CA Review TL
Meeting Date:
To:
From:
Staff Contact:
[email protected], 442-339-2996
Christie Calderwood, Police Chief
[email protected], 442-339-2216
Subject:
Memorial Signs Installed in the City Right-of-Way
Districts:
Recommended Action
Adopt a resolution authorizing the permanent retention of fallen police officer memorial signs installed in the city right-of-way.
Executive Summary
In 2018, the City Council authorized the design, fabrication and installation of two memorial signs at the locations where Carlsbad police officers fell in the line of duty. The signs have remained in place since their installation and continue to serve as meaningful tributes to Officers Billy Jack and Wes Fox.
Staff are now requesting authorization for the signs to remain installed permanently rather than being limited to the original seven-year display period.
Explanation & Analysis
There are two locations within the City of Carlsbad where officers have fallen in the line of duty:
•Northwest corner of El Camino Real and Faraday Avenue — Officer Billy Jack, Sept. 1, 1991
•Near the intersection of El Camino Real and Chestnut Avenue — Officer Wes Fox, Feb. 13, 1978
In 2018, the City Council adopted a resolution, authorizing design, fabrication and installation of a police officer’s memorial at these two locations in accordance with Carlsbad Municipal Code Section 11.44.040, which permits signs expressing the city’s own message in the public right-of-way. The original staff report established that the signs would remain in place for a period of seven years before being returned to the Police Department.
Sept. 29, 2026 Item #4 Page 1 of 4
Docusign Envelope ID: 46181A4C-CD16-88B2-815C-563BD503ABAC
The two memorial signs have been well received by the community, the fallen officers’ families and the Police Officers’ Association. Public Works and Police Department staff report no operational concerns related to traffic flow or right-of-way maintenance. This request is consistent with other fallen officer memorial signs that have remained in place in perpetuity on local freeways, highways and in neighboring cities.
Staff recommend that the City Council authorize extending the placement of the memorial signs indefinitely, ensuring the city’s continued recognition of the fallen officers’ service and sacrifice.
Fiscal Analysis
There are no new costs associated with the recommended action. Existing Public Works operational resources are sufficient to maintain the signs as needed.
Next Steps
If authorized, the memorial signs will remain permanently in their current locations. Public Works staff will continue routine maintenance as part of normal right-of-way operations.
Environmental Evaluation
The proposed action to permanently retain two fallen police officer memorial signs installed in the city right-of-way is exempt from environmental review under California Environmental Quality Act, or CEQA, Guidelines Sections 15061(b)(3) and 15378(b)(5) as it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility the proposed action may have a significant effect on the environment.
Exhibit
1.City Council resolution
Sept. 29, 2026 Item #4 Page 2 of 4
Docusign Envelope ID: 46181A4C-CD16-88B2-815C-563BD503ABAC
Exhibit 1 RESOLUTION NO. 2026-175 .
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CARLSBAD,
CALIFORNIA, AUTHORIZING THE PERMANENT RETENTION OF FALLEN
POLICE OFFICER MEMORIAL SIGNS INSTALLED IN THE CITY RIGHT-OF-WAY WHEREAS, two City of Carlsbad police officers have fallen in the line of duty: Officer Billy Jack on Sept. 1, 1991, at the northwest corner of El Camino Real and Faraday Avenue, and Officer Wes Fox on Feb. 13, 1978, near the intersection of El Camino Real and Chestnut Avenue; and WHEREAS, in 2018, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 2018-123, authorizing design, fabrication and installation of a police officer’s memorial at these two locations in accordance with Carlsbad Municipal Code Section 11.44.040, which allows signs expressing the city’s own message in the public right-of-way; and
WHEREAS, Resolution No. 2018-123 established a seven-year display period, after which the signs would be returned to the Police Department; and
WHEREAS, the community, the families of the fallen officers and the Police Department continue to strongly value the presence of these memorial signs as symbols of service and sacrifice; and
WHEREAS, staff have determined that the continued placement of the memorial signs in their current locations does not compromise traffic safety, right-of-way operations or city functions; and WHEREAS, the city desires to continue to honor Officers Jack and Fox by authorizing the memorial signs to remain installed in perpetuity.
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.That the City Council has determined that the proposed action to permanently retain two fallen police officer memorial signs installed in the city right-of-way is exempt from environmental review under California Environmental Quality Act, or CEQA, Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3) and 15378(b)(5) as it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility the proposed action may have a significant effect on the environment.
Sept. 29, 2026 Item #4 Page 3 of 4
Docusign Envelope ID: 46181A4C-CD16-88B2-815C-563BD503ABAC
3.That the City Council authorizes the permanent retention of the memorial signs honoring Officer Billy Jack and Officer Wes Fox installed in the city right-of-way at the northwest corner of El Camino Real and Faraday Avenue and near the intersection of El Camino Real and Chestnut Avenue, respectively.
4.That the City Council directs the City Manager to continue routine maintenance of the signs as part of ongoing right-of-way responsibilities.
PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED at a Regular Meeting of the City Council of the City of Carlsbad on the 29th day of September, 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)
Sept. 29, 2026 Item #4 Page 4 of 4
Docusign Envelope ID: 46181A4C-CD16-88B2-815C-563BD503ABAC