2026-01-27; City Council; 11; Annual Work Plan for the Community-Police Engagement Commission

CA Review CKM
Meeting Date: Jan. 27, 2026
To: Mayor and City Council
From: Geoff Patnoe, City Manager
Staff Contact: Faviola Medina, Director of Constituent & Clerk Services [email protected], 442-339-5989
Subject: Annual Work Plan for the Community-Police Engagement Commission Districts: All
Recommended Action
Adopt a resolution accepting Fiscal Year 2024-25 Community-Police Engagement Commission Work Plan Annual Report and approving the Fiscal Year 2025-26 Community-Police Engagement Commission Work Plan.

Executive Summary
The City Council is being asked to review and approve the Fiscal Year 2024-25 report of accomplishments and the proposed Fiscal Year 2025-26 work plan for the Community-Police Engagement Commission, which is required by Carlsbad Municipal Code Section 2.15.020(C).

Several tasks in the previous work plan are either in process, recurring, or ongoing. The commission has therefore carried forward those tasks as part of the proposed fiscal year 2025-26 work plan.

The purpose of a board or commission work plan is to encourage increased dialogue between boards and commissions and the City Council. They are also intended to ensure that boards and commissions are working in line with the priorities of the City Council.

Explanation & Analysis
The City Council established the Community-Police Engagement Commission to promote mutual understanding and trust between the Police Department and the community by providing an inclusive and respectful forum that fosters informed dialogue.

The City Council approved the Fiscal Year 2024-25 Community-Police Engagement Commission Work Plan on May 21, 2024. The list of accomplishments from the prior year and the Fiscal Year 2025-26 Work Plan are included as Attachment A and B to Exhibit 1.

At the Community-Police Engagement Commission’s Oct. 27, 2025, meeting, staff assisted commission members with the preparation of an updated work plan that is consistent with the duties described in the Carlsbad Municipal Code chapter that governs the commission, Chapter

2.30. During this meeting, the Community-Police Engagement Commission expressed a desire Jan. 27, 2026
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Docusign Envelope ID: 9FEE7D2A-5438-4F4F-9090-52999BAFBD9A to modify the commission’s meeting frequency and is recommending to the City Council as a part of their annual work plan, that it consider a reduction of meetings from four to three. If the City Council approves this request, staff will bring forward an ordinance for introduction at a future City Council regular meeting to modify Carlsbad Municipal Code Chapter 2.30.

The Community-Police Engagement Commission accepted the work plan and is recommending that the City Council approve the plan.

Fiscal Analysis
There is no direct fiscal impact associated with accepting, approving or implementing the work plan.

Next Steps
The Community-Police Engagement Commission and staff will focus future efforts on the activities listed in the approved work plans. If the City Council approves the request to reduce the meeting frequency, staff will bring forward an ordinance for introduction at a future City Council regular meeting to modify Carlsbad Municipal Code Chapter 2.30.

Environmental Evaluation
The proposed action is not a “project” as defined by California Environmental Quality Act, or CEQA, Section 21065 and CEQA Guidelines Section 15378(b)(5) and does not require environment review under CEQA Guidelines Section 15060(c)(3) and 15061(b)(3), because the proposed action to report on the Community-Police Engagement Commission Annual Work Plan is an organizational or administrative government activity that does not involve any commitment to any specific project which may result in a potentially significant physical impact on the environment. Any subsequent action or direction stemming from the proposed action may require preparation of an environmental document in accordance with CEQA or the CEQA Guidelines.

Exhibits

1. City Council resolution

2. Fiscal Year 2024-25 Community-Police Engagement Commission Work Plan, with changes highlighted
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Docusign Envelope ID: 9FEE7D2A-5438-4F4F-9090-52999BAFBD9A Exhibit 1
RESOLUTION NO. 2026-030 .

RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CARLSBAD, CALIFORNIA, ACCEPTING FISCAL YEAR 2024 -25 COMMUNITY- POLICE

ENGAGEMENT COMMISSION WORK PLAN ANNUAL REPORT AND
APPROVING THE FISCAL YEAR 2025-26 COMMUNITY-POLICE ENGAGEMENT

COMMISSION WORK PLAN
W
HEREAS, the City Council of the City of Carlsbad, California has determined that annual work plans ensure boards and commissions are working in line with priorities of the City Council; and WHEREAS, Chapter 2.15 of the Carlsbad Municipal Code requires that each board or commission provide to the City Council for its approval an annual work p lan of activities to be undertaken by the board or commission and a subsequent report of its accomplishments; and WHEREAS, Chapter 2.30 of the Carlsbad Municipal Code details the composition and duties of the Community-Police Engagement Commission; and
WHEREAS, at the Community -Police Engagement Commission’s Oct. 27, 2025, meeting, staff assisted commission members with the preparation of an updated work plan that is consistent with the duties described in the Carlsbad Municipal Code chapter that governs the commi ssion, Chapter

2.30; and
WHEREAS, the mission of the Community-Police Engagement Commission is to promote mutual understanding and trust between the Police Department and the community through an inclusive and respectful forum that fosters informed dialogue to carry out the duties delegate d to the commission by the Carlsbad City Council; and
WHEREAS, o n Oct. 27, 2025, the Community-Police Engagement Commission accepted the work plan and is recommending that the City Council approve the plan.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Carlsbad, California, as follows:

1. That the above recitations are true and correct.

2. The proposed action is not a “project” as defined by California Environmental Quality Act, or CEQA , Section 21065 and CEQA Guidelines Section 15378(b)(5) and does not require environment review under CEQA Guidelines Section 15060(c)(3) and 15061(b)(3), because the proposed action to report on the Community -Police Engagement Commission Annual Work Plan is an organizational or administrative Jan. 27, 2026
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Docusign Envelope ID: 9FEE7D2A-5438-4F4F-9090-52999BAFBD9A government activity that does not involve any commitment to any specific project which may result in a potentially significant physical impact on the environment. Any subsequent action or direction stemming from the proposed action may require preparation of an environmental document in accordance with CEQA or CEQA Guidelines.

3. That the City Council accepts the Fiscal Year 2024 -25 Community-Police Engagement Commission Work Plan Annual Report (Attachment A) and approv es the Fiscal Year 2025-26 Community-Police Engagement Commission Work Plan (Attachment B).

PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED at a Regular Meeting of the City Council of the City of Carlsbad on the 27th day of January, 2026, by the following vote, to wit:

AYES: Blackburn, Bhat-Patel, Acosta, Burkholder, Shin.

NAYS: None.

ABSTAIN: None.

ABSENT: None.
_______
_______________________________
KEITH BLACKBURN, Mayor
_____________
_________________________
SHERRY FREISINGER, City Clerk
(SEAL)
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Attachment A
Community-Police Engagement Commission
Fiscal Year 2024-25 Work Plan Accomplishments

I. Mission Statement
The mission of the City of Carlsbad Community-Police Engagement Commission is to promote mutual understanding and trust between the Police Department and the community through an inclusive and respectful forum that fosters informed dialogue to carry out the duties delegated to the Commission by the Carlsbad City Council.

II. Composition
Consistent with Chapter 2.30, Section 2.30.030 and Chapter 2.15, Section 2.15.050(A) of the Carlsbad Municipal Code, the Community-Police Engagement Commission shall consist of five members. The Mayor and each City Council member shall nominate one individual to serve for a term coinciding with the term of the Council member making the appointment. All nominations shall be subject to ratification by a majority vote of the City Council. In addition, the City Council may consider the following additional criteria in appointing members to the commission:

1. A demonstrated ability to be open minded, impartial, objective, and unbiased

2. An absence of any real or perceived bias, prejudice, or conflict of interest

3. A record of community involvement

4. An ability to build constructive working relationships and communicate effectively with diverse groups

5. A demonstrated commitment to the purpose of the commission with an eye toward fostering positive police-community relationships

6. Attendance at the Carlsbad Citizens Police Academy

Persons with ongoing litigation against the city related to police matters shall be ineligible to serve on the commission. In addition, current Carlsbad Police Department employees and their parents or children are ineligible to serve on the commission. (Ord. CS-441 § 3, 2022)

III. FY 2024-25 Goals & Tasks
The Community-Police Engagement Commission focused on the following FY-2024-25 Goals and Tasks:

Goal Task Status/Comment
Establish best practices for
commission training,
communication, deliberation
and operations.
• Complete mandated
training
Completed and Ongoing:

Requested that a
presentation on CERT
training be provided at a
future meeting
• Identify any additional
training and information
Ongoing
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that would benefit
commission members
• Identify and review other
Commissions’ Best
Practices
Completed
• Establish guidelines for
the review of policy,
procedures and practices
Completed: Operationalized
with various reports
including the Police Chief’s
Report on Recent Community
Events
• Develop and maintain an
ongoing prioritized list of
future meeting topics
Ongoing: Request to reduce
meeting frequency from 4
meetings to 3.
• Establish an effective
forum for information
exchange between the
Police Department and
the community
Completed
Raise awareness in the
community of the
commission and the
opportunity it provides to
engage and learn
• Share meeting videos and
city news summaries
Ongoing: Request to be
assigned a Block Captain as a
direct contact to further raise
community awareness

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Docusign Envelope ID: 9FEE7D2A-5438-4F4F-9090-52999BAFBD9A Attachment B
Community-Police Engagement Commission Work Plan
Fiscal Year 2025-26

1. A demonstrated ability to be open minded, impartial, objective, and unbiased

2. An absence of any real or perceived bias, prejudice, or conflict of interest

3. A record of community involvement

4. An ability to build constructive working relationships and communicate effectively with diverse groups

5. A demonstrated commitment to the purpose of the commission with an eye toward fostering positive police-community relationships

6. Attendance at the Carlsbad Citizens Police Academy

III. July 2025 through June 2026 Goals & Tasks
As a new commission, the Community-Police Engagement Commission will focus on the following foundational goals and tasks during this first work plan period:

Goal 1: Continue best practices for commission training, communication, deliberation and operations.

Task 1: Complete mandated training

Task 2: Identify any additional training and information that would benefit commission members

Task 3: Develop and maintain an ongoing prioritized list of future meeting topics Jan. 27, 2026
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Task 4: Establish an effective forum for information exchange between the Police Department and the community

Goal 2: Raise awareness in the community of the commission and the opportunity it provides to engage and learn

Task 1: Share meeting videos and city news summaries
Identify topics and agenda items that would be most of interest to the community and request that city staff share a summary and video link through its communication channels, as time and resources permit. Share links within the commissioners’ own communication channels (emails to friends, posting on social media, etc.)

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Docusign Envelope ID: 9FEE7D2A-5438-4F4F-9090-52999BAFBD9A Exhibit 2
City of Carlsbad
Community-Police Engagement Commission Work Plan
Fiscal Year 20242025-2526

1. A demonstrated ability to be open minded, impartial, objective, and unbiased

2. An absence of any real or perceived bias, prejudice, or conflict of interest

3. A record of community involvement

4. An ability to build constructive working relationships and communicate effectively with diverse groups

5. A demonstrated commitment to the purpose of the commission with an eye toward fostering positive police-community relationships

6. Attendance at the Carlsbad Citizens Police Academy

III. March July 2024 2025 through June 2025 2026 Goals & Tasks As a new commission, the Community-Police Engagement Commission will focus on the following foundational goals and tasks during this first work plan period:

Goal 1: Establish Continue best practices for commission training, communication, deliberation and operations.

Task 1: Complete mandated training

Task 2: Identify any additional training and information that would benefit commission members

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Task 3: Identify and review other Commissions’ Best Practices

Task 4: Establish guidelines for the review of policy, procedures and practices

Task 53: Develop and maintain an ongoing prioritized list of future meeting topics

Task 64: Establish an effective forum for information exchange between the Police Department and the community

Goal 2: Raise awareness in the community of the commission and the opportunity it provides to engage and learn

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Docusign Envelope ID: 9FEE7D2A-5438-4F4F-9090-52999BAFBD9A Community-Police Engagement
Commission Work Plan
Faviola Medina, Director of Constituent & Clerk Services Jan. 27, 2026
1 RECOMMENDED ACTION
Adopt a resolution accepting Fiscal Year 2024-25
Community-Police Engagement Commission
Work Plan Annual Report and approving the
Fiscal Year 2025-26 Community-Police
Engagement Commission Work Plan
ITEM 11: CPEC WORK PLAN
2 CURRENT MEMBERS
• Michael Zepeda, Chair
• Dan Frazee, Vice Chair
• Patrick Connolly
• Steven Gish
• Terri Novak
ITEM 11: CPEC WORK PLAN
3 To provide a cooperative and collaborative forum
for the community and police leadership to learn
and discuss the challenges of modern-day policing
and provide a community perspective about public
safety challenges.

CMC Chapter 2.30
ITEM 11: CPEC WORK PLAN
4 PURPOSE
• Established guidelines for the review of policy,
procedures and practices
• Established an effective forum for information
exchange between the Police Department and
the community
• Raised awareness in the community of the
commission and the opportunity it provides to
engage and learn
ITEM 11: CPEC WORK PLAN
5 FY 2024-25 ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Consider a reduction of meetings from four
to three.

ITEM 11: CPEC WORK PLAN
6 REQUEST FOR CONSIDERATION

RECOMMENDED ACTION
Adopt a resolution accepting Fiscal Year 2024-25
Community-Police Engagement Commission
Work Plan Annual Report and approving the
Fiscal Year 2025-26 Community-Police
Engagement Commission Work Plan.

ITEM 11: CPEC WORK PLAN
7 CHAIRPERSON COMMENTS
Michael Zepeda, Chair
Community-Police Engagement Commission
ITEM 11: CPEC WORK PLAN
8

Carlsbad City CouncilJanuary 27, 2026

Carlsbad City Council
January 27, 2026