[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6581582,"mediaKeyId","3093071-6fd6cd064003a646802274432c751c2f","parentId",3093071,"title","El Cajon council adopts new fee schedule, moves to amend CalPERS contract and introduces lift-assist and fire-hazard ordinances","audioSeconds",626,"startMs",6720050,"endMs",7346120,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3093071-6fd6cd064003a646802274432c751c2f&start=6720&end=7346","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3093071-6fd6cd064003a646802274432c751c2f/thumbnail_6720050.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6581582/El-Cajon/San-Diego-County/California/El-Cajon-council-adopts-new-fee-schedule-moves-to-amend-CalPERS-contract-and-introduces-lift-assist-and-fire-hazard-ordinances","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6581582-150ff87803c37afd17213365121aca6f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771166378&Signature=a~JHx0YTQwNJEkaK5Art1IjRook1ZkrO16zV5DmfMK2Fi89RF0YNz2PlmHZl1l5r4kAhpHeVnGLAlN48X6T4TBOk2tgxIExJiwCO5VY8r7tr9AOeRtGR7r9farqGVKht1AFmHcnH7yf7ww51w6EptETHoLDUkjJVKF7byyqKPv7d1PW2FAZw2xXhUYAk5KN~NoH44RCIDnwvB6IBA~KexdldRF4UckUmXJogpaerG2KRf7QBvTRhLg3icEzmUYWHXIa0wBK1aFLdWkQnC~P3T8vHBcj7O47zMA97U6E-dGpBhWOqrUjVGZejLsQWNSkxMKmwWZ-n9m5tlOhTq159nQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Elcajon","date","2025-04-22T00:00:00Z","article","The El Cajon City Council on April 22 approved the city's annual fee update, authorized a resolution of intention to amend the city's CalPERS contract for police bargaining units, and introduced two ordinances: one to set a fee for non-emergency \"lift assist\" responses at licensed care facilities, and another to adopt Cal Fire's updated fire hazard severity zone maps.

City staff explained the annual fee review and said changes are timed to take effect at the start of the fiscal year; the council voted unanimously to adopt the resolution that updates the schedule of miscellaneous fees.

\"This is the annual review of fees and charges,\" a staff presenter said, noting adjustments spread across multiple departments. Staff highlighted building-permit valuation changes tied to nationally recognized code updates and a newly proposed non-emergent lift-assist fee slated to begin July 1.

Separately, the council unanimously approved a resolution of intention to amend the CalPERS contract for classic members of the Police Officers Association and the Police Officers Association Management Group; staff said the change formalizes negotiated increases in employer/employee contributions that were part of recent labor contracts.

Councilmembers also introduced two ordinances for later final action: one to implement a fee for non-emergency lift assistance at licensed congregate care facilities, and another to designate fire-hazard severity zones consistent with Cal Fire's mapping. Fire Marshal Ken King summarized the state maps, saying they \"identify 3 levels, moderate, high, and very high,\" and described resulting building-standards and defensible-space obligations for areas mapped as high or very high.

Why it matters: The fee schedule affects a wide range of residents and development customers and is timed to the fiscal year. The CalPERS amendment starts a formal process required to change pension contract contribution terms. The lift-assist fee targets non-emergency emergency-medical responses at licensed care facilities, and the fire-hazard ordinance brings the city into compliance with state mapping that can affect building standards and sale disclosures in higher-risk areas.

Decisions: The council adopted the fee resolution and the CalPERS resolution by unanimous votes. Council members introduced the lift-assist and fire-hazard ordinances and scheduled second readings per the standard ordinance timeline. Staff said the new lift-assist fee and related ordinance will take effect July 1, 2025.

Looking ahead: The ordinances will return for second readings on the council calendar; staff will implement the fee updates and notify affected departments and the public.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of Elcajon - City Council Meeting 3pm - Apr 22, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Councilors approved an annual update to the city's fee schedule, authorized initiation of a CalPERS contract amendment for police pensions, and introduced ordinances to charge non-emergent \"lift assist\" calls at licensed care facilities and to adopt updated state fire-hazard severity maps.","taxTitle","El Cajon, San Diego County, California","taxId",2845,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6581586,"El Cajon council pauses proposed zoning change affecting Kaiser site, asks for progress report by July 8",1321,4624930,5946140,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3093071-6fd6cd064003a646802274432c751c2f&start=4624&end=5946","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3093071-6fd6cd064003a646802274432c751c2f/thumbnail_4624930.jpg","/articles/6581586/El-Cajon/San-Diego-County/California/El-Cajon-council-pauses-proposed-zoning-change-affecting-Kaiser-site-asks-for-progress-report-by-July-8","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6581586-02eadc43451830012dedc81b1ce14221/orig.mp4?Expires=1771166378&Signature=NT4vVzEmtXLnlZOv69B5S5la0vjBXzlsPhr0abipdX4PVB9d-tueBsZIL2sVUyDW7q7D7WOt1sITIo0ORG6JFo1yJdRl0ydVy04No2brpgd8iGglhqL1gRCIhB2AgEDZGZbPYfhH5OiednRFZC-c~bo6yUPuDY8mSZKfwmDEN6qDryyguk7ET0lNzo86-rhMc8sRaJk-tszE9ZtcJMKvTUNHqNSDEOXmx0UhA5UeZww5rF6ac9wWMbtizvcsNbexWvD5qgRZ7eCaIIEctxeQbQE~PmSEFNLqmZGerdUTRa~41qenX08pMqEXOMp-7aaNWDucqCO6kAflWOlqpX9YWA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The El Cajon City Council on April 22 agreed to delay final action on a zoning-code amendment that would remove hospitals as an allowed use in certain commercial zones for one property owned by Kaiser Permanente.

Kaiser representatives asked the council for a continuance to negotiate assurances that would allow them to proceed with a hospital on the former El Cajon Valley Hospital site; the council agreed to continue the discussion and requested a progress report or draft term sheet by July 8.

Skyler Denniston, representing Kaiser Foundation Hospitals, said the site at Greenfield and Main had been acquired \"for the sole purpose of developing a medical, hospital there\" and requested additional time to negotiate. \"We would like to commit to building a hospital, a state of our hospital for this community,\" Denniston said.

Jennifer Lynch, outside counsel for Kaiser (Manatt, Phelps & Phillips), warned the council that if it proceeded to remove hospital uses for the specific property, Kaiser could raise equal-protection and other legal claims. \"If the council moves forward with this rezoning tonight, we'll be violating Kaiser's rights to equal protection,\" Lynch said, asserting that the city's stated land-use rationale did not match documents and correspondence she had reviewed.

City staff told the council the proposed amendment to the commercial land-use table would affect 327 parcels currently zoned OP (office professional) and CN (neighborhood commercial). The staff analysis recommended replacing conditional hospital listings in some zones with a prohibition (a land-use table \"x\"). During an initial hearing, Councilmember Steve Gobel was disqualified from participating in section 20 because he lives within 500 feet of the affected property; the council planned a straw vote on the Kaiser-related portion with Gobel temporarily absent.

Council members expressed frustration at what they described as repeated delays in development at the site. Mayor Wells and other council members said residents consider the property an eyesore and want a firm commitment or enforceable schedule from Kaiser.

Rather than adopt the commercial land-use change at the same time as other zoning-code amendments, the council voted unanimously to introduce the zoning-code ordinance with section 20 (the commercial land-use table change) omitted and to continue the Kaiser-specific matter. The council directed staff and Kaiser to pursue a development agreement, term sheet or memorandum of understanding and to return with a progress report or draft term sheet by the July 8 meeting.

Why it matters: The property in question comprises the former El Cajon Valley Hospital site; zoning changes would affect whether a large, 24-hour hospital could be permitted in OP and CN zones. The council's request for a development agreement signals it seeks enforceable commitments before the city enacts a land-use change that could preclude future hospital construction.

Decisions and next steps: The council unanimously adopted the CEQA resolution and introduced the zoning-code ordinance excluding section 20. The Kaiser-specific section will be revisited on July 8 with a progress report or proposed term sheet; the council also indicated it may pursue a development agreement that could obligate construction timelines or other enforceable commitments.

No final rezoning decision for the Kaiser parcel was made at the meeting; staff and Kaiser representatives both asked for the continuance, and the motion to set a July 8 follow-up carried unanimously.","Councilors agreed to exclude a commercial land-use change (section 20) from an ordinance and asked staff and Kaiser Permanente to return with a progress report or term sheet by July 8, after Kaiser asked for more time to discuss development assurances for a former hospital site.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6581590,"El Cajon public comments call for recall of Councilman Phil Ortiz after council—resolution on ICE cooperation",3824,290221,4114800,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3093071-6fd6cd064003a646802274432c751c2f&start=290&end=4114","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3093071-6fd6cd064003a646802274432c751c2f/thumbnail_290221.jpg","/articles/6581590/El-Cajon/San-Diego-County/California/El-Cajon-public-comments-call-for-recall-of-Councilman-Phil-Ortiz-after-councilresolution-on-ICE-cooperation","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6581590-2743f8a1b7eeaac61c658308643e01f0/orig.mp4?Expires=1771166378&Signature=b-YmQZMXN90qeaR49fxnastHT~9wrBDRLxkv46RrBobKRdg7cnPFfHPZnaYZEfFxK9oStfNMwXF9AVNIEDcxBSa4OtRfx8E9Qt0amLejgxnc823BIyXGdLtdvm7LNAS7eea8MA05vuRmCMnMZiVU0SD~70qoVn-ogX7lhtzPxn74q~g5kDFF~Kvw6q5jXGYWjTEXgzldImgEo~b2eCJBzu2YZ5WnlNETXSc8tYFpTs5SS0NYrefBA12~tLOopT2orz4Knj4HYx6O-qrk~z8fVhl9Db8C-PkYyChZrUmj-XqidmooLbeE0-U~eDzePC0iuEXDxou-YvjKjoiqcslhhw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Dozens of residents filled the El Cajon City Council chambers on April 22 to urge either the recall or continued support of Councilman Phil Ortiz after the council voted earlier this year on a resolution about cooperation with federal immigration authorities.

Speakers ranged from longtime residents and faith leaders to veterans and small-business owners, and the meeting became a forum for conflicting views about public safety and immigrant rights.

The debate centered on the council's recent vote to work with federal officials on violent criminal noncitizens, a measure supporters described as a public-safety action and opponents described as a betrayal of immigrant families and local sanctuary policies.

\"I am absolutely shocked and disgusted that I have to come and address Mayor Wells,\" resident Ilka Weston said during public comment, criticizing council actions she said had brought Immigration and Customs Enforcement into the city. \"These are human beings.\"

Myrena Branham, who said she had spoken directly to Councilman Ortiz before his earlier vote, told the council, \"For Ortiz in his capacity as a member of the El Cajon City Council . . . you have officially been served with the petition for a recall.\" Several other speakers said they had filed complaints with state or federal offices and urged a recall.

Not all public commentators supported the recall. Tracy Till, speaking as a private citizen, said the effort was \"outrageous\" and defended Ortiz's approach to public safety: \"Local government is where the rubber meets the road,\" she said, urging the council to prioritize violent offenders.

Councilman Phil Ortiz addressed the chamber during public comment, calling his vote a public-safety decision and saying he had \"nothing to hide.\" He said the resolution was intended to speak out against SB 54's limitations and that it did not cover every type of crime. \"With this resolution . . . it's solely [my] platform to speak out against SB 54,\" Ortiz said.

Mayor Bill Wells acknowledged the strong emotions in the room and thanked speakers, and multiple residents said the debate had driven them to organize, collect signatures and deliver petitions.

Why it matters: The public comment session shows sharp local division over immigration enforcement policy and elected officials' roles in coordinating with federal authorities. Advocates for the recall argued the council action had immediate, harmful effects on families and community trust; supporters called the move necessary to protect public safety.

The council did not take formal action on the recall petition during the meeting. City staff recorded the number of public-comment speaker cards early in the session as 19; the period extended into a broad set of remarks that the mayor and Councilman Ortiz addressed directly. Several speakers said they have filed complaints with state or federal agencies and were organizing further civic action.

The council's formal agenda moved on after public comment to public hearings and ordinance introductions, indicating no immediate council vote on the recall petition itself.

Looking ahead: Opponents said they would continue petition and legal paths to challenge Ortiz; supporters said they would continue to back him as a public-safety advocate. The dispute is likely to shape council politics and public engagement in El Cajon in the coming months.","Dozens of residents spoke for and against a recall petition targeting Councilman Phil Ortiz following council action related to cooperation with federal immigration enforcement. Speakers cited family separations, public safety and due process; Ortiz defended his vote as public-safety driven.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

El Cajon council adopts new fee schedule, moves to amend CalPERS contract and introduces lift-assist and fire-hazard ordinances

El Cajon council pauses proposed zoning change affecting Kaiser site, asks for progress report by July 8

El Cajon public comments call for recall of Councilman Phil Ortiz after council—resolution on ICE cooperation