CITY OF IMPERIAL BEACH
CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
October 1, 2025, 6: 00 p. m.
Council Chambers
825 Imperial Beach Boulevard
Imperial Beach, CA 91932
Present: Mayor McKay, Mayor Pro Tern Seabury, Councilmember Fisher, Councilmember Leyba- Gonzalez
Staff: City Manager Foltz, Chief Administrative Officer Cortez- Martinez, City Attorney Lyon, City Clerk Kelly, Building Official Huddleston, Fire Marshal Santos
The City Council also sits as the Imperial Beach Planning Commission, Public Financing Authority, and Imperial Beach Redevelopment Agency Successor Agency.
1. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor McKay called the Regular Meeting to order at 6:00 p. m.
2. ROLL CALL
City Clerk Kelly took roll.
3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Councilmember Fisher led the Pledge of Allegiance.
4. REIMBURSEMENT DISCLOSURES/ REPORTS ON ASSIGNMENTS AND COMMITTEES Councilmember Leyba- Gonzalez
Dante Longo Memorial Gym Ribbon Cutting Ceremony at Pier Plaza San Diego Air Cooled Fiesta Car Show
Councilmember Fisher
Dante Longo Memorial Gym Ribbon Cutting Ceremony at Pier Plaza San Diego Air Cooled Fiesta Car Show
San Diego Community Power Board Meeting
SANDAG Board of Directors Meeting
Symphony by the Sea
SANDAG Audit Committee is seeking a member of the public to serve on the committee Mayor Pro Tern Seabury
Southwestern College Student Union Ribbon Cutting Ceremony Scotty B' s Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
San Diego Navy Seal Museum Opening Day
A reception hosted by Captain Jacobi at the Naval Amphibious Base in Coronado United States Navy Flag Raising
Mayor McKay
Dante Longo Memorial Gym Ribbon Cutting Ceremony at Pier Plaza San Diego Air Cooled Fiesta Car Show
IB Chamber of Commerce Breakfast
Symphony by the Sea
United States Navy Flag Raising
South County Mayors and City Managers Meeting
5. COMMUNICATIONS FROM CITY STAFF
City Manager Foltz informed the City Council and the public that staff is aware of the concerns regarding the 9th Street Improvement Project. Staff will be reviewing traffic data, public concerns, and technical studies to determine next steps.
6. PUBLIC COMMENT
Written comments provided by Sandra Brillhart and Toni Trinidad.
Mary Davis spoke on anti- discrimination.
Edward Brakmanis would like to promote a positive image for Imperial Beach.
Martin Mattes provided updates from the Imperial Beach Chamber of Commerce.
Jarrod Caswell expressed traffic safety concerns.
Mary Hensley called for freedom from harassment regarding political stances.
Truth shared county updates that could affect Imperial Beach.
Ignacio Martinez expressed support for free speech and articulated the need to focus on important community issues.
7. PRESENTATIONS
7. a PROCLAMATION CELEBRATING FILIPINO AMERICAN HISTORY MONTH. ( 0410- 30) Motion by Mayor Pro Tern Seabury
Seconded by Councilmember Fisher
To approve the Proclamation.
AYES ( 4): Mayor McKay, Mayor Pro Tern Seabury, Councilmember Fisher, Councilmember Leyba- Gonzalez
Motion Carried ( 4 to 0
2 Mayor Pro Tem Seabury read the proclamation.
No public comments.
Mayor McKay presented the Proclamation to members of the Filipino American Chamber of Commerce.
7. b PROCLAMATION CELEBRATING INDIGENOUS PEOPLES' DAY. ( 0410- 30) Motion by Councilmember Fisher
Seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Seabury
To approve the Proclamation.
AYES ( 4): Mayor McKay, Mayor Pro Tern Seabury, Councilmember Fisher, Councilmember Leyba- Gonzalez
Motion Carried ( 4 to 0)
Mayor McKay read the proclamation
Public Comments:
Truth shared her experience at the grand opening of a new American Indian- owned business
Mayor Pro Tem Seabury stated that San Diego County has the largest number of Indian Tribes, with eighteen reservations and seventeen federally recognized Tribal Nations.
Mayor McKay presented the Proclamation to Bobby Wallace from the Barona Band of Mission Indians of the Kumeyaay Nation.
Bobby Wallace conveyed that he was honored to accept the proclamation and will share it with his people.
8. CONSENT CALENDAR
Motion by Councilmember Fisher
Seconded by Mayor Pro Tern Seabury
To approve Consent Calendar Item Nos. 8. a through 8. c.
AYES ( 4): Mayor McKay, Mayor Pro Tern Seabury, Councilmember Fisher, Councilmember Leyba- Gonzalez
Motion Carried ( 4 to 0)
8. a RATIFICATION OF WARRANT REGISTER FOR THE PERIOD FROM SEPTEMBER 5, 2025 TO SEPTEMBER 18, 2025. ( 0300- 25)
City Council ratified and filed the Warrant Register Report.
8. b RESOLUTION 2025- 050 TO ACCEPT AND APPROPRIATE$ 90, 000 IN GRANT FUNDS
FROM THE CALIFORNIA OFFICE OF TRAFFIC SAFETY FOR A PEDESTRIAN AND 3 BICYCLE SAFETY PROGRAM AND APPROVE AN AGREEMENT WITH CIRCULATE SAN DIEGO TO ADMINISTER THE PROGRAM. ( 0390- 86)
Approved Resolution No. 2025-050 which would approve the grant agreement between the City of Imperial Beach and the California Office of Traffic Safety, accept and appropriate $ 90, 000 in grant funds for the Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety Program, and to approve an agreement with WalkSanDiego, doing business as Circulate San Diego, to administer the Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety Program.
8. c RESOLUTION 2025- 051 CONTINUING THE PROCLAMATION OF A STATE OF LOCAL
EMERGENCY RELATING TO IMPACTS FROM CROSS- BORDER POLLUTION IN THE TIJUANA RIVER. ( 0150- 40 & 0210- 26)
Approved Resolution No. 2025-051 to maintain a state of local emergency related to the cross- border pollution impacts from the Tijuana River and authorize the City Manager, Mayor, and Council members to work with local, State, Federal, and Mexican authorities to advance binational projects to improve conditions in the Tijuana River.
9. ORDINANCES/ INTRODUCTION & FIRST READING
None
10. PUBLIC HEARINGS
10. a SECOND READING AND ADOPTON OF ORDINANCE 2025- 1256 TO ADOPT THE CALIFORNIA CODE OF REGULATIONS, TITLE 24 PARTS 1 THROUGH 12 WITH APPENDICES, 2025 EDITION WITH AMENDMENTS, ADDITIONS, AND DELETIONS RELATED TO THE CALIFORNIA BUILDING STANDARDS CODE. ( 0250- 95 Mayor McKay declared the public hearing open.
Building Official Huddleston and Fire Marshal Santos gave a PowerPoint presentation on the item.
No public comments.
No City Council discussion.
City Clerk Kelly read the title of the Ordinance.
Motion by Councilmember Fisher
Seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Seabury
To waive further reading and adopt Ordinance No. 2025- 1256.
AYES ( 4): Mayor McKay, Mayor Pro Tem Seabury, Councilmember Fisher, Councilmember Leyba- Gonzalez
Motion Carried ( 4 to 0)
4 11. REPORTS
11. a SECOND ROUND INTERVIEWS OF CITY COUNCIL APPLICANTS WITH DISCUSSION
AND POSSIBLE ACTION TO MAKE APPOINTMENT TO FILL VACANCY IN CITY COUNCIL POSITION, DISTRICT 3. ( 041 0- 40)
City Manager Foltz gave a PowerPoint presentation on the item.
Applicant Interviews:
The order of interviews was determined by random draw as follows: Mariko Nakawatase and Brian Patrick Bilbray.
Public comments:
Abigail Ontiveros spoke in support of Mariko Nakawatase.
Xander Ramirez spoke in support of Mariko Nakawatase.
Roberto Quezada spoke in support of Mariko Nakawatase.
Ignacio Martinez spoke in support of Brian Patrick Bilbray.
Eileen Henot questioned residency of Mariko Nakawatase.
Cythnia Kaui spoke in support of Mariko Nakawatase.
Truth made positive comments for Mariko Nakawatase and expressed disappointment for Brian Patrick Bilbray' s responses.
Lorie Bragg spoke in support of Mariko Nakawatase.
Mayor McKay announced 12 emails were submitted as last minute agenda information expressing support or opposition for various candidates. Additionally, the withdrawal of their applications was included by both Betty Sanchez Blevins and John Keating, and Mariko Nakawatase provided documents she would reference during her interviews.
Written comments were received from Brittany Walk, James C. Janney, Mark Williams, Sandra Brillhart, Dave Nearing, Anne Pilgram, Taco Corona, Mehri Sadri, Jared Rapoza, Lynne Fischer, Corey Emerson, David Martinez, and John Keating.
Councilmember Fisher expressed his gratitude for the applicants.
Mayor Pro Tern Seabury spoke on how they are both fine candidates.
Mayor McKay thanked the final candidates and everyone that has shown their support for them.
The Mayor and City Council each submitted their top preference to the City Clerk for tabulation.
Mayor McKay called for a recess at 7:48 p. m. and reconvened the meeting at 7:56 p. m. with all Councilmembers present.
5 Mayor McKay asked the City Clerk to reveal the tally.
City Clerk Kelly announced the following results:
Name Vote
Councilmember Leyba- Gonzalez None
Councilmember Fisher Brian Bilbray
Mayor Pro Tern Seabury Mariko Nakawatase
Mayor McKay Mariko Nakawatase
City Council discussed the two finalists. There was agreement that both candidates were highly qualified but brought different types of experience. There was a desire for a candidate with prior City Council experience while other Councilmembers favored selecting a candidate with recent active community engagement. It was noted that the appointment would last approximately 12 months, with all candidates eligible to run in the 2026 election.
Motion by Mayor Pro Tern Seabury
Seconded by Councilmember Fisher
To appoint Mariko Nakawatase to fill the Vacancy in City Council Position, District 3 and to hold the Oath of Office on October 15, 2025.
AYES ( 3): Mayor McKay, Mayor Pro Tern Seabury, Councilmember Fisher NOES ( 1): Councilmember Leyba- Gonzalez
Motion Carried ( 3 to 1)
12. I. B. REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY SUCCESSOR AGENCY REPORTS None.
13. ITEMS PULLED FROM THE CONSENT CALENDAR ( IF ANY)
None.
14. CITY COUNCIL FUTURE AGENDA REQUESTS
None.
15. ADJOURN REGULAR MEETING
Mayor McKay adjourned the Regular Meeting at 8: 06 p. m. 6 ac ueline M. Kelly, MMC Mitc II D. McKay
i lark May r
7