Voters to decide on spending for Monroe Street Pool improvements

Carlsbad voters will decide during this November's election whether or not to authorize the City of Carlsbad to spend up to $24 million of existing city funds to renovate and expand the Monroe Street Pool, located next to Carlsbad High School in northern Carlsbad. The approved question that will appear on the ballot is:

"Do the voters of the City of Carlsbad approve spending existing city funds from various sources, including the General Fund, in an amount to exceed $1 million for the Monroe Street Pool Renovation/Replacement project located at 3401 Monroe Street for an estimated cost range of $22 million up to $24 million, adjusted annually by the percentage increase in the regional construction cost index?"

The ballot measure is needed because of a Carlsbad-specific law that requires voter approval for certain construction projects that cost more than $1 million in general city funds, even if the city already has the money on hand. Carlsbad voters passed this requirement in 1982 to have more direct oversight of city spending.

The last time a project was on the ballot because of this requirement was in 2016. Measure O authorized the city to spend more than $1 million - with a cost estimate of between $7 million and $10.5 million -- to replace Fire Station 2 in La Costa, which was built in 1969. The new Fire Station 2 is scheduled to open this fall.

Before that fire station project, in 2002, Carlsbad voters approved Proposition C, authorizing the city to spend more than $1 million on four projects, including a new swimming pool complex at Alga Norte Community Park, trails and open space, a new safety training center and a new stretch of Cannon Road, east of College Boulevard. The Safety Training Center opened in 2012, followed by the Alga Norte Aquatic Center in 2013. The city purchases land for trails and open space as suitable properties become available. The Cannon Road project was eliminated from the city's General Plan in 2015, so that project did not end up being built.

Projects requiring a vote include city real estate purchases and certain modifications and expansions of exiting city real estate that require more than $1 million in general fund money. General fund money comes mainly from Carlsbad's share of sales tax, property tax and the tax visitors pay on stays in hotels and vacation rentals. Some projects use developer fees or other sources of funding that are not a part of the general fund.

If the Monroe Street Pool ballot measure passes by a simple majority of voters (50% +1), the City Council would still need to approve the final plans so the project could be put out to bid and then award a construction contract.

About the project
In 2020, the city asked for public input on three options for improving the nearly 40-year-old pool. Based on that feedback, on Jan. 26, 2021, the City Council chose the option preferred by most residents, which would include:

• 50% more lap swim lanes
• Expansion of pool for larger swimming and water polo competitions
• New 8-foot wall with steel gates along Monroe Street side to reduce sound coming from the pool
• Larger pool deck with lockers
• New exterior deck showers
• Renovated locker rooms
• More shade
• More bleachers
• Larger parking lot
• New entrances including an outdoor option that will no longer require passing through the locker rooms
• Reconfigured lobby meeting/event/birthday party room
• Replacement of pool tile, plaster, piping, pool deck, drainage, pumps and filters
• New building with mechanical room and family restrooms
• Separate mechanical room access for service vehicles to reduce parking lot impacts for users
• Replacement of existing solar system and installation of rooftop solar panels

Ballot measure timeline
Now that the City Council has voted to put the measure on the November ballot, the following deadlines apply:

Aug. 12 Ballot text due to the Registrar of Voters
Aug. 18, by noon Arguments in favor of or against the measure are due to the City Clerk
Aug. 19-29 The public can examine the arguments
Aug. 19, by noon City Attorney's impartial analysis is due at the City Clerk's Office
Aug. 20-29 The public can examine the impartial analysis
Aug. 23, by noon Rebuttal arguments are due at the City Clerk's Office
Aug. 24-Sept. 1 The public can examine the rebuttal arguments
Nov. 8 Election Day

Project timeline
If voters approve the measure, the city would complete a detailed design of the project. City staff would then seek City Council approval to put the project out to bid for construction. If all goes according to plan, the pool construction would be completed in 2026.

Staff contact
Faviola Medina, City Clerk Services Manager
[email protected], 442-339-5989

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