City Council - April 09, 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, except for Item 10.1 which was considered following Public Comments and before Conflict Disclosures.
Mayor Arapostathis called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
1.1 INVOCATION - VICE MAYOR LOTHIAN
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:
Mayor Arapostathis announced that Item 10.1 would be considered following Public Comment and before Conflict Disclosures.
5. PRESENTATIONS
Public Comments:
5.1 PROCLAIMING APRIL 26, 2024 AS ARBOR DAY
Public Comments:
Mayor Arapostathis read the proclamation proclaiming April 26, 2024 as Arbor Day.
5.2 PROCLAIMING THE MONTH OF APRIL AS ART, CULTURE, AND CREATIVITY MONTH Public Comments:
Mayor Arapostathis read the proclamation proclaiming the month of April as Art, Culture, and Creativity Month.
The following members of the public spoke in support of the proclamation proclaiming the month of April as Art, Culture, and Creativity Month:
Michael Angelo Camacho
Ada Shido
5.3 PROCLAIMING THE MONTH OF APRIL AS VOLUNTEER MONTH
Public Comments:
Mayor Arapostathis read the proclamation proclaiming the month of April as Volunteer Month.
5.4 PRESENTATION OF THE LA MESA BOULEVARD COMPLETE STREETS PLAN, SEGMENT 1 Attachments
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Public Comments
1. La Mesa Blvd Complete Streets Presentation Report.pdf
2. Attachment A - LMBLVD Segment 1 CC Presentation.pdf
Engineering Project Manager Kinnard provided a PowerPoint presentation on the La Mesa Boulevard Complete Streets Plan, Segment 1. The presentation highlighted the project overview, schedule, and key concepts, which included consistency with the Climate Action Plan, reducing exposure times for pedestrians and bicycles, balancing modes, enhancing transit stops, ensuring equitable access for all, and maintaining and adding parking where feasible. Engineering Project Manager Kinnard also summarized the outreach and engagement efforts, survey feedback, existing conditions of the project area, proposed roadway configurations, mode-share before and after improvements, and outlined the next steps.
Council questions and comments ensued.
The following members of the public spoke in support of the La Mesa Boulevard Complete Streets Plan, Segment 1:
Chloe Lauer
Corinna Contreras
Mike Rancourt
Following Council questions and comments, no action was taken.
5.5 PRESENTATION OF THE LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN
Attachments
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Public Comments
1. Staff Report_Local Road Safety Plan Presentation Report.pdf
2. Attachment A - Local Road Safety Plan PowerPoint Presentation 2024-04-09.pdf
3. Attachment B - La Mesa Local Road Safety Plan_Final Draft Update 2024-04-09.pdf Engineering Project Manager Kinnard provided a PowerPoint presentation on the Local Road Safety Plan (LRSP), highlighting the purpose of an LRSP, the citywide collision analysis, the locations of fatal injuries that occurred in the city between 2015 and 2019, the updated priority projects, and the next steps.
Following Council questions and comments, no action was taken.
6. PUBLIC COMMENTS – (TOTAL TIME – 15 MINUTES)
Public Comments
Wendy Mihalicw
Honorable Mayor and Council Members
I am contacting you, again, to ‘voice’ my support for remote public access for La Mesa Council and commission meetings. It has been six (6) weeks since a Council ad hoc Subcommittee recommended ceasing all remote public comment over Zoom. Period. The public was assured that though this decision was taken on February 27th, the subcommittee would continue its work to find a path to enable remote public comment. We were again assured at the last Council Meeting that the matter was being worked.
I urge the Subcommittee and associated Staff to bring their recommendations forward as soon as possible. ‘We the people’ would like to share our views even if we are unable to attend city meetings in person.
Thank you
Wendy Mihalic
Drake Garvin spoke on remote public comment.
Dianne Osterling spoke on government transparency.
Leslie Fadem spoke on remote public comment.
Gene Carpenter spoke on the conduct of the City Councilmembers.
Bill Hohnhorst spoke on remote public comment.
Mike Rancourt spoke on remote public comment.
Carol Ortiz spoke on remote public comment, single-use plastics, and clean energy.
Ricardo Sanchez spoke on tax fraud.
Bonnie Baranoff announced the La Mesa Collaborative's Spring 2024 Family Resources Fair was scheduled for Saturday, April 13, 2024, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at La Mesa First United Methodist Church Fireside Park.
Brenda Hammond spoke on the actions of the La Mesa Fire Department.
Wendy Mihalic submitted a comment regarding remote public comment.
7. CONFLICT DISCLOSURES
Public Comments:
There were no conflict of interest disclosures.
8. PUBLIC COMMENTS ON CONSENT CALENDAR
Public Comments:
Dianne Osterling spoke on Items 9.2 and 9.3.
Janet Castanos spoke on Item 9.2.
Larry Emerson spoke on Items 9.7 and 9.8.
9. CONSENT CALENDAR
Public Comments:
(Items 9.1 through 9.12)
Moved By
Mayor Arapostathis
Seconded By
Councilmember Parent
Approve Consent Calendar Items 9.1 through 9.12.
For (5)
Mayor Arapostathis, Councilmember Shu, Councilmember Parent, Councilmember Dillard, and Vice Mayor Lothian Approved (5 to 0)
9.1 APPROVAL OF MOTION TO WAIVE THE READING OF THE TEXT OF ALL ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS AT THIS MEETING Public Comments:
Approve.
9.2 APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES FOR THE CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING HELD TUESDAY, MARCH 26, 2024 Attachments
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Public Comments
1. Post-Meeting Minutes - CCM_Mar26_2024.pdf
Approve.
9.3 RESOLUTION DIRECTING REVIEW OF THE CITY OF LA MESA CONFLICT OF INTEREST CODE Attachments
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Public Comments
1. Memo_Conflict of Interest Code Review 2024-04-09.pdf
2. Attachment A - Resolution Conflict of Interest Code Initial Review 2024.pdf Resolution No. 2024-032
Adopt Resolution.
9.4 COMMUNITY POLICE OVERSIGHT BOARD 2023 ANNUAL REPORT Attachments
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Public Comments
1. Community Police Oversight Board 2023 Annual Report.pdf Receive and file.
9.5 RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING CONTRACT CHANGE ORDER NO. 4 FOR THE ANNUAL CONCRETE MAINTENANCE PROJECT, BID 23-04, TO PORTILLO CONCRETE, INC.
Attachments
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Public Comments
1. Staff Report_23-04 Annual Concrete Maintenance Project CCO4.pdf
2. Attachment A - Resolution Bid 24-04 CO-4.pdf
3. Attachment B - CCO-4 Portillo Concrete.pdf
4. Fiscal Certificate - Portillo CCO-4.pdf
Resolution No. 2024-033
Adopt Resolution.
9.6 RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE APPLICATION AND ACCEPTANCE OF FUNDING FOR THE SAN DIEGO COMMUNITY POWER (SDCP) MEMBER AGENCY GRANT PROGRAM FOR BIKE EDUCATION CLASSES AND A BIKE AND E-BIKE GIVEAWAY PROGRAM Attachments
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Public Comments
1. Staff Report_SDCP Member Agency Grant Program.pdf
2. Attachment A - Resolution SDCP Member Agency Grant.pdf Resolution No. 2024-034
Adopt Resolution.
9.7 RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE APPLICATION AND ACCEPTANCE OF FUNDING FOR THE ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND CONSERVATION BLOCK GRANT AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS FOR BEAM GLOBAL SOLAR POWERED ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING STATIONS Attachments
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Public Comments
1. Staff Report_ EECBG Grant for Solar EV Arcs 2024-04-09.pdf
2. Attachment A - Resolution EECBG Grant.pdf
3. Attachment B - EV ARC 2020 Diagram Image.pdf
Resolution No. 2024-035
Adopt Resolution.
9.8 RESOLUTION APPROVING AN AWARD AND PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT IN SUBSTANTIAL FORM AS PRESENTED, SUBJECT TO THE FINAL REVIEW AND APPROVAL BY THE CITY ATTORNEY, FOR REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS 24-13 FOR ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING STATION MASTER PLAN Attachments
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Public Comments
1. Staff Report_EV Charging Station Master Plan Professional Services Agreement 2024-04-09.pdf
2. Attachment A - Resolution.pdf
3. Attachment B - Scope of Work Proposal.pdf
4. Fiscal Certificate - Kittelson Award.pdf
Resolution No. 2024-036
Adopt Resolution.
9.9 BOULEVARD DRIVE STORM DRAIN IMPROVEMENT PROJECT RESOLUTIONS Attachments
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Public Comments
1. Staff Report - Bid 24-16 Boulevard Drive Storm Drain 2024-04-09.pdf
2. Attachment A - Resolution Bid 24-16 Construction Award.pdf
3. Attachment B - Resolution Ardurra.pdf
4. Attachment C - Resolution RMRA Allocation.pdf
5. Attachment D - Bid Tabulation .pdf
6. Attachment E - Map.pdf
7. Fiscal Certificate - SC Valley Award.pdf
8. Fiscal Certificate - Ardurra Task Order.pdf
Adopt Resolutions.
a.
RESOLUTION ACCEPTING BID 24-16, BOULEVARD DRIVE STORM DRAIN IMPROVEMENT PROJECT AND AWARDING A CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT TO S.C. VALLEY ENGINEERING, INC.
Public Comments:
Resolution No. 2024-037
Adopt Resolution.
b.
RESOLUTION APPROVING A TASK ORDER TO ARDURRA GROUP, INC. TO PROVIDE CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT AND INSPECTION SERVICES FOR BOULEVARD DRIVE STORM DRAIN IMPROVEMENT PROJECT Public Comments:
Resolution No. 2024-038
Adopt Resolution.
c.
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE ALLOCATION OF $525,000 UNALLOCATED ROAD MAINTENANCE AND REHABILITATION ACCOUNT (RMRA) FUNDS TO THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM FOR THE BOULEVARD DRIVE STORM DRAIN IMPROVEMENT PROJECT Public Comments:
Resolution No. 2024-039
Adopt Resolution.
9.10 RESOLUTION ADOPTING THE FISCAL YEAR 2024-2025 ANNUAL ACTION PLAN FOR THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT (CDBG) PROGRAM AND AUTHORIZING SUBMITTAL TO THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT (HUD) Attachments
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Public Comments
1. Staff Report_CDBG Action Plan FY 2024-25 Adoption.pdf
2. Attachment A - Resolution Adopting the FY 2024-25 Annual Action Plan.pdf
3. Attachment B - FY 2024-25 Annual Action Plan for HUD Funding Programs.pdf Resolution No. 2024-040
Adopt Resolution.
9.11 RATIFICATION OF DESIGN REVIEW FOR PROJECT 2022-0973 (BOULEVARD LA MESA LLC) Attachments
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Public Comments
1. Staff Report_2022-0973 (Boulevard La Mesa LLC) DRB Ratification.pdf
2. Attachment A - Design Review Board Certificate of Action for Project 2022-0973.pdf
3. Attachment B - Community Development Director Notice of Decision No. 2024-02.pdf
4. Attachment C - Site Photographs.pdf
5. Attachment D - Project Plans.pdf
6. Attachment E - Renderings.pdf
7. Attachment F - Colors and Materials Board.pdf
8. Attachment G - Applicant Response.pdf
A PROPOSED MIXED-USE DEVELOPMENT ON A VACANT LOT LOCATED ON EL CAJON BOULEVARD, APNS 470-200-31-00, 470-200-30-00, AND 470-200-28-00 IN THE C-D-MU (GENERAL COMMERCIAL / URBAN DESIGN OVERLAY / MIXED USE OVERLAY) ZONE Approve.
9.12 RATIFICATION OF DESIGN REVIEW FOR PROJECT 2024-0417 (GEORGEES) Attachments
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Public Comments
1. Staff Report - 2024-0417 (4231 Spring Street) DRB Ratification.pdf
2. Attachment A - Design Review Board Certification of Action for Project 2024-0417.pdf
3. Attachment B - 2023 Site Photos.pdf
4. Attachment C - Current Site Photos.pdf
5. Attachment D - Colors and Materials Board.pdf
6. Attachment E - Project Plans.pdf
A PROPOSED EXTERIOR REMODEL TO AN EXISTING ONE-STORY COMMERCIAL BUILDING LOCATED AT 4231 SPRING STREET (APN 499-020-30-00) IN THE CN-P-D-MU (NEIGHBORHOOD COMMERCIAL / SCENIC PRESERVATION OVERLAY / URBAN DESIGN OVERLAY / MIXED USE OVERLAY) ZONE Approve.
10. COUNCIL INITIATED
Public Comments:
10.1 CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF ASSEMBLY BILL 3024 (AB 3024): THE STOP HATE LITTERING ACT, INTRODUCED BY ASSEMBLYMEMBER CHRIS WARD - COUNCILMEMBER SHU Attachments
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Public Comments
1. CI.Shu.AB 3024 Support 2024-04-12.pdf
2. Attachment A - Draft Resolution In Support of AB 3024.pdf Councilmember Shu explained the purpose for requesting the Council adopt the Resolution in support of AB 3024: The Stop Hate Littering Act, introduced by Assemblymember Chris Ward.
Janet Castanos spoke in support of the adoption of the Resolution in support of AB 3024.
Council questions and comments ensued.
Vice Mayor Lothian stated that she would not support the adoption of the Resolution in support of AB 3024 due to concerns regarding its potential conflict with the First Amendment right to free speech.
Resolution No. 2024-031
Moved By
Councilmember Shu
Seconded By
Councilmember Dillard
Adopt Resolution.
For (4)
Mayor Arapostathis, Councilmember Shu, Councilmember Parent, and Councilmember Dillard Against (1)
Vice Mayor Lothian
Approved (4 to 1)
10.2 CONSIDERATION OF DIRECTING STAFF TO BEGIN CONVERTING ALL CITY LANDSCAPE EQUIPMENT TO NONPOLLUTING POWER AND AWAY FROM FOSSIL FUEL - COUNCILMEMBER SHU Attachments
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Public Comments
1. CI.Shu.Landscape Equipment Conversion 2024-04-12.pdf Nastassia Patin
I want to comment on Councilmember Shu’s proposal to direct City staff to begin converting all landscaping equipment to nonpolluting power sources. I strongly support this initiative because gasoline and diesel powered landscaping equipment are an enormous detriment to human and environmental health. It produces greenhouse gas emissions, particulate matter, secondary organic aerosols, carbon monoxide, aromatic hydrocarbons and nitrous oxide, all of which contribute to an increase in global warming and local smog. These emissions harm residents of the community and are especially hazardous to landscape workers. To protect peoples’ health and the environment and to meet the goals of the La Mesa Climate Action Plan, all future landscaping equipment purchases, leases and rentals must be for battery powered equipment. mairs ryan
I passionately support 10.2 which would direct City staff to covert all City landscaping equipment so that from hereon it be powered by clean energy–and not fossil fuels.
My request is in keeping with the Climate Emergency declared by this Council in 2021. Resolution #11 of that declaration states:
“The City of La Mesa endorses a just, county wide emergency climate action mobilization effort …to reverse global warming to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and safely draw down carbon from the atmosphere as quickly as possible.” I would also ask that this Council exerts its wise and committed environmental sense to reverse the purchase approval by the Harry Griffin JPA Board of two diesel-fueled pieces of lawn equipment. The amount of carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide and particulates that will be emitted into that park area if the purchase goes forward is exactly why La Mesa declared a Climate Emergency in the first place.
Lawrence Emerson
Comments for Agenda Item 10.2 Converting the City to “Non-Polluting” Landscape Equipment.
More than 10 Years ago South Pasadena analyzed the soil of their City Parks where their children ran and played in the grass. They found that the soil contained lead and other unhealthy contaminants. This came from the diesel and gasoline lawn equipment they used to maintain the grass and parks for everyone to enjoy.
When CALTRANS does any road work where they need to disturb soil along the freeway, they need to take special measures to ensure they don’t kick up the dust and cause the workers to breath the lead and other contaminants.
I encourage the City to take advantage of the new “ Non-Polluting” Lawn Equipment becoming more available, and don’t purchase new gas/diesel powered lawn equipment and lock the city staff workers into breathing and spreading the pollution in city parks.
Wendy Mihalic
Honorable Mayor and Council Members,
I want to thank Council Member Shu for initiating action to convert La Mesa landscaping equipment to nonpolluting power and away from fossil fuel. And thank you to staff for citing La Mesa’s Climate Action Plan and the City’s Climate Emergency Resolution in their Report on Agenda Item 9.7 Solar EV charging stations, earlier in the Agenda.
La Mesa has climate obligations and we need to continue to focus our efforts on reducing GHG emissions in all ways that make sense now. This is also a health and equity issue. Fossil fueled equipment is making people sick, particularly those in lower income levels that work in the landscape maintenance industry.
The conversion away from highly polluting landscape equipment is happening all around us. CARB emission standards are now in place calling for smog-forming emissions from most new lawn equipment engines to be zero starting in model year 2024.
Virtually ALL of La Mesa’s Strategic Goals are supported by continued efforts to clean our air and create a healthier more sustainable environment for our citizens.
I ask that this item be implemented by staff and offer a couple of resources for their consideration:
1. San Diegans for Sustainable, Equitable and Quiet Equipment in Landscaping (SD-SEQUEL) https://sd-sequel.org/ See their proposed ordinances for the City and County of SD.
2. American Green Zone Alliance(AGZA) https://agza.net/about-us/. Helps cities transition from fossil to electric landscape equipment.
Thank you
Muriel Spooner
I strongly support Councilmember Shu’s proposal to direct City staff to begin converting all landscaping equipment to nonpolluting power sources. Gasoline and diesel powered landscaping equipment produce greenhouse gas emissions, particulate matter, secondary organic aerosols, carbon monoxide, aromatic hydrocarbons and nitrous oxide thus contributing to an increase in global warming and local smog. These emissions are harmful to residents of the community and are especially hazardous to landscape workers who have direct contact or are in close proximity with the equipment. To protect peoples’ health and the environment and to meet the goals of the La Mesa Climate Action Plan, all future landscaping equipment purchases, leases and rentals must be for battery powered equipment. This conversion makes sense environmentally and fiscally as the long term cost of maintaining battery powered equipment is less than gas or diesel powered equipment.
Dr. Peter A Andersen
For the health of our citizen and the health of the planet please support the motion to convert La Mesa landscaping to nonpolluting type of equipment.
Alexander Rivest
I strongly support Councilmember Shu’s proposal to direct City staff to begin converting all landscaping equipment to nonpolluting power sources. Gasoline and diesel powered landscaping equipment produce greenhouse gas emissions, particulate matter, secondary organic aerosols, carbon monoxide, aromatic hydrocarbons and nitrous oxide thus contributing to an increase in global warming and local smog. These emissions harm residents of the community and are especially hazardous to landscape workers. To protect peoples’ health and the environment and to meet the goals of the La Mesa Climate Action Plan, all future landscaping equipment purchases, leases and rentals must be for battery powered equipment.
Christopher R Glenn
Councilmember Shu,
Thank you for recognizing the need to begin converting city landscape equipment to using non-polluting power and away from using fossil fuels.
Electric and battery-powered landscaping equipment is gaining popularity and becoming a more attractive option for commercial landscaping companies.
Battery-powered and electric landscaping equipment is viable and increasingly attractive alternatives to traditional gas-powered tools and equipment for a variety of reasons. 1) The total life and maintenance expenses for electric equipment is a significant advantage to consider when evaluating this alternative. 2) A roughly 90% cost savings may be realized for fueling with electricity and solar rather than gasoline. 3) Studies show that an average-sized, 4-stroke, grade gas-powered lawn mower produces PAHs (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons) in just one hour equivalent to that of driving a small car 90 miles. Battery-powered equipment is not 100% eco-friendly. However, there is the option to install solar to power the batteries which really does allow the City to boast 99.9% eco-friendly services, Citations:
https://www.lawnsandpalmsfl.com/an-electric-future-for-landscape-and-lawn-care-companies/ https://www.razorsync.com/resources/green-lawn-care-landscapers-battery-powered-tools/ https://www.landscapemanagement.net/is-it-time-to-make-the-switch-and-add-battery-powered-equipment-to-your-fleet/ Dr. Ronald Askeland
I strongly support Councilmember Shu’s proposal to direct City staff to begin converting all landscaping equipment to nonpolluting power sources. Gasoline and diesel powered landscaping equipment produce greenhouse gas emissions, particulate matter, secondary organic aerosols, carbon monoxide, aromatic hydrocarbons and nitrous oxide thus contributing to an increase in global warming and local smog. These emissions harm residents of the community and are especially hazardous to landscape workers. To protect peoples’ health and the environment and to meet the goals of the La Mesa Climate Action Plan, all future landscaping equipment purchases, leases and rentals must be for battery powered equipment.
Councilmember Shu explained the purpose for requesting the Council direct staff to begin converting all city landscape equipment to nonpolluting power and away from fossil fuel.
The following members of the public spoke or submitted a comment in support of directing staff to begin converting all city landscape equipment to nonpolluting power and away from fossil fuel:
Wendy Mihalic
Larry Emerson
Nastassia Patin
Mairs Ryan
Lawrence Emerson
Muriel Spooner
Peter Andersen
Alexander Rivest
Christopher Glenn
Ronald Askeland
Council questions and comments ensued.
Moved By
Councilmember Shu
Seconded By
Councilmember Parent
Direct staff to begin converting all city landscape equipment to nonpolluting power sources, moving away from reliance on fossil fuels. This directive applies to new purchases, leases, and rentals of landscape equipment, including blowers, trimmers, hedgers, chain saws, and lawn mowers. Exceptions may be granted in emergency circumstances or with a waiver from the City Manager following review by the Environmental Sustainability Commission (ESC) and consideration of their recommendations.
For (4)
Mayor Arapostathis, Councilmember Shu, Councilmember Parent, and Councilmember Dillard Against (1)
Vice Mayor Lothian
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:
There were no reports.
13. CITY ATTORNEY REMARKS
Public Comments:
There were no remarks.
14. ADJOURNMENT
Public Comments:
Mayor Arapostathis adjourned the meeting at 8:20 p.m.