MINUTES
Special Meeting of the San Marcos City Council
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 18, 2026
VALLEY OF DISCOVERY CONFERENCE ROOM
1 Civic Center Drive, San Marcos, CA 92069
CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Jones called the City Council Meeting to order at 3:00 p.m.
ROLL CALL:
PRESENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: JONES, LEBLANG, MUSGROVE, NUÑEZ, SANNELLA ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: NONE
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
There were no public comments.
GOAL SETTING WORKSHOP
CITY MANAGER BENDER, FIRE CHIEF BARRON, DEVELOPMENT SERVICES DIRECTOR ETCHAMENDY AND DIRECTOR OF LEAN RAY provided the presentation about the goal development process for FY 2026-27. This was followed by a City Council discussion about the programs, activities and areas of focus to emphasize in Fiscal Year 2026-27. (listed in random order below):
CITY COUNCIL DISCUSSION INCLUDED: clarification of staff capacity and resources; code enforcement organizational structure; law enforcement use of discretionary funding; Fire Station 5 project costs and timeline; ebike program feedback, outreach and engagement; San Marcos Boulevard street updates and phasing; adaptive street control measures; impacts of state housing laws on general plan updates; and clarification of small businesses.
City Council Themes and Goals for Fiscal Year 2026/27 noted below:
Public Safety
Continue to fast track the completion of the new Fire Station Establish a firm, not-to-exceed total project cost for City Council approval (“guaranteed maximum price”).
Complete project design and begin early work packages (e.g., site preparation, utilities, etc.) Enhance law enforcement through strategic resourcing
Utilize overtime discretionary fund to quickly address emerging needs Complete a law enforcement needs and cost assessment
Initiate negotiation for new Sheriff contract
Update Emergency Operations Plan
Work with county to update emergency evacuation strategy Ensure city plan aligns with update
Promote e-bike safety through education and enforcement Work with school district to provide safety training twice a year at all middle and high schools Continue enhanced public awareness campaign
Allocate additional funding for Sheriff enforcement
Traffic Safety & Mobility
Improve pavement condition and reduce future costs
Increase investment in sealing and protecting roads by 25% over 2025 Reinspect roadways for pavement condition index (PCI) to apply treatments to appropriate road segments Improve traffic flow along San Marcos Boulevard
Complete phase one construction to improve on San Marcos Boulevard Complete design of phase two
Implement new technology along San Marcos Boulevard to improve traffic flow Community Well-Being
Update land use plans to foster quality of life and a strong local economy Hold City Council workshop to set policy direction for General Plan Update Conduct competitive bidding process to select new consultant team Kick off update with community outreach and research
Accelerate the replacement of park playgrounds
Update condition assessment to develop accelerated replacement schedule Complete playground replacement at a minimum of two parks Enhance neighborhood services
Increase internal coordination of Sheriff community outreach, code enforcement, parking and animal control services to deliver an enhanced level of service Explore options for expanding service request app capabilities and analytics reporting Develop work plan based Blue Zones assessment recommendations Prepare proposed city actions based on assessment findings and hold City Council workshop to discuss next steps Begin implementation of recommendations as directed by City Council Good Governance and Fiscal Health
Support local businesses and a strong local economy
Identify and launch “quick start” small business support initiatives Present Economic Development Strategic Plan and proposed next steps to the City Council Develop economic development resourcing strategy for City Council’s consideration Reduce bureaucracy by updating and simplifying policies and code sections Assess current policies, regulations, code sections and other rules for best opportunities to streamline and simplify. Develop a prioritized work plan Complete draft updates, present to City Council for consideration and complete phase one updates Digitize public records and make available online
Create streamlined process for indexing and tagging paper documents to be digitized Complete first phase and work plan for subsequent phases Increase awareness of Measure Q investments
Develop an enhanced community sign program
Update Measure Q website with project profiles
BY CONSENSUS THE CITY COUNCIL DIRECTED STAFF TO IMPLEMENT WORK PLANS FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 2026/27 CITY COUNCIL GOALS AS NOTED ABOVE.
AYES: COUNCILMEMBERS: JONES, LEBLANG, NUÑEZ, SANNELLA, MUSGROVE NOES: COUNCILMEMBERS: NONE
ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: NONE
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Jones adjourned the meeting at 4:01 p.m.
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REBECCA D. JONES, MAYOR
CITY OF SAN MARCOS
ATTEST:
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PHILLIP SCOLLICK, CITY CLERK
CITY OF SAN MARCOS
Special City Council