MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING
OF THE LEMON GROVE CITY COUNCIL
Lemon Grove Community Center
3146 School Lane, Lemon Grove, CA 91945
Tuesday, July 2, 2024 at 6:00 P.M.
Call to Order
Mayor Racquel Vasquez called the Regular City Council meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
Roll Call
Mayor Racquel Vasquez, Mayor Pro-Tem Jennifer Mendoza, Councilmember Liana LeBaron and Councilmember Alysson Snow
Absent: Councilmember George Gastil
Staff Members Present
City Manager Lydia Romero, City Attorney Kristen Steinke, City Clerk Joel G. Pablo, Public Works Director Izzy Murguia, Lieutenant Barry, San Diego Sheriff's Department and Fire Chief Koch, Heartland Fire and Rescue.
Pledge of Allegiance
Mayor Pro Tem Mendoza led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Changes to the Agenda
City Manager Lydia Romero requested Council to move Item No. 5 to the Tuesday, July 16, 2024.
Action: Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Mendoza, second by Councilmember Snow to move Item No. 5 to the Regularly Scheduled Meeting on Tuesday, July 16, 2024.
The motion passed by the following vote:
Ayes: LeBaron, Snow, Mendoza, Vasquez
Noes: None
Absent: Gastil
Action Mation by Councilmember Lebaron to pall Consent Calendar Item No. 1. B. Motion Jails Presentations - None
Public Comment
Mayor Vasquez open the public comment period.
In Person: Minola Clark Manson
Mazin Sheena
John L. Wood
July 2, 2024 City Council Meeting Minutes - Regular Meeting Page |2 Teresa Rosiak Profit
Mat Kostrinsky, American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Local 127
Michelle Krug
Truth
Jacquelyn Clark
Matthew Sheena
Mayor Vasquez closed the public comment period.
Councilmember LeBaron with the support of Councilmember Snow requested staff to reserve time for Mat Kostrinsky to provide a status update on labor negotiations at the next City Council meeting on Tuesday, July 16, 2024.
Councilmember Snow with the support of Councilmember LeBaron directed staff to provide a report on Traffic Calming Measures on Central Avenue.
Councilmember Snow with the support of Councilmember LeBaron and Mayor Pro Tem Mendoza directed staff to provide a report Request for Proposal for Homeless Services and potential solutions.
Mayor Pro Tem Mendoza with the support of Councilmember Snow requested for Jacquelyn Clark to provide a presentation on concerns she shared during public comment.
In response to Mayor Vasquez, City Attorney Steinke mentioned and was suggested earlier by the City Manager for Mazin Sheena and Matthew Sheena to obtain additional information on the process for obtaining a liquor license through City Hall.
Consent Calendar
Mayor Vasquez opened the public comment period.
In Person: Truth (provided comments for Item No. 1.A., 1.C., 1.E. and 1.F) Michelle Krug (provided comment for Item No. 1.F)
John L. Wood (provided comment for Item No. I.E)
Minola Clark Manson (provided comments for Item No. 1.F) Mayor Vasquez closed the public comment period.
Action: Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Mendoza, second by Councilmember Snow to approve the Consent Calendar Item No. 1.A through 1.F.
The motion passed by the following vote:
Ayes: Snow, Mendoza, Vasquez
Noes: LeBaron
Absent: Gastil
July 2, 2024 City Council Meeting Minutes - Regular Meeting Page | 3 Waive the Full Text Reading of All Ordinances on the Agenda Action: Waived the full text reading of all ordinances included in this agenda.
Ordinances shall be introduced and adopted by title only.
1.B City of Lemon Grove Payment Demands
Action: Ratified Demands covering May 22, 2024 through June 4, 2024
1.C Approval of City Council Meeting Minutes
Action: Approved the minutes of the Lemon Grove City Council meeting held on May 21, 2024 and June 25, 2024.
1.D Approval of Agreement (No. 2024-19) to Ninyo & Moore for Geotechnical and Material Testing Services
Action: Adopted Resolution No. 2024 - 4036 awarding an agreement (No. 2024-19) to Ninyo & Moore for geotechnical and material testing services and authorize the City Manager to execute any necessary documents.
1.E Authorization to Purchase a Vacuum Jet-Rod Truck by Cooperative Purchase Agreement Action: Adopted Sanitation District Resolution No. 2024 - 324 authorizing the purchase of a combination vacuum/jet-rod sewer cleaning truck from Plumber's Depot, through a Sourcewell Cooperative Purchasing Agreement No. 101221-GPV for a total estimate cost not-to-exceed $672,000, and authorize the City Manager to execute any necessary documents.
1.F Planning Commission Appointment
Action: Appointed Minola Clark Manson to serve on the Planning Commission for a four-year term ending June 30, 2028.
Public Hearing(s):
2. Public Hearing and Resolution Authorizing Sewer Service Charges for the Lemon Grove Sanitation District to be Collected on the San Diego County Property Tax Roll for Fiscal Year 2024-25
Mayor Vasquez introduced the item by title.
City Clerk Pablo stated all notices as required by law have been provided and the complete file of exhibits, correspondence and other documents have been provided.
City Attorney Steinke requested Councilmembers to disclose any conflicts or ex-parte communications. Councilmember LeBaron, Councilmember Snow, Mayor Pro-Tem Mendoza and Mayor Vasquez each stated that they had no conflicts.
Mayor Vasquez opened the public hearing at 7:00 p.m. and introduced Public Works Director Izzy Murguia to present the staff report.
Mayor Vasquez opened the public comment period.
July 2, 2024 City Council Meeting Minutes - Regular Meeting Page |4 In Person: Truth
Mayor Vasquez closed the public comment period.
Round 1: Councilmembers directed comments/questions to staff.
Round 2: Councilmembers directed comments/questions to staff.
Action: Motion by Vice-Chair Mendoza, second by Chair Vasquez to close the Public Hearing at 7:15 p.m.
The motion passed by the following vote:
Ayes: Snow, LeBaron, Mendoza, Vasquez
Noes: None
Absent: Gastil
Round 1: Councilmembers directed comments/questions to staff.
Mayor Vasquez mentioned that a motion and a second on the matter has been received and that she will forego the second round of questions.
Action: Motion by Director Snow, second by Vice-Chair Mendoza to: (1) Conduct a public hearing to receive comments regarding the Fiscal Year 2024-25 Lemon Grove Sanitation District Annual Sewer Service Charge Report; (2) Made a finding that the number of protests received is zero (0); and (3) Adopted Sanitation District Resolution No. 2024 - 325 confirming the Fiscal Year 2024-25 Sewer Service Charge Report and ordering the transmission of charges to the San Diego County Auditor and Controller for Collection.
The motion passed by the following vote:
Ayes: Snow, Mendoza, Vasquez
Noes: LeBaron
Absent: Gastil
Reports to Council
Presidential General Election: Tuesday, November 5, 2024 Mayor Vasquez introduced City Clerk Joel G. Pablo to present the report.
Mayor Vasquez opened the public comment period.
In Person: Truth
Mayor Vasquez closed the public comment period.
Round 1: Councilmembers directed comments/questions to staff.
Round 2: Councilmembers directed comments/questions to staff July 2, 2024 City Council Meeting Minutes - Regular Meeting Page |5 Action: A motion was made by Councilmember Snow, second by Mayor Pro-Tem Mendoza to adopt Resolution No. 2024-4037 calling and giving notice of the General Municipal Election on Tuesday, November 5, 2024, for one (1) Mayoral seat and two (2) City Councilmember seats and determining tie vote by lot; The motion passed by the following vote:
Ayes: Snow, LeBaron, Mendoza, Vasquez
Noes: None
Absent: Gastil
Action: A motion was made by Mayor Pro-Tem Mendoza, second by Councilmember Snow to adopt Resolution No. 2024-4038 requesting consolidation of the General Municipal Election with the Presidential Election and requesting services of the San Diego Registrar of Voters;
The motion passed by the following vote:
Ayes: Snow, LeBaron, Mendoza, Vasquez
Noes: None
Absent: Gastil
Action: A motion was made by Mayor Pro-Tem Mendoza, second by Mayor Vasquez to adopt Resolution No. 2024-4039 establishing regulations for Candidate Statements.
The motion passed by the following vote:
Ayes: Snow, LeBaron, Mendoza, Vasquez
Noes: None
Absent: Gastil
Item Pulled from the Consent Calendar on May 21, 2024
City of Lemon Grove Payment Demands
Mayor Vasquez introduced City Manager Lydia Romero to addressed questions posed by Councilmember LeBaron pertaining to City Attorney services and costs.
Mayor Vasquez opened the public comment period.
In Person: Truth
Mayor Vasquez closed the public comment period.
Action: A motion was made by Councilmember Snow, second by Mayor Pro Tem Mendoza to ratify demands covering April 10, 2024 through April 23, 2024.
The motion passed by the following vote:
Ayes: Snow, LeBaron, Mendoza, Vasquez
July 2, 2024 City Council Meeting Minutes - Regular Meeting Page | 6 Noes: None
Absent: Gastil
Item Pulled from the Consent Calendar on June 4. 2024
Fiscal Year 2024-25 City Calendar
Item Moved to the City Council Meeting on Tuesday, July 16, 2024 City Council Reports on Meetings Attended at the Expense of the City Councilmember Snow
• July 19, 2024 - Attended the Juneteenth Event at Treganza Park July 20, 2024 - Attended the Cal Cities Community Services Committee Meeting • July 20, 2024 - Attended the Lemon Grove Farmer's Market • July 21, 2024 - Attended the San Diego Association of Governments Transportation Committee
• July 22, 2024 - Attended an event called Chocolate City • July 25, 2024 - Attended the Special City Council Meeting • July 25, 2024 - Attended the San Diego County Board of Supervisor's meeting • July 26, 2024 - Attended the East County Economic Development Council - Annual Membership Meeting
• July 27, 2024 - Attended San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) East County Sub-Region Update
• July 27, 2024 - Attended the Lemon Grove Farmer's Market: City of Lemon Grove Booth
• July 28, 2024 - Attended Cal Cities San Diego's Leadership Meeting • July 29, 2024 - Attended the Lion's Club: Chili Cook-off • July 29, 2024 - Attended a Reception for Local Leaders regarding Homeless Issues • July 2, 2024 - Met with County Supervisor Monica Montgomery Steppe Councilmember Liana LeBaron
• June 26, 2024 - Met with three (3) Public Works Employee regarding their concerns.
Mayor Pro-Tem Jennifer Mendoza
• July 19, 2024 - Attended a Juneteenth Prayer Service at Promenade Park Met with and engaged in conversations with local business owners over their concerns on the homeless situation and the effects it has had on their business.
Mayor Racquel Vasquez
• Attended the Juneteenth Freedom Day Event at Treganza Park • Attended the SANDAG - Business Meeting; SANDAG East County Sub-Region Board Briefing; and SANDAG Independent Taxpayer Oversight Committee: Selection Committee
• Cal Cities Nominating Committee Meeting
• RISE San Diego Leadership Fellows Graduation
July 2, 2024 City Council Meeting Minutes - Regular Meeting Page 7 • Attended Opening Night for Concerts in the Park
City Manager's Report
City Manager Lydia Romero announced that City Hall will be closed on Thursday, July 4, 2024 in observance of Independence Day.
Closed Session: - None
Adjournment
There being no further business to come before the City Council, Mayor Vasquez adjourned the meeting at 8:08 p.m. Mayor Vasquez noted that the next regularly scheduled meeting will be on Tuesday, July 16, 2024.
Joel G. Pablo City Clerk
Approved by the City Council on July 16, 2024