MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING
OF THE LEMON GROVE CITY COUNCIL
Lemon Grove Community Center
3146 School Lane, Lemon Grove, CA 91945
Tuesday, February 6, 2024 at 6:00 p.m.
Call to Order
Mayor Racquel Vasquez called the meeting to order at 6:04 p.m.
Mayor Racquel Vasquez, Mayor Pro-Tem Jennifer Mendoza, Councilmember Alyson Snow; Councilmember Liana LeBaron and Councilmember George Gastil
Absent: None
Staff Members Present
Lydia Romero, City Manager; Kristen Steinke, City Attorney; Joel G. Pablo, City Clerk; Izzy Murguia, Public Works Director; Fire Chief Bent Koch, Heartland Fire and Rescue; Lieutenant Joseph Barry, San Diego County Sheriff's Department; Emergency Preparedness Coordinator Andy McKellar, Heartland Fire and Rescue
Pledge of Allegiance
Mayor Pro-Tem Mendoza led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Changes to the Agenda
City Clerk announced that there are no changes to the meeting agenda.
Action:
A motion was made by Councilmember LeBaron to pull Item No. 1.B from the Consent Calendar. The motion failed due to a lack of a second.
Presentations
Andy McKellar, Emergency Preparedness Coordinator for the Cities of Lemon Grove, La Mesa and El Cajon provided a presentation on the January 2024 Storm Event Update.
Mayor Vasquez opened the public comment period.
In Person Jennifer Gonzalez
John L. Wood
Shannon Bell
Mike Muessigmann
Waseem S. Goryoka
Debbye Tellez
Alex Ritola
James Flosp
Chris Williams
Page |2 City Council Meeting Minutes - Regular Meeting February 6, 2024 Written: William Gorryoka
Izzy Murguia, Public Works Director provided introductory remarks. Murguia shared the City's storm response and actions taken by the Public Works Department as a result of damages caused by the January 2024 Winter Storms. City Manager Romero shared that City Hall specifically the Sheriff's Substation, the Records Center and the basement were directly impacted by the January 2024 Winter Storms. Romero acknowledged and expressed gratitude to Gregory Jackson, Communications Specialist for pushing out information on the City's website and social media platforms during this difficult period and during his planned leave of absence.
Chief Bent Koch reviewed and provided an overview of the number and types of service calls received.
City Manager Lydia Romero stated City Staff did their best with the limited resources and personnel available to the City.
Round 1: Councilmembers provided questions/comments to staff and addressed the community.
In response to Councilmember Snow, City Manager Romero commented she will work with Andy McKellar to provide training for Elected Officials on Emergency Preparedness. She encouraged the Council and community members to sign-up for the next Community Emergency Response Team training offered by Heartland Fire.
In response to Mayor Vasquez, City Attorney Steinke opined that either general direction or a vote on Councilmember Snow's motion is appropriate.
ACTION:
Motion 1 (Original Motion): A motion was made by Councilmember Snow, second by Councilmember Mendoza to direct staff to calendar a future Special Meeting (Storm Drain Workshop) of the City Council.
Motion 2 (Amended Motion): A motion was made by Councilmember Snow, second by Mayor Pro-Tem Mendoza, as amended, to direct staff to calendar a future Special Meeting (Storm Drain Workshop) of the City Council to include a further status update from Andy McKellar, Emergency Preparedness Coordinator for Lemon Grove, La Mesa and El Cajon and monetary relief options for those residents affected by the January 2024 Winter Storms.
The motion passed by the following vote:
Ayes: LeBaron, Snow, Gastil, Mendoza, Vasquez
Noes: None
Absent: None
Page |3 City Council Meeting Minutes - Regular Meeting February 6, 2024 Public Comment
Mayor Vasquez opened the public comment period.
In Person: Gladys Darling
John L. Wood
Brenda Hammond
Jason Sundberg
Chris Williams
Written: Barbara Gordon
Consent Calendar
Action: Motion by Mayor Pro-Tem Mendoza, second by Councilmember Gastil to approve Consent Calendar Item Nos. 1.A through 1.C.
The motion passed by the following vote:
Ayes: Snow, Gastil, Mendoza, Vasquez
Noes: None
Absent: LeBaron
1.A Waive Full Text Reading of All Ordinances on the Agenda Action: Waived the full text reading of all ordinances on the published meeting agenda.
1.B City of Lemon Grove Payment Demands
Action: Ratified Demands
1.C Resolution Allowing a Fee Waiver of Planning, Building and Fire Permit Fees Action: Adopted Resolution No. 2024-4000 allowing the waiver of fees for planning, building and fire permits related to the recovery from the January 2024 storms.
Public Hearing(s):
2. Interim Urgency Ordinance Establishing a Temporary Moratorium on Rent Increases for Mobile Home Parks in the City of Lemon Grove (4/5'h Vote Required) City Clerk Pablo stated all notices as required by law have given and all documents and corresponding exhibits have been provided.
City Attorney Steinke requested Councilmembers to disclose any conflicts of interest or ex-parte communications.
Councilmember LeBaron stated she had no conflicts.
Page | 4 City Council Meeting Minutes - Regular Meeting February 6, 2024 Councilmember Snow indicated that she has had communications with residents of the Mobile Home Park; Julie Paule with Western Manufactured Housing Communities Association; and Tim and Matthew Philbin, property owners of Sundance Village Park.
Councilmember Gastil shared he has had communications with Matthew Philburn and Julie Paule with Western Manufactured Housing Communities Association.
Councilmember Mendoza mentioned that has had e-mail communications with Matthew Philburn and knows individual(s) who live at Sundance Village Park.
Mayor Vasquez commented that she personally knows two individuals who live at Sundance Village Park, however believes that it would not preclude her from making a decision on the matter.
City Attorney Kristen Steinke presented the staff report.
Mayor Vasquez introduced Councilmember Alysson Snow and Mayor Pro-Tem Mendoza to present their Council initiated item.
Mayor Vasquez opened the public comment period.
In Person: Julie Paule, Regional Representative with Western Manufactured Housing Communities Association
Matthew Philburn, owner of Sundance Village Park
Gabriel Rasmussen
Rev. Danny Brunner
Chris Williams
Written: Terry R. Dowdall, Esq., Dowdall Law Offices, A.P.C.
Julie Paule, Regional Representative with Western Manufactured Housing Communities Association
Molly Kirkland, Director of Public Affairs with Southern California Rental Housing Association
Round 1: Councilmembers provided questions/comments to staff and Matthew Philburn, property owner of Sundance Village Park.
Round 2: Councilmembers provided questions/comments to staff and Matthew Philburn, property owner of Sundance Village Park.
Mayor Vasquez recessed the Council for a five minute break at 10:06 p.m.
Mayor Vasquez reconvened the Council at 10:12 p.m.
Page |5 City Council Meeting Minutes - Regular Meeting February 6, 2024 Action: Motion by Mayor Pro-Tem Mendoza, second by Councilmember Snow to close the Public Hearing at 10:13 p.m.
The motion passed by the following vote:
Ayes: Snow, LeBaron, Gastil, Mendoza, Vasquez
Noes: None
Absent: None
Council provided final questions and comments to staff.
Action: Motion by Councilmember Snow, second by Mayor Pro-Tem Mendoza to direct staff to meet and work with the property owner to reach a reasonable agreement with the property owner to ensure that the property is properly maintained (repair the gate, bathroom, laundry facilities and are in good working order), pull necessary permits (if any and pass appropriate inspections, and apply a rent increase of no more than 5% with a reasonable rate of return for the property owner.
The motion passed by the following vote:
Ayes: Gastil, Snow, Mendoza, Vasquez
Noes: LeBaron
Absent: None
Items to be Continued to the City Council Meeting on February 20, 2024 City Manager Lydia Romero sought Council approval to continue Item No. 4 and the Closed Session Item to the Regularly Scheduled City Council meeting on Tuesday, February 20, 2024.
Action: Motion by Mayor Pro-Tem Mendoza, second by Councilmember Gastil to move Item No. 4 and the Closed Session Item to the Regularly Scheduled City Council meeting on Tuesday, February 20, 2024 at 6:00 p.m.
The motion passed by the following vote:
Ayes: Gastil, LeBaron, Snow, Mendoza, Vasquez
Noes: None
Absent: None
Reports to Council
Award of Purchase/Task Order (No. 2024-02) for Traffic Signal Repairs to Southwest Signal Service [Item Continued from January 16, 2024 meeting] Mayor Vasquez introduced Izzy Murguia, Public Works Director to present the Staff Report.
Mayor Vasquez opened the public comment period. No comments were directed to the Council.
Page | 6 City Council Meeting Minutes - Regular Meeting February 6, 2024 Round 1: Councilmembers provided questions/comments to staff.
Round 2: Councilmembers provided questions/comments to staff.
Action: Motion by Councilmember Gastil, second by Councilmember LeBaron to adopt Resolution No. 2024-4001 to award a purchase order for traffic signal repairs to Southwest Signal Service in the amount not-to-exceed $75,000, and authorize the City Manager to execute any necessary documents.
The motion passed by the following vote:
Ayes: LeBaron, Gastil, Snow, Mendoza, Vasquez
Noes: None
Absent: None
Discussion on Recommended Street Rehabilitation for Streets with a Pavement Condition Index of 25 or Below [Item Continued from January 16, 2024 meeting] Matter Continued to the Regularly Scheduled City Council Meeting on Tuesday, February 20, 2024.
City Council Reports on Meetings Attended at the Expense of the City City Council Reports submitted in writing to the City Clerk:
Councilmember Snow
• January 11, 2024 - Attended the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) - East County Region Meeting
• January 12, 2024 - Attended the SANDAG Board of Director's Meeting • January 13, 2024 - Participated in the Martin Luther King, Jr. Parade / Walk • January 15, 2024 - Attended the All People's Celebration - Alliance San Diego • January 16, 2024 - Attended the East County Chamber of Commerce: Government Affairs Committee
• January 17, 2024 - Attended the East County Economic Development Council Meeting • January 17 and 18, 2024 - California League of Cities: San Diego Region Meeting in Sacramento, CA
• January 18, 2024 - Attended the League of California Cities: Community Services Committee
• January 20, 2024 - Participated in the Lemon Grove Food Distribution • January 24, 2024 - Attended the Adequate Housing Meeting with Elected Officials • January 25, 2024 - Attended the Regional Taskforce in Homelessness Meeting • January 25, 2024 - Attended the SANDAG East County Sub-Region Meeting • January 26, 2024 - Attended the Meeting with Congresswoman Sara Jacob's Staff • January 27, 2024 - Participated in the Lemon Grove Cleanup • January 27, 2024 - Meeting with Congresswoman Sara Jacobs • January 27, 2024 - Meeting with Members of the Lemon Grove Little League Page | 7 City Council Meeting Minutes - Regular Meeting February 6, 2024 • January 28, 29, and 30, 2024 - Volunteered at the Spring Valley Library (County Emergency Center): Lemon Grove Table
• January 31, 2024 - Attended the Office of Emergency Services: Storm Briefing • February 1, 2024 - Attended the Metro Wastewater Joint Powers Authority meeting • February 1, 2024 - Attended the San Diego Association of Governments: East County Briefing Regional Plan
• February 1, 2024 - Lemon Grove Historical Society
• February 2, 2024 - Attended the Subcommittee on Environmental Health with Assemblymember Dr. Akilah Weber
• February 2, 2024 - Participated in the Asian Business Association Lunar New Year • February 2, 2024 - Attended the Housing Justice Collaborative • February 3, 2024 - Attended the Woman of Color Roar Breakfast Mayor Pro-Tem Mendoza
• January 17, 2024 - Attended the Helix Water District Board of Directors Meeting • January 18, 2024 - Attended the League of California Cities: Transportation, Communications and Public Works Policy Committee meeting • January 20, 2024 - Participated in the Lemon Grove Food Distribution • January 29, 30 and 31, 2024 - Volunteered at the Spring Valley Library (County Emergency Center): Lemon Grove Table
City Manager Report - None
Closed Session
a. Conference with Legal Counsel - Anticipated Litigation (Government Code §54956.9(d)(2) (4)) 1 case
Matter Continued to the Regular Scheduled City Council Meeting on Tuesday, February 20, 2024.
Adjournment
There being no further business to come before the City Council, Mayor Vasquez adjourned the City Council meeting at 10:40 p.m. Mayor Vasquez stated the next regularly scheduled meeting of the City Council will be on Tuesday, February 20, 2024 at 6:00 p.m.
Joel G. Pablo, City Clerk