Minutes
Santee City Council
Council Chamber - Building 2
10601 Magnolia Avenue
Santee, California
October 22, 2025
This Regular Meeting of the Santee City Council was called to order by Mayor John W.
Minto at 6:30 p.m.
ROLL CALL: Present: Mayor John W. Minto, Vice Mayor Rob McNelis, and Councilmembers Ronn Hall, Laura Koval, and Dustin Trotter Officers present: Interim City Manager Gary Halbert, City Attorney Shawn Hagerty, and City Clerk James Jeffries
INVOCATION was given by Pastor David Worcester, Pathways Church.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE was led by Gary Halbert, Interim City Manager.
Mayor Minto announced the Proclamation for Tom Grace would be heard first.
PROCLAMATION: Celebrating the Extensive Service and Retirement of Sheriff's Volunteer Tom Grace
Mayor Minto presented the Proclamation to Tom Grace, Sheriff Volunteer.
PROCLAMATION: Celebrating the 100th Birthday of Vernard "Bud" Dalrymple Mayor Minto presented the Proclamation to Vernard "Bud" Dalrymple's family.
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 Meetings of August 27, 2025, September 10, 2025, and September 24, 2025. (City Clerk - Jeffries)
(3) Approval of Payment of Demands as Presented. (Finance - Jennings) (4) Approval of the Expenditure of $104,393.37 for September 2025 Legal Services. (Finance - Jennings)
(5) Adoption of a Resolution Approving the Fourth Amendment to the Agreement with Countywide Mechanical Systems, Inc. for Plumbing Repairs and Maintenance Services at City Hall. (Community Services - Chavez) (Reso 128-2025)
Santee City Council Regular Meeting Minutes of October 22, 2025 Page 2 of 4 (6) Adoption of a Resolution Authorizing the Purchase of One New X Series EKG Monitor/Defibrillator and Related Equipment and Supplies from Zoll Medical Corporation. (Fire - Wallace) (Reso 129-2025)
Action: Councilmember Hall moved approval of the Consent Calendar.
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 (15 minutes):
(A) Mike Aiken, Santee Chamber of Commerce, expressed his gratitude for community support of the 7t Annual Veterans Appreciation Golf Tournament, and encouraged the public to attend the event on Thursday, November 6, 2025. (B) Carl Costantino encouraged the City Council to adopt an e-bike regulation Ordinance.
CONTINUED BUSINESS:
(7) Community Risk Assessment and Long-Range Master Plan Staff Update on Achievements. (Fire - Wallace)
Harley Wallace, Fire Chief, provided a PowerPoint presentation and responded to Council questions. Following brief discussion, the report was acknowledged as received. (8) Strategic Workplan for Developing a Full-Service Building Division Through Staffing and Enhanced Services. (Planning and Building - Sawa) Gary Halbert, Interim City Manager, introduced the Item and Sandi Sawa, Planning and Building Director, provided a PowerPoint presentation and responded to Council questions. During discussion, Council provided feedback and direction to staff.
NEW BUSINESS:
(9) Resolution Receiving the 2025 City of Santee Development Impact Fee Report and Making Certain Findings Based on that Report Pursuant to the Santee Municipal Code and the California Government Code. (Finance - Jennings) (Reso 130-2025)
Heather Jenning, Finance Director, provided a PowerPoint presentation and responded to Council questions.
Action: Vice Mayor McNelis moved approval of staff recommendation.
Santee City Council Regular Meeting Minutes of October 22, 2025 Page 3 of 4 Trotter: Aye. Ayes: 5. Noes: 0.
NON-AGENDA PUBLIC COMMENT (Continued):
(A) John Hossick, Santee Mobilehome Owners Action Committee (SMOAC), complimented staff on the Brews and Bites event; commented on the state of Santee's fire stations; and thanked the Council for their service to the City.
CITY COUNCIL REPORTS:
Mayor Minto acknowledged the passing of Mary Hennessy of Mary's Donuts and requested the Council informally Adjourn the meeting in her honor.
Councilmember Hall reported on attending the League of California Cities Annual Conference and provided information on sessions he attended.
Councilmember Koval reported various events and meetings she attended; provided information she learned during a tour of the Dixon Trail development in Escondido with Sandi Sawa, Planning and Building Director; and provided information on sessions she attended during the League of California Cities Annual Conference.
Councilmember Trotter thanked Gary Halbert, Interim City Manager, for his service to the City of Santee.
Vice Mayor McNelis congratulated the Heartland Fire Training Facility on updating their facilities and commented on the importance it plays in training fire personnel; he also thanked Gary Halbert, Interim City Manager, for his service to the City of Santee.
CITY MANAGER REPORTS:
Gary Halbert, Interim City Manager, thanked Council for their support and complimented staff for their hard work.
CITY ATTORNEY REPORTS:
None.
CLOSED SESSION:
Councilmembers recessed at 8:12 p.m. and convened in Closed Session at 8:13 p.m. (10) Conference with Legal Counsel-Anticipated Litigation (Government Code section 54956.9(d)(4))
Initiation of Litigation: One case involving property located at 10628 Keith Street in Santee.
Santee City Council Regular Meeting Minutes of October 22, 2025 Page 4 of 4 Councilmembers reconvened in Open Session at 8:32 p.m., with all members present.
Mayor Minto reported for Item 10, discussion took place and unanimous direction was given to enter into receivership at 10628 Keith Street.
ADJOURNMENT:
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:33 p.m. in memory of Mary Hennessy.
Date Approved: November 12, 2025