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
January 13, 2026
A Regular Joint Meeting of the El Cajon City Council/Housing Authority/Successor Agency to the El Cajon Redevelopment Agency, held Tuesday, January 13, 2026, was called to order by Mayor/Chair Bill Wells at 3:04 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, Kendrick
Ortiz
Metschel
Wells
Mitchell, City Manager/Executive Director
DiMaggio, Assistant City Manager
Thorn, Deputy City Manager
Lyon, City Attorney/General Counsel
Cortez, City Clerk/Secretary
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG led by Officer Evan Garner and MOMENT OF SILENCE.
POSTINGS: The City Clerk posted Orders of Adjournment of the December 9, 2025, meeting and the Agenda of the January 13, 2026, 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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January 13, 2026
3:00 p.m.
PRESENTATIONS:
• Proclamation: National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day 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
OF THOSE PRESENT (ORTIZ - Absent).
1. Minutes of El Cajon City Council/Housing Authority/Successor Agency to the El Cajon Redevelopment Agency Meetings
Approve Minutes of the December 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.
4. Ratification of Board of Supervisors Appointment to Gillespie Field Development Council
Ratify the reappointment of Phyllis Trombi to the Gillespie Field Development Council by the San Diego County Board of Supervisors.
5. Authorization for the Execution of a Program Supplement Agreement with the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans)
Adopt Resolution No. 001-26, to accept the Program Supplement Agreement for the Washington Avenue Safety Improvements Phase 2 project HSIPL-5211 (046) and authorize the City Manager to execute this agreement.
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January 13, 2026
3:00 p.m.
CONSENT ITEMS: (Continued)
6. City Attorney Staff Members
Adopt Resolution No. 002-26, appointing the professional staff of the City Attorney's Department effective January 1, 2026.
7. Appropriation of Funds for City Hall Improvements 2026 - Development Services Department
Appropriate $80,000 of available City Capital Improvement Program (501) fund balance for the purpose described in the report; and Establish City Hall Improvements 2026 - Development Services Department (263974ESCP) project with a total project budget of $80,000.
8. Reduce the Grant Amount for the San Diego River Watershed Water Quality Improvements Project (Trash Capture Devices) (243819PWCP/SDRG-B2207) Adopt Resolution No. 003-26, to:
1. Acknowledge the reduction of the grant amount received from the San Diego River Conservancy Grant (SDRG-B2207) from $1,000,000 to $761,439; and
2. Authorize the de-appropriation of the San Diego River Watershed Water Quality Improvements (243819PWCP) project budget by $238,561
9. Monthly Treasurer's Report for the period ended November 30, 2025 Receive the Monthly Treasurer's Report for the period ended November 30, 2025.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
Patricia Berndt spoke about Immigration and Customs Enforcement protests and having open conversations.
Mayor Wells stated that the El Cajon Police Department is dedicated to keeping everyone safe, and that federal and local law enforcement departments each have their own responsibilities.
WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS: None
PUBLIC HEARINGS: None
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January 13, 2026
3:00 p.m.
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS:
10. Annual Comprehensive Financial Report for the Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2025, and Other Written Communication from the City's Independent Auditor RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council receives and accepts the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report and other written communication from the independent accounting firm of Rogers, Anderson, Malody & Scott, LLP, for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2025.
DISCUSSION
Director of Finance, Clay Schoen, provided detailed information of the Item.
No public comment was received for the Item.
MOTION BY GOBLE, SECOND BY KENDRICK, to RECEIVE and accept the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report and other written communication from the independent accounting firm of Rogers, Anderson, Malody & Scott, LLP, for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2025.
MOTION CARRIED BY UNANIMOUS VOTE
OF THOSE PRESENT (ORTIZ - Absent).
11. Encampment Storage Program
RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council receives the report and provides direction.
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:
• Inventory requirements;
• Deterring homeless individuals from living on the streets; • Limitations on the Police Department;
• Lack of treatment facilities; and
• Funds spent on homelessness.
MOTION BY GOBLE, SECOND BY KENDRICK, to RECEIVE the report.
MOTION CARRIED BY UNANIMOUS VOTE
OF THOSE PRESENT (ORTIZ - Absent).
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January 13, 2026
3:00 p.m.
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS: (Continued)
12. Report on Arrests and Enforcement Under Proposition 36 RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council receives the report.
DISCUSSION
Police Captain, Keith MacArthur, provided detailed information of the Item.
Ashkon Jones, representing Dr. LaShae Sharp-Collins with the 79th Assembly District, thanked City staff and the Police Department for the report and invited City staff to attend their quarterly Prop 36 discussions. Mr. Jones added that the public may contact their office with any concerns or ideas by calling (619) 465-7903.
Discussion ensued amongst City Council and Staff concerning reactions from retailers, the Police Department's success with arrests, and deterring crime.
MOTION BY GOBLE, SECOND BY KENDRICK, to RECEIVE the report.
MOTION CARRIED BY UNANIMOUS VOTE
OF THOSE PRESENT (ORTIZ - Absent).
13. Senate Bill 707 - Discussion and Possible Action to Authorize a Contract for Video Management System Upgrade
RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council discusses video management system upgrades in accordance with Senate Bill (SB) 707 and either:
1. Adopt the next Resolution, in order, to waive bidding requirements, appropriate funds in the amount of $400,000 from the General Fund reserves and transfer to IT, and authorize entering into a contract with EIDIM Group, Inc. (EIDIM); or
2. Provide direction to Staff to issue a Request for Proposals.
DISCUSSION
Director of Information Technology, Sara Diaz, provided detailed information of the Item.
No public comment was received for the Item.
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January 13, 2026
3:00 p.m.
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS: (Item 13- Continued)
Discussion ensued amongst City Council and Staff concerning the following:
• Consequences for not meeting the July 1, 2026 deadline; • Unfunded mandate;
• Modernizing the technology at the Chambers;
• Premium pricing due to limited supplies;
• EIDIM will honor prices based on contract negotiations in 2024; and • Operating costs.
MOTION BY KENDRICK, SECOND BY METSCHEL, to ADOPT Resolution No. 004-26, to waive bidding requirements, appropriate funds in the amount of $400,000 from the General Fund reserves and transfer to IT, and authorize entering into a contract with EIDIM Group, Inc. (EIDIM).
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; SANDAG - Public Safety Committee.
14. Council Activities Report/Comments
Report as submitted.
ACTIVITIES REPORTS OF COUNCILMEMBERS:
15. 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; SAN DAG - San Diego Military Working Group.
Council Activities Report/Comments.
Report as submitted.
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January 13, 2026
3:00 p.m.
ACTIVITIES REPORTS OF COUNCILMEMBERS: (Continued)
16. COUNCILMEMBER GARY KENDRICK
METRO Commission/Wastewater JPA; Heartland Communications; Heartland Fire Training JPA.
Council Activities Report/Comments.
Report as submitted.
17. DEPUTY MAYOR 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, Deputy Mayor Metschel added that she attended the NECA Gala on Sunday, January 11, 2026.
18. 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 - None
Councilmember Ortiz entered the Chamber at 4:00 pm.
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January 13, 2026
3:00 p.m.
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 - 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
20. Closed Session - Conference with Labor Negotiators pursuant to Government Code section 54957.6
Agency Designated Representatives:
Graham Mitchell, City Manager
Marisol Thorn, Deputy City Manager
Employee Organizations:
El Cajon Mid-Management and Professional Employees Group El Cajon Municipal Employees Association
El Cajon Professional Firefighters International Association of Fire Fighters Local 4603
Executive, Unrepresented and Confidential Employees under City Council Policy A-29
21. Closed Session - Conference with Real Property Negotiators - Government Code section 54956.8:
Property:
Parkway Plaza
APN 482-270-56-00
APN 482-270-35-00
APN 482-270-42-00
Negotiating Parties:
Star-West Parkway Mall LP
Penney Property Sub Holdings LLC
Star-West Parkway Mall LP
City Negotiators:
City Manager
Assistant City Manager
City Attorney
Under Negotiation:
Price and terms of payment
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January 13, 2026
3:00 p.m.
CLOSED SESSIONS: (Continued)
City Attorney Lyon stated that Assistant City Manager DiMaggio would be an additional Agency Designated Representative for Closed Session, Item 20.
MOTION BY WELLS, SECOND BY METSCHEL, to ADJOURN to Closed Session at 4:01 p.m.
MOTION CARRIED BY UNANIMOUS VOTE.
RECONVENED to Open Session at 5:15 p.m.
City Attorney Lyon reported the following actions:
• Item 19- Direction given; no reportable action taken. • Item 20- Direction given; no reportable action taken. • Item 21 - Direction given; no reportable action taken.
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 13th day of January, 2026, at 5:16 p.m., to Tuesday, January 27, 2026, at 3:00 p.m.
Joint Meeting: El Cajon City Council/Housing Authority/ Successor Agency to the Redevelopment Agency -9-
c&~MC
City Clerk/Secretary
January 13, 2026
3:00 p.m.