Joint Meeting: El Cajon City Council/Housing Authority/ April 11, 2023 Successor Agency to the Redevelopment Agency - 62 - 3:00 p.m.
JOINT MEETING OF THE
EL CAJON CITY COUNCIL/HOUSING
AUTHORITY/SUCCESSOR AGENCY
TO THE EL CAJON
REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY
MINUTES
CITY OF EL CAJON
EL CAJON, CALIFORNIA
April 11, 2023
A Regular Joint Meeting of the El Cajon City Council/Housing Authority /Successor Agency to the El Cajon Redevelopment Agency, held Tuesday, April 11 , 2023, was called to order by Deputy Mayor/Chair Steve Goble at 3:00 p.m., in the Council Chambers, 200 Civic Center Way, El Cajon, California.
R O L L C A L L
Council/Agencymembers present: Kendrick, Metschel, and Ortiz Council/Agencymembers absent: None
Deputy Mayor/Vice Chair present: Goble
Mayor/Chair absent: Wells
Other Officers present: Mitchell, City Manager/Executive Director DiMaggio, Assistant City Manager
Foley, City Attorney/General Counsel
Cortez, City Clerk/Secretary
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG led by Deputy Mayor Goble and MOMENT OF SILENCE.
POSTINGS: The City Clerk posted Orders of Adjournment of the March 28 , 2023, meeting and the Agenda of the April 11, 2023, meeting in accordance with State Law and El Cajon City Council/Housing Authority/Successor Agency to the El Cajon Redevelopment Agency Policy.
Joint Meeting: El Cajon City Council/Housing Authority/ April 11, 2023 Successor Agency to the Redevelopment Agency - 63 - 3:00 p.m.
PRESENTATIONS:
National Public Safety Telecommunications’ Week
AGENDA CHANGES:
City Manager Mitchell proposed the addition of an Administrative Report for an Item to Declare an Emergency for Storm Drain System Repairs and Continuation of Emergency for Wells Park Restroom Conditions to the April 11, 2023 Agenda.
MOTION BY KENDRICK, SECOND BY METSCHEL, to ADD to the April 11, 2023 Agenda the Declaration of Emergency for Storm Drain System Repairs and Continuation of Emergency for Wells Park Restroom Conditions as Item 7B.
MOTION CARRIED BY UNANIMOUS VOTE
OF THOSE PRESENT (WELLS – Absent).
CONSENT ITEMS: (1 – 5)
1. Minutes of El Cajon City Council/ Housing Authority/Successor Agency to the El Cajon Redevelopment Agency Meetings
Approve Minutes of the March 28, 2023, Meeting of the El Cajon City Council/ Housing Authority/Successor Agency to the El Cajon Redevelopment Agency.
2. Warrants
Approve payment of Warrants as submitted by the Finance Department.
ITEM PULLED BY A MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC:
3. Approval of Reading Ordinances by Title Only
Approve the reading by title and waive s the reading in full of all Ordinances on the Agenda.
DISCUSSION:
Truth stated that the reading of Ordinances by title only is deceitful, unethical and against the State Law Requirement.
City Attorney Foley stated that the reading of Ordinances by title only is acceptable and legal under the rules of a Charter City.
Joint Meeting: El Cajon City Council/Housing Authority/ April 11, 2023 Successor Agency to the Redevelopment Agency - 64 - 3:00 p.m.
CONSENT ITEMS: (Continued)
ITEM PULLED BY A MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC:
4. Authorization to Apply for a Local Early Action Planning (LEAP) Grant
That the City Council Adopts the next Resolution, in order, authorizing the City Manager, or designee, to apply for the California Department of Housing and Community Development’s (HCD) Local Early Action Planning (LEAP) Grant Program in the amount of $500,000 and, if awarded, authorizes the City Manager, or designee, to execute the standard agreement.
DISCUSSION:
Truth shared her disapproval of the City applying for the LEAP Grant, which fund s various projects in the City, including roundabouts.
Deputy Mayor Goble stated that there are studies that show that roundabouts promote slower and safer driving conditions where they are installed.
Adopt Resolution 018 -23 authorizing the City Manager, or designee, to apply for the California Department of Housing and Community Development’s (HCD) Local Early Action Planning (LEAP) Grant Program in the amount of $500,000 and, if awarded, authorizes the City Manager, or designee, to execute the standard agreement.
5. Award of Bid No. 016-23 – Luke Lane Drainage Improvements
Approve a Notice of Exemption (NOE) under section 15302 of the Guidelines for the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) as the replacement or reconstruction of existing facilities, and direct the filing of the NOE; then Adopt Resolution No. 019 -23 Approve Plans and Specifications for Luke Lane Drainage Improvements, Bid No. 016- 23; and Resolution No. 020 -23 to A ward the bid to the lowest responsive, responsible bidder, Portillo Concrete, Inc., in the amount of $453,400.
MOTION BY KENDRICK, SECOND BY METSCHEL, to APPROVE Consent Items 1 to 5.
MOTION CARRIED BY UNANIMOUS VOTE
OF THOSE PRESENT (WELLS – Absent).
PUBLIC COMMENT:
Truth spoke against the License Plate R eaders, and would like the agenda posted with more time, to give residents more time to review it.
Joint Meeting: El Cajon City Council/Housing Authority/ April 11, 2023 Successor Agency to the Redevelopment Agency - 65 - 3:00 p.m.
WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS: None
PUBLIC HEARINGS: None
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS:
6. Authorization to Submit an Application for the San Diego River Conservancy Direct Grant Program
RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Co uncil adopts the next Resolution, in order, to authorize the City Manager, or approved designee, to submit an application for the San Diego River Conservancy (SDRC) Direct Grant Program.
DISCUSSION
Deputy Director of Public Works, Mario Sanchez, provided detailed information of the Item.
Discussion ensued among Council and Staff concerning the following:
The 350 structural controls are only about 15 – 20% of the devices needed in the City;
Cleaner water is one of the benefits of installing the devices; Structural controls are State of California requirements; and Sensors are included in devices to detect blockage.
Truth spoke in opposition of the SDRC Grant Program.
MOTION BY ORTIZ, SECOND BY METSCHEL, to ADOPT Resolution No. 021-23 to authorize the Ci ty Manager, or approved d esignee, to submit an application for the San Diego River Conservancy (SDRC) Direct Grant Program.
MOTION CARRIED BY UNANIMOUS VOTE
OF THOSE PRESENT (WELLS – Absent).
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Joint Meeting: El Cajon City Council/Housing Authority/ April 11, 2023 Successor Agency to the Redevelopment Agency - 66 - 3:00 p.m.
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS: (Continued)
7. Debrief on the Defeat of Measure P
RECOMMENDATION:
This is an informational report. No action is required from the City Council.
DISCUSSION
Assistant City Manager DiMaggio provided detailed information of the Item.
Truth agreed that a clear timeframe and more information on the proposed measure would be helpful in the future.
Discussion ensued among Council and Staff concerning the following:
Council stated that bringing a sales tax measure in 2024 would be prudent; Council approving the placement of Measure P on the ballot with only 60 days until the 2022 Election was not sufficient enough time to gain support from local groups;
Review of “No” votes on each of the Districts of the City showed the differences in needs and concerns for different areas;
Request for Town Hall meetings to engage the community; and Next Measure should only replace the ½ cent of the sunsetting Prop J and not an increase to one cent.
No Motion was required for the Item.
ITEM ADDED UNDER AGENDA CHANGES:
7B. Declaration of Emergency for Storm Drain System Repairs and Continuation of Emergency for Wells Park Restroom Conditions
RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council adopts the next Resolution, in order:
1. Proclaiming the Continuation of Em ergency for Wells Park Restroom Conditions; and
2. Establishing a Declaration of Emergency for storm drain system repairs and determining that the public interest and necessity require the immediate expenditure of public money to safeguard life, health, or property as required by the Public Contract Code section 22050
No public comment was received for the Item.
Joint Meeting: El Cajon City Council/Housing Authority/ April 11, 2023 Successor Agency to the Redevelopment Agency - 67 - 3:00 p.m.
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS: (Item 7B - Continued)
DISCUSSION
City Manager Mitchell provided detailed information of the Item.
In an answer to a question by Deputy Mayor Goble, City Attorney Foley stated that the City Council can vote an Item be added to the current Agenda, by a four fifths vote, if an emergency arose after the posting of the current agenda, and a resolution cannot be postponed to a future agenda.
Discussion ensued among Council and Staff concerning the following:
No damage to current properties by the sink hole; and Pipelines in the City are inspected every 18 months.
MOTION BY ORTIZ, SECOND BY METSCHEL, to ADOPT Resolution No. 022-23 to Proclaim the Continuation of Emergency for Wells Park Restroom Conditions; and Establishing a Declaration of Emergency for storm drain system repairs and determining that the public interest and necessity require the immediate expenditure of publi c money to safeguard life, health, or property as required by the Public Contract Code section 22050.
MOTION CARRIED BY UNANIMOUS VOTE
OF THOSE PRESENT (WELLS – Absent).
COMMISSION REPORTS: None
ACTIVITIES REPORTS/COMMENTS OF MAYOR WELLS:
SANDAG (San Diego Association of Governments) Board of Directors.
8. Council Activities Report/Comments
Report as submitted.
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Joint Meeting: El Cajon City Council/Housing Authority/ April 11, 2023 Successor Agency to the Redevelopment Agency - 68 - 3:00 p.m.
ACTIVITIES REPORTS OF COUNCILMEMBERS:
9. DEPUTY MAYOR STEVE GOBLE
MTS (Metropo litan Transit System Board); East County Advanced Water Purification Joint Powers Authority Board; Chamber of Commerce – Government Affairs Committee; SANDAG – Board of Directors – Alternate; SANDAG Publi c Safety Committee – Alternate.
Council Activities Report/Comments.
In addition to the submitted Report, Deputy Mayor Goble stated that former Chair of the San Diego County Board of Supervisors, Nathan Fletcher , continues as the Primary representative on the MTS Board; he urges the County to name Nora V argas as the Primary. Mr. Goble also attended the California Parks & Recreation National Convention.
City Manager Mitchell shared that El Cajon’s Parks & Recreation Director, Frank Carson, visited every regional park during his presidency of the Californ ia Parks & Recreation Society, and that Mr. Carson ran a 5K at each regional park.
10. COUNCILMEMBER GARY KENDRICK
METRO Commission/Wastewater JPA; Heartland Communications; Heartland Fire Training JPA.
Council Activities Report/Comments.
Report as submitted.
11. COUNCILMEMBER MICHELLE METSCHEL
Harry Griffen Park Joint Steering Committee; Heartland Communications – Alternate; Heartland Fire Training JPA – Alternate; METRO Commission/Wastewater JPA – Alternate.
Council Activities Report/Comments.
In addition to the submitted reports, Councilmember Metschel invited the community to attend the next Homeless Town Hall meeting on Saturday, April 15, 2023 at the Hillside Recreation Center.
Joint Meeting: El Cajon City Council/Housing Authority/ April 11, 2023 Successor Agency to the Redevelopment Agency - 69 - 3:00 p.m.
ACTIVITIES REPORTS OF COUNCILMEMBERS:
12. COUNCILMEMBER PHIL ORTIZ
League of California Cities, San Diego Division; East County Economic Development Council; MTS (Metropolitan Transit System Board) – Alternate; East County Advanced Water Purification Joint Powers Authority Board – Alternate; Chamber of Commerce – Government Affairs Committee – Alternate.
Council Activities Report/Comments.
In addition to the submitted report, Councilmember Ortiz thanked the City staff for facilitating the first and upcoming Town Hall meetings.
Truth shared her dislike of the League of California Cities organization.
JOINT COUNCILMEMBER REPORTS: None
GENERAL INFORMATION ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION: None
ORDINANCES: FIRST READING - None
ORDINANCES: SECOND READING AND ADOPTION - None
CLOSED SESSIONS:
RECOMMENDATION: That the City Council/Housing Authority/Successor Agency to the El Cajon Redevelopment Agency adjourns to Closed Session as follows:
13. Closed Session - Conference with Legal Counsel - Existing Litigation - pursuant to paragraph (1) of subdivision (d) of Government Code section 54956.9:
William Anderson v. City of El Cajon, et al.
United States District Court, Southern District of California Civil Action No. 22CV715-AJB-WVG
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Joint Meeting: El Cajon City Council/Housing Authority/ April 11, 2023 Successor Agency to the Redevelopment Agency - 70 - 3:00 p.m.
CLOSED SESSIONS: (Continued)
14. Closed Session - Conference with Labor Negotiators pursuant to Government Code section 54957.6:
Agency Designated Representatives:
Graham Mitchell, City Manager
Vince DiMaggio, Assistant City Manager
Clay Schoen, Director of Finance
Marisol Thorn, Director of Human Resources
Employee Organizations:
El Cajon Mid-Management and Professional Employees Group El Cajon Municipal Employees Association
MOTION BY GOBLE, SECOND BY KENDRICK, to ADJOURN to Closed Session at 4:26 p.m.
MOTION CARRIED BY UNANIMOUS VOTE
OF THOSE PRESENT (WELLS – Absent).
RECONVENED to Open Session at 5:22 p.m.
City Attorney Foley reported the following actions:
Item 13: Council gave direction to Legal Counsel
Item 14: Council gave direction to the City’s Negotiators
Adjournment: Deputy Mayor Goble adjourned the Regular Joint Meeting of the El Cajon City Council/ Housing Authority/Successor Agency to the El Cajon Redevelopment Agency held this 11th day of April, 2023, at 5:23 p.m., to Tuesday, April 25, 2023, at 3:00 p.m.
________________________
ANGELA L. CORTEZ, CMC
City Clerk/Secretary