MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING
OF THE LEMON GROVE CITY COUNCIL
Call to Order
Mayor Racquel Vasquez called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
Mayor Racquel Vasquez, Mayor Pro-Tem Jennifer Mendoza, Councilmember Alysson Snow and Councilmember Liana LeBaron (Joined at 6:30 p.m.)
Absent: Councilmember George Gastil
5y did Member City Manager; Kristen Steinke, Ciry Attorney; Joel G. Pablo, City Clerk: 1zz, Murguia, Public Works Director; Michael Fellows, Community Development Manager; Bill Chopyk, Planning Consultant; Fire Chief Bent Koch, Heartland Fire and Rescue; Lieutenant Joseph Barry, San Diego County Sheriff's Department
Pledge of Allegiance
Mayor Pro-Tem Mendoza led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Changes to the Agenda - None
Presentations - None
Public Comment
Mayor Vasquez opened the public comment period.
In Person: Amrit Gill
John L. Wood
Brenda Hammond
Lourdes Reyes
Minola Clark Manson
Sam Landeros
Written: Barbara Gordon
Mayor Vasquez closed the general public comment period.
City Manager Romero responded to public comment. Romero mentioned City Staff is considering bringing forward a Blue Curb Policy that will provide accessible parking for persons Page |2 City Council Meeting Minutes - Regular Meeling March 19, 2024 with disabilities. Lastly, she indicated that the Human Resources Department currently has active recruitments to fill existing vacancies within the Public Works Department.
Consent Calendar
Action: Motion by Mayor Pro-Tem Mendoza, second by Councilmember Alysson Snow to approve Consent Calendar Item Nos. 1.A through 1.C.
The motion passed by the following vote:
Ayes: Snow, Mendoza, Vasquez
Noes: None
Absent: Gastil, 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 covering February 14, 2024 through February 29, 2024.
Regional Transportation Congestion Improvement Plan (RTCIP) Fee Amendment Action: Adopted Resolution No. 2024-4007 allowing the waiver of fees for planning, building and fire permits related to the recovery from the January 2024 storms.
Public Hearing(s):
2. 2023 General Plan Annual Progress Report
Mayor Vasquez introduced the matter and opened the public hearing at 6:17 p.m.
City Clerk Pablo stated all notices as required by law have been 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 Snow, Mayor Pro-Tem Mendoza and Mayor Vasquez each stated they had no conflicts of interest.
Mayor Vasquez introduced Planning Consultant Bill Chopyk to present the Staff Report.
Mayor Vasquez opened the public comment period. City Staff indicated no speaker slips were submitted on the matter.
Round 1: Councilmembers provided questions/comments to staff.
Councilmember LeBaron joined the Council meeting at 6:30 p.m.
Page | 3 City Council Meeting Minutes - Regular Meeting March 19, 2024 City Attorney Steinke asked Councilmember LeBaron to disclose any conflicts of interest intereparte communications. Councilmember LeBaron stated she had no conflicts of Round 2: Councilmembers provided questions/comments to staff.
Action: Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Mendoza, second by Councilmember Snow to close the public hearing at 6:49 p.m.
The motion passed by the following vote:
Ayes: Snow, LeBaron, Mendoza, Vasquez
Noes: None
Absent: Gastil
Council provided final questions and comments to staff.
Action: Motion by Councilmember Snow, second by Mayor Pro Tem Mendoza to adopt Resolution No. 2024-4008 accepting the 2023 General Plan Annual Progress Report and direct staff to submit the Report to both the California State Office of Planning and Research (OP) and the Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD).
The motion passed by the following vote:
Ayes: Snow, LeBaron, Mendoza, Vasquez
Noes: None
Absent: Gastil
Reports to Council
Lease Agreement with Thrive Lemon Grove for Farmers Market at Tregenza Heritage Park [Continued from the March 5, 2024 City Council Meeting] Mayor Vasquez introduced City Manager Lydia Romero to present the report.
Mayor Vasquez opened Public Comment period.
In Person: Brenda Hammond
John L. Wood
Mayor Vasquez closed Public Comment period.
Round 1: Councilmembers provided questions/comments to staff.
Round 2: Councilmembers provided questions/comments to staff.
Action: Motion by Councilmember Snow, second by Mayor Pro Tem Mendoza to adopt Resolution No. 2024-4009 approving and entering into a two year lease agreement with a Page |4 City Council Meeting Minutes - Regular Meeting March 19, 2024 two (2) year renewal option with Thrive Lemon Grove to hold a Farmers Market at Tregenza Heritage Park.
The motion passed by the following vote:
Ayes: Snow, Mendoza, Vasquez
Noes: LeBaron
Absent: Gastil
4. Reduced San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) Housing Acceleration Program Cycle 2 (HAP 2) Grant Budget for the Downtown Specific Plan Expansion Project (DSPE) [Continued from the March 5, 2024 City Council Meeting) Mayor Vasquez introduced City Manager Lydia Romero and Planning Consultant Bill Chopyk to present the item. City Manager Romero provided background information leading up to the 75% reduction in SANDAG HAP 2 grant fund. Planning Consultant Bill Chopyk presented the report.
Mayor Vasquez opened up the public comment period.
City Clerk Pablo indicated that no public speakers slips were received for this matter.
Round 1: Councilmembers provided questions/comments to staff.
Round 2: Councilmembers provided questions/comments to staff.
In response to Councilmember questions/comments, City Manager Lydia Romero commented City Staff intends to explore additional funding opportunities that will support projects like the DSPE. Romero thanked the Council for supporting staff's recommended direction and trimmed down version of the DSPE Project as a result of the reduced grant funding.
City Council Reports on Meetings Attended at the Expense of the City Councilmember Alysson Snow
• March 9, 2024: Attended the San Diego County Council of the Status of Women and Children meeting at the Live Well Center
• . March 9, 2024: Attended the Lemon Grove Little League: Opening Day Ceremony at Lemon Grove Academy Middle School.
• March 18, 2024: Attended the Lemon Grove School District Youth Chess Tournament and Family Day
• March 11, 2024: Attended the League of California Cities - San Diego County Division Meeting
• March 10, 2024 and March 13, 2024: Met with concerned residents affected by the recent January 2024 Winter Storms.
Councilmember Liana LeBaron
• Met with concerned residents regarding the recent January 2024 Winter Storms and storm drains.
Page | 5 City Council Meeting Minutes - Regular Meeting March 19, 2024 • Requested and asked for Council support to provide staff direction to assess the situation on Edding Drive.
City Manager Lydia Romero noted the Public Works Director and City Engineers are aware of and are assessing the situation on Edding Drive.
Mayor Pro Tem Mendoza
• March 11, 2024: Attended the League of California Cities - San Diego County Division monthly meeting
March 14, 2024: Attended MTS Board Meeting
March 16, 2024: Volunteered at the Lemon Grove Drive-Thru Food Distribution Event Mayor Racquel Vasquez
• Shared that Councilmember Gastil is recovering and indicated that he will attend the Special City Council Meeting (Stormwater Management Workshop) on Tuesday, March 26, 2024
• March 18, 2024: Cal Cities - African American Caucus Meeting City Manager Report
City Manager Romero stated the State Office of Emergency Services has provided an opportunity for public agencies to submit reimbursement applications for those affected by the January 2024 Winter Storms and City staff is working on a submittal on behalf of the City.
Romero encouraged residents to apply for Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Assistance by April 19, 2024 and noted the FEMA Assistance link can be found on the City's website. Lastly, she announced the City's Annual Eggstravaganza Event will be held at the Lemon Grove Recreation Center on Saturday, March 30, 2024 from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Mayor Vasquez announced that a Special Meeting (Stormwater Management Workshop) will be held on Tuesday, March 26, 2024 at 6:00 p.m. and that the next regularly scheduled meeting of the City Council will be held on Tuesday, April 2, 2024 at 6:00 p.m.
Closed Session
Mayor Vasquez opened public comment period.
In Person: Matt Kostrinsky, American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Local 127
Mayor Vasquez closed the public comment period.
City Attorney Kristen Steinke read the Council into Closed Session. The Council recessed into Closed Session at 8:25 p.m.
a. Conference with Labor Negotiator (Government Code §54957.6) Agency Representative: Lydia Romero, City Manager
Page | 6 City Council Meeting Minutes - Regular Meeting March 19, 2024 Employee Organization: AFSCME Local 127, General and Supervisorial Bargaining Units.
The Council reconvened into open session at 10:12 p.m.
City Attorney Kristen Steinke mentioned no reportable action(s) were taken on the item discussed in closed session.
Adjournment
There being no further business to come before the City Council, Mayor Vasquez the meeting at 10:14 p.m.