City Council - April 08, 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.
Mayor Arapostathis called the meeting to order at 6:01 p.m.
1.1 INVOCATION - COUNCILMEMBER CAZARES
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:
Consent Calendar Item 11.6 was deleted from the agenda.
5. PRESENTATIONS
Public Comments:
5.1 SAN DIEGO COMMUNITY POWER PRESENTATION ON 2025 RATES, POWER PROCUREMENT, AND PROGRAM OFFERINGS Attachments
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Public Comments
1. PowerPoint_San Diego Community Power 2025-04-08.pdf
Lee Friedman, Senior Manager Strategic Partnerships, San Diego Community Power ("SDCP"), provided a PowerPoint presentation on SDCP's efforts to deliver cleaner, renewable energy at competitive rates while maintaining local control. The presentation highlighted service plans ranging from 45% to 100% renewable energy, community programs such as solar battery savings and energy efficiency grants, and specific impacts in La Mesa, including funding for EV charging infrastructure and e-bike incentives. Mr. Friedman also discussed upcoming initiatives, including the launch of the San Diego Regional Energy Network to support energy efficiency and workforce development programs.
Council questions and comments ensued.
5.2 PRESENTATION OF THE LA MESA BOULEVARD COMPLETE STREETS PLAN, SEGMENT 2 Attachments
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Public Comments
1. Presentation_La Mesa Blvd Complete Streets, Segment 2.pdf
2. PowerPoint_Complete Streets Segment 2_2025-04-08.pdf Engineering Project Manager Kinnard provided a PowerPoint presentation on the La Mesa Boulevard Complete Streets Plan, Segment 2. The presentation covered the project overview, timeline, and key concepts, which included alignment with the Climate Action Plan, reducing exposure times for pedestrians and cyclists, balancing transportation modes, promoting equitable access, and maintaining or adding parking where feasible. Community outreach efforts, including surveys and public workshops, identified concerns related to speeding, parking challenges, and pedestrian safety. Engineering Project Manager Kinnard also reviewed existing conditions in the project area, proposed roadway configurations, anticipated mode-share changes following improvements, and outlined the next steps for project implementation.
Council questions and comments ensued.
5.3 PROCLAIMING APRIL 25, 2025 AS ARBOR DAY
Public Comments:
Mayor Arapostathis read and presented the proclamation designating April 19, 2025, as Arbor Day to Environmental Sustainability Manager Ego. (Note: The agenda incorrectly listed the date as April 25, 2025.) Environmental Sustainability Manager Ego extended an invitation to the community to attend the City of La Mesa’s Earth Day event on Saturday, April 19, 2025.
5.4 PROCLAIMING THE MONTH OF APRIL AS ART, CULTURE, AND CREATIVITY MONTH Public Comments:
Mayor Arapostathis read and presented the proclamation declaring April as Art, Culture, and Creativity Month to Misty Thompson, the newly appointed Director of Community Services.
Director of Community Services Thompson expressed her enthusiasm for collaborating with artists throughout the City.
6. PUBLIC COMMENTS – (TOTAL TIME – 15 MINUTES)
Public Comments:
Barbie Wheeler spoke on her concerns about a house on Bellflower Drive.
Brenda Hammond spoke out against exploiting homeless individuals for religious, financial, or political gain, and also commented on her new haircut.
Brenda Leek spoke about the Flag Day Parade scheduled for June 14, 2025, and the Taste of La Mesa event scheduled for Thursday, April 24, 2025.
7. CONFLICT DISCLOSURES
Public Comments:
There were no conflicts of interest disclosed.
8. BOARD AND COMMISSION INTERVIEWS
Public Comments:
8.1 INTERVIEW OF APPLICANTS FOR THE UNSCHEDULED VACANCY ON THE MOBILITY COMMISSION Attachments
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Public Comments
1. Memo_Mobility Commission Interview 2025-04-08.pdf
2. Attachment A_List of Applicants Mobility Commission_April.pdf City Clerk Wiegelman briefly explained the interview process.
The following applicants spoke regarding their qualifications and interest in being appointed:
Philip Cavello
Emma McClees
City Clerk Wiegelman said the appointment would be made at the April 22, 2025, City Council meeting.
Following the interviews, no action was taken.
9. BOARD AND COMMISSION APPOINTMENTS
Public Comments:
9.1 RESOLUTION APPOINTING A MEMBER TO FILL THE VACANCY ON THE LA MESA COMMUNITY PARKING COMMISSION Attachments
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Public Comments
1. Memo_Community Parking Commission Appointment 2025-04-08.pdf
2. Attachment A - Resolution Community Parking Commission Appointment 2025-04-08.pdf
3. Attachment B - List of Applicant Community Parking Commission_April.pdf Mayor Arapostathis nominated Jacqueline Bougie for appointment to the La Mesa Community Parking Commission.
Resolution No. 2025-029
Moved By
Mayor Arapostathis
Seconded By
Councilmember Cazares
Approve the appointment of Jacqueline Bougie to the La Mesa Community Parking Commission as the general population representative, and adopt Resolution confirming the appointment.
For (5)
Mayor Arapostathis, Vice Mayor Dillard, Councilmember Lothian, Councilmember Cazares, and Councilmember Suzuki Approved (5 to 0)
10. PUBLIC COMMENTS ON CONSENT CALENDAR
Public Comments:
There were no public comments on Consent Calendar items.
11. CONSENT CALENDAR
Public Comments:
(Items 11.1 through 11.7)
Councilmember Lothian announced she would no longer be traveling to Sacramento to attend the California for the Arts Summit and Arts Advocacy Day (Item 11.3).
Councilmember Cazares asked a question and made comments on Item 11.4.
City Manager Humora responded to Councilmember Cazares' question regarding Item 11.4.
Moved By
Mayor Arapostathis
Seconded By
Vice Mayor Dillard
Approve Consent Calendar Items 11.1 through 11.7, except for Item 11.6.
For (5)
Mayor Arapostathis, Vice Mayor Dillard, Councilmember Lothian, Councilmember Cazares, and Councilmember Suzuki Approved (5 to 0)
11.1 APPROVAL OF MOTION TO WAIVE THE READING OF THE TEXT OF ALL ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS AT THIS MEETING Public Comments:
Approve.
11.2 APPROVE THE MINUTES FOR THE CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING HELD TUESDAY, MARCH 25, 2025 Attachments
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Public Comments
1. Post-Meeting Minutes - CCM_Mar25_2025 - English.pdf
Approve.
11.3 APPROVAL FOR VICE MAYOR DILLARD AND COUNCILMEMBER LOTHIAN TO ATTEND THE CALIFORNIA FOR THE ARTS SUMMIT AND ARTS ADVOCACY DAY IN SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA, FROM APRIL 22 THROUGH APRIL 23, 2025 Attachments
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Public Comments
1. Travel Request_Vice Mayor Dillard.pdf
2. Travel Request_Councilmember Lothian.pdf
Approve.
11.4 RESOLUTION APPROVING AN ASSIGNMENT AGREEMENT WITH PARTNER INSIGHTS, LLC FOR INDEPENDENT POLICE AUDITOR SERVICES IN SUPPORT OF THE COMMUNITY POLICE OVERSIGHT BOARD Attachments
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Public Comments
1. Staff Report_Assignment Agreement with Partner Insights LLC for IPA Services in Support of the CPOB 2025-04-08.pdf
2. Attachment A - Resolution_Assignment Agreement with Partner Insights LLC 2025-04-08.pdf
3. Attachment B - Assignment Agreement_Partner Insights LLC 2025-04-08.pdf Resolution No. 2025-030
Adopt Resolution.
11.5 RESOLUTION AWARDING A TASK ORDER TO CHAMBERS GROUP, INC. FOR ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES FOR THE INDUSTRIAL AREA ROADWAY IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT Attachments
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Public Comments
1. Staff Report_Task Order to Chambers Group for the Industrial Area Roadway Improvements Project 2025-04-08.pdf
2. Attachment A - Industrial Area Roadway Improvements Project Resolution.pdf
3. Attachment B - Proposal_Industrial Area Roadway Improvements Project 2025-04-08.pdf
4. Attachment C - Site Plan_Industrial Area Roadway Improvements Project 2025-04-08.pdf
5. Attachment D - Fiscal Certificate - Industrial Area Roadway Improvements Project.pdf Resolution No. 2025-031
Adopt Resolution.
11.7 GRANT APPLICATION FOR LA MESA BOULEVARD COMPLETE STREETS GATEWAY ROUNDABOUT Attachments
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Public Comments
1. Staff Report_Authorization to Submit Grant Application for La Mesa Blvd Complete Streets Gateway Roundabout 2025-04-08.pdf
2. Attachment A - Resolution_La Mesa Blvd Complete Streets Gateway Roundabout Grant Application 2025-04-08.pdf
3. Attachment B - La Mesa Blvd and Memorial Roundabout Exhibit.pdf
4. Attachment C - Fiscal Certificate_Grant Application Submittal for La Mesa Blvd Complete Streets Gateway Roundabout.pdf
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING SUBMITTAL OF A GRANT APPLICATION TO THE SAN DIEGO ASSOCIATION OF GOVERNMENTS (SANDAG) SMART GROWTH INCENTIVE PROGRAM TO FUND THE LA MESA BOULEVARD COMPLETE STREETS GATEWAY ROUNDABOUT, AND IF AWARDED, ACCEPTING AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS FOR THE PROJECT Resolution No. 2025-032
Adopt Resolution.
11.6 RESOLUTION APPROVING THE FIRST AMENDMENT TO THE 2023 PROJECT LABOR AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF LA MESA AND THE SAN DIEGO BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION TRADES COUNCIL AND SIGNATORY CRAFT UNIONS Attachments
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Public Comments
1. Staff Report_Amendment 01 to Project Labor Agreement 2025-04-08.pdf
2. Attachment A - Resolution_ Amendment 01 to Project Labor Agreement 2025-04-08.pdf
3. Attachment B - Exhibit A-PLA strike-out format denoting amendments.pdf This Item was deleted from the agenda.
12. COUNCIL INITIATED
Public Comments:
12.1 CONSIDERATION OF CHANGING THE NAME OF THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY SERVICES TO THE DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION AND THE COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSION TO THE PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION - MAYOR ARAPOSTATHIS AND COUNCILMEMBER SUZUKI Attachments
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Public Comments
1. Memo_CI.Arapostathis.Suzuki.Rename Community Services to Parks and Rec.pdf Mayor Arapostathis and Councilmember Suzuki explained the purpose for changing the name of the Department of Community Services to the Department of Parks and Recreation.
Council questions and comments ensued.
Moved By
Mayor Arapostathis
Seconded By
Councilmember Suzuki
Direct staff to: (1) draft the necessary amendments to the La Mesa Municipal Code to rename the Department of Community Services back to the Department of Parks and Recreation, update the names of all associated commissions accordingly, and return to the City Council within 90 days with a draft ordinance for consideration; (2) update all position titles currently associated with the Department of Community Services to reflect the Department of Parks and Recreation; and (3) conduct outreach to inform employees, residents, and stakeholders of the transition and provide information about the changes.
For (5)
Mayor Arapostathis, Vice Mayor Dillard, Councilmember Lothian, Councilmember Cazares, and Councilmember Suzuki Approved (5 to 0)
13. 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.
14. AB 1234 REPORTS (GC 53232.3 (d))
Public Comments:
There were no reports.
15. CITY ATTORNEY REMARKS
Public Comments:
There were no remarks.
16. ADJOURNMENT
Public Comments:
Mayor Arapostathis adjourned the meeting at 7:02 p.m.