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
February 10, 2026
A Regular Joint Meeting of the El Cajon City Council/Housing Authority/Successor Agency to the El Cajon Redevelopment Agency, held Tuesday, February 10, 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:
Deputy MayorNice 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 27, 2026, meetings and the Agenda of the February 10, 2026, meetings 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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· February 10, 2026
3:00 p.m.
PRESENTATIONS: None
AGENDA CHANGES:
City Manager Mitchell recommended pulling Activities Reports/Comments of Mayor Wells, Item 11 - Update to City Council Assignments, and shared that it will be presented at a future meeting.
MOTION BY WELLS, SECOND BY GOBLE, to PULL Activities
Reports/Comments of Mayor Wells, Item 11 - Update to City Council Assignments.
MOTION CARRIED BY UNANIMOUS VOTE.
CONSENT ITEMS: (1 - 6)
MOTION BY WELLS, SECOND BY METSCHEL, to APPROVE Consent Items 1 to 6.
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 27, 2026, Meetings 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. Approval of Resolution to Amend City Council Policy A-5 "Claims against the City for Damage to Person or Property; Workers' Compensation Claims" Adopt Resolution No. 012-26, to amend City Council Policy A-5: Claims against the City for Damage to Person or Property; Workers' Compensation Claims, to increase the settlement authority for the City Manager up to $50,000.
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February 10, 2026
3:00 p.m.
CONSENT ITEMS: (Continued)
5. Appointment to Public Safety Facility Financing Oversight Committee Appoint Ivan Cruz to the Public Safety Facility Financing Oversight Committee (PSFFOC) for a term to expire January 31, 2029.
6. Monthly Treasurer's Report for the period ended December 31, 2025 Receive the Monthly Treasurer's Report for the period ended December 31, 2025.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
Erik N. Weber spoke in support of repealing Resolution 015-25, regarding immigration, and expressed concern regarding disability discrimination due to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations.
Noel Becchetti welcomed Councilmember Kendrick to the Democratic party and prayed for the City and its Elected Officials.
Ray Justus expressed concern about speeding and parking on Chase Avenue.
In response to a question from Mayor Wells, City Manager Mitchell stated that the City is looking into engineering strategies to slow the traffic on Chase Avenue and that the City would also analyze the parking situation for the Chase Avenue area.
Coleen Geraghty congratulated Councilmember Kendrick on becoming a Democrat and spoke in support of repealing Resolution 015-25, regarding immigration.
Ryn Corbeil commended Councilmember Kendrick for changing his political party and spoke about the immigration crisis.
Steph Cauchon asked the City Council to continue to support social services.
Andrew Lower expressed concern about bike safety.
WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS: None
PUBLIC HEARINGS: None
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February 10, 2026
3:00 p.m.
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS:
7. 405 E. Lexington Ave Tenant Improvements - Project Update RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council:
1. Receives the 405 E. Lexington Avenue Tenant Improvements (263878PWCP) project update; and
2. Authorizes staff to continue the design phase of the 405 E. Lexington Avenue Tenant Improvements project.
DISCUSSION
Principal Civil Engineer, Senan Kachi, and 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:
• Deadline to spend American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds; • Forfeiting ARPA funds;
• Possible use of general fund reserves; and
• Bidding for individual projects.
MOTION BY ORTIZ, SECOND BY GOBLE, to RECEIVE the 405 E.
Lexington Avenue Tenant Improvements (263878PWCP) project update; and Authorize staff to continue the design phase of the 405 E. Lexington Avenue Tenant Improvements project.
MOTION CARRIED BY 4 -1 VOTE
(METSCHEL - No).
8. United States Semiquincentennial
RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council provides direction on potential special activities to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the United States, and if so, authorizes a specified budget amount to support related events, partnerships, and programming.
DISCUSSION
City Manager Mitchell provided detailed information of the Item.
Coleen Geraghty suggested inviting high school marching bands to participate.
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February 10, 2026
3:00 p.m.
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS: (Item 8- Continued)
Ryn Corbeil expressed concern about the logistics and asked if all community members would feel safe participating due to recent ICE operations.
Jeff Mansour supported incorporating local businesses and indicated local businesses would be willing to donate funds for the event.
Discussion ensued amongst City Council and Staff concerning the following:
• America On Main Street has been cut from the budget;
• Semiquincentennial specific marketing;
• Mural;
• Budget;
• Banners and bunting;
• Incorporating local businesses;
• Block parties;
• Sponsorships;
• Firework concerns;
• Cross promoting with neighboring communities;
• America's Potluck; and
• High school band availability.
No Motion required for the Item.
9. Permanent Local Housing Allocation Program City Council Subcommittee RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council considers forming an ad hoc City Council subcommittee to review the 2026 Permanent Local Housing Allocation Program applications and appoints two members to that subcommittee.
DISCUSSION
City Manager Mitchell provided detailed information of the Item.
No public comment was received for the Item.
Deputy Mayor Metschel and Councilmember Ortiz volunteered to be on the Permanent Local Housing Allocation (PLHA) ad hoc City Council subcommittee.
COMMISSION REPORTS: None
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February 10, 2026
3:00 p.m.
ACTIVITIES REPORTS/COMMENTS OF MAYOR WELLS:
SANDAG (San Diego Association of Governments) Board of Directors; SANDAG - Public Safety Committee.
10. Council Activities Report/Comments
Report as submitted.
Item 11 from pulled from the agenda during Agenda Changes.
11. Update to City Council Assignments
That the City Council approves City Council assignments (as identified in the report) to various boards and commissions representing El Cajon.
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 - Public Safety Committee - Alternate; SAN DAG - San Diego Military Working Group.
Council Activities Report/Comments.
Report as submitted.
13. COUNCILMEMBER GARY KENDRICK
METRO Commission/Wastewater JPA; Heartland Communications; Heartland Fire Training JPA.
Council Activities Report/Comments.
Report as submitted.
14. 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.
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February 10, 2026
3:00 p.m.
ACTIVITIES REPORTS OF COUNCILMEMBERS: (Continued)
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 COUNCILMEMBER REPORTS: None
GENERAL INFORMATION ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION: None
ORDINANCES: FIRST READING
16. Introduction of Ordinance to Amend El Cajon Municipal Code Chapter 8.33; Licensure of Tobacco Retailers
RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council:
1. Moves to introduce the next Ordinance, in order;
2. Directs the City Clerk to read the Ordinance by title only; and
3. Directs the second reading and adoption of the Ordinance to be placed on the February 24, 2026, City Council agenda.
DISCUSSION
Deputy Director of Development Services, Noah Alvey, provided detailed information of the Item.
Discussion ensued amongst City Council and Staff concerning the following:
• Enforcement;
• Penalties of neighboring communities;
• Retention of business' camera footage;
• Age verification devices;
• Frequency of stings;
• Use and effectiveness of ID card readers;
• Percentage of businesses which have sold tobacco to minors; • Business' use of internal decoys to test employees; and • Effectiveness of current penalties.
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February 10, 2026
3:00 p.m.
ORDINANCES: FIRST READING (Item 16- Continued)
Mayor Wells announced that due to the number of speakers Public Comments would be limited to 2 minutes.
Chuck Kaye spoke about making a decision based on the data and what is appropriate.
Jeff Mansour spoke about being reasonable when mistakes happen, other recent regulations on tobacco sales, and in opposition of how the decoy program operates.
City Manager Mitchell clarified that when a business appeals a violation the case is heard before an administrative judge and the City has only lost one hearing. Mr. Mitchell also recommended bringing an item for CASA's decoy operations back at a future meeting if Council would like to discuss that further because Item No. 16is only regarding the proposed Ordinance.
Hani Toma, owner of Super Star gas station, spoke about his experience of appealing a previous violation and spoke in opposition of CASA's decoy operations.
Remon Mansour spoke in opposition of staff's recommendation for the first violation and stated that the current penalties are tough but fair.
Zack Goro spoke in opposition of the proposed increased penalties.
Riadh Shamoon spoke in opposition of the proposed Ordinance.
Yaser Shammas, representing Tykes Liquor, spoke about limitations of ID card readers due to damaged cards or unsupported types of ID cards.
Steve Mattia spoke about El Cajon's penalties being stricter than surrounding communities, suggesting keeping data on the businesses that are successful during decoy stings, and recommended providing businesses with educational information.
Allen Toma spoke about the current penalties being strict but fair and spoke in opposition of increasing the penalties.
Joe Mansour stated the current penalties are fair, that people do make mistakes, and proposed that the employee should be held accountable, not the business.
Donna Colbert, representing CASA, spoke about CASA's integrity, the penalties in the County of San Diego and City of La Mesa, and the ease of checking customer's ID based on the orientation of the ID card.
In response to a question from Councilmember Kendrick, Joe Mansour explained the difficulties of storing camera footage long term.
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February 10, 2026
3:00 p.m.
ORDINANCES: FIRST READING (Item 16 - Continued)
Arkan Somo, representing NMA, stated that no store owner would intentionally break the tobacco regulations and risk the penalties, and questioned the message that would be sent to local business owners if the proposed Ordinance is adopted.
Noel Becchetti spoke about honor-shaming cultures and the long-term impacts of increased penalties on local business owners.
MOTION BY GOBLE, SECOND BY ORTIZ, to UPHOLD the existing Ordinance.
MOTION CARRIED BY 4 -1 VOTE
(KENDRICK - No).
Councilmember Kendrick left the Chamber at 5:09 p.m.
ORDINANCES: SECOND READING AND ADOPTION
17. Second Reading and Adoption of Ordinances to Amend the El Cajon Municipal Code for Specific Plan No. 182 and Title 17
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff requests that:
1. Mayor Wells request the City Clerk to recite the titles of the Ordinances; and
2. The City Council conduct the second reading by title only, waiving further reading, and adopt the two Ordinances as follows:
• An Ordinance Approving an Amendment to Specific Plan No. 182 for Lighting and Events on City Property and in Rights of Way
• 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 Non-Substantive Changes to Improve Clarity and Consistency CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT:
The proposed Zoning Code and Specific Plan No. 182 Amendments are exempt from the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act ("CEQA") according to the common sense exemption (CEQA Guidelines, section 15061 (b)(3)). The common sense exemption applies where it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the activity in question may have a significant effect on the environment. The proposed amendment does not result in any development or changes to the physical environment and does not raise this project to a level of significance that warrants CEQA analysis.
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February 10, 2026
3:00 p.m.
ORDINANCES: SECOND READING AND ADOPTION (Item 17 - Continued)
DISCUSSION
Deputy Director of Development Services, Noah Alvey, provided detailed information of the Item.
No public comment was received for the Item.
The City Clerk recited the titles of the Ordinances for a second reading.
AN ORDINANCE APPROVING AN AMENDMENT TO SPECIFIC PLAN
NO. 182 FOR LIGHTING AND EVENTS ON CITY PROPERTY AND IN
RIGHTS OF WAY
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
MOTION BY WELLS, SECOND BY GOBLE, to ADOPT Ordinance No. 5172, APPROVING an amendment to Specific Plan No. 182 for lighting and events on City property and in rights of way; and to ADOPT Ordinance No. 5173, 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.
CLOSED SESSIONS: None
MOTION CARRIED BY 4 -1 VOTE
(KENDRICK - Absent).
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 10th day of February, 2026, at 5:11 p.m., to Tuesday, February 24, 2026, at 3:00 p.m.
Joint Meeting: El Cajon City Council/Housing Authority/ Successor Agency to the Redevelopment Agency ~37-
~~MC
City Clerk/Secretary
February 10, 2026
3:00 p.m,