Meeting Summary
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At a glance
Tiny Cabins Village / Homelessness Program
- Staff and community partners reported that the program has served 64 individuals since December 2022, with 58 transitioning to permanent housing.
- Presenters detailed the cost of the original construction and the estimated $76,000 cost for the current expansion of emergency cabins and community center.
- Council discussed the program's effectiveness and the city's annual homelessness spending before adopting the resolution.
Proclamation of Parks and Recreation Month
- Department staff introduced the item, and the Mayor read a proclamation designating July 2026 as Parks and Recreation Month.
- Community members expressed appreciation for the department's role in fostering community connection and physical activity.
- The Council adopted the proclamation by unanimous vote.
Annual Sewer Charge Report (Fiscal Year 26-27)
- Staff presented the annual report noting that rates and billing calculations remained unchanged from the previous year for 16,401 property owners.
- Staff outlined upcoming initiatives, including a wastewater rate study RFP and the sewer master plan update.
- One public commenter inquired about billing deductions for private pools, which staff suggested be reviewed in a separate meeting.
- The Council accepted the report and approved the assessments, directing the Clerk and Finance Departments to file the reports with the County Auditor.
Bradley Widening Project
- Staff provided an informational update stating that the bridge widening is set to break ground in the spring of 2027.
- No vote was taken on this item.
State Grant for Homelessness (Housing First Model / ERF Grant)
- Staff presented a $5.3 million grant application that requires adherence to the "Housing First" model and specific encampment cleanup protocols.
- Public comment included requests for further analysis of the options and concerns regarding the restrictions imposed by the grant.
- The Council voted to send the item back to staff for further analysis rather than withdrawing the application.
Salary Increase for Elected Officials
- Staff recommended a 5% salary increase for elected officials, effective January 2027, citing eligibility under state and municipal codes.
- Council members discussed the optics of a raise amidst departmental budget cuts and financial constraints.
- The motion to approve the salary increase failed.
Restoration of Open Space Parks in Wildlife-Prone Areas
- Staff presented a contract award for wildfire mitigation work in Fletcher Hills and Hillside Park, funded by a $3.1 million grant.
- Concerns were raised regarding the low bidder's experience, but staff clarified that the contract requires a qualified biologist.
- The Council approved the plans and specifications and awarded the bid to the lowest responsive responsible bidder.
Activities Report of Council Members
- Council members provided reports on their recent activities, including discussions regarding MTS fare increases.
- No motion was taken on this item.
Agenda Changes
- A recommendation was made to remove items 28 and 29 from the agenda as they were handled during a special meeting.
- The Council voted to remove the specified items from the agenda.
Closed Session
- The Council reported on a special meeting held to address labor negotiations and anticipated litigation.
- Direction was given on all three items, but no reportable action was taken.
Full summary
Agenda Item: Closed Session Report
- The Council reported on a special meeting held in closed session to address three items: a conference with labor negotiators pursuant to Government Code Section 54957.6, and two conferences with legal counsel regarding anticipated litigation pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9. The Council stated that direction was given on all three items, but no reportable action was taken.
Agenda Item: Resolution Regarding Tiny Cabins Village / Homelessness Program
- Staff and community members presented information regarding the Meridian Amicas Tiny Cabins Village, a partnership between Crisis House, Amicas, and Meridian Baptist Church. Presenters reported that since December 2022, the program has served 64 individuals (42 women and 22 children), with 58 transitioning to permanent housing. Herb Kelly, Vice President of Amicus, provided an update on the project, noting that the city approved the construction of four additional emergency sleeping cabins and a community center expansion. He stated that the original four cabins and community building cost approximately $46,000, while the current expansion is estimated to cost upwards of $76,000. Community members shared testimonials regarding the program’s impact on sleep, safety, and housing transitions. Council members discussed the program’s effectiveness, the city’s current homelessness spending (approximately $2 million annually in non-general funds), and the reduction in the homeless population. A motion was made to adopt the resolution as outlined in the staff report. The motion was seconded. The resolution passed.
Agenda Item: Proclamation of Parks and Recreation Month
- Julie Allen, Deputy Director of Parks and Recreation, and Heather Carter, Recreational Manager, introduced the item. The Mayor read a proclamation designating July 2026 as Parks and Recreation Month in the City of El Cajon, highlighting the department’s role in building healthy, active communities. Multiple speakers expressed appreciation for the department, citing benefits such as community connection, physical activity, and support for local groups. A motion was made to adopt the proclamation. The motion was seconded. The proclamation passed by unanimous vote.
Agenda Item: Consent Calendar
- The Mayor reviewed routine consent items. No staff members requested to pull any items for discussion. A motion was made to approve the consent calendar. The motion was seconded. The consent calendar passed by unanimous vote.
Agenda Item: Annual Sewer Charge Report (Fiscal Year 26-27)
- Staff presented the annual sewer charge report, noting that rates and billing calculations remained unchanged from the previous year. The report covered 16,401 notices to property owners. Staff outlined upcoming initiatives, including an RFP for a wastewater rate study, the completion of the sewer master plan update, and the anticipated cost of service study for the East County Advanced Water Purification Project (ECAP). Staff recommended accepting the report, approving the assessments in Appendix B (with one reduction noted in Appendix C), and directing the City Clerk and Finance Departments to file the reports with the San Diego County Auditor. The public hearing was opened. One speaker inquired about potential deductions for water usage in a private pool; staff suggested a meeting with an expert to review the specific billing situation. A motion was made to close the public hearing. The motion was seconded. The motion to close the hearing passed by unanimous vote. A motion was made to accept the report and approve the assessments. The motion was seconded. The report and assessments passed.
Agenda Item: Bradley Widening Project
- Staff provided an update on the Bradley widening project, noting that the bridge widening is set to break ground in the spring of 2027. This was an informational update only. No vote was taken.
Agenda Item: State Grant for Homelessness (Housing First Model / ERF Grant)
- Jose Dorado, Housing Manager, presented the Emergency Response Fund (ERF) grant application requesting approximately $5.3 million from the California Department of Housing and Community Development. The grant period is 27 months and covers eligible activities including outreach, case management, interim/permanent housing, behavioral health services, and site restoration in the Interstate 8 and State Route 67 corridors. Acceptance of the grant requires adherence to the "Housing First" model, 48-hour notice periods for encampment cleanups, and storage requirements for personal belongings, which would apply citywide for at least two and a half years. Staff projected that the grant would serve approximately 100 people, with 35 moving to permanent housing and 30 to interim shelter. Staff presented two options: continue with the application and adopt required policies if awarded, or withdraw the application.
- Public comment included requests for further analysis of the options, concerns that the restrictions outweigh the benefits, and support for proceeding with the application to address visible homelessness. A motion was made to direct staff to withdraw the application; this motion was seconded. A motion was made to send the item back to staff for further analysis; this motion was seconded. The motion to send the item back to staff for further analysis passed.
Agenda Item: Salary Increase for Elected Officials
- Staff explained that under California Government Code and City Municipal Code, salary increases for elected officials can only be considered after an election and are capped at 5% per year. Since no increase has been considered in two years, the Council is eligible for up to 10%. Staff recommended a 5% increase (averaging 2.5% per year), which would result in a monthly increase of $169 for the Mayor and $117 for Council members, effective January 2027. Council members discussed the optics of a raise amidst departmental budget cuts and the city’s financial constraints. A motion was made regarding the salary increase. The motion failed.
Agenda Item: Restoration of Open Space Parks in Wildlife-Prone Areas
- Andrew Villalobos, Assistant Engineer, presented the request to award a contract for the restoration of open space parks and wildfire-prone areas in Fletcher Hills Open Space and Hillside Park. The project is funded by a $3.1 million grant from the San Diego River Conservancy (SB 85) and is the seventh and final component of a comprehensive wildfire mitigation program. The scope includes vegetation treatment, roadway stabilization, and driveway entrance improvements. NEMA General Contracting is the lowest responsive responsible bidder with a bid amount of $461,737. Construction is anticipated to begin in October 2026 and complete by March 2027.
- Concerns were raised regarding the qualifications of the low bidder, specifically regarding their experience in vegetation treatment. Staff clarified that the contract requires the provision of a biologist to meet specific criteria. Public comment included requests for long-term maintenance and biological monitoring to prevent increased fire risk, and notes regarding homeless encampments in Hillside Park. A motion was made to adopt the resolution approving the plans and specifications, find the apparent second and third low bidders nonresponsive, and award the bid to the lowest responsive responsible bidder. The motion was seconded. The motion passed by unanimous vote.
Agenda Item: Activities Report of Council Members
- Council members provided their activities reports. Council Member Goebel reported on his activities. Council Member Kendrick reported on his activities, mentioning discussions regarding MTS fare increases. Deputy Mayor Mitchell reported on his activities. No motion was taken.
Agenda Item: Agenda Changes
- A recommendation was made to remove items 28 and 29 from the agenda, as these closed session items were handled during the special meeting. A motion was made to remove items 28 and 29 from the agenda. The motion was seconded. The motion passed.
Agenda Item: Public Comment / Other Business
- Various community members provided public comment on topics including:
- Sewer Policy: A resident requested staff evaluate whether financial risks for sewer lateral failures are fairly allocated to homeowners.
- Homelessness/County Actions: A resident reported an incident where county sheriffs allegedly transported a homeless individual to the El Cajon trolley station, requesting an investigation.
- MENA Inclusion: A representative from the Arab Community Center requested the Council agendize a resolution recognizing Middle Eastern and North African constituents and supporting AB91.
- Personnel/Retirement: A former employee requested a review by the Personnel Commission regarding a disability retirement application denial.
- Parks and Recreation: Multiple residents shared testimonials regarding Parks and Recreation programs, including one speaker who noted that participation in swimming and basketball increased their confidence.
- PBID Governance: A speaker raised concerns regarding the governance of the PBID, alleging unauthorized contracts, Brown Act violations, and financial mismanagement, and requested an FBI investigation and the recusal of the Mayor. The Mayor clarified that the city is a member of the PBID but does not have jurisdictional authority over it.
- Staff acknowledged the comments and indicated that some requests (such as the MENA resolution and sewer policy review) would be considered for future agenda items or further staff evaluation. No motions were taken during this segment.
Adjournment
- The Mayor declared the meeting adjourned until Tuesday, July 28, 2026, at 3:00 p.m.