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Home My WebLink About2026 02-17 CC MIN-t*- CALIFORNIA -Of- kTIO IT INCORPORATED REGULAR MEETING MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL February 17, 2026, 6:00 p.m. City Council Chamber - 1243 National City Boulevard National City, CA Present: Councilmember Bush Councilmember Rodriguez Councilmember Yamane Vice -Mayor Molina Mayor Morrison Others Present: Alejandro Hernandez, Acting City Manager Heidi Skinner, Interim City Attorney Shelley Chapel, City Clerk Rachelle Barrera, Acting Director of Finance Pedro Garcia, Economic Development Manager Danielle Ghio, City Librarian Alicia Hicks, Director of Human Resources Tonya Hussain, Deputy City Clerk Martha Juarez, Acting Deputy City Manager Steve Manganiello, Director of Engineering/Public Works Sergio Mora, Fire Chief Mike Pacheco, Director of Community Services Martin Reeder, Director of Community Development Chris Sullivan, Police Captain Ron Williams, IT Manager 1. CALL TO ORDER A Regular Meeting of the City Council of the City of National City was called to order at 6:15 p.m. via teleconference and in the Council Chamber, located in City Hall, 1243 National City Boulevard, National City, California. 2. ROLL CALL Councilmembers present: Molina, Rodriguez, Yamane, Bush, Morrison Interpretation in Spanish provided by Carlos Diaz and Luisa Diaz de Leon. 3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG Councilmember Yamane led the Pledge of Allegiance. 4. INVOCATION Invocation delivered by Southport Christian Center Pastor Carolyn Nicklos. Mayor Morrison announced that the meeting would be adjourned in memory of Firefighter Michael Mejia. The Mayor called for a moment of silence in his honor. Battalion Chief Jeremy Day thanked the City Council for their support. Mayor Morrison announced the approval of the City's Balanced Plan by the Board of Port Commissioners. 5. PUBLIC COMMENT Mayor Morrison summarized the process for acceptance of live public comment allowing two (2) minutes per comment. Virtual comment: Judi Strang Peggy Walker Barbara Gordon Madison Rapp Becky Rapp Councilmember Rodriguez left the dais at 6:43 p.m. and returned at 6:47 p.m. 6. PROCLAMATIONS AND RECOGNITION Mayor Morrison introduced the Proclamation. 6.1 Proclamation - Black History Month The proclamation was accepted by community members Donny Taylor, Daysha Taylor, and Destiny Taylor. Item taken out of order. 9.1 San Diego Regional Fire Foundation Grant Adopted Resolution No. 2026-18. PowerPoint presented by Emergency Manager Walter Amedee and Fire Chief Sergio Mora. San Diego Regional Fire Foundation Board Chair Frank Ault and Executive Director Joan Jones addressed the Council. Councilmember Marcus Bush left the dais at 7:02 p.m. and returned at 7:03 p.m. Interim City Attorney Heidi Skinner clarified a correction to the funding source, which should read as follows: #282-70-22-22731-7518 Fire Department San Diego Foundation Grant - Public Safety Equipment (Expenditure) #282-70-22-22731-3464 Fire Department San Diego Foundation Grant - Other Grants (Revenue) #100-70-22-22100-7399 Fire Department - Materials and Supplies (Expense) Recommendation: Adopt a Resolution Entitled, "Resolution of the City Council of the City of National City, California, Authorizing the Acceptance of Funds in the Amount of $74,000 from the San Diego Regional Fire Foundation for the National City Fire Department to Purchase Portable Radios and Equipment for the Emergency Operations Center, and Authorizing the Establishment of a Reimbursable Grants City -Wide Fund Appropriation and Corresponding Revenue Budget in the Amount of $74,000." ACTION: Motion by Vice -Mayor Molina, seconded by Councilmember Yamane to adopt the resolution. Motion carried by unanimous vote. 7. REGIONAL BOARDS AND COMMITTEE REPORTS (Limited to Five (5) Minutes each Councilmember Yamane reported on the water rates of the Sweetwater Authority. Councilmember Bush provided an update on the Metropolitan Transit System Board and the delay of the pension debt payoff. Councilmember Bush announced the recent appointment of a new Chair of the Air Pollution Control District. Councilmember Rodriguez left the dais at 7:10 p.m. and returned at 7:11 p.m. Vice -Mayor Molina provided an update on the SANDAG Board of Directors Meeting and discussed future plans for managed lanes on San Diego's freeways. Mayor Morrison spoke to his recent attendance at the National Association of Regional Councils in Washington, D.C. representing SANDAG and to the 2026 CalDesal Annual Conference in Sacramento to discuss water desalination. 8. CONSENT CALENDAR ACTION: Motion by Councilmember Bush, seconded by Vice -Mayor Molina to approve Consent Calendar Items with the exception of Items 8.5 pulled by Councilmember Yamane for discussion and Item 8.6 pulled for public comment. Motion carried by unanimous vote. 8.1 Approval of Reading by Title Only and Waiver of Reading in Full of Ordinance on this Agenda Motion carried by unanimous vote. 8.2 Approval of the City Council Meeting Minutes. Approve and file. Motion carried by unanimous vote. 8.3 Authorize the Purchase of a Vactor Truck for the Engineering & Public Works Streets and Wastewater Division Adopted Resolution No. 2026-16. Recommendation: Adopt a Resolution Entitled, "Resolution of the City Council of the City of National City, California, 1) Waiving the Formal Bid Process Pursuant to National City Municipal Code Section 2.60.260 Regarding Cooperative Purchasing and Authorizing the City to Piggyback onto Sourcewell Contract # 101221-VTR with Vactor Manufacturing for the Purchase of a Vactor 2110-16" Sewer Cleaner Truck in a Not -to -Exceed Amount of $724,000 for the Public Works Streets and Wastewater Division; 2) Authorizing a Fiscal Year 2026 Budget Adjustment to Transfer $124,000 from the Sewer Fund to the Vehicle Acquisition Fund; and 3) Authorizing the City Manager to Approve Adjustments of up to $72,400 to the Not -to -Exceed Amount for the Purchase as a 10% Contingency for Unforeseen Fluctuations in Pricing." Motion carried by unanimous vote. 8.4 Execution of a Grant Agreement with the Federal Highway Administration for $144,000 through the Safe Streets and Roads for All Grant Program. Adopted Resolution No. 2026-17. Recommendation: Adopt a Resolution Entitled, "Resolution of the City Council of the City of National City, California, 1) Authorizing the City Manager to Execute a Grant Agreement with the Federal Highway Administration through the Safe Streets and Roads for All Grant Program; 2) Authorizing the Establishment of an Engineering Grants Fund Appropriation of $144,000 and Corresponding Revenue Budget; and 3) Committing to Providing a Local Match of $36,000." Motion carried by unanimous vote. Item pulled for discussion. 8.5 Notice of Decision — Planning Commission Approval of a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) for On -Site Beer and Wine Sales at a New Restaurant to be Located at 21 West 7th Street. Councilmember Yamane discussed the item. Recommendation: Staff recommends Approval of Beer and Wine Sales for On - Site Consumption (ABC Type-41) at a New Restaurant, Subject to the Recommended Conditions in the Attached Planning Commission Resolution No. 2026-01, and a Determination that the Project is Exempt from CEQA. The Sale of Alcohol is a Conditionally -Allowed Use in Development Zone 1 B and would be Accessory to Food Sales at the New Restaurant. ACTION: Motion by Mayor Morrison, seconded by Councilmember Yamane for the item to return for a Public Hearing at the March 17, 2026 City Council meeting. Motion carried by unanimous vote. Item pulled for public comment. 8.6 Temporary Use Permit — Kimball Park Spring Carnival hosted by Paul Maurer Shows at Kimball Park from Thursday, April 16, 2026, through Sunday, April 19, 2026, with No Waiver of Fees. Public comment received from Tom Brown and Brian Clapper. Recommendation: Approve the Application for a Temporary Use Permit Subject to Compliance with all Conditions of Approval with No Waiver of Fees and in Accordance with City Council Policy 802. ACTION: Motion by Councilmember Yamane, seconded by Councilmember Rodriguez for staff to hold discussions with the applicant and for the item to return at the March 3, 2026 Council meeting for City Council discussion. Motion carried by unanimous vote. 8.7 Temporary Use Permit — Circus Vargas event sponsored by Circus Vargas from February 20, 2026 to March 9, 2026 at the Westfield Plaza Bonita Mall with No Waiver of Fees. Approve the Application for a Temporary Use Permit Subject to Compliance with all Conditions of Approval with No Waiver of Fees and in Accordance with City Council Policy 802. Motion carried by unanimous vote. 8.8 Warrant Register No. 26 for the Period of 12/19/25 through 12/25/25 in the Amount of $1,175,968.21 Ratify Warrants Totaling $1,175,968.21. Motion carried by unanimous vote. 8.9 Warrant Register No. 27 for the Period of 12/26/25 through 1/1/26 in the Amount of $3,125,497.30 Ratify Warrants Totaling $3,125,497.30. Motion carried by unanimous vote. 9. STAFF REPORTS Councilmember Bush left the dais at 7:42 p.m. and returned at 7:44 p.m. 9.2 2026 Strategic Plan Presentation Councilmember Rodriguez left the dais at 8:21 p.m. and returned at 8:22 p.m. Acting City Manager Alejandro Hernandez introduced the item. Staff and Department Directors provided a PowerPoint presentation and overview of strategic plans for all City departments. ACTION: Councilmember Bush, seconded by Vice -Mayor Molina moved to accept the current strategic plan. Motion carried by unanimous vote. Vice -Mayor Molina left the dais at 8:46 p.m. and returned at 8:47 p.m. 10. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT Acting City Manager Hernandez provided closing comments. 11. ELECTED OFFICIALS REPORT 11.1 Consideration of the Creation of a Homeownership Sub -Committee — "Our Future is Homeownership." Councilmember Yamane and Councilmember Rodriguez introduced the item. Staff Recommends that the City Council: 1. Discuss the Proposal to Create a Homeownership Sub -Committee; and 2. Provide Direction Regarding the Formation, Scope, Composition, and Term of the Proposed Sub -Committee. City Council appointed an Ad Hoc committee consisting of Councilmember Yamane and Councilmember Rodriguez and for the Sub -Committee to provide a scope and return to the City Council at a future City Council meeting. Councilmembers provided closing remarks. 12. CITY ATTORNEY REPORT Mayor Morrison introduced Interim City Attorney Skinner who announced that there was no reportable action on Closed Session Item No. 5.1. 5.1 PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT Government Code Section 54957(b)(1) Position: City Manager 13. ADJOURNMENT Mayor Morrison adjourned the meeting in honor of Firefighter Michael Mejia to the Regular Meeting of the City Council of the City of National City, Tuesday, March 3, 2026, 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chamber, located in City Hall, 1243 National City Boulevard, National City, California. The meeting adjourned at 9:13 p.m. Tonya H s ain, CIVIC, Deputy City Clerk The foregoing minutes were approved at the Regular Meeting of March 17, 2026. i RoN.1dorrison, Mayor