadline, 127 people submitted applications to serve on an independent commission that will decide the boundaries of new City Council districts.
The City of Carlsbad Clerk’s Office will conduct a random draw on July 13 to select the seven members and three alternates. The process will be live-streamed on the city’s website.
Learn more
Senior Center welcomes back patrons July 6
We look forward to welcoming community members back to the Senior Center on July 6! Fun classes like Tai Chi, Zumba, gardening, watercolor and more are also back for adults 50+! Say hello to old friends and make some new ones. The lunch program will shift from pickup to in-person dining from noon – 1 p.m. Reservations are required for lunch Learn more
Carlsbad Works: Green is good
Did you know the city has a team of scientists dedicated to keeping our oceans clean? Recently, they were out monitoring water quality coming from the drainage outfall near the Batiquitos Lagoon. The photo above shows Lauren Ornelas, a new part-time Technical Assistant and recent UCLA graduate, testing the water.
We are happy to report that the water coming from the outfall is actually quite clear, the green color in the photo is from algae present on the bottom of the discharge area. This is perfectly normal and a comfy habitat for tadpoles and baby frogs, who we saw thriving in the water and surrounding area.
You can help keep our lagoons and ocean clean by making sure you don’t cause run off from irrigation, car washing or hosing down your driveway. Water picks up pollutants in gardens, sidewalks and gutters and carries them directly to the ocean. Limiting the use of pesticides and fertilizers and picking up after your dog also help.
TGIF in Your Backyard
This summer only we are keeping the TGIF spirit alive with the TGIF in Your Backyard concert series beginning July 9 with Euphoria Brass Band. This fun twist on TGIF Concerts in the Park series gives our community the opportunity to enjoy music with friends, family and neighbors in the comfort of their own backyards and then share their experiences with us on social media. Email us your backyard or block party pics to communications@carlsbadca.gov for us to share or tag us on Instagram with #TGIFinmybackyard.
Concerts debut on the city’s website on select Fridays in July and August and stream for a week. We look forward to returning to the familiar live format as in past years during summer 2022 and celebrating the 35th Anniversary. Learn more
Dreamy landscapes to brightly-hued abstractions
Get involved in city matters
Want to be more involved in city matters? The city is seeking residents to fill vacancies on two boards and commissions that will work on specific issues like affordable housing and art. Apply today. The deadline is July 15.
Learn more
Upcoming public meetings
Get more information and agendas on the city’s website.
Quick links
- COVID-19 Information
- City Manager’s Update
- Council Meeting Info
- City TV
- Hot Topics
- Community Vision
- Emergency Preparedness
- Social Media
City of Carlsbad | 1200 Carlsbad Village Drive, Carlsbad, CA 92008
