JOINT SPECIAL MEETING OF THE
EL CAJON CITY COUNCIL/HOUSING
The Valley of Opportunity
AUTHORITY/SUCCESSOR AGENCY
TO THE EL CAJON
REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY
MINUTES
CITY OF EL CAJON
EL CAJON, CALIFORNIA
February 11, 2025
A Joint Special Meeting of the El Cajon City Council/Housing Authority/ Successor Agency to the El Cajon Redevelopment Agency, held Tuesday, February 11, 2025, was called to order by Mayor/Chair Bill Wells at 2:01 p.m., in the Council Chambers, 200 Civic Center Way, El Cajon, California.
ROLL CALL
Council/Agencymembers present: Goble, Metschel, and Ortiz Council/Agencymembers absent: None
Mayor Pro Tem/Vice Chair present: Kendrick
Mayor/Chair present: Wells
Other Officers present: Mitchell, City Manager/Executive Director DiMaggio, Assistant City Manager
Thorn, Deputy City Manager
Foley, City Attorney/General Counsel
Janzer, Deputy City Clerk/Secretary
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO FLAG led by Mayor Wells and MOMENT OF SILENCE.
Joint Meeting: El Cajon City Council/Housing Authority/ February 11, 2025 Successor Agency to the Redevelopment Agency - 26- 2:00 p.m.
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS:
1. Veterans Memorial Update
RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council provides direction on the size, scope, and budget for the new Veterans Memorial.
DISCUSSION
Director of Parks and Recreation, Adam Tronerud, provided a summary of the Item.
Truth spoke about other cities Veteran's Memorials and offered suggestions for the design and location for El Cajon's Veteran's memorial.
Discussion ensued amongst City Council and Staff concerning the following:
• Cost versus size of the memorial;
• Pre-qualified artists were selected based on previous designs; • Funding sources;
• Budget;
• El Cajon's contributions to World War Il; and
• Design and location.
Direction provided to staff, no Motion needed for the item.
2. Prohibition of Vaping and Electronic Smoking Devices Disguised as Other Products
RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council:
1. Reviews a draft Ordinance that prohibits vaping and electronic smoking devices disguised as other products; and
2. Provides feedback on the draft Ordinance.
DISCUSSION
City Manager Mitchell provided a summary of the Item.
Michelle Tam, with STAAND and CASA, spoke about the effects of flavored vaping products on students.
Kate Duffy, with CASA, asked to have a flavor ban added and spoke about the use of vapes on high school campuses.
Joint Meeting: El Cajon City Council/Housing Authority/ February 11, 2025 Successor Agency to the Redevelopment Agency 2:00 p.m.
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS: (Item 2 - Continued)
Rebecca Branstetter, with CASA, spoke about the impacts of tobacco use on teenagers and requested a flavor ban be added.
Meredith Riffel provided statistics on teenagers who vape and supported a ban on flavored products.
Truth spoke about bans for other dangerous products.
Discussion ensued amongst City Council and Staff concerning the following:
• Flavored tobacco products already banned in California under Prop 31; • The City's Ordinance would be more stringent than the state ban; and • Enforcement of the ban.
Direction provided to staff, no Motion needed for the item.
All-Way Stop Sign on Peach Avenue at Grape Street
RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council adopts the next Resolution, in order, to establish permanent all- way stop signs on Peach Avenue at the intersection of Grape Street in order to enhance pedestrian and traffic safety.
DISCUSSION
Deputy Director of Engineering Services, Mario Sanchez, provided a summary of the No public comment was received for the Item.
In response to a question from Councilmember Ortiz, Mr. Sanchez confirmed there was no opposition received from the public for the stop sign.
MOTION BY KENDRICK, SECOND BY ORTIZ, to ADOPT Resolution No. 009-25, to establish permanent all-way stop signs on Peach Avenue al the intersection of Grape Street in order to enhance pedestrian anc traffic safety.
MOTION CARRIED BY UNANIMOUS VOTE.
Joint Meeting: El Cajon City Council/Housing Authority/ February 11, 2025 Successor Agency to the Redevelopment Agency - 28 - 2:00 p.m.
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS: (Continued)
4. All-Way Stop Sign on South Anza Street at Redwood Avenue RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council adopts the next Resolution, in order, to establish permanent all- way stop signs on South Anza Street at the intersection of Redwood Avenue in order to enhance pedestrian and traffic safety.
DISCUSSION
Principal Civil Engineer, Olga Reyes, provided a summary of the Item.
No public comment was received for the Item.
In response to a question from Councilmember Ortiz, Ms. Reyes confirmed there was no opposition received from the public for the stop sign and added that the investigation began because it was highly requested.
MOTION BY KENDRICK, SECOND BY METSCHEL, to ADOPT Resolution No. 010-25, to establish permanent all-way stop signs on South Anza Street at the intersection of Redwood Avenue in order to enhance pedestrian and traffic safety.
MOTION CARRIED BY UNANIMOUS VOTE.
CLOSED SESSIONS:
RECOMMENDATION: That the City Council/Housing Authority/Successor Agency to the El Cajon Redevelopment Agency adjourns to Closed Session as follows:
5. Closed Session - Conference with Legal Counsel - Anticipated Litigation - Significant exposure to litigation pursuant to paragraph (2) of subdivision (d) of Government Code section 54956.9: One (1) potential case - On October 18, 2024, the City of El Cajon received a claim on behalf of Mr. James Moore, alleging that on April 17, 2024, a City employee posted a video of the claimant on the social media platform maintained by the El Cajon Police Department incorrectly identifying the claimant as a potential prowler in the backyard of the employee's residence, in the form of a public service announcement reminding residents to report suspicious activities at their own homes.
MOTION BY WELLS, SECOND BY ORTIZ, to ADJOURN to Closed
Session at 2:50 p.m.
MOTION CARRIED BY UNANIMOUS VOTE.
Joint Meeting: El Cajon City Council/Housing Authority/ February 11, 2025 Successor Agency to the Redevelopment Agency - 29 - 2:00 p.m.
CLOSED SESSIONS: (Item 5 - Continued)
RECONVENED to Open Session at 3:18 p.m.
City Attorney Foley reported the following actions:
• Direction was given to the City's Legal Council
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 11 day of February, 2025 was adjourned at 3:19 p.m.
I Cares
ANGELA L. CORTEZ, CMC
City Clerk/Secretary
Joint Meeting: El Cajon City Council/Housing Authority/ February 11, 2025 Successor Agency to the Redevelopment Agency 2:00 p.m.