AGENDA CAPTION:
Title
Hold a discussion regarding merging the Homelessness Committee and Criminal Justice Reform Committee to establish a Safety Committee, and provide direction to the City Manager.
Body
Meeting date: July 7, 2026
Department: City Manager’s Office
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Fiscal Note:
Prior Council Action: City Council voted to establish the Criminal Justice Reform Committee on May 7, 2019, and voted to establish the Committee on Homelessness on February 4, 2020.
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Background Information:
The Criminal Justice Reform Committee was established in May 2019 with the following purpose statement:
To work with the County on criminal justice reform issues including Cite and Divert and to bring transparency to the policing processes in San Marcos as allowed by law.
The Committee on Homelessness was formed in February 2020 and established the following as its purpose statement:
The Committee on Homelessness seeks to analyze and address the various sides of homelessness and housing vulnerability and its effect on the San Marcos community. Using experience, understanding, data, and inclusive resolutions, the committee will work closely with service providers and various San Marcos stakeholders to help propose solutions that will address preventing homelessness, case management for those experiencing homelessness, transitional housing needs, workforce training, and all issues related to improving and stabilizing the lives of our most vulnerable neighbors.
As the community needs and conditions have evolved, the scope of work and discussions at the Committee level have also expanded. In response, staff recommend merging the two committees into one Safety Committee, that supports coordination across the City’s public safety ecosystem, recognizing that effective safety outcomes rely on collaboration among enforcement, emergency response, prevention, and community support services.
The Safety Committee aims to institutionalize a consistent and structured forum for City of San Marcos public safety departments and related offices to align priorities, leverage data-driven decision-making, and coordinate proactive strategies that improve public safety outcomes and community trust. The proposed Safety Committee will support coordination and alignment across areas such as Police, Fire, City Marshal, Emergency Management, Emergency Medical Services, Neighborhood Enhancement, Community Support and Resource Navigation, and adjacent programs.
Council Committee, Board/Commission Action:
The concept of establishing the Safety Committee was discussed during City Council Visioning in January 29-30, 2026. The Council Committee on Homelessness discussed the committee mission in February 2026 and later received a staff presentation on the proposed Safety Committee in June 2026. A recommendation to merge the two Council committees and reappointing the same Council Members was given on June 12, 2026.
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Recommendation:
Staff recommend the merging of the two Council Committees with the same Council membership.