CITY COUNCIL
HOUSING AUTHORITY AND
SUCCESSOR AGENCY TO THE EL CAJON
REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY
Ronald Reagan
Community Center
195 E. Douglas Avenue
El Cajon, CA 92020
City Council Priorities & Goal Setting Workshop
JANUARY 14, 2025 - 6:00 p.m.
Bill Wells, Mayor Graham Mitchell, City Manager
Steve Goble, Councilmember Vince DiMaggio, Assistant City Manager Gary Kendrick, Mayor Pro Tem Morgan Foley, City Attorney Michelle Metschel, Councilmember Angela Cortez, City Clerk Phil Ortiz, Councilmember
CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Bill Wells
ROLL CALL: City Clerk Angela Cortez
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG AND MOMENT OF SILENCE
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT:
1. 2025 City Council Priorities & Goal Setting Workshop
RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council conducts its annual Priorities & Goal Setting Workshop and provides direction to staff in preparation for the 2025 City Council Action Plan.
ADJOURNMENT: The Joint Special Meeting of the El Cajon City Council/El Cajon Housing Authority/Successor Agency to the El Cajon Redevelopment Agency held this 14th day of January 2025, is adjourned.
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City Council
Agenda Report
Agenda Item 1.
DATE: 01/14/2025
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Councilmembers
FROM: Graham Mitchell, City Manager
SUBJECT: 2025 City Council Priorities & Goal Setting Workshop RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council conducts its annual Priorities & Goal Setting Workshop and provides direction to staff in preparation for the 2025 City Council Action Plan.
BACKGROUND:
This memo provides an update on the 2024 City Council Action Plan (CCAP) and shares thoughts on the upcoming City Council Priority Setting Workshop on January 14, 2025. The aim of the Workshop is to identify priorities (existing and/or new), determine which projects should carry over, and establish specific goals and outcomes aligned with those priorities.
The previous year was an ambitious one for the City, marked by significant accomplishments, including progress on priority projects, completion of many ARPA-funded initiatives, and the passage of a sales tax measure. As we look ahead to 2025, this Workshop will serve as an opportunity for the City Council to refine its focus areas and set the stage for continued success.
The input gathered during the Workshop will guide staff in preparing the 2025 CCAP, which will be presented to the City Council for approval in February.
Attached to this memo is a matrix summarizing the progress made on the 2024 CCAP. For each priority, the matrix provides details on associated goals, outcomes, specific tasks or milestones, and a status report. In 2024, of the 25 Goals/Outcomes identified, seven were completed, twelve are underway, and six were not started. Of the 70 corresponding Tasks/Milestones, 27 were completed, 26 are in progress, and 17 are not started for various reasons (priorities shifted or no funding allocated). Completed Tasks/Milestones are shown in green, those underway are shown in blue, and those not started are in red.
Also, as part of this memo, staff has provided recommendations for the 2025 CCAP. Some of these are carry-over priorities and projects from 2024. Several new potential initiatives are included in the memo, and are shown in italicized text.
To provide context for the upcoming year, it is important to provide the City Council with a financial outlook for the upcoming year. While we are still waiting on some key financial indicators (sales tax and property tax estimates), staff is confident that there will not be significant surplus revenue in the upcoming fiscal year. As a result, staff does not recommend adding any significant new programs that require substantial General Fund monies in the 1be Valley of Opportunity
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upcoming year.
Staff’s Recommendations
Staff recommends that the City continue its focus on the following established priorities:
City Beautification1.
Economic Development2.
Homelessness3.
Public Safety4.
Miscellaneous5.
Staff recommends that the priority of City Infrastructure be removed for 2025. Two of the three goals under this priority have been completed or are currently underway and the remaining goal can be incorporated into future reviews of the City’s Capital Improvement Program.
Given the ambitious nature of the 2024 CCAP and the need to complete several outstanding ARPA projects, staff recommends that the City Council limit the selection of goals/objectives to about three per priority. This focused approach will help ensure successful implementation and measurable progress.
If the City Council chooses to maintain the current priorities, staff has prepared the following recommended goals/objectives for consideration. Each priority includes:
Goals carried over from the 2024 CCAP (denoted as “carry-over” goals), and Potential new initiatives for consideration (indicated in italicized text).
Staff recognizes that the City Councilmembers will propose additional ideas during the Workshop. Once all potential goals for each priority are identified, staff recommends that the most critical goals be selected as the foundation for the 2025 CCAP.
Goals/Objectives to Consider
CITY BEAUTIFICATION –
The 2024 CCAP identified 13 Capital Improvement Projects, ranging from street improvement projects, broadband expansion, park amenities, recreation center upgrades, neighborhood streetlights installation, developing a wildfire hazard mitigation plan, and Fire Station 7 re-design and construction. Because these projects are completed, under construction, or well along in the implementation process, staff recommends removing them from the CCAP.
Staff seeks input on whether to continue the Landscape Award program for a second year, continue with the Illegal Dumping from Apartment Complex project, and seek funding for a community mural project.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT –
Staff recommends the continuation of four goals from the previous CCAP:
Parkway Plaza – continue with the work commenced in 2024.
Downtown Catalyst Project – continue seeking a project that will continue to transform Downtown El Cajon, including attracting new restaurants.
Downtown Management – begin work on a revised Business Improvement District, initiate • •
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Downtown Management – begin work on a revised Business Improvement District, initiate a renewal of the assessment district, work to enhance the overall management of the downtown, and work to establish a downtown farmers market (East County Market Nights).
Vacant Lot Incentive Program – staff has identified programs implemented in other cities in the United States and is close to presenting options for City Council consideration.
HOMELESSNESS –
Staff recommends continuing one unaccomplished goal from the previous CCAP: Promote success stories from City programs.
As an additional goal, staff recommends considering a pilot program with the Downtown Business Partners to hire an outreach team that will specifically focus on downtown with a result-driven program. This project could be partially funded with PBID assessment revenue.
PUBLIC SAFETY –
Staff recommends continuing or building on two goals from the previous CCAP.
Staffing Plan for Engine 208 – seek to fund a new engine company out of Station 8.
Calls to Congregate Care Facilities – continue reducing calls for service to congregate care facilities. Calls in 2024 dropped by 2.22% over 2023. Staff believes that another 5% is possible after implementing a policy incentive being worked on from the previous CCAP.
Staff also recommends several new priorities, such as expanding the Police Department’s community policing and engagement efforts, such as expanding community policing programs (e.g. the current citizen and teen academies), building on relationships with CVUSD and GUHSD for additional involvement at schools, and developing a Police Athletic League (or something similar), working with Parks & Recreation.
Staff also recommends continuing to explore technological means to improve policing services, such as modernizing the City’s communication systems, integrating data analytics platforms and GIS teams that provide real-time data, enhancing the capabilities of ALPR and UAS, utilizing VR and simulation training for officers, and providing increased training at a lower overall cost.
MISCELLANEOUS –
Staff recommends the continuation of two previous goals as well as a new goal.
Veterans Memorial – continue with the Request for Proposal process to identify a designer for a new Veterans Memorial at the site determined by the City Council in 2024.
As part of this project, additional tasks include funding considerations, development of final design, and completion of the project.
Short-Term Rental Workshop – consider conducting a workshop to understand the impacts (positive and negative) of short-term rentals, provide an overview of current City policies, and explore any policy changes the City Council may wish to consider.
Another possible initiative to consider in 2025 is the creation of a Citizens Academy. The Police and Fire Departments currently operate successful academies intended to educate residents and business owners about their operations. Many cities conduct city-wide academies that are based on the broader perspective of their local government. This goal would be to consider this program, determine how to operate it, and estimate the annual cost of doing so.
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Workshop Format
As in previous years, staff recommends that the following format be used in the Workshop:
Review of the 2024 CCAP (high level), with an opportunity for questions from the City Council and public comment.
1. City Council identifying 2025 Priorities, with an opportunity for public comment. 2.
Once 2025 Priorities are determined, a City Council brainstorming discussion for each priority with possible goals/outcomes. After discussion and receiving public input, the City Council can narrow down the focus goals/outcomes for each priority (about three per priority).
3. CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT:
The Goal Setting Workshop is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act ("CEQA") under section 15061(b)(3) of the State CEQA Guidelines. The “common sense rule” exemption states that where it can be seen with certainty that there is no impact on the environment, the activity is exempt from CEQA.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Budget considerations will be considered during the budget adoption process.
Prepared By: Graham Mitchell, City Manager
Reviewed By:
Approved By: N/A
Attachments
CCAP Update (Dec 2024)
City Council Action Plan
Update: December 30, 2024
Priority Page
City Beautification 1
City Infrastructure 6
Economic Development 7
Homelessness 10 The Valley of Opportunity
Public Safety 1 1
Miscellaneous 13 ~<'o. ~o,~
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CITY BEAUTIFICATION
Goal/Outcome Dept. Milestones/Tasks Target Status Dates City Beautification & Neighborhood Street Lights Phase 2 Improvement Mar 2024 Completed Projects Construction (34)
Complete thirteen City
ENG Solar Project Phase 1 (PSC) beautification and Dec 2024 Project canceled improvement projects.
ENG El Cajon Blvd. Transit Center Community Aug 2024 Completed Improvements Completion (Roundabout) Jamacha Rd Safety Improvements Design Project begins construction will begin in ENG and Construction Dec 2024 January 2025 with a projected completion date of Summer 2025.
ENG Neighborhood Street Lights Phase 3 Jul2024 Project under construction with Design and Construction (47) completion by June 2025.
Construction substantially complete,
ENG Main Street Green Street Aug 2024 Completion by February 2025, pending asphalt restoration and "punch list"
corrections.
ENG Oakdale Alameda Design and Dec 2024 The project is in construction with an Construction expected completion date of April 2025.
ENG Cool Zones Phase 2 (Gyms) design and Dec 2024 Contract executed with completion by installation Oct 2025.
IT/ENG Expand Broadband -Design and Dec 2024 Completed with several "punch list" Installation items to resolve.
1 30% design plans presented at a
ENG W. Washington Ave. Safety Improvements Apr2025 community meeting in December 2024 Design and Construction with 100% design to be completed in May 2025.
Plans completed in December 2024
FIRE/ PW Wildfire Hazard Mitigation Plan Dec 2024 with RFP to be released in January Implementation 2025. Completion anticipated by
Summer 2025.
P&R/ENG Park Amenity Project Design and Jun 2025 Contract awarded and completion of Construction, including pickleball courts construction by Summer 2025.
FIRE/ Fire Station 7 Design and Construction Dec 2025 Design completed by Jan 2025.
ENG
"Tax Dollars at
Work" Signage
Include signage Include in all Public Works contractor Signs program implemented as part of promoting the City's PW/ENG specs the requirement for a 4 x 6 foot sign Apr2024 the 2nd & Jamacha Street project, investments in the promoting capital improvement projects. currently under construction. community at
construction projects.
Landscape Awards Present to the City Council the
recommended awards and a proposed Feb 2024 Completed
budget ($16,000) for Landscape Award
Program
Create and administer
a program that CM Announce program to El Cajon residents Feb 2024 Completed and winners to be awards residents and and business owners announced on 9/23/24 businesses for
investing in their Announce winners at City Council meeting landscaping. and at National Night Out Aug 2024 Completed 2 Illegal Dumping from Hold meetings with the Southern California Apartment Rental Housing Association and EDCO to Apr 2024 Not yet started Complexes explore solutions and marketing information.
Develop a program Collect data and create a heat map on that addresses illegal illegal dumps that may be associated with dumping of large apartment complexes to understand Apr2024 Completed items (mattresses, problem areas, frequency, and types of furniture, etc.). CM/PW illegal dumping.
Using heat map, focus a program or Prior to map being produced, EDCO has contacted specific apartment information campaign for the most Sep 2024 complexes. Once the map is produced, challenging areas. a more robust effort will be made.
Present to the City Council a report with Dec 2024 Not yet started findings and recommendations.
Mural Project Release RFP to secure a muralist Mar 2024 Identify a location and
muralist for a pilot Select muralist May 2024
mural program that PW/P&R Project is on hold, pending a funding includes resident source.
involvement.
Complete mural Dec 2024
3 Sign Regulations Present to the City Council a review of the City's current sign ordinance and seek
areas of concern from the City Council (i.e. Jul2024 Completed (presented to the City complete overhaul, focus on issues such Council on July 23, 2024) as rope lights, or consider policies related
to temporary signage).
Update the City's Completed (City Council addressed the Municipal Code issue on 7/23/2024 and directed staff to sections related to address blinking and colored string light sign regulations. displays. Staff presented the issue to Conduct a series of business forums Oct 2024 the PBID Board on 9/25/2024. PBID regarding signs and seek input. Board provided positive feedback on CD/CM amending the Downtown Master Plan to
limit string lights to a static color with no
motion or flashing. This includes
flashing "Open" signs.)
Conduct a City Council workshop with
findings from direction provided by the City Nov 2024 Completed Council and from the business forums.
Present to the City Council recommended
changes to the Municipal Code regarding Dec 2024 Completed signs.
4 Vacant Lot Incentive
Program Intern has begun developing a GIS
Identify focus properties that meet criteria. May 2024 mapping program to identify target vacant lots (lots over 1 acre in size)
Present a program Research best practices in other cities that incentivizes property owners of CM around the United States and present Aug 2024 Research underway. vacant lots to either findings to the City Council.
develop or include
community amenities Analyze grant program to landscape Intern has begun developing a GIS that add value to vacant properties and vacant lot Oct 2024 neighborhoods. assessment and present findings to the mapping program to identify target City Council. vacant lots (lots over 1 acre in size)
5 CITY INFRASTRUCTURE
Goal/Outcome Dept. Milestones/Tasks Target Status Dates Deferred
Maintenance
Analysis Present a report to the City Council on the
Prepare an analysis of
FIN City's deferred maintenance program and Mar 2024 Report provided to the City Council on the City's deferred Capital Improvement Plan and determine if 9/10/2024. maintenance projects additional funding is required
and Capital
Improvement Plan.
Pavement
Management
Program After re-analyzing all City streets, present Prepare an analysis of to the City Council a report on the City's the City's Pavement ENG Pavement Management Program including Nov 2024 Completed Management data on past and projected Pavement Program, including a Condition Index (PCI). history of pavement history and projected
projects.
Neighborhood Allocate $2 million from the General Fund
Capital Improvement Reserve for Neighborhood Capital Jun 2024 Projects Improvement Projects.
Identify additional Project not included in FY 25 budget. infrastructure related However, new streetlight project in capital improvement ENG design, budgeted $845,000 to install 39 projects (up to $2 Present to the City Council possible street lights and sidewalk improvements million in costs) that projects to fund with the General Fund Sep 2024 using CDBG funds. have a significant and Reserve monies. visible impact on
neighborhood and
implement.
6 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Goal/Outcome Dept. Milestones/Tasks Target Status Dates Parkway Plaza Present report to the City Council,
including the economic analysis from Hunden present study to the Council on Hunden Partners and possible City actions Jul2024 7/9/2024 to effectuate a fiscally healthy regional mall property.
With stakeholder
input, develop a re-CM/CD
envisioned Parkway Underway with development proposals
Plaza development Implement possible development Aug 2024 being considered for pad development plan and present it to strategies. and analyzing options to gain site current owners and control.
development
community.
Signs & Fac;ade '
Improvement Grant Launch and market the Sign & Fa9ade Grant applications closed on 5/1/2024 & Administer the Sign & Improvement Grant program. Mar 2024 awarded businesses were notified on Fac;ade Improvement 6/14/2024
Grant program.
CM City Council approved Sign & Facade
Grant Program (funded by ARPA). The
Present a report to the City Council on Sep 2024 following grants were distributed: 52 completion or progress of the program. ($708,000) for signs, 21 ($219,000) for facade paint, and 3 ($2,800) for new
windows.
7 Downtown Project
Develop a plan for the reimagining of the Staff is analyzing public investment civic center space and adjoining Oct 2024 options and completing Surplus Lands properties. Act analysis.
Initiate a downtown Complete Steps 1 & 2 of Surplus Land Act catalyst development CM requirements related to City-owned Nov 2024 Completed project. property in the downtown area.
Reach out to adjacent private property Property profiles are being compiled owners in the project area, solicit interest, Oct 2024 prior to solicitation opportunities and begin designing a "public-private partnership" for interested parties. presented.
Enhance Secure a SDSU study of the City's
Developer/Applicant developer/application process and present May 2024 Completed Experience report to the City Council.
Analyze
improvements to CD/CM
developer & permit Host semi-annual Developer/Real Estate City hosted forums on 6/19/2024 and applicant experience Broker roundtables discussions. Jul2024 10/29/2024. to ensure El Cajon is the easiest place to
develop.
East County Market Complete the procurement process and Nights present vendor and budget to the City May 2024
Council for consideration.
Create a signature
regional event in El
Cajon's downtown
CM On holding pending funding and vendor. that will attract thousands of weekly If vendor is selected, launch inaugural Aug 2024 visitors to a farmers Market Night event. market, live
entertainment,
prepared food, and
crafts.
8 Economic
Development
Manager As part of the budget approval process, Although the position was not included Consider Economic present to the City Council an option to in the FY 25 budget, a vacant Sr.
Development CM/Fin create the position, including purpose of Dec 2024 Management Analyst was filled with an Manager to oversee the position, duties, proposed outcomes, individual with economic development the City's economic and cost. experience.
development strategic
plan and vision.
Analysis of
Downtown Property Present the findings from the analysis of Based Improvement the PBID to the City Council and obtain Feb 2024 Completed District (PBID) direction.
Implement certain CM
findings from the PBID
analysis. Implement direction from the City Council. Dec 2024 Ongoing efforts being made. 9 HOMELESSNESS
Goal/Outcome Dept. Milestones/Tasks Target Status Dates Documentary on El
Cajon's Homeless
Successes &
Challenges
Create a documentary
highlighting
successes with City's
homeless programs,
focusing on CM Produce and promote the documentary. Dec 2024 Not yet started individuals as well as
challenges the City
faces, including
policies out of El
Cajon's control and
lack of transparency
on homeless
spending in the
region.
Promote El Cajon's
Homeless Programs Continue to market programs that the City provides, present semi-annual reports to
Continue to promote CD/CM the City Council, and inform residents and Ongoing Ongoing efforts being made. the work the City is businesses of the efforts being made by doing in the area of the City.
homelessness.
10 PUBLIC SAFETY
Goal/Outcome Dept. Milestones/Tasks Target Status Dates Fire/Medical Conduct a City Council workshop on the Response Coverage Feb 2024 Completed Fire/Medical Response Coverage study
Implement direction Additional fire engine and outfitting from February 22,
2024 City Council
equipment is complete. The City was
workshop to add a 24-
NOT successful in securing a FEMA
hour staff fire engine Implement direction from the City Council Aug 2024 SAFER grant to finance the cost of the to Station 8 and begin workshop on short-term objectives. necessary nine fire personnel to exploring sites for a
operate an engine 24/7. A workshop is
fifth fire station in the
scheduled on January 29, 2025 to
City.
consider options.
Fire/CM
On 09/10/2024, City Council received a
report with various strategies to reduce
Continue to reduce calls run to calls for services to congregate care convalescent homes, skilled nursing facilities. Staff is scheduling a meeting facilities, and other congregate care with facility operators, gathering facilities by another 10% by December 31, Dec 2024 additional feedback and preparing a 2024 from the previous year through recommendation for City Council increased outreach efforts and possible consideration. Fire Dept continues penalties. education efforts and experienced a
drop in 2.22% in calls to facilities in
2024.
11 Curb Excessive
Speeding on City Identify areas in which speeding occurs streets regularly and deploy resources to address Apr 2024 Completed enforcement in those areas.
Through enforcement, Report to the City Council on speed education, and May 2024 engineering, enforcement efforts in 2023. Completed
implement a
comprehensive
The "three month saturation
strategy to enforce
enforcement and study" was reduced to
speed limits
a 6 week project to accommodate
throughout the City. PD/ENG Three months saturation enforcement and staffing shortage and other City Council study, identify data that can help in priorities. Program studied traffic developing an education campaign to Jun 2024 speeds over the months of July and targeted audiences. August. Study showed no statistical change in speed behavior was
accomplished through saturation
enforcement. Police Dept social media
feeds will continue to provide education.
Complete the W. Washington Avenue and 30% design plans presented at a the Jamacha Road Safety Improvements Apr 2024 community meeting in December 2024 project (see City Beautification category). with 100% design to be completed in May 2025.
12 MISCELLANEOUS
Milestones/Tasks Target Status Goal/Outcome Dept. Dates Veterans Memorial RFQ process completed on 9/30/24.
Release RFP for Memorial May 2024 Three artists qualify to receive a RFP.
Artist/Consultant. RFP is to tentatively release in March 2025.
Working with the Seek Stakeholder Feedback regarding Jul2024 Completed community and Memorial Artist. stakeholders, identify RS a location, design, Present proposed design to the City The RFP is tentatively scheduled to and funding plan for Council and seek direction on funding Sep 2024 release in March 2025. the establishment of a options. new Veterans Memorial.
Procure services of a memorial developer. Oct 2024 The RFP is tentatively scheduled to release in March 2025.
Implement Police and Fire Tech Committees are Technology Seek opportunities to implement created to evaluate possible new Opportunities software. IT staff attended 4 vendor technological applications. demonstrations and 1 conference in the past month.
A recent example of piloting technology
ALL ongoing is that the Engineering Department Seek opportunities for recently installed sensors on two Fire technology When opportunities are identified, analyze apparatus to analyze signal delays. . applications to reduce With data collected, staff can analyze costs, augment the return on investment and seek the value of using this type of performance, or procurement opportunities. technology for other applications. Also, create safer staff is developing a list of possible conditions. applications to be included in the FY 26 budget.
13 Short-Term Rental Host a City Council workshop (perhaps a joint Planning Commission/City_ Council
workshop) to discuss data and issues
related to short-term rentals, along with Workshop will be scheduled in 2nd possible policies for City Counci~ Oct 2024 Quarter 2025, if continues to be a City consideration. Workshop would include Council priority. data such as known number operating in
the City, calls for service (if known) and
CD/CM/
type (noise), potential loss revenue, and
what other cities are doing. Fin
Conducting a
workshop to discuss .
issues related to Relying on feedback from workshop, Workshop will be scheduled in 2nd short-term rentals, develop policies and present to the Dec 2025 Quarter 2025, if continues to be a City examples of policies Planning Commission (if required) and to Council priority. implemented in other the City Council for consideration. communities, and provide direction (if
necessary) to staff.
14 Planning Study for Present the option to appropriate $400,000 the E. Main Street from the General Fund reserve to select a Area (between consulting firm to prepare a needs Jun 2024 On Hold, pending funding.
Madison Avenue and assessment, collect data, engage in
Walter Way) community feedback and input, and draft
the plan.
Prepare a mixed-use
overlay plan for the
area, including public
outreach and input, CD If appropriated, complete procurement California Aug 2024 On hold, pending funding.
Environmental Quality process.
Act analysis, and
consideration for
adoption. The cost for
such a study is
Present draft Specific Plan to the Planning approximately Nov 2025 On hold, pending funding. $400,000 and will take Commission.
about 18 months to Present draft Specific Plan to the City Dec 2025 On hold, pending funding. complete. Council. 15