JOINT MEETING OF THE & CAJOR
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
June 10, 2025
A Regular Joint Meeting of the El Cajon City Council/Housing Authority/Successor Agency to the El Cajon Redevelopment Agency, held Tuesday, June 10, 2025, was called to order by Mayor/Chair Bill Wells at 3:00 p.m., in the Council Chambers, 200 Civic Center Way, El Cajon, California.
ROLL CALL
Council/Agencymembers present: Goble, and Metschel
Council/Agencymembers absent: Ortiz
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 May 27, 2025, meeting and the Agenda of the June 10, 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/ June 10, 2025 Successor Agency to the Redevelopment Agency -117- 3:00 p.m.
PRESENTATIONS:
Proclamation: Miss El Cajon Scholarship Pageant
AGENDA CHANGES: None
CONSENT ITEMS: (1 - 10)
Minutes of El Cajon City Council/Housing Authority/Successor Agency to the El Cajon Redevelopment Agency Meetings
DISCUSSION
City Manager Mitchell stated that a correction was made to the May 27, 2025 minutes, in the discussion among Council and Staff for Item 11 "East County Homeless Taskforce" will be corrected to "Regional Homeless Taskforce".
Approve Minutes of the May 27, 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.
Acceptance and Termination of the Emergency Declaration for Storm Water System Repairs
Adopt Resolution No. 050-25 proclaiming the Acceptance of the Emergency Storm Water System Repairs on Brockton Street and Termination of the Emergency Declaration for Storm Water System Repairs.
5. El Cajon Professional Firefighters Local 4603 Educational Incentive Side Letter Approve and authorize the terms and conditions of the Educational Incentive Limited Side Letter Agreement between the City and the El Cajon Professional Firefighters Local 4603 (ECPFF).
Joint Meeting: El Cajon City Council/Housing Authority/ June 10, 2025 Successor Agency to the Redevelopment Agency 3:00 p.m.
CONSENT ITEMS: (Continued)
6. Contribution to Miss El Cajon Pageant Organization
Approve a contribution in the amount of $2,500 to the Miss El Cajon Pageant Organization.
PULLED FOR DISCUSSION BY COUNCILMEMBER GOBLE:
7. Award of Bid No. 006-26 - Neighborhood Street Lights (Multi-Year 2025) RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council adopts the next Resolutions, in order, to:
1. Approve Plans and Specifications for Neighborhood Street Lights (Multi-Year 2025), Bid No. 006-26;
2. Find the low bidder's omission of principal's signature on the bid bond and Non- Collusion Declaration a minor irregularity; and
3. Award the bid to the lowest responsive, responsible bidder, Neema General Contracting (NGC), in the not-to-exceed amount of $539,100, with the option to renew for four additional one-year periods.
DISCUSSION
Councilmember Goble expressed concerns about the language of the Resolution due to the missing signature at the time of the bid.
City Attorney Foley recommended to make changes to the "Whereas" clauses in the Resolution to allow the Council to have discretion to waive the signature requirement.
1. Adopt Resolution No. 051-25 to Approve Plans and Specifications for Neighborhood Street Lights (Multi-Year 2025), Bid No. 006-26
2. Find the low bidder's omission of principal's signature on the bid bond and Non- Collusion Declaration a minor irregularity; and
3. Adopt Resolution No. 052-25 to Award the bid to the lowest responsive, responsible bidder, Neema General Contracting (NGC), in the not-to-exceed amount of $539,100, with the option to renew for four additional one-year periods.
8. FY 2024 State Homeland Security Grant Program Funding Adopt Resolution No. 053-25 authorizing the City Manager or designee to accept and appropriate the FY 2024 State Homeland Security Grant funds in the amount of $49,227, and to execute any grant documents and agreements necessary for the receipt and use of these funds.
Joint Meeting: El Cajon City Council/Housing Authority/ June 10, 2025 Successor Agency to the Redevelopment Agency -119- 3:00 p.m.
CONSENT ITEMS: (Continued)
FY 2024 Urban Area Security Initiative Grant Funding
Adopt Resolution No. 054-25 authorizing the City Manager or designee to accept and appropriate the FY 2024 Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) Grant funding in the amount of $50,631, and execute any grant documents and agreements necessary for the receipt and use of these funds
PULLED FOR DISCUSSION BY COUNCILMEMBER GOBLE:
10. Fire Foundation Ultrasonic PPE Cleaner Grant Funding RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council adopts the next Resolution, in order, authorizing the City Manager or designee to accept, appropriate, and expend the award of the San Diego Regional Fire Foundation Grant (SDRFF-PPE) of $21,428.09 for the purchase of an ultrasonic PPE cleaner and to execute any documents and agreements necessary for the receipt of the equipment.
DISCUSSION
Councilmember Goble acknowledged the grant money was donated by an anonymous donor, with the San Diego Regional Fire Foundation covering the difference, and thanked them both for their contributions.
Adopt Resolution No. 055-25 authorizing the City Manager or designee to accept, appropriate, and expend the award of the San Diego Regional Fire Foundation Grant (SDRFF-PPE) of $21,428.09 for the purchase of an ultrasonic PPE cleaner and to execute any documents and agreements necessary for the receipt of the equipment.
MOTION BY GOBLE, SECOND BY METSCHEL, to APPROVE Consent Items 1 to 10, and to include the recommended changes to the Resolution No. 052-25 for Item 7 as stated by the City Attorney.
MOTION CARRIED BY UNANIMOUS VOTE
OF THOSE PRESENT (ORTIZ - Absent).
PUBLIC COMMENT:
Brenda Hammond spoke about the riots in Los Angeles and playing on people's emotions.
WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS: None
Joint Meeting: El Cajon City Council/Housing Authority/ June 10, 2025 Successor Agency to the Redevelopment Agency -120- 3:00 p.m.
PUBLIC HEARINGS:
11. Amendment of the Mobile Home Permit Fees on the City of El Cajon Schedule of Miscellaneous Fees
RECOMMENDATION: That the City Council:
1. Opens the Public Hearing and receives testimony;
2. Closes the Public Hearing; and
Adopts the next Resolution, in order, to amend the City's Schedule of Miscellaneous Fees.
DISCUSSION
City Attorney Foley provided detailed information of the Item.
Mayor Wells opened the Public Hearing.
No public comment was received for the Item.
MOTION BY WELLS, SECOND BY Kendrick, to CLOSE the Public Hearing.
MOTION CARRIED BY UNANIMOUS VOTE
OF THOSE PRESENT (ORTIZ - Absent).
MOTION BY KENDRICK, SECOND BY METSCHEL, to ADOPT Resolution No. 056-25, to amend the City's Schedule of Miscellaneous Fees.
MOTION CARRIED BY UNANIMOUS VOTE
OF THOSE PRESENT (ORTIZ - Absent).
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS:
Adoption of the Road Maintenance and Rehabilitation Account (RMRA) List of Proposed Projects for FY 2025-26
RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council:
1. Adopts the next Resolution, in order, adopting the proposed List of Projects to be funded from the Road Maintenance and Rehabilitation Account (RMRA) Local Streets and Roads Funding Program for Fiscal Year 2025-26; and
2. Directs City staff to submit to the California Transportation Commission (CTC) a list of proposed projects to receive RMRA funding for Fiscal Year 2025-26.
Joint Meeting: El Cajon City Council/Housing Authority/ June 10, 2025 Successor Agency to the Redevelopment Agency -121- 3:00 p.m.
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS: (Item 12 - Continued)
DISCUSSION
Deputy Director of Engineering Services, Mario Sanchez, introduced Associate Engineer, Zain Hana, who provided detailed information of the Item.
No public comment was received for the Item.
Discussion ensued among Council and Staff concerning the following:
• Traffic analysis process for redesigning street lanes; • Bike Lanes; and
• Appreciation for Eagle Paving's work on Second Street.
MOTION BY GOBLE, SECOND BY KENDRICK, to ADOPT Resolution No. 057-25, adopting the proposed List of Projects to be funded from the Road Maintenance and Rehabilitation Account (RMRA) Local Streets and Roads Funding Program for Fiscal Year 2025-26; and Direct City staff to submit to the California Transportation Commission (CTC) a list of proposed projects to receive RMRA funding for Fiscal Year 2025-26.
MOTION CARRIED BY UNANIMOUS VOTE
OF THOSE PRESENT (ORTIZ - Absent).
13. Acceptance of El Cajon Boulevard Streetscape Project That the City Council:
1. Accepts the El Cajon Boulevard Streetscape project (203690PWCP), Bid No. 004-23; and
2. Authorizes the City Clerk to record a Notice of Completion and release the bonds in accordance with the contract terms.
DISCUSSION
Associate Engineer, Senan Kachi, provided detailed information of the Item.
No public comment was received for the Item.
Discussion ensued among Council and Staff concerning the following:
• Grant funds can only be spent on specific projects in the City; • Success of the project;
Feedback received about the roundabout;
• Improved flow of traffic; and
• San Diego River Conservancy's support of the project.
Joint Meeting: El Cajon City Council/Housing Authority/ June 10, 2025 Successor Agency to the Redevelopment Agency -122- 3:00 p.m.
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS: (Item 13 - Continued)
MOTION BY GOBLE, SECOND BY KENDRICK, to Accept the El Cajon Boulevard Streetscape Project (203690PWCP), Bid No. 004-23; and to Authorize the City Clerk to record a Notice of Completion and release the bonds in accordance with the contract terms.
MOTION CARRIED BY UNANIMOUS VOTE
OF THOSE PRESENT (ORTIZ - Absent).
14. Engine 208 Staffing Side Letter Agreement with El Cajon Professional Firefighters Local 4603 (ECPFF)
RECOMMENDATION: That the City Council approves and authorizes the terms and conditions of the Engine 208 Limited Side Letter Agreement between the City and the El Cajon Professional Firefighters Local 4603 (ECPFF).
DISCUSSION
Deputy City Manager, Marisol Thorn, provided detailed information of the Item.
No public comment was received for the Item.
Discussion ensued among Council and Staff concerning the City's collaboration with the labor group to create the schedule and potential unplanned overtime.
MOTION BY GOBLE, SECOND BY KENDRICK, to approve and authorize the terms and conditions of the Engine 208 Limited Side Letter Agreement between the City and the El Cajon Professional Firefighters Local 4603 (ECPFF).
MOTION CARRIED BY UNANIMOUS VOTE
OF THOSE PRESENT (ORTIZ - Absent).
Assembly Bill 2561 Presentation: City Vacancies, Recruitment, and Retention Efforts
RECOMMENDATION: That the City Council receives the report.
DISCUSSION
Human Resources Manager, Megan Blake, provided detailed information of the Item.
No public comment was received for the Item.
Joint Meeting: El Cajon City Council/Housing Authority! June 10, 2025 Successor Agency to the Redevelopment Agency -123- 3:00 p.m.
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS: (Item 15 - Continued)
Councilmember Goble thanked City staff and the Human Resources department for their effort to recruit and retain staff.
MOTION BY GOBLE, SECOND BY WELLS, to receive the report.
MOTION CARRIED BY UNANIMOUS VOTE
OF THOSE PRESENT (ORTIZ - Absent).
16. Fiscal Year 2025-26 Preliminary Annual Budget
RECOMMENDATION: That the City Council, Housing Authority, and the City of El Cajon, as Successor Agency to the former Redevelopment Agency, receives information related to the DRAFT Fiscal Year 2025-26 Preliminary Annual Budget.
DISCUSSION
Director of Finance, Clay Schoen, and Principal Fiscal Analysis, Autumn Reberger, provided detailed information of the Item.
City Manager Mitchell provided options to balance the budget.
No public comment was received for the Item.
Discussion ensued among Council and Staff concerning the following:
• Recommended reserve fund balance;
• Hiring freeze and shifting staff responsibilities;
• Use of reserves to avoid deeper cuts;
• Retaining staff;
• League of California Cities and San Diego Taxpayers Foundation; • Nurse Navigation program;
• Long term effects of cuts;
• Workshop on what other cities are doing to raise revenues; • Building impacts fees;
• Sales tax dependency;
• Future of Parkway Plaza;
• Economic development;
• Sales tax and property values;
• Redevelopment of properties to include mixed-use;
• City owned properties; and
• City events.
Direction given to staff. No motion required for the Item.
Joint Meeting: El Cajon City Council/Housing Authority/ June 10, 2025 Successor Agency to the Redevelopment Agency -124- 3:00 p.m ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS: (Continued)
17. City Council Meeting Schedule
RECOMMENDATION: That the City Council considers canceling its August 26, 2025 meeting and considers a different meeting date for the November 11, 2025 meeting.
DISCUSSION
City Manager Mitchell provided detailed information of the Item.
No public comment was received for the Item.
Discussion ensued among Council and Staff concerning the November 2025 City Council meeting.
MOTION BY WELLS, SECOND BY KENDRICK, to cancel the August 26, 2025 meeting and reschedule the November 11, 2025 meeting to November 18, 2025.
MOTION CARRIED BY UNANIMOUS VOTE
OF THOSE PRESENT (ORTIZ - Absent).
COMMISSION REPORTS: None
ACTIVITIES REPORTS/COMMENTS OF MAYOR WELLS:
SANDAG (San Diego Association of Governments) Board of Directors.
18. Council Activities Report/Comments
Report as submitted.
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.
In addition to the submitted report, Councilmember Goble added that at an MTS Public Safety meeting there was a vote to move to administrative only enforcement, instead of going to court, for riders who don't pay their fair.
Joint Meeting: El Cajon City Council/Housing Authority/ June 10, 2025 Successor Agency to the Redevelopment Agency -125- 3:00 p.m.
ACTIVITIES REPORTS OF COUNCILMEMBERS: (Continued)
20. MAYOR PRO TEM GARY KENDRICK
METRO Commission/Wastewater JPA; Heartland Communications; Heartland Fire Training JPA.
Council Activities Report/Comments.
Report as submitted.
21. 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 report, Councilmember Metschel added that she attended a Gillespie Field meeting on June 10, 2025 and provided an update on the Bradley Avenue project.
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 COUNCILMEMBER REPORTS: None
GENERAL INFORMATION ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION: None
Remainder of page intentionally left blank.
June 10, 2025
-126- 3:00 p.m.
ORDINANCES: FIRST READING
23. First Reading of an Ordinance to Establish Procedures for the Creation of Community Benefit Districts in El Cajon
RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council moves to introduce the next Ordinance, in order, to Establish Procedures for the Creation of Community Benefit Districts in El Cajon.
DISCUSSION
Assistant City Manager, Vince DiMaggio, provided a summary of the Item.
MOTION BY KENDRICK, SECOND BY WELLS, to INTRODUCE the
Ordinance.
MOTION CARRIED BY UNANIMOUS VOTE
OF THOSE PRESENT (ORTIZ - Absent).
The City Clerk recited the title of the ordinance for a first reading.
AN ORDINANCE TO ADD CHAPTER 2.90 TO TITLE 2
OF THE EL CAJON MUNICIPAL CODE TO ESTABLISH
PROCEDURES FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF COMMUNITY
BENEFIT DISTRICTS IN THE CITY OF EL CAJON
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: Adam Pope v. City of El Cajon; WC Claim No. 24018141
25. Closed Session - Conference with Legal Counsel - Existing Litigation - pursuant to paragraph (1) of subdivision (d) of Government Code section 54956.9: Travis Palladino v. City of El Cajon; WC Claim No. 23010329
26. Closed Session - Public Employee Performance Evaluation: City Attorney Joint Meeting: El Cajon City Council/Housing Authority/ June 10, 2025 Successor Agency to the Redevelopment Agency -127- 3:00 p.m.
CLOSED SESSIONS: (Continued)
MOTION BY WELLS, SECOND BY METSCHEL, to ADJOURN to Closed Session at 4:38 p.m.
MOTION CARRIED BY UNANIMOUS VOTE
OF THOSE PRESENT (ORTIZ - Absent).
RECONVENED to Open Session at 4:56 p.m.
City Attorney Foley reported the following actions:
• Item 24 - Direction given to the City's adjustment team and Attorneys. • Item 25 - Direction given to the City's adjustment team and Attorneys.
Item 26 - City Attorney Performance Evaluation was completed.
Council/Housing Authority/Successor Agency to the
Redevelopment Agency held this 10th day of June, 2025, at 4:56 p.m., to Tuesday, June 24, 2025, at 3:00 p.m.
ANGELA L. CORTEZ, CMC
City Clerk/Secretary
Joint Meeting: El Cajon City Council/Housing Authority/ June 10, 2025 Successor Agency to the Redevelopment Agency ~128- 3:00 p.m.