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 27, 2026
An Adjourned Regular Joint Meeting of the El Cajon City Council/Housing Authority/ Successor Agency to the El Cajon Redevelopment Agency, held Tuesday, January 27, 2026, was called to order by Mayor/Chair Bill Wells at 3:01 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, and Ortiz
None
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 Mayor Wells and MOMENT OF SILENCE.
POSTINGS: The City Clerk posted Orders of Adjournment of the January 13, 2026, meeting and the Agenda of the January 27, 2026, meetings 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/ Successor Agency to the Redevelopment Agency -12-
January 27, 2026
3:00 p.m.
Mayor Wells invited the public to attend the State of the City event on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. at the Ronald Regan Community Center.
PRESENTATIONS: None
AGENDA CHANGES: None
CONSENT ITEMS: (1 - 8)
MOTION BY WELLS, SECOND BY KENDRICK, 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 January 13, 2026, 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. Consideration of Resolution to Award RFP No. 014-26 - Operations Yard Warehouse Replacement - Architectural Services
Adopt Resolution No. 005-26, to award the contract and authorize the City Manager to enter into an agreement with Domusstudio Properties, LLC dba Domusstudio Architecture (DA), in an amount not to exceed $189,298 for a two-year term.
Joint Meeting: El Cajon City Council/Housing Authority/ Successor Agency to the Redevelopment Agency - 13 -
January 27, 2026
3:00 p.m.
CONSENT ITEMS: (Continued)
5. Consideration of Resolution to Approve the Contract Amendment for SB 1383 Compliance Services
Adopt Resolution No. 006-26, to authorize an amendment to the existing Agreement for Professional Services with Solana Center for Environmental Innovation (SCEI) to extend for a third one-year term in the not-to-exceed amount of $81,061.62, with the option to renew for a fourth one-year term.
6. Consideration of Resolution to Accept the Fire Foundation Fire Marshal Vehicle Grant Award
Adopt Resolution No. 007-26, authorizing the City Manager or designee to:
1. Execute any documents and agreements necessary for receipt of the grant and the equipment;
2. Accept, appropriate, and expend the Fire Foundation Award of $45,892, and the 20% cost share for the purchase of a Fire Marshal staff vehicle; and
3. Authorize the appropriation and expenditure of fund balance for the 20% cost share in the Vehicle Replacement Fund (606) (currently estimated to be $11,473), and execute a transfer of the 20% cost share to the Fire Foundation Fire Marshal Vehicle Grant for procurement of the vehicle.
7. Consideration of Resolution to Amend the Conflict of Interest Code of the City of El Cajon
Adopt Resolution No. 008-26, approving the latest amendment of the City of El Cajon's Conflict of Interest Code to add new positions.
8. Consideration of Resolution to Accept the Fire Foundation Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Grant Award
Adopt Resolution No. 009-26, authorizing the City Manager or designee to:
1 . Execute any documents and agreements necessary for receipt of award and purchase of the equipment;
2. Accept, appropriate, and expend the award of $74,582 and the 10% cost share for the purchase of nine (9) sets of firefighter personal protective equipment (PPE); and
3. Execute a transfer of the 10% cost share (currently estimated to be $8,287) from the General Fund to the Fire Foundation Grant for procurement of the PPE.
Joint Meeting: El Cajon City Council/Housing Authority/ Successor Agency to the Redevelopment Agency - 14 -
January 27, 2026
3:00 p.m.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
Patricia Berndt spoke about the City's Code of Ethics and Conduct, and called upon the Councilmemebers to censure Mayor Wells.
WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS: None
PUBLIC HEARINGS:
9. Consideration of Resolutions to Approve the CEQA exemptions and Introduction of Ordinances to Amend the El Cajon Municipal Code (Title 17) & Specific Plan No. 182
RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council adopts the next Resolutions, in order, approving the California Environmental Quality Act exemptions; and introduces the next Ordinances, in order, approving amendments to the El Cajon Municipal Code (Title 17) & Specific Plan No. 182.
DISCUSSION
Deputy Director of Development Services, Noah Alvey, 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 emergency sleeping cabins and garage door windows
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
California Environmental Quality Act exemptions for Specific Plan No. 182.
MOTION CARRIED BY UNANIMOUS VOTE.
MOTION BY ORTIZ, SECOND BY METSCHEL, to INTRODUCE the next Ordinance approving amendments to Specific Plan No. 182.
MOTION CARRIED BY UNANIMOUS VOTE.
Joint Meeting: El Cajon City Council!Housing Authority/ Successor Agency to the Redevelopment Agency - 15 -
January 27, 2026
3:00 p.m.
PUBLIC HEARINGS: (Item 9 - Continued)
The City Clerk recited the titles of the Ordinance for a first reading.
AN ORDINANCE APPROVING AN AMENDMENT TO SPECIFIC PLAN
NO. 182 FOR LIGHTING AND EVENTS ON CITY PROPERTY AND IN
RIGHTS OF WAY
MOTION BY ORTIZ, SECOND BY METSCHEL, to APPROVE the
California Environmental Quality Act exemptions for El Cajon Municipal Code (Title 17).
MOTION CARRIED BY UNANIMOUS VOTE.
MOTION BY ORTIZ, SECOND BY METSCHEL, to INTRODUCE the next Ordinance, approving amendments to the El Cajon Municipal Code (Title 17).
MOTION CARRIED BY UNANIMOUS VOTE.
The City Clerk recited the titles of the Ordinance for a first reading.
AN ORDINANCE APPROVING AN AMENDMENT TO TITLE 17 OF
THE EL CAJON MUNICIPAL CODE (ZONING CODE) FOR HOUSING
RELATED UPDATES, CHANGES IN STATE LAW, AND OTHER NONSUBSTANTIVE
CHANGES TO IMPROVE CLARITY AND
CONSISTENCY
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS:
10. Homeless Programs and Services Bi-Annual 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.
DISCUSSION
Senior Management Analyst, Deyanira Pelayo-Brito, provided detailed information of the Item.
Discussion ensued amongst City Council and Staff concerning the following:
• Individuals who have been contacted but not served;
• Trends in data over time;
• Providers are reimbursed after they submit receipts to the City; • Billing details are not posted publicly due to privacy concerns; and • Efficiency of providers.
Joint Meeting: El Cajon City Council/Housing Authority/ Successor Agency to the Redevelopment Agency - 16 -
January 27, 2026
3:00 p.m.
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS: (Item 10- Continued)
No public comment was received for the Item.
MOTION BY ORTIZ, SECOND BY KENDRICK, to RECEIVE the homeless programs and services report.
MOTION CARRIED BY UNANIMOUS VOTE.
11. Draft City Council Action Plan (2026)
RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council receives the report, provides feedback, and approves the 2026 City Council Action Plan.
DISCUSSION
City Manager Mitchell provided detailed information of the Item.
Councilmember Ortiz thanked the staff who participated in the City's first Point in Time Count.
No public comment was received for the Item.
MOTION BY GOBLE, SECOND BY ORTIZ, to RECEIVE the report and approve the 2026 City Council Action Plan.
MOTION CARRIED BY UNANIMOUS VOTE.
COMMISSION REPORTS: None
ACTIVITIES REPORTS/COMMENTS OF MAYOR WELLS:
SANDAG (San Diego Association of Governments) Board of Directors; SANDAG - Public Safety Committee.
12. Council Activities Report/Comments
Report as submitted.
Joint Meeting: El Cajon City Council/Housing Authority/ Successor Agency to the Redevelopment Agency - 17 -
January 27, 2026
3:00 p.m.
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 - Public Safety Committee - Alternate; SAN DAG - San Diego Military Working Group.
Council Activities Report/Comments.
Report as submitted.
14. COUNCILMEMBER GARY KENDRICK
METRO Commission/Wastewater JPA; Heartland Communications; Heartland Fire Training JPA.
Council Activities Report/Comments.
Report as submitted.
15. 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.
Report as submitted.
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.
Report as submitted.
Joint Meeting: El Cajon City ·council/Housing Authority/ Successor Agency to the Redevelopment Agency - 18 -
January 27, 2026
3:00 p.m.
JOINT COUNCILMEMBER REPORTS:
17. Analysis of Intersection of Dorothy Street and Washington Avenue RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council directs staff to analyze the safety of Dorothy Street and Washington Avenue.
DISCUSSION
Councilmember Kendrick provided detailed information of the Item.
Discussion ensued amongst City Council and Staff concerning the following:
• Speed cushion survey;
• Stop light installation;
• Traffic analyst;
• Traffic calming measures on Washington Avenue; and
• Unreported accidents.
Paul Garibay expressed concerns regarding speeding and traffic near Dorothy Street and Washington Avenue.
City Manager Mitchell confirmed that he received direction from the Mayor and Councilmembers.
GENERAL INFORMATION ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION: None
ORDINANCES: FIRST READING - None
ORDINANCES: SECOND READING AND ADOPTION - None
Remainder of page intentionally left blank.
Joint Meeting: El Cajon City Council/Housing Authority/ Successor Agency to the Redevelopment Agency - 19 -
January 27, 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:
18. Closed Session - Conference with Real Property Negotiators - pursuant to Government Code section 54956.8:
Property:
200 E. Main Street (Prescott Promenade)
City Negotiators:
Graham Mitchell, City Manager
Vince DiMaggio, Assistant City Manager
Negotiating Parties:
Downtown El Cajon Business Partners, Inc.
Under Negotiation:
Price and terms of payment
MOTION BY WELLS, SECOND BY METSCHEL, to ADJOURN to Closed Session at 4:00 p.m.
MOTION CARRIED BY UNANIMOUS VOTE.
RECONVENED to Open Session at 4:10 p.m.
City Attorney Lyon reported the following actions:
• Item 18 - Direction was given, no reportable action was taken.
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 27th day of January, 2026, at 4:11 p.m., to Tuesday, January 27, 2026, at 7:00 p.m.
Joint Meeting: El Cajon City Council/Housing Authority/ Successor Agency to the Redevelopment Agency - 20 -
~~ ANLAL. ,CMC
City Clerk/Secretary
January 27, 2026
3:00 p.m.