City Council — July 14, 2026

I'd like to ask our city clerk to call the roll.

Deputy Mayor Metschel is absent, all others are present.

One, two.

Thank you. Thank you.

Like from the street.

Ladies and gentlemen, we are back from closed session. I'll let the attorney to report on closed session.

Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Council met on the three items as listed on the special meeting closed session agenda. Direction was given. No reportable action was taken on all items 1, 2, and 3. Thank you.

Okay. I know you're all here for the 3 o'clock meeting but I've got to close out the 2 30 This brings us to the adjournment of the joint special meeting of the Oklahoma City Council and Oklahoma Housing Authority held this 14th day of July, 2026 which is now adjourned. And welcome to the Oklahoma City Council meeting. The meeting is called to order and I'd like to ask our city clerk to please call the roll.

All council members are present.

Great. Would you all please stand for the Pledge of Allegiance and then remain standing for a brief moment of silence afterwards?

Thank

you. Okay, the city clerk posted orders of adjournment of the June 23rd, 2026 meeting and the agenda of the July 14th, 2026 meeting in accordance to state law and City Council Housing Authority successor agency to the redevelopment agency policy. We have two presentations on today's agenda. Sorry about that. The first one is an update from Amicus. Lisa Kogan will introduce this item to us.

You ready, Lisa? Come on! It's all yours now. Fantastic.

Good afternoon, Mayor, City Council members. Thank you so much. I'm... ...our sincere gratitude to the city of Belmont for allowing us to bring in Indica's Village to call this community home. Your support and partnership allow our village of emergency

sleeping cabins... Sleeping cabins? I think I liked it better the other way. Sleeping cabins to serve some of our city's most vulnerable residents, women and children experiencing homelessness. Because of the City of El Cajon's willingness to embrace innovative solutions and community partnerships, dozens of women and children have found safety, stability and hope During some of the most difficult times of their lives, thank you City of El Cajon. The village is not only changing lives but it's saving lives.

I wanted to give just a little bit of a background when we first opened so everyone has an understanding. On the evening of December 31st 2022 while many of us were preparing to celebrate New Year's Eve in our warm houses surrounded by friends and family We opened the doors of the Meridian Amicus Village for the very first time. Our first resident, an elderly lady was climbing out of her cold car and into a warm cabin.

She arrived carrying the weight of uncertainty, exhaustion, And the reality of not knowing where she was going to sleep safely. What might have been an ordinary moment for many of us, opening a door turning on a light handing someone a key it represents something much larger safety dignity and hope That evening reminded us of why this work matters. Homelessness is often discussed in budgets, policies, statistics but at its core it's about human beings. Sometimes the difference between despair and hope is as simple as a warm quiet place To sleep since that night meridian amicus village has served dozens of women and children Helping families move from crisis to stability from homelessness to permanent housing But it all began with just one woman stepping out the cold and into a place where she could finally rest And with the city of El Cajon for believing in us.

Thank you so much

You have some trouble?

A little bit.

Can somebody

help? There we go. Okay, amicus vision every woman and child in San Diego has a safe place to sleep everything we do at amicus is guided by that belief. We also place an emphasis on veteran women as well So who is Amicus? We were founded in 2009. We're supported by volunteers, donors, community members. As you can see we're comprised of eight volunteer board members.

Over the years we've advocated for changes while creating practical solutions to homelessness including our emergency sleeping cabins here in El Cajon. Next I'd like to introduce Michelle she is with Crisis House

Hi everyone my name is Michelle and I'm representing Crisis House. I serve as the homeless services program manager. Thank you. So let's touch on the mission. The mission of Crisis House is to respond immediately to stop the cycle of domestic violence and homelessness by connecting individuals and families with the resources they need to rebuild their lives. We know that stable housing is a foundation for long-term success, but housing alone is not enough.

That's why we focus on providing comprehensive case management, connecting clients to income employment benefits and other community resources to help them achieve long lasting stability. Our partnership with the tiny cabins village allows us to meet people where they are provide individualized support and help residents take meaningful steps towards permanent and stable housing.

We're grateful for partnerships like this one because they demonstrate what's possible when organizations come together and provide not just shelter, but a pathway towards long term housing stability. So ways of addressing homelessness, it requires a variety of approaches because no two situations are exactly alike. Different individuals and families have different needs so it's important to have multiple housing options available for them and especially throughout the community.

Some people may benefit from emergency hotel programs, especially when they find themselves in immediate crises. Others may find stability through transitional housing, safe parking programs or shelter programs. Organizations such as Father Joe's Villages, Alpha Project or East County Transitional Living Center and other housing providers each play an important role in this continuum of care.

The tiny cabins village is another valuable piece of that continuum. It provides residents with a safe, stable environment while they work alongside their case managers to address barriers, connect with resources and move toward permanent housing. When these programs all work together we're able to provide more individualized pathways out of homelessness and into long-term stability.

I'm Herb Kelly, Vice President of Amicus. I'd like to thank the citizens of El Cajon, City Council of El Cajon, Meridian Baptist Church, Crisis House for being partners with us in developing the Meridian Village. We were allowed to construct six emergency sleeping cabins there and a community center In their great wisdom, El Cajon has decided to allow us to build four more on that site. And that's what we are actually manufacturing today. Rob Bird, our head of construction is in the CoLab wood shop in Grantville fabricating materials today for the framing and we hope to be building very soon.

The idea of an individual bedroom with a door that locks, windows that open. That are built well insulated quiet secure space for somebody to recover from being on the street allow them to get true rest Rob Bird has always said Five or six years we worked together that if you take somebody who's been out on the street Not sleeping through a night always wondering who's coming after them and you give them 30 days of eight hours to sleep at night They'll be entirely different People and that's what we're finding It sets people up to be able to move forward with the help of social services like crisis house in And get into permanent housing As you see, this is a picture of the inside during construction.

I think I know who put all that insulation in there—Steve Goebel. And the walls have fabric and hard spaces that really deaden sound. And I think again providing a safe place where people can leave their things go about their day Get social services, make doctor's appointments. And so very many of the women that have come to our village have jobs and so they come back at night knowing that your belongings are going to be there and be safe is really amazing.

This is a drone view of Bill Day And you see it takes look at all these people that are out there working together. We had one hundred and twenty five volunteers who came out to assist us. People gave up their Saturdays some people gave up time during the week if we could be there to make this happen. And so to build the original four cabins and move the community building which we had in storage it cost about forty six thousand dollars And I think that's got to be the lowest price overnight bedroom that you can provide anywhere in San Diego.

It costs more this time around. I think we're going to spend upwards of seventy six thousand for four or more plus expanding the community building and we're working on raising all those funds Thank you.

All right, so since the Meridian Amica's Tiny Cabins Village in December of 2022 we have had the privilege of serving 64 individuals including 42 women and 22 children. Today there are currently six women and one child actively participating in the program Residents stay with us for an average of about five and a half months, and during that time they're not just receiving shelter. They're also working closely with their case managers to overcome barriers, to connect with community resources, increase their income, and ultimately prepare for permanent housing.

The outcomes really demonstrate the impact of this collaborative approach. Of the two individuals—of the individuals we've served, 58 have successfully transitioned into permanent housing. To moved into other temporary housing as they continue their housing journey. And only two individuals have returned back into homelessness after obtaining permanent housing.

These outcomes reflect that what can happen when safe shelter is paired with intensive case management, strong community partnerships and individualized support. It's a reminder that homelessness is not a permanent condition and with the right resources in collaboration we can help people successfully rebuild their lives. One of the strengths of the Meridian Amicas Village is that it's much more than just a place to stay. It really truly is a collaborative designed, it's a collaborative program designed to help residents move towards long-term stability.

Every resident completes a comprehensive intake with Crisis House and with Amicas so that we can better understand their unique circumstances including their housing history what their strengths are what their barriers are Thank you, Mayor. actively engaging with their case managers, communicating consistently with staff and working toward their housing goals during their stay.

This partnership brings together the strengths of multiple organizations. Crisis House is able to provide intensive case managers for the residents and supportive services while Amica's manages the cabins day-to-day supporting the residents and the Meridian Baptist Church is able to provide a welcoming community Through campus support and shared meals. Together we've been able to connect residents with housing navigation.

Identifying documents, public benefits, employment and education resources, behavioral health services and other supports they need to successfully transition into permanent housing. At the same time we always make sure that the residents basic daily needs are met by providing meals hygiene supplies shower facilities and access to shared kitchen appliances allowing them to focus truly on rebuilding their lives.

My favorite success stories. Last summer a college student texted me to share that she had received a 4.0 GPA thanks to stable housing and getting good night of rest. Another resident received an internship in Africa and amicus purchased a set of luggage for her another young lady living in her truck sharing about the incredible sleep And then a mother of two attended nursing school, moved into permanent housing.

One of the most important features in these cabins is that door that locks. I think it's something we might all take for granted—safety, security. That sense of safety is difficult to measure but I believe it's often where healing begins Often when I share this story, I get teary eyed. Several years ago, I remember a mother arrived with two young daughters.

They along with their dog had been living in a car for three months. When she walked in the cabin and she saw the beds waiting for her girls, she began to cry. Another woman told us the village may have saved her life. She had been sober for six years and believed that if she remained homeless any longer, she would relapse. I'm happy to report that she moved into permanent housing and did not relapse.

One of our current residents who had also been living out of her car recently shared with me that it was the most sleep she'd gotten all year. And I believe that's one of the greatest gifts at the village is getting sleep when someone is living in a car or sleeping an unsafe condition. The body remains in survival mode. Sleep deprivation affects judgment, emotional regulation, memory and physical health.

For many of our residents the first nights in the cabins are the first time they've truly slept in months. I remember someone asking me what time do I have to wake up in the morning? And I said we're not that kind of shelter you can sleep in and then sleep in the next day and when you feel rested get going. That rest becomes a foundation for healing, recovery, stability and ultimately permanent housing.

Carol's story. Carol lived at the village with her grandson, there is a picture of Zayden he was the coolest kid ever. Her story reminds us that homelessness can happen to anyone. The village provided not only shelter but dignity and the opportunity to move forward. I'm grateful that Carol is here today to share her story.

Thank you. My name is Karen Ortiz, and a year ago I found myself in a very difficult situation with nowhere to call home. I felt alone, afraid, and unsure where to turn. I was desperately seeking help and learned about the amicus program A caseworker reached out to me and shared that there was an opening available, and I could come down the next day. When I arrived, I was warmly welcomed by Lisa.

When I was shown the cabin, I was so overwhelmed with emotion. I was given a welcome kit that included shampoo, conditioner, soap, towels, a toothbrush, toothpaste, the essentials and the basic needs that we take for granted. Inside the cabin was a dresser. There was a mirror. There was a nightstand and there was most...there was a bed. Clean sheets, I got a new comforter and pillows.

And for the first time in a long time, I felt safe and in a place that I could sleep in. The weight was lifted from my shoulders. And at that moment, I looked around and I was able to understand that there are people out there that want help if you need help. You have to ask for help. And this program, they helped. They fed me. They kept me there for eight months and since then I've reunited back with my family and I'm doing great. And I just enrolled in a program for peer support specialist so that I can now help homeless people myself. It was something that I always had a passion for it's something that I've always done and never in a million years did I think I would be in their cabin Trying to figure out what was going on in life and how I could get it back together.

I'm especially excited for the four cabins that they've been approved for. Each one represents more than just shelter, it represents safety, hope, dignity and new beginnings for people in need. And I just want to say thank you. Thank you for having this and I will, I would be here every time you need somebody. I'm here for you.

And she moved into permanent housing by the way. Thank you for your time and your commitment to our community. We're really grateful to have this opportunity. If you guys have any questions, feel free but just thank you for supporting this effort and because of your willingness, you guys are helping women and children. Thank you so much.

Congratulations to all of you. Let me see if there's any questions of the Council or statements.

Well, I think this is one of the big moments in the history of El Cajon. In fact, I think it's probably one of our biggest success stories and I want to thank all the volunteers. Without you, this wouldn't have happened. I want to thank Councilman Goebel who went out there with his hammer and nails. So all this makes me very happy.

Thank you.

We should also thank Renewal by Anderson who donated the windows. Anderson Plumbing, Heating and Air who donated air conditioners which I'm sure are coming in handy today as well as over 120 volunteers who did this and it's a great community effort to do this to make this the most cost efficient maximum effective project in San Diego County.

Thank you.

Thank you for sharing the story. You know, we pressed a button that says yes for these projects and thank you Steve for having the vision to bring this to the city but then sometimes you know we don't hear it the great stories and triumphs really. Thank you for having the bravery to share your story too and giving hope to people who are on the street right now hopefully it'll get your story will get in front of them and being a peer support person can do that But we don't hear the success stories, and it definitely strikes an emotional chord in me. I'm sure in a lot of other people too to see the success especially I hate to say at such a low efficient cost as you referenced.

And really I think we might have been the first in the county to do that. Yeah,

you are correct.

Yeah the first in the county and so we've been saying it since 2022 hopefully this will send a signal to the other areas in the county say hey this is possible and we might not be able to tackle the thousands and thousands but we're all doing a little part And if we all step up, you know and I got to congratulate Crisis House and Amicus. Not all providers are created equally but you provided and Meridian Baptist but you provide an excellent service with excellent standards that promotes care and dignity to the individual because every homeless person is different they're not a one size fits all thing. I was homeless and I know Michelle you said it before she was so we know exactly what that feels like And yeah, outstanding work to all of you.

I mean if this is the only thing that you accomplish in life it is a triumph so absolutely well done thank you

Thank you all for coming today. I echo the sentiments of my colleagues here. I will say that my husband's not working right now, so he is available to build. And I can come out and paint again. I didn't do as much as Mr. Goebel did. I don't do insulation. But we will be ready and willing to help when that happens. Ma'am, thank you so much. Carol correct? Thank you so much for sharing your story. I do know what you've gone through. I appreciate you and I just want to tell you your past does not define you and you will go forward. You have gone through this experience and you will be able to help others using that experience. I will say I went last year to the graduation of the student or the woman that went to Africa. That was that was an incredible meeting And I think that if we were, this is already a success.

And so I'd like to see that this program be multiplied across the county. Those of you in the audience, other residents and you think oh, we don't want a tiny home village in our neighborhood. This is a prime example of how when it's managed right And you put the rules in place and you put things out there that it can be achieved in almost any neighborhood.

Maybe not 70 or 75 cabins in a place, but make it small and it can work and not to just close the door on those opportunities so if you are out there and you're listening to this and your community is looking to bring in additional services for homeless, This is an excellent model to go after. And that I would hope that you would look at it and say, you know, we might use this in Lakeside or we could use this in Lemon Grove or wherever they have their own program. But thank you so much for what you've done.

I'm happy to have been a part of it. And I look forward to being a part of it in the future. And well done.

Thank you.

All right, well thanks very much.

Thank you for your time everyone. Great success.

Next we have a proclamation of Parks and Recreation Month. Julie Allen our Deputy Director of Parks and Rec and Heather Carter, Recreational Manager would you please come up to the podium when you're here? While they're getting themselves ready I'd like to read the proclamation if that be okay. Parks and Rec makes lives and communities better, not only during July's celebration of Parks and Recreation Month but all through the year.

Parks and Recreation programs build healthy active communities and our parks teams provides a clean, beautiful and safe setting for you and your family to enjoy. In celebration of Parks and Recreation Month we invite you to join us in visiting a local park or participating in any of the outstanding programs. Now therefore I Bill Wells, Mayor of the City of El Cajon together with the City Council do hereby proclaim the month of July 2026 to be Parks and Recreation Month in the city of El Cajon.

Congratulations!

Thank you. So good afternoon Mayor, Council and staff my name is Julie Alon and I am your Deputy Director of Parks and Recreation. I've actually worked for the City of El Cajon Parks and Recreation Department for almost 30 years. I began part time as a teenager at Kennedy Recreation Center while attending Granite Hills High School however my connection to parks and recreation began well before that time I grew up participating in our programs here in El Cajon, going to all of our parks. I danced in the recital. My younger brothers played every sport we offered. My mom even worked for this department part-time as a tiny tot instructor when I was a little kid.

I'm going to talk a little bit about my story. I do see the value of children staying busy and staying off cell phones and off social media. So my kids have also now participated in all of our programs and activities just to stay active and engaged. Most recently we have welcomed the Parks Maintenance Division into our Parks and Recreation family. I've learned a lot, more than I ever thought I would about irrigation and mow schedules and plants and just how much work it really truly takes to maintain 17 parks and all of our additional open spaces.

So I have seen Parks and Recreation from every possible angle throughout my life, from participant to rec center staff to management the maintenance side. I now have the parents perspective. I studied it in school as a college student and I've served on national parks and recreation boards. Now I have the honor of helping to lead this department through all of these perspectives. I do truly feel that the most important aspect of parks and is the experience that we create.

We create places where children gain confidence, where neighbors become friends, where families make memories and most importantly where a city becomes a community. This July the National Recreation and Parks Association is celebrating the power of parks and recreation. The power to connect people strengthen health and well-being and build resilient communities Here in El Cajon, our city is a true cultural mosaic and Parks and Recreation has the power of bringing everyone together in our shared spaces.

The value of this connection cannot always be measured through your traditional data and numbers. We have the power of being essential to the quality of life that makes a community thrive while stretching every dollar and making every cent count. So this July, we invite you to celebrate Parks and Recreation Month with us and to continue investing in the spaces and experiences that bring our community together.

And we challenge you to feel the transformative power of parks and recreation. And now we have a few words from your community members.

Because of Parks and Recreation I have to swim. It's

always a good environment, it's always clean. Jacob is a real good champion so me and my son he's nine years old we like coming to the scooter classes and we want to sign up for the bicycle class also because look around it's really nicer.

Parks and Recreation helped teach me how to be safer on my pool

So, El Cajon Parks and Rec have been such a huge part of our family. They've helped our family grow so much in so many different ways. I have a 12-year old and a 9-year old daughter. Both of them have been a part of the El Cajon Rec Program since they were 3 years old.

This park has been a place of my childhood. It's like I've been here since I was young Me and my family visited this park a lot of times, and it helped me and my family grow. Growing up with this park, I've been here almost every day since I was four or three.

We're here literally Monday through Friday. It keeps her out of trouble. It keeps her busy as a parent. Her growth and development, and being at places like the San Diego Fair. And seeing her get on stage and perform I just couldn't not be more proud of her. And the support and all the instructors that she gets to work with Monday through Friday they're all amazing and I couldn't be happier.

Parks and Recreation helped me play basketball I didn't think I could do it but now I'm brave and I finished

it. To me, parks and recreation means that the community is able to come out and enjoy the play areas and the playgrounds for the kids to use. Especially during the summer.

I'm so glad that El Pajon Parks & Recreation exists because we are a support group for weight loss. If we didn't have this chapter, I don't know what we would do or where we would go.

Park and Recreation helps me use my friends and play basketball with them, soccer, and football.

Park and Recreation helps me stay connected with friends and others by staying athletic and in shape.

We love the people back here. It's people who come here every single Monday for a couple hours. Yeah. And we also recognize some faces every week and it's so nice to say hello every single week and just be active with everyone around us which is awesome. We get better every week.

We know they're in good hands. We know that they're a part of a program where they can be a family, and that's what Alcohol and Rec is a part of. Everybody in the program is kind of a family. Everybody gets to know each other. Everybody becomes friends.

Parks and Recreation isn't just about today's fun. It's about tomorrow's leaders, stronger families, safer neighborhoods, and a community where everyone belongs.

Okay so lastly I do just want to recognize our full time parks and recreation staff that are here today. So if you can all stand up please this is our team that does it all. Thank you.

Is that it? Hey, listen I just want to thank you and everybody who works so hard. I'm very proud of the fact that we have such a great Parks and Recs Department and I hope it only gets stronger and helps more people. Thank you. Anybody want to say anything? Okay well thank you very much and you all have a great day I dismiss you unless you want to stay for the rest of the Council meeting.

Okay. Agenda changes? Staff, do you have any agenda changes?

Mr. Mayor, I'd recommend that we at the Council consider removing items 28 and 29 from the agenda. Those are the two closed session items which were handled during this special meeting.

Great. We'll do. Council?

No agenda changes.

Okay, then I'm going to make a motion to make the changes to remove the two close session items because we have already done it. Second. Please vote.

Motion carries by unanimous vote.

That brings us to consent items. Consent items are routine. Actually, I missed something. No? That's it. All right. We're at consent items. Consent items and routine matters enacted by one motion according to the recommendation listed below with concurrence of the City Council, a council member or person in attendance may request discussion of a consent item at this time. Staff, do you wish to pull any of the consent items?

OK. Council supporting the consent items make a motion then to approve the consent calendar

second

please vote.

Motion carries by unanimous vote

now or public comment. At this time, any person may address a matter within the jurisdiction of the City Council Housing Authority successor agency to the Alcohol and Redevelopment Agency that is not on the agenda. Comments relating to items on today's agenda are to be taken at the time that the item is heard. Please note that state law prohibits discussion or action by the City Council on items not on the agenda.

These might be items that you bring up during public comment. Therefore, this is not a time that the City Council will be answering questions about issues raised. However, we are taking note of the matters that you bring up and will refer them to our city manager for follow-up as needed. And of course an item may be placed on a future agenda. Angela do we have any speaker cards?

Yes sir, we do. We have seven. The first speaker is Captain Jeff Lashmith.

Nice to be back to the old digs. Yes, like introduce myself I know you all know me but the public I served 37 years on the City of Alcohol and Fire Department Responding to thousands of calls people their worst situations responding with compassion And Help that they needed So I'm here to give an update. As you all know, the council knows I have cancer that's job related.

I am not in remission at this time. Matter of fact today I started a new treatment with all the wonderful side effects that I hope don't occur for this cancer treatment. I like to, I see Marisol is in the back. I'd like to acknowledge she finally answered my request She denied it, which is her prerogative. But as you know my aim here is to see the Personnel Commission. They're unbiased.

That's the reason why they're here. I disagree with what the city has done, with what Marisol has done but I appreciate your responding and unless you have an answer for me are you going to let me speak to the Personnel Commission?

Mr. Lassner if you could just focus towards us.

So so this is again I was diagnosed with cancer after a retire with months of my retirement. There were some delays there was miscommunication misinformation both on the state's side and my understanding of the rules. So that being said I contacted the state and filed an application for disability retirement. The state code says In the case of a local safety member by the governing body. Okay, if the member is entitled to different disability retirement allowance according to whether this disability is industrial which mine is, the member claims that the disability is founded by the board or in case of local safety member by the governing body which is my employer, the City of El Cajon you have to say so. The case and the local safety member The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board, using the same procedure in the Workers' Compensation shall determine whether the disability is industrial.

So that leaves the burden on the city. The state sent the notice out to the city and the city's response sank my request. I tried to contact them to let them know this was coming that we'd be on the same page and requested help in understanding what was going on and why this situation had arisen. The city's one word answer to the state, which is their obligation they have the say so in determining this was, and I quote, the state's request would the City of El Cajon object if CalPERS accepts this member's untimely application?

The one word answer was yes. After 37 years of service to the city, that's what I got. All I'm asking for and I'm happy to end this is to see the personal commission. That's their job. And by city policy, I'm allowed. And Marisol in her letter to me said that I was retired and I was no longer I'd like to to whether or not this needs to be rectified, that there was wrong done here and that things need to change. Improvements can be made in how these matters are handled. And I'll happily abide by that decision otherwise I will continue to return as I'm able and in town to state my case.

You at the Council of the Mayor have the ability and authority to make this happen so I appreciate making this happen. Thank you for your time.

Sir, our timer overlay is not showing. But there is a timer at the podium if people could please be mindful of their three minutes and I will. Somebody can

just remind me when the

time is up. Yeah, I will try to politely remind you. The next speaker is Brenda Hammond.

Hi, like my shirt? Hey Brenda. Hi so Park and Rec that is so awesome that's one of the reasons why I would run away from home in the 70s to El Cajon. So red white and blue we're gonna have all year but I wanted to bring out the orange and yellow for summer well the red and yellow makes orange Thank you for the concerts. You're having so much fun. I'm so tired afterwards, so I get to sleep but just I just want to say thank you for everything that you guys do.

Thank you.

Appreciate it Brenda. Thank you.

Next speaker is Rich Ryle.

I think he just left.

OK. Gary Giardina.

Well sir welcome.

My name is Gary Giardina 15 19 Condor Avenue El Cajon lived in El Cajon since 1979 Saturday my wife and I were going to a Padre game from the trolley station in El And a sheriff, as I was backing into my spot, a sheriff pulled in behind me with another car, another sheriff in another car. They parked their cars 90 degrees so you couldn't see what they were doing behind their cars and they dumped a homeless person onto the sidewalk with his belongings at the base of the retaining wall just below the platform for the trolley.

And now this meeting opened with some solutions El Cajon is offering to help fight homelessness. And it looks to me like other cities around El Cajon's solution is to dump their homeless people here and have the sheriffs do it. These guys moved with such efficiency that I could tell it wasn't the first time they did this. And I parked where I was parking because my wife just had a knee replacement and I needed an end space.

One sheriff came up to my car and he ordered me move your car across the parking lot. He didn't want us to see what he was doing. And, I mean we're trying to take care of homeless here I live right near the East County Transitional Living Center. I feel like El Cajon, we're doing our fair share but you know what's La Mesa, Santee, Lakeside? I know Chula Vista is opening a center.

Their solution is to load people into car or even maybe unincorporated El Cajón Load people into sheriff's cars and dump them on us. It doesn't seem right. I wanted to make sure that you knew this is going on. I know one of you is part of the Metropolitan Transit Development Board, and I know there are surveillance cameras there. It was just after 3 p.m. last Saturday I mean, there's only a limited number of sheriff stations they could have come from.

Alpine, Santee, Lemongrove. I think somebody could find out where they got this guy and why they're dumping him here.

I just want to let you know that we did get your email and staff is looking into it right now, trying to

figure out. I also emailed Joel Anderson and I got no response because I know the sheriffs are part of the county but anyway.

Thanks for bringing it to our attention. It's a valid concern.

Okay. And I got a letter from the city that said the problem has been resolved and I don't think it's been resolved.

Okay.

Thank you, sir. To address Mr. Giardino's we usually keep this short but I did send you an e-mail in response to your question about that this afternoon and I hope you check that e-mail out. Okay, I'll resend it. I'll tell you one of the things that handcuffs us. How do we know that person didn't say to the sheriffs, I'll go get on a trolley instead of going to jail?

I understand but when we have to talk about people's civil rights...

They literally dumped him there.

I sent you an e-mail, hopefully you'll check it out.

And like I said, there are signs that say there's surveillance. I wish you would check it out. Thank you.

Thank you, sir. Appreciate it. Next speaker Rich Ryle.

Hello, Rich. Welcome. City Council, if you're not part of the solution, you're part of the problem. This is my third consecutive meeting warning you about serious problems in our city's governance of the PBIT. At my first appearance I pointed out that on December 9th, 2023, City Manager Graham Mitchell issued a $150,000 RFP with no approval from any elected officials. That no bid process led directly to a contract from Marco LeMandric. That contract has now resulted in nearly $250,000 of taxpayer money spent toward changing the P-Bid into a CBD that at present is without enough signatures to ask the city to put the issue before the voters. At my second appearance, I presented evidence that Mitchell and LaMandri worked together to withhold critical facts from the public that include the PBID was suspended by the State of California for nonpayment of taxes.