JOINT MEETING OF THE
EL CAJON CITY COUNCIL/HOUSING
AUTHORITY/SUCCESSOR AGENCY
TO THE EL CAJON
REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY
MINUTES
CITY OF EL CAJON
EL CAJON, CALIFORNIA
September 9, 2025
A Regular Joint Meeting of the El Cajon City Council/Housing Authority/Successor Agency to the El Cajon Redevelopment Agency, held Tuesday, September 9, 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:
Council/Agencymembers absent:
Mayor Pro TemNice Chair present:
Mayor/Chair present:
Other Officers present:
Goble, Metschel, and Ortiz
None
Kendrick
Wells
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 August 12, 2025, meeting, the Joint Special Meeting of September 2, 2025, and the Agenda of the September 9, 2025, meeting in accordance with State Law and El Cajon City Council/Housing Authority/Successor Agency to the El Cajon Redevelopment Agency Policy.
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September 9, 2025
3:00 p.m.
PRESENTATIONS:
• Proclamation: National Preparedness Month
AGENDA CHANGES: None
CONSENT ITEMS: (1 - 8)
MOTION BY WELLS, SECOND BY METSCHEL, to APPROVE Consent Items 1 to 8.
MOTION CARRIED BY UNANIMOUS VOTE.
1. Minutes of El Cajon City Council/Housing Authority/Successor Agency to the El Cajon Redevelopment Agency Meetings
Approve Minutes of the August 12, 2025, Meeting and the Joint Special Meeting of September 2, 2025 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. Monthly Treasurer's Report for the period ended July 31, 2025 Receive the Monthly Treasurer's Report for the period ended July 31, 2025.
5. Amend the Conflict of Interest Code of the City of El Cajon Adopt Resolution No. 092-25, approving the latest amendment of the City of El Cajon's Conflict of Interest Code.
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CONSENT ITEMS: (Continued)
6. Purchase of Fleet Fueling Services - Increase in Final Year Compensation Adopt Resolution No. 093-25, to amend the Fleet Fueling Services multi-year purchase agreement with Cardlock Fuel Systems, LLC dba SC Fuels (SCF) increasing the final year compensation by $465,000 for a not-to-exceed amount of $750,000.
7. Authorization to Apply for, Accept, Appropriate, and Expend the CalRecycle Beverage Container Recycling City/County Grant for FY 2025-26 Adopt Resolution No. 094-25, to:
1. Authorize the City Manager or designee to apply for, and if awarded, accept, appropriate, and expend the CalRecycle Beverage Container Recycling City/County Grant for FY 2025-26; and
2. Authorize the City Manager or designee to execute any documents and agreements necessary to apply for, and receive, the grant funds.
8. Acceptance of Permanent Local Housing Allocation Funding Award for Program Years 2022 and 2023
Adopt Resolution No. 095-25, to:
1. Accept, appropriate, allocate, and expend an additional award of $977,350 for a five-year total of $3,729,761 from the State of California Department of Housing and Community Development's (HCD) Permanent Local Housing Allocation (PLHA) grant award (22-PLHA-17775) authorized by Senate Bill 2 (SB 2), Chapter 364, Statutes of 2017;
2. Accept, appropriate, allocate, and expend Program Income in the amount of $74,983.84 from accrued interest that has been received to date; and
3. Authorize the City Manager or designee to make any necessary updates and sign any agreements and amendments to obligate and expend PLHA funding.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
Mayor Wells announced that due to the number of speakers, Public Comments would be limited to two minutes and that the first five speakers would be heard at this time, with the remaining speakers being heard at the end of the meeting.
Leslie Thompson spoke in opposition of cooperating with ICE.
In response to Ms. Thompson's comments, Mayor Wells stated that SB-54 does not allow the City to cooperate with ICE.
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September 9, 2025
3:00 p.m.
PUBLIC COMMENT: (Continued)
Stephanie Cauchon spoke in support of the Recall of Councilmember Ortiz, asked Councilmember Goble to consider repealing Resolution 015-25, regarding SB-54, and spoke about the El Cajon Policy Department's policy manual.
Chris Ford spoke in opposition of ICE detaining non-violent criminals and in support of the Recall of Councilmember Ortiz.
Alexander Kraft spoke in opposition of cooperating with ICE and announced that he will be running for Mayor in 2026. Mr. Kraft stated that he would like to schedule a debate with Mayor Wells.
Harper Roman spoke about the City's compliance with SB-54.
WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS: None
PUBLIC HEARINGS:
Mayor Wells stated that Councilmember Goble and himself would recuse themselves and not participate on Item 9, due to a conflict of interest due to financial contributions made to their campaigns by Dr. Johnson, and left the Chamber at 3:17 p.m.
9. Zoning Reclassification for 628-630 and 702 Broadway RECOMMENDATION: That the City Council:
1. Opens the Public Hearing and considers public testimony;
2. Closes the Public Hearing;
3. Moves to adopt the next Resolution, in order, approving a CEQA determination for a common sense exemption under CEQA Guidelines section 15103 (b) (3); and
4. Moves to introduce the next Ordinance, in order, APPROVING Zone Reclassification No. 2025-0002.
DISCUSSION
Deputy Director of Community Development, Noah Alvey, provided a summary of the Item.
In response to a question from Councilmember Metschel, Mr. Alvey stated that Dr. Johnson has not submitted any plans for the property yet.
Mayor Pro Tern Kendrick opened the Public Hearing.
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September 9, 2025
3:00 p.m.
PUBLIC HEARINGS: (Item 9- Continued)
No public comment was received for the Item.
MOTION BY KENDRICK, SECOND BY ORTIZ, to CLOSE the Public Hearing.
MOTION CARRIED BY UNANIMOUS VOTE
OF THOSE PRESENT (WELLS and GOBLE
- Disqualified).
MOTION BY ORTIZ, SECOND BY METSCHEL, to APPROVE a CEQA
determination for a common sense exemption under CEQA Guidelines section 15103 (b) (3).
MOTION CARRIED BY UNANIMOUS VOTE
OF THOSE PRESENT (WELLS and GOBLE
- Disqualified).
MOTION BY ORTIZ, SECOND BY METSCHEL, to INTRODUCE the next Ordinance, in order, APPROVING Zone Reclassification No. 2025-0002.
MOTION CARRIED BY UNANIMOUS VOTE
OF THOSE PRESENT (WELLS and GOBLE
- Disqualified).
The City Clerk recited the title of the Ordinance:
AN ORDINANCE REZONING A PORTION OF PROPERTY LOCATED ON
THE NORTH SIDE OF BROADWAY, BETWEEN MOLLISON AVENUE
AND BALLANTYNE STREET, FROM RESIDENTIAL, SINGLEFAMIL Y
(RS-6) TO OFFICE PROFESSIONAL (O-P) (629-630 BROADWAY, APN:
483-130-21-00) AND PROPERTY LOCATED ON THE NORTH SIDE OF
BROADWAY, BETWEEN MOLLISON AVENUE AND BALLANTYNE
STREET, FROM RESIDENTIAL, MUL Tl-FAMILY, 2,200 SQUARE FEET (RM-2200) (702 BROADWAY; APN: 483-130-47- 00), TO OFFICE PROFESSIONAL (O-P) ZONE; GENERAL PLAN DESIGNATION: OFFICE NON-RETAIL (O/NR).
Dr. Johnson thanked the City Council, Planning Commission, and staff for their professionalism.
In response to a question from Councilmember Metschel, Dr. Johnson stated they are developing a dog training program and plan to extend the program to include therapy dogs for hospitals.
Mayor Wells and Councilmember Goble returned to the Chamber at 3:26 p.m.
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ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS:
10. Faces of Freedom Banner Program - Honoring Local Military Heroes RECOMMENDATION: That the City Council receives the report and provides feedback regarding implementation of the Faces of Freedom Banner Program.
DISCUSSION
Deputy Director of Parks and Recreation, Julie Alon, provided detailed information of the Item.
No public comment was received for the Item.
In response to a question from Councilmember Metschel, Ms. Alon stated that the program will be completely funded by the $200 application fee.
MOTION BY ORTIZ, SECOND BY METSCHEL, to receive the report.
MOTION CARRIED BY UNANIMOUS VOTE.
11. City Council Action Plan (2025) Quarterly Update
RECOMMENDATION: That the City Council receives the report and provides feedback.
DISCUSSION
City Manager Mitchell provided detailed information of the Item.
No public comment was received for the Item.
Discussion ensued amongst City Council and Staff concerning the following:
• Setbacks due to budget cuts;
• Revenue generated by the Magnolia; and
• Providing information about City services to those new to the City.
MOTION BY ORTIZ, SECOND BY METSCHEL, to receive the report.
MOTION CARRIED BY UNANIMOUS VOTE.
COMMISSION REPORTS: None
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ACTIVITIES REPORTS/COMMENTS OF MAYOR WELLS:
SAN DAG (San Diego Association of Governments) Board of Directors.
12. Council Activities Report/Comments
Report as submitted.
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 - San Diego Military Working Group.
Council Activities Report/Comments.
In addition to the submitted report, Councilmember Goble stated that the MTS board will be meeting on September 11, 2025 to discuss financial sustainability, a fair increase, and possible service cuts.
14. MAYOR PRO TEM GARY KENDRICK
METRO Commission/Wastewater JPA; Heartland Communications; Heartland Fire Training JPA.
Council Activities Report/Comments.
Report as submitted.
15. 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.
Report as submitted.
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ACTIVITIES REPORTS OF COUNCILMEMBERS: (Continued)
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.
In addition to the submitted report, Councilmember Ortiz added that he attended League of California Cities meeting on September 8, 2025.
JOINT COUNCILMEMBER REPORTS: None
GENERAL INFORMATION ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION: None
ORDINANCES: FIRST READING - None
ORDINANCES: SECOND READING AND ADOPTION - None
Mayor Wells announced that the remaining Public Comments would be heard at this time.
Valerie Traina spoke in opposition of cooperating with ICE.
Brenda Hammond spoke about pop up churches and stated she is sad that the concerts in the park are over for the year.
Reverend RJ Lucchesi spoke about politics and religion being intertwined, and how one can impact the other.
Joann Pastori spoke about the Pledge of Alliance and in opposition of cooperating with ICE.
Carlos Perez spoke about racial profiling and in support of the Recall of Councilmember Ortiz.
Jo Alegria invited City Council and the community to the Pregnancy Care Clinic's Annual Clinic Banquet on Thursday, October 9, 2025.
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In response to a question from Councilmember Metschel, Ms. Alegria confirmed that the Pregnancy Care Clinic accepts donations of baby items.
Connie Elder asked what triggers a change in the amount of time allowed for public comments.
Mayor Wells responded that it is based on the number of speakers and the number of items on the agenda.
Connie Elder spoke about a meeting between Councilmember Ortiz and community members, in support of the Recall of Councilmember Ortiz, and asked Councilmember Goble to repeal Resolution 015-25, regarding SB-54.
Melanie Bennett spoke about decisions that are made without all of the facts, and asked Councilmember Goble to repeal Resolution 015-25, regarding SB-54.
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 - Existing Litigation - pursuant to paragraph (1) of subdivision (d) of Government Code section 54956.9: Jake Cain v. City of El Cajon; WC Claim No. 22014609
MOTION BY WELLS, SECOND BY KENDRICK, to ADJOURN to Closed Session at 4:10 p.m.
MOTION CARRIED BY UNANIMOUS VOTE.
RECONVENED to Open Session at 4:16 p.m.
City Attorney Foley reported the following actions:
• Direction given to City's Workers Compensation adjuster.
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 9th day of September, 2025, at 4:17 p.m., to Tuesday, September 23, 2025, at 3:00 p.m.
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c.Ml~ZCMC
City Clerk/Secretary
September 9, 2025
3:00 p.m.