City Council - January 23, 2024
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:
City Attorney Sabine announced there were no reportable actions from the 5:30 p.m. City Council Special Meeting (Closed Session).
City Manager Humora reported that three inches of rain fell in La Mesa on Monday, January 22, 2024, and provided an update on the impact the rain had on City infrastructure.
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. PRESENTATIONS
Public Comments:
5.1 LETTERS OF APPRECIATION TO PUBLIC WORKS CREW MEMBERS JUSTIN PICHAY AND GEORGE ZAPATA Public Comments:
Mayor Arapostathis presented Letters of Appreciation to Justin Pachay, Maintenance Worker I, and George Zapata, Maintenance Worker I.
Fire Chief Koch awarded Justin Pachay and George Zapata with Firefighter Challenge Coins.
5.2 CLIMATE ACTION PLAN AND ORGANICS RECYCLING PROGRESS REPORT PRESENTATION Attachments
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Public Comments
1. Memo_Climate Action Plan and Organics Recycling Progress Report Presentation.pdf
2. CAP and Organics Recycling Progress Report_PowerPoint.pdf Environmental Program Manager Ego, Administrative Analyst Lee, and CivicSpark Fellows Carlyn Bacci and Liam Conley provided a PowerPoint presentation on the progress of the City's Climate Action Plan (CAP) and organics recycling, highlighting the CAP resolutions and implementation, the progress of the CAP update, the CAP team, events and milestones that occurred in the past six months, City staff engagement, recognitions and grants awarded to the City, youth outreach, projects in the areas of energy, transportation, water, and green infrastructure, the Litter Free La Mesa cleanup series, Senate Bill (SB) 1383 requirements, the SB 1383 compliance rate, edible food recovery and procurement projects, and the 2024 priority projects.
Following Council questions and comments, no action was taken.
5.3 2023 CERTIFIED LA MESA GREEN BUSINESS RECOGNITION PRESENTATION Attachments
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Public Comments
1. Memo_2023 Certified La Mesa Green Business Recognition Presentation.pdf Mayor Arapostathis recognized the 2023 Certified La Mesa Green Businesses for their ongoing efforts in reducing emissions. 2023 Certified La Mesa Green Businesses:
Helix Soap Company
Kai's Refills
La Mesa Library
Homes with my Realty
Dental House
Scisters Salon
Four Fin Creative
5.4 DEVELOPMENT SERVICES PROCESS IMPROVEMENT PLAN UPDATE Attachments
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Public Comments
1. Memo_Process Improvement Plan Update January 9, 2024.pdf
2. Development Services Process Improvement PlanUpdate_PowerPoint.pdf Director of Community Development Santos, Associate Planner Traffenstedt, and Management Analyst Flores provided a PowerPoint presentation on the improvements made to the development services process, highlighting the process improvement recommendations, the implementation plan accomplishments in the areas of process improvements, customer service, and tracking and data collection, the online permit portal, the instant residential solar permitting process through Symbium, the network and technology upgrades, the additional staff positions, the interdepartmental development services team meetings, efforts to update the Community Development webpage including applications, forms, handouts, and guides, pre-application meetings, the Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Guidebook, ADU applications and issued permits, the community workshop series, code compliance resources, tutorial videos, ways the public can stay informed of various development projects in the City, the improved communication protocols, the new methods for tracking and data collection, and the new customer survey.
Following Council questions and comments, no action was taken.
6. PUBLIC COMMENTS – (TOTAL TIME – 15 MINUTES)
Public Comments
Mairs Ryan
January 23, 2024
Mayor and Council members,
Thank you for this opportunity to have a voice.
I appreciated Oceana’s presentation on plastic trash at the November 14th meeting last year. Ms. Morris of Oceana illuminated the fact that plastics are made from chemicals sourced from fossil fuels. That brought to my mind the goal of La Mesa’s Climate Action Plan which is to reduce the use of fossil fuels.
Plastic is a problem because it doesn’t decompose. It makes its way to the ocean and from there joins pods of more plastic. I have picked up buckets and buckets of plastic trash in the 10 years I have lived in the village. I know there are groups of other La Mesans that do the same.
Using personal water bottles is helpful; as are water dispensers in public places. However, neither address what I pick up on my walks which includes straws, coffee cups, takeout containers, the ubiquitous black utensils, plastic bags, vaping containers, snack wrappers and plastic liquor bottles from convenience stores.
Although it feels righteous to be a trash warrior the real battle is addressing our reliance on fossil fuels in the first place. We don’t need more trash warriors. We need to change the mindset about fossil fuel use. That is why we need continued and diligent implementation of La Mesa’s CAP. That will reduce our reliance on fossil fuels. And that will contribute to solving the plastic problem.
I look forward to this Council’s implementation of the CAP to guide us towards independence from the burning of fossil fuels.
Mairs Ryan
Brenda Hammond spoke regarding the recent storm and the homeless.
Mairs Ryan submitted a comment regarding plastic trash and the goal of the City's CAP.
7. CONFLICT DISCLOSURES
Public Comments:
There were no conflict of interest disclosures.
8. BOARD AND COMMISSION INTERVIEWS
Public Comments:
8.1 INTERVIEW OF APPLICANTS FOR AN UNSCHEDULED VACANCY ON THE ARTS AND CULTURE COMMISSION Attachments
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Public Comments
1. Memo_Arts and Culture Commission Interview 2024-01-23.pdf
2. Attachment A_List of Applicants Arts and Culture Commission_Jan.pdf City Clerk Wiegelman stated Ana Gonzalez-Seda and Sherida Bonton were not able to attend the City Council meeting due to prior commitments. City Clerk Wiegelman said the appointment would be made at the February 13th City Council meeting.
8.2 INTERVIEW OF APPLICANT FOR AN UNSCHEDULED VACANCY ON THE DESIGN REVIEW BOARD Attachments
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Public Comments
1. Memo_DRB Interview 2024-01-23.pdf
2. Attachment A - List of Applicants DRB_Jan.pdf
City Clerk Wiegelman briefly explained the interview process.
Alison Morita spoke regarding their qualifications and interest in being appointed to the Design Review Board.
City Clerk Wiegelman said the appointment would be made at the February 13th City Council meeting.
Following the interview, no action was taken.
9. PUBLIC COMMENTS ON CONSENT CALENDAR
Public Comments:
Melissa Weiss spoke in support of Item 10.5.
Mickey Mounarath spoke in support of Item 10.5.
10. CONSENT CALENDAR
Public Comments:
(Items 10.1 through 10.6)
Moved By
Mayor Arapostathis
Seconded By
Councilmember Shu
Approve Consent Calendar Items 10.1 through 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.
10.2 APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES FOR THE CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING HELD TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2023 Attachments
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Public Comments
1. Post-Meeting Minutes - CCM_Nov28_2023.pdf
Approve.
10.3 APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES FOR THE CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING AND CITY OF LA MESA SUCCESSOR AGENCY SPECIAL MEETING HELD TUESDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2023 Attachments
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Public Comments
1. Post-Meeting Minutes - CC and SA_Dec12_2023.pdf
Approve.
10.4 RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING CONTRACT CHANGE ORDER NO. 1 FOR THE CITYWIDE GUARDRAIL UPGRADES PROJECT, BID NO. 23-15, TO S.B. GENERAL ENGINEERING, INC.
Attachments
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Public Comments
1. Staff Report _2024-01-23 Citywide Guardrail CCO-1 Bid 23-15 .pdf
2. Attachment A - Resolution CO-1 Bid 23-15.pdf
3. Attachment B - Contract Change Order Form Bid 23-15.pdf
4. Attachment C - Fiscal Impact Certificate - Citywide Guardrail Upgrades Project.pdf Resolution No. 2024-001
Adopt Resolution.
10.5 RESOLUTION APPROVING FUNDS FOR PUBLIC ART PROJECTS Attachments
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Public Comments
1. Staff Report_RESOLUTION TO APPROVE FUNDING FOR PUBLIC ART.pdf
2. Attachment A - Resolution-Public Arts Funding.pdf
3. Attachment B - Mural Funding Request.pdf
4. Attachment C - Fiscal Impact Certificate_Public Art Projects.pdf Resolution No. 2024-002
Adopt Resolution.
10.6 RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING CONTRACT CHANGE ORDER 1 TO ARDURRA GROUP, INC., AND INCREASE THE BUDGET FOR PUBLIC WORKS ENGINEERING DIVISION PROFESSIONAL AND SPECIALIZED SERVICES ACCOUNT Attachments
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Public Comments
1. Staff Report_AMEND AGREEMENT WITH ARDURRA GROUP INC. FOR CONSULTING SERVICES.pdf
2. Attachment A - RESOLUTION CCO-1 ARDURRA INSPECTION SRVCS.pdf
3. Attachment B - RESOLUTION TO INCREASE ENGINEERING BUDGET.pdf
4. Attachment C - ARDURRA CO-1.pdf
5. Attachment D - Fiscal Impact Certificate Ardurra.pdf Adopt Resolutions.
a.
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING CONTRACT CHANGE ORDER 1 TO ARDURRA GROUP, INC., FOR ADDITIONAL ENGINEERING INSPECTION SERVICES Public Comments:
Resolution No. 2024-003
Adopt Resolution.
b.
RESOLUTION TO INCREASE THE BUDGET FOR PUBLIC WORKS ENGINEERING DIVISION PROFESSIONAL AND SPECIALIZED SERVICES ACCOUNT BY $189,600 FOR FISCAL YEAR 2023-2024, FOR A TOTAL OF $320,439.66 FOR THE FISCAL YEAR Public Comments:
Resolution No. 2024-004
Adopt Resolution.
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:
There were no reports.
13. CITY ATTORNEY REMARKS
Public Comments:
There were no remarks.
14. ADJOURNMENT
Public Comments:
Mayor Arapostathis adjourned the meeting at 7:21 p.m.