May 20, 2026 Escondido City Council Minutes Page 1 of 7
CLOSED SESSION
4:00 PM
CALL TO ORDER
1. Roll Call: Fitzgerald, C. Garcia, J. Garcia, Martinez, White
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
None
CLOSED SESSION
I. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL – PENDING LITIGATION (Government Code § 54957.6) a. Alexander Cox v. City of Escondido
San Diego Superior Court Case No. 24CU016279N
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor White adjourned the meeting at 4:50 p.m.
______________________________ _______________________________
MAYOR CITY CLERK
Docusign Envelope ID: 98A379E4-7C9D-8E72-834F-04844DCDCF5E
May 20, 2026 Escondido City Council Minutes Page 2 of 7
REGULAR SESSION
5:00 PM Regular Session
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
PROCLAMATION
Water Awareness Month
PRESENTATION
"Love Water, Save Water" 4th Grade Poster Contest Finalists' Recognition
CLOSED SESSION REPORT
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Lisa Richards – Requested the City Council provide a day center for those experiencing homelessness.
Michael Feinstein - Requested the City Council electoral systems that creates proportional representation plan via ranked-choice voting.
Richard Garner – Requested the City Council provide a day center for those experiencing homelessness.
CONSENT CALENDAR
Motion to approve item 1-4 and 6: White; Second: C. Garcia; Approved: 5-0 Docusign Envelope ID: 98A379E4-7C9D-8E72-834F-04844DCDCF5E
May 20, 2026 Escondido City Council Minutes Page 3 of 7
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 May 04, 2026 to May 10, 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. AWARD OF CONTRACT FOR CONSTRUCTION FOR WESTSIDE PARK SKATE SPOT PROJECT TO GEOCON ENGINEERING INC.
Request the City Council adopt Resolution No. 2026-82 awarding a construction contract to GeoCon Engineering Inc. and authorizing the Mayor, on behalf of the City, to execute a Public Improvement Agreement in the amount of $1,293,844.00 for construction of Westside Park Skate Spot Project (“Project”). (File Number 0600-10; A-3591) Staff Recommendation: Approval (Development Services Department: Kevin Snyder, Director of Development Services)
Presenters: Jason Christman, Engineering Manager; Matt Souttere, Principal Engineer a) Resolution No. 2026-82
6. APPROVE PROPOSED SAN DIEGO GAS AND ELECTRIC EASEMENT AT 272 E. VIA RANCHO PARKWAY TO PROVIDE ELECTRICITY FOR 7 TESLA SUPERCHARGER CABINETS Request the City Council adopt Resolution No. 2026-21 authorizing the proposed San Diego Gas and Electric (SDG&E) easement located at 272 E. Via Rancho Parkway. (File Number 0690- 80)
Staff Recommendation: Approval (Development Services Department: Kevin Snyder, Director of Development Services)
Presenter: Leia Cabrera, Engineering Manager
a) Resolution No. 2026-21
Daniela Trujillo – Expressed opposition to this item and requested improvement with community engagement.
Pasta – Expressed support for this item.
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May 20, 2026 Escondido City Council Minutes Page 4 of 7
Christina – Expressed support for this item.
Angela – Expressed support for this item.
Shane Fischer – Expressed support for this item.
Motion: White; Second: Martinez; Approved: 5-0
PUBLIC HEARINGS
7. FISCAL YEAR 2026-2027 ANNUAL ACTION PLAN FOR DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN
DEVELOPMENT FUNDING FOR THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM Request the City Council (1) conduct a public hearing to solicit and consider citizen input on the Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Annual Action Plan for the use of Community Development and Block Grant funds and (2) adopt Resolution No. 2026-83 approving Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Annual Action Plan for the use of Community Development and Block Grant funds, conditionally commit funds to projects, and authorize the Director of Community Development to execute contracts as appropriate. (File Number 0870-11) Staff Recommendation: Approval (Development Services Department: Kevin Snyder, Director of Development Services)
Presenters: Danielle Lopez, Housing and Neighborhood Services Manager and Dulce Salazar, Management Analyst
a) Resolution No. 2026-83
Item continued to June 10, 2026
8. CONTINUED PUBLIC HEARING FOR PL26-0088: REQUEST FOR REVOCATION OF CONDITION OF APPROVAL SPECIFIED IN EXHIBIT “E” OF RESOLUTION NO. 2024-183R PERTAINING TO CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT PH19-0049
Request the City Council adopt Resolution No. 2026-64 to affirm or modify its decision in response to the request by Morrie Golcheh to waive the requirement for the payment of $560,000 of the cost of a new traffic signal at the intersection of Rock Springs Road and Lincoln Avenue as specified in Street Improvements and Traffic Condition of Approval No. 5 in Exhibit “E” of Resolution No. 2024-183R adopted by the City Council on December 4, 2024 pertaining to Conditional Use Permit (PHG-19-0049) subject to one or more condition (s). (File Number 0800-40)
Staff Recommendation: Provide Direction (Development Services Department: Kevin Snyder, Director of Development Services)
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May 20, 2026 Escondido City Council Minutes Page 5 of 7
Presenter: Kevin Snyder, Director of Development Services a) Resolution No. 2026-64
Stuart Reyes – Requested the City Council to improve traffic and pedestrian safety at Rock Springs Road and West Lincoln Ave.
James Lockhart – Requested the City Council to improve traffic and pedestrian safety at Rock Springs Road and West Lincoln Ave.
Motion to retain requirement for $560,000 contribution to new traffic signal at Rock Springs Road / Lincoln Ave: Martinez; Second: White; Approved: 4-1 (C. Garcia – No)
CURRENT BUSINESS
9. COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT USER FEE UPDATE
Request the City Council receive and file the Community Services Department User Fee update. (File Number 0480-45)
Staff Recommendation: Receive and File (Community Services Department: Joseph Goulart, Director of Public Works)
Presenter: Robert Rhoades, Assistant Director of Community Services
10. ADOPTION OF AMENDED FUND BALANCE AND RESERVE POLICY Request the City Council adopt Resolution No. 2026-85 modifying the City of Escondido Fund Balance and Reserve Policy. (File Number 0680-20)
Staff Recommendation: Approval (Finance Department: Christina Holmes, Director of Finance) Presenter: Christina Holmes, Director of Finance
a) Resolution No. 2026-85
Motion: J. Garcia; Second: C. Garcia; Approved: 5-0
WORKSHOP
11. FISCAL YEAR 2026/27 OPERATING BUDGET BRIEFING
Request the City Council provide direction regarding the Fiscal Year 2026/27 Operating Budget. (File Number 0430-30)
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May 20, 2026 Escondido City Council Minutes Page 6 of 7
Staff Recommendation: Provide Direction (Finance Department: Christina Holmes, Director of Finance)
Presenter: Christina Holmes, Director of Finance
12. FIVE-YEAR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM AND FISCAL YEAR 2026/27 CAPITAL
IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM BUDGET BRIEFING
Request the City Council to review the proposed Fiscal Year 2026/27 Five-Year Capital Improvement Program and Budget and authorize staff to return with the Fiscal Year 2026/27 Capital Improvement Program and Budget for final adoption on June 17, 2026. (File Number 0430-30)
Staff Recommendation: Provide Direction (Finance Department: Christina Holmes, Director of Finance)
Presenter: Vinnie Bernabeo, City Manager’s Office
CURRENT BUSINESS
13. LETTER IN SUPPORT OF ASSEMBLY BILL 1857 – THE GROCERY STORES ACCESS ACT Request the City Council approve sending a letter to the California State Assembly in Support of AB 1857. (File Number 0145-30)
Staff Recommendation: None (City Clerk’s Office: Zack Beck, City Clerk) Presenter: Zack Beck, City Clerk
Motion: Martinez; Second: White; Approved: 5-0
14. APPOINTMENT OF AN AD-HOC SUBCOMMITTEE FOR THE CITY ATTORNEY REPLACEMENT
PROCESS
Request the City Council approve the creation of an Ad-Hoc Subcommittee for the City Attorney replacement process. (File Number 0120-15)
Staff Recommendation: None (City Clerk’s Office: Zack Beck, City Clerk) Presenter: Zack Beck, City Clerk
Motion to appoint Mayor White and Councilmember Christian Garcia: White; Second: J. Garcia; Approved: 5-0
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15. BOARD AND COMMISSION MAKE-UP INTERVIEWS
Request the City Council conduct make-up interviews of applicants to fill vacancies on the City's Boards and Commissions. (File Number 0120-10)
Staff Recommendation: None (City Clerk’s Office: Zack Beck, City Clerk) Presenter: Zack Beck, City Clerk
FUTURE AGENDA
16. 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) C. Garcia / Fitzgerald: Report on homelessness in Escondido.
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 9:00 p.m.
______________________________ _______________________________
MAYOR CITY CLERK
Docusign Envelope ID: 98A379E4-7C9D-8E72-834F-04844DCDCF5E