City Council - May 14, 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 PARENT
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.
Truth spoke on the various events taking place in the City.
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 POLICE CHIEF'S CHALLENGE COIN FOR COMPASSION PRESENTED TO MELINDA SHERIFF Public Comments:
Chief Sweeney presented the Police Chief's Challenge Coin for Compassion to Melinda Sheriff. On August 8, 2023, Melinda Sheriff helped a young man in crisis. Her immediate actions and caring demeanor prevented the man from jumping to his death or causing life threatening injuries to himself.
5.2 PROCLAIMING MAY 15, 2024 AS LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS' MEMORIAL DAY Public Comments:
Mayor Arapostathis presented the proclamation proclaiming May 15, 2024 as Law Enforcement Officers' Memorial Day to Chief Sweeney.
5.3 PROCLAIMING MAY AS POPPY MONTH
Public Comments:
Mayor Arapostathis presented the proclamation proclaiming May as Poppy Month to Pam Green, President of the La Mesa American Legion Auxiliary Unit 282.
5.4 PROCLAIMING MAY AS OLDER AMERICANS MONTH
Public Comments:
Mayor Arapostathis presented the proclamation proclaiming May as Older Americans Month to Director of Community Services Richardson.
5.5 PROCLAIMING MAY 19 - 25, 2024 AS NATIONAL PUBLIC WORKS WEEK Attachments
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Public Comments
1. 2024 National Public Works Week.pdf
Mayor Arapostathis presented the proclamation proclaiming May 19 - 25, 2024 as National Public Works week to Director of Public Works Throne, Assistant Director of Public Works Ornelas, Engineering Project Manager Cubberley, Senior Management Analyst Martin, Park Maintenance Lead Worker Ney, and Equipment Operator Flores.
Following the National Public Works Week proclamation, Mayor Arapostathis presented a proclamation proclaiming May as Jewish American Heritage Month to La Mesa residents Andrea Beth Damsky, Jessica Hayes, and Emily Green.
5.6 CITY TREASURER'S QUARTERLY REPORT
Attachments
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Public Comments
1. Treasurer's Report 03-31-24.pdf
2. Treasurer’s Report 03-31-24 Attachment A.pdf
3. Treasurer’s Report 03-31-24 Attachment B.pdf
4. City Treasurer's Report_PowerPoint 2024-05-14.pdf
City Treasurer Strabone made a presentation regarding the investment earnings for the quarter ending March 31, 2024.
Truth spoke on inflation and La Mesa's investment portfolio.
Following Council questions and comments, no action was taken.
6. PUBLIC COMMENTS – (TOTAL TIME – 15 MINUTES)
Public Comments
Wendy Mihalic
Honorable Mayor and Councilmembers
At the April 23rd Council meeting, Councilmember Parent provided an update on the Council Subcommittee’s work toward, hopefully, reinstating remote public comment. I believe he said that the public could expect announcement of an interim proposal “at the next meeting” (that would be this one, May 14) or the one following.
It has been almost 3 months since La Mesa decided to cease all public comment over zoom. The ban applied to Council meetings as well as Commission meetings. My observation is that the overwhelming sentiment from residents has been to reinstate remote access. This has been expressed to Council by a broad cross section of the community at each of the ensuing Council meetings both in writing and in person. Clearly, your constituents want to be able speak to you and the broader community, remotely.
I cannot attend the May 13 meeting in person so I am, again, stating my support for remote public comment. Sooner rather than later.
Respectfully
Dianne Osterling
I’m a 30+ year La Mesa resident, with great love for La Mesa. La Mesa's caring, neighborly environment spawned & cultivated this love. Many residents feel the same. Unfortunately, at times, some officials belittle this love with words vilifying residents whose views & ideas conflict with politicians’ personal goals. Some develop policies & practices disruptive to La Mesa’s caring culture:
• Policies endangering environmental & public safety by minimized or eliminated environmental regulations & review • Policies increasing housing costs by not enacting protection of existing affordable housing from large investment company takeovers, supporting unlimited short-term rentals- (which raises housing costs & diminishes La Mesa’s residential community.) • By encouraging new construction w/o addressing or acknowledging the negative environmental consequences vs. developing policies supporting converting empty retail & office space where nature’s been disrupted, & utility connections pre-exist • Environmental policy siloed on car emissions inhibits a systemic understanding of environmental problems that include safe sewage practices, protection of water sources, pollinators, & soil o Without proper sewage public health catastrophe.
o Without clean water, pollinators, or plants we die
Recently I was encouraged to consider how my communications re: frustrations with policymakers (politicians) can seem like attacks on staff who must enforce offending politician's policies. I apologize to any offended staff. My intent isn’t to offend staff, but to raise awareness of:
1. Problematic policies
2. Negative consequences of their implementation on La Mesans 3 Politicians creating policies designed not for the benefit/betterment of La Mesa, but to benefit other non-La Mesans:
o Donors, Donors to a politician’s business, Other Politicians They’re Beholden to, Their Personal Political Aspirations, OR Their Personal Financial Benefit I again Request improved government transparency by reinstating remote public comment access & increasing improved opportunities for 2-way communications for residents with policymakers. Saying you will isn't getting it done.
Dianne Osterling spoke and submitted a comment regarding city policies and government transparency.
Wendy Mihalic submitted a comment regarding remote public comment.
Sylvia McNaly spoke regarding a neighbor constructing a nonconforming accessory dwelling unit in their backyard.
Chris Thomas spoke regarding the LGBTQ+ community and flying the Pride flag during the month of June.
Mairs Ryan spoke on remote public comment.
Brenda Hammond spoke on a personal experience.
Truth spoke on free speech.
7. CONFLICT DISCLOSURES
Public Comments:
There were no conflict of interest disclosures.
8. PUBLIC COMMENTS ON CONSENT CALENDAR
Public Comments:
Dianne Osterling spoke and submitted a comment on Item 9.1.
Truth spoke on Items 9.1, 9.2, 9.3, 9.4, and 9.5.
9. CONSENT CALENDAR
Public Comments:
(Items 9.1 through 9.6)
Moved By
Councilmember Parent
Seconded By
Vice Mayor Lothian
Approve Consent Calendar Items 9.1 through 9.6, except for Item 9.2.
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
Dianne Osterling
Thank you for clarifying the e-comment policy to add the limitation of characters, not just words. Clarity breeds confidence and trust.
Approve.
9.3 RATIFICATION OF DESIGN REVIEW FOR PROJECT 2023-2466 (MANN ENTERPRISES INC.) Attachments
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Public Comments
1. Staff Report_2023-2466 (8790 Grossmont Blvd) DRB Ratification.pdf
2. Attachment A - DRB Certification of Action for Project 2023-2466.pdf
3. Attachment B - Assessor Parcel Map Sheet.pdf
4. Attachment C - Site Photographs.pdf
5. Attachment D - Site Development Plan Notice of Decision 2024-03.pdf
6. Attachment E - Project Plans.pdf
A PROPOSED TWO-TENANT RETAIL SHELL BUILDING OF 32,550 SQUARE FEET AND A SINGLE-TENANT RETAIL SHELL OF 2,880 SQUARE FEET AT 8790 GROSSMONT BOULEVARD, APN 490-660-53-00 IN THE C-D (GENERAL COMMERCIAL / URBAN DESIGN OVERLAY) ZONE Approve.
9.4 RESOLUTION DESIGNATING AUTHORIZING AGENTS WITH THE CALIFORNIA GOVERNORS OFFICE OF EMERGENCY SERVICES FOR THE PURPOSE OF OBTAINING STATE DISASTER RELIEF FOR ANY OPEN AND FUTURE DISASTERS OR GRANTS DECLARED FOR UP TO THREE YEARS Attachments
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Public Comments
1. Staff Report_Resolution Authorizing Agents with the CA Governors Office of Emergency Services.pdf
2. Attachment A - Resolution Designating Agents with CA Emergency Services.pdf
3. Attachment B - Cal OES Designation of Applicants Form 130 .pdf Resolution No. 2024-050
Adopt Resolution.
9.5 RESOLUTION AWARDING A PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT TO RICK ENGINEERING COMPANY FOR TRANSPORTATION DESIGN SERVICES FOR THE LA MESA BIKE AND SIDEWALK CONNECTIONS PROJECT Attachments
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Public Comments
1. Staff Report _Agreement To Rick Engineering for Bike and Sidewalk Connections Project 2024-05-14.pdf
2. Attachment A - Resolution Bike and Sidewalk Connections Project Agreement.pdf
3. Attachment B - Fee Schedule .pdf
4. Attachment C - Project Location Map.pdf
5. Fiscal Certificate - Rick Eng Award.pdf
Resolution No. 2024-051
Adopt Resolution.
9.6 RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING A TASK ORDER TO D-MAX ENGINEERING, INC. FOR DRY WEATHER MS4 OUTFALL MONITORING AND PERSISTENT FLOW PROGRAM Attachments
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Public Comments
1. Staff Report _Dry Weather MS4 Outfall Monitoring and Persistent Flow Program 2024-05-14.pdf
2. Attachment A - Resolution Dry Weather MS4 Outfall Monitoring Task Order.pdf
3. Attachment B - Scope and Fee_2024 La Mesa MS4 Outfall Monitoring.pdf
4. Fiscal Certificate - D-Max Award.pdf
Resolution No. 2024-052
Adopt Resolution.
9.2 RATIFICATION OF DESIGN REVIEW FOR PROJECT 2022-0898 (REFOU) Attachments
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Public Comments
1. Staff Report_Project 2022-0898 DRB Ratification - 8923 La Mesa Boulevard.pdf
2. Attachment A - Design Review Board Certification of Action for Project 2022-0898.pdf
3. Attachment B - Planning Commission Resolution No. PC-2024-03.pdf
4. Attachment C - Site Photographs Project 2022-0898.pdf
5. Attachment D - Project Plans 2022-0898.pdf
6. Attachment E - Project Renderings 2022-0898.pdf
7. Attachment F - Colors and Materials Board.pdf
A 3,694 SQUARE FOOT THIRD STORY ADDITION AND MAJOR RENOVATION TO AN EXISTING TWO-STORY COMMERCIAL BUILDING LOCATED AT 8923 LA MESA BOULEVARD (APNS 490-472-31-00 AND 490-472-11-00) IN THE C-D-MU (GENERAL COMMERCIAL / URBAN DESIGN OVERLAY / MIXED USE OVERLAY) ZONE WITH ASSOCIATED PARKING LOCATED ON A PARCEL TO THE WEST AT 5264 WOOD STREET, APN 490-472-07-00 IN THE R3-P-MU (MULTIPLE UNIT RESIDENTIAL / SCENIC PRESERVATION OVERLAY / MIXED USE OVERLAY) ZONE Vice Mayor Lothian announced Project 2022-0898 would be La Mesa's and East County's first roof top restaurant and bar. Vice Mayor Lothian commented on parking requirements for businesses versus apartments.
Moved By
Vice Mayor Lothian
Seconded By
Mayor Arapostathis
Approve.
For (5)
Mayor Arapostathis, Councilmember Shu, Councilmember Parent, Councilmember Dillard, and Vice Mayor Lothian Approved (5 to 0)
10. STAFF REPORT
Public Comments:
10.1 REPORT ON 2023-2028 STRATEGIC PLAN IMPLEMENTATION PLAN AND PERFORMANCE MEASURES Attachments
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Public Comments
1. Memo_2023-2028 Strategic Plan Implementation Plan and Performance Measures.pdf
2. Attachment A - 2023-2028 La Mesa Strategic Plan.pdf
3. Attachment B - Strategic Plan Implementation Plan.pdf
4. Strategic Plan Implementation_PowerPoint 2024-05-14.pdf Assistant City Manager Lee provided a PowerPoint presentation on the implementation plan for the 2023-2028 Strategic Plan and Performance Measures, highlighting the five goals of the Strategic Plan, the strategies for each goal, and the information provided in the implementation plan, which included the status, timeline, department, key performance indicators, and performance outcomes of the strategies. Assistant City Manager Lee briefly summarized the open and closed Council initiated items.
Council questions and comments ensued.
Dianne Osterling spoke on affordable housing.
Truth spoke on the various goals and strategies and the corresponding performance indicators and outcomes.
Following Council questions and comments, no action was taken.
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.
Truth spoke on the San Diego Metropolitan System (MTS).
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 7:30 p.m.