CA Review TL
Meeting Date: Sept. 29, 2026
To: Mayor and City Council
From: Geoff Patnoe, City Manager
Staff Contact: Brandon Miles, Senior Engineer
[email protected], 442-339-2745
Subject: Continuing the Declaration of a Local Emergency to Address Bluff Erosion North of the Encinas Creek Bridge on Carlsbad Boulevard District: 3
Rec
ommended Action
Adopt a resolution continuing the declaration of a local emergency to address bluff erosion north of the Encinas Creek Bridge on the west side of Carlsbad Boulevard, authorizing the City Manager to direct the continuation of the emergency work to be performed using emergency construction procurement procedures, and authorizing additional appropriation in an amount not to exceed $900,000 to Capital Improvement Program Project No. 6063.
Executive Summary
On June 25, 2026, staff identified a section of coastal bluff erosion along the west side of southbound Carlsbad Boulevard, north of the bridge at Las Encinas Creek, as shown in Exhibit 4.
Staff began assessing the cause, impacts and options for addressing the erosion and placed orange cones along this area to alert the public to potential bluff instability. The following week, staff began regularly monitoring the area for further bluff movement and applied asphalt treatment in 1/4- to 1/2-inch width pavement cracks to stabilize the road and prevent moisture from getting into the pavement.
In mid-July 2026, staff engaged an independent geotechnical consulting firm to perform a site investigation and provide recommendations for further action related to bluff erosion in this area.
On Sept. 8, 2026, the geotechnical consulting firm provided the city with a technical memorandum confirming the potential for bluff erosion to affect the integrity of southbound Carlsbad Boulevard if prompt action is not taken to address the instability, which is included in Exhibit 2.
Past experience confirms immediate emergency work is needed to permit the continued operation of southbound Carlsbad Boulevard and avoid danger to life and property. According to the geotechnical consulting firm, the necessary emergency work to stabilize the bluff and protect southbound Carlsbad Boulevard may include placement of approximately 192 linear Sept. 29, 2026
Item #6 Page 1 of 13
Docusign Envelope ID: 0198AD7A-3B26-816E-83BA-CD20453CB008 feet of additional revetment for bluff and shoreline protection, which could be lengthened depending on the conditions observed when the revetment is installed.
Based on the geotechnical engineering firm’s technical memorandum, staff determined that immediate work to address bluff and shoreline protection is required. Staff implemented protocols to promote the safety of the motoring public, bicyclists, and pedestrians, and initiated discussions with a contractor to prepare for the emergency work.
On Sept. 9, 2026, the City Manager declared the existence of a local emergency condition, as shown in Exhibit 3. On Sept. 15, 2026, the City Council confirmed the emergency declaration, as shown in Exhibit 2.
Staff request that the City Council continue the declaration, authorize the City Manager to direct continuation of the work using emergency construction procurement procedures as allowed under California Public Contract Code sections 20168, 22035 and 22050 and Carlsbad Municipal Code sections 3.28.110(A) and 3.28.120, and authorize additional appropriation in an amount not to exceed $900,000 to Capital Improvement Program Project No. 6063. The emergency declaration allows the city to use the exemption so that the work can be done swiftly and requires confirmation by a four-fifths vote of the City Council.
Explanation & Analysis
On June 25, 2026, along the west side of southbound Carlsbad Boulevard, north of the bridge at Las Encinas Creek, an area of minor bluff erosion was identified.
Because the bluff erosion occurs along a frequently used and traveled public pathway, the immediate emergency work may include protecting the existing infrastructure, soil stabilization and revetment placement of approximately 192 feet of additional rock boulders for bluff and shoreline protection, which could be extended depending on the conditions observed when they are installed.
The estimated cost of this emergency work will likely exceed the formal bidding threshold of $220,000. The formal bidding process takes approximately four to six months. The work requires prompter action to prevent or mitigate the loss or impairment of life, health, property or essential public services.
Staff are therefore requesting that the City Council continue the declaration of a local emergency to address bluff erosion north of the Encinas Creek bridge on the west side of Carlsbad Boulevard and authorize the City Manager to direct continuation of the emergency work to be performed using emergency construction procurement procedures.
Emergency coastal development permit
The proposed work is within the Coastal Zone and qualifies as development that requires a coastal development permit under the authority of the California Coastal Commission. Because of the location in proximity to the bluffs and the need to use mechanical equipment for the work, no exemptions to this permit requirement apply.
On Aug. 27, Aug. 31, Sept. 4, and Sept. 10, 2026, staff met with California Coastal Commission staff to discuss the bluff erosion; proposed emergency work, including the placement of additional rock boulders, or revetment, adjacent to existing revetment; and discussed an application for an emergency coastal development permit. An emergency coastal development Sept. 29, 2026
Item #6 Page 2 of 13
Docusign Envelope ID: 0198AD7A-3B26-816E-83BA-CD20453CB008 permit application for the emergency work was submitted to the California Coastal Commission on Sept. 9, 2026. On Sept. 17, 2026, the California Coastal Commission issued Emergency Coastal Development Permit Emergency CDP G-6-26-0057.
Staff have also reached out to the San Diego Regional Water Quality Control Board, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and the California Department of Parks and Recreation, or State Parks, for authorization to proceed with the emergency or required permits.
Fiscal Analysis
Initial funding is available for the emergency work in the Capital Improvement Program project for Carlsbad Boulevard Emergency Repair, Project No. 6063, which currently has an available balance of $327,865. Cost estimates to address the bluff erosion and unpredictable instability threatening the integrity of the traveled roadway indicate approximately $1.2 million for the total emergency work.
Staff request an additional appropriation in the amount of $900,000, which consists of $400,000 from the Gas Tax fund and a $500,000 budget transfer from Roadway Slope Stabilization, CIP Project No. 6081, to complete the emergency work.
Carlsbad Boulevard Emergency Repair
Capital Improvement Program Project No. 6063
Roadway Slope Stabilization
Capital Improvement Program Project No. 6081
Total appropriation to date $841,000
Total expenditures and encumbrances to date -$513,135
Total available funding $327,865
Construction contract (estimated) -$800,000
Construction contingency (estimated) -$200,000
Construction management and inspection services (estimated) -$200,000 Total estimated construction costs -$1,200,000
Remaining balance in CIP Project No. 6063 -$872,135
Additional appropriation needed (rounded) $900,000
Total appropriation to date $1,280,000
Total expenditures and encumbrances to date -$488,950
Total available funding $791,050
Transfer from CIP Project No. 6081 to CIP Project No. 6063 -$500,000 Remaining balance in CIP Project No. 6081 $291,050
Transfer from Gas Tax Fund to CIP Project No. 6063 -$400,000 Total transfer to CIP Project No. 6063 $900,000
Sept. 29, 2026
Item #6 Page 3 of 13
Docusign Envelope ID: 0198AD7A-3B26-816E-83BA-CD20453CB008 Next Steps
Upon continuation of the emergency declaration, staff will initiate the routing of a public works contract under emergency construction procurement procedures and authorize the contractor to proceed with performing emergency work once the appropriate permits from regulatory agencies have been obtained.
Staff will return to the City Council on Oct. 6, 2026, to review the emergency action and ask the City Council to determine by a four-fifths vote whether there is a need to continue it.
Environmental Evaluation
The proposed action is statutorily exempt from environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act, or CEQA, Sections 21080(b)(2) and (4) and CEQA Guidelines Sections 15269(b) and (c), which apply to emergency repairs to publicly owned facilities necessary to maintain service essential to public health, safety or welfare and other specific actions necessary to prevent or mitigate an emergency.
Exhibits
1. City Council resolution
2. Staff Report from Sept. 15, 2026, City Council meeting (on file in the Office of the City Clerk)
3. Declaration of a Local Emergency dated Sept. 9, 2026
4. Location map
Sept. 29, 2026
Item #6 Page 4 of 13
Docusign Envelope ID: 0198AD7A-3B26-816E-83BA-CD20453CB008 Exhibit 1
RESOLUTION NO. 2026-177 .
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CARLSBAD,
CALIFORNIA, CONTINUING THE DECLARATION OF A LOCAL EMERGENCY TO
ADDRESS BLUFF EROSION NORTH OF THE ENCINAS CREEK BRIDGE ON THE
WEST SIDE OF CARLSBAD BOULEVARD, AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO
DIRECT THE CONTINUATION OF THE EMERGENCY WORK TO BE PERFORMED
USING EMERGENCY CONSTRUCTION PROCUREMENT PROCEDURES , AND
AUTHORIZING ADDITIONAL APPROPRIATION IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $900,000 TO CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM PROJECT NO. 6063 WHEREAS, a section of coastal bluff erosion along the west side of southbound Carlsbad Boulevard, north of the bridge at Las Encinas Creek was identified by city staff during routine inspections on June 25, 2026; and
WHEREAS, while staff assessed the cause, impacts, and options for addressing the erosion, staff began regularly monitoring the area for further bluff movement and placed orange cones along the area to alert the public to potential bluff instability; and
WHEREAS, the following week in July 2026, staff applied asphalt treatment in 1/4- to 1/2-inch width pavement cracks to stabilize the road and prevent moisture from getting into the pavement; and WHEREAS, in mid -July 2026, staff engaged an independent geotechnical consulting firm to perform a site investigation and provide recommendations for further action related to bluff erosion in this area; and
WHEREAS, on Aug. 13, 2026, the National Weather Service Climate Prediction Center issued a statement indicating a greater than 90 percent chance of a very strong El Niño forecast for fall and winter 2026-27, which was later reissued on Sept. 10, 2026; and WHEREAS, on Aug. 19, 2026, staff noted minor changes in the pavement cracks and applied additional asphalt treatment in the cracks; and
W H E R E A S , o n A u g. 2 7 , A u g. 3 1, S e p t . 4 , and Sept. 10, 2026, staff met with California Coastal Commission staff to discuss the bluff erosion, proposed emergency work, including the placement of additional rock boulders, or revetment, north of existing revetment, and an application for an emergency coastal development permit; and
WHEREAS, on Sept. 8, 2026, the geotechnical consulting firm provided the city with a technical memorandum confirming the potential for the bluff erosion to affect the integrity of southbound Carlsbad Boulevard and recommending extending the existing rock revetment approximately 192 feet Sept. 29, 2026
Item #6 Page 5 of 13
Docusign Envelope ID: 0198AD7A-3B26-816E-83BA-CD20453CB008 north for bluff and shoreline protection , which could be lengthened depending on the conditions observed when the revetment is installed; and
WHEREAS, continuing bluff erosion is not new to the North San Diego County region, especially along this section of Carlsbad Boulevard; and
WHEREAS, past experience confirms immediate emergency work is needed to permit the continued operation of southbound Carlsbad Boulevard and avoid danger to life and property; and W H E R E A S , o n S e p t . 9 , 2 0 2 6 , t h e C i t y M a n a g e r d e c l a r e d t h e e x i s t e n c e o f a l o c a l e m e r g e n c y condition resulting from bluff erosion north of Encinas Creek, on the west side of southbound Carlsbad Boulevard; and
WHEREAS, California Coastal Commission staff reviewed the placement of approximately 192 linear feet of additional revetment for bluff and shoreline protection as an emergency action under California Public Resources Code Section 30611, subject to the filing of an Application for Emergency Permit within seven days of taking emergency action; and WHEREAS, staff submitted an Application for Emergency Permit to the California Coastal Commission on Sept. 9, 2026; and
WHEREAS, on Sept. 15, 2026, the City Council confirmed the declaration of a local emergency for a section of coastal bluff erosion along the west side of southbound Carlsbad Boulevard; and WHEREAS, on Sept. 17, 2026, the California Coastal Commission issued an Emergency Coastal Development Permit Emergency CDP G-6-26-0057; and
WHEREAS, the estimated cost of the emergency work exceeds the formal bidding threshold, and the formal bidding process takes approximately four to six months; and WHEREAS, given the very strong El Niño forecast for fall and winter 2026 -27 and the impact to the integrity of southbound Carlsbad Boulevard, the bluffs along the west side of southbound Carlsbad Boulevard, north of the bridge at Las Encinas Creek, require immediate emergency work prompter than formal bidding allows to ensure continued operation of essential public services and prevent or mitigate potential impairment of health, property and/or the surrounding environment; and WHEREAS, the City of Carlsbad follows the procurement procedures in the California Public Contract Code and the Carlsbad Municipal Code; and
WHEREAS, in the case of an emergency condition like bluff erosion threatening the integrity of a heavily traveled roadway, California Public Contract Code Sections 20168, 22035 and 22050 and Carlsbad Municipal Code Sections 3.28.110(A) and 3.28.120 allow t he City Council by a four -fifths vote Sept. 29, 2026
Item #6 Page 6 of 13
Docusign Envelope ID: 0198AD7A-3B26-816E-83BA-CD20453CB008 to authorize the repair or replacement of public infrastructure, take any directly related and immediate action required by the emergency and procure the necessary equipment, services and supplies for these purposes without following formal bidding procedures; and WHEREAS, as permitted by California Public Contract Code Section 22050, the City Council has delegated authority to authorize emergency repairs to the City Manager, subject to review by the City Council by a four-fifths vote at its next regularly scheduled meeting not later than 14 days afterwards ; and
WHEREAS, continuing the emergency declaration must be confirmed by a four-fifths vote of the City Council at its next regularly scheduled meeting; and WHEREAS, staff anticipate emergency repair completion to be on or about November or December 2026; and
WHEREAS, initial funding is available for the emergency work in the Carlsbad B oulevard Emergency Repair, Capital Improvement Program, or CIP, Project No. 6063; and WHEREAS, staff request an appropriation in the amount of $400,000 from the Gas Tax Fund and a budget transfer in the amount of $500,000 from Roadway Slope Stabilization, CIP Project No. 6081, for a total additional appropriation in an amount not to exceed $900,000, to CIP Project No. 6063; and W H E R E A S , s t a ff r e q u e s t t h a t t h e C i t y C o u n c i l continue the declaration of a local emergency condition and authorize the City Manager to direct the continuation of the necessary repair work to be performed using emergency construction procurement procedures.
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 is statutorily exempt from environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act, or CEQA, Sections 21080(b)(2) and (4) and CEQA Guidelines Sections 15269(b) and (c), which apply to emergency repairs to publicly owned facilities necessary to maintain service essential to public health, safety or welfare and other specific actions necessary to prevent or mitigate an emergency.
3. That the City Manager’s Sept . 9, 2026, declaration of a local emergency to address the bluff erosion north of the Encinas Creek Bridge on the west side of Carlsbad Boulevard is continued.
Sept. 29, 2026
Item #6 Page 7 of 13
Docusign Envelope ID: 0198AD7A-3B26-816E-83BA-CD20453CB008
4. That the City Manager is authorized to direct the required emergency work to be performed, take any directly related and immediate action required by the emergency, including the filing or issuance of any permits, and procure the necessary equipment, services, and supplies for these purposes, using emergency procurement procedures.
5. That the City Manager or designee is authorized to appropriat e $400,000 from the Gas Tax Fund and authorized to perform a budget transfer of $500,000 from Roadway Slope Stabilization, CIP Project No. 6081, for a total appropriation in an amount not to exceed $900,000, to the Carlsbad Boulevard Emergency Repair, CIP Project No. 6063.
6. That the City Manager or designee is authorized to sign all other documents necessary for regulatory compliance, to extend funding opportunities, or to otherwise implement and finalize the emergency work, all of which are subject to review and approval as to form by the City Attorney’s Office.
7. That the City Manager is directed to return to the City Council at the next regularly scheduled City Council meeting for a determination by a four -fifths vote whether the emergency condition continues to exist.
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 #6 Page 8 of 13
Docusign Envelope ID: 0198AD7A-3B26-816E-83BA-CD20453CB008
Exhibit 2
St
aff Report from Sept. 15, 2026, City Council meeting
(on file in the Office of the City Clerk)
Sept. 29, 2026
Item #6 Page 9 of 13
Docusign Envelope ID: 0198AD7A-3B26-816E-83BA-CD20453CB008 Declaration of Local
Elllergency
City Hall
1200 Carlsbad Village Drive
Carlsbad, CA 92008
FOR AN EMERGENCY CONDITION RESULTING FROM BLUFF EROSION NORTH OF THE ENCINAS
CREEK BRIDGE ON THE WEST SIDE OF CARLSBAD BOULEVARD
WHEREAS, a section of coastal bluff erosion along the west side of southbound Carlsbad Boulevard, north of the bridge at Las Encinas Creek was identified by city staff during routine inspections on June 25, 2026; and
WHEREAS, while staff assessed the cause, impacts, and options for addressing the erosion, staff began regularly monitoring the area for further bluff movement and placed orange cones along the area to alert the public to potential bluff instability; and WHEREAS, the following week in July 2026, staff applied asphalt treatment in¼- to ½-inch width pavement cracks to stabilize the road and prevent moisture from getting into the pavement; and
WHEREAS, in mid-July 2026, staff engaged an independent geotechnical consulting firm to perform a site investigation and provide recommendations for further action related to bluff erosion in this area; and
WHEREAS, on August 13, 2026, the National Weather Service Climate Prediction Center issued a statement indicating a greater than 90% chance of a very strong El Nino forecast for fall and winter 2026-27; and
WHEREAS, on August 19, 2026, staff noted minor changes in the pavement cracks and applied additional asphalt treatment in the cracks; and WHEREAS, on August 27, August 31, and September 4, 2026, staff met with California Coastal Commission staff to discuss the bluff erosion, proposed emergency work, including the placement of additional rock boulders, or revetment, north of existing revetment, and an application for an emergency coastal development permit; and WHEREAS, on September 8, 2026, the geotechnical consulting firm provided the city with a technical memorandum confirming the potential for the bluff erosion to affect the integrity of southbound Carlsbad Boulevard and recommending extending the existing rock revetment approximately 192 feet north for bluff and shoreline protection; and WHEREAS, continuing bluff erosion is not new to the North San Diego County region, especially along this section of Carlsbad Boulevard; and WHEREAS, past experience confirms immediate emergency work is needed to permit the continued operation of southbound Carlsbad Boulevard and avoid danger to life and property; and
Exhibit 3
Sept. 29, 2026
Item #6 Page 10 of 13
Docusign Envelope ID: 0198AD7A-3B26-816E-83BA-CD20453CB008 Sept. 29, 2026
Item #6 Page 11 of 13
Docusign Envelope ID: 0198AD7A-3B26-816E-83BA-CD20453CB008 Sept. 29, 2026
Item #6 Page 12 of 13
Docusign Envelope ID: 0198AD7A-3B26-816E-83BA-CD20453CB008 6063
EMERGENCY REPAIR
4CARLSBAD BLVD NORTH OF ENCINAS CREEK
SITE
SITE
Exhibit 4
Sept. 29, 2026
Item #6 Page 13 of 13
Docusign Envelope ID: 0198AD7A-3B26-816E-83BA-CD20453CB008