City Council - October 24, 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.
Councilmember Dillard announced she was attending virtually under the just cause provision of AB 2449 and there were no individuals over the age of 18 present in the room with her.
1.1 INVOCATION - MAYOR ARAPOSTATHIS
Public Comments:
1.2 PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Public Comments:
2. REPORT FROM CLOSED SESSION
Public Comments:
City Attorney Sabine announced there were no reportable actions except for the Council gave direction to its negotiator.
3. CITY MANAGER COMMENTS
Public Comments:
There were no comments.
4. 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.
5. ADDITIONS AND/OR DELETIONS TO THE AGENDA
Public Comments:
There were no additions or deletions to the agenda.
6. PUBLIC COMMENTS – (TOTAL TIME – 15 MINUTES)
Public Comments:
Wendy Mihalic spoke in opposition to the installation of digital billboards in the City.
Janet Castanos spoke in opposition to the installation of digital billboards in the City.
Suda House spoke regarding a 6-story development project on El Cajon Boulevard.
Rebecca Arevalo spoke in opposition to the installation of digital billboards in the City.
Gerda Holmstrom spoke on the City Ordinance prohibiting billboards.
7. CONFLICT DISCLOSURES
Public Comments:
There were no conflict of interest disclosures.
8. BOARD AND COMMISSION APPOINTMENTS
Public Comments:
8.1 RESOLUTION APPOINTING AND/OR REAPPOINTING MEMBERS TO THE CITY’S YOUTH ADVISORY COMMISSION Attachments
|
Public Comments
1. Memo_YAC Appointments 2023-10-24.pdf
2. Attachment A - List of Applicants YAC_October.pdf
3. Attachment B_Resolution.October.YAC.pdf
Mayor Arapostathis nominated Zaida Donnelly for reappointment and Aydan Carey, Shannon Elwin, Lamek Eyasu, Sonija Lam, and Sophia Marin for appointment to the Youth Advisory Commission.
Resolution No. 2023-117
Moved By
Mayor Arapostathis
Seconded By
Councilmember Parent
Approve the reappointment of Zaida Donnelly and the appointments of Aydan Carey, Shannon Elwin, Lamek Eyasu, Sonija Lam, and Sophia Marin to the Youth Advisory Commission and adopt Resolution confirming the appointments.
For (5)
Mayor Arapostathis, Councilmember Shu, Councilmember Parent, Councilmember Dillard, and Vice Mayor Lothian Approved (5 to 0)
9. PUBLIC COMMENTS ON CONSENT CALENDAR
Public Comments:
Joe spoke on Item 10.5.
Janet Castanos spoke on Item 10.2.
Gerda Holmstrom spoke on Item 10.2.
Don Wood spoke and submitted a comment on Item 10.2.
Bonnie Baranoff submitted a comment on Item 10.3.
10. CONSENT CALENDAR
Public Comments:
(Items 10.1 through 10.6)
*If a public hearing item is part of the Consent Calendar, the public hearing shall be deemed held if the item is not removed from the Consent Calendar for discussion and possible action (Item 10.6).
Councilmember Shu requested Item 10.2 be pulled for separate consideration.
Vice Mayor Lothian requested Items 10.3 and 10.5 be pulled for separate consideration.
Moved By
Councilmember Shu
Seconded By
Mayor Arapostathis
Approve Consent Calendar Items 10.1, 10.4 and 10.6.
For (5)
Mayor Arapostathis, Councilmember Shu, Councilmember Parent, Councilmember Dillard, and Vice Mayor Lothian Approved (5 to 0)
10.1 APPROVAL OF MOTION TO WAIVE THE READING OF THE TEXT OF ALL ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS AT THIS MEETING Public Comments:
Approve.
10.4 RESOLUTIONS FOR THE LEMON AVENUE PARKING LOT IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT (BID 24-04) Attachments
|
Public Comments
1. Staff Report_Bid 24-04 Lemon Avenue Parking Lot Enhancements.pdf
2. Attachment A - Reso Parking Fund Allocation Bid.pdf
3. Attachment B - Reso AB102 Carb Grant.pdf
4. Attachment C - Reso Bid 24-04 Award.pdf
5. Attachment D - Bid Tabulation.pdf
6. Attachment E - Fiscal Impact Certificate_Bid 24-04, Lemon Avenue Parking Lot Improvements Project.pdf Adopt Resolutions.
a.
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE ALLOCATION OF $100,768 FROM THE DOWNTOWN PARKING FUND TO THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM FOR BID 24-04, LEMON AVENUE PARKING LOT IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT Public Comments:
Resolution No. 2023-118
Adopt Resolution.
b.
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING AN APPLICATION FOR CALIFORNIA AIR RESOURCES BOARD AB102 GRANT FUNDS FROM THE BUDGET ACT OF 2023-2024, AND AWARDING OF FUNDS TO BID NO. 24-04 LEMON AVENUE PUBLIC PARKING LOT IMPROVEMENTS Public Comments:
Resolution No. 2023-119
Adopt Resolution.
c.
RESOLUTION ACCEPTING THE LOW BID AND INCLUDING ONE ADDITIVE FOR BID 24-04 AND AWARDING A CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT FOR THE LEMON AVENUE PARKING LOT IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT TO SNZ CONTRACTORS, INC.
Public Comments:
Resolution No. 2023-120
Adopt Resolution.
10.6 *RESOLUTION ORDERING THE SUMMARY VACATION OF A PORTION OF TWO EXISTING PUBLIC UTILITY EASEMENTS LOCATED AT 8401 FLETCHER PARKWAY Attachments
|
Public Comments
1. Staff Report_SUMMARY VACATION OF A PORTION OF EXISTING PUBLIC UTILITY EASEMENT LOCATED AT 8401 FLETCHER PARKWAY.pdf
2. Attachment A - Resolution.pdf
3. Attachment B - Vacation Exhibit.pdf
4. Attachment C - Doc. No. 1990-377221.pdf
5. Attachment D - Doc. No. 1990-610026.pdf
Resolution No. 2023-121
Adopt Resolution.
10.2 APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES FOR THE CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETINGS HELD TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 26 AND OCTOBER 10, 2023 Attachments
|
Public Comments
1. Post-Meeting Minutes - CCM_Sep26_2023.pdf
2. Post-Meeting Minutes - CCM_Oct10_2023.pdf
Don Wood
I ask that the council pull item 10.1 of Tuesday's council meeting, specifically the draft minutes of the 9/26 council meeting item 10.2 The draft minutes do not accurately reflect the final sentence in the motion by council member Parent. The draft minutes state that ". 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." This sentence should be corrected to say ". The draft RFP is to be made public and shall be calendared at a public meeting to allow vetting by the Council and public before Council action.". I was at the meeting and took careful notes of Parent's motion on this item. I have also listened carefully to the video of the meeting four times. Please pull this item and correct this sentence in the meeting minutes before approving them.
Councilmember Shu requested clarification on the motion of Item 10.2 of the September 26, 2023, City Council meeting minutes.
City Attorney Sabine asked the City Clerk to read the motion verbatim.
City Clerk Wiegelman read the motion verbatim for Item 10.2 of the September 26, 2023, City Council meeting minutes.
Council questions and comments ensued.
Moved By
Councilmember Shu
Seconded By
Councilmember Parent
Approve.
For (5)
Mayor Arapostathis, Councilmember Shu, Councilmember Parent, Councilmember Dillard, and Vice Mayor Lothian Approved (5 to 0)
10.3 HOMELESS OUTREACH AND MOBILE ENGAGEMENT (HOME) PROGRAM QUARTERLY REPORT (JULY 2023 - SEPTEMBER 2023) Attachments
|
Public Comments
1. Memo_HOME Quarterly Report Q3.pdf
2. Attachment A - HOME 2023 Q3.pdf
Bonnie Baranoff
Congratulations, HOME Team and the La Mesa Police Department! Thank you for your tireless efforts to proactively and positively address homelessness in our community.
Seeing ongoing success in providing services for our unhoused neighbors is encouraging. Matthew, Earl, and JoJo do an outstanding job with few housing resources in a challenging rental market.
Vice Mayor Lothian spoke on the issue of homelessness in the City and asked what steps were being taken to address the homeless that refuse assistance from the HOME program.
Chief Sweeney responded to Vice Mayor Lothian's questions.
Moved By
Vice Mayor Lothian
Seconded By
Councilmember Parent
Receive and file.
For (5)
Mayor Arapostathis, Councilmember Shu, Councilmember Parent, Councilmember Dillard, and Vice Mayor Lothian Approved (5 to 0)
10.5 RATIFICATION OF DESIGN REVIEW FOR PROJECT 2022-0965 (LA MESA VIEW LLC) Attachments
|
Public Comments
1. Staff Report_Project 2022-0965 (4400 Palm Ave) DRB Ratification Oct 24.pdf
2. Attachment A - DRB Certification of Action for Project 2022-0965.pdf
3. Attachment B - Assessor Parcel Map Sheet.pdf
4. Attachment C - Community Development Director Notice of Decision No. 2023-11.pdf
5. Attachment D - Parking Easement Agreement Recorded October 14, 2016.pdf
6. Attachment E - Correspondence Regarding Parking Easement Agreement.pdf
7. Attachment F - Project Plans.pdf
8. Item 10.5 DRB Ratification Project 2022-0965_PowerPoint.pdf A PROPOSED 40-UNIT RESIDENTIAL APARTMENT DEVELOPMENT AT 4400 PALM AVENUE, APN 494-641-09-00 IN THE RB-P-D-MU (RESIDENTIAL BUSINESS/ SCENIC PRESERVATION OVERLAY/ URBAN DESIGN OVERLAY/ MIXED USE OVERLAY) ZONE Vice Mayor Lothian commented on affordable housing, transient oriented developments, and the notification process for development projects.
Mayor Arapostathis and Councilmember Parent explained the rules of order and the matters that may be discussed under the Item.
Moved By
Mayor Arapostathis
Seconded By
Councilmember Parent
Approve.
For (4)
Mayor Arapostathis, Councilmember Shu, Councilmember Parent, and Councilmember Dillard Against (1)
Vice Mayor Lothian
Approved (4 to 1)
11. STAFF REPORT
Public Comments:
11.1 CONSIDERATION OF THE COUNCIL SALARY ADJUSTMENT PANEL RECOMMENDATION FOR CITY COUNCIL SALARIES (INCLUDING MAYOR AND CITY TREASURER) Attachments
|
Public Comments
1. Memo_City Council Salary Adjustment Recommendation.pdf
2. Attachment A - July 25, 2023 Memorandum.pdf
3. Attachment B - Council Salary Survey.pdf
Assistant to the City Manager Dedmon introduced Aaron Landua, Council Salary Adjustment Panel Member, who provided an overview of the process taken by the Panel to reach the proposed recommendation.
Council questions and comments ensued.
Moved By
Mayor Arapostathis
Seconded By
Councilmember Dillard
(1) Direct staff to draft an ordinance to increase the Mayor, Councilmembers, and Treasurer monthly compensation (to be effective following the November 2024 General Election) as follows: (a) increase Council salaries by 90% from $1,000 per month to $1,900 per month (the Mayor, as a Councilmember, would receive the same increase); (b) increase the Mayoral compensation by 90% from $1,000 to $1,900 (total: $1,900 Council salary + $1,900 Mayoral salary = $3,800); and (c) increase the Treasurer's monthly salary by 90% from $579 to $1,100; and (2) Direct staff to return to Council in August of non-election years with a recommended adjustment to the monthly compensation for the Mayor, Councilmembers, and Treasurer for Council consideration.
For (5)
Mayor Arapostathis, Councilmember Shu, Councilmember Parent, Councilmember Dillard, and Vice Mayor Lothian Approved (5 to 0)
12. 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.
13. AB 1234 REPORTS (GC 53232.3 (d))
Public Comments:
There were no reports.
14. CITY ATTORNEY REMARKS
Public Comments:
There were no remarks.
15. ADJOURNMENT
Public Comments:
Mayor Arapostathis adjourned the meeting at 7:11 p.m.