MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING
OF THE LEMON GROVE CITY COUNCIL
Lemon Grove Community Center
3146 School Lane, Lemon Grove, CA 91945
Tuesday, April 16, 2024 at 6:00 p.m.
Call to Order
Mayor Vasquez called the Regular City Council meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
Mayor Racquel Vasquez, Mayor Pro-Tem Jenniler Mondora, Councilmember AMlyssan Snow, and Councilmember Liana LeBaron (arrived at 6:02 p.m. after roll-call was taken).
Absent: Councilmember Gastil
City Manager Lydia Romero commented Councilmember Gastil's absence is due to his attendance at a conference regarding transportation issues.
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; and Lieutenant Joseph Barry, San Diego County Sheriff's Department Pledge of Allegiance
Councilmember Snow led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Changes to the Agenda
City Clerk Pablo stated there are no changes to the agenda.
Presentations
Proclamation - Arbor Day
Mayor Vasquez provided comments and read the Arbor Day Proclamation. Mayor Vasquez presented the proclamation to Public Works Director Izzy Murguia.
Lemon Grove Historical Society - Essay Awards
Mayor Vasquez introduced Laura J. Hook President and Roberta Bulling of the Lemon Grove Historical Society to present the Annual Lemon Grove Essay Contest Winners to:
Honorable Mention | Erin M., Mt. Vernon Academy Elementary School Honorable Mention | Alexa T., Vernon Academy Elementary School 3rd Place | Raquel M., Monterey Heights Elementary School 2nd Place | Kimberly A., Monterey Heights Elementary School 1s' Place | Omar D., Monterey Heights Elementary School April 16, 2024 City Council Regular Meeting Page | 2
Public Comment
Mayor Vasquez opened the public comment period.
In-Person: John L. Wood
Dan Daneri
Craig Morris
Brenda Hammond
Minola Clark Manson
Mat Kostrinsky, American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local 127
Consent Calendar
Action: Motion by Mayor Pro-Tem Mendoza, second by Councilmember Snow to approve the Consent Calendar Item Nos. 1.A through 1.E.
The motion passed by the following vote:
Ayes: Snow, Mendoza, Vasquez
Noes: LeBaron
Absent: Gastil
1.A Waive the Full Text Reading of All Ordinances on the Agenda Action: Waived the full text reading of all ordinances included on the agenda.
1.B City of Lemon Grove Payment Demands
Action: Ratified Demands covering March 13, 2024 through March 26, 2024.
1.C Approval of City Council Meeting Minutes
Action: Approved the minutes of the Lemon Grove City Council meetings held on March 5, 2024 and April 2, 2024.
1.D Accept Completion of Emergency Storm Drain Repairs at 6971 Broadway and Terminate Emergency Contracting Actions Pursuant to Public Contract Code Section 22050
Action: Adopted Resolution No. 2024-4013 accepting emergency construction by Jimenez Inc., DBA MJC Construction for storm drain repairs located at 6971 Broadway and terminating emergency actions pursuant to Public Contract Code Section 22050.
1.E Accept Completion of Emergency Road Repairs to the 6400 Block of Federal Blvd and Terminate Emergency Contracting Actions Pursuant to Public Contract Code Section 22050
Action: Adopted Resolution No. 2024-4014 accepting emergency construction by Eagle Paving Company, Inc., for pavement repairs to the 6400 Block of Federal Blvd and terminating emergency actions pursuant to Public Contract Code Section 22050.
Public Hearing(s): - None
April 16, 2024 City Council Regular Meeting Page | 3
Reports to Council:
Accept the Fiscal Year 2022 - 23 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Improvement Project - Buena Vista Avenue (Contract No. 2023-16) Mayor Vasquez introduced Public Works Director Izzy Murguia to present the staff report.
Mayor Vasquez opened the public comment period.
In Person: None
Round 1: Councimembers provided questions/comments to staff.
Round 2: Councilmembers provided questions/comments to staff.
Action: Motion by Councilmember Snow, second by Mayor Pro-Tem Mendoza adopting Resolution No. 2024-4015 accepting the FY 2022-23 Community Development Block Grant Street Improvement Project - Buena Vista Ave (Contract No. 2023-16)
The motion passed by the following vote:
Ayes: LeBaron, Snow, Mendoza, Vasquez
Noes: None
Absent: Gastill
3. Fourth Amendment to Metro Wastewater Joint Powers Agreement (JPA) The City Council acting as the Board of Directors of the Lemon Grove Sanitation District Board.
Chair Vasquez introduced Public Works Director Izzy Murguia to present the staff report.
Mayor Vasquez opened the public comment period.
In Person: None
Director LeBaron left the dias at 7:00 p.m.
Mayor Vasquez opened the public comment period.
In Person: Jerry Jones, Representative and Chair of the Metro Wastewater JPA Director LeBaron returned at 7:14 p.m.
Round 1: Directors directed questions / concerns to Staff and Jerry Jones.
Round 2: Directors directed questions / concerns to Staff and Jerry Jones.
April 16, 2024 City Council Regular Meeting Page | 4
Action: Motion by Director Snow, second by Vice-Chair Mendoza adopting Resolution No. 2024-321 authorizing the execution of the Fourth Amendment to the Metro Wastewater Joint Powers Authority Agreement and authorize the District Board Chair to sign the necessary documents.
The motion passed by the following vote:
Ayes: Mendoza, Snow, Vasquez
Noes: LeBaron
Absent: Gastil
City Council Reports on Meetings Attended at the Expense of the City Councilmember Alysson Snow
• April 4, 2024 - Attended the Metro Wastewater JPA Commission Meeting • April 5, 2024 - Attended and Participated in the Housing Justice Collaborative Meeting • April 16, 2024 - Attended the East County Chamber of Commerce - Government Affairs Committee Meeting
Councilmember LeBaron
• Met with residents regarding the City's public infrastructure and storm drains.
Mayor Pro-Tem Jennifer Mendoza
• April 11, 2024 - Attended the Heartland Communications Facility Authority Meeting Mayor Racquel Vasquez
• April 4, 2024 - Attended the State of the Movement: Remembering Martin Luther King, Jr.
• April 13, 2024 - Attended the National Association of Real Estate Brokers Community Day. at St. Stephen's Church of God in Christ
• April 13, 2024 - Attended the Women Inc. Luncheon, Presented Proclamations City Manager Report
City Manager Lydia Romero shared that she had met earlier in the day with the California Office of Emergency Services along with the Public Works Director and a staff member within the Finance Department regarding the possibility of receiving State reimbursement at 75% for various projects and line items during the January 2024 Storm Event covering the period of January 21, 2024 through January 24, 2024.
Mayor Vasquez noted the next regularly scheduled meeting of the City Council will be on Tuesday, May 7, 2024 at 6:00 p.m.
Closed Session(s):
City Attorney Kristen Steinke read the Council into Closed Session. The Council recessed into Closed Session at 7:45 p.m.
a. Public Employee Performance Evaluation (Government Code §54957(b)) City Attorney April 16, 2024 City Council Regular Meeting Page | 5
b. Conference with Legal Counsel - Anticipated Litigation (Government Code §54956.9(d)(2)- (4)) 1 case
Councilmember Lebaron left at 8:15 p.m.
The Council reconvenued at 8:30 p.m.
City Attorney Steinke reported out from Closed Session.
Closed Session Item A: Steinke stated that a Subcommittee has been formed comprised of Mayor Vasquez and Mayor Pro-Tem Mendoza to conduct the performance evaluation of the City Attorney and meet separately with the City Manager.
Closed Session Item B: Matter continued to the May 7, 2024 City Council Meeting.
Adjournment
There being no further business to come before the City Council, Mayor Vasquez adjourned the meeting at 8:30 p.m.
Approved by City Council on May 7, 2024