City Council - February 11, 2025
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 Presentation 5.3, which was addressed before Presentation 5.2.
Mayor Arapostathis called the meeting to order at 6:01 p.m.
Councilmember Cazares 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 - VICE MAYOR DILLARD
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. PRESENTATIONS
Public Comments:
5.1 CERTIFICATE OF RECOGNITION TO LA MESA BUSINESS OWNER JERI KISH Public Comments:
Vice Mayor Dillard presented the Certificate of Recognition to La Mesa business owner Jeri Kish.
5.2 CERTIFICATES OF RECOGNITION TO JUAN PEREZ AND FELIX PEREZ FOR THEIR SELFLESS AND HEROIC ACTIONS DURING A HOUSE FIRE ON NOVEMBER 8, 2024 Public Comments:
Mayor Arapostathis presented the Certificates of Recognition to Juan Perez and Baudelio Felix.
Division Chief Jon Nevin awarded Juan Perez and Baudelio Felix with Heartland Fire & Rescue Challenge Coins.
5.3 CERTIFICATE OF RECOGNITION TO KERRY CAMPBELL FOR THEIR SELFLESS AND HEROIC ACTIONS DURING A VEHICLE FIRE ON JANUARY 2, 2025 Public Comments
Denise Leatham
His name is Kerry Campbell.
Mayor Arapostathis presented the Certificate of Recognition to Kerry Campbell.
Division Chief Jon Nevin awarded Kerry Campbell with a Heartland Fire & Rescue Challenge Coin.
5.4 CITY TREASURER'S QUARTERLY REPORT
Attachments
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Public Comments
1. Treasurer's Report 12-31-24.pdf
2. Treasurer’s Report 12-31-24 Attachment A.pdf
3. Treasurer’s Report 12-31-24 Attachment B.pdf
4. Treasurer's Report 12-31-24 slide deck.pdf
City Treasurer Strabone made a presentation regarding the investment earnings for the quarter ending December 31, 2024.
Following Council questions and comments, no action was taken.
6. PUBLIC COMMENTS – (TOTAL TIME – 15 MINUTES)
Public Comments
mairs ryan
To the Mayor and Council
As a Middle School teacher the most challenging students were those who thought rules didn’t apply to them. They flaunted, dodged and disrespected the rules. And more often than not they desecrated rules that were in the best interest of the group.
Our school had a rule forbidding tackle during flag football games. It didn’t mean you couldn’t outpace opponents to take their flag; it didn’t mean you couldn’t get mad; it didn’t mean you were above the rules.
One day a student thought that rule didn’t apply to him. During a game he brought down a player carrying the football. This player had such momentum that he flew a few more feet and landed on his head. He sustained irreparable brain damage.
I was reminded of this kind of desecration of rules as I traced the placement of the recent board member on the Community Police Oversight Board. His holding a board position goes against two key criteria that were established for the good of the community. 1) He did not go through the required application process, nor did he come before the Council, state his name, present his credentials, or at the very least inform the community and council of his reasons for seeking the position. 2) He is a member of the La Mesa Fire Department. The CPOB was written to serve as a Civilian-led Entity so as to bring forward concerns from the Community. Obviously, this discounts someone who works for the city as a public safety officer.
In taking the action to place this chosen one on the CPOB, the Council has acted much like the student who thought better of the rules. You have flaunted, dodged and disrespected the rules set forth by the Community Police Oversight Board that is in place to serve your community. In doing so you have put the efficacy of established rules in jeopardy.
Shame on you,
Mairs Ryan
Andy Trimlett spoke about the appointment of the Helix High School representative to the Community Police Oversight Board.
Gene Carpenter spoke about the appointment of the Helix High School representative to the Community Police Oversight Board.
Barbie Wheeler expressed concerns about a house on Bellflower Drive.
Janet Farala, Field Representative for California Assembly District 79, provided a legislative update on behalf of Assemblymember Dr. LaShae Sharp-Collins' office.
Wendy Mihalic discussed Council ad hoc subcommittees.
7. CONFLICT DISCLOSURES
Public Comments:
There were no conflicts of interest disclosed.
8. PUBLIC COMMENTS ON CONSENT CALENDAR
Public Comments:
There were no public comments on Consent Calendar items.
9. CONSENT CALENDAR
Public Comments:
(Items 9.1 through 9.9)
Moved By
Mayor Arapostathis
Seconded By
Vice Mayor Dillard
Approve Consent Calendar Items 9.1 through 9.9.
For (5)
Mayor Arapostathis, Vice Mayor Dillard, Councilmember Lothian, Councilmember Cazares, and Councilmember Suzuki 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 MEETINGS HELD TUESDAY, JANUARY 14, AND JANUARY 28, 2025 Attachments
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Public Comments
1. Post-Meeting Minutes - CCM_Jan14_2025.pdf
2. Post-Meeting Minutes - CCM_Jan28_2025.pdf
Approve.
9.3 2025 BOARD AND COMMISSION WORK PLANS
Attachments
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Public Comments
1. Memo_2025 Board and Commission Work Plans 2025-02-11.pdf
2. Attachment A_2025 Arts and Culture Commission Work Plan.pdf
3. Attachment B_2025 Community Services Commission Work Plan.pdf
4. Attachment C_2025 Environmental Sustainability Commission Work Plan.pdf
5. Attachment D_2025 Mobility Commission Work Plan.pdf
6. Attachment E_2025 Youth Advisory Commission Work Plan.pdf
ARTS AND CULTURE COMMISSION
COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSION
ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY COMMISSION
MOBILITY COMMISSION
YOUTH ADVISORY COMMISSION
Approve.
9.4 RESOLUTION APPROVING AN AGREEMENT FOR PROFESSIONAL SERVICES BETWEEN THE CITY OF LA MESA AND JEWISH FAMILY SERVICE OF SAN DIEGO FOR ADMINISTRATION OF THE CITY OF LA MESA SHALLOW SENIOR SUBSIDY RENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM Attachments
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Public Comments
1. Staff Report - Agreement with Jewish Family Service_Shallow Subsidy Program 2025-02-11.pdf
2. Attachment A - Resolution_Agmt with Jewish Family Service SD_Senior Subsidy Program.pdf
3. Attachment B_Agreement with Jewish Family Service SD_Senior Subsidy Program.pdf Resolution No. 2025-011
Adopt Resolution.
9.5 RESOLUTION AMENDING THE FISCAL YEAR 2024-2025 COMPENSATION PLAN TO RECLASSIFY THE CRIME PREVENTION SPECIALIST I/II TO COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT SPECIALIST I/II CLASSIFICATION Attachments
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Public Comments
1. Staff Report - FY 2024-25 Comp Plan Amendment_Reclassification of Crime Prevention Specialist .pdf
2. Attachment A_Resolution FY 2024-25 Comp Plan Amendment_Reclassification of Crime Prevention Specialist.pdf
3. Exhibit A to Attachment A_FY 2024-25 Comp Plan Amendment_Crime Prev Specialist to Comm Engagement Classification.pdf Resolution No. 2025-012
Adopt Resolution.
9.6 HOMELESS OUTREACH AND MOBILE ENGAGEMENT ("HOME") PROGRAM QUARTERLY REPORT (OCTOBER 2024 - DECEMBER 2024) Attachments
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Public Comments
1. Staff Report - HOME Program 2024_4th Quarter Report.pdf
2. Attachment A_HOME 2024 4th Quarterly Report.pdf
Approve.
9.7 RESOLUTION AMENDING SECTION 12.44.130 OF THE LA MESA MUNICIPAL CODE INSTALLING A DISABLED PERSONS PARKING SPACE AT 4635 NORMANDIE PLACE Attachments
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Public Comments
1. Staff Report - ADA Space 4635 Normandie.pdf
2. Attachment A_Resolution_4635 Normandie Blue Curb.pdf Resolution No. 2025-013
Adopt Resolution.
9.8 RESOLUTION AMENDING SECTION 12.44.130 OF THE LA MESA MUNICIPAL CODE INSTALLING A DISABLED PERSONS PARKING SPACE AT 5455 KIOWA DRIVE Attachments
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Public Comments
1. Staff Report - ADA Space at 5455 Kiowa.pdf
2. Attachment A _Resolution_5455 Kiowa Blue Curb.pdf
Resolution No. 2025-014
Adopt Resolution.
9.9 RESOLUTION APPROVING A CONTRACT CHANGE ORDER TO PARSONS TRANSPORTATION GROUP, INC. TO PROVIDE STAFF AUGMENTATION SERVICES FOR TRAFFIC ENGINEERING Attachments
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Public Comments
1. Staff Report - Change Order 1_Parsons Staff Augmentation Services_Traffic Engineer.pdf
2. Attachment A _Resolution_Parsons Staff Augmentation Services_Traffic Engineer.pdf
3. Attachment B_Parsons Chnage Order 1 Proposal_February 2025.pdf
4. Fiscal Impact Certificate_Parsons Contract Change Order 1.pdf Resolution No. 2025-015
Adopt Resolution.
10. COUNCIL INITIATED
Public Comments:
10.1 CONSIDERATION OF APPROVING CITY ASSISTANCE WITH THE ANNUAL CAREER EXPOSITION TO BE HELD ON THURSDAY, MAY 8, 2025 - MAYOR ARAPOSTATHIS AND VICE MAYOR DILLARD Attachments
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Public Comments
1. CI.Arapostathis.Dillard_Career Expo 2025-02-11.pdf
Mayor Arapostathis and Vice Mayor Dillard explained the purpose for requesting Council approval for City assistance with the annual career exposition, scheduled for Thursday, May 8, 2025.
Council questions and comments ensued.
Moved By
Mayor Arapostathis
Seconded By
Councilmember Cazares
Approve City assistance for the annual career exposition to be held on Thursday, May 8, 2025, with Vice Mayor Dillard and Councilmember Cazares as event leads.
For (5)
Mayor Arapostathis, Vice Mayor Dillard, Councilmember Lothian, Councilmember Cazares, and Councilmember Suzuki Approved (5 to 0)
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:
Vice Mayor Dillard, Councilmember Cazares, and Councilmember Suzuki reported on their experience at the League of California Cities New Mayors and Council Members Academy in Garden Grove, California, from January 29 to 31, 2025.
13. CITY ATTORNEY REMARKS
Public Comments:
There were no remarks.
14. ADJOURNMENT
Public Comments:
Mayor Arapostathis adjourned the meeting at 6:56 p.m. in honor of Paul Humora, a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and respected professor of biology at North Adams State for 30 years. Originally from Massachusetts, he later moved to San Diego County, and leaves behind a legacy of knowledge, dedication, and family, including his son, City Manager Greg Humora.