MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING
OF THE LEMON GROVE CITY COUNCIL
Lemon Grove Community Center
3146 School Lane, Lemon Grove, CA 91945
Tuesday, May 21, 2024 at 6:00 P.M.
Call to Order
Mayor Vasquez called the Regular City Council meeting to order at 6:03 p.m.
Mayor Racquel Vasquez, Mayor Pro-Tem Jennifer Mendoza, Councilmember Liana LeBaron, Councilmember George Gastil and Councilmember Alysson Snow.
Absent: None
Staff Members Present:
City Manager Lydia Romero, City Attorney Kristen Steinke, City Clerk Joel G. Pablo, Public Works Director Izzy Murguia, Community Development Manager Michael Fellows, Fire Chief Bent Koch, Heartland Fire and Rescue and Lieutenant Joseph Barry, San Diego County Sheriff's Department.
Pledge of Allegiance
Councilmember Gastil led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Changes to the Agenda
Mayor Vasquez announced written notification was received from Councilmember LeBaron to pull Item No. 1.B. from the Consent Calendar and will be heard following Reports to Council.
City Clerk Pablo stated there are no further changes to the agenda.
Presentations - None
Public Comment
Mayor Vasquez opened the public comment period.
In Person: Ralph Chudy
Ken King
John L. Wood
Brenda Hammond
John Everett
Cory Briggs
Mat Kostrinsky, American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME Local 127)
Dan Daneri
Written: Barbara Gordon
Mayor Vasquez closed the public comment period.
May 21, 2024 City Council Meeting Minutes - Regular Meeting Page | 2 Consent Calendar
Action: Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Mendoza, second by Councilmember Gastil to approve the Consent Calendar absent Item No. 1.B.
The motion passed by the following vote:
Ayes: Snow, Gastil, Mendoza, Vasquez
Noes: LeBaron
Absent: None
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.
Ordinances shall be introduced and adopted by title only.
1.B City of Lemon Grove Payment Demands
Action: Item Pulled from the Consent Calendar.
1.C Approval of City Council Meeting Minutes
Action: Approved the minutes of the Lemon Grove City Council meetings held on April 30, 2024 and May 7, 2024.
1.D Award of Contract (Sourcewell No. 070121) to Siemens Industry, Inc., for the Citywide Heating, Ventilation, and Air Condition (HVAC) Replacement Project Action: Adopted Resolution 2024-4022 to award a contract (Sourcewell No. 070121) for the purchase and installation of HVAC equipment to Siemens Industry, Inc., in the amount of $697,474, and authorize the City Manager to execute any necessary documents.
1.E Award of Contract (No. 2024-15) for Traffic Signal and Communications System Maintenance, Emergency Repairs, and Related Construction Services Action: Adopted Resolution No. 2024-4023 awarding a contract (No. 2024-15) for traffic signal and communications system maintenance to Southwest Signal Service, Inc., and authorize the City Manager to execute any necessary documents.
1.F Adopt a Resolution Authorizing the Submittal of a CalRecycle Local Government Waste Tire Enforcement Grant Application in Partnership with the City of San Diego-Solid Waste Local Enforcement Agency and Authorizing the City of San Diego to Act on Behalf of the City of Lemon Grove to Execute All Necessary Grant Documents Action: Adopted Resolution No. 2024-4024 authorizing the submittal of a California Department of Resource Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle) Local Government Waste Tire Enforcement (TEA) Grant application in partnership with the City of San Diego-Solid Waste Local Enforcement Agency (LEA) and authorizing the City of San Diego to act on behalf of the City of Lemon Grove to execute all necessary grant documents for the purpose of securing funds and to implement the specified grant activities.
1.G Call for Applications and Setting Interview Date to Fill One Planning Commissioner Scheduled Vacancy
Action: Adopted Resolution No. 2024-4025 calling for the applications to appoint one member to the Lemon Grove Planning Commission, to serve a four year term, beginning July 1, 2024, and set June 18, 2024 as the date to conduct interviews of qualified applicants.
May 21, 2024 City Council Meeting Minutes - Regular Meeting Page | 3
1.H Engineer's Report and Resolution Declaring the Intention to Levy and Collect Assessments within Lemon Grove Roadway Lighting District for Fiscal Year 2024- 25 and Set Date for Public Hearing
Action: (1) Adopted Resolution No. 2024-182 approving the engineer's report detailing Zone A Assessments for Fiscal Year 2024-25; and (2) Direct the District Clerk to cause notice of the filing of the engineer's report and schedule a public hearing for considering adoption of the report and authorizing submittal of Lighting District assessments to the San Diego County Auditor and Controller for inclusion on the Fiscal Year 2024-25 property tax statements.
1.I Engineer's Report and Resolutions Declaring the Intention to Levy and Collect Assessments Within the Wildflower Landscape Maintenance Assessments District 97-1 for Fiscal Year 2024-25 and Set Date for Public Hearing Action: It is recommended the City Council adopt Resolution No. 2024-4026, Resolution No. 2024-4027, Resolution No. 2024-4028 and Set June 4, 2024 for the Public Hearing.
Public Hearing(s):
2. Consider Appeal No. AA2-200-0007 Regarding the Planning Commission Approval of Conditional Use Permit No. CUP-220-0001. Under Consideration is a Wireless communications Facility that would Include a 70-foot Mono-broadleaf Tower anc Associated Equipment at the Property Located at 6970 San Miguel Avenue (APN: 479- 240-06-00) in the Residential Low Medium (RLM) Zone.
Mayor Vasquez introduced the item by title.
Councilmember Snow and Mayor Pro-Tem Mendoza each recused themselves from this Item due to real property interest within a 500 foot radius of the property address of the proposed project.
City Attorney Steinke requested Councilmembers to disclose any contlicts or ex-parte City Attorney Steike provided background information on the matter and shared the Appellate process with the Council.
City Clerk Pablo stated that all notices as required by law have been provided and the complete file of exhibits, correspondence and other documents have been provided.
Mayor Vasquez opened the public hearing at 6:33 p.m. Mayor Vasquez introduced Community Development Manager Michael Fellows. Fellows presented the staff report.
Mayor Vasquez introduced the Appellant, Jason Sundberg. Sundberg, the appellant, made a presentation and answered questions from the Council.
Round 1: Councilmembers directed comments/questions to appellant and City Staff.
Round 2: Councilmembers directed comments/questions to appellant and City Staff.
May 21, 2024 City Council Meeting Minutes - Regular Meeting Page | 4 Mayor Vasquez introducted the Applicant, Harold Thomas, Jr. with MD7, LLC. Thomas, Jr. of MD7, the applicant, made a presentation and answered questions from the Round 1: Councilmembers directed comments/questions to applicant and City Staff.
Round 2: Councilmembers directed comments/questions to applicant and City Staff.
Mayor Vasquez opened the public comment period.
In Person: Cliff Snow
Written: Jason Sundberg
Shawn Harris, San Diego Commercial and Business Financing Stan Baczynski
Mayor Vasquez closed the public comment period.
Mayor Vasquez stated both the applicant and appellant will be afforded an opportunity to present their rebuttal remarks.
Harold Thomas, Jr., MD7 applicant provided their rebuttal statement.
Jason Sundberg, appellant provided their rebuttal statement.
Round 1: Councilmembers directed comments/questions to Staff.
Round 2: Councilmembers directed comments/questions to Staff.
Action: Motion by Councilmember LeBaron, second by Councilmember Gastil to close the Public Hearing.
The motion passed by the following vote:
Ayes: LeBaron, Gastil, Vasquez
Noes: None
Absent: None
Recused: Snow, Mendoza
The Council deliberated and provided final remarks.
Action: Motion by Councilmember Gastil, second by Councilmember LeBaron to:
remand the matter back to the Planning Commission for further consideration with no conditions.
The motion passed by the following vote:
Ayes: LeBaron, Gastil, Vasquez
Noes: None
Absent: None
Recused: Snow, Mendoza
The Council recessed for a break at 8:49 p.m.
The Council reconvened at 9:10 p.m. with all Councilmembers present.
May 21, 2024 City Council Meeting Minutes - Regular Meeting Page | 5 City Manager Lydia Romero indicated pursuant to the City Council Policies and Procedures the Council Reports and the pulled Item No. 1 B Payment Demands to the Regular City Council Meeting on Tuesday, June 4, 2024 at 6:00 p.m.
ACTION: A motion was made by Councilmember Gastil with a second by Councilmember Snow to move the Closed Session item, Council Reports and the pulled Item No. 1 B Payment Demands to the Regular Meeting on Tuesday, June 4, 2024 at 6:00 p.m.
The motion passed by the following vote:
Ayes: Snow, LeBaron, Gastil, Mendoza, Vasquez
Noes: None
Absent: None
Reports to Council:
3. Annual Sanitation District Rate Analysis
Mayor Vasquez introduced Izzy Murguia, Public Works Director. Murguia presented the report.
Mayor Vasquez opened the public comment period. No comments were directed to the Board. Mayor Vasquez closed the public comment period.
Round 1: Councilmembers directed comments/questions to Staff.
Round 2: Councilmembers directed comments/questions to Staff.
By Board consensus: Opted for Staff Analysis Option 2: 1) No rate increase for FY 2024/25 (assumes a 3.0% increase in FY 2025-26 and beyond); 2) Draw down Pure Water Program Reserves (~$500k) until funds are exhausted; and 3) Fund Capital Reserve Fund.
Item Pulled from the Consent Calendar
1.B City of Lemon Grove Payment Demands
Action: Item Continued to the City Council Meeting on June 4, 2024 City Council Reports on Meetings Attended at the Expense of the City Action: Item Continued to the City Council Meeting on June 4, 2024 City Manager Report
Action: Item Continued to the City Council Meeting on June 4, 2024 Closed Session(s):
May 21, 2024 City Council Meeting Minutes - Regular Meeting Page | 6 Public Employee Performance Evaluation (Government Code §54957(b)) City Attorney
Action: Item Continued to the City Council Meeting on June 4, 2024 Adjournment
There being no further business to come before the City Council, Mayor Vasquez adjourned the meeting at 10:05 p.m. Mayor Vasquez announced that a Special Meeting will be held on Wednesday, May 22, 2024 (Team Building / Priority Setting for Fiscal Year 2024-25) and the next regularly scheduled City Council meeting is on Tuesday, June 4, 2024.
Approved by City Council on July 2, 2024