Council puts Merkle Reservoir solar feasibility study on consent calendar; public comments urge proceeding

The City Council approved the consent calendar, which included a feasibility study to evaluate a potential solar farm at Merkle Reservoir, after public comments urging the city to proceed.

During the non‑agenda and consent comment period, Mary Hassing, Michael McMahon and Vanessa Forsyth addressed item 6 (the Merkle Reservoir feasibility study). Speakers praised the feasibility study as a step toward local clean energy production, noting the project could support the city's climate action goals and provide backup power in conjunction with the Orion Safety Center microgrid. Hassing said she understood the solar farm could power up to 10,000 homes; McMahon and Forsyth urged the council to pursue local generation to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and to consider microgrid connections for critical facilities.

The consent calendar (items 1 through 7) was moved, seconded and approved unanimously. City staff previously noted the council would act as the Carlsbad Municipal Water District board for certain consent items, including item 6. The approved action on the consent calendar advances the feasibility study; no final project approvals, funding or site decisions were made at the meeting.