AGENDA REPORT
City Council
MEETING
DATE:
August 26, 2026
PREPARED
BY:
Abe Bandegan, PE, TE
City Traffic Engineer
DEPARTMENT
DIRECTOR:
Dan Nutter, PE
DEPARTMENT: Engineering CITY
MANAGER:
Jennifer Campbell
SUBJECT:
Mobility & Traffic Safety Commission (MTSC) Work Plan Outcomes for Fiscal Year 2025-26 and Proposed Work Plan for Fiscal Year 2026-27
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
1. Receive final reported outcomes for the Fiscal Year 2025-26 MTSC Work Plan.
2. Approve the proposed Fiscal Year 2026-27 MTSC Work Plan.
ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS:
The action being considered by the City Council is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) because it is not a “project” under Section 15061(b)(3) of the CEQA Guidelines because it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the activity in question may have a significant effect on the environment. The action is also exempt from CEQA under Section 15378(b)(5) of the CEQA Guidelines because it involves an organizational or administrative activity of government that will not result in the direct or indirect physical change in the environment.”
This item does not relate to the Climate Action Plan.
GENERAL PLAN/CITY COUNCIL FOCUS AREAS:
The Work Plan aligns with Circulation Element Goal 1 to provide a transportation system serving existing and future residents while preserving community character. It also aligns with the 2025- 26 City Council Focus Area: Safe and efficient mobility and circulation for all modes of transportation.
FISCAL CONSIDERATIONS:
The fiscal impact associated with this recommendation is minimal staff time which is included in the proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2026-2027. No additional funding is being requested. 2026-08-26 Item #12B Page 1 of 7
BACKGROUND:
The City of Encinitas has several Commissions that are advisory to the Council as described in the Encinitas Municipal Code (EMC), including the Mobility and Traffic Safety Commission which is described in Chapter 2.40: Mobility and Traffic Safety Commission. MTSC was established by ordinance in fiscal year 2013. This Chapter describes how members are appointed, term of appointments, and rules and regulations of operations. MTSC consists of seven (7) members, five (5) representing each community and two (2) at-large positions.
MTSC shall study and report to the City Council upon any matter referred to it by the City Council and shall have advisory responsibility in regards to mobility and traffic safety issues. MTSC serves as a liaison between the public and the City Council, conducts analyses, reviews staff reports, and provides recommendations to City staff and City Council on matters related to safety and mobility of all modes of transportation. MTSC may conduct informational and educational meetings for the public and receive referrals from City Council on various projects.
Per MTSC’s Bylaws, the Commission shall provide an annual Work Plan proposal to the City Council that would outline the work of the Commission in the upcoming fiscal year and receive input and feedback from the City Council to finalize an annual Work Plan.
ANALYSIS:
The City Council approved the Fiscal Year 2025-26 MTSC Work Plan on June 25, 2025. The results of the FY 2025-26 Work Plan are summarized in Attachment 1 and are the culmination of the past year of work completed by the Commission.
To help ensure alignment between MTSC’s recommendations and City Council priorities, MTSC’s Fiscal Year 2026-27 Work Plan should be consistent with the City Council’s Work Plan.
In reviewing the Work Plan, it is important to recognize the City’s budgetary constraints related to implementing mobility and safety improvement projects. Limited resources require thoughtful prioritization of key focus areas to maximize the effectiveness and community benefit of MTSC initiatives.
MTSC finalized the proposed Fiscal Year 2026-27 Work Plan (Attachment 2) at its May 11, 2026, and August 10, 2026, meetings. The proposed Work Plan consists of goals, participating commission members, anticipated timelines, fiscal impacts, and measurable deliverables for each project, including initiatives related to traffic safety, mobility improvements, community outreach and education, bicycle and pedestrian safety, transportation policy research, infrastructure coordination, and organizational development to support the Commission’s ongoing efforts.
Some of the goals in the proposed FY 27 Work Plan focus on improving traffic safety through education, data collection, and evaluation of emerging technologies. Proposed projects include continued traffic and e-bike safety education efforts and evaluation of bicycle conflict areas to help guide future safety improvements. The Work Plan also includes research into speed camera programs used by other jurisdictions, efforts to improve pedestrian accessibility along Birmingham Drive, and expanded community engagement through traffic safety presentations and guest speakers.
The Work Plan goals are summarized in the below table:
2026-08-26 Item #12B Page 2 of 7
# Commission Goal/Project
1 2025/26 WP-9 Safety Education
2 E-Bike Safety & Regulation Initiative
3 Flexi-Post (Bollard) Evaluation Program
4 Birmingham Drive Utility Infrastructure Improvement Inquiry with SDG&E 5 Bicycle Conflict & Safety Mitigation Review
6 Speed Camera Program Research & Policy Review
7 Traffic Commission Onboarding & Resource Development
8 Traffic Safety Lecture Series
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Fiscal Year 2025-26 MTSC Work Plan Outcomes
2. Fiscal Year 2026-27 Proposed MTSC Work Plan
2026-08-26 Item #12B Page 3 of 7
Task ID Source Project Initiation/ Approval Date Status Description Notes/History Scheduled Date WP-1 Implementing Standardized
Signage/Striping at Roundabouts Citywide
6/25/2025 Completed To work with staff on the standardization of signing and striping at roundabouts citywide based on state and national standards and, where feasible, ensure consistency with neighboring cities.
Recommendations received from MTSC in September, 2025. Approved by City Council in November, 2025.Workplan item complete. 09/08/2025
WP-2 Circulation Element/Mobility Review by
Schools
6/25/2025 Completed To evaluate the feasibility and prioritize the use of lower classification roads for active transportation in Encinitas by exploring alternative east-west routes to better separate main throughfares and bicyclists, and provide recommendations to staff / City Council.
Recommendations were made to City Council to direct traffic staff to review, develop, and implement the bikeway alignments developed by the subcommittee and presented to the MTSC. The city's circulation element proposes the development of a series of east-west cycle routes suitable for cyclists of all abilities as an alternative to the city's 6 major east- west arterials. The purpose of this project is to provide cyclists with safe, easy-to-follow alternative routes to high volume roadways. These routes would be shared by pedestrians, cyclists and motorists and would be designated by a series of signs. Signs would guide cyclists and inform motorists that cyclists may be using the road. Subcommittee proposed alignments are as follows: 1.) La Costa @ Hwy 101 to Orpheus Ave. @ Leucadia Ave.; 2.) South El Camino Real @ Crest Ave., to the Encinitas Library; 3.) Santa Fe Drive @ Lake Drive to San Elijo Ave. @ Liverpool Drive; 4.) Encinitas Blvd. @ S. Willowspring Drive to San Elijo Ave. @ Liverpool Drive. More detailed information has been provided to city staff.
Subcommittee formed in September 2025, Medak and Templin joined in February 2026. Update 3/9/2026, 4/13/2026 & 5/11/26, Update & Vote 6/8/26 WP-3 Birmingham Drive Pedestrian Mobility 6/25/2025 Completed To evaluate the feasibility and potentially design a marked and signed pedestrian crossing at the intersection of LeGaye and Birmingham.
Recommendations received from MTSC in October, 2025. Design was completed, and an additional crosswalk has been installed. An additional crosswalk at Birmingham and Freda has little or no impact on the intersection at Birmingham and Legaye where it was recommended. The concern is there is a sidewalk that ends to the west of Legaye and there is no safe way to cross the street because there is a large slope at its terminus. At that point the roadway becomes a horizontal and vertical curve. 10/13/2025, 3/9/2026
WP-4 Consider Opportunities to Fund Safer
Infrastructure through Additional Enforcement
6/25/2025 Completed To work with Staff and the Sheriff's Office to evaluate opportunities for additional enforcement or more targeted enforcement citywide using available resources. To evaluate the possibility of enhanced or automated enforcement.
MTSC recommendations submitted for additional enforcement through allocating more staff for enforcement within the city and 2 additional enforcement officers have been added. Recommended automated enforcement with red light cameras, see WP #5 below. 2/9/2026
WP-5 Assembly Bill 645 Pilot Program 6/25/2025 Completed To explore Assembly Bill No. 645 pilot program and make recommendations to City Council.
Subcommittee chose to utilize Senate Bill 720 rather than Assembly Bill 645 since both bills establish a method for automated speed enforcement and AB 645 addressed specific cities. With the passing of SB 720 in October 2025, extensive public comments from the local community, and overwhelming community support to address safety issues, traffic violations and deaths in our city, the MTSC supports SB 720 legislation. At our February 9th MTSC meeting, the commission voted in favor of recommending City Council review and consider a policy for the implementation of red-light cameras, including staff analysis, to identify the most suitable intersections. Community input was heard by public speakers as documented in our meeting minutes. SB 720 legislation creates an alternative approach for how cities can implement red-light camera programs.
Subcommittee formed in Sept. 2025; Gross, Duncan and Thile. Update 11/10/2025 & Update and Vote on 2/9/2026. A procedural item regarding the format of the recommendations was voted on in 3/9/26.
WP-6 Vulcan trail/Safe route 6/25/2025 In Progress To identify areas for improvement along Vulcan Avenue and create walkway continuity and connectivity on the west side of Vulcan Avenue.
Subcommittee formed Sept. 2025, by Gross and Trauth. Commissioner Eldon joined the subcommittee in March, 2026.
Update 6/8/2026
MTSC 2025-26 Work Plan and Follow-Up Tracker
Work Plan FY 25-26
2026-08-26 Item #12B Page 4 of 7
Task ID Source Project Initiation/ Approval Date Status Description Notes/History Scheduled Date WP-7 Make New Encinitas more Pedestrian
Friendly, e.g. Mid-block Crosswalks
6/25/2025 Completed To identify opportunities to enhance pedestrian safety and accessibility along ECR by potentially adding additional mid-block crossings or other pedestrian improvements.
Recommendations were made to City Council to consider implementing a pilot program aimed at improving pedestrian safety with high visibility flags that would be installed at busy crosswalk intersections. A pedestrian takes a flag from a holder at the intersection, crosses the street holding the flag, and returns the flags to the holder on the other side of the street. This is a simple, cost-effective concept that 1.) Makes pedestrians more visible at crosswalks to the vehicular user, 2.) Increases the general visibility of pedestrian crosswalks, thus increasing public awareness, 3.) Works well with a sponsor for implementation, sponsor would monitor flag usage and determine when flags are needed. Subcommittee researched and chose this innovative approach which has been used by other cities (Salt Lake City, Berkely, Las Vegas, Seattle, Cupertino CA, Belmont, MA, and McCall ID, to name a few). 4.) Crosswalk flags would come from a sponsor, which could be a school, a community group, a business or an individual. The work plan item was focusing on intersections along El Camino Real, however, the MTSC sees this program being very effective at uncontrolled intersections with only stop signs.
Subcommittee formed Sept. 2025 by Johnson and Trauth, and Duncan joined in Feb. 2026. Update 3/9/2026; Update & Vote 4/13/2026 WP-8 Policy on Bike Parking at Commercial
Businesses
6/25/2025 Completed To work with Staff on evaluating needs and preparing guidelines and policies for bike improvements and facilities near commercial areas and parking areas.
MTSC recommendations were made to City Council to direct city staff to research policies for bike parking in commercial areas. With an increased number of people using traditional bikes, electric bikes, scooters and unicycles, the MTSC recommends planning for future use and developing a policy to provide parking for alternative modes of transportation. MTSC also recommends working with the planning and sustainability departments to standardize and implement bike parking in the city's rightof-way (ROW). Subcommittee met with Crystal Najera, the City Sustainability Manager regarding bike racks in the ROW to better understand the city process for implementing them. Subcommittee reviewed bike parking requirements for other cities such as Solana Beach, Del Mar, San Diego, Long Beach, Laguna Beach, and Santa Monica. WP-8 may need to be coordinated with the city planning department.
Subcommittee formed Sept. 2025: Johnson, Trauth, and Duncan. MTSC Update 3/9/2026, Update & Vote 4/13/2026 WP-9 Safety Education 6/25/2025 In Progress To provide recommendations to the City’s Mobility Manager on implementing citywide education efforts, including those related to electric bikes, and provide recommendations to City Council for potential state legislation concerning ebikes.
Subcommittee update at the April MTSC meeting. School district presentations occurred for May and June MTSC meetings. Item to be continued to 2026-27 work plan. Guest speakers from local school districts presented at the MTSC meetings (May 11th and June 8th meetings) as we continue to research this item.
Subcommittee formed Sept. 2025, Medak and Templin
joined in Feb. 2026. Update
3/9/2026, Update 4/13/2026
WP-10 Traffic Signal Timing Coordination 6/25/2025 Completed To explore traffic signal timing coordination between Encinitas and Caltrans.
City staff and City Council representative are coordinating with Caltrans. Update 3/9/2026 WP-11 Mobility Recommendations 6/25/2025 In Progress To provide recommendations to City Council to eliminate or minimize traffic deaths due to our transportation system via vehicle, pedestrian or bicycle. (This work plan item was put on the 2025-26 MTSC work plan as a result of City Council review last June.) The commission sees this item as a goal and will continue to strive to achieve it.
The MTSC continues to make recommendations for improvements and policies to the City Council that address the safety of pedestrians, cyclists and vehicular users in our city.
Update 4/13/2026
F-36 Crosswalk Evaluation at La Costa and
Highway 101
1/7/2021 To evaluate the crosswalk operation at the intersection Pending final phase of Streetscape TBD F-53 Hygeia Roundabout Updates 3/11/2022 To provide regular updates to MTSC regarding implementation of the Hygeia Roundabout
Standing
F-58 At Grade Crossing Updates 5/9/2022 To provide periodic updates to MTSC In process StandingF-60 Signal Timing Evaluation for Bicycles 6/13/2022 To evaluate the signal timing for bicycles at City intersections Bike symbols being constructed with the LPI project. Timing will be adjusted as needed
TBD
F-57 Bike Loop Detection Signage 5/9/2022 To analyze the possibility of using additional signs for bike Funded under HSIP Cycle 10 LPI project - under construction TBD F-67 Report on Paul Ecke Elementary
evaluations and study
4/10/2023 Various options are being evaluated for potential improvements on Hermes Ave and Union St, Community meeting on 03/18/24 Data collection being conducted, meeting held with school, Sheriff's office and Councilmember Hinze, working on a plan for a new pick up/drop off pilot. Design funding provided by Council for a pathway for cyclist from the park to the school.
TBD
Follow-Up Log
2026-08-26 Item #12B Page 5 of 7
CITY OF ENCINITAS MOBILITY AND TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION WORK PLAN 2026/27 Commission Approved: August 10, 2026
Council Approved:
FY 2026-27 Mobility and Traffic Safety Commission Work Plan # Commission Goal/Project Members
Involved Timeline
Fiscal Impact
(None, Low,
Med, High)
Deliverables City Council Focus
Area/General Plan Notes
1 2025/26 WP-9 Safety Education Medak &
Templin FY 2026-27 Med to Low
Item to be continued from last year. MTSC to work
with schools and local organizations to improve and
disseminate bike safety education both in person
and on-line.
Safe and efficient
mobility and
circulation for all
modes of
transportation.
2 E-Bike Safety & Regulation Initiative
Duncan &
Hintlian FY 2026-27 Med to Low
Identify and recommend to city council tactics to
leverage new and existing content such as the
recent Sheriff’s and SDUHSD Bike Safety
presentations (June 8) to continually inform the
public of existing and new rules and regulations
such as Dismount Speed Zones, Walking Speed
Zones, & Parent Liability.
Safe and efficient
mobility and
circulation for all
modes of
transportation.
3 Flexi-Post (Bollard) Evaluation Program Medak &
Eldon FY 2026-27 Med to Low
Research and develop a plan for flexi-post bollard
placement evaluation in Encinitas. The plan would
include bollard location assessments for both
removal of existing and placement of new
bollards. Restriping implementation
recommendations would be proposed.
Safe and efficient
mobility and
circulation for all
modes of
transportation.
4 Birmingham Drive Utility Infrastructure Improvement
Inquiry with SDGE
Trauth &
Ratcliff FY 2026-27 Low
The work plan item is to create a coalition of
community representatives to meet with and
encourage SDGE to present utility upgrade plans
around Birmingham Drive west of I-5 for pedestrian
access that meets code. Currently there are
multiple SDGE power poles in the middle of the
sidewalk.
Safe and efficient
mobility and
circulation for all
modes of
transportation.
5 Bicycle Conflict & Safety Mitigation Review Eldon &
Medak FY 2026-27 Med to Low
Assess and identify hazards community-bycommunity to minimize hazards such as left cross, right hook, side entry, dooring, exacerbated by
existing road configuration, striping, and signage.
Safe and efficient
mobility and
circulation for all
modes of
transportation.
6 Speed Camera Program Research & Policy Review Ratcliffe FY 2026-27 Low Research speed camera use in the City of El Cajon
and prepare recommendations to council to
implement a similar program (temp speed cameras
that issue warnings).
Safe and efficient
mobility and
circulation for all
modes of
transportation.
7 Traffic Commission Onboarding & Resource Development Ratcliffe & Trauth FY 2026-27 Low
Develop an onboarding resource for traffic
commissioners that provides helpful and necessary
information for new commissioners to improve
onboarding, with the goal of making meetings and
recommendations more effective.
Safe and efficient
mobility and
circulation for all
modes of
transportation.
ATTACHMENT 2
2026-08-26 Item #12B Page 6 of 7
CITY OF ENCINITAS MOBILITY AND TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION WORK PLAN 2026/27 Commission Approved: August 10, 2026
Council Approved:
8 Traffic Safety Lecture Series Templin
& Trauth FY 2026-27 Low
Invite leaders in our community & experts in the
field of mobility & traffic safety to speak to the
Commission & community. This will be a great
opportunity for the Commission and the public to
learn more about mobility and traffic safety.
Speakers will be limited to 10 minute
presentations.
Safe and efficient
mobility and
circulation for all
modes of
transportation.
2026-08-26 Item #12B Page 7 of 7