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
April 14, 2026
A Regular Joint Meeting of the El Cajon City Council/Housing Authority/Successor Agency to the El Cajon Redevelopment Agency, held Tuesday, April 14, 2026, was called to order by Mayor/Chair Bill Wells at 3:06 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
Janzer, Deputy 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 March 24, 2026, meeting and the Agenda of the April 14, 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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April 14, 2026
3:00 p.m.
PRESENTATIONS:
• Spring into El Cajon
AGENDA CHANGES: None
CONSENT ITEMS: (1 -10)
1. Minutes of El Cajon City Council/Housing Authority/Successor Agency to the El Cajon Redevelopment Agency Meetings
Approve Minutes of the March 24, 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. Approval of Resolution to Award Bid No. 023-26 - Washington Avenue Safety Improvements
Adopt Resolution No. 024-26, to Approve Plans and Specifications for Washington Avenue Safety Improvements, Bid No. 023-26; and Adopt Resolution No. 025-26, to Award the bid to the lowest responsive, responsible bidder, Palm Engineering Construction Company, Inc. (PECCI), in the not-to-exceed amount of $2,543,303.35.
5. Approval of Resolution Authorizing Contract Amendment for RFP No. 028-24 - Oakdale Alameda Construction Management Services
Adopt Resolution No. 026-26, to increase compensation for the Public Works Contract with Unico Engineering, Inc. (UEI) for Oakdale Alameda Construction Management Services in the not-to-exceed amount of $150,475.52 through June 30, 2026.
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April 14, 2026
3:00 p.m.
CONSENT ITEMS: (Continued)
6. Approval of Resolution to Award of RFQ No. 12600334 - Less-Lethal & Tactical Specialized Law Enforcement Munitions
Adopt Resolution No. 027-26, to:
1. Find the second low bidder non-responsive for the reason set forth in this agenda report;
2. Award purchase orders to the lowest responsive, responsible bidders: Arms Unlimited, Inc. in the amount of $4,011.72 for Items 5 and 8-9; and Proforce Marketing Inc. dba Proforce Law Enforcement in the amount of $7,155.22 for Items 1-3; and
3. Reject and authorize re-bidding of Items 4 and 6-7 in accordance with Public Contract Code 20164.
7. Monthly Treasurer's Report for the period ended February 28, 2026 Receive the Monthly Treasurer's Report for the period ended February 28, 2026.
8. Adoption of Ordinance to Amend El Cajon Municipal Code Chapter 3.20 for Bidding and Written Contracts
Adopt Ordinance No. 5175, to amend the El Cajon Municipal Code, Chapter 3.20, regarding Bidding and Written Contracts.
9. Travel Expenses to Testify Before California Assembly Committee (AB 1959) - Ortiz
Review and approve the claim for advance/reimbursement of travel expense form for Councilmember Phil Ortiz, submitted in accordance with City Council Policy G-1.
PULLED FOR DISCUSSION BY COUNCILMEMBER GOBLE:
10. Fiscal Year 2025-26 Engine 208 Budget Amendments
Increase Fiscal Year 2025-26 Fire Department - Suppression (101410) appropriations by $510,000 from General Fund Reserves; and Authorize the addition of six positions (6 FTE) to the El Cajon Fire Department as detailed in this report.
DISCUSSION
In response to a question by Councilmember Goble, City Manager Mitchell confirmed that funds are being taken out of the General Fund Reserves because the City hired new employee sooner than expected.
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April 14. 2026
3:00 p.m.
CONSENT ITEMS: (Item 10- Continued)
Councilmember Goble stated that withdrawing funds from reserves reduces the income generated from those investments, and stated that he remains mindful when considering the use of reserve funds.
MOTION BY WELLS, SECOND BY KENDRICK, to APPROVE Consent Items 1 to 10.
MOTION CARRIED BY UNANIMOUS VOTE.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
Ray Justus spoke about having trust in God. Mr. Justus also spoke about a damaged telephone pole on Chase Avenue and recent improvements to traffic safety on Chase Avenue, including new no parking signs.
Fadia Doss expressed concern about a new unmarked median on Jamacha Road and Dorothy Street, and added that there has already been an accident due to the median.
Dr. Ryan Fan, representing the Majdal Center, spoke about Middle Eastern and North African community members who are inaccurately counted in official data, which is used to allocate resources for health care, education, work force, and businesses.
Mina Naoomy, representing EmpowermentOne RiseOne, spoke in support of establishing a separate category for Middle Eastern and North African community members in official data and spoke about issues related to inaccurate data.
Rand Alubaidi, representing Family Health Centers of San Diego (FHCSD), spoke in support of establishing a separate category for Middle Eastern and North African community members in official data the importance of accurate data in relation to community resources.
Brenda Hammond spoke about buying her new vehicle in Santee but having it serviced in El Cajon.
WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS: None
PUBLIC HEARINGS:
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3:00 p.m.
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS:
11. Tax Revenue Analysis and Staffing Levels
RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council receives the report and provides feedback and/or 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:
• City's share of property taxes;
• California's Proposition 13, regarding property taxes; • Property tax rates and assessed property values;
• Reassessed property values;
• Slow turnover of property ownership;
• Non-profit properties;
• Additional sales tax measures; and
• Legal solutions to the distribution of property taxes.
MOTION BY WELLS, SECOND BY KENDRICK, to RECEIVE the report.
MOTION CARRIED BY UNANIMOUS VOTE.
12. Reckless Speed Warning Pilot Program Overview
RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council receives the report on a potential Reckless Speed Warning pilot program and provides feedback and direction.
DISCUSSION
Police Captain, Royal Bates, provided detailed information of the Item.
Chuck Kaye, City Council Candidate for District 1 for the 2026 Election, spoke in support of the Police Department and their response to the community's concerns about speeding in the City. Mr. Kaye also spoke about enforcement, engineering, and education regarding speeding.
Anita Stewardson spoke in support of traffic calming measures and in support of the additional patrols in El Cajon on the morning of April 14, 2026. Ms. Stewardson also spoke about the need for cooperation between the City, the County, and the State to make our communities safer.
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April 14, 2026
3:00 p.m.
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS: (Item 12- Continued)
In response to a question from Ms. Stewardson, City Manager Mitchell stated that there will be one of the pilot program cameras placed in each district and staff will work with Councilmemebers to determine the specific locations.
Discussion ensued amongst City Council and Staff concerning the following:
• How warnings will be issued;
• Repeat offenders;
• Ability to upload the data to the Police Department's Computer-Aided Dispatch (CAD) system;
• State pilot program using cameras for ticketing;
• Neighborhood Traffic Calming Town Hall on April 21, 2026; • Data privacy;
• Information to be included on the warning;
• Number of warnings that may be issued per month;
• Other moving violations; and
• Red light cameras.
MOTION BY GOBLE, SECOND BY KENDRICK, to RECEIVE the report and direct staff to bring back an analysis of the program for review and approval.
MOTION CARRIED BY UNANIMOUS VOTE.
COMMISSION REPORTS: None
ACTIVITIES REPORTS/COMMENTS OF MAYOR WELLS:
SAN DAG (San Diego Association of Governments) Board of Directors
13. Council Activities Report/Comments
Report as submitted.
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 (non-voting Chair).
Council Activities Report/Comments.
Report as submitted.
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April 14, 2026
3:00 p.m.
ACTIVITIES REPORTS OF COUNCILMEMBERS: (Continued)
15. COUNCILMEMBER GARY KENDRICK
METRO Commission/Wastewater JPA; Heartland Communications; Heartland Fire Training JPA.
Council Activities Report/Comments.
Report as submitted.
16. 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.
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; SAN DAG Board of Directors - 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
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April 14, 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 - Government Code Section 54957- Public Employee Performance Evaluation: City Manager
19. Closed Session - Conference with Labor Negotiators pursuant to Government Code section 54957.6
Agency Designated Representatives:
Graham Mitchell, City Manager
Jennifer Lyon, City Attorney
Vince DiMaggio, Assistant City Manager
Marisol Thorn, Deputy City Manager
Clay Schoen, Director of Finance
Employee Organizations:
El Cajon Municipal Employees Association
El Cajon Mid-Management and Professional Employees Group El Cajon Professional Firefighters International Association of Fire Fighters Local 4603
20. 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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April 14, 2026
3:00 p.m.
CLOSED SESSIONS: (Continued)
MOTION BY WELLS, SECOND BY METSCHEL, to ADJOURN to Closed Session at 4:34 p.m.
MOTION CARRIED BY UNANIMOUS VOTE.
RECONVENED to Open Session at 5:23 p.m.
City Attorney Lyon reported that Councilmember Goble left the Closed Session room at 5:08 p.m., and the following actions:
• Item 18 - Direction was given, no reportable action taken. • Item 19 - Direction was given, no reportable action taken. • Item 20 - Direction was given, no reportable action 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 14th day of April, 2026, at 5:23 p.m., to Tuesday, April 28, 2026, at 3:00 p.m.
Joint Meeting: El Cajon City Council/Housing Authority/ Successor Agency to the Redevelopment Agency -84-
EZ, CMC
City Clerk/Secretary
April 14, 2026
3:00 p.m.