0 CALIFORNIA
AT'IONAL, CITY
INCORPORATEp
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL
September 15, 2026, 6: 00 p. m.
City Council Chamber - 1243 National City Boulevard
National City, CA
Present: Councilmember Yamane
Councilmember Rodriguez
Councilmember Bush
Vice- Mayor Molina
Mayor Morrison
Others Present: Doug Schulze, City Manager
Heidi Skinner, City Attorney
Shelley Chapel, City Clerk ( Zoom)
Walter Amedee, Emergency Manager
Rachelle Barrera, Acting Director of Finance
Jeremy Day, Battalion Chief
Alejandro Hernandez, Police Chief
Tonya Hussain, Deputy City Clerk
Martha Juarez, Acting Director Engineering/ Public Works Brian Krepps, Acting Fire Chief
Steve Manganiello, Acting Deputy City Manager
Jose Pena, Sous Chef
Martin Reeder, Director of Community Development
Mikki Vidamo, Management Analyst III/ Literacy Manager
1. CALL TO ORDER
A Regular Meeting of the City Council of the City of National City was called to order at 6: 08 p. m. via teleconference and in the Council Chamber, located in City Hall, 1243 National City Boulevard, National City, California.
2. ROLL CALL
Councilmembers present: Yamane, Rodriguez, Bush, Molina, Morrison Interpretation in Spanish provided by Carlos Diaz and Luisa Diaz de Leon.
3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG
Vice- Mayor Molina led the Pledge of Allegiance.
4. INVOCATION
Invocation delivered by National City Christian Center Co- Pastor Robert Dominguez.
Mayor Morrison announced that Item 11. 1 was pulled from the agenda and would be heard at a Special City Council meeting on September 22, 2026 at 5: 00 p.m.
5. PUBLIC COMMENT
Mayor Morrison summarized the process for acceptance of live public comment allowing two ( 2) minutes per comment.
In- Person Comment:
Angel Marquez
Ted Godshalk
Anita Brinkley
Karen McManus, National City Chamber of Commerce
Randi Castle- Salgado
Sharon Bernie- Cloward
Sofia Toral
Regena Henriah
Edward Nieto
Virtual Comment:
Madison Rapp
Sophie Silvestri
Written Comment:
Barbara Gordon
6. PROCLAMATIONS AND RECOGNITION
6. 1 Employee of the Quarter
Chief of Police Alex Hernandez introduced Employee of the Quarter, Traffic Officer Coordinator Vanessa Castro who addressed the City Council.
6. 2 Introduction of New Hires and Promotions of City Employees Chief of Police Alex Hernandez announced the new members of the Police Department.
6. 3 Proclamation for National Food Service Worker Day
Mayor Morrison introduced Community Services Director Mike Pacheco who reported on the item. Nutrition Center Sous Chef Jose Pena accepted the Proclamation.
7. REGIONAL BOARDS AND COMMITTEE REPORTS ( Limited to Five( 5) Minutes each) Councilmember Yamane reported that Metro Wastewater Joint Powers Authority would meet the following week.
Councilmember Bush reported that MTS would meet that week.
Vice- Mayor Molina provided an update on the SANDAG Board of Directors Meeting and spoke to the SR- 125 Toll Road in the South Bay.
Mayor Morrison announced that his attendance at an upcoming Regional Solid Waste Association meeting would be his final meeting.
8. INTERVIEWS AND APPOINTMENTS
8. 1 Appointments: City Boards, Commissions, and Committees — City Council Interview and Appointment for the Civil Service Commission, Planning Commission, and the Housing Advisory Committee.
Recommendation: City Council to Conduct Interviews and Appoint.
An interview was conducted for the following Civil Service Commission applicant:
Fermin Jimenez
There were no other applicants.
ACTION: Motion by Councilmember Bush, seconded by Councilmember Yamane to appoint Fermin Jimenez to the Civil Service Commission with a term ending September 30, 2029.
Motion carried by unanimous vote.
Interviews were conducted for the following Planning Commission applicants:
Staci Jackson
Cynthia Fuller Quinonez
City Council ballot votes for one Planning Commissioner was as follows:
Councilmember Rodriguez — Cynthia Fuller Quinonez
Vice- Mayor Molina — Cynthia Fuller Quinonez
Councilmember Bush — Cynthia Fuller Quinonez
Mayor Morrison — Staci Jackson
Councilmember Yamane — Staci Jackson
Applicant Cynthia Fuller Quinonez received the majority of the votes and was appointed to the Planning Commission with a term ending September 30, 2028.
Interviews were conducted for the following Housing Advisory Committee applicants:
Jose L. Torres, Jr.
Ferrel Rodriguez
City Council ballot votes for one Housing Advisory Committee member was as follows:
Vice- Mayor Molina — Jose L. Torres, Jr.
Councilmember Bush — Jose L. Torres, Jr.
Mayor Morrison — Jose L. Torres, Jr.
Councilmember Yamane — Ferrel Rodriguez
Councilmember Rodriguez — Ferrel Rodriguez
Applicant Jose L. Torres, Jr. received the majority of the votes and was appointed to the Housing Advisory Committee with a term ending March 31, 2030.
8. 2 Appointments: City Boards, Commissions, and Committees — Mayoral Appointments to the Board of Library Trustees; Parks, Recreation & Senior Citizens' Advisory Committee; Public Art Committee; and the Traffic Safety Committee.
Recommendation: Mayoral Appointment with the City Councilmembers' Confirmation.
ACTION: Motion by Mayor Morrison, seconded by Councilmember Rodriguez to appoint Ferrel Rodriguez to the Board of Library Trustees with a term ending September 30, 2027.
Motion carried by unanimous vote.
ACTION: Motion by Mayor Morrison, seconded by Councilmember Rodriguez to reappoint Margaret Godshalk to the Board of Library Trustees with a term ending September 30, 2029.
Motion carried by unanimous vote.
ACTION: Motion by Mayor Morrison, seconded by Vice- Mayor Molina to appoint Maria Patrice Amon to the Parks, Recreation & Senior Citizens' Advisory Committee with a term ending September 30, 2029.
Motion carried by unanimous vote.
There was no vote for the Public Art Committee vacancy.
ACTION: Motion by Mayor Morrison, seconded by Councilmember Yamane to appoint Carolyn Cornelio to the Traffic Safety Committee with a term ending September 30, 2029.
Motion carried by 4- 1 vote.
Ayes: Yamane, Rodriguez, Molina, Morrison
Nays: Bush
9. CONSENT CALENDAR
ACTION: Motion by Councilmember Molina, seconded by Councilmember Yamane to approve Consent Calendar Items with the exception of Item 9. 2, 9. 6, 9. 7, and 9. 8 pulled for public comment.
Motion carried by unanimous vote.
9. 1 Approval of Reading by Title Only and Waiver of Reading in Full of Ordinance on this Agenda
Motion carried by unanimous vote.
Item pulled for public comment.
Councilmember Bush left the dais at 7: 33 p.m. and returned at 7:34 p.m.
9. 2 Community Resilience Center Grant Application Submission Authorization Adopted Resolution No. 2026- 117.
Public Comment:
Cynthia Fuller Quinonez
Thomas Rike
Wendy Egan
Recommendation: Adopt a Resolution Entitled, " Resolution of the City Council of the City of National City, California, Authorizing the City Manager or Designee to Submit an Application to the California Strategic Growth Council for a Community Resilience Centers Round 2 Implementation Grant for the Kimball/ MLK Community Resilience Campus; Authorizing Acceptance of Grant Funds if Awarded; and Authorizing Execution of Grant- Related Documents." ACTION: Motion by Vice- Mayor Molina, seconded by Councilmember Yamane to adopt the resolution.
Motion carried by unanimous vote.
9. 3 California Library Literacy Services Adult and Family Literacy Grant Funds Acceptance FY2027
Adopted Resolution No. 2026- 118.
Adopt a Resolution Entitled, " Resolution of the City Council of the City of National City, California, Authorizing the City Manager or His Designee to Accept the California Library Literacy Services( CLLS) Grant in the Amount of$ 65, 832 to Fund the National City Public Library' s Adult and Family Literacy Services Programs for Fiscal Year 2027 and Authorizing the Establishment of a Library Grants Fund Appropriation and Corresponding Revenue Budget in the Amount of$ 65, 832." Motion carried by unanimous vote.
9. 4 Investment Transactions for the Month Ended April 30, 2026.
Accept and File the Investment Transaction Ledger for the Month Ended April 30, 2026.
Motion carried by unanimous vote.
9. 5 Investment Transactions for the Month Ended May 31, 2026.
Accept and File the Investment Transaction Ledger for the Month Ending May 31, 2026.
Motion carried by unanimous vote.
Item pulled for public comment.
9. 6 Investment Report for the Quarter Ending June 30, 2026.
Public comment was received from Ed Nieto.
Recommendation: Accept and File the Investment Report for the Quarter Ended June 30, 2026.
ACTION: Motion by Councilmember Bush, seconded by Councilmember Rodriguez to accept and file the report.
Motion carried by unanimous vote.
Councilmember Bush left the dais at 7:40 p.m. and returned at 7: 43 p.m.
Item pulled for public comment.
9. 7 Warrant Register No. 3 for the Period of 7/ 10/ 26 through 7/ 16/ 26 in the Amount of$ 4, 964, 311. 19
Public comment was received from Thomas Rike.
Recommendation: Ratify Warrants Totaling $4,964, 311. 19.
ACTION: Motion by Councilmember Yamane, seconded by Councilmember Rodriguez to ratify the warrants for Agenda Items 9. 7 and 9. 8.
Motion approved unanimously by those present.
Absent: Bush
Item pulled for public comment.
9. 8 Warrant Register No. 4 for the Period of 7/ 17/ 26 through 7/ 23/ 26 in the Amount of$ 3, 207, 774. 60
Public comment was received from Thomas Rike.
Written comment was received from Ted Godshalk.
Recommendation: Ratify Warrants Totaling $ 3, 207, 774. 60.
ACTION: Motion by Councilmember Yamane, seconded by Councilmember Rodriguez to ratify the warrants for Agenda Items 9. 7 and 9. 8.
Motion approved unanimously by those present.
Absent: Bush
10. PUBLIC HEARING
10. 1 Ordinance for Introduction — Industrial Wastewater Pretreatment per Metropolitan Sewerage System Administrative Agreement No. 1.
Acting Director of Engineering & Public Works Martha Juarez provided a PowerPoint presentation.
Mayor Morrison opened the Public Hearing at 7:47 p. m.
Public comment was received from Thomas Rike.
Written comment was received from Ted Godshalk.
ACTION: Motion by Vice- Mayor Molina, seconded by Councilmember Yamane to close the Public Hearing.
Motion carried by unanimous vote.
Public Hearing closed at 7: 57 p. m.
Recommendation: Introduce Ordinance by First Reading, entitled, " An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of National City, California, Amending Chapter 14. 06 Sewer Connections, and Chapter 14. 24 — Fats, Oils and Grease Discharge Control of Title 14 of the National City Municipal Code." ACTION: Motion by Vice- Mayor Molina, seconded by Councilmember Yamane to Introduce the Ordinance.
Motion carried by unanimous vote.
10. 2 Public Hearing—Amendment of Chapter 10. 70( Police Regulated Businesses) and
10. 79 ( Massage Establishments) of the National City Municipal Code related to Massage Establishments.
Director of Community Development Martin Reeder provided a report.
Mayor Morrison opened the Public Hearing at 8: 00 p. m.
There were no public comments.
ACTION: Motion by Vice- Mayor Molina, seconded by Councilmember Bush to close the Public Hearing.
Motion carried by unanimous vote.
Public Hearing closed at 8: 00 p. m.
Recommendation: Introduce Ordinance by First Reading, Entitled, " An Ordinance of the City of National City, California, Amending Sections 10. 70. 080 (Suspensions and Revocation), 10. 70. 100 ( Inspection of Premises), 10. 79. 060 ( Minimum Facilities Required), and 10. 79. 120 ( Inspection by Officials) of the National City Municipal Code Related to Massage Establishments."
ACTION: Motion by Vice- Mayor Molina, seconded by Councilmember Yamane to Introduce the Ordinance.
Motion carried by unanimous vote.
11. STAFF REPORTS
Item pulled from the agenda, to be heard at a Special City Council meeting on September 22, 2026 at 5: 00 p.m.
11. 1 Agreements for Towing and Impound Services.
Adopt the Resolution Entitled," Resolution of the City Council of the City of National City, California, Authorizing the Mayor to Execute Agreements with Cortes Towing Enterprises Inc., and Tony' s Auto Center Inc dba Tony' s Auto Center for Towing and Impound Services, with Initial Terms of October 1, 2026 — September 30, 2029."
11. 2 Downtown National City Community Benefit Improvement District Feasibility Study and Direction on Next Steps.
Economic Development Manager Pedro Garcia introduced New City America President & CEO Marco Li Mandri who provided a PowerPoint presentation.
Written comment was received from Ted Godshalk.
Recommendation: Receive a presentation regarding the feasibility of establishing a Downtown National City Community Benefit Improvement District and provide direction to staff regarding whether to proceed with the formal district formation process.
City Council provided direction.
Councilmember Rodriguez left the dais at 8: 33 p.m. and returned at 8: 38 p.m.
11. 3 Resolution authorizing an Inter- Fund Loan from the Sewer Fund to the Ambulance Transport Services Enterprise Fund in an Amount Not to Exceed $ 6, 500, 00 for the Implementation of an In- House Ambulance Transport Program.
Adopted Resolution No. 2026- 120.
Acting Fire Chief Brian Krepps introduced Battalion Chief Jeremy Day who provided a PowerPoint presentation.
Public comment:
Regena Henriah
Edward Nieto
Thomas Rike
Written comment was received from Ted Godshalk.
Councilmember Bush left the dais at 8: 46 p. m. and returned at 8: 48 p. m.
Recommendation: Adopt a Resolution Entitled, " Resolution of the City Council of the City of National City, California, Authorizing an Inter- Fund Loan from the Sewer Fund to the Ambulance Transport Services Fund in an Amount Not- To- Exceed 6, 500, 000 for the Implementation of an In- House Ambulance Transport Program."
ACTION: Motion by Councilmember Yamane, seconded by Councilmember Rodriguez to adopt the resolution.
Motion carried by unanimous vote.
12. CITY MANAGER' S REPORT
City Manager Doug Schulze provided closing comments, and announced that Director of Engineering/ Public Works would be resigning and will leave the first week of October.
13. ELECTED OFFICIALS REPORT
13. 1 Policy No. 105 Request to Add an Item to a Future Agenda Councilmember Rodriguez reported on the item.
Public comment:
Randi Castle- Salgado
Sherry Gogue
Edward Nieto
ACTION: Motion by Councilmember Rodriguez, seconded by Councilmember Yamane to add the item to the October 6, 2026 agenda.
Substitute motion by Mayor Morrison, seconded by Councilmember Bush for the item not to go forward and not to place the item on a future agenda.
Motion carried by 3- 2 vote.
Ayes: Bush, Molina, Morrison
Nays: Rodriguez, Yamane
Closing remarks were provided by members of the City Council.
14. CITY ATTORNEY REPORT
Mayor Morrison introduced City Attorney Heidi Skinner. Ms. Skinner announced the full council met from 5: 10 to 5: 53 p. m. At the start of the session, all council members were present. At 5: 27, Mayor Morrison and Councilmember Jose Rodriguez left closed session.
No reportable action was taken on Closed Session Item 5. 1.
CLOSED SESSION
5. 1 SIGNIFICANT EXPOSURE TO LITIGATION
Pursuant to Paragraph ( 2) Subdivision ( d) Government Code Section 54956. 9 Number of Cases: 1
15. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Morrison adjourned to the Regular Meeting of the City Council of the City of National City, Tuesday, October 6, 2026, 6: 00 p. m. in the Council Chamber, located in City Hall, 1243 National City Boulevard, National City, California.
The meeting adjourned at 9: 40 p. m.
7,;4L
Tonyssain, CMC, Deputy City Clerk
The foregoing minutes were approved at the Regular M et g of October 6, 2026.
Ron Morrison, Mayor