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JOINT MEETING OF THE
EL CAJON CITY COUNCIL/HOUSING
AUTHORITY/SUCCES SOR AGENCY
TO THE EL CAJON
REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY
MINUTES
CITY OF EL CAJON
EL CAJON, CALIFORNIA
August 11, 2026
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A Regular Joint Meeting of the El Cajon City Council/Housing Authority/Successor Agency to the El Cajon Redevelopment Agency, held Tuesday, August 11 , 2026, was called to order by Mayor/Chair Bill Wells at 3:03 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, and Ortiz
Kendrick
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 28, 2026, meeting and the Agenda of the August 11 , 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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3:00 p.m.
PRESENTATIONS:
• Downtown El Cajon Business Partners - Alley Cat Art Fest Councilmember Ortiz praised the Art Walk and thanked staff and the PBID for their hard work.
AGENDA CHANGES: None
CONSENT ITEMS: (1 - 7)
MOTION BY WELLS, SECOND BY METSCHEL, to APPROVE Consent Items 1 to 7.
MOTION CARRIED BY UNANIMOUS VOTE
OF THOSE PRESENT (KENDRICK - Absent).
1. Minutes of El Cajon City Council/Housing Authority/Successor Agency to the El Cajon Redevelopment Agency Meetings
Approve Minutes of the July 28, 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. Monthly Treasurer's Report for the period ended June 30, 2026 Receive the Monthly Treasurer's Report for the period ended June 30, 2026.
5. Acceptance of the Council Chambers Video Management System Upgrades Project
Accept the Council Chambers Video Management System Upgrades Project as completed by EIDIM Group Inc. OBA EIDIM AV Technology (EIDIM); and Authorize the City Clerk to record a Notice of Completion and release all bonds in accordance with the contract terms.
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August 11, 2026
3:00 p.m.
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CONSENT ITEMS: (Continued)
6. Approval of Tentative Agreement with the El Cajon Professional Firefighters' Association (ECPFF) and Adoption of Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to Execute the Final Memorandum of Understanding with ECPFF Adopt Resolution No. 078-26, to Approve Plans and Specifications for Slurry 2025 (Various Locations) Multi-Year Contract, Bid No. 006-27; and Adopt Resolution No. 079- 26 to, Award the bid to the lowest responsive, responsible bidder, American Asphalt South, Inc. (AASI), in the amount of $1,184,333.33.
7. Approval of Tentative Agreement with the El Cajon Professional Firefighters' Association (ECPFF) and Adoption of Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to Execute the Final Memorandum of Understanding with ECPFF Approve the tentative agreement reached with the El Cajon Professional Firefighters' Association (ECPFF) and adopt Resolution No. 080-26, authorizing the City Manager to execute the final MOU with such changes as approved by the City Manager, provided that no change shall be made contrary to the terms of the tentative agreement.
Mayor Wells acknowledged that Councilmember Kendrick was absent from the Council meeting and shared that he wants Mr. Kendrick to know that Council's thoughts and prayers are with him.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
Daryl Cotton expressed concern regarding United Rental's disposal of septage waste in El Cajon. Mr. Cotton requested the City to review if there are permits in place, if the materials have been tested, and requested to stop further disposal until a review is completed.
City Manager Mitchell stated that Mr. Cotton has been in contact with staff, that staff are looking into the situation, and that there will be an update once more information is available.
Marco Espinosa spoke about his interest in politics and stated that he will be attending City Council meetings at all of the jurisdictions in San Diego County.
Brenda Hammond spoke highly about City staff and staff's support of Councilmembers.
Carol Lewis, representing El Cajon Collaborative, spoke about a food access network which helps individuals access information about food pantries in San Diego, which can be accessed at EastCountyFoodNetwork.org.
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3:00 p.m.
PUBLIC COMMENT: (Continued)
Deputy Mayor Metschel praised the El Cajon Collaborative for their efforts to connect people with food distributions.
Alan Nordholm spoke about the future of Parkway Plaza.
Will Coppock thanked Councilmember Kendrick for his many years of service and spoke in opposition of ICE operations.
Alexander Kraft, Mayoral Candidate for 2026, spoke in support of City Council adopting the Resolution which was presented to the City Council by the Majdal Arab Community Center, at a previous meeting, regarding accurate census data for Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) residents.
Rich Riel requested an investigation into the PBID and how New City America was selected to manage the PBID.
Dr. Ryan Fan, representing the Majdal Arab Community Center, asked City Council to adopt the Resolution he presented to Council in order to ensure proper representation of constituents. Dr. Fan spoke about the impacts on public health due to the misrepresentation of MENA communities.
In response to questions by Mayor Wells, City Manager Mitchell stated that there are some concerns regarding the Resolution that the Majdal Arab Community Center presented, regarding funding. Mr. Mitchell confirmed that the Census is performed by the Federal government, so the City has no jurisdiction over their procedures, and that the City has sent letters of support to the US Census for this cause.
Dr. Fan added that Resolutions passed by local governments help by showing commitment to their cause.
Deputy Mayor Metschel spoke in support of the Majdal Arab Community Center's efforts and encouraged other Councilmembers to show support by bringing forward a Joint Council Report to consider adopting a Resolution.
Rima Alkhateeb, representing the Majdal Arab Community Center, spoke in support of proper representation for the MENA communities in official data.
Ana Laura Martinez requested the City Council to agendize a Resolution as a symbol of support to the MENA communities.
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PUBLIC COMMENT: (Continued)
Truth Tonix spoke about how El Cajon measures up to other cities and encouraged people to record a video if they think something illegal is happening so that there is proof. Truth spoke in opposition of the Small Business Incubator program and about the funds the Chaldean Community Council has received from the County. Truth questioned why Councilmember Kendrick withdrew his Nomination for the November 3, 2026 election.
WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS: None
PUBLIC HEARINGS:
8. Public Hearing to Consider Adoption of a Revised Schedule of Police-Initiated Towing and Storage Charges
RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council holds the public hearing, considers input, and adopts the next Resolution, in order, approving a revised schedule of Police-initiated towing and storage charges within the City of El Cajon.
DISCUSSION
Lieutenant, Joseph Crawford , provided a summary of the Item.
Mayor Wells opened the Public Hearing.
Brad Ramsey, representing Road One, spoke about towing rates throughout the County and the increased expenses that tow companies are facing.
Discussion ensued amongst City Council and Staff concerning the following :
• Police initiated tows only;
• Hourly rates;
• What prompted the review of the rates;
• Yard labor fees; and
• Fees being reviewed are paid by the vehicle's owner, not the City.
In response to a question from Mayor Wells, City Manager Mitchell stated staff will look into the breakdown of the hourly rates and into creating a routine review of the towing fees.
MOTION BY WELLS, SECOND BY METSCHEL, to CLOSE the Public Hearing.
MOTION CARRIED BY UNANIMOUS VOTE
OF THOSE PRESENT (KENDRICK - Absent).
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PUBLIC HEARINGS: (Item 8 - Continued)
MOTION BY GOBLE, SECOND BY METSCHEL, to continue the Public Hearing to the September 8, 2026 Council meeting.
MOTION CARRIED BY UNANIMOUS VOTE
OF THOSE PRESENT (KENDRICK - Absent).
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS:
9. Homeless Programs and Services Bi-Annual Report
RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council receives the report on homeless programs and services, and provides feedback, recommendations , and direction regarding homeless-related programming and funding.
DISCUSSION
Senior Management Analyst, Deyanira Brito, provided detailed information of the Item.
No public comment was received for the Item.
Discussion ensued amongst City Council and Staff concerning the follow-up after someone is placed in permanent housing, and the criteria for determining which individuals are from El Cajon.
MOTION BY METSCHEL, SECOND BY ORTIZ, to RECEIVE the report on homeless programs and services.
MOTION CARRIED BY UNANIMOUS VOTE
OF THOSE PRESENT (KENDRICK - Absent).
10. Discussion Regarding Code Compliance Best Practices RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council receives the report and provides feedback and direction to staff.
DISCUSSION
Deputy Director of Development Services, Noah Alvey, provided detailed information of the Item.
Alexander Kraft spoke about a loophole regarding code enforcement by not completing a project on purpose, because people know that code enforcement will not get involved until a project is complete.
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ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS: (Item 10 - Continued)
Truth Tonix spoke about the importance of code enforcement, code enforcement for graffiti and encampments, the need for additional code compliance officers, in support of anonymous reporting, templates for courtesy letters, cost recovery for chronic locations, and in support of strict enforcement for vacant properties .
Discussion ensued amongst City Council and Staff concerning the following:
• Administrative law judge;
• Meaning of anonymous;
• Commercial versus residential violations;
• Trash cans causing safety hazards and being used to reserve public parking; • Being reactive versus proactive;
• Letter templates;
• Recording notices on titles;
• Most common issues;
• Compliance success rate;
• Partnering with EDCO for community education;
• Volunteer organizations;
• Leveraging technology to automate notices;
• Photos submitted by the public as evidence;
• Noise complaints;
• Impacts on small businesses;
• Unpermitted sidewalk vendors; and
• Addressing graffiti on public versus private property.
MOTION BY GOBLE, SECOND BY ORTIZ, to RECEIVE the report.
MOTION CARRIED BY UNANIMOUS VOTE
OF THOSE PRESENT (KENDRICK - Absent).
11 . Complimentary Ticket Distribution for Passes to The Magnolia RECOMMENDATION :
That the City Council receives the report and provides feedback on potential updates to City Council Policy A-28.
DISCUSSION
Senior Management Analyst, Ryan Villegas, provided detailed information of the Item.
Truth Tonix spoke in opposition of District based ticket giveaways and in support of the City's current policy.
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3:00 p.m.
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS: (Item 11 - Continued)
Discussion ensued amongst City Council and Staff concerning the following:
• Unclaimed or unused tickets;
• Distribution methods;
• Avoiding favoritism;
• Randomization;
• Use of staff time; and
• Distributing to more organizations.
No Motion required for the Item.
Councilmember Ortiz left the Chamber at 5:12 p.m.
Councilmember Ortiz returned to the Chamber at 5:14 p.m.
COMMISSION REPORTS: None
ACTIVITIES REPORTS/COMMENTS OF MAYOR WELLS:
SAN DAG (San Diego Association of Governments) Board of Directors
12. Council Activities Report/Comments
Report as submitted.
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; SAN DAG - Board of Directors - Alternate.
Council Activities Report/Comments .
In addition to the submitted report, Councilmember Goble thanked staff for their work on the Jamacha Road speed mitigation project, the parking issues, and their response to e bike takeovers. Mr. Goble also recognized the Finance and Human Resources departments.
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ACTIVITIES REPORTS OF COUNCILMEMBERS: (Continued)
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; SAN DAG Board of Directors - Alternate.
Council Activities Report/Comments.
In addition to the submitted report, Councilmember Ortiz added that at the Economic Development Council it was announced that the Bradley Avenue bridge expansion will start in the spring of 2027.
JOINT COUNCILMEMBER REPORTS: None
GENERA L INFORMATION ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION: None
ORDINANCES: FIRST READING - None
ORDINANCES: SECOND READING AND ADOPTION - None
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CLOSED SESSIONS: None
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 11th day of August, 2026, at 5:31 p.m., to Tuesday, September 8, 2026, at 3:00 p.m.
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L. CORTEZ, CMC
Cit Secretary
August 11 , 2026
3:00 p.m.