City Council - September 26, 2023
1. CALL TO ORDER
Public Comments:
The City Council minutes are prepared and ordered to correspond to the City Council Agenda. Agenda Items can be taken out of order during the meeting.
The Agenda Items were considered in the order presented.
Mayor Arapostathis called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
1.1 INVOCATION - COUNCILMEMBER SHU
Public Comments:
1.2 PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Public Comments:
2. CITY MANAGER COMMENTS
Public Comments:
There were no comments.
3. COMMUNITY BULLETIN REPORTS
Public Comments:
The Mayor, Council and staff made announcements and reported on various events taking place in the City. No action was taken.
4. ADDITIONS AND/OR DELETIONS TO THE AGENDA
Public Comments:
There were no additions or deletions to the agenda.
5. PUBLIC COMMENTS – (TOTAL TIME – 15 MINUTES)
Public Comments:
Brenda Hammond spoke regarding alleged harassment.
Sean Connacher provided an update on the role and efforts of the Airport Noise Advisory Committee.
6. CONFLICT DISCLOSURES
Public Comments:
Councilmember Dillard recused herself for Item 10.1 because she had a potential conflict of interest under Government Code Section 87100 due to being a member of the La Mesa Juneteenth Foundation Board of Directors.
7. PUBLIC COMMENTS ON CONSENT CALENDAR
Public Comments:
Jacob Mandel submitted a comment on Item 8.3.
Eduardo Monroy submitted a comment on Item 8.4.
8. CONSENT CALENDAR
Public Comments:
(Items 8.1 through 8.4)
Vice Mayor Lothian and Councilmember Shu requested Item 8.3 be pulled for separate consideration.
Moved By
Mayor Arapostathis
Seconded By
Councilmember Parent
Approve Consent Calendar Items 8.1 through 8.4, except for Item 8.3.
For (5)
Mayor Arapostathis, Councilmember Shu, Councilmember Parent, Councilmember Dillard, and Vice Mayor Lothian Approved (5 to 0)
8.1 APPROVAL OF MOTION TO WAIVE THE READING OF THE TEXT OF ALL ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS AT THIS MEETING Public Comments:
Approve.
8.2 RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE ACCEPTANCE AND APPROPRIATION OF A GRANT FROM THE CALIFORNIA OFFICE OF TRAFFIC SAFETY TO CONDUCT A LOCAL TRAFFIC SAFETY, DUI ENFORCEMENT, AND AWARENESS PROGRAM BY APPROVING THE ADDITION OF GRANT FUNDS TO THE FY 2023-2024 BUDGET Attachments
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Public Comments
1. Staff Report_2023-2024 OTS STEP GRANT.pdf
2. Attachment A - La Mesa -Grant Agreement - PT24098 (Revised 2).pdf
3. Attachment B - Resolution OTS 2023-2024.pdf
Eduardo Monroy
Hello, this is Eduardo, and I am writing this email to show my support for the resolution listed within item 8.2 of the agenda of the Tuesday, September 26, 2023, La Mesa City Council meeting. I am all for any motion and decision that seeks to promote the safety of all citizens on the streets, and also the enforcement of proper action against those driving under the influence, who pose a threat to all other drivers and pedestrians. As a college student who regularly commutes to school, I feel unsafe on the streets more often than I should, so I fully support this resolution that will see a traffic safety program being carried out, as well as focusing on DUI enforcement. Thank you for your time and consideration.
Resolution No. 2023-110
Moved By
Mayor Arapostathis
Seconded By
Councilmember Parent
Adopt Resolution.
8.4 RESOLUTION REJECTING BID NO. 24-09, NORMAL AVENUE BACKFLOW VALVE PROJECT Attachments
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Public Comments
1. Staff Report - Reject Bids for Normal Ave Backflow Valve Project.pdf
2. Attachment A_Resolution Rejecting Bid 24-09.pdf
Resolution No. 2023-111
Moved By
Mayor Arapostathis
Seconded By
Councilmember Parent
Adopt Resolution.
8.3 RESOLUTION AWARDING A TASK ORDER TO STC TRAFFIC, INC. FOR TRANSPORTATION PLANNING SERVICES FOR THE LA MESA BIKE AND SIDEWALK CONNECTION PROJECT Attachments
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Public Comments
1. Staff Report_Award Professional Services Agreement to STC for the La Mesa Bike and Sidewalk - Planning Services.pdf
2. Attachment A - Resolution.pdf
3. Attachment B - Location Map.pdf
Jacob Mandel
I support Item 8.3 to begin planning the La Mesa Bike and Sidewalk Connection Project. The Council should recommend STC follows the NACTO Urban Bikeway Design Guide and recommend separated bikeways wherever conditions allow. Additionally, special attention should be paid to intersections along bikeways to reduce conflict points with cyclists. Lastly, many roads in La Mesa have excess capacity, and would be great candidates for separated bikeways/multiuse paths.
Vice Mayor Lothian requested clarification on the total cost of the task order.
Council questions and comments ensued.
Vice Mayor Lothian explained she would be voting no on the item because bike lanes were not a priority for the City and it was not a good use of public funds.
Councilmember Shu requested clarification on the areas of study and the data to be collected and analyzed.
Council questions and comments continued.
Resolution No. 2023-112
Moved By
Councilmember Shu
Seconded By
Councilmember Parent
Adopt Resolution.
For (4)
Mayor Arapostathis, Councilmember Shu, Councilmember Parent, and Councilmember Dillard Against (1)
Vice Mayor Lothian
Approved (4 to 1)
9. STAFF REPORTS
Public Comments:
9.1 CONSIDERATION AND POSSIBLE APPROVAL OF A PROJECT LABOR AGREEMENT WITH THE SAN DIEGO BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION TRADES COUNCIL AND ASSOCIATED CRAFT UNIONS Attachments
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Public Comments
1. Staff Report - Project Labor Agreement.pdf
2. Attachment A_La Mesa Project Labor Agreement Draft .pdf
3. Item 9.1 Project Labor Agreement_PowerPoint.pdf
Jennifer Wilson
Hello councilmembers.
My name is Jennifer Wilson, and I’m an Electrician with IBEW Local 569. I urge you to support this citywide Project Labor Agreement with the San Diego County Building and Construction Trades Council. Our Agreements include local hire provisions that will put local workers who live, work, and pay taxes in the city of La Mesa to work on our city’s very projects. It keeps those valuable dollars in our communities and allows these dollars to change hands multiple times in our local economy. This Agreement can include local hire to provide opportunities for targeted recruitment for apprenticeship programs. Apprenticeships start with a job and lead to quality, middle-class careers in the construction industry. I have personally benefitted from these opportunities by working on project like these as an apprentice and then as a Journeyman allowing me to be able to purchase my first home for my family and I to reside in the community we work and spend our money in. I believe my community will be stronger if my neighbors have the same opportunities as I do. In closing, I ask you to support investing in our local skilled and trained workforce and vote in support of the PLA with the San Diego Building & Construction Trades Council. Thank you! Respectfully,
Jennifer Wilson
Director of Public Works/City Engineer Throne provided a PowerPoint presentation on the Project Labor Agreement, highlighting the purpose and provisions.
Council questions and comments ensued.
The following members of the public spoke or submitted a comment in support of the proposed Project Labor Agreement with the San Diego Building and Construction Trades Council and associated craft unions:
Koloseta Pitoau Jr.
Brian Potter
Jorge Viramontes
Alexander Molina
Cesar Porfirio
Ismael Diaz
Francisco Rena
Adriana Diaz
Michael La Bruno
Ricardo Suarez
Daniel Caron
Pablo Bueno
Emilia Toledo
Kelvin Barrios
Jennifer Wilson
Matthew Leyba-Gonzalez
Cori Schumacher
Gretchen Newsom
Matt Strabone
Christopher Allan
Octavio Nunez
Jesse Garcia
Victor Diaz
AJ Estrada
Lauren Cazares
Carol Kim
The following members of the public spoke or submitted a comment in opposition to the proposed Project Labor Agreement with the San Diego Building and Construction Trades Council and associated craft unions.
Mike McManus
Council questions and comments continued.
Moved By
Councilmember Parent
Seconded By
Councilmember Dillard
Approve the Project Labor Agreement in substantial form subject to the final review and approval of the City Manager and City Attorney.
For (5)
Mayor Arapostathis, Councilmember Shu, Councilmember Parent, Councilmember Dillard, and Vice Mayor Lothian Approved (5 to 0)
10. COUNCIL INITIATED
Public Comments:
10.1 CONSIDERATION AND POSSIBLE APPROVAL OF FEE WAIVER AND CONTINUING CITY SUPPORT FOR THE 2024 JUNETEENTH SPECIAL EVENT - MAYOR ARAPOSTATHIS Attachments
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Public Comments
1. Memo - Request for Fee Waiver for the 2024 Juneteenth Special Event.pdf
2. Attachment A_Request for Fee Waiver Letter.pdf
Councilmember Dillard left the dais.
Mayor Arapostathis explained the purpose for requesting that the Council approve a fee waiver and continued City support for the annual La Mesa Juneteenth and Friends Jubilee through 2026.
Leroy Johnson spoke on behalf of the La Mesa Juneteenth Foundation regarding the La Mesa Juneteenth and Friends Jubilee and the benefits the event brings to the community.
Moved By
Mayor Arapostathis
Seconded By
Councilmember Shu
Direct staff to bring back a Resolution for City Council adoption approving the waiver of City fees and continued City support for the annual La Mesa Juneteenth and Friends Jubilee through 2026.
For (4)
Mayor Arapostathis, Councilmember Shu, Councilmember Parent, and Vice Mayor Lothian Abstain (1)
Councilmember Dillard
Approved (4 to 0)
10.2 CONSIDERATION OF PROPOSAL FOR DIGITAL BILLBOARDS TO FUND PUBLIC ART AND PUBLIC SAFETY - MAYOR ARAPOSTATHIS AND COUNCILMEMBER PARENT Attachments
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Public Comments
1. CI.Arapostathis.Parent_Digital Billboards 2023-09-12.pdf Christopher R Glenn
CALTRANS reports: there is an increased crash risk based on research on the effects of billboards on driver attention and the effects of driver distraction on safety.
A 2010 Transport Research Laboratory study concludes that video billboards draw longer and more frequent glances from drivers than static advertisements, with drivers showing greater variation in lateral lane position, driving more slowly and braking harder (Investigating Driver Distraction). A 2011 study shows that video billboards also lead to more rear-end collisions when there is a hard-braking lead vehicle. https://dot.ca.gov/-/media/dot-edia/programs/research-innovation-system-information/documents/preliminary-investigations/digital-display-safety-pi-a11y.pdf John & Eileen Schmitz
Dear Mayor & City Council Members:
We reviewed the City Council Agenda for September 26th and noted that the issue of new billboards in the City is being proposed again. Unfortunately, we will not be able to attend the meeting so are submitting these written comments.
We are puzzled by this because not only did the Council deny the previous proposal in July, but it appears to be a clear violation of Municipal Code 15.10.015 (e) which states:
“Billboard policy. The city completely prohibits the construction, erection or use of any billboards, as defined in this chapter, other than those which legally exist in the city, or for which a valid permit has been issued and has not expired, as of the date on which this provision is first adopted. The city adopts this policy pursuant to California Government Code section 65850, California Business and Professions Code sections 5354(a) and 5408.3 (both effective January 1, 2003). No permit shall be issued for any billboard which violates this policy, and the city will take immediate abatement action against any billboard constructed or maintained in violation of this policy. The city council affirmatively declares that it would have adopted this billboard policy even if it were the only provision in this chapter. The city council intends for this billboard policy to be severable and separately enforceable even if other provision(s) of this chapter may be declared, by a court of competent jurisdiction, to be unconstitutional, invalid or unenforceable. This provision does not prohibit agreements to relocate presently existing, legal billboards, as encouraged by California Business and Professions Code section 5412.” As a career City Planner, I have experience in amending sign ordinances with the aid of an attorney who specializes in sign regulations. I fear that the proposal on the Council’s agenda might open a Pandora’s Box of legal issues that could result in a plethora of new undesirable signs around our community. If the Council truly wants to go down that road, we implore you to start with a review and possible amendment of the Municipal Code to make sure all the residents of La Mesa are aware of it, and you get proper legal advice regarding the Constitutional issues relating to sign regulations.
Sincerely
John C. Schmitz Eileen M. Schmitz
Councilmember Dillard returned to the dais.
Mayor Arapostathis and Councilmember Parent explained the purpose for requesting the Council consider a new proposal to direct staff to develop and circulate, within 30 days, a Request for Proposal (RFP) for the placement and installation of digital billboards in the City.
Council questions and comments ensued.
The following members of the public spoke or submitted a comment in opposition to directing staff to develop and circulate an RFP for the placement and installation of digital billboards in the City:
Paul Krueger
Kristine Alessio
Ron Askeland
Don Wood
Gerda Holmstrom
Christopher R. Glenn
John Schmitz
Eileen Schmitz
The following members of the public spoke or submitted a comment in support of directing staff to develop and circulate an RFP for the placement and installation of digital billboards in the City:
Melissa Weiss Walter
Jonathan Frankel
Layne Lawson
Bill Wilson on behalf of the La Mesa Police Officers' Association Council questions and comments continued.
Moved By
Councilmember Parent
Seconded By
Mayor Arapostathis
Direct staff to develop and circulate an RFP for the placement and installation of digital billboards in the City, to be limited to commercial locations, not in the La Mesa Downtown Village, and not in locations that would be a burden to residential neighborhoods, and to include the following criteria: (1) demonstrate compliance with Caltrans rules and regulations and state and federal law; and (2) a commitment to allow public service messaging by the City which may include public transit messaging and an explanation on how the City will be able to display the public service messages. The RFP is to be made public and any selected proposal shall be calendared at a public meeting to allow vetting by the Council and public before Council action.
For (4)
Mayor Arapostathis, Councilmember Parent, Councilmember Dillard, and Vice Mayor Lothian Against (1)
Councilmember Shu
Approved (4 to 1)
11. COUNCIL COMMITTEE REPORTS (3 MINUTE LIMIT)
Public Comments:
The Mayor and Council reported on various outside boards, commissions and committee meetings they attended. No action was taken.
12. AB 1234 REPORTS (GC 53232.3 (d))
Public Comments:
Mayor Arapostathis reported on his trip to Sacramento on September 20 through September 22, 2023, for the League of California Cities Annual Conference.
13. CITY ATTORNEY REMARKS
Public Comments:
There were no remarks.
14. ADJOURNMENT
Public Comments:
Mayor Arapostathis adjourned the meeting at 8:05 p.m.