January 14, 2026 Escondido City Council Minutes Page 1 of 5
CLOSED SESSION
4:00 PM
CALL TO ORDER
1. Roll Call: Fitzgerald, C. Garcia, J. Garcia, Martinez, White
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
None
CLOSED SESSION
I. PUBLIC EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE EVALUATION PROCESS (Government Code § 54957(b)(1))
a. Titles: City Manager and City Attorney
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor White adjourned the meeting at 4:30 p.m.
______________________________ _______________________________
MAYOR CITY CLERK
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January 14, 2026 Escondido City Council Minutes Page 2 of 5
REGULAR SESSION
5:00 PM
MOMENT OF REFLECTION
City Council agendas allow an opportunity for a moment of silence and reflection at the beginning of the evening meeting. The City does not participate in the selection of speakers for this portion of the agenda, and does not endorse or sanction any remarks made by individuals during this time. If you wish to be recognized during this portion of the agenda, please notify the City Clerk in advance.
FLAG SALUTE
The City Council conducts the Pledge of Allegiance at the beginning of every City Council meeting.
CALL TO ORDER
Roll Call: Fitzgerald, C. Garcia, J. Garcia, Martinez, White
PRESENTATION
Certificate of Recognition - Team USA Tap Dance
CLOSED SESSION REPORT
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Tracy Baxter – Expressed concern regarding a code compliance complaint.
Maria Wallace – Expressed concern regarding the actions of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), in light of the recent death of Renee Good in Minnesota.
Gregg Oliver – Expressed concern regarding the economic, community and environmental impacts of Data Centers in San Diego County.
Yussef Miller – Invited the City Council to the march against Human Trafficking on January 17, 2026 in Escondido.
Lisa Richards – Requested the City Council allocate CDBG HOME Funds to rental assistance programs that are not age-restricted.
Kathleen Lamb – Expressed support for the Escondido Police Department.
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January 14, 2026 Escondido City Council Minutes Page 3 of 5
Laura Hunter – Expressed concern regarding the actions of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), in light of the recent death of Renee Good in Minnesota.
CONSENT CALENDAR
Motion: White; Second: C. Garcia; Approved: 5-0
1. AFFIDAVITS OF PUBLICATION, MAILING, AND POSTING (COUNCIL/RRB)
2. APPROVAL OF WARRANT REGISTER
Request the City Council approve the City Council and Housing Successor Agency warrants issued between December 15, 2025 to January 04, 2026.
Staff Recommendation: Approval (Finance Department: Christina Holmes, Director of Finance)
3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: None
4. WAIVER OF READING OF ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS
5. DENIAL OF CALPERS INDUSTRIAL DISABILITY RETIREMENT FOR FIRE CAPTAIN CHRISTOPHER ARNOLD
Request the City Council adopt Resolution No. 2026-05, denying the California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS) Industrial Disability Retirement for Fire Captain Christopher Arnold. (File Number 0170-57)
Staff Recommendation: Approval (Human Resources Department: Jessica Perpetua, Director of Human Resources)
Presenter: Jessica Perpetua, Director of Human Resources a) Resolution No. 2026-05
6. ACCEPTANCE OF FRIENDS OF THE ESCONDIDO PUBLIC LIBRARY DONATION Request the City Council adopt Resolution No. 2026-01 to accept a donation from the Friends of the Escondido Public Library of four study pods. (File Number 1115-20) Staff Recommendation: Approval (Community Services Department: Joseph Goulart, Director of Public Works)
Presenter: Robert Rhoades, Assistant Director of Community Services a) Resolution No. 2026-01
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7. ACCEPTANCE OF ESCONDIDO PUBLIC LIBRARY FRIENDS OF LITERACY SERVICES DONATION Request the City Council adopt Resolution No. 2026-02 to accept a donation from the Escondido Public Library Friends of Literacy Services of two study pods. (File Number 1115-20) Staff Recommendation: Approval (Community Services Department: Joseph Goulart, Director of Public Works)
Presenter: Robert Rhoades, Assistant Director of Community Services a) Resolution No. 2026-02
8. AGREEMENT WITH BLUE HERON CONSULTING TO PROVIDE UTILITY BILLING SOFTWARE
CONSULTING SERVICES
Request the City Council adopt Resolution No. 2026-04 authorizing the Mayor, on behalf of the City, to approve a second amendment to the Consulting Agreement with Blue Heron Consulting Group to provide utility billing software consulting services. (File Number 0600-10; A-3286-2) Staff Recommendation: Approval (Finance Department: Christina Holmes, Director of Finance) Presenter: Christina Holmes, Director of Finance
a) Resolution No. 2026-04
CURRENT BUSINESS
9. INCREASE ANNUAL FUNDING LEVEL TO INITIATE IMPLEMENTATION OF SAFE ROUTES TO
SCHOOL PROJECTS CITY-WIDE
Request the City Council adopt Resolution No. 2026-07 approving a budget adjustment to an annual allotment of $200,000 to the Transportation and Community Safety Commission for implementing projects within the Traffic Management Project List. (File Number 0430-80) Staff Recommendation: Approval (Public Works Department: Joseph Goulart, Director of Public Works)
Presenter: Craig Williams, Project Manager
a) Resolution No. 2026-07
Leila Sackfield – Requested the City Council increase funding for Safe Routes to Schools.
MaryAnne Dijack – Requested the City Council increase funding for Safe Routes to Schools.
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January 14, 2026 Escondido City Council Minutes Page 5 of 5
Motion to increase funding allocation for the Transportation and Community Safety Commission from $50,000 to $85,000 for FY 2025-2026 and increase the annual allocation for the Transportation and Community Safety Commission from $50,000 to $200,000 in FY 2026- 2027 utilizing Measure I funds: Martinez; Second: White; Approved: 5-0
FUTURE AGENDA
10. FUTURE AGENDA
The purpose of this item is to identify issues presently known to staff or which members of the City Council wish to place on an upcoming City Council agenda. Council comment on these future agenda items is limited by California Government Code Section 54954.2 to clarifying questions, brief announcements, or requests for factual information in connection with an item when it is discussed.
Staff Recommendation: None (City Clerk's Office: Zack Beck) White / J. Garcia – Request to create an Ad-Hoc Subcommittee concerning Fireworks
COUNCILMEMBERS SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS AND OTHER REPORTS
CITY MANAGER’S REPORT
The most current information from the City Manager regarding Economic Development, Capital Improvement Projects, Public Safety, and Community Development.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
None
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor White adjourned the meeting at 6:22 p.m.
______________________________ _______________________________
MAYOR CITY CLERK
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