City Council — August 11, 2026

Alley Cat Art Fest Presentation

• Staff presented details for the September 12 event, which features over 80 artists and requires street closures on East Main Street.
• The presentation outlined logistics, including the use of city assets like Prescott Promenade and temporary chalk murals.
• No motions were taken on this informational presentation.

Police-Initiated Towing and Storage Charges

• Staff proposed raising police-initiated towing rates to align with regional averages, noting current rates have been unchanged since 2008.
• Council discussed billing increments and the need to prevent predatory practices, clarifying that motorists, not the city, pay for these tows.
• The council voted to postpone the item to allow staff to review contractual language regarding fair billing and fractional hour charges.

Homeless Programs and Services Report

• Staff reported on 14 active programs funded by various sources, serving over 1,500 individuals and placing 290 in permanent housing.
• New fiscal year allocations were announced for Crisis House, Family Health Centers of San Diego, and San Diego Rescue Mission.
• Staff recommended continuing funding contingent on available resources and maintaining the public homeless dashboard.

Code Compliance Best Practices

• Staff presented a report on current enforcement procedures and proposed enhancements, including standardizing complaint intake and eliminating anonymous complaints.
• Council discussed transitioning citation reviews to an Administrative Law Judge and balancing enforcement strictness between residential and commercial properties.
• The council voted to accept the report and continue support for the proposed process improvements.

Complimentary Tickets to the Magnolia

• Staff reviewed current distribution practices and recommended feedback on updates to Policy 828 regarding the 300 annual tickets.
• Council debated distribution strategies, weighing purposeful allocation to businesses and nonprofits against randomized raffles to avoid favoritism.
• Staff was directed to broaden ticket distribution to organizations like the Chamber of Commerce and return with a modified policy for review.

Council Member Activities Report

• Reports covered the Hamasha speed mitigation project, parking enforcement actions, and staff responses to e-bike usage issues.
• Updates included acknowledgments for Finance and Human Resources contract management and a timeline for the Bradley Bridge expansion.
• The Bradley Bridge expansion is scheduled to begin in the spring of 2027.

Meeting Opening and Roll Call

• The Elkhorn City Council meeting was called to order. The City Clerk reported that Council Member Kendrick was absent, with all other members present. The Pledge of Allegiance and a moment of silence were observed. The City Clerk confirmed that the agenda and orders of adjournment for the previous meeting were posted in accordance with state law.

Presentation: Alley Cat Art Fest

• Nate Prescott, Senior Management Analyst, and Chris Gomez, Brand Communication and Public Affairs Manager for the Downtown El Cajon Business Partners, presented details regarding the upcoming Alley Cat Art Fest, scheduled for September 12. The presentation outlined the event’s history, noting it is a collaboration between the Downtown El Cajon Business Partners, St. Madeleine’s Sophie Center, and local galleries. Key details included:
• Event Scope: A free, family-friendly event featuring over 80 fine artists, vendors, live music, and interactive activities.
• Logistics: Street closures on East Main Street from 5:00 AM to 10:00 PM, with the event running from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM.
• Activations: Use of existing city assets (Prescott Promenade, Centennial Park), temporary chalk murals, community art projects, and mural restoration efforts in the Arts Alley and Olaf Museum areas.
• Partnerships: Collaboration with the East County Arts Association, Olaf Wakehurst Museum, and local schools.
• No motions were taken on this presentation.

Consent Items

• The Mayor asked if any consent items should be pulled for discussion. No requests were made. A motion was made and seconded to approve the consent items. The motion carried by unanimous vote of those present.

Public Comment

• The Mayor acknowledged the absence of Council Member Kendrick due to illness. The following public comments were received: 1. Darrell Cotton: Raised concerns regarding United Rentals’ disposal of septage (raw human waste) at a pump station on Vernon Way. He stated that El Cajon accepted over 5.4 million gallons of waste from 2022 to 2025, despite not being listed on the hauler’s permit. He requested the city confirm permitting status and pause further acceptance until questions are answered. City Manager Graham Mitchell stated staff is investigating the matter and will provide an update. 2. Marco Espinosa: Expressed interest in attending city council meetings across the county and complimented the city staff. 3. Brenda Hammond: Complimented city staff and the police department. 4. Carol Lewis and Craig Lewis: Presented the "East County Food Network" website (eastcountyfoodnetwork.org), a resource created by the El Cajon Collaborative to list food pantries and distribution sites in East County chronologically. They noted the site is supported by the San Diego Food Bank and Feeding San Diego. 5. Alan Nordholm: Encouraged the city to consider bold moves for the revitalization of Parkway Plaza, suggesting the formation of a citizen/business owner group to discuss next steps. 6. Will Kopuk: Offered comments regarding Council Member Kendrick’s service and political affiliations, and expressed criticism of the current City Council majority. 7. Alexander Craft: Spoke in support of a resolution to recognize Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) individuals as a distinct ethnic group in demographic data, citing economic and cultural benefits. 8. Rich Ryle: Raised concerns regarding a $150,000 PBID management contract awarded to New City America, alleging Brown Act violations and conflict of interest issues. He requested a legal opinion on the contract’s validity and a suspension of payments. 9. Dr. Ryan Phan: Representing the Majdal Center, urged the council to agendize a resolution recognizing the MENA category, citing public health data disparities and the need for accurate demographic representation. City Manager Mitchell noted concerns about the drafted resolution committing city funds and stated that if directed, staff would bring forward an alternative resolution. 10. Rima Al-Kateeb: A youth organizer at the Majdal Center, requested the passage of the MENA resolution to improve representation in education and community services. 11. Ana Laura Martinez: An El Cajon resident and community worker, supported the MENA resolution, emphasizing the importance of accurate data for language access and healthcare. 12. Remote Speaker (Truth Tonics): Commented on the city’s live stream delays, the Chaldean Community Council’s funding history, and the status of the failed incubator program.

Public Hearing: Revision to Police-Initiated Towing and Storage Charges

• Lieutenant Joe Crawford of the Elkhorn Police Department presented a recommendation to raise police-initiated towing rates to align with the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department. The current rates, unchanged since 2008, are significantly lower than regional averages. The proposal applies only to police-initiated tows (e.g., traffic collisions), not parking enforcement.
• Discussion: Council members asked about billing increments (per hour vs. flat fee) and how to prevent predatory towing practices. Staff clarified that the city does not pay for these tows; the motorist does. The current billing structure charges per hour, with potential for fractional hour billing depending on the contract.
• Motion to Close Public Hearing: A motion was made and seconded to close the public hearing. The motion carried by unanimous vote.
• Motion to Postpone: A motion was made and seconded to postpone the item until the next council meeting to allow staff to review contractual language regarding billing increments (e.g., ensuring residents are not charged for a full hour if the tow takes only minutes into the second hour). The motion carried by unanimous vote of those present.
• Staff Commitment: The City Manager stated that staff would review existing contracts for fair billing language and consider implementing a periodic review schedule (e.g., every 3–4 years) to prevent large rate adjustments in the future.

Administrative Report: Homeless Programs and Services

• Yanni Bellagio-Brito, Senior Management Analyst, presented a report on homeless programs and services for the period of January 1, 2026, through June 30, 2026.
• Programs: 14 active programs were reported, funded by CDBG, PLHA, LIHTC, and the General Fund. Providers included Crisis House, East County Transitional Living Center, Homestar, Interface Shelter Network, Salvation Army, and the East County Homeless Task Force.
• Accomplishments: Over $700,000 in expenditures; over 1,500 individuals served; 290 placed in permanent housing; 167 in transitional housing; 329 in emergency shelter. The Quality of Life Team completed 63 cleanups, removing 264.5 tons of debris.
• New Allocations: For the upcoming fiscal year, new allocations were made to Crisis House ($300,000), Family Health Centers of San Diego ($500,000), and San Diego Rescue Mission ($210,261).
• Recommendations: Staff recommended continuing funding for homeless programs contingent on available funds, seeking new funding opportunities, supporting the East County Homeless Task Force, and maintaining the public homeless dashboard.
• The presentation concluded with the Mayor thanking the presenter. No motion was taken on this item in this portion of the transcript.

Agenda Item 10: Code Compliance Best Practices

Discussion and Presentation

• Staff presented a report on Code Compliance Division best practices, noting that current procedures date back to a 2023 policy manual. The current approach prioritizes public health and safety, followed by environmental impacts, unauthorized construction, and aesthetic/nuisance violations. Enforcement is primarily reactive, based on complaints, with proactive actions taken only when directed by Council. Data from the last 12 months indicated 822 cases opened and 665 closed, with an average of 4.1 cases opened and 3.3 closed per workday. Over 95% of cases were resolved prior to monetary citations. Staff noted that a significant portion of cases involved trash containers left at the curb for more than 24 hours, which often resolved themselves before inspection.
• Staff shared findings from ride-alongs and site visits to La Mesa and Santee, as well as interviews with Escondido and Carlsbad. Key observations included:
• La Mesa: Uses a 14-day compliance window after courtesy notices, issues citations only when authorized by the city attorney, and emphasizes clear communication and documentation.
• Santee: Prioritizes voluntary compliance, uses a Certificate of Noncompliance recorded on property titles, and encourages online complaint submission.
• Comparison: El Cajon has the highest caseload per officer among the surveyed jurisdictions. El Cajon is the only city surveyed that uses custom notices and accepts anonymous complaints. Other cities record violation notices on property titles.
• Staff proposed several potential process enhancements for Council feedback: 1. Eliminate anonymous complaints in favor of requiring contact information for accountability, while protecting the complainant’s identity. 2. Standardize complaint intake, letters, and notices to improve efficiency and documentation. 3. Eliminate enforcement of trash container violations that resolve within 24 hours, or implement a different notification method (e.g., door hangers or EDCO billing notices). 4. Consider amending the municipal code to allow citations to be reviewed by an Administrative Law Judge rather than Superior Court, similar to the process for tobacco retailer violations. 5. Explore expedited enforcement and cost recovery for chronic nuisance properties, particularly vacant or abandoned lots. 6. Maintain flexibility for residential property maintenance issues while potentially increasing stringency for commercial properties.

Public Comment

• Two members of the public commented. One raised concerns about a "loophole" where unpermitted work is left visibly incomplete to avoid enforcement, citing a specific property with plywood sheathing for nearly 20 years. Another commenter, participating remotely, expressed concern about eliminating anonymous complaints due to potential retaliation, suggested that El Cajon needs more code compliance officers, and advocated for strict enforcement on vacant properties and commercial entities while maintaining a softer approach for residential issues. They also suggested cost recovery for chronic offenders.

Council Discussion

• Council members discussed the proposed enhancements:
• Administrative Law Judge: Council members supported transitioning citation reviews to an Administrative Law Judge, noting it is faster, less costly, and less burdensome than Superior Court.
• Anonymous Complaints: Council members generally supported requiring contact information for accountability but emphasized the need to protect complainant identity to prevent retaliation. Some expressed concern about eliminating anonymous options entirely.
• Trash Containers: Council members agreed that enforcing trash container removal is a low priority. Suggestions included working with EDCO to include reminders in billing or newsletters, using door hangers for persistent issues, or simply not accepting complaints for containers out for less than 24 hours.
• Property Maintenance: Council members discussed balancing flexibility for residents (e.g., elderly or those with limited resources) with stricter enforcement for commercial properties and chronic violators. Staff noted they already connect residents with volunteer organizations for assistance. Council members supported expedited enforcement and cost recovery for vacant/abandoned properties and nuisance properties.
• Documentation: Staff clarified that they typically require direct observation by code compliance officers for documentation, though they may use aerial imagery or other methods for certain violations. Council members inquired about using neighbor-submitted photos as evidence; staff indicated this is not standard practice for code compliance notices.
• Graffiti: Staff clarified that graffiti on public property is handled by Urban Core via contract, while graffiti on private property is a code enforcement issue. Staff committed to investigating a specific property on East Main Street mentioned by a Council member.

Motion and Vote

• A motion was made to accept the report as stated and continue support. The motion was seconded. The motion carried by unanimous vote of those present.

Agenda Item 11: Complimentary Tickets to the Magnolia

Discussion and Presentation

• Staff presented a report on the distribution of complimentary tickets to the Magnolia, stemming from a 2026 City Council Goals and Priorities Workshop request. City Council Policy 828 guides the distribution of tickets for public or governmental purposes, prohibiting disproportionate distribution to any single recipient. The city is entitled to 300 tickets per year from Live Nation, not to exceed 10 per event. Current practices include raffles at city events, giveaways by the Magnolia manager, promotions by the P-BID, and employee raffles.
• Staff reviewed practices in other cities:
• Pasadena: Uses district-specific lotteries for residents.
• Anaheim: Focuses on community engagement and recognition for nonprofits and businesses.
• Chula Vista: Distributes tickets to city-affiliated foundations and local nonprofits, with remaining tickets available for employee drawings.
• Staff recommended that Council accept the report and provide feedback on potential updates to Policy 828.

Public Comment

• One member of the public commented, expressing concern that district-based giveaways could lead to political favoritism. They preferred the current policy of raffles at city events and recognition for employees and businesses, and suggested that any changes should avoid individual Council member discretion in distribution.

Council Discussion

• Council members discussed potential distribution strategies:
• Purposeful Distribution: One Council member suggested dividing the tickets into three buckets: one-third for businesses (e.g., high sales tax producers), one-third for NGOs/nonprofits, and one-third for the existing city manager pool (employee morale, P-BID partners).
• Randomization: Another Council member preferred maintaining randomized raffles to avoid perceptions of favoritism and administrative burden. They suggested using online forms for resident raffles and letting unsold tickets go to market.
• City Manager’s Role: The City Manager noted that while they could distribute tickets to organizations like the Chamber of Commerce or School District, they wanted to avoid creating significant administrative burden. They suggested broadening the net to include more organizations without changing the policy significantly.
• Value vs. Burden: Council members emphasized the need to balance getting value back into the community (approx. $15,000 worth of tickets) with minimizing staff time spent on distribution.

Decision

• The Council directed staff to continue the existing policy but to work on distributing tickets more broadly to organizations such as the Chamber of Commerce and School District. Staff will bring back a modified Policy 828 for further Council review. No formal motion to accept or reject the report was recorded in this segment; the item was treated as a discussion for direction.

Agenda Item 12: Council Member Activities Report

• The Mayor introduced Item 12, the activities report of Council members, and called for Council Member Goebel to present. The transcript ends before the report is delivered.

Council Member Reports

• Speed Mitigation and Parking Enforcement: A council member reported on the Hamasha speed mitigation project, noting participation from multiple departments. The report also covered staff actions regarding parking issues on Hamasha, including the removal of RVs dumping waste into green belts and streets, and the ticketing of semi-trucks blocking traffic. Additionally, the report addressed staff responses to e-bike usage issues.
• Finance and Human Resources: A council member acknowledged the Finance department and Human Resources for their work on contracts, noting a lack of recent issues in those areas.
• Bradley Bridge Expansion: A council member provided an update from the Gillespie Field EDC committee meeting, stating that the Bradley Bridge expansion is scheduled to begin in the spring of 2027.

Adjournment

• Agenda Review: The Chair confirmed there were no joint council member reports, general information items, first readings of ordinances, or closed sessions remaining on the agenda.
• Decision: The regular joint meeting of the El Cajon City Council and the El Cajon Housing Authority (Successor Agency to the El Cajon Redevelopment Agency) was adjourned.
• Next Meeting: The next meeting is scheduled for September 8, 2026, at 3:00 p.m.