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I
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
July 28, 2026
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An Adjourned Regular Joint Meeting of the El Cajon City Council/Housing Authority/ Successor Agency to the El Cajon Redevelopment Agency, held Tuesday, July 28, 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 July 14, 2026, meetings and the Agenda of the July 28, 2026, meeting 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 - 167 -
July 28, 2026
3:00 p.m.
PRESENTATIONS:
• America 250 Celebration
AGENDA CHANGES: None
CONSENT ITEMS: (1 - 5)
1. Minutes of El Cajon City Council/Housing Authority/Successor Agency to the El Cajon Redevelopment Agency Meetings
Approve Minutes of the July 14, 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.
PULLED FOR DISCUSSION BY COUNCILMEMBER GOBLE:
4. Approval of Resolution to Approve the Revised Second Amended and Restated Regional Wastewater Disposal Agreement (SARA)
RECOMMENDATION :
That the City Council adopts the next Resolution, in order, to:
1. Approve the Second Amended and Restated Wastewater Disposal Agreement (SARA), as revised, dated June 12, 2026; and
2. Authorize the Mayor to sign the revised SARA in substantially the form attached to the agenda packet, to allow for potential minor corrections to the document.
DISCUSSION
Councilmember Goble stated this amendment explains how the City will be billed for the Metro Wastewater portion of the wastewater, and that a three-fourths vote of the members will be required for changes.
Joint Meeting: El Cajon City Council/Housing Authority/ Successo r Agency to the Redevelopment Agency - 168 -
July 28, 2026
3:00 p.m.
11 CONSENT ITEMS: (Item 4 - Continued)
Adopt Resolution No. 074-26 , to Approve the Second Amended and Restated Wastewater Disposal Agreement (SARA), as revised, dated June 12, 2026; and Authorize the Mayor to sign the revised SARA in substantially the form attached to the agenda packet, to allow for potential minor corrections to the document.
5. 2026-2027 Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) Selective Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP) Grant
Authorize the City Manager or his designee to accept, appropriate, and expend the California Office of Traffic Safety (STEP) Grant in the amount of $83,000 and to execute any grant documents and agreements necessary for the receipt and use of these funds.
MOTION BY WELLS, SECOND BY ORTIZ, to APPROVE Consent Items 1 to 5.
MOTION CARRIED BY UNANIMOUS VOTE.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
Laurie Debus thanked Council and staff, as well as the El Cajon Police Department , the San Diego Sheriff's Department , and California Highway Patrol, for the traffic calming measures at Jamacha Road and Gustavo Street.
Ray Justus spoke about the need for traffic calming on East Chase Avenue.
Brenda Hammond spoke about shopping at Parkway Plaza mall.
Rich Riel requested Mayor Wells to recuse himself from Property Based-Improvement District (PBID) and Community Benefit District (CBD) discussions and votes. Mr. Riel also expressed concerns about the transparency of the PBID.
In response to Mr. Riel's comments , Mayor Wells stated that he has never been a board member of the CDC, or attended any of their meetings .
Dr. Ryan Fan, representing the Madjal Community Center , spoke in support of improved representation of Middle Eastern and North African constituents in official data.
Zamzam Fadhil, representing the Madjal Community Center , spoke about the impacts of inaccurate representation of Middle Eastern and North African constituents in official data.
Joint Meeting: El Cajon City Council/Housing Authority/ Successor Agency to the Redevelopment Agency - 169 -
July 28, 2026
3:00 p.m.
PUBLIC COMMENT: (Continued)
Truth spoke about the registration process to speak remotely, against salary increases during budget cuts, the new wastewater project, against the housing first model for homeless, and the new tables in Downtown El Cajon.
WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS: None
PUBLIC HEARINGS: None
ADMIN ISTRATIVE REPORTS:
6. Consideration to Approve Resolution of Intent to Establish a Downtown El Cajon Community Benefit District (CBD); Authorization for City Manager or Designee to vote "Yes" on the ballot; and Acceptance of the Management District Plan and the Engineer's Report.
RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council:
1. Receives report and petition drive results;
2. Adopts the next Resolution, in order, to approve the Resolution of Intent to set a public hearing and direct the ballots to be mailed to affected property owners, and authorize the City Manager or designee to vote "Yes" on the City's ballot in support for the creation of the Downtown El Cajon Community Benefit District; and
3. Accepts the Management District Plan and the Engineer's Report for the Proposed CBD.
DISCUSSION
Senior Management Analyst, Nate Prescott, provided detailed information of the Item and stated that Marco Li Mandri, President of New City America, was available to answer questions.
Rich Riel requested transparency of the CBD formation process and requested to see the signed petitions.
In response to a question from Mayor Wells, City Manager Mitchell confirmed that the City hired Mr. Li Mandri to perform a general analysis of the PBID, which was approved by the City Council. Mr. Mitchell added that later the PBID issued an RFP and selected New City America to be their Executive Director.
Joint Meeting: El Cajon City Council/Housing Authority/ Successor Agency to the Redevelopment Agency - 170 -
July 28, 2026
3:00 p.m.
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ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS: (Item 6 - Continued)
Truth expressed concern about small businesses having additional taxes and in support of transparency of the CBD formation process.
MOTION BY ORTIZ, SECOND BY METSCHEL, to RECEIVE the report and petition drive results; Adopt Resolution No. 075-26, to approve the Resolution of Intent to set a public hearing and direct the ballots to be mailed to affected property owners, and authorize the City Manager or designee to vote "Yes" on the City's ballot in support for the creation of the Downtown El Cajon Community Benefit District; and Accept the Management District Plan and the Engineer's Report for the Proposed CBD.
MOTION CARRIED BY UNANIMOUS VOTE.
7. Social Services & Business Incubator Programs Update RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council receives the report.
DISCUSSION
I I Senior Management Analyst, Ryan Villegas, provided detailed information of the Item.
Mayor Wells thanked Dr. Noori Barka and the Chaldean Community Council for their contributions to the community.
Truth spoke in opposition of the small business incubator program and requested transparency.
Mairene Branham expressed concern regarding the application and selection process , as well as fees being charged to participants.
MOTION BY ORTIZ, SECOND BY KENDRICK, to RECEIVE the report.
MOTION CARRIED BY UNANIMOUS VOTE.
Joint Meeting: El Cajon City Council/Housing Authority/ Successor Agency to the Redevelopment Agency - 171 -
July 28, 2026
3:00 p.m.
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS: (Continued)
8. Approval of Resolutions to Award Bid No. 005-27 - 405 E. Lexington Avenue Tenant Improvements and Approve Plans & Specifications
RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council approves the next Resolutions, in order, to:
1. Approve Plans and Specifications for 405 E. Lexington Avenue Tenant Improvements, Bid No. 005-27;
2. Find the following:
• Protest (Ground 1) submitted by GQ Builders, Inc. (GQBI) to be timely and with merit;
• Protest (Grounds 2 through 4) submitted by GQBI to be timely and without merit;
• The apparent first and fourth low bidders non-responsive for the reasons set forth in the agenda report; and
3. Award the bid to the lowest responsive, responsible bidder, GQ Builders, Inc. (GQBI), in the amount of $430,000.
DISCUSSION
Deputy Director of Development Services, Senan Kachi, provided detailed information of the Item.
Ammar Ameen, representing Neema General Contracting (NGC), spoke in opposition of the protest (Ground 1 ), requested to find the protest without merit and to have the bid awarded to NGC.
City Manager Mitchell stated that the contractor was allowed to re-submit a scope of work with the subcontractor. Mr. Mitchell added that the scope of work that was submitted by NGC underestimated the scope of work that the City is anticipating and with the lack of a C-16 Fire Protection Contractor license, NGC was deemed unresponsive.
Discussion ensued amongst City Council and Staff concerning the following:
• Difference in bid amounts;
• Base bid versus cumulative bid;
• Alternatives; and
• Scope of work.
Mayor Wells invited Mr. Ameen back to the podium to provide additional information.
Mr. Ameen stated that the City made their decision before reviewing the scope of work for the subcontractor, which was provided, and that NGC was the lowest cumulative bidder.
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July 28, 2026
3:00 p.m.
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ADMINISTRATIV E REPORTS: (Item 8 - Continued)
Councilmember Goble clarified that the problem is that NGC failed to hold or list a subcontractor with the C-16 license on their bid.
Mr. Ameen stated that based on the solicitation, NGC did not have to list the subcontractor in their bid.
Mr. Kachi explained that NGC was allowed to submit the paperwork for their subcontractor, but it did not change the City's decision which was previously made.
Mr. Kachi added that the bid documents stated that the subcontractor must design, build and submit plans to the City's building department for approval; however, the bid submitted by NGC's subcontractor specifically excluded any design work or plans for that work.
In response to a question from Councilmember Goble, Mr. Kachi confirmed that the bid received from NGC was for maintenance to the existing system, whereas the request was for a modification to the existing system, which included rerouting fire . sprinklers to new locations.
In response to a question from Councilmember Ortiz, Mr. Kachi confirmed that if NGC's bid was submitted for the correct scope of work, then NGC would have been required to list a subcontractor on their bid because it would have pushed the bid over the one-half of one percent threshold.
Mayor Wells expressed that he is sensitive to the situation and he wanted to make sure that everyone was being treated fairly. Mr. Wells stated that after hearing from City staff that he was comfortable that the situation was handled fairly.
MOTION BY ORTIZ, SECOND BY METSCHEL, to ADOPT Resolution No. 076-26, to Approve Plans and Specifications for 405 E. Lexington Avenue Tenant Improvements, Bid No. 005-27; Find the following:
Protest (Ground 1) submitted by GQ Builders, Inc. (GQBI) to be timely and with merit; Protest (Grounds 2 through 4) submitted by GQBI to be timely and without merit; The apparent first and fourth low bidders non responsive for the reasons set forth in the agenda report; and Adopt Resolution No. 077-26, to Award the bid to the lowest responsive, responsible bidder, GQ Builders, Inc. (GQBI), in the amount of $430,000.
MOTION CARRIED BY UNANIMOUS VOTE.
COMMISSION REPORTS: None
Joint Meeting: El Cajon City Council/Housing Authority/ Successor Agency to the Redevelopment Agency - 173 -
July 28, 2026
3:00 p.m.
ACTIVITIES REPORTS/COMMENTS OF MAYOR WELLS :
SAN DAG (San Diego Association of Governments) Board of Directors.
9. Council Activities ReporVComments
Report as submitted.
Councilmember Kendrick left the Chamber at 5:03 p.m.
Counci lmember Kendrick returned to the Chamber at 5:05 p.m.
ACTIVITIES REPORTS OF COUNCILMEMBERS:
10. 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.
Council Activities ReporVComments.
In addition to the submitted report, Councilmember Goble added that City staff were at Jamacha Road and Gustavo Street performing new street striping and installing rumble strips. Mr. Goble stated that he is looking forward to the guardrails being installed, which will help with the HOA's property insurance rates and will help to save lives.
11. COUNCILMEMBER GARY KENDRICK
METRO Commission/Wastewater JPA; Heartland Communications; Heartland Fire Training JPA.
Council Activities Report/Comments.
Report as submitted.
12. 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 stated that she did not attend the Women in Service Everywhere meeting on July 24, 2026.
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July 28, 2026
3:00 p.m.
11 ACTIVITIES REPORTS OF COUNCILMEMBERS: (Continued)
13. 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:
14. Sewer Lateral Policy
RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council directs staff to present an analysis regarding the City's current sewer lateral policy.
DISCUSSION
I Councilmember Ortiz and Mayor Wells provided detailed information of the Item.
No public comment was received for the Item.
MOTION BY WELLS, SECOND BY KENDRICK, to DIRECT staff to provide a report including possible options for the sewer lateral policy.
MOTION CARRIED BY UNANIMOUS VOTE.
15. Parkway Plaza Acquisition Options
RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council directs staff to prepare and return with an analysis of the potential options to acquire the Parkway Plaza property.
DISCUSSION
Mayor Wells and Deputy Mayor Metschel provided detailed information of the Item.
Brenda Hammond spoke about history of Parkway Plaza.
Joint Meeting: El Cajon City Council/Housing Authority/ Successor Agency to the Redevelopment Agency - 175 -
July 28, 2026
3:00 p.m.
JOINT COUNCILM EMBER REPORTS: (Item 15 - Continued)
Discussion ensued amongst City Council and Staff concerning the following:
• Making Parkway Plaza more economically viable;
• Impacts on sales tax revenue for the City;
• The City does not decide which businesses are at Parkway Plaza; • New businesses that are already underlease; and
• Existing lease agreements.
MOTION BY WELLS, SECOND BY METSCHEL, to DIRECT staff to provide a report which outlines the options for moving forward with the Parkway Plaza project, including legal options.
MOTION CARRIED BY UNANIMOUS VOTE.
Councilmember Goble announced that he would recuse himself and not participate on Item 16 due to living within 500 feet of the location to be discussed. Mr. Goble left the Chamber at 5:18 p.m.
16. Kaiser Permanente Acquisition Options
RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council directs staff to prepare and return with an analysis of the potential options to acquire the Kaiser Permanente property.
DISCUSSION
Mayor Wells and Deputy Mayor Metschel provided detailed information of the Item.
No public comment was received for the Item.
MOTION BY WELLS, SECOND BY ORTIZ, to DIRECT staff to provide a report which outlines the options for the Kaiser property, including legal options.
MOTION CARRIED BY 4 - 0 VOTE
(GOBLE - Disqualified).
GENERAL INFORMATION ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION: None
ORDINANC ES: FIRST READING - None
ORDINANCE S: SECOND READING AND ADOPTION - None
Joint Meeting: El Cajon City Council/Housing Authority/ Successor Agency to the Redevelopment Agency - 176 -
July 28, 2026
3:00 p.m.
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CLOSED SESSIONS:
RECOMMENDATION: That the City Council/Housing Authority/Successor Agency to the El Cajon Redevelopment Agency adjourns to Closed Session as follows:
17. Closed Session - Conference with Legal Counsel - Anticipated Litigation - Initiation of litigation pursuant to paragraph (4) of subdivision (d) of Government Code section 54956.9: Three (3) potential cases
18. Closed Session - Conference with Legal Counsel - Existing Litigation pursuant to paragraph (1) of subdivision (d) of Government Code section 54956.9: Haralson vs El Cajon Police Department, et al.
City Attorney Lyon announced that Item 19 was removed from the agenda and would not be discussed .
19. Closed Session - CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL- ANTICIPATED LITIGATION Significant exposure to litigation pursuant to Government Code section 54956.9(d)(2) (1 case) Existing facts and circumstances pursuant to Government Code section 54956.9 (e)(1)
MOTION BY WELLS, SECOND BY KENDRICK, to ADJOURN to Closed Session at 5:22 p.m.
MOTION CARRIED BY UNANIMOUS VOTE
OF THOSE PRESENT (GOBLE - Absent).
RECONVENED to Open Session at 5:38 p.m.
City Attorney Lyon reported the following actions:
• Item 17 - Direction was given, no reportable action taken. • Item 18 - 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 28th day of July, 2026, at 5:39 p.m., to Tuesday, August 11, 2026, at 3:00 p.m.
Joint Meeting: El Cajon City Council/Housing Authority/ Successor Agency to the Redevelopment Agency - 177 -
City Clerk/Secretary
July 28, 2026
3:00 p.m.