City Council's Vision
City Council's vision is for a highly engaged community representing diverse opinions, backgrounds, and demographics to come together in a grassroots effort to discuss issues affecting Escondido and offer recommendations that, in partnership with the City and with support from the community, can address our collective challenges. 

Role of the Community Advisory Groups
Codified Boards and Commissions, such as the Library Board of Trustees and the Planning Commission, play a vital role in providing advice and recommendations to City staff and policymakers as well as fiscal oversight and decision making, where applicable. However, the inherent formality that exists with these Boards and Commissions can be a barrier to public engagement for a variety of reasons including the limitations on open dialogue, the limited number of available positions that are appointed by the Mayor and Council, and the intimidation of speaking to a formal Board.
Therefore, we are exploring a different way of engaging with the public around key issues identified by the City Council as priority areas. These Advisory Groups differ from Boards and Commissions in that they:

• Are temporary in nature;
• Do not require a formal application and appointment process;
• Are driven at a grassroots level by the community members involved;
• Provide only advice and recommendations.

The role of the Advisory Groups is to:

• Bring new ideas, networks, and potential funding sources to the table to address their areas of focus;
• Be conduits of information between the City and the community;
• Encourage the participation of other community members;
• Meet regularly and communicate in advance so that other members of the public have an opportunity to participate;
• Report progress, updates, and recommendations to the staff liaison.

City staff plays a supporting role by answering questions and serving as communication conduits between the Community Advisory Groups and City leadership.

Arts & Culture
Focus areas including:

• Community-wide special events such as downtown music festivals and Heritage Festivals focusing on our agricultural roots
• Youth art opportunities
• Arts and crafts events
• New murals throughout the City 

Next Meeting:
October 15, 2019
6:00 p.m. 
City Hall Mitchell Room

Climate Action & Environmental Impacts
Focus areas including:

• Escondido's Climate Action Plan
• Trails in Daley Ranch, Escondido Creek Trail, and bike path
• Reidy Creek
• Consumer choice of energy
• Conservation efforts
• Community gardens 

Next Meeting:
October 14, 2019
6:00 p.m. 
City Hall Mitchell Room

Economic Development and Agriculture
Focus areas:

• Implementation of the BREA philosophy - Business Retention, Expansion, Attraction with an eye to growing and supporting agricultural development and eco-tourism.

Next Meeting:
October 21, 2019
6:00 p.m. 
City Hall Mitchell Room

Homelessness and Housing
Focus areas including:

• All aspects of homelessness and its impact on the community 
• Availability of affordable housing

Next Meeting:
October 22, 2019
6:00 p.m. 
City Hall Mitchell Room

Recreation and Youth Activities
Focus areas including:

• Youth sports
• Lakes and parks amenities
• Daley Ranch
• Potential expansion and improvements at Grape Day Park and the Escondido Creek Trail
• New aquatic center 

Next Meeting:
October 28, 2019
6:00 p.m. 
City Hall Mitchell Room