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 23, 2025
An Adjourned Regular Joint Meeting of the El Cajon City Council/Housing Authority/ Successor Agency to the El Cajon Redevelopment Agency, held Tuesday, September 23, 2025, was called to order by Mayor/Chair Bill Wells at 3:02 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.
Mayor Wells dedicated the Council meeting to the memory of the late Charlie Kirk.
POSTINGS: The City Clerk posted Orders of Adjournment of the September 9, 2025, meeting and the Agenda of the September 23, 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 23, 2025
3:00 p.m.
PRESENTATIONS:
• Proclamation: German American Month
• Proclamation: Human Resources Professionals Day
• Proclamation: Fire Prevention Week
In response to a recommendation from City Manager Mitchell, Mayor Wells called for a recess for the public to view the new fire engine.
Recess called at 3:18 p.m.
Meeting called back to order at 3:27 p.m.
AGENDA CHANGES:
City Manager Mitchell recommended to move Item 13 to a Consent Item.
MOTION BY WELLS, SECOND BY METSCHEL, to MOVE Item 13 to a Consent Item.
MOTION CARRIED BY UNANIMOUS VOTE.
CONSENT ITEMS: (1 - 5 and 13)
1. Minutes of El Cajon City Council/Housing Authority/Successor Agency to the El Cajon Redevelopment Agency Meetings
Approve Minutes of the September 9, 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.
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CONSENT ITEMS: (Continued)
4. El Cajon Housing Authority Annual Report (Fiscal Year 2024-2025) Acting as the El Cajon Housing Authority:
1. Approve the attached 2024-2025 Annual Report; and
2. Authorize the Executive Director or designee to transmit it, in a form Substantially as presented, to the California Department of Housing and Community Development as required by State Law.
5. Sewer System Management Plan Addendum
1. Receives the Addendum to the 2025 Sewer System Management Plan (SSMP) for approval and filing; and
2. Adopt Resolution No. 097-25, certifying that the Addendum to the 2025 SSMP is in compliance with the State of California Waste Discharge Requirements (WDR).
PULLED BY A MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC:
13. Travel Expenses for America First Policy lnstitute's Mayors' Council - Mayor Bill Wells
RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council reviews and approves the attached claim for advance/reimbursement of travel expenses form for Mayor Bill Wells, submitted in accordance with City Council Policy G-1.
DISCUSSION
Chris Ford spoke in opposition of the reimbursement of travel expenses for Mayor Wells, due to the lack of legal justification because the Mayor is not required to attend the conference.
Review and approve the attached claim for advance/reimbursement of travel expenses form for Mayor Bill Wells, submitted in accordance with City Council Policy G-1.
MOTION BY WELLS, SECOND BY ORTIZ, to APPROVE Consent Items 1 to 5 and 13.
MOTION CARRIED BY UNANIMOUS VOTE.
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September 23, 2025
3:00 p.m.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
Chris Ford spoke about the Code of Ethics and Conduct for Elected and Appointed Officials and explained how the Police Department is able to cooperate with ICE under SB-54. Mr. Ford spoke in support of the Recall of Councilmember Ortiz.
Anthony E. Hayden thanked Mayor Wells and Councilmembers Goble and Ortiz for voling yes on Resolution 015-25, regarding SB-54.
Gabriel spoke in opposition of cooperating with ICE.
Brenda Hammond read a quote from Dr. Seuss and spoke about pop-up churches.
Mary Davis spoke about the reimbursement for travel expenses of elected officials, free speech, and in support of having open conversations.
Susan spoke in support of Councilmember Ortiz, and the difficult decisions that elected officials have to make.
Carlos Perez thanked Mayor Pro Tern Kendrick for his service and support of the community, and spoke in support of the Recall of Councilmember Ortiz.
Melanie Bennett asked City Council to consider how it would feel to be detained by ICE, and spoke in support of repealing Resolution 015-25, regarding SB-54.
Steve Gross questioned the Council's reason for passing Resolution 015-25, regarding SB-54.
Bart Quackenbush spoke about parking hazards and traffic concerns on Kenney Street.
Carlos Gutierrez spoke about sanctuary city concerns, and in support of cooperating with ICE.
Councilmember Ortiz offered to meet with members of the public and stated he offered to have one of the proponents of the recall participate on the Citizen's Advisory Committee so they would have a direct connection to the Chief of Police to discuss their concerns.
WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS: None
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September 23, 2025
3:00 p.m.
PUBLIC HEARINGS:
6. FY 2024-2025 Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER) and Initiation of FY 2026-2027 One Year Action Plan RECOMMENDATION: That the City Council:
1. Opens the Public Hearing and considers public testimony;
2. Accepts public testimony for the FY 2024-2025 Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report and initiation of the FY 2026-2027 One Year Action Plan;
3. Closes the public hearing;
4. Approves the FY 2024-2025 Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report as presented and authorizes the City Manager or designee to submit to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and to make any necessary updates; and
5. Approves initiation of the FY 2026-2027 One Year Action Plan.
DISCUSSION
Senior Management Analyst, Deyanira Pelayo-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 CDBG and HOME fund allocations and the reduction in funds
MOTION BY WELLS, SECOND BY ORTIZ, to CLOSE the Public Hearing.
MOTION CARRIED BY UNANIMOUS VOTE.
MOTION BY ORTIZ, SECOND BY METSCHEL, to APPROVE the FY 2024- 2025 Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report as presented and authorizes the City Manager or designee to submit to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and to make any necessary updates; and Approve initiation of the FY 2026-2027 One Year Action Plan.
MOTION CARRIED BY UNANIMOUS VOTE.
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September 23, 2025
3:00 p.m.
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS:
7. Updated Traffic Calming Policy and Analysis of Alternative Speed Control Devices on Cut-Through Streets
RECOMMENDATION: That the City Council:
1. Adopts the next Resolution, in order, adopting a Traffic Calming Policy for the City of El Cajon, which incorporates speed cushions (recycled rubber and asphalt) as alternative speed control devices; and
2. Authorizes implementation of a pilot project on identified cut-through streets.
DISCUSSION
City Engineer, Mario Sanchez, provided detailed information of the Item.
Discussion ensued amongst City Council and Staff concerning the following:
• Voluntary participation;
• Effectiveness of speed control devices;
• Local residents speeding in the neighborhood;
• Other City's using permanent speed control devices;
• Residents would pay for the devices once the pilot project ends; • Alternative funding options;
• Alternative speed control methods;
• 10-point eligibility procedure;
• Noise concerns;
• Reasons for a City initiated petition;
• Adding stop signs; and
• Selection of streets for the pilot project.
No public comment was received for the Item.
MOTION BY ORTIZ, SECOND BY GOBLE, to ADOPT Resolution No. 098- 25, adopting a Traffic Calming Policy for the City of El Cajon, which incorporates speed cushions (recycled rubber and asphalt) as alternative speed control devices; and AUTHORIZE implementation of a pilot project on Sandalwood Drive, Taft Avenue, and Graves Avenue, and analysis of the need for a stop sign on Naranca Avenue.
MOTION CARRIED BY UNANIMOUS VOTE.
City Council provided direction to staff to return at a future meeting with an analysis of funding options once the pilot project ends.
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September 23, 2025
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ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS: (Continued)
8. Small Business Incubator Update
RECOMMENDATION: That the City Council receives the report.
DISCUSSION
Senior Management Analyst, Ryan Villegas, provided detailed information of the Item and introduced Zachary Mansour, representing the Chaldean Community Council (CCC), who provided information on the progress of the Small Business Incubator.
Discussion ensued amongst City Council and Staff concerning the following:
• Funding for participants of the Small Business Incubator; • Grant money provided to the CCC from the County of San Diego; • Operational costs;
• Services offered by the Small Business Incubator to participants; • Participants are not charged to participate in the program; • Participants located outside of the City limits;
• Utilizing office space at 405 E. Lexington Avenue for the Small Business Incubator;
• Attracting investors;
• Micro loans;
• CCC is unable to provide loans to participants at this time; • Contacting the East County Economic Development Cetner for loan assistance; • The City applied for a micro loan program; and
• Success is based on external factors.
No public comment was received for the Item.
MOTION BY ORTIZ, SECOND BY KENDRICK, to RECEIVE the report.
MOTION CARRIED BY UNANIMOUS VOTE.
9. City Council Priority Update on Third-Party Service Providers and Street Sweeping Pilot Program
RECOMMENDATION: That the City Council:
1. Receives and files the staff report on third-party contractors; and
2. Provides staff with feedback on whether to proceed with a six-month street sweeping pilot program on three streets.
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DISCUSSION
Director of Public Works Operations, David Richards, provided detailed information of the Item.
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS: (Item 9- Continued)
Discussion ensued amongst City Council and Staff concerning the following:
• Contract with St. Madeleine Sophie's;
• Protocol for street sweeping;
• Accountability for service providers;
• Value for services provided by Urban Corp;
• GIS tracking of reported issues;
• Power washing bus stops;
• Abandoned vehicles hindering street sweeping;
• The focus of the City's Parking Enforcement Officer;
• Additional Parking Enforcement Officers;
• City is charged for areas that cannot be street swept; • Street sweeping program requirement;
• Street sweeping routes;
• Loaning commercial parking lots to residents;
• Minimizing no parking zone time frames;
• Educating the public about street sweeping schedules; and • Enforcement protocol for vehicles blocking street sweeping services.
No public comment was received for the Item.
MOTION BY ORTIZ, SECOND BY WELLS, to RECEIVE and file the staff report on third-party contractors; and Proceed with a six-month street sweeping pilot program on the three recommended street, with the addition of E. Main Street between Broadway and N. Third Street.
MOTION CARRIED BY UNANIMOUS VOTE.
10. New Technology for Understanding Homelessness in El Cajon RECOMMENDATION: That the City Council receives the report and provides feedback.
DISCUSSION
Director of Information Technology, Sara Diaz, introduced GIS Analyst-II, Kate Gallegos, and GIS Analyst-I, Emily Orsborn, who provided detailed information of the Item.
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September 23, 2025
3:00 p.m.
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS: (Item 10- Continued)
Discussion ensued amongst City Council and Staff concerning the following:
• Importance of data for decision making;
• Benefits of live data;
• Customized data collection;
• Involvement of other departments;
• Meridian Cabins;
• Using idle time during encampment cleanups to collect data; and • Using data to apply for new grants.
City Council congratulated staff for their hard work to create the new homeless website and point-in-time app.
No public comment was received for the Item.
MOTION BY ORTIZ, SECOND BY KENDRICK, to RECEIVE the report.
MOTION CARRIED BY UNANIMOUS VOTE.
11. Contract Amendment for Bid No. 022-25 - Wells Park Pickleball RECOMMENDATION: That the City Council adopts the next Resolution, in order, to amend the scope of work and increase the compensation for the Public Works Contract with SWCS, Inc. in the not-to-exceed amount of $430,286.57.
DISCUSSION
Associate Engineer, Senan Kachi, provided detailed information of the Item.
Discussion ensued amongst City Council and Staff concerning the deadline to expend ARPA funds and the new pro shop.
No public comment was received for the Item.
MOTION BY ORTIZ, SECOND BY METSCHEL, to ADOPT Resolution No. 099-25, to amend the scope of work and increase the compensation for the Public Works Contract with SWCS, Inc. in the not-to-exceed amount of $430,286.57.
MOTION CARRIED BY UNANIMOUS VOTE.
COMMISSION REPORTS: None
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September 23, 2025
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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.
Item 13 was considered as a Consent Item, per motion taken under Agenda Changes.
13. Travel Expenses for America First Policy lnstitute's Mayors' Council - Mayor Bill Wells
RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council reviews and
advance/reimbursement of travel expenses
accordance with City Council Policy G-1.
approves the attached claim for
form for Mayor Bill Wells, submitted in
ACTIVITIES REPORTS OF COUNCILMEMBERS:
14. 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.
Report as submitted.
15. MAYOR PRO TEM GARY KENDRICK
METRO Commission/Wastewater JPA; Heartland Communications; Heartland Fire Training JPA.
Council Activities Report/Comments.
Report as submitted.
16. COUNCILMEMBER MICHELLE METSCHEL
Harry Griffen Park Joint Steering Committee; Heartland Communications - Alternate; Heartland Fire Training JPA Alternate; METRO Commission/Wastewater JPA - Alternate.
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September 23, 2025
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ACTIVITIES REPORTS OF COUNCILMEMBERS: (Item 16- Continued) Council Activities Report/Comments.
Councilmember Metschel spoke highly of Johnson Elementary School's 70th Anniversary event.
17. 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
ORDINANCES: FIRST READING - None
ORDINANCES: SECOND READING AND ADOPTION
City Manager Mitchell announced that Mayor Wells and Councilmember Goble would recuse themselves and not participate on Item 23, due to a conflict of interest due to financial contributions made to their campaigns by Dr. Johnson, and left the Chamber at 6:09 p.m.
18. Zoning Reclassification for 628-630 and 702 Broadway RECOMMENDATION:
That Mayor Wells requests the City Clerk to recite the title.
DISCUSSION
No public comment was received for the Item.
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September 23, 2025
3:00 p.m.
ORDINANCES: SECOND READING AND ADOPTION (Item 18- Continued) The City Clerk recited the title of the ordinance for a second reading.
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) (628-630 BROADWAY, APN:
483-130-21-00) AND PROPERTY LOCATED ON THE NORTH SIDE OF
BROADWAY, BETWEEN MOLLISON AVENUE AND BALLANTYNE
STREET, FROM RESIDENTIAL, MULTI-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).
MOTION BY ORTIZ, SECOND BY KENDRICK, to Adopt Ordinance No. 5157, APPROVING Zone Reclassification No. 2025-0002.
MOTION CARRIED BY UNANIMOUS VOTE
OF THOSE PRESENT (WELLS and GOBLE
- Disqualified).
CLOSED SESSIONS:
RECOMMENDATION: That the City Council/Housing Authority/Successor Agency to the El Cajon Redevelopment Agency adjourns to Closed Session as follows:
19. 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 (1) potential case: Angela Solis has submitted a Claim for Damages alleging losses suffered when her vehicle was struck by a City police vehicle operated by an officer in the course of duty. A copy of the claim is available for public inspection at the office of the El Cajon City Clerk, City Hall, 1st Floor, 200 Civic Center Way, El Cajon, California.
MOTION BY WELLS, SECOND BY KENDRICK, to ADJOURN to Closed Session at 6:12 p.m.
MOTION CARRIED BY UNANIMOUS VOTE.
RECONVENED to Open Session at 6:16 p.m.
City Attorney Foley reported the following actions:
• No reportable action taken.
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September 23, 2025
3:00 p.m.
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 23rd day of September, 2025, at 6:16 p.m., to Tuesday, October 14, 2025, at 3:00 p.m.
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~~rGMC
City Clerk/Secretary
September 23, 2025
3:00 p.m.