A homeless shelter, traffic improvements, an updated general plan and a rebranding of the city were among the Escondido City Council’s ideas on how to use revenue from a new sales tax.
Voters in November passed Measure I to create a one-cent sales tax that is projected to raise $28 million annually for 20 years.
During a visioning workshop with the council Wednesday, City Manager Sean McGlynn said the sales tax kicks in April 1, and the city should begin seeing proceeds in mid-summer.
While the new money is good news for the city, McGlynn also acknowledged that it is a finite revenue stream and does not solve the city’s long-term structural deficit issue.
“We still have work to do,” he said.
After meeting earlier with consultants to create a list of areas to discuss, council members at the workshop brainstormed ways to use the new revenue to improve public safety and security, make the city more business-friendly, expand community development and address organizational capacity and financial stewardship.
Under public safety, council members suggested cameras that read license plates to catch traffic violators, flashing lights on crosswalks, better recruitment of experienced police officers, more police operations and a homeless shelter.
“With respect to homelessness, what people want to see is fewer homeless people on the street and being provided for in a safe, productive area,” Mayor Dane White said about the need for a shelter. “It’s really just the next step in the process.”
Other council members also said they had heard from their constituents that the city must do more about homelessness.
Council members agreed the city should be more business-friendly, with some suggesting they streamline the process for permits. Councilmember Consuelo Martinez suggested creating a position to help people navigate the process of opening and operating a business, and Councilmember Christian Garcia said the city should have more communication with business owners, who also should give input in updating the general plan.
In other discussions about the general plan, which White referred to as the road map to the city, council members agreed an update is long overdue.
“The road map to the city points straight to the ’80s,” White said.
The mayor and other council members also suggested the city do a better job of marketing itself to areas outside of Escondido.
“How about a rebranding of the city?” White said.
“I don’t know when that flag was made,” he continued, referring to the blue city flag that contains the words “Escondido” and “City of Choice.” “Let’s update and modernize and have a beautiful flag and a great motto and bring it up to date. How do we want everybody else to view the city of Escondido?”
Suggestions for community development included improved public transportation, the exploration of a business improvement district and more city-sponsored events that highlight Escondido’s diverse cultures.
McGlynn said the city also should consider more city staff members to handle new projects, as some staff members have had to perform double duties because of shortages.
Besides the new projects, the city also has a backlog of deferred maintenance. Council members on Wednesday were presented a binder that includes a seven-page list of repairs needed at the California Center for the Arts, Escondido, the central plant, City Hall, fire stations, the police station, the public works yard and other areas.
