JOINT MEETING OF THE
EL CAJON CITY COUNCIL/HOUSING
The Valley ofOpportunity
AUTHORITY/SUCCESSOR AGENCY
TO THE EL CAJON
REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY
MINUTES
CITY OF EL CAJON
EL CAJON, CALIFORNIA
March 11, 2025
A Regular Joint Meeting of the El Cajon City Council/Housing Authority/Successor Agency to the El Cajon Redevelopment Agency, held Tuesday, March 11, 2025, was called to order by Mayor/Chair Bill Wells at 3:01 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
Cortez, City Clerk/Secretary
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG led by Mayor Wells and MOMENT OF SILENCE.
POSTINGS: The City Clerk posted Orders of Adjournment of the February 25, 2025, meeting and the Agenda of the March 11, 2025, 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 March 11, 2025 Successor Agency to the Redevelopment Agenci - 48 - 3:00 p.m.
PRESENTATIONS: None
AGENDA CHANGES: None
CONSENT ITEMS: (1 - 6)
MOTION BY WELLS, SECOND BY ORTIZ, to APPROVE Consent Items 1 to 6.
MOTION CARRIED BY UNANIMOUS VOTE.
Minutes of El Cajon City Council/Housing Authority/Successor Agency to the El Cajon Redevelopment Agency Meetings
Approve Minutes of the February 25, 2025, 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.
3. Approval of Reading Ordinances by Title Only
Approve the reading by title and waives the reading in full of all Ordinances on the Agenda.
4. Contract Amendment for RFP No. 009-21 - Custodial Services Adopt Resolution No. 017-25 to increase the multi-year Agreement for Custodial Services with CCS San Diego Janitorial, Inc. dba CCS Facility Services (CCS) in the not-to-exceed amount of $164,719.68.
5. Award of RFQ No. 12500318 - Throwable Tactical Micro-Robots Adopt Resolution No. 018-25 to award to the sole responsive, responsible bidder, ReconRobotics, Inc., in the amount of $36,999.86.
Joint Meeting: El Cajon City Council/Housing Authority/ arch 11, 202 Successor Agency to the Redevelopment Agency - 49 - :00 p.г CONSENT ITEMS: (Continued)
6. Appointments to the Public Safety Facility Financing Oversight Committee Appoint the following members to the Public Safety Facility Financing Oversight Committee, with terms to expire on January 31, 2029:
1. John Forrest (Re-appointment, as a member meeting the requirement of a California Licensed Architect with experience designing and building commercial, industrial or governmental buildings); and
2. Clay Schoen (Appointment, as a member meeting the requirement of a California Certified Public Accountant with experience in professional accounting) PUBLIC COMMENT:
Brenda Hammond shared several personal experiences.
WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS: None
PUBLIC HEARINGS: None
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS: None
COMMISSION REPORTS: None
ACTIVITIES REPORTS/COMMENTS OF MAYOR WELLS:
SANDAG (San Diego Association of Governments) Board of Directors.
7. Council Activities Report/Comments
Report as submitted.
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Joint Meeting: El Cajon City Council/Housing Authority/ March 11, 2025 Successor Agency to the Redevelopment Agency - 50- 3:00 p.m.
ACTIVITIES REPORTS OF COUNCILMEMBERS:
COUNCILMEMBER STEVE GOBLE
MTS (Metropolitan Transit System Board); East County Advanced Water Purification Joint Powers Authority Board; Chamber of Commerce - Government Affairs Committee; SANDAG - Board of Directors - Alternate; SANDAG Public Safety Committee - Alternate.
Council Activities Report/Comments.
Report as submitted.
MAYOR PRO TEM GARY KENDRICK
METRO Commission/Wastewater JPA; Heartland Communications; Heartland Fire Training JPA.
Council Activities Report/Comments.
Report as submitted.
COUNCILMEMBER MICHELLE METSCHEL
Harry Griffen Park Joint Steering Committee; Heartland Communications - Alternate; Heartland Fire Training Alternate; METRO
Commission/Wastewater JPA - Alternate.
Council Activities Report/Comments.
Report as submitted.
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.
Report as submitted.
Joint Meeting: El Cajon City Council/Housing Authority/ March 11, 2025 Successor Agency to the Redevelopment Agency - 51- 3:00 p.m.
JOINT COUNCILMEMBER REPORTS:
12. Resolution Against Antisemitism
RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council directs staff to prepare a resolution establishing the City's antisemitism position.
DISCUSSION
Mayor Wells and Mayor Pro Tem Kendrick provided details about the Item.
The following people spoke in opposition of the Item:
• Vicky Estrella
• Jamal Kanj
Doris Bittar
Jose Cortes
Melanie Bennet
Maria Cohen
Isabelle Kay
Giovanna Adleson
Spenser Levine
Julianne H. Gustafson-Lira
• Summer Ismail
• Gwenyvere Jones
Stephanie Cauchon
The following people spoke in support of the Item:
Shelly De Leon
• Liat
Oz Laniado
• Staci Wax
Discussion ensued amongst City Councilmembers regarding:
City's involvement in federal issues creating chaos;
: Hold diesed to commune grand.
Hold discussions with community groups to understand their needs.
MOTION BY WELLS, SECOND BY ORTIZ, to DIRECT staff to prepare a resolution establishing the City's antisemitism position.
MOTION CARRIED BY 4 - 1 VOTE
(METSCHEL - No).
Joint Meeting: El Cajon City Council/Housing Authority/ March 11, 2025 Successor Agency to the Redevelopment Agency - 52- 3:00 p.m.
JOINT COUNCILMEMBER REPORTS: (Item 12 - Continued)
:
City Manager Mitchell stated, he would provide a red-lined version of a Resolution, for the City Council to compare what they provided as a sample, and what the City Manager added from the discussion and direction given.
13. Support for H.R. 1680 (Unhandcuffing Police to Locate and Interdict Foreign Transgressors Act)
RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council authorizes letters be provided to Congressman Gabe Evans offering support for H.R. 1680 and Congressman Darrell Issa requesting him to co- sponsor the bill.
DISCUSSION
Councilmember Goble provided details about the Item.
Rebecca Branstetter stated that there is no formal text for the mentioned bill. She requested that the City Council wait and request more information before taking action on this Item.
Stephanie Cauchon stated there is no need to send a symbolic letter and spoke against the City's support for H.R. 1680.
Discussion ensued amongst City Councilmembers regarding:
• Lack of policy for H.R. 1680;
• Federal law does not protect children left behind by parents who are deported; • Why show support for a bill that does not have official text.
MOTION BY ORTIZ, SECOND BY GOBLE, to SEND letters to
Congressman Gabe Evans offering support for H.R. 1680 and Congressman Darrell Issa requesting him to co-sponsor the bill.
GENERAL INFORMATION ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION: None
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Sun or geny to the Rey evelopmen Ag Authority/ arch 11, 202 - 53- 00 p.r
ORDINANCES: FIRST READING - None
Introduction of Ordinance to Prohibit the sale of Vaping Devices disguised as other products
RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council moves to introduce the next Ordinance, in order.
DISCUSSION
City Manager Mitchell provided a summary of the Item.
MOTION BY KENDRICK, SECOND BY WELLS, to INTRODUCE the
Ordinance.
MOTION CARRIED BY UNANIMOUS VOTE.
The City Clerk recited the title of the ordinance for a first reading.
AN ORDINANCE PROHIBITING THE SALE OF VAPING DEVICES
DISGUISED AS OTHER PRODUCTS BY AMENDING SECTIONS
8.33.050 AND 8.33.090 OF CHAPTER 8.33 OF TITLE 8 OF THE EL
CAJON MUNICIPAL CODE RELATING TO REGULATION OF
LICENSURE OF TOBACCO RETAILERS
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:
Closed Session - Conference with Legal Counsel - Existing Litigation - pursuant to paragraph (1) of subdivision (d) of Government Code section 54956.9:
Christine Greer v. City of El Cajon; WC Claim No. 22020148
16. Closed Session - Conference with Real Property Negotiators - pursuant to Government Code section 54956.8:
Property:
APN 487-331-22-00
425 W. Main Street
Joint Meeting: El Cajon City Council/Housing Authority/ March 11, 2025 Successor Agency to the Redevelopment Agency - 54- 3:00 p.m.
CLOSED SESSIONS: (Item 16 - Continued)
Negotiating Party:
Jala, Inc.
Hitesh C. Patel, CEO
City Negotiators:
City Manager
Assistant City Manager
City Attorney
Under Negotiation:
Price and terms of payment for acquisition of property
17. Closed Session - Conference with Legal Counsel - Anticipated Litigation - Initiation of litigation pursuant to paragraph (4) of subdivision (d) of section 54956.9: One (1) potential case
18. Closed Session - Conference with Legal Counsel - Anticipated Litigation - Initiation of litigation pursuant to paragraph (4) of subdivision (d) of section 54956.9: One (1) potential case
Closed Session - Conference with Real Property Negotiators - pursuant to Government Code section 54956.8:
Property:
APN 489-130-59-00
Negotiating Parties:
Alexander C. Davis, Esq., Buchalter Law Firm
8 Mendridge LLC
City Negotiators:
City Manager
Assistant City Manager
City Attorney
Under Negotiation:
Price and terms of payment for sale of property
Joint Meeting: El Cajon City Council/Housing Authority/ March 11, 2025 Successor Agency to the Redevelopment Agency - 55- 3:00 p.m.
CLOSED SESSIONS: (Continued)
MOTION BY WELLS, SECOND BY KENDRICK, to ADJOURN to Closed Session at 4:58 p.m.
MOTION CARRIED BY UNANIMOUS VOTE.
Councilmember Goble left the Closed Session at 6:04 p.m., as there is a conflict of interest for Item 18.
RECONVENED to Open Session at 6:11 p.m.
City Attorney Foley reported the following actions:
Item 15: Direction given to the City's Legal Counsel
Item 16: Direction given to the City's negotiator
Item 17: Direction given to the City's Legal Counsel
Item 18: No action taken. (Councilmember Goble did not participate) Item 19: Direction given to the City's negotiator
Adjournment: Mayor Wells 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 March, 2025, at 6:12 p.m., to Tuesday, March 25, 2025, at 3:00 p.m.
Al Cates
NOEYA L. CORTEZ, CM
City Clerk/Secretary
Joint Meeting: El Cajon City Council/Housing Authority/ March 11, 2025 Successor Agency to the Redevelopment Agency - 56 - 3:00 p.m.