JOINT MEETING OF THE
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
July 22, 2025
An Adjourned Regular Joint Meeting of the El Cajon City Council/Housing Authority/ Successor Agency to the El Cajon Redevelopment Agency, held Tuesday, July 22 2025, was called to order by Mayor/Chair Bill Wells at 3:03 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 THE FLAG led by Mayor Wells and MOMENT OF SILENCE.
POSTINGS: The City Clerk posted Orders of Adjournment of the July 8, 2025, meeting and the Agenda of the July 22, 2025, meeting in accordance with State Law and El Cajon City Council/Housing Authority/Successor Agency to the Redevelopment Agency Policy.
Joint Meeting: El Cajon City Council/Housing Authority/ July 22, 2025 Successor Agency to the Redevelopment Agency - 150 - 3:00 p.m.
PRESENTATIONS:
• Presentation: Del Mar Fairgrounds 2050
• Commendation: Tom Weller, "The Highwayman"
AGENDA CHANGES:
CONSENT ITEMS: (1 - 6)
MOTION BY WELLS, SECOND BY METSCHEL, 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 July 8, 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.
Award of RFP No. 002-26 - Design-Build Fire Station No. 6 Dispatch Center Renovation
Adopt Resolution No. 079-25, to Consent to the withdrawal of RJ Nichols Construction, Inc.'s (RJNCI) proposal submission; and Enter into an agreement with SWCS, Inc. (SWCSI), in an amount not to exceed $2,596,195.
5. Monthly Treasurer's Reports for the periods ended April 30 and May 31, 2025 Receive the Monthly Treasurer's Reports for the periods ended April 30 and May 31, 2025.
Sucessor Agency line Redevelopment genuthority y July 22, 2025 3:00 p.m
CONSENT ITEMS: (Continued)
6. Award of RFP No. 010-26 - Comprehensive Land Use Planning Services Adopt Resolution No. 080-25, to enter into an agreement with Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc. (KHA) in an amount not to exceed $400,000 for an initial one-year term, with the option to renew for one additional one-year period.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
Chris questioned whether the El Cajon Police Department is working with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), who is being detained, and voiced support for the recall of Councilmember Ortiz.
Scott Penwell, representing the Mission Trails Park Citizens Advisory Council, spoke about ongoing projects at Mission Trails.
In response to a question from Councilmember Kendrick, Mr. Penwell stated the proposed new bridge at Mission Trails would be located at the end of Jackson Drive.
RJ Lucchesi spoke in support of the recall of Councilmember Ortiz.
Brenda Hammond spoke about being grateful to be in El Cajon and the summer concerts.
Jose Cortes spoke about living in East County, immigration, an ICE raid at St. Paul's PACE, and the future of the City Council.
In response to a question from Mayor Wells, City Manager Mitchell stated there was not an ICE raid at St. Paul's PACE in El Cajon.
Councilmember Goble stated that a security guard encountered someone impersonating an ICE officer at St. Paul's PACE and ICE confirmed it did not have any staff members in El Cajon on that day. Councilmember Goble added that there was a report of a suspicious person in a parking lot nearby shortly after the reports of the ICE raid.
City Manager Mitchell confirmed that an El Cajon Police Officer was sent to interview the security guard at St. Paul's PACE who encountered the person impersonating an ICE agent, and the security guard relayed the same experience to the Police Officer.
Connie Elder spoke about the protests in El Cajon, expressed concern regarding deportations, and called for El Cajon to stop working with ICE Joint Meeting: El Cajon City Council/Housing Authority/ July 22, 2025 Successor Agency to the Redevelopment Agency - 152 - 3:00 p.m.
PUBLIC COMMENT: (Continued)
Sergio Conti spoke about immigration, and stated he is in support of the recall of Councilmember Ortiz and plans for a future recall of Mayor Wells and Councilmember Goble.
Fabiola Conti stated that she was at the incident at St. Paul's PACE, and spoke about an incident at the Neighborhood Clinic on Madison Ave.
Mayor Wells questioned how the City is suppose to stop the Federal government from arresting criminals.
Ms. Conti stated that they are not arresting criminals.
Mairene Branham spoke about her experiences while collecting signatures to support the recall of Councilmember Ortiz, and Proposition 187.
Councilmember Ortiz stated the Resolution passed in February regarding immigration is about public safety and that there are aspects of SB-54 that he does not agree with.
Councilmember Ortiz stated there are additional crimes that he believes should be included in SB-54 and that ICE should be focusing on people who have committed serious crimes first. He reiterated the City is not working with ICE.
Mayor Wells added that if the City was working with ICE, Rob Bonta, the Attorney General of California, would sue the City for violating SB-54.
Councilmember Ortiz stated that he is not anti-immigrant and gave examples of how he has supported immigrant communities and organizations.
Councilmember Kendrick suggested rescinding the Resolution regarding immigration.
In response to a question from Councilmember Kendrick, City Manager Mitchell stated the City is not working with ICE.
In response to a question from Councilmember Kendrick, City Attorney Foley stated the Resolution would have to be repealed. Mr. Foley stated that two Councilmembers would have to place the repeal of the Resolution on the Agenda, then City Council would have to vote to repeal it.
WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS: None
Joint Meeting: El Cajon City Council/Housing Authority/ July 22, 2025 Successor Agency to the Redevelopment Agency - 153- 3:00 p.m.
PUBLIC HEARINGS:
7. Proposed Tenant-Based Rental Assistance Program and Other Fiscal Actions RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council:
1. Opens the Public Hearing and accepts public testimony to add a Tenant-Based Rental Assistance ('TBRA") program as an eligible activity;
2. Closes the Public Hearing;
3. Approves the substantial amendment to the current Consolidated Plan and the Annual Action Plan;
4. Authorizes deappropriation of $300,000 from the HOME Investment Partnership Act Program (HOME) Housing Pool of Funds (HPOOL), then allocates, appropriates and expends $300,000 for the TBRA Program (H1164);
5. Allocates, appropriates and expends $731,919 for the Capital Improvement Project (CIP) Neighborhood Street Lights (263972PWCP) funded by the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG);
6. Approves the Minor Amendment to the FY 2021-2022 Annual Action Plan to allocate, appropriate and expend an additional $3,246 (H1129) in HOME Investment Partnership Act funded by the American Rescue Plan ("HOME-ARP") for eligible uses;
7. Authorizes the City Manager or designee to submit the substantial amendment execute the affiliated documents; and
8. Adopts the next Resolution, in order, to approve the actions detailed in the report.
DISCUSSION
Senior Management Analyst, Deyanira Brito, provided a summary of the Item.
Mayor Wells opened the Public Hearing.
No public comment was received for the Item.
Discussion ensued amongst City Council and Staff concerning the following:
• Neighborhood Streetlights 2025 program funding;
• Potential projects that could have been funded instead of the TBRA; • Qualification requirements for the TBRA program;
No limit to the number of people who could qualify for TBRA funds; • TBRA program would be managed by City staff;
• TBRA program would provide up to 1 year of rental assistance; • TBRA would be a pilot program;
• TBRA program would offer case management services provided by service providers;
• Availability of rental properties in El Cajon;
Joint Meeting: El Cajon City Council/Housing Authority/ July 22, 2025 Successor Agency to the Redevelopment Agency - 154.. 3:00 p.m.
PUBLIC HEARINGS: (Continued)
Neighborhood Streetlights 2025 program locations;
Requirement to be working with a shelter program for a specific amount of time before qualifying for the TBRA program; and
Assisting the City of El Cajon's homeless population first.
MOTION BY WELLS, SECOND BY KENDRICK, to CLOSE the Public Hearing.
MOTION CARRIED BY UNANIMOUS VOTE.
MOTION BY GOBLE, SECOND BY ORTIZ, to Approve the substantial amendment to the current Consolidated Plan and the Annual Action Plan; Authorize deappropriation of $300,000 from the HOME Investment Partnership Act Program (HOME) Housing Pool of Funds (HPOOL), then allocates, appropriates and expends $300,000 for the TBRA Program (H1164); Allocates, appropriates and expends $731,919 for the Capital Improvement Project (CIP) Neighborhood Street Lights (263972PWCP) funded by the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG); Approves the Minor Amendment to the FY 2021-2022 Annual Action Plan to allocate, appropriate and expend an additional $3,246 (H1129) in HOME Investment Partnership Act funded by the American Rescue Plan ("HOME-ARP") for eligible uses; Authorizes the City Manager or designee to submit the substantial amendment as detailed in the report to HUD, to make any necessary updates to the Plans, any corrections or adjustments to the allocations or requests by HUD, to execute the affiliated documents; and Adopt Resolution No. 081-25 to approve the actions detailed in the report.
MOTION CARRIED BY UNANIMOUS VOTE.
Recess called at 4:14 p.m.
Meeting called back to order at 4:19 p.m.
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS:
8. Homeless Programs and Services Report
RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council receives the homeless programs and services report, and provides feedback, recommendations, and direction on homeless-related programming and funding.
Joint Meeting: El Cajon City Council/Housing Authority/ July 22, 2025 Successor Agency to the Redevelopment Agency - 155- 3:00 p.m.
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS: (Item 8 - Continued)
DISCUSSION
Senior Management Analyst, Deyanira Brito, provided detailed information of the Item.
Discussion ensued amongst City Council and Staff concerning the following:
• Emergency housing offered through the East County Transitional Living Center (ECTLC);
• Interfaith Shelter Network's service locations;
• Cost of a storage program for encampment cleanups;
Regional Task Force has shown support of the City applying for the Cal-Trans state grant;
• Collecting data through a City-managed homeless count; • Homeless data collected from the San Diego Rescue Mission through its shower program;
• Frequency of a City-managed homeless count;
• Applying for homeless funding;
• Using the San Diego Rescue Mission's shower program to encourage homeless to get into a program;
• Rotational locations for the shower program;
• Programs and service providers who are most successful; • Ratio of expenses to services provided;
• Benefits of a storage program for encampment cleanups; • Grant funds paid to the East County Homeless Task Force; • Level of involvement from the City with service providers and the benefits received; and
• Faith based homeless programs.
In response to a question from Councilmember Metschel, Evan Anwyl, representing ECTLC, provided information about the length of stay for emergency housing that is offered through ECTLC. Mr. Anwyl stated the length of stay may be impacted by safety concerns, and that the average stay in their emergency shelter is approximately five to seven days.
Councilmember Metschel raised concerns about the emergency housing not being offered to everyone for 28 days.
Mr. Anwyl stated they could work on the language regarding the length of the stay that is offered. He stated the beds at ECTLO are always full and they are trying to help as many people as possible.
Joint Meeting: El Cajon City Council/Housing Authority/ July 22, 2025 Successor Agency to the Redevelopment Agency - 156 - 3:00 p.m.
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS: (Item 8 - Continued)
In response to a question from Councilmember Metschel, Mr. Anwyl stated that if someone was brought to them by another service provider, then that provider will be notified when the person leaves ECTLC, but there is not always an outside agency involved.
In response to a question from Mayor Wells, City Manager Mitchell confirmed that the City only pays for the number of days that a person stays at ECTLC, not the full 28 days, if the person leaves the emergency shelter early.
Housing Manager, Jose Dorado, added that per the City's contract with the emergency shelter at ECILC states up to 28 days; however, many times people do not want to conform to the rules so they leave the shelter early. Mr. Dorado stated he would share a complaint form which individuals can complete if they are not satisfied with the services being provided by ECTLC.
City Manager Mitchell stated that any language provided by the City regarding ECTLC's emergency shelter program will specify that the shelter offers up to 28 days of emergency housing.
In response to a question from Councilmember Goble, Mr. Anwyl stated that ECTLC manages two separate programs, and when someone transfers out of the emergency shelter to join the 1-year religious program, ECTLC stops billing the City.
Councilmember Kendrick spoke about the rules that people are required to follow to stay in the ECTLC program.
Joe Buehrle, representing Home Start, introduced staff members from the organization and shared a recent success story of a couple who were homeless in El Cajon. Mr. Buehrle thanked the City for allowing Home Start to work with the City to help the homeless.
Brenda Hammond shared about an experience that she had with Home Start.
MOTION BY GOBLE, SECOND BY ORTIZ, to RECEIVE the homeless cleanups.
MOTION CARRIED BY UNANIMOUS VOTE.
oint Meeting: El Cajon Cily Council/Housing Authority July 22, 2025 successor Agency to the Redevelopment Agenc - 157 - 3:00 p.m.
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS: (Continued)
9. All-Way Stop Sign Request on Graves Avenue at Cedar Street RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council adopts the next Resolution, in order, to establish permanent all- way stop signs on Graves Avenue at the intersection of Cedar Street, in order to enhance pedestrian and traffic safety.
DISCUSSION
Principal Civil Engineer, Olga Reyes, provided detailed information of the Item.
Councilmember Kendrick left the Chambers at 5:30 p.m.
Councilmember Kendrick returned to the Chambers at 5:33 p.m.
Discussion ensued amongst City Council and Staff concerning the sight distance and speeding.
Justin Heffernan thanked the City for reviewing the intersection. Mr. Heffernan spoke about the sight distance and an accident that he was almost involved in at the intersection recently.
Councilmember Goble stated that Council has another item on the agenda to direct staff to look into speed humps to reduce speeds on cut-through streets.
Mr. Heffernan stated that speed humps work, but added he has concerns about the noise created by speed humps.
Mayor Wells inquired about adding sidewalks to the area near Graves Avenue and Cedar Street.
City Manager Mitchell stated sidewalks could be added if it is a Community Development Block Grant eligible area or if there is a Safe Routes to School opportunity. Mr. Mitchell stated staff will review the eligibility and funding.
MOTION BY ORTIZ, SECOND BY KENDRICK, to ADOPT Resolution No. 082-25, to establish permanent all-way stop signs on Graves Avenue at the intersection of Cedar Street, in order to enhance pedestrian and traffic safety.
MOTION CARRIED BY UNANIMOUS VOTE.
Joint Meeting: El Cajon City Council/Housing Authority/ July 22, 2025 Successor Agency to the Redevelopment Agency - 158- 3:00 p.m.
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS: (Continued)
10. Authorization to submit an application to the State Department of Parks and Recreation for a Land and Water Conservation Fund Grant RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council adopts the next RESOLUTION in order to:
1. Determine that the submission of the grant application for the Land and Water conservation Fund (LWCF), Wells Park Improvements Project, is not subject to the CEQA guideline section 15378(b)(5); and
2. Approve the submittal of an application to the State of California Department of Parks and Recreation for the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) Wells Park Improvements Project.
DISCUSSION
Director of Parks and Recreation, Adam Tronerud, and Management Analyst, Ellena Holmes, provided detailed intormation of the Item.
No public comment was received for the Item.
MOTION BY ORTIZ, SECOND BY METSCHEL, to ADOPT Resolution No. 083-25, to Determine that the submission of the grant application for the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF), Wells Park Improvements Project, is not subject to the CEQA guideline section 15378(b)(5); and ADOPT Resolution No. 084-25, to Approve the submittal of an application to the State of California Department of Parks and Recreation for the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) Wells Park Improvements Project.
MOTION CARRIED BY UNANIMOUS VOTE.
COMMISSION REPORTS: None
ACTIVITIES REPORTS/COMMENTS OF MAYOR WELLS:
SANDAG (San Diego Association of Governments) Board of Directors.
11. Council Activities Report/Comments
Report as submitted.
Joint Meeting: El Cajon City Council/Housing Authority/ July 22, 2025 Successor Agency to the Redevelopment Agency - 159 - 3:00 p.m.
ACTIVITIES REPORTS OF COUNCILMEMBERS:
12. 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 - San Diego Military Working Group - Alternate.
Council Activities Report/Comments.
In addition to the submitted report, Councilmember Goble thanked the El Cajon Police Department's Special Enforcement Unit and the Public Works department for taking him on a ride-along. Councilmember Goble also thanked the protesters for supporting local businesses.
13. MAYOR PRO TEM GARY KENDRICK
METRO Commission/Wastewater JPA; Heartland Communications; Heartland Fire Training JPA.
Council Activities Report/Comments.
Report as submitted.
14. COUNCILMEMBER MICHELLE METSCHEL
Hary Griffer Park Joint Steering Committee: Halland Communications o Alternate; Alternate; METRO
Commission/Wastewater JPA - Alternate.
Council Activities Report/Comments.
Councilmember Metschel stated that the Meeting with Julie N. was rescheduled to later this week.
15. 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/ July 22, 2025 Successor Agency to the Redevelopment Agency - 160 - 3:00 p.m.
JOINT COUNCILMEMBER REPORTS:
16. Analysis of Alternative Speed Control Devices
RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council directs staff to return to the City Council in 90 days with an analysis of additional speed control devices and their costs, including speed humps (temporary and semi-permanent for a test period), on known cut-through streets in the City.
DISCUSSION
Councilmember Goble and Councilmember Ortiz provided detailed information of the Item.
Paul Garibay thanked Councilmember Goble for observing the traffic conditions on his street. Mr. Garibay requested City Council to focus on Washington Avenue and Dorothy Street. He spoke about the hazards in that area and requested the analysis be completed sooner than 90 days.
Discussion ensued among Council and Staff concerning the following:
• Effectiveness of speed humps;
• Noise caused by speed humps;
• Qualifications for speed humps; and
• Other options used to slow traffic.
MOTION BY GOBLE, SECOND BY ORTIZ, to DIRECT staff to return to the City Council in no longer than 90 days with an analysis of additional speed control devices and their costs, including speed humps (temporary and semi-permanent for a test period), on known cut- through streets in the City.
MOTION CARRIED BY UNANIMOUS VOTE.
Regulations on Hookah, Other Tobacco Devices, and Tobacco Product Display RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council directs staff to analyze current regulations specific to the permissible display area and present options that may result in revising the current code to allow the sale of tobacco and related products by a percentage of floor area.
DISCUSSION
Councilmember Ortiz and Councilmember Metschel provided detailed information of the Item.
Joint Meeting: El Cajon City Council/Housing Authority/ July 22, 2025 Successor Agency to the Redevelopment Agency - 161 - 3:00 p.m.
JOINT COUNCILMEMBER REPORTS: (Item 17 - Continued)
Brenda Hammond spoke about tobacco usage, related health concerns, and protecting minors and those who do not use tobacco products.
Discussion ensued among Council and Staff concerning the following:
• Retailers contacting City Council;
• Selling to minors;
• Health risks of smoking hookah and tobacco products;
• Increased penalties for selling to minors;
• Products intended for adults;
• Cultural significance of hookahs;
• Different ratio display areas for different size businesses; • Current penalties for selling to minors;
• Restarting the penalties after selling to minors by seiling the business; • Including an analysis of the penalties;
License fees; and
• State tobacco permit is required to sell hookah.
MOTION BY ORTIZ, SECOND BY METSCHEL, to DIRECT staff to analyze urrent regulations specific to the permissible display area and presen options that may result in revising the current code to allow the sale o tobacco and related products by a percentage of floor area.
MOTION CARRIED BY 4 - 1 VOTE
(KENDRICK - No).
GENERAL INFORMATION ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION: None
ORDINANCES: FIRST READING - None
Councilmember Goble left the Chambers at 6:16 p.m.
ORDINANCES: SECOND READING AND ADOPTION
Amendment to the Contract Between the City of El Cajon and the Board of Administration, California Public Employees' Retirement Systems RECOMMENDATION:
That Mayor Wells requests the City Clerk to recite the title.
Joint Meeting: El Cajon City Council/Housing Authority/ July 22, 2025 Successor Agency to the Redevelopment Agency - 162- 3:00 p.m.
ORDINANCES: SECOND READING AND ADOPTION (Continued)
DISCUSSION
No public comment was received for the Item.
The City Clerk recited the title of the Ordinance for a second reading.
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF EL CAJON APPROVING AN
AMENDMENT TO THE CONTRACT BETWEEN THE
CITY OF EL CAJON AND THE BOARD OF ADMINISTRATION,
CALIFORNIA PUBLIC EMPLOYEES' RETIREMENT SYSTEMS
MOTION BY WELLS, SECOND BY KENDRICK, to Adopt Ordinance No. 5156, APPROVING Amendment to the Contract Between the City of El Cajon and the Board of Administration, California Public Employees' Retirement Systems.
MOTION CARRIED BY UNANIMOUS VOTE
OF THOSE PRESENT (GOBLE - Absent)
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:
Kenneth Harris v. City of El Cajon; WC Claim No. 10006037
20. losed Session - Conference with Legal Counsel - Anticipated Litigation • nitiation of litigation pursuant to paragraph (4) of subdivision (d) of sectio 54956.9: One (1) potential case
MOTION BY WELLS, SECOND BY KENDRICK, to ADJOURN to Closed Session at 6:19 p.m.
MOTION CARRIED BY UNANIMOUS VOTE
OF THOSE PRESENT (GOBLE - Absent).
Councilmember Goble returned to the Closed Sessions at 6:19 p.m.
RECONVENED to Open Session at 7:02 p.m.
Joint Meeting: El Cajon City Council/Housing Authority July 22, 2025 Successor Agency to the Redevelopment Agency - 163 - 3:00 p.m.
CLOSED SESSIONS: (Continued)
City Attorney Foley reported the following actions:
• Item 19 - Direction given to the City's representative and legal counsel • Item 20 - Direction given to the City's legal counsel 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 22nd day of July, 2025, at 7:03 p.m., to Tuesday, August 12, 2025, at 3:00 p.m.
Al Cartez
ANGELA L. CORTÉZ, CMC
City Clerk/Secretary
Joint Meeting: El Cajon City Council/Housing Authority/ July 22, 2025 Successor Agency to the Redevelopment Agency 3:00 p.m.