City Council - February 24, 2026
1. CALL TO ORDER
Public Comments:
The City Council minutes are prepared and ordered to correspond to the City Council Agenda. Agenda Items may 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 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 EMPLOYEE RECOGNITION PRESENTATION
Public Comments:
Mayor Arapostathis presented Certificates of Recognition to the following employees in honor of their service milestones:
20 Years of Service:
Katy Lynch, Police Captain
Jason Ney, Park Maintenance Lead Worker
25 Years of Service:
Torrie Cable, Customer Service Specialist II
Greg Runge, Police Captain
Mayor Arapostathis also presented proclamations to the recipients of the Employee of the Year Award, the Excellence in Service Award, and the Leadership Award.
Employee of the Year Award:
Leslie Rowe, Executive Assistant to the City Manager, City Manager's Office.
Leadership Award:
Rogelio Baez, Building Inspector Supervisor, Community Development Department.
Excellence in Service Award:
Madeline Rush, Human Resources Analyst, Human Resources Department.
Vice Mayor Cazares presented Mayor Arapostathis with a Certificate of Recognition in honor of his 20 years of service.
6. PUBLIC COMMENTS – (TOTAL TIME – 15 MINUTES)
Public Comments:
Linda Ullah addressed safety concerns related to specific sections of Lemon Avenue.
7. CONFLICT DISCLOSURES
Public Comments:
There were no conflicts of interest disclosed.
8. BOARD AND COMMISSION INTERVIEWS
Public Comments:
8.1 INTERVIEW OF AN APPLICANT FOR THE UNSCHEDULED VACANCY ON THE ARTS AND CULTURE COMMISSION Attachments
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Public Comments
1. Memo - Arts and Culture Commission Vacancy Interview 2026-02-24.pdf
2. Attachment A - Applicant List_Arts and Culture Commission_February2026.pdf City Clerk Wiegelman briefly explained the interview process.
Guthre Leonard spoke regarding their qualifications and interest in serving on the Arts and Culture Commission.
Council questions and comments ensued.
City Clerk Wiegelman noted that the appointment would be made at the March 10 City Council meeting.
9. PUBLIC COMMENTS ON CONSENT CALENDAR
Public Comments:
There were no comments on Consent Calendar items.
10. CONSENT CALENDAR
Public Comments:
(Items 10.1 through 10.8)
Councilmember Lothian made comments on Item 10.3.
Moved By
Mayor Arapostathis
Seconded By
Vice Mayor Cazares
Approve Consent Calendar Items 10.1 through 10.8.
For (5)
Mayor Arapostathis, Councilmember Dillard, Councilmember Lothian, Vice Mayor Cazares, and Councilmember Suzuki 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, FEBRUARY 10, 2026 Attachments
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Public Comments
1. Post-Meeting Minutes - CCM_Feb10_2026.pdf
Approve.
10.3 2026 BOARD AND COMMISSION WORK PLANS
Attachments
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Public Comments
1. Memo - 2026 Board and Commission Work Plans_2026-02-24.pdf
2. Attachment A - 2026 Community Police Oversight Board Work Plan.pdf
3. Attachment B - 2026 Historic Preservation Commission Work Plan.pdf
4. Attachment C - 2026 La Mesa Community Parking Commission Work Plan.pdf
5. Attachment D - 2026 Planning Commission Work Plan .pdf
COMMUNITY POLICE OVERSIGHT BOARD
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
LA MESA COMMUNITY PARKING COMMISSION
PLANNING COMMISSION
Receive and file.
10.4 BUDGET MONITORING QUARTERLY REPORT (OCTOBER 2025 - DECEMBER 2025) Attachments
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Public Comments
1. Memo - Budget Monitoring Report_Quarter 4 Fiscal Year 25-26_2026-02-24.pdf
2. Attachment A - Quarterly Report_2026-2026 Budget Monitory Report Q4.pdf Receive and file.
10.5 RESOLUTION APPROVING A MILITARY USE POLICY AND CONTINUED USE OF MILITARY EQUIPMENT FOR POLICE SERVICES PURSUANT TO ASSEMBLY BILL 481 (GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 7071 ET SEQ) Attachments
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Public Comments
1. Staff Report - AB481 LMPD Military Equipment Use Policy 2026-02-10.pdf
2. Attachment A - Resolution_AB 481_ La Mesa PD Military Equipment Use Policy_ 2026-02-24.pdf
3. Attachment B - Military Equipment Use Policy Annual Report and Inventory for 2025.pdf
4. Attachment C - Ordinance No. 2022-2896.pdf
5. Attachment D - Military Equipment Use Policy 706.pdf Resolution No. 2026-017
Adopt Resolution.
10.6 POLICE CHIEF’S QUARTERLY OPERATIONS REPORT (OCTOBER 2025 - DECEMBER 2025) Attachments
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Public Comments
1. Memo - La Mesa Police Department 4th Quarter Report_2026-02-24.pdf
2. Attachment A - La Mesa Police Department 4th Quarter Report.pdf Receive and file.
10.7 RESOLUTION AMENDING SUBSECTION 12.28.030 (6.7) OF THE LA MESA MUNICIPAL CODE, ESTABLISHING EXCEPTIONS TO EL PASO STREET AT AMARILLO AVENUE AS A THROUGH STREET Attachments
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Public Comments
1. Staff Report - One Way Stop at El Paso Street at Amarillo Avenue_2026-02-24.pdf
2. Attachment A - Resolution_One Way Stop El Paso at Amarillo .pdf
3. Attachment B - One Way Stop Warrant El Paso at Amarillo.pdf
4. Attachment C - Exhibit.pdf
Resolution No. 2026-018
Adopt Resolution.
10.8 SAN DIEGO COMMUNITY POWER 2026 COMMUNITY CLEAN ENERGY PROGRAM GRANT APPLICATION Attachments
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Public Comments
1. Staff Report - Grant Application_San Diego Community Power 2026 Clean Energy Program_2026-02-24.pdf
2. Attachment A - Resolution_Grant Application_San Diego Community Power 2026 Clean Energy Program.pdf RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE SUBMITTAL OF A GRANT APPLICATION TO THE SAN DIEGO COMMUNITY POWER 2026 COMMUNITY CLEAN ENERGY GRANT PROGRAM TO PROVIDE FUNDING FOR THE LA MESA E-BIKE INCENTIVE PROGRAM AND IF AWARDED, ACCEPTING AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS FOR THE PROJECT Resolution No. 2026-019
Adopt Resolution.
11. CONSENT CALENDAR - CITY COUNCIL - PUBLIC FINANCING AUTHORITY - SUCCESSOR AGENCY Public Comments:
(Items 11.1 through 11.3)
Moved By
Mayor Arapostathis
Seconded By
Councilmember Suzuki
Approve Consent Calendar Items 11.1 through 11.3.
For (5)
Mayor Arapostathis, Councilmember Dillard, Councilmember Lothian, Vice Mayor 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 RESOLUTION ADOPTING (1) THE APPROPRIATIONS LIMIT FOR FISCAL YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 2025, AND (2) THE ANNUAL ADJUSTMENT FACTORS USED TO CALCULATE THE APPROPRIATIONS LIMIT Attachments
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Public Comments
1. Staff Report - 2024-2025 Appropriations Limit_2026-02-24.pdf
2. Attachment A - Resolution_FY24-25 Appropriation Limit.pdf
3. Attachment B - 2024-2025 Appropriations Limit .pdf
Resolution No. 2026-020
Adopt Resolution pursuant to Propositions 4 and 111, establishing the Appropriations Limit for Fiscal Year 2024-2025, using the growth factor for new Non-Residential Construction in the City of La Mesa, and the change in population in San Diego County, as the annual adjustment factors used to compute the Appropriations Limit.
11.3 RESOLUTION ADOPTING (1) THE APPROPRIATIONS LIMIT FOR FISCAL YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 2026, AND (2) THE ANNUAL ADJUSTMENT FACTORS USED TO CALCULATE THE APPROPRIATIONS LIMIT Attachments
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Public Comments
1. Staff Report - 2025-2026 Appropriations Limit_2026-02-24.pdf
2. Attachment A - Resolution_FY25-26 Appropriation Limit.pdf
3. Attachment B - 2025-2026 Appropriations Limit.pdf
Resolution No. 2026-021
Adopt Resolution pursuant to Propositions 4 and 111, establishing the Appropriations Limit for Fiscal Year 2025-2026, using the change in California’s per capita personal income and the change in population in San Diego County, as the annual adjustment factors used to compute the Appropriations Limit.
12. COUNCIL INITIATED
Public Comments:
12.1 ADVOCACY LETTERS REQUESTING LEGISLATIVE ACTION
Attachments
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Public Comments
1. CI.Cazares.Lothian_Advocacy Letters 2026-02-10.pdf
CONSIDERATION OF DIRECTING STAFF TO DRAFT ADVOCACY LETTERS TO STATE LEGISLATORS AND LEAGUE OF CALIFORNIA CITIES (CAL CITIES) REQUESTING LEGISLATIVE ACTION TO STRENGTHEN STATEWIDE REGULATION, OVERSIGHT, AND ENFORCEMENT FOR LICENSED AND UNLICENSED SOBER LIVING FACILITIES AND RESIDENTIAL DETOX FACILITIES (2025-2026 LEGISLATIVE SESSION) – VICE MAYOR CAZARES AND COUNCILMEMBER LOTHIAN Vice Mayor Cazares and Councilmember Lothian presented a request to direct staff to draft advocacy letters and explained their reasons for bringing it forward.
Moved By
Vice Mayor Cazares
Seconded By
Councilmember Lothian
Direct staff to draft advocacy letters to state legislators and League of California Cities (Cal Cities) requesting legislative action to strengthen statewide regulation, oversight, and enforcement for licensed and unlicensed sober living facilities and residential detox facilities (2025-2026 Legislative Session).
For (5)
Mayor Arapostathis, Councilmember Dillard, Councilmember Lothian, Vice Mayor Cazares, and Councilmember Suzuki Approved (5 to 0)
12.2 REAFFIRMING COMMITMENT TO THE CITY'S STRATEGIC PLAN GOALS Attachments
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Public Comments
1. CI.Cazares.Lothian_Resolution_Commitment to Strategic Plan Goals 2026-02-10.pdf
2. Attachment A - Proposed Resolution_Reaffirming Commitment to Strategic Plan Goals 2026-02-10.pdf CONSIDERATION OF ADOPTING A RESOLUTION REAFFIRMING THE CITY COUNCIL’S COMMITMENT TO THE CITY OF LA MESA STRATEGIC PLAN GOALS, INCLUDING SAFE COMMUNITY, FINANCIAL SUSTAINABILITY, LIVABILITY, INFRASTRUCTURE AND AMENITIES, AND HIGH-PERFORMING ORGANIZATION, WHICH GUIDE CITY POLICIES, PROGRAMS, AND LEGISLATIVE ADVOCACY EFFORTS – VICE MAYOR CAZARES AND COUNCILMEMBER LOTHIAN Vice Mayor Cazares and Councilmember Lothian presented a resolution reaffirming the City Council’s commitment to the Strategic Plan goals and explained their reasons for bringing it forward for Council consideration.
Resolution No. 2026-022
Moved By
Vice Mayor Cazares
Seconded By
Councilmember Lothian
Adopt Resolution reaffirming the City Council's commitment to the City of La Mesa Strategic Plan goals, including safe community, financial sustainability, livability, infrastructure and amenities, and high-performing organization, which guide City policies, programs, and legislative advocacy efforts.
For (5)
Mayor Arapostathis, Councilmember Dillard, Councilmember Lothian, Vice Mayor 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 6:55 p.m. in honor of long-time La Mesa resident Elaine Arapostathis, a teacher for over 30 years, and current musical director of Peter Pan Junior Theater.