Minutes
Santee City Council
Council Chamber - Building 2
10601 Magnolia Avenue
Santee, California
April 9, 2025
This Regular Meeting of the Santee City Council was called to order by Mayor John W.
Minto at 6:31 p.m.
ROLL CALL: Present: Mayor John W. Minto, Vice Mayor Rob McNelis, and Councilmembers Ronn Hall, Laura Koval, and Dustin Trotter Officers present: City Manager Marlene Best, City Attorney Shawn Hagerty, and City Clerk James Jeffries
INVOCATION was given by Nina Bacas - St. Bartholomew's Episcopal Church PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE was led by Shawn Hagerty, City Attorney RECOGNITION: Dave Paulsen
Nicolas Chavez, Community Services Director; Councilmember Koval; and Dean Velasco, Santee Park and Recreation Committee Chair; presented a Certificate of Recognition to Dave Paulsen for his contributions to pickleball court improvements at Big Rock Park.
CONSENT CALENDAR:
Approval of Reading by Title Only and Waiver of Reading in Full of Ordinances and Resolutions on the Agenda. (City Clerk - Jeffries) (2) Approval of Meeting Minutes of the Santee City Council for the Regular Meeting of March 26, 2025. (City Clerk - Jeffries)
(3) Approval of Payment of Demands as Presented. (Finance - Jennings) (4) Adoption of a Resolution Accepting the Citywide Streetlight LED Upgrade Project (CIP 2023-02) Phase I as Complete. (Engineering - Schmitz) (Reso 036-2025)
(5) Adoption of a Resolution Awarding the Construction Contract to T&M Electric Inc. DBA Perry Electric for the Citywide Streetlight LED Upgrade Project Phase 2 (CIP 2024-12) for a total amount of $612,750.00. (Engineering - Schmitz) (Reso 037-2025)
Santee City Council Regular Meeting Minutes of April 9, 2025 Page 2 of 4 (6) Council Authorization to Re-stripe Park Center Drive to Allow Parking. (Engineering - Schmitz)
(7) Adoption of a Resolution Authorizing the Purchase of New Structural Firefighting Clothing (Turnouts) from Allstar Fire Equipment Inc., per Sourcewell Contract #010424-LIO for an amount not to exceed $28,165.58. (Fire - Matsushita) (Reso 038-2025)
Action: Councilmember Hall moved approval of the Consent Calendar.
Vice Mayor McNelis seconded the motion, which carried by the following vote: Mayor Minto: Aye; Vice Mayor McNelis: Aye; and Councilmembers Hall: Aye; Koval: Aye; and Trotter: Aye. Ayes: 5. Noes: 0.
NON-AGENDA PUBLIC COMMENTS (15 minutes):
(A) Brenda Hammond spoke about homelessness and religion. (B) Carl Costantino commented about traffic management around the City.
NEW BUSINESS:
(8) Recommendation from the Salary Setting Advisory Committee Regarding Compensation for the Mayor and City Council. (City Clerk - Jeffries) James Jeffries, City Clerk, introduced the Item and Dean Velasco, Salary Setting Advisory Committee Chair, provided a report and responded to Council questions with the assistance of Heather Jennings, Finance Director.
The Council received the report and provided feedback and direction to staff.
Santee Community Center (CIP 2018-31) Project Workshop, and a Resolution Increasing the Appropriation of Funds, Authorizing an Interfund Loan for the Construction of the Santee Community Center (CIP 2018-31) Project, and Finding the Action is Not a Project Subject to the California Environmental Quality Act ("CEQA"). (Engineering/Community Services - Schmitz/Chavez) (Reso 039-2025)
Carl Schmitz, Engineering Director, and Heather Jennings, Finance Director, provided a PowerPoint presentation and responded to Council questions with the assistance of Steve Miller, Principal Civil Engineer, and Sandi Sawa, Planning and Building Director.
Action: Vice Mayor McNelis moved approval of staff recommendation.
Councilmember Koval seconded the motion, which carried by the following vote: Mayor Minto: Aye; Vice Mayor McNelis: Aye; and Councilmembers Hall: Aye; Koval: Aye; and Trotter: Aye. Ayes: 5. Noes: 0.
Santee City Council Regular Meeting Minutes of April 9, 2025 Page 3 of 4 (10) Presenting the Santee Fire Hazard Severity Zone Map as Recommended by Cal Fire for Public Comment and Ask City Council to Receive the Report and Provide Staff Direction. (Fire - Matsushita) Justin Matsushita, Fire Chief, introduced the Item and Aaron Murg, Fire Marshal, provided a PowerPoint presentation and responded to Council questions with the assistance of Shawn Hagerty, City Attorney.
Action: Vice Mayor McNelis moved approval of staff recommendation.
Councilmember Koval seconded the motion, which carried by the following vote: Mayor Minto: Aye; Vice Mayor McNelis: Aye; and Councilmembers Hall: Aye; Koval: Aye; and Trotter: Aye. Ayes: 5. Noes: 0.
NON-AGENDA PUBLIC COMMENT: (Continued)
None.
CITY COUNCIL REPORTS:
Councilmember Trotter announced the District 4 Town Hall meeting on Thursday, April 17, 2025, at 6:30 p.m. in the Council Chamber.
Vice Mayor McNelis announced a fundraiser organized by the Santee Chamber of Commerce to support local high school students with all the proceeds going toward scholarships for students pursuing trade school careers.
Councilmember Koval informed the community she will not be at the April 23, 2025, City Council meeting due to a medical procedure.
Mayor Minto announced he will miss the April 23, 2025, City Council meeting because he will be in Sacramento at a League of California Cities meeting; he also highlighted the City's informative pamphlets and Santee's initiatives to address homelessness and clean up the riverbed in collaboration with neighboring communities.
Councilmember Hall expressed gratitude to the Sheriff's Department, PACE, and East County Transitional Living Center for their services; he also shared insights from his ride- along with local law enforcement and noted ongoing homelessness working group meetings at City Hall.
CITY MANAGER REPORTS:
Marlene Best, City Manager, informed the community about upcoming events.
CITY ATTORNEY REPORTS:
None.
Santee City Council Regular Meeting Minutes of April 9, 2025 Page 4 of 4 CLOSED SESSION:
Councilmembers recessed at 8:08 p.m. and convened in Closed Session at 8:10 p.m. (11) Conference with Labor Negotiators
(Government Code Section 54957.6)
City Designated Representative: City Manager
Employee Organization: Santee Firefighters Association
(12) Public Employee Performance Evaluation
(Gov. Code section 54957)
Title: City Manager
Councilmembers reconvened in Open Session at 9:51 p.m., with all members present.
Mayor Minto reported on Item 11 direction was given to staff and Item 12 direction was given.
ADJOURNMENT:
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9:52 p.m.
Date Approved: April 23, 2025