El Cajon City Council
Participation
Time and Location
2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month, at 3:00 PM.
Council Chamber
200 Civic Center Way
El Cajon, CA 92020
Watch Online
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ElCajonCouncilMeetings Please note, digital comments on YouTube are not monitored.
Public Comments
Members of the public may address the City Council on any item listed on the agenda, or on matters which are not listed on the agenda but are within the subject matter jurisdiction of the City Council, Housing Authority and Successor Agency to the El Cajon Redevelopment Agency.
Speaker cards or requests to speak via ElCajon.gov/RemoteParticipation must be submitted to the City Clerk prior to the item being called. No late comment cards will be accepted. Please note that comments for Closed Session items will be heard during the general public comment portion of the agenda.
Public comments are typically limited to three (3) minutes per person, per agenda item, unless the presiding officer changes that time.
Per the Brown Act, the City Council cannot take formal action on items raised during public comments; however, Council may offer a brief response or direct staff to place the item on a future agenda for consideration.
In-Person Comments
Please complete a speaker card with the agenda item number you wish to speak about, or indicate if it is a general public comment, and return it to the Deputy City Clerk. When it’s your turn, the City Clerk will call your name and invite you to the podium.
Contact information on speaker cards is optional. Any information provided on a speaker card is considered a ‘public record’, and may be distributed or released to the public and/or media.
The Valley of Opportimlty
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~Porate~
Remote Comments
If you wish to participate remotely you must preregister at ElCajon.gov/RemoteParticipation. Once you are registered you will receive instructions on how to join the meeting, via Microsoft Teams.
Once in the meeting, your microphone will be muted until it is your turn to speak on an item. When the City Clerk calls your name you will hear that your microphone has been unmuted by the moderator. Your time will begin once you start speaking. During your allotted time, you can mute or unmute your microphone by pressing *6. Once your turn to speak is over your microphone will again be muted by the moderator. If you register to speak on multiple agenda items, this process will repeat for each item you have registered for.
Written Comments
Comments must be emailed to the City Clerk at [email protected] or mailed to the City Clerk at 200 Civic Center Way, El Cajon, CA 92020 and received by 4:00 pm the day prior to the City Council meeting for prompt distribution. Written public comments will be provided to the City Council in advance of the meeting for review and will be recorded in the public record.
Listening Devices and other Accommodations
The City of El Cajon encourages the participation of disabled individuals to be in total compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you require public documents in an accessible format, the City will make reasonable efforts to accommodate your request. This material is also to be made available in Spanish or Arabic upon request. If you are a non-English speaking resident or a citizen with speech or hearing impairments, and wish to comment at the Public Hearing or require any other form of assistance or auxiliary aids in order to participate at Public Hearings, please contact the City Clerk’s Office at (619) 441-1763, as far in advance of the meeting as possible.
Members of the public who wish to translate or receive interpretation provided by another member of the public can do so as long as there is no disruption to the meeting. The City will arrange a space for interpreters at the meeting location, upon written request to the City Clerk at least 24 (twenty-four) hours before the meeting.
Rules of Decorum:
While the city council is in session, (1) any person or councilmember who actually disrupts a council meeting by acting in a disorderly, noisy, sustained, manner, (2) any person whose conduct actually disrupts the due course of the council meeting while addressing the city council or any councilmember thereof, or (3) any member of the public in attendance who actually disrupts the meeting by failing, on demand of the presiding officer, to comply with any warning or order of the presiding officer made in accord with the authority of this chapter, is subject to arrest for violating the California Penal Code or this code. See El Cajon Municipal Code §
2.12.140 - § 2.12.160 for additional information.
Technology Disruption Policy:
In the event the City Council Chamber loses electrical power or suffers an internet connection outage that is not corrected within one (1) hour, the City Council may adopt a finding by roll call vote that it has made good faith efforts to restore service in accordance with its policy and that public interest in continuing the meeting outweighs the public interest in remote public access. If such a finding is adopted, the Council will continue the meeting. If the Council chooses to adjourn the meeting and continue at a future time, any items noticed as public hearings will be continued to the next regularly scheduled meeting of the City Council. Any other items on the agenda that the Council has not taken action on will be placed on a future agenda.
CITY COUNCIL
HOUSING AUTHORITY AND
SUCCESSOR AGENCY TO THE EL CAJON
REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY
Council Chamber
200 Civic Center Way
El Cajon, CA 92020
Agenda
SEPTEMBER 22, 2026, 3:00 p.m.
Bill Wells, Mayor Graham Mitchell, City Manager
Michelle Metschel, Deputy Mayor Vince DiMaggio, Assistant City Manager Steve Goble, Councilmember Marisol Thorn, Deputy City Manager Gary Kendrick, Councilmember Jennifer Lyon, City Attorney Phil Ortiz, Councilmember Angela Cortez, City Clerk
CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Bill Wells
ROLL CALL: City Clerk Angela Cortez
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG AND MOMENT OF SILENCE
POSTINGS: The City Clerk posted Orders of Adjournment of the September 8, 2026, and September 15, 2026, Meetings and the Agenda of the September 22, 2026, Meeting in accordance to State Law and City Council/Housing Authority/Successor Agency to the Redevelopment Agency Policy.
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PRESENTATIONS:
Proclamation: German American Month
Proclamation: Human Resources Professionals Day
Proclamation: Fire Prevention Week
AGENDA CHANGES:
CONSENT ITEMS:
Consent Items are routine matters enacted by one motion according to the RECOMMENDATION listed below. With the concurrence of the City Council, a Council Member or person in attendance may request discussion of a Consent Item at this time.
1. Minutes of the City Council/Housing Authority/Successor Agency to the El Cajon Redevelopment Agency Meetings
RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council/Housing Authority/Successor Agency to the El Cajon Redevelopment Agency approves Minutes of the September 8, 2026, Meeting, and the Joint Special Meeting of September 15, 2026, of the El Cajon City Council/Housing Authority/Successor Agency to the El Cajon Redevelopment Agency.
2. Warrants
RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council approves payment of Warrants as submitted by the Finance Department.
3. Approval of Reading Ordinances by Title Only
RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council approves the reading by title and waives the reading in full of all Ordinances on the Agenda.
4. Ratification and Approval to Excuse Absences for Councilmember Gary Kendrick RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council ratifies and excuses the recent absences of Councilmember Kendrick.
5. Youth League Utility Support Fiscal Year 2026/2027
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5. Youth League Utility Support Fiscal Year 2026/2027
RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council approves the Recreation Council's recommendation to provide utility support, in the amount of $2,400 per league, to eight Executive Member Youth leagues.
6. El Cajon Housing Authority Annual Report (Fiscal Year 2025-2026) RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council, acting as the El Cajon Housing Authority:
1. Approves the attached 2025-2026 Annual Report; and
Authorizes the Executive Director or designee to transmit it, in a form substantially as presented, to the California Department of Housing and Community Development as required by State Law.
2. 7. Acceptance of Main Street - Green Street Gateway Improvements Project RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council:
Accepts the Main Street - Green Street Gateway Improvements project (203691PWCP), Bid No. 006-23; and
1. Authorizes the City Clerk to record a Notice of Completion and release the bonds in accordance with the contract terms.
2. 8. Approval of Resolution Adopting Revised Citywide Compensation Plan RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council adopts the attached Resolution approving the revisions to the Citywide Compensation Plan, effective August 15, 2026.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
At this time, any person may address a matter within the jurisdiction of the City Council/Housing Authority/Successor Agency to the El Cajon Redevelopment Agency that is not on the Agenda. Comments relating to items on today’s docket are to be taken at the time the item is heard. State law prohibits discussion or action on items not on the Agenda; however, Council, Authority and Agency Members may briefly respond to statements or questions. An item may be placed on a future Agenda.
WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS:
PUBLIC HEARINGS:
9. Public Hearing to Consider Issuance of Tax-Exempt Bonds for the Bella Vista Apartments by the California Municipal Finance Authority RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council:
Conducts a Tax Equity and Fiscal Responsibility Act ("TEFRA") public hearing in consideration of the issuance of tax-exempt bond financing by the California Municipal Finance Authority for the benefit of Bella Sands, LP, to provide financing for the acquisition, rehabilitation, and improvement of a 150-unit apartment development generally known as Bella Vista Apartments; and
1. Adopts the attached Resolution approving the issuance of Bonds by the California Municipal Finance Authority not to exceed $50,000,000 for the benefit of Bella Sands, LP, to provide for the acquisition, rehabilitation, and improvement of a 150-unit apartment development generally known as Bella Vista Apartments.
2. ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS:
10. FY26 Financial Performance at The Magnolia
RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council receives the Fiscal Year 2026 Financial Performance review for The Magnolia.
11. Parkway Plaza Acquisition/Control Options
RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council receives the report.
12. Approval of Resolution Authorizing Funding to Establish the Washington Avenue Safety Improvements - Phase 2 Project (273975ESCP)
RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council adopts the attached Resolution authorizing the:
Appropriation and expenditure of the Highway Safety Improvement Program grant (HSIP046) totaling $2,820,150;
1. Appropriation of $450,000 of TransNet revenue for the purposes of funding the project; and
2. Establishment of the Washington Avenue Safety Improvements - Phase 2 (273975ESCP) project with a total project budget of $3,270,150.
3. 13. 2026 Annual Pension Status Report
RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council receives the Annual Pension Status report.
14. City Council Policies A-2 "City Council Meetings & Agenda" and A-3 "Citizen Requests & Complaints"
RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council considers adopting revised City Council Policies A-2 "City Council Meetings & Agenda" and A-3 "Citizen Requests & Complaints." COMMISSION REPORTS:
ACTIVITIES REPORTS/COMMENTS OF MAYOR WELLS
SANDAG (San Diego Association of Governments) Board of Directors.
15. Council Activity Report
ACTIVITIES REPORTS/COMMENTS OF COUNCILMEMBERS:
16. COUNCILMEMBER STEVE GOBLE
MTS (Metropolitan Transit System Board); East County Advanced Water Purification JPA Board; Chamber of Commerce – Government Affairs Committee; SANDAG – Board of Directors – Alternate.
17. COUNCILMEMBER GARY KENDRICK
METRO Commission/Wastewater JPA; Heartland Communications; Heartland Fire Training JPA.
18. DEPUTY MAYOR MICHELLE METSCHEL
Harry Griffen Park Joint Steering Committee; METRO Commission/Wastewater JPA – Alternate; Heartland Communications – Alternate; Heartland Fire Training JPA – Alternate.
19. 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 JPA Board – Alternate; Chamber of Commerce – Government Affairs Committee – Alternate; SANDAG – Board of Directors – Alternate.
JOINT COUNCILMEMBER REPORTS:
JOINT COUNCILMEMBER REPORTS:
20. Waive Requirement for Hold Harmless Agreement for a “Welcome to Fletcher Hills” Sign
RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council directs staff to prepare a report with a proposal for the City Council to consider waiving the requirement of a hold harmless agreement for the installation of a “Welcome to Fletcher Hills” sign and to present this report at the City Council meeting on October 13, 2026.
GENERAL INFORMATION ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION:
ORDINANCES: FIRST READING
ORDINANCES: SECOND READING AND ADOPTION
CLOSED SESSIONS:
21. Closed Session - Conference with Legal Counsel - Existing Litigation - pursuant to paragraph (1) of subdivision (d) of Government Code section 54956.9: City of El Cajon vs. Kalasho, et al.;
Superior Court of California, County of San Diego;
Case No.: 37-2023-00052718-CU-OR-CTL
22. Closed Session — Conference with Real Property Negotiators — pursuant to Government Code section 54956.8:
Property:
Proposed lease of premises
Agency Negotiators:
Graham Mitchell, City Manager
Vince DiMaggio, Assistant City Manager
Marisol Thorn, Deputy City Manager
Jennifer M. Lyon, City Attorney
Jeremiah Larson, Police Chief
Negotiating Parties:
Collins Business Park TIC
Under Negotiation:
Price and terms of payment
ADJOURNMENT: The Adjourned Regular Joint Meeting of the El Cajon City Council/El ADJOURNMENT: The Adjourned Regular Joint Meeting of the El Cajon City Council/El Cajon Housing Authority/Successor Agency to the El Cajon Redevelopment Agency held this 22nd day of September 2026, is adjourned to Tuesday, October 13, 2026, at 3:00 p.m.