August 12, 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. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL – ANTICIPATED LITIGATION (Government Code § 54956.9(d)(2))
a. City of Escondido Claim No. 6070
AAA as subrogee of Elisa Jones
II. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL – ANTICIPATED LITIGATION (Government Code § 54956.9(d)(2),(e)(1))
a. One item
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor White adjourned the meeting at 4:45 p.m.
______________________________ _______________________________
MAYOR CITY CLERK
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August 12, 2026 Escondido City Council Minutes Page 2 of 5
REGULAR SESSION
5:00 PM Regular Session
MOMENT OF REFLECTION
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
CLOSED SESSION REPORT
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Melissa Petri – Expressed concern regarding the proposed Rinks Project at Kit Carson Park Kasey Van Lant – Expressed concern regarding the process for approving affordable housing in Escondido
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 July 27, 2026 to August 02, 2026.
Staff Recommendation: Approval (Finance Department: Christina Holmes, Director of Finance)
3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Regular meeting of July 29, 2026
4. WAIVER OF READING OF ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS
CURRENT BUSINESS
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5. GROUND LEASE BETWEEN THE CITY OF ESCONDIDO AND COSTCO WHOLESALE
CORPORATION
Request City Council adopt Resolution No. 2026-139, authorizing the Mayor and/or Authorized Officers to execute a lease agreement and related documents for a lease term of twenty years with seven, five-year options for Costco Wholesale Corporation (“Costco”). The property is Parcel 1 of the 8 distinct parcels comprising the North County Mall site at 272 East Via Rancho Parkway, Escondido. The property is currently leased to Transform Operating Stores LLC (“Transformco”) as successor-in-interest to Sears, Roebuck and Co. (“Sears”). (File Number 0600-10; A-3609)
Staff Recommendation: Approval (City Manager’s Office: Christopher McKinney, Deputy City Manager)
Presenter: Christopher McKinney, Deputy City Manager
a) Resolution No. 2026-139
Gregg Oliver - Encouraged the Council to update the terms of the MOU to require Costco to pay the City if they do not complete the project.
Motion: Fitzgerald; Second: C. Garcia; Approved: 5-0
6. RESOLUTION APPROVING A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THE CITY AND LOVE ESCO, INC. TO EXPLORE A POTENTIAL FUTURE DONATION OF DESIGN SERVICES, CONSTRUCTION SERVICES, AND MATERIAL FOR CITY PARK FACILITIES AT “HERITAGE GARDEN” POCKET PARK IN DOWNTOWN ESCONDIDO
Request the City Council adopt Resolution No. 2026-77 approving a Memorandum of Understanding (“MOU”) with Love Esco, Inc. (“Love Esco”) a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, to explore a potential future donation of design services, construction services, and materials for City park facilities on City owned property at the corner of East Grand Avenue and North Juniper Street in downtown Escondido (“Heritage Garden”). (File Number 0680-20)
Deputy Mayor Joe Garcia recused himself from the item and left the dais Staff Recommendation: Approval (City Manager’s Office: Christopher McKinney, Deputy City Manager)
Presenter: Christopher McKinney, Deputy City Manager
a) Resolution No. 2026-77
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Mark Skovorodko – Expressed support for the project
Chris Moates – Expressed support for the project
Carol Rogers – Expressed opposition to the project
Louisa Magoon – Expressed opposition to the project
Sabrina Covington – Expressed support for the project
Motion to approve the MOU with adding the following language to Section 2.A: “consider input from the Downtown Business Association”: White; Second: C. Garcia; Approved: 3-1 (Martinez – No)
WORKSHOP
Deputy Mayor Joe Garcia returned to the dais
7. ESCONDIDO 2040 - GENERAL PLAN UPDATE
Request the City Council receive a presentation on the Escondido 2040 General Plan update. (File Number 0150-55)
Staff Recommendation: Receive and File (Development Services Department: Kevin Snyder, Director of Development Services)
Presenter: Garrett Smith, City Planner
FUTURE AGENDA
8. 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) D. White / C. Garcia - Resolution in opposition to Proposition 44 and a presentation from Neighborhood Healthcare
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J. Fitzgerald / D. White - Presentation from County of San Diego Tax regarding their tax increase proposal
J. Fitzgerald / J. Garcia - Presentation from the Escondido Chamber of Commerce
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
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor White adjourned the meeting at 7:00 p.m.
______________________________ _______________________________
MAYOR CITY CLERK
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