Council approves lien placements, multiple ordinances and final ARPA obligations in unanimous votes

The El Cajon City Council on May 13 approved a package of routine and policy items including the placement of delinquent refuse and recycling liens, several ordinance adoptions, and final obligations for American Rescue Plan Act funds. All recorded motions carried unanimously.

The council confirmed and authorized recording liens for delinquent refuse and recycling accounts after a public hearing and staff presentation from EDCO representatives. Council members then approved several second-reading ordinances, including a zoning code update; an amendment to the city's contract with CalPERS for police associations; a new fee for nonemergency lift assistance at licensed care facilities; and designation of fire hazard severity zones in line with the fire marshal's recommendations. The council also authorized staff to appropriate and de-appropriate final ARPA funds and to return unspent amounts required by federal rules.

Why it matters: The actions finalize a mix of administrative and policy measures. Lien placements recover unpaid service charges and allow EDCO to be reimbursed; the zoning and other ordinances change local regulatory requirements; and the ARPA item settles the city's accounting for nearly all of the $30.4 million in federal relief funds the city received in 2021.

Key votes and items

- Consent calendar: adopted by motion; no items pulled. Motion carried unanimously.

- Item 11 (delinquent refuse/recycling collection charges): council held a public hearing, heard staff from EDCO, and adopted the resolution authorizing lien placements on properties with delinquent accounts. Outcome: motion carried unanimously.

- Item 19 (zoning code amendment): council adopted an ordinance amending Title 17 of the El Cajon Municipal Code to streamline some housing and commercial land-use permits and make technical edits; council removed the previously proposed section 20 (emergency cabins) prior to passage. Outcome: motion carried unanimously.

- Item 20 (CalPERS contract amendment): council adopted an ordinance approving an amendment to the contract between the city and the California Public Employees' Retirement System for specified police bargaining units. Outcome: motion carried unanimously.

- Item (ordinance) enacting chapter 8.09 (nonemergency lift assistance fee): council adopted an ordinance creating a fee for nonemergency lift assistance at licensed care facilities. Outcome: motion carried unanimously.

- Designation of fire hazard severity zones: council adopted an ordinance designating fire hazard severity zones consistent with the state fire marshal's maps. City staff clarified to the council that the council was adopting the designated zones and not expanding them. Outcome: motion carried unanimously.

- ARPA final obligations and required returns: staff presented the final obligation report for American Rescue Plan Act funds, showing $30,232,505 in final obligations (99.45% of the $30,399,751 received) and $167,246 to be returned because it was not legally obligated by the federal deadline. Council authorized the city manager to return funds as required and to make the necessary appropriations/de-appropriations. Outcome: motion carried unanimously.

What the council recorded: Each of the above items was approved by motion and a recorded "motion carries by unanimous vote" was announced for each action. No roll-call vote breakdown by member name was provided in the public record for these items.

Looking ahead: Several projects funded with ARPA remain in progress and staff told the council they expect completion of outstanding capital and program items next year.