JOINT MEETING OF THE CAO,
EL CAJON CITY COUNCIL/HOUSING
The Valley of Opportunity
AUTHORITYISUCCESSOR AGENCY
TO THE EL CAJON
REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY
MINUTES
CITY OF EL CAJON
EL CAJON, CALIFORNIA
May 27, 2025
An Adjourned Regular Joint Meeting of the El Cajon City Council/Housing Authority/ Successor Agency to the El Cajon Redevelopment Agency, held Tuesday, May 27, 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.
Mayor Wells recognized Janie McGarity's, a member of Skyline Church, passing and her contributions to the community.
POSTINGS: The City Clerk posted Orders of Adjournment of the May 13, 2025, meeting and the Agenda of the May 27, 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/ May 27, 2025 Successor Agency to the Redevelopment Agency - 108 - 3:00 p.m.
PRESENTATIONS:
• Youth of the Year Award
AGENDA CHANGES: None
CONSENT ITEMS: (1 - 9)
MOTION BY WELLS, SECOND BY KENDRICK, to APPROVE Consent Items 1 to 9.
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 May 13, 2025, Meeting of the El Cajon City Council/Housing Authority/Successor Agency to the El Cajon Redevelopment Agency.
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. Continuation of Emergency for Storm Water System Repairs Adopt Resolution No. 046-25 to proclaim the Continuation of Emergency for Storm Water System Repairs to Public Facilities
5. Award of RFP No. 026-25 - Restoration of Open Space, Parks & Wildfire-Prone Areas
Adopt Resolution No. 047-25 to enter into an agreement with Dokken Engineering (DE), in an amount not to exceed $193,930 for an initial one-year term, with the option to renew for two additional one-year periods.
Joint Meeting: El Cajon City Council/Housing Authority/ May 27, 2025 Successor Agency to the Redevelopment Agency - 109 - 3:00 p.m CONSENT ITEMS: (Continued)
6. Subdivision Agreements for Public and Private Improvements and Final Map No. 2024-0011 for Tentative Subdivision Map (TSM) No. 2023-0013; 1056 East Main Street; Engineering Job No. 3859
1. Approve the Final Map (No. 2024-0011) and Subdivision Agreements for Public & Private Improvements for Tentative Subdivision Map (TSM) No. 2023-0013, 1056 E Main Street, Engineering Job No. 3859;
2. Authorize the City Manager to execute the agreements and related documentation; and
3. Authorize the City Clerk to release bonds after completion of improvements.
7. Additional Funding to Augment the 2023 Operation Stonegarden Grant Purchase of a Fully Outfitted Police Interceptor
Appropriate $17,156 of Citizens' Option for Public Safety (215) fund equity to supplement the previously authorized 2023 Operation Stonegarden Grant (STNGRDN23) capital expenditure.
8. Purchase of Fire Truck Replacement Parts
Adopt Resolution No. 048-25 to increase a purchase agreement with ReNewell Fleet Service, LLC (ReNewell) for Pierce fire replacement parts in the estimated amount of $20,000.
9. Adoption of the FY 2025-2026 One Year Action Plan and Acceptance of Annual Allocations (CDBG and HOME)
Receive public comments for final FY 2025-2026 One Year Action Plan; and
2. Adopt Resolution No. 049-25 to:
a. Approve and adopt the FY 2025-2026 One Year Action Plan presented at his meeting with such changes as approved by the City Council ). Authorize the City Manager or designee to submit the final version of the plan to HUD, with such changes and adjustments necessary for HUD approval;
c. Authorize the City Manager or designee to execute all documents and agreements necessary to finalize the plan; and
d. Accept, appropriate, and expend the FY 2025-2026 allocations from HUD for CDBG and HOME programs, as well as anticipated program income and carryover of prior year funds.
Joint Meeting: El Cajon City Council/Housing Authority/ May 27, 2025 Successor Agency to the Redevelopment Agency - 110 - 3:00 p.m.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
Katie Reyno and Jewel Vizkeleto, representing CYE, requested a donation of $2,500 for the Miss El Cajon Pageant.
In response to their request, City Manager Mitchell stated that there would be an item for the requested donation at the June 10, 2025 City Council meeting.
Justin Heffernan requested to have stop signs installed on Graves Avenue at Cedar Street.
In response to Mr. Heffernan's request, City Manager Mitchell stated that there are criteria that must be met before a stop sign can be installed otherwise the City could assume liabilities. He added that the City will run another analysis due to the recent accident in that area.
Carlos Gomez Perez requested clarification regarding Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activities within the City, as well as any involvement by the El Cajon Police Department, so that the public will feel safer.
City Manager Mitchell spoke about combatting rumors around ICE operations in the Police Chief, Jeremiah Larson, stated that the Police Department's responsibility is to respond to and prevent crime. He confirmed that the Police Department is not working with ICE. He added that ICE notifies the Police Department if they will be operating within the City limits and that ICE has not notified the Police Department of operations recently.
In response to a question from Councilmember Metschel, Chief Larson stated the Police department has not received reports of anyone impersonating law enforcement officers.
Chief Larson confirmed that Police Officers are not checking anyone's immigration status.
Councilmember Goble recommended that the public contact the Police Department directly if they have concerns about activities within the City.
In response to a question from Councilmember Kendrick, Chief Larson stated that the Police Department does not have access to the ICE database.
Brenda Hammond spoke in opposition to the Concerts in the Parks being moved to Thursday nights.
Mayor Wells explained that the concerts are organized by the Downtown Business Partners, not the City.
Joint Meeting: El Cajon City Council/Housing Authority/ May 27, 2025 Successor Agency to the Redevelopment Agency - 111 - 3:00 p.m WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS: None
PUBLIC HEARINGS: None
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS:
10. Business Beautification Grant Program
RECOMMENDATION: That the City Council accepts the report on the Business Beautification Grant Program.
DISCUSSION
Marketing and Engagement Manager, Chris Berg, provided detailed information of the Linda Baltodano, President of The East County Art Association, expressed gratitude for the program.
Molly Krumweide, Owner of Camp Run-A-Mutt, spoke in support of the program and about how easy the process was.
Councilmember Ortiz thanked Ms. Krumweide for sponsoring the Fire Department's open house.
Mark Krenn, representing Coastal Signs Plus, thanked the Council and Mr. Berg for the grant program.
Brenda Hammond stated this was a great program for business owners.
Discussion ensued among Council and Staff concerning the following:
• How the program was promoted;
Increased value to the businesses;
Upgrades to businesses which did not apply for the grant; Overall appearance of the City;
• Outstanding grants;
Efficient reimbursements; and
Program used all available funds.
MOTION BY ORTIZ, SECOND BY WELLS, to accept the report on the Business Beautification Grant Program.
MOTION CARRIED BY UNANIMOUS VOTE.
Joint Meeting: El Cajon City Council/Housing Authority/ May 27, 2025 Successor Agency to the Redevelopment Agency - 112- 3:00 p.m.
At the request of Mayor Wells, Councilmember Goble introduced the Granite Hills High School lacrosse team and announced that they are Division 1 CIF Champions.
Discussion ensued among Council and staff concerning the Team's achievement.
11. City Council Action Plan (2025) Update
RECOMMENDATION: That the City Council receives the report and provides feedback.
DISCUSSION
City Manager Mitchell provided detailed information of the Item.
Brenda Hammond spoke about the homeless point-in-time count numbers.
Discussion ensued among Council and Staff concerning the following:
• Deferring the volunteer program;
• Website for volunteer organizations;
• Liability of hosting the website and criteria for being listed; • Re-promoting the homeless video;
• Grant options to showcase homeless success stories;
• Motives behind the point-in-time count numbers;
• City managed point-in-time counts;
• Cooperation between the City, the County, Cal-Trans, and the Regional Homeless Taskforce;
• Storage and inventory of homeless individual's belongings; • Impacts on employees;
• Communication with District Attorney's office regarding Prop 36 impacts; • Deferring the Citizen's Academy; and
• Homeless services providers.
No Motion required for the Item.
COMMISSION REPORTS: None
ACTIVITIES REPORTS/COMMENTS OF MAYOR WELLS:
SANDAG (San Diego Association of Governments) Board of Directors.
12. Council Activities Report/Comments
Activities to be submitted at the next Council meeting.
Joint Meeting: El Cajon City Council/Housing Authority/ May 27, 2025 Successor Agency to the Redevelopment Agency - 113- 3:00 p.m ACTIVITIES REPORTS OF COUNCILMEMBERS:
13. 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.
14. MAYOR PRO TEM GARY KENDRICK
METRO Commission/Wastewater JPA; Heartland Communications; Heartland Fire Training JPA.
Council Activities Report/Comments.
In addition to the submitted report, Councilmember Kendrick added that he attended the Heartland Fire Communications Authority meeting on May 22, 2025.
15. COUNCILMEMBER MICHELLE METSCHEL
Harry Griffen Park Joint Steering Committee; Heartland Communications - Alternate; Heartland Training JPA Alternate; METRO
Commission/Wastewater JPA - Alternate.
Council Activities Report/Comments.
Report as submitted.
16. 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/ May 27, 2025 Successor Agency to the Redevelopment Agency -114 - 3:00 p.m.
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:
17. Closed Session - Conference with Legal Counsel - Anticipated Litigation - Existing Facts and Circumstances: On March 20, 2025, the City received a claim for damages from Tristan Hardin, Morgan Donnelly, Claire Warrenfelt, and Isabella Mason alleging that they suffered violations of their civil rights through gender discrimination, sexual harassment, and invasion of privacy after it was discovered (on February 2, 2025) that one or more unknown persons had installed concealed cameras, in their workplace bunk rooms at Fire Station 8 (1470 E. Madison Avenue, in El Cajon). The claimants further allege that the City failed to conduct a prompt, thorough, and fair investigation, as well as immediate and appropriate action following the discovery of the concealed cameras.
18. 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 potential case. Existing Facts and Circumstances: On May 14, 2025, the Attorney General for the State of California ("AG"), through Deputy Attorney General, Michael S. Cohen, informed the City Attorney, Morgan L. Foley, of its belief that the El Cajon Police Department's practice of sharing information captured by its automated license plate recognition system with out-of-state and/or federal law enforcement agencies is in violation of state laws (i.e., California Civil Code § 1798.90.55 (b)), as interpreted by the AG and that it would enforce the AG's interpretation through the courts.
MOTION BY METSCHEL, SECOND BY ORTIZ, to ADJOURN to Closed Session at 5:04 p.m.
MOTION CARRIED BY UNANIMOUS VOTE.
RECONVENED to Open Session at 5:53 p.m.
Joint Meeting: El Cajon City Council/Housing Authority/ May 27, 2025 Successor Agency to the Redevelopment Agency - 115- 3:00 p.m.
CLOSED SESSIONS: (Continued)
City Attorney Foley reported the following actions:
• Item 17 - Direction given to the City Attorneys
• Item 18 - Direction given to the City Attorneys
Adjournment: Mayor Wells adjourned the Adjourned Regular Joint Meeting of the El Cajon City Council/Housing Authority/Successor Agency to the El Cajon Redevelopment Agency held this 27i day of May, 2025, at 5:54 p.m., to Tuesday, June 10, 2025, at 3:00 p.m.
Al cates.
ANGELA L. CORTEZ, CMC
City Clerk/Secretary
Joint Meeting: El Cajon City Council/Housing Authority/ May 27, 2025 Successor Agency to the Redevelopment Agency - 116 - 3:00 p.m.