MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING
OF THE LEMON GROVE CITY COUNCIL
Lemon Grove Community Center
3146 School Lane, Lemon Grove, CA 91945
Tuesday, July 16, 2024 at 6:00 p.m.
Call to Order
Mayor Racquel Vasquez called the regular City Council meeting to order at 6:03 p.m.
Roll Call
Mayor Racquel Vasquez, Mayor Pro-Tem Jennifer Mendoza, Councilmember George Gastil, Councilmember Alysson Snow, Councilmember Liana LeBaron
Absent: None
Staff Members Present: City Manager Lydia Romero, City Attorney Kristen Steinke, City Clerk Joel G. Pablo, Public Works Director Izzy Murguia, Deputy Chief of Operations Todd Nelson, Division Chief of Administration / Emergency Medical Brian Hayward, Lt. Joseph Barry with the County of San Diego - Sheriff's Department.
Pledge of Allegiance
Councilmember Gastil led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Changes to the Agenda
City Clerk Pablo stated there are no changes to the agenda.
Councilmember LeBaron requested that Consent Calendar Item 1.B. be pulled for a separate discussion and vote. Request failed due to a lack of a second.
Presentations
• Certificate of Recognition for Outgoing Planning Commissioner Miranda Evans Mayor Vasquez and Planning Commission Chair Seth Smith recognized and expressed appreciation to outgoing Commissioner Miranda Evans for her years of service. Evans expressed her gratitude to the Council and City staff for the opportunity to serve on the Planning Commission.
• Nurse Navigation Program
Todd Nelson, Deputy Chief of Operations, and Brian Hayward, Division Chief of Administration/Emergency Medical for Heartland Fire and Rescue, presented the report.
Councilmembers directions questions/comments to staff.
• Mat Kostrinsky, American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Page |2 City Council Meeting Minutes - Regular Meeting July 16, 2024 (ASCFME) Local 127 Presentation
Mat Kostrinsky, ASCFME Local 127, presented the report.
Councilmembers directed questions/comments to Mat Kostrinsky.
Public Comment
Mayor Vasquez opened the public comment period.
In Person: Brenda Hammond
John L. Wood
Clain Stone, Ters, Hony sOme Central
en King
essvka Heredi
Written: Barbara Gordon
Councilmembers engaged in an extended discussion and directed questions to City staff regarding the Troy Street Tiny Homes Project.
Councilmember LeBaron requested to add an item to a future agenda, directing staff to provide a 15 to 20 minute presentation on the City's decision-making processes. The presentation at her request included: (1) How large decisions are made within the City's jurisdiction: (2) The definition and purpose for conducting a public hearing and public noticing requirements; (3) Other relevant legal processes. Request failed due to a lack of a second.
Action: Motion by Councilmember Gastil, second by Mayor Pro-Tem Mendoza to approve Consent Calendar Item No. 1.A through 1.F.
The motion passed by the following vote:
AYES: Gastil, Snow, Mendoza, Vasquez
NOES: LeBaron
ABSENT: None
Consent Calendar
1.A 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 June 5, 2024 through June 18, 2024.
1.C Approval of City Council Meeting Minutes
Page | 3 City Council Meeting Minutes - Regular Meeting July 16, 2024 Action: Approved the minutes of the Lemon Grove City Council meeting held on July 2, 2024.
1.D Acceptance of Fiscal Year 2023 State Homeland Security Grant Program (SHSGP) Funds
Action: Adopted Resolution No. 2024 - 4041 accepting the Fiscal Year (FY) 2023 State Homeland Security Grant Program (SHSGP) funds and authorizing the City Manager to execute appropriate agreements and/or grant documents required to receive and use said funds in accordance with SHSGP requirements.
1.E Acceptance of Fiscal Year 2023 State Homeland Security Grant Program Urban Areas Security Initiative Funds (UASI)
Action: Adopted Resolution No. 2024 - 4042 accepting Fiscal Year (FY) 2023 State Homeland Security Grant Program (SHSGP) Urban Areas Security Initiative (UASI) funds and authorize the City Manager to execute appropriate agreements and/or grant documents required to receive and use said funds in accordance with UASI requirements.
1.F Resolution Approving Contract Extension with TeamCivX for Ballot Measure Feasibility, Outreach and Planning
Action: Adopted Resolution 2024 - 4046 approving a contract extension with TeamCivX for Ballot Measure Feasibility, Outreach and Planning Services.
Public Hearing: - None
Reports to Council
2. Consideration of a Resolution Submitting to the Electors a Ballot Measure to Increase the City's Sales and Use Tax (Sales Tax) by One Percent (One Cent) Mayor Vasquez introduced the item by title. City Manager Lydia Romero and City Attorney Kristen Steinke, presented the staff report.
Mayor Vasquez opened the public comment period.
In Person: Austin Evans
Mat Kostrinsky, ASCFME Local 127
Mayor Vasquez closed the public comment period.
Round 1: Councilmembers directed questions/comments to Staff.
Round 2: Councilmembers directed questions/comments to Staff.
Page | 4 City Council Meeting Minutes - Regular Meeting July 16, 2024 Action 1: Motion by Councilmember Gastil, second by Mayor Pro-Tem Mendoza to: Adopt Resolution No. 2024-4040 calling an election in the City of Lemon Grove to be consolidated with the City's next general municipal election on November 5, 2024 and submitting to the electors a ballot measure to increase the City's Sales and Use Tax (Sales Tax) by one percent (one cent) by adding Lemon Grove Municipal Code Chapter 3.18 (Sales and Use Tax), establishing the policies and procedures for such an election, requesting that San Diego County provide election services, directing the City Attorney to prepare an impartial analysis and authorizing the filing of rebuttal argument.
AYES: Gastil, Snow, Mendoza, Vasquez
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
[The Council recessed for a break at 8:41 p.m. and reconvened at 8:50 p.m., with all Councilmembers present./
Mayor Vasquez provided an opportunity for Councilmember LeBaron to vote on the matter.
Councilmember LeBaron requested to continue deliberating on the matter, and Mayor Vasquez granted the request, allowing LeBaron to continue the discussion. Mayor Vasquez also provided an opportunity for the rest of the Council to further discuss the matter. City Attorney Steinke advised the Council to introduce a motion to table the current motion to allow for further discussion on the matter.
Action 2: Motion by Councilmember Gastil, second by Councilmember LeBaron, to table the current motion to allow for continued deliberations.
The motion passed by the following vote:
AYES: Gastil, Snow, LeBaron
NOES: Mendoza, Vasquez
ABSENT: None
Council discussions ensued on the matter.
Action 3: Motion by Councilmember Gastil, second by Councilmember Snow to renew the original motion on the floor to: Adopt Resolution No. 2024- 4040 calling an election in the City of Lemon Grove to be consolidated with the City's next general municipal election on November 5, 2024 and submitting to the electors a ballot measure to increase the City's Sales and Use Tax (Sales Tax) by one percent (one cent) by adding Lemon Grove Municipal Code Chapter 3.18 Page | 5 City Council Meeting Minutes - Regular Meeting July 16, 2024 (Sales and Use Tax), establishing the policies and procedures for such an election, requesting that San Diego County provide election services, directing the City Attorney to prepare an impartial analysis and authorizing the filing of rebuttal argument.
The motion passed by the following vote:
AYES: Gastil, Snow, Mendoza, Vasquez
NOES: LeBaron
ABSENT: None
3. Consideration of a Resolution Adopting a Formal Policy for Flag Displays on City Property
Mayor Vasquez introduced the item by title. City Manager Lydia Romero and City Attorney Kristen Steinke, presented the report.
Mayor Pro-Tem Mendoza and Councilmember Snow provided comments and emphasized the need to establish a Flag Policy for the City.
Mayor Vasquez opened the public comment period.
In Person: Cheryl Robertson
Reverend Danny Brunner
Mayor Vasquez closed the public comment period.
Round 1: Councilmembers directed questions/comments to Staff and deliberated.
Round 2: Councilmembers directed questions/comments to Staff and deliberated.
Action: Motion made by Councilmember Gastil, second by Mayor Pro-Tem Mendoza to: Adopt Resolution No. 2024 - 4047 approving the Flag Policy as read into the record by Mayor Pro-Tem Mendoza. The motion also included recognition that the Juneteenth Flag and Pride Flag shall be flown, with the Pride Flag remaining raised through the month of July 2024.
The motion passed by the following vote:
AYES: Gastil, LeBaron, Snow, Mendoza, Vasquez
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
City Council Reports on Meetings Attended at the Expense of the City Councilmember Alysson Snow
• July 5, 2024: Attended a meeting with Homeless Service Provider Church of Page |6 City Council Meeting Minutes - Regular Meeting July 16, 2024 Salvation.
• July 9, 2024: Attended a meeting hosted by Supervisor Monica Montgomery Steppe
• July 10, 2024: Site visit at the Village of Otay
July 10, 2024: Attended the Revenue Subcommittee
July 11, 2024: Attended the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) East County Subregion
• July 11, 2024: Attended Concerts in the Park
• July 12, 2024: Lemon Grove Movies in the Park
• July 12, 2024: Met with Joel Anderson's office, re: Mental and Behavioral Health Services
July 13, 2024: Attended Community Conversations with Mayor Pro-Tem Mendoza
July 16, 2024: Attended the East County Chamber of Commerce Government Affairs Committee
• July 16, 2024: Attended the County of San Diego - Board of Supervisors meeting.
Councilmember Liana LeBaron
• Shared that she met with the Property Owner of the Golden Hill Townhomes.
Councilmember George Gastil
• Attended a SANDAG meeting
• Attended the Lemon Grove Pride Month: Vibe
Mayor Pro-Tem Jennifer Mendoza
• July 6, 2024: Presented a Proclamation on behalf of the Mayor to Katie Wilson July 11, 2024: Attended Heartland Fire and Rescue: Facility Training July 13, 2024: Attended the Community Update meeting with Councilmember Snow
Mayor Racquel Vasquez
• Attended the League of California City's Board of Director's Meeting • Attended Lemon Grove Pride: Vibes
• Reported that she traveled to Dallas, Texas for the 71st International Conference, as a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., noted that the trip was self- funded, and highlighted that Vice President Kamala Harris was the keynote speaker at the event.
City Manager's Report
City Manager Romero wished Mayor Pro-Tem Mendoza a Happy Birthday.
Closed Session:
Page |7 City Council Meeting Minutes - Regular Meeting July 16, 2024 City Attorney Steinke read the Council into Closed Session. The Council adjourned to Closed Session at 10:43 p.m.
a. Conference with Labor Negotiator (Government Code $54957.6) Agency Representative: Lydia Romero, City Manager
Employee Organization: AFSCME Local 127, General and Supervisorial Bargaining Units
The Council reconvened into open session at 11:24 p.m.
City Attorney Steinke reported that there was no reportable action from the Closed Session.
Adjournment
Mayor Vasquez adjourned the meeting at 11:24 p.m. and announced that the next regular City Council meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, August 6, 2024 at 6:00 p.m.
Joel G. Pablo, City Clerk
Approved by the City Council on November 19, 2024